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Care A Priority For Neighbors

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By LAURA FRAZIER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2007

VALRICO - Residents of Featherock adult mobile home community enjoy plenty of recreational activities geared to active seniors age 55 and older. There's much more than shuffleboard and bingo going on, though.

Mazie Zelazny, president of the neighborhood social club, said residents of the 522-unit community established in the early 1980s make it a priority to form friendships and support one another.

"We're pretty close-knit," Zelazny said. "Everybody tries to do for everyone else."

In addition to dances, dinners and social events, residents of the park - east of Valrico Road off State Road 60 - run a nurturing committee to assist neighbors in need. Committee chairwoman Bonnie Warren, president of the homeowners association, said volunteers on call provide transportation to medical appointments and stores and referrals to social service agencies. Or they just check in on those who live alone and don't have family nearby.

"We have retired nurses, a social worker, a minister ... all these different volunteers willing to help however they can or to just listen," Warren said. "It's a terrible thing to be alone and not have family checking on you. I wish families understood that more."

Social activities are held at the clubhouse, where in February, neighbors will gather for an international pot-luck supper to share homemade dishes that represent their heritage.

Carlos Cortes, president of the neighborhood's Latin American Club, said the park has a diverse demographic and is home to about 50 Latin families, some of whom cannot speak English. He formed the club to bring people together for traditional Latin dances and domino games and to pass along tips about where to find Latin grocery stores and churches offering Spanish worship services.

The club also is organizing English classes for Spanish-speaking residents, as well as Spanish classes for English-speaking neighbors.

"We want to integrate all the different cultures in the park so you don't have the sectarian thing," Cortes said.

The homeowners association provides health screenings and other services at the clubhouse, where they will host a flu shot clinic Monday. Warren said neighbors gather there daily for billiards, horseshoes, tennis, bocce ball and more.

Hometown America Communities purchased the park in the summer. Cortes said the company made a number of much-needed improvements, including street paving, new entryway landscaping and tennis court resurfacing. The company also purchased $13,000 worth of raised-height pool furniture designed for seniors.

Some residents have asked the new owners to consider adding an exercise room and computer area in the clubhouse, Warren said. Whether they are retired or employed full- or part-time, she said, most residents are very active and social.

"We're a little city within ourselves, and we take care of our own," she said.

FEATHEROCK

WHAT: Adult mobile home community for ages 55 and older

WHERE: 2200 State Road 60 E., Valrico

INFO: (813) 681-3773 or go to www.hometownamerica.com/communities

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523 or lfrazier@tampatrib.com.

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