One of the best emails that a Friend of mine sent me when She got back from a Summer life somewhere else was:

I have been back two weeks.
I have gone to the mah jong group
I went to Scrabble
I went to book club
I have exercised with
I have had a massage with
so now let's have lunch.......
This is truly what Tea To Tequila is about... building our friendships
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Thank you to our T2T sponsors Maureen and Steve Horn, John and Chris Currie, Jack and Peg Quinlan (Celtic Golf)


PS Also, mark your calendars for Sunday, February 26th for a 2:00 pm matinee at The Glenridge Performing Arts Center. John Shaw and I will be performing “Love Letters” as a benefit for The West Coast Black Theater Troupe. Maureen is chairing the event! There are sponsorships available on 2 levels and general seating at $35 per ticket. Please plan to join us and bring lots of friends!!!!!



SponsorshipTickets are available through Christine Jennings (941-350-1293) will include preferred seating, acknowledgements, and admittance to an “after-party” with entertainment by the WCBTT immediately following the play. General Seating will be available from the Glenridge Box Office 941-552-5325 or online @ www.gpactix.com hopefully very very soon……..perhaps by Jan 15th.



Please try to come……….Ann and John won BEST ACTOR AND ACTRESS AT THE BOCA GRAND THEATRE FOR 2011

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Please call me for times, email and dates. I will be happy to pass on the Hostess's emails. Maureen 539 3384
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Please call Heidi for a few seats left at the T2T table at the Ritz for the Spaarc luncheon on February 9th heidilagro@verizon.net _______________________________________________________________
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Heidi Lagro and Cheryl Clark pick HH every two weeks and If you are not sure where we are meeting email Heidi or Cheryl....
heidilagro@verizon.net
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Karin Riccardi has promised Left, Right Center at some point in the season....soon to be announced
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January 9th Thank you Terry, the Nutella bites were fabulous and so easy.
Waiting for next
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Did you know I update the newsletter through the month? All you have to do is go directly to the site;
www.teatotequila.com and see if anything new is added. The newsletter only comes out once a month so I am going to keep updating through the month as news pops up.
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BUNCO
February 2-Hostess Terry Buzan
March 8- Barbara Pappas new date not the 1st as previously booked
April 5- Cris Meyers
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PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS.....come one ,come all for the merriment.

Saks Fifth Avenue has just invited us for our T2T night on February 9th from 5 to 7pm MARK YOUR CALENDARS

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MAH JONG is now hosted by all differnt hostesses. Let me know if you are interested and I will send you to the _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHICK FLICKS

The "Flick Chicks" have been enjoying cool movies throughout these hot summer days. Our regular date is the 2nd Monday of the month, usually for an early afternoon movie.


Based on last year, here's what seems to work best:


1. I will email you a reminder on the first Monday of each month.


2. At that time, you need to email me if you are likely to come.


3. My follow-up emails about time, place, movie choices, carpooling options, will only go to those who email me that they are likely to come.


4. On Thursday, when "The Ticket" comes out and the films at Burns Court are announced, I will follow-up with a more detailed email. We generally go to Burns Court, but we are open to any good movie.


5. At that time, you will need to commit to the details. The movie times vary...but we generally go mid afternoon.


The consensus is that we see the movie first and discuss it afterwards at a nearby restaurant.
We usually have lively conversations...and a grand time!

If you are likely to join us next month, just send me an email. (Please do not click on "respond all" - it drives others crazy:)


If you want your name removed from Flick Chicks reminder emails...or you are reading the T2T newsletter and want to add your name, please let me know.
ruthieb2@verizon.net or 387-8304


Come have a hoot with us!
Ruthie the Scribe

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COUPLES TEA TO TEQUILA....Once a year a delight to meet the other half or bring a friend or don't need a half......To be announced

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Dear Book Club Friends,
Remember:
1. Book club meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 4:00 pm.

2. Be sure to RSVP to the Host if you can attend. Important!

3. Please bring one question, (or thought, quote, etc. ) to the meeting to share.

Think about doing this as you read the book - just quickly jot your thought down on a card and stick it in your book.

This year we will be encouraging everyone’s active participation in the discussions.

4. Bring a little "something delicious" to share.




Fall/Winter Books:

December: No Book Club Meeting



Wednesday, January 18 at 4:00 pm

Host: Susan Upton 387-3806 wsupton@verizon.net

Portobello Condos (Bayside) 3240 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Community Room

Book: Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Facilitators: Sharon Oper & Ruthie Maass



Wednesday, February 15 at 4:00 pm (Cuban Theme: Potluck Dinner and Movie)

Note: Special guests have been invited to share their personal experiences of living in Cuba. Each came to the U.S. at different ages and at different times in Cuba’s history.

Host: Marcia Gutridge 387-8975 MDGLBK@GMAIL.COM

5080 Gulf of Mexico Drive (Bayside)

Book: Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy by Carlos Eire

Movie Option: The Mambo Kings

Facilitator: Ruthie Maass and others TBA




Suggestions for additional reading about Cuba:

Beautiful Maria of My Soul by Oscar Hijuelos

The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos

The Aguero Sisters by Cristina Garcia

Dreaming in Cuban by Christina Garcia



Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Host: Lillian Sands LillianSands@comcast.net 383-6293
5951 Gulf of Mexico Drive (Gulf side)


Book: A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moor






Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Host: TBA
Book: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan



Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Host: TBA
Book: Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson


If you would like to "facilitate" or "co-facilitate" any of the upcoming discussions, just let me know. I encourage you to try it. It is fun - and new faces and styles add to the experience for everyone. Or if you would like to do the research on the author of an upcoming book, just let me know.

If you are not on the book club email list and would like to receive monthly reminders, please send me your name and email.

Ruthie the Scribe

ruthieb2@verizon.net

387-8304
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If you would like to join any of these events, Please call me. 539 3384 and I will direct you to all the emails for each event.
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And of course, If you are in need of Professional Real Estate Services, Please call me.
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Laura Vukuvich and Terry Buzan would like you to know about this organization.....When you are donating this year, please think of SMART... As a Michael Saunders Realtor, a new Charitable Foundation was formed by Michael and I donate with every sale to the Foundation. The first grants are being awarded this month and SMART was one of the 10 Organizations that were chosen.
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Dear Laura,

The above sentiments of our volunteer instructor are echoed frequently by many of our volunteers, board members, staff and visitors. We all feel that being a part of the amazing growth and healing that occurs in our participants is an honor and a privilege---and reminds each and every one of us of what really IS important in life. The kids and adults in our program touch our lives in profound ways and their strength, perseverance and determination are an inspiration to us all. Their laughs and giggles light up our days and our hearts---and remind us of what really matters.


2011 has been an outstanding year for SMART. We have served over 270 children and adults who have participated in our therapeutic riding and driving programs as well as our equine facilitated learning and literacy programs. We are proud to have served 22 veterans and their family members in our Horses for Heroes program and continue to provide these services for free, with the help of some wonderful supporters. We continue to ride the waves of these tough economic times well, maintaining fiscal responsibility with a "no frills" budget, living within our means and continually increasing our base of support. And we continue to have an incredibly dedicated and awesome volunteer staff and group of weekly volunteers who make it all happen, day after day. This amazing "army" of volunteers have donated more than 15,000 hours of service and in-kind professional work this past year--helping our organization and participants in countless ways.

We'd like to thank YOU for helping to make all of these great things a reality for us this past year. We feel so blessed to be so supported by our community and friends. Your generosity has touched the lives of our SMART kids and adults---and their families---during their times of deepest need, giving them the strength to work hard and achieve their goals.

2012 looks to be another banner year for SMART. Not only will we be celebrating 25 years of service to our community---we plan to be celebrating this landmark in SMART's new, long dreamed of permanent home! Over the next year we will also be expanding our programs to include even more equine assisted activities and therapies.

It is important, of course, that we continue receiving support from those of you who care so deeply about our mission. Did you know that there are currently over 13,000 children with disabilities residing in both Manatee and Sarasota counties? Your support will help us continue to offer the very best in therapeutic equine assisted activities to as many children in need as possible.

Please take this opportunity to support SMART's mission and make a positive impact on the lives of children and adults with special needs in our community. You can make a difference! There are many ways that you can help. SMART needs unrestricted gifts, horse sponsorships, scholarships for riders, gifts of services and in-kind donations---and gifts of any amount. Take a look around the blocks in this letter to see what is the best match for your goals and means.
It doesn't have to be a lot to mean a lot!
And of course, Volunteering with SMART is always a SMART thing to do!


How can you make a difference? Here are a few ways to give:


*Drop a check in the mail for any amount. Our address is: SMART, 4800 CR 675, Bradenton, FL 34211.

*Click on the DONATE NOW link below in the Quick Links box to donate on line with your credit card.

*It's not too late to be a member of the donor group making SMART's dream home come true. Make a donation to the SMART Home Fund now!

*Give a Holiday Memorial/Honorary Gift: Make a gift in honor of someone or in memory of a loved one. Simply send a note with your check or fill in the information in the DONATE NOW online form.

*Go check out our Dream List / Wish List (in the Links Box) and see if there is something you can help us out with! We absolutely love in-kind donations!


*If you would like to touch a rider's life both now and in the future, feel free to contact us to explore planned charitable giving options.

*Be a SMART Shopper this Holiday Season! Contribute to SMART every time you shop through the Internet. www.GoodShop.com is an online shopping mall which donates a percentage of each purchase to the designated nonprofit. Just go to www.goodshop.com and designate Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy as your charity of choice. Use www.goodsearch.com as your search engine, and SMART gets proceeds from that as well!

* Volunteer at SMART! Make a huge difference in the life of a child and have fun at the same time! Click on the Volunteer Link for more info or call 746-1493. Hope to see you soon!




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Therapeutic Horseback Riding, Driving and Equine Assisted Activities are well-established alternative therapies that promote healing. At SMART, we use the movement of the horse and connection to the horse to heal the body, mind and spirit of every SMART participant.

On behalf of the children and adults who participate at SMART, please accept our deepest appreciation for your generosity and continued support. Your contribution to our Annual Fund Appeal plays a big part in our ability to continue making a difference in their lives.

Plan to come out to see us at SMART and see the amazing accomplishments---and joy---your support is creating. We promise that during your visit, you will be reminded how important it is to remember what really matters in life!

Happy Trails & Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Gail
Gail Clifton

Volunteer Director