Going To See It All: FFI Suncoast hosts Long Island

FFI hosting Long Island, New York Ambassadors 2/14 - 2/20/2019

What a great visit we had from Long Island. A great, perky group with good spirits and happy, ready to go attitudes.

Vicky hosted two ladies, Kathy and Michele, and they were great guests. We went to the airport to pick them up and as we were parking they called and said they were at the curb. Nice greeting and we went off to lunch at Molly Goodheads. We all had coconut shrimp, my favorite and then ventured over to the coolest antique shop ever. We spend quite a bit of time there. It was Valentines Day and the shop had decorated sugar cookies from J. J. Gandy (famous of their key line pies), but their pies could not be better than those cookies. Next non-diet occasion I have I'm going to go get some. Best cookies I ever had.

That night we had our welcome party of then. We used a member's clubhouse and it was chicken and then the rest was pot luck. Nice dinner. Guests all received bags with information and some treats and water.

The adventures we had and the wonderful trip planned for them by Jane and Gertrude was the best and all the timing was perfect. I had such a fun time and it was great getting to know some new people.

Day two took us all to Tampa. I was a day host and drove and stayed with two ladies who were super fun, Brenda and Bobby. We started at noon at a newer place in Tampa Bay called the Armature. A refurbished industrial building that formerly housed the TECO streetcars. They did a nice job and I'm glad they were able to save the building and repurpose it into a hall of food vendors. Very nice. They have everything from sushi to nitrogen ice cream.

After lunch, guests hopped aboard the Pirate Taxi and took a tour of the Hillsborough River. The guide gave out a lot of interesting information and Long Island seemed to really enjoy that trip.

Next on to Ybor City to learn about the history, culture (many diverse nationalities), a visit to the Museum that is housed in the Ferlita Bakery opened in 1896 and was active until 1973. This museum is fascinating and you can learn everything you want to know about making cigars.

Then on to the main street in town, E. 7th Avenue. Here you can see cigars being rolled by several "Torcedors" - Cuban word for cigar roller. There are cigar store Indian statutes that are fun to have your picture taken with. There is a resemblance to New Orleans with the iron work that is quite beautiful. There was even an iron works company right in Ybor.

Winding down the day we all had dinner at the famous Columbia Restaurant. We also were entertained by the flamenco show that was enjoyed by all.

A very full day filled with many different tastes, sights and we all learned some new things about Tampa Bay. A drive home and a good night's sleep after all that activity.

The list of things done:

Tarpon Springs including St. Nicoles Greek Orthodox Church with tour
lunch at Mama's Restaurant. The group also went on a boat ride and was shown sponge dividing from the old days in Tarpon - hard hat diving. It was interesting for our guests.

Each ambassador was treated to two home cooked dinners during their time here which was hosted by members. I was a first-time dinner host and enjoyed our evening together with the host family, Art and Gretchen, and their guests Jerry and Lori Axinn. We had lots of fun visiting and they said the dinner was good.

There was a wish day where guests could pick to do something they were interested in. Many went down to Sarasota to Ringling for the day. I'm not sure what everyone did, but I'm sure they had a good time.

One day was spent in the St. Petersburg area, but I did not go. I think that was the day of Sue's Tea that had been planned for a year and I wasn't going to miss that. Ambassadors were given their choice of seeing our most wonderful Dali Museum, or the Raymond James Western Museum, which is relatively new. I haven't even see that yet, but hear it is very special. Since I'm from the West I've seen lots of Western art, but I do plan on getting over there.

Day in Safety Harbor, toured Spa and went to tiny but interesting museum. This was the last day and it was followed up with a Farewell Dinner. I think our visitors had a good time and enjoyed themselves. It was my first time helping host ambassadors and I enjoyed meeting new people and making friends. We will hope to see them again.