I love this time of year, that point where we tear off the final page of the 2024 calendar and start anew. It's always been an opportunity to renew and restart where we are in life. The funny thing is, as we age, the question becomes; is it easier or more difficult? One of the first things i came to understand when moving to Sun City was this: "Age is just a number." We had the good fortune to move into Sun City at 55 and literally everyone else was older. The beauty of watching them was those who were active and involved didn't care how old they were. It simply didn't matter. Oh sure, we all have accumulated aches, pains and medical difficulties, but the ones who survived the best didn't let any of those challenges slow them down. They didn't whine about them, they just crawled out of bed and went about their business. For some it was playing their lives away, for others they rolled up their sleeves and got involved with our structure of self-governance. The smart ones did a mixture of both. This is that point where we get to look in the mirror and ask; how have i done? What can i do better? That fearless moral inventory starts with an honest appraisal of what i have given back or been involved in/with during my years in Sun City? Hopefully it's been more than being snarky on your keyboard. Because there are so many opportunities to do your part: Clubs, organizations, churches, food banks, the list is literally endless. Do you get involved? Will you be a part of the solution? Or, do you just not care? There's no right or wrong answers, there's just your answer. To help inspire you/me/anyone reading this, i will post the most amazing letter i have ever read. Over the next couple of days, i will give you an insiders look at what those who came before us felt and what their hopes were for us. I know i tend to romanticize the Sun City story, but the history behind this community and how it was built has been steeped in love from those who fully embraced all it offered them. When i read the letter, it brought tears to my eyes. Stay tuned, we'll dig into it tomorrow.
Imagine someone from those beginning years, reaching out to you from the grave and speaking directly to you as Sun City residents in their old haunt? It truly is the most unique piece i have ever come across. It left me speechless, i'd be surprised if it didn't do the same for you. We'll see, when you stop back Tuesday morning.
Sorry gang, but as i read this letter and posted it i better understood this is in fact a letter to be opened for all to enjoy come November 15, 2026. I respect our history and that date too much put this out there. Thanks for understanding. Bill.
Bill, I am volunteering you and Ben to write the 2016 letter to the future generation. I know I won't be around to read it so feel free to say nasty things about me (just kidding). This is your opportunity to plant the seed of a tree the shade of which you will never sit under. Best regards and God Bless, John Fast
Interesting. Something so profound that could possibly (from your description) bring a sense of community here, put on hold for 2 years. What is the significance of 11/15 in SC history? Couldn't find anything.
1976 was the country's bicentennial year and the community wanted to do something special to honor it. The residents donated 7000 pounds of metals and shipped it off to create a replica of the Liberty Bell. It came back in July of 1976 and was dedicated in November of 1976 and placed in the Memorial Gardens. During the dedication ceremonies, a large time capsule was set into the base of the Liberty Bell. Included were letters from then residents to be read in November of 2026. The one found in the the museum's archives is stunning. Well worth hanging around to read as they speak directly to those reading it 50 years later. In 1980 they added the Del Webb statute to honor him. Hopefully 2025 will be a better year John. Frankly i'm tired of the whole nasty/hate thing and hopefully we can focus on a positive and bright new year. The good things that came from 2023/2024 have been overshadowed by some really dumb decisions last year. I don't know about Ben and I ever writing anything together, but we are doing a joint class for Life Long Learning on Feb 20 for members of the life long learning club. It will be on the marketing and selling of Sun City and it's already shaping up to be a "don't miss event." DEVCO/Meeker were brilliant and overcame the worst of odds to create the "great social experiment." They left nothing to chance, nothing. Their single best selling point, as mentioned by several of Webb's team in interviews, stated emphatically it was those living here. So much so Meeker had a policy that if any employee on his sales team did a "hard sell" (pressuring buyers) they would immediately be fired. Included in the Play and Stay were endless opportunities for potential buyers to interact with those living here. Pools, clubs, the golf courses and at the Sun Bowl shows. And yet today, we fail to even modestly understand the importance of marketing this community and all it offers. Couple that with the dumb decisions of 2024 that angered the membership and it leaves one scratching their heads in wonder. One step forward, two steps back. Go figure.
Bill, I understood the metal donation was 700 pounds and not 7000 which would be 3.5 tons. Was I misinformed? Does the bell weigh that much?
Thanks eyesopen, the book i cited said 7000 pounds as well. Yes, Dave it is that heavy. Oddly the book also said it was sent off to a foundry in the Netherlands to be cast. Allegedly it was the same mold used on the original done in 1752. The story goes one guy even donated his car?
Thanks Bill, I remember that it was cast in The Netherlands. Did you know that The Netherlands was a major financier of the colonies during the Revolutionary War? John Adams lived in Amsterdam for years securing money from the Dutch as they had no love lost with the British from the wars in the 1600’s. Alexander Hamilton as Treasury Secretary for Washington paid back every cent plus interest to the Dutch and French.
Well....according to the National Park Service, the bell weighed 2,080 lbs. It is made of bronze. It's 70% copper, 25% tin and contains small amounts of lead, gold, arsenic, silver, and zinc.
FYI, if I remember correctly residents donated gold and silver to the cause. Lead and arsenic, brings back memories of a play I read in HS.
