IN THE NEWS

Press Release

July 13, 2009

Leesburg, FL

Lake Children Frequent Nightclubs, Handicap Races, Shoot Craps in Church, and Sip Rum in Havana!

Twenty-five children from grades two through eight are donning fedoras and New York accents, traveling back to the 1940’s in a rousing production of the classic musical Guys and Dolls. The Tropic Troupe summer production of MTI’s Broadway Junior adaptation of the hysterical hit play will run for two shows only: 7:00 PM on July 31 and August 1 at the Lake-Sumter Community College Paul P. Williams Fine Arts Auditorium.

Tickets are $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for children and seniors. Reserved seating is available by calling (352) 408-0812 or visiting www.tropictroupe.embarqspace.com. The 60-minute show is appropriate for audiences of all ages.

Tropic Troupe, established in 2007, is north Lake County’s only independent children’s musical theater company. Past performances of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Oklahoma!, and Once Upon a Mattress have thrilled and surprised audiences with impeccable singing, polished acting and choreography, and the professional lighting and sound of LSCC’s Greg Cumbaa. “I can’t believe how short the kids are – they seemed so grown up on stage!” exclaimed Leesburg Fire Chief Dennis Sargent at Oklahoma!’s post-show meet-and-greet.

Such responses are common. Director Scott Baltunis credits the artistic success of The Troupe to the professionalism of the children and their families, “As an elementary school music teacher I have used the ‘teacher network’ to recruit the most talented, dedicated kids out there.” The Guys & Dolls, Junior cast boast six current and former members of the elite FEMEA All-State Chorus and three members of the Lake-Sumter Elementary Honor Choir. “Audiences won’t hear a bad note!” The cast also includes several veterans of Dance Dynamix and Leesburg Dance Center.

Scott explains that Tropic Troupe’s dedication to its audiences does not stop with casting. “We perform only classics that represent the best of the American musical theater tradition.” The cast practices three days a week in a rented classroom at Leesburg Elementary School before moving to LSCC’s Paul Williams Auditorium for final rehearsals. The money they save on week-to-week rent allows the group to perform in the very best available facility, with the highest level of professional support. “Mr. Cumbaa’s lighting is magical. It’s the icing on the cake – our secret weapon!”

Baltunis credits other Tropic Troupe assets including art director Suzie Kirkland - ceramics instructor at Tavares Middle School, stage manager Scott Kirkland, and assistant directors Stirling Spasaro and Emily Miraglia. “The credentials of our team are impressive. The quality of our shows reflect the skills and collaboration of everyone involved.”

News Release 4-09

STERNS CAPTURE

15 SENIOR GAMES MEDALS

IN POLK COUNTY AND THE VILLAGES

The husband and wife team of Steve and June Stern who reside in The Plantation at Leesburg, became the stars of the first day of events at the Polk County Senior Games on Saturday, February 28, 2009 capturing 11 medals between them. They then changed venues and captured 4 medals at the Villages Senior games in April.

June Stern, who had just completed arthroscopic knee surgery two weeks before the Polk County games, garnered all her strength and determination to win silver medals in the women's 50 meter dash;400 meter run; 200 meter run and a bronze medal in the women's 100 meter dash.

June's coach and husband, Steve, captured a gold medal in the 400 meter dash, silver medals in the 200 meter dash and 1500 meter run and a bronze medal in the 100 meter dash.

Later in the afternoon, they went to the Polk County swimming venue where June captured a bronze medal in the 50 meter breaststroke, while Steve captured silver medals in the 50 meter breaststroke and the 100 meter individual medley.

Because the morning track events lasted longer than scheduled, the Sterns were only able to compete in the last three swimming events, although they had been scheduled to compete in numerous other swimming events.

On April 6 and 7, 2009, the Sterns took on the best In badminton at the Villages Senior Games where June won a gold medal in singles, Steve a Bronze medal in singles and the couple shared Silver medals in the mixed doubles competition.

The Sterns now qualify for the Florida State Senior Games Championships to be held in December 2009 in Cape Coral, Florida where they expect to compete in swimming, track and

field, badminton, pickleball and bicycling.

The Sterns left such an impression on the sponsors and organizers of both senior games organizations that they were nicknamed the "dynamic duo."

The Sterns spend the summer season at their home in Canada.

PLANTATION’S JUNE LA PIERRE STRIKES “GOLD” AT SENIOR GAMES.......

KISSIMMEE, Fl (January 18, 2008) -- Plantation resident June Lapierre shined today at the Kissimmee/Saint Cloud Senior Olympic Swimming Events. June, who last swam competitively at age 17 in Canada where she won Canadian silver and bronze crosses, brought back her competitor form by capturing five gold and one silver medals. June medaled in all six of her events. Plantation resident Steve Stern who also captured one gold, two silver and three bronze medals coached June to her victories.

For more information about the annual Senior Games events, please contact the City of Kissimmee Athletics Department at 407-518-2347.