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Retiree Spreads Sweetness In Area

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By DIANE LOEBEL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 1, 2007

WHO: Sandra Simmons

AWARD: Named the 'Queen of Ice Cream.' As Queen Mum of the Cheery Red Hatters in Hudson, Simmons treated members and friends to an Edy's Slow Churned party.

HOW IT HAPPENED: For the second time, Simmons entered Edy's nationwide 'Neighborhood Salute' contest. And for the second time, she had a party delivered to her door.

Last year, she shared her winnings with neighbors at a block party. First, Edy's sent supplies: napkins, plastic sundae cups, spoons, a plastic tablecloth, nametags, an instant camera and a sign for the yard. Then, several days before the party, the ice cream arrived packed in dry ice.

This year, Edy's sent her an entry form and, in an essay, she nominated her Hatters group. Most of the members, including Simmons, live in Nature's Place Village or in other parts of Heritage Pines.

'We are a sisterhood that has promised to regularly have fun and to uphold one of our important pledges which is to eat dessert before our meals if we want to!' she wrote. 'We would love to host an ice cream block party and invite other Red Hat groups from our community to share in the fun.'

ABOUT THE CONTEST: This year's contest (the third annual) had 17,000 entries and 1,500 winners across America. An in-house panel of judges grades the entries on enthusiasm, creativity, originality and why the nominated neighborhood deserves a party. The ice cream get-togethers are held on weekends from July to the end of September.

'It's very difficult to choose the winners,' Kendra Stewart of Edy's said. 'We think it's a fantastic program. The response we get is very rewarding.'

For information on the contest, go to neighborhood salute.edys.com.

ABOUT SIMMONS: She grew up in the Syracuse, N.Y., area and worked for Vestal Central Schools as a secretary and assistant librarian for 16 years until health problems kept her from steady work. She then volunteered for nine years for the Arthritis Foundation and eventually became a certified instructor, working with fibromyalgia groups.

'My volunteer work for the Arthritis Foundation was most fulfilling. I really enjoyed it and felt I was helping,' Simmons said.

Her husband, Lynne, was co-owner of an insurance agency before he retired. For 40 years, he coached football with teams from pee wee to college age.

The couple have lived in Florida for four years.

OTHER PURSUITS: She enjoyed being in a garden club in New York, so Simmons joined the Heritage Springs Beautification and Garden Club this spring. The group helps keep the community's common areas tidy.

She has served as social chairman in Nature's Place Village and writes for the newsletter.

HER QUOTE: 'I entered the contest because I just wanted to have a good time. The Cheery Red Hatters are a fun, diverse group. We meet monthly for lunch and fun together.'

Want to suggest an Everyday Hero? Call Diane Loebel at (727) 815-1081, write her at The Tampa Tribune, 6214 U.S. 19, New Port Richey FL 34652, or e-mail dloebel@tampatrib.com.

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