2022 Discover Neighborhoods - Spring/Summer
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1466766
3301 Placida Rd, Englewood www.tgcarts.com 941-698-1010 Thoroughbred Golf Carts • Sales • Rentals • Customization • Service • Storage • Street Legal "A Breed Above the Rest" Authorized Dealer adno=3839639-1 ENGLEWOOD ENGLEWOOD 2021 2021 Family owned and operated for over 20 years PAGE 43 Getting to know Jim Litwin W hy did you choose to live where you do now? We considered about 30 communities and actually visited 15 of them. IslandWalk was the last one we visited and we just fell in love with the activities, the beauty of the landscaping and the people we met. Where did you move from? The suburbs of Chicago although we also have lived in Colorado, San Francisco and Simsbury, Connecticut. What did you do before you retired? I was in advertising and marketing for 40-plus years, working for some of America's top consumer brands such as McDonalds, Coors, Taco Bell, Pepsi, Citibank and many others. What hobbies do you have? Singing in the Venice Chorale, athletic activities (when my back allows), acting in community theater, reading and writing. I had a lead role in Lemon Bay Playhouse's production of "Lend Me A Tenor" in 2020. We had 20 sold-out performances sched- uled but only got through 10 of them before COVID shut the theater down for over a year. What new activities have you joined or participated in since your arrival here? I started IslandWalk Academy which consists of lifelong learning classes in many subjects for IslandWalk residents designed to keep our minds active. After three years in de- velopment, we just launched it in January and have had over 2,500 attendees at 94 classes. I also play pickleball, enjoy kayaking and perform with the IslandWalk Theater Club. Do you attend activities in and around your neighborhood? I am the Street Representative for my street and organize three block parties a year. During COVID, we had "socially distant" get-togethers on people's driveways. Do you travel a great deal? For the first three years at IslandWalk, we had a motor- home that we travelled in during the summer months, visiting friends and family all over the country. We also go on a lot of cruises including to Alaska, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. What absolutely describes the best thing about your neighborhood? The people are great. Friendly and always willing to help out. Also, there are some very talented people here many of who have taught classes for IslandWalk Academy. In fact, over 90% of the IslandWalk Academy classes have been taught by IslandWalk residents stepping forward. By Jonathon Kosec PROVIDED PHOTO Jim Litwin