A Vision for the Heartland of Florida
Lakeland has long been just that place "between Tampa and Orlando". Our area has boomed in the last few years. It's time for us to come from the shadows of those big cities. Heartland Intergroup serves Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties. For these counties Lakeland IS the Big City. This Friday is merely a seedling for an entire 12 step social network.
Sure, we're starting small with a po dunk plain little web site suggesting things to do on Friday night, and occasionally showing Saturday events, too.
IMAGINE going to Intergroup's nice large site and seeing all kinds of activities and events for all 3 counties:
Let's go Kayaking - yep, one of the guys has stepped up to lead that on a Saturday.
Drive some golf balls - you get 3 guesses who will arrange that and the first 2 don't count!
Watercolor painting class - we already have a teacher and it's only going to be $5.00.
Birding at Circle B - yes, bring binoculars (and a scooter if need be).
Roller Skating sure was fun - we could schedule that as a monthly thing opposite of
Bowling - now there's an idea! What if each county formed a team and we rotate which bowling alley?
(for instance, Skating on the 2nd Tuesday night after the meetings, of course, and Bowling on the 4th Thursday)
Crafts of all kinds - You name it!
Just got an idea about a cooking class - but shhhh! That one's on the back burner until a certain person agrees to lead it.
Art gallery tours and Museum trips with or without a Picnic
Florida on a Tank Full highlights interesting places - People dream of vacationing in Florida - They come from all over the world to visit where we Live!
A group from Polk took up the entire river side at Lithia Springs campground one weekend. It's been too long: Let's do that again.
The Family Fun Center is worth doing every few months. We had fun and the pizza is actually good!
How about Horseshoes or Corn Hole at one of our many beautiful Parks, along with a Potluck with plenty of laughter?
Fishing - We could even get a group rate and go deep sea fishing.
We could schedule an annual day at Disney.
Gotta' love those Wilson House Men when they fire up the BBQ for us!
Won't it be nice to upload a Yard Sale followed in a few weeks by your Moving Party?
We have a group who enjoy stringing beads, so we can hold a bead swap meet.
Who all is down with going to the Horse Show! We have Rodeos in Florida, too.
How 'bout it? Let's do like they do in the Big Cities and build a thriving Community.
AA is a fellowship!!!
There are small towns in all 3 Heartland Counties counting on us to lead the way.
So, for now, we go to dinner on Friday night; catch a movie; play some games - This Vision For You will grow up if you will show up!!!
IF we can get these activites and events to grow, we won't be able to announce each one at meetings like we do now. We won't have enough time left for a meeting!
The text message group that organizes Friday night's dinner location has double since ThisFriday.Org launched. Sober people are hungry for things to do!
BTW, Pinellas County hosts an annual AA round up at Fort Desoto every year. Pavilion#10 is booked for This Friday and all of our Heartland Groups. Let's GO - Sunday, April 25th, 2027.
SUCCESS STORIES:
Phoenix, AZ started small and local, and they're going nationwide now - There is a Need.
Los Angeles has a massive network of sobriety over 3000 meetings a week, and some pretty wild and racy events, too - It is LA!
Meet Up has a sober activities category. We searched Lakeland, and of course Tampa and Orlando pop up along with Sarasota. If we can build some regular events with dependable turn outs, our Heart of Central Florida could have direct listings there. Let's help each other and our selves by doing what it takes to build a Sober Community.
VISION - THIS IS A VISION FOR US.
Think "Step 12" and please get involved on the ground floor with ThisFriday.org
Quick Link to the short version of the current schedule