OCALA, FL – A group of Del Webb Stone Creek residents who call themselves the Culture Vultures raised enough money to buy a digital baby grand piano for the Reunion Center at Del Webb Stone Creek and hosted a pair of weekend concerts that featured Cantor Kim Komrad (top right photo), a classically trained soprano from Baltimore, and New York pianist David Leighton. The Saturday concert at the Reunion Center was by invitation only.
Another concert, on Sunday, which featured music by George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Ernest Gold, who wrote the music for the 1960 film “Exodus” — was held at Ocala’s Temple Beth Shalom and was free and open to the public.
Both concerts included a melody of songs written many years ago by Jacksonville’s Celestine Akins, the 86 year old mother of Del Webb Stone Creek resident Allen Akins.
Culture Vultures president Rita Lewison Singer said it took several fundraisers and individual donations, including $1,000 from the Leisure Arts League — along with support from Del Webb management — to buy the piano, which the group has donated to the Reunion Center.
“It was a family affair for the whole community and everyone associated felt a part of the family,” said Sean Strickler, Vice President of Sales at Del Webb North Florida.
Since 2010 the Del Webb Stone Creek Culture Vultures have financially supported the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, the Ocala Civic Theater, Save the Marion Theater, the Kingdom of the Sun Band and local high school arts programs.
“Our goal is to promote the arts and culture in the Marion County area,” Singer said.
For more information, contact
delwebb.com/stonecreek , 877-333-5932.
Jennifer Hendry, Marketing Coordinator, Del Webb/PulteGroup North Florida Division, 904-217-0005, jennifer.hendry@pulte.com;
Lyndsey Patterson, Director of Marketing Del Webb/ PulteGroup North Florida Division, 407-661-2150 ext 1416 2301 Lucien Way, Suite 400, Maitland, FL 32751; lyndsey.patterson@pultegroup.com;
Sean C. Strickler, Vice President Sales, PulteGroup/North Florida, 407-661-1461 sean.strickler@pultegroup.com;
