Florida Questers and Their Guests are Cordially Invited to Attend the Spring Council Meeting of the Florida State Organization of the Questers

 The Executive/Appointee Board joins me in an invitation to all Florida Questers and guests. We hope many prospective members will join us that day.  After registering, enjoy shopping in our Old Curiosity Shoppe.  Please bring items, priced by you, to sell.  There will be time for you to buy Opportunity Drawing tickets for our Themed Baskets. We hope your chapter will bring a basket to the Spring Council Meeting. Please let the registrar know if you plan to bring a basket.

DATE:      Thursday March 26, 2026

PLACE:  Aston Gardens at Sun City Center

1311 Aston Gardens Court, Sun City Center, FL 33573

 ACCOMODATIONS:      Holiday Inn Express & Suites

226 Teco Road, Ruskin, FL 33570

When making reservations call the hotel directly at 813-922-4561 and use CODE TQE “The Questers Event” to get our discounted rate of $169.00 +tax for a traditional room or $185 +tax for a suite per night.

Reservation deadline: March 6, 2026.

MEET & GREET: is being held in the Southshore Room at the hotel on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 5:00 – 7:00pm. You are cordially invited to attend. Come meet and welcome our International President, Daphne Davis.

Event Schedule

10:00 a.m. Registration/Sales/Curiosity Shoppe

11:00 a.m. State Meeting, Election and Installation of Officers

12:00 p.m. Luncheon

12:45 p.m.  Last call for Raffle and Curiosity Shoppe

1:15 p.m.   Program:  The Legend of Jose Gaspar

Join professional speaker and author, Gary Mull in an exploration of the legendary Jose Gaspar, a Spanish nobleman who turned to piracy, terrorizing the Gulf of Mexico from the 1780s until his death in 1821.
The annual Gasparilla Festival, a cherished part of Tampa’s heritage, continues to celebrate his mythical exploits, blending folklore with community spirit and attracting visitors from around the world.

1:45 p.m.   Opportunity Drawing (Baskets)

2:00 p.m.   Adjournment

Registration:  Survey Creek #1392

Opportunity Draw (Baskets):  Clayton Woods #808

Host Chapter/Old Curiosity Shoppe:  Nautilus #909

LUNCHEON MENU

Chicken with lemon parsley sauce

Roasted Asparagus and Carrots

Parmesan Tomatoes

Mixed Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing

Rolls, Iced Tea, Coffee, Water

Dessert: Cake donated by Nautilus Chapter

(NOTE: Vegetarian option available)

Please submit one check for your chapter ($35.00 per person), payable to “Florida State Questers” and mail to:

FL Treasurer, Lynn Carr, 3115 Terramar Court, Naples, FL 34119

Please PRINT names of all those attending and include with your check NO LATER THAN March 9, 2026

THE SEVEN STAGES OF COLLECTING
(Printed with permission of Judith Paul (Judithpaul.com)
Submitted by Francine Webb

STAGE 1: I haven’t seen one of these since I was a kid.
STAGE 2: It’s really exciting. I saw it last week-end. It’s not that expensive. I’ll take it.
STAGE 3: Ooooh! This is just so good and that other one. This one too. Not that expensive. I’ll take them.
STAGE 4: Ooooh! It’s incredible. And it is incredibly expensive. But… I need just one good one in my collection. I’ll take it.
STAGE 5: Oh myyy… who did this? How much does it cost? I can’t afford it. I know I need only one good one… it’s almost Christmas. I’ll take it.
STAGE 6: It’s unbelievable. It’s fabulous! Oh no… I can’t. And this one too. Fantastic! They’re more than the mortgage but I’ll take them.
STAGE 7: It’s a limited edition. I know how much it costs. I know I can’t afford it. I know… I know. I’ll take it!

Q Q Q Q Q

QUESTERS… HAVE YOU WONDERED where fundraising profits from our Fall Convention and Spring Council meeting go?  The Florida Executive Board realized that many of our members (especially new ones), may not know where these funds are directed.  We felt it would be a good idea to spell that out for everyone.

OPPORTUNITY DRAW (Baskets) funds go to Preservation & Restoration (P&R)
YE OLDE CURIOSITY SHOPPE profits go to the General Account
RESOURCES & SALES – Funds are applied to the General Account