Page 16 - Jan Sun Rays

CA NEWS

What was Happening
20 Years Ago

in Sun City Texas?

Alook back in the Sun Rays archives reveals that this city
was already a hub of activity in early 1996. The first
pioneers of Sun City Georgetown (later renamed Sun City
Texas) were taking breaks from unpacking their boxes to enjoy
events like the Banana Flambé Night and Cherries Jubilee, an
evening in downtown Austin at Carmelo’s and Esther’s Follies,
the Southwestern University Jazz Band, the New Homeowner
Koffee Klatch, Thursday’s mini-meal and Friday’s Soup’s On!

Golf, Bocci, Crop Walking, Stretchercise and Couples Exercise
were popular activities in this active community. Computers
and the internet were also becoming an important part of life,
as you can see in this excerpt from one of the community’s
earliest newsletters. Following this article, word began to
spread and a meeting was scheduled to discuss the possibility
of a Computer and Internet Club in Sun City. Of those first
invitees, 21 responded either with their interest or intent to attend the

first meeting. According to the Computer Club, “of the 21
individuals or couples listed, five had e-mail addresses. The Internet
was largely unknown among Sun City residents at that time. But it
was known about enough to be a reason why some residents were
interested in the meeting and subsequent developments.”

The group would later grow to be one of the first Chartered Clubs in
Sun City, spur the creation of a community website and offer training
programs and a computer lab for use by residents. 20 years later,
residents have traded in their floppy disks for smart phones and
more than 3,400 residents hold membership with the club and take
advantage of their support and classes.

Above inset: This article appeared in the May 1996 Community
Association newsletter introducing resident Peter Roll as one who
was interested in organizing a Sun City Internet Computer Club.

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