Bring your Home Group s Donation to the GRATITUDE DINNER on Saturday, November 14th. Thank You! New Meeting

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1 The provides a way for members to celebrate their anniversaries & help alcoholics in Pinellas County at the same time! By contributing $1 (or more) for each year of your sobriety to Pinellas County Intergroup, you will be helping Central Office keep the lights on and the doors open. When your anniversary comes around, simply pick up one of the envelopes, fill it out, enclose a check and mail it. Also, you can give an envelope to a member receiving a medallion. The envelopes are available at Central Office, or through an InterGroup representative. OCTOBER DONATIONS: DON N. $7, LYNN B. $10

2 New Meeting Ceased Fighting: El Tenampa Restaurant at th Street N. in St. Petersburg. All Meetings start at 8pm Mondays are Closed Discussion, Thursdays are Step, and Saturdays are Beginners Meetings. Oct 1, Local news reports 1st AA Group in New Haven, CT. Oct 3, AA Grapevine adopted as national publication of AA. Oct 5, Lois W. died. Oct 8, Memorial Service for Lois W at Stepping Stones, NY. Oct. 9-11, st World Service meeting held in New York with delegates from 14 countries Lois reads "Bills Last Message" at annual dinner in NY Lois is buried next to Bill in Vermont. Oct 13, The Melbourne Group held its first meeting in Australia. Oct 20, Bill wrote promise to Lois in family Bible to quit drinking. By Thanksgiving added second promise Bill & Lois start 1st major A.A. tour, returned Jan 19, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence celebrates 50 years. Other significant events in October: Bill C. a Canadian alkie staying at Bill's house, committed suicide using a gas stove First non American branch started in Sydney, Australia by Father T. V. Dunlea & Rex Sister Ignatia wrote "Care of Alcoholics - St. Thomas Hospital & A.A. Started Movement Which Swept Country" article in Hospital Progress the journal of Catholic Hospital Association. Deleted Meetings Tarpon Springs Group Daily Reprieve Group Bring your Home Group s Donation to the GRATITUDE DINNER on Saturday, November 14th. Thank You! 2

3 Sept 5th, 2015 Host Group Log Cabin Monday Night Meets Monday nights at 8pm on Seminole and 54th St. Jeff Speaker: "Had my first drink at 14. Continued for years of the same. Thought it was normal. Loved the excitement of the life. I couldn't control my drinking Made a decision to stop. I knew I was done and white knuckled it until someone told me to trust the process. I started getting involved. I built a network of sober people around me. I was getting some of those things that I thought about when I sat on a bar stool and imagined. I am playing music again and it is far more rewarding. I am having fun in recovery and I am beginning to like that guy in the mirror. I used to drown my sorrows but now they swim." Roy Speaker: "Sober date 7/17/14. Came from a wealthy family. Came to America from Indonesia. We moved a lot. Started drinking in highschool as a sophomore. After DUI number 3 came to AA but couldn't stop drinking. Went to a detox. Stayed sober without AA for 7 years. Went back out and got a 4th DUI. It was then I went back to AA. I was able to establish a spiritual connection. Things are well now and it is time to remain to pray." Ken Speaker: "Got sober 25 years ago. Drank to have fun. Got sober and started going to the Serenity Club. Getting a home group and a sponsor are very important to my sobriety. This is the key to sobriety and this is a special night." September 12, 2015 Host Group High Noon Daily Meets at Rebos Club Jenny Speaker: " I had a normal childhood. I got married early and had a child at 26. I was 13 years married and divorced and started drinking. My Mother died and all the guilt and anger over that led to blackout drinking. I started hiding it everywhere and couldn't stop. Started going to rehabs and drinking in between. Finally had a head to heart moment and knew it was time. And now what a joy it is to go to lots of meeting and help others. I can help.. Life goes on and the peace continues. We are all blessed. The gift is available to us all." Jack Speaker: " I am 14 months sober and still a baby in recovery. I come from a large Italian family. Got married and had a son and had my first DUI in Massachusetts. I thought I could manage my life. After four DUI's, went to a detox and then finally to treatment at Treasure Island. I watched my Dad die of wet brain. I have a lot to live for and have children. I don't need alcohol and as long as I have this program and sponsor. My sponsor plays a huge part in my recovery. As long as I don't pick up that first drink, I will be okay." September 19, 2015 Host Group Hopeful Group Meets Friday nights at 8pm At the Back Porch Starkey Road Largo Angela Speaker: " I have a sponsor and I sponsor others. First husband tried to talk to me about my drinking. I became a closet drinker. Booze took over my life. Came to AA to get heat off of me. Divorced husband left and I got sober, I went to 90/90." Dickey Speaker: " I just don't drink today. Helped my family get sober. I love being sober. It is a freedom. Booze took over my life. Had no morals. I just didn't care. I am not that person today." Beatrice Speaker: "1/2/15 sober date. Had tragedy in my life. Things got worse. I first went to AA drunk. Did not want to get sober. I couldn't stop. Now I surround myself with sober people. Didn't think I could laugh or have fun not drinking. I didn't drink today." Shane Speaker: "You don't have to get sober alone. I went to 3 treatment young and was a defiant runaway. Went to PAR. At six months sober I heard that AA would ruin my drinking. It did. Didn't like the way things were going. My wife left and took the kids. I prayed and went back to AA. Got sober with the help of a sponsor. Life is so much better and I am very active. Just don't drink and things are going to be OK." Joyce Speaker: "Sober date 10/16/94 Best day of my life. I have had the same sponsor since I had six months. Service work will keep you sober. It will save your life. I love my home group. Insane when I was young and had a moment of clarity while under the influence. I knew I was an alcoholic that day. I love AA and can make good decisions now. I know the best is yet to come." Tammy Speaker: "11/2/07 sober date. I sponsor others and have a sponsor. I love service work. I came to AA from prison. I haven't drank since I got out. I'm free, not only from prison but from myself. I try to stay in the middle of the program." Vinnie Speaker: "6/9/84 is my sober date. Trials come but I am happy because I didn't drink most of the time. Sometimes I don't remember, but thank God I didn't drink today." Linda Speaker: " Sober date 10/11/12. I love my group because they are so happy. Sobriety is tough. My second husband said I was going to lose everything due to my drinking, Took time off and went to treatment. Kids are happy and I am there for them. It would be a lot worst if I didn't stop drinking. I am grateful for that." John Speaker: " I know that the only way to stay sober is to not try to do it alone. I tried and failed and had to go back out. I am sober now and when I work at it, works well. I try not to miss meetings. Thank God I am sober today." Susan Speaker: "I love my group and love being in service. Sobriety date is 4/21/76. I didn't understand people that didn't drink. I got active and joined a group. I found a loving God. Put God first and a good life follows. God has brought me through everything. I was so selfish in my life. It still amazes me. Miracles happen in AA." September 26, 2015 Host Group PCYPPG Dylan Speaker: " I grew up in a good family. I got drunk on vodka the first time I drank. I realized I could do anything I wanted when drinking and drunk. I loved it. As time progressed I drank more and more and started having blackouts. I failed out of college. Things got bad after that. My grandfather was a recovering alcoholic. He picked up on my behavior when I was young. The last year before I got sober I was a daily drinker and could not go a day without putting something in me. It Finally I went to my first meeting and I knew that these people had something that I wanted. I have never had to pick up another white chip. I got involved in the fellowship and started hanging out and going places and doing things. People that didn't want me around now do and they are in my life. I sponsor others and I have a life today that I would not trade for anything. Stephanie Speaker: " I grew up here and was raised in a loving alcoholic home. I went to parochial schools so I had somewhat of a foundation. Had goals in my life when I was young. I took my first drink at 14 or 15. My sole focus was to hang out with people that could and would get anything I needed. This was my life. I felt like I was being watched in whatever I did. I finally got sober, I was still really paranoid when I came into AA. I got a sponsor and things really changed for me. I am grateful to be an alcoholic. My life would not be fulfilling if it wasn't for AA. I got to live two lives. - submitted by Robert, Unity Reporter for the P n S

4 Intergroup SEND SUBMISSIONS TO: 4

5 Archives 3rd Saturday 1:30pm Alano Club - Dolphin Village 4615 Gulf Blvd. #112 St. Pete Beach Corrections 2nd Monday 6:30pm Central Office 8340 Ulmerton Rd #220 Largo Grapevine 3rd Saturday 11am Central Office 8340 Ulmerton Rd #220 Largo Treatment Last Saturday 10am Our Savior Lutheran Church 4827 East Bay Drive Largo PI/CPC Last Monday 6pm Central Office 8340 Ulmerton Rd #220 Largo Special Needs Thursdays 6pm Rebos Social Club th Avenue N. St. Pete Website 3rd Saturday 10am Central Office 8340 Ulmerton Rd #220 Largo The HELPLINE needs VOLUNTEERS. To sign up: Go to Click on Group Submissions Select Helpline Volunteer Form Complete and submit! Corrections would like to THANK the following for their SEPTEMBER donations of Big Books: Open Door, Saturday AM Women s Big Book, Jen B., Honesty Group, Serenity Club/GOYA, Today in Sobriety, Gulfport All Ages, Treasure Island Steppers GRAPEVINE DONATIONS ARE ALSO APPRECIATED!! 5

6 Group Name: Holiday Isles 8PM Group Location: St. Alban s Episcopal Church 333 8th Ave St Pete Beach Meeting Time and Date: Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 8pm Interview with: Andy S., as told to Leslie B. The Holiday Isles 8pm meeting is well attended and usually a mix of AA members. But, it wasn t always like that. Andy S. recalls his first introduction to this evening meeting over 28 years ago. After 2 months of not drinking, Andy decided to go to an AA meeting to see what it was all about. At that meeting, he asked a woman, Am I an alcoholic or do I just drink too much? She replied, You think you haven t have enough? Go ahead and finish it up! He was shocked! They tell you to keep drinking at an AA meeting? Well, only if continuing to drink will cause more grief. Someone at the meeting suggested he try the Holiday Isles meeting. There, recovery started. He learned and came to know he was finished drinking. The group was an older crowd with lots of sobriety. They were mostly sober AA fellows from the Northeast, cities such as Boston and Philadelphia. The group was full of fire and brimstone. This group really engages with each other to help everyone get it. The manner of candid conversation and true honesty helps the members stay sober. Back then, there were only 3 places that held AA meetings and Holiday Isles was very popular from inception. Eventually the rehab facilities started to bring people to the meetings which gave the older crowd pleasure to help these newcomers. After 5 years of sobriety Andy ran into that woman again. What first was anger was replaced by gratitude as learning he was an alcoholic saved his life. The Holiday Isles 8pm Group has been meeting for over 50 years and saved countless other lives. Submitted by Leslie B., Archives Liaison to the Plain & Straight Editor (PCI publishes material and articles in this newsletter that are created by 3rd parties. PCI does not endorse or assume responsibility for any 3rd party material or articles.) 6

7 49ers Julia 1 Martin 10 Mike 39 Polly Brian Y. 6 Cindy G. 25 Don V. 28 Roger D. 33 Ronda H. 1 Stephanie Y. 11 A Power Greater Than Ourselves Bobby D. 46 Elizabeth 5 JC 5 Abe s Place Bob M. 29 Jessee 6 John S. 8 Kellie L. 2 Rick G. 22 Ron C. 33 After Work Bunch Bill Y. 7 Dave F. 5 Kathy D. 6 Mary L. 27 Rachel S. 1 Sheila G. 17 Attitude Adjustment Canio 1 Jill 2 Johnson 32 Melissa M. 2 Reggie 5 Rob 1 Wally N. 19 Back to the Book Dave P. 10 Megan T. 8 Shirley J. 33 Find Yourself Connie R. 24 GOYA Amanda G. 3 Barbara W. 14 Charles 2 Jay S. 2 Jim P. 8 Max R. 4 Mish 24 Samantha 1 Susan M. 2 Gulfport All Ages Dick H. 34 High Noon Daily Frank D. 4 High Point John F. 28 Judy M. 22 Into Action Daniel 32 Frank K. 2 Tony W. 22 Kitchen Table Bill M. 52 KOALA Kent 34 Martin O. 10 Patrick B. 8 Robert 27 Lunch Bunch Dunedin Fern L. 39 Jan G. 37 Joanne W. 29 Mike S. 21 Nancy B. 22 Patrick T. 11 Oldsmar Groups Jack C. 33 Marty S. 23 Nolan R. 2 Tom C. 27 Tom G. 40 Our Common Problem Diane S. 22 Ozona Dennis C. 25 Jack C. 33 Karen R. 9 Kay 24 Ken 8 Tim 4 Tim G. 29 Tim Tom 29 Tom C. 35 Tony T. 4 Peacefully Sober Group Elaine D. 32 Ridge P. 2 Shore Acres Gratitude Carol S. 25 Diane J. 30 Nicole G. 6 Terry O. 16 The Real Happy Hour Also Robert 17 Marcia 7 Mish 24 PD 27 Third Tradition Group Sylvia C. 32 Tom F. 31 Wayne E. 42 Missed in July Find Yourself Deanna B. 35 Mary Jo M. 20 OCTOBER Anniversary Submissions must be received by the first Friday of next month : NOVEMBER 6TH 2015 to make it into the OCTOBER issue. Thank you! Jen B: PnS Editor, Lana: Anniversary Editor 7

8 4th Dimension Group A Work In Progress Group ABC Group Abe's Place After Work Bunch At The End Of The Rainbow BAIGIS Central Group Clearwater Group/ Feelings Group Forty Niners Group Free Spirits Getting It Together GOYA Group High Noon Daily Intergroup Meeting Into Action KOINONIA Group Ladies' Beach Serenity Break Group Last Call Group Oldsmar Group 2.14 Progress Not Perfection Group Sat. Morning Women's Big Book Saturday Morning Men's Step (SH) Seminole Group Serenity Club Of Clearwater Serenity Seekers Group Sisters On A Journey Steering Committee Meeting Sunday Brunch Sunrise Sunset Group Unity Meeting We Are Not Saints Total 4,