This birthday open house is for you

​OK, let's try this again.

I’m having a party. You’re invited.

Forget the Facebook invite I sent last week and then immediately canceled. More about that snafu in a minute.

Oh, the particulars: Saturday, Oct. 7, open house from 1 to 5 p.m. at Just Wright Citrus World Headquarters on the shores of Big Lake Henderson in Inverness.​

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This is the land GPS forgot. Go to Wallace Brooks Park and follow the signs.

There’s a reason for this date. I’m turning 65 on Oct. 9 and pretty happy about that, so the timing seemed primed for a celebration.

And, of course, there’s a story behind it.

I’ve called the Just Wright Citrus World Headquarters home for over 18 years, but it wasn’t until recently I talked about it publicly.

It’s been a very long time since a crowd gathered in that yard, during a far different life than the one I have now.

Today I’m 17 years sober, retired from my chosen career, and provided a new career by a caring community that looks out for one another. With the big 6-5 lined up, it seemed like a good time to say thanks.

Now. There’s a reason I’m not chairing the party planning committee or am even a member of it. In fact, the only role I had was to issue the Facebook invite and I screwed that up, so here we are.

Instead, I initiated two women who get things done: my wife, Deb Kamlot-Wright and our friend Becky Beattie. If you know either of those, you realize the brain trust behind this event.

Some details: Live bluegrass in the yard. Locally catered food. A relaxed early October atmosphere along Big Lake Henderson, easing into Saturday evening when CooterFest (or whatever it’s called this year) kicks in with live music at Liberty Park just down the Withlacoochee State Trail. 

What you bring: Nothing but a pleasant attitude befitting the occasion. Please no gifts. And no alcohol!

It gets better.

Fun is fun but I’m looking for hidden meaning everywhere, you know? Citrus County thrives in a spirit of generosity, and I’d expect no different for this event.

Here’s how it started:

An open house seemed like a good time to debut the Just Wright Citrus T-shirt. I’d get some shirts, sell them, pay off my costs and then give the proceeds to someone who needs it.

Deb, Becky, and I sat down to start this process. I told Becky my T-shirt idea. She suggested I pick a beneficiary worthy of my birthday, which is quite a task truthfully. But I didn’t have to think long.

Earlier that same day I received a phone call from the guy we call Miami Bill, president of Club Recovery of Citrus County. You’ve heard me mention non-profit Club Recovery. We are not AA or N/A, but we host 12-step and other recovery groups, and have numerous fun, sober activities. 

Our only purpose is to be of service to men and women struggling in addiction and thriving in sobriety.

The club, made up entirely of volunteers (I'm a trustee), celebrated its 11th anniversary this summer. We rent a fine location just off C.R. 486 in Hernando.

And such was the purpose of Bill’s call. The landlord wants the space. The lead time is generous, but we need a new home in 18 months.

When Becky said to pick a beneficiary worthy of my birthday, guess what came to mind? Simply, I wouldn’t be alive if not for the folks at Club Recovery and numerous other 12-step rooms. 

I encourage you to check out the club's website. Donate if you’d like, but that’s not really the point. More importantly, let your friends, neighbors and co-workers know Club Recovery is there to help. Or you can drop me a line and I’ll fill you in.

About the Facebook invite. Not 10 minutes after posting that thing I received information that brought the event date into question. Everything had to stop while I considered moving it back a week. After speaking with some people and pondering the alternatives, I decided to stick with Oct. 7.

I’ll get the new FB invite out this week because the RSVPs are vital. So just let me know if you’re coming, OK? We really want folks enjoying themselves, but I’d like a clue whether it’s a handful or if we’ll need the sheriff directing traffic. 

I am stoked. Allow me, please, friends to do this for you. It is my pleasure.

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