Neighbors: Jo Rita Stevens

There’s not much than can slow Jo Rita Stevens down.

In the past month, she’s vacationed in Switzerland with the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Sarasota, spent time with her son in Atlanta and, last week, she was headed back to her hometown, Indianapolis, to celebrate the birthday of Patrick Steele, a friend since the sixth grade.

Stevens, 79, moved 20 years ago from Indianapolis to Sarasota.

“It was my turn to leave home,” Stevens says from her cozy spot on the terrace of the Broadway Bar, where the Kiwanis Club is holding its monthly meeting. “Everybody else had left but me. I came down here and didn’t know a soul, so I joined Kiwanis and church, then went to the county and city parks and recreation. I believe you are who you are no matter where you are. I’m so happy that I’ve lasted this long.”

Although her 80th birthday isn’t until November, Stevens’ friends in Switzerland, who are her former roommates from 25 years ago, helped kick off the celebration with a special birthday party. Before her trip, Stevens spent day after day at the gym and hiking around town just to make sure her body was in ship-shape for her fun adventure. While there, she also attended the Kiwanis International Convention, which featured guest speakers Jane Goodall and Jamie Lee Curtis.

What’s her secret to keeping that youthful glow and peppy spunk?

She’s still looking for a boyfriend.

Jo Rita Stevens on ...

 Riding the bus ...
“I’ve learned where to get free breakfast, sleeping bags and a good place to take a girlfriend for lunch. People jump off the bus just to grab my bags and set them on the seat for me. I let them do it, and I ride it every chance I get.”

Shopping for the Kiwanis Club Community Baby Shower ...
“When Larry (Bowman) was president of Kiwanis, we went shopping for the shower and had a cart full of stuff. People were looking at us, and Larry says, ‘Oh, she’s pregnant again. We’re just so thrilled!’ A few minutes later, he told someone else that we were having twins!”

Kiwanis Club International Convention in Switzerland ...
“Jamie Lee Curtis addressed the closing session. She was interesting, revealing her battle with alcohol and drugs and her determination to help children. In addition, she is an accomplished writer of children’s books. She is also one of the newest Kiwanians in the world — she joined while she was at the convention.”