Your Town

+ Muscle man honored

The man who put the muscle into cars such as the Ford GT40, Roy Lunn built a career as solid as the vehicles he helped design.

Throughout his more than 50-year career in the automotive industry, Lunn engineered a range of vehicles, from sturdy "unbreakable" Jeep Cherokees to more sporty designs, such as the GT40. 

East County celebrated the Lakewood Ranch resident and his career at a luncheon at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club. 

The Car Guys Chronicles, the Sarasota Racers and Martyn Schorr of PMPR, Inc., orchestrated the event with help from Lunn's daughter, Niki Lunn. The event featured 17 GT40ʼs owners who came to honor Lunn.

"He didn't sit in any of the cars, because he's not able to get in and out easily at 90 years old," Niki Lunn said. "But he did sign one of the cars. He was excited and thankful that that many people owning Ford GT40s were willing to drive long distances. Some people even flew down from Michigan."

The event was also a send off for Lunn and his wife, Jeanie, who moved to California Dec. 31.

"There are a lot of people who know my parents, who maybe played golf with them in the past," Niki Lunn said. "My mother was a member of the Lakewood Ranch Garden Club. My parents have loved living in Florida."

+ Giving spirit

Lakewood Ranch High students don't believe that giving to those in need is a seasonal idea.

Although the holiday season is over, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) students are collecting items for families in need, and donating the goods, such as unopened paper towels and plates, cereal, snacks and children's books and games, to All Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House organizations.

Lakewood Ranch students will be awarded community service hours for their donations, which are due by Jan. 15 to FCCLA Advisor Elaine Bowling in Room 619.