Well....dear Cubs World fans....this is the time of year when we take a deep breath and ponder just how much further we have gone as a team in 2025. I truly am excited about the future now and I'm sure everyone will be watching for team adjustments.
In the meantime, Cubs World will be marching on! We have some very interesting events coming up, along with a beautifully developing schedule of speakers, both live and via zoom!
Here is a reminder for you to check your e-mail EVERY MONDAY! It is a great way to keep up to date on developments you should be aware of!
Enjoy this month's CHATTER!!!
In the meantime, Cubs World will be marching on! We have some very interesting events coming up, along with a beautifully developing schedule of speakers, both live and via zoom!
Here is a reminder for you to check your e-mail EVERY MONDAY! It is a great way to keep up to date on developments you should be aware of!
Enjoy this month's CHATTER!!!
ON DECK FOR DECEMBER
MOVIE NIGHT FEATURING A FREE SCREENING OF “THE NATURAL” at the EPIC (OLD MILL) THEATRE in Lake Sumter Landing.
DATE: Monday, December 1st
Doors open 5:30
Film starts 6 pm.
ADMISSION FREE BUT YOU MUST WEAR YOUR CUBS WORLD BADGES!
MOVIE NIGHT FEATURING A FREE SCREENING OF “THE NATURAL” at the EPIC (OLD MILL) THEATRE in Lake Sumter Landing.
DATE: Monday, December 1st
Doors open 5:30
Film starts 6 pm.
ADMISSION FREE BUT YOU MUST WEAR YOUR CUBS WORLD BADGES!
THANK YOU FOR VOTING!!!
by Wayne Richards
Cubs World would like to thank everyone who participated in our FILM CONTEST. Five titles were listed…wonderful classics all!
The film that came in second is also a gem. THIS OLD CUB is an outstanding documentary about Ron Santo. His trials and tribulations are brought to life and one time or another, we WILL have a screening.
Actually, for a few minutes I thought a double header might be possible, but approval from EPIC would most likely not come to fruition.
We’re all looking forward to DECEMBER 1ST when once again we will enjoy a true baseball classic on the big screen.
Remember….ADMISSION IS FREE, BUT YOU MUST WEAR YOUR CUBS WORLD BADGES TO ENTER. See you at the movies!!!!! Also...please register for a head count. Thank You!
by Wayne Richards
Cubs World would like to thank everyone who participated in our FILM CONTEST. Five titles were listed…wonderful classics all!
The film that came in second is also a gem. THIS OLD CUB is an outstanding documentary about Ron Santo. His trials and tribulations are brought to life and one time or another, we WILL have a screening.
Actually, for a few minutes I thought a double header might be possible, but approval from EPIC would most likely not come to fruition.
We’re all looking forward to DECEMBER 1ST when once again we will enjoy a true baseball classic on the big screen.
Remember….ADMISSION IS FREE, BUT YOU MUST WEAR YOUR CUBS WORLD BADGES TO ENTER. See you at the movies!!!!! Also...please register for a head count. Thank You!
THE NATURAL
by Wayne Richards
On December 1st, when we all converge on the EPIC theatre in Lake Sumter, a very special production and a baseball classic will hit the big screen. The Natural is a film that takes on magical textures.
This is actually the 41st Anniversary of this motion picture. It's interesting to me that FANTOM PRODUCTIONS, the company that sets up programs of older classic film presentations, has ignored it thus far. But, thanks to our Cubs World participating voters, we will celebrate on our own at the beautiful EPIC theatre.
You can't lose with a cast of incredible talent such as Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Barbara Hershey, Wilford Brimley and Richard Farnsworth bringing the story to life! By the way, I asked our good friend Kyle Farnsworth if he was related to Richard. He is not.
The Natural was adapted from a 1952 novel of the same name. Written by Bernard Malamud, the book was loosely based on the shooting incident and subsequent comeback of Philadelphia Phillies player Eddie Waitkus.
Naturally, hollywood gave the story a more palatable treatment with uplifting tones. The end result is a presentation that stands the test of time.
Redford plays a character named, Roy Hobbs. You will notice that he wears a number 9 on his uniform. Why? Because Redford was a huge fan of Ted Williams. Redford patterned his "bat swinging" style after Williams.
At first, we see the main character, Roy Hobbs at 19 years of age. We then see him at age 35 later in the story. Robert Redford was actually 47, but was able to pull the performance off due to his athletic abilities and energy.
Filming of the Natural took place in two ball parks...WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM in Buffalo, New York and ALL HIGH STADIUM, also in Buffalo. The latter venue was altered to look like WRIGLEY FIELD.
THE NATURAL was nominated for four Oscars. But Cubs World will be the real winners when they settled in their seats with their popcorn and the lights dim. See you at the movies!!!!!!!
by Wayne Richards
On December 1st, when we all converge on the EPIC theatre in Lake Sumter, a very special production and a baseball classic will hit the big screen. The Natural is a film that takes on magical textures.
This is actually the 41st Anniversary of this motion picture. It's interesting to me that FANTOM PRODUCTIONS, the company that sets up programs of older classic film presentations, has ignored it thus far. But, thanks to our Cubs World participating voters, we will celebrate on our own at the beautiful EPIC theatre.
You can't lose with a cast of incredible talent such as Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Barbara Hershey, Wilford Brimley and Richard Farnsworth bringing the story to life! By the way, I asked our good friend Kyle Farnsworth if he was related to Richard. He is not.
The Natural was adapted from a 1952 novel of the same name. Written by Bernard Malamud, the book was loosely based on the shooting incident and subsequent comeback of Philadelphia Phillies player Eddie Waitkus.
Naturally, hollywood gave the story a more palatable treatment with uplifting tones. The end result is a presentation that stands the test of time.
Redford plays a character named, Roy Hobbs. You will notice that he wears a number 9 on his uniform. Why? Because Redford was a huge fan of Ted Williams. Redford patterned his "bat swinging" style after Williams.
At first, we see the main character, Roy Hobbs at 19 years of age. We then see him at age 35 later in the story. Robert Redford was actually 47, but was able to pull the performance off due to his athletic abilities and energy.
Filming of the Natural took place in two ball parks...WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM in Buffalo, New York and ALL HIGH STADIUM, also in Buffalo. The latter venue was altered to look like WRIGLEY FIELD.
THE NATURAL was nominated for four Oscars. But Cubs World will be the real winners when they settled in their seats with their popcorn and the lights dim. See you at the movies!!!!!!!
WELCOME TO CUBS WORLD
We love when people sniff….er…. check us out and make the decision to join our ever-growing and vibrant club. When you do join, you become part of our family!
CUBS WORLD would like to welcome our newest members
KEVIN LUKAS
RANDY AND DAWN GROSS
We are all glad that you have decided to join our friendly pack to help cheer on our Cubs! GO CUBBIES
We love when people sniff….er…. check us out and make the decision to join our ever-growing and vibrant club. When you do join, you become part of our family!
CUBS WORLD would like to welcome our newest members
KEVIN LUKAS
RANDY AND DAWN GROSS
We are all glad that you have decided to join our friendly pack to help cheer on our Cubs! GO CUBBIES
THE RED WORD HUNT CONTINUES ON!!!!
by Wayne Richards
We don't want people to panic! Our RED WORD has become a monthly contest with TWO count them TWO big prizes on the line for our membership. There's no need to panic. OUR CONTEST WILL CONTINUE ON THROUGH DECEMBER AND JANUARY, despite our trip to the cinema and then the museum.
People search carefully through this newsletter for a word printed in red. Once found, it is written down on a piece of paper that will eventually wind up in a special jar designated for this ever-popular contest and isn't this the most glorious run-on sentence you've ever read?
Here's hoping that you will win a big winner. GOOD LUCK!
by Wayne Richards
We don't want people to panic! Our RED WORD has become a monthly contest with TWO count them TWO big prizes on the line for our membership. There's no need to panic. OUR CONTEST WILL CONTINUE ON THROUGH DECEMBER AND JANUARY, despite our trip to the cinema and then the museum.
People search carefully through this newsletter for a word printed in red. Once found, it is written down on a piece of paper that will eventually wind up in a special jar designated for this ever-popular contest and isn't this the most glorious run-on sentence you've ever read?
Here's hoping that you will win a big winner. GOOD LUCK!
MEMBERSHIP MEETING FEATURED TWO LOCAL LEGENDS
by Dan Marx
CubsWorld members had a treat Monday night on 11/3 of having a repeat feature speaker in Rich Billings. We opened the meeting with a wonderful turkey dinner supplied by Golden Corral.
We then did the red word, and I thanked the membership for donating $100 in Dave Gran’s memory to the Alzheimer’s foundation. I also gave everyone a heads up to the plight of the Wildwood Soup Kitchen and the fact that they have a very short window to find a building to keep doing the very important job of feeding the hungry. I also noted that the Daily Sun did a magnificent piece on our dear friend and member, Don Jeppsen, who has shot his age in golf an unbelievable 851 times!
Rich Billings is a multi talented and an extremely successful baseball coach. He is a very captivating speaker.
He is the head coach of the Lake Sumter State College baseball team, but also we know him best as the head coach of the Leesburg Lightning. Emphasis on lightning-lol.
We have been to 3 or 4 Lightning games over the years, and , unfortunately, 2 of them have been “ lightninged “ out. His team has always been extremely successful. His team is mostly summertime college players, and they have won 2 Florida league championships. He is the winningest coach in Florida league history.
What struck me the most about Rich was the way he has told his players to approach life and approach the game of baseball. Like every coach in every sport he tells his kids that winning is great, but he really loves it when they find a way to become part of the community. He wants the players to TRULY appreciate the fans.
The team gets 1000 fans for most games and during every game the players circulate through the stands and pass the hat and a yellow rose. Pass the hat gets anywhere from nothing to $5, $10, and sometimes up to $50 per person to help defray the no admission charge to the ballpark. The yellow rose gets handed out to 10 or 12 girls and women of all ages.
Many of the kids are so enamored with the close contact with the players, that as they get older, they may end up playing for the team, and many times become volunteers who end up sacrificing their time to help with the team in whichever way possible. Rich came up with a very profound saying, when he said “ after awhile, the team started winning when they stopped caring about winning. “
Rich has been as successful with the Lake Sumter State College baseball team also. He has sent over 100 players to the 4 year level, and has coached over 30 Academic All Americans. The LSSC baseball graduation rate remains among the top top junior college programs in the entire southeast.
This is an amazing human being that you can definitely say to “ thank you for your selfless service”
And, Rich, thank you from all of us for your inspiration. We know you’re a Braves fan, but we may make you a Cubs fan yet!
by Dan Marx
CubsWorld members had a treat Monday night on 11/3 of having a repeat feature speaker in Rich Billings. We opened the meeting with a wonderful turkey dinner supplied by Golden Corral.
We then did the red word, and I thanked the membership for donating $100 in Dave Gran’s memory to the Alzheimer’s foundation. I also gave everyone a heads up to the plight of the Wildwood Soup Kitchen and the fact that they have a very short window to find a building to keep doing the very important job of feeding the hungry. I also noted that the Daily Sun did a magnificent piece on our dear friend and member, Don Jeppsen, who has shot his age in golf an unbelievable 851 times!
Rich Billings is a multi talented and an extremely successful baseball coach. He is a very captivating speaker.
He is the head coach of the Lake Sumter State College baseball team, but also we know him best as the head coach of the Leesburg Lightning. Emphasis on lightning-lol.
We have been to 3 or 4 Lightning games over the years, and , unfortunately, 2 of them have been “ lightninged “ out. His team has always been extremely successful. His team is mostly summertime college players, and they have won 2 Florida league championships. He is the winningest coach in Florida league history.
What struck me the most about Rich was the way he has told his players to approach life and approach the game of baseball. Like every coach in every sport he tells his kids that winning is great, but he really loves it when they find a way to become part of the community. He wants the players to TRULY appreciate the fans.
The team gets 1000 fans for most games and during every game the players circulate through the stands and pass the hat and a yellow rose. Pass the hat gets anywhere from nothing to $5, $10, and sometimes up to $50 per person to help defray the no admission charge to the ballpark. The yellow rose gets handed out to 10 or 12 girls and women of all ages.
Many of the kids are so enamored with the close contact with the players, that as they get older, they may end up playing for the team, and many times become volunteers who end up sacrificing their time to help with the team in whichever way possible. Rich came up with a very profound saying, when he said “ after awhile, the team started winning when they stopped caring about winning. “
Rich has been as successful with the Lake Sumter State College baseball team also. He has sent over 100 players to the 4 year level, and has coached over 30 Academic All Americans. The LSSC baseball graduation rate remains among the top top junior college programs in the entire southeast.
This is an amazing human being that you can definitely say to “ thank you for your selfless service”
And, Rich, thank you from all of us for your inspiration. We know you’re a Braves fan, but we may make you a Cubs fan yet!
Another speaker that we had that night was the voice of the Lightning for so many years, Billy Matthews. The minute he starts talking, you KNOW that he has a radio voice. He is the sports director for WQBQ, and also is the public address announcer for the team.
Billy was fascinated with broadcasting baseball games when he was in third grade. He was telling us about all of the athletes he has interviewed from around the country. Many were local, but some of them are extremely well known names. He also told us of driving around the country to see a numbers of baseball stadiums on his trip. Of course he mentioned Wrigley Field and how much in awe of it he was. I don’t know if any of us ever took Wrigley Field for granted, but we sure love telling people about how many games we saw there. It was, and still is a shrine.
And Billy and his wife finished their tour in Dyersville , Iowa and were able to see the magnificent “ Field Of Dreams. “ Maybe if we wait long enough by the field of corn, James Earl Jones might just come out.
Billy was fascinated with broadcasting baseball games when he was in third grade. He was telling us about all of the athletes he has interviewed from around the country. Many were local, but some of them are extremely well known names. He also told us of driving around the country to see a numbers of baseball stadiums on his trip. Of course he mentioned Wrigley Field and how much in awe of it he was. I don’t know if any of us ever took Wrigley Field for granted, but we sure love telling people about how many games we saw there. It was, and still is a shrine.
And Billy and his wife finished their tour in Dyersville , Iowa and were able to see the magnificent “ Field Of Dreams. “ Maybe if we wait long enough by the field of corn, James Earl Jones might just come out.
YOUR PREZ IS HITTING THE AIRWAVES!
by Wayne Richards
The Villages boasts of a home town radio station, but they're not the only tower around here. WQBQ, based in Leesburg, attracts a wide audience because of their variety of programs.
On Saturday morning from 10 am to noon, SPORTS TALK hits the airwaves, inviting listeners to call in. Its a fun show and now your Prez has been invited as an "in studio" guest.
After performing the anthem, I'll be interviewed and I intend to promote CUBS WORLD for the world...well...a few counties anyway.
If you're listening, you may call in. I'm sure they'll announce the number. LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!
by Wayne Richards
The Villages boasts of a home town radio station, but they're not the only tower around here. WQBQ, based in Leesburg, attracts a wide audience because of their variety of programs.
On Saturday morning from 10 am to noon, SPORTS TALK hits the airwaves, inviting listeners to call in. Its a fun show and now your Prez has been invited as an "in studio" guest.
After performing the anthem, I'll be interviewed and I intend to promote CUBS WORLD for the world...well...a few counties anyway.
If you're listening, you may call in. I'm sure they'll announce the number. LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!
FROM THE DESK OF DAN MARX
I think that many of our members appreciate baseball history. It’s been awhile since I have paraphrased a story from my favorite book, “ Why we love baseball”. I hope some of you have purchased the book in the meantime. It’s a very enjoyable read.
So many of us grew up watching the mega stars of our generation. Ernie Banks, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Warren Spahn just to name a few.
I have a feeling many of us would love to go back in the Time Machine, and watch Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb, and Walter Johnson play and witness how great they truly were.
But back in the day before baseball became integrated there lived some of the greatest baseball players who ever lived. I would have loved to see Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson play. They were the greatest hitter and the greatest pitcher of their day in the Negro Leagues. Many ballplayers later grudgingly admitted that they would have been as good as many of the white players back then.
Buck O’Neill who was a fine player in his own right, went on to become the first African American coach in the majors, including becoming a scout and a coach for the Cubs.
Buck was in awe of Paige and Gibson, but there was one game in particular, Buck and Josh faced off against each other. Buck came to visit Satch on the mound in game 2 of the Negro LeagueWorld Series.
The Homestead Grays opened the inning with a triple, and when Buck went to visit Satch, Satch was all excited about getting a chance to face Gibson. Satch then told Buck that he was going to walk the next 2 batters just to come up against Gibson . As everything became obvious to the fans, the stadium erupted.
Gibson stepped up to the plate. Then Satch requested a big glass of soda which he downed, and let out the biggest belch anybody had ever heard.
Satch then said, let’s see who’s best, and threw Josh the fastest pitch he had ever seen. Gibson watched the pitch go by without taking his bat off of his shoulder Strike One.
Paige then announced he was going to throw the next pitch in the same place, only a little faster. Sure enough, that pitch was 100 mph and strike 2 for Gibson.
Then Paige taunted Gibson one last time and threw a 105mph fastball. Gibson never took his bat off of his shoulder to watch strike 3 go by.
Those were the times that legends were made of.
I think that many of our members appreciate baseball history. It’s been awhile since I have paraphrased a story from my favorite book, “ Why we love baseball”. I hope some of you have purchased the book in the meantime. It’s a very enjoyable read.
So many of us grew up watching the mega stars of our generation. Ernie Banks, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Warren Spahn just to name a few.
I have a feeling many of us would love to go back in the Time Machine, and watch Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb, and Walter Johnson play and witness how great they truly were.
But back in the day before baseball became integrated there lived some of the greatest baseball players who ever lived. I would have loved to see Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson play. They were the greatest hitter and the greatest pitcher of their day in the Negro Leagues. Many ballplayers later grudgingly admitted that they would have been as good as many of the white players back then.
Buck O’Neill who was a fine player in his own right, went on to become the first African American coach in the majors, including becoming a scout and a coach for the Cubs.
Buck was in awe of Paige and Gibson, but there was one game in particular, Buck and Josh faced off against each other. Buck came to visit Satch on the mound in game 2 of the Negro LeagueWorld Series.
The Homestead Grays opened the inning with a triple, and when Buck went to visit Satch, Satch was all excited about getting a chance to face Gibson. Satch then told Buck that he was going to walk the next 2 batters just to come up against Gibson . As everything became obvious to the fans, the stadium erupted.
Gibson stepped up to the plate. Then Satch requested a big glass of soda which he downed, and let out the biggest belch anybody had ever heard.
Satch then said, let’s see who’s best, and threw Josh the fastest pitch he had ever seen. Gibson watched the pitch go by without taking his bat off of his shoulder Strike One.
Paige then announced he was going to throw the next pitch in the same place, only a little faster. Sure enough, that pitch was 100 mph and strike 2 for Gibson.
Then Paige taunted Gibson one last time and threw a 105mph fastball. Gibson never took his bat off of his shoulder to watch strike 3 go by.
Those were the times that legends were made of.
FROM THE PREZ'S DESK
BY WAYNE RICHARDS
One of the things I do as president that provides me with great enjoyment is speaking to people interested in joining our club. I get phone calls from them from time to time inquiring about what we do.
I also love finding people in the streets wearing Cubs gear. It's fun to strike up a conversation and, of course, invite them to check us out.
When we return to Colony Cottage in February, I will bring along CUBS WORLD business cards. Please take some so that you may become CUBS WORLD ambassadors too!
Place them on parked golf carts that might have a Cubs logo. These little moments we take to do that just might generate more interest.
My desk is filled with information and leads to some wonderful guests I'd like to book either in person or via ZOOM.
Ladies and gentlemen....the best is yet to come!
BY WAYNE RICHARDS
One of the things I do as president that provides me with great enjoyment is speaking to people interested in joining our club. I get phone calls from them from time to time inquiring about what we do.
I also love finding people in the streets wearing Cubs gear. It's fun to strike up a conversation and, of course, invite them to check us out.
When we return to Colony Cottage in February, I will bring along CUBS WORLD business cards. Please take some so that you may become CUBS WORLD ambassadors too!
Place them on parked golf carts that might have a Cubs logo. These little moments we take to do that just might generate more interest.
My desk is filled with information and leads to some wonderful guests I'd like to book either in person or via ZOOM.
Ladies and gentlemen....the best is yet to come!
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND CUBS WORLD?
Ok folks! This is where you have the opportunity to share your thoughts with us! Give us your projections for next year. The floor is yours!
Think of this as also a suggestion box. Share some ideas you might have about things you'd like to see during the course of 2026. Of course, we'd all like to see the Cubbies take it all the way! I think you'd have to agree that there's some great talent, but how to we tweak things?
We're looking forward to your comments!
Ok folks! This is where you have the opportunity to share your thoughts with us! Give us your projections for next year. The floor is yours!
Think of this as also a suggestion box. Share some ideas you might have about things you'd like to see during the course of 2026. Of course, we'd all like to see the Cubbies take it all the way! I think you'd have to agree that there's some great talent, but how to we tweak things?
We're looking forward to your comments!
