COVID-19 Update On Page 7
of SCC & South County News Line: 813.938.7441 • Ad Line: 813.938.8721 • www.soco.news • August 2020
Roller Coasters, Kiddie Rides, and Animals: Visiting Busch Gardens
By Diane M. Loeffler Does your vision of summer include roller coasters, kiddie rides, and animals? If so, you may wish to head over to Busch Gardens, a unique amusement park that is also a working zoo. Our plans to visit the park in March and take in a concert were canceled due to the virus. Finally, it is open again. The first question you may have is, “But, is it safe?” From our experience on July 2, I believe it is as safe or safer than going to the store. To go to the park involves more steps than it has in the past. In order to regulate the attendance there, the park requires reservations. Go online to “buschgardens.com”. Click on “Visit Tampa,” and go to the reservation program from there. On the morning of July 2, the parking lot was more than half empty. We boarded the tram which took us to a screening area. Every six feet, big green solid circles marked the pavement along with instructions to stand on them in order to stay socially distanced. A sign mandated wearing
If you have never been to Busch Gardens before, you might be amazed by all of the birds and animals there.
After watching the train being disinfected, we boarded it for a breezy ride. Each “party” (in our case, just the two of us) was seated in its own row. Guests were seated on every other row. Many far-larger-than-life “creatures” could be seen all around the park. The others were all made with live greenery. However, this handsome fellow is made with dried vegetation.
masks. There were stands with hand sanitizer. When we went into the tent, our temperatures were taken, and then we were allowed to proceed to the entrance where
Silver Platter Supplements County Meal Program
Cynthia Williams, owner of Uniquely Organic, prepares meatballs in her food truck in front of the Ruskin Senior Center.
By Bob Sanchez Hillsborough County has recently launched “Silver Platter” to provide supplemental nutrition to seniors currently participating in the county’s Aging Services home-delivered meals program. Eligible seniors will receive hot, prepared evening meals delivered directly to their homes at no cost. The Silver Platter program focuses on assisting seniors who live alone in areas where restaurants are scarce, and who
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Sun City Center’s Robert and Claudia Blake are two of the food program’s volunteers.
are sheltering in place to avoid potential exposure to COVID-19. Aging Services uses funding from the Families First Act and CARES Act. The program is available only to existing meal clients. Hillsborough County residents aged 60 or older who need food assistance may call 813.272.5250 to register. Silver Platter benefits about 450 seniors in area communities including Sun City Center. The County’s staff dietician works with the chef at partner restaurants and food trucks to ensure menu items meet the state dietary guidelines as well as any special needs of clients. Each restaurant has a two-week menu cycle which provides a variety of entrees. Other beneficiaries are some of the local restaurants and food trucks that have struggled during the pandemic. Drivers are hospitality workers who have been affected by the economic situation.
All surfaces of the train were sprayed. Afterwards, three staff members wiped off everything with paper towels.
we were again reminded to wear masks. The only exceptions were “facial covering relaxation zones.” Throughout the park, we saw stands with hand sanitizer. Without exception, the staff in
the park were very welcoming and also very conscientious. We did not go on many rides, but we did notice riders were placed with one row between them and the next rider. The one exception was a ride where the seat backs went well above each rider’s head. We noticed rides in the Sesame Street area were open too.
Busch continued on page 2.
Help CARE for Cats and Dogs in Need
Watch out behind you! This beautiful kitten is unaware of an impending sneak attack.
By Bob Sanchez CARE, the Critter Adoption & Rescue Effort, is a privately run Ruskin-based, nonprofit, no-kill shelter for “neglected, abused, and unwanted” cats and dogs. Besides food and shelter, CARE provides TLC that may include socialization, medical care, or sterilization as needed. Their goal is to find safe, loving homes for each animal they take in. Usually that means only a few weeks before they’re ready for adoption; but the old, sick, or traumatized animals may live out their lives in CARE. According to CARE president Penny Smith, “We are desperately short of volunteers. If you can commit to a regular three-hour weekly shift caring for the cats and dogs, they could really use your help. We need people who can socialize with the cats, mornings between 10 and 12. We need volunteers for the mornings and afternoons to
This lucky dog will have a new home soon.
CARE board president Penny Smith shows off a new arrival.
take care of cats and dogs. If you can commit to one threehour shift the same time every week, we could really use your help. The rewards of interaction with the animals cannot be overstated.” The existing shelter can house between 11-17 dogs and puppies (depending on sizes) and 30-40 cats and kittens. Animal Manager Gloria Blue said that in one recent 10-day
Care continued on page 15.