Valrico
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January 2022 Volume 19, Issue 1
Ph: 657-2418
SEE AD ON PAGE 23
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
HOMETOWN PAPER CELEBRATES 20 TROOP 61 HOSTS ANNUAL TASTE YEARS OF POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS OF SCOUTING BBQ FUNDRAISER By Marie Gilmore, Publisher Staff Report
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
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offset the cost of summer camp, and provide Scout families assistance through scholarships in case of financial hardships,” said Zelatis. “We want every young person to experience Scouting. Also, a portion of Members of Boy Scout Troop 61 are getting ready for their annual Taste of the proceeds will Scouting BBQ fundraiser on Saturday, February 5 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. go to the PresbyIf you like barbecue and terian Church of helping the community, Bloomingdale to mark your calendars for help pay for buildSaturday, February 5. Boy ing and grounds Scout Troop 61 will host maintenance and the fourth annual ‘Taste of incidentals.” Scouting’ barbecue event Scouts are infrom 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the volved in every Presbyterian Church of aspect of event Bloomingdale, located at from preparing the 710 E. Bloomingdale Ave. meats to serving in Brandon. the guests. This community-wide “The night beevent will include barbecue meals fore, the Scouts will prepared by Scouts for customfirst make the rubs and ers to pick up and enjoy. The sauces,” said Zelatis, Scouts will also be explaining and “then they will trim and demonstrating various skills such prepare the meats for as knot tying, camping demonsmoking. Being that this stration, pioneering and more. is an overnight cook, the “The event was first held in adult leaders will man February 2019, and we have been the smokers while the holding it every year since,” said Scouts camp out and Troop Committee Member & Pitmaster sleep in preparation of the next day’s activJohn Zelatis. ities. On the day of the event, they will be This year, the meal will include a choice serving food and setting up activities such of low and slow-smoked brisket, pulled as knot tying, orienteering, fire building, pork or turkey with potato salad, baked camping, backpacking, first aid and more beans, a roll and drink. The meals are $18 so all our guests can see what Scouting is if you preorder online or $20 at the door. all about.” “The funds raised will be utilized to help To preorder a Taste of Scouting BBQ lower Scout dues and registration fees, meal, visit https://2022tasteofscoutpurchase new or upgrade existing camp- ing.eventbrite.com/ or www.bstroop61. ing equipment, repair our flotilla of canoes, com and click on ‘Taste of Scouting.’
Gavin De Croix, a Life Scout from BSA Troop 109 in Valrico, recently assembled a Blessing Box, which is now operating at the TLC Feeding Ministry at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church in Valrico. See full story on Page 5.
The Osprey Observer team gathers for its recent 20th anniversary ribbon-cutting. Photo courtesy of the SouthShore Chamber of Commerce.
A major milestone has been reached for the award-winning Osprey Observer Community Newspapers as we print our first edition for our 20th anniversary on Wednesday, January 5. The newspaper has been publishing local, positive community news in the Southeastern Hillsborough County area since January 5, 2001, and we couldn’t have done it without the commitment and dedication of its readers and trusted advertisers. The Osprey Observer started out as a home-based business with a one-sheet newsletter and has grown into a corporation publishing more than 200 pages in five monthly editions with a team of more than 25 people. The main goal when we started was to make an impact on the local community. Our idea was to get involved and to make a difference in whatever ways we could. For our business, this has included the addition of videos, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and an active, archived website, along with the continuation of building our brand at events, festivals and with sponsorships in the community. We recently purchased a larger office space on Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico with room for team members to meet and run the day-to-day operations of the publication. As a community newspaper, we find that this is what sets us apart and keeps our readers interested as we cover the news. We are supported 100 percent by local small businesses who keep us a free community newspaper and allow us to print and mail our editions each month. Without the support of these businesses, we wouldn’t have the staff to send to cover community events nor the community office to be the hub of local information. “My 16-year experience with the Osprey Observer has allowed me to integrate into my community in a very special way,” said Kerrie Hoening, FishHawk/Bloomingdale and Valri-
co sales. “The connections I’ve made [have] allowed me to build lasting relationships and friendships that I might have otherwise never met. The heart of this team is to support our residents, our local businesses, our charitable organizations and our community, and I have been very proud to be a part of the Osprey Observer for these past 16 years.” In addition to concentrating on our main business, publishing newspapers that people read, we also have been active in our local chambers and encourage businesses to not just join but actually get involved and attend events. Just in the last year, we have been recognized for our community involvement in many ways. Managing Editor/Publisher Marie Gilmore was named the 2019 Citizen of the Year for Riverview and the OOsprey Observer was named the Valrico/FishHawk Chamber Business of the Year, Brandon Chamber Business of the Year and Riverview/Apollo Beach Chamber Small Business of the Year Finalist in 2019. The best advice we can give any small business owner is to find your niche in what you do best, be the best, treat every customer like your absolute best customer and follow the general small business rules that will set you apart: Be On Time, Send a Thank-You Note, Follow Up! If it weren’t for our loyal readers and avid business supporters, we couldn’t do what we do in the community. So, from the Osprey Observer and Christian Voice team, thank you!
IN THIS ISSUE: HITECH NEW OWNERS ..................... PG 4 HOPE FOR HER ........................................PG 7 EYE ON BUSINESS ...................PGS 20-21 YEAR IN REVIEW ......................PGS 27-32
