$1 BUCKET OF BALLS OR MINI-GOLF AT ACE GOLF THIS SUMMER

Are the kids driving you crazy and playing too many video games this summer?

Want to have them do something healthy and learn a lifelong sport?

Ace Golf is ofering a $1 summer golf practice program for kids ages 4-15. Every day from Thursday, June 1 through Thursday, August 31, kids can sign up to receive a $1 small bucket of range balls and/or a $1 round of miniature golf each day for the whole summer. Kids will hit the balls on the practice ranges and miniature golf courses at bay-area Ace Golf locations. And it’s all just $1 per activity.

“There are a lot of families out there that just can’t aford to put kids in camps, or they just want something productive to fill their summer,” said Bill Place, owner of Ace Golf Ranges and Golf Courses. “We want to help, and hopefully in the process we may find the next Tiger Woods.”

How it works:

• Children may sign up for free at any of three Ace Golf locations in Riverview, Land O’ Lakes and Tarpon Springs.

• Each child receives a daily stamp card for $1 free small bucket and $1 miniature golf each day.

• Each time the child redeems their free bucket, they will get a stamp on their card noting the redemption. An adult must accompany them.

• No other purchase is necessary. Kids should bring a golf club with them, or they may rent one.

• Miniature golf is available at the Land O’ Lakes and Riverview locations.

In addition to the Free Bucket or Mini Golf program, kids may also play golf for $1 when accompanied by a paying parent at all Ace Golf Courses (18hole golf courses) after 12 Noon every day starting June 1 through the end of October.

Ace Golf Range is located at 12910 Boyette Rd. in Riverview. It is open daily until 10 p.m. The facilities feature lighted golf practice ranges, miniature golf and batting cages.

Ace Golf Courses include the Plantation Palms Golf Club in Land O’ Lakes (813996-4653; website: www.plantationpalms.net), and the Crescent Oaks Country Club at 3300 Crescent Oaks Boulevard in Tarpon Springs (727-937-4653; website: www.crescentoaksgolf.com).

All Ace Golf Courses are open to the public and ofer membership, dining and banquet centers.

Ace Golf is locally, family-owned by Su Lee and Place since 1993. In addition to the $1 kids’ program, each location ofers summer golf camps, clinics and private and group golf lessons. For more information, visit https://ace-golf.com/ or call 813-672-7750.

BULLFROG CREEK BREWING CO. CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

Five years ago, longtime local residents and business owners Jamie Ratclif and his wife, Kelly, opened Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. in an abandoned gas station in the heart of the Bloomingdale community.

Well today, that little gas station in the Erindale Plaza is a 3,000 sq. ft. center core of activity, events, members, fresh brews, live music, charitable events, markets and all embraced within a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

And credit has to be given to a business that not only survived the 2020 shutdown and pandemic but is also constantly evolving its business model, even making to-go cases of beer, cider and root beer and ofering curbside delivery.

As Valrico’s first brewery, Ratclif, a proud veteran, is also proud of the business they have created, and he said, “We love this community and we love to drink our beer with friends and family. Community is everything to us and we love to give back.”

And give back they do. Ratclif estimates that over the five years and hundreds of music bingo events, local nonprofits have raised more than $400,000 thanks in part to a generous program where Bullfrog provides the equipment and the preregistered charity provides the audience, the sales team and the priz-

By Marie Gilmore

es. Bullfrog is a fully working brewery and pub under the supervision of head brewer Nicholas DiGioia and general manager Alex Volovar. Iconic local brews include Buckhorn Baltic Porter, Bloomingdale Brown, Alafia Wheat and the newest addition, Pizza Rock IPA.

“Our team is passionate about beer and the art of brewing,” said Ratclif. “We believe in using only the finest ingredients to create unique and delicious beers that are sure to satisfy the taste buds of even the most discerning craft beer enthusiasts.” Over the five years, Bullfrog has created 386 beers, served 6.4 million ounces of beer and had 340 beers gifted to visiting veterans.

In addition to the best local brews, Bullfrog Creek has a full-time dedicated food truck serving pub favorite, such as burgers, fries, wings and more, directed by head chef Cormac McCarthy.

Bullfrog Creek opened to the public in March 2018 and is dedicated to crafting high-quality, innovative beers for beer lovers in the community. It is located at 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 12 Noon-10 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 12 Noon-11 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 Noon8 p.m. Visit www.bullfrogcreekbrewing. com for a full listing of upcoming events.

until June 30th

SAMANTHA WALZ NAMED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PLAYER OF THE YEAR WITH NEWSOME’S SOFTBALL TEAM

Newsome High School softball senior Samantha Walz was named the Jack and Barbara Thompson Player of the Year after proving her skill and consistency as a right fielder.

“Sam really broke out of her shell this year. She has grown on and of the field and it’s been fun to watch. I’m blessed to have been a part of her journey,” said coach Ally Ledenham.

Walz was awarded the Player of the Year title after finishing the season with a .468 batting average and 25 runs. After four years on the team, she graduated with 115 hits and 75 stolen bases.

“It’s a big title. I was surprised and shocked I was awarded it. … I put in a lot of work and to see it play of was really cool,” said Walz.

Ledenham said Walz’s speed and consistency earned her the countywide title. Walz has batted leadof for the Wolves over the last two seasons and set the tone for Newsome’s ofense.

“It was really cool; … being back-toback district champions was something that was really cool for this group of girls,” said Walz.

Newsome’s team won the FHSAA Class

Navigator Leadership Academy Hosted Under The Sea Art Show

By Jane Owen

By Lily Belcher

7A District 6 championship at the beginning of May, shutting out Durant in the semifinals and beating Winter Haven 7-1 in the district championship.

“This year, our team chemistry was our greatest strength. With a roster of 20, it’s rare to have a team where everyone gets along. Everyone showed up every day happy to be there and ready to work. It made the season a lot of fun,” said Ledenham. “They were each other’s biggest supporters and that made all the diference.”

This season, the Wolves only had four returning starters and Walz was the only returner to play the same position. They were forced to start from scratch, going back to the fundamentals to build a playof worthy team.

“By the end of the season, you would have never known that some girls weren’t playing in their natural positions. They knew what the team needed and they showed up every day focused and ready to work,” said Ledenham.

For more information on Newsome’s athletics, visit its website at www.nhsboosters.com.

On April 27, students and families from Navigator Academy of Leadership stepped out of the doldrums of life and into an Under the Sea Art Show experience.

The Under the Sea Art Show, spearheaded by Navigator’s elementary art teacher, Heather Adkins, featured artwork from every grade level (K-8), art-based activities in the cafeteria, local student-focused vendors and food trucks. The main feature of the night was the Glow Room that took over two months to create.

The Glow Room highlighted the unique animals in the oceans. Neon mediums — paint, crayons, oil pastels and markers — made the room come to life. Grade levels learned about various sea animals, such as sea turtles, jellyfish, puferfish and stingrays. Mixed-media art, made of everyday materials found at home and recycled materials, such as CDs, paper towel rolls and plastic bottles, were used to create the display.

Principal Rebecca Valdes said the art show provided a way to showcase the students’ art and allow them to be proud of their work.

“The art show is always a success and could not be possible without our teacher leaders guiding the way. This year, the showcase [of] the show was the Glow Room. It was an amazing room where all K-8 students joined together to create one work of art.” Valdes said.

According to Adkins, the inspiration of the art show was multifaceted. She teaches a love of art and how science and math can be part of it.

“Art is everywhere. My goal every day is to make art fun and engaging for my students as well as to see them see art in even the smallest things,” Adkins said. “My background is in math and science, so if there is any way to incorporate it, I do.”

Part of the mission of the Navigator Academy of Leadership is a cross-curricular integration of science, math, art, reading and technology. For the Under the Sea Art Show, students spent weeks reading and learning about maritime science and math elements like shapes, lines and symmetry.

The Navigator Academy of Leadership is located at 1101 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. For more information, visit https://navigatoracademyvalrico.com/.