Osprey Observer Christian Voice Monthly October 2022

LIGHTHOUSE GOSPEL MISSION CELEBRATES 70 YEARS

On September 30, the Lighthouse Gos pel Mission hosted its Annual Partners Banquet to mark 70 years of inspiring faith and strength in Tampa Bay. This vision was estab lished on December 12, 1952 by Rever end J.A. Lennard to mitigate the power of temptation while supplying aid in an accommodating environment.

The Lighthouse Gospel Mission has since developed four minis tries working to empower such transformation.

“So many people come with nothing. We help them rebuild their lives and then transi tion them out, setting up ac countability for them beyond that,” said Pastor Tony Samu els, Lighthouse Gospel Mission president.

The Faith Home Ministry serves as a rehabilitation res idential program dedicated to intensive Bible study, instruct ing new members of this dis cipleship on how to build good practices and develop respon sibility in life beyond the Light house Gospel Mission. While this is an 18-month opportunity, the minis try will cover costs if those attending cannot aford to do so.

Accordingly, the Lighthouse Free dom Center was created based upon

Nativity Catholic Church is preparing for its 51st annual Novemberfest in the middle of November that serves as the church’s largest fundraiser and as entertainment for the Bran don community after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

Starting on Thursday, November 17 and run ning until Sunday, November 20, Novemberfest will be hosted on the corner of Bryan Road and U.S. Highway 60 on the Nativity Catholic School and Church campus. While the event is especially fun for Nativity’s students, who get to watch the carnival come to life through their classroom windows, the carnival is a staple in the Brandon community. Each year, the field is covered in rides, games and food for family and kids of all ages.

The annual Novemberfest carnival is Nativity Catholic Church’s largest fundraiser that helps or ganize and run its Faith Formation program and youth ministries. In addition to supporting church programs, the money earned during the carnival supports Nativity Catholic School for students in pre-K through eighth grade.

In order to make Novemberfest possible each

By Madeline Gardner

the organization in feeding the hungry in Tampa Bay. Partnerships with organiza tions such as Walmart and Mosaic have allowed the organization to make neces sary purchases, like refrig erated trucks. Annually, this ministry now distributes roughly more than 2.4 million pounds of food.

The Lighthouse Remnant Thrift Store is open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with Wednesday hours from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Clothing and furniture donations are accepted here before being cleaned and afordably sold back to those in need. All proceeds are returned to the organization and ministries.

Further expanding, A Taste of Freedom Food Truck was recently established, with proceeds returning to the organization as well. Pastor Samuels stated that he hopes this sustainability encourages more peo ple to join these ministries, even if they are hesitant to start.

“Just take it one day at a time. You’ll start seeing yourself beyond your current situation. Let God clean you up and get your vision back. He’ll give you that picture of your future,” said Pastor Samuels.

the discipleship founded by the Faith Home Ministry. This church ensures that these program graduates have access to a pastor and a community who understands their background and journey.

Operation Hope of America assists

The Lighthouse Gospel Mission’s ofce hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. For more informa tion, please visit www.lighthousegos pelmission.org or call 813-677-5220.

By Lily Belcher

Sponsorships are also vital to the suc cess of the event. Diamond, gold, silver and bronze sponsorships are available to companies that want to support the event and Nativity Catholic Church and will have a banner hung in the tent as recognition.

year, Nativity relies on a team of dedicated vol unteers for set-up, operation, and break-down of the event. Volunteer sign-ups open on October 1. Volunteers will give their time preparing for the event and running rafe tickets and food booths in the main tent.

“Novemberfest is an amazing weekend of fel lowship, teamwork, celebration and dedication.” according to the website. “We look forward to sharing this opportunity with you.”

This year’s diamond sponsors already include Bill’s Prescription Center, South State, Rivard Buick GMC and B&B Ice and Wa ter. Gold spon sorships cost $1,000, silver sponsorships cost $500 and bronze sponsorships cost $300. Informa tion on banner sizes, benefits of becoming a sponsor and the commitment form are available on the Novemberfest website.

With questions about volunteering, contact Therese Alonso at 689-3395 ext. 2277 or at dosa@ nativitycatholicschool.org.

For more information about Novemberfest and sponsorship information, call the church ofce at 813-681-4608 or visit the website at www.nativ itycatholicchurch.org/novemberfest.

Te 51st annual Novemberfest will be hosted by Nativity Catholic Church to support its school and ministries.

Te Lighthouse Gospel Mission o fers four diferent ministries to bring about hope through discipleship and community e f orts.

To further fund its ministries, the newest Lighthouse Gospel Mission ministry is A Taste of Freedom Food Truck, whose menu ranges from empanadas to sandwiches.

LA SEPTIMA KEEPS TRADITIONS ALIVE WITH MADE-FROM-SCRATCH CUBAN FARE

For nearly three de cades, La Septima Cafe has served authen tic Cuban fare to the Brandon community.

Through a change of location in 2011, having to abruptly shut down due to COVID-19 and struggling to find peo ple who want to work, the restaurant is con stantly adapting and continues to attract a crowd daily and night ly. “Without our community support, we would probably not be here today,” proclaimed co-owner Dahlia Fernandez.

She and husband Ronnie have spent a majority of their lives in the restaurant business.

“We have never looked back. La Septima is our crown jewel,” she said.

Truly family-owned and operated, daugh ter Jennifer handles human resources and accounts payable while son RJ is the gen eral manager. Recently, eldest granddaugh ters Ana and Adriana also joined the team.

“Working with family has its challenges, but it has more advantages,” said Dahlia, referring to herself and Ronnie as the ul timate overseers. “It is truly a blessing to have all the watchful eyes on the business.”

Throughout the years, the Fernandez family has remained true to its product and true to its loyal patrons.

La Septima’s tagline, “A Taste of Old Ybor,” is exemplified throughout the menu with items like ropa vieja (flank steak), breaded palomilla steak and pescado a la Rusa (whitefish). Other oferings include soup, salad, sandwiches and combinations.

By Sharon Still

The Cuban sand wich, devil crabs and Seventh Avenue salad are the most popular and come highly recommend ed.

“Our success comes from our pas sion to keep every menu item consis tent in flavor and quality,” remarked Dahlia.

La Septima’s fam ily meals, introduced during the pandemic, also are a big hit and a great bang for your buck with most priced at $39.95. Suitable for a family of four, guests can choose from a selection of the signature dishes, all of which come with rice, salad, black beans, Cuban bread and a 2-liter bottle of soda.

At La Septima, everything is made from scratch, including the salad dressing, soup, flan, cheesecake and everything in be tween. Dahlia stressed the importance of quality food and a friendly staf, noting that the latter proves to be more difcult.

“We have made so many friends along the way through these years; we are most ly grateful to this beautiful community for our success,” she added.

La Septima Cafe is located in La Viva Plaza at 702 W. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon. Dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering are available. Open for lunch and dinner Mon day through Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and is closed on Sunday. Visit www.laseptima cafe.com or call 813-685-0502 for further details.

CENTER PLACE FINE ARTS & CIVIC ASSOCIATION BECOMES THE NEW HOME OF JESUSCHURCH

Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Asso ciation has been a part of the Brandon community for 49 years, and during these years many community organi zations and church es have called the center ‘home.’

Recently, Center Place became the new home of Jesu sChurch. “We had looked everywhere for a place that was central, afordable and where we could meet on Sunday morn ings and have it feel like home,” said Jesus Church’s pastor, Jay Molina. “Ever since the first time that we walked in the door and got the tour, we felt like God was telling us that we were home.”

Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association has been a part of the Brandon community for 49 years, and during these years many community organiza tions and churches have called the center ‘home.’

Recently, Center Place became the new home of JesusChurch.

By Libby Hopkins

Church when they started meeting at The Regent. “The church grew for the next 10 years until COVID hit,” Pastor Molina said. “That, combined with moving to Fish Hawk, the pastor moving to Michi gan and a change in time, left the church hovering between 35-40 people led by the interim pastor, who was the former worship leader and youth leader. Ten months in, he decided he wasn’t called to be a pastor, and not only did he step down, he left the church. Now, with a new, revitalized vision and leader ship, we are relaunching.”

In a time where there is so much division and diferent cultures are vying for atten tion, Pastor Molina and his wife, Charlene, believe that God is calling them to estab lish a Kingdom Culture, where everyone is welcome and they are all one in Christ. They seek to transform lives by loving them and helping them grow in their relationship with God. “We want to grow in this place, and we want to partner with Center Place in serving our community,” Pastor Molina said. “We want to show our community God’s love in a practical way. We want our church to be a beacon in the community.”

JesusChurch was originally Coastland Vineyard. The original pastor left, and the new team decided to rename it Jesus

Center Place’s executive director, Libby Hopkins, felt that JesusChurch would be a perfect fit with Center Place. “From the moment I met with Pastor Molina and his wife, Charlene, I knew Center Place would be the perfect place for them and their congregation,” Hopkins said. “The Center Place’s board of directors and I are excited to see JesusChurch grow and connect with our community.”

JesusChurch meets at Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association on Sunday morn ings at 9:30 a.m. If you’d like to learn more about JesusChurch, you can visit its web site at www.myjesuschurch.com.

Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Associa tion is located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. Ste. B inside the Brandon Regional Library.

The Weirdness That Binds

By Debora Coty

I overheard an enlightening con versation between an older woman and a newlywed.

The venerable woman mentioned that she and her husband were cel ebrating their 30th wedding anniver sary. The 20-some thing gal asked, “How do you like somebody for thirty years?”

With wisdom born of a thousand makeup kisses, the elder replied, “Well, you may only like him for 15 years, but you love him for 30.”

“You see, the longer you’re married, you and your husband grow weird in the same way — a way nobody else under stands. It’s that weirdness that binds you together.”

The truth resonated with me. Weird isn’t always bad. Weird can be good. Weird is often why we fall in love over and over again — with the same person. Weird is superglue in a relationship.

Take my husband’s weirdness. I’m the first to sing Chuck’s praises for all the chores he performs around the house — vacuuming, making beds, washing dishes. Some land in the dishwasher, but most he stacks in the dish drainer.

What is it with men and competition?

Every day’s a world championship to see how many dishes he can amass into a monstrous mountain before the whole thing avalanches.

Really? I pointed out that washing

dishes is great, but it would be even more help ful if he put them away. Nope.

So, I pro gressed to nag ging. Then re sentment and seething. My tiny seed of anger sprouted into a towering bean stalk.

Then one day everything changed. My dear friend, Rita, lost her husband to cancer at age 57.

As I stood in my kitchen, weeping with Rita on the phone, my eyes landed on that ridiculous mound in the dish drain er. Somehow, this time it didn’t needle me. I knew Rita would give anything to have her husband’s weird, maddening habits back for one minute.

And from that moment on, although the looming precipice threatening to bury the kitchen didn’t change, my per spective did. I was able to release my annoyance — let it go.

I’ve learned not to let emotional gaps widen to the point that they form un bridgeable chasms, splitting asunder that sacred union we vowed to cherish until death do us part. Life’s just too short.

Why not embrace the weirdness?

“Relish life with the spouse you love each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God’s gift … Make the most of each one!” — Ecclesiastes 9:9 MSG.

HCC’S NEW BRANDON CAMPUS PRESIDENT SET FOR TODAY’S CHALLENGES

The road from law to ac ademia has been a seamless one for Deborah Kish Johan sen, who in January started her job as president of Hill sborough Community Col lege’s (HCC) Brandon cam pus and is chair-elect for the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce.

Licensed to practice cor porate law, Johansen said she entered the collegiate career track after learning of an opportunity through a previous chamber aflia tion and then serving as an adjunct professor at Valencia College in Or lando, where she taught business law.

“I loved being around students on the college campus and seeing the light bulbs go of,” said Johansen, whose subsequent rise in academia took her to Colorado, Ar izona and back again to Florida. She’s held positions of chief academic ofcer, chief operating ofcer, academic dean and grad uate and undergraduate faculty, and before Brandon she was vice president of academ ic afairs at Northwest Florida State Col lege in Niceville.

Johansen said Brandon campus issues include shifting enrollment patterns, ongo ing attention to health and safety support, deferred maintenance of facilities and sup port for new programs and activities.

“Enrollment decline is a national issue, and we are no diferent,” Johansen said. “We do see some enrollment growth this fall semester, and we are excited about that.”

To maintain momentum, “we need to meet the modern challenges of students who want diferent flexibilities and learn

By Linda Chion

ing styles,” Johansen said, as she noted hybrid learning op portunities that involve both in-class and online instruc tion.

In the works is the FIN TECH program for financial technologies, which would in clude studies in cybersecurity and apps for online banking and investment services. Un der research is a certificate ofering, followed by a twoyear degree program and a connection with HCC’s fouryear college partners, Johan sen said.

Newly established is HCC’s associate de gree program in supply chain management, an especially relevant field today, Johansen said. She noted as well aquaculture and biotechnology studies, which, through the FUSE program, forges a pathway to biology degree studies at the University of South Florida.

In keeping with its workforce readiness focus, HCC this fall launched the Bachelor of Science in nursing degree for registered nurses to continue their studies, the first four-year degree program ofered in HCC’s 54-year history. It’s aimed to address the critical shortage of nurses locally and na tionwide.

Also new this fall is the Pre-Health So ciety, under the auspices of the American Medical Student Association Club.

Johansen plugged as well the seventh annual Hawk Run, scheduled for Saturday, October 22, “which last year raised enough money to start an endowment for scholar ship perpetuity,” she said.

For more on Johansen and HCC Brandon campus oferings, visit www.hccfl.edu.

Deborah Kish Johansen

By Kelly Wise Valdes

The Bible is full of fascinating stories about human relationships, including friendships. In fact, stories of friend ships are demonstrated throughout the Old and New Testaments. God wants us to have relationships — not just of the marital and familial kind but deep and abiding friendships as well. True friend ship provides us with support, love and enjoyment and is nothing short of a gift from God.

The story of Mary, the mother of Je sus, and Elizabeth as told in Luke 1, is an example of an undisputable friend ship that serves as an example to us even in modern times.

Both Mary and Elizabeth had found favor with God, and both were chosen by Him to fulfill the prophecy of the Old Testament.

Elizabeth, who was Mary’s cousin, was pregnant with John the Baptist. God had chosen her to be the mother of a man who had been prophesied about generations before. However, Mary re ceived an even greater mission. After the angel Gabriel had visited her and told her she would be giving birth to the son of God, she was understanda

bly worried and reached out to Eliza beth for comfort. As we know from the culture of those times, being pregnant and unmarried was not acceptable. Mary was reasonably worried about Elizabeth’s reaction.

The Bible tells us that when Mary approached Elizabeth with the news, Elizabeth was so excited about that the baby she was carrying actually jumped for joy in her womb and she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women!”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth in her home for about three months. It was obvious that Mary needed the comfort of Elizabeth’s faithful friendship. Had Mary stayed in Nazareth, she could have been isolated or ostracized, or worse. Mary didn’t want to be alone, and Elizabeth became her companion and confidante.

At some point in our lives, we all have experienced what it’s like to have hard times, struggle and be in need of genuine friendship. Through a faithful Christ-like heart, we have the power to be ‘an Elizabeth’ to ‘a Mary’ and to offer understanding, hope and encour agement instead of judgement.

PET

Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest

The annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Cos tume Contest will take place on Sat urday, October 8 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Mary & Martha House Home Goods Market, located at 312 U.S. 41 S. in Ruskin. All pets are welcome. The parade and judging will take place at 12 Noon with trophies and prizes for best overall costume, most creative costume and best pet and human costumes. You can register onsite at the Kittie Corral booth start ing at 11 a.m. or preregister online at www.jens-market.com. All proceeds from the event go to Kittie Corral, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Immanuel Lutheran Church Fish Fry Fundraiser

The Immanuel Lutheran Church, lo cated at 2913 John Moore Rd. in Bran don, is hosting a fish fry fundraiser dinner on Sat urday, Octo ber 8 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Proceeds from the event will go towards a new water fountain. The day will be filled with fun and games for all ages, music, rafes and an auction. Along with the fish fry, hot dog meals will also be available. All meals are first come, first served, so make sure to get there early to not miss out.

American Idol Finalist Danny Gokey In Concert At First Bap tist Plant City

Danny Gokey is thrilled to be bring ing his show to First Baptist Church in Plant City on Sunday, November 6 at 7 p.m. The Grammy-nominated artist became a favorite of millions of fans as a top-three finalist on season eight of American Idol. Following American Idol, Gokey released his first album, My Best Days, which debuted at no. four on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. For ticket purchase and infor mation, visit www.trans parentproductions.com.

First Baptist Church Plant City is located at 3309 James L. Redman Pkwy. in Plant City.

St. Francis Nativity 41st Nut Sale

St. Francis Circle of Nativity Catholic Church’s Women’s Guild is celebrating its 41st year of providing high-quality nuts for purchase to the Brandon com munity. Just in time for the holidays, the circle will sell the nuts in 1 lb. bags. Nuts will include shelled pecan halves and pieces, shelled walnut halves and

pieces, salted cashews and a variety of candied pecans. All nut orders must be placed by Monday, October 17 and will be shipped to arrive by Sunday, November 20. The proceeds to benefit the Nativity Food Warehouse, which provides free groceries to the needy of for more than 50 parishes in the Brandon area. To purchase nuts or for more information, call Evelyn at 813657-4309, Flo at 813-695-7096 or JoAnn at 813-431-0041.

Grace Community Church Hosts Fall Market

Grace Communi ty Church, located at 5708 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Lithia, will be holding its fall market on Saturday, Novem ber 5 from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. There will be a wide variety of vendors with something for everyone, so go and get an early start on your holiday gift shopping. If you are interested in being

By Kelly Wise Valdes

a vendor at the event, please visit its website at www.gracecommunitymar ket.com for more.

St. Andrew’s Brandon Craft Fair

St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church will be holding its annual Fall Craft Fair on Saturday, October 29 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. hosted by United Women of Faith. Stroll through more than 50 amazing vendor booths and do some holiday shopping. Grab a bite to eat or a yummy treat from the Bake Sale and Mission Cafe, located in the Family Life Center. The pumpkin patch, located along Bloomingdale Avenue, will also be open for photos and to purchase pumpkins. Vendor spaces are still available. For more information, visit www.saumc.net.

Centerpoint Church Accepting Vendors For Holiday Market

Centerpoint Church is hard at work making preparations for its annual Win ter Wonderland. This fun Centerpoint tradition means rides and attractions for all ages, visits with Santa, photo opportu nities, carnival food and the Holiday Market: a curated market of local handmade goods perfect for those last-minute gifts. The church is now accepting vendor appli cations for this year’s market, as well as spon sorship opportunities for its Winter Wonderland event. To reg ister, visit www.centerpointfl.org/cur rent-events/category/valrico.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YMCA CAMP CRISTINA?

YMCA Camp Cristina is a 65-acre campus in Riv erview that hosts an af ter-school program, group team building events, sum mer camp, spring break camp, family activities and so much more.

At YMCA Camp Cristina, the staf aims to impact the lives of all their guests by providing inclusive expe riences and lifelong memo ries in an environment that awakens the imagination, inspires dreams and pro vides a sense of achieve ment and belonging. “With all of our programs here at YMCA Camp Cristina, we truly focus on the wellbe ing of our members,” said YMCA Camp Cristina’s executive director, Dave Boyle. “No matter what program or class our mem bers take, there is a focus.”

The land for YMCA Camp Cristina was donated in the late ’80s and became a summer camp in 1992. “It ran as a sum mer camp for about 30 years,” Boyle said. “I came on board with Camp Cristina in 2019.”

YMCA Camp Cristina is so much more than just a camp. “During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of our parents were telling us about their concerns for their mental wellbeing and their chil dren’s,” Boyle said. “They were worried about their children becoming depressed and other adolescent issues coming to the forefront. The cool thing we do here at Camp Cristina is that we make all of our

Staf Report

programs respon sive to those things that par ents are worried about.”

YMCA Camp Cristina also works with local community part ners like Feeding Tampa Bay to help with their pro gramming. “Exer cise and nutrition plays a huge part in the wellbeing of children,” Boyle said. “We know that many fam ilies in the area are food insecure, so we make sure that food is avail able in our camps and after-school programs. Feeding Tampa Bay helps us meet this need of our families.”

The feedback Boyle and his staf get from their members is inspiring. “A lot of our parents tell us that the focus we put into the health and mental wellbeing of our programs has made a diference in their lives and the lives of their children,” Boyle said. “It’s a great feeling to know that we are making an impact with what we do here at Camp Cristina YMCA.”

To learn more about the programs ofered at YMCA Camp Cristina, vis it www.tampaymca.org/locations/ym ca-camp-cristina or call 813-677-8400. Camp Cristina YMCA is located at 9840 Balm Riverview Rd. in Riverview.

FIRST ANNUAL IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH FISH FRY ON OCTOBER 8

On Saturday, Oc tober 8, Immanuel Lutheran Church wel comes all to its first annual Fish Fry Fund raiser Festival event.

The fish fry will be the first event of its kind for the church. According to William Webb, head organizer of the fundraiser, the Fish Fry Festival is set to help raise mon ey for much-needed water fountain up grades. However, the church also intends to help bring together friends and family for community outreach and spreading the love, joy and peace of Jesus in their com munity.

The menu for the event will con sist of a plate with fish for $11, a plate with one hotdog for $6 and a plate with two hotdogs for $7. Each meal will also come with a side of coleslaw, baked beans and a water bottle. There will also be concessions with chips, soda and Ga torade at an additional cost. Immanuel Lutheran Church is planning on being able to serve 200-plus fish plates and up to 100 hot dog plates, and food will be first come, first serve.

There will also be a plethora of activ

ities families can take part in during the fundraiser. Horseshoes, cornhole, ladder toss, giant Jenga and kickball will be avail able for fam ilies to play.

As well as a section in the gym for smaller chil dren and mu sic for every one to enjoy.

Guests will also be treated to a number of door priz es, as well as a ticket to enter the 50/50 rafe with every meal plate bought. In

addition, a live auction will take place during the event, open to the whole com munity. According to Webb, as of right now, he has a seven-card set of signed baseball cards and is currently working on an even bigger surprise item.

The event will take place on October 8 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Immanuel Luther an Church, located at 2913 John Moore Rd. in Brandon.

By Meghan Reyes

Photo credit: Immanuel Lutheran Church.

YMCA Camp Cristina is a 65-acre campus in Riverview that hosts an after-school program, group team building events, summer camp, spring break camp, family activities and so much more.

Bell Shoals Baptist - Brandon

St. Stephen Catholic Church 10118 Saint Stephen Circle, Riverview (813) 689-4900

CHURCH OF GOD

Boyette Springs Church of God 12114 Boyette Rd., Riverview (813) 671-0086

Plant City Church of God 2103 Mud Lake Rd., Plant City (813) 752-4591

Bell Shoals Baptist - Apollo Beach

Bell Shoals Baptist - Palm River 5415 Palm River

Bell Shoals Baptist - Riverview 9990 South Hwy 301, Suite 10024, Riverview

First Baptist Church of Brandon 216 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon

First Baptist Church of Bloomingdale 3303 Bloomingdale Ave.,Valrico

First Baptist Church of Gibsonton 9912 Indiana St., Gibsonton

First Baptist Church of Ruskin College Ave. Ruskin

EPISCOPAL

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church 604 N. Valrico Rd., Valrico (813) 689-3130

LUTHERAN

Apostles Lutheran Church 200 Kingsway Rd, Brandon (813) 689-2571

Immanuel Lutheran Church 2913 John Moore Rd., Brandon (813) 689-1787

Living Savior Lutheran Church 2650 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Valrico (813) 681-2375

METHODIST

First United Methodist Church of Sefner 1310 South Kingsway Rd., Sefner (813) 689-3513

Grace Community United Methodist Church 5708 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Lithia (813) 661-8858

Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church 5920 Robert Tolle Drive, Riverview (813) 337-7457

New Hope United Methodist Church 120 N. Knights Ave., Brandon (813) 689-4161

Riverview First United Methodist Church 8002 US Hwy 301., Riverview www.riverviewfumc.org

Ruskin United Methodist Church 105 4th Ave. NW, Ruskin (813) 645-1241

South Shore United Methodist Church 11525 Big Bend Rd., Riverview (813) 649-9462

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Calvary Chapel Brandon 1331 Kingsway Rd., Brandon (813) 681-5318

St. Matthews Anglican Church 10701 Bloomingdale Avenue, Riverview

Celestial Church of Christ Altar of Restoration 1209W Brandon Blvd, Unit 102 (813) 720-0745

Centerpoint Church 1801 S. Miller Rd., Valrico (813) 689-1906

Grace Community Church 1425 N Valrico Rd., Valrico (813) 689-9781

Harvest Bible Chapel Bloomingdale High School 813-699-0517

Love First Christian Center 12847 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview 813-671-2009

River of Life Christian Center 6605 Krycul Ave, Riverview 813-677-4453

New Life Christian Church 401 S. Saint Cloud Ave, Valrico 813-548-2733

South Bay Church 13498 US 301 S., Riverview 813-677-0721

Te Chapel at FishHawk 6026 Churchside Dr., Lithia 813-661-7105

Te Crossing Church - Main Campus 10130 Tuscany Ridge Dr., Tampa, (813) 626-0783

Te Crossing Church - SouthShore 2409 East College Ave., Ruskin (813) 626-0580

Te Palms Church 207 New Hope Rd., Brandon (813) 841-9598

True Sanctuary 6528 US Hwy 301 S., Suite 114, Riverview (813) 319-5862

PENTECOSTAL

Destiny Church 2322 11th Ave. SE, Ruskin (813) 645-3337

HighPoint Church of Brandon 2207 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Valrico/Brandon (813) 685-4827

PRESBYTERIAN

First Presbyterian Church of Brandon -PCUSA 121 Carver Ave., Brandon (813) 689-4597

Redeemer Church-PCA 12404 Boyette Rd., Riverview (813) 741-1776

Westminster Presbyterian Church PCA 402 E. Lumsden Rd., Brandon (813) 689-6541

Luke 16:10 (NLT):

“10 If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishon est in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibil ities.”

People always show up for the glory, but few know the whole story. They see the ma jor successes and the big deals, but they don’t see the little things it took to manifest the big things. Details matter — even the small ones. Mastering small details sets us up for big ger moments in life.

One Saturday morning, our church was doing an adopt-ahighway event where we go out and clean up some local roadways. Most times when we

Pastor’s Corner

Jomo Cousins, PhD

FAITHFULNESS

By Pastor Jomo Cousins, PhD

do these events, a large num ber of people show up, but that day only a few did. One of them was a member who owns his own business. He told me he was kind of stunned to see me out there. After we had cleaned a couple of miles to gether, he said, “I love how you lead from the front!” I let him know that faithfulness always breeds fruitfulness. If we want to be fruitful, we have to be faithful — even with the small things.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to be faithful with small things so that, one day, I can be ruler over large things, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Except from: 60 Prayers in 60 Seconds, Page 38.

FLORIDA BIRDING AND NATURE FESTIVAL SCHEDULED

Best-selling au thor and world-re nowned conser vationist Carl Safina and wood pecker expert Ste phen Shunk will be the keynote speak ers at this year’s Florida Birding and Nature Festi val from Thursday through Sunday, October 20-23.

The festival will be headquartered at the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, located at 6650 Dickman Rd. in Apollo Beach. The annual event coincides with the peak migration of more than 180 species and features expert-led field and boating trips to the best wildlife sites in W. Central Florida.

Trips include the Cross Bar Ranch in Spring Hill, Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Egmont Key and Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve in Hillsborough County and Honeymoon Island and Fort Desoto Park in Pinellas County. A cross-Florida bus trip will ofer participants the chance to see a wide variety of birds, including rarities like the crested caracara and the scrub jay. One outing will identify butter flies.

Some of the trips are to areas normally not open to the public.

Space is limited, so early registration is advised.

There will also be two days of semi nars with experts covering topics such as anhingas, alligators, short-tailed hawks, tarpon, black skimmers and dragonflies. The sessions also will be available on Zoom.

Staf Report

A Nature Expo on Friday and Satur day, October 21-22 at the center will each feature dis plays from numer ous environmental organizations, na ture-related busi nesses and artists, plus a silent auc tion. Exhibitors will have artworks, bin oculars, bird boxes and other products for nature lovers.

Safina, the winner of a MacArthur ‘genius’ prize, is the author of numerous award-winning books, including “Song for the Blue Ocean.” His latest is “Be coming Wild: How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty and Achieve Peace.” He hosted the PBS series Saving the Ocean with Carl Safina. He will speak on Saturday evening.

Shunk, a founder of the Oregon Birding Trails Program, is the author of the Pe terson Reference Guide to Woodpeckers of North America. He has studied wood peckers for over 20 years and leads bird ing and natural history tours throughout the Americas, as well as destinations in Asia and Europe.

Prior to both keynote presentations, there will be a dinner bufet and a beer and wine cash bar.

Both keynotes will be held at the Sun coast Youth Conservation Center, an ed ucation facility established through a col laboration of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tampa Elec tric Company and The Florida Aquarium.

For more information and to register, visit www.fbnfestival.org.

ENTERTAINMENT FAIR

Fall is the perfect time in Florida to enjoy the outdoors, and what better way than to vis it the 2022 Hillsbor ough County Fair? The theme of this year’s fair, ‘Homegrown Fun,’ is just a glimmer of all the fair has to ofer, which includes an ex panded carnival with spectacular midway rides and new kiddie rides, free entertain ment for high-speed thrill seekers and mo tor enthusiasts, a cat tlewomen’s beef cook-of, beauty pag eants for all ages and lots of discounts for the entire family.

The fair will run for 11 full days, ofer ing more time to enjoy the rides, food and exhibits at the Hillsborough County Fair grounds in Dover, just east of Brandon, from Thursday, November 3 to Sunday, No vember 13.

Prior to the fair, the Harvest Queen Scholarship Pageant will take place on Sat urday, October 1. Youth contestants from Hillsborough County will grace the stage to compete in the annual scholarship pageant for the title of Hillsborough County Fair Harvest Queen and Junior Harvest Queen, which serve as the fair ambassadors for the 2022 fair.

This year, free daily entertainment will include the Camel Kingdom Show, Disc-Connected K9s and the educational Firefighter Show.

Take a stroll through the historical Home town Hillsborough area and the fair invites children of all ages to participate in Cow

boy Camp by Les Mc Dowell to enjoy some fun of yesteryears!

Hillsborough Coun ty School District ofers school exhibit displays in the “Little Red Schoolhouse”. Sit down and relax in our Entertainment Pavilion and enjoy the sounds and entertain ment from the commu nity stages!

One of the high lights of each year’s fair are the Youth Livestock Shows and Sales, which will be held from Novem ber 3-13 in the new 18,000-square-foot Livestock Exhibition Building. Additionally, special arena events for pet and motorsport enthusiasts are back. The Bulls, Broncos and Barrel Racing Rodeo for budding cowboys will be held on Friday and Saturday, November 4 and 5.

The ever-exciting Demolition Derby for motor enthusiasts who enjoy watching drivers of cars, mini-vans and station wag ons deliberately ram into each other will make its return to the fair on November 13.

The fair wouldn’t be complete without the Truck and Tractor Pull on Friday and Saturday, November 11 and 12, where you can watch antique tractors, hotrods and the BIG BOY trucks and tractors come out to compete in our dirt arena.

For ticket purchasing information and promos, including a special online-only Ad vanced Purchase Family Package, as well as fair hours and event schedules, visit https:// hillsboroughcountyfair.com/2022-fair/.

Staf Report

Autumn — Pumpkins, Festivals And Celebrations!

By Kelly Wise Valdes

Welcome to the month of October — when we are all looking forward to for cooler weather, fall festivals, pumpkin patches and bonfires. Autumn refreshes us and leads us into our season of Thanksgiving and Christmas. As we enter into this time of year, there is no better op portunity to reflect and teach our children that although our seasons change, God remains unchanged. This is a perfect occasion to explain how God’s beauty is all around us throughout every season in life. Take time this autumn to reflect on all your family’s accomplishments this year and to count all your blessings. Below are a few faith-based children’s books that are perfect for teaching about God’s gift of Autumn. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Have a blessed October.

My Happy Pumpkin: God’s Love Shining through Me

By Crystal Bowman

Celebrate the autumn season with this adorably illustrated board book. This faith-based story tells of little boy who picks out his pumpkin, washes it, carves it and gives it a smile, putting a candle in side to make its happiness glow, just like God’s love for us. He washes us clean of sins and throws those sins away, shaping us and letting His love glow through us.

Te Pumpkin Gospel

By Mary Manz Simon

This faith-based children’s book is a glow-in-the-dark board book that is a fun way to teach families about how God changes us into beautiful new crea tures to shine for Him. In well-written rhyme, the book uses a carved pumpkin to illustrate how God gives us a “clean heart,” forgiving “our mess-ups” and ofering us “a new start.” For children ages 0-4 years.

Te Pumpkin Patch Parable: Parable Series

By Liz Curtis Higgs

This charming story for children illus trates how a loving farmer can turn a simple pumpkin into a simply glorious sight. The farmer picks out a special pumpkin from his garden and scoops out all the messy ‘goo’ to make room for his light to shine from inside. In the same way, God’s transforming love can fill each of our hearts with joy and light. This story is a way to share the good news with children each harvest season. Recommended for ages 3-7.

A Pumpkin Prayer

By Amy Parker

Teach your little ones to be grate ful for God’s blessings with this adorable board book that’s in the shape of a pumpkin. Through this book, children will learn to cele brate the abundance of the har vest season through charming il lustrations and sweet rhymes that are perfect for little ones. Recom mended for ages 2-5.

NEEM TREE FARMS IN BRANDON OFFERS MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, PESTICIDE & MORE

In 1992, Brandon resident and avid gardener Vicki Par sons purchased a dozen neem trees to be used as a nontoxic pesticide in her gar den. Its oil reduces insect feeding, acts as a repellant and in terferes with insect hormone systems, making it more dif ficult for insects to grow and lay eggs.

After reading a book, Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems, published by the National Re search Council, and reading about re ports on neem as a medicinal herb, includ ing its anti-inflammatory properties, she put it to the test.

She had just been told she’d have to put her 9-month-old Rottweiler to sleep because of irreparable congenital joint is sues. Upon learning that neem can be used as an anti-inflammatory, she made a neem tea from fresh leaves and poured it over his food for a week. Soon after, he was able to walk without whimpering and went on to live a long and happy life.

In 1996, Parsons, Neem Tree Farms founder and chief dirt farmer, created a website for neem trees but soon began selling capsules, lotion, shampoo, soap and a complete line of facial care products made from the plant.

Parsons is a firm believer in the efective ness of the product. After starting a daily regimen of neem capsules, she noticed a

By Michelle Caceres

change in her vi sion. Forty years ago, she was diagnosed with nearsightedness and astigmatism and had been wearing glasses since college.

“I thought my vision had deteri orated because I couldn’t see with my glasses,” said Parsons.

She visited her eye doctor, who performed tests and was surprised to learn her eyesight had improved and glasses were no longer needed.

“I had been wearing them so long it nev er dawned on me to try and see without them,” she joked.

As a thriving wholesaler of neem prod ucts, Parsons is still a gardener at heart and hosts a monthly plant swap at the tree farm on the first Saturday of most months from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. She shares clippings from her garden and other gardeners bring several types of plants from their own gar dens to swap.

“It’s a fun outing, and you never know what you’re going to walk away with,” said Parsons.

Neem Tree Farms, located at 602 Ronele Dr. in Brandon, is open by appointment only.

For more information or to purchase neem products, visit www.neemtreefarms. com or call 813-689-2616.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON HOSTS LIVE EVENT TO SUPPORT THE RECOVERY NETWORK TV LAUNCH

Local residents Mark and Ruth Scott had a vision and goal for many years to help the com munity through out reach and Christian min istry. The couple prayed about how to spread the gospel and felt the Lord leading them reach, reconcile and recover through a broadcast ministry and prayer call center.

Te community is invited to a live event at Harley-Davidson of Brandon to help launch Te Recovery Network, a nonproft orga nization that will be providing prayer and support resources to the community.

“Mark and I are very excited with the vi sion the Lord has put on our hearts,” said Ruth. “We have been meditating on this for seven years.”

The couple anticipates launching their television network, The Recovery Network (TRN), ofcially within the year, consid ering the necessary licensing and funding required for such an undertaking. But the Scott’s have wasted no time launching the outreach ministry portion, actively shar ing the gospel of Jesus Christ and finding community partners. The first fundraiser is taking place on Saturday, November 5 be ginning at 3 p.m. at the Harley-Davidson of Brandon.

“We are so thankful to Harley-Davidson of Brandon and pray this fundraiser will help us achieve our goal. It is God’s vision, so we have faith He will send the provi sions,” said Ruth. “The heartbeat of TRN is to launch a 24/7 Prayer and Resource Sup port Call Center with live operators around the clock.” “We will have a text-to-give op tion during the live event as well as on our website under the ‘GIVE’ tab,” said Ruth. “We are a not-for-profit organization, and all charitable financial donations are tax

By Kelly Wise Valdes

deductible.”

At the Harley-David son event will be multi ple local speakers, such as Army Major Mack Macksam from Eyes of Freedom; Dr. Douglas J. Wingate, founder and president of Life Chris tian University; and Mark Mulligan of Soli Deo Gloria Internation al Ministries, who will share how TRN will im pact the community.

The Scotts will also be there to answer questions and share their vision. Mark is a U.S. Army veteran with over 30 years of experience in the area of communication, broadcasting and ministry. Ruth is a former English teacher and youth pastor. The cou ple is actively involved at Grace Communi ty Church, located at 1425 N. Valrico Rd. in Valrico

TRN needs organizations to partner with in order to connect callers with local resources to meet their needs. “We want to pray for our callers but also be able to connect them with a local resource orga nization that can help meet their tangible need,” said Ruth. “Another way to support us would be to supply us with broadcasting cameras; Mac laptops/computers; ofce supplies such as cubicles, desks, conference tables, volunteers and more.

Until the launch of the actual television network, viewers will be able to find sup port through Facebook @youcanrecoverall and on YouTube starting in January 2023. For more information, visit www.youcanre coverall.com. Harley-Davidson of Brandon is located at 9841 E. Adamo Dr. in Tampa.

Neem Tree Farms sells neem trees as well as capsules, lotion, shampoo, soap and a complete line of facial care products made from the plant.

As the holidays are quickly approaching, all the pecan fans are pull ing out their cookbooks to find their favorite pe can recipes. The United Women in Faith (UWF) group, formerly United Methodist Women, of New Hope United Meth odist Church in Brandon is holding its 52nd annual Pecan Sale, selling fresh-from-the grower shelled pecans. Profits from the sale will benefit many missions throughout the local com munity and beyond.

Barbara Brooks, pecan chairman, is ex cited about this year’s Pecan Sale event.

“We have donated almost $500,000 in the last 50 years to local and internation al charities, like ECHO, Choices, Hope for Her, United Methodist Children’s Home, Family Promise, Mary & Martha House, Zoe and Cuba.”

The pecan pricing this year is $48 for a 5 lb. box of pecan halves or pieces and $10 for a 1 lb. bag of pecan halves. Spe cialty items include: 1 lb. bag of chocolate amaretto for $12, 1 lb. bag of pralines for $12 and there is an assortment in a Christmas tins (chocolate amaretto, pra lines as well as roasted and salted pecan halves) for $26.

“My favorite part of this event is seeing many of the same customers each year and sometimes having time to catch up a little about their families,” said Brooks. “Many of the same UWF ladies volunteer each year, so it is fun seeing the same customers annually.”

You can order in three easy ways from October 1 through Tuesday, Novem

By Kelly Wise Valdes

ber 1: Call Mary Baker from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. at 813-643-4493, email bjbrooks5@gmail.com or visit www.pecansale. com to order online and pay with a credit card. Checks should be payable to UMW and mailed to P.O. Box 546, Lithia, FL. 33547. Only prepaid orders are reserved. Others will be sold on a first come-first served basis. Pickup times are Saturday, November 12 and Monday, November 14 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at New Hope Life Center, located at 213 N. Knights Ave. in Brandon.

For a quick and simple recipe for your pecans, consider the classic homemade pecan pie. This recipe is so easy, even the kids can help.

Ingredients:

1 cup Karo® Light or Dark Corn Syrup. 3 eggs.

1 cup granulated sugar.

2 tablespoons butter, melted.

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.

1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) coarsely chopped pecans.

1 (9-inch) unbaked OR frozen deep-dish pie crust.

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Mix Karo Light Corn Syrup, eggs, sug ar, butter and vanilla using a spoon or rubber spatula.

Stir in pecans.

Pour the mixture into pie crust and bake on center rack of oven for 60-70 minutes.

Cool for at least two hours on wire rack before serving. YEARS OF PECAN SALES

PUMPKIN PATCHES & TRICK OR TREATS, SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

By Kelly Wise Valdes

Get ready for Holy Innocents’ Episco pal Church’s third annual Trunk-or-Treat. This is a free community event including food, games, activities and more. Many unique and fun trunk displays with goodies for children of all ages. Bring your friends, family and neighbors. The event is being held on Sun day, October 30 from 5-7 p.m. Holly Innocents is locat ed at 604 North Valrico Rd. in Valrico.

Trunk-or-Treat At First United Methodist of Sefner

First United Methodist of Sefner, located at 1310 South Kingsway Rd. in Sefner, is inviting the community to join in the fun on Saturday, October 29 from 4-6 p.m. Bring the whole family for some treats while playing games at diferent trunks and game booths. There will also be a petting zoo and food avail able for purchase.

Crosswind Church Hosts Commu nity Trunk-or-Treat

Crosswind Church is excited about its upcoming Trunk-or-Treat event be ing held at 1510 W. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa

on Monday, October 31 from 6-8 p.m. This is a safe and fun event to bring chil dren of all ages to trick-or-treat with other families in the community. Stop by Trunk-or-Treat at Crosswind Church to grab some candy have a great time.

Opendoor Church In Brandon Of fers Fun Trunk-or-Treat Event

Opendoor Church located at 2908 Bell Shoals Rd. in Brandon is inviting the communi ty to par ticipate in its annual Trunk-orTreat on Sunday, October 30 from 6-7:30

p.m. This is a kid-favorite event, so don’t miss it. Kids will be able to vote for their favorite trunk, so come find out who will win this year. For more information, visit www.theopendoorchurch.com.

Grace Community Church Is Hold ing Its First Pumpkin Patch And Movie Event

Grace Community Church is holding its first Pumpkin Patch from Wednes day, October 5 through Monday, Octo ber 31. The patch will be open Monday through Friday from 2-8 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays from 1-8 p.m. Bring the family out to pick out a perfect pumpkin to carve. There is also ‘Dinner and a Movie in the Pump kin Patch’ on Saturday, October 22 at 6 p.m. Students can get community ser vice/Bright Futures hours for helping with shifts in the patch. Grace Commu nity Church is located at 5708 Lithia Pi necrest Rd. in Lithia. For more informa tion, visit www.mygraceumc.com or call 813-661-8858.

Limona Village Chapel United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch

If you’re looking for a pumpkin patch for the whole family to enjoy, you’ve found the right spot. Your family will find the perfect pumpkin on the front lawn of Limo na Village Chapel United Methodist Church, which has been an icon of Old Brandon for more than 100 years. There will be pump kins and gourds of diferent sizes and photo opportuni ties throughout the patch. Kids will en joy games such as pumpkin tic-tac-toe, pumpkin ring toss and more. The pump kin patch is open from Sunday, October 9 through Monday, October 31. Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Limona Village Chapel is located at 408 Limona Rd in Brandon.

Liberty Southern Baptist Church In Plant City Announces Trunk-orTreat Event

Come out and enjoy a fun night for all ages that includes free food, games and, of course, Trunk-or-Treating. No tricks here. Bring your friends, family and neighbors for this safe community event. Liberty Southern Baptist is locat ed at 2505 W. Granfield Ave. in Plant City. For more information, visit www.

libertysbc.org.

Trunk-or-Treat Event Hosted By Tony Baroni, Keller Williams And Suburban Tampa

Bring your family and friends to join the Tony Baroni, Keller Williams and Suburban Tampa teams at their scary and fun trunk-or-treat event. The fun-for-all event is on Thursday, October 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 2350 E. SR 60 in Valrico. Have fun roaming around collecting candy, popcorn and more. Attend in your costume or as you are.

St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church Hosts Its Annual Pumpkin Patch

Did you know that the tradition of the St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church’s pumpkin patch began over 25 years ago? It started as a youth fundraising venture where 1,500 pumpkins were unloaded into the arms of 40 students and 10 adults. It has since earned the name of the ‘Pumpkin Patch Church’ and serves as one of St. Andrew’s largest community outreach events, all while raising money for youth mission trips. The pumpkin patch is open every week day beginning on Wednesday, October 19 from 4-7:30 p.m. St. Andrew’s is lo cated at 3315 S. Bryan Rd. in Brandon. For more information, visit www.saumc. net.

RELAX AND REJUVENATE AT VITALITY BOOTH WELLNESS CENTER

Brandon resident Chris ta Delgado, who was one of Vitality Booth Wellness Center’s first clients and has a silver membership, couldn’t be happier with the benefits she’s wit nessed from her sessions.

“I have been in the wellness industry for 10 years and thought this would be an excellent ad ditional health practice to add to my regi men,” she said.

Delgado has had sever al health issues, including a recent life-threatening blood clot in her lung. She prefers holistic treatments to pills.

“With the treatments I have noticed an improvement to my respiratory health,” she said. “I’ve been able to stop taking Zyrtec, which I’ve been on for 20 years.”

Located at 3113 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., the center ofers eight diferent Vitality Booths, each ofering red light thera py, halotherapy (salt inhalation), oxygen concentration, negative ion immersion and ionized water intake. Some booths feature advanced cardio equipment, au tomated massage therapies or vibration plates. The benefits of treatment include an antiaging natural face lift through col lagen generation, improved respiratory health, improved skin health, an immune system boost through ATP creation at a cellular level, weight loss, pain reduction and injury healing, athletic performance enhancement as well as a testosterone boost and hair growth for men.

By Michelle Caceres

Vitality Booth Wellness Center general manager Sheila Alba said the benefits of each 20-minute session make it an excellent option for everyone, from top-tier ath letes seeking to en hance their perfor mance to individuals seeking to improve their overall health.

“The benefits of this treatment mo dality are for every one,” she said.

For John Brier, managing part

ner for HaloTherapy Center (the parent company that holds the patent filings for the Vitality Booth scientific wellness sys tem), the Valrico wellness center is the flagship location of his brand and vision.

“In the past year, we have sold close to 100 Vitality Booths all over the coun try and internationally to dozens of spas, clinics, wellness centers, doctors’ ofces and professional sports teams,” he said.

Vitality Booth Wellness Center’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.7 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Walk-in appointments are accommodated, but appointments are recommended. Single sessions, multisession packages and un limited monthly membership plans, in cluding family member upgrade options, are available for purchase.

Click on the QR code to take a virtual tour of its facility.

To book a session, visit https://vbwell nesscenter.com/ or call 813-315-9633.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BUCS HOSTS USA WHEELCHAIR FOOTBALL LEAGUE TOURNAMENT

The Hills borough Coun ty Buccaneers Wheelchair Foot ball Team host ed the second of three meets in the USA Wheel chair Football League (USAW FL) tournament at the Tampa Con vention Center from August 24 through August 28. Eight teams competed for the title, with the Kansas City Chiefs emerging victorious at the end of the tournament.

“Everybody can play football. Just be cause you are in a wheelchair doesn’t mean you can’t play football,” encour aged Hillsborough County Buccaneers Wheelchair Football Team coach Wayne Bozeman.

This is the first time Hillsborough County has hosted the tournament and only the second time the Hillsborough County Buccaneers have participated. The team of 20 athletes, from 20-50 years of age, have been practicing since May and placed fourth at the end of Au gust, losing to the Arizona Cardinals.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed their support through the partnership and provided helmet decals, shirts and a pep talk by former Buccaneers safe ty and Superbowl MVP Dexter Jackson. Jackson spoke to the team during the Friday night banquet that served dinner and drinks to the athletes as they got to know one another better.

By Lily Belcher

Football is not the first sport made accessible to those with disabil ities in the area, but USAWFL is the first of its kind for those with physical disabilities looking to

play football, according to its website. The league was made possible by the NFL Salute to Service Award and the Bob Woodruf Foundation.

“The wheelchairs run from $4000 to $7000, just for a sports chair to play in,” said Bozeman. “With the support of the community, they can get these for the kids [and] put it in the program. [Then,] the program has a chair they can use for everybody, not just one person.”

Hillsborough County Parks and Rec reation hosts year-round sports, from archery to basketball to track and field, through its Adaptive Sports program, which now includes football. The avail ability of these sports to those in wheel chairs promotes a healthy and active lifestyle for all participants while en couraging a fun and supportive commu nity.

For more information on the Hillsbor ough County Buccaneers Wheelchair Football Team, visit its website at www. hillsboroughcounty.org or contact Mary Cales at 813-416-0467.

Te Hillsborough County Buccaneers huddle midgame in the annual USA Wheelchair Football League tournament.

Vitality Booth Wellness Center treatments ofer a range of health benefts.

By Kelly Wise Valdes

Speyer Cathedral — Speyer, Germany

The month of October in Munich, Germany is wellknown for its Oktoberfest celebrations. If you are mak ing a pilgrimage to Germany, consider traveling three hours west of Munich, where you will find the quaint and charming town of Speyer that boasts many architectural gems as well as the historical Speyer Cathedral.

Speyer Cathedral is an almost 1,000-year-old structure that is historically and architecturally one of the most noteworthy examples of Romanesque architecture in all of Europe. This cathedral, a basilica with four towers and two domes, was founded by Conrad II in 1030 and re modeled at the end of the 11th century. It’s one of the most important Romanesque monuments still in exis tence from the Holy Roman Empire and is the largest Ro manesque church in the world. In addition, the cathedral was the burial place of the German emperors for nearly 300 years.

This adjoining crypt, consecrated in 1041, holds eight medieval emperors and kings of the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation laid to rest in its vault. In 1689, the

cathedral was seriously damaged by fire. The recon struction of the west bays of the nave from 1772-78, as an almost exact copy of the original structure, can be regarded as one of the first great achievements of monument preservation in Europe.

In 1981, the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of culturally important sites as a major monument of Romanesque art in the German Empire. UNESCO awards the title of World Heritage to sites that are of world importance due to their uniqueness, authenticity and integrity.

Currently, Speyer Cathedral has an active congre gation of more than 5,000 people still worshiping in the church today. Mass is celebrated in the cathedral every day of the week.

There are private tours as well as self-guided audio tours which include music, historical sound recordings and excerpts from Pope John Paul II’s speech in front of the cathedral in 1987. There is also a children’s au dio guide. Visit www.dom-zu-speyer.de.

Live Like You Mean It ...

Sometimes Just Paying Attention Is An Act Of Worship

By Derek Maul

“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:

“Who created all these?

“He who brings out the starry host one by one “and calls forth each of them by name.

“Because of his great power and mighty strength, “not one of them is missing.” — Isaiah 40:26.

Each morning and evening, in add ition to the general moving around involved in daily life, Max and I head out for our regular walks. That’s 30 minutes first thing, while the coffee is making, and then 45 minutes before bed. It’s good

for me, it’s good for the dog and it helps keep me around my 14,000-step goal most days and my 100,000 for the week.

It’s also good for my spirit, offering uninterrupted time for silence, or medi tation, or more focused thinking.

This is especially true when I remem ber to look up. And I am talking both literally and metaphorically. ‘Up’ is more than a direction, it is a state of mind and an orientation of spirit. Literal or not, I tend to connect more with the glory and the light of God when I look around me and into the heavens than when I am gazing at the sidewalk in front of my

next step.

Like Sunday evening. It was around 10:30 p.m. when I was walking past the soccer field on Holding Avenue. The sky, full with thin clouds passing in front of a full moon, opened up like an invi tation. “Lord, our Lord,” the psalmist sings, “how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.” — Psalm 8.

Sometimes just paying attention is an act of worship.

We were built with a considerable ca pacity for wonder, and exercising that muscle is — I believe — an important element of living a full and balanced life.

So, this is my devotional assignment. Find something each day this week that leaves you breathless with wonder and grateful for life. And, if at all possible, find this without looking into the screen of some electronic device.

Just grateful to be alive and paying attention. — DEREK.

Derek Maul has written for many news outlets, including the Tampa Tribune, The United Methodist News Service, All Pro Dad, FOCUS Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, The Chris tian Science Monitor, Presbyterians Today, Guideposts, Chicken Soup for the Soul and many other publications. Read Derek Maul’s daily blog posts at www.derekmaul.wordpress.com.

HOT OFF THE CHRISTIAN NEWS WIRE

Christian Community Cred it Union Partners With One Share Health To Ofer Health Care

Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU) has partnered with OneShare Health to ofer a health care sharing ministry as a new membership bene fit. OneShare Health is an Afordable Care Act-exempt medical bill sharing program that provides a biblical health care alternative to traditional health in surance.

OneShare Health is not health insur ance but a medical sharing program. OneShare Health members can choose any doctor or facility nationwide. Ser vices include access to 24/7 telemed icine at no cost, preventive services, doctor and specialist visits, emergency room, maternity, cancer and more.

Thanks to the monthly contributions made by members, OneShare Health has succeeded in sharing over $161 million in medical expenses as well as $1.8 million in charitable donations.

Christian Community Credit Union has more than 30,000 members nation wide. For over 65 years, the credit union has served as a financial partner of Christian minis tries, churches and their members.

For more information about OneShare’s new benefit exclusive to CCCU members, visit https://my.onesharehealth.com/ osh-cccu or call 833-666-0617.

TBN Announces Exciting Fall Faith Program Lineup

TBN is the world’s most-watched faith-and-family broadcasting network, reaching over 175 nations with inspira tional programming in 14 languages and on 32 global networks. The network an nounced a lineup of fresh, innovative pro gramming for its upcoming fall broadcast schedule.

Returning for a second season is Take aways with Kirk Cameron, airing Monday nights at 9 p.m. Each week, Cameron welcomes compassionate, informed in dividuals and experts to discuss pressing issues Christians are facing in today’s cul ture — and to find actionable takeaways we can use to bring more of heaven to earth.

Premiering on Thurs day, October 6 at 9 p.m. is The Rosenberg Report, TBN’s first ever weekly news and commentary program shot in Israel and hosted by The New York Times best-selling author Joel C. Rosenberg.

With every program, Rosenberg ofers a close-up view of current events and is sues across Israel and the Middle East, bringing important insights and biblical perspectives to viewers.

And premiering on Wednesday, Octo ber 19, at 9:30 p.m. is Mysteries of the

Messiah with Rabbi Jason Sobel. Rabbi Jason guides viewers from the story of creation in the Old Testament book of Genesis, all the way through the New Testament Book of Revelation to reveal God’s plan for humanity. For more infor mation, visit www.tbn.org.

Eminem Tops Christian Bill board Chart With New Faithbased Song

Acclaimed and controversial rap artist Eminem topped the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart for the first time in his nearly 30-year career after recently releasing a song praising Je sus Christ. Eminem, whose full name is Marshall Mathers III, was featured on a remix of “Use This Gos pel,” a gospel song originally performed by Kanye West on his 2019 album, Jesus Is King.

Eminem’s lyrics included him praising the Lord amid Satan’s attacks. “I’m hold ing on, but I don’t know if I can take it

By Kelly Wise Valdes

much longer / Today’s the day that I put all of my trust and faith in You, Father … So my Savior I call on to rescue me from these depths of despairs / So these demons better step because He is my shepherd / I’m armed with Jesus, my weapon is prayer.”

The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Chris tian Songs chart.

Deion Sanders Tanks Jesus Af ter Medical Scare

Football legend and outspoken Chris tian Deion Sanders is crediting Jesus for carrying him through a medical emer gency when he nearly lost his life. The former NFL and Major League Baseball athlete revealed that he “called on the Lord all night” while in the hospital with a femoral arterial blood clot, a life-threaten ing condition.

Doctors considered amputating Sand ers’ left leg from the knee down. In the end, they amputated two toes on his left foot. “It was a bless ing, because I could have lost my life very easily,” he said. “The thought process of losing my leg from knee down — it was almost there. So, when I look up and say, ‘Thank you Je sus,’ because I know the quiet cries at night that were in that hospital. I know all those speaking in tongues and the prayer and the fellowship with God and praising Him through and through.”

Saint Anne Catholic Church

Vigil Saturday 4:30 p.m.

Sunday8 a.m., 10 a.m., & 5 p.m. (12:30 p.m. Spanish) Monday-Friday 8 a.m. Wednesday & Jueves 7 p.m. Masses can be viewed on the St. Anne website (SaintAnneRuskin.org) and Facebook page. Tue. at 8:30am, Thurs. at 6pm, Sat. at 3:15pm the St. Anne website. for the 2021-2022 Faith Formation year. the ofce Schedule~ p.m. 8 a.m., 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. (12 p.m. Spanish) - Friday......................................................................8 a.m. Wednesday & Jueves...........................................................7 p.m. Anne Catholic Church

Oct. 30th 10am Mass • F.F. Saints Parade 30th Trunk or Treat • 3pm to 5pm 2nd 10am • All Souls Mass Streamed at SaintAnneRuskin.org Turs. at 6 p.m., Sat. at 3:15 p.m. please check the St. Anne website.

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

SPECIALIZES IN RE-SHOPPING FOR LOWER RATES

Most people buy insurance for the car or house and never look at it again. South east Regional Insurance owner Richard Cleri urg es that re-shop ping insurance is something people should do every year, as it can end up saving them a lot of money.

After eight years of owning CCS Insurance in Connecticut, Cleri knows through trust, loyalty and deter mination, this method of re-shopping brings success and keeps customers hap py. As an independent insurance com pany, agents at Southeast Regional In surance shop diferent car riers to find their custom ers the best, most cost-efective insur ance for their needs.

“We pay our employees to annually find better deals for our customers, es sentially lowering the amount of premi um they pay and ultimately making us less money,” said Cleri. “Most agents just don’t operate in long-term thinking like that.”

While their ofce is across town, Cleri and Karren Nash, his fiance and general manager of Southeast Regional Insur ance, are FishHawk residents and can be seen out in the community network ing at the Valrico Fishhawk Chamber of Commerce and the local BNI chapter.

After a few years of investing in real estate in the area, Cleri decided to make it a permanent home earlier this year when he opened Southeast Regional In surance. “We absolutely fell in love with

By Sharon Still

the area; we are excited to become resi dents and are exploring ev ery nook and cranny,” he said.

Southeast Regional In surance can provide insur ance anywhere in the state of Florida. Cleri explained that nearly 100 percent of business is done over the phone, and his face-to-face meetings are usually at a local cofee shop.

His agency in Connecticut, CCS Insur ance, is much larger than the average insurance agency, ac cording to Cleri. “I brought the same busi ness model

down here,” he commented. “Our annual re-shopping is what sets us apart from almost everyone.”

“Most insurance agencies will not reshop for the customers annually unless their renewal increases by a certain per centage,” he said, adding that this model of re-shopping works extremely well in Connecticut. “Our customers love it.”

When questioned about the property insurance crisis, Cleri said that his com pany works tirelessly to find new home owners’ insurance for those that have been displaced, often at better prices. “It’s not easy, but we will be here to fight it out with our customers,” he added.

Southeast Regional Insurance is locat ed at 4230 S. MacDill Ave., Ste. E223. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit www. southeastregionalinsurance.com or call 813-699-5446 for more information.

LIFETIME NETWORK FEATURES QUEENA’S STORY OF INSPIRATION

Our community knows both the trag ic and heroic stories of Queena Phu. Years later after her tragic story, Phu continues to thrive. “Although Queena has had to stay home for a long time as a precaution during the pandemic, she still did maintain most of her therapy schedule,” said her mother, Vanna Nguy en. “She has been as hard at work as ever. She smiles through most of her home therapy visits and her sessions at Stay in Step Re covery Center.”

Phu’s life sto ry was a recent episode on Life time’s #TextMe WhenYouGetHome series. The docu mentary aired on August 15 and can be watched on the Lifetime app, Hulu Live on demand and is available for rent on Amazon.

“In February, we received a contact from AMS pic tures via our contact form on Queena’s website,” Vanna said. “They had been researching stories of women who had been the victim of violence so they could tell their story in their own words and found Queena’s story and blog while doing their research. We filmed the in terviews on March 9, and the show was released August 15 of this year.”

Since the attack in 2008, Phu’s cog nitive impairments due to her traumat

By Libby Hopkins

ic brain injury have made it harder for Phu to express her thoughts in an orga nized manner. “For 14 years, she has been expressing her thoughts and feel ings through facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language,” Nguy en said. “She has struggled to mod ulate self-control and self-awareness, and as a result she can sometimes re act impulsively in social situations. She was always a more reserved per son, even before the attack, so be ing in the limelight and having so much personal informa tion shared has been hard for her.”

According to Nguyen, Phu nev er liked having her life story being in the media over and over again, but this year, Phu has started to learn to be proud of her self. “We hope that this documentary will reach people all around the world, raising awareness about safety and self-defense,” Nguyen said. “We hope that Queena’s story will touch people who have gone through traumatic or very low points in their lives and show them that you can turn your life around if you never give up.”

For more information about Phu, you can visit her website at www.join queena.com.

Richard Cleri and Karren Nash, owners of Southeast Region al Insurance.

Queena Phu’s life story was a recent episode on Lifetime’s #TextMeWhenYouGetHome series. Te documentary aired on August 15 and can be watched on the Lifetime app, Hulu Live on demand and is available for rent on Amazon.

VOLUNTEERS & MENTORS NEEDED FOR YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM

A local nonprofit or ganization is helping break the cycle of pov erty by unleashing the intelligence and posi tive energy of low-in come, out-of-school young adults to rebuild their communities and their lives. YouthBuild at Tampa Housing Au thority helps partic ipants build the skill sets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood and leadership.

Typically identified as ‘marginalized,’ ‘dis connected’ and ‘at-risk,’ these young peo ple, who are typically defined by their chal lenges and not their potential, are ofered the knowledge, training and opportunity that leads to long-term professional and personal success.

The international program started in Tampa in partnership with Tampa Housing Authority in 2009 thanks to initial startup funding through a grant. John Arroyo was hired as its program manager, and he is still in that role 13 years later.

“It’s so fulfilling to help people who’ve had obstacles in their path, like having to financially support their family at a young age or those who got in trouble with the law, find success,” he said. “We meet them where they’re at and take them where they want to go.”

Participants pursue their education by taking classes to earn a GED or high school diploma, prepare for future careers through vocational training and grow into commu nity leaders, building brighter futures for themselves and their neighborhoods.

The program uses construction as the core and provides hands-on training in dif

By Michelle Caceres

ferent aspects of the industry. Participants earn up to $250 every two weeks plus incen tives for reaching goals.

Arroyo said Youth Build has been a suc cess. He estimates that approximately 250 young adults have benefited from the pro gram since its inception.

One participant living in Riverview wanted to become a welder, so YouthBuild paid for his education at Erwin Technical College. Another partici pant always wanted to work in child care, so it helped her get licensed and now she’s working at a day care center.

Arroyo said it’s particularly rewarding when participants who successfully com plete the program come back to volunteer as mentors.

“They get on their feet and then give back in some way to help others,” he said.

The next program class, which can ac commodate between 60-70 participants, starts on Tuesday, September 6. To qualify for the program, applicants must be be tween the ages of 16 and 24, have a strong desire to further their career and/or edu cation, be committed to working hard and have a desire to earn a GED or high school diploma.

Volunteer opportunities are needed to support the program through donations of money and time. Mentors are also needed, especially tutors to work with program par ticipants in math and reading. “Tutors can be high-school age students,” said Arroyo. “We are grateful for peer-to-peer mentor ing.” Call 813-391-2841 or visit www.thafl. com/youthbuild.

FINANCIAL FOCUS

LOOK CLOSELY AT OPEN ENROLLMENT CHOICES

Once again, it’s the season for football games and back-to-school activities. And if you work for a medium-size or large employer, it will soon be open enrollment season – the time of year when you can review your employee benefts and make changes as needed. What areas should you focus on?

Actually, it’s a good idea to pay close attention to all your benefts. Some of the oferings may have changed from last year — and you might have experi enced changes in your own life, too, which might lead you to look for something diferent from your existing benefts package.

You may want to start with your health insurance. If you’re satisfed with your coverage, and it’s essentially the same as it’s been, you may well want to stick with what you have. However, many employers are increas ingly ofering high-deductible health plans, which, as the name suggests, could entail more out-of-pocket costs for you. But high-deductible plans may also ofer something of beneft: the ability to contribute to a health savings account (HSA). Your HSA contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, so they can reduce your taxable income for the year. Also, your earnings grow tax-free, and your withdrawals are tax-free, provided the money is used for qualifed medical expenses. (Withdrawals taken before age 65 that aren’t used for qualifed medical expenses are taxable and subject to a 20% penalty; once you reach 65, the penalty no longer applies, although withdrawals are still taxable as income if not used for a qualifed expense.)

Your next beneft to consider: Life insurance. Your employer may ofer a group life insurance plan, but you’ll want to evaluate whether it’s sufcient for your needs, especially if you’ve experienced changes in your personal situation over the past year, such as getting married or adding a new child. There’s no magic formula for how much life insurance you need — you’ll need to consider a variety of factors, such as your income, family size, mortgage and so on — but it may be necessary to supplement your employer’s coverage with a private policy.

Your employer may also ofer disability insurance as a beneft. Some employers’ disability policies are fairly limited, covering only short periods of time, so you may want to consider a private policy.

Beyond the various insurance policies your employ er may ofer, you’ll also want to closely look at your 401(k) or similar retirement plan. Typically, you can make changes to your 401(k) throughout the year, but it’s important to make sure your investment selections and contribution amounts are still aligned with your risk tolerance and goals. Also, are you contributing enough to earn your employer’s match, if one is ofered? And if you’ve already receiving the match, can you still aford to put in more to your plan if such a move makes sense for you?

Your employee benefts package can be a valuable part of your overall fnancial strategy. So, as open enrollment season proceeds, take a close look at what you already have, what’s being ofered, and what changes you need to make. It will be time well spent.

THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA’S NEW ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR DEBUTS AT FREE POPS IN THE PARK IN SEPTEMBER

New assistant conductor Chel sea Gallo will make her debut at The Florida Orchestra’s (TFO) free Pops in the Park concert at Vinoy Park. This year, TFO’s larg est concert of the year will bring family-friendly music to St. Pe tersburg’s waterfront in September to celebrate the opening of the 55th season with the community.

The concert will be on Saturday, Sep tember 24 at 7:30 p.m. and feature film scores, Broadway hits and light classical favorites, conducted by Gallo. The nearly 30-year tradition annually packs the park with about 15,000 patrons, who spread out elaborate picnics with candelabras for free music under the stars.

TFO will give an encore performance on Sunday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m. at River Tower Park in Tampa. The spring Pops in the Park concert will be on Mother’s Day, May 14, at 7:45 p.m. at Julian B. Lane Riv erfront Park in Tampa. All park concerts will have food trucks from Gulf to Bay Food Truck Association. In a long-stand ing tradition, TFO will collect nonperish able goods for Tampa Bay Harvest’s an nual food drive at all park concerts.

This fall is Gallo’s first season with the orchestra. She will lead TFO’s youth and community concerts, conduct select Raymond James Pops and Morning Cof fee concerts and regularly assist music

director Michael Francis and other conductors.

The nonprofit Florida Orchestra exists to inspire, unite and edu cate as it builds community. TFO’s free and low-cost community con certs break down barriers to ensure everyone has ac cess to the power of live music.

The orchestra announced more commu nity concerts, including the return of Sing Out Tampa Bay. Maestro Francis’ signa ture Inside the Music series helps unlock the secrets to composers and their mas terpieces so audiences can form a deeper connection with the music. Admission to all is pay what you can.

TFO will perform over 100 concerts this season in venues throughout Tam pa Bay. Francis launches the season with TFO’s 55th Celebration benefit concert featuring Itzhak Perlman on Saturday, October 1 at the Mahafey Theater. From Friday to Sunday, October 7-9, the Hough Family Foundation Masterworks series debuts with Carl Orf ’s epic Carmina Bu rana, kicking of the classical series that includes Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, Rachmaninof ’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and much more. The Raymond James Pops series has blockbusters such as Harry Potter vs Star Wars, Holiday Pops and the Beatles’ iconic Abbey Road album.

For more information and tickets, visit https://floridaorchestra.org/.

Chelsea Gallo, new assistant conductor, will make her debut at Te Florida Orchestra’s Pops in the Park concert at Vinoy Park, located at 701 Bayshore Dr. NE in St. Petersburg.

YouthBuild, in partnership with Tampa Housing Authority, has been helping young adults build successful lives and communities since 2009.

PASS-A-BOOK PROGRAM NEEDS BOOK DONATIONS TO KEEP STUDENTS READING

The Pass-A-Book Program has been serving the commu nity of young readers since Ruskin’s Heather Hindman launched the initiative to collect and donate books in 2016.

Through community donations of children’s books, Hindman has been able to distribute over 4,500 books to schools, teachers and students in just eight years.

“As a former teach er, I had bins and bins of books in my garage. I loved them so much that I hated to part with them but final ly decided they would be put to better use in the hands of children to love them,” said Hindman, who also at tributes the program to her husband, who wanted the extra space in the garage.

After seeing the amount of community interest, Hindman turned the donation into a program that became an ongoing Bryan Hindman Electric Company service project. Since its inception, the Pass-A-Book Pro gram has become a family, business and community efort as Hindman has watched her whole company get involved.

She works with her immediate family to distribute books but received help from her co-workers, Brandy Nelson, Christine Han non, and community project coordinator Virginia Trotta.

By Lily Belcher

Many of their elec tricians have helped carry and load heavy donation boxes, and her children help transport books to the donation sites as well.

“One amazing com munity member decid ed to set up a make shift library for the children living in her apartment building and we were proud to be a part of that,” explained Hindman. “Our biggest event is the [Parents and Children Advance Together] yearly grad uation, where the chil dren and their siblings choose books to take home to read over the summer.”

The Pass-A-Book Program mostly do nates K-2 picture books and chapter books for third through fifth graders, but it accepts all books for students. This year, it is specif ically looking for more board books to give away.

While many of the donations come from families and thrift stores, the Pass-A-Book Program just received a huge donation of around 250 books from Collins Elementa ry School. These books were given to new teachers in Hillsborough County.

To donate books to the Pass-A-Book Pro gram now, bring the picture/chapter books to 1517 U.S. Hwy. 41 S. in Ruskin. Later this year, the drop-of site will change to 10021 Carr Rd. in Riverview.

There isn’t much that Cre ative Colors In ternational of Tampa can’t fix. It is a local ex pert in leather repair.

Creative Col ors International Inc. was found ed in July 1991 through its affil iate J&J’s Creative Colors Inc., a com pany that had been in business since 1980. Much like J&J’s Creative Colors, it provides the services of restoring, dyeing and repairing many types of material. “I’ve owned a Creative Col ors franchise since August 2016,” said owner Patrick German. “My territory then was Pinellas County. Two years later, the owner in Hillsborough sold to me. I have lived in Brandon for 16 years, but when I started my franchise, that other owner was in this area, so I had to buy into Pinellas.”

Before becoming the owner of Cre ative Colors International, German had a career in financial business. “I took an early retirement from JPM Chase after 18 years there,” German said. “My career there, along with five years prior, was all in information technolo

By Libby Hopkins

gy, mostly software de velopment.”

When German decid ed to leave Chase, he wanted to do something completely different. “Something with a lot of time outdoors working with your hands,” Ger man said. “It also need ed to be something my son-in-law, who started the business with me, was interested in. The plan is to build it into a business he can take over and retire from himself one day. Which means it needed to be something that can’t be Amazoned, outsourced or done remote ly.”

Since Cre ative Colors Internation al has been in existence for more than 40 years, German felt this company was the best fit for him to invest. “As a national franchise, we have the support of a large organi zation that continually researches and updates products,” German said. “It also sets a level of standards through that franchise system.”

Another reason German decided to invest in Creative Colors International is because there is no brick and mortar building he had to purchase. “We don’t have a shop, the business is 100 per cent mobile,” German said. This gives him the opportunity to connect and get to know his customers on a personal level.

If you would like to learn more about Creative Colors International and the various services it offers, you can vis it their website at www.wecanfixthat. com or call German at 813-343-4151.

Te Pass-A-Book Program collects and donates books for grades K-5.

Donated books go to students and teachers to promote reading.

Creative Colors International Inc. was founded in July 1991 through its afliate J&J’s Creative Colors Inc., a company that had been in business since 1980. Much like J&J’s Creative Colors, it provides the services of restoring, dyeing and repairing many types of material.

Know Where And How To Vote: By Mail, Early And On Election Day

Voting is a right, not a privilege. In or der to exercise this right, every voter in Hillsborough County must be informed and must know where to vote and how to do it. In Hillsborough County, there are three ways to exercise your right to vote: Vote By Mail, Early Voting and Election Day Voting.

In order to vote in the general elec tion, set for Tuesday, November 8, you must be registered by Tuesday, October 11. When you register, you are asked to select a party. The parties are Repub lican, Democrat or No Party Afliation. You can also register as a member of a minor political party, such as the Green Party of Florida.

Florida is a closed primary state. This means that for the primary election, your ballot will reflect the party that you have se lected. In other words, you vote only for the candidates from your party as well as non partisan races, such as the judge (county and circuit) and school board.

In the general election, your ballot is based upon where you reside. You can view sample

ballots for both the primary and the general election by visiting www.votehillsborough.org.

“Many people are focused on the upcom ing general election in November, but please do not ignore the primary election. We have local school board and judge races on the pri mary ballot that are nonpartisan, so everyone votes in these races. If you are a Democrat or Republican, you will also have a say in which state and local partisan candidate moves on to the general elec tion,” said Supervisor of Elections Craig La timer.

VOTE BY MAIL

Vote By Mail is the most convenient meth od. You do not need an excuse to choose this option. If you request this method, you will receive your ballot in the mail. The dead line to request that a Vote By Mail ballot be mailed to you is no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day before the election, and you can take your time making your voting decision. The Vote By Mail ballot must be received by the Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Of fice by 7 p.m. on Election Day. You can mail it or drop it of in person at one of its ofces or at an Early Voting site. The supervisor of elections is also ofering curbside drop-of this year. You can request your Vote By Mail ballot and track its delivery by visiting www. votehillsborough.org.

“Election Day is your last day to vote, not your first. I encourage everyone to consider voting by mail. During the March election, it was heartbreaking to get calls from voters who could not leave home and had planned to vote on Election Day,” said Latimer.

EARLY VOTING

Early Voting is set up be fore both the primary elec

Sunday, No vember 6 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

“We will have about twen ty-six early voting locations open. We are just finalizing those details

now. We will have drop-of ballot boxes at each of those sites for voters who want to drop of their Vote By Mail ballot,” said La timer.

Early Voting is just like Election Day Voting. You must bring one or two forms of identi fication that have your photo and signature. Acceptable forms of identification include a Florida driver’s license, state-issued identifi cation, U.S. passport, student ID, public assis tance ID and more.

ELECTION DAY VOTING

Polling places or precincts, noted on your voter registration card, are open from 7 a.m.7 p.m. on Election Day. You can bring your sample ballot with you and use it while you vote.

Latimer said, “We are taking great mea sures to ensure a safe and healthy in-person voting experience.” Social distancing, hand sanitizer as well as adjusted layouts will be utilized.

According to Latimer, “All of this will mean that in-person voting is go ing to be slower than in the past, but it will be healthy and orderly.”

Whichever method you choose, re

LAUREL LEE

U.S. HOUSE FLORIDA DISTRICT 15

Laurel Lee is the Re publican candidate for Congressional District 15.

Raised by a two-star general in the United States Air Force and a public school teacher, Lee has family ties in Eastern Hillsborough County that go back more than 70 years. Laurel’s husband, for mer Senate President Tom Lee, also served the area in the state Senate for 18 years.

For three years, Laurel Lee served as the Florida secretary of state, but she returned home to Eastern Hillsborough County and is asking her community to allow her to represent their shared prin ciples and values in Washington D.C.

“Representing the people of Congres sional District 15 would be my honor. It is my home and I know I am the right voice to represent our hardworking res idents in Congress. If elected, I promise to serve with integrity, deliver results on behalf of our community and fight every day to ensure our principles — not the principles of Washington D.C. — are pro tected and advanced,” said Lee.

Lee, who is also a former circuit court

By Kathy L. Collins

judge in Hillsborough County and federal prosecutor, has over 20 years of experience serving her local com munity and the state of Florida, ensuring elec tion integrity and up holding the law.

“Now more than ever, it is critical that we send the right type of leadership to Wash ington — leaders who will stand up for what’s right and truly repre sent and reflect their community,” said Lee. “We can’t a f ord to sit idly on the sidelines as inflation continues to hurt families and our econ omy, or as long as politicians think they know what is best for our children and families. In Washington D.C., I will stand up and fight on behalf of our community and its families.”

Lee has also been engaged in local civic organizations, including ECHO of Brandon and the Pepin Academies, serv ing as president of the board for both or ganizations. In the legal community, she actively supports the organized bar and has served as president of the Federal Bar Association, Tampa Chapter and the Givens Family Law Inn of Court.

MICHAEL ISAAK COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 14

According to Mike Isaak, who is running for Hillsbor ough County court judge in Group 14, “I believe that per forming the duties of a judge is an art form. Successful execution requires proper morals and values, appropriate legal and life expe riences and a dedi cation to public service.”

Isaak has practiced law for 30 years. He began as an assistant state attorney. Isaak received a long-term service award for his dedication to protecting the citi zens of Florida. He then opened his own law practice. “I have focused on crimi nal defense for the past 25 years. As a criminal defense attorney, I protect and defend the Constitution. I have also rep resented clients in a variety of civil cases and am a member of numerous profes sional organizations,” explained Isaak.

He has tried more than 150 jury trials and more than 500 nonjury trials, and he has written more than 300 appeals. In addition to his private practice, Isaak has taught thousands of lawyers. “I have lectured locally, on a statewide level and nationally. I often lecture on recent de cisions in constitutional law in criminal

By Kathy L. Collins

cases and teach Fourth and Fifth Amendment con stitutional law liti gation. I also have more than 120 published court de cisions,” said Isaak.

Isaak explained, “My legal experi ence has a unique balance. While most trial attor neys do not write appeals and most appellate attorneys do not try cases, I have done both.”

“I will serve the citizens of Hillsborough County with dedication and commitment. I have always wanted to be a judge. I be lieve that I am qualified to take on the challenges that accompany the role of a judge,” said Isaak.

Isaak’s family moved to Tampa in 1968, and he has called Hillsborough County his home for the past 53 years. He sup ports numerous local charities and serves on the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Board of Directors.

He is married to Betsy Goode Isaak, and together they have two children. Betsy is a professional musician, having played with many of the local orchestras and other concerts in the Tampa Bay area.

Visit www.votemikeisaak.com.

DANNY ALVAREZ SR FLORIDA HOUSE, DISTRICT 69

Danny Alvarez is a Florida native, veteran and attorney who is run ning to become the rep resentative for District 69. Alvarez, a Republican, has been involved in the community for over 20 years. He is a member of both the Riverview and Plant City chambers of commerce.

On why he is running for a seat in the Florida State House, Alvarez explained, “I have been involved in the commu nity for many years. With the current po litical and cultural environment, I could not stand by and watch parents and police be attacked. I could no longer stand by and watch. I want to stand up for parents, pro tect children and stand up for law enforce ment. I want to keep Florida free.”

Alvarez added, “I am extremely honored that the Florida House leadership has en dorsed me. This will allow me to represent the district because I will be able to work with the leadership.” Alvarez further ex plained, “This will allow me to get maxi mum results for my constituents by work ing within the relationships established in Tallahassee.”

Alvarez is an attorney who practices in

By Kathy L. Collins

all facets of family law and is a business consultant with sig nificant experience in corporate com munications, market ing and messaging management. Within family law, Alvarez helps families through some of the most dif ficult times. His prac tice’s focus is to help children and families navigate through the process and emerge healthy and ready to prosper.

Alvarez is a veteran who was commis sioned as an infantry ofcer in the United States Army in 1997. He is a graduate of the Infantry Ofcers Basic Course, Bradley Fighting Vehicle Leaders Course, Basic Air borne Course and Jump Master Course.

Between his professional and education al experience and his real-world, on-theground community service, Alvarez will be able to represent the people of District 69. He said, “You have to represent all of the people in the district. I will accomplish all I can while preserving the Constitution and freedom.”

For more information, please visit his website at www.electdannyalvarez.com.

KIMBERLY OVERMAN COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 7 Staf Report

A 38-year resident of the Tampa Bay area, Kimberly Overman was elected to the county commission in 2018. Overman earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural and resource economics from the University of Maryland, raised two children and has the joy of raising one of her four grandchildren as a single parent. Overman has also owned and op erated successful businesses.

She is a certified financial planner, for mer owner and CEO of a fee-only reg istered investment advisory firm, vice president of strategic planning for Con cierge Financial Organization, owner of The Heights Exchange LLC — a commer cial space in Seminole Heights — and the chairwoman of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commission, District 7 countywide. She also recreated a business chamber of commerce for the Tampa ur ban core. A longtime advocate of smart planning, economic growth, strong fami lies, sustainable communities and the im portance of education, Overman has a long history of public service volunteerism and community involvement.

During her career, Overman served on

several professional and community boards includ ing: Tampa Bay Estate Planning Council, past president; Financial Plan ning Association of Tam pa Bay, past president; Financial Planning Asso ciation of Florida, past member and legislative delegation; Business and Professional Roundtable, founder and board mem ber; Soroptimist Interna tional, member and Young Careerist Award; Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Associa tion, board member; Hillsborough County Housing Financial Authority, chairperson; Heights Urban Core Chamber, president; Women’s Yacht Racing Association of Tampa Bay, member; and Hillsborough Ed ucation Foundation Finance Committee, member/advisor.

The commissioner currently serves on numerous boards and councils including: Board of County Commissioners, District 7 County Wide (chairwoman); Afordable Housing Advisory Board (chairwoman); Commission on Human Trafcking (chair woman); Tampa Bay Transportation Man agement Area Leadership Group (includes MPO/TPO representatives from Pasco, Pi nellas and Hillsborough counties) & more. www.kimberlyoverman.com.

Elected county-wide to the Hillsborough County Commission in 2018, Commissioner Overman has utilized her experience as a successful business owner and public servant to successfully implement policy at the countywide level and lead the people of our county with courage and govern for its citizens—not special interests. She has been a champion in the battle against COVID-19, a fghter for equal economic opportunity for all, an unwavering advocate for increasing investment into Hillsborough’s transportation infrastructure, and became the Commission’s leading voice on com batting human trafcking in Hillsborough County. At the heart of Commissioner Overman’s service is always how she can help to improve the lives of her fellow citi zens and be the leader they deserve—be cause she still believes that Leadership Matters. approved by

About Commissioner Overman

Commissioner Kimberly Overman is a 37year resident of the Tampa Bay Area, a proud mother and grandmother, a leader in Hillsborough’s business community as a successful small business owner in the fnancial planning sector, and a lifelong community leader. A longtime advocate for smart planning, equitable access to transportation, economic growth, aford able housing, and access to education, Commissioner Overman has a long history of public service and community advocacy in Hillsborough County.

Kimberly

Overman, Democrat for Hillsborough County Commission

DR. CHRISTINA PAYLAN STATE SENATE, DISTRICT 16

Mike Bel tran is run ning for re election to the Florida House of Representa tives. Beltran is running in House Dis trict 70, a newly config ured district in the newly redrawn leg islative maps. District 70 includes Sun City Center, Apollo Beach, Ruskin and northern portions of Manatee County.

For nearly four years, Beltran has been serving the people of Southern Hillsbor ough County as their voice in Tallahas see. Beltran is a leader on issues related to the judiciary, is the former Commerce Committee Whip and is a fierce advocate for Hillsborough County.

“The past two years have shown that freedom is under assault,” Beltran said when asked about his reason for seeking a third term. “And no other state in the union has been a more hospitable home for freedom than Florida. I’m running for reelection to fight alongside Governor Ron DeSantis to defend the Constitution, preserve individual liberty, uphold the rule of law and preserve the American

Dream for my sons’ gen eration.”

Beltran at tended the University of Pennsylvania and graduat ed in 2005 with a B.A. and honors in internation al relations, magna cum laude. He then went on to earn his law degree from Harvard Law School in 2008 before mov ing to Florida in 2010, where he served as a law clerk to a federal district judge. He is still a practicing attorney by trade, and he is happily married to his wife, Hope. The couple have two young sons, Michael and Ross.

Beltran is also an Eagle Scout and takes pride in this formative experience he had growing up. He has been recog nized as an Outstanding Young Florida Lawyer and has been appointed by Gov ernors Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis to the Judicial Nominating Commission for Florida’s Thirteenth Circuit Court in Hills borough County.

For more information, please visit Bel tran’s website at www.electmikebeltran. com. Report

In 30 years, there has not been a single doctor who has served in Flor ida Senate to represent the voices of patients and to the sanctity of the doctor-patient re lationship. Dr. Christina Paylan is running for Florida Senate District 16 to change this dire statistic and to bring common sense to law making in Tallahassee.

Dr. Paylan believes that in order for a gov ernment to be representative for all, there must be people from all walks of life serving as elected ofcials. Currently, we have only one walk of life in government, and that is lawyers. Dr. Paylan is not against lawyers being elected to represent people, but she is against government being 98 percent made up of lawyers.

A daughter of an immigrant family, Dr. Paylan completed her earlier education in California, moving to Florida in 2001 to work at Tampa General Hospital to com plete her fellowship in plastic and recon structive surgery.

When COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Dr. Paylan realized more than ever before that Florida citizens would be well served by having a doctor as their representative

By Kathy L. Collins

in Tallahassee to make laws that directly im pact their health care and the health care of their children. Her candi dacy and position on the issues can be summa rized as follows: 1) Dr. Paylan strongly believes that parents should al ways choose when it comes to their children, 2) Dr. Paylan strongly believes in having an informed and educated voice in the Senate de ciding Floridians’ health care, 3) Dr. Paylan firmly stands by the fact that there has to be accountability and transparency by judg es and prosecutors, 4) Dr. Paylan strongly believes that we have an outdated court system that needs to be updated and mod ernized and 5) Dr. Paylan stands for com mon sense lawmaking instead of writing confusing laws that are hundreds of pages long with loopholes.

As a political outsider, and as an everyday average person wanting to represent every day average people, Dr. Paylan is asking for your vote for Florida Senate District 16.

For more on her position on issues, you can directly reach her at 813-919-6299 or visit her website at www.paylan4sta tesenate.com.

ANDREW LEARNED HOUSE, DISTRICT

Andrew Learned has been a staple in our community for years. Before going of to the Navy, he grew up here in Blooming dale and returned af ter his service to open GradePower Learning, the local tutoring cen ter so many of us have relied on.

It caught all of us who knew him of guard when he first announced he was running for political ofce; frankly, as a lifelong Republican turned Democrat, we didn’t know what we’d get. The attack ads against him claimed he was an extremist that none of us who knew him thought to be true.

Since getting elected just two years ago in 2020, Learned has been on a sin gular mission: to fix the roads in Brandon and Riverview. He’s brought back millions of dollars via the Bipartisan Infrastruc ture Law, and the U.S. Highway 301 and Bloomingdale Avenue, Big Bend Road and Boyette Road I-75 interchange improve ments are all a result of that mission.

He was named the vice chairman of the Veterans Caucus, where he helped pass the largest tax break for military families in state history. He passed a bill to reward military-friendly schools and help improve

parent choice and helped tran sitioning military spouses have an easier time with state professional licensing require ments.

Learned has also focused on lowering the cost of living for Florid ians. This year in Tallahassee, he fought and delivered reforms to make homeownership more afordable and to ensure that the state’s savings go back into the pockets of consumers. He took on powerful insurance companies and lawyers to address roofing scams that are causing homeowners insur ance rates to skyrocket.

Even the gas tax holiday was his original work. While paired down from his original immediate and long-lasting proposal, the upcoming gas tax holiday in Florida was first called for by Learned.

When asked why he’s running for reelec tion, Learned simply pointed out the choice.

“I am fighting to make our schools safer and better funded, our roads wider, and to respect individual choices. I’m running be cause we need less polarization and more people doing the actual work for the peo ple,” he said.

Visit www.andrewlearned.com.

MELISSA CORDON BLACK COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 14

Melissa Cordon

Black is running for Hillsborough County court judge in Group 14. Black is a seasoned attorney, an experi enced public litigator and a compassionate community advocate, and she would like your vote on Tuesday, August 23.

Black served as an assistant attorney general in the Chil dren’s Legal Services Department before starting her own family law practice, where she has served as a pro bono attor ney for hundreds of Hillsborough County’s youth and foster care children. As the mother of three boys herself, Black has been an unwavering advocate for foster children, teens and children with special needs across Hillsborough County.

Black was born and raised in Brandon. Black’s parents, the late Dr. Pacifico Cor don Jr. and Dr. Yolanda Cordon, grew their medical practices in Brandon for over 35 years, with her father being the medical director of Hawthorne Village Retirement Community for 25 of those years. As a child, Black attended Nativi ty School, was the runner up in the Little Miss Brandon competition and was a vol unteer at Brandon Regional Hospital.

By Kathy L. Collins

Black is a graduate of the University of Florida and earned her law degree from the Stetson University Col lege of Law.

Black said, “I will build on my years of community service to Hillsborough County by serving as county court judge.”

Black is a volunteer with the Challeng er Baseball program, which is designed for children in Hills borough County that live with physical or mental disabilities. She is a member of the Johnny Ferlita Memorial Fishing Tournament committee to benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, a member of LAMPLighters (Ladies Assisting Met ropolitan People), a parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church and an active member of the CKS Parent Teacher Club (PTC).

Black is endorsed by the honorable Ralph Stoddard; retired Chief Judge Manuel Menendez; and Plant City Com missioner Bill Dodson and his wife, Syl via; Sun City Center Honorary Mayor Joe Zuniga; and former Honorary Mayor of Brandon Sherry Stewart.

For more information, please visit www.melissablackforjudge.com.

A D R E W L E A R N D e r v e s U S i n y o u r F l o r i d a H o u s e

H e r e c e i v e d t h e G u a r d i a n o f S m a l l B u s i n e s s A w a r d b y t h e s m a l l b u s i n e s s c h a m b e r o f c o m m e r c e , t h e f i r s t D e m o c r a t t o E V E R r e c e i v e i t i n F l o r i d a

F i x i n g t h e d a m n r o a d s !

M i l l i o n s f o r o u r s c h o o l s V i c e C h a i r o f t h e V e t e r a n s C a u c u s B i p a r t i s a n s u c c e s s

L o w e r e d t a x e s F i g h t i n g a g a i n s t r i s i n g p r i c e s R e s p e c t f o r Y O U R c h o i c e

BRING FAMILY TO HEIFER LIVING GIFT MARKET TO HELP END HUNGER Staf Report

Would you like to be a part of helping people in need be free from hunger and have the chance to become self-re liant? If making a life-changing di f er ence for someone in need is on your bucket list, come join us at the Heifer Living Gift Market on Sunday, October 16. This alternative gift giving opportu nity will be held at the First Presbyte rian Church of Bran don’s fellowship hall at 121 Carver Ave. in Brandon from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

This ‘market’ will provide an oppor tunity to ‘purchase’ Heifer animals or shares of animals like pigs, sheep, goats, cows, chicks or even water bu f alo that will be distributed, along with education and training, to needy families around the world. This is not a handout but an actual opportunity for the recipients of these animals to become self-reliant. Heifer International (www.heifer.org) has a special approach to sustainable de velopment wherein the animal recipients “pass on the gift” by sharing an o f spring of their animal along with education about its care to another family in need, who then does likewise. This expands the network of hope around the globe.

The Heifer Living Gift Market is free to

attend and open to the public. Visitors of all ages will en joy interesting ex hibits presented in fun and informative ways, special activ ities for the kids, a chance to bid on gift baskets, a silent auction and a simple meal. All dona tions will go to Heifer Interna tional.

For each animal or share of an an imal ‘purchased,’ donors will receive a specially de signed honor card that can be sent to a loved one as an alternative gift.

(Chances are good that some of the folks on your Christ mas list, that already have everything they need, would love to know that a gift given in their honor went to make a life-changing di f erence for someone in need.)

“The whole church gets involved, wearing costumes, educating visitors and raising funds for this worthy cause. It is a great event for the whole family,” said Pastor Mike McCormack.

Come join in the fun, help people in need and make a lasting di f erence. Give the gift that truly keeps on giving.

For more information, contact the church o f ce at 813-689-4597 or visit its website at www.fpcbrandon.org.

SPOOKTACULAR AT BUSCH GARDENS IS NOT-SO-SPOOKY FAMILY FUN Staf Report

A whimsi cal world of enchantment full of not-sospooky family fun is the place to celebrate Hal loween at Busch Gardens® Tam pa Bay with its all-new event, Spooktacular. In this playful world creat ed by Kandy, a friendly witch in training, guests will find many activities in this immersive Hallow een experience.

Busch Gardens’ Spooktacular will be casting spells on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 Noon-4 p.m., Saturday, Septem ber 10 through Sunday, October 30 at the Festival Walkway and is included with dai ly admission.

Some of the activities for families in this all-new Halloween event, including other not-so-spooky surprises, are:

Kandy’s World: Join Kandy as she shares her journey to become a real witch. Guests will hear firsthand about the stories of this witch-in-training, including how much she loves candy and even how she accidentally turned her friends into toads.

Story Time with Kandy: Situated next to Kandy’s picture-perfect pumpkin patch and bubbling cauldron, guests will be im mersed in the popular story “Room on the Broom,” where everybody has a place and everyone belongs.

Spooktacular Costume Parade: On this catwalk, all the little ones are top models. A colorful parade of costumes will bring the Spooktacular Costume Parade to life.

Trick-orTreating: The all-new Busch Gardens Spook tacular is the place to be for trick-or-treating this season. All guests can bring their own bag and join in on the super sweet fun. Trick-ortreating bags will be available for purchase.

Because Busch Gardens Spooktacular is included with park admission. Guests should take advantage of the current spe cial ofer for the 2023 Fun Card, where paying for one day will allow unlimited vis its for the rest of 2022 and through 2023 for free. For more information on Busch Gardens Spooktacular and to purchase a 2023 Fun Card, guests can visit www.bus chgardenstampa.com.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the ulti mate family adventure, ofering 300 acres of fascinating attractions based on exotic explorations around the world. Busch Gar dens is a unique blend of thrilling rides, an AZA-accredited zoo with thousands of animals representing more than 200 spe cies and exciting seasonal events all year providing unrivaled experiences for guests of every age. For more information, visit www.buschgardenstampa.com. Busch Gardens is owned by SeaWorld Entertain ment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS), a leading theme park and entertainment company provid ing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world.

Early Risers Bible Study sponsored the chicken booth.

First Presbyterian Missions Team sponsored the Heifer booth.

Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Kandy, a friendly witch in training, at Busch Garden’s Spooktacular.