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Family Camp In Teaters Nationwide In May
Tickets are now on sale for the new faith-based comedy Family Camp. Featuring Tommy Woodard and Eddie James of The Skit Guys, Family Camp will release in cinemas nationwide on Friday, May 13.
When their pastor (Mark Christopher Lawrence) encourages the congregation to sign up for a week away at family camp, Grace (Leigh-Allyn Baker) believes she’s found the perfect cure for her imperfect clan—even if they’d all rather be anywhere but at rustic Camp Katokwah. Family Camp is a laugh-outloud comedy that the whole family can enjoy.
Follow Family Camp on Facebook @FamilyCampMovie, Twitter @FamilyCampMovie, Instagram @ FamilyCampMovie2022 and online at www.familycampmovie. com. Tickets for Family Camp can be purchased at participating theater box ofces.
Masters Champion Scottie Schefer: I Golf Because “I’m Trying to Glorify God”
The 2022 Masters champion is a 25-year-old Texan who says he golfs to “glorify God” and who credits prayer for giving him peace on an anxious weekend.
Scottie Schefer won his first Masters Tournament on Sunday with a dominant final round, ending the fourday event at 10 under par. It was his first major championship but his fourth overall in less than two months. In March, he became the world’s No. 1 golfer in the World Golf Rankings at a record pace with a mere 42 days passing from his first victory to being ranked in the top spot. The previous record, held at the time by Tiger Woods, was 252 days. When asked during a Sunday news conference what drives him, Schefer pointed to his faith. “The reason why I play golf is because I’m trying to glorify God and all that He’s done in my life,” Schefer told media members. “And so for me, my identity isn’t a golf score.” Go to @scottie.schefer on Instagram to learn more. Maverick City Makes Grammy History As 1st Christian Group Performer In 20 Years: “THANK YOU JESUS!”
Maverick City Music made history on Sunday night by winning its first Grammy and also becoming the first Christian or gospel group in 20 years to perform live on the broadcast. The group won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Old Church Basement, a live LP recorded with Elevation Worship.
Maverick City Music’s performance during the CBS broadcast attracted plenty of new fans. A news release called it the “first time in over 20 years that a gospel or Christian artist has been televised at the ceremony.” The last such performance was in 2002.
“THANK YOU JESUS!” the group’s Twitter account said after the Grammy win. “Everything we do belongs to God! We’re so honored to be a part of what He is doing in the Kingdom!”
Plenty of fans on social media enjoyed the performance even if it was—as some noted—cut short and spanned less than one minute. For more information, visit www.maverickcitymusic.com.
By Kelly Wise Valdes
Kentucky Church Bake Sale Raises $145,000 To Help Displaced Ukrainians
A Ukrainian congregation raised nearly $145,000 at a bake sale in April to aid those displaced by the war in Ukraine. The bake sale took place at the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church of Nicholasville, Kentucky. Attendees were given lunch and access to more than 100 diferent donated baked goods that were for sale. The funds raised from the sales will be used to help displaced people in Ukraine. More than 10 million people have fled the besieged country since March.
Victor Selepina, who organized the bake sale, said that most of the church’s members are from Ukraine or have family members living there. Selepina, who was shocked at the amount raised, shared that he and the church “never anticipated to have so many people come out and to raise that amount of money.”
The funds will be given to churches in Ukraine with ties to Nicholasville. The churches will then use the money to buy food and supplies for those displaced by the war. Other churches across the U.S. have launched similar eforts to aid displaced Ukrainians. For other ways to help, visit https://help.rescue.org/ukraine.
Fishhawk Trails 2021 Garage Sale Fishhawk Trails 2022 Garage Sale Saturday, September 18th, 2021 Saturday, May 21st, 2022 9:00 am - 2:00pm (1 Day Only) 9am - 2pm (1 Day Only)
(7:30 am – 9:00 am for community residents only) 5555 FishHawk Trails Dr. | Lithia 33547
5920 Robert Tolle Drive Riverview, 33578 813-337-7457 Ofce Hours: Mon - Thur 10am- 3pm www.Mtzionriverview.com FACEBOOK: Mt Zion AME Church Riverview
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LIFELIKE SCULPTURES GRACE THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN PLANT CITY
By Kathy L. Collins
You can take a stroll about downtown Plant City, and as you do, you will come across delightful, lifelike sculptures, such as Ambassador of the Streets at the east end of McCall Park and Latte? in Unity Park on Collins St. Te sculptures were brought to Plant City courtesy of the Arts Council of Plant City.
The Arts Council of Plant City has once again brought delightful lifesize sculptures to Plant City’s historic downtown. The sculptures were created by artist J. Seward Johnson. The sculptures are displayed throughout the downtown area.
Johnson creates trompe l’oeil painted bronze statues which are castings of live people depicting them engaged in everyday tasks. There are seven statues on display.
Bake Sale is located at
on Palmer St. at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum.
Body Music is located at the intersec-
tion of Palmer St. and E. Reynolds St.
Ambassador of the Streets is located on the east end of McCall Park. Keep Life in Balance is located in McCall Park on Collins St. Relish, Too? is located at Roots Cellar on Collins St. Latte? is lo-
cated in Unity Park on Collins St. Final-
ly, Captured is located at Village Green
Park on Evers St.
Taking a stroll through downtown locating the statues is a fun way to spend some time outside and get to see both the delightful downtown and the beautifully created statues. They are so lifelike that you may need to take a double take to make sure you are looking at a statue and not a live person.
Marsha Passmore, president of the Arts Council of Plant City, said, “The eight sculptures were handpicked. They are special because this set has never been displayed before in Plant City.” Passmore added, “This is the eighth year that the Arts Council of Plant City has hosted the Seward Johnson sculptures as an open-air outside exhibit.”
In addition to bringing the Johnson sculptures to Plant City, the Arts Council of Plant City ofers scholarships to graduating high school seniors, sponsors the PTSA Reflections Art Exhibit and supports local nonprofits.
The mission of the Arts Council of Plant City is to bring arts to the Plant City community, promote education in the arts and develop artists and arts programs. The Arts Council of Plant City is funded by membership fees and fundraisers, such as its annual Chili Fest.
For info, visit www.plantcityarts.com.
CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE RETURNS WITH SIX GREAT SHOWS
Staf Report
Calling all rock fans! This is your chance to enjoy the sounds of many of your favorite classic bands in person without having to travel too far.
The RP Funding Center in Lakeland is excited to announce the 2022 series lineup for Classic Albums Live as it returns with six iconic album performances.
Performed “note for note, cut for cut,” the Classic Albums Live Concert Series starts of with one of the bestselling, greatest hits albums in recording history, The Eagles’ Greatest Hits, on Thursday, May 12.
Then, a performance by Pink Floyd’s legendary 1979 concept album, The Wall, on Thursday, June 16. Following this is a timeless rock ‘n’ roll album that’s a favorite for new and old fans alike, The Who’s Who’s Next, on Friday, July 15. This next album was this band’s bestselling albums, the Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms, on Friday, August 12. Next is an album which has sold over 25 million copies worldwide, U2’s The Joshua Tree, on Thursday, September 22. And, last but not least, wrapping up the Classic Albums Live Concert Series is Billy Joel’s The Stranger on Friday, October 23. The start time for all
performances is 7:30 p.m. To see all six of these great performances performed “note for note, cut for cut,” then look no further and become a Classic Albums Live Series subscriber. For $162, you get a ticket to each concert, preferred seating, free parking and 10 percent of on concessions, plus savings of over $100 when purchasing a subscription. The Classic Albums Live Series
Te RP Funding Center in Lakeland is excited pass is on sale to announce the 2022 series lineup for Classic now. Service Albums Live, as it returns with six iconic album charges may performances. apply. Series
passes are available by visiting the RP Funding Center Box Ofce, calling toll-free at 888-397-0100 or going online to www.rpfundingcenter.com. Dates and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. The RP Funding Center is conveniently located minutes between Orlando and Tampa in Lakeland of I-4 on Lime St.; the RP Funding Center is a short drive from anywhere in Central Florida. Regular box ofce hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For ticket information, call the box ofce at 863-834-8111 or visit our website at www.rpfundingcenter.com.
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THE STRAZ CENTER PRESENTS GREAT ‘22-’23 BROADWAY SEASON
By Kathy L. Collins
Te Straz Center in downtown Tampa has a great series of Broadway shows available for audiences now though 2023. Pick your favorites and get your tickets now.
Broadway shows are back at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Tampa. The 2022-23 season is underway, and there are some outstanding productions you will not want to miss. “Touring Broadway is back in Tampa in a big, big way,” said Straz Center President and CEO Judy Lisi. “This lineup truly is the best of Broadway, and we cannot wait to share it with Tampa Bay area audiences,” added Lisi.
The oferings from the Straz Center
include My Fair Lady (Tuesday, April 26 through Sunday, May 1), The Band’s Visit (Wednesday, May 4 through Sunday, May 8) and Pretty Woman (Tuesday,
May 17 through Sunday, May 22).
In the fall, the Straz Center will present Six, a new musical about Henry VIII’s six wives, from Tuesday, November 1 through Sunday, November 6.
Hadestown will run from Tuesday, November 29 through Sunday, December 4.
TINA-The Tina Turner Musical, a new
musical, will run from Friday, January 13, 2023 through Sunday, February 5, 2023.
Chicago, a musical that has been running for over 25 years, will run from
Tuesday, February 21 through Sunday, February 26, 2023.
The critically acclaimed book To
Kill a Mockingbird is now a Broad-
way production thanks to Academy Award® winner Aaron Sorkin, who adapted Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork.
To Kill a Mockingbird runs at the Straz Center from
Monday, April 11, 2023 through Saturday, April 16, 2023.
Ain’t Too Proud will run from Monday,
May 2, 2023 through Saturday, May 7, 2023.
The new musical Jagged Little Pill will
run from Monday, May 16, 2023 through Saturday, May 21, 2023.
The season also features the unique
comedy whodunit Shear Madness from
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 through Saturday, April 8, 2023.
In addition to the eight-show Broadway series, the Straz Center will present two special return engagements.
Hamilton will be presented from
Wednesday, December 28, 2022 through
Monday, January 22, 2023. Wicked, the
Broadway sensation that looks at what happened in the Land of Oz but from a diferent angle, will be presented from Wednesday, March 8, 2023 through Sunday, March 26, 2023.
The Straz Center is continuously evaluating health conditions and adjusting safety protocols.
Call the Straz Center Ticket Sales Office at 813-229-STAR (7827) or visit www.strazcenter.org. Individual show tickets will go on sale at later dates, to be announced.
Something worse than COVID-19 has been stalking us, but it’s not caught from other people. Others are actually the cure.
Loneliness.
The last two years of masking, social distancing and isolation has proved to us that we were made for relationships. A lack of connecting with others is killing us.
“Loneliness is deadlier than obesity and should be considered a public health risk,” according to an August 17, 2017 New York Post piece. “Those with bad social connections have a 50 percent increased risk of early death compared to those with good social connections, a review of studies on loneliness suggests.”
Loneliness and isolation not only contribute to poor physical health but also take their toll on our mental health too.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, loneliness is the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact, while social isolation is a lack of social connections. In addition to myriad physical problems, loneliness also increases depression, anxiety and suicide (see https:// www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/ lonely-older-adults.html).
We were not created to do life by ourselves. In the creation account in Genesis, the Lord said, “it is not good that man should be alone.” From the beginning, man needed relationships. Too often, though, we substitute things for people, spending too much time in the accumulation of stuf at the expense of our relationships, especially with God. But if that relationship isn’t where it needs to be, then our other human connections will sufer, to our detriment.
Jesus was asked by the religious leaders of the day what the greatest commandment in the law was. He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments,” (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV).
We can only have real and lasting relationships if we are reconciled to God, through Christ, first, then true fellowship can happen. Does that mean we will never experience loneliness again? Absolutely not, but we must make the efort, for ourselves and others, to not stay there when those periods of loneliness come. Press in to the Lord, find refreshing there first. Healthy relationships with others flow from that.
We also gain the impetus to seek out those who need friendship and fellowship in their lives too. And not only will they experience the joy of human connection, but they will also be exposed to the ultimate giver of life, Jesus.
We will never ‘program’ away people’s loneliness, only real relationships will do that. And the believer in Christ knows the giver of real relationships.
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Is Your Child Talking?
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Staf Report
The internationally acclaimed Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition opened in April in Tampa. The exhibition is a presentation of museum-quality, near-life-size reproductions of one of the world’s greatest artistic achievements.
“This exhibition gives visitors a chance to engage with Rome’s most iconic treasures in ways that were never possible,” said Martin Biallas, CEO of Los Angeles-based SEE© Global Entertainment and producer of the exhibit.
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition is a collection of the artist’s renowned ceiling frescoes from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, reproduced in a format that allows viewers to get face to face with the masterpieces. Through 34 artfully displayed reproductions, this innovative presentation includes world-renowned pieces like The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgement, bringing them just a few feet away from the audience.
“This exhibition is like a sanctuary, you’re transported into a completely diferent world,” said Biallas. “When I visited the Sistine Chapel in Rome,
there were long lines, and we were rushed through. This exhibit in Tampa allows everyone an opportunity to see the amazing art at their pace and up close, at an afordable price, and enjoy an inspiring and unforgettable experience.” Guests may enhance
Te internationally acclaimed Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: Te Exhibition their experience by opens on Friday, April 29 in Tampa. adding an audio guide,
with narrative accompaniment available in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean and German. “We are delighted to bring this mustsee interactive art exhibit to the WestShore Plaza,” said Larry Scollo, general manager of WestShore Plaza. “This exhibit will provide a unique opportunity for visitors of all ages to engage and interact with beautiful art while visiting our space.” “We have had sold-out openings in San Diego, Cleveland, Dayton, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Dallas in recent months, and it is our privilege to bring one of Rome’s most iconic artworks to Tampa,” said Biallas. Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition runs from Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., from April 29 to Sunday, June 26 at WestShore Plaza. Tickets start at $20.20 per adult and $14 per child. Discounts for seniors, students, military and family bundles are available. Tickets are on sale now at www.chapelsistine.com.
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CELEBRATE YOUR SENIOR WITH IMAGE360 MOBILE BILLBOARD
By Michelle Caceres
Looking for a unique way to recognize your soon-tobe high school graduate? Look no further than Image360 Tampa Ybor City, specializing in yard signs and banners as well as 360-degree LED digital mobile billboard trucks with state-of-the-art sound systems that can display pictures and video of your graduate, whether a 15-minute drive-by or an hours-long event.
Having a party? The truck, which is WiFi enabled, doubles as a large-screen television for movie viewing, karaoke singing or video game playing.
“Our digital mobile billboard trucks bring innovation and excitement along with the newest technology to your event,” said Owner Bob Burmaster. “It’s also a privilege to be able to share those moments with our customers.”
In addition to graduation celebrations, Burmaster has also helped residents celebrate marriage proposals, wedding events, Mother’s Day and other personal events.
Burmaster, an army veteran and Apollo Beach resident, originally founded Graphics Edge in 2005—which later became Image360 Tampa Ybor City—and has been marketing his billboard trucks for more than three years.
Located at 3617-A E. 10th Ave. in Tampa, Image360 Tampa Ybor City ofers its customers (from individual consumers
to large corporations) a wide range of signage and graphics solutions, including indoor and outdoor signage, environmental and experimental graph-
Image360 Tampa Ybor’s LED digital mobile billboard trucks are a ics, wayfinding great way to recognize your graduate. solutions, vehi-
cle and boat graphics and wraps, promotional displays and banners. From the simplest signage projects to the most complex, trained graphics specialists work closely with customers to help maximize the creativity and visual impact of interior and exterior signage, environmental graphics, way-finding solutions and promotional displays. Sellstate Southshore Realty broker Keianna Carty contacted Burmaster when she needed a lobby sign but didn’t want to spend thousands of dollars. “Image360 has been amazing to work with,” she said. “Bob walked me through several examples and options that made this transaction very economical for my small business.” She’s so pleased with the sign and customer service she received that she’ll be using Image360 for sign needs in the future. For more information about Image360 Tampa Ybor City, visit its website at www. image360yborcity.com or visit Facebook @image360yborcity. To learn more about its mobile billboard trucks or to book it for your event, call 813-493-8000.
BRANDON AUTO SERVICES STANDS THE TEST OF TIME
By Sharon Still
For more than three decades, Brandon Auto Services has been the area’s one-stop shop for a wide variety of auto services. Owned by Steve Holland and Ken Anderson, best friends since grade school at Yates Elementary, the business has undergone several changes over the years while always remaining the trustworthy place to bring your truck or car for repairs.
Whether it’s the radiator or air conditioning, fuel pump or brake problems, steering, suspension or just a pair of windshield wipers, it can all be taken care of at Brandon Auto Services.
In need of collision repairs and body work? Turn to Brandon Auto Services to fulfill those needs and take away some of the stress. Insurance inspections and free estimates are ofered. The technician will work with the insurance company to make sure everything is covered, documented and handled thoroughly and clearly, then the vehicle will be repaired, repainted and restored to like new condition.
The tire department ofers both new and quality used tires and wheels, including new custom wheels. All major brands of tires are available for installation, including Goodyear, Pirelli and Firestone.
Brandon resident Mickey Oliver, also a classmate of the duo, regularly uses Brandon Auto Services for his family’s vehicle
tune-ups and repairs. “Whatever is wrong, they will make it right,” he said. Aside from ofering everything you need for your car or truck under one roof, what sets the business apart goes back to its early years. When Holland and Anderson purchased the business from Holland’s father in the early 1970s, they changed the name to Brandon
Friends for life, Steve Holland and Ken Anderson have watched the area grow and Auto Salvage and began collecting vehicles change just like their business, formerly for parts. Over the Brandon Auto Salvage and now Brandon years, they changed the Auto Services. name to Brandon Auto
Services to fully represent what they do. “We are able to sell used auto and truck parts as well as do any repairs that our customer may need,” Holland added. It is a true family afair at Brandon Auto Services. Holland and Anderson both married schoolmates and their wives worked alongside them in the early years. Today, Holland and Anderson’s daughters are an integral part of the business. Holland added that the business also is involved in the community they grew up in, sponsoring race cars, sports teams and more. Brandon Auto Services ofers towing, car rental and customer transport as well. Call 813-689-8131 when you need auto or truck parts. For the body shop or mechanic shop, call 813-689-8255. Visit the website at www.brandonauto.com and the shop at 3159 SR 60 E. in Valrico. Hours are 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
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LAKE BRANDON VILLAGE 11325 Causeway Blvd • Brandon (813) 655-1237 BRANDON SOUTH 2010 Bloomingdale Ave • Valrico (813) 571-0569
Hours: 6am - 10pm
