ADULT CARE CENTER RECEIVES BASKETBALL COURT GIFT

Margaret Montgomery is a local author and owner of Destiny Quality Care in Brandon. She has worked in the healthcare field for more than 30 years. She retired from the H. Lee Moftt Cancer Center of 27 years.

Montgomery is also an allied healthcare instructor and has taught in the field of allied health for 13 years.

“Destiny Quality Care is an up and coming ‘Life Enrichment Training Day Program’ for persons with disabilities,”

Montgomery said. “We are located in the heart of Brandon.”

Destiny Quality Care’s motto is serving and caring with excellence. Recently, Montgomery and her staf were served with a gift of love and care from some local Brandon residents. “These days, it seems like we hear of so many bad and horrible things that involve police ofcers, Montgomery said. “The mother of one of our consumers is a master deputy for Hillsborough County Sherif ’s Ofce. It was placed upon Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Cribbs’ heart to donate and create a basketball court for the individuals that attend Destiny Quality Care. Our center is located on approximately four acres of land, however, we still had to drive the consumers to our local park for them to partake in playing basketball, foursquare and hopscotch among other outside activities.”

By Libby Hopkins

Thanks to the Cribbs’ Destiny Quality Care’s consumers have a basketball court that displays the court, four square and hopscotch on the organization’s property. “We did not ask for this blessing,” Montgomery said.

“This couple took it upon themselves to make this donation, which Mr. Cribbs did the work. I am so grateful for this basketball court along with my ‘precious gems’ which is what I call them. They are jewels and gems to me.”

The smiles on Montgomery’s consumers’ faces when they saw the new court were priceless to Montgomery and her staf. “We have approximately 25 consumers,” Montgomery said. “When I see them playing on the court, it brings tears to my eyes because they are able to participate in various activities all at once. Now, they do not have to go five days a week to the Brandon Recreation Center to play basketball. The clients can now play foursquare, hopscotch and basketball right here at our facility.”

If you’d like to learn more about Destiny Quality Care, you can visit their website at www.destinyqualitycare.org. Destiny Quality Care is located at 711 N. Parsons Ave. in Bradon.

HOW DOES SCREEN TIME AFFECT YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING?

Technology is an integral part of life, dominating the way we communicate, learn, work and more. Today’s children spend a lot of time on smartphones and computers, leaving many parents to wonder about the impact of all that screen time. So how exactly does screen time afect your child’s learning and development?

The Positive Efects of Screen Time

Starting with the good, there’s no question that access to digital media has positives for students of all ages. Technology opens up worlds of opportunity to learn and research. Here are just a few of its many benefits:

• Technology and apps aid in learning. There’s an app for everything, whether your child is learning to read or practicing algebra concepts.

• The internet makes it easy to access new information. A quick Google search can help your child discover just about anything.

• Social media can bring people together. Children often use social media to communicate and connect with others.

By Dr. Raymond J. Huntington

The Negative Efects of Screen Time

While there are definitely advantages of technology, screen time impacts children’s brains and behavior. Here are some of the negative efects of screen time on children and their learning:

• Decreased focus. Frequent use of digital devices can make it increasingly more difcult for children to maintain focus on things like homework.

• Distraction during class. Many teachers today make it a policy that students’ phones must be stowed in their backpacks during class — and for good reason.

• Disrupted sleep. Blue light-emitting screens can suppress the secretion of melatonin, a hormone produced by the brain in response to darkness that helps people sleep.

• Loss of interest in other things. Like many enjoyable activities, use of digital devices can be all-consuming — and difcult for some to stop doing.

Screen time is a hot topic these days, but it’s important to keep things in perspective. Not all screen time is bad, and many children develop healthy screen time habits with the help of supportive parents. If your child struggles with healthy screen time or study habits, call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN (226-5327).

BELL CREEK ACADEMY PITCHER FRITSCH THROWS PERFECT GAME; SECOND OF HIS CAREER

Bell Creek Academy senior pitcher Tyler Fritsch realized he was in the midst of a special outing in the fourth inning when he noticed the opposing lead-of hitter taking practice swings in the on-deck circle between innings. Fortunately, Fritsch had been in the exact same spot the prior year against the same team and knew what it would take to be perfect.

“My fastball was very much on, I could throw it wherever I wanted it,” he said. “I noticed that the zone was consistently low and I could just hit my spot every time with my fastball, and my changeup was on too, so it was really easy to keep the batters of balance with the fastball-changeup combination.”

The pressure was of of Fritsch because he had already thrown a perfect game against Cambridge Christian last year. He has carried the confidence from that game into his hot start early this season.

“I didn’t think much about it because I came in with the mentality that I already threw one,” said Fritsch. “I go into every game thinking, ‘You already threw a perfect game, so you can’t really do much better, so don’t think about it too much.’ If I lost it, I wasn’t going to be too concerned about it, so I just kept dealing with that poise and composure, I guess. You can’t beat a perfect game, it’s about as good as it gets.”

Fritsch was on the same page as his battery mate, senior catcher Jacob Ananias,

By Nick Nahas

who was calling the pitches. The pitcher was comfortable with his catcher, who previously caught all of his starts this season. Fritsch only needed 66 pitches in six innings while striking out 12 batters to complete the perfect game. The Panthers mercy-ruled the Lancers.

“My reaction after the last out was relief and shock because by the fourth inning, everyone knew what was going on and all we wanted to do was keep from jinxing it,” said Ananias. “I have never caught a perfect game before and, I gotta say, it’s a great thing to be a part of.”

The senior enjoyed his second career perfect game a little more than the first because he was able to record the last out and finish the game on the mound. His team’s 10-run ruled Cambridge Christian in the bottom of the inning on ofense the last time.

“I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of something so special and am glad I get to catch a pitcher of this level,” said Ananias.

The pitcher gives credit to his coach, Frank Burke, who he’s played with for seven seasons at Bell Creek.

“It doesn’t take a perfect outing every time to win games,” said Fritsch. “My team trusts me a lot, so it makes it a lot easier to go out and do my job when you know that everyone has your back.”

Downtown Murals Create Outdoor Art Museum

What do Tom Brady, Tweety Bird and Freddy Mercury all have in common?

They are all subjects of murals located in beautiful Downtown Tampa! Whether you drive, bike or scooter, find a beautiful day and trek to the city for a fun and adventurous mural tour!

From Ybor City to the Channelside District to Ashley Street, there is an eclectic collection of art, much of which was commissioned by the City of Tampa. For an interesting an in-depth compilation, you can visit tampasdowntown.com or google Tampa’s Downtown Mural Tour.

To highlight a small, yet dense, sampling of the mural art in Tampa, we start at Cass Street, West of Nebraska Avenue, where you will find the Tampa Firefighter’s Museum on your left with a beautifully painted flag covering the entire north side of the building. On the right, see one of Tampa’s largest murals, on the Navara Apartments, featuring legendary musicians Elton John, Freddie Mercury and Jimi Hendrix.

Head North on to Florida Avenue and discover a plethora of interesting murals, including a few pictures of Tom Brady and

By Kerrie Hoening

the famous “Florida Avenue Mural”, also known as the “Tampa Postcard”, depicting images of Tampa’s past and present. Head further north, crossing under the I-275 corridor, and you suddenly happen upon a whole new world of wall art on every building. On neighboring Franklin Street, many of the murals cover entire buildings! If driving, you’ll probably need to park and then enjoy a leisurely stroll around the whole block.

After a brief respite at Armature Works, you’ll head South on Tampa Street, driving back toward the city. Here, at 1715 N Tampa St, you will find the poignant Kobe and Gianna Bryant mural, lovingly titled, “Daddy’s Little Girl”. A little further down, you’ll also notice a couple of Tweety Bird murals, freshy painted to celebrate the 80th birthday of Tweety Bird! As you cross back under the interstate, Tampa’s newest mural, only weeks old, can be found on the right, stating the obvious for all who live in our great city, “We Love Downtown”!

LAKE BRANDON VILLAGE

11325 Causeway Blvd • Brandon (813) 655-1237

Hours: 6:30am - 10pm

BRANDON SOUTH 2010 Bloomingdale Ave • Valrico (813) 571-0569

Saint Anne Catholic Church

Saint Anne Catholic Church

Saint Anne Catholic Church

Vigil Sunday8

~Masses~

~Masses~

Vigil Saturday 4:30 p.m.

Monday-Friday Wednesday &

Masses

Sunday8 a.m., 10 a.m., & 5 p.m. (12:30 p.m. Spanish)

Monday-Friday 8 a.m.

Vigil.....................................................................Saturday 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday & Jueves 7 p.m.

Sunday........................ 8 a.m., 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. (12 p.m. Spanish)

Te Doors of Te Church Are Open

Church Services 10am Sunday

Youth & Teens Church School 9:00 a.m.

Kingdom Builders 10:00 a.m. (Children’s Church ages 2-10)

Monday - Friday......................................................................8 a.m.

Wednesday............................7 p.m. Jueves.........................7 p.m.

Recorded Masses can be viewed on the St. Anne website (SaintAnneRuskin.org) and Facebook page.

Bible Study 7pm Tuesday (adults) Via Zoom

Wednesday Prayer Via Zoom

7 pm Tuesday (teens) Via Zoom

Te Masses will be streamed and uploaded to the St. Anne website (SaintAnneRuskin.org) and Facebook page.

Reconciliation Tue. at 8:30am, Thurs. at 6pm, Sat. at 3:15pm and By Appointment.

Community Food Pantry

&

Te church will be open weekdays for private prayer between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.

For more information, please check the St. Anne website.

-2:00

Registration is now open for the 2021-2022 Faith Formation year. Please call the ofce for more information.

Reconciliation Tues. at 8:30 a.m., Tur. at 6 p.m., Sat. at 3:15 p.m. and by appointment. For more information, please check the St. Anne website.

U.S. Hwy. 41 • 106 11th Ave NE • Ruskin SaintAnneRuskin.org • 813-645-1714

Journeying to the past and taking a stroll down memory lane is no longer just a possibility for residents of Tessera Brandon, but rather a reality made feasible by the facility’s newest amenities: memory care stations. Memory care stations are designed to elicit long-term memories by recreating familiar situations from the past. Tailored to residents sufering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, Jill Andrew, director of marketing at Tessera Brandon, stated that implementing these new technologies was an inevitable step in revolutionizing the care ofered by the senior assisted living and memory care community.

“It was just time,” said Andrew, “and the residents themselves wanted to do something meaningful for memory care.”

Located within the niches and insets of the facility’s hallways, these spaces are organized in a manner that makes them easily accessible to residents, whether they are visiting the life stations independently or participating in activities alongside their peers. Because the purpose of these stations is to encourage these individuals to recall elements of their past more readily, the current stations are decorated to resemble five aspects of everyday life.

The music station was the first one finished, featuring an antique piano and a backdrop decorated with piano keys that adorn the wall. Additional instruments available for use in this space include ukeleles, xylophones, maracas and tambourines. Incorporating scarves, hats, costume jewelry and purses, the vanity station features a vanity and is meant to imitate the practice of getting ready.

Complete with stufed and electronic animals, the pet life station intends to evoke past memories of time spent with furry friends. Items such as brushes encourage residents to interact with these props. The handyman station is a workbench that includes highgrade tool replicas.

Lastly, the tactile/sensory station features materials like a plaque covered in feathers and common household items like marbles.

Alongside purchasing new items and

By Madeline Gardner

making use of current materials, Tessera Brandon regularly accepts donations from members of the surrounding community. By working with networking groups of the Greater Riverview and Valrico FishHawk chambers of commerce, for example, Tessera Brandon has been able to incorporate items such as purses, brushes and jewelry to fill these spaces.

“Our community around here is just phenomenal,” said Andrew. “People want to do good, people want to give back, and so it’s an opportunity for them to do so.”

Andrew states that the next station will likely feature either an ofce or a nursery design.

For more information on memory care stations and additional opportunities available at Tessera Brandon, please visit www. tesserabrandon.com or call 813-607-6880. Tessera Brandon is located at 1320 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.