Osprey Observer Brandon/Winthrop December 2024 by Osprey Observer

Brandon/ Winthrop

THE 32ND BRANDON SEAFOOD FESTIVAL BRINGS FRESH CATCHES AND ENTERTAINMENT

The 32nd annual Brandon Seafood Festival will bring a selection of fresh catches and entertainment to the area on January 18, 2025.

But, past the all-you-can-eat seafood, the festival will garner awareness for Rotary’s Camp Florida and raise money for several local and international charities.

Rotary’s Camp Florida o ers a space for those with disabilities to learn and play in a safe environment.

The camp was damaged in Hurricane Milton, which prompted the festival to be delayed from its original date in November, Chad Norgard said. He said the delay gave time to restore the camp and avoid the busyness of the holiday season.

“It’s just been overwhelming to see the support for the camp, and that’s one of the reasons why we do this seafood festival,” he said.

In addition to the camp, the festival will also support Everyday Blessings Inc., The SPARK Initiative and Family Promise.

While supporting these events, guests can dine on a variety of ﬁsh, crab and shrimp. For those who do not want seafood, burgers and hot dogs will be available with a selection of sides.

By Lily Belcher

There will be a juggler, face painting and other activities as well.

In addition to tickets for the event, guests 21 and older also can buy an all-you-candrink beer armband. The beer is being provided by Bootleggers Brewing Company, but other wine and co ee vendors will have drinks for guests as well.

The event is sponsored by Rivard Buick GMC and the designated kids’ zone, which will feature a bounce house, is sponsored by Reed & Reed.

“It’s really a casual time built for families just to come out and have a good day,” Norgard said.

Tickets for adults can be purchased in advance for $35 and are $40 at the door. Beer armbands are $10. Children under 12 years old can get in for $1 or a donated canned good. Tickets for children 1217 years old are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

The annual Brandon Seafood Festival will take place January 18 from 11 a.m.3 p.m. at Rotary’s Camp Florida, located o Lakewood Drive at 1915 Camp Florida Rd. in Brandon. For more information about the event, visit https://brandon86rotary.com/brandonseafoodfestival/.

YEARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS

ANNUAL HIKING SPREE FEATURES 22 TRAILS ACROSS 21 PARKS

Hillsborough County’s annual Hiking Spree is back. Despite impacts to parks and preserves by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Hiking Spree opened on December 1. The Hiking Spree will run through April 30, 2025, which is one month later than when it normally ends. This year’s theme is Emerge and Explore.

Regardless, the annual Hiking Spree is a great way to get out and explore all of the beautiful parks, preserves and recreational areas that Hillsborough County has to o er. You can ﬁnd information on the Hiking Spree and complete your registration to participate by visiting www.hcﬂ.gov/hikingspree.

The annual Hiking Spree began in 2016 as a way to encourage people to exercise, explore the outdoors and experience nature. The environmentally diverse sites are spread throughout the county and range from neighborhood parks to large preserves with multiple habitats. The trails are designed to o er something for residents of any age or ability, with hikes rated easy, moderate or strenuous. The lengths of the trails range from several miles to less than a mile, and a number of trails are perfect for wheelchair users or those with other accessibility needs.

By Kathy L. Collins

least eight of the 22 trails between now and the end of April, you can earn a limited-edition patch, a medallion for a walking stick or a pet bandana. One of the hikes can be on a trail of your choice o the list. Residents are encouraged to bring their pets so long as they are on leashes during the hikes. Participants are also encouraged to take photos and post them with the hashtag #TakeAHikeHC.

Many of the trails are located within the Greater Brandon area. These include neighborhood parks, such as Clayton Park on Vonderburg Drive and Dover District Park in Dover. You can select from 12 conservation parks, and these include Alderman’s Ford in Lithia, Edward Medard Park in Plant City and Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve in Riverview. There are three Florida state parks and other trails, including McIntosh Preserve in Plant City. I personally have participated several times and plan to participate this year. Come join me and have fun getting outside and enjoy nature.

Please visit www.hcﬂ.gov/hikingspree to register and participate.

The Spree is timed to take advantage of the cooler, drier weather and to coincide with prime bird-watching season. The Hiking Spree has grown in popularity each year and now draws thousands of participants.

The 2024-25 Hiking Spree trail list features 22 trails at 21 parks and preserves throughout the county. If you hike at

Explore nature during Hillsborough County’s annual Hiking Spree through April 30.

The cardiac catheterization laboratory at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital is at the cutting-edge of care for blood clots in the heart and lungs. These serious conditions need critical care, and this newly FDA-approved thrombectomy system provides greater precision and adaptability in the venous system.

e cardiac catheterization laboratory at HCA/ Brandon is the rst in Hillsborough County to use this thrombectomy system technology.

Before the use of this new thrombectomy system, patients had to have multiple wires navigate through their veins to remove blood clots or undesirable intravascular material, depending on their individual case. Now, this highly steerable mechanical thrombectomy system can transverse veins that are di cult to access due to location, size or shape, causing less blood loss and removing blood clots.

“Blood clots in the heart and lungs are serious conditions. We strive to incorporate new procedures as they become approved by the FDA that enable strong patient outcomes within the cardiac catheterization laboratory at Brandon Hospital,” said Dr. Umesh Gowda, interventional cardiologist at Brandon Hospital.

The primary beneﬁt to patients is that this system is more precise in removing clots in the venous system, which can be critical to a positive outcome in cases involving the heart and lungs. The time involved in the procedure is typi-

cally shorter, so less anesthesia may be used, and there are fewer risks due to a more streamlined, e cient technique.

This blood clot treatment is used for deep vein thrombosis, which presents as leg pain or swelling in the legs. It can become serious because blood clots can break loose, travel through the bloodstream and settle in the lungs, blocking blood ﬂow (pulmonary embolism).

It is also used to remove blood clots in the heart’s right atrium that need critical care. The right atrium is the heart’s upper chamber, which is part of the process of sending deoxygenated blood to the lungs. If a blood clot in the right atrium occurs, it can be life-threatening without medical intervention.

Due to Brandon Hospital’s commitment to the advancement of heart care, which involves blood clot removal, it holds the prestigious three-star (out of three stars) overall designation from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). Only 10 percent of open-heart programs nationwide achieve this honor for outstanding patient care and outcomes. Brandon Hospital is considered among the elite for general thoracic surgery in North America.

The hospital is located at 119 Oakﬁeld Dr. in Brandon. For more information, visit www.hcaﬂoridabrandonhospital.com.

MOSI TO OPEN AMERICA’S SECOND-LARGEST DIGITAL DOME PLANETARIUM IN 2025

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Hillsborough County Commissioner Chris Boles and Temple Terrace Mayor Andy Ross joined community leaders today to unveil plans for the 2025 reopening of the famed Dome Theatre at MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry — an ambitious multimillion-dollar project to bring one of America’s top STEM learning experiences to Tampa Bay.

The inside of MOSI’s iconic blue dome will begin lighting up imaginations early next year, powered by a combination of foundation, private and county support. MOSI’s new Digital Dome Theatre will be powered by 10 huge, cutting-edge digital Christie projectors. The new 8K technology is far sharper, brighter and more immersive than the old ﬁlm technology that last operated inside the dome in 2017.

“We’re talking about pull-you-in and blowyour-mind educational fun,” said MOSI CEO John Graydon Smith. “Our 8-story-tall screen will surround you with science, with 360-degree movies and the second-largest digital dome planetarium in America.”

The theatre will also serve as MOSI’s new Saunders Planetarium. MOSI’s existing Saunders Planetarium can seat 46 guests at a time, but in the new dome, more than 300 people can share the experience at once. By adding capacity for ﬁeld trips, group events, and daily museum guests, more people than ever in Tampa Bay will be able to take a planetarium tour of the universe, simulate

an undersea expedition in a 360-degree movie, or discover other wondrous new ideas.

In addition to replacing the entire 10,000-squarefoot screen inside the dome (which was completed in September), the project will install 10 new Christie digital projectors powered by an Evans & Sutherland Digistar 7 control system and custom Bowen speakers to deliver a feel-like-you’rethere immersive experience, whether in outer space, under the ocean or anywhere else your imagination and movie magic can take you.

Funds for the multimillion-dollar renovation are still being raised, but support from the Saunders Foundation, Raymond James Financial and Hillsborough County has already been secured, with more private funding pending, including naming opportunities for the theater.

This project sends the message that, once and for all, MOSI is here to stay next to USF in Uptown.

“This major investment shows that MOSI is committed to staying right here in North Tampa, an area driving innovation thanks to USF, Mo tt Cancer Center and the transformation of University Mall into Rithm at Uptown,” said Castor. “We look forward to watching MOSI continue to grow, here in its longtime home, now and for years to come.”

MOSI is located at 4801 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33617. For information at tickets, visit https://mosi.org/.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON THE GALLERY AT SOUTH TAMPA, A PREMIER SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY IN VALRICO

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Experience Senior Living (ESL) is excited to announce the beginning of construction on The Gallery at South Tampa, an artfully crafted senior living community located at 5049 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico. As ESL’s eighth community in Florida and ﬁfth on the Gulf Coast, this vibrant new addition to the ESL portfolio will redeﬁne what retirement living can be in the Tampa area. The community is expected to open its doors by the spring of 2027, with a sales center opening in early 2025. To secure your priority deposit today, visit https:// gallerysrliving.com/communities/the-gallery-at-south-tampa/.

Designed to be as unique as the residents it serves, The Gallery at South Tampa will encompass 240,613 square feet of artfully curated spaces, o ering a diverse array of living options. The community will feature 202 homes, including 30 independent living cottages, 89 independent living apartment homes, 45 assisted living apartments and 38 memory care suites.

“We are thrilled to begin construction on The Gallery at South Tampa, a community where residents will not just live — they will experience a life full of purpose, creativity and connection,” said Phill Barklow, president of Experience Senior Living. “As

with all of our Gallery communities, we have carefully crafted a space that emphasizes engagement, wellness and the joy of living, all within an environment that sparks the imagination and encourages a vibrant, artful lifestyle.”

With intentionally designed spaces, The Gallery at South Tampa will o er an array of amenities to elevate both physical well-being and creative expression. Amenities include a saltwater outdoor pool, a professional beauty salon, a ﬁtness center, pickleball courts and a movie theater. Multiple restaurant venues o ering indoor and outdoor dining options will feature exceptional culinary creations and a full-service bar. Residents will have access to a variety of activity spaces where they can engage in arts, culture and meaningful connections. Local art will be featured throughout the campus, bringing the spirit of Tampa into every corner of the community.

Situated on a picturesque 17-acre site, The Gallery at South Tampa will be designed to preserve the grandeur of its existing oak trees, with winding walking paths providing residents opportunities to connect with nature together. Curated courtyards and private gardens will o er spaces to relax and enjoy time with new friends.

For more information about The Gallery at South Tampa, please visit www.galleryatsouthtampa.com.

TAMPA VETERAN RECEIVES FREE CAR FROM ‘DRIVEN TO SERVE’ PROGRAM

Tampa veteran Larisa Dickerson drove home in a new car at the end of November as part of the Driven to Serve program.

The Driven to Serve program is an initiative led by Freedom Alliance and U.S. Bank to give cars to service members in need. Dickerson is the 52nd recipient of a new vehicle given through the program.

“A new, payment-free vehicle would lift a huge ﬁnancial burden, allowing me to pay o debt, save for home repairs, retirement and my kids’ college,” Dickerson said. “It would mean not worrying about car breakdowns and better meeting daily responsibilities.”

Dickerson joined the Army after high school and was stationed in Texas and deployed to Iraq after becoming a military police o cer in 2003. She was injured by an IED and medically retired from the Army afterward with a Purple Heart.

Tom Kilgannon, president of Freedom Alliance, said Dickerson stuck out as a candidate for the payment-free vehicle in several ways.

“She has just a tremendous personal story, somebody who grew up in challenging circumstances, worked hard, … took on great responsibilities as a military

By Lily Belcher

police o cer and performed them well,” Kilgannon said.

Dickerson was referred to the program, but had to apply to conﬁrm the details of the referral before she was given the car.

Kilgannon said giving the vehicle at Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM to Dickerson the week of Thanksgiving was “a beautiful feeling.”

“To be able to help her with a vehicle like this and to relieve that ﬁnancial burden and to honor her service is a tremendous feeling for us, and we’re just really grateful to be able to help somebody like Larisa this way,” Kilgannon said.

The partnership between Freedom Alliance and U.S. Bank is years old. Over 80 vehicles have been provided by U.S. Bank since 2018.

“It really means a lot to service members,” he said. “When they see members of the community come our and extend a hand of support, I think it makes them feel good and helps them remember their service.”

For more information on the Driven to Serve program, visit https://freedomalliance.org/military-support-programs/driven-to-serve/.

e arts-inspired senior living community introduces 202 homes, including independent living, assisted living and memory care to the area.

Larisa Dickerson drove home in a free car she received from the Driven to Serve initiative.

MANAGING

EDITOR

Marie Gi lmore

657-2418 editor@)ospreyobserver.com

BILLING

MANAGER

Terry Vassalotti

657-2418 terry@Jnspreyobserver.com

MARKETING

MANAGER

Jennifer Hurst

657-2418 jhurs@Jspreyobserver.com

NEWS REPORTER

Taylor Wells 657-2418 twells@}pspreyobserver.com

Kathy

657-2418 kcollins@Jpspreyobserver.com

CONGRESSMAN VERN BUCHANAN COMMENDATION EVENT INCLUDES HONORS FOR SIX WWII VETERANS

By Jane Owen

On November 8, Congressman Vern Buchanan hosted a Congressional Veteran Commendation event at Newsome High School’s newly opened performing arts center. The second annual commendation event recognized and honored wartime sacriﬁces and peacetime community involvement of veterans residing in Florida’s 16th District.

An independent panel of veterans reviewed nominations for the commendation awards and selected the 30 veterans. Three additional veterans were presented with meritorious medals for service to our country.

we can help pay tribute to our local heroes who put it all on the line to defend our country and way of life,” Congressman Buchanan said. He added, “While we will never be able to fully repay the honorees for their selﬂess sacriﬁces, I hope the Congressional Veteran Commendation helps express how grateful our community truly is for their service.”

GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of RJW815 Mobile Notary located at 8325 Deerland Bluff LN, in Hillsborough County, in the city of Riverview, FL 33578 intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida

Dated at Valrico, Florida this 23rd day of December 2024

Owner: ROBERT J. WROBLEWSKI

As each veteran received their award from Buchanan, their military awards were read and their passion for serving our community was described. In addition, the audience heard their answers to what they are most proud of. The answers included being proud of their family, being proud they were able to bring their unit home without casualties, being proud of deciding to get their GED after the military and then later pursing higher education, being proud of the business that they started and being proud of being a veteran because they hated serving during the Vietnam War.

Everyone in attendance was in awe. The auditorium was ﬁlled with friends and family of the veterans, Newsome students and community members, including school board members Lynn Gray and Patti Rendon. Newsome’s chorus and orchestra performed. Newsome’s JROTC greeted attendees with a saber salute and presented the colors.

“These awards are just one small way

Congratulations to: Angel Alvarez (Vietnam and Gulf wars), Angelo Barnello Sr. (World War II), Stephen Browning (Vietnam War), Delford Connell (World War II), Geo rey Cordes (Gulf War), Angel Davila Lopez (Gulf War), Harry Demeza (World War II), Jerry Estes (Vietnam War), Brenda Gaines (served outside of wartime), Je rey Gaines (Gulf War), Lloyd Grable (World War II), Dwain Hannah (Vietnam War), William Hodges (served outside of wartime), Carl Hunsinger (Gulf War), Bruce Johnson (Vietnam War), William Kirkpatrick (Vietnam and Gulf wars), Jim Klocke (Vietnam War), Maurice Lanouette (World War II), Robert Marasco (Gulf War), Thomas Moncrief (served outside of wartime), Joseph Muhlberger (served outside of wartime), Jerry Ne (served outside of wartime), Sean Powers (served outside of wartime), Robert Putnam (Vietnam War), Thomas Reichard (Gulf War), Gill Ruderman (Vietnam War), Milton Shattuck (Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf Wars), Vincent Spanicciati (Vietnam War), George Tamburello (World War II), Lonnie Vona (Vietnam and Gulf Wars), Charles McMurtry, Errol Brady Ross and Joseph Pereria.

For more information, please visit https://buchanan.house.gov/.

Photo courtesy of Congressman Buchanan’s o ce.

TAMPA Y HONORS OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS AT THE

ANNUAL COMMUNITY IMPACT CELEBRATION

The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA honored outstanding volunteers at the annual Community Impact Celebration, presented by Regions and BayCare. Held on November 20 at the Tampa Theatre, an estimated 400 guests enjoyed an evening emceed by the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Greg Wolf and Braydon Coburn showcasing the Tampa YMCA’s robust impact on the community as videos, testimonials and stories were shared.

Clara Reynolds, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay president and CEO, was presented with the 2024 Community Impact Award. A distinguished executive leader with over 19 years of experience in managing Tampa Bay nonprofits, since July 2015 Clara has overseen a large team and plays a pivotal role in serving more than 160,000 people annually. Under her guidance, the Crisis Center has achieved exceptional growth, expanding its services, community impact and driving a remarkable 130 percent revenue increase.

“The work I do day in and day out is incredibly stressful. I look to the YMCA as my place for self-care, solace and community. I have been a proud Bob Sierra Family YMCA member for 22 years. I have made amazing friends there. Thank you, Tampa YMCA, for always supporting our community and thank you for this honor,” Reynolds said.

Renowned community leader Bob Gilbertson was presented with the 2024 Red Triangle Award. The award is given to a volunteer

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whose leadership and service reflect the countless lives transformed through their generous contributions.

With his 45-year YMCA career, Gilbertson is the Tampa Y’s longest-serving president from 1981-2007. Under his leadership, the Tampa Y grew from serving 5,000 to serving over 130,000 members/program participants annually and from five centers to 14. The namesake of our Central City YMCA, he is a champion of advancing the Y mission, underserved communities and youth..”

“I am thankful to the Tampa YMCA for this honor. All of you helped us grow and sustain — the staff, supporters and volunteers. I hope everyone keeps supporting the Tampa YMCA,” Gilbertson said.

Matt Mitchell, president and CEO of Tampa YMCA, congratulated all the honorees. He emphasized the “magnitude of the role the Tampa YMCA plays in our communities. We impacted over 280,000 people last year.”

Locally, the following YMCA Center Volunteers of the Year were recognized for their unwavering commitment to helping children, families and seniors reach their full potential: Campo Family YMCA’s Eileen Kaminski, Plant City Family YMCA’s Marsha Passmore and Michael Jemison and YMCA Camp Cristina’s Will Alfonso.

Visit www.tampaymca.org for more information on your local YMCAs.

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE TO DAZZLE AUDIENCES

WITH AMAZING NEW SHOW AT THE STRAZ CENTER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

As the holiday season approaches, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts is set to enchant audiences with the delightful return of Cirque Dreams Holidaze, a captivating blend of acrobatics, music and seasonal cheer. This extraordinary production will take the stage on Thursday and Friday, December 26-27, promising a festive experience perfect for families and holiday enthusiasts alike.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze features a world-renowned cast of performers accompanied by an ensemble of aerial circus acts, sleight-of-hand jugglers, fun-loving skippers, breath-catching acrobatics and much more. Its original music score includes new twists on seasonal favorites, such as Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and Carol of the Bells. Singers, dancers, penguins, toy soldiers and reindeer invoke the dreams behind a child’s eye on the most magical of nights. Amidst a backdrop of new sets, scenery and storylines, this family-friendly production is sure to put a twinkle in your eye.

Cirque Dreams is a globally recognized entertainment brand that has produced a wide array of live stage performances for Broadway, casinos, theme parks, resorts, cruise lines, and theatrical venues worldwide. Since 1993, millions of people have experienced Cirque Dreams productions across the globe. Combining

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the world’s finest contemporary circus artists with dynamic choreography and whimsical storytelling, Cirque Dreams has captured the hearts and imaginations of both audiences and critics alike. The Cirque Dreams franchise is a VStar Entertainment Group company. VStar Entertainment Group has nearly four decades of expertise in all aspects of event production, operations, and management. VStar delivers turnkey, in-house solutions for theatrical shows, interactive exhibits and brand activations. Acquired in 2018 by global live entertainment leader Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, VStar has presented more than 40,000 live performances across 40 countries and entertains nearly 3 million guests annually. For more information, visit www.vstarentertainment.com.

Tickets for Cirque Dreams Holidaze are available now through the Straz Center’s box office or online at www.strazcenter. org. Prices range from $33.75-$134.75, with special group rates available, making it a perfect outing for schools, clubs and corporate gatherings.

For more information on tickets and showtimes, visit the Straz Center’s website or contact its ticket office at 813229-7827. Follow #CirqueDreamsHolidaze on social media.

The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA honored outstanding volunteers at the annual Community Impact Celebration at the Tampa Theatre.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze is coming to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday and Friday, December 26-27.

FORMER FOSTER KID IS NOW HOUSE PARENT AT A

For 12 years, Norm Cookson and his wife, Heidi Cookson, have worked as ‘house parents’ at ‘nonproﬁt foster care home A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay. It’s a role that hits close to home for Norm, as he spent time in foster care system in Connecticut when he was a teenager.

KID’S PLACE TAMPA BAY

A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay (AKPTB) is a 501(c) (3) nonproﬁt organization that provides a safe, nurturing home to children in foster care in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. There, Norm, Heidi and the other house parents work 24-hour shifts seven days a week in their assigned houses and then have one week o . “It feels good to know that I can help someone and really rewarding to make a positive impact on the kids,” Norm said.

While on shift, the Cooksons’ days usually start at 6 a.m. and end around 10 or 11 p.m. They get the kids to school, take them to appointments and extracurricular activities, administer medications, do laundry, cook, clean, work to instill positive behaviors — including eating, hygiene, chores and getting along with other kids in the house — and provide love and encouragement.

“I am constantly having the alarm on my phone remind me of all the things to do throughout the day,” Norm said.

Up to 10 children live in each home on campus at any given time, and hundreds of kids have come through the door of the home managed by the Cooksons over the years.

With a professional background that includes machining and nursing, Norm also

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has a side business as a DJ and is certiﬁed in water safety. He uses both to connect with the kids.

A Kid’s Place recently launched the Building a Brighter Future Capital Campaign to raise $8 million, which will fund construction of a 12,000-square-foot activity center on A Kid’s Place’s campus.

“The new activity center will be godsend to help with the kids’ be-

havior and mental attitude,” Norm said. “It would give us a nice space where they can spread out and also have a place for us to host parties and swim in our own pool.”

The new activity center will include larger indoor gathering space for birthday parties, holidays and other group celebrations; more rooms for therapy, family visitation, arts and crafts, vocational education and community involvement; a dedicated educational computer lab; spaces for enhanced ‘Stepping Stones’ program, which teaches kids age 13 and up independent living skills; an outdoor basketball court; and an outdoor courtyard, exercise room and swimming pool.

Over 5,000 children are in foster care in the Tampa Bay area. Since 2009, A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay has served over 1,700 children and 753 families. The average length of stay at A Kid’s Place is 578 days, and the longest length of stay for a current child living at A Kid’s Place is seven years.

To learn more about the Building a Brighter Future campaign, call Samantha Mellen at 813-381-3839 or visit https://akpcapitalcampaign.org/. For more information on AKPTB, visit https://akidsplacetb.org/.

In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which have deeply impacted communities across the region, Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF) mobilized swiftly to support students, teachers and schools in need. With widespread damage leaving many without the essential resources and supplies necessary for a successful school year, HEF has taken decisive action to meet urgent needs.

“When we witnessed the heartbreaking impact these storms had on our students, teachers and schools here in Hillsborough County, we knew we couldn’t stand by,” said Anna Corman, president and CEO of Hillsborough Education Foundation. “The devastation demanded immediate action — not just to restore what was lost but to o er hope, stability, and a sense of community during an incredibly challenging time.”

HEF quickly established a Hurricane Relief Fund, collaborating with dedicated donors and community partners to raise over $1.2 million to date.”

HEF has already distributed nearly 500 backpack kits ﬁlled with core school supplies essential for students to engage in learning, with another 500 kits set to be distributed in the coming weeks.

The hurricanes have had a devastating impact on many educators and support sta , with hundreds of employees already conﬁrmed as displaced due to ﬂooding. To

support these employees, HEF established a hurricane relief fund specifically to aid those who have lost their homes, experienced significant damage or flooding or lost primary vehicles. Financial support will assist with temporary housing, repairs, deductibles and the replacement of personal items. HEF has received over 700 applications for financial assistance to date and is working as quickly as possible to review and process requests.

Approximately 20 schools experienced ﬂooding, while others su ered storm-related damage. Many teachers lost classroom supplies, furniture and teaching materials. To address these losses, HEF has replaced nearly $30,000 worth of elementary classroom rugs across 10 schools and provided $50,000 in essential school supplies, including whiteboard markers, copy paper and bulletin boards.

HEF’s relief e orts have been made possible through the generous support of key donors, including the Lightning Foundation, the Jarcarlene Foundation, the Helios Education Foundation, the Florida Disaster Fund/ Volunteer Florida, Suncoast Credit Union, the Spurlino Foundation, Generate, RaceTrac, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations and numerous individual donors. Visit https://educationfoundation.com/.

Norm Cookson connects with the children at A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay through music, swimming and games.

BOLTS & BLUE FACEOFF AGAINST HUNGER EVENT SCORES BIG FOR TAMPA BAY COMMUNITY

The annual Bolts & Blue Faceoff Against Hunger event, held on December 7, was a resounding success, bringing together the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Blue and Feeding Tampa Bay to make a meaningful impact in the lives of University Area families.

The event, which took place at the University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC), welcomed hundreds of families from the community, providing a fun-filled day of activities, resources and giveaways. The event aimed to combat food insecurity, a pressing issue affecting many families in the Tampa Bay area.

Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, including chef-prepared meals, live cooking demonstrations and take-home family meal kits. Kids had a blast playing street hockey, while adults took advantage of valuable resources, such as SNAP registration, flu vaccines, haircuts and vision screening for kids. Financial health tools and higher education resources were also available to help families plan for a brighter future. Additional partners that came together to help broaden the resource offerings and overall impact of the event included the Glazer Family Vision Foundation, the Hills-

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borough County Sheriff’s Office, GTE Financial and the University of South Florida.

The event also featured special appearances by Tampa Bay Lightning Alumni and the beloved ThunderBug, who brought joy and excitement to

the crowd. Each family received a protein option from Metropolitan Ministries, a toy or gift card for the holidays and a complimentary pie from Publix, courtesy of the event sponsors.

“We’re proud to be part of this annual event and to have the opportunity to give back to the community that supports us,” said Elizabeth Frazier, executive vice president of community development and social impact at Tampa Bay Lightning.

“We believe that everyone deserves access to nutritious food and the resources they need to thrive. We’re committed to continuing our partnership with Florida Blue and Feeding Tampa Bay to make a positive impact in the lives of our neighbors.”

The Bolts & Blue Faceoff Against Hunger event is just one example of the ongoing efforts by Florida Blue, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Feeding Tampa Bay to address food insecurity and support the well-being of the community.

VALOR SERVICE DOGS SUPPORTS OUR HEROES — JOIN THE CAUSE

Valor Service Dogs (VSD) is a local nonprofit that helps wounded post-9/11 veterans and first responders regain independence through the training and placing of mobility assistance and PTSD service dogs.

Once matched with the right applicants, these trained canines help their forever heroes return to civilian life and maintain successful partnerships. VSD also trains facility dogs, which “can help staff/ clients/patients increase motivation, promote social interaction and improve overall morale,” according to its website.

The organization was started in 2015 by longtime animal trainer Carol Lansford, VSD’s founder and director of training. It hit close to home when her husband, Justin, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, lost his leg during a 2012 deployment in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb struck his truck. Justin recovered at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Lansford was the contracted service dog training instructor. Justin was later paired up with Gabe, a golden retriever service dog.

“I’m married to someone that’s in the population that I would like to serve,” said Lansford. “It’s one

By Taylor Wells

of my favorite days when an applicant meets their dog for the first time,” she said adding that what makes Valor Service Dogs’ mission possible is its volunteers.

Valor Service Dogs is in need of more puppy coaches, sitters, nurses and general volunteers. Puppy coaches lovingly raise and train puppies into service dogs from the age of 12 weeks to 2 years old. Puppy sitters step in for these coaches whenever they need to be away. Puppy nurses are trained to assist VSD’s staff in providing aroundthe-clock care to its future service dogs in training. General volunteers, meanwhile, help by cleaning, doing yard work and more.

VSD raises approximately five to seven dogs per year and usually has around 10-12 dogs in training at any one time. Monetary donations to purchase needed supplies, including items on its Chewy or Amazon Wish Lists or Walmart Registry, are always welcome. Valor Service Dogs is located at 15006 McGrady Rd. in Wimauma. To apply for a service dog, visit its website at https://valorservicedogs.org/. To contact VSD, 813-634-3232.

Valor Service Dogs-trained Frannie Valor with her forever hero.

Valor Service Dogs-trained Molly Valor with her forever hero.

Florida Blue, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Feeding Tampa Bay partnered to combat food insecurity and bring holiday cheer to Tampa-area families.

TAMPA YMCA MEMBER CREDITS STAFF FOR HELPING HER FIND HER SPARK AND LOSE 40 POUNDS

The countdown is on. January 1, 2025, is around the corner, and the Tampa Metropolitan Area

YMCA would like to invite you to ‘Find Your Spark’ with it this New Year. There is a limited-time $0 joining fee for new members along with a free InBody scan when they join. The offer is for new members through January 15, 2025.

The InBody test is a cutting-edge, research-backed body composition analysis that provides an accurate and reliable breakdown of body composition, objectively measuring and tracking progress in critical areas, including muscle mass, body fat percentage and metabolic rate.

Casey Frachiseur, age 45, has been a North Brandon Family YMCA member for almost three years. Thanks to the YMCA, she lost 40 pounds and six pants sizes since this July.

“I started at a size 24 and am down to an 18. The YMCA has changed my life by helping me get back on track and healthy. I don’t feel judged, and every member and staff is always so helpful. I don’t feel like I am coming to a gym where no one cares if you are there or not. The Y is a safe place where I truly feel valued. I would recommend the YMCA to others

As we enter the holiday season, your life may well become busier. Still, you might want to take the time to consider some financial moves before we turn the calendar to 2025.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Review your investment portfolio . As you look at your portfolio, ask these questions: Has its performance met my expectations this year? Does it still reflect my goals, risk tolerance and time horizon? Do I need to rebalance? You might find that working with a financial professional can help you answer these and other questions you may have about your investments.

• Add to your 401(k) and HSA . If you can afford it, and your employer allows it, consider putting more money into your 401(k) before the year ends — including “catch-up” contributions if you’re 50 or older. You might also want to add to your health savings account (HSA) by the tax-filing deadline in April.

• Use your FSA dollars. Unlike an HSA, a flexible spending account (FSA) works on a “use-it-orlose-it” basis, meaning you lose any unspent funds at the end of the year. So, if you still have funds left in your account, try to use them up in 2024. (Employers may grant a 2½ month extension, so check with your human resources area to see if this is the case where you work.)

• Contribute to a 529 plan. If you haven’t opened a 529 education savings plan for your children, think about doing so this year. With a 529 plan, your earnings can grow tax deferred, and your withdrawals are federally tax free when used for qualified education expenses — tuition, fees, books and so on. And if you invest in your

because they have everything you need to get healthy. The only thing anyone would have to provide is the willingness to show up. The staff will help guide you to which programs work best for you,” shared Frachiseur.

“I am so grateful to the YMCA. Without them, I would probably still be sitting at home, or in bed not caring about my health. Having staff that care, I not only don’t want to disappoint myself, but I don’t want to disappoint them. The YMCA gives me purpose, and I am forever grateful,” said Frachiseur.

The Tampa YMCA is grateful for its Y family. It is pleased to offer many options to help everyone attain their health and wellness goals along with support through this fitness journey. Members have the option of using its wellness floors with a variety of modern equipment for different workouts.

Another membership perk? Tampa YMCA Summer Camp registration for members opens on January 1. Spots fill up quickly, so get a head start for your family. Its $0 joining fee runs from January 1-15, with only a $5 joining fee from January 16-31, 2025. Staff Report

FOCUS CONSIDER THESE YEAR-END FINANCIAL MOVES

own state’s 529 plan, you might be able to deduct your contributions from your state income tax or receive a state tax credit.

• Build your emergency fund . It’s generally a good idea to keep up to six months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency fund, with the money held in a liquid, low-risk account. Without such a fund in place, you might be forced to dip into your retirement funds to pay for short-term needs, such as a major car or home repair.

• Review your estate plans. If you’ve experienced any changes in your family situation this year, such as marriage, remarriage or the birth of a child, you may want to update your estate-planning documents to reflect your new situation. It’s also important to look at the beneficiary designations on your investment accounts, retirement plans, IRAs and insurance policies, as these designations can sometimes even supersede the instructions you’ve left in your will. And if you haven’t started estate planning, there’s no time like the present.

• Take your RMDs. If you’re 73 or older, you will likely need to take withdrawals — called required minimum distributions, or RMDs — from some of your retirement accounts, such as your traditional IRA. If you don’t take these withdrawals each year, you could be subject to penalties.

These aren’t the only moves you can make, but they may prove helpful not only for 2024 but in the years to come.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by

North Brandon Family YMCA member Casey Frachiseur’s photo timeline. She lost 40 pounds and six pants sizes since this July.

FASTFRAME OFFERS WAYS TO SHAPE YOUR PERSONAL SPACES

One of the easiest ways to transform a home or business space into an environment people enjoy being in is by displaying art and memorabilia in a way that captures peoples’ attention. With the Christmas and yearend holiday gift season underway, opportunities to share an appreciation of visual beauty that can enhance a personal environment are plentiful. With the right frame, family portraits and works of art can become valuable keepsakes or treasures to pass down to future generations of family members or business associates.

For frame maker Benjamin NeSmith of FastFrame Riverview, enhancing signiﬁcant items for others is the goal he pursues in working with customers and the personal items they bring to him.

“It does really feel like an honor to take care of peoples’ artwork,” said NeSmith. That process begins with a consultation to shape an overall vision of how to creatively, and narratively, frame a variety of imagery, going beyond paintings and photographs, ranging from textiles like babywear mementos to big-screen monitors.

Shadow boxes artfully containing objects that collectively tell a story are also popular, particularly among veterans and ﬁrst responders.

By Brad Stager

“I especially like working on these,” said NeSmith.

According to NeSmith, restoring or repairing paintings and other artworks cannot be done at FastFrame Riverview, but if a frame or shadow box needs ﬁxing, he’s happy to take a look and consider applying his skills and the framing tools in the store’s well-equipped workshop toward refurbishment.

NeSmith operates the FastFrame Riverview location with his wife, Erin, who also teaches English at Bloomingdale High School. They also operate the Grow Into You Foundation, which supports young people, especially those who have been part of the foster care system. They met at their alma mater, Brandon High School. FastFrame assures satisfaction with a 30-day guarantee on aesthetic fulﬁllment and a lifetime guarantee on the durability of a frame. As a company, FastFrame was founded in 1986 and has grown from its Thousand Oaks, California, origin to retail locations throughout the United States, as well as in Brazil and the Bahamas.

FastFrame Riverview is located at 6128 Winthrop Town Centre Ave., just northeast of Publix in the Winthrop Town Centre shopping district. You can learn more by visiting https://fastframe.com/ riverview or calling 813-436-0044.

PLANT MUSEUM VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS STROLL, TAMPA’S HOLIDAY TRADITION, RETURNS FOR ITS 43RD YEAR

What started as a small, three-evening event has grown over the past four decades into a spectacular and wonderous experience throughout the holiday season. Allowing visitors a glimpse into the magic of Christmas past, this holiday experience is a family-friendly way to celebrate all the season has to o er.

The Henry B. Plant Museum’s Victorian Christmas Stroll returns for its 43rd year.

“Guests get to explore the 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel bursting with holiday spirit,” said Jenna Fields, membership, museum relations, and operations manager for the Henry B. Plant Museum. “Christmas trees, holiday fashions, antique toys and fanciful ornaments create an atmosphere of opulence and merriment.”

The Victorian Christmas Stroll is running through Tuesday, December 31. During December, the museum will be open Monday through Thursday between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tickets are available now; for more information on special ticket o ers, you can visit the museum’s website at www.plantmuseum.com.

“There will also be holiday music and extended hours on weekends for an old-fashioned celebration,” Fields said. “Our guests will also have a chance to

By Libby Hopkins

shop for unique holiday gifts in the museum store. After their stroll through the museum, they can enjoy our complimentary cider and cookies on the veranda.”

The Henry B. Plant Museum interprets the Tampa Bay Hotel and the experiences of the diverse individuals who contributed to its success. The museum ignites thought and transports visitors to another era through exhibits and innovative programs so that they may be educated and inspired by the lifestyles, times and experiences of Florida’s early tourist industry. Proceeds from the Victorian Christmas Stroll will fund museum restoration and preservation projects, as well as educational programming.

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Henry B. Plant Museum welcomes more than 30,000 visitors from around the world each year. Original artifacts and furnishings, as well as a dynamic self-guided audio tour, immerse visitors in the luxury of the 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel and its rich history.

If you would like to learn more about the Henry B. Plant Victorian Christmas Stroll, visit www.plantmuseum.com or call the museum at 813-254-1891. The Henry B. Plant Museum is located at 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa.

S T R A Z C E N T E R • D E C E M B E R 2 6 & 2 7 T I C K E T S O N S A L E N O W !

Benjamin NeSmith begins framing a painting for a customer of FastFrame Riverview framing service in the Winthrop Town Centre shopping mall.

e Henry B. Plant Museum’s Victorian Christmas Stroll returns for its 43rd year, running from now through Tuesday, December 31.

EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE SHINES AT BOYETTE RD. EXPRESS OIL CHANGE & TIRE ENGINEERS

Jeremy Persinger, a resident of FishHawk, has been a beacon of exceptional customer service since opening Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers. His journey began in 2018 with the launch of his ﬁrst location in Bradenton, followed by the thriving success of his second location in Riverview, which opened in 2020.

Owning and operating the business from the very start, Persinger highlighted that his favorite aspect of running Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers is the daily interactions with diverse customers.

“We are a true onestop shop that encompasses convenience, quality, speed and competitive pricing for all vehicle tires, maintenance and repairs,” said Persinger. “We do everything to service and repair a vehicle, including engines and transmissions — just no body work or windshields.”

In celebration of December, the business is o ering a 25 percent discount on every oil change for life with an approved Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers Car Care Credit Card, making vehicle maintenance more a ordable for its

By Kelly Wise Valdes

loyal customers.

Beyond his business success, Persinger has been a dedicated executive board member of the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation since 2008. His commitment to community service is evident in his ongoing support for pediatric cancer research and treatment.

Persinger’s dedication to excellence in customer service and community involvement continues to drive the success of Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, solidifying his reputation as a leader in the automotive service industry.

Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers operates six days a week, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., closing at 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and remaining closed on Sundays. Customers can take advantage of various online coupons available at www.expressoil. com or follow the company’s active Facebook page for promotions, including the weekly selection of a free oil change recipient. The store is conveniently located at 11690 Boyette Rd. in Riverview, next to Culver’s, and can be reached by phone at 813-499-9606.

Donovan’s Meatery is a local and favorite restaurant of many in the Riverview community.

“We have that South Tampa feel right here in our Brandon and Riverview communities,” said new owner John Camisa. “We love being a part of our community and serving the community some awesome food.”

Camisa has been a part of the Datz Restaurant Group for 15 years, and the restaurant group was the original owners of Donovan’s Meatery.

“When Roger and Susie decided to close or sell parts of their restaurants, because of my tenure with Datz they didn’t want me to walk away from the restaurant business,” Camisa said. “So, we worked out a plan for me to purchase the restaurant.”

Camisa, along with Donovan’s general manager, Ashley Clairmonte, has made the ownership transition go very well without any major changes to Donovan’s.

Camisa and his sta at Donovan’s wanted to have a grand reopening celebration with the community who has supported the restaurant since the new ownership. The grand reopening celebration took place on November 21.

“We wanted to have a big event to thank the community for supporting us over the last year,” Camisa said. “We

By Libby Hopkins

had more than 400 RSVPs for the grand reopening celebration, which featured a ribbon-cutting, a step and repeat, appetizers and an open bar. A great night was had by all.”

If you ask Camisa what he likes most about being the new owner of Donovan’s, he will tell you it the steaks Donovan’s offers.

“I’m a meat and potatoes kind of guy, so this is right in my wheelhouse as far as food goes,” Camisa said. “Before I started working for Datz Restaurant Group, I ran a steakhouse in the Northern Virginia area, so steaks are something I’m used to. I love the ﬁne-dining element we o er at Donovan’s, and it has elevated to a whole other level. We really o er some great food to our guests.”

If you’d like to learn more about the delicious food o ered at Donovan’s Meatery or if you’d like to check out its well-known happy hour specials, visit its website at https://donovansmeatery. com/. Reservations are not required to dine at Donovan’s, but they are highly recommended to ensure you have a table at the community’s favorite restaurant. To reserve a table, call 813-548-0015. Donovan’s Meatery is located at 11206 Sullivan St. in Riverview.

Jeremy Persinger is the owner and operator of Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, located at 11690 Boyette Rd. in Riverview.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SELECTING THE RIGHT EDUCATIONAL PATH FOR YOUR CHILD

As a parent or guardian of a school-age child, selecting their educational path is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. I am proud to share that our district provides a wide range of award-winning academic programs tailored to meet the unique interests and strengths of every student.

Currently, we offer over 100 K-12 tuition-free school choice programs based on curriculum, location, student interest, or way of learning. Whether it is virtual learning, K-8, International Baccalaureate, Collegiate Academy, magnet schools for the arts or STEM or career and technical education, we o er school choice programs and innovative and nurturing learning environments with technology-rich classrooms and highly qualiﬁed teachers.

By Superintendent Van Ayres

As you explore educational options for your child, consider these tips to help you make an informed decision:

First, consider your child’s interests and learning style. Magnet and choice programs in our district allow students to explore their passions in depth. Talk to your child about what excites them academically and creatively to ﬁnd a program aligned with their goals.

descriptions on each of our programs, and you can also attend one of our Magnet & Choice Expos we o er each year that allow you to explore programs ﬁrsthand. Ask questions about curriculum, extracurriculars and support services. Attending a school tour can also provide a feel for the

Think about your child’s strengths and challenges. Magnet programs foster both academic and personal growth, so consider what environment will help your child thrive. For instance, a project-based learning approach might beneﬁt handson learners, while a rigorous IB program might suit a student looking for an inter-

Lastly, consider the commute, school hours and how these factors ﬁt into your

Selecting one of our choice programs is an exciting opportunity to personalize your child’s education. Take your time exploring options, and feel free to reach out to our district sta for guidance. We’re here to support you in ﬁnding the best ﬁt for your child.

The holidays should be a season of giving, not taking. But as sales soar during the holidays, so does retail theft, and retail theft has become big business for thieves. The state attorney’s office is focused on ensuring that criminals are held accountable for theft from both small business owners and large retailers. Some recently expanded laws will help to strengthen the penalties for those criminals who make their living through shoplifting, which drives up prices for consumers.

geting organized retail crime and aggressively prosecuting those responsible for retail theft rings, we can create a deterrent for those looking to steal not only during the holidays but also all year round.

Next, research each program’s unique offerings. Our district’s website has detailed

To learn more or to apply for one of our choice programs, visit www.hillsboroughschools.org/magnet. Please note, the window to apply for the 2025-26 school year closes on Tuesday, December 31.

According to the most recent statistics available, Florida businesses lost 5.5 billion dollars in revenue in 2022 from retail theft alone. Since then, lawmakers have been searching for ways to combat this type of crime. In 2024, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new law into effect that stiffens penalties for organized retail theft. Where thieves are working in concert to steal or are engaged in a pattern of theft targeting businesses, charges can be enhanced from a misdemeanor to a felony, or, if already at a felony level, the penalties can be increased. This means if convicted, thieves can face more jail time.

Our office also works closely with local law enforcement partners to crack down on retail theft rings. These crimes cost local business owners thousands of dollars each year and can lead to lost wages, fewer jobs, higher prices for consumers and even a slower economy. By properly utilizing the new laws tar-

While our local law enforcement partners are important, we also meet with local business owners and loss prevention specialists to learn more about how we can help stop retail theft. Our office has participated in store walks to learn more about loss prevention tactics. Our attorneys share ideas with store owners about how to deter crime as well as offer guidance about how to help us build the best cases possible for prosecution.

While you may only see our office’s most high-profile criminal cases on the local news, please know that we take retail theft incredibly seriously. We know that theft impacts real people and their families. When we work together with our business owners and law enforcement partners, we can make our economy stronger and our community safer.

e State Attorney’s O ce of the 13th Judicial circuit encompasses all of Hillsborough County, including the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City. e o ce sta consists of approximately 320 dedicated public servants including 130 prosecutors, as well as investigators, victim advocates and support sta . e o ce handles approximately 50,000 cases every year. To learn more about the organization or apply to become part of the team, visit www.sao13th.com.

State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

State Attorney Suzy Lopez

UNITED WAY SUNCOAST UNVEILS DYNAMIC BRAND REFRESH

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United Way Suncoast recently unveiled its refreshed brand identity, revealing an invigorated visual style and a mission-aligned message to amplify its impact. This update includes a modernized logo, engaging new calls to action and a simpliﬁed yet powerful mission statement: “United Way Suncoast mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive.” By becoming an early adopter of United Way Worldwide’s brand evolution, United Way Suncoast aims to strengthen its connection with the community and broaden its reach as it heads into the season of giving.

“The refreshed brand allows us to better convey what we stand for, how we’re di erent and why people should get involved,” said Ernest Hooper, United Way Suncoast chief communications o cer. “This new look is energizing and reinforces our mission. While it preserves familiar elements — like our Circle of Hope symbol with its rainbow, hand and human ﬁgure — it repositions these elements to show how United Way leads the way in community support.”

United Way Suncoast’s new brand maintains its core symbol, the Circle of Hope, which represents the organization’s commitment to hope, support and humanity. This logo now appears to the left, emphasizing United Way’s leadership role, with a fresh color palette and modernized design elements to communicate openness and inclusivity.

In addition to visual changes, the organization has updated its calls to action to

better encourage community engagement. While the previous calls to ‘donate, volunteer and advocate’ have been instrumental, the new directives — ‘get involved,’ ‘give back’ and ‘take action’ — aim to foster a more active, hands-on relationship with audiences, underscoring the organization’s accessible, inclusive approach to engagement.

As part of the refresh, United Way Suncoast also introduces a concise mission statement that reﬂects its enduring commitment to uplifting communities. The mission, crafted with clarity and focus, sets the stage for United Way’s unique approach to driving community change. The restylized brand and mission statement reﬂects United Way Suncoast’s dedication to delivering meaningful impact while supporting communities as they move forward together.

In the coming months, the organization will continue to roll out new website updates and adopt a more vibrant color palette, typography and graphic elements designed to convey depth and dynamism.

United Way Suncoast gives families and community members across its ﬁve-county footprint the ‘freedom to rise.’ Founded in 1924, United Way Suncoast proudly serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties by investing in services and programs that help people create the lives they imagine for themselves.

For more information, visit https://unitedwaysuncoast.org/.

USF RESEARCHERS BEGIN FIRST LIFESPAN STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF DIGITAL MEDIA USE

A groundbreaking new study conducted by the University of South Florida (USF) will track young people through 2050 to learn more about the long-term impacts of smartphones, social media and other digital media on individual well-being.

e Life in Media Survey will be conducted twice a year over decades, tracking the same participants to collect insights and experiences as they pertain to digital media.

Though the long-term research will be conducted over the next 25 years, data collected every six months will give ongoing insight to parents, teachers, researchers, health care providers and others on the impact of digital media use on children and as they age into adults.

and patterns over time, researchers will discover possible connections between device ownership and time spent on social media with the prevalence of sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression and other critical wellness indicators.

Some 1,500 Florida youth took the survey in November to provide researchers with baseline data. Findings and insights from this cohort will be published in a report in the spring of 2025.

“We have research from other ﬁelds that tracks people across decades, looking at cardiovascular health or work-life balance across the lifespan. We don’t have that yet for digital media use and wellness,” said

Justin Martin, the Eleanor Poynter Jamison chair in Media Ethics & Press Policy at USF St. Petersburg and lead researcher of the study.

The Life in Media Survey will collect insights and experiences from thousands of 11 to 13-year-olds as they pertain to digital media. Researchers will then track the same participants over decades to determine how digital media use impacts and changes attitudes, behaviors and health throughout their lives.

The survey will cover topics such as social media use and addiction, cyberbullying, news consumption, streaming services, parental controls, media literacy, artiﬁcial intelligence and more. Examining responses

Informed by the pilot survey, the research team will then start a nationwide, long-term survey for up to 9,000 children as young as 11, when nearly half of children in the U.S. do not yet own a smartphone. Researchers will survey these children twice a year, once during the school year and again in the summer.

Although there has been a lot of snapshot research on the e ects of digital media on everything from political discourse to social development, there are few conclusive ﬁndings and no long-term study tracking digital media use and well-being from childhood into adulthood.

The research team comprises experts across various disciplines, including journalism, psychology, public health, political science, sociology and communications. USF is also collaborating on the research with the Poynter Institute for Media Studies and its MediaWise initiative, which empowers young people with media literacy skills.

Learn more at www.usf.edu.

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NEW EXPERIENCES AND HOLIDAY

•

MAGIC AWAIT AT WINTER VILLAGE IN TAMPA’S DOWNTOWN

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Get ready to celebrate the holiday season like never before with Winter Village Tampa, presented by the Tampa Bay Lightning, in Tampa’s downtown, now through January 5, 2025, with unforgettable new attractions for all ages.

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CT Heart Score Winter Special: $75**

Learn

As the Tampa Downtown Partnership transforms Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park into a cozy wonderland, Winter Village becomes the perfect place to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit — o ering everything from festive skating and shopping to delicious treats and entertainment.

Prepare to be dazzled by the Tampa Bay Ice Show, debuting this year. On select nights, artistry meets athleticism as skilled skaters twirl, glide and leap on real ice, bringing holiday magic to life against the beautiful backdrop of the Hillsborough River. All shows start at 7 p.m. and are 10 minutes long. Show schedule: Tuesday, December 24 (Special Christmas Eve Show); Tuesday, December 31 (Special New Year’s Eve Show); January 3, 2025; January 4, 2025; and January 5, 2025.

Stroll through the Shops of Winter Village, delivered by PODS Moving and Storage, where local businesses and boutiques o er handpicked gifts. This year’s market is its biggest yet.

Enjoy seasonal ﬂavors at the Winter Village Café with delicious options like gourmet crepes, craft cocktails from Icicles, co ee from Mi Cafecito and sweet treats from Whatever Pops.

Ice skating on real ice is a signature Winter Village experience, and this year brings even more fun to the rink. Tickets

are now on sale. For $17, skaters enjoy 90 minutes of ice time and an included skate rental — perfect for date night, family fun or simply enjoying the season.

New this year, skaters joining themed skate nights will be entered into a weekly ra e. Join the fun and show o your best moves on Tuesday events and you could win an exciting prize, including giveaways from the Tampa Bay Lightning, Straz Center and Winter Village Tampa. The events include Ugly Holiday Sweater on December 24 and Holiday Shimmer on December 31.

Embrace your Tampa Bay Lightning pride every Thursday with themed food and beverage and a big dose of Bolts excitement.

Dance under the stars with silent disco headphones every Friday from 6-9 p.m. Headphones are ﬁrst come, ﬁrst served.

Street Curling is also back. Grab a friend and join in the holiday-fueled fun on the curling lanes, available Wednesday through Sunday. -

Hop aboard the Winter Village Express and take a magical holiday trip on the TECO Line Streetcar. On select Sundays, this one-hour, round-trip ride from downtown’s Whiting Station to historic Ybor City features holiday sing-alongs, trivia, milk and cookies and festive surprises for the whole family.

Join everyone in celebrating the magic of the season at Tampa’s Winter Village — where holiday memories are made. For more information, including a full schedule, visit the event website at https://wintervillagetampa.com/.

If you are at risk for heart disease, a cardiac computed tomography (CT) Heart Score is a noninvasive imaging test to detect and measure the amount of calcium deposits in your coronary arteries.

Coronary arteries are blood vessels that supply the heart with blood. When calcium is present, the higher the score, the higher the risk of heart disease. Scores range from zero to 400.

• Being a smoker.

• Living an inactive or stressful lifestyle.

The noninvasive test takes approximately 15 minutes. There are no needles, dyes or liquids to swallow.

The ER at Sun City Center is offering a CT Heart Score Fall Special for $75*. About this special:

According to the American Heart Association, candidates for the procedure are:

• Men ages 55-80 or women 6080 with few risk factors who question whether they would beneﬁt from statin therapy.

• People ages 40-55 with an estimated 10-year risk for developing heart disease between 5 percent and 7.5 percent, and risk factors that increase their chances of heart disease.

Risk factors include:

• Family history of heart disease.

• High blood pressure.

• High cholesterol.

• Overweight.

• Diabetes.

• Learn your heart disease risk.

• Appointments are available Monday through Friday.

Call 941-745-7391, option 1, to schedule.

*Credit card/debit card/cash payment only.

Physicians are on the medical sta of Manatee Memorial Hospital but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Manatee Memorial Hospital. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit the website directly at www.manateememorial.com.

*See website for available dates, tampaymca.org

KINGS AVENUE BAPTIST IS GIVING BACK IN A NEW WAY AFTER STORMS

The Kings Avenue Baptist committee had a hard decision to make after a pair of hurricanes battered the community this fall.

Instead of hosting what would have been the 38th annual Walk Thru Bethlehem, they chose to host Rebuild Days in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Typically, volunteers spend the weeks building Walk Thru Bethlehem, a living recreation of what Bethlehem was like during the time of Jesus’ birth. Volunteers portrayed the citizens of Bethlehem and, at the end, a couple left with no where to stay but the barn of an inn.

This year’s first scheduled Build Day was at the end of October. By the end of the initial meeting, the committee decided the community needed something different this year — a group of volunteers to be the hands and feet of God to help the area rebuild after the storm.

Tracy Hoyt, a city director with Walk Thru Bethlehem, said the event has always been for the community, not just the Kings Avenue Baptist congregation.

“We needed to see what the community needed most, and we felt like it would be more important to do that,” Hoyt said.

Each Saturday, a team of around a dozen volunteers have gone out in the community to help three to four fami-

By Lily Belcher

lies clean up after the storm. They might not be able to fix a roof, but the volunteers have helped cut trees, haul branches and clean up debris left from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Despite the difficult decision to cancel the Walk Thru Bethlehem, Hoyt said the community’s response has been positive.

“The community has been positively responding to our announcement and understanding why we had to do it, and we appreciate the community’s support of the decision that we made,” she said.

This year’s Bethlehem experience will also look a little different. Each Sunday of December, the church’s pastor will host a sermon series called Into Bethlehem, where attendees will explore the booths that would have been a part of this year’s Walk Thru Bethlehem.

And, Walk Thru Bethlehem will be back in 2025.

“The conversation with … the majority of the congregation and our volunteers is that we personally all miss it very much,” Hoyt said. “But we’re happy to be giving back in a different way.”

For more information on how you can volunteer or the Christmas events at Kings Avenue Baptist, visit https://walkthrubethlehem.com/.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PLANT CITY UNVEILS ‘THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS’ ANNUAL DRIVE-IN LIGHT SHOW

First Baptist Church Plant City invites the community to experience the magic of the holiday season with ‘The Light of Christmas,’ an annual light and music show.

Running nightly from 6-10 p.m. through January 5, the light show has become a cherished community tradition, blending technology and faith into an unforgettable holiday experience. This dazzling spectacle features thousands of synchronized lights, uplifting music and inspiring video elements. Visitors can enjoy the show from the comfort of their cars by tuning in to a custom FM channel.

“When the pandemic limited our gathering opportunities in 2020, our media director had this idea for a light show. It would be a way to use our space to bring people together, spread Christmas joy through lights and music and share the Christmas story and the gospel. The focus is the same each

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year, and we continue to use the show as a means to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ.”

First Baptist Church Plant City has been a cornerstone of the community since its founding in 1866. With a legacy spanning 158 years, the church continues to bring people together, fostering faith and fellowship. With a rich history and a forward-looking mission, the church continues to serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for Plant City and beyond.

The main campus, located at 3309 James L. Redman Parkway in Plant City, has been home to the congregation since 2017, under the leadership of Senior Pastor Dr. Brian Stowe, who joined in 2013. For more information about The Light of Christmas or other church events, please visit www.fbcpc.com.

TAMPA COMPLETE KETAMINE SOLUTIONS OFFERS SOLUTIONS FOR CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES

By Libby Hopkins

Tampa Complete Ketamine Solutions is an evidence-based center of excellence, rooted in the recent scientiﬁc ﬁndings that low-dose ketamine infusions are e ective in treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

“Through our work with TRD patients, we will use data we obtain to measure results, to further research and to improve patient outcomes,” said owner Jennifer Greene. “Tampa Complete Ketamine was started in 2021 being one of the ﬁrst ketamine clinics in Tampa. Complete Ketamine originally started in Nashville by Clint Fletcher. Today, there are eight Complete Ketamine clinics across the U.S.”

week that send us gifts, telling us, ‘Thank you so much, you saved my life, had you not gotten me in last week I would not be here today,’” Greene said.

“That speaks for itself.”

If you ask Greene what makes Tampa Complete Ketamine special, she will tell you it’s all about the care its clients get.

“I feel that we are different because we care,” Greene said.

“We are a team of all females at the Tampa clinic, making our patients feel comfortable with us.

We have received patients from other clinics that for whatever reason did not get the results they were looking for to ﬁnd great results with us.”

After learning about the success her business partner, Fletcher, had in helping people with mental health issues in Nashville, Greene became intrigued to learn more.

“I lost my husband of 19 years to suicide from later-in-life, sudden-onset mental illness,” Greene said. “We started Complete Ketamine Tampa after my loss. I was not able to save my family but help same families every day at Complete Ketamine Tampa.”

Ketamine was once mostly used as an anesthetic, but it’s now known to help in IV infusion therapy to be very e ective in treating PTSD, anxiety, depression and chronic pain.

“We have had several patients in one

Greene and her team at Tampa Complete Ketamine Solutions hope that their treatments will soon be covered by insurance plans.

“Insurances currently do not cover ketamine treatments because of the o -label use for mental health,” Greene said. “I would love to see it covered by insurance so we can help more people as the awareness is spread.”

If you would like to learn more about Tampa Complete Ketamine Solutions or if you would like to set up an appointment for treatment, visit its website at https://completeketaminetampa.com/ or call 813-6323223. Its o ce is located at 13801 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Tampa.

Jennifer Greene is a co-owner of Tampa Complete Ketamine Solutions.

HISTORY TALKS DISCUSS GROWTH DRIVEN BY RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT

By Libby Hopkins

The Plant City History & Photo Archives recently formed a partnership with the Tampa Bay History Center and the Brandon Historical and Preservation Society to connect local history. Once this partnership was formed, the three groups realized that there was a lot of historical overlap between the communities. The overlap that connected the communities were the railroads.

“When we had our meet-and-greet meeting, we wanted to collaborate on a history talk,” said Libby Hopkins, community outreach manager for The Plant City History & Photo Archives. “During our meeting, we realized that the local railroads connected our communities, so we wanted our ﬁrst history talk be about the railroads.”

To discuss the importance of the development of railroads for the growth of the area, Gil Gott, archive historian; Michael Wigh, author, Henry B. Plant Museum docent and Hillsborough County historian; and Rodney Kite-Powell, Tampa Bay History Center director, attended.

The three stations discussed were Tampa Union Station, Limona Station and Plant City Station.

“Tampa Union Station was the ﬁrst station picked … because of its rich history with the Tampa community,” Hopkins said. Tampa Union Station, located at 601 N.

Nebraska Ave. in Tampa, lies at the eastern edge of downtown Tampa and stands as the gateway to Ybor City.

North Carolina, who later became a Tampa resident himself, the Italian Renaissance Revival-style building was opened on May 15, 1912, by the Tampa Union Station Company. Its original purpose was to combine passenger operations for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad and the Tampa Northern Railroad at a single site.

Tampa Union Station served railroad passengers throughout the Great Depression, both World Wars and into the Amtrak era. In 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Restoration of Tampa Union Station was a multiyear e ort, with Rowe Architects serving as historic preservation architect for the project. Restoration was completed in May 1998 and reopened to Amtrak passengers and the public. CSX donated the station to the city of Tampa that same year.

The Plant City Photo Archives is located in Historic Downtown Plant City at 106 S. Evers St. in Plant City. Call 813-754-1578 or visit the website at www.plantcityphotoarchives.org.

EASTERSEALS LIMITLESS LEARNING SHARES TOP HOLIDAY SENSORY GIFT IDEAS, NOW OPEN

With the holidays approaching, families are searching for the perfect gifts for their little ones, but with countless toy options available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. That’s why the Easterseals School for Limitless Learning, a new private school in Valrico for children who are neurodiverse or have related disabilities from infancy through second grade, is excited to share its holiday sensory gift guide, featuring 10 sensory-friendly toys that foster development, creativity, and connection.

of neurodiverse and neurotypical children this holiday season. These include a Teeter Popper, Keva blocks, National Geographic’s stepping stones, a Bilibo active play toy, Warmies stu ed animals, Sarah’s Silks and a variety of other sensory kits.

Dr. Janine Stewart, the school’s director, said, “At the Easterseals School for Limitless Learning, we are dedicated to celebrating the individuality of each child. Our holiday sensory gift guide reﬂects this commitment, and I hope it helps families ﬁnd the toys that will bring the greatest joy to their children.”

The educators at the Easterseals School for Limitless Learning have curated a selection of sensory-friendly toys to make holiday shopping easier for families. These toys provide stimulation to both sensory seekers and avoiders to engage children’s senses and assist with regulation.

The recommendations include sensory play kits, gross motor balance and rocking equipment and tactile items to engage and support the unique needs

OVER 70 MILES OF DAZZLING LIGHTS

In addition to helping with gift ideas, the Easterseals School for Limitless Learning kicked o the holiday season with a celebration of its own. The community was invited to the school’s o cial ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new campus in the BayCare Health Hub (Bloomingdale) on December 9. The event celebrated the school’s recent opening, showcased festive holiday decorations and welcomed elected o cials and representatives from Easterseals Florida, chambers of commerce members, partners and other invited guests.

If you’re looking for another way to contribute this holiday season, community members are encouraged to the Limitless PossAbilities Scholarship Fund. This fund supports neurodiverse children by providing ﬁnancial assistance for the educational programs at the Easterseals School for Limitless Learning. Donations can be made securely online at https:// bit.ly/limitlesspossabilities. Contact Easterseals School for Limitless Learning at 813-236-5589 or limitlesslearning@ﬂ.easterseals.com.

Nov. 15 – Jan. 5

Kinetic sand is one of many sensory toys on the market that are fun and helpful for neurodiverse children.

History Talks is a collaboration between e Plant City History & Photo Archives, e Tampa Bay History Center and e Brandon Historical and Preservation Society.

DO YOU HAVE THE HOLIDAY HO-HUMS?

Most people enjoy holidays, but there are some that have the holiday hohums. If you are one of the ho-hums, consider involving yourself in at least one of the activities below that will beneﬁt you and others. If you are not a ho-hum, you can still enjoy the activities below.

Purchase a holiday plant or dig up and repot one of your favorite plants in your landscape. You could include a card that details the plant care needed, such as sun or shade, water, soil and fertilizer.

By Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly Landscaping Agent

You can also purchase a holiday plant — a Christmas cactus or small Christmas tree to decorate their table. Amaryllis adds a huge pop of color in groups of 10 or more. It performs best in partial shade and full sun. It should be planted between September and January, so get going! Gardenia has beautiful, fragrant white ﬂowers and can reach a height of 4-8 feet. Paperwhite narcissus should be placed in a cool, dark room until shoot growth occurs. Rosemary topiary is a great-smelling gift for cooks and gardeners. It has light blue ﬂowers in winter and spring. Norfolk Island pine is a pyramid-shaped evergreen tree that has dark-green needles and prefers full sun or bright indoor light. It can reach 80 feet when mature.

I was fortunate to have a friend that created homemade holiday ornaments every year for many years that adorn my small tabletop tree. I think of her fondly every time I walk by that tree.

O er a service to your friends that need help or don’t have the inclination to complete. This could include giving them a ride to an appointment, pruning a shrub, sharing a favorite book, weeding a landscape bed, gifting bromeliads, decorating their holiday tree or other help they need. You could even teach your friends how to make their own ornaments out of pine cones, palm-leaf sheaths or fronds.

If you have an older or somehow impaired relative, friend or neighbor, set aside some time to spend with them. Not only will they appreciate your company, but you also get to enjoy theirs. Make cookies, decorate a tree, hang stockings or create a pine-frond centerpiece for your table. Walking a trail or around the block is good exercise, and walking it with a friend or relative is a plus — beautiful scenery and the company of someone you enjoy. You can even identify plants on your walk. If you can’t identify them, you can take photographs and we, Extension, can identify them for you. Join a community garden. There are 60-plus community gardens across ﬁve counties in West Central Florida. If you are interested in more information about community gardens, go to https://coalitionofcommunitygardens.org/. You will make new friends and learn more about gardening, and being outside is almost always better than being inside … at least to me it is! Enjoy!

REVOLUTIONIZING GOLF: THE GOLF CLOCK’S INNOVATIVE APPROACH

How do you turn a complex golf swing into something anyone can learn? For Stacey Keisler, the answer was clear: Simplify the learning process.

Stacey Keisler, a seasoned golf instructor, saw the same problem time and again when coaching students.

“Most people can’t visualize how to swing a golf club,” Keisler said. “We can tell you where to put your elbows, arms and hands, but sometimes words alone just aren’t enough.”

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

with ease.

Priced at $89.99, The Golf Clock costs about the same as a single golf lesson, but its beneﬁts last far longer.

“It’s going to change the way people learn how to play golf,” Keisler said.

The positive response has been immediate. Since its release, the tool has quickly gained attention from both amateurs and seasoned golfers alike.

Determined to change that, Keisler and his partner, Robert Propper, created The Golf Clock, a hands-on training aid designed to make learning golf as straightforward as reading a clock.

The Golf Clock uses visual and physical cues to guide players into the right positions for every part of their swing. By breaking down the swing into easyto-follow steps, the training aid eliminates the guesswork and helps golfers build muscle memory faster than ever. Instead of simply trying to follow verbal instructions, players can use The Golf Clock as a reference to guide their movements, making the learning process both easier and more e ective. With the clear, physical markers, the tool allows users to practice in the right positions

For now, The Golf Clock is exclusively available at Ace Golf. This partnership ensures that golfers can see the product ﬁrsthand and get expert advice from knowledgeable sta .

“There are millions of golfers out there,” Keisler said. “Even if we touch just a fraction of them, we’ll be changing the game.”

Purchase The Golf Clock today at Ace Golf and take the ﬁrst step toward improving your swing. This innovative tool is ready to help you master the game with ease and conﬁdence.

Ace Golf is located at 12910 Boyette Rd. in Riverview. For more information about Ace Golf, visit https://ace-golf. com/. For more information on The Golf Clock, please visit the website directly at https://thegolfclockvts.com/.

Stacey Keisler and Robert Propper, the creators of e Golf Clock, are changing the way golfers learn and perfect their swing.

UF rosemary topiary.

UF Christmas cactus.

Hillsborough Comm College

Spring 2025 Registration Open

Spring 2025 registration is open for all new and returning students at Hillsborough Community College (HCC). Classes begin on January 7, 2025, at all campuses, satellite locations and online. Registration is available at www.hccfl.edu/registernow for existing students. Registration and application information for new students can be found at www.hccfl.edu/ admissions. HCC o ers flexible class schedules and course delivery options. Tuition at HCC is significantly less than the cost of public universities, private colleges and for-profit institutions. In 2022, the college was listed as the only Florida college with the lowest net price among other U.S. two-year public institutions, via the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

Suncoast Credit Union Donates $250,000 To e American Red Cross Of Central Florida

Suncoast Credit Union, Florida’s largest credit union, continues its dedication to hurricane recovery e orts with a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross of Central Florida. This latest contribution is part of Suncoast’s $850,000 statewide relief commitment to provide critical aid to Floridians facing immediate and long-term challenges following the storms. The $850,000 commitment focuses on key areas essential to recovery: hunger relief, crisis management and education.

Avelo Airlines Announces New Routes From Lakeland International Airport

Avelo Airlines recently announced a new route to Nashville, Tennessee, and celebrated the start of three more new routes from its base of operations at Central Florida’s Lakeland International Airport (LAL), conveniently located between Tampa and Orlando.

vice on Thursdays and Sundays. Celebratory one-way fares start at $49, and travelers can book at www.aveloair.com.

Avelo also launched three new nonstop routes from LAL: Atlanta, Georgia (ATL); Hartford, Connecticut (BDL); and Philadelphia/Wilmington, Delaware (ILG).

Additionally, last month Avelo launched four routes from LAL: Charlotte/Concord, North Carolina (USA); Boston/ Manchester, New Hampshire (MHT); Rochester, New York (ROC); and San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), bringing the total number of routes from LAL to eight.

and showing their creative side. Osprey Heights is located at 2808 Lithia Pinecrest Rd Valrico, FL 33596. visit https://seniorlivinginstyle.com/osprey-heights/

Hillsborough Community College serves more than 45,000 students annually at its ﬁve campuses located throughout Tampa Bay. For more, visit www.hccﬂ.edu.

Avelo’s newest route to Nashville International Airport (BNA) will begin on March 6, 2025, with twice-weekly ser-

Gasparilla-themed Gingerbread Display At Osprey Heights Independent Living

Residents at Osprey Heights participate in a yearly gingerbread decorating contest. This year, a Gasparilla-inspired theme was chosen, featuring a large sailboat made entirely of chocolate with resident made ginger boats following behind. The boat features Santa and his elves, who are having fun hanging around and causing some trouble of their own. Residents enjoyed planning, designing and decorating their boats

MercyMe Coming To Yuen-

gling

Center

Grammy-nominated band MercyMe has announced that their spring 2025 MERCYME LIVE TOUR, with Zach Williams and special guest Sam Wesley, will stop at Tampa’s Yuengling Center on April 3 at 7 p.m. Their No. 1 track, “Say I Won’t,” from their inhale (exhale) album, was recently certiﬁed gold by the RIAA, bringing the band’s certiﬁcation tally to total 16 gold, platinum and multiplatinum singles and albums. MercyMe is currently in their studio working on a new album that is scheduled to be released in 2025.

Tickets for this event are on sale at www. ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices are $25, $29, $37.50, $49.50, $67 and $79 and are subject to change without notice. Prices do not include facility fee or service charges. Advanced parking passes are available at www. parkwhiz.com. Get connected with MercyMe at https://mercyme.org/.

at Osprey Heights are interviewed for a news story on a Gasparilla-themed gingerbread display.

SIDEKICKS MARTIAL ARTS

Sidekicks Family Martial Arts in FishHawk has brought martial arts classes and camps to the area for over 20 years. While learning martial arts skills, Sidekicks Family Martial Arts students will develop a passion for discipline, teamwork and conﬁdence, skills they can carry with them o the mats.

By Lily Belcher

life skills, like self-confidence and discipline.

Dena Peavyhouse, sales and marketing administrator, said the curriculum pairs skills based in childhood development studies.

The center is run by a family of black belts, with Manny Cabrera IV becoming the third generation to earn a black belt. His siblings aren’t too far behind him either.

Jessica Cabrera, Manny’s mother and lead instructor, said raising her sons to become black belts means the organization practices what it teaches.

“I think it’s really special because we have built our careers around helping kids be the best versions of themselves,” she said. “And here we are. We get to see what the outcome of the beneﬁt of the program looks like right in our own house.”

Jessica also said it is special for her family to share a hobby and a passion with their business.

“We are walking the talk,” she said.

Sidekicks Family Martial Arts goes beyond just getting ﬁt and learning self-defense. While kids take lessons with Sidekicks’ coaches, they are learning important

“We really make sure that the martial arts we’re teaching are geared towards their age group and their development, and then we’re also teaching them in those skills how to interact with others,” Peavyhouse said. “They’re learning about teamwork.”

She said they watch for developmental milestones and help their students reach those marks.

Starting next year, Sidekicks will be hosting several parenting classes to give parents the “Sidekick Secret Sauce.”

“Now, seeing the beneﬁt of parenting a child who’s wearing their black belt, we are taking some of the team training seminars and things that we have done with our team to train them to be the best,” Jessica said.

For more information on Sidekicks Family Martial Arts, visit https://ilovesidekicks.com/ or call 813-308-0306. Sidekicks Family Martial Arts Center is located at 16132 Churchview Dr. in Lithia in Park Square Plaza.

Manny Cabrera IV becomes a third-generation black belt.

Pictured from left to right: Jonas Cabrera, Manny Cabrera III (owner and chief instructor of Sidekicks Family Martial Arts), Jessica Cabrera (lead instructor), Manny Cabrera IV, Grandmaster Manuel Cabrera, Gabe Cabrera and Amber Cabrera.

CREEKSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST DEDICATES NEW PLAYGROUND IN HONOR OF JOHN MANLEY

Creekside Church of Christ recently dedicated a new playground, fulﬁlling a long-standing promise made to the family of John Manley, a beloved local farmer. The dedication ceremony took place at the end of the Sunday service on November 24.

Matthew Kimball, a dedicated servant of the church who spearheaded the playground project, shared the story behind the dedication.

“One of our members heard about a property acquisition at her workplace that included a large commercial playground. She got permission for the donation, provided we could remove it within a week,” Kimball said.

He took charge of the playground removal in 2023 and, this spring, mobilized a team to reassemble it at the church, creating two playgrounds — one for smaller children and one for older children.

The church’s property, located on Lithia Pinecrest Road, was initially acquired in 1999 from the Estate of John Manley. The elders of Creekside Church struck a deal with the Manley family, who requested that something special be done in remembrance of Manley, who cherished the land and spent many years farming it.

Before the playground’s installation, the property had only a single building used

By Kelly Wise Valdes

for worship.

“We wanted to honor Mr. Manley’s legacy and fulﬁll our promise to the family,” Kimball explained.

The playground, valued at $135,000 if purchased new, was a perfect opportunity to do so, despite being donated. Unfortunately, to date the church is unable to locate any of the descendants of the Manley family and has reached out to the community for assistance to see if they can be located.

“In 1999, our elders made a promise to the Manley family, and we are proud to deliver on that promise,” said Kimball.

Creekside Church, known for its commitment to worshiping God, sharing Christ and transforming lives through service, holds various events throughout the year. Upcoming events include a OneBlood blood drive starting in January, a wild game/ﬁsh fry in February, an Easter egg hunt in March and a Summer Family Fun Fest in June. Details and updates can be found on its Facebook page at www. facebook.com/creeksidechurchofchristbrandon/.

Creekside Church of Christ is located at 3949 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. For more information, visit the Creekside Church Facebook page or go to https:// creekside.life/.

LIFE WRITING CLASSES TO BEGIN AT THE END OF JANUARY

By Michelle Colesanti

Most family members will value your life stories as much as anything else you give them. And like real estate, your stories gather interest as time passes.

To help you on your writing journey, the Bloomingdale Writers Connection (BWC) will o er a 10-week Life Story Writing (LSW) class at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library starting on January 31, 2025, from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

This class is free for participants due to generous funding from the Friends of the Bloomingdale Library.

Once completed, you will have written at least nine new life stories and have an organized writing portfolio to which you may continue to add.

According to Val Perry, who has coordinated these classes for 18 years, “Past participants report that taking the life writing class positively changes their lives. Through writing short stories every week, younger people often ﬁnd a new life direction, while retired people learn an appreciation for their lives. In addition, if shared, everyone’s life story adds to the history of this community.”

Each class meets for about two and a half hours each week. Many people ﬁnd the course to be therapeutic because the classes invite them to reﬂect on their lives and gain new perspectives. A di erent theme is visited each week. Hands-on activities and group interaction help participants recall long-forgotten memories.

According to Perry, “After the class ends, if the participant wishes to continue writing their life stories, free support is available, including monthly writing groups. Over the years, a large community of writers and friendships have formed, resulting in many local families receiving the precious gift of life stories from their loved ones.”

Will this be the year you join the Bloomingdale Writers Connection? For more, contact Perry at lifewritersbloom@msn.com or by phone at 813653-9591. You can also pick up a brochure in the foyer of the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library.

The writing coaches are trained to help writers at all skill levels. The goal of a class participant might be to leave a legacy of their lives for their families and their community, gain some self-direction or rekindle their past enjoyment of writing to publish a book.

Val Perry (right) and Ann Shaklee (left) present Susana Mueller (center) with a certi cate for completing the Life Story Writing class. New classes will begin on January 31, 2025.

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THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM THE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS

The Florida Orchestra (TFO) will perform The Music of John Williams on February 14, 2025, at 8 p.m. at the Straz Center and on February 15, 2025, at 8 p.m. at the Maha ey Theater in the Raymond James Pops series, the orchestra announced. The program will replace the previously scheduled Pretty Woman to Hunger Games: James Newton Howard Conducts His Greatest Hits, due to circumstances beyond TFO’s control. Tickets are on sale now at https://ﬂoridaorchestra.org/.

Legendary composer John Williams has given us some of the most recognizable ﬁlm scores in cinema history and changed the way we experience movies. Join TFO for the ultimate celebration of his seven-decade career with music from Star Wars, Harry Potter, E.T., Jurassic Park, Jaws and more. With ﬁve Academy Awards and 26 Grammy Awards, his incredible body of work is virtually unparalleled in the industry. Stuart Chafetz conducts. (Please note, this concert will be presented without video.)

Tickets are $28, $40, $65 and $80; all fees are included, and tickets are available at https://ﬂoridaorchestra.org/, by calling 727-892-3337 and at the TFO Ticket Center.

TFO now o ers $20 tickets for kids and

Sta Report

teens ages 5-18 in the Raymond James Pops series. They are available in advance by calling the TFO Ticket Center.

The Florida Orchestra’s mission is to inspire, educate and unite to build community through the power of music.

TFO will perform more than 100 concerts this season in venues throughout Tampa Bay, including a wide range of classical, popular and family-friendly music. Through concerts and education/ community programs combined, TFO serves more than 155,000 residents each season.

The Florida Orchestra is recognized as Tampa Bay’s leading performing arts institution, the largest professional orchestra in Florida and one of the most vibrant and innovative orchestras in America. It is celebrating its 57th season. Under the leadership of music director Michael Francis, TFO performs series of classical, popular and morning co ee concerts in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as free Pops in the Park concerts. The orchestra is dedicated to connecting to the community both in-person and virtually, with family and youth concerts and other educational programs.

For more information and a schedule of other upcoming shows and events, visit https://ﬂoridaorchestra.org/.

BLOOMINGDALE’S RUNNING OF THE BULLS SET FOR JANUARY 18

By Jane Owen

Bloomingdale High School is hosting their Running of the Bulls 5K event on January 18, 2025. The eighth annual Running of the Bulls 5K event also includes a half-mile distance around the track. Participants can run or walk either distance.

The Running of the Bulls is hosted by the Bloomingdale Band Boosters and beneﬁts the high school’s band and guard program. Since its inception, the event has grown. The 2024 event provided scholarships to two Bloomingdale High School seniors.

In 2024, both Van Ayres, the superintendent of schools for Hillsborough County, and Dr. Marcos Rodriguez, principal of Bloomingdale High School, ran the 5K. For the January 2025 event, Bloomingdale’s director of bands, Jordan Fraze, is also going to run.

“It means the world to see our community to come participate in our annual Running of the Bulls 5K. I’m looking forward to running an event that has done so much for the band program,” Fraze said.

Bloomingdale High School was established in 1987. Students in Bloomingdale’s band this year are still using some instruments from 1987.

The Running of the Bulls allows the band to purchase new instruments and equip-

ment. Pardon the pun, if you will, but quite simply, the Running of the Bulls has been instrumental in moving Bloomingdale’s Superior program forward. Rodriguez is incredibly thankful for the community’s support.

“To our amazing community, thank you for your support. Music education is crucial to our school and one of our biggest pride points at BSHS,” Rodriguez said.

The Running of the Bulls is a fundraiser — but it has also become much more. The community comes together to run, walk and connect.

“I enjoy seeing our students, sta and community members running together.” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez’s son is running the race as well. 5K participants receive a Dri-FIT shirt. Finishers will receive medals and top age-group finishers will receive awards. Bloomingdale’s drumline plays for the 5K and half-mile. Title sponsors for the 2025 event are: Acropolis, Riverview; The Jeep Depot; and Reed & Reed. The Running of the Bulls 5K is timed by Bay City Timing. Register at https://runsignup.com/ race/fl/valrico/runningofthebulls5kfl. Follow the Running of the Bulls 5K Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ bloomingdalebulls5k/ for updates.

FOUNDATION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY PANTHERS CLAIMS

EIGHT-ON-EIGHT FOOTBALL STATE TITLE

Foundation Christian Academy football program took the next step, winning the eight-oneight 2A football state championship, defeating Academy at the Lakes 34-0. The Panthers finished with a 9-3 record.

Foundation Christian Academy is a private school with a student population of around 120 who come from as far away as Lakeland, Riverview and Plant City. Some homeschool kids also play on the team. Because of their small size, their football program competes in eight-on-eight football with about 30 other schools in the Sunshine State Athletic Association. Eight-man football is just like tackle football but with three less players on the field. All the teams make the playoffs, competing in four separate brackets. Foundation Christian was put in the 2A bracket.

The team was led by second-year head coach Jeremy Shobe. He previously was the defensive coordinator of the Newsome High School football program. When Shobe came to Foundation Christian, the team had only been in existence for a couple of years, and they had an 0-18 record.

The Panthers were 2-10 in his first season and had a 9-3 turnaround this year and won a state title.

It was amazing,” said Shobe. “The kids, some of the students and parents and everybody kind of just ran out onto the field and joined the celebration with us, and it was just a big moment for the program.”

By Nick Nahas

Shobe thinks that his team really focused in the offseason on conditioning plus they participated in spring football for the first time.

“The kids really bought in and committed

over the summer,” said Shobe. “We started changing the culture slowly, and to go from 2-10 to 9-3 was a big moment for the kids, their families and the school. I told the kids that they were going to be a part of history, being the first team to raise a banner in the gym. You may never get another opportunity like this in your life, so let’s take advantage of it.”

Shobe said that his team played complementary football and was solid in all three phases of the game. It took a lot of endurance from his players because with eightman football most of the players have to play offense and defense.

There are no seniors on this Panthers team, so they expect to be able to compete for a state championship again next year. They are currently trying to get approval for a junior high JV program.

“We want to be the top team in all of eight-man football,” said Shobe. “We want to be considered an established top program year-in and year-out. We want to get to the top and be able to sustain success and ultimately get closer to having an 11-man football program.”

Foundation Christian Academy is located at 3955 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Valrico. Visit www.foundationchristianacademy.org/.

Hillsborough County, New Vision Commu nities, and Wen dover Housing Partners cut the ribbon on November 14 celebrating the opening of Ful ham Terrace, the new 116unit affordable housing community for seniors located at 10461 Towncenter River Lane in Riverview.

Amenities include a community center/ clubhouse, computer lab, fitness center, hair salon, swimming pool and pool deck, theater, community garden and fenced dog walk area. Units at Fulham Terrace feature open floor plans with a kitchen island, 24/7 emergency call system and walk-in closets. Units also include an Energy Star dishwasher, range, microwave and full-size washer/dryer.

Two years ago, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved $6.2 million in funding to build the 116-complex in Riverview in an effort to alleviate affordable housing challenges for local seniors. $4.7 million of the cost came from Hillsborough’s local affordable housing fund, Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE), with $1.5 million from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program.

Kevin Kroll, vice president of institutional funding for Wendover Housing Partners, praised Hillsborough County leaders for their support and teamwork on this project, “We designed Fulham Terrace with community, comfort and accessibility in mind because we believe that everyone deserves a place to call home where they feel supported and

By Brian Bokor

valued,” said Kroll. Kroll brought up some great points about living at Fulham Terrace, saying Fulham “offers residents independent senior living but also allows the option of having family members or caregivers living with them,” and adding it is “an active community consisting of both working and retired residents.”

Wendover has collaborated on a similar senior affordable apartment complex in the University of South Florida area of Tampa named Haley Park.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers and her staff were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with Brenda Brackins, Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Services director. Speaking from personal experience growing up in affordable housing, Brackins emphasized the importance and need to build communities that provided “dignity, stability and security for all those that live there.” There is no doubt that residents of Fulham Terrace enjoy all of these benefits plus many more.

The 55-plus independent-living senior community consists of 58 one-bedroom, one-bathroom units; 54 two-bedroom, two-bathroom units; and four three-bedroom, two-bathroom units. All units are allocated for rent at below-market levels to residents making 80 percent or less of the area’s median income. For current rates and availability, visit www.fulhamterrace.com or call 656-207-5650.

Photo courtesy of Foundation Christian Academy. Foundation Christian Academy football program won the eight-on-eight 2A football state championship.

Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Services leaders welcome new affordable housing in Riverview, Fulham Terrace.

My then-3year-old grandson ripped open the Christmas gift from his little friend. The other boy and his mama stood by in smiling anticipation of Blaine’s response.

Grace Notes Christmas Blessings

By Debora Coty

Blaine’s bottom lip slipped into pouty-protrusion mode. “This isn’t what I wanted,” he said, handing the unappreciated gift back to its giver.

Gratitude. Throughout this Christmas season, we’re supposed to be grateful for our blessings, especially the amazing gift of God’s Son in the form of a babe in a manger. And we are. For maybe 10 minutes every day. But what about the other 1,430 minutes?

Oh, c’mon — don’t deny that you inwardly cringe when you open those hideous socks. Or that you ﬁght an impulse to ﬂee out back and hide behind the philodendrons when your motherin-law arrives. Or that you resent hosting Christmas dinner yet again because

lazy cousin Bertha won’t take a turn.

Yep, we all feel a bit like 3-year-olds at times. Unappreciative for our blessings.

But what if we wake up tomorrow with only the things we thanked God for today? Things would look a little di erently, wouldn’t they?

Warm socks would become a treasure on cold nights, a comfort many people lack. The mother of your spouse produced that person you loved enough to marry. If she wasn’t here, your spouse wouldn’t be either. And all that food threatening to collapse your table is a privilege not enjoyed by more than half the world.

It’s all in the way we look at it, isn’t it?

Like a selﬁsh 3-year-old. Or like the humble recipient of good and perfect gifts from our heavenly Father.

Wishing you and yours a blessed and gratitude-ﬁlled celebration of the birth of our Savior!

Debora M. Coty is an inspirational speaker and award-winning author of over 40 books, including the bestselling Too Blessed to be Stressed series. Visit with Debora anytime at www.DeboraCoty.com.

“So live in Christ Jesus the Lord in the same way as you received him. Be rooted and built up in him, be established in faith, and overﬂow with thanksgiving just as you were taught,” (Colossians 2:6).

Back when the Tampa Tribune still existed, I was invited to write in response to pivotal moments in national life. Moments like this. Fact is, if you are happy with the election results or devastated, regardless, my thoughts are essentially the same.

Today, I would have led with one of my wife Rebekah’s oft-employed aphorisms: “It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond.” In other words, life happens; the most important thing is what happens next. Or, what do we choose to hold in our heart … to purpose … to do? How then shall we live?

America has clearly spoken and made a choice in terms of leadership, at least for the short term, going forward. But this is still America, and one of the values we hold sacred is our autonomy as individuals and the belief that each one of us has been “endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

And these are not just rights but also responsibilities.

So, my question is this: How do we intend to live? How do we intend to pursue happiness? How do we intend to love? How do we intend to continue our fundamental commitment to live like we mean

it? Because God certainly meant something special when we — each one of us — were imagined, designed, created and gifted into this world. For such a time as this.

And I o er this question to Mr. Trump too. For all the talk of faith and of freedom, do you intend to enter this privileged o ce as a person of grace as well as purpose? You can. You can choose to be a champion of — as Lincoln put it — “the better angels of our nature.”

So here we are. And, in the same way that every new day begins, this is morning in America. How then will we respond? The Scriptures are clear: “So live in Christ Jesus the Lord in the same way as you received him. Be rooted and built up in him, be established in faith, and overﬂow with thanksgiving just as you were taught.”

Words to live by. I invite all of us to respond in grace, to continue to be light and love in this world and to so live in Christ … rooted and built up in him … overﬂowing with thanksgiving. — DEREK Derek Maul has written for many news outlets, including the Tampa Tribune, e United Methodist News Service, All Pro Dad, FOCUS Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, e Christian 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.

HOLIDAY WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

By Katherine Munson

INCREASE OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WITH ADOLESCENTS

Q: How can I save water when preparing holiday meals?

A: Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or the microwave instead of running hot water over them. Rinse vegetables and fruits in a sink or pan ﬁlled with water instead of under running water. This water can then be reused to water houseplants. A running faucet can use approximately 2 gallons of water per minute.

Q: What can I do to reduce water use when cleaning up from holiday gatherings?

A: When washing dishes by hand, ﬁll one sink or basin with soapy water and ﬁll the rinsing sink one-third to one-half full. Avoid letting the water run continuously in the rinsing sink. Run your dishwasher only when you have a full load. Standard dishwashers can use 5 gallons of water or more per load.

Q: How can I be water conscious while cooking?

A: Select the proper-size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary. Scrape food scraps into the garbage can or composting bin, rather than rinsing them into the sink’s garbage disposal. A garbage disposal uses approximately 2 gallons of water per minute.

Q: How can I prepare my home to use water wisely if I’m away for the holidays?

A: Your home should be using little to

no water while you’re traveling for the holidays. Check for indoor and outdoor leaks before you head out. If you have a permanent in-ground irrigation system, make sure your controller is set to follow local water restrictions or turned to the ‘o ’ position if your lawn and landscape are not in need of additional water. Consider upgrading to a WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controller that can automatically adjust to your lawn’s watering needs while you’re away.

Q: How can I give the gift of water savings during the holidays?

A: Water-saving devices are the gifts that keep on giving. Look for WaterSense or ENERGY STAR-labeled products to help friends and family save water and money on utility bills long after the holidays are over. A WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controller can save an average home up to 15,000 gallons of water a year.

Q: Where can I ﬁnd more water conservation tips?

A: To ﬁnd more water conservation tips, visit the district’s website at www. watermatters.org/water101.

Katherine Munson, Lead Conservation Education Coordinator – As lead conservation education coordinator, Katherine Munson manages the district’s youth education program and assists in water conservation outreach e orts. Munson holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies concentrating in environmental education and communication from Green Mountain College. She also holds a master’s degree in global sustainability concentrating on water sustainability from the University of South Florida.

BLOOMINGDALE PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATES

Due to the rise of mental health issues with adolescents, Dr Charles Devine and Natalie Beemer, ARNP of Bloomingdale Psychiatric Associates are pleased to announce that they are now accepting adolescents 15 years and older.

Dr Charles Devine, with his 25 years experience and Natalie Beemer who specializes in Psychiatry have become well known in our area and are considered top in their field.

TMS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

TMS of Central Florida provides NeuroStar TMS therapy. TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a safe, effective cleared by the FDA treatment for individuals,15 years and older who suffer from Major Depression and OCD. It is for individuals that have tried and failed medication due to the side effects or did not receive positive results. TMS is not a drug or “shock” therapy. TMS therapy is an in-office treatment that is 18 minutes and 45 seconds long. Treatments are done 5 days a week for 7 weeks. It requires no down time! You can resume all normal activities immediately such as returning to school or work. Visit our websites Tmscentralflorida.com for more information and Neurostar.com for full safety and for prescribing information.

Both facilities are conveniently located at 336 East Bloomingdale Avenue in Brandon. Insurance ranges for each facility so please contact us at the following numbers.

Bloomingdale Psychiatric Associates 813-689-2466

TMS of Central Florida 813-423-7037

Tampa Theatre, Tampa’s historic movie palace, is debuting a new movie classic series. The new series is called Big Picture, and it will premiere in January 2025.

The new movie series is made possible thanks to the new Taylor Screening Room and the flexibility it has brought to the film schedule. Big Picture will run for the entirety of 2025, with screenings on select Wednesdays at 8 p. m. Each month will follow a di erent theme, showcase a di erent filmmaker or examine a di erent genre.

By Kathy L. Collins, Art & Entertainment Director By Kathy L. Collins, Art & Entertainment Director

HISTORIC TAMPA THEATRE TO DEBUT NEW CLASSIC MOVIE SERIES IN JANUARY

“Big Picture will let us dig deeper into the unique qualities of these movies through the titles we select, but more importantly through the conversations we hope to spark within our audiences,” said James DeFord, Tampa Theatre’s ﬁlm program manager. “We want Big Picture to draw out the surprising connections and thought-provoking contexts that each group of ﬁlms creates. Maybe you have seen Casablanca a hundred times, but you may discover new facets when watching it alongside To Have and Have Not, or followed by Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, or in a series with The Battle of Algiers,” added DeFord.

The theme for January takes its inspiration from Tampa Theatre’s tagline, ‘Wel-

come to the Show.’ It will feature ﬁlms that highlight aspects of the theater’s mission to entertain, educate and enlighten audiences.

The ﬁrst ﬁlm will be The Last Picture Show on January 8. Following that, come see Singin’ in the Rain on January 15. Next, you can see Ed Wood on January 22, and then Cinema Paradiso on January 29.

Dates and titles will be available soon for February’s Big Picture theme,

‘Love on the Rocks.’ Then, the March theme is ‘New to Tampa Theatre,’ with selections from Sight and Sound magazine’s list of the greatest ﬁlms ever made.

“We want to introduce you to new movies that may become your favorites and to show you new perspectives on the favorites you already have,” said DeFord. “We want to zoom in on the intricate details but then zoom out too so you can get the Big Picture,” explained DeFord.

Tickets for Big Picture are $10, or $7 for theater members. Tickets for silent ﬁlms will be $14.50, or $11.50 for theater members.

You can get tickets at the Franklin Street Box O ce, located at 711 N. Franklin St. in Tampa, or online at https://tampatheatre.org/.

Now through March 31, 2025, you can see life-size sculptures which have been strategically placed throughout historic downtown Plant City by the Arts Council of Plant City. The sculptures were created by J. Seward Johnson.

The sculpture exhibition will display 10 sculptures of Johnson’s Celebrating the Familiar collection.

Take a stroll about downtown Plant City and view all the J. Seward Johnson sculptures that are on display now through the end of March 2025. One of these sculptures is A

Celebrating the Familiar provides a sculptural commentary on daily life, presenting viewers with realistic bronze sculptures. The works reﬂect ordinary, everyday tasks and activities. They are eye-catching and call attention to life’s simple pleasures. Johson’s sculptures explore moments that are familiar, personal and distinctly human.

The Plant City exhibition is located throughout downtown historic Plant City.

The statues and their locations include Hats Off at Bruton Memorial Library; No Way! at the north entrance of city hall; Forever Marilyn at Reynolds and Collins streets; Calling Girl at the corner of West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and South Evers Street, Tied Up at South Evers Street and West J Arden Mays Boulevard, Embracing Peace at McCall Park at Collins Street, Down to Earth at Unity Park, Getting Down at the

Community Arts &Events Community Arts &Events

ARTS COUNCIL OF PLANT CITY HOSTS A SCULPTURE EXHIBITION IN DOWNTOWN PLANT CITY

ford Railroad Museum and Out to Lunch at McCall Park at Collins Street.

Gilbert Gott, coordinator of the Sculptures Committee, said, “The Arts Council of Plant City started the sculpture exhibit at the inspiration of local pharmacist Myrle Henry, who first saw them on display in Gainesville in 2012. We arranged and added that exhibition to the Smithsonian Exhibition the Plant City Photo Archives was also displaying. We have since found that Johnson was correct in that he believed strongly in the ability of these sculptures to have a meaningful e ect on those who view them.” Gott added, “It is amazing what e ect these sculptures have. People pose with them, put their children in the arms of the sculpture for a photo and just relate to the bronze figures like old friends. The exhibition is public art, but it is not considered fine art, and there is no attempt to educate the viewers except for the viewers to also celebrate the familiar. These sculptures are the people around you, the everyday people; they are just like you and your neighbors.” For more information, please visit www.plantcityarts.com.

South Depot parking lot, A Memorable Date at the Robert W. Willa-

Memorable Date at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum.

Easterseals School For Limitless Learning Celebrates O cial Opening With A Ribbon-Cutting

The Easterseals School for Limitless Learning (ESLL) recently held a ribbon-cutting from the Valrico/Fishhawk Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the o cial opening of its new private school campus in Valrico for children who are neurodiverse or have related disabilities. Easterseals Florida recognized a growing need for specialized education in the Bloomingdale area, leading to the founding of this new school. ESLL o ers hope to local families with innovative programs designed for children with autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia and other disabilities. The school’s curriculum is tailored to meet the unique needs of its students, using hands-on activities and a play-based approach. ESLL’s new campus is located at 2460 Bloomingdale Ave., Ste. 170, in Valrico. For more information, call 813236-5589 or visit its website at www.easterseals.com.

O.M. Yoga & Training

Training o ers community classes, private group events and workplace wellness programs. The ﬂexibility of this mobile service makes it easy to move better, stress less and manage pain. For more information, visit www.omyogaandtraining.com.

SouthShore Wealth Management Serves You With Integrity

O.M. Yoga & Training, a service-disabled veteran-owned business, specializes in personalized in-home yoga sessions designed to ﬁt your unique needs. Owner Alan Torres brings his expertise directly to you. In addition to private sessions, O.M. Yoga &

SouthShore Wealth Management, owned by Mike McCormick, is an independent financial services firm committed to guiding you forward with up-front, data-informed financial advice and devoted, concierge-level service. Extensive industry knowledge and experience are the basis of your custom financial strategy, designed to support your lifestyle now and into the future. SouthShore Wealth

Management is located at 1601 Rickenbacker Dr., Ste. 1, in Sun City Center. For more information, visit its website at www.southshorewlth.com or call 813499-9247.

Gracie Barra Brandon Jui-Jitsu Gracie Barra Brandon, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu experience for children, teens, adults, and families, believes that everyone deserves to feel safe, whether at school, work or in daily life. Its mission is to empower individuals through self-defense, o ering essential skills that build confidence and resilience. Its classes teach practical techniques to help people stand up confidently and safely, with professors focusing on fostering strength, confidence and camaraderie among all students. A wide variety of classes and programs are o ered, from beginner-friendly fundamentals to competitive training for advanced practitioners, so there is something for everyone.

HCA Brandon Hospital Earns An ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade

HCA Florida Brandon Hospital earned an A Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonproﬁt watchdog focused on patient safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program exclusively based on hospital prevention of medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

“An A grade means our team is making patient safety a top priority,” said Dr. Christine Van Cott, chief medical o cer at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital. “Safety practices are discussed and reinforced in every meeting with our team. Receiving an A grade from The Leapfrog Group is recognition that our team is using best safety practices consis-

tently, hence providing the best outcomes for our patients who trust us with their care.”

Gracie Barra Brandon is located at 1076 E. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon. Visit its website at www.graciebarrabrandon.com or call 813-385-1856 to ﬁnd out details and schedule your ﬁrst free class.

To see Brandon Hospital’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook and via its newsletter.

Expert Care That Gets to the Heart of Your Burn

Some heartburn, also known as acid reflux, is normal. But when it happens often, it may be a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid can harm your esophagus, teeth, voice box and lungs and, if left untreated, it can even cause esophageal cancer.

Our expert physicians use comprehensive diagnostic tools to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms and develop a plan that’s right for you – one that relieves your symptoms and helps you enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

RESTORED WWII JEEP BRINGS HISTORY AND LEGACY TO LIFE

Alafia Elementary School fifth grade teacher Rebecca Lantzman grew up watching her dad work on his jeep and share his passion for history, specifically World War II history.

Robert Riddle’s love of history started early in life. In 1977, when he was 17 years old, he and his father discovered a 1942 Ford GPW jeep in the woods in Connecticut. The two worked together for more than 10 years to restore the jeep. Once restored, Riddle would take it to car shows and bring his two children, Rebecca and Bryan.

Riddle believed in the importance of history and not forgetting what happened in WWII. He loved honoring veterans. He drove the jeep in Memorial Day parades in Simsbury and Tarri ville, Connecticut. He was humbled to have driven in parades with WWII veterans in his jeep.

In 2015, Riddle visited Pearl Harbor. He had plans to make a trip to Normandy for his 60th birthday. In 2019, at the age of 59, Robert had the opportunity to take a ﬂight on a WWII B17 Flying Fortress. The WWII plane crashed. Of the 13 on board, six survived. Robert was one of the seven people who died.

Rebecca and her husband, Adam Lantzman, had her father’s jeep shipped from Connecticut to Florida in 2022. The jeep is nostalgic for Rebecca because of

By Jane Owen

the love her dad put into it.

“For me, it’s memories because I always remember my dad being out in the garage. He was always out there tinkering with it,” Rebecca said.

It took months to get the jeep legally registered in Florida. Rebecca and Adam are learning how to keep it running. A few months ago, it was having battery issues. They realized the battery was 9 years old.

In December of 2023, they drove the jeep in its ﬁrst Florida parade: the Buckhorn Neighborhood Christmas Parade.

It’s hard for Rebecca to put into words what the jeep means to her and why they are working to keep it running.

“It is such a legacy of love,” Rebecca said.

On November 8, Adam drove the jeep to Alaﬁa Elementary for its Veterans Day program. All of the students were able to see the jeep on their way to the cafeteria for the program. They saw a priceless piece of history. Without a doubt, Riddle would be thrilled to know that his jeep was on display at a Veterans Day program.

“I am thankful for the chance to showcase and honor it. It would mean a lot to my dad — I know that,” said Rebecca. Rebecca and Adam plan to bring the jeep to more events in the community.

Rebecca Lantzman’s fth grade class with her father’s WWII jeep at the Veterans Day program on November 8. Pictured with Rebecca and the class are assistant principal Incremona and Ala a teacher Kilblock.

A 1942 Ford GPW jeep.