Osprey Observer Riverview/Apollo Beach May 2023

ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL-SOUTH NURSE RETIRES AFTER 52 YEARS

Judy Ploufe, a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South in Riverview, recently retired after 52 years in nursing. She spent 48 of those years with BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Hospital-South and Plant City’s South Florida Baptist Hospital.

Ploufe is an original team member at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South. She came to the Riverview hospital in 2014 to prepare for its opening in 2015. Prior to St. Joseph’s Hospital-South, Ploufe spent 39 years at South Florida Baptist Hospital.

During her more than half-century career, she’s worked in areas that include the ICU, the ER, risk management, education and nursing administration. During her time at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South, she had been in nursing administration as an administrator-on-duty (AOD) making sure things run smoothly and efciently in all areas of the hospital. At the time of her retirement, she was working as an AOD in a part-time capacity.

Ploufe is doing a ‘Tom Brady’; she retired once and then unretired, just like the legendary NFL quarterback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots.

“This time, it’s for good,” Ploufe said of this retirement. “We’re moving to Georgia.” Ploufe and her husband are

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moving to north Georgia, where they’ll travel the local area there and enjoy the nature and beauty of Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and other places. Not surprisingly, the biggest change she’d seen in her career was the technology.

“Everything was handwritten, it was paper, hard copy, and now it’s all [digital] technology,” Ploufe said.

Ploufe’s memories after a long and storied career: “You save lives, you remember those lives. You also remember the lives lost too.”

One memory stands out. A patient in the ICU was having a cardiac arrhythmia; their life was in danger. The patient’s heart was shocked, and their heart rate stabilized. The patient did fine and was eventually discharged. Six weeks later or so, Ploufe saw that former patient in a department store.

“I remember thinking at the time, ‘This is why I do this,’” Ploufe said.

Another lasting impression is the people she worked with in health care. “They are so full of compassion,” Ploufe said. “People in health care are the most caring and committed people. I’ve never worked in anything else to compare, but I am always amazed by the people who work in health care and what they do.”

WATERSET TURKEY TROT RAISES OVER $30,000 FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS

For nearly a decade, Waterset by Newland has welcomed area runners and residents on Thanksgiving mornings for its annual Turkey Trot 5K and Kids Fun Run. The 2022 race, featuring more than 1,000 runners, helped raise $30,000 for four local schools: Doby Elementary School, Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy, East Bay High School and Eisenhower Middle School.

Waterset by Newland is owned in a joint venture partnership between North America Sekisui House LLC (NASH) and Brookfield Residential, and it is proudly managed by Brookfield Properties. These partners share a deep commitment to sustainable development practices and apply these core values to the vision, planning and development of their communities. Waterset by Newland is one of more than 20 communities this partnership manages across the U.S.

Lynda McMorrow, the marketing manager at Waterset, presented checks, each for over $7,000, to each of the schools’ principals. The funds from the Waterset Turkey Trot race entry fees and local sponsorships have benefited the school in numerous ways throughout the years.

Eisenhower principal Nate Francis said, “Our students will greatly benefit from the generosity of our Waterset Community. The monies donated will continue to provide Eisenhower students with resources that will cultivate a positive learning environment.”

Donations have also fueled technology upgrades, senior scholarships, and numerous campus beautification projects.

Doby Elementary principal Dr. Bradley Fuller added, “We plan to use this donation to invest in resources for our school, including new technology and updating our media center.”

This year, Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy will leverage its proceeds for new soccer goals.

“We appreciate being able to purchase the goals to enhance our field and athletic programs at York,” said Catherine Lennard, principal at Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy.

Amy Stevens-Cox, principal at East Bay, shared, “Our intent is to use the funds from the Turkey Trot for beautification enhancements around campus to include entrance rugs, a revitalized gym area and machinery to maintain the building.”

For more information on Waterset by Newland, go to www.watersetfl.com or visit the Information Center in The Landing Club & Café, which is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

IN THIS ISSUE:

$1 GOLF FOR KIDS PG 3

ALL PRO DAD PG 5

ISPY STEM .......PG 9

EYE ON BUSINESS................PGS 25-26

AGE REJUVENATION PG 26

Waterset by Newland presented checks to each of the principals from Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy, East Bay High School, Doby Elementary School and Eisenhower Middle School.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-South team members celebrate with Judy Ploufe upon her retirement.

Judy Ploufe in the administrator-on-duty ofce at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South on her last day after 52 years in nursing.

THE GREATER RIVERVIEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT

By Libby Hopkins

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

The Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) recently announced that Ny’Kole Krivda was hired as the new president/CEO of the organization. An experienced business leader, Krivda succeeded Tanya Doran and assumed responsibilities on April 5.

Doran moved to pursue a new opportunity within the area.

“I have to say that is an incredible honor to have been chosen to represent not only the growth of a chamber but the community alike,” Krivda said. “This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly and will put all of the business acumen I have gained over the years to hard work for the chamber and the business community.”

On April 5, the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce announced that Ny’Kole Krivda was hired as the new president/CEO of the organization.

Krivda brings with her an extensive background in business administration and human resources. Her experience spans from working for Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners in human resources, where she filled numerous vacancies and reduced inefciencies and improved processes, to an appointment as the dean of students, ensuring accreditations for collegiate programs, as well as consulting and installing sustainable human resource practices for small startup companies. As a small business owner, Krivda understands the value and benefits of supporting a chamber of commerce.

“It’s been a few weeks since I moved

into my new position and at this point I am taking stock of all things chamber,” Krivda said. “I want to make sure that the GRCC is making every efort to support our members, investors and the business community. The Riverview and surrounding areas are growing by leaps and bounds, and whether you are an at home, online, new or existing business, I want them to think of the GRCC as the business community hub.”

The GRCC is thrilled to have Krivda on board. “We are excited to have Ny’Kole on board,” said Tammy See, chair of the GRCC Board of Directors. “We took our time to find the right candidate, not just for the chamber but for our community. She brings a lot through her diverse experience, and we believe she will be an asset to our investors and members.”

Krivda will be participating as an advisory board with unincorporated Hillsborough County Planning. “I believe that as a part of my role as the president/CEO for the GRCC, keeping abreast of county growth is vital to our member, investors and the community as a whole.”

Krivda received both her Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science from Nova Southeastern University. She lives in Southern Hillsborough County with her husband. Visit https:// www.riverviewchamber.com/

Are the kids driving you crazy and playing too many video games this summer? Want to have them do something healthy and learn a lifelong sport?

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

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

How it works:

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

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

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

• No other purchase is necessary. Kids

should bring a golf club with them, or they may rent one.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ace Golf is ofering a $1 summer golf practice program for kids ages 4-15 from June through August.

ALL PRO DAD CONTINUES GROWTH NATIONWIDE WITH SOLD OUT ANNUAL EVENT AND PROGRAMS

All Pro Dad, a Tampa-based nonprofit, has completed yet another successful event, this time on March 25 at Raymond James Stadium. The soldout All Pro Dad Experience event had over 1,000 dads and their kids in attendance. Attendees were able to engage in a variety of football-oriented activities from the start at 9 a.m. until the event ended at 12 Noon. There were football drills as well as tickle-tackle and touchdown dancing available across the field; plenty of laughter and smiles were also had.

While All Pro Dad might have started in Tampa, where it operates to this day, it has extended far across the nation, as there are now over 1,000 All Pro Dad chapters across over 40 states. This growth has allowed founder Mark Merrill to impact thousands of children and dads across the country.

“Over 20 years ago, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy and I founded All Pro Dad. With the mission to help fathers love and lead their families well, All Pro Dad o f ers resources, training and events. We believe a great way to help fathers become even better leaders in their families is by dedicating one minute a day, one hour a month and one day a year to this goal,” Merrill said.

With increasingly large national operations, All Pro Dad continues to maintain a strong presence in the Tampa

By Jonathan Hurst

area, having 62 active chapters within Hillsborough County. These chapters have ingrained themselves within the culture of the schools and engage with the dads and kids in several ways, one of which is the breakfast program. Through this program, dads are able to have breakfast at school with their children, which in turn helps build their relationship through one-onone time and camaraderie with other dads and children. Attendance at these events can reach up to 200 dads and kids.

All Pro Dad has recently developed multiple new programs to help foster healthy relationships between dads and their children. One of these is a national curriculum for middle and high schools that allows for the All Pro Dad message to e f ectively reach all ages. An additional program Serve, gives dads the opportunity to volunteer at the school to allow teachers and administrators to focus on what they do best: helping to provide the best educational environment for the kids. This could be anything from operating the car line in the mornings to lunch assistance, or any other applicable school need.

Through its numerous programs and extensive outreach, All Pro Dad is making a positive impact among youths and hopes to continue to do so in larger and larger ways. For more information, visit its website at www.allprodad.com or its Facebook page, All Pro Dad.

Kids and their dads were able to run out of the tunnel at the All Pro Dad Experience at Raymond James Stadium.

Dads and their kids engage in activities on the feld at Raymond James during the All Pro Dad Experience.

ALEXSTRONG FOUNDATION HOSTS BASS TOURNAMENT TO SUPPORT YOUNG NOLA SALLING

The AlexStrong Foundation is hosting its seventh annual Bass Tournament to support a local Gibsonton kid battling leukemia on Saturday, May 13.

Nola Salling has been battling leukemia for two years now since being diagnosed at 5 years old. She is receiving treatment from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee. Salling and her family are hoping she can get healthy enough to receive a bone marrow transplant to help fight the cancer.

“This is our seventh annual fishing tournament, and with these tournaments, and other fundraisers and the support of the community, we have been able to donate over $150,000 to local families in need,” said AlexStrong founder Lori Sumner.

The Bass Tournament will take place at the Grape Hammock Fish Camp on Lake Kissimmee, located at 1400 Grape Hammock Rd. in Lake Wales, for $60 per boat for one or two participants. The tournament will start at first safe light, followed by a weigh-in at 2 p.m. Participants can preregister on Facebook or register in person the morning of the event. Each pair can catch up to six bass, and first through third-place winners will receive a cash prize.

HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS READY TO WELCOME CHILDREN THIS JUNE

By Lily Belcher

Following the fishing tournament, the AlexStrong Foundation will host a rafe. The rafe will have a mix of fishing/hunting gear, gift baskets, gift cards, kid items and other prizes.

In addition to raising money for Salling through the tournament and rafe, the AlexStrong Foundation is accepting individual donations and corporate sponsorships. Sponsor logos will be displayed on a banner at the event. All donations and sponsorships are tax-deductible.

“We are so thankful to the people that continue to donate and help support our mission to pay forward all the kindness that was shown to our family when Alex was sick. We love keeping his memory alive by helping other families,” said Lori.

The AlexStrong Foundation was started in memory of Alex Sumner, who died of cancer in 2017. The foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports families with children facing life-threatening illnesses. The money raised at the Bass Tournament will go to the Salling family to help fund treatments.

For more information on the AlexStrong Foundation or this year’s Bass Tournament and rafe, visit its Facebook page or contact Lori at 813-493-2557.

As our school year comes to a close, I know many parents are looking for ways to keep their students academically engaged over the summer through enriching programs that will spark their curiosity. Thankfully, Hillsborough County Public Schools ofers a wide variety of Summer Learning Programs (SLP) that can meet the needs of your student, all while allowing them to socialize and grow emotionally.

During the summer months, many children may find it difcult to form or maintain friendships with students their own age. There is also research that shows a student’s knowledge may decline during the summer months, especially in math and reading. A summer program can ofer a safe environment for children to explore a rigorous academic opportunity they’ve yet to learn, experience the outdoors and create new relationships with other learners in a program.

Hillsborough County Public Schools is ofering programs in multiple areas, including reading camps, outdoor water adventure camps, algebra boosters, STEM, cyber security and performing arts, among many others. For migrant students, HCPS ofers specialty programs that provide skills critical for success in a rigorous bilingual learning environment. Immigrant students from grades six to 11 can enroll in a program with a focus

By Superintendent Addison Davis

on the history and governmental infrastructure of the nation, state and city.

The summer calendar begins on Monday, June 12 and ends on Thursday, August 3, depending on the program. Classes are held Monday through Thursday; the holiday week of Tuesday, July 4 will hold classes on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Not only will SLP allow students to be better prepared for the upcoming school year, but breakfast and lunch will also be provided for all students, and transportation will be available for eligible students.

Students that are eligible for academic programs will receive a Summer Learning Program notification letter with details, including dates, times and the assigned school. The district also has fee-based programs that can open children up to adventures and help them learn valuable new skills.

I encourage all families interested in learning about the Summer Learning Programs to visit www.hillsboroughschools. org to find the eligibility criteria and locations. Our website has detailed descriptions of each program’s benefits, along with the dates and times in which your child will be enrolled through the summer months. Our dedicated teachers, administrators and support staf are excited to welcome your children for the summer as we provide them with plenty of opportunities to learn, grow and have fun.

Te AlexStrong Foundation is raising money to support 7-year-old Nola Salling, who is battling leukemia.

People who are trying to get their lives back on track often find many obstacles, such as lack of transportation, to be an impediment to their goal. In an efort to help those who are trying to help themselves, Bikes

For Christ was established in 2016.

According to the founder, Pat Simmons, “Our goal is to help those who are trying to help themselves.” Simmons added, “We work directly with case managers at agencies that provide services to those in need. If they feel an individual is truly making life-changing decisions for the better, and a bicycle would benefit them, they can place an order with us.”

Bikes For Christ also works with area employers and schools.

An example of this is the work Bikes For Christ does with the Hillsborough County Sherif ’s Department in its Reentry and Homeless Initiative. Another example is its work with Cove Behavior Health (formerly known as DACCO). Other organizations include Metropolitan Ministries, Catholic Charities and the Tampa Veterans Administration.

Bikes For Christ is an all-volunteer organization. It has approximately 10-11 volun-

a bike.

By Kathy L. Collins

teers and has separate team members that work on the bike repairs and the deliveries. It also has volunteers that represent the organization at local chamber meetings and events. These include outreach events, outdoor markets and expos. At these events, the volunteers share the mission of Bikes For Christ.

Bikes For Christ are seeking donations of primarily men’s bikes. You can drop of men’s bikes at several local locations, including Beef ’O’ Brady’s, located at 210 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon; Brandon Bikeworks, located at 6048 Winthrop Town Centre Ave. in Riverview; and Jarrett Scott Ford, located at 2000 E. Baker St. in Plant City. If you cannot drop of your donation of a men’s bike, you can complete a form online to make arrangements for volunteers to pick up the bike.

Please note it is not accepting children’s bikes at this time.

In addition to donations of men’s bikes, Bikes For Christ is also in need of monetary donations. According to Simmons, “Our biggest need right now is a new building so we can continue to help those in need.”

For more information, please visit www. bikes4christ.com.

BIKES FOR CHRIST HELPS THOSE WHO TRY TO HELP THEMSELVES Don’t Miss a Moment

NEW HORIZONS GROUP HOME CELEBRATES 24 YEARS

New Horizons Group Home has been part of the Brandon community for 24 years. They will be hosting an anniversary luncheon on Saturday, June 10. “This is a great opportunity to learn more about New Horizons and its history that has brought us to where we are today,” said Brenda Watkins of New Horizons Group Home Inc. “There will be a delicious lunch and a short presentation by our residents.”

New Horizons Group Home has been part of the Brandon Community for 24 years. It will be hosting an anniversary luncheon on Saturday, June 10.

Tickets for the organization’s upcoming luncheon are $25 for an individual ticket or $175 for a table of eight. Te deadline for purchasing tickets is Saturday, June 3.

In 1992, several parents, teachers and friends of members of the Special Ministries Department of First Baptist Church Brandon identified a need for long-term living facilities for developmentally disabled men and women. A committee was formed to investigate the requirements to undertake this task. Out of this group, New Horizons Group Homes was born.

The mission of New Horizons Group Homes is to provide a family-oriented Christian group home living environment that supports adults with disabilities to help them achieve their highest potential for independence through a variety of services emphasizing faith, family, choice, independence, dignity and respect. “It is amazing to look back to when New Horizons was just an idea with a group of people wanting to make it into a reality,” Watkins said. “We all wanted a Christian home with a family

By Libby Hopkins

atmosphere, and the most important thing to me is that it has remained just that.

Our daughter has been in the home since the first one opened in June of 1999, and she loves being there.

As parents, my husband and I are so happy when she is at our home and are also happy to see that she loves going back to her home. It has been so heartwarming to see how all of the residents have blossomed over the years. The very best part of this whole experience has been seeing how God has provided for all of our needs.”

New Horizons is home to 16 residents. “We have two homes for men and one for ladies, and we currently have openings for three men,” Watkins said. “Our homes are based on Christian principles and have a family atmosphere where our residents are encouraged to reach their full potential. They have gained a wonderful sense of independence while having 24/7 supervision. Six of our residents work in the community, while the others go to diferent day programs.”

Tickets for the organization’s upcoming luncheon are $25 for an individual ticket or $175 for a table of eight. The deadline for purchasing tickets is Saturday, June 3. If you’d like to learn more about New Horizons Group Homes, visit www.newhorizonshomes.org.

Bikes For Christ works with local organizations, employers and schools to get bikes to people who are trying to make truly life-changing decisions for the better. If a bike will beneft them, they can get

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR SUMMER 2023 SEMESTER AT HCC

Summer 2023

registration is open for all new and returning students at Hillsborough Community College (HCC). Classes begin on Monday, May 15 online and at all campus and satellite locations. 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 ofers

flexible class schedules and course delivery options, which allow students to study at their own pace without compromising their work or family obligations. Options include:

• On-campus, with face-to-face instruction and scheduled class meetings at one of HCC’s five campuses or satellite locations.

• Hybrid courses, which combine in-person and online delivery.

• Simulcast courses, which combine online video conferencing and an on-campus component.

• Online, with live class meetings. Faculty and students are online at the same time for the class meetings with additional

TRAVEL EXPERT AND ARMY VETERAN LAUNCHES NEW TRAVEL BOOK FOR CAREGIVERS OF SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS

Staf Report

online work done on their own.

• Online, with no mandatory live class meetings. Instructor communication and feedback is through Canvas.

• Flexible-start courses that start at various times throughout the semester, including one 12-week session, one 10-week session, one eightweek session and three five-week sessions.

Tuition at HCC is significantly less than the cost of public universities, private colleges and for-profit institutions. The college was recently 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, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

Hillsborough Community College serves more than 42,000 students annually at its five campuses located throughout Tampa Bay. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.

For more information, visit the college website www.hccfl.edu.

Luxury travel expert/advisor and retired army veteran Jenifer Breaux announces the launch of her new brand, ‘I am Jenifer Breaux,’ which specializes in providing premium travel experiences for novice to experienced travelers with a special emphasis on traveling for families and caregivers of children with special needs.

With over a decade of experience in the luxury travel industry, Breaux has developed a reputation for designing custom itineraries and providing topnotch service to discerning clients. Her new brand builds on that expertise, catering additionally to the needs of families and caregivers of special needs children, who often face unique challenges when it comes to travel.

On Thursday, May 11 at Center Place of Brandon, the I am Jenifer Breaux team will kick o f the brand’s launch with a day of learning for the special needs community. This event will connect special needs families/caregivers with experts and resources. Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain community support from leaders within the special needs community. The day of learning will be followed by

the o f cial launch of Jenifer’s new book, Travel Is Possible; How To Travel With Children With Special Needs . Doors will open at 9 a.m.

“Travel can be stressful for anyone, but it can be especially challenging for families with special needs children,” said Breaux. “My goal with this addition to the I am Jenifer Breaux brand is to provide a seamless, stress-free travel experience that allows families to focus on what really matters — spending quality time together.”

The I am Jenifer Beaux brand is a personal lifestyle luxury travel brand that focuses the luxury travel experience. Breaux has also partnered with a select group of luxury hotels and resorts around the world to share your experiences with her community.

“I am thrilled to be launching this brand bring the experience of luxury travel to families all over the world,” said Breaux. “I believe that travel has the power to bring people together and create lifelong memories, and I am excited to help make those memories a reality for my clients.”

For more information about and to purchase launch tickets, visit the brand’s website at www.iamjeniferbreaux.com.

Summer 2023 classes begin on Monday, May 15 at Hillsborough Community College. Registration is open for all new and returning students at all its satellite and campus locations, including Brandon, Te Regent, SouthShore and Plant City.

Jenifer Breaux (pictured with her family) will launch her lifestyle brand, ‘I am Jenifer Breaux,’ along with the launch of her new book, Travel Is Possible, on Tursday, May 11 at Center Place of Brandon

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisement. Before you decide, ask us to send you FREE written information about our qualifications and experience.

iSPY TEACHES STEM TO LOCAL PRESCHOOL STUDENTS

The mission of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County is to provide children, from birth to 5 years old, a high-quality, equitable and inclusive early learning experience to prepare them for success in school and life through the collaboration of families, educators and the community.

Recently, the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County created a free program that brings STEM to preschoolers. iSpy Tampa Bay has been brought to more than 100 classrooms so far, and it’s looking to add more. Schools in Valrico and Riverview are currently using the iSpy program. “The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County created the program because state tests show only half of kids in Tampa Bay are ready for kindergarten,” said Alison Fraga, chief development ofcer for the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, “so thousands of kids are starting school each year without the basic skills they need to succeed. This STEM program is one way to fix that.”

The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, in partnership with ZooTampa, The Florida Aquarium and the Glazer Children’s Museum, strives to improve reading, science and mathematics litera-

By Libby Hopkins

cies among preschool students ages 3-5 through play-based learning activities.

The iSpy Tampa Bay program provides the opportunity to engage children in science and nature play both in the classroom and at home. The program promotes natural curiosity, increases vocabulary and sparks imagination.

“Each child gets a backpack full of STEM learning tools like magnifying glasses and binoculars,” Fraga said. “Kids also get a free family membership to the Glazer Children’s Museum, The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa. Plus, teachers get special training to use STEM to help kids learn the key skills they need like math, reading and vocabulary.”

Only half of Tampa Bay’s students are entering kindergarten with the skills needed to succeed in school, according to state testing. “iSpy Tampa Bay is aiming to reverse that trend by bringing STEM learning into child care centers and preschools by using fun play to teach real science, math and reading skills,” Fraga said.

If you would like to learn more about the programs ofered by the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County or if you want to learn more about its iSpy Tampa Bay program, visit www.elchc.org.

Care partners of those with any type of memory loss, whether family, friends or professionals, need to be equipped with the knowledge to best support their loved one. Gain this knowledge at our NEW hybrid support groups being held via Zoom and in person at Tessera of Brandon.

Hybrid Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Groups

Te Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County created a free program that brings STEM to preschoolers. iSpy Tampa Bay has been brought to more than 100 classrooms so far, and it’s looking to add more. Schools in Valrico and Riverview are currently using the iSpy program.

HIGH 5 INC. TO HOST FREE COMMUNITY EVENT FOR 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

By Lily Belcher

“Her two sons still remain in the program today, and High 5/ Team TRIDENT wanted to create a way to celebrate her forever,” said Spano. “… All proceeds benefit our special-needs education pillar by providing supplies and resources for projects just like this one.”

BUSCH GARDENS HONORS MILITARY WITH FREE PARK ADMISSION FOR ACTIVE DUTY, VETERANS AND FAMILIES

veterans and their families allows us to show our utmost appreciation to all the brave individuals who serve and sacrifice for our county. We are honored to continue this long-standing tradition as a small gesture of our deep gratitude towards members of our military.”

High 5 Inc. is celebrating its 60th anniversary on Saturday, May 20 with free activities and games for the community and the dedication of their new memorial garden.

The event will be held to celebrate 60 years of teaching community members of all ages how to swim and be safe in the water. High 5 will host games, guest speakers, activities and food for those who come to the celebration.

“This will be a free community event where not only will we be celebrating 60 years of impact and driving our mission in the Brandon community and beyond, but we will also be hosting our Blue Wave Swim-A-Thon, Candy Corsi Memorial Garden Dedication, Pool Project Dedication [and] celebrating National Learn to Swim Day,” said director of family experience Jada Spano.

The Memorial Garden will be dedicated to Candy Corsi, former director of Training and Recreation for the Intellectually Disabled, Enhancing Their Natural Talents (TRIDENT), who passed away in 2021.

Team TRIDENT has learned hydroponics and basic craftsmanship skills during the construction of the memorial garden. While the garden is still being built, it will be dedicated at the event to encourage the community to visit in the future.

In addition to six decades of teaching individuals how to swim, High 5 has served the community with an emphasis on its five pillars: after-school, learn to swim, special-needs education, sports and recreation and community partnerships.

“We encourage families, friends, athletes, past/present program participants, community leaders and businesses, and everyone else, to come enjoy this memorable day with us,” said Spano.

The anniversary celebration will take place at the High 5 facility from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. High 5 is located of U.S. Highway 60 on Beverly Boulevard.

To donate to the memorial garden, visit https://qtego.net/donate/trident. For information on the nonprofit organization, visit www.high5inc.org or call 813-689-0908.

PEST

Termidor Termidor

Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is honoring military veterans and up to three guests with free one-day admission to its parks from now through Sunday, July 9. Active-duty military and their guests continue to enjoy one-day complimentary admission throughout the year. The ofers are part of Busch Gardens’ long-standing Waves of Honor program that salutes active-duty military members, veterans and their families by ofering special pricing and promotions throughout the year.

For more than 20 years, Busch Gardens has been proud to provide complimentary park access to members of the United States military. More than 10 million guests — active-duty military members, veterans and their families — have enjoyed free admission to the company’s parks. Whether it’s educational animal experiences or thrilling attractions, Busch Gardens invites military families for a day of family fun.

“We take great pride in providing military members and their families the opportunity to create memories at one of our parks,” said Marc Swanson, chief executive ofcer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Extending free park admission to military service members,

Eligible U.S. military veterans and retirees can register for complimentary single-day tickets for themselves and up to three dependents before Sunday, May 14 at www.wavesofhonor.com. After registering, all tickets must be redeemed at the park by July 9.

U.S. active-duty, activated or drilling reservist and National Guardsmen also can take advantage of one complimentary admission for themselves and up to three dependents per year to Busch Gardens. Additional discounts and ofers are available for active military and veterans through MWR and ITT ofces on U.S. military bases and online at www.wavesofhonor.com. These ofers are available year-round and may difer by park.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure, ofering 300 acres of fascinating attractions based on exotic explorations around the world. Busch Gardens is a unique blend of thrilling rides, an AZA-accredited zoo with thousands of animals representing more than 200 species and exciting seasonal events all year, providing unrivaled experiences for guests of every age.

For more information, visit www.buschgardenstampa.com.

LOCAL DUO TURN ADVERSITY INTO NEW LAWN CARE BUSINESS

Courageous, brave, determined. These are just some of the words that describe the owners of O My Lawn.

Taylor and Jared Ramella have pushed through adversity and come out the other side with their new small business, O My Lawn LLC.

Jared has always had a passion for being outside and working in the yard. He has memories of his grandfather driving him around with a push mower and advertising as RentA-Kid for lawn care; working in the yard even as a young child put Jared into the landscaping industry for a long time.

In 2014, Jared was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. After years of gazing out the window and watching someone else mow their grass, Jared decided he was tired of watching someone work on something he loved.

After getting married in February this year, Jared is more than ready to be able to support his family, and O My Lawn was the perfect solution for the Ramellas.

“I truly just wanted to be a member of

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

society again,” said Jared, the face and ‘legs’ of O My Lawn, “and truthfully, give myself a purpose while being a provider for my now family.”

Serving the Wimauma, Brandon and Riverview areas, O My Lawn is the newest lawn care business in the community. With a focus on restoration and monthly lawn care, O My Lawn provides mowing, weed eating, leaf blowing, edging, hedge and tree trimming, weed control, pressure washing services and more.

Both Taylor and Jared were born and raised in the Ruskin/ Wimauma area. The Ramellas enjoy being able to help community members in the area.

From needing others to help him to being able to help others, Jared has pushed through with Taylor by his side and can now continue working on his passion. For more information or to hire O My Lawn LLC, please contact Taylor at omylawnllc@gmail.com.

Taylor and Jared Ramella have fought through adversity, and after struggling to fnd Jared a reliable job, the Ramellas decided to open their own business, O My Lawn LLC.

EXPRESS CAR WASH CHAINS TARGET SOUTH COUNTY FOR EXPANSION

Local commuters and residents want ing to keep their ve hicles spotless have gained several new car wash options recently with multi ple Woodie’s Wash Shack, ModWash and Tidal Wave Auto Spa locations opening, as well as even more planned to compete against estab lished local operations such as Jules Car Wash. Many have been wondering why this area has seen such sudden and un expected growth in the express car-wash industry.

“We believe nearly a thousand new stores per year are being built in the U.S.,” said Eric Wulf, CEO of the International Carwash Association. “Over the past 20 years, consumer preferences have shifted from ‘do it yourself’ to ‘do it for me.’ Sun shine states have historically been popu-lar for car wash ser vices.”

From an investor’s perspec tive, the express car wash busi ness model is a marathon, not a sprint; with the high initial cost of land and construction even tually ofset by leaving income moving forward going — hopefully — mainly towards profit. With minimal annu al employee cost and expenses, including water, electricity, maintenance, insurance and taxes, it is about as close to passive income as can be found by investors in the massively lucrative automotive in-dustry.

Tampa Bay is especially appealing to developers in the car wash business due to our relatively low number of already existing locations, as well as the high carto-household ratio. With the influx of new residents moving into the area, most com

By Brian Bokor

erage of 13 times per year.

“Thanks to the widespread digitization of money, it’s easier to get banks on board these days. Banks weren’t really favorable of the business model in the past because it was mostly a cash-run business, but with memberships paid digitally now responsible for 90 percent of the in-come and only 10 percent cash, lenders are more receptive when it comes to financing,” said Glen Stygar, partner/vice president of operations for Woodie’s Wash Shack.

When asked about the saturation of car washes in close proximity, Stygar sees it another way. “We don’t look at competition, we have a market plan to build over 50 stores on the west coast of Florida,” Stygar said. Like Wulf, he believes the shift in consumer habits towards do-it-for-me parallels the growth of express oil-change

“I believe our competition is your driveway. We’re pulling people out of the driveway, just like we used to change our own oil,” Stygar said. “We see that happening in the car wash industry. You stay in your car and buzz through the tunnel in three minutes. Why use up to 120 gallons of your water when you get it done here using 30 gallons of ours? It’s a far more efcient use of water, and it’s quicker. Multiple locations near where you work, where you live and where you play give everyone the option of cleaning their ride whenever they find the time. We are also expanding into neighborhood developments with well-established tenants, such as Starbucks and Wawa, welcoming us as neighbors” due in part to the modern architecture used to designing Woodie’s

LOCAL RESIDENTS WILL RUN FOR BRANDON’S HONORARY MAYOR IN JUNE

The annual Brandon Honorary Mayor race will officially kick off on Thursday, June 1 for community leaders who will raise money to support local charities. This year, Jorgie Franks, sales and business development coach, and Danielle Stevens, owner of Vine Vegan, will be running for the position, which will be announced at the Fourth of July Parade.

Franks has lived in Brandon since 11th grade, graduating from Bloomingdale High School before attending Hillsborough Community College in Brandon and transferring to the University of South Florida. She decided to fun run for honorary mayor while working at the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce in 2018.

“I have worked in Brandon, FL in many capacities at many of the stores, schools and organizations we visit every day,” said Franks. “[At the chamber of commerce], I was in charge of adding members, which made me reach out to the business community and begin the diversity and inclusion council.”

During her race, Franks will donate the funds she raises to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon, Women Centered 4 Success and Family Promise of Hillsborough County.

Franks has worked with the Kiwanis Club, which partners with schools to provide education, mentorship and leadership opportunities for students.

About Women Center 4 Success, which Franks works at as a coach, she said, “I was there seven years ago when this organization was being conceptualized. It was a vision to have the elderly women give their mentorship and coaching to the younger women and today.”

She chose to support Family Promise

of Hillsborough County as her last nonprofit because it assists homeless families without separating the individuals.

“Before 2018, I had never even heard of an honorary mayor race,” said Franks. “I have held leadership positions before, but this would be the one where I can leave money for charities. What an honor.”

Stevens moved to Florida eight years ago, living with her family in Valrico. After working for over 20 years of corporate work experience, Stevens opened a plant-based restaurant in 2022, Vine Vegan, after identifying a need for it in the Brandon community.

“I am passionate about my mission: bringing people together over food, cap -

By Lily Belcher

turing the culture of community and using ridiculously delicious vegan food to do it,” said Stevens.

Stevens will be raising money for the Impact Program, Hope for Her and A Kid’s Place throughout June for the honorary mayor race.

“I choose these charities because they help causes that are very personal and near to my heart,” said Stevens.

Impact educates students, parents and teachers on how to have healthy relationships and avoid sexual risk. Hope for Her offers a safe place for women to find strength, skills and support after experiencing trauma. Finally, A Kid’s Place provides foster care for children from abusive homes.

“My goal is to secure financial resources to my selected charities while creating interaction between our community and its environment, all while by increasing my involvement, and encouraging others to do so too,” said Stevens.

In order to raise the funds, Stevens has organized a number of events that will take place throughout June.

“We have something for everyone,” she said. “We are going to have a grand kickoff on June 1 at my restaurant, Vine Vegan, at 5 p.m., where there will be raffles and door prizes and the opportunity to purchase advanced tickets to all my events in June.”

Her team is also planning a movie night featuring Guardians of the Galaxy, a Tory Burch Bingo on Thursday, June 22 at the Winthrop Barn and other fun events, like a comedy night, silent dance party, bingo at Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. and an online auction. Ticket sales will begin on June 1 and can be purchased by visiting ‘Danielle for Brandon Mayor’ on Facebook.

Jorgie Franks is running for honorary mayor and will support the Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon, Women Centered 4 Success and Family Promise of Hillsborough County.

Danielle Stevens will support the Impact Program, Hope for Her and A Kid’s Place with the money raised during the honorary mayor race.

Jorgie Franks

Danielle Stevens

CANINE CABANA HAS BEEN CARING FOR COMMUNITY DOGS FOR 15 YEARS

Canine Cabana has been engrained in the Southeastern Hillsborough County area culture for 15 years now and it celebrated the milestone with a double ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Greater Riverview and Valrico FishHawk chambers of commerce on May 1. The celebration included a variety of rescue and adoption agencies in addition to the many local vendors like Fox Fired Pizza and Florida Foam Factory providing fun for dogs and humans alike.

Co-founders Kendall Duncan and Angie Pickren have extensive experience in the animal care industry, as they got their start working for Busch Gardens caring for exotic animals. For over 15 years, the pair worked with a wide variety of animals like hyenas and hippos, sometimes showcasing the animals for education on shows such as The Jay Leno Show. Inspired by a need in their community, and their passion for dogs in particular, Duncan and Pickren came together to create Canine Cabana in 2008.

What started as a two-employee operation has grown immensely over the past 15 years. In the beginning, Canine Cabana could serve about 30 dogs a day, as its services were limited to boarding and a group day care with a self-service wash and 20 suites for the pets. There are now a variety of programs ofered in addition to the original two, such as daycare membership, individual play, enrichment daycare, private

By Jonathan Hurst

training, group training and spa/grooming services. The facilities have expanded as well, going from 1 acre and two play yards to 3 acres and eight play yards, as well as nature trails and a training facility, and more expansion is anticipated. These services and facilities are just some of the ways that Canine Cabana ensures that when your dog stays with it, they are staying in luxury. All guests are well entertained, as they spend time with between 12-15 dogs of similar size and temperament after their orientation day.

“We train every new team member with industry leaders like The Dog Gurus’ Knowing Dogs 101 and 201. We love to have our team training and learning with webinars or conferences on continuing education, always learning what is new and better for the guests in our care. Our team is CPR and first aid certified. We have created a culture of inclusivity, safety and fun,” Duncan said. What makes Canine Cabana stand out is their enrichment programs available for the dogs that have the pleasure of being a guest. These enrichment programs vary greatly, as your dog can engage in pool time, agility work, scent hunting or even art activities.

If you would like more information about the 15-year anniversary party or general information about Canine Cabana, please visit its Facebook page, Canine Cabana Florida, or its website at https://caninecabana.biz/.

Co-Founders Angie Pickren and Kendall Duncan.

Rosie after graduating from training.

GETTING A CHILD TO APPRECIATE MATH

For some students, math skills come easily, as do the aptitudes needed to be a successful math student: analyzing patterns, thinking logically and critically and solving problems. However, for others, math concepts are di f cult to grasp, and the more complex they become, the more students want to give up altogether.

If your child isn’t one of the fortunate students for which math ‘clicks’ e f ortlessly, it may not be possible for you to convince him or her to like math. However, you can encourage your child to appreciate math for the practical and useful life skill that it is. Here are a few tips on how to help your student appreciate math and its importance.

Point out math in everyday life. You don’t have to look too hard to find math in day-to-day life — from weather forecasting to telling time to using cell phones and computers. From the time your child is old enough to understand the basic concepts of math, highlight math being used everywhere you go.

Call attention to math in various careers. Certainly, it’s easier to see why professionals in accounting, engineering and science need math. However, the reality is that math is a skill required by many jobs. For business owners and entrepreneurs, math is an essential part of the company’s purchasing, budgeting, finances and other functions. Those working in real estate or sales likely have monthly sales targets to meet in order to earn carefully calculated bonuses. Landscapers or architects use math skills to create scaled drawings and to calculate

By Dr. Raymond J. Huntington

and order the right amounts of supplies. Use money. Your child might not enjoy worksheets of math problems, but there’s a good chance he or she is interested in money — or at least interested in earning money. Help your child open his or her first bank account and teach him or her how to maintain the savings register. Together, calculate how much interest he or she could earn each month based on the account’s interest rate. Put together a spreadsheet that gives your child a weekly savings goal to save up for that iPad.

Discuss your own relationship with math. Does your child see you using math? Be sure to explain how and where you use math in your daily life. If you maintain the family budget, have your child help you with this task so he or she gets a sense of how your family keeps track of your income, expenses, savings and more. Show your child how you use math in cooking and when comparison shopping.

Your child might never feel enthusiastic about math, but with some effort on your part, you can impart in him or her an appreciation for the importance of the subject. Look around and you will find a multitude of opportunities to show your child math in use — from complex math to everyday math. Keep in mind that math is a subject that requires students to continually build skills. If your child struggles with basic concepts, more complex math will only prove frustrating. If your child is struggling, call Huntington. We can design a customized program to help your child overcome any problems with math and get back on the road to school success.

Helping Your Child Learn Math by Eileen and Raymond Huntington o f ers tips, strategies and activities to help your child learn math at home and on the go.

NEW WELL PLANNED TO INCREASE WATER SUPPLY

Not many things seem as sure as turning on a water faucet to get a steady stream of drinking water, unless you live or work in some parts of Southern Hillsborough County, where demand is challenging the supply and, at times, the flow can be reduced to a trickle.

The increase in demand for water is driven by growth in Southeastern Hillsborough County, which is seeing more residents move into new homes every day. To help meet that growing need, Tampa Bay Water is implementing a plan to increase the amount of water flowing to that part of the utility’s service area.

An agreement with Hillsborough County means Tampa Bay Water can move forward with plans to create an additional drinking water well in Southern Hillsborough County that could provide an additional 2.3 million gallons of water daily to the area.

“The water will be locally sourced and locally used,” said Warren Hogg, chief science ofcer for Tampa Bay Water. “Not only will it help meet the county’s needs, but it will also free up 2.3 million gallons of water per day from the regional system.”

The ability to draw the additional water from a Southern Hillsborough County

By Brad Stager

source is due to the installation of reclaimed water injection wells along the area’s coastline that prevent saltwater from contaminating inland water supplies. Ofcials said the reclaimed treated wastewater will not intrude into drinking water supplies.

Water from the new well could be flowing through south county pipes by 2026, said Tampa Bay Water ofcials, who anticipate growing demand throughout its regional service area that includes Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties, as well as the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and New Port Richey.

Currently, the utility provides drinking water to 2.5 million people, a number that grows daily with new arrivals to the area. According to Tampa Bay Water, that means an additional 1020 million gallons of new water per day will be needed to serve customers for the 10-year period 2028-38.

Other Tampa Bay Water projects intended to ensure drinking water to the area include a new booster station in Brandon that will send more water to the treatment plant in Lithia by the end of the year and construction of a new regional pipeline to deliver more water to Southern Hillsborough County by 2028.

Tampa Bay Water has plans to increase the supply of drinking water to Southern Hillsborough County.

HGTV 100 Day Dream Home, Volunteer & More...

Te Community Foundation Tampa Bay Awarded Scholarship

Grant To Te Center 4Life Learning

The Community Foundation Tampa Bay awarded a scholarship grant to Center 4Life Learning. Center 4Life Learning is a fun, nonaccredited adult education out-

Crater Ln. in Tampa, on Tuesday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. It will welcome Danny M. Gallagher, E.I. recycling coordinator at the Solid Waste Department, as speaker. Visit the club calendar on its website, www.easthillsboroughdems. org, to check for updates and attend via Zoom.

Introduction To Tai Chi Classes

The Taoist Tai Chi Society invites you to learn more about the art of tai chi and the flexibility, strength and stillness that can be achieved through it. There will be introductory sessions at Brandon Christian Church, located at 910 Bryan Rd. in Brandon, on Tuesdays from 10-11 a.m. and at Julestarz Academy, located at 16131 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia, on Thursdays from 11 a.m.-12 Noon. For more information, contact the head ofce at 727-734-0929 or visit www.taoisttaichi.org.

Chico’s Style Show And Luncheon Fundraiser

Public Input Sought For Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve

The Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve is an almost 1,200-acre conservation area in Gibsonton. It contains upland and wetland communities that support a diverse array of native plant and animal species. It also has marked trails for hiking and is an outstanding location to watch local wildlife. Hillsborough County residents are invited to review updates to the management plan for this preserve at a 6 p.m. in-person meeting on Wednesday, May 10 at Bell Creek Nature Preserve, located at 10940 McMullen Rd. in Riverview. Also, feedback can be given by visiting www.hcflgov.net/ hcengage.

teer to register.

Local Residents Return To HGTV Shows

reach program that serves the entire community. Classes are designed to inform, entertain and inspire with a broad curriculum. The 2023 fall semester will begin on Monday, October 9 at the campus of the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center. Visit its website at www.sccumc. com/4lifelearning for more information.

East Hillsborough Democratic Club Meetings

The May meeting of the Hillsborough Democratic Club will take place at the Brandon Crossroads Bowl, located at 609

Join the GFWC Ruskin Woman’s Club on Saturday, May 13 for Chico’s Style Show and Lunch at Southshore Falls, located at 5831 Cascade Falls Ln. in Apollo Beach. Doors open at 11 a.m. In addition to the fashion show and lunch, guests will enjoy a wine bar, rafe baskets, silent auction and 50/50 cash drawing. Reserve your place by calling 813-296-3900 or visiting www. gfwcruskinwomansclub.org/events. Tickets are $35 each.

Saint Anne Catholic Church

It’s Fun To Volunteer At ECHO

Are you looking for volunteer opportunities in Brandon, Riverview and the surrounding areas? ECHO needs people who are excited to volunteer so that it can help as many families in the area as possible. It has something for everyone. If you have not volunteered with ECHO before, you must attend a short New Volunteer Orientation before your first time. One opportunity, the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, is taking place on Saturday, May 13, and ECHO will need lots of volunteers. Visit www.echofl.org/volun-

Local residents Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt will return to HGTV in a two-episode special of 100 Day Dream Home: Beachfront Hotel, ahead of the new 11-episode season premiere of 100 Day Dream Home. During the beachfront hotel special, Brian and Mika will turn their construction and design expertise toward the full overhaul of a dated 12-room property on the Florida Gulf Coast. 100 Day Dream Home: Beachfront Hotel premieres Friday, May 12 at 9 p.m. on HGTV, followed by the new season premiere of 100 Day Dream Home on Friday, May 26 at 9 p.m.

Saint Anne Catholic Church

Saint Anne Catholic Church

Vigil

Sunday8

Monday-Friday Wednesday &

~Masses~

~Masses~

Vigil Saturday 4:30 p.m.

MASSES

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

Monday-Friday 8 a.m.

Wednesday & Jueves 7 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information, please check the St. Anne website. Registration is now open for the 2021-2022 Faith Formation year. Please call the ofce for more information.

U.S. Hwy. 41 • 106 11th Ave NE • Ruskin

SaintAnneRuskin.org • 813-645-1714

Lynne: (813) 634-5111 • Lynne@SouthHillsChamber.com

4051 Upper Creek Drive Suite 100, SCC

Compiled by Jenny Bennett jbennett@ospreyobserver.com

Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt from HGTV’s 100 Day Dream Home.

SOUTHSHORE INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS EXPANDS AND NOW OFFERS LIFE INSURANCE

Michelle Mosher is celebrating her nine-year anniversary of ofering business and personal insurance to Hillsborough County residents through Southshore Insurance Professionals.

Mosher opened the company in March of 2014 after working in the insurance industry for 20 years. The Seminole County native moved to Tampa and started working as a medical and dental claims processor. She then transitioned to insurance sales and service and went on to having her own agency.

“The most rewarding part of what we do is helping someone when the unexpected happens to them and being there for them during their time of need with a claim,” said Mosher.

Southshore Insurance Professionals ofers personal and commercial insurance to meet the needs of over 1,500 clients. The Riverview agency ofers home, auto, boat, ATV, RV and business insurance. Mosher also reobtained her license to write life insurance at the beginning of the year to meet a need she saw among her clients. Southshore Insurance Professionals is also a member of the Insurance Agency Owners Alliance.

“I believe our mission to educate our clients and community about insurance and coverage sets us apart from our competi-

By Lily Belcher

tion. We are deeply rooted in our community and are local supporters of all things Southeastern Hillsborough County. We love it here and we love our clients,” said Mosher.

The Southshore Insurance Professionals team also publishes frequent blog posts on its website to inform clients about insurance tips and myths. Through the blog, Mosher can explain diferent types of insurance and how to choose the right policy for a company or individual.

Mosher and her three employees have faced the challenges of being an insurance agency in Florida. Specifically, Mosher has been challenged by the property insurance crisis that is afecting agencies and policy holders. However, she has been able to continue to provide a healthy and successful business for her employees and the clients that depend on them.

“I am proud of being able to provide a place for my employees to earn a living in our community. They live and work here too, and I’m proud our clients support us in every endeavor,” said Mosher.

For more information on Southshore Insurance Professionals or to get a quote, visit https://southshoreins.com/ or call 813-4487580. Mosher’s ofce is located at 11216 Winthrop Main St. in Riverview.

Michelle Mosher and her team at Southshore Insurance Professionals ofer a variety of personal and corporate insurance plans for their Hillsborough County clients.

UNION SPORTSMEN’S ALLIANCE, IRONWORKERS LOCAL 397 HOST YOUTH FISHING EVENT AT SUNCOAST YOUTH CONSERVATION CENTER

Nearly 200 youth and their families turned out for Take Kids Fishing Day at the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center (SYCC) in Apollo Beach on April 15. Most of the participants had never fished before.

Hosted by Ironworkers Local 397 and the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), the free community event aimed to introduce youth to saltwater fishing from the boardwalk and fishing pier constructed by union volunteers at SYCC in 2019.

The wheelchair-accessible structure is the result of a multiyear community service project organized by the USA through its Work Boots on the Ground conservation program. It flanks a restored saltwater pond and marsh adjacent to the SYCC’s 6,000-square-foot education facility.

“We are grateful to the USA for its commitment to supporting youth engagement with the outdoors. The fishing pier they built for us makes a huge diference for visitors, field trip students and summer campers,” said SYCC director Candice Wade.

“Florida’s natural resources belong to all of us, and not everyone gets the chance to grow up with access to nature or guidance on how to engage with the outdoors,” she added. “Events like this empower youth and families to enjoy Florida wildlife in a conservation-minded manner. I especially love that participants received fishing gear so they can continue to apply the skills they

learned.”

As youth fished from the boardwalk and along the banks of the marsh, 18 union volunteers from Ironworkers Local 397 and the NFL Players Association, along with USA and SYCC staf, assisted them with baiting hooks, casting, reeling and getting familiar with their new fishing rods and reels, provided by the USA.

“The unions are part of the community, and we are always looking for ways to

give back and make a positive impact. We had plenty of volunteers to ensure the kids had a great experience,” said Keven Barber, Ironworkers Local 397 financial secretary-treasurer/business agent, who organized the event. “Between youth events like this and the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) apprenticeship readiness program we participate in with high schools, we hope to expose youth to the trades so they consider it as an option when

they graduate.”

“At the NFLPA, we look for opportunities for kids to experience activities they don’t normally get a chance to participate in,” said NFLPA Tampa Chapter President Jerry Bell, who volunteered at the event. “It was great to be able to spend time with these kids and show them a few things about fishing. I saw one little girl catch the biggest fish of the day, and it was neat to see how excited she was.”

Throughout the event, SYCC staf also manned four education stations, including fish tagging, knot tying, fish measuring and casting.

The Suncoast event was part of a series of free, community-based Take Kids Fishing Day events, organized through the USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program with support from USA national partners Provost Umphrey Law Firm, Union Plus and Humana as well as founding partners UIG, ULLICO, Bank of Labor, AFL-CIO Investment Trust Corporation and Buck Knives.

“The weather for this year’s event was great, and the kids caught more fish — black drum and pinfish — than previous years,” said USA Conservation Coordinator Cody Campbell. “We can’t thank the volunteers from Ironworkers Local 397, the NFLPA and SYCC enough for donating their time to give participating families a fun and educational experience and spark their interest in fishing.”

Volunteers from Ironworkers Local 397 and the NFL Players Association assisted youth with baiting, casting, reeling and getting familiar with their new fshing rods and reels.

Te Union Sportsmen’s Alliance provided all participating youth with their own fshing rods and reels so they could continue to pursue fshing beyond the event.

Most of the youth taking part in Take Kids Fishing Day had never fshed prior to the event.

Iron Rock Insurance Opens Commercial Division

Local-family-owned Iron Rock Insurance has recently expanded and opened a commercial insurance division. With the growing commercial business Lisa Hast, managing partner of Iron Rock Insurance, felt it would be a great asset to the business as well as the community.

Heading the commercial division is Spencer Foy, and Kate Norberg, licensed CSR, joined the commercial division as well. Iron Rock Insurance is located at 400 Frandorson Cir., Ste. 103 in Apollo Beach and can be contacted on 813-213-9600. Visit its website at www.ironrockins.com for more information.

Pro221 Pressure Washing Offers Expert Exterior Cleaning

Pro221 Pressure Washing specializes in all-inclusive exterior cleaning services. With cleaning homes, driveways, lanais, pool cages and more, it has the expertise and equipment to deliver outstanding results. Owner Mark Goodwin brings over 20 years of experience in customer service and understands the importance of providing high-quality service to valued customers. What sets Pro221 apart is its commitment to customer satisfaction. It guarantees that every project will

be treated with the respect it deserves, and it will only stop when the customer is satisfied. Pro221 Pressure Washing is fully licensed and insured. The convenient booking options, via text message, phone call, email or website, make it easy for

the customer to schedule a service. Contact it by calling 813-699-0304 or visit its website at https://pro221.com for additional information and to book services.

Healthcare Solutions Team Relocates To Riverview

The Greater Riverview Chamber of

Commerce recently joined with Healthcare Solutions Team to celebrate the grand opening of its newly relocated o f ce in Riverview. Healthcare Solutions Team specializes in health insurance coverage, individual plans, group coverage for employers, marketplace plans, major medical for the self-employed, critical illness and cancer coverage, dental, vision, accident, life and Medicare supplements. Walk-in and phone appointments are welcome Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.5p.m., at the o f ce located at 7407 U.S. Hwy. 301, Ste. 200 in Riverview. Call 813-689-8800 or visit its website at www.hst-brandon.com.

Duck Donuts Celebrates Grand Opening

Duck Donuts, located at 821 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon’s Bloomingdale Square plaza, recently celebrated its grand opening.

The owners, father-and-son duo Jay and Jason Patel, said, “We are delighted to be opening the first Duck Donuts in the Tampa Bay area. The community has been patiently waiting for us to open the doors, and now we cannot wait to

Continued on Next Page............

Mark Goodwin, owner of Pro221 Pressure Washing.

Spencer Foy is head of Iron Rock Insurance’s commercial division.

Healthcare Solutions Team celebrated the relocation of its ofce alongside the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon-cutting.

Duck Donuts celebrates its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting.

Dental Care at FishHawk Commons, located at 5628 Circa Fishhawk Blvd. in Lithia, recently celebrated one year in business with a ribbon-cutting sponsored by the Valrico FishHawk Chamber.

sprinkle happiness with our warm, delicious, made-to-order doughnuts.”

Customers can create their own doughnuts by choosing from a variety of coatings, toppings and drizzles, or they can select from the menu. The store also o f ers a viewing area where you can watch your donuts being made.

For more information, visit www.duckdonuts.com/brandon/.

To contact Duck Donuts in Brandon, call 813-315-9661.

Twin Creeks Celebrates Five-year Anniversary

Twin Creeks Assisted Living and Memory Care recently celebrated its five-year anniversary with a multichamber ribbon-cutting, which included Valrico FishHawk, Riverview and South County chambers of commerce. Twin Creeks is a state-of-the-art community with senior living professionals who are highly trained to o f er residents quality care and richness through stimulating activities and programs that make life more rewarding. It is located at 13470 Boyette Rd. in Riverview, just south of the Bell Shoals Road/FishHawk Boule-

By Jenny Bennett

vard/Boyette Road intersection. For more information, visit its website at www.twincreeksretire. com.

Rello Runs Academy Summer Basketball

Rello Runs Academy, owned locally by Durrell and Jade Peterson, is preparing for its summer basketball camps and classes in the Riverview area. It provides a great fun environment for all athletes to grow in spirit, mind and body through basketball. Call 904563-3170 or email jpetersoncorp@ gmail.com for more information.

Te Artzy Mermaid Celebrates Its Grand Opening

Come celebrate the Artzy Mermaid’s Grand Opening on Saturday May 13 at 12 noon. Join us and check out its new mermaid boutique items and some local Florida artists’ works. Don’t forget to register for the drawings to win one of several free art classes. Enjoy mermaid slushies and sweets, and sign up for one of our many art classes.

The Artzy Mermaids is located at 6128 N. U.S. Hwy 41, Apollo Beach in Waterside Shoppes.

LOCAL MED SPA HELPS RESIDENTS DEFY THE AGING PROCESS

Have you ever wanted to defy the aging process? Who hasn’t? While no one can stop the clock and the passing of time, ageRejuvenation, a local medical spa clinic, can put a plan in place to bring your body back to an optimal level comparable to when your body was the healthiest in your 20s. ageRejuvenation also ofers weight loss plans that can help you reach shortterm weight loss goals.

Under the medical direction of Dr. Dawn Ericsson, ageRejuvenation is committed to treating symptoms of aging and promoting longer and healthier living regardless of age. Core to its full-scale program is an individualized whole-body approach that helps patients restore their health through hormonal balance, decreased inflammation, improved sexual function and weight loss.

Brett Markowitz, visionary and founder of ageRejuvenation, said it is devoted to customized treatment plans that use advanced diagnostic testing to provide insight into the root causes of symptoms.

“We understand that no two individuals are alike,” Markowitz said. “We also believe that treating the whole body is important. Looking at the thyroid, looking at the hormones, looking at the gut health is essential.”

By Jane Owen

Clients are given a full-body assessment, which includes a lifestyle assessment with regards to stress, blood tests for hormone analysis and an analysis of food sensitivities and intolerances to support gut health.

“The average person going through traditional doctors and referrals would go through a whole year and a half to get the assessment and labs we do. We do that, day one. You get answers day one,” Markowitz said.

With regards to weight loss goals, ageRejuvenation’s holistic approach to healthy living ensures clients will have long-term success.

“Once you come see us, if you follow what we tell you to do, you are not going to put the weight back on,” said Markowitz.

ageRejuvenation has locations throughout Tampa Bay and will be opening additional locations in Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina. The Brandon ofce is located at 1155 Nikki View Dr. For more information about the services ageRejuvenation ofers, visit www.AgeRejuvenation.com. Call 813-681-8624 for a free consultation.

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Dr. Dawn Ericsson is the medical director at ageRejuvenation.

KAY’S MINISTRY HELPS THOSE IN NEED IN SOUTH SHORE

Kay’s Ministry is a unique organization run by Apollo Beach resident Charlie McGowan. In 2009, McGowan, inspired by his mother, loaded his car with sandwiches and went to Tampa to help homeless individuals. About seven years ago, he added stops in Wimauma to help those in need.

McGowan brings his helping hand to Wimauma on the last Saturday of each month. You can find him at around 3:30 p.m. in the heart of Wimauma (of of State Road 674 and Railroad Street). McGowan rents a U-Haul, sets up a table and distributes toiletries, clothes, sneakers, backpacks and other items. If he has them, he will also give out cookies, rice and candy. The individuals who are helped are mostly made up of migrant workers and their families. McGow-an helps 20-25 families on each visit to Wimauma.

At Christmas time, he gives out 300350 wrapped shoeboxes filled with items for men, women, boys and girls. Each August, Kay’s Ministry holds a backpack drive and collects school sup-plies for students in need.

On Sundays, McGowan also goes to Tampa to help the homeless there, where

By Kathy L. Collins

he gives out sandwiches, bus passes and helps pay copays for prescriptions.

McGowan said,

“There is a big difference between Wimauma and Tampa and what the people we help need.

In Wimauma, the people are poor but have a roof over their head. In Tampa, they are homeless.”

“God gave us the ability to work hard. We are expected to help others. If we can do some-thing for others, it makes you feel better,” McGowan said, and he added, “Christianity is a big part of who I am. I am not looking for thanks. It is just something we need to do.”

McGowan lost his son two years ago to the fentanyl crisis. This fact motivates McGowan to do what he does.

McGowan said, “Love is the universal language.”

McGowan cannot do what he does without the help of others. Volunteers are welcome to help distribute items. You can also donate items and money. Whatever you donate goes directly to the mission of Kay’s Ministry.

For more information about Kay’s Ministry or ways to donate, please visit www. kaysministry.org.

Kay’s Ministry was started in 2009 by Apollo Beach resident Charlie McGowan. He travels to Wimauma once a month to help migrant workers and their families.

Kay’s Ministry, named after Charlie McGowan’s mother, began in 2009. Inspired by his moth-er’s loving example, McGowan loaded up his car with bologna sandwiches, picked up his Bible and headed to the streets of downtown Tampa.

SECOND ECHO THRIFT STORE NOW OPEN ON BLOOMINGDALE AVE

Finding a good home for things you don’t use anymore is a solid move any time of year. Donate items to ECHO’s new thrift store and you will be giving to people in crisis in our community.

ECHO’s mission is to assist residents of Hillsborough County in crisis with emergency food and clothing, ofering life-stabilizing programs and resources.

ECHO has two resource centers, one in Brandon and one in Riverview. Its Brandon thrift store has provided clothing and housewares for the resource centers since 2021.

A second ECHO Thrift store is opening on Thursday, April 27 on Bloomingdale Avenue. The additional space will allow ECHO to process more donations, support more neighbors in need and create additional funding for ECHO’s many community initiatives.

ECHO Thrift’s manager, Annmarie Macaluso, loves the mission and community focus of ECHO.

“ECHO is community-based. We live here. We work here. We help here,” Macaluso said.

According to Macaluso, the new Bloomingdale store will primarily support the Riverview resource center. The support process will be the same as it has been for the Brandon resource center.

By Jane Owen

Resource centers send invoices of what they need, the thrift stores fill the items and then they are picked up and taken to the centers daily. Leftover items at the thrift stores are sold, and the profits support ECHO’s programming.

Macaluso explained that the new store provides more giveback to what ECHO is already doing but beyond that, it gives back to this area of the community.

“I look at our thrift store as its own give back to the community. We try to keep things here reasonable. People can come and shop and find nice things for their family. A lot of people are struggling who might not need assistance, but things are a little tight and we are more afordable,” Macaluso said.

ECHO’s Bloomingdale thrift store is located at 815 W. Bloomingdale Ave. It is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Donation hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on those days.

Donations of clothing and housewares are accepted. Baby seats, large toys and furniture (with the exception of small accent pieces) cannot be donated.

To learn more about ECHO, visit https:// echofl.org/. For specific thrift store information, select the “ECHO Thrift” tab on the website.

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay unveiled its new sexual assault services location in Ruskin on April 28. The new center is located at 201 14th Ave. SE in Ruskin. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is a non-profit agency and is Tampa Bay’s elite provider of crisis and trauma services. The only other center is located in North Tampa.

The new location in Ruskin allows the community in Southern Hillsborough County to be better served. With a second location, in a rapidly growing area of Hillsborough County, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay will be able to help more individuals receive advocacy and support following an assault.

The new location opened with the help and support of Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen and all of the county commissioners, Hillsborough County Sherif Chad Chronister and Hillsborough Clerk of Court Cindy Stuart.

At the unveiling, several of the above spoke, and attendees toured the new facility. Cohen said, “This is the type of public-private partnership that makes sure ev-

By Kathy Collins

eryone has access to the best possible services.”

Chronister said, “Imagine being a victim of rape and having to travel an hour and a half to the crisis center. A lot of victims start questioning themselves and deputies have to explain that evidence is needed. Now, you only need to travel a short distance.”

Chronister added, “You (Crisis Center of Tampa Bay) are the beacon of hope and healing. You provide services to someone in their darkest hour. You just made Hillsborough County a safer place to live.”

Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, said, “Our mission is that no one has to face crisis alone. One of our four pillars is an efortless experience where you can … easily get access. This center is the epitome of effortless service.”

It was apropos that the center was unveiled at this time as April is sexual assault awareness month.

Reynolds added, “We need to tell sexual assault victims that they are important and they will be believed.”

The new center ofers a space that is calm and reassuring and designed to make clients feel comfortable.

While a rape exam can only be done within five days of an assault, advocacy can happen at any time. You can connect with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay by dialing 211. Someone is available to connect with you 24/7.

A second ECHO Trift store is opening on Tursday, April 27 on Bloomingdale Avenue and will help ECHO to support more neighbors in need.

Annmarie Macaluso, ECHO Trift store manager, at ECHO’s new Bloomingdale thrift store.

Te Crisis Center of Tampa Bay unveiled a new sexual assault services location in Ruskin on April 28. Dignitaries who attended the event included Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen and Hillsborough County Sherif Chad Chronister.

GRAND OPENING OF FIRST FLORIDA LOCATION OF LET THERE BE ROCK MUSIC SCHOOL IN RIVERVIEW

If you or your child have ever dreamed of being a music star, Let There Be Rock School, a combination music lesson facility and after-school rock ’n’ roll center, is here. It recently celebrated its grand opening in Riverview with a ribbon-cutting and family activities.

Whether you or your child wants to be a musician, singer, recording engineer or songwriter, this unique school has something for all ages and skill levels.

Behind the Florida debut of the Let There Be Rock School franchise are business partners Kevin Sitaras and Dave Cortino. The school ofers guitar, bass, drums, piano, ukulele, mandolin, voice and audioa production instruction with four vetted instructors. Both Sitaras and Cortino have invested heavily in providing their students with the best guitars, amps, drums, sound production software and more, and the school proudly features vintage ’80s to the most modern musical equipment.

In addition to lessons, students can join a band and even opt to perform an original song at a real concert venue every two to three months. The school will also feature a summer camp geared toward songwriting.

The antithesis of stufy, Let There Be Rock School boasts an arcade with six machines and a seating area for guests to relax or play video games on the 65-inch TV. In the lobby, walls are covered with Sitaras’ show posters and memorabilia, along with posters of

FAMILY HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION OFFERS COMMUNITY-BASED NAVIGATION FOR SERVICES

Staf Report

bands the school has gotten signed to labels.

“The biggest concept behind this school is community. We wanted to build a community around a school. Rather than a company fueled solely by profit, we wanted to create a place where people can come and hang out and feel fully welcomed for their lessons or band rehearsals,” explained Sitaras.

“We look forward to building a home for as many people as possible.”

Cortino said, “We want to create a safe, inclusive space where musicians of all ages can gather and be encouraged to play music, write and network.”

Sitaras and Cortino know life is hectic. That is why Let There Be Rock School ofers a flexible schedule where students can take weekly 30-minute lessons or 60-minute rehearsals on weekdays after school and on weekends.

Let There Be Rock School’s grand opening even featured beignets compliments of the Daily Beignets truck, beverages and live performances by local bands from three diferent school locations. There was also a 50/50 cash rafe to support Habitat for Humanity.

Let There Be Rock School is located at 9366 Balm Riverview Rd. in Riverview. Its hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 3-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Sunday by appointment. Enrollment is open for ages 4 to adult. Vvisit https://ltbrsriverview.com/ for more

Finding and maintaining health insurance for individuals and families can be a daunting task. Thankfully, there is The Family Healthcare Foundation, an afordable nonprofit that helps you navigate difcult terrain and find insurance coverage that fits your needs.

For 25 years, The Family Healthcare Foundation has been helping residents of Hillsborough County as well as Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties. Its mission is to ensure that all residents have equitable access to quality health care coverage, and its services are free to anyone, regardless of income.

If you are one of the millions who are in need of health care insurance coverage, and need help navigating the system, look to Te Family Healthcare Foundation for help. It provides health care navigator services for free to all residents of Hillsborough County.

Its services have never been more needed than they are today, as Medicaid coverage for millions, which was mandated and paid for by the federal government during the pandemic, is coming to an end.

The Family Healthcare Foundation employs highly trained and experienced navigators who will work with you to compare health care coverage from both private insurance and publicly funded health insurance, such as Florida Medicaid, Florida KidCare, the Hillsborough County Health Care Plan and the Obamacare Marketplace. Navigators are paid by The Family Healthcare Foundation, which receives funding so that it can ensure everyone has access to insurance. The navigators provide unbiased information.

Navigators speak English, Spanish, Por-

By Kathy L. Collins

tuguese and Haitian Creole. They can also get a translator for other languages.

Navigators start with a screening process to determine the type of coverage that may apply. Some programs have income requirements. You can meet with the navigator over the phone, virtually or in person. In-person meetings take place at one of seven Children’s Board Resource Centers located throughout Hillsborough County, including Brandon and Plant City.

Navigators will make themselves available in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate those who work and cannot take time o f . In addition, they are partnering with BayCare Health System, Tampa General Hospital, Evara Health and Premier Community HealthCare Group to provide additional navigators during this di f cult time.

Katie Roders Turner, executive director for The Family Healthcare Foundation, said, “Our navigators have 10 years or more experience. They do not receive commission and will do a side-by-side comparison of coverage in a completely unbiased manner.”

For more information and to get the process started, please visit https:// familyhealthcarefdn.org/ or call 813995-7005.

LOCAL RESIDENT BECOMES A SURROGATE FOR A FAMILY ABROAD

Lori Reyes of Riverview found out several years ago that her sister may not be able to have a baby.

Reyes got to thinking that she would be up for serving as a surrogate for her sister and carrying her sister’s baby if she was never able to get pregnant.

Her sister eventually was able to get pregnant and have a baby, but Reyes never stopped thinking about helping someone as a surrogate.

So, five years ago, she got connected through a surrogacy agency to a couple looking to have a baby, and they lived 5,000 miles away in Argentina. “Surrogacy was still heavy on my heart, and I knew I wanted to pursue it further,” Reyes said. “My husband agreed, so that’s when we began our journey into the surrogacy process with an agency. Soon, we were matched with another family that would forever change our lives, as well as theirs.”

As time passed, Reyes FaceTimed, called and messaged with the couple in Argentina. “More and more, and became very close with each other,” Reyes said. “It was like we knew each other our entire lives, and I knew this experience would be amazing.”

In September 2017, it was confirmed that Reyes was pregnant, and on April

THANK YOU AGAIN, KINGS POINT — THE POWER OF COMMUNITY!

By Libby Hopkins

24, 2018, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. “The entire pregnancy and birth were amazing in every way, and I could not have been happier seeing her parents love her the way they did.”

Almost immediately, the couple asked if Reyes would be willing to try again. “Although I loved the thought of their sweet baby girl having a sibling, I politely declined,” Reyes said. “They understood the toll it takes and pursued other potential surrogates. After seeing their heartbreak over and over during the next few years, I finally decided I could try again for them. They are like family, after all.”

After a few failed attempts, it was confirmed that Reyes was pregnant again in August 2022, this time with twins, a boy and a girl. “Everybody was beyond excited, especially their now-4-yearold daughter,” Reyes said. “She was finally becoming a big sister, and her parents were finally able to complete their family they always dreamed of. The pregnancy was very good the entire time, and I gave birth to two healthy babies on March 13, 2023, just before my 40th birthday. I am so thankful God used me in such a big way to help them become parents. Bringing three babies into the world for somebody else was such a blessing for me.”

Once again, it is the first Tuesday of the month in Kings Point. And once again, thanks to the kind invitation and support of Vesta’s Matthew Permuth, Mabel Corcuera and Eddie Jacobs, Our Lady’s Pantry was invited to host a food drive on April 4.

“We appreciate this opportunity to restock our shelves with food,” said pantry director Tom Bullaro. “In fact, most of the donations collected in Kings Point on April 4 were probably in our families’ homes by the following Saturday, April 8. All in all, we received an estimated 3,000 pounds of food, plus monetary donations as well.”

According to Bullaro, the pantry’s supply of unexpired, nonperishable foods is low right now because of more individuals and families coming for food all the time, so donations are always welcome — and needed.

If you wish to donate, you can bring food donations directly to the pantry on Tuesday or Friday mornings. The pantry is located in the classroom building on

the far right-hand corner of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission campus, just south of Sun City Center Blvd., at 16650 U.S. Hwy. 301 S. in Wimauma.

Some easy-tograb-and-donate food ideas are: pasta; boxed macaroni and cheese; sauces; canned food, such as tuna, chicken, beef stew, soup, beans, potatoes, vegetables, tomatoes and fruit; dried fruit; cake mix; crackers; cookies; rice; peanut butter; jelly; nuts; snacks (granola bars, individually wrapped candy and chips); condiments (salad dressing, ketchup and mayo); cofee, tea and cocoa; microwave popcorn; pie crusts; cereal; pop tarts; and drinks (juice, pop and water).

“We thank Kings Point residents for their care of those less fortunate than themselves,” said Bullaro. “We also thank pantry volunteers Karen, Mike, Joyce, Helen, Rhonda, Geri, Lyle and Doug for helping to make this food drive a success. Our Lady’s Pantry looks forward to being invited to Kings Point again, one day next fall.”

Our Lady’s Pantry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, run entirely by volunteers. If you are part of a neighborhood or group that would like to include Our Lady’s Pantry as a project, to volunteer or learn more about the pantry, please visit www.ourladyspantry.com or email tom@ourladyspantry.com.

Same Day Appointments Available

Our Lady’s Pantry is a 501(c)(3) that is entirely run by volunteers. To volunteer, visit www.ourladyspantry.com.

Lori Reyes of Riverview has been a surrogate two times for a couple living in Argentina who could not have children.

COME SEE A FANTASTIC MAP

EXHIBIT FEATURING THE FLORIDA KEYS AT THE TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER

There’s a new exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center, and it is called Key West and the Florida Keys: Mapping the History of the Conch Republic. The exhibit is on display now through Sunday, October 15 in the Saunders Foundation Gallery.

Key West and the Florida Keys have played an outsized role in Florida’s history. The Keys first appeared on a Spanish map in 1511, and they had been home to the Tequesta and Calusa for thousands of years. In modern times, Key West was at one point the largest city in Florida. It was home to wreckers, cigar makers, fisherfolk and other colorful characters.

The exhibit features historical and modern maps and charts. There are nearly 50 maps and charts in the exhibit. The oldest map is the 1511 Peter Martyr map of the Caribbean, and the newest is a 1988 map showing diferent locations of shipwrecks and (potential) sunken treasure. The History Center may add a 21st-century tourist map.

Every map in the exhibit is from the Tampa Bay History Center’s Touchton Map Library Collection. Rodney Kite-Powell, director of the Touchton Map Library, explained, “The Touchton Map Library and Florida Center for Cartographic Education is the only cartographic center in the southeastern United States and is one of only 14 cartographic centers in the country.”

By Kathy L. Collins

The Touchton Map Library holds approximately 8,000 maps, charts, atlases and other cartographic materials. All of it focuses on Florida.

Kite-Powell said, “Because of Florida’s unique geographical location and its very long political and military history, the collection includes hundreds of maps of the Caribbean and the southeastern United States. The Touchton Map Library encourages research within the collection and hosts two temporary exhibitions each year. Those exhibitions are held within the Saunders Foundation Gallery.”

Kite-Powell added, “The exhibit showcases the important and interesting history of Key West and the Florida Keys. Key West, in particular, was the most strategic and economically important city in Florida in the latter half of the 19th century. Its isolation and the lack of a reliable and continuous source of fresh water hampered its continued growth and development, and the island city was eventually eclipsed by other coastal cities, particularly Tampa. Shifting to tourism, the Keys and Key West became a playground for Floridians and Americans in general, and today it is one of the largest tourist destinations in the country.”

The Tampa Bay History Center is located at 801 Water St. in downtown Tampa. For more information, please visit www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.

CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE IS BACK AT RP FUNDING WITH FIVE ALL-NEW ICONIC CONCERTS

ple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and others on Friday, December 15. The start time for all performances is 7:30 p.m.

Are you ready to rock?

The RP Funding Center is excited to announce the 2023 series lineup for Classic Albums Live, as it returns with five iconic album performances. The RP Funding Center would like to thank Southern Homes for coming on board as an event sponsor for the 2023 series.

Performed “note for note, cut for cut,” the Classic Albums Live Concert Series starts of on Thursday, May 18 with a selection voted as one of Rolling Stone magazine’s ‘Greatest Albums of All Time,’ Tom Petty’s Damn the Torpedoes. Then, on Sunday, July 16, an album which has sold over 18 million copies worldwide, Supertramp’s Breakfast in America, followed by the platinum rock ’n’ roll Led Zeppelin album Physical Graffiti on Sunday, August 27, which combines several musical styles into one eclectic masterpiece. Next is the widely acclaimed, chart-topping 1983 album Synchronicity by the Police on Thursday, October 19, and wrapping up the series is Classic Albums Live’s Lithium Show, featuring the music of Nirvana, Stone Tem-

To see all five of these great performances performed “note for note, cut for cut,” then look no further and become a Classic Albums Live Series subscriber. For $170, you get a ticket to each concert, preferred seating, free parking and 10 percent of concessions, plus a savings of over $30 when purchasing a subscription.

The new-subscriber series passes are on sale now. Single tickets go on sale starting Friday, April 21 at 9 a.m. Service charges may apply. Series passes are available by visiting the RP Funding Center Box Office or calling 863-834-8111. For event information, visit www.rpfundingcenter. com. Dates and ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

The RP Funding Center is conveniently located minutes between Orlando and Tampa in Lakeland, of I-4 on Lime Street, just a short drive from anywhere in Central Florida. Regular box ofce hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For ticket information, call the center’s box office or visit its website.

Te Tampa Bay History Center in downtown Tampa has an exciting new exhibit featuring maps, both historical and modern as well as charts, known as Key West and the Florida Keys: Mapping the History of the Conch Republic.

JUBILEE GYMNASTICS CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF COACHING YOUNG ATHLETES

Jubilee Gymnastics is celebrating 10 years of coaching children in gymnastics, dance, cheer and unique ninja course, inspired by owner and American Ninja Warrior competitor Mary Beth Wang.

Wang participated in a gymnastics program for nine years, starting when she was only 9 years old. With her experience as a kid, she wanted to bring children in her community the same experience years later.

“The most rewarding [part] is for sure seeing kids progress leaps and bounds. Like, someone who comes in completely scared of monkey bars, won’t even touch it, to being able to do the monkey bars and be confident in it,” said Wang.

Jubilee Gymnastics ofers a variety of programs for kids as early as 18 months old. Gymnasts can participate in Xcel and compulsory levels one through seven, and they may be invited to join the competitive teams. Dancers can join diferent style dance teams and participate in aerial art programs. But what sets Jubilee Gymnastics apart from other local gyms is a unique, well-rounded ninja warrior course. With the help of program director Steven Phillips, Jubilee Gymnastics ofers mini-ninja classes for 4-to-6-year-old athletes and ninja-fit classes for those older

By Lily Belcher

than 6.

“I love setting up obstacle courses and getting kids confident on the playgrounds and getting on monkey bars and [having] a strong upper body, which a lot of kids don’t have,” said Wang. Wang participated in the 2014, 2015 and 2016 American Ninja Warrior competitions, making it to the national finals in Las Vegas during the 2015 season.

While she is no longer competing in the televised, national competition, she does continue to compete by participating in local leagues and being a substitute coach for her gym’s programs.

For the 10-year anniversary, Jubilee Gymnastics held diferent promotions and small events to celebrate their decade of coaching the community.

“We chose to take the whole month and add diferent things each week,” said Wang. “… The coaches are going to do a special routine which they have never done in the past, so that will be a little bit extra for this particular one.”

Jubilee Gymnastics is located at 353 30th St. NE in Ruskin. For more information, visit https://jubileegym.com/. To contact the gym, call 813-863-1168 or email info@jubileegym.com.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Jubilee Gymnastics ofers dance, cheer, gymnastics and ninja warrior courses.

Parrish Community High School (PCHS) in Parrish is now the only Florida high school to have earned the rights to produce a full-length theatrical version of Disney’s Frozen. Frozen is not yet licensed to any theaters in Florida outside of the Broadway tour.

Over the last summer, PCHS Bulls Theatre Company and Olga Pena, journalism teacher and director of Bulls Theatre Company, applied to the United States of Frozen: Love Is an Open Door competition. The contest was a collaboration between the Disney Theatrical Group, Educational Theatre Association, and Music Theatre International. Only one school in each U.S. state and territories was selected.

PCHS was established only four years ago. Moreover, it has only produced one theatrical production of The Wizard of Oz Pena explained, “I entered our theater department in the contest over the summer because I knew we had the talent onstage and in the orchestra pit to bring this production to life. Because we had only one musical under our belt, as a new theater department and school, I did not think we had much of a chance, but I did not want my students to ask why we did not try. Thankfully, examples from just that one production last school year and the vision

By Kathy L. Collins

for how we would produce Frozen was enough to win.”

PCHS has performed four sold-out performances. Pena added, “Many of our students want to pursue theater arts after graduation and have dreams of Broadway, so being put on this national platform, piloting a show, was a mind-blowing honor. It also inspires such pride to get to represent the state of Florida, especially as a 4-year-old school.”

“It opened many doors and gave the opportunity for more than 100 students involved in the production to bond and create a theater family,” Pena said.

Emily Mentzer, a graduating senior who played Anna, said, “It is such an honor. The idea that we are such a new school and already at the national competitor caliber is wild. I am so excited to leave Frozen as a legacy of what we are capable of doing.”

Pena said, “Bulls Theatre Company and the Performing Arts Department is filled with brilliantly talented student with great character and commitment to excelling in the arts, led by teachers who are passionate about arts education that extends from the classroom to entertaining our community and showing them the power of the performing arts.”

For more information, visit https://pchsbullstheatre.com.

Parrish Community High School in Parrish earned the rights to produce the Disney musical Frozen this past April.

Te high school is the only one in Florida selected for this prestigious honor.

LOCAL VETERAN WITH A LIFETIME OF SERVICE HONORED AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING GAME

Lewis Palumbo has given a lifetime of service to his country and community. He celebrated his 91st birthday, along with his wife of 72 years, Virginia, this past June.

The Tampa Bay Lightning honored Palumbo on the ice with the honor guard before their game against the San Jose Sharks on February 7.

Lewis’s longtime friend, Ken Muzyk, brought him to the game and surprised him with the honor.

“You may never meet someone of that caliber your whole life. He’s not one of those guys that wants to be patted on the back, but he was in awe, and he was grateful,” Muzyk said.

A career Marine, Palumbo is a veteran of the Korean War, Vietnam War and Cuban conflict.

Palumbo enlisted in the Marines in 1949. While fighting as part of the 4th Battalion of the 1st Marine Division, he was wounded in the Korean War Battle of Chosin Reservoir and received the Purple Heart. Following the Korean War, he served in the Howitzer Battery and the 2nd Signal Battalion of the 2nd Marine Division, among other units. He received his commission as a second lieutenant in 1966. He retired as a captain in 1979 after working with the Na-

By Jane Owen

tional Security Agency.

While Palumbo retired from military service in 1979, he never stopped serving. He lives up to the U.S. Marine Corps motto, “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” According to the US Marine Corps website: “There truly is no such thing as a former Marine, as after service our Marine Veterans are just as dedicated to advancing our Nation and defending its ideals.”

Palumbo volunteered tirelessly for 22 years with TOPSoccer, a recreational sports program for children with disabilities, and THORN (Thankfully Helping Others’ Real Needs) Ministries, which feeds the homeless in the Tampa area. Palumbo also regularly volunteered at the Nativity Catholic Church Food Pantry.

THORN founder Kristin Taylor said Palumbo has a big heart for others, especially homeless veterans.

“Seeing homeless veterans never sat right with him, so … he would quietly collect metal to sell to buy socks for the guys. Lew is simply the father and husband everyone could ever hope for. The friend and mentor you thank God for every time you see his face. He is the most honorable yet humble man I’ve ever known,” Taylor said.

Retired USMC Captain Lewis H. Palumbo at the Tampa Bay Lightning game against the San Jose Sharks on February 7.

Lewis Palumbo (right), who volunteered with THORN Ministries for 22 years in caring for the homeless, pictured with his friend, Ken Muzyk.

STROKE AND CEREBROVASCUL AR CENTER AT MANATEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Manatee Memorial Hospital Comprehensive Stroke Center of Excellence

Named to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2022-23 List

Manatee Memorial Hospital Comprehensive Stroke Center of Excellence has been recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2022-23 ratings.

The hospital was named as a 2022-2023 High Performing Hospital for Stroke. This is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings and is based on the percentage of stroke patients who had positive outcomes.

At the Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at Manatee Memorial Hospital, stroke patients receive specially designed services and treatments which focus on prevention and intervention, as well as rehabilitation and education.

For more information about the Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center, call our Comprehensive Stroke Program Coordinator, Christine Gonzalez, BSN, RN, CNRN, at 941-812-9566.

NEW MEMORY CARE STATIONS TO ASSIST RESIDENTS OF TESSERA BRANDON

Journeying to the past and taking a stroll down memory lane is no longer just a possibility for residents of Tessera Brandon, but rather a reality made feasible by the facility’s newest amenities: memory care stations.

Memory care stations are designed to elicit longterm memories by recreating familiar situations from the past. Tailored to residents sufering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, Jill Andrew, director of marketing at Tessera Brandon, stated that implementing these new technologies was an inevitable step in revolutionizing the care ofered by the senior assisted living and memory care community.

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

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

The music station was the first one finished, featuring an antique piano and a backdrop decorated with piano keys that adorn the wall. Additional instruments available for use in this space include ukeleles, xylophones, maracas and tambourines. Incorporating scarves, hats, costume jewelry

By Madeline Gardner

and purses, the vanity station features a vanity and is meant to imitate the practice of getting ready.

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

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

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

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

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

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

HCC’S SOUTHSHORE CAMPUS CELEBRATES 15TH ANNUAL STUDENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Hillsborough Community College’s SouthShore campus celebrated its 15th annual Student Excellence Awards to recognize exceptional students and staf

Around 200 faculty, students and community members attended the program held at the Main Kings Point Clubhouse. The awards recognized the dean’s list of students and faculty along with staf of the year.

Campus President Dr. Jennifer Wells China invited her Presidential Advisory Council to support their outstanding students and staf

This year’s Faculty of the Year Award went to mathematics professor Dr. Craig Hardesty.

“The Faculty of the Year Award represents a faculty member who fosters an atmosphere of collegiality and collaboration among students,” said executive staf assistant Brenda Sanchez.

Job placement assistant Fauna Keppen was given the Staf Person of the Year Award at the SouthShore event as well.

“The Staf Person of the Year Award represents a staf member who demonstrates a high degree of excellence and integrity in their work, which promotes improvement in the overall student body of the SouthShore campus,” explained Sanchez.

Librarian Roxanna Palmer received the

By Lily Belcher

Servant Leadership Award to recognize her stewardship and community building and the impact she has had on campus.

Finally, Student of the Year was awarded to Allen Chen. Chen is graduating with a 4.0 GPA and plans to attend the University of South Florida in the fall.

“Mr. Chen is a stellar student who has also provided service and leadership excellence,” said Sanchez.

Hillsborough Community College serves around 45,000 students every year across all five of its campuses. Each campus, including the SouthShore location, has diferent clubs and organizations for all students, including a Student Government Association and a Student Nurses Organization.

The SouthShore campus is home to the Lennard Collegiate Academy, which partners with Lennard High School to help students earn their associate degree in high school. It also ofers EMT, paramedic and nursing pathways and is a green campus.

Hillsborough Community College’s SouthShore campus is located at 551 24th St. NE in Ruskin, right across the street from Lennard High School.

Call 813-253-7000. To book a tour, www. hccfl.edu/campus-life/southshore-campus.

Tessera Brandon is located at 1320 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.

After purchasing the vanity for this life station, Tessera Brandon reached out to the community for the donation of various accessories.

Staf, students and families attended the 15th annual Student Excellence Awards.

Dean Nadia Kotula presented the Faculty of the Year Award to Dr. Craig Hardesty.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. SEEKS

GASPARILLA FLOAT SPONSORS FOR NEW 321 KREWE

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Down Syndrome Special Needs

West Florida Inc.

is starting a special needs Gasparilla krewe to raise awareness for those with Down syndrome and create a safe and accepting atmosphere for individuals and their families.

“I’ve always thought that there has to be a way to integrate our special needs community into the typical community to give them an insight and look to down syndrome, autism and special needs adults and how they’re doing something that everybody takes for granted,” said F.R.I.E.N.D.S. executive director Ann Foyt.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. stands for families, respect, inspire, educate, Down syndrome, special needs. To include their members in the annual Gasparilla festivities, it created a krewe.

The Gasparilla 321 Krewe was started this year with hopes of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. having its own float for over 100 members with Down syndrome or other special needs. The Krewe is named 321 to represent the third copy of the 21st chromosome that leads to Down syndrome.

“For right now, I think we are just going to put together a krewe. … I’m sure

LPGA’S KRISTY MCPHERSON HOLDS GOLF CLINIC AT FREEDOM PLAZA FOR COMMUNITY

RESIDENTS

By Lily Belcher

it’s going to be easy because when I pitched this to the community, I had such a big response. So, I know it would be really popular,” said Foyt. In order to have its own float, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. needs to raise money to build or purchase a parade float. The nonprofit is looking for sponsors to help fund the purchase of a float or pirate costumes for its members.

“We have a wonderful community. The special needs community here in Tampa is very supportive of each other,” said Foyt.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is also hosting a bingo and brunch fundraiser on Saturday, May 20 to raise money for its organization. The event will take place at the Lucaya Lake Clubhouse from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and will ofer designer bags and rafe baskets as prizes. Tickets for the event cost $50 in advance online or $60 at the door and come with 10 bingo cards, brunch and drinks, including a taste of local wines.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is a Tampa Bay-area nonprofit that provides special needs resources, information and support for families. For more information, visit www.friendssupport.org or call 813-245-2782.

Kristy McPherson, LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) tour professional, recently held a golf clinic at Freedom Fairways, an 18-hole executive golf course and putting green, located within the Freedom Plaza community. For the event, Freedom Plaza also contributed $500 to the Arthritis National Research Foundation on behalf of McPherson.

“Last year, we were honored to have Kristy join a few of our associates for a round of golf on the Freedom Fairways, and we are thrilled that she decided to come back to hold an event that means a lot to our residents,” said Freedom Plaza director of golf and hospitality Ron Larkin. “Not every day do people have the opportunity to learn from one of the best.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the golf clinic with Kristy McPherson, who ofered great pointers and advice,” said Law, a resident of Freedom Plaza. “Freedom Fairways is one of my favorite amenities of our community, so I take every opportunity to get on the course, especially to improve my swing.”

At age 11, McPherson was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which has now transitioned to adult rheumatoid arthritis, and was told she would never play competitive sports again. Despite the odds, McPherson’s determination led her to compete at the highest level in pro golf.

“We are thankful to have Kristy back at

Freedom Plaza, and we are proud to support her mission to find a cure for arthritis through research,” said Freedom Plaza director of marketing and sales Iris Martin. “Kristy’s story is very inspiring, and we stand with her goal to ofer those who sufer from arthritis the chance for productive, pain-free lives, as this is something that impacts many of our residents.”

Attendees of the clinic included Freedom Plaza residents, as well as members of the Freedom Fairways Golf Course Pro Shop. At the clinic, Freedom Plaza provided food and beverages for all attendees to enjoy while learning how to improve their game in the great sport of golf.

Freedom Plaza is a vibrant life care community in Sun City Center set on 140 acres of landscaped grounds. Along with its golf course and putting green, it also features a private lake and walking trails. Just minutes from both Tampa and Sarasota, residents enjoy a maintenance-free retirement lifestyle with resort-inspired services and amenities. Freedom Plaza’s pet-friendly community features over 400 independent living residences, ranging from studio to one and two-bedroom apartment residences. It also ofers assisted living residences; skilled nursing, including private rehabilitation suites; and memory care. Visit https:// freedomplaza.com/ for more information.

LPGA tour professional Kristy McPherson (middle), Freedom Plaza director of golf and hospital-ity Ron Larkin (left) and Freedom Plaza director of marketing and sales Iris Martin (right) hold-ing a $500 check from Freedom Plaza contributed to the Arthritis National Research Founda-tion on behalf of McPherson.

March and April started out with incredible winds, but May presents better fishing opportuni-ties this season. Tarpon will be showing in the large passes and inshore reefs this time of year. Break out your heavier tackle for these giant silver kings.

Tarpon can be caught on pass crabs, thread fins and dead cut mullet. They are both live-bait eaters and dead-bait scavengers. They get a little moody sometimes so don’t get frustrated. Once they start to feed, it’s not uncommon to hook up with several in a row. When you target these beasts, pay attention to the tides and moon phases. Keep that knowledge in your brain bank and adjust the times to the same environmental settings.

Start with 4/0 to 7/0 hooks on a 60# to 80# leader line. It’s somewhat of a waiting game with these fish, but idle around in the passes or casually drift till you see them breaking the surface or show up on the depth finder, then hold on!

Snook will be closed in May, June, July

BY MICHAEL MURPHY

and August to harvest but can still be caught. Many of the large females and males will head into the bigger passes for the season spawn, but there will still be plenty in the shallows.

The grasses are back and flush. This will hold many trout and snapper for the anglers to play with and potentially harvest. Try to use plastic baits for the trout. You will find a much better catch rate and it is much better release result using the plastics. Find the depth that the trout are resting in and work the areas.

Spanish mackerel will also be running the flats. Plastics work for them also, but live greenies tend to give the best results. Don’t resort to using a steel leader for these toothy critters, but instead try a #40 leader. They tend to shy away from the steel. Also, run an extra-long shank, #1 silver hook. This will give you a little better chance to keep the fish on the hook.

* 813-974-7889

WE REMEMBER ON MEMORIAL DAY “LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE”

HONOR THE COURAGE OUR FALLEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS SHOWED OUR COUNTRY

SHARKS JUST KEEP STRIVING

APPLICATIONS FOR MENTORING PROGRAM WITH COLLEGE OPPORTUNITY OPEN FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS

The Hillsborough Education Foundation’s (HEF) Take Stock in Children (TSIC) mentoring program is designed to give at-risk students the opportunity to attend college. HEF is accepting applications from students in seventh or eighth grade. The deadline to apply is Monday, May 15.

TSIC, a Florida nonprofit, was established in 1995. It is independently managed in each county. HEF manages the TSIC program for Hillsborough County and has been enrolling students since 1996. HEF administers the application process, recruits the mentors, monitors students’ academic progress and mentor interaction, raises funds to support the mentoring program and provides scholarships to students upon high school graduation and completion of the program. The Florida Department of Education, foundations and donors provide funding for the program. Every dollar that is raised is matched dollar-for-dollar by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. In order to qualify for the program, students must be in seventh or eighth grade, be enrolled in a Hillsborough County Public School, qualify for free or reduced lunches (income) and have an unweighted GPA of 2.5.

Te Hillsborough Education Foundation’s (HEF) Take Stock in Children (TSIC) mentoring program pairs adult mentors with at-risk students to help them graduate high school and provide an opportunity to attend college. Shown here are mentor Dr. Marie Whelan and her mentee, Joseph’Lafay.

By Kathy L. Collins

opportunity to earn a Florida Prepaid Scholarship if they maintain a 2.5 GPA, attend biweekly meetings with their mentor, stay drug and crime-free and exhibit good behavior.

Anna Corman, HEF’s chief program ofcer, said, “Students in our program face challenges that may prevent them from graduating high school or going to college. Our scholars are committed to working hard and maintaining their grades in hopes for a brighter future. Many of our students are without positive role models to help guide them through the challenges in school and in life. Their environment may lack emotional or educational support. For some students, they are the first in their family to go to college or even graduate high school. We are looking for students who can benefit from the motivation and accountability that mentors can provide.”

Since 1996, more than 1,200 students in Hillsborough County have been supported by the program. For the past three years, 100 percent of seniors in the program have graduated. Compare that with the graduation rate of 83 percent for atrisk students in 2022.

A diverse group of local leaders from across Tampa Bay have joined to develop the Tampa Bay Ferries Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering on permanent, year-round, cost-efective ferry service.

Tanya Doran, a lifelong South Hillsborough County resident and the former CEO and president of the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, will serve as the alliance’s founding president and CEO.

“I am honored to lead the Tampa Bay Ferries Alliance alongside our incredible Board,” said Doran.

“As the South Hillsborough County population continues to grow, adding a sustainable ferry service to connect all of Tampa Bay, utilizing our untapped waterways is a wise decision.”

The alliance announced its founding board of directors, including:

Michael Ball — retired Naval ofcer.

Bryce Bowden — member of the Hillsborough County Planning Commission.

Joe Eletto — veteran and military focused support organizations.

Fred Fallman — retired United States Air Force.

Club conservation chair.

Board secretary Joe Eletto is a Vietnam-era veteran and chairman of the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce’s Military Afairs Committee.

“As a military and veteran advocate, a ferry is a win-win for us all and the only transportation option that will improve these heroes’ quality of life by giving them back well over an hour with their family each day,” said Eletto, The organization will operate independently but in cooperation with the currently operating seasonal Cross Bay Ferry system, which is a unique public-private partnership between Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Tampa and HMS Ferries.

The Tampa Bay Ferries Alliance’s initial goals are to secure expedited permanent ferry service in the Tampa Bay region, including a commuter connection between South Hillsborough County and MacDill Air Force Base alongside service between St. Petersburg, Tampa and South Hillsborough County.

“The fact is we have a tremendous, untapped resource right at our shorelines,” said Doran.

Students who are accepted into the program are paired with a success coach and an adult mentor. Students have the

To apply, visit www.educationfoundation.com/tsic-scholarships. For information, including on how to become a mentor, contact Corman at 813-463-4283 or acorman@educationfoundation.com.

Kelly Flannery — South Tampa Chamber president and CEO.

Chris Steinocher — St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.

Nancy Stevens — Tampa Bay Sierra

“With community buy-in and committed local leadership, we can bring reliable ferry service to communities across the entire region.”

To learn more, visit www.tampabayferriesalliance.org.

THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA’S NEW SEASON CELEBRATES MUSIC OF AMERICA AND BEYOND

The Florida Orchestra (TFO) will celebrate the unique musical language of America in its new 2023-24 season this fall. Inspired by the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s groundbreaking Rhapsody in Blue, music director Michael Francis is featuring a wide range of American composers from Aaron Copland to Wynton Marsalis alongside global masterpieces by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Dvorak and more. In September, he launches the premier Hough Family Foundation Masterworks series with a bang: Holst’s The Planets paired with the thrilling Percussion Collective. In the Raymond James Pops series, the circus meets the symphony in Cirque Dances with Troupe Vertigo, in addition to Twist & Shout, a tribute to 60 years of The Beatles in America; a supersonic SciFi Spectacular of space-themed movies and TV music; and the very merry tradition of Holiday Pops.

“This season, we’ll take audiences on a journey across America’s musical landscape as we explore our musical roots and where we are today. Alongside the story of American music, we will delight our Tampa Bay community with beloved classics from around the world,” said Francis. “New this season will be secret ‘mystery pieces’ — moments of discovery and fun that won’t be listed in the program. We remain passionate about reflecting the diferent cultures that make up Tampa Bay and beyond.”

At the heart of TFO’s 56th season, Maestro Francis will conduct featured soloist

Staf Report

Stewart Goodyear in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue (February 1718, 2024). This masterpiece combined jazz and classical to change music forever when it premiered 100 years ago in 1924.

The concert will spotlight works by three more American composers: Marsalis’ Herald, Holler & Hallelujah; Mason Bates’ Alternative Energy; and Leonard Bernstein’s Three Dance Episodes from On the Town

For the first time ever, all 13 Hough Family Foundation Masterworks concerts will include a surprise, unlisted ‘mystery piece’ personally chosen by Francis.

This October brings another important American masterpiece, Copland’s Appalachian Spring (Saturday and Sunday, October 21-22), showcasing the beauty of the distinctly American sound. The program also features Grammy-nominated baritone Jubilant Sykes performing American spirituals that highlight our African American heritage.

For 2024, more big moments in TFO’s core classical series include Dvorak’s New World Symphony (April 12-14), Beethoven’s heroic Eroica Symphony (April 5-7, 2024), Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 (January 19-20) and Elgar’s Enigma Variations (May 17-19). The series wraps up with Mahler’s epic Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection” (May 25-26), which features the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay.

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

What do Tom Brady, Tweety Bird and Freddy Mercury all have in common? They are all subjects of murals located in beautiful downtown Tampa.

Whether you drive, bike or scooter, find a beautiful day and trek to the city for a fun and adventurous mural tour.

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

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

Head north on to Florida Avenue and discover a plethora of interesting murals,

By Kerrie Hoening

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

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

Lady Gaga.

Yellow Brick Row.

Maestro Michael Francis, music director at Te Florida Orchestra.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE

OFFERS

FINANCIAL EDUCATION FOR RESIDENTS

The Hillsborough County Extension Office is an education service provided by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS) and Hillsborough County. The Extension Services provides a variety of services including education and information. Its services are provided to Hillsborough County residents through workshops, publications and mass media.

Te Hillsborough County Extension Ofce,

1914, has helped thousands of Hillsborough County residents with their fnancial education programs. Te ofce is located in Sefner.

HILLSBOROUGH SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT PRESENTS AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND MINI GRANTS

By Kathy L. Collins

By Kathy L. Collins

scholarship form.”

Lisa Leslie, an Extension agent for family and consumer sciences, explained, “Classes are ofered online for the general public. There are in-person classes available upon request to groups. For example, I do a weekly class for Brewster College ESOL students.”

Leslie added, “We ofer an on-demand class called Building Financial Stability which people can participate at their own pace and own time. This class ofers an opportunity to learn basic strategies to achieve financial stability. Registration is free and ongoing.”

Leslie said, “We also ofer an on-demand class called Florida Master Money Mentor Training. This nine-module training is for people seeking to volunteer, looking for professional development or just increase their knowledge and help friends and family. One hundred percent discounts are available to those who need to have the $45.95 fee waived. They just need to complete the

As this is tax season, residents should know Hillsborough County Extension Service is ofering a link to free tax software to residents whose adjusted gross income on the tax return does not exceed $73,000. Leslie explained, “Adjusted gross income does not include things like tax deductible contributions to retirement plans or Health Savings Accounts. To receive the link, complete a short form at https://go.ufl.edu/taxreturn and provide your name, email and zip code. Once the form is completed, you will instantly be provided the free link to a robust tax software program. If requested, one-on-one assistance can be provided via web conference, telephone or email by providing a telephone number and a best time to contact.”

Once the form is completed, an IRS VITA-certified Extension agent will reach out to you to schedule an appointment. Please note, assistance is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Hillsborough County Extension Office has been ofering services since 1914. Leslie said, “Classes are ofered to enable people to improve their financial situation and for the good of the community.”

The Hillsborough County Extension Ofce is located at 5339 County Rd. 579 in Sefner. To register and get more information, please visit www.hcflgov.net/extension.

On April 12, the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District held a festive luncheon where it awarded several supporter awards, scholarships and mini grants. Funding for the scholarships and mini grants came from its annual Great Plant Auction held at the Hillsborough County Fair.

The Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District held a ceremony on April 12 at The Regent. At the luncheon, the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District presented awards to several local agencies and organizations, two scholarships and 16 mini grants.

Betty Jo Tompkins, executive director, said, “The idea for the luncheon started in 2016. The luncheon and awards represent the very thing that the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District stands for, and that is that conservation is everybody’s business. It is the responsibility of everyone to conserve and preserve nature.”

Several leaders of local agencies were recognized for their support. The Outstanding Supporter of the Year award was given to Hillsborough Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez and his staf. The Outstanding Project of the Year award went to the Hillsborough County Fair. The Outstanding Cooperative Partner award was awarded to Environmental Protection Commission executive director Janet Lur-

ton and her staf

Two scholarships were awarded as well. The Michael Hepburn Memorial Scholarship was presented to Madison Leiner, and the Ro Gene Davis Scholarship was given to Morgan Chancey.

The mini grants are new for this year. The funding for the grants came as a result of the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District’s Great Plant Auction held annually at the Hillsborough County Fair.

There were 16 mini grants in the amount of $250 awarded. Each mini grant project proposal required at least one adult and four students participating in the project. Tompkins said, “When we came up with the idea for the mini grants, we thought that we would give out 12, but there were so many great project proposals that we decided to give out 16.”

The grant recipients included Apollo Beach Elementary School, Brandon High School FFA Chapter, Cub Scout Pack 37, Boy Scout Troop 109, Dunbar Elementary Magnet School, Ryan Flugel’s Eagle Scout project, Girl Scout Troop 3518, Graham Elementary AGP Gardens, Hillsborough County 4-H, Lopez Agriculture Classes, Pizzo K-8 School Garden Club, Raise the Bar 4-H Club, SCUBAnauts International (Tampa Chapter), Springhead Elementary Fifth Grade Lunch Bunch/Tutoring Group, Temple Terrace Elementary School Green Team and Winthrop Arts.

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

I Want to Be Your Wedding Planner!

A REALTOR IS NOT A SALESPERSON. THEY’RE A MATCHMAKER. THEY INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO HOMES, UNTIL THEY FALL IN LOVE WITH ONE. THEN THEY’RE A WEDDING PLANNER.

established in

PET OWNERS CAN TURN TO THE HILLSBOROUGH PET RESOURCE CENTER IN TIMES OF NEED

The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, located at 440 N. Falkenberg Rd. in Tampa, is the only open-admission facility in the county. This means that they will accept any cat or dog regardless of breed, size and medical condition. No animal is ever turned away.

Scott Trebatoski is the director of the Resource Center. About eight years ago, the name was changed to the current name. Trebatoski explained, “We want all pet owners to know that we are the first-place pets. We are here to help, and if we cannot, we will refer the owner to somewhere that can.”

Prior to the pandemic, under Trebatoski’s direction, the Pet Resource Center developed a pet retention program. Trebatoski explained, “We work with individual pet owners for the purpose of making sure the owner can retain the pet. If the owner feels they need to give up the pet due to reasons such as financial issues, we will work to get the pet stable and keep them in the shelter, or, if we need to, send the pet to a foster home. The owner can then get the pet back once their issues are resolved.”

In addition to this program, if a pet

By Kathy L. Collins

owner is in need of food for the pet, it has a food pantry for pets. Trebatoski said, “If, for example, someone is getting Meals on Wheels, we do not want them giving half of their food to their pet.” You can also get a pet gate, crate or bowls if you need them. The center gets a lot of donations for those in need. Trebatoski said, “This community is very animal friendly.”

The Pet Resource Center will work with pet owners in order to protect the community. As such, if a pet needs a rabies shot, they will get it. If there are behavior issues, it can help with that too.

According to Trebatoski, it is working to implement a program where pets can get a microchip for free. If a pet gets lost, animal control can return the pet. Trebatoski said, “Underserved communities would be served by such a program because they often face transportation issues.”

The bottom line is that pets are very important to those who have them, and it is economically efcient to help pet owners keep their pets rather than shelter them. For more information, please visit www. Hillsboroughcounty.org or call 301-PETS (7387).

GET THE DIRT: UF/IFAS HELPS IDENTIFY AND AVOID INVASIVE PLANTS

BY LYNN BARBER, FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING™ AGENT

Invasive plants can create havoc in your yard by displacing native vegetation. Their populations explode, with catastrophic efects. Those include displacing native and non-native adaptive plants and disrupting naturally balanced plant communities. When our native and non-native adaptive plants are destroyed and replaced by invasive species, we encounter significant consequences. These include an aggressively hostile plant takeover, ecological problems such as habitat degradation or biodiversity loss, high management costs and significant impacts to recreational areas, which result in economic losses.

We want to reduce the number of invasive plants invading your yard. To help, UF/IFAS developed the Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas. This online resource, available at https://assessment.ifas.ufl. edu/, provides information about invasive plants and invasive plant potential around the state and those under caution in other areas.

Note that the status of a plant can change from being acceptable to being a high invasion risk based on the above criteria. One such plant, Liriope (common names: monkey grass, lily turf and border grass), has been determined to be invasive. In the newly published “Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design,” this plant is no longer included.

Here are three of many of the ‘worst offenders’ among invasive plants:

•Scientific name: Melaleuca quinquenervia

Common name: Melaleuca, paper bark, punk tree.

Prohibited in North, Central and South Florida. The only good thing about this tree is that the harvested byproduct is melaleuca mulch which has high termite resistance.

•Scientific name: Paederia foetida

Common name: Skunk vine.

Prohibited and high invasion risk in North, Central and South Florida. It has a foul smell (thus the name) and is extremely difcult to control. This plant can well be an unfortunate ‘gift’ from and to your neighbors. Vines can reach a length of 30 feet.

•Scientific name: Lantana strigocamara, Shrub Verbena.

Common name: Lantana.

Invasive in North, Central and South Florida. All parts of this plant are toxic and have impacted livestock, pets and children, according to the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida IFAS. There are non-invasive varieties. Look for those.

The assessment uses science-based tools to evaluate the risk of invasion by non-native species, new species that might arrive here and novel agricultural and horticultural varieties. The assessment, in conjunction with the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants and the UF/IFAS “Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design,” can provide you with the information you need to make appropriate plant selections. Let’s get outside and garden!

For more information, contact Lynn Barber at labarber@ufl.edu.

Te Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, located at 440 N. Falkenberg Rd. in Tampa, is the local resource for pet owners facing a multitude of issues.

YORK INNOVATION ACADEMY HOSTS ITS INAUGURAL YEAR SCHOOL DEDICATION

By Linda Chion

cipal and district administrator herself. “But I’m also so very humbled by the life she lived and the legacy she leaves behind.”

In giving details of that legacy, Rev. Gerald Lamont Thomas ofered the April 15 invocation.

At the April 15 dedication of the Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy in Apollo Beach, Principal Catherine ‘Missy’ Lennard made it a point to state the obvious, that as the daughter of former Hillsborough County School Superintendent Earl Lennard, education is in her blood.

“If you know me, you know I just love my school,” said Catherine, the inaugural principal of York, which opened in August 2022. She also was the inaugural principal of Stowers Elementary School in Lithia and the inaugural assistant principal of Symmes Elementary School in Riverview, which opened in 2004 and 2001, respectively.

“I’m just very excited about school,” said Catherine, who, between her first two school openings, held her first principalship at Mintz Elementary School in Brandon. “I love school.”

In that regard, Catherine has a tight bond with Liz York-Cohen, who at the April 15 dedication of the Pre-K-8 school recognized that both she and Catherine have schools named for their parents. Lennard High School opened in Ruskin in 2006.

“I’m so honored to have this beautiful school named after my mother,” said York-Cohen, a former teacher, school prin-

“Dorothy Carter York shared her unique gift of teaching, mentoring, advocating and championing the educational causes of children for over five decades,” Thomas said. “She believed in children and lived by the Christian motto, ‘don’t forget to help others.’”

He called it ‘the uplift,’ and so it was in the York multipurpose room, where a large group of York family members, friends and sorority sisters gathered to celebrate Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy with the community it serves.

They cheered for student performers, viewed a slideshow presentation of inaugural school year activities and honored the school’s namesake, an author, writer and educator who taught at Blake and Hillsborough high schools, at the University of Florida’s Project Upward Bound and as an adjunct professor at Hillsborough Community College.

Hillsborough school board members voted 7-0 in February 2022 to name the 1,600-student, five-building complex in the master-planned Waterset community for Dorothy C. York, who died in 2012.

Family members of Dorothy C. York stand outside the grand entrance to the school named in her honor. York, a lifelong educator, died in 2012.

Catherine “Missy” Lennard, principal of Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy in Apollo Beach, cuts the cake at the school’s April 15 dedication ceremony.

COACHING SPOTLIGHT: BENJAMIN ADDIS EAST BAY HIGH SCHOOL

For the last six years, East Bay High School’s varsity flag football team has been under the direction of head coach Benjamin Addis, with the program reaching new heights this year as they won a district playof game against rival Riverview High School. Addis started with East Bay a year before he took over as head coach, and the program has not looked back since.

Addis always foresaw himself becoming a high school coach, with that dream becoming actualized after over two decades as a PGA golf professional. Addis is certainly familiar with the game, as he grew up playing football and served as the captain of his college’s flag football team, so he jumped at the opportunity to lead the program.

A self-described ‘old-school’ coach, Addis and his staf run a disciplined team where player leadership is encouraged greatly, as they stress being a player-led team rather than a coach-led team. Creating a bond amongst the players is something that Addis considers essential.

“I’m not so sure we do anything diferently. There are a lot of great programs in our area. Our coaching staf truly cares about the success of our players on and

By Jonathan Hurst

of the field. I think that shows in our program.

… Bringing the girls together to create a sense of family and purpose. High School can be very distracting and confusing. I believe we bring a sense of focus to our girls which helps keep them from getting ‘lost,’” Addis said.

Coaching at the high school level often presents itself with unique challenges that are not seen at other levels of sports. Players often deal with numerous struggles and stresses coming from of the field, and it falls on the coach to make sure the team is focused and motivated when they are on the field.

“I want them to motivate each other, to hold each other accountable. Playing is a privilege, not a right. I want them to take advantage of this opportunity. As I mentioned earlier, high school years can be distracting and confusing. Sometimes, keeping teenagers focused on ‘the mission’ can be challenging. Watching them mature and grow from being a confused Freshman to a confident young adult ready to start their journey,” Addis said.

Coach Addis runs a great program at East Bay, where players can feel truly supported and their growth on and of the field is fostered by a staf that truly cares about their well-being.

Head coach Benjamin Addis coaching his varsity fag football team.

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