Osprey Observer Valrico July 2024 by Osprey Observer

KIWANIS’ NEW ‘STORYWALK’ IN SEFFNER ENCOURAGES FAMILY LITERACY AND EXERCISE

Imagine a public library next to a 24-acre park that includes a walking trail lined with displays that bring to life a child’s book, then visit the Sefner Comm“UNITY” Park and Gardens for a ‘StoryWalk’ experience maintained by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon.

Members of the Key Club at Armwood High School in Sefner, with Kiwanis StoryWalk frames and bases in view.

That’s where kids and adults gathered for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the third of ﬁve StoryWalk locations in Hillsborough County, an expansion funded by a $70,000 emerging need grant through the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. The grant is for Kiwanis StoryWalk locations in Sefner, Carrollwood Village Park and, coming soon, Ruskin and Sulphur Springs. The funding follows the grand opening two years ago of StoryWalk at Al Lopez Park in Tampa, funded by the Kiwanis Club of Tampa and spearheaded by club member and Kiwanian Amanda Malinowski.

“The goal of this project is to bring books to where kids are, make reading fun and put it in a new environment where families can read and walk and be active and work on their literacy skills,” Malinowski said. “We want kids to love books and that’s our goal.” Markers along the Kiwanis StoryWalk trail in Sefner on June 15 included an overview of that month’s featured book, Can You Make a Scary Face by Jan Thomas. It’s not-

By Linda Chion

ed that books for children ages 3-7 change monthly, and that the .3-mile walk takes 15 minutes to complete.

Starting at the park’s gazebo, the walk features 18 spots in a circular route. The park is adjacent to the Sefner-Mango Branch Library, located at 410 N. Kingsway Rd.

At the ribbon-cutting was Malinowski’s 6-yearold daughter, Olivia. “She’s my demographic,” Malinowski said. “If she likes the book, it’s going to be successful. She is the stamp of approval, the kid approval, so it’s become something very near and dear to my heart.”

StoryWalk eforts in Hillsborough County reﬂect a partnership between Kiwanis and the Children’s Board, and a collaborative efort among clubs to support literacy and exercise. The Tampa club organizes the initial setups for partnering Kiwanis clubs to maintain and switch out monthly, including the Kiwanis Club of SouthShore, which will oversee the StoryWalk at the Ruskin Park and Recreation Center, located at 901 6th Street SE in Ruskin.

“Anybody who has any sort of afnity toward helping kids and the community, Kiwanis is perfect,” said Nate Goldenberg, president of the Brandon Kiwanis club.

At the ribbon-cutting were members of the Key Club at Armwood High School in Sefner. Also on hand was Dexter Lewis, director of public relations for the Children’s Board. For more on Kiwanis StoryWalk, visit https://tampakiwanis.org/storywalk/ or visit https://brandonkiwanis.org/.

VALRICO RUNS ON DUNKIN’; NEW STORE MARKS 23RD LOCATION FOR LOCAL FAMILY

A local family recognized a business opportunity 50 years ago that would create a long-lasting hub for the community. Thomas and Katherine Apostoleres opened their ﬁrst location of Dunkin’ — then known as Dunkin’ Donuts — in 1973 in Brandon. The location on the corner of West Brandon Boulevard and Limona Road is still in business. And now this year, ﬁve decades later, their 23rd location opened on Monday, July 15, on Lithia Pinecrest Road in Valrico.

The Valrico location is just miles away from Bloomingdale Senior High School, where Thomas graduated from high school. He fondly remembers when his family opened the location on Bloomingdale Avenue during his senior year.

“This area has changed a lot. I grew up here,” Thomas said. “We are really excited to be in the neighborhood.”

Thomas said his family moved to the area in the early 90s and can remember when there were orange groves down Lumsden Road. A third-generation business, Thomas is co-owner of Dunkin’ with his parents, Nick and Rosalie. His younger brother, Niko, recently joined the business after graduating from Florida State University.

The new store on Lithia Pinecrest Road has the next-generation concept that was introduced in 2018. It includes the cold beverage tap system and nitro cold brew. The store has plenty of indoor seating and a nice patio with four picnic tables under umbrellas. Customers can easily pick up Dunkin’s iconic doughnuts, renowned cof-

By Jane Owen

fee and breakfast sandwiches by visiting inside the store, going through the drive-through or ordering through its mobile app.

Dedication to quality is a focus for Dunkin’, and the chain is known for its high-quality products. The Apostolereses have also made commitment to the community an essential staple of their stores. Over the years, they have generously supported local nonproﬁts, youth sports teams and schools.

“I want to get even more involved in donating to local charities,” Thomas said.

Long-term plans include supporting different charities each month at diferent stores, possibly with a contest between the stores, he said.

The store will be open for business on July 15 with plans to have a grand opening within a couple months, after the start of the school year.

The new Valrico Dunkin’s opening hours are 5 a.m.-10 p.m. It is located at 3309 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. For more information about the Tampa-based Dunkin’ franchise, visit www.tampadd.com/about or email apostoleresdd@tampadd.com.

Local Apostoleres family opened a new Dunkin’ location on Lithia Pinecrest Road. Pictured from left to right: Niko, Nick, Rosalie and Tomas Apostoleres.

Attendees at the ribbon-cutting for the Kiwanis StoryWalk at Sefner Comm“UNITY” Park and Gardens,near Sefner-Mango Branch Library.

ANGEL FOUNDATION FL EMPOWERS FAMILIES IN NEED VALRICO’S CAMPO FAMILY YMCA INVITES ALL TO ENJOY NEW WATER SLIDE

The Angel Foundation FL is a compassionate and community-oriented organization with the mission of partnering businesses and individuals to families experiencing crises in order to support them through times of need.

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

Founded in 2003 by community leaders Anne Nymark, Clif Curry and Arlene Waldron, the foundation originally aimed to raise funds for small nonproﬁt organizations. Since then, the foundation has evolved signiﬁcantly and in 2017 refocused to directly support families.

“We rebranded in hopes to ﬁll a gap in the community for families whose lives were going along just ﬁne until they received that diagnosis of cancer or other catastrophic event and their lives were turned upside down,” said Liz Brewer, CEO of Angel Foundation FL. “Our goal is to keep them on the road to self-sufciency and assist them until they are able to get back on their feet.”

The organization focuses on connecting afected families with local businesses to address their practical needs, allowing them to concentrate on healing and restoration. The foundation also provides ﬁnancial assistance for essential expenses, like utilities and cell phones, recognizing that even one month without income can create a signiﬁcant burden for families.

New monthly Angels Connect Luncheons are held in Plant City on the third Thursday of every month and in Brandon on the fourth Thursday, fostering networking among

Angel Leaders, community leaders and business supporters. These luncheons are open to everyone and aim to inspire participants to support families in need, whether through direct involvement or other means.

Other key events organized by the Angel Foundation FL to raise funds and awareness include the Sporting Clays Classic in February, the Evening of Hope Gala in October and the Ladies Christmas Cofee in December. These events are vital for the foundation, as it operates entirely on support from the community. The foundation also oversees the Angel Gift Shop at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, which not only provides ﬂowers, gifts and other items to hospital guests, staf and patients but also enhances awareness of the foundation and increases its ability to serve families.

Community members can get involved with the Angel Foundation FL through the Angel Leader program, volunteering at the gift shop or helping an event committee. Financial support can be provided through sponsorships or as a Monthly Angel Donor, with donations starting at $25 per month. Donors receive an Angel VIP Card with discounts to local and national businesses.

The foundation’s ultimate goal is to ofer compassionate support by providing help, hope and advocacy to families.

For more information, please visit https:// angelfoundationﬂ.com/ or contact Brewer at liz@angelfoundationﬂ.com.

Cool down at the Campo Family YMCA’s pool and splash pad with the addition of the new and improved water slide. The new water slide replaced an old-standing water slide that had been the primary feature of the YMCA pool for over 16 years. YMCA members are thrilled with this new addition for families and friends to enjoy.

The feature contains double slides and is child-safe for those who know how to swim. The YMCA also o f ers swimming lessons for children and adults alike to gain the skills they need to fully enjoy the aquatic center.

Summertime campers line up to use the new and improved Campo Family YMCA water slide. It’s making a big splash.

The new slide technology allows for a greater experience, and the slide’s size creates more deck space. This extra space may be expecting new developments as the aquatic center continues to update.

“The Florida summer is hot,” said Campo Family YMCA executive director Mario Gallegos. “In the summer, our aquatic center gets heavy use because of the heat. It is a great place to hang out with the family, hangout with friends and cool o f while enjoying the Florida sunshine.”

By Sara Kitchin

A membership at the Campo Family YMCA is not required to enjoy the slide and aquatic center. It is possible to visit the YMCA and use its many features with a guest pass. However, a YMCA membership is strongly encouraged, as it gives unlimited access.

It is the perfect time of year to purchase a YMCA membership and enjoy the pool. Many families attend the aquatic center daily during the summer because of the fun and safety that it provides for children.

The Campo Family YMCA also o f ers a summer camp in which children use the di f erent facilities o f ered and engage in funﬁ lled pool, splash pad and sliding activities. The children are under constant supervision by camp counselors and lifeguards.

The Campo Family YMCA is located at 3414 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico and is open seven days a week. To learn more about the new water slide and other amenities, ask questions or purchase a membership, visit www.tampaymca.org or the Campo Family YMCA.

Community members with the Angel Foundation FL work together to support families in crisis.

VALRICO/FISHHAWK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BEGINS NEW LUNCH & LEARN SERIES TO SUPPORT LOCAL NONPROFITS

Supporting local nonproﬁts has always been an important mission to the Valrico/ Fishhawk Chamber of Commerce (VFCC), and its most recent efort comes in the form of its new Lunch & Learn series. Launched early this year, Lunch & Learn is a quarterly event that aims to support charities through various methods, including education, recognition and fundraising. Any nonproﬁt member in the chamber is welcome to attend.

members recently learned about building their online presence at the second Lunch & Learn hosted by the Valrico/Fishhawk Chamber of Commerce.

At the ﬁrst meeting, attendees were asked about what strategies were efective for them in terms of generating donations and public awareness, and what the chamber could do to support them. During the second meeting, a social media expert educated the attendees on using social media strategies to build their online presence and garner more public attention and donations.

President of the chamber Patti Sutherland believes “it is important to support the nonprofits in our chamber anyway we can.” The VFCC now features a nonprofit in each of its weekly newsletters and allows that nonprofit to host a table at the monthly general assembly meetings. Nonprofits can also share their events on the chamber’s website and social media.

The VFCC is unique in that it frequently gives back to the community by support-

By Jamie Lu

ing local nonproﬁts while being a nonproﬁt itself. Each year, in addition to its regular support of local charities, the chamber also selects a Charity of Choice, with this year’s being Raining Cats and Dogs Shelter and Sanctuary. Additionally, the chamber plans to host its annual Honorary Mayor’s Race of East Hillsborough this September.

Ultimately, the community remains at the center of all of the VFCC’s charitable eforts, whether it be in “supporting the teachers in our community schools with our very well attended backto-school event (August 8), music bingo for Raining Cats and Dogs (October 24) or by the four $1,000 university and trade school scholarships for high school students,” Sutherland explained.

The chamber has worked with several charities through the Lunch & Learn series — including Freedom to Walk Foundation, ECHO, Angel Foundation FL, Metropolitan Ministries, Women Centered 4 Success, Water Smart Tots, Kiwanis, Dancing for a Diference, Impact and Faces of Courage — and hopes to continue expanding its collaborative eforts as the series progresses.

For more information about the VFCC, visit www.valricoﬁshhawk.org.

FANTASY OF FLIGHT: THE STORY OF ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC

When people think of Florida, they often think of sunshine and beaches. Yet, there are locations hidden all over the state that are educational, inspiring and often leave people amazed. One of those locations is Fantasy of Flight in Polk City.

MUSEUMS

IN FLORIDA

By Gunnar Wagner

Fantasy of Flight is an aviation museum that hosts a variety of airplanes from diferent eras in history. From the 1917 Albatros D-VA, a ﬁghter plane used by many legendary German aces of the time, to the 1944 Consolidated B-24J Liberator, a bomber plane used in World War II by the Royal Air Force, there’s no telling how many wondrous stories there are about each aircraft and its pilots.

Fantasy of Flight was founded in 1995 by Kermit Weeks, a skilled aerobatics competitor and aircraft designer. It was his love of aviation that brought this iconic museum to life. The most iconic plane out of his collection is the Douglas DC-3, an improved sleeper version of the Douglas DC-2, which saw combat in World War II. This was the plane that was seen of of I-4 for over two decades, but, unfortunately, it had to be removed earlier this year.

Raven Hintz, an accounting assistant at

Fantasy of Flight, said, “It was the end of its era and has served its purpose.”

As of now, there are no current plans to put up a new display near I-4. While a large portion of the original museum is now closed except for restorations, you can still tour the large hangar where approximately 25 planes are on display. Visitors can see airplanes from several periods of history and even arrange for private tours to see planes that aren’t publicly displayed at the museum. It might make for the perfect summer day trip.

For more information about Fantasy of Flight or to book a private tour, visit www. fantasyofight.com/collection/. You can also call 863-984-3500. For up-to-date happenings and more behind-the-scenes information, be sure to follow its Facebook page @fantasyofight. The days of operation vary seasonally, so be sure to check Fantasy of Flight’s calendar on the website. Typical hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Fantasy of Flight is located at 1400 Broadway Blvd. SE in Polk City, conveniently located between Tampa and Orlando.

Nonproft

A 1917 Albatros D-VA.

A 1944 Consolidated B-24J Liberator.

Kerrie Hoening

813-625-1527

813-300-5152 mgershkoff@ospreyobserver.com

By Laurie E. Ohall, Florida Board-certifed Elder Law Attorney

Do you know who really owns a company? It is not always as clear as you might think, and now there is a new federal law which will change that. The new law is known as the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), and it went into efect on January 1. The CTA was enacted to combat ﬁnancial crimes and promote transparency in corporate structures. Under this act, certain reporting obligations have been imposed on corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs), including those formed prior to its enactment.

the initial report within 90 calendar days of receiving notice of their creation or registration. Companies created on or after January 1, 2025, must file the initial report within 30 calendar days of receiving notice of their creation or registration. Failure to do so will result in penalties and enforcement actions. Additionally, companies must file updated reports after the initial report if any information about the company or beneficial owner changes.

If you are a beneﬁcial owner of a corporation or LLC, you may very likely have a duty to report your personal information to the federal government. There are several key points you need to consider.

Reporting Requirement: The CTA requires certain corporations and LLCs to report specific information about their beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Beneficial owners are individuals who directly or indirectly own or control 25 percent or more of the ownership interests in the entity, as well as anyone who manages the company.

Information to Report: The information to be reported to FinCEN includes the full legal name, the date of birth, the residential or business address and a unique identifying number (such as a driver’s license or passport number) for each beneﬁcial owner. Additionally, you will need to provide a statement disclosing the nature and extent of the beneﬁcial ownership interests held by each individual.

Authorized Representative: You may designate an individual or entity, such as your registered agent or attorney, to submit the required information on your behalf. However, ultimate responsibility for compliance rests with the corporation/LLC and its owners.

When we talk about beneﬁcial ownership, we’re talking about the real people who ultimately own or control a company, even if their names aren’t on ofcial documents. Sometimes, companies can be owned by other companies or by individuals who prefer to stay hidden behind layers of ownership. The purpose of the reporting is to help prevent things like money laundering, terrorism ﬁnancing and other illegal activities that can hide behind shell companies.

Exemptions from Reporting: Certain entities are exempted and do not have to report. These include banks, credit unions, SEC-reporting companies, insurance companies and public accounting ﬁrms. Inactive entities are also exempt.

Deadline for Reporting: If your corporation/LLC was formed before January 1, 2024, you must comply with the reporting requirements under the CTA by January 1, 2025. Companies established between January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, must ﬁle

Penalties for Noncompliance: Failure to comply with the reporting requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act may result in significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The act mandates a $500-per-day fine for individuals who do not comply with the act by the designated deadline.

Some people might worry about privacy or security when it comes to sharing this information. But the law includes measures to protect sensitive information and only allows authorized government agencies to access it for speciﬁc purposes.

For more information, please visit https:// ﬁncen.gov/.

Laurie Ohall is a Florida board-certifed elder law attorney practicing in Brandon, Florida. She has been practicing law for 30 years and her practice is focused on estate planning, elder law planning and probate. Ohall is licensed to practice law in Florida and Ohio.

ROTARY SPOTLIGHT:

ACTIVITIES, MEETINGS & MORE

Rotary Clubs wrapped up their Rotary year and new ofﬁcers took the helm on July 1.

Rotary’s Camp Florida is a local, 21-acre, ADA-compliant campsite that provides a safe, barrier-free space to learn, grow and play for groups whose members need supportive accommodations, including chemotherapy. Groups like Faces of Courage rent the camp to provide a camp experience tailored to suit the speciﬁc needs of the children and adults they serve. Peggy Sherry, founder and CEO of Faces of Courage, provided ﬁrsthand stories regarding the importance of the camp to the campers who attend.

The new CEO of Rotary’s Camp Florida, Dawn Carson, is a member and past president of FishHawk-Riverview Rotary. She will be leading the camp through needed repairs as well as the building of a wheelchair-accessible treehouse. To learn more about the camp and its needs or to volunteer or donate, visit https://rotaryscampﬂorida.org/. You can also check out its Facebook page.

On June 16, 160 rising high school seniors sponsored by Rotary Clubs from around the state attended S4TL (Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders), a seven-day residential lead-

Staf Report

ership seminar on the campus of Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Students there heard from world-renowned leaders, learned more about themselves as well as useful leadership skills and engaged in thought-provoking discussions in ‘rap sessions’ with current Rotarians. Ava Benedict and Grifn Chapman attended, sponsored by FishHawk-Riverview Rotary.

The Rotary Club of Brandon meets Tuesdays at 12 Noon-1 p.m. and the Brandon ’86 Rotary Club meets Fridays from 8-9 a.m. Both clubs meet at the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center, located at 3007 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon. Contact Debbie Meegan (Brandon) at debbiemeeganrotary@gmail.com. Brandon Global Eco Rotary meets via Zoom on the second and fourth Mondays from 6-7 p.m. Contact Bruno Kazenas at bkazenas@comcast.net. FishHawk-Riverview Rotary meets on Mondays from 12 Noon-1 p.m. at JF Kicks, located at 3345 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. It also has an evening option on Thursdays from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Shrimp Boat, located at 1020 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. Contact Betty Huth at betty@hbphoto.com.

Are you anticipating an inheritance someday? If so, you may want to discuss it with your parents or other family members who may be leaving you the assets — because early, open communication will beneft everyone involved.

However, many people are reluctant to have these conversations. More than a third of Americans do not plan on discussing a transfer of wealth with their families, according to a recent study by Edward Jones in partnership with NEXT 360 Partners and Morning Consult. And the same study found that only about a quarter of Americans have actually discussed generational wealth transfer with their families.

Perhaps this low level of communication is not surprising — clearly, talking about wealth transfer and estate plans can be emotional. But having these discussions is important, for several reasons:

• Strengthening family bonds – Generational wealth transfer shouldn’t be seen simply as a transactional event. By discussing your parents’ plans and wishes, and your own expectations, you can build a sense of unity and shared purpose. And you can develop a common philosophy about how your family’s legacy goals will be carried forward through the succeeding generations.

• Avoiding unpleasant surprises – If you or other family members are expecting a certain inheritance and things turn out diferently, disappointment and bad feelings may occur. But this can be avoided by having a discussion beforehand that clearly outlines your parents’ intentions. You still may not agree with them, but at least you’ll know what to expect — and you won’t make the mistake of acting in advance on any assumptions about what you’ll inherit.

• Developing appropriate strategies – Passing on wealth to a new generation as part of an overall estate

plan can be more complex than you might think. Are your parents using tax-smart strategies? Would they beneft from establishing a living trust? Are the benefciary designations on their retirement accounts and life insurance policies accurate and up to date? If you suspect your parents may not have properly addressed these issues, you may want to bring up the benefts of working with an estate-planning attorney and a tax advisor.

• Protecting against incapacitation – Many people go through their senior years with few, if any, physical or mental impairments. But there are no guarantees. If one or both of your parents were to become incapacitated and unable to handle their fnancial afairs, it could cause serious problems with their wealth transfer and estate-planning goals. But if you can discuss your parents’ plans with them while they are healthy and alert, you can encourage them to take the proper steps, such as reviewing outdated estate-planning documents and designating you or another family member as power of attorney to make health care and fnancial decisions on their behalf should they become incapacitated. While the benefts of having wealth-transfer and estate-planning discussions are clear, starting the conversations can be tricky. You need to show that you want to initiate these talks because you’re concerned that proper plans need to be in place and understood by everyone involved. If you have a good relationship with your parents, you should be able to start these conversations, but you’ll still need to be sensitive when bringing up the subject. One fnal word: Estate plans can take some time to develop — so, the sooner you have these discussions, the better.

Te new CEO of Rotary’s Camp Florida, Dawn Carson.

AMATEUR RADIO IS PUT IN A NEW LIGHT THANKS TO BRANDON RADIO CLUB

Ham radio may be considered a sort of relic of the past by some, but to others it is seen as an important part of the community because it serves a purpose: When most forms of digital communication go down because of an emergency, ham radio is a reliable form of communication. This is exempliﬁ ed through the Brandon Amateur Radio Society (BARS).

BARS is a club that is a f liated the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), which, according to its website, is “a noncommercial organization of radio amateurs.” Speciﬁ cally, BARS is a part of ARRL’s West Central Florida section.

BARS is also a f liated with the Florida Gulf Coast Radio Council (FGCRC) and the Hillsborough County Amateur Radio Emergency Services/Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (ARES/RACES), a ﬁ eld emergency organization of ARRL.

The club was established in 1969 and has made signiﬁ cant contributions to the community ever since. One of these contributions is an annual ﬁ eld day, “which is a community event in which everyone can participate,” said Karissa Hendershot, treasurer of BARS.

During the ﬁ eld day, BARS has an experience called Get on the Air, in which beginners can actually talk to people on the air all over the world (fun fact: one of the operators was able to com-

By Gunnar Wagner

municate with someone all the way in Antarctica). Before participants begin the experience, they are given a rundown of what the equipment and frequencies are and which ones they will be using. They are told what they can and cannot say on the air (i.e., they can talk to people around the world, but they cannot use obscenities, o f ensive language, etc.), something Hendershot called basically “polite conversations.”

Throughout ﬁ eld day, BARS also has di f erent stations that people can visit and get to know the operators there. One station is called the carrier wave (CW) station. The CW station, also known as the morse code station, is run by Bill Mendoza.

BARS o f ers testing services as well for those who are really fascinated by radio. There are three di f erent levels of testing. The ﬁ rst one is called ‘Technician,’ which is an entry-level test. The next is called ‘General,’ which is an intermediate-level test. The last one is called ‘Extra,’ which is an advanced-level test wherein operators can have access to all frequencies and equipment, in addition to having access to morse code. For information about BARS, visit https://brandonhamradio.org/index. html. For testing info, visit https://brandonhamradio.org/testing-info.html.

Visit a Y near you today!

Bring your kids to the YMCA most school holidays* for an exciting, enriching experience while you’re at work or out and about! *See website for available dates, tampaymca.org

Give kids comfort and help them cope when they’re in the hospital. By making a donation during the annual Christmas in July event, you’ll be a bright light for children like Salvatore during what can be an overwhelming time in their lives.

Help a child today: StJosephsChristmas.org

Morse code equipment.

BACKYARD TITAN 10 OBSTACLE RACE COMES TO DOVER

Titan Runs is a Florida-based obstacle race brand that features diferent types of races.

The ﬁrst type, Mud Titan, is similar to mud runs, as it comprises 25-30 obstacles along a 5-kilometer course. The second type, Terrain Titan, is a distance trail run with a variety of distances, including 5K and 10K. The ﬁnal type is Tactical Titan, which is similar to Mud Titan but without mud. The races all have themes that go along with them.

By Solomon Bristow

is important to the organization to help the community.

“We deﬁnitely want to continue to be a positive for the community and continue reaching out to nonproﬁts to help increase their identity and promote what they’re doing,” said Cooper.

On Saturday, August 31, Tactical Titan will be hosting the Backyard Titan 10 obstacle race in Dover. The theme for Backyard Titan 10 is anything backyard, including barbecue or summertime fun. It is designed to challenge experienced competitors but also be family-friendly and fun for ﬁrst-time participants.

Joe Cooper is a basketball coach in Hillsborough County who helps set up and run Titan Runs. Cooper reached out in order to spread awareness for the event.

“Since putting on Titan Runs is a parttime job for those running it, no one is really above any other person,” said Cooper. “We all try to pitch in and help where we can.”

Because Titan Run is a local brand, it

The race has various times in which you can register called waves. The Elite Wave is the ﬁrst at 8:15 a.m. and is the competitive wave; racers will be able to compete for a ranking. The Open Wave has four di f erent start times at 8:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. The runners in the Open Waves will receive a T-shirt and a medal when completing the race.

For the little ones, there is the Mini Titan, which starts at 9:35 a.m. This is only for children ages 6-12, although the other waves are available to children this young. For those wanting to run and avoid the obstacles, there are two waves that start at 8:20 a.m., one being a 5K and the other being a 10K. No matter the age or style, there is a race everyone can enjoy.

To register, https://runsignup.com/ race/ﬂ/plantcity/mudtitan18. For more information on Titan Runs, visit https:// titanruns.com/.

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Tactical Titan, a division of Titan Runs, will host Backyard Titan 10, a 5K obstacle course, on Saturday, August 31, in Dover.

HART BUS OFFERS DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE WITH SOME PROGRAMS

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is the main provider of public transportation in Hillsborough County, but commuters willing to join up with a group of their colleagues for a ride can do so through the vanpool service managed by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). The service is available to commuters in Hillsborough, Pasco, Citrus, Hernando and Manatee counties as well as Pinellas County.

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority’s HARTPlus paratransit vans provide door-to-door transportation service to qualifed riders.

The beneﬁts touted include less wear on personal cars and overall lower commuting costs. The service fee per commuter depends on the distance and number of riders in the group. It’s part of an efort to develop a system that can respond to on-demand transportation needs as well as operate the traditional ﬁxed routes that commuters have known.

This has been especially helpful for people with disabilities who have access to the HARTPlus paratransit program, which provides door-to-door service via specially equipped vans that can easily accommodate wheelchairs and other medical equipment. There is a two-step eligibility veriﬁcation process, including documentation of a disability and an interview. Cash fare is $4 for a one-way trip.

In the SouthShore area, HARTFlex provides on-demand, door-to-door pickup

By Brad Stager

service to riders in an area roughly deﬁned as extending from Ruskin to Wimauma and just north of 19th Avenue to south of Sun City Center Boulevard. HARTFlex operates Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on a route between HCC SouthShore on 24th Street and La Estancia Apartments on Guadalupe Boulevard. Passengers can also board at designated HARTFlex stops along the route. On-demand rides to or from a non-HARTFlex route pickup stop must be reserved from three days to two hours in advance with a fare of $1.

According to Justin Willits, HART’s director of planning and scheduling, on-demand transportation is being examined for growth opportunities while balancing ﬁxed-route needs.

“We’ll deﬁne mobility on demand, where those zones are, where we think and know we can aford to put a few of those zones out there, and then some of those zones that currently could not be funded based on our existing service levels, and we’ll work out what that mix is,” Willits told a recent meeting of HART’s strategic planning and external relations committee.

To ﬁnd out more about HART’s van on-demand services, visit https://gohart. org/ and https://psta.net/ to learn more about the vanpool commuter program.

People who need to get to medical appointments or go shopping but don’t have access to personal or public transportation can apply to ride the Sunshine Line, a free, door-todoor, on-demand mobility service operated by Hillsborough County.

Those meeting the qualification guidelines can arrange for transportation in vans with accessible features to buy groceries, visit the doctor, participate in wellness activities, attend social service appointments and take care of important personal business. The Sunshine Line is focused on helping residents who struggle with transportation availability, such as senior citizens, people with disabilities and people who can’t afford to pay for a car or commercial rides like Uber or taxis.

Transportation is provided on a space-available basis and prioritized according to the purpose of the trip, with service possibly harder to reserve during some peak periods. Reservations can be made from two to seven days in advance from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Return trips are scheduled when making the pickup reservation. Drivers are trained to assist passengers in boarding the vans, including the prop -

By Brad Stager

er securing of wheelchairs. To be eligible for the Sunshine Line program, an applicant’s household income must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Other eligibility considerations include age, disabilities and access to other methods of transportation.

Sunshine Line riders can also count on a ride in an emergency situation requiring evacuation of their home. Jerry Stickney, the Sunshine Line’s director of operations, said the service is ready to help get people to safety in the event a major storm hits the area.

“We’ll use these vehicles, create routes for our drivers and go around the community when we have evacuation orders to help those that need to go to special needs shelters,” Stickney said in a Hillsborough County YouTube video about the service.

Residents can also apply to receive daily or monthly HART bus passes through the Sunshine Line program if they are able to ride public transportation. To learn more about the Sunshine Line and how to apply for the service, call 813-272-7272 or visit https://hcfl. gov/departments/sunshine-line.

Hillsborough County’s Sunshine Line provides free, door-todoor transportation for qualifed residents.

BACKPACK HERO PROGRAM

By Libby Hopkins

Backpack Hero is a communitywide outreach event where East Hillsborough community partners, churches and local businesses come together to provide backpacks, school supplies and other critical resources for schoolaged children in need within the Eastern and Southern Hillsborough County area. Registration is required to ensure there are resources available for each child.

for Her and Bikes For Christ. Registration for the event is required and is now taking place at both ECHO resource centers in Brandon and Riverview, Hope for Her in Brandon and Enterprising Latinas in Wimauma.

“This is the third anniversary of this event,” said Pat Simmons, president and founder of Bikes For Christ. “This communitywide partnership of businesses, churches and nonprofits provides filled backpacks to more than 2,000 children within our community. Kids from Sefner to Sun City Center, ranging from preschool to high school, will leave with backpacks filled with needed school supplies and lots of helpful information for parents and caregivers about local services available throughout our community.”

This year’s sponsors of Backpack Hero are ECHO, Hope for Her and Bikes For Christ.

“Registration for the event is required and is taking place at both ECHO resource centers in Brandon and Riverview, Hope for Her in Brandon and Enterprising Latinas in Wimauma and begins on June 24,” Simmons said. “The Rotary Clubs of Brandon and FishHawk-Riverview are providing food and

preparing it on-site the day of the events, which take place on July 27 in Brandon at Bay Life Church in Brandon and August 3 at the brandnew AdventHealth hospital on Highway 301 in Riverview. Boricuas de Corazon will be providing take-home food provisions for those families in need at both event sites.”

Volunteers are needed for this event.

“We need both volunteers and donations of school supplies,” Simmons said.

“This can be from individuals or churches, civic or social groups. We anticipate at least 35 community partners tabling at these events helping our families understand a wide variety of services available to them in our community. There will be door prizes throughout the event and bicycle giveaways.”

All the nonproﬁts involved with Backpack Hero hope to help as many families as possible.

“We hope to serve as many children and families as possible,” Simmons said. “We will have many local nonproﬁts and other community resources represented at each event to provide assistance of all types for those in need.”

For more information about the Backpack Hero program, visit its website at www. bphero.org.

ST. JOSEPH’S CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AND ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL-SOUTH HOST

CHRISTMAS IN JULY TOY DRIVE

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa is hosting its 16th annual Christmas in July toy drive for hospitalized children.

Riverview’s St. Joseph’s Hospital-South is also partaking in the event for the second year, titling it ‘Christmas in July at the South Pole.’

By Jamie Lu

The program is organized by the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation and supports the bedside activities and complementary therapies provided to pediatric patients by the hospitals’ Child Life Departments. While undergoing treatment, pediatric patients often endure stressful and unfamiliar experiences, all while away from the comfort of their own homes. The toys and gifts donated during the Christmas in July event help to alleviate the children’s fear and provide comfort and joy to them during their stay.

“Toys that are donated go to a variety of di f erent things. It can be for a celebration, like a birthday or a holiday. They can also provide a distraction for the patient while they are going through a procedure,” said Sarah Jenkinson of the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation. “A toy can help ease the stress and scariness of the ER. It allows the patient to focus on something other than the trauma they are experiencing.”

There are a number of ways the com-

munity can get involved, but one of the easiest ways is to start a personal fundraiser page, which can be done by visiting www. stjosephschristmas. org. Community members can then share this fundraiser on their social media pages and even challenge their friends and colleagues. Other ways to become involved include donating online, starting a toy drive, encouraging local partners to support or becoming a sponsor.

Community members are also welcome to bring gifts in person to ﬁ ll Santa’s sleigh at the Grand Finale event on Friday, July 26. Santa will be collecting donations at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa from 7 a.m.-12 Noon and at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South from 9-11 a.m. Toys should be new and unwrapped. Sensory toys as well as infant toys and rattles are especially appreciated. The www.stjosephschristmas.org website provides a list of other items needed. Without a doubt, Christmas in July brings the hope and joy associated with its namesake holiday to the children who need it the most. The event “is something that our sta f and our patients get to look forward to,” said Jenkinson. St. Joseph’s Hospital-South is located at 6901 Simmons Loop in Riverview.

Backpack Hero returns to the community for a third year. Tis year’s sponsors are ECHO, Hope

Team members and Santa Claus at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South’s 2023 Christmas in July toy drive event for hospitalized children.

Garcia Weight Loss Aesthetics & Hormone Therapy

Garcia Weight Loss Aesthetics & Hormone Therapy was founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to medically supported weight-loss services in a warm and welcoming setting. The practice offers a team approach with highly skilled practitioners. Weight loss is more than just numbers; each individual has unique strengths, challenges, needs and goals. Truly customized weight loss takes all these factors into consideration to create a personalized treatment plan. The team at Garcia Weight Loss Aesthetics & Hormone Therapy doesn’t just focus on shedding excess pounds, as its practitioners strive to enhance overall health and wellness. Visit its website at www. garciaweightloss.com or call 813-9823042 for additional information or to make an appointment.

FastFrame Of Winthrop Celebrates One Year Anniversary

Aki Weaver and David Escobar, owners of FastFrame of Winthrop, have been reflecting upon the beautiful, meaningful and unique pieces that they have had the privilege of framing during their first year in business.

“Our success over the past year is largely due to the unwavering support from the community, and for that we are so grateful,” they said.

Earlier this year, Weaver and Escobar were also able to attend a conference where they were able to further their education and discover new ways of designing, which has fueled them to keep designing new pieces, utilizing the latest collections of moldings and mats. As always, FastFrame of Winthrop stands by its ‘True Love Guarantee,’ which means if you do not absolutely love your finished frame, then FastFrame will recraft it within the same price range at no additional cost. FastFrame of Winthrop is located at 6128 Winthrop Town Center Ave. in Riverview. Additional information can be found on its website at www.fastframe. com/riverview or by calling 813-4360044.

Halo Head Spa Focuses On Scalp Health And Relaxation

Halo Head Spa specializes in providing a luxurious and rejuvenating experience focused on scalp health and relaxation. Its unique treatments combine traditional techniques with modern innovations to relieve stress, promote hair growth and enhance overall well-being. From personalized scalp massages to soothing aromatherapy, every visit is a sanctuary for your mind and body. Whether you are looking to unwind, rejuvenate or simply indulge, Halo Head Spa o f ers a blissful escape from everyday stress-

es. Halo Head Spa is located at 405 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon. Visit its website at https://thehaloheadspa.com/ or call 813-330-7546 for more information on its services.

MORSECOM Believes In Technology That Serves People

As of 2024, MORSECOM is celebrating 30 years in business. MORSECOM champions integrating best-in-class solutions that are focused on people ﬁ rst. From desktop services to AI-backed security solutions, it prides itself on its industry-recognized experts providing true understanding of clients’ business and technical requirements.

As stated on its website, MORSECOM believes that through “strengthening connections, optimizing performance and helping people in businesses of all sizes adapt and enhance modern workforces, we share the unlimited possibilities of the connected world.”

Visit its website at www.morsecom. com or call 321-479-7823 for additional information.

EYE ON BUSINESS...CONTINUED

Compiled By Jenny Bennett

The Stylish Chick Celebrates Two Years With A Ribbon-cutting

The Stylish Chick has helped over 500 people discover their best colors and style in the two years since it opened, and owner Barbara Ellis decided to celebrate this with a chamber of commerce ribbon-cutting. The two main services o f ered by The Stylish Chick are color analysis and style consultations. Color analysis uses color science and large drapes of various colors to take clients on journeys of discovery to the colors that make them look healthy, youthful and glowing. During a style consultation, body geometrics and how to dress your unique body shape for proportion and balance are discussed.

thestylishchick.com/ or call 610-5858596.

Bayview Graphix Is Dedicated To Helping Your Business Succeed

“When you marry color, body geometrics and your clothing personality all together, shopping becomes easy,” said owner Barbara Ellis.

To make an appointment with The Stylish Chick, visit its website at https://

Bayview Graphix is a full-service marketing company dedicated to helping your business succeed. Whether you need assistance with your website, search engine optimization or social media management, it has you covered. Bayview Graphix’s expertise also extends beyond the digital realm, o f ering high-quality print materials, including business cards, full-color banners, eye-catching yard signs and more.

Owner Jason Jones said, “As a locally owned business, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized service tailored to your unique needs.”

Visit its website at https://bayviewgraphix.com/ or call 813-588-3513 for more information.

Know T e Key Dates And T e T ree Ways To Vote Ahead Of Florida’s Primary Election

This is going to be an exciting year for elections. Voting is a right, but with every right comes responsibilities. In order to vote, you must be informed. The ﬁrst opportunity to vote is in the primary election, which is set to take place on Tuesday, August 20. There are important dates and times to keep in mind. The deadline to register/ change your party afliation is Monday, July 22. Early voting will take place from Monday, August 5, to Sunday, August 18, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Thursday, August 8 at 5 p.m. Election Day is August 20, and polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

court judge, soil and water conservation districts, community development districts and special taxing districts — by visiting www. votehillsborough.gov.

For candidates for president, U.S. senator, U.S. Representative, state attorney, public defender, state senator, state representative, Supreme Court justice, district court of appeal and circuit judge, you can visit https:// dos.ﬂ.gov/elections/.

While Florida is a closed primary state, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer said, “I want all voters to understand that they can vote in the primary election, regardless of their party afliation. There are nonpartisan races that will be de-

cided in the primary election, and if you do not vote you will miss your opportunity to have a voice in who represents you in those ofces.”

If you need information on the candidates, you can ﬁnd local candidates — including clerk of circuit court, sherif, property appraiser, tax collector, supervisor of elections, county commission, school board, county

In Florida, you have several ways to vote. Latimer said, “I encourage voters to plan their vote. You have three convenient options that include vote-by-mail, early voting and election day. So, there really is no excuse to miss an election. You will ﬁnd information about where, when and how you can vote at www.votehillsborough.gov. Starting about a month before each election, you can also look up your sample ballot to see who you can vote for.”

VOTE-BY-MAIL

Vote-by-mail is the most convenient method. You do not need an excuse to select this method. However, the Florida State Legislature has changed some of the rules surrounding vote-by-mail. Latimer explained, “Because of new state law, vote-by-mail requests expire after every general election. As such, you will only get vote-by-mail ballots for the 2024 elections

By Kathy L. Collins

if you have submitted a new request. The quickest way to make your request is to go online to www. votehillsborough.gov or call 744-5900. You will need to give us your Florida driver license or the last four digits of your Social Security number for veriﬁcation.”

Using this method allows you to take your time making decisions about who to vote for. However, your vote-by-mail ballot must be received by the Hillsborough County supervisor of elections by 7 p.m. on primary election day.

EARLY VOTING

Early voting is just like voting on primary election day. You must bring one or two forms of identiﬁcation with your photo and signature. Examples of acceptable forms of ID include a Florida driver’s license issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, U.S. passport, military ID, student ID, public assistance ID and more.

During early voting, you can go to a number of designated sites.

ELECTION DAY VOTING

Polling places or precincts are noted on your voter registration card. They are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. This year, primary election day is August 20.

Whichever method you choose, remember that your vote counts.

warren_a@ sao13th.com

Buchanan(R) (Incumbent) buchanan.house.gov

Eddie Speir (R) eddie@ eddiespeirforcongress.com

LISA MCLEAN COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER

After several decades, voters in Hillsborough Couty will decide who the next Hillsborough County public defender will be. Lisa McLean, a longtime attorney with over three decades of diverse experience as a prosecutor, public defender, statewide prosecutor and owner of a ﬁrm specializing in criminal defense, is running to be the next public defender for Hillsborough County.

McLean would like your vote on Tuesday, August 20.

McLean said, “I am committed to bringing a fresh, outside perspective to the Public Defender’s Ofce. My goal is to enhance efﬁciency, transparency and trust within the ofce by leveraging technology, fostering partnerships with local colleges and law schools and promoting work-life balance for our defenders to prevent burnout and reduce turnover. Ultimately, my professional journey is driven by a deep commitment to justice, fairness and the well-being of our community.”

McLean will use her vast professional experience as well as the lessons she learned growing up in poverty to revamp and improve the Public Defender’s Ofce.

McLean said, “I will ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely. The ofce should be

By Kathy L. Collins

representing those that are truly indigent. It is the responsibility of the elected public defender to ensure compliance with the law. Fiscal conservatism beneﬁts the community and those that truly cannot aford a lawyer. Limited resources should be directed toward the truly indigent and eforts to make our communities safe.”

McLean is board-certified in criminal trial, which means that she has special proficiency, skills and special knowledge in criminal law, as well as professionalism and ethics in practice. The experience and professionalism that must be demonstrated to become board-certified is exactly what citizens want in an elected ofcial.

“I aim to create a more equitable legal system, one that decriminalizes poverty, supports mental health and provides alternatives to incarceration. The Public Defender’s Ofce stands as a pillar of fairness and compassion in our community,” stated McLean.

“I am ready to lead the Public Defender’s Ofce with dedication, innovation and compassion to ensure a more just legal system for all,” McLean added.

For more information, please visit https:// lisaforpublicdefender.com/.

CHRISTINE EDWARDS COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 11

Attorney Christine Edwards is running for county court judge for Hillsborough County in Group 11. Edwards is on the ballot and you can vote for her during the primary election, which is on Tuesday, August 20. Edwards said, “As someone who walked side by side with someone navigating the court system, I have a unique insight and awareness of the immense responsibility and privilege it is to have someone put their full trust in you. I value trust as the most important quality of a judge because they make decisions that will profoundly impact someone else’s life.”

When asked of her greatest accomplishment, Edwards explained, “I am humbled to have been a young lawyer that successfully defended a 3.850 motion, challenging the conviction of a man that was sentenced to 30 years for a drug offense, a mere six months after I graduated law school. Those motions are argued 100 percent of the time and rarely granted. Today, that man has an amazing life. He is rehabilitated, has a great job and family. His daughter he named after me. That man was also my uncle.”

Edwards focuses on criminal law, family law and personal injury law. Edwards said, “In addition to private practice, I am proud to be the only attorney on the ballot court appointed by the State of Florida. I have the privilege to handle Marchman Act cases exclusively and [am] one of very few lawyers … in this county that practices in this area. Marchman Act Court was established as a problem-solving court that allows families to petition the courts for mandatory substance abuse assessment and treatment, whether drugs or alcohol. Through this appointment, I work closely with the Behavioral Resources Unit of the Hillsborough County Sherif ’s Ofce.”

This story explains the depth and breadth of Edwards’ passion for the judicial system and for those who need a fair judge to hear their case.

Edwards said, “I am the best candidate because when I walk into the courthouse, it will be through the same doors I have walked in nearly every day for the last 12 years. I will be serving the same community I have connected with over my career. My experience in the courtroom, knowledge from practicing in disciplines that a county court judge will preside over, criminal and civil cases, makes me the best candidate for county judge.”

For more information, please visit https:// voteedwardsforjudge.com/.

Professional Practicing law since 2012 in the areas of criminal defense, civil litigation & family law

Owner and Managing Attorney of Edwards Law, PLLC

Offce of Criminal Confict and Civil Regional Counsel - Assistant Regional Counsel

Court-appointed counsel for Marchman Act Court

eDUCaTion

Stetson University College of Law, Juris Doctor, May 2012

University of Central Florida, BS, Legal Studies, cum laude CiViC inVolVeMenT Human Development Center, Board of Trustees

Tampa Kiwanis, Member

Tampa’s Top 40 under 40

FOX 13, Legal Commentator

Innocence Project Stetson Law

Chapter, past member

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, past member

KAREN BENDORF SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 7

Karen Bendorf, a Plant City resident and sixth grade teacher at Tomlin Middle School in Plant City, is running for a seat on the Hillsborough County School Board in District 7, a countywide seat.

By Kathy L. Collins

Bendorf is married to a community pastor and is a mother to six boys who range in age from 10-23 years old. Bendorf received her bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University. She has been a teacher in Hillsborough County for 13 years.

“It is time to stand up and do better for our children,” said Bendorf, who wants to bring her experience as a teacher, her knowledge and her out-of-the-box thinking to the Hillsborough County School Board to help reform the county’s schools.

Bendorf articulated several issues that propelled her to run for the school board.

First, Bendorf wants to reform the ways in which we teach our children to read. “We are not teaching our students how to read. More than 50 percent of students are below the third grade proﬁciency level.” Bendorf added, “Every child should be able to read, and all of them can learn to read. However, we have not been teaching them the basic

skills.”

Second, according to Bendorf, there are discipline issues in schools that are not being addressed.

“The school board needs

to set a high standard for student conduct in the classroom,” said Bendorf. “Teachers do not feel supported, and parents do not know what is happening in the classroom due to behavior issues,” she added.

Third, according to Bendorf, the Hillsborough County School Board needs to be more responsible with the budget and not request additional money through taxes or referendums. Bendorf said, “There has not been an audit of the school budget. When you try to ﬁnd information about cost of programs, you cannot ﬁnd it. We need to know where the dollars are going and how it impacts students in the classroom.”

Bendorf said, “I am proud of the fact that I have raised boys to love the Lord, make good choices and go against the ﬂow. I want to see a generation of children who can read and make our community what it can be.”

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

MATTHEW SMITH COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 21

Judge Matt Smith has served as a county court judge for Hillsborough County since December 2021. He was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis. Smith is running for election in Group 21 and would like your vote on Tuesday, August 20.

Smith presides over county civil cases. These include landlord/ tenant disputes, insurance claims for both homeowner and automobile disputes, debtor/creditor disputes and much more. Smith efectively handles a busy docket. When he was ﬁrst appointed, he presided over dependency drug treatment court, Title IV child support, animal court and more.

Why is this important? Smith explained, “There is no substitute for judicial experience. Voters want to select someone who they think is a good judge, and the best evidence of that is the fact that he is doing the job and has a record.”

Smith has presided over thousands of cases since being appointed to the bench. Smith said, “A good measurement is to look at how a judge’s rulings are reviewed during an appeal. In the two and a half years that I have been a judge, no case that I have ruled on has been overturned on appeal.”

By Kathy L. Collins

Smith brings discipline and years of trial experience to the bench. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1997 and is a veteran of the United States Air Force. He was medically discharged from the Air Force. He graduated from Florida State University College of Law in 2000.

Following graduation, he served as a prosecutor for 21 years, ﬁrst in the State Attorney’s Ofce for the Second Judicial Circuit in Leon County and then in the State Attorney’s Ofce for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County. He also served as a prosecutor for the Florida attorney general in the Ofce of Statewide Prosecution.

Again, this is important. Smith said, “As a prosecutor I was constantly in court. I have tried 160 cases to verdict and argued countless motions. Ninety percent of what a judge does is in the courtroom. You want a judge who has trial experience.”

In addition to the trial experience, you can count on Smith to be nonbiased, as he has efectively served in the military and as a prosecutor under the administrations of both political parties.

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

PROFESSIONAL

County Judge – Presiding over County Civil Division V, Title IV Child Support Division and Animal Court, hearing and ruling on thousands of cases

Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor

State Attorney, Chief Felony Division

U. S. Air Force Veteran

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Military Veterans Afairs Committee

HCBA Bench Bar Committee

Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago

Dad’s Club, Academy of the Holy Names

Florida Bar Grievance Committee

Florida Prosecuting Attorneys’ Association

Education Committee

American Legion

Tampa Hispanic Bar Association

Florida Cattlemen’s Association

Egypt Shrlne

EDUCATION

FSU College of Law

U. S. Air Force Academy

Valley Forge Military College

PERSONAL

Matthew and Roxanna have two children, Penelope and Maximilian, and a French Bulldog named French Fry

Attends St. Patrick’s Catholic Church

Paid by Matt Smith for Hillsborough County Judge.

JIM DAVISON COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 6

Jim Davison, a longtime resident of New Tampa, is running for election to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. Davison, a Republican, is a candidate for District 6, which is a countywide seat.

Davison has spent his life serving others both professionally and as a volunteer in the community. Davison earned his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He retired in October 2023 after working as an emergency medicine physician for over 35 years. As an emergency room physician, Davison made critical decisions in a timely manner.

With countless hours of travel to emergency rooms and urgent care centers throughout the county, from Sun City Center to New Tampa and West Tampa to Brandon, Davison became well-aware of transportation needs due to expansion and growth in the area. He co-founded and was the ﬁrst chairman of the New Tampa Transportation Task Force. He was appointed by Tampa City Council to the countywide transportation ‘Committee of 99.’ Davison currently serves on the Hillsborough County Transportation Planning Organization’s advisory commission, working on the ﬁve-year and ‘LongRange Transportation’ plans.

“Hillsborough County is my home. It is

By Jane Owen

where I raised my family. I love New Tampa. I have driven all over the county. It’s a wonderful county. The people deserve better. There is a better way than what they are getting.”

Davison said. “They are not getting the infrastructure they are being promised.

I want to show them that this can all be done without raising taxes. In fact, we can actually roll back their taxes.”

Davison is dedicated to conservatism with taxes and government control, establishing a dependable transportation system that meets the needs of the growing community and accountability with the county budget.

Davison is endorsed by former Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy R. White; Cyril Spiro, M.D., MBA and former chair of Cory Lake Isles Community Development District; and Karen Jaroch, director of Fix Our Roads First.

Davison has been married to his wife, Diane, for 43 years. They have four grown children and ﬁve grandchildren.

For more information about Davison, visit www.votejimdavison.com. To learn more about the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, visit https://hcﬂ. gov/government/board-of-county-commissioners.

LYNN GRAY SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 7

Lynn Gray is running for reelection to the Hillsborough County School Board for District 7, a countywide seat. She would like your vote on Tuesday, August 20. Gray is one of seven members responsible for making policy decisions and overseeing a total budget of $4.2 billion for the seventh-largest school district in the nation and is the county’s largest employer with more than 24,000 employees.

Gray, a longtime teacher and instructional leader, was ﬁrst elected in 2016. She has served as the school board chair and is currently a member of the Hillsborough County Children’s Board.

When asked why she is seeking reelection, Gray said, “I would like to continue my districtwide monthly committee meetings which address the needs of our communities, students, parents and staf members. My districtwide committees which had been formed since 2016 reﬂect the needs of the county. This includes a growing Hispanic population (Hispanic Forum), the need for increased Black studies and cultural identity (African American Task Force) and the need for student mental-social-emotional well-being (the Hillsborough Healthy Schools Committee). There is a major challenge of social media abuse among our students with human trafckers involved in their social me-

By Kathy L. Collins

dia platforms. The Human Trafcking and Student Online Safety committees are made up of the FBI, Hillsborough County Sherif ’s Ofce, City of Tampa Police, NoMore Foundation and other Florida agencies.”

Gray would also like to continue working on afordable housing for teachers with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and other developers in conjunction with unused schools and properties. Gray said, “Providing afordable housing is part of my concern and goal for the 20242025 school year.”

As to the issues, Gray explained that they include taking care of teachers and staf with pay that matches their dedicated service to children in the district.

Over her career as an educator, Gray has taught at every grade level, including college. “I am only serving for the well-being of the children,” she said. Gray was named Teacher of the Year two times in Hillsborough County and one time in Pasco County. Gray is an avid runner as well, having completed over 100 marathons, including 12 Boston Marathons. She has been married for 45 years and has one son and two grandchildren who attend Bevis Elementary School.

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

40 YEARS SERVING CHILDREN

NANCY MILLAN COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR

Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County tax collector, is running for reelection this year.

Millan was ﬁrst elected in 2020 and would like your vote to continue serving Hillsborough County’s approximately 1.5 million residents.

Millan said, “I am pleased to announce my candidacy for reelection as Hillsborough County tax collector.” She added, “In the past two and a half years, we have made signiﬁcant strides in delivering top-notch customer service to Hillsborough County residents. This includes modernizing appointment and walk-in procedures, leveraging new technologies for enhanced accessibility and investing in our dedicated team of 402 public servants.”

The tax collector is responsible for delivering several state and local government services. The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Ofce is one of the largest tax collector agencies in the state of Florida with over $2.8 billion collected and distributed over 2.3 million transactions processed in the last ﬁscal year.

Last year, under Millan’s leadership, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Ofce modernized the walk-in queuing and appointment process by launching paperless mobile ticketing and a user-friendly online platform to schedule appointments. Millan also shifted the ofce from a strictly appointment-based model, used during the

By Kathy L. Collins

COVID-19 pandemic, to a service model focused on meeting the demand for a walk-in service, allowing for more customers to be served. Millan also improved driving test services and has increased driving tests administered by 43 percent since 2020.

In 2023, Millan became the ﬁrst tax collector in the state of Florida to identify and deploy a language translation technology called Pocketalk in all Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Ofce locations. This technology allows Millan’s team to communicate with customers visiting the branch ofces for various services in 82 diferent languages, reducing repeat visits and breaking down barriers to service for non-English-speaking customers.

During her tenure as tax collector, zero findings were recorded during the ofce’s annual independent financial audits. With an ofce that collects and distributes over $2.8 billion annually, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Ofce is a model agency for fiscal responsibility and accountability Millan is a native of Hillsborough County and an active community member. She is the first female and individual of Hispanic descent to hold the ofce. Millan was Hillsborough County’s Hispanic Woman of the Year in 2021.

For more information, please visit https:// votenancymillan.com/.

HILLSBOROUGH STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE EXPANDS GUN VIOLENCE UNIT FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES

Hillsborough County is growing faster than ever, and not only because of our gorgeous weather and booming economy. People are moving here because our county is a safe bet to start a small business and raise a family. It’s a place where our residents know law enforcement takes public safety seriously.

One of my top priorities as a state attorney is to work collaboratively with law enforcement partners on important issues facing our residents. Gun violence is at the top of the list. To better meet the needs of our growing community, I have expanded my office’s Gun Violence Unit. This unit is a team of highly trained prosecutors who handle exclusively firearm-related cases.

This restructuring will bring the Gun Violence Unit to a total of five attorneys. It allows our team of specialized attorneys to work hand in hand with law enforcement from the crime scene to the courtroom, giving us the best chance of holding violent offenders accountable.

As prosecutors, our greatest responsibilities are to the victims of crime and protecting public safety. We must use every tool we can to fight gun violence in our community. By expanding the Gun

Violence Unit, we will be dedicating significant resources toward prosecuting these brutal crimes that tear families apart. While it may seem like gun violence won’t happen in your community, I can tell you it has touched every corner of our county. The work this unit performs will make a positive difference no matter where you live. This expansion means we have more attorneys to work closely with law enforcement to keep track of violent offenders before they revictimize our community. It means our attorneys are learning about these cases at the earliest possible stage, moments after the trigger pull, which will create stronger prosecutions.

To ensure Hillsborough County remains a place where people want to live, work and play, we must stand up together to combat gun violence as a community. Addressing gun violence head on, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, is essential to keep our community thriving. I am proud that our office can play an important role in enhancing public safety as we grow together.

Dear Residents of Hillsborough County,

With heartfelt gratitude, I am proud that our campaign faced no opposition and I am honored to continue serving as your tax collector for the next four years.

I am grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me. I assure you that my commitment to serve each and every one of you with integrity, innovation, and dedication remains unwavering.

I am excited to build on our accomplishments and to bring forth new initiatives that will further empower our community and enhance our services.

Nancy Millan

State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

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BOB HENRIQUEZ COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER

One of the ofces up for election this year is the Hillsborough County property appraiser.

Bob Henriquez is seeking reelection. Henriquez stands out as a candidate with a proven track record of ﬁscal responsibility, technological advancement and genuine concern for the county’s citizens.

Throughout his tenure, Henriquez has demonstrated a relentless drive to enhance the efciency of the Property Appraiser’s Ofce while minimizing the tax burden on residents. For the 2024-25 ﬁscal year, Henriquez has proposed a budget decrease of 1.09 percent from the previous year. Thanks to these and previous efciencies during his 12-year tenure as property appraiser, Henriquez’s ofce has returned nearly $3.2 million to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

Henriquez is a ﬁfth-generation resident of Hillsborough County and a former head football coach for his alma mater, Tampa Catholic High School. Henriquez graduated from Princeton University and played football there.

“As the son of a house painter who was the first in my family to attend college, I fully understand the financial pressures that our citizens are facing due to ongoing inflation,” said Henriquez.

“I have made it a priority to listen to our citizens’ concerns and ﬁnd ways to alleviate

By Kathy L. Collins

the tax burden many are feeling as property values rise,” added Henriquez.

A recent ﬁnancial report from the Florida Department of Revenue highlighted Henriquez’s ofce as operating with the lowest budget per capita among the state’s 67 county property appraiser ofces.

The primary duty of the Property Appraiser’s Ofce is to assess the full market value of the approximately 557,000 properties in Hillsborough County as of January 1 each year and issue property tax exemptions to all qualiﬁed owners. During his tenure, Henriquez has leveraged cutting-edge technologies to reduce his total number of employees from 133 when he ﬁrst took ofce in 2013 to its current level of 108.

Of all the property tax exemptions Henriquez’s ofce is responsible for, the most important is homestead exemption. This exemption is vital because it statutorily caps the taxed value of a property from increasing more than 3 percent per year, ofering signiﬁcant savings and stability for homeowners.

The property appraiser has no authority to raise or lower taxes. Henriquez strives to help citizens of the county understand the rate at which a property is taxed is set by elected ofcials at the city and county levels, as well as by other taxing authorities.

For more information, visit www.vote4coachbob.com.

As the population of Hillsborough County continues to grow, meeting the water needs of residents and businesses becomes an ongoing challenge which is being met through a variety of methods, such as mandated restrictions and other conservation methods, including the use of reclaimed water.

Reclaimed water is water that has been used in a household or industrial setting and is treated to a degree that it can be safely used for things like irrigation of lawns. Reusing water helps reduce the strain on the area’s primary sources of drinking water, the Hillsborough River and the Floridan aquifer, and costs less than potable water for customers.

The use of reclaimed water is governed by federal, state and local laws and regulations. Irrigating lawns and landscaped areas, such as golf courses, are typical uses of reclaimed water. Among the things to keep in mind when using reclaimed water from Hillsborough County for home gardens or other agricultural purposes is that it can be used for the direct irrigation of edible crops only if the produce will be peeled, skinned or cooked before consuming, otherwise an indirect process, such as drip irrigation,

By Brad Stager

is required. Watering can be done any day of the week but is not allowed between the hours of 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Reclaimed water can also be used for industrial processes like cooling and cleaning. It cannot be used for ﬁlling swimming pools or hot tubs.

The role that reclaimed water plays in ensuring an adequate water supply for county residents was underscored in remarks made by Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen at a recent commission meeting.

“Hillsborough County has countless natural resources; parks, wildlife, beautiful scenery and our most treasured resource, which is water. We must do everything we can to conserve it. Hillsborough County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District do a phenomenal job providing clean drinking water, wastewater treatment and reclaimed water services that enable our community to grow and prosper.”

Because of infrastructure requirements, access to reclaimed water is considered on an individual basis when a request for the service is made by a neighborhood or community association. More information is available at https:// hcﬂ.gov/ or by calling 813-272-5977.

According to county ofcials, as much as half of the water used in Hillsborough County is for irrigation purposes,

DIONNE ‘DEE’ JONES COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 21

Dionne ‘Dee’ Jones has been practicing law for over 28 years, defending justice and leading with integrity. She is running for Hillsborough County court judge in Group 21.

Jones has extensive experience in both civil and criminal domains. As a civil litigator, she practiced family, employment and tort law. In the criminal ﬁeld, she was a felony prosecutor handling drug trafcking, robberies and aggravated assault and battery cases. In her role as hearing ofcer for Hillsborough County for the past four years, she fulﬁlled a quasi-judicial role, hearing cases requiring discernment and good judgement.

“I am deeply passionate about prosecuting domestic violence, aggravated battery and aggravated assault cases. While serving as a felony prosecutor, I took the lead in my division in handling these cases. Ensuring justice for victims and holding ofenders accountable is essential for the safety and well-being of our community,” Jones said.

Jones is the daughter of late Command Sgt. Maj. Levester Jones (USA, retired, who served in the Army for 28 years with two tours in Vietnam) and Liza Dudley Jones, who was an educator.

“My father taught me the value of hard

By Jane Owen

work, duty, responsibility, accountability for my actions and honor,” Jones said.

Raised in Tampa, Jones attended public school and earned a B.A. in political science, a juris doctorate from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in higher education leadership from the University of South Florida.

Jones currently serves as the trial advisory counsel for Allstate Insurance Company. Her community commitment includes the following leadership roles: University of Florida Law Alumni Council; George Edgecomb Bar Association, vice president; National Black Prosecutors Association, executive board and vice president; Hillsborough County Sherif ’s Ofce and Community Relations Committee; and Kiwanis Club of Tampa, executive board.

As judge, Jones said she will carefully consider each case, resolve conﬂicts, protect rights and ensure that justice is served.

“I am eager to become a judge, as I love the law and want to continue serving our community as well as administering justice with fairness and integrity,” Jones said.

For more information about Jones, visit https://deejonesforjudge.com/.

LAUREL LEE

US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 15

Laurel Lee was elected to serve the people of Florida Congressional District 15 in Congress on November 8, 2022, and is seeking reelection.

Upon being elected in 2022, Lee immediately made the crises on the southern border a top priority.

“The Biden administration, since day one, has reversed immigration policies that were working,” said Lee. “Now, our border is under attack, drawing in millions of illegal immigrants, including criminals, and deadly fentanyl that is devastating communities across the country — this is unacceptable.”

rocketing gas prices,” said Lee. “I will continue to ﬁght for policies to get the economy back on track and put more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans, like cutting wasteful spending, lowering taxes, balancing the budget and reviving the Keystone Pipeline.”

Lee is a strong supporter of both Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump for their proven track records of ﬁghting for conservative values and the policies that keep America safe, prosperous and free.

As part of the Homeland Security Committee, Lee and her Republican colleagues have been leading the ﬁght to put an end to this crisis. She served as one of the impeachment managers for the House against the secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas.

“Our national security depends on securing our border,” said Lee.

While serving in Congress, Lee has also sought to tackle other problems facing the country.

“Because of the Biden administration, Floridians face historic inﬂation and sky-

Before Lee was elected in 2022, she served as a federal prosecutor, a judge and Florida’s 36th secretary of state. She has worked side by side with law enforcement to enforce and uphold the laws of the state and has an unwavering commitment to the brave men and women of law enforcement.

Lee resides in Tampa with her family. She was raised by a two-star general of the United States Air Force and a public school teacher and has family ties in Eastern Hillsborough County that go back more than 70 years. Her husband, former Senate President Tom Lee, served the area in the state Senate.

FREE BEER IS BACK WITH MORE THRILLS AND EXCITEMENT AT BUSCH GARDENS THIS SUMMER

Visitors to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this summer are in for a refreshing treat with the return of free beer. For a limited time, the Tampa theme park will offer one complimentary beer per day to all guests ages 21 and up and two complimentary beers per day to pass members ages 21 and up. Guests will be able to enjoy the free icecold beer daily at Orang Café located in the Jungala area of the park, with a variety of rotating options to choose from. From classic domestic brews to artisanal craft beers, guests can enjoy a refreshing drink while experiencing the thrill of award-winning roller coasters, up-close encounters with animals and all the new things happening this summer.

Experience a ﬁery blaze of immersive, family-friendly excitement as you soar above the Serengeti Plain and drop into fun-ﬁlled twists and turns on the new Phoenix Rising coming this summer. Inspired by legends, this suspended roller coaster in vibrant Pantopia is packed with surprises and speeds up to 44 miles per hour. But with a height requirement of just 42 inches, it’s the perfect adventure for families to embark on together.

Guests will also have the opportunity to experience the all-new Rhythm of Nature ice show at the Moroccan Palace Theater.

Staf Report

Audiences will embark on a spellbinding ice adventure following the journey of Dakari, a brave young hero, as they journey into a magical dream realm to uncover the wonders of the animal kingdom and embrace their destiny.

Guests can extend their day into a funﬁlled night with special seasonal entertainment at Busch Gardens’ Summer Nights. Gwazi Plaza comes alive with nightly performances of the all-new Gwazi Rocks, featuring vibrant dance and percussion beats. At the Stanleyville Theater, guests can enjoy the acrobatic feats of Cirque Electric. Plus, guests can sing along to tunes from their favorite artists during a performance of Icons at the Dragon Fire Grill.

For the perfect ending, enjoy a dazzling ﬁrework show every Friday, Saturday and Sunday as the Summer Nights Fireworks Spectacular, presented by Bad Boy Mowers, illuminates the skies over Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Visit https://buschgardenstampa.com/ to purchase tickets and learn more about the annual pass program, and stay in the know about new events, special deals and future announcements by following Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).

ATLANTA-BASED VEGAN INFLUENCER PINKY HOSTS VINE VEGAN RESTAURANT TAKE OVER

Slutty Vegan, a popular Atlanta, Georgia-based restaurant, took over Brandon’s Vine Vegan, located at 2080 Badlands Dr., from June 10 and 11. The restaurant takeover, from 6-11 p.m. each night, brought in over 800 people from all over Tampa Bay.

The two-day event was part of Slutty Vegan’s ‘Gettin’ Slutty Tour.’ Vine Vegan owner Danielle Stevens inquired about being part of the tour through Instagram. Within an hour of sending her message to owner Aisha ‘Pinky’ Cole, on June 5, they had the takeover scheduled.

One thousand burgers were sold, and they were sold-out on both nights 45 minutes before closing.

“This was one of the most incredible experiences. The new people we met and the exposure we got was amazing. The Slutty Vegan crew were like family a few hours into being here. It was an incredible collaboration,” Stevens said.

Slutty Vegan is a 100 percent plantbased burger restaurant known for risqué-themed, tasty food. The burger menu provided at Vine Vegan during the event included the One Night Stand, Fussy Hussy, and Sloppy Toppy.

Riverview resident Shani Williams was the ﬁrst person in line on June 10, arriving a little after 4 p.m. It was not only her ﬁrst time eating Slutty Vegan food,

By Jane Owen

but it was also her ﬁrst time at Vine Vegan.

“I saw on Instagram that they were coming, and I was like, I’ve gotta try it. I got two diferent burgers so I could try them. I ordered two of the Sloppy Toppys and two of the One Night Stands,” Williams said.

On Tuesday, Eve Lue-Shing and her son, Michael Brown, from Sun City Center, were in town for a doctor’s appointment and stopped at Vine Vegan for lunch. They decided to stay for a Slutty Vegan dinner. Lue-Shing said she went to Slutty Vegan when it started in Atlanta as a food truck.

As regular Vine Vegan customers and longtime Slutty Vegan fans, Lue-Shing and Brown said they love the tasty options at both restaurants.

“At Vine Vegan, I’m hooked on the smash patty melt. It’s like a burger and grilled cheese in one.” Lue-Shing said. Brown added that he gets a diferent chick’n sammy every time.

“I mainly stick to the chick’n sammies. They have five diferent flavors. I get a chick’n sammy, but I feel like it’s a different sandwich because I get a diferent flavor every time,” Brown said.

To learn more about the menu options at Vine Vegan, visit https://vinevegan. com/menu/. To learn more about Slutty Vegan, visit https://sluttyveganatl.com.

Guests ages 21 and older can enjoy a refreshing, cold, 7 oz. beer for free at Busch Gardens for a limited time this summer.

Te Atlanta, Georgia-based restaurant Slutty Vegan took over Brandon’s Vine Vegan on June 10 and 11.

BRANDON MASONS CELEBRATE 100-YEAR REDEDICATION OF MOON AVENUE LODGE

Masons turned out in force to rededicate Brandon Masonic Lodge No. 114, which this year celebrates its 100year anniversary at its Moon Avenue location.

“On Thursday, June 13, 1924, we settled here, and since then we have been forging a legacy that has lasted a century,” said Cory Jones, the lodge’s worshipful master, in remarks for the June 13 reconsecration and rededication ceremony. “Brandon had three main roads in 1924, and Moon Avenue was at the center of those three roads.”

Roughly 150 Masons in attendance at Brandon Masonic Lodge No. 114 at the unveiling of the 100-year rededication foor marker, noting the lodge’s establishment in 1890.

By Linda Chion

mentary School, the Iris and Hubert Allen Scholarship Fund for graduating high school seniors, donations to the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO), donations to OneBlood and providing Meals on Wheels to seniors.

He noted as well the lodge’s connection to John William Brandon, who in 1857 brought his wife and seven sons by covered wagon from Mississippi to Fort Brooke, now known as Tampa. He settled them in what is now Sefner, and months later bought land in neighboring New Hope.

VALRICO MASON IN TOP STATE POSITION JOINS BRANDON LODGE MEMBERS IN 100-YEAR CELEBRATION

As the top Mason in the state of Florida, Donald ‘Don’ Cowart of Valrico travels a lot, but it was his backyard visit in June that held a special meaning for the 1969 Brandon High School graduate, who in 2006 joined Brandon Masonic Lodge No. 114.

Today, at the corner of Moon Avenue and Morgan Street, a marker notes the lodge was established on January 20, 1890. Originally known as Hacienda Lodge No. 114, the Freemasons met in rooms over Pemberton’s Store in Sefner. Moves in 1897 and 1912, to Thonotosassa and back to Sefner, preceded the June 13, 1924, move to Moon Avenue, where the newly built lodge was dedicated on August 24, 1924. At the June 13 rededication, Masons unveiled the lodge’s 100year anniversary ﬂoor marker.

“Over the past 134 years, our local Masonic group has steadfastly served its members and the community,” lodge historian Steven Dolﬁ said at the June 13 ceremony. “Our journey has been marked by numerous relocations and name changes, but our commitment to service has remained unwavering.”

Dolﬁ noted the lodge’s philanthropic efforts, including its support of Mango Ele-

“As New Hope the town was being renamed Brandon, Brandon Lodge was also being initiated,” Dolﬁ said. “We can claim that our town of Brandon was founded on Masonic principles, as John Brandon himself was a Freemason.”

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest fraternal organizations, dating back to ancient times. The Brandon club reportedly has 386 members, including the youngest member, Hunter Daniel Bernstein, 19, and its oldest, William Andrews Jr., 97, who with 71 years is the lodge’s longest-serving Mason. Among the 121 past lodge masters is Donald Cowart, of Valrico, who held the position in 2013. He attended the rededication as the Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida.

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

That was 28 years after Cowart ﬁrst became a Mason, having joined the Temple Terrace Lodge in 1978. On June 13, 100 years to the day the Brandon Lodge was ﬁrst dedicated, Cowart, as the Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida, participated in the 100-year reconsecration and rededication ceremony, at 203 Moon Ave. in Brandon.

“We’re celebrating Freemasonry, and this lodge that is near and dear to my heart,” Cowart said. “The way I explain it, this country was founded on Freemasonry principles, including charity, faith and hope.”

He noted that 14 United States presidents were Freemasons, including George Washington, who, according to the Museum of Freemasonry, joined the Alexandria, Virginia, lodge as a 20-year-old in 1782, and later laid the cornerstone of the Capitol Building in Washington in a Masonic ceremony.

Jeremy Bernstein of FishHawk, at the June 13 ceremony in Brandon, said he joined the Brandon Lodge after moving to

By Linda Chion

Florida from New York, and that his sons later joined him. Bernstein said he became a Mason “just to belong to something bigger than myself.”

“After being in Freemasonry long enough, it became about the brotherhood, and then it became about bettering myself,” Bernstein said. “Through allegory and symbols, we give men the tools they need to try to improve themselves.”

Cory Jones of Riverview is the Brandon Lodge’s Worshipful Master, a position that 120 Masons before him have held, including Cowart in 2013. Cowart is the state’s ﬁrst Grand Master from Brandon, reportedly home to the state’s third-largest Masonic lodge, with 386 members. Jones said he became a Mason in 2011 after talking to his boss, a Mason, on and of for several years.

“I was seeking something for self-improvement, and I decided to take a shot at it,” Jones said. There is a misconception “that we’re some type of a secret society, but we are not,” Jones added. “We’re just a society with some secrets, no diferent than any person or business with secrets. Our main goal through our instruction and teaching is to give men the tools they need to make themselves better.”

For more information, visit the website www.brandonlodge.org or email secretary@brandonlodge.org.

Donald ‘Don’ Cowart, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida (center), with Right Worshipful Gary Jamasche (left) and Worshipful Master Cory Long.

are. Your new construction realtor will help YOUR NEW CONSTRUCTION REALTOR SHOULD HAVE AWESOME REFERRAL SOURCES. So for example we have some home inspectors we work with. They go through each phase of the construction process. Also: homeowners insurance referrals, A NEW CONSTRUCTION REALTOR SHOULD HOLD YOUR HAND THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. If the builder can get 20% as a deposit, they would. It’s typical that we negotiate what that is. For them to take the home of the market or start the construction process, it may be $2,000 or maybe $5,000, but if they could get 20%, they’re going to get 20% from you so you need a realtor representing you for that. in, when you’d make decisions on what If there’s an in-house lender; let’s say you can’t get pre-approved with that in-house lender. We will probably be able to get you pre-approved elsewhere and then work to deal with the builder to make sure you still get incentives as if you’re using a in-house lender, very important stuf

Rotarians at the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center in Brandon issued college scholarships and a check to the University of South Florida (USF) Rotaract club.

“It’s wonderful to see the youth we have coming up in this town,” said Joe Campoamor of Lithia, president of the Rotary Club of Brandon’s charity committee, at the club’s June 18 meeting. “We had 19 scholarship applicants, and it’s amazing to see the great service-oriented things the kids are doing.”

USF Rotaract President Suhas ‘Sue’ Das accepted on behalf of his Rotary International service club a check for $1,200, noting the club’s 400 events and 8,900 service hours.

“Trust me, this may not seem like a lot to you guys, but this is almost half our budget,” Das said.

Collectively, Rotary’s eight scholarship recipients reported 2,005 community service hours. It reported as well on its scholarship applications’ weighted grade-point averages (WGPA).

Of to Florida Gulf Coast University is Brooke Ura, a Sefner Christian Academy graduate (4.1 WGPA, 157 hours). Ura is the ﬁrst recipient of the $2,500 Sharon S. Sell-

By Linda Chion

ers Memorial Scholarship, given in remembrance of the wife of John Sellers, a longtime Rotarian.

Five students each received $2,000 scholarships, including Olivia Davis from Newsome High School in Lithia, with 606 service hours. Davis updated her WGPA at the meeting, from 5.8 to 6.29. She is set to attend the University of Central Florida. Also from Newsome, headed to Florida Southern College, Jocelyn Maidens (5.5 WGPA, 103 service hours) received a $1,000 scholarship.

Three students from Durant High School in Plant City each received a $2,000 scholarship. They are Ryleigh Butz (6.2 WGPA, 336 hours, Auburn University), Anai Hernandez (5.1 WGPA, 107 hours, Florida Polytechnic University) and Andrew Walls (6.7 WGPA, 175 hours, University of Florida).

Zakiyah Adams, a graduate of Spoto High School in Riverview who is of to Florida A&M University, received $1,000 and reported 160 service hours (Adams updated her WGPA at the meeting from 6.9 to 7.3). Of to Howard University, Tampa Bay Tech graduate Divonna Smith received $2,000 and reported a 6.5 WGPA and 361 service hours.

“Seeing the faces of these recipients, all we can say is, stay involved,” said Rotarian Tim Ryan, the Rotary Club of Brandon’s incoming president. “We’re all in this room for one reason: friendship. Giving back to the community, this is why we do what we do.”

The club meets on Tuesdays. For information, visit www.brandonrotary.org or call Larry Fassett at 813-767-5803.

Rotarian Patrick W. Skidmore II (left) and Joe Campoamor (back) with scholarship recipients (from left to right) Brooke Ura, Ryleigh Butz, Olivia Davis, Andrew Walls, Divonna Smith, Zakiyah Adams and Anai Hernandez. Not pictured is scholarship recipient Jocelyn Maidens.

Compiled by Jenny Bennett jbennett@ospreyobserver.com

Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run

Returns

The Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run is back in FishHawk at Park Square Plaza on Saturday, September 28. This race is a heartfelt tribute to the heroes of 9/11, our veterans, and ﬁrst responders, bringing together our community in a powerful display of unity and patriotism. Registration is now open. Lace up your running shoes and be part of a day that honors our past and supports our future. For more information and to register, visit www.travismanion.org/events/911-heroes-run/2024-tampa-ﬂ.

email timelytreasurescraft@gmail.com or pick up a packet from the church’s ofce at 1971 Haverford Ave. in Sun City Center.

Our Lady’s Pantry Grant

Writing Workshops

Our Lady’s Pantry has thrived for almost 25 years thanks to the generosity of the community and occasional grants from philanthropic groups. Its mission is to serve anyone in need without regard to race or religion. Our Lady’s Pantry is holding two grant writing workshops to help it secure more grants that will help ﬁll the gap in its increasing expenses.

“Grant writing is not difcult because we are only answering questions the granter has asked. We will give you the answers and all the details you need, along with samples of successful grants that we have already written,” said Tom Bullaro, director of the pantry.

The next grant writing workshops are scheduled for Friday, July 19, and Tuesday, July 30, both starting at 10 a.m. Please email pmcadams@nasw.org to make a reservation.

Vendor Applications Requested For Timely Treasures Arts & Crafts Fair

This year’s Timely Treasures Arts & Crafts Fair will be held on Saturday, November 30, at the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Only handmade and one-of-a-kind arts and crafts are allowed. Applications for a booth are being accepted until Monday, July 15, and must include two photos of your work, vendors will be notiﬁed of their acceptance to the show by Wednesday, July 31. For more information and an application,

Charity Music Bingo At Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co.

Join the Kappa Kappa Chapter of Kappa Delta Phi on Thursday, July 18, for a night of music, fun and prizes with charity music bingo at Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. Bingo will start at 7 p.m., but arrive early to secure a table. This will be a ﬁrst-come, ﬁrst-serve event, and there will be no table reserva-tions.

The cost is $20 per person and includes one set of bingo cards. There will be 50/50 rafﬂe tickets for $20. Food and drinks are also available for purchase. Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. is located at 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico.

May 4th @ 8am Sponsored by All Proceeds Benefting Charity of Choice for 2024 Raining Cats and Dogs You do not need to be a member to participate, but you do need to be 13 years old to play. Looking for players, teams and sponsors! Sign Up Today! Event Details, Sponsorships and Tickets available at www.valricofshhawk.org

Help us treat some of our newest teachers with lunch, classroom supplies and raﬄe giveaways at this annual VFCC event! Contact BTS@valricoﬁshhawk.org for more information on how you can help with sponsorships and donations.

Welcome To Our Newest Chamber Members!

Welcome To Our Newest Chamber Members! Lilla Bordas Portraits • Mira Med Spa • Onyx+East Perspire Sauna Studio, Riverview • Lucky Puppy Canine Nail Specialists • Mission BBQ • Florin Roebig Te Bridges at Sweet Water Grand • Jadian Title & Trust

Split Second Towing & Transport • Cafe Cuba by Andris • First Option Mortgage, Tampa • We Are Te Essentials • Sabrina Protic Enterprises • Woodie’s Wash Shack • Prime IV Hydration Brandon • Patriot Coatings

Join us at our Midday Power Hour every Wednesday, 11a-12p at JF Kicks for a presentation and networking with other local business owners!

Join us at our Midday Power Hour every Wednesday, 11a-12p at JF Kicks for a presentation and networking with other local business owners! Join the

Terry Vassalotti and Michelle Colesanti in the capital city of Malta, Valletta.

COOPER PRESSURE WASHING CONTINUES BOYLE FAMILY LEGACY

This year, Cooper Pressure Washing o f cially opened its doors, carrying forward a family tradition of exceptional service and quality. This family-owned and operated business is a continuation of Boyle Pressure Washing and Screen Repair, a well-regarded business founded and operated by Thomas Boyle for the past 22 years. The legacy has now been passed down to his grandson, Cooper DeLallo, who has diligently worked under his grandfather’s guidance for the last six years.

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

it clean will improve your home’s curb appeal and prolong the life of your home’s exterior.”

Cooper Pressure Washing is committed to o f ering the highest quality job at a fair price, which is reﬂected in every project it undertakes. The company strives to deliver top-notch service that meets and exceeds client expectations.

Cooper Pressure Washing serves the communities of FishHawk, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Plant City and the surrounding areas. It o f ers a comprehensive range of services to meet the diverse needs of its clients. From houses, driveways and sidewalks to cages, decks and lanais, Cooper Pressure Washing cleans with the highest quality standards. Other services include screen repairs as well as maintaining pools and gutters, preventing potential damage.

“Mold and mildew is a deﬁnite threat, and when it is left unattended it can cause wear and tear on your home and pool cage ﬁnishes,” said DeLallo, owner of Cooper Pressure Washing. “Keeping

“I am very grateful to have this opportunity. It’s not every day you get to continue your grandfather’s business that he built from the ground up,” said DeLallo. “It makes me very proud to be able to follow in his footsteps and continue the quality work he has done for the past 22 years.”

Customers can receive a free estimate and assessment for all pressure washing and screen repair needs.

Cooper Pressure Washing is dedicated to continuing the tradition of excellence established by Boyle. With a focus on quality, integrity and customer satisfaction, his aim is to be a go-to solution for all pressure washing and screen repair needs in the area.

For more information or to inquire about services, please call or text DeLallo at 813-892-5283.

Cooper DeLallo, owner of Cooper Pressure Washing, continues the family tradition of quality service, ofering comprehensive pressure washing and screen repair.

HEAVEN’S BEST CARPET CLEANING GETS THE JOB DONE

By Sharon Still

When it comes to carpet, tile, grout and upholstery cleaning, those tasks are best left to the professionals, like Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning. The Brandon-area franchise recently celebrated 20 years of business serving Brandon, Sefner, FishHawk, Riverview, Sun City Center and the surrounding areas.

Cody Howard founded Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning in 1983 after searching out a cleaning method that would more efectively clean carpets without leaving them soaking wet for hours. Since then, the company has grown to hundreds of franchise locations across the country.

Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning owner Eric Swilley and his wife, Andrea, and their two children have been living in and providing carpet cleaning services to the Brandon area for more than 20 years.

Franchise owner Eric Swilley has been cleaning carpets since the age of 17 and came to know Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning through a family member who owned a franchise. Twenty years later, business is still going strong.

Residential as well as commercial services are available to help make furniture, tile, grout and upholstery look the best possible.

Swilley explained that Heaven’s Best’s method of low-moisture cleaning sets it apart from others who perform the same types of services.

“Our carpet cleaning process leaves

customers with carpets that are dry in one hour,” he stated, adding that there is no sticky residue left to attract dirt and all its products are safe for children and pets.

He takes pride in making a diference in people’s lives and is passionate about providing top-quality results with a high level of professionalism.

“Seeing the before and after is the most rewarding part of the job,” Swilley commented.

One tip that Swilley ofered readers to help them keep ﬂoor and furniture surfaces in their best condition is to do weekly vacuuming and cleaning, coupled with a professional cleaning at least once a year.

An area native, Swilley is currently living in Valrico with his wife and two children, who attend local elementary and middle schools. He said they stay active in the local community by participating in and donating to the schools’ PTA organizations and their local church, Centerpoint Church in Valrico.

Mention the Osprey Observer for 10 percent of any service.

To learn more about Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning or to schedule an appointment, visit https://heavensbestcleaningﬂ. com/ or call 813-294-2392.

THE TAMPA BAY RODEO & FAMILY FESTIVAL CHARGES INTO THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS JULY 19 & 20

Florida’s hottest show on dirt returns.

The Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, charges into the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday, July 19 and 20. Fresh of a sold-out event in April, this summer’s rodeo promises to be a can’t-be-missed event with new competitors, new livestock and thrilling action throughout. The area’s best cowboys and cowgirls are saddling up for two days of rodeo competition, including bull riding, bronco riding, barrel racing, team roping, calf roping and steer wrestling. Fans can come early to the Family Festival for yummy food, refreshing beverages, live music and fun activities for the entire family. Tickets are on sale now for this high-energy event; parking is free.

To beat the summer heat, guests can cool of in one of the brand-new Family Festival Cool Zones, ofering shade and misters. One Cool Zone is located in the 150-foot-by-130-foot Mega Tent, a new addition this year. The other is in the Entertainment Beer Barn where Crossﬁre Creek Band will take the stage both nights playing country tunes.

“We are always looking for ways to make the Tampa Bay Rodeo a bigger and

Staf Report

better experience for families,” said event producer Ryan Henning. “Providing a way for everyone to get out of the sun and cool of was important to us because of the heat we’ve been experiencing in Florida. Plus, we know fans like a full rodeo, so we are featuring six diferent competitions this summer.”

As always, there will be delicious fare, including barbecue, tacos, pork rinds, pizza, corn dogs, funnel cakes and more. Attendees can quench their thirst with cold sodas, water or refreshing beer. Making its Family Festival debut, monster truck Later Gator raises dust with wheel-churning rides. Guests can test their skills on the always-popular mechanical bull or try their hand at ax throwing. While food and some activities require an extra fee, there are plenty of amusements included in the ticket price, such as kids/family yard games, such as Jenga, Connect 4 and cornhole; the 45-foot-tall Super Slide; and a goat playground area, complete with adorable baby goats. Multiple photo-op areas allow families to capture memories of the night. For more information and tickets, please visit the https://tamparodeo.com/. The Hillsborough County Fairgrounds are located at 215 Sydney Washer Rd. in Dover.

Te Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival returns in July with two days of rodeo competition plus food, beverages, fun and live music for the whole family.