Osprey Observer Valrico September 2023

September 2023 Volume 20, Issue 9 Ph: 813-657-2418

AIR FORCE & USPS VETERAN BRAUN NAMED VALRICO POSTMASTER

The Valrico Post O f ce recently announced the appointment of a new postmaster, Samuel Braun. He began his postal career in 1999 as a distribution clerk in Oswego, Illinois. Today, he serves as the new postmaster of the Valrico Post O f ce.

“I feel I can share my knowledge and teach my employees in this position,” said Braun, who oversees 62 employees and 34 rural routes.

Braun certainly has lots of USPS experience to lean on. He served as a city carrier in Naperville, Illinois and as a supervisor of customer services in Joliet, Illinois; Tampa; and Brandon. His first postmaster position was in Se f ner, not too far from the Valrico Post O f ce.

Braun is also a veteran, having served as an airman in the Air Force from 1996 to 1999.

“My friend was a city carrier and loved it,” Braun said of his decision to apply at USPS after he left the Air Force. “I already had federal government experience and a family, and the postal service has excellent opportunities.”

With close to 25 years working for the USPS, Braun has seen many changes

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and much growth.

“Technology is the greatest change at the postal service,” he said. “The average time to deliver a letter or package from the eastern seaboard to the west coast — and everywhere in between — is 2.5 days, which is quite amazing.”

“I am delivering for America by ensuring all mail delivered out of my o f ce is made daily, and I strive for accurate delivery to serve my customers properly,” he added.

Braun is married to his wife, Tonya, and has two grown children, a son who lives in New York and a daughter in Tampa.

“I am excited to be here and want to get to know the Valrico community. I am proud to serve as its postmaster,” said Braun.

The Valrico Post O f ce is located at 2406 E. SR 60 in Valrico. It o f ers assistance from postal workers with more than just general delivery, including P.O. boxes, passport appointments, passport photo appointments, money orders and more. It also o f ers self-service kiosks for general mail. For questions and more information, call 813-657-0495.

SIR HENRY’S HAUNTED TRAIL CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF SEASONAL ATTRACTIONS, HAYRIDES & EVENTS

Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail, a series of haunted trails aimed at giving guests a surging adrenaline rush and a high scare factor, is celebrating its 10th year in business. Located at 2837 S. Frontage Rd. in Plant City, Sir Henry’s is excited to announce some new additions to its yearly scares. This is the perfect place for adrenaline junkies. On top of its three one-of-a-kind haunted trail themes, two escape rooms and laser tag, Sir Henry’s is premiering its brand-new Haunted Hayride.

Owner Zach Glaros stated, “The special efects, sets and theatricals of the hayride are on another level.”

This year’s hayride is titled ‘Legends of Halloween.’

The Haunted Hayride is not the only innovative idea Glaros has had over the past 10 years. At a young age, his and his dad’s interest in Halloween displays grew into a passion to serve people with an attraction experience they will never forget.

“Entertaining guests to the highest degree possible while allowing themselves to have a memorable time is critical,” said Glaros.

Sir Henry’s family of cast and crew is eager to celebrate 10 years with customers and each other.

Glaros touched on the closeness of employees, saying, “From our management to those who act within the trails, we all care for one another. Everyone that comes through feels that there is a huge sense of community and belonging within Sir Henry’s. We are always pushing each other to be even better than we thought possible.”

A work environment like this allows this business to thrive and improve each year. Halloween is not the only time to visit this incredible attraction. Sir Henry’s

By Avery Ranieri

hosts Christmas and Valentine’s Day haunted trails that have the same amount of, if not more, enthralling scares. With astounding, newly developed makeup, costumes, props and animatronics, Glaros and his team are bringing Halloween to life.

Sir Henry’s is classified as a 501(c)(3) and purchases support charities such as Give Kids The World Village and Folds of Honor. Sir Henry’s relies on volunteers of all ages and works with high school students who would like volunteer hours. This team’s work ethic, connection and dedication to service is impeccable.

Glaros stated, “If you are interested in being part of our team and volunteering with us, please send us an email at sirhenryshauntedtrail@gmail.com.”

There is no cost to park and souvenirs are typically available for purchase. Sir Henry’s is family-friendly although parental discretion is advised for children under 12. Guests can purchase a season pass with perks such as one front-of-the-line haunted hayride pass each visit and 10 percent of merchandise discount. One or more visits to Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail this spooky season, with its well-rounded family of staf providing frightful entertainment, will surely generate remarkable memories. For more information or to purchase tickets and set of on an eerie adventure, visit www.sirhenryshauntedtrail.com.

IN THIS ISSUE:

WALK FOR F.R.I.E.N.D.S. PG 3

HOWL-O-SCREAM PG 5

AREA FALL ACTIVITIES ..........PG 12

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

FALL FOOTBALL PGS 28-30

Samuel Braun was recently appointed to the position of postmaster at the Valrico Post Office.

Friday Night Lights are back! Osprey Observer Sports Editor Nick Nahas previews the season for four local high schools including Bloomingdale, Strawberry Crest & Durant High Schools. Each team has a chance to build its program with this year’s schedule and strong seniors and talented juniors will build up team rosters. For full stories see Pages 28-30 the second section.

WALK TO SUPPORT F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

DOWN SYNDROME WEST FLORIDA ON OCTOBER 21

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

OVERFLOW FINE ARTS CHOIR EARNS FIRST PLACE IN FAITH-BASED COMPETITION

By Anna Edlund

Join F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Down Syndrome West Florida at the Al Lopez Park to unite for a common cause at the seventh annual F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Buddy Walk on Saturday, October 21.

The Buddy Walk event will begin at 10 a.m. with meet and greets, music and more. The advocacy walk will begin at 1 p.m., with team pictures to follow.

Individuals with Down syndrome must register as a walker but are free to participate and will receive a Buddy Walk wristband, T-shirt, medal and cowbell or noisemaker. Until Sunday, October 1, registration is $20 for participants ages 13 and up and includes a Buddy Walk T-shirt, a wristband, free team photos and event admission. After October 1, the price will increase to $25. Children ages 12 and under are free and must register to receive their free Buddy Walk T-shirt and wristband.

Starting at 10 a.m., participants are welcome to enjoy the festivities, including music from DJ Mark Girdwood and the MC Mark Oliver as well as bounce houses, a playground and face painting.

A complimentary lunch, prepared by Craig Wangberg and Paul Foyt, will be served starting at 11 a.m., and you’ll be able to get a picture taken with your favorite Star Wars and Ghostbusters characters. Guests are welcome to bring their own 10

ft. by 10 ft. tents, chairs and food. Ninety-seven percent of the money raised during the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Buddy Walk goes back into F.R.I.E.N.D.S. programs and activities. The other 3 percent of the donations raised go to the National Down Syndrome Society to support its significant national advocacy, education and inclusion eforts.

“It is vital for families to meet other families, to share information and to gain that vital support,” said Ann Foyt, president of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. “Our kids also need to meet each other to make friends, and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. gives our community these opportunities.”

In September, teams who register for the Buddy Walk and raise $500 by October 1 will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card. In October, teams who raise $1,000 will be entered to win Apple earbuds; if they raise $2,500, the teams could win a $250 Amazon gift card; and if they raise $5,000, the teams could win a $500 gift card.

Teams will be issued a rafe ticket for each $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000 they raise. The deadline for these incentives is Friday, October 20.

Come out to join the 2,000 participants for a day of fun and support millions of families and individuals impacted by Down syndrome at the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Buddy Walk. For more information, to participate, volunteer or donate, visit www.ds-stride.org/ friendsbuddywalk/help-guides.

Twenty-four students from Overflow Fine Arts, a Valrico-based organization, have gone on to compete nationally in Ohio following their success in district competitions. The group has received praise for their specific talents, including winning first place in the choir category.

The program houses a wide variety of artistic skills that kids participate in, including dance, public speaking, drama, instrumental music, human video, writing and much more. Students are given a supportive environment to learn and expand through weekly practices and extensive competition preparation alongside mentors.

“Our organization is a beautiful place for students to grow and develop. It’s not just about the competitions but bettering their gifts. Knowing that there is a place to explore your talents and try new things is important,” explained Ruth Spiegel, president and executive director of Overflow Fine Arts.

In the choir category, the group went up against institutions that had quadruple the number of their members. They additionally chose to take on a contemporary Christian or worship approach, unlike many others who took a more gospel route. Despite appearing diferent, the group focused on perfecting their technique and working hard

until eventually winning first place.

“It was the first time ever in the top three and first was just so exciting. The students couldn’t believe it. We owed it to always staying true to who we were and trusting the Lord,” said Spiegel.

Alongside the internal strengthening that the fine arts produce, participants are introduced to many special opportunities. Students are often rewarded for their hard work and talent with scholarships that can benefit them in future endeavors.

“My son is about to start his second year of college. While being a part of the fine arts program, he got second place in the nation, awarding him a $3,000 scholarship. It’s a big help as a parent wanting a good future for their children,” said Ronnie Rivera, treasurer of Overflow Fine Arts and a fine arts parent.

The organization strives to provide children with the extensive artistic education that public school funding cannot entirely cover. Being a nonprofit, Overflow Fine Arts still requires financial assistance to educate students to the greatest extent possible. All donations are greatly appreciated to continue funding the uplifting of young artists. To donate, register to participate or find additional information, visit www.overflowfinearts.com.

A group of Overfow Fine Arts students celebrates their success in numerous artistic competitions.

Te seventh annual F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Buddy Walk will have character meet and greets, music and games.

KATIE TURNEY MEMORIAL BOOK FUND DONATES TO DURANT HIGH SCHOOL’S LIBRARY

The Katie Turney Memorial Book Fund was established after 16-year-old Durant High School student Katie Turney died unexpectedly in 2013. This year, Katie’s parents are making their annual donation to Durant High School’s school librarian and principal in their daughter’s memory, 10 years after her death.

“Her mother and I established the Katie Turney Memorial Book Fund … through the generosity of family and friends in 2014,” father Joe Turney said. “Because it was inspired by Katie’s love of books and reading, the fund is used to purchase new young adult fiction books, which are plated and placed in the Durant High School library.”

On August 17, Joe and Angie Mosier, Katie’s mother, personally delivered their $3,000 donation to Principal Gary Graham and media specialist Diana Rasmussen.

Over the past nine years, the Katie Turney Memorial Book Fund has donated almost $16,000, allowing Durant to purchase over 900 hardbound young adult fiction books for its students.

“They buy the highest-quality leather-bound books so that they last longer. The librarian is always given the option to use the funds where needed but is aware that our preference would be young adult

YOU CAN NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING YOUNG STUDENT FOR THE YEA! AWARDS

By Lily Belcher

fiction. We’ve purchased so many books that Durant is now able to lend books to other schools, as their space is limited,” Mosier said.

Katie enjoyed young adult fiction books, specifically dystopian and postapocalyptic fiction. In memory of Katie, Durant purchases books in the fiction genre for its students. A memoriam plate is also placed on the inside of the front cover of each book that the Memorial Book Fund allows Durant to purchase.

“Each year, the librarian and principal have gone out of their way to meet with us personally to accept the check. Sometimes, teachers have been present to show their gratitude, and we’ve received letters from students thanking us for the donations,” Mosier said.

The Katie Turney Memorial Book Fund is a nonprofit organization with BreadAndBooks.org, an organization that donates to programs that promote literacy and fights hunger.

For more information on the BreadAndBooks.org nonprofit, visit its website at https://breadandbooks. org/programs/katie-turney-book-fund/.

To contact the Katie Turney Memorial Book Fund, email Mosier at amosier@ breadandbooks.org.

Many young people in Hillsborough County do extraordinary things each year, including overcoming difcult odds against them. Those young people deserve to be recognized. As such, Hillsborough County developed a category of awards that recognizes their contributions.

Each year, Hillsborough County recognizes students who make a diference in their community through the YEA! Awards, which are presented annually by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, just as the board did for these outstanding students in 2022.

Each year, Hillsborough County opens up nominations for an award known as the Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards), which were created in 2010. Nominations are now open and applications are being accepted through Monday, September 18 at 9 a.m.

YEA! Awards nominations can be submitted for both middle and high school students in each of three categories. These include Leadership, Success Despite Difcult Odds and Volunteer or Community Service.

For the Leadership category, an application must show a student who demonstrates a positive impact on others in an ongoing endeavor, such as sports, academics or the arts.

For Success Despite Difcult Odds, this would show a student who has overcome tremendous personal difculty to attain success and make a positive impact on others.

For Volunteer or Community Service, the category shows student volunteers who

By Kathy L. Collins

allocate discretionary time to help others or complete a project that has improved the community.

“This is a great opportunity for parents, guardians and educators to nominate and recognize a student who has gone above and beyond,” said Carmen LoBue, Hillsborough County’s Americans with Disabilities Act ofcer and representative of the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women (COSW).

“The YEA! Awards serve as an example of excellence and honor deserving students in our county. The spirit of the award is to recognize deserving students today and also inspire students to continue to reach for the stars,” added LoBue.

The nomination form is available for submission online at www.hcflgov.net/yea.

Nominations will be reviewed by the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women. The COSW was created to study and make recommendations to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on issues pertaining to the status of women, including discrimination, employment, education, day care and health care and is comprised of BOCC appointees and representatives from women-serving groups in Hillsborough County.

The YEA! Awards will be presented by the Board of County Commissioners in October. For more information on the YEA! Awards, please visit www.hcflgov.net/yea.

Te Katie Turney Memorial Book Fund has allowed Durant High School to purchase nearly 1,000 hardcover fction books.

O Most beautiful fowers of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me here you are my mother. O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succeed me in my necessity (make request). Tere are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (three times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you. T.O.C.M.B.

HOWL-O-SCREAM AT BUSCH GARDENS

TAMPA BAY RETURNS WITH ALL-NEW HAUNTED HOUSE, SCARE ZONES AND MORE

Guests can ofcially start warming up their vocal cords (it’s called Howl-OScream for a reason).

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens

Tampa Bay is slated to awaken guests’ innermost fears and make them scream to the extreme with the ultimate parkwide terror, including an all-new haunted house, two new scare zones and all-new interactive entertainment oferings.

Six spine-chilling scare zones, five hair-raising haunted houses and four elaborate entertainment productions will have guests screaming at the top of their lungs.

This year, new terrors hailing from the afterlife and iconic frights will make even the bravest souls whimper in fear. Fan-favorite haunted houses such as Stranglewood Estate, Witch of the Woods and The Residence: Home for the Holidays will return, as well as infamous scare zones such as The Junkyard, Beyond the Veil, The Shortcut and Raven’s Mill. In the all-new D.H. Baggum’s Circus of Fear, D.H. Baggum brings you all his monstrosities that are sure to make your spine tingle and your blood run cold. Or step into the twisted and adrenaline-fueled world of Big Ed’s Demolition Derby. He has pulled together some of the roughest, toughest and meanest baddies from all over Howl-OScream and brought them there to compete. Step up and see how long you can survive and navigate this automotive nightmare. Sin City Zombies brings you to the outskirts of the Las Vegas strip and a rundown motel, home to some of the best entertainers to ever live and overrun by zombies who run rampant. Try your luck and hope your number wins because this is one town you don’t want to lose in.

Performing live at the Festival Fields stage, guests will be mesmerized with the all-new Rock the Grave, an explosive, high-energy, live stage show that merges the worlds

Pest Control

of alternative and classic rock and pop hits into an unforgettable experience. This year’s Howl-O-Scream sees the return of pulse-pounding musical performances by The Rolling Bones at Dragon Fire Grill and the death-defying acts and stunts from Cirque X-Scream at the Stanleyville Theater.

Howl-O-Scream fans can take their turn behind the mic at the allnew ‘Scare-E-Oke’ experience at Gwazi Plaza. Guests can select their song of choice and take a memorable photo of their experience. At the Coke Canopy, guests can dance the night away until the clock strikes 12 in the all-new Raveyard, featuring an electrifying atmosphere with music and specialty cocktails.

Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event, taking place on select nights now through Tuesday, October 31 after 7 p.m. Parental discretion is strongly advised as Howl-O-Scream contains graphic and mature content that may not be suitable for children. Costumes are not allowed.

For the most avid Howl-O-Scream fans, Front Line Fear passes are the best way to access all five haunted houses. For extreme fans, a Front Line Fear Extreme pass provides access to all haunted houses in addition to providing front-of-line access to Busch Gardens’ roller coasters, including Iron Gwazi and Serengeti Flyer. Front Line Fear passes start at $69.

To step further into the darkness, the Ultimate VIP Tour grants admission, unlimited front-of-line access to haunted houses and rides, a complimentary meal at Dragon Fire Grill, private complimentary beverage locations and free preferred parking. A daytime behind-the-scenes tour is also available for guests interested in learning more.

To purchase tickets & passes visit www. howloscream.com.

service@repcopest.com

For

Te outskirts of the Las Vegas strip is the setting for the all-new Sin City Zombies.

ST. CLEMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH IN PLANT CITY OFFERS BOTH A FOOD PANTRY AND THRIFT STORE

St. Clement Catholic Church, located at 1104 N. Alexander St. in Plant City, ofers a weekly food pantry known as My Brother’s Keeper Food Pantry. Its mission is to help feed the needy of the area in Hillsborough County and surrounding the Plant City area.

The food pantry is open every Friday (except the first Friday of each month). The regular hours are 7-11 a.m.; in the winter months, the food pantry is open from 8 a.m.-12 Noon.

Pat Haggard is the volunteer director of the food pantry and thrift store. She has been with the church of 15 years. St. Clement Catholic Church has been ofering the food pantry for over 40 years.

According to Haggard, “We serve all of Hillsborough County. This includes the homeless, register guests and many migrant workers,” Haggard added, “We do not require any documentation in order to receive service from our food pantry. Those in need simply fill out a form from the USDA which asks for name, address, the number in the family and how and why they qualify. There is a checklist for them to choose the response.”

ENERGY-SAVING TIPS FROM TECO

By Kathy L. Collins

Volunteers pick up donated food on Mondays and Wednesdays. Haggard explained, “We prepare boxes of food on Mondays and Wednesdays. This includes food received from USDA and donated food from the community. We also pick up food from McDonald’s. We are a part of a test program called No Food Goes to Waste.”

The St. Clement Catholic Church Food Pantry has seen an increase in the number of people in need of food aid. It helps an average of 180-200 families each week. Annually, it gives out approximately 200 pallets.

In addition to the food pantry, St. Clement Catholic Church has a thrift store known as the Golden Door Thrift Store, which is a resource for those in need. It ofers good-quality used clothing and household items at a low cost. The thrift store is run by volunteers, and all proceeds support the food pantry. If you would like to help, you can make a monetary donation or donate nonperishable goods such as canned soups, pasta, cereal, beans, rice and peanut butter. For more information, visit www.stclementsfoodpantry.com/food-pantry or call 813-767-4105.

FINANCIAL FOCUS

WHAT DOES IT COST NOT TO HAVE LIFE INSURANCE?

It’s probably not on your calendar, but September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. And that means it’s a good time to become more aware of the benefts of having life insurance — and the dangers of not having it.

Unfortunately, confusion about some of the basic elements of owning life insurance may be keeping people from getting the protection they need. More than half of uninsured Americans say they have put of purchasing coverage because they don’t know what to buy or how much they need, according to Life Happens and LIMRA, two nonproft organizations that provide research and education about life insurance.

Yet, while this confusion may be understandable, a delay in acquiring appropriate insurance can be costly in more ways than one. From a strict dollars-and-cents perspective, it’s generally much more afordable to buy life insurance when you’re younger. But there are potentially much greater costs involved in not having insurance when it’s needed — and these costs are personal.

To be specifc, what is it worth …

… to know your family could stay in your home if something happened to you? … to know your children could continue their education plans?

… to know your debts could be paid without burdening your family?

Clearly, if you were to assign these benefts a “price tag,” it would be pretty high. And that’s the value of owning sufcient life insurance. So, let’s return to the issue of people putting of buying insurance because they don’t know how much they need, or what type they should have:

• How much is enough? You might hear that you need life insurance equal to about seven to 10 times your pretax annual salary. That’s not a bad “ballpark” fgure, but not everyone is playing in the same ballpark. To get a true sense of how much of a death beneft you require from your life insurance, you’ll need to consider a variety of factors, possibly including your current income, spouse’s income, the size of your mortgage (in addition to other liabilities), number of children, educational expenses and fnal expenses for funeral arrangements.

• What type? You can essentially choose between two basic types of life insurance: term and permanent. As its name suggests, term insurance is designed to provide coverage for a designated period, such as 10 or 20 years. Generally speaking, term insurance is quite afordable for most people, especially when they buy policies as young adults. On the other hand, permanent insurance, such as whole life or universal life, is usually considerably more expensive than term insurance. This is because permanent insurance premiums, in addition to providing a death beneft, help build cash value, which you can typically access through loans or withdrawals, giving you additional fexibility should your fnancial needs change over time. In choosing between term and permanent insurance, you’ll want to evaluate several issues, such as how long you think you’ll need coverage and how much you can aford to pay in premiums.

Finding out about the benefts, costs and types of life insurance can help you make informed choices to help protect your family for years to come — so don’t delay learning what you need to know.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

This summer has been one of the hottest on record. As temperatures soar, air conditioners have to work extra hard to keep your home cool. This can lead to electric bills that are higher than the rest of the year.

To help assist customers having difculty making utility bill payments, Tampa Electric is donating $1 million to the Share program to help customers with summer bills. Share is administered by the Salvation Army and the Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, specifically to provide utility bill assistance.

TECO’s charitable contributions are paid by shareholders and the generosity of employees, customers and community partners, and they do not afect customer bills.

Here are a few ways to use less energy (and help reduce your power bill):

• Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher and set the fan on auto. Every degree below 78 can add 6-8 percent to the cooling portion of your power bill.

• Use ceiling fans — but only in occupied rooms. For summer, rotate the blades counterclockwise.

• Limit your pool pump to run eight hours a day or as recommended by your pool service.

• Set your refrigerator temperature to 37 degrees and your freezer to 5 degrees.

• Lower the temperature setting on your water heater to 120 degrees.

• Run the washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full.

• Close the curtains or blinds in sunny rooms to keep the heat out.

• Turn of computers and monitors when not in use, or put them in sleep mode.

• Clean or replace air conditioning filters

each month.

• Check for leaky windows and doors, including the fireplace damper if you have one.

• Make sure your attic is sufciently insulated.

Learn more about how you can adjust your energy use with energy calculators (for more information, visit www.tampaelectric.com/residential/ saveenergy/energy-calculators/).

To help customers better manage their energy use, Tampa Electric ofers more energy-saving programs than any other investor-owned utility in Florida.

Prime Time PlusSM is a free and easy way to earn credits on your electric bill. The average customer earns $144 per year. It does this by letting Tampa Electric reduce electricity use during periods of extremely high demand.

The free Energy Planner program is a powerful tool to save money. It allows you to plan your highest energy use during the time of day when demand for electricity is lowest. You can save about a month’s worth of electricity each year by making simple adjustments to the time of day you use electricity.

To continue to help manage your energy costs, you can get a free energy audit from Tampa Electric. The online audit identifies areas where you may be wasting valuable energy.

Tampa Electric has been encouraging sustainability for over 40 years. In that time, more than 1.38 million customers have participated in the company’s energy-saving programs. In 2022 alone, 138,000 of Tampa Electric’s customers participated in at least one energy-saving program. Visit www.tampaelectric.com for more information.

St. Clement Catholic Church in Plant City ofers a food pantry for anyone in need of food assistance. It also has a thrift store which ofers low-cost, quality goods. Funds from the thrift store help ofset the cost of the food pantry.

UNITED VALRICO COMMUNITIES GROUP AIMS TO JOIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS FOR A COHESIVE COMMUNITY

Valrico is a vibrant community of about 50,000 people, 18,000 residences and 2,000 jobs. It boasts around 80 homeowners associations (HOAs), condo associations and neighborhood associations. Valrico is taking a momentous step towards enhancing its collective impact. United Valrico Communities, a not-for-profit community group, will be ofcially launched via a community meeting on Tuesday, September 19 at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, located at 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico, at 6:30 p.m.

The primary goal of United Valrico Communities is to unite the various residential associations in the area to address shared concerns, create a more influential voice when communicating with Hillsborough County’s governmental departments and support each other’s community association. By pooling resources and knowledge, the community aims to tackle challenges more efectively and work collaboratively towards a brighter future for Valrico.

The inaugural meeting on September 19 will provide an excellent opportunity for representatives of HOAs, condo associations and neighborhood associations to come together and discuss relevant issues that afect their communities. Some of the key objectives that can be achieved by uniting under United Valrico Communities include:

1. Shared Problem-solving: By establishing a platform for open dialogue, the community groups can collectively address common challenges faced by associations, share experiences and support each other in finding solutions.

2. Amplified Influence: United Valrico

Communities will act as a unified and powerful voice when dealing with Hillsborough County’s various departments, such as solid waste management, roads, taxes, zoning and water and sewage, among others.

3. Strengthened Advocacy: By collaborating, the community groups will present a stronger and more cohesive joint voice when approaching the Board of County Commissioners, advocating for policies that positively impact Valrico residents.

4. Shaping Valrico’s Future: United Valrico Communities aims to actively participate in the Hillsborough County Valrico Community Plan, influencing decisions that shape the area’s future in a way that aligns with the desires and needs of its residents.

5. Engaging Local Authorities: The group plans to invite key figures, such as the tax collector, election supervisor, county commissioners and other relevant ofcials, to meet with the community in a group setting, fostering meaningful discussions and understanding between residents and authorities.

6. Creating an Exceptional Place to Live: By fostering unity and community-driven initiatives, United Valrico Communities aims to make Valrico the best place to live, combining the eforts of its residents to create positive change.

United Valrico Communities emphasizes the importance of active participation and encourages all associations to attend the inaugural meeting. To confirm attendance, please RSVP at unitedvalricocommunities@ gmail.com. For more information about United Valrico Communities, visit www.unitedvalrico.us or use the email.

Millions of residents and visitors enjoy the many and varied art and cultural activities that Hillsborough County ofers each year. Whether it is a big event like the Gasparilla Music Festival or a production by a community theater group, lots of people support the arts in Hillsborough County.

In an efort to promote both big and small arts organizations and talented individual artists, Hillsborough County has established Hillsborough Television’s Art813, a series that shines a spotlight on flourishing creativity within Hillsborough County. Art813 is a new collection of mini documentaries produced by Hillsborough Television. The documentaries highlight local artists, arts and culture organizations and events within the region, giving viewers instant access to the area’s most imaginative creations and happenings.

One of the reasons for the boom in arts and cultural events is the support that artists and organizations get from the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, which is funded by the county. In addition, numerous arts and cultural organizations and individuals throughout Hillsborough County shared almost $3.3 million in approved grants from the Florida Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture during the 2022-23 year. This is more than double

By Kathy L. Collins

the award from 2021-22.

Eileen Blake, contracts manager for the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, said, “The main purpose of this new series is to better inform our residents about the exciting things happening within the local arts and culture community. The videos cover individual artists, organizations and local events.”

Blake added, “The community can learn about all the great opportunities they have to participate in the arts of our area by tuning in and learning more.”

The first organization to be highlighted was the Carrollwood Players Theatre. Upcoming videos will feature local artists like John Costin of Valrico and Nneka Jones of Tampa, and organizations such as the Tampa Bay History Center and the Florida Wind Band will be featured.

The Arts Council of Hillsborough County provides a unified voice for all cultural organizations and activities in Hillsborough County. It promotes news about the cultural vitality of the community while providing grants, research and advocacy to help the cultural community.

If you are interested in tuning into Art813, subscribe to the Hillsborough County YouTube channel or follow Hillsborough County social media channels at @HillsboroughFL.

SEVENTH ANNUAL TEXAS HOLD ’EM POKER TOURNAMENT TO HELP LOCAL VETERANS

Susan Ciof, a realtor with RE/ MAX Realty Unlimited, has been in the realty business for 20 years while also supporting numerous activities and charities in the area, such as Trick or Treat Street and the yearly Texas Hold ’Em Tournament, to help local veterans and their families.

“A few years ago, a coworker of mine, Michael Markus, had asked for help with getting Christmas gifts for families of veterans that were just transitioning to new housing with the help of St. Vincent de Paul CARES,” Ciof said. “That year, we had a few families/children that our brokerage and fellow realtors helped. … I felt it was hard to ask a fellow realtor to sponsor a whole family when there were a lot of big-ticket items. I told Michael we should have a fundraiser so we can pay for the big tickets out of what we raised.”

The fundraiser they created was the Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament, which is in its seventh year.

“Now we have it at Summerfield Golf Club because the tournament has gotten so big,” Ciof said. “We are hoping to get more players this year. We have to make up more expense that are not being covered this year so we need more sponsors and players.”

The tournament will take place on

By Libby Hopkins

Friday, September 29 at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club at 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $50. Ciof and her team are hoping to raise more than $5,000 in this year’s tournament.

“I wouldn’t be able to run this fundraiser without the community sponsorships of East Coast Pizza, Nothing Bundt Cakes, the Osprey Newspaper and others,” Ciof said. “Most importantly, my RE/MAX Realty Unlimited family and all the realtors from our ofce that not only donate their money but their time and support. This office is the best ofce I have work in my 20-plus years in this business.”

Ciof and her team love being able to help our local veterans.

“We love to give back to the veterans,” Ciof said. “They are blown away from what they get for Christmas, and we try our best to get everything on their wish list.”

If you’d like to play in the seventh annual Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament, you can visit the Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/161946070233642. If you would like to be a sponsor of the tournament, you can contact Ciof at 813956-8513.

To learn more about the arts, artists and arts organizations in Hillsborough County, you can tune into Art813 by subscribing to Hillsborough County’s YouTube channel or following the county on social media at @ HillsboroughFL.

RE/MAX Realty Unlimited will host its seventh annual Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament to help local veterans on Friday, September 29 at Summerfeld Crossings Golf Club at 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $50 to play.

ADOPT A HILLSBOROUGH TEACHER PROGRAM RECOGNIZED AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

The Hillsborough County School Board, along with Interim Superintendent

Van Ayers, recognized the Adopt a Hillsborough Teacher program and its founder, Brooke Elkins, at the August 22 school board meeting.

School board member Jessica Vaughn (District 3) gave the recognition. She shared that through the Adopt a Hillsborough Teacher program thousands of teachers have had their classroom supply needs provided for by community members.

“This initiative has demonstrated the unity in our collective community. The school board and interim superintendent Van Ayers want to acknowledge and thank the continued eforts of Ms. Elkins in supporting our educators. She is a truly a community champion who supports our mission of preparing students for life. Thank you for making us Hillsborough Strong,” she said.

In July of 2020, Elkins and Lorra Gilman started the Adopt a Hillsborough Teacher Facebook group to support teachers and their needs as they started teaching during the pandemic. Gilman was a teacher in Hillsborough County and Elkins had been a teacher as well. Their teaching experience made them keenly aware of the struggles teachers were having. In the group, teach-

PIRATES DOCK AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL NIGHTS OF SHIMMERING LIGHTS HALLOWEEN EVENT

By Jane Owen

ers can share their needs by posting Amazon wish lists and community members can purchase their specific items from the lists.

Elkins appreciates the gratitude and recognition from the school board.

“I feel it’s significant because it shows that the school board recognizes that there is a lack of public school funding that teachers so desperately need in order to help their students be successful,” Elkins said.

Elkins shared that she is passionate about helping teachers because they constantly put the kids first, even before themselves.

“One of the messages that I want people to understand is how much these teachers care about the quality of learning these kids have. They often are willing to supply the needs out of their own pocket. It doesn’t cost much to show a teacher you care. A pack of pencils or a box of tissues can go a long way,” Elkins said.

Being part of the Adopt a Hillsborough Teacher program is simple: request to join the Adopt a Hillsborough Teacher Facebook group. The group currently has over 17,000 members. Elkins is still an admin, along with Hillsborough County teacher Emily Lee and community member and parent Jennifer Abadi.

The Nights of Shimmering Lights Fall is returning with its fifth annual Halloween event. Running from Thursday, October 5 through Sunday, October 29, walk the lights and the plank as you enjoy a pirate-themed 1/3mile trail and festivities.

“It’s not scary, but what we do is themed areas, so every year we try to add new pieces to it. We’re up to about 500 pieces … for Halloween,” said Stephanie Martin, an organizer of Nights of Shimmering Lights. “We are expanding the trail a little bit this year to add a little more space and other things.”

Along with the lighted trail, brightening up the night will be plenty of fun activities, including basketball hoops, cornhole, a scavenger hunt with a prize, face painting, treasure hunting for doubloons and other little things in a sandbox area, walking the plank and many other activities for the whole family, as well as music.

Wind down from walking the trail and playing games with outdoor, family-friendly pirate movies, including classics like Pirates of the Caribbean, Swiss Family Robinson, Treasure Island, Peter Pan, The Goonies, Time Bandits and more.

The fun doesn’t end there because, on select nights, Shimmering Lights

By Taylor Wells

Fall will also have a foam play area with frothy clouds that can be as high as 8 feet. Please visit the event’s website for additional details.

Join in on the festivities by wearing a costume, but please do not bring any toy weapons. Also, the trail is 10 feet wide but unpaved, so while it accommodates wheelchairs and strollers, it can be rough in some places for them.

Shimmering Lights Fall is open from Thursday to Sunday each week from 7-10 p.m., but it will be closed on rainy days and after big storms. Tickets cost $8 in advance or $9 at the gate; they are required for children 3 years old and older. There will be free parking, on-site restrooms and light concessions, including fresh doughnuts and hot cocoa, among others.

“It’s a real pleasant evening, really lowkey. It gets you in the mood for the season, and there’s no pressure, no rush or anything,” said Martin.

Nights of Shimmering Lights is located on Sun Kissed Acres at 2302 N. Dover Rd. in Dover.

For tickets, visit www.showpass.com/ shimmering-lights-fall-2023/. For more information, visit www.nightsofshimmeringlights.com or www.facebook.com/ nosltb/.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Adopt a Hillsborough teacher program founder Brooke Elkins was recognised by the school board in August.

Tere are lots of fun activities at Night of Shimmering Lights Fall, including a foam play area on select nights.

HOLY INNOCENTS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH HELPS THOSE IN NEED WITH FREE MEALS

Volunteers at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church in Valrico are helping those in need through one of the church’s ministries, Transforming Lives for Christ Feeding Ministry (TLC Feeding Ministry). The ministry does not have any requirements for people to receive food, except that if you desire to take food to go, you are limited to a single meal.

The TLC Feeding Ministry was established in February 2020. Meals are available to all in need on the second and fourth Saturday from 12 Noon-2 p.m. Guests are welcome to come every second and fourth Saturday. Meals are o f ered in the parish hall.

The Rev. (Father) Bryan O’Carroll said, “Those on fixed income and those who are surviving paycheck to paycheck and those who are homeless can always benefit by having this basic human need of food provided at no cost. However, the more important aspect of this ministry is the opportunity to be in relationship and fellowship with a caring community.”

The ministry is served by 30 volunteers who purchase and prepare the food.

O’Carroll said, “TLC is a ministry that

RENOWNED AGILITY TRAINER ILEANA NADAL REMEMBERED AT SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIP TRIALS

By Kathy L. Collins

goes beyond providing food to those in need. As we train and build up our volunteers to be present to our guests, we are building Christ-centered relationships for the purpose of transforming lives. This transformation happens for those who serve and those who come to receive services. As we build our partnerships in the greater community our ability to help those in need of greater resources increases. We are not a mission that will be able to provide everything for everyone.”

In addition to the TLC Feeding Ministry, the church also serves meals at Bread of Refuge, a homeless outreach mission in Brandon. In Plant City, it also serves San Clemente, a retirement community run by Catholic Charities. In addition, meals are taken to the homeless community that resides in and around Rowena Mays Park. It also delivers meals on a regular Meals on Wheels route and provides meals to The Gathering Place, a homeless outreach mission in Valrico.

If you are in need or would like to help, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church is located at 604 N. Valrico Rd. in Valrico. For more information, call 813-6893130 or visit www.hiepiscopal.org.

By Libby Hopkins

Te

Ileana Nadal was a well-known figure in the local agility and dog training community and the owner of Cool Critters in Valrico. Ileana recently passed away. “The best agility advice that Ileana gave all of us was, ‘When you are having fun, everything else will fall into place,’” said, Ileana’s friend Don White. “We have lost a superhero.”

A Cuban-born artist, Ileana, comes from a family of fine artists and architects. She completed a B.A. in fine arts from the University of South Florida in Tampa and an M.A. in education from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

Having been involved in training and showing dogs since 1972, Ileana was very familiar with all breeds of dogs. She participated with her dogs in conformation, herding and tracking as well as competed at the national level in obedience and agility. The sport of dog agility requires the utmost in endurance and fitness for both dogs and handlers. In order to compete successfully, Ileana trained in the physical and mental discipline of the martial arts and attained a third-degree black belt in tae kwon do.

“She was also an amazing artist,” said Amelia Farley, another friend of Ileana. “She was a wonderful person and touched so many lives. Our doggie community lost an angel on earth for sure. It was much too soon for her to leave us. She had many friends, students and agility people from communities like Twin Lakes, River Hills and Brandon Reserve, and really all over our state, as well as outside of it.”

Ileana finished in more than 30 agility championships in USDAA, AKC, NADAC, ASCA, CPE, TDAA and UKC. She was supposed to be the host of the Cool Critters North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC) Trials on August 19 and 20 this year. To honor her and all she did for agility and dog training community, her friends and family came together and continued to hold the NADAC Trials in her honor.

“My mom loved art and she loved training dogs,” said Ileana’s son, Bob Nadal. “I know she would be thrilled to know that the community she loved so much came together to make sure the NADAC trials were still held. It means a lot to our family as well.”

Ileana Nadal was a well-known fgure in the local agility and dog training community and the owner of Cool Critters in Valrico. Nadal recently passed away.

Cool Critters North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC) Trials on August 19 and 20 of this year were held in her honor.

Passionate volunteers work tirelessly to provide meals to those in need through the Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church in Valrico through its Transforming Lives for Christ ministry.

HILLSBOROUGH’S DENNIS JONES NAMED FIRE CHIEF OF THE YEAR

At the Naples Grande Beach Resort in July, Dennis Jones celebrated a grand moment in his momentous career, which since 2015 has involved leading Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and its more than 1,200 career firefighters, paramedics and staf

Named Florida Career Fire Chief of the Year at the July 18 event, Jones said he was “truly humbled to receive this recognition” and that he was “extremely proud to be a member of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue,” which this year celebrates 50 years of service.

With more than four decades of firefighting experience himself, Jones joined Tampa Fire Rescue in 1978, rising up through the ranks to Tampa Fire Rescue fire chief. He retired in 2010 after five years in that role.

Now, going into his ninth year as Hillsborough fire chief, Jones leads the state’s fourth-largest fire department and the largest on Florida’s west coast. Hillsborough’s 46 stations cover more than 909 square miles and last year answered nearly 140,000 alarms for service. To meet the demands of a growing population, Jones has called for an additional two stations a year for the next 10 years.

Jones is a founding member of Florida Task Force 3, an urban search-and-rescue team of trained firefighters from Hillsborough County, Tampa and St. Petersburg, which assists in disasters statewide and nationally. Jones in 2021 deployed the task force in response to the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, a

SECOND OKTOBERFEST PLANNED FOR PLANT CITY MAIN STREET

By Linda Chion

suburb of Miami.

“He is a man of integrity, fortitude and compassion,” Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise said. “With more than 40 years of experience in fire service, chief Jones has the steadfast respect and admiration of the first responders in his charge, and as a founding member of Florida Task Force 3, there is nobody I would rather have at my side during times of crisis.”

Notable achievements under Jones’ tenure include the addition of 12 advanced life support ambulances, a second heavy rescue unit, a new fireboat, a new rescue boat, two personal watercraft and an aerial truck. The summer youth fire academy, cadet program and fire academy were either instituted or revamped under his direction, and as a result allowed for a more diverse workforce.

As for his heart for service, it was clearly evident in 2022 — during the 21st anniversary remembrance for the September 11, 2011, terrorist attacks — at Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park and Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins Jr. Veterans Museum in Tampa.

“In just two and a half hours that morning, our lives and our world were changed forever,” Jones said.

For his career commitment and achievements, Jones received career fire chief award recognition from the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, which specializes in promoting and supporting excellence in fire and emergency services management.

Plant City Main Street will host its second annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 23 from 5-10 p.m. The event will be held in historic downtown Plant City at 100 N. Collins St.

“Join us for a memorable evening of live music, traditional Biergarten and Weingarten experiences, delicious food and more,” said Tina Marie Polson, marketing and communications specialist for Plant City Main Street.

Tere will be fun for all at the second annual Oktoberfest hosted by Plant City Main Street on Saturday, September 23 from 5-10 p.m. Bring the whole family and enjoy a fun and unique event.

Polson added, “In 2022, within a span of less than two months, the concept of Oktoberfest transformed from an idea to a remarkable success for both Plant City’s Main Street program and the city itself. To make the event happen, the local government sped up a dormant open container rule while Historic Plant City Main Street began planning.”

This is an evening that is fun for all, including families. You can dance the night away to live music courtesy of Ida Mann & die Haus Band and Bavarian dancers.

Why not visit the Biergarten and Weingarten and savor genuine German beers and wines in a festive setting? Then head to the Lebensmittelgarten and enjoy mouthwatering cuisine like bratwurst, sauerkraut and German po-

By Kathy L. Collins

tato salad.

In the Main Street Kids Zone, you will find plenty of activities for kids, including rides, games and more. There will be lots of exhibitors, so you can discover unique products from diverse vendors.

You can test your strength in a traditional challenge of a stein-holding competition. If you are looking for a more thrilling activity, try your hand at axe throwing and experience this modern twist on an exciting activity. No Plant City Main Street event would be complete without a costume contest. So, don your best Oktoberfest attire for a shot at prizes.

This year, it will o f er T-shirts, a liter boot stein as well as the inaugural 2022 steins. This is a collectible as only a limited run was made.

If you are a business or organization looking for a chance to align your brand with a beloved community tradition, become a sponsor. To learn more about sponsorships, visit www.plantcitymainstreet.org/oktoberfest.

To keep up on this and all of the great events hosted by Plant City Main Street, follow it on Facebook at Plant City Main Street.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Chief Dennis Jones, front and center, with HCFR members in attendance at the 2022 Patriot Day Remembrance at Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park.

FALL FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES

ZooTampa Presents Creatures Of Te Night Event

Come and experience Tampa Bay’s number one family Halloween event, Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa for an eerie night of family frights. Ghouls and goblins of all ages can enjoy eerie fun and join mischievous characters for a night of Halloween adventures complete with animals, spooky frights and festive treats. This has a limited capacity; reservations are strongly recommended for all guests 3 years and older (guests 2 years old and under are free). Children 12 years of age and under are invited to wear their most spooky Halloween attire, though toy weapons are prohibited. Visit www.zootampa.org to purchase tickets. The event runs on select nights between Friday, September 29 and Sunday, October 29.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Get your favorite costume ready and come and collect candies and treats while Magic Kingdom park thrills and chills you with eerie entertainment, delightful attractions and some beloved Disney Characters. Watch three sinister sisters bewitch and bedazzle in the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, boogie down with friends from Disney Junior shows at Disney Junior Jam and finish the evening watching Disney’s Not-So-Spooky-Spectacular, a wickedly wild fireworks display hosted by Jack Skellington. This frightfully fun experience runs on select nights through Wednesday, November 1. Tickets can be purchased at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/; please review the dress code and costume guidelines before attending.

Haunted Halls At Spoto High School

The Navy JROTC at Spoto High School is hosting Haunted Halls on Saturday, October 28 from 5-7:30 p.m. It is inviting everyone to dress up in their Halloween costumes and join them in their air-conditioned haunted classrooms and hallway filled with fun, screams and laughter. This event is aimed at younger children in elementary school, who will each receive candy at the end of the haunted trail. The cost of this event is $5, and all proceeds will go to the Navy JROTC. Spoto High School is located at 8538 Eagle Palm Dr. in Riverview.

Riverwalk Trick Or Treat

The free Riverwalk Trick or Treat event returns for its seventh year on October 28 from 4-7 p.m.

Dress up in a costume, collect your bag from MacDill Park at 100 N. Ashley Dr. in Tampa and then trick-ortreat along the Tampa Riverwalk and enjoy the fun activities. There will be over 50 stations to enjoy throughout the route from Water Works Park to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, with a movie on the big screen at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park starting at 7 p.m.

By Jenny Bennett

A Kitten Place Rescue Black Cat

5K Run

Local cat and kitten rescue A Kitten Place is holding its annual Black Cat Halloween Run on Saturday, October 21 in the Twin Lakes neighborhood and is looking for vendors and corporate sponsors for the event. It is a fun family event; feel free to dress up in your Halloween costume. There will be a DJ, food, costume contest rafe prizes, a silent auction and more. If you are interested and would like more information on the event, please email akittenplace@gmail. com to register visit https://runsignup.com/ race/fl/valrico/blackcat5kwalk.

Fall Family Fest At Water Works Park

Fall Family Fest will take place between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, September 23 at Water Works Park, located at 1710 N. Highland Ave. in Tampa. This year’s event will feature local businesses and family resources providing interactive exhibits for guests, giveaways, swag bags and more. Great food and entertainment make this a great way to spend the day.

Designer Handbag Boo Bash Bingo

The Brandon Junior Woman’s Club is hosting a designer handbag boo bash bingo. The event will take place on Thursday, October 19 from 6 p.m. at New Hope Church, located at 213 N. Knights Ave. in Brandon. There will be 10 rounds of bingo, and winners can choose between a selection of designer handbags and totes from Kate Spade, Coach, Brahmin, Dooney and Bourke and more. Light bites and refreshments are also included in the ticket price. Tickets are available from www.gfwcbrandonjuniors.org and cost $40. This event is always extremely popular, so register early to make sure you are not disappointed. Additional information about the event can be found by emailing bjwc.fl@gmail.com.

ECHO CELEBRATES NEW RIVERVIEW RESOURCE CENTER WITH RIBBON-CUTTING EVENT

ECHO (Emergency Care Help Organization) of Brandon celebrated the grand opening of its newly expanded Riverview Resource Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 3.

Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) members and the community were invited to take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception. Those in attendance were able to take tours of the new center.

The previous Riverview location operated in two separate buildings with a total of 3,000 square feet. The new location is 8,000 square feet and has ample space for food warehousing, an expanded pantry, ofces and large gathering spaces.

District 3 Commissioner Gwyn Myers was in attendance.

“It was a privilege to attend the ribbon-cutting for ECHO of Riverview. Having ECHO as a part of our community is a winwin for the county. This organization will help many people who may be experiencing hardship in their lives. In addition, residents will have an opportunity to go to a place and apply for employment opportunities,” Myers said.

ECHO executive director Eleanor Saunders said it was amazing to be able to introduce the donors, partner organizations

By Jane Owen

and community partners to the Riverview Resource Center at the ribbon-cutting. She said the best part was to be able to serve the community in a clean, bright and welcoming environment.

“The new and improved ECHO Riverview creates a seamless service delivery where job coaching, resource navigation and emergency provisions are all front and center and easily accessible. The larger layout provides constant interaction between neighbors, volunteers and staf, creating a natural environment for warm handofs,” Saunders said.

Simeon Baxter, an advocacy coordinator at the Riverview Resource Center, gave several tours to community members. He detailed the ways they meet individual needs through the diferent areas of the center. Community members are greeted at the welcome center to determine the resources available. From there, their needs will be met through a variety of services, which include emergency clothing, food, employment and crisis services.

“We try to bridge the gap between crisis and stability and that looks diferent for everyone,” Baxter said.

For more information, located at 10509 Riverview Dr. in Riverview, visit https:// echofl.org/riverview/.

Film With Live Orchestra

Fri, Sept 22, 7:30 pm Sat, Sept 23, 2 pm

At the Mahaffey Theater

Tickets: $25, $35, $45, $55

All fees included

The Music of James Taylor, Neil Diamond & Paul Simon Starring Michael Cavanaugh

Sat, Sept 16, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater

Hough Family Foundation Masterworks

Holst’s The Planets

Sat, Sept 30, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater

Sun, Oct 1, 7:30, Ruth Eckerd Hall

Raymond James Pops

Armature Works Fall Fest

Popular waterfront venue Armature Works is expanding one of its most popular events, Fall Fest, to two weekends this year: Saturday and Sunday, October 1415 and October 21-22. The event includes a spectacular riverfront pumpkin patch, activities for the whole family and autumn treats to give you all the fall feels. There will also be live music performances and a food drive benefiting Metropolitan Ministries. Armature Works is located at 1910 N. Ola Ave. in Tampa.

Cirque Dances with Troupe Vertigo

Sat, Oct 7, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater

Sun, Oct 8, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater

Michael Francis, Music Director

Left to right: ECHO executive director Eleanor Saunders, ECHO emergency services director Savanna Tompson and Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce Chair Tammy See.

Te Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce and members of the community celebrated a ribbon-cutting for the new location of the ECHO Riverview Resource Center.

LOCALLY OWNED PINCH A PENNY POOL PATIO & SPA CELEBRATES 15 YEARS IN COMMUNITY

The Rutledge family has owned and operated their Pinch A Penny Pool Patio & Spa store for 15 years. “My parents started the business in 2008, and I joined the business in 2010 after I graduated from college,” said co-owner Jim Rutledge. “In 2019, we started to expand the store, and we wanted to get more involved with our community by helping them remodel their existing pools.”

To do this for their community, they created a state-of-the-art pool-remodeling studio at their store. “Most pool stores have a design studio, but not a lot of them have a remodeling studio,” Jim said. “This is what makes our store diferent from other pool stores in the area. We have the software that can make a 3D rendering of your backyard and overlay the diferent materials you may consider for your pool remodeling. It’s a great tool to help our customers along with the decision-making process.”

Their store is also designed to help their customers make remodeling decisions when it comes to the landscape of their home. “We wanted our store to look like your backyard,” Jim said. “We did this to help illustrate and show the material we would install at your house. We have a full showroom so our customers can visualize and consider for their home.”

EIGHTH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT WILL SUPPORT VETERANS IN NEED

By Lily Belcher

By Libby Hopkins

Another service that the Rutledge family ofers is an aftercare service for the pools they install or remodel. “Many people think once their pool is finished and full of water, they’re done,” Jim said. “That’s not the case. In order to make sure all the work that was done doesn’t get degraded, there is a 30day curing process. Our business model includes three days a week of servicing the pool. We take that pool under our umbrella for 30 days after the pool gets filled.”

The Rutledges’ store is located across the street from Newsome High School in FishHawk, and since it’s family-owned, their customers can feel like family too. This is just one of the reasons why their store was the winner of the 2023 Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave. “Being a locally owned and operated franchise, this award means so much for our business and helps us become more recognizable in our community,” Jim said. “We appreciate the support from our community.”

The Rutledge’s Pinch A Penny Pool Patio & Spa store is located at 16715 Fishhawk Blvd. in Lithia. To learn more about the diferent services it ofers, contact Jim at 813-655-3700 or store191@pinchapennystores.com.

Hillsborough County Veterans Helping Veterans

will host its eighth annual golf tournament on Saturday, September 30 to fundraise for its mission of providing assistance to local bay area veterans in need.

The golf tournament will take place at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club, beginning at 8:15 a.m. with a shotgun start. Preregistered golfers can check in as early as 7 a.m. and will be treated to lunch from East Coast Pizza and an awards ceremony at 1 p.m.

Other awards will include first place, second place, longest drive and closest to the pin. Veterans Helping Veterans will also award bowling tickets to the lastplace award winner.

“It would be great if we could raise $30,000. Typically, when [veterans] come to us, they are needing help with their rent, house payment, food, utilities, telephone, car, transportation, all of those things,” said secretary Joe Eletto.

Tickets for a group of four cost $500 and individual tickets are available for $125. The tournament is looking for more sponsors, ranging from hole sponsorships available for $200 to Medal of Honor sponsorships for $3,000.

This year’s Medal of Honor sponsor is Pop a Beer Bar & Grill, a veteran-owned

and operated restaurant in Tampa.

Eletto said the biggest challenge has been finding sponsors and getting responses from businesses to sponsor diferent holes. However, he said finding their photographer was especially easy. Veteran Bill Kirkland will be photographing the event again this year for the tournament.

The tournament is the major annual fundraiser for Veterans Helping Veterans.

The organization is a nonprofit that advocates for the support of veterans in Hillsborough County and supports their basic needs.

“It benefits the needy veterans. That’s our whole purpose: helping needy veterans. We are their last resort for help,” said Eletto.

The event will be located at 13050 Summerfield Blvd. of Big Bend Road in Riverview. To support the event, golfers can preregister for the event and companies or groups can purchase one of its 12 sponsorship options. To register, visit https://hcvhv8.ezregister.com/.

For more information, contact Eletto at 813-789-8682 or elettoc21@gmail.com or visit the Veterans Helping Veterans website at www.hcveteranshelpingveterans.org.

Hillsborough County Veterans Helping Veterans is hosting its eighth annual golf tournament fundraiser at the end of September.

Te Rutledge family has owned and operated their Pinch A Penny Pool Patio & Spa store in FishHawk for 15 years.

DAVENPORT’S DAILY DELIGHTS CELEBRATES OVER A DECADE OF DELICIOUS HOMEMADE MEALS

With the school year already in full swing, cooking easy and healthy meals can be a struggle for busy families. For over a decade, Davenport’s Daily Delights has been trusted to deliver delicious family meals across the community. These homemade takeout meals have become a source of immense comfort for many in the Tampa Bay region.

Menus at Davenport’s Daily Delights are updated weekly and include delicious meals for families, like this pancetta and corn salmon salad.

“We’ve created a way for modern families to bring back family dinners. The family tries new dishes, and the picky kids actually love them,” said Peggy Davenport, owner of Davenport’s Daily Delights.

New menus are posted on Davenport’s website and updated each week, with deliveries being ofered not just in Southeastern Hillsborough County but throughout the Tampa area as well. Past events such as Thanksgiving in August, with turkey breast, gravy, cranberries and an assortment of delicious pies, ofered a variety of food options for even the most selective eaters.

Besides just creating tasty food, Davenport is also always finding a way to support the community during difcult times. During the pandemic, she wanted to give back to those who were sufering from food insecurity. In 2021, Davenport’s Daily Delights partnered with Lasagna Love, a global nonprofit dedicated to feeding those in

NEW BAND DIRECTOR BRINGS LONGTIME PASSION FOR MUSIC TO BLOOMINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL

By Jane Owen

By Ava Benedict

need. Middle and high schoolers alike came together to help make lasagna and distribute it to people who were unable to aford food.

Creating a family-centered atmosphere is Davenport’s ultimate goal, with plans being made for expanding the business through a brandnew catering menu and single-size portioned meals in order to make dinner time a breeze for busy households.

Although her business has grown tremendously since it first started 11 years ago, Davenport still faces numerous struggles as a small business owner. With inflation and food prices on the rise, it is difcult to serve quality homemade meals at an afordable price. Davenport credits her amazing employees for helping her run Davenport’s Daily Delights and is extremely proud of all the work they have been able to accomplish over the past decade. She especially loves seeing how much customers enjoy and appreciate the meals she makes.

“My favorite part of being a business owner is the customers we’ve met throughout the years,” said Davenport.

To learn more information about Davenport’s Daily Delights, visit its website at https://davenportsdailydelights.com/ or send an email to davenportsdailydelights@ gmail.com.

Bloomingdale High School’s Rajun’ Bull Band is marching forward under new leadership. Jordan Fraze is Bloomingdale’s third band director since the school opened in 1987.

In addition to being dedicated to continuing the success and traditions of the storied program, Fraze brings an unsurpassable passion for music that began very early in his life.

Fraze started in band in sixth grade, and by seventh grade he decided that he wanted to be a band director. He was inspired by his middle school band director, Sherod King.

“The biggest part that inspired me about him was his charisma and how much he cared about his students being successful. He is my true inspiration,” Fraze said.

Fraze received his bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from Florida State University, where he was a drum major for three years and on scholarship for French horn. Prior to coming to Bloomingdale, Fraze was the band director at Brandon High School. He continues to play French horn with the Fanfare Concert Winds community band.

Former Bloomingdale band director Jon Sever said Fraze’s longtime passion for music will empower him to serve the students and take the band to new levels of greatness.

“It was obvious that Mr. Fraze was by far the best candidate to carry on the traditions of the Bloomingdale band program.

He has a ‘fresh set of legs’ to run with the Rajun’ Bull Band,” Sever said.

Fraze is dedicated to making sure the kids are successful. He is setting the tone by establishing a focus on loving music. According to him, having a love and passion for music will yield top-level performances.

“The superior legacy is going to continue on. Ultimately, my goal is to teach students about music, how to love music, how to play their instrument and leave band wanting to continue playing after high school. The most important thing for me is for students to have an inkling of the passion I have for music,” Fraze said.

Fraze is intent on continuing Bloomingdale band traditions and cannot speak highly enough about how welcomed he feels within the Bloomingdale community.

Bloomingdale High School Principal Dr. Marcos Rodriguez is enthusiastic about Fraze directing at Bloomingdale.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Mr. Fraze as our new director of bands at Bloomingdale HS. He has hit the ground running making music with his students and building relationships in our community. I have no doubt that he will continue to carry on the tradition of excellence our bands have had since 1987,” Rodriguez said.

For more information about the Bloomingdale Band, visit www.bloomingdaleband.com.

New Bloomingdale High School band director Jordan Fraze is looking forward to carrying on a tradition of excellence while leading the Rajun’ Bull Band.

Pressure washing is a delicate service that should be done by someone with experience. That’s why you should hire someone you trust to clean the exterior of your home — like Pro221 Pressure Washing, which has the experience and expertise to safely clean your driveway, pool cage, roof and more.

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

Greater Hillsborough County area, including, but not limited to, Dover, Durant, Brandon, Sydney, Mango, Riverview, Valrico, Sefner, Plant City and Lithia.

Not only does Pro221 Pressure Washing ofer quality work, but it is also passionate about keeping homes looking brand-new.

Pro221 ofers a wide range of services within residential and commercial exterior cleaning. Some of its services include exterior house washing, driveway cleaning, pool deck and lanai cage cleaning, fence cleaning as well as low-pressure soft wash roof cleaning. Many times, Girdwood is able to quote services based on pictures of your home or business without being on-site.

“I enjoyed the work as it is quite satisfying to take something dirty and make it look new again,” said Mark Girdwood, owner of Pro221 Pressure Washing.

Many customers have their home pressure washed at least once a year. Professional exterior cleaning can significantly increase your curb appeal and can even prolong the life of your home’s roof.

When Pro221 visits to clean, you do not need to be home, just close all windows and clear any areas that will be cleaned, and you will receive an electronic invoice once the cleaning is done.

Pro221 Pressure Washing serves the

Girdwood moved to Florida in 2001 and worked in various restaurants for many years. After trying every position in the restaurant industry and working for over 20 years as a restaurant Manager, Girdwood discovered that he was tired of the long and unpredictable hours. Wanting to be home more to spend more time with his wife and children, Girdwood took a risk and started his first business in 2022.

“I knew deep down that there had to be a way I could utilize my customer service skill set and be home more with my family to be a better husband and dad,” said Girdwood.

The name Pro221 Pressure Washing was inspired by Proverbs 22:1, which says: “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

Girdwood is a one-man show whose attention to detail and commitment to his customers have earned him a loyal following, and he is proud to ofer quality cleaning to the community.

For more information or to inquire about Pro221 services, call or text Girdwood at 813-699-0304, email info@pro221.com or visit https://pro221.com/.

N o p r i o r c o d i n g r e q u i r e d I m a g i n e y o u r e i n t e r e s t e d i n l e a r n i n g h o w t o c o d e b u t y o u h a v e a b s o l u t e l y n o p r i o r e x p e r i e n c e w i t h i t D o n ' t w o r r y ! C o d i n g c o u r s e s a r e d e s i g n e d t o b e c u s t o m i z a b l e a n d c a t e r t o l e a r n e r s o f a l l l e v e l s , i n c l u d i n g b e g i n n e r s l i k e y o u r s e l f E A R N T O C O D E W I T H U S ! ( A G E S 7 - 1 7 )

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M a t h C o d e ( K - 5 t h ) T h e M a t h C o d e ™ M e t h o d i s a r e v o u t i o n a r y n e w p r o g r a m t h a t c o m b i n e s c u r r i c u l u m - a l i g n e d m a t h s l e s s o n s w i t h c o m p u t e r p r o g r a m m i n g t o c r e a t e a u n i q u e a n d e n g a g i n g l e a r n i n g e x p e r i e n c e

PRO221 PRESSURE WASHING IS LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED AND FOUNDED ON PROVERBS 22:1

ANNUAL 5K TO BENEFIT OCULAR MELANOMA RETURNS

Who is ready to run for a good cause? The fifth annual Next Step Is the Cure 5K will be on Saturday, October 7 at Alderman’s Ford Park in Plant City to help bring awareness and raise funds for research for ocular melanoma (OM). Ocular melanoma is a rare disease which affects six out of 1 million people each year. With no known cure, OM is referred to as an orphan disease; of the people diagnosed, 50 percent will develop metastasis that usually travels to the liver and the lungs.

Race directors Bernadette Boyle and Linda O’Brien have a vested interest in this disease.

Bernadette lost her husband, Joe Boyle, to this cancer, and O’Brien is still fighting with yearly scans and eye exams; O’Brien remains NED (no evidence of disease).

Their decision to organize a 5K came about in 2017 when they learned that the Melanoma Research Foundation’s ‘Miles for Melanoma’ was not going to be held in the Tampa area. In November 2017, they held their first 5K at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin.

Bernadette and O’Brien are excited about the new location and are appreciative of the ongoing support of the community. Packet pickup will be at Park Square in FishHawk, and they hope to continue supporting Park Square and the surrounding businesses. They will also be reaching out to area schools to see if students are interested in volunteer hours to assist on the day of the event.

The hope for this year’s event is simple: to surpass the 2022 achievements. In 2022, there were over 300 people registered, 70-plus rafe items, 20-plus sponsors and $21,400 raised and donated to the Melanoma Research Foundation.

Representatives from the Melanoma Research Foundation will speak about ocular melanoma and the research that is happening because of events like this. Also invited are a prominent doctor from Moftt, who will speak about research being done in ocular melanoma, and a doctor from Retina Associates of Florida. Their passion is exemplified through every detail because they know that every dollar raised goes directly to the Melanoma Research Foundation — Cure Ocular Melanoma.

Along with shirts, finisher medals and swag bags for all participants, there will be awards given to first, second, and third place in both the men’s and women’s groups. With 13 age groups and a fun run for the younger children, there is a place for everyone to participate.

Visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/ cureocularmelanoma and Instagram page @yournextstepisthecure to follow its posts and updates.

If you are interested in learning more about sponsoring or donating, email yournextstepisthecure@aol.com. To register for the race/walk or donate, visit https:// runsignup.com/race/fl/lithia/yournextstepisthecure or scan the QR code.

HOPE FOR HER CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF HOPE AT ITS CELEBRATION DINNER

Staf

for Her is thankful to God and celebrates all the people that have helped the vision Hickman had become a reality, from beautiful families who have trusted the foundation with their stories, to the volunteers who give weekly of their time, to the sta f and leadership who invest themselves in a purpose-driven mission, and to lastly the amazing, supportive community.

September 2023 brings a very special time of celebration and reflection to all who have been a part of Hope for Her, a local non-profit supporting women in crisis. Twenty years ago, Cheryl Hickman surrendered her life to Christ and Our Lord recused her out of addiction, domestic violence, divorce and near homelessness. God used the pain of the past to create purpose into the mission of Hope for Her: “To provide a safe place where women experiencing crisis or trauma find the strength, skills and support they need to rebuild their best lives.” This mission in turn supports the vision at Hope for Her: “to achieve a future where every woman is living God’s purpose for her life.”

This ministry helps women and their families without any judgement or condemnation. Every woman going through a crisis receives the help and hope they need to get back on their feet, care for their children, and live God’s purpose for their lives. Twenty years later, Hope

Stephanie visited Hope for Her when she left an abusive marriage and found herself alone with her children. She was in need of basic essentials like food and clothes.

“If you need to be uplifted spiritually or need to cry and express your heart or feelings, they are great listeners,” she shared. She further noted that she and her children “are so grateful for all they’ve done for us” and she will “always recommend Hope for Her to other women when I come across them who need any type of help”. Stephanie holds the following verse close to her heart: Phillipians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”.

Hope for Her will host “20 years of Hope”, a celebration dinner and program on September 29th at 6 pm at Bay Life Church, 1017 Kingsway Road, Brandon. The community is invited to experience more stories like Stephanie’s that will share of hope and life change and opportunities to help. For more information, call 813-309-3357 or email marianna@ hopeforherfl.org.

ROTARY SPOTLIGHT:

ACTIVITIES,

Brandon And Brandon ’86

On August 8, the Rotary Club of Brandon helped kick of the school year at Kingswood Elementary School with lunch and a surprise for the teachers and staf, announcing that together with the Brandon ’86 Rotary Club, they purchased 110 new books for their Sunshine State Young Readers Awards (SSYRA) Program. While staf enjoyed pizza, salad and dessert provided by the clubs, Rotarians shared with them their commitment to service while learning about additional opportunities for service at Kingswood.

The Rotary Club of Brandon meets on Tuesdays at 12 Noon and the Brandon ’86 Rotary Club meets on Fridays at 8 a.m. Both clubs meet at the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center, located at 3007 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon, and are always looking for individuals interested in serving our community and “doing good in the world.” For information, contact Debbie Meegan at debbiemeeganrotary@gmail.com.

Interact Club Of Tampa Bay

All area high schoolers interested in service, leadership, food, and fun are invited to the first meeting of the Interact Club of Tampa Bay on Monday, September 11 from 6-8 p.m. at the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center, located at 3007 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon. The Interact Club is sponsored by the Brandon ’86 Rotary Club. For more information, contact Chad Norgard at chad@norgardinsgrp.com.

MEETINGS & MORE

Brandon Global Eco

Brandon Global Eco meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Members are from the immediate area and other states. Its primary focus is environmental education and ecological friendly projects; for this mission, it has planted 20,000 trees in Plant City with a statewide grant and planted greeneries around newly built houses for Habitat for Humanity.

Visitors around the world are welcome at all Brandon Global Eco meetings. Join the club on September 11 for guest speaker Bob Inglis, a former South Carolina congressman, whose main objective is to address climate change in a bipartisan constructive manner. For more information, contact Bruno Kazenas at bkazenas@comcast.net.

FishHawk-Riverview

Join the Rotary Club of FishHawk-Riverview on Thursdays from 5-6:30 p.m. for FishHawk-Riverview Rotary After Hours or on Mondays at 12 Noon for its daytime club meeting. Visit www.FishHawkRiverviewRotary.org for guest speakers and meeting locations. In addition, the 39th Alafia Lighted Boat Parade is coming on Saturday, December 2 at the Riverview Civic Center, located at 11020 Park Dr. in Riverview. For more information or to join the decorated boat contest, enter your famous chili in the chili cook-of or choose a sponsor level with guaranteed exposure and recognition of your business, visit www.alafiaboatparade.com.

With the first month of classes completed, I am happy to say that we’ve had a great start to the school year in Hillsborough County Public Schools.

“Hillsborough Strong, Ev eryone Matters” has been our motto throughout the summer — with more than 24,000 employ ees working towards the same goal of creating the best education for your children. Since becoming your interim superinten dent, I have also wanted to stress the importance of student attendance in our district; that Every Day Matters

Nationwide, we are witnessing school attendance as a major issue, with chron ic absenteeism — missing 10 percent or more of the school year — widespread across school districts. One out of three students nationwide is chronically ab sent, and students in our district are no exception. Research has shown that chronic absenteeism negatively impacts students, in both their academics and be-

By Interim Superintendent Van Ayres

havior.

To combat this, I want parents and guardians to know that our district is focusing on the ABCs — Attendance, Behavior, and Course Performance. The ABCs are powerful predictors of high school completion. By coming to class every day, students can be engaged in their coursework and on the path to

It is understandable that there are situations in which a student has to miss a day of school, but I want to encourage families to keep an open line of communication with their child’s school and ensure that any missed work is made up, so your student does not fall behind. Our schools have resources to provide stability to children and families during challenging times. By working together, all of us — our schools, families and community — can ensure all children get to school every day so they have an opportunity to learn, succeed and realize their dreams.

Te Rotary Club of Brandon and the Brandon ’86 Rotary Club joined together to donate over 100 books to Kingswood Elementary School.

Former South Caroline Congressman Bob Inglis will speak via Zoom at the upcoming Brandon Global Eco meeting.

Clash Of The Bay Flag Football Tournament

Registration is underway for Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation’s first-ever Clash of the Bay, a four-onfour flag football tournament that will showcase the region’s top talent. The weekend-long evennt has three divisions:

Owners of Florida Inc. (FMO) is pleased to announce that Tamara Buzbee is the new District 10 president which covers Hillsborough County. Buzbee is a resident of Strawberry Ridge Village, where she serves on the HOA board as a director. Buzbee is dedicated to building a respectful relationship between the FMO park representatives and the manufactured home community.

Denim And Diamonds Bar-BQue

Save the date for the Hillsborough Republican Party Reagan Day Denim & Diamonds Bar-B-Que on Friday, October 13 at International Event Venue, located at 6463 W. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa.

You are encouraged to wear your jeans, bling and patriotic things to the event, which will include guest speakers Senator Rick Scott, State Attorney Suzy Lopez and master of ceremonies Will Witt. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the VIP reception is at 6:30 p.m. and the banquet begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.hillsborough.gop.

12 Angry Jurors Play

women’s, recreational and competitive. All participants must be 18 or older. Games will be held at Skyway Sports Complex, located at 3901 George Rd. in Tampa, and SouthShore Sportsplex, located at 6110 Waterset Blvd. in Apollo Beach, on Saturday and Sunday, October 7-8. For more information, contact Mike Russ at russmi@hcflgov.net or call 813309-5686. Visit https://app.ontask.io/ workflow/fa5906e7-3686-4318-b1389221c388e564 to register your team for the event.

Local Resident Appointed As FMO District 10 President

The Federation of Manufactured Home

Comes To Plant City Charis Community Theater, located at 101 N. Thomas St. in Plant City, is performing 12 Angry Jurors , adapted by Sherman L. Sergel. The play is based on the Emmy Award-winning television movie and there will be three perfor-

mances on Friday, October 27 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 28 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased online at www.chariscommunitytheater.com.

Autism Alliance Water Safety Workshop

Join the Autism Alliance for a water safety workshop on Saturday, September 30 from 12 Noon-2 p.m. at High 5 Inc., located at 405 Beverly Blvd. in Brandon. Drowning is the leading cause of death for individuals with autism, so it’s crucial to stay prepared and keep our kiddos safe. During the workshop, you can expect to learn about water safety, witness a CPR and AED demonstration and receive a free swim lesson voucher. Reserve your spot at https://donorbox.org/ autism-water-safety-work -

shop. There is a $25 registration event, which will be reimbursed at check-in. Visit https://autismalliancefl.org/ or email info@autismalliancefl.org for more information.

Sponsors, Special Needs Resource Vendors And Volunteers Wanted For F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Buddy Walk

The annual F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk will be taking place on Saturday, October 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Al Lopez Park, located at 4802 N. Himes in Tampa. Come celebrate, advocate and educate for the down syndrome and special needs community. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is also looking for sponsors, special needs resource vendors and volunteers for the event. Please visit its website at www. friendssupport.org

Compiled

ANDERSON SEAMLESS GUTTERS OFFERS ALL TYPES OF QUALITY GUTTER CARE

As a veteran-owned and operated company, Anderson Seamless Gutters strives to ofer quality work while showing appreciation to community heroes. Throughout its three years in operation, the business has assisted customers with all of their gutter needs in a personal and dedicated fashion.

Customers may choose between a variety of services, such as installation of 6-inch K-style seamless aluminum gutters, gutter guard selections, gutter cleanings and repairs. For customer convenience, work estimates are free, and purchases come with a 15-year leakproof warranty.

A 10 percent discount is given to all veterans, first responders, educators and other heroes. As a veteran himself, the owner, Eric Anderson, prides himself in the appreciation of military customers.

“I don’t consider it giving back. I see it as showing those who signed the dotted line that we understand what it entails and, with or without uniform, they are still very much appreciated and loved for what they were willing to do for the freedom we all enjoy,” said Anderson.

Striving to stand out from the rest, Anderson Seamless Gutters makes each and every exchange a personal experience that is guaranteed to produce quality results.

By Anna Edlund

Each business interac tion starts and ends through communication with Anderson direct ly. Every piece installed and sold is done by Anderson alongside his team.

“Far too often people spend their hard-earned money for work to get done, and if, or when, something goes wrong, the buck gets passed. It’s like pulling teeth to get the issue resolved. That starts and stops with me. Very rarely do I get repair calls on my work, but when they do call, they get an answer,” Anderson assured. Being in the gutter in stallation business for 10 years previous to starting his own company, Anderson considers his skills to be fine-tuned over the years. He also considers the industry to be not just his job, but his passion.

“I was being restricted while working for other gutter companies that are just looking for a quick turnaround and a check. Working for myself allows me to take my time to ensure my customers get the best work possible. We don’t charge by the hour; we charge by the foot. It’s always quality over quantity,” Anderson said.

For more information or to receive an estimate, please call Anderson Seamless Gutters at 813-334-6335.

Eric Anderson, owner of Anderson Seamless Gutters, provides quality gutter services alongside family, friends and his team.

Anderson Seamless Gutters is the way to go for premium gutter results.

ALIGN RIGHT REALTY OFFERS SERVICE TO RIVERVIEW AND NEW TAMPA COMMUNITIES

By Lily Belcher

have clear communication and overall expectations of one another since we are true partners in the process,” Tackus said. “Throughout their real estate journey, I keep them updated and ofer support and resources every step of the way.”

UNDER ARMOUR’S UNDER THE LIGHTS FLAG FOOTBALL PREPARES FOR HISTORY-MAKING SEASON

By Lily Belcher

Align Right Realty is celebrating four years of serving Hillsborough County and its new Align Right Realty Suncoast ofce in New Tampa.

After the success at the Riverview office since 2019, Align Right Realty decided to open this new ofce to expand the company’s support to the community.

“The biggest diference is the location and embracing a new community. Luckily, in our model of business we have mentors and leadership that support the ofce and embrace the community,” broker and owner Lisa Tackus said. “The systems, resources and culture are the same in all ofces, so that allows us to grow and build.”

Tackus and her team of three other employees and 105 licensed agents have served hundreds of clients from the Riverview ofce. Align Right Realty supports residential services, commercial leases, purchases and rentals. The new ofce will allow Align Right Realty to expand its support to the Tampa area.

“I work with my customers by educating them on the process and ensuring we

Tackus earned her real estate sales associate license in 2015 and was drawn to the supportive culture of Align Right Realty. Now, through her work, she is a member of the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, allowing her to help her customers through the network of businesses.

“Agent success is by far the most rewarding part of the business. Success in not just measured by closings and commission; it is also measured by mindset, learning, partnership and helping customers achieve their real estate goals,” Tackus said. “Our tools, resources and support diferentiate us and we are very proud of the ofce culture we have built over these last four years.”

Align Right Realty Suncoast is located at 17427 Bridge Hill Ct., Ste. B in Tampa. For more information on Align Right Realty, visit its website at https://alignrightriverview.com/ or https://alignrightsuncoast. com/. If you are interested in ‘Aligning Right in Real Estate,’ contact Align Right Realty at 813-563-5995.

Under Armour’s Under the Lights Flag Football is hosting its fall season opener on Friday, September 15. While the organization has both boys’ and girls’ leagues, it is making history with the first all-girls flag football league in the area.

“We are making history not with just one girls flag team but an entire league dedicated to growing the girls’ game that has swept the nation,” Commissioner Jeremy King said. “… Our goal is to introduce the game and develop girls for the next level of competition so they can earn a higher level of education while playing the sport they love.”

The league will be coached by about 60 coaches spanning from former professional athletes to teachers to parents.

“Seeing parents cheer and support their kids and others makes everything worth it to us. As adults, we rarely remember the scores or even number of championships won,” King said. “It’s the friendships, family and love for sports that we remember and pass on to our kids as we grow older.”

Each of the six vs. six teams will have around eight to 10 boys or girls to ensure each athlete has an opportunity to play.

King chose to start the league after his daughter fell in love with flag football. He found there were many coed options and the girls only teams only had a few teams

in the division.

“After watching her love for the game dwindle to a spectator and hearing from other parents they wanted better options, I chose to do something about it in a big way,” King said.

Every summer, before the season starts, Under the Lights ofers free workouts that encourage kids to stay active and make friends with those in their community. There are no tryouts or drafts to allow all athletes an opportunity to participate and develop their talents.

King is expecting around 400 athletes to participate in the inaugural season. Athletes are supported by a number of sponsors in the area, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and several schools in the area. The program also ofers a scholarship in memory of Noah Pollock, a former Carrollwood Under the Lights League student.

“My goal is to change the way youth sports looks and feels. There has been a quite absence with youth sports leagues and community involvement,” King said. “My goal is to provide a professional, quality and meaningful sports experience for kids.”

For more information about Under the Lights Flag Football, visit the website at www.uaflag.com.

Under the Lights Flag Football ofers both girls’ and boys’ leagues for young athletes.

Align Right Realty’s team ofers support to the Riverview and New Tampa community with their new Suncoast ofce.

INTO PAST OSPREY OBSERVER

The Osprey Observer’s annual internship program welcomes several new interns each summer, many of whom pursue journalism even after the internship. Let’s take a look at where a few of them are now.

Sofa Celis

Celis took part in the internship in 2022. Graduating high school with her Associates in Arts degree, Celis is attending Hillsborough Community College with plans to transfer to the University of South Florida.

“I am very grateful for having this internship last year since it did get me all my community service hours and was very beneficial. I plan on hopefully doing another internship for communications,” said Celis.

Breanna Maye

Maye is currently a stay-at-home mom who has three daughters with her husband. Her internship with Osprey Observer fueled her initiative at the University of Florida to be a part of the journalism program there.

“I got to study under some incredible journalists and had the opportunity to grow my writing even more and be published in some cool publications,” said Maye.

After graduation, Maye also interned at The Ledger in Lakeland, where she was able to report her own stories and help with formatting the newspaper.

Madeline Gardner

Gardner was an intern during 2022 and currently attends the University of Florida, majoring in English. Gardner continues to be a freelance writer for the Osprey Observer

“Whether it is discussing the selfless deeds of community members or captur-

LIVES: WHERE ARE THEY NOW

By Sophia Walck

newspaper by saying, “Interning at the Osprey Observer reinforced all the fundamentals of writing and editing that I use every day at work. And it was the job where I had my first story in print — something I’ll never forget!”

Arianna Hooker

ing the excitement surrounding upcoming drives and area events, writing for this publication reminds me of how much good triumphs in our local community and how imperative it is that we take the time to recognize it. I am verily grateful for every interview I have been fortunate enough to take,” said Gardner.

Sydney Burken

Burken recently graduated from the University of South Florida with a major in political science and a minor in mass communications. She is pursuing a job in marketing and sales in the Tampa area. Burken says that this internship pushed her out of her comfort zone into a more realistic world in college and academics where she had to rely on the clients’ schedules rather than her own.

“With this journalism internship, I learned a lot about the small businesses around Valrico, Brandon, Apollo Beach and more. I loved being able to promote these lesser-known businesses and help bring in new clientele for them. My favorite byline I wrote will always be about Flip Flops & Fitness, a gymnastics center run by the most generous man located of of 41 in Apollo Beach. His stories and the conversations we had were the highlight of my internship,” Burken said.

Jasmine Haroun

Haroun was an intern in 2019 and then was a freelance writer for the Osprey Observer until late 2020. She is grateful for her internship experience because it helped develop her writing style and skills as well as form connections with the community. Haroun is a second-year honors student at the University of South Florida studying biomedical sciences.

Haroun said, “I’ve always loved how the Osprey Observer focused on the positives within the community, and being a part of that was something special. I loved every moment of it — the people, the stories, the mentorship.”

Halie LeSavage

LeSavage took part in the Osprey Observer’s internship nine years ago and has done nothing short of flourish in her career since then. Currently the fashion commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar magazine, LeSavage leads the magazine’s fashion trends and overall shopping coverage online. LeSavage has traveled with her job to places such as Copenhagen, Denmark to San Francisco, California, “reporting on a wide range of topics within the world of luxury fashion.”

LeSavage reflected on her time at the

Hooker, a 2022 intern, is now a rising senior at Newsome High School and is the online editor-in-chief and business manager of the Wolf Tracks school newspaper. Hooker plans to major in journalism and business, hoping to one day have a Christ-based news company. This internship provided a sense of community to Hooker and helped her hone her writing skills.

“The Osprey Observer internship got me to where I am today by allowing me to learn the importance of having vast community connections and getting involved in one’s neighborhood,” said Hooker.

Ariana Pedraza

Pedraza took part in the Osprey Observer internship two summers ago and is now a senior at Newsome High School. Pedraza hopes to study international studies before going into law school. Other than writing, Pedraza spends her time involved in her school’s orchestra and band programs, where she’s a drum major for marching band. Her favorite part about this internship was having the opportunity to write about the Newsome Marching Band when the band remained successful despite changes in directors.

Reflecting on the internship, Pedraza remarked, “I have learned and continue to learn so much about journalism and interacting with others and have been able to meet so many incredible people and learn their stories through this newspaper.”

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

Hybrid Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Groups

BREANNA MAYE

MADELINE GARDNER

JASMINE HAROUN HALIE LESAVAGE ARIANNA HOOKER

SOFIA CELIS SYDNEY BURKEN

ARIANA PEDRAZA

FastFrame Of Winthrop

FastFrame of Winthrop is a family-owned and operated business that o f ers expert custom picture framing for artworks, photographs, memorabilia and treasured objects, as well as canvas stretching. It goes through a quick and easy design process with each customer to ensure satisfaction with the final product. If for any reason you are not satisfied with any aspect of the final piece, a 30-day design guarantee is provided alongside a lifetime guarantee on the craftsmanship of each piece. FastFrame of Winthrop is owned by Aki Weaver and David Escobar. It is located at 6128 Winthrop Town Centre Ave. in Riverview and can be reached by calling 813-436-0044. You can visit its website at https://fastframe.com/ for additional information.

The Bridges Retirement Community Hosts Brain Fitness Workshop

Is your mind as sharp as it could be? Do you struggle to remember phone numbers or shopping lists?

Our brains are powerful, and

even more so when we understand how our brains work and what we can do to improve our memory. A workshop, ‘The Aging Brain: How To Maintain Brain Fitness,’ will be held on Wednesday, September 27 at The Bridges Retirement Community from 11 a.m.-12 Noon. It will answer questions as to what happens to our cognitive abilities as we age and how we can maintain them. Dr. Brianne Stanback, director of community engagement for the Cognitive Aging Lab at the University of South Florida, will present the workshop.

The Bridges Retirement Community is located at 5921 Stockport St. in Riverview. Please call 813-413-8900 to reserve your seat.

Comprehensive Center For Dermatology Breaks

Ground On New Location

Comprehensive Center for Dermatology has just broken ground on a new o f ce space that better fits its practice. The new location will be at 5627 Skytop Dr. in Lithia, near its current o f ce at 5607 Skytop Dr. in Lithia. For updates on the building process and to see dermatology and aesthetic services o f ered, please visit its website at www.ccdermatology.com.

New Rage Room, Splatter Paint And Axe-throwing Destination Opens In Brandon

iSmash, the popular entertainment destination for rage rooms, splatter paint and axe throwing, has a new location in Tampa Bay. iSmash celebrated its rib -

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL REVIEW

SEE PAGES 28-30

bon-cutting ceremony with the Valrico Chamber of Commerce on September 14 at 863 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon from 12 Noon-2 p.m.

iSmash brings 5,000-plus square feet of adrenaline-filled activities where you can blow o f steam and truly let go without any consequences. With rage rooms that can accommodate solo smashers and up to 15 people, iSmash Tampa offers a variety of smash session packages.

Unleash your creativity with glow-inthe-dark splatter paint, make unforgettable memories, take home your work of art and let iSmash clean up the mess. iSmash Tampa also introduces high-tech axe-throwing lanes with a variety of digitally projected games, including tic-tactoe, Connect 4 and Zombie Hunt.

For more information, visit http://ismashtampa.com.

Save The Date For The Ruskin Seafood Festival

The SouthShore Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce that the much-anticipated 33rd annual Ruskin Seafood Festival is set to take place on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3 at E.G. Simmons Park. This hometown festival will feature fun, food and entertainment for attendees of all ages. The Ruskin Seafood Festival is inviting

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Aki Weaver and David Escobar celebrating the opening of their new FastFrame of Winthrop store.

Comprehensive Center for Dermatology breaks ground on a new ofce location.

EYE ON BUSINESS.....CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

local businesses, vendors and sponsors to participate in this year’s event, please visit https://ruskinseafoodfest.org for more.

Edge

Pools Now

Offers Resur-

facing Edge Pools now installs ecoFINISH pool resurfacing. This has many benefits compared to traditional concrete finish, including: no harsh chemical startup, no wait time to swim, pH swings in the water will not a f ect the finish, a surface smoother than a pebble finish and many more. An ecoFINISH coating has the same 10year warranty as a traditional concrete finish and can be applied to both concrete and fiberglass pools. To find out if an ecoFINISH resurfacing is right for you, call 813-230-2838. Additional information on all of Edge Pools’ services can be found at https://edgepoolsfl.com/.

By Jenny Bennett

Latitudes Tours Recognized As A Traveler’s Choice Award Winner

Latitudes Tours of Ruskin has been recognized by Tripadvisor as a 2023 Traveler’s Choice Award winner in the tours and outdoor activities category. The award celebrates businesses that have received great reviews from travelers on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months, and Latitudes Tours stood out by consistent - ly delivering positive experiences. Captain Dave, owner of the business, said, “Every tour is unique, from the music selection to the narration. We always put the customer first and tailor each tour experience to the people we have on board.” For a limited time, Latitudes Tours has a summer special in which kids under 12 cruise for free (10 a.m. tours only) with a paying adult. Call 813641-1311 to reserve your spot.

Latitudes Tours is located at 580 Bahia Beach Blvd. in Ruskin. For more information on tours, visit its website at www.latitudestours.com.

BRANDON-BASED REEMPLOYABILITY INC. SUPPORTS INJURED WORKERS & MORE

Even in the safest workplaces, it’s inevitable that injuries occur. Getting injured workers back to their jobs following an injury is a challenge for most companies.

Headquartered in Brandon, ReEmployAbility Inc. is the largest national provider of specialty return-towork and transitional employment programs. ReEmployability’s innovative transition to work program, Transition2Work, matches injured workers with nonprofit organizations in need of resources. The injured employees remain productive by performing light-duty work and have an avenue for earning their regular income and benefits until they recover.

CEO Debra Livingston began her career working as an insurance claims adjuster and founded ReEmployAbility in 2003 based on a passion for helping injured workers return to work.

“I was always passionate about helping people get back to work. And then, as we started placing injured workers in nonprofits, workers were giving us feedback and saying, ‘This has changed my life,’” Livingston said.

This year, ReEmployAbility has placed Transition2Work participants with nonprofit organizations in all 50 states. As of the first half of 2023, more than 5,000 participants in Transition2Work have collectively volunteered for over 1.1 million hours to support almost 2,000 organizations.

The company is having a meaningful im-

By Jane Owen

pact across the country and right here locally.

ReEmployAbility assists many local nonprofits, including Metropolitan Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, ECHO and Lighthouse Ministries.

Jean Nieves Palma (JP) began working at the Lighthouse Ministries Brandon Thrift Store in February through the Transition2Work program after being injured at his job with Tesla.

“They ofered this modified duty, which is a blessing. It was an amazing option to have. It has been fantastic to work while I have my injury limitations,” JP said.

Diana Copley, Lighthouse Ministries Brandon Thrift Store operations manager, is thankful for the partnership with ReEmployAbility.

“We have a close relationship with ReEmployAbility. The volunteers we receive from them have become such an important part of our team. They are a huge help. It really makes a diference,” Copley said.

On top of helping local nonprofits, injured community members and companies, ReEmployAbility was No. 10 in the 2023 Tampa Bay Times Top Workplaces (Small Category).

One of the foundations of ReEmployAbility is the belief that giving back helps individuals, as well as the community. Livingston shared that one of the full-circle benefits of starting Transition2Work is that it benefits everyone involved.

For more information about ReEmployability, visit www.reemployability.com.

From left to right: Lindsey Bressi, Jean Nieves Palma, Diana Copley and Angela Fulgieri at Lighthouse Ministries.

LOCAL INSURANCE AGENT HELPS

SENIORS WITH OPEN

Michele Bartock has been in the insurance industry for 19 years. She is a general lines, life, health and annuities agent. “I started my own business, MB Insurance Solutions, in 2020 because I wanted to help seniors and those under 65 that have disabilities understand Medicare,” Bartock said. “I love talking about insurance, which makes me very different than most people. I love to teach people all the diferent aspects of Original Medicare, supplements/medigap policies and Medicare Advantage policies. I can write plans anywhere in Florida, but most of my clients are local in the Osprey Newspaper area.” There are many kinds of insurance out there and Bartock makes sure she finds the perfect plan for her clients. “There is no one plan that is perfect for everyone, and that is where I gather details about the insured, their doctors’ medications, if they want to see how covered, if they want/need money back towards their Part B premium or if they love to travel and want a plan that works when out of state,” Bartock said. “My goal is to give the insured options so they can choose the best plan that will cover what matters most to them.”

Bartock made a promise to herself and to her clients that she would be better than agents who just write a plan and then are never heard from again. “I want to be there to help my clients when they have questions

ENROLLMENT

By Libby Hopkins

or need to make changes due to life changes,” Bartock said. “I am happy to review nonclients’ coverage and I will never suggest they change if that is not in their best interest.”

Bartock walks people through the process to get their Medicare card if needed and will do appointments in their homes or at a local restaurant or cofee shop. “Annual enrollment period (AEP) is coming soon, October 15-December 7,” Bartock said. “That is the time when I ofer to review every policy to make sure that any new doctors and meds are covered. This is the time of year you can make changes to your plan. You can go from a Med. Adv. to Original Medicare with a supplement and drug plan or to another Med. Adv. plan. You can also go from a supplement to a Med. Adv. plan if your finances have changed. I look up all the plans that I write with and give them the best options to choose from. If you miss AEP and have a Med. Adv. plan, you can make one more change, January 1-March 31, during MA OEP.”

Bartock can also write life insurance, dental plans and other auxiliary plans, such as accident or cancer plans. “I am also licensed to write health insurance for 65 and under and have been helping clients pick plans on healthcare.gov,” Bartock said. For information, visit https://medicareoforida.com/, call 813-767-2878, or find her on Facebook at https://fb.me/mlbartock.

A+ HEARING CARES ABOUT CUSTOMERS

AND OFFERS

AMAZING SERVICE

Over 26 million individuals sufer from hearing impairment, and they deserve an organization that cares. A+ Hearing Center has been just that for the community.

A+ Hearing is now located at 835 Cypress Village Blvd. in Sun City Center. The new shop is double the size, on the first floor and is still golf cart accessible.

Rather than just increasing hearing, Don and Chris Guiley, the owners of A+ Hearing, are passionate about helping others increase their understanding.

“You don’t know what you don’t hear,” said Don. “If you are sufering from hearing loss, you won’t know what you are missing.”

Don explained that while less expensive, many over-the-counter hearing aids will only allow the user to adjust the volume and noise level rather than adjust frequencies based on an individual’s needs. While increasing the volume of your surroundings might sound like a solution, it can actually harm you.

“I had somebody recently whose hearing aids were not helping at all. She put the new hearing aids in and was amazed,” said Chris. “We had her daughter turn her back to talk and the customer could now hear every word.”

The nerves in your ears that hear high frequencies are some of the first nerves that noise hits. Because 70 percent of an individual’s hearing comes from high frequencies, these nerves are being broken down

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

throughout your lifetime, and increasing the volume can make this worse.

When you visit A+ Hearing, Don and Chris will be able to customize the settings of your hearing aid to fit exactly what you are missing. By doing this, they are able to allow customers to gain understanding without further damaging their nerves.

“We can retrain the brain, but we cannot regrow those nerves,” said Don.

To stay on top of the constant technological advancements in the industry, Don and Chris visit conferences and seminars often.

A+ Hearing ofers some of the most advanced hearing aids, including ones with geolocators, automatic emergency call services and remote programming. Don explained that some hearing aids can be controlled from his ofce even if you are across the world.

When the Guileys moved to Florida, Don operated a theater and Chris began to work at the hearing aid shop next door. The owner asked Chris to get her license so she could help sell hearing aids. Later, Chris and Don decided to open their own shop so they could truly become a part of the community and help those who are sufering from hearing loss.

To learn more about A+ Hearing Center or schedule an appointment, call the ofce at 813-642-8200 or visit https://aplushearingsuncity.com/.

Michele Bartock has been in the insurance industry for 19 years. She started her own business, MB Insurance Solutions, in 2020.

Don and Chris Guiley have over 50 combined years of experience in the industry and are passionate about helping individuals with hearing impairments.

The 2023 Bloomingdale High School Bulls will have to build continuity under first-year head coach Patrick Murphy. Murphy replaces the program’s all-time win leader, Jacob Coulson, who accepted the head coaching job at Lecanto High School. The team returns three key players from last year’s team that had significant playing time.

The Bulls will be led by young sophomore quarterback Dillon Rose-Bailey, who started six games last season. The quarterback performed well after he was thrust into the spotlight when senior leader James Coney went down with an injury. The freshman came in and immediately won his first career start against rival Durant. He continued to show poise throughout the season, throwing 10 touchdown passes for 1,048 yards and rushing for two touchdowns.

Murphy is impressed with the sophomore’s work ethic. He said Rose-Bailey is constantly asking his receivers if they want to have extra passing sessions on the weekends and does additional strength and conditioning training alongside quarterback training in his own time. The young gunslinger has shown accuracy with his intermediate throws while having a lot of velocity on the ball. He can make plays outside of the pocket with his mobility, throws a great deep ball, can stretch the sidelines and has a strong grasp of the ofense. It’s safe to say that the success of the season will mainly rest on the arm of Rose-Bailey.

The head coach is happy with his team’s young talent and potential. They will have a very young and inexperienced squad with only two returning starters that had significant playing time last season in senior linemen Brandon Mecomber and Darion Thomas.

Key players include Thomas, who will

play both sides of the ball; big bruising running back Otis Reed; running back Christian Dorset; transfer Kylan Tamulonis, who is a great athlete and will play both sides of the ball; junior receiver/defensive back Simon Castillo; outside linebacker Jadon Svendsen; senior receiver Darien Martin; senior Isaiah Zellner; and senior kicker Stefan Vera, who has a strong leg.

The team’s strength will be their secondary. They will have to improve on understanding the new ofensive schemes, gaining crucial experience in situational football, eliminating big plays on defense and rallying to the football with good gap control.

Murphy knows that there will be growing pains in his first season with a young and inexperienced team; however, he expects to compete for a district title and wants his team to be competitive throughout the season and gain experience. His team motto is “Whatever it takes.” The coach is big on preparation Monday through Thursday and believes that if his team buys into this, they will be successful.

Bloomingdale has one of the toughest schedules in Hillsborough County, having to play against Sumner, Armwood, Durant, Tampa Bay Tech, Newsome, Gaither and Wharton, but they have a chance to win their district if they can beat East Bay in the last game of the regular season.

DURANT COUGARS WILL BE A TOUGH TEAM TO BEAT WITH ITS COMPETITIVE DRIVE

The 2023 Durant High School Cougars will have a target on their back as one of the more competitive teams in Hillsborough County. The team has shown time and time again that they are up to the task under head coach Clayton Varnum. The Cougars have averaged eight wins per season since he took the job before the 2021-22 season.

Durant blew out Chamberlain 48-6 in the regular season opener in front of about 30 former players from the 2003 Cougar football team that made it to the state final four. The team was invited back for the 20th anniversary of that historic run.

Second-year quarterback Michael Ryan was impressive, completing 12 of 14 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns through the air and running for a touchdown as well. Varnum said that Ryan has great vision, and that he can pick apart a defense and read coverages very well. He can extend plays with his feet and throws well on the run. The multitalented Ryan also handles punting duties.

The Cougars came up big in important games last season, beating rivals Newsome, Sumner and Riverview, claiming the district title with a perfect record in district play. All of those games were decided by one possession.

Varnum is happy with his team’s discipline and effort. He said they have been playing smart football, the players have been in their correct positions, they haven’t had a lot of penalties, they accept their roles and they play hard for a full game.

The head coach likes what his young offensive line, led by senior offensive linemen Alexander Smith and Luke Machristie, is doing so far and the way his defense is execut -

ing at a high level. He said they are deep and talented at the defensive back position and that several guys can play back there. Varnum is also impressed with his receiving corps. He said that the receivers have great hands and haven’t dropped a pass in the first two games.

Key players include senior running back Dominic Jones; defensive back/receiver Jayden Cornelius, who will be a difference-maker on both sides of the ball; defensive back/receiver Jayden Forte, who already has two punt returns for touchdowns; defensive back Quentin Pope, who will help shore up the secondary; and receiver Damari Styles, who is a great pass catcher. Linebackers Brant Bovee and Hale Sollmann will help lead the front seven. Kicker Isaiah Sawyer, who is a great student with a high GPA, will handle most of the kicking duties.

Durant will have to go undefeated in district play again this season if they want to repeat as district champs. The Cougars will definitely win at least eight games again. The team’s motto is “Ride the middle.” Varnum wants his squad to remain even-keeled during tough times and make smart decisions. They have the talent and discipline to go even further in the playoffs than they did the previous two seasons.

SCHEDULE ROSTER

STRAWBERRY CREST CHARGERS GEAR UP FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON

SCHEDULE ROSTER

8/25 vs. King

9/2 @ Spoto 9/8 @ Robinson

The 2023 Strawberry Crest High School Chargers want to maintain the success they had in the previous year. The team had its first winning season since 2013-14. The Chargers took a huge step last year, winning their first five games and going 6-4 overall. They went 5-5 the season before.

Riverview transfer Zy Floyd will start as the signal caller. Head coach Phillip Prior said that Floyd is a dual-threat QB, making a lot of plays with his feet while connecting on some big pass plays in the first couple of games. The team has gone 2-0 for a second straight season. Strawberry Crest beat King 28-7 in the season opener and Spoto 35-31 the following week. Floyd has thrown for 134 yards and a touchdown as well as ran for 121 yards and a touchdown in the first two games.

Prior thinks that his o f ensive line and running game are major strengths of his team, along with his defensive line. He said that his team is a little inexperienced in the secondary, but they improve every time they play. The run-heavy o f ense also needs to improve in the passing game to become more balanced.

On o f ense, senior Curtis Vaughn will anchor the o f ensive line and senior running back Devin Blunt, who has rushed for 280 yards on 40 carries and seven touchdowns in the first two games, will be the bell cow this season. Four-year starter Quintin

Walker will make some noise o f the edge of the defensive line and senior linebacker Abe Craig will most likely be the team’s leading tackler. Junior kicker Trey Revoy had five touchbacks against King and will handle the kicking and punting duties.

The team returns six starters on offense and five on defense. They lost 20 seniors from last year’s squad, but Prior doesn’t view this as a rebuilding year.

The Chargers have a chance to compete in their district. Expect them to win at least six games this season. Prior and his team have made it a goal to beat rival Plant City for the second time in as many seasons. They want to sustain success and have a winning record every year. The coaching sta f preaches to their players to give great e f ort, attitude and technique, and to control the things that they can control, taking it one rep and one game at a time.

VALRICO ARCHER SULLENBERGER WINS BOTH WORLD AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS SUMMER

Valrico archer Sydney Sullenberger was named world archery champion and brought home gold for the third year in a row in the Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) national championship in July.

The Columbia University sophomore traveled to Limerick, Ireland for the World Archery Youth Championship, where she qualified as the top U.S. female archer. After the initial qualification, she won all of her matches to be named the world champion for the compound under 21 women’s event.

Sullenberger also competed in the team event with two of her teammates, where they won third place in the event.

“The three of us shoot against other countries in a bracket-style system. We were able to win our matches, and we made it to the bronze medal match,” Sullenberger said about the World Archery Youth Championship. “We got to shoot on that final stage as a team of three together and we finished third, so we got that bronze medal.”

After her success in Ireland, she traveled to Iowa the next week for the JOAD championship, the final event in a five-part

Reading glasses without the glasses

Stay

By Lily Belcher

competition series. Sullenberger finished first in both the qualifier rounds and earned gold in the under-21 national championship.

“A lot of hard work has gone into this. I’ve pretty much dedicated my whole life to the sport for the last nine years,” Sullenberger said. “So, to see that hard work pay of and to reiterate the fact that I was doing all that I needed to do and my trust in myself, my equipment and in the whole journey, is what was ultimately able to lead me to win those two championships.”

The 19-year-old archer was also named captain of her team at Columbia University, which is the only NCAA D-I archery program. Sullenberger said her coaches, Derek Davis at Columbia University and Diane Watson, have been an integral part of her success.

“Having completed my first year on that team really gave me the opportunity to train and have access to all the necessary training time and equipment to help me pursue these goals,” Sullenberger said.

To follow Sullenberger’s journey, visit her ‘Sydney Sullenberger’s Archery’ Facebook page.

Dr. Mona Kardani, Dr. Branning Hollis, and Dr. Sheree Wright

Southern Eye Care Associates

3307 Lithia Pinecrest Rd.

Valrico, FL 33596

813-654-0220

yourvisionsource@valricovisionsource.com

Please call to make an appointment to learn more about contact lenses for reading and distance vision

©2023 CooperVision CVST-009662 04/23

A UNIQUE EATING EXPERIENCE

BRANDON FOOD TRUCK PARK OFFERS CUSTOMERS

Brandon Food Truck Park, a new venue for local food trucks, has already made its mark on the local community. Trucks from all over gather there to serve up mouthwatering dishes each and every day. From Caribbean cuisine to homemade tacos, there is a delicious meal to satisfy every taste.

A staple at Brandon Food Truck Park is The Daily Beignet, a business dedicated to serving authentic New Orleans pastries. The Daily Beignet’s hours are on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.1 p.m., and it is occasionally open on Friday mornings. Items on its menu include flavor-topped beignets, like strawberry cheesecake, maple bacon and lemon blueberry, as well as a beignet breakfast sandwich. Since 2018, owner Reid Stains has been using his food truck as a way to bring people together and enjoy quality treats.

“We strive to create a daily place for people to hang out with family and friends,” said Stains.

He cites Brandon Food Truck Park as one of the main reasons his business has continued to grow and thrive with -

By Ava Benedict

in the community. He loves being able to see regular customers and get to know more about their lives. He hopes to make the park a permanent location for his business and use it as a way to expand its customer base even further.

“Our goal is to make this our permanent location while creating a strong, welcoming, community and family atmosphere,” said Stains.

Besides being the permanent home for several food trucks, Brandon Food Truck Park also hosts various events throughout the month. Eight breakfast-themed trucks were parked on August 13 to serve up some delicious Sunday brunch, with food options including coffee, doughnuts and even boiled peanuts. Besides scrumptious dishes, the park o f ered face painting and yard games for families, all while collecting valuable materials for kids in need. School and laundry supplies were also donated at the bash to benefit A Kid’s Place, a local organization that provides resources for children in foster care. For more information, visit its Facebook page at Brandon Food Truck Park or visit it at 1010 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon.

Sydney Sullenberger competed in the Junior Olympic Archery Development national championship in July, bringing home gold.

Sydney Sullenberger competed in the World Archery Youth Championship in Ireland and in the JOAD national championship this summer.

Te Daily Beignet is the perfect spot for a tasty treat on the weekend, having plenty of new and delicious options to try every time.