Two Sections, 32 Pages of Community News
Brandon/Winthrop
27 C E L E B R A T I N G
January 2020 1 8
Y E A R S
O F
P U B L I S H I N G
Edward Rose Brings Ironwood Flats Apartments To Former Ace Golf Location
By Brian Bokor
low unemployment and crime statistics. The location is ideal near hospitals and good schools, within close proximity of I-75, Tampa and, of course, offers a good climate and great residents. Our goal is to establish our presence in the Brandon market and expand our footprint as opportunities arise within the state." She also stated, "Ironwood Flats brings a progressive, experienced approach to Brandon that comes from building, developing and adapting to our residents for almost 100 years." "In fact, the name 'Ironwood Flats' was selected in part to acknowledge the recreational golfing facility that entertained community residents for 26 years," she continued. "We understand the memories and longevity connected to this site and hope to provide our residents with many happy memories in this same location." "Our commitment to green space and landscaping to enhance the resident experience is made comfortably accessible through enclosed patios and balconies which will bring outdoor tranquility to each apartment home. Club Ironwood will include upscale amenities designed to complement lavish expectations and even simple conveniences for everyday life. This is truly a unique community designed for today’s Brandon resident." Visit www.edwardrose.com or contact Carissa Davis, regional property manager, at 317-569-7649 or Carissa_Davis@edwardrose.com.
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
The new year will bring big changes to the old Ace Golf Brandon location on Kings Ave. which closed last May after nearly 26 years. The combined driving range, mini golf course and batting cage site will soon be home to ‘Ironwood Flats at Brandon Greene’—296 luxury apartment homes built by Edward Rose & Sons. The project is expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2020 with occupancy projected to be available by the second quarter of 2021. Ironwood Flats will be the first project in Florida for the family-owned company headquartered out of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The 99-year-old real estate development and management firm currently owns and operates approximately 134 properties in 15 states (64,309 apartment homes and counting) and is actively building in many markets around the country. Highlights of the four-building complex with a swimming pool, clubhouse and dog park will include outdoor yoga and walking paths surrounding the central multi-fountain lake along with birder observation areas near the bordering sanctuary designed to enhance this experience. When asked why Brandon was chosen as the company’s first venture into Florida, Brenda Coons, director of marketing, stated, "The Brandon submarket is rapidly emerging, with robust employment, income and population growth, with
Postal Customer
P O S I T I V E
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
Brandon High’s Class Of 1970 Still Celebrating With Its 50th Year Reunion Dance the night away to the tunes of 60s and 70s music while stepping back into time during Brandon High School’s upcoming 50th Class Reunion at Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Brandon on Friday, April 24 at 6 p.m. (a cash bar and light appetizers) and Saturday, April 25 at 6 p.m. (cash bar, buffet dinner, music and dancing). The class of 1970 will get an opportunity to reminisce, hear Sounds of Yesterday play, reconnect with friends, eat light appetizers and more. When preparing for this event, the question of who married their high school sweetheart was asked. Several people submitted their responses for a Valentine’s Day tribute. Elaine Nasworthy and her husband, Thumper Nasworthy, got married on July 31, 1971. They met in the seventh grade at Mann Junior High. Both went together off and on until the summer before their junior year at Brandon High School. Thumper ran for senior class president and won. “Thumper always treated me like his partner…Even at 17 years old, a certain amount of popularity went with being with the class president.” Elaine said. “His leadership quality would be what I recognized then and now,” she added. A total of 507 students graduated in the class of 1970. Brandon High School’s 50th Class Reunion came into fruition through its committee, which kept in touch throughout the years. Judy Gay, who handles the website and public relations on the committee, stated the person
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who was the driving force behind all of their reunions. “Lisa Rodriguez is our chair and assisted with all the planning, along with the communicaGraduating class of tions of it,” Gay 1970. said. For those interested in attending the class reunion, tickets cost $80 per person. This includes admission for both nights. Tickets can be purchased online or by mail until Friday, March 20. More information about it can be found at https://bhsreunion1970.myevent.com/pag e.php?groupingID=online_payment. “Overall, we are excited about our class sweethearts that are still together and celebrating their 50th year wedding anniversaries,” Gay said. For more information, visit https://bhsreunion1970.myevent.com. Embassy Suites by Hilton is located at 10220 Palm River Rd. in Tampa. For more information, contact Gail Askew Sweeting at gailsweeting1970@gmail.com.
In This Issue BRANDON ACADEMY’S 50TH.............PG 3 BOARDS FOR BROS ............................PG 4 FLORIDA STATE FAIR ..........................PG 9 NEW BELL SHOALS PASTOR .............PG 13
EYE ON BUSINESS....................PGS 21‐22 CHALKLINES....................................PG 24 YEAR IN REVIEW .......................PGS 25‐29
SPORTS CONNECTION .............PGS 30‐31
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Page 2
Volume 15, Issue 1
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
From The Law Office of
Griffin & Associates, P.A.
Rachel L. Griffin
Eileen H. Griffin
Ryan W. Griffin
FAMILY LAW PROBATE & ESTATE PLANNING
(813) 681-2612 | 1430 Oakfield Drive • Brandon, Florida 33511 | www.egriffinlaw.com
January 2020
Page 3
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Brandon Academy Celebrates 50 Years
By Linda Chion Kenney
Brandon Academy in 2018 graduated its first senior class, having launched its high school in 2015 with grade 9. Designated an International Baacalaureate World School in 2017, the academy offers the IB diploma program to juniors and seniors. Opening with grade 1 in 1970, the academy took In front of a cake celebrating Brandon Academy's 50th root on land purchased by anniversary are staff members, from left, Tonya Fulton, director of first impressions; Nicholas Rodriguez, head the Rotary Club of Brandon of school; and Brian Galzerano, middle school from the University of principal. Tampa. Ownership eventuThe Brandon Academy community ally transferred to Clif Curry and his is set to celebrate the private, indewife, Terry, who in 2005 sold the school pendent school’s ‘next best 50 years’ (then through grade 8) to Robert after gathering to mark the school’s Randolph and his wife, Tricia. half-century of achievement. Designated a National Blue At a ribbon-cutting with the Greater Ribbon School in 2010, the academy Brandon Chamber of Commerce, today enrolls about 260 students Jessica Rolewicz said she attended the through grade 12. school as a youngster. “Our goal is to give them their best “I used to play with the acorns in future yet,” Rodriguez said, noting such the playground,” she said. “I remember offerings as Makers Space, the big classrooms and the lovely proInnovations Lab and Design Makers grams they had back then. It’s amazing and Robotics. how far they’ve come and how much “Our goal is to bring in great kids they’ve grown with the community that and families,” he added. When it we love.” comes to financial aid, “We’ll bend over Head of School Nicholas backwards to try to get them in.” Rodriguez oversees 20 and seven fullSondra Cliggit retired in 2018 after and part-time educators, respectively, 35 years at Brandon Academy, where and five staff members. Over the past she last served as head of lower five years, classroom buildings have school. The academy is “magical,” she been retrofitted, the gymnasium has said. “People who come here say it’s been enhanced and an intermediate just different than any other place and classroom building has been construct- it truly is.” Brandon Academy is at 801 ed. Limona Rd. Visit: www.brandon-acadeWith seven of ten acres developed, my.com or call 689-1952.
Nonprofit Partners With Tide Cleaners To Offer Formal Dresses For Students
By Mia Cafaro
Gowns For Girls is a new organization getting its start in the Bloomingdale area, and it aims to provide prom and homecoming dresses to students who are not able to buy their own. Mulrennan teacher Stephanie Brown and her friend, Alicia Tew, first noticed this need in the community when attending a Bell of the Ball Project event. Bell of the Ball is another nonprofit with a similar goal, but it operates in Clearwater, which is sometimes inaccessible for girls in East Hillsborough. “We realized we could do something really good in our area,” said Brown. Last August, Brown and Tew began requesting donations from the community to build their inventory of formal dresses. A downsizing bridal shop in Brooksville was able to start their collection, and since then donations have poured in from locals. So many dresses have been accumulat-
ed that Bloomingdale Self Storage donated a storage unit to Brown and Tew to use for the project. Tide Cleaners on Bloomingdale is currently a drop-off site for dresses, and it will also clean any donations that need it. All formal dresses are welcome donations, and if Gowns For Girls cannot use a dress, it will be passed along to ECHO, another nonprofit, and be used for fundraising. Additionally, Alteration Specialist Jeanne Fredrichs is generously mending damaged dresses so they can still be used for the project. Tide Cleaners’ and Frederichs’ contributions have made dress a girl is thinking about selling or giving away will also qualify to be donated to Gowns For Girls. The distribution dates for prom dresses are Wednesday, February 1 and 22. Dresses will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Centerpoint Church on the corner of Durant Rd. and Miller Rd. In order to receive a dress, girls will have to appear in person with an adult who can attest to their financial difficulties or be referred by school or agency officials. Volunteers will be needed on these dates to help keep things organized and running smoothly. Anyone who is interested in volunteering or has additional questions about Gowns For Girls can contact Brown and Tew at gownsforgirls.info@gmail.com.
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WWW.BRANDONDIVORCE.COM The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask the lawyer to send you free written information about her qualifications and experience.
Page 4
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Volume 15, Issue 1
Boards For Bros Looks To The Community For Volunteers To Continue Mission
Bloomingdale High Becomes Collection Site For OASIS, Clothing For Students
In 1978, the Bro Bowl skateboards in the United skatepark opened in downStates, Cuba, Honduras town Tampa. For years, and Bangladesh,” Box skaters would notice that said. “We will continue to the kids who lived in the expand our reach across neighborhood lacked the all states and we hope to equipment they needed to work on a mobile Boards use at the skatepark. This for Bros team that will sometimes resulted in conbring the gift of skatefrontations as the neighboarding to communities borhood residents came to that cannot support a full resent the outsiders comchapter. We want skateing in to use their park. In boarding to spread into an effort to get the local neighborhoods that might Boards for Bros is a local residents skateboarding, not even have a local nonprofit that is some skaters would bring headquartered at Skatepark of skate shop.” along loaner boards for the Tampa and is looking for more The nonprofit purskateboarders from the area local kids to use. sues partnerships to become involved. In 2006, a group of between their local skateboarders decided that they needed Boards for Bros chapters and youth-cento get those kids their own skateboards to tered nonprofits, as well as targeting keep. Using Skatepark of Tampa (SPoT) underserved neighborhoods in the vicinias their home base, they started to collect ties of skateparks. They are looking for gently used skateboard parts and assem- more skateboarders from the area to bling complete skateboards to hand out become involved with Boards for Bros. to the Bro Bowl youth on Christmas. “This “Our volunteers are involved in all phases tradition continued through 2014, when of our projects, from donation, build and Boards for Bros became a 501(c)(3) non- distribution, and are able to directly expeprofit organization fully committed to rience the impact their hard work has on applying our model to neighborhoods their local community,” Box said. “This beyond the Bro Bowl by providing equipengagement often inspires further volunment, safe skate spots and youth mentor- teerism. The magic of the gift of skateing in communities across the United boarding is that it changes the lives of our States,” said Boards for Bros’ Executive volunteers and the youth who could never Director Michelle Box. experience skateboarding without our Boards for Bros’ headquarters is help.” located at SPoT and it has chapters in If you would like to learn more or volSouth Florida, North Carolina, New unteer visit www.boards4bros.org. Jersey, New York, Chicago and Orange Skatepark of Tampa (SPoT) is located at County, California. “We have distributed 4215 E. Columbus Dr. in Tampa.
Bloomingdale High paid employees, and it is able to School recently partmanage everything with assisnered with OASIS to tance from the community. Help become a drop site for is needed to pick up and sort gently used or new donations, launder clothes and clothing, which are given to organize clothing drives. High back to low-income or school students will be able to at-risk students in the receive Bright Futures hours for community. OASIS, or volunteering. Outreach Assisting Furthering both quality of life Students in Schools, is a and education for young people nonprofit organization is a cause described as ‘invaluthat provides basic able’ by a necessities to students social worker Mary Wetterling in need in Hillsborough volunteering to sort who was able donations for County. It was estabto help stuOASIS. lished in 2001, and has grown to service dents through over 11,000 students per year. this program. There are currently four clothing closOASIS currentet locations across Tampa and Seffner. ly connects Social workers can visit these sites to with 43 social pick up items for students. This usually workers includes two school outfits, socks, underthrough an wear, tennis shoes, a jacket, hygiene order/delivery items and school supplies. Providing this system and will for students can make it infinitely easier soon expand Donation bins can be for parents who are struggling financially found at the New Tampa to 220 social YMCA and the South to send their children to school. workers, Tampa YMCA. Since OASIS is a nonprofit, it surallowing its vives thanks to help from donors and vol- services to change innumerable lives for unteers. There are two public drop-off the better. sites for donations, one at the New For more information and an extendTampa YMCA and the other at the South ed list of items that can be donated, visit Tampa YMCA. Bloomingdale High oasis-network.org. Bloomingdale students School is a new drop site where students and staff can reach out to Flossie Parsley and staff can make contributions. for information about how to donate. Monetary donations are also welcome OASIS Associate Director Dawn and can be made on the OASIS website. Schulman can be contacted about volunOASIS is run largely on the efforts of teer opportunities at volunteers; the organization only has two dawn.schulman@oasis-network.org.
By Libby Hopkins
Expiration: 1.31.2020
Expiration: 1.31.2020
By Mia Cafaro
Expiration: 1.31.2020
January 2020
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
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Saturday, February 22; 10 a.m. Kerby’s Nursery, 2311 S. Parsons Ave., Seffner Kids, and even some adults, don't always like to eat their veggies, but what if they knew where they came from and helped to plant a backyard garden? Come learn how to plant a backyard garden at this free Spring Veggie Gardening Seminar. Call 685-3265 or visit www.kerbysnursery.com.
Compost, Microirrigation And Rainwater Harvesting Workshops
Saturday, March 7; UF/IFAS Extension in Hillsborough County 5339 CR 579, Seffner Attend one or all workshops. Compost attendees receive a compost bin and more. Micro attendees receive a micro kit and more. Rainwater harvesting attendees receive a rain barrel. Pre-registration required: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/upcoming events/. Small fee per household.
Pet Vaccination Clinic At Kim’s Natural Pet Foods
Saturday, March 7; 11 a.m.-12 Noon p.m. Kim’s Natural Pet Foods, 2110 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Valrico EZ Pet Low Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic Call 684-3663 to confirm.
Grey Matters Toastmasters
First and third Thursday of month; 6:30-8:30 p.m. Bloomingdale Library at 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico Benefits of club include confidence-building in public speaking, enhancement of leadership skills and unique, lively, stimulating discussions. Visit https://greymatters.toastmastersclubs.org/.
Social Security Benefits Seminar Hosted By Angeloni Tax Advisory Group
Tuesday, February 18 and March 24; Wednesday, February 12; and Thursday, February 6 and March 12 HCC campus at The Regent, 6437 Watson Rd., Riverview. Learn strategies and principles behind the proper timing of taking Social Security benefits; perfect for ages 58-67. Call 626-7575 to make reservations. Leave a message after 4:30 p.m.
Riverview Library Master Gardener Library Programs
10509 Riverview Dr., Riverview Garden Treasures Rediscovered; Tuesday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m. Discover ways to reuse items in the garden usually thrown out or considered useless. Learn inventive ways to make your garden unique, full of fun and beauty and also provide for garden wildlife. Contact Anne Marie Boehm at amblibrary@gmail.com or call 205-6621 for more information.
Tampa Bay Chief Petty Officers Meeting
Fourth Thursday each month; 6:30 p.m. Tampa Buffet, 3904 S. Dale Mabry, Britton Plaza, Tampa For information, call Chuck Peterman, President, at 767-1569
Parkinson's Support Group At Savannah Court Of Brandon
Third Tuesday of the month; 6 p.m. Savannah Court of Brandon, 824 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon Call 643-6767 to RSVP with Rhonda Fournier, Executive Director.
Hawthorne Health & Rehab Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
Third Thursday of the month; 2 p.m. 851 W. Lumsden Rd., Brandon For more information or to register, call 661-8998, M-F, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Page 6
Volume 15, Issue 1
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
ve, i r D r e Diap ssistance A s n a r e e... t r o Ve M r & olesanti, a n i m e S helle C
Local Nonprofit Asks Local Community To Support Diaper Drive
Choices, formerly known as the LifeCare Network, is asking the community to help with ic ed by M server.com il p its January Diaper m o C eyob e@ospr ll Drive. The nonprofit e h ic m seeks to protect the sanctity of life by promoting biblical sexualLindsay Huggins In Concert At ity and educating new Brandon First Church Of The parents. Choices cenNazarene ters also offer a variThe Brandon First Church of the ety of support for expecting mothers Nazarene will present Lindsay and new parents. From pregnancy Huggins in concert on Sunday, tests to assistance after the birth, the January 26. A meet and greet (coffee ministry educates as it provides physand snacks provided) will take place ical, emotional and spiritual support. at 10:30 a.m. and Music and The collection of diapers and Message by Lindsay Huggins at wipes helps sustain the Choices cen10:45 a.m. The church is located at ters in Brandon and SouthShore for 114 Kingsway Ave. in Brandon. the year. Choices centers provide diapers and baby clothing to families in Burchfield Brothers Concert At need through its ‘Earn While You Brandon First Church Of The Learn’ program as it builds relationNazarene ships to share Christ. The Burchfield Brothers (burchThe nonprofit is requesting diaper fieldbrothers.com) will be in concert at sizes newborn to five with the greatBrandon First Church of the est need for sizes 3, 4, 5 and clothing Nazarene on Wednesday, February from sizes newborn to 2T. The ability 12 at 7 p.m. The concert is free and to ship items directly to its admin no ticket or reservation is needed. office from Amazon is also available. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. All For more information or to donate, are welcome. To RSVP (appreciated, visit www.empoweredtochoose.net or but not required) for dinner, visit the contact Jessica Rickenbach at events calendar at Jessica@choicesclinics.org or 654www.facebook.com/Brandon1stChurc 0491. hoftheNazarene. Brandon First Church of the Xi Theta Xi Chapter Supports Nazarene is located at 114 Kingsway Various Organizations Ave. in Brandon. The sisters of Xi Theta Xi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi have been busy
supporting various the public on Monday, organizations recently. January 27. Nearly $700 was donated to Water Mission to The Bridges Retirement provide safe water to Community Hosts Hurricane Dorian vicVeterans Assistance tims, complete Seminar Thanksgiving dinners The Bridges Retirement were provided to two Community is hosting a vetmigrant families and erans assistance seminar on members donated toys Tuesday, February 4 to eduand numerous gift Xi Theta Xi members cate wartime veterans and cards to Gift of Hope to donated toys and their survivors about a benehelp make the holidays numerous gift cards to fit through the U.S. Gift of Hope to help a little happier for local Department of Veterans make the holidays a families. little happier for local Affairs’ ‘Improved Pension families. The chapter’s with Aid and Attendance.’ socials have included going to the This benefit can help offset the cost movies and enjoying breakfast or din- of living in a retirement community for ner at a local restaurant. For more a wartime veteran or his/her surviving information on the sorority, contact spouse. Veterans of any branch of Diane Wray at dwray52@yahoo.com. the armed services who served 90 consecutive days on active duty, Registration To Open For First including one day during a wartime Baptist Brandon Christian period, may be eligible to receive up Academy to $1,912 per month for assisted livFirst Baptist Brandon ing expenses if they served Christian Academy, which during World War II, the serves infants to eighth Korean War, the Vietnam Era graders and includes a or other more recent conVPK program, is located flicts (duration of service at 216 N. Parsons Ave. in required may vary). Brandon. The academy desires to Surviving spouses may qualify to honor and serve Jesus Christ by proreceive up to $1,230. viding academic and Biblical excelDennis Mont’Ros, veteran service lence to boys and girls while develop- officer with Hillsborough County’s ing their faith in partnership with the Department of Consumer & Veterans home, church and community. Before Services, will provide information and and aftercare is offered, along with a answer questions about this benefit. summer camp for enrolled This free seminar will be held at The families. Families can learn more Bridges on 11202 Dewhurst Dr. in about this exciting program at Riverview from 11 a.m.-12 Noon, with www.fbbca.org. To schedule a tour, lunch provided. Seating is limited. please call 689-9435. Registration for Please reserve a seat by calling 413the 2020-2021 school year opens to 8900.
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January 2020
Scouting For Food Aims To Impact Hunger With Canned Food Collection
Staff Report
Scouting for program that Food seeks to teaches young collect a recordmen and setting amount women values, of food to fight leadership, hunger, powadventure ered by thouand—most sands of boys importantly— and girls in local how to lend a Boy Scouts of helping hand America groups and assist across West those in need. Central Florida. More than Scouts 15,000 Scouts ages 5 through Scouts ages 5 through 17 will go door-to-door in are members of their neighborhoods to place door hangers with the local branch 17 will lead the information on Scouting for Food on Saturday, way, going January 25, 2020 and then will return to collect of Boy Scouts nonperishable food donations left on front door-to-door in of America, the porches on Saturday, February 1. their neighborGreater Tampa hoods to place door Bay Area Council. The hangers with information council and its on Saturday, January 25 Scouting for Food effort and then will return to covers nine counties, collect nonperishable stretching from Crystal food donations left on River to Lake Placid front porches one week and including the counlater on Saturday, ties of Citrus, Hardee, February 1. Hernando, Highlands, Scouting for Food Hillsborough, Pasco, will take place on the Pinellas, Polk and weekends leading up to Sumter. Food collected the Super Bowl, and the Greater in our community will benefit ECHO Tampa Bay Area Council—our food banks. region’s branch of the Boy Scouts of “Our Scouts and adult leaders will America—is joining more than 4,000 hand-deliver all the collected food participating groups in the Souper items to local food banks in their comBowl of Caring, a nonprofit organizamunities,” said Jim Rees, CEO of the tion that collected more than Greater Tampa Bay Area Council. “We 4,500,000 pounds of food in 2019. believe this will be our region’s “Serving others is at the heart of biggest food drive by Boy Scouts what Scouting is all about,” said ever.” Scouting for Food Event Chair To stay up to date on the progress Melissa Snively, who serves as chair of Scouting for Food in 2020, follow of the Hillsborough County School on Facebook or visit Board. “In Florida alone, more than TampaBayScouting.org. 850,000 children struggle with hunger. The Boy Scouts of America has Our scouts will be energized knowing programs for both young men and they are helping other young people women, from kindergarten until the through Scouting for Food.” age of 21 years old. For more inforThe Boy Scouts of America is a mation, visit TampaBayScouting.org.
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Page 7
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Family Owned and Operated for 32 Years
The Tampa Youth Travel League Offers Competitive Travel Bowling
By Nick Nahas
Photos courtesy of the TYTL
This season’s champions are from Oakfield Lanes in Brandon.
ors.
The league meets 26 Saturdays throughout the school year. Each team earns points for the games bowled throughout the season, and the team with the highest total pins receives the championship traveling plaque to display at their bowling center for the year. This year’s current champions are from The Tampa Youth Travel League has a total Oakfield Lanes in Brandon. of 12 teams. Todd Morrow coaches the teams that are affiliated with Brandon Crossroads Bowl in Tampa. His daughter always wanted to play in the league, and when she joined the league six years ago, Morrow joined as a coach. According to Morrow, the bowlers receive money in their scholarship accounts when they win. At the end of the season anywhere from $1,000The league has about 70 players. $4,000 is given out in scholarship The Tampa Youth Travel League money. Morrow said that his daughter, (TYTL), established in the early 80s, is a who is now in college, earned about competitive travel league for youth $8,000 for college from bowling. bowlers. These bowlers are required to Morrow enjoys helping the youth try out at one of the eight bowling cenand watching them grow. Some of his ters (houses) located around the greater bowlers will not be eligible for the league Tampa area. next season because they will reach the The 12-team league was designed age limit of 18. “I’ve seen them from 12 to encourage youth bowlers to have to 18 years old, just watching them grow healthy competition against other and progress as bowlers and as youth bowlers in the Tampa Bay area. The into adulthood, it just makes your day,” TYTL currently has about 70 youth said Morrow. members that travel from as far as The league is currently looking for Sarasota and Zephyrhills to compete more players because of the age restricwith their teams each week. The ages tion after this season. If you are a youth range from preteen up to 18, and coach- bowler interested in joining the league, es assemble teams based on the abilicontact your local bowling alley.
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Page 8
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Volume 15, Issue 1
Rhino General Contracting Offers Home Renovations, Roofing & More
Tampa Bay Community Groups Receive $25,500 For Protecting Sources Of Drinking Water
Most people’s Elliott. “Our goal is to greatest investment make everything right is their home. for our customers.” Robert Elliott, Whether it’s owner of Rhino roofs, new construcGeneral tion, additions or Contracting, knows home remodels, this and is commitRhino provides quality ted to making his workmanship, integrity customers happy and fair pricing and when it comes to has a list of satisfied home construcclients to show for it. tion, renovations, Elliott’s love for the home improveconstruction business ment and roofing. and his commitment For more than 20 to delivering value at years, Rhino has a reasonable price is Robert Elliott, owner of Rhino General built a following of what his customers Contracting, has been providing trusted construction and roofing services to loyal and satisfied have come to apprecisatisfied clients since 2004. customers. ate. Elliott hails from a family of construc“Trust and honesty—those are my tion and contractors, everyone from his main selling points,” said Elliott. “I’m a brother, cousins and uncles. You might straight shooter.” say that construction and contracting is in Educating the customer is also a prihis blood. After working in the family busi- ority for Elliott. “We take the time to ness, Elliott branched off on his own in explain to the customer the process, 2004 when he launched Rhino General especially with roofing,” said Elliott. Contracting, based out of Plant City. “Educating the customer is important to Born and raised in Ruskin, Elliott has us as a company.” been married for more than 21 years and Rhino General Contracting serves all raised five children in Hillsborough of Hillsborough, Polk, Pinellas, Pasco, County. “I love my family, my job and my Citrus, Hernando, Bradenton and country,” said Elliott. Sarasota Counties. For flexible and With his commitment to honesty, affordable financing options that are availquality and fair business, Rhino General able through GreenSky, please visit the Contracting has created a trusted reputalink found on the website at www.rhinotion over the last 16 years. Quality craftgeneralcontractinginc.com or call 719manship and unparalleled customer serv- 2082. You can also follow Rhino General ice is paramount to Elliott. “We guarantee Contracting on Facebook at Rhino and warranty everything we do,” said General Contracting Inc.
$10,000 to increase its K12 educational curriculum on watershed health, water quality, source water health and habitat improvement. It also will expand its Annual Student Summer Workshops to include watershed stewardship education across Pinellas County and grow its Youth Advisory Council. Pinellas County Schools’ Journeys in Tampa Bay Water awards $25,500 in mini-grants to local groups which will help with projects that help protect the Journalism program, which includes students from region’s drinking water sources. Melrose Elementary, John At its December board meeting, Hopkins Middle, and Lakewood High, will Tampa Bay Water awarded $25,500 in receive $3,500 to work to increase media source water protection mini-grants to Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, Keep Pinellas literacy and develop a community and civic engagement campaign across multiBeautiful, Pinellas County Schools’ media platforms to promote the value of a Journeys in Journalism program and the clean and safe water system in our comCoffee Pot Bayou Watershed Alliance for munity. projects that help protect the region’s The Coffeepot Bayou Watershed drinking water sources. Alliance will use $2,000 in grant funding “This program allows us to partner for quarterly volunteer cleanup events in with the Tampa Bay community on a and around the bayou located in St. common goal of protecting our region’s Petersburg. It includes trash and invasive drinking water sources,” said Michelle plant removal, horticulture services to Stom, chief communications officer for support new native plants, monthly water Tampa Bay Water. sampling, and bird surveys. It will engage Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful will public and private schools and will also receive $10,000 to support education iniwork with Boy Scout Troop 219. tiatives and presentations to school Since 2008, Tampa Bay Water has groups and community groups through its invested approximately $230,000 in its Environmental Education Program. The program teaches students the importance mini-grant program to help communityof putting waste in its place and how their based efforts that protect the region’s drinking water resources. For more inforactions can directly affect the Tampa Bay mation and to apply for future grant fundwatershed. ing, visit tampabaywater.org/grant. Keep Pinellas Beautiful will receive
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January 2020
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Page 9
Adults Get To Play Like A Kid Again At Glazer Children’s Museum’s Grown Up Nights
Visit The Florida State Fair For Food, Fun And New Deep Fried Dash 5K Run
Irish playwright cost $25 and George Bernard include free Shaw once said, beer by Florida “We don’t stop Avenue playing because Brewing and we grow old; we snacks from grow old because local restauwe stop playing.” rants while supThe creative minds plies last. There at Glazer is also a cash Glazer Children’s Museum offers Grown Up Children’s Museum bar available for Nights so that adults can learn about the (GCM) would cocktails. In the museum while having fun playing. The next Grown Up Night will take place on Friday, agree with Shaw coming year, March 13 from 5:30-8 p.m. because they GCM hopes to believe you’re never too old to play like a expand Grown Up Night to include even kid. They believe in this so much that they more partnerships with Tampa-based offer adults the opportunity to play like businesses. All the proceeds from Grown kids in the museum every other month. Up Night go to fund the educational proThis playful opportunity is called Grown grams at GCM. “We love Grown Up Night Up Night. because it gives us the opportunity to Grown Up Night started in 2017 as a share our museum with guests who might way to generate funds for GCM, a nonnot otherwise get to play here,” said profit organization. “We started hosting Woods. “We believe that play matters them quarterly and when they started to and hope to inspire the grown ups in our take off, we began hosting Grown Up community to play like kids again.” Night every other month,” said GCM’s Future dates and themes for GCM’s school and youth programs manager, Grown Up Night are March 13 with the Emily Woods. “At this point, we’ve hosted theme being ‘Spring Break’ as well as about 12 Grown Up Nights with themes Friday, May 29 with the theme being ranging from ‘Outer Space’ to ‘Toga ‘School’s Out for Summer.’ Party’.” The next one will take place on If you would like to learn more about Friday, March 13 from 5:30-8 p.m. Grown Up Night at Glazer Children’s GCM’s last Grown Up Night was held Museum or if you’d like to purchase tickon January 10 and was ‘Pirate Invasion’ ets for the event, you can visit the musethemed. Local Gasparilla Krewes invaded um’s website at Grown Up Night, where they passed out https://glazermuseum.org/grownups or beads and posed for photo ops with call 443-3861. Glazer Children’s Museum guests, as well as participating in the is located at 110 W. Gasparilla Plz. in event’s activities. downtown Tampa next to Curtis Hixon Tickets for GCM’s Grown Up Night Park.
Since 1904, at the fair again this the Florida State year because the Fair has been a FFA students commit staple in Tampa hundreds of hours to Bay and is returntheir agriculture projing to the Tampa ects.” Fairgrounds from Among the long Thursday, February list of things to see 6 to Monday, and do includes February 17 for 12 Cracker Country fun-filled days. The Florida State Fair is where visitors step coming to the fairgrounds back in time to 19th Who doesn’t for 12 days beginning love some century Florida at Thursday, February 6 and deep-fried Tampa’s only living ending on Monday, February 17. Oreos, exciting history museum, rides to the open all 12 days of the fair. There are Midway, carnialso a variety of fun competitions for the val games and best quilt, pie or plant. Onlookers can live entertainment? There is something enjoy a good old-fashioned demolition for everyone of all ages at this year’s fair. derby as they cheer on their favorite Known for amazing food and thrilling destructive drivers as they shake, rattle rides, there are also a few new events and roll through a series of obstacles to this year. If you love to run, the first annu- be the last car standing. And of course no al Deep Fried Dash is a race through the visit to the fair is complete without a few fair on Saturday, February 15. For a rides on The Wipeout, Street Fighter and chance to be the first ever Deep Fried Midway Sky Eye ferris wheel. Dash 5K and Fun Run champion, register Opening day Thursday, February 6, now for a fair-tastic deal. is also Hero’s Day, where first responAlso new is the Showcase ders, including law enforcement, EMT, Community Stage where you can see the corrections officers and active or retired best of the best local talent in this commilitary, along with guests, get free admismunity-driven show. sion to the fair. Frequent fair-goer and Ruskin resiThe one-day admission price for dent Amber Council is always excited adults is $9 and for children ages 6-11 is about the Florida State fair. Her daughter, $5. Children under 5 are free. Other Becky, is involved with Future Farmers of prices may vary and there is always speAmerica (FFA) in school and is showing cial pricing on armbands for the Midway at the fair this year. rides. For a complete list of pricing and “We always enjoy the rides and the more information on the events, concerts, food,” said Council. “But, it’s also provides live shows and other offerings, visit great agricultural opportunities. We will be www.floridastatefair.com.
By Libby Hopkins
By Kelly Wise Valdes
Page 10
Volume 15, Issue 1
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Presbyterian Church Of Bloomingdale Is Growing And Serving The Community
By Kelly Wise Valdes
Rendering of the Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale adult daycare center to assist senior citizens with memory loss. The church is launching a capital campaign to raise funds for the daycare center.
The Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale (PCoB) may seem unassuming from the outside; however, it is bustling with activities and excited about the future plans for serving the community around it. Reverend Susan Hill, the lead pastor, is enthusiastic about the church's future. "My favorite part about Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale is the people in the congregation," said Pastor Hill. “We are an open and welcoming church.” With a history dating back almost 36 years, PCoB has been a mainstay in the Brandon area. In August of 1986, a congregation of 46 people attended worship at a local daycare center, and PCoB was formalized in April 1989. By November 1990, the church had secured land at the current site and broke ground for a facility that would serve the small, committed
bers will be in Honduras in July 2020 to help build houses, support the medical mission and provide a vacation Bible school experience. The newest mission for PCoB is to launch an adult daycare for persons with memory loss. Recent research has indicated that one out of every five people will be affected with memory loss. “We have many in
our community who need this daytime assistance for a family member,” said Pastor Hill. “PCoB’s mission is to meet the needs of senior citizens, persons with disabilities and social injustice with compassion, shelter and dedication to which we are called as God’s people.” The capital campaign to build the adult daycare center on the church grounds will kick off on Thursday, January 2, 2020. There will also be a church yard sale on Saturday, February 29, with proceeds going to support the Honduras mission. The church is located at 710 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon. For more information, call 654-3699 or visit www.pcob.us.
congregation. The first service at the present location was held on May 26, 1992. The parishioners are not only committed to their faith and their church, but they are also committed to serving others. “We are a church family in which everyone is participating by being the hands, feet and heart of Christ,” said Pastor Hill. She continued, "We are very mission-focused in meeting the needs of the community and the greater world. We are the home for Boy Scout Troop 61, the nonprofit Seeds of Hope, eight different support groups and a physical fitness group.” In addition, the church is very involved with the Honduran Presbyterian Mission. The congregation supports the Honduran children and youth with educational scholarships, and some of its mem-
KB HOME ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF ITS LATEST NEW-HOME COMMUNITY IN THE TAMPA AREA, VALRI PARK, PRICED FROM THE $240,000s KB Home announces the grand opening of Valri Park, a new single-family home community in a commuter friendly location in Valrico that offers a distinguished collection of affordably priced one- and two-story floor plans. “Valri Park is in an ideal location, with easy access to major highways and a short commute to area employers and downtown Tampa,” said Fred Vandercook, President of KB Home’s Tampa division. “As with our other KB Home communities, Valri Park offers home shoppers the opportunity to purchase a new, personalized KB home at a price that fits their budget.” The Valri Park community is conveniently located just minutes from Interstate 4, Interstate 75, US-60 and US-92, providing an easy commute to area employers in Brandon and downtown Tampa. The community offers seven floor plans with up to six bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths and ranging in size from approximately 1,500 to 3,000 square feet. These new homes feature desirable design characteristics like open kitchens overlooking great rooms and expansive master suites with walk-in closets. Residents can enjoy outdoor recreation at nearby Medard Park and a variety of entertainment at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Pricing begins in the $240,000s.
1989 Exterior
“We were looking to buy a new home in the Valrico area, and KB Home’s Valri Park community feels like it will be a perfect fit for my family,” said Kathy R, a Valri Park homebuyer. “We were impressed with the beautiful energy efficient homes and we were excited to learn we can build a new home at a price we can afford.” KB Home stands out from other homebuilders as the company gives homebuyers exceptional choice and control. KB Home starts by offering a wide variety of homes at an affordable price. From there, the builder gives buyers the ability to personalize their homes from homesites and floor plans to design features. All homes built meet or surpass ENERGY STAR® certification standards, meaning the homes have substantially lower monthly utility costs when compared to typical used homes. The KB Home team works hand in hand with homeowners every step of the way so they have a real partner in the process.
1989 Great Room
About KB Home KB Home (NYSE: KBH) is one of the largest and most recognized homebuilders in the United States and has been building quality homes for over 60 years. Today, KB Home operates in 42 markets across eight states, serving a wide array of buyer groups. What sets us apart is giving our customers the ability to personalize their homes from homesites and floor plans to cabinets and countertops, at a price that fits their budget. We are the first builder to make each home we build ENERGY STAR® certified. In fact, every ENERGY STAR-certified KB home is tested and verified to meet the strict standards set by the EPA, which help lower the cost of ownership. We also work with our customers every step of the way, building strong personal relationships so they have a real partner in the homebuying process, and the experience is as simple and easy as possible. Learn more about how we build homes built on relationships by visiting kbhome.com.
January 2020
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Boy Scout Troop 61 Hosts Second Annual Taste Of Scouting BBQ Fundraiser
By Libby Hopkins
Boy Scouts Bloomingdale from Founder Sir Robert 11 a.m-6 p.m. The Baden-Powell once troop will be serving said, “Remember, it a choice of brisket, is not what you turkey or pulled have, but what you pork along with give that brings sides of coleslaw, happiness.” John baked beans, a roll Zelatis would agree and a drink. Prices with Sir Badenrange from $10Powell because $13. The troop will Scout Troop 61 will host its Second scouting has been Boy Annual Taste of Scouting on Saturday, be holding a few an important part of February 1 at Presbyterian Church of activities throughout Bloomingdale from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. his life. “One of my the day as well. fondest experiences growing up was “The troop’s decision to hold the being a Boy Scout,” Zelatis said. “So, Taste of Scouting is two-fold,” Zelatis when my son became of age, I was said. “First, to help raise funds for our excited to introduce him to the Scouting program and the Scouting program.” Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale. His son chose Boy Scout Troop Second, to increase awareness in our 61, which is based out of community and throughout that Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale. Scouts BSA is one of the best pro“I asked my 11-year-old why he chose grams that help prepare young peothis troop and he said, ‘I feel comfortple for life. The Scouting program able here.’ I understood him,” Zelatis instills in our youth the core values said. “I felt the same way. There was and principles of the Scout Oath and a sense of pride and certainty in the Scout Law while having fun these young boys and young men.” exploring outdoors, learning new Troop 61 has been around for things and preparing for the future.” more than 30 years. Its success is A portion of the funds raised will due to the support they receive from be utilized to purchase new/upgrade the chartered organization, existing camping equipment and proPresbyterian Church of Bloomingdale, vide Scout families assistance the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, through scholarships in case of finanthe Brandon community and the tirecial hardships. less leaders that keep the program The troop is currently preselling vibrant and strong. tickets for the event. Visit The troop will host its second www.bstroop61.com. Presbyterian annual Taste of Scouting on Saturday, Church of Bloomingdale is located at February 1 at Presbyterian Church of 710 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon.
BRANDON: 813-654-1110 203 W. Bloomingdale Ave. Brandon, FL 33511
Page 11
Page 12
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Volume 15, Issue 1
Canine Cabana Adds Group Training Classes To Luxury Boarding Facility
European Flavors Polish Market Brings A Taste Of Europe To Brandon
Pet owners Jeremy Riverview. Its unique and Carly Brook knew ‘levels program’ they needed dog traingives pet owners ing classes to help the option to attend them learn to commudrop-in classes as nicate with their 8often as they like month-old, 85-pound during a six, four or cane corso puppy, two-month enrollSamson, and so the ment period. Dogs couple turned to graduate from each Canine Cabana’s new Group training classes for your four- of four levels after legged friend are available at Canine mastering the group training proCabana. gram. Using positive required skills. reinforcement training, the team at “Our group training classes are Canine Cabana has helped their pooch unique in that we offer flexibility in trainlearn foundational skills at his own pace. ing and the ability for owners to work with “We like the positive reinforcement their dogs at their own pace,” said training that they use here,” said Carly. “It Pickren. has helped us build a stronger connecTraining the dogs is the easy part, tion to our dog.” said Canine Cabana Animal Care and In addition to the commands sit, stay Behavior Manager Kristin Lemonde. and down, Samson is learning to look to Samson participates in a few classes his owners for direction, especially when a week. He doesn’t speak English so he wants to react to other dogs nearby. can’t be quoted here, but how do the “We don’t want to change his nature Brooks know he’s happy coming to because we wanted a guard dog,” said class? Jeremy. “We just want the reassurance “He starts whining in the car when that he knows how to listen to us.” we make the turn onto Carr Rd. from Canine Cabana owners Angela Boyette,” said Carly. “He knows where Pickren and Kendall Duncan said that we’re going and can’t wait to get here.” positive reinforcement, or rewarding posiIn addition to group training classes, tive behaviors, helps create a bond of private obedience training is also availrespect and understanding between a able with daycare or lodging. dog and its owner. Canine Cabana is open 365 days a “Building that strong relationship is year, Monday-Friday, 6: 30 a.m.-6:30 important in a family pet,” said Duncan. p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-6 Canine Cabana’s team of five fullp.m. time trainers offer group training classes For information or to schedule a in a new two-acre facility next door to its group class, visit www.caninecabana.biz original location at 9708 Carr Rd. in or call 672-9663.
Pierogi, paczki, greeting of someone golabki and kielbasa who loves what she might be words that does. “Whenever cusdon’t flow easily over tomers come in and the tongue as you say see all our homemade them, but the foods, they recall memdumplings, pastries, ories from their past of stuffed cabbage rolls parents and grandparand sausages become ents who made or wonderful flavors as bought many of the they flow over the things we carry. It palette as you eat makes them very them. All of these Kasia Pogorzelski, Owner and happy, and that makes foods and more are Chef Extraordinaire prepares me happy. Every Friday fresh foods every day. available at the we want to start servEuropean Flavors ing white fish which is a Polish Market in Polish tradition.” Brandon. Only open for You don’t have to eight months at 648 be born in Poland or of Oakfield Drive, it has European descent as captured the local niche she makes Floridians market for Polish and happy, too, with her European foods and homemade breads, drinks. pierogi and soups like The success of European Flavors beet, chicken, tomato and cucumber. Polish Market is due to the expertise Her daughter, Julia, is in high school and dedication of Kasia Pogorzelski, and helps out at the market on owner, bakery chef, and preparer Saturday. “My mother makes someextraordinaire of Polish and European thing fresh and different every day. I soups and entrees. Pogorzelski especially like my mother’s pastries, worked for years in a bakery in and many come here just for them. In Poland before coming to Chicago in fact, everyone is invited on Thursdays 2003 with Mariusz, her husband, and for fresh Polish cakes and pastries daughter, Julia. After moving to like cheesecake, apple cake and ginBrandon in 2018, family and friends gerbread with whipped cream.” encouraged Pogorzelski to open If you want to get there early for European Flavors as other similar freshly baked pastries or Polish markets were an hour away. sausage, the market is open Monday Pogorzelski welcomes each cus– Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and tomer with the smile and friendly Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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January 2020
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Bell Shoals Baptist Church Introduces New Pastor, Dr. Corey Abney Dr. Corey Abney has been named the new senior pastor at Bell Shoals Baptist Church. Bell Shoals has been without a senior pastor since February 2019, when Dr. Stephen Rummage was called to pastor a church in Oklahoma City after serving in Brandon for nearly 10 years. As senior pastor, Dr. Abney will lead the multi-campus congregation’s vision and strategy and will preach on Sundays at the Brandon campus, located at 2102 Bell Shoals Rd. His first Sunday at the Brandon campus was December 22. Dr. Abney also lead Christmas Eve services. 44-year-old Dr. Abney is currently the lead pastor of Florence Baptist Church in Northern Kentucky, where he has served since 2012. “I am eager to start serving at Bell Shoals,” Dr. Abney said, following the church’s unanimous affirming of his call on November 24. “This is a church with a rich history in West Central Florida, and I know that God wants to guide our church toward even better days in the future.” At Florence Baptist, Dr. Abney led the church to see a 32 percent increase in worship attendance while increasing its giving by 35 percent and reducing its debt by nearly 50 percent. He also has led the church to start two
By Kevin Bumgarner
On November 24, Dr. Corey Abney preached for the Bell Shoals congregation and accepted the position as senior pastor that same evening.
new churches and establish multiple partnerships in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. He also launched a second campus for Florence Baptist as part of a revitalization effort. “Our Senior Pastor Search Committee did an excellent job of bringing Corey Abney to us,” said Gary Payne, Bell Shoals’ executive pastor. “We are all looking forward to his leadership.” Dr. Abney and his wife, Christina, have four children. He has a Doctor of Philosophy in Preaching, Old Testament and New Testament from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information about Bell Shoals, visit www.bellshoals.com or call the office at 689-4229.
Page 13
New Book Invites Women Entrepreneurs To Dream Bigger With Vision Boards, Grace
Staff Report
Shannon Carlton each section to get them invites women entreprecloser to their vision each neurs to dream digger in and every day. her first book, Manifest Carlton, who was an Your Vision with Grace, advertising sales repreGratitude and Growth, a sentative for the Osprey guide to getting unstuck Observer prior to opening and creating the life you her business, CoWork desire using vision boards, Landing in Brandon, said available now on Amazon. that, “Once you create So many times your vision board and women entrepreneurs begin the process of allow ‘surviving’ to get in working toward your the way of their dreams. vision, not only will you They can use this book as be more motivated to a tool to help transform make significant changes their lives into ones that in your routines, you will Shannon Carlton’s new book, are inspired and impactful. absolutely change your Manifest Your Vision with Grace, Gratitude and Growth, life and the lives of your It is entirely possible women entrepreneurs’ guide family because of your to create a vision boards to getting unstuck and and never find what you creating the lives they desire vision.” using vision boards, is now are looking for in the real Carlton is a first-time available on Amazon. world. A study in author, vision board trainPsychology Today actually suggested that er, accountability coach and coworking vision boards can be harmful because space owner. Along with owning her simply staring at your vision board won’t coworking space, she has helped get you very far. You have to put your women envision their lives for the past plans into action. four years with vision boards and That is where Carlton’s new book accountability training. Her goal with this comes in. Her book is designed to help book is to encourage women small the reader create the life she wants to business owners everywhere to dream live by constructing a vision board and big and keep their vision in the forefront then digging deep into setting goals and of their life. creating habits that will take her closer Order the book on Amazon in to her vision. paperback and Kindle. You can also This practical guide helps women work with Carlton one-on-one or set up identify their vision in four quadrants of a vision board workshop with your life (health and wellness, life’s work, group or company. Contact Carlton at relationships and time and money freeshannon@coworklandingbrandon.com dom) and gives them practical steps in or 924-4679.
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Page 14
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Local Home Builder Sabal Homes Brings Affordability To Luxury In business since 1976, Sabal Homes of Florida has established itself as an awardwinning builder of luxury homes that reflects the interests and lifestyles of the families who live in them. Operating out of its Brandon Sabal Homes has been building luxury office, the familycustom homes for owned company more than 43 years. has built more than 600 homes that can be found in some of Hillsborough County’s most in-demand communities, as well as on private lots. But wherever they build, the company’s mission statement—which says in part, “To build semi-custom homes for our customers like those we would build for our own families,”—applies. Three generations have spent 43 years at Sabal Homes working closely with buyers to provide the distinctive touches that make a house a personal home. That process begins with a design that’s hand-drawn by Bill Lee, president of Sabal Homes and son of the company’s founders, Ann and Jim Lee, before final construction plans are created by computer software. According to Brian Lee, who represents the third generation of the family business, the hands-on aspect helps make buyers’ wishes come true. “We end up building their dream home,” he said. Personal design features they have included range from indoor golf
By Brad Stager
simulators to disability accommodations like enlarged doorways or suites outfitted for elderly family members. “We are a semi-custom homebuilder,” added Brian, “but we’ve never built the same home twice.” Sabal Homes started out building individual homes on private lots and ventured into communities like FishHawk Ranch in 1999. Currently, Sabal Homes has homes available in the Preserve at FishHawk and Hidden Reserve developments, but according to Bill, the company is returning to the original ‘on your lot’ luxury home business model with a focus on its hometown of Brandon. It is a move expected to improve construction efficiency and, ultimately, affordability for the highly customized product they build. “We are going to be moving into a market that’s more mainstream for the Brandon community and the buyers that live here,” said Bill. People interested in homes priced at around $500,000 are buyers the Lees hope to serve. For more information about Sabal Homes of Florida, you can visit sabalhomesfl.com or call 655-7475.
Volume 15, Issue 1
Honor Their Sacrifice, Educate Their Legacy, Is The Motto Of Folds Of Honor
By Gwen Rollings
women who have died or been disabled while on active duty. These scholarships have been awarded to family members in all 50 states and some U.S. territories. There are more than one million disabled and fallen United States service members affected by war, nearly two million dependents of those disabled and fallen and the cost is more than nine billion to provide educational scholarships to all these dependents, according to Sunset Grill in Ruskin held a charity event for Folds of Honor in November. There was a golf Folds of Honor. scramble, live music, raffles, silent auction and A local business joined the veteran services and support booths. cause to raise funds for these miliLieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, an tary dependents. Sunset Grill in Ruskin F-16 Fighter Pilot in the Air Force held a charity event for Folds of Honor in Reserves, was returning November. There was a home in 2007 from his secgolf scramble, live music, ond tour of duty in Iraq raffles, silent auction and when his mission in life veteran services and supchanged. After the flight port booths. Scott landed, Rooney watched as Campbell, general managa flag-covered casket was er of Sunset Grill, was removed from the plane enthusiastic in his support and directed toward a waitof Folds of Honor. “There were many reaing family. Among the family was the sons we chose to hold the charity event young son of the fallen hero. Rooney here. We wanted to show our support to knew he had to do something to not only the veterans and their families. We owe pay tribute to American service members our veterans respect, and there are a lot and their families but to live as a reminder of veterans in the Ruskin area. We conamong civilians that it is our duty to honor sider ourselves to be ambassadors for the sacrifices of the ones who preserve Folds of Honor and anticipate a West our freedoms. That same year Rooney Florida chapter forming in the future.” founded the Folds of Honor Foundation. Funds raised were to be distributed as Folds of Honor is a 501(c)(3) nonlocal scholarships. profit organization that has provided nearFor more information on donating or ly 24,500 educational scholarships since scholarship application, visit www.fold2007 to families of U.S. servicemen and sofhonor.org.
January 2020
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
ent, Car m a n r u o T Golf wals e n e R n o i t Registra venient & n o C e r o M More… olesanti,
Nominations Sought for Hillsborough Environmental Champion
Everybody loves the environment but not everyone does something about it. Hillsborough County wants to C e ll e h honor those whose work to ic by M er.com Compiled rv e s b protect the environment has o y ospre michelle@ made a lasting difference in residents’ quality of life. Nominations are now being acceptUpcoming Events At Congregation ed for Hillsborough County’s Theodore Beth Shalom Taste Of Tanakh Roosevelt Hillsborough Forever Conservation Award. The honor is On Saturday, February 1 from 10 given annually to an india.m.-12 Noon, the monthly Torah study vidual or group who group will discuss the current Torah portion. Members and nonmembers are exemplifies dedication to preserving the County’s welcome. natural resources. The Put on your best 20s apparel and do the Charleston at Congregation Beth award is named after Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., Shalom’s annual fundraiser. David the 26th president of the Morris will showcase his sounds, United States and noted conservationist including his latest single, Welcome to My World. Funds benefit the synagogue who placed more than 200 million acres under public protection. as well as the Special Operations Nominees must live or work in Warrior Foundation, which funds colHillsborough County and “be someone lege for families of the fallen. Tickets who shows persistence and dedication cost $45 for adults, $10 under age 13 to long-term conservation of and it is 20 percent the County’s natural off for members, resources, demonstrates active military or integrity in performance veterans. Silent and toward conservation goals, live auctions will and displays attributes of take place. It will be true conservation stewardat the Elks Lodge of ship,’’ according to the award Brandon on criteria. Saturday, February Nominations will go 22 from 5:30-10 through the Jan K. Platt p.m. Reservations Vendors who would like to Environmental Lands can be made by calling the office or participate in Grace Community Acquisition and Protection Church’s first Spring Market on Program General on the webpage. Saturday, March 21 should email bosefer11@yahoo.com or Committee, which will send Sabbath call 361-1724. a recommendation to the Services are on Board of County Commissioners for Friday at 7:30 p.m. Oneg, nosh and mingle follows. All welcome. On Friday, approval. The Board will hold an awards ceremony in April to coincide February 7, join in for Blue Jeans with National Arbor Day. Shabbat with the choir. The deadline for nominations is Congregation Beth Shalom is locatSaturday, February 29. For more infored at 706 Bryan Rd. in Brandon. Call mation, call 672-7876 or email Ross 681-6547 for more information or visit Dickerson at https://bethshalom-brandon.org. dickersonR@HCFLGov.net.
Brandon Christian Women’s Connection To Hold ‘Be My Valentine’ Luncheon
The Brandon Christian Women's Connection will hold its monthly luncheon, which invites you to ‘Be my Valentine’ on Tuesday, February 11 at Buckhorn Springs Country Club on 2721 S. Miller Rd. in Valrico from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with music, entertainment and an inspirational speaker. This is a nondenominational luncheon with no membership required, but a reservation is requested. The cost is $15. First-time guests pay $10. Please call Lillie at 740-0098 for a reservation and information.
Seeking Vendors For Lithia Spring Market In March
Vendors are being sought by Grace Community United Methodist Church in Lithia for its first ever Spring Market on Saturday, March 21. Much like the Holiday Market, this event, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., is being presented by the Women of Grace. The church is located at 5708 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Lithia. Organizers are seeking vendors to sell a variety of products, such as arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing and more. National companies will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For example, only one Mary Kay representative or one Premier Jewelry
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Vehicle Registration Can Now Be Renewed At Three Publix Locations
Three Publix locations in Hillsborough County now host tax collector’s self-service kiosks. The new program, Florida MV Express, allows customers to get a new registration card and license plate sticker in a matter of minutes, as opposed to several days. The blue and yellow kiosks will be available at the grocery chain’s Citrus Park location at 7835 Gunn Hwy., Plant City’s Walden Woods store at 2202 James L. Redman Pkwy. and the Lake Brandon Plaza Publix at 11255 Causeway Blvd. While you can still register your vehicle online or at a tax collector branch, neither of those options come with the ability to take home a chicken tender Pub sub. Visit https://flmvexpresskiosk.com/.
Page 15
at all Home Baseball Games. For registration or sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.bshsboosters.com For more information about registration or sponsorships contact Shelly Wilson at 335-8469 or email her at cmshellywilson@gmail.com.
Community Day At St. Stephen Catholic School
In celebration of National Catholic School Week, on Monday, January 27, St. Stephen Catholic School in Riverview will open its doors to friends of the parish community. All are welcome to visit the classrooms, meet the teachers and experience the joy from the children. Tours will be available from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and refreshments will be served. Reservations are not required. St. Stephen Catholic School is located at 10424 St. Stephen Cir. in Riverview. Call the school office with any questions at 741-9203. Bunco To Support Children’s Charities Kappa Kappa Chapter of Kappa Delta Phi will hold its annual Bunco for Children’s Charities on Thursday, January 30 from 5:45 p.m. at The Bridges Retirement Center, 11202 Dewhurst Dr. in Riverview. Bunco begins at 6:15 p.m. Enjoy a light dinner and drinks. Tickets cost $20.
Historic Ybor City Will Celebrate Its Heritage With All-Day Street Festival
Join the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce in honorBloomingdale ing the cultures of the Baseball Golf Tournament city during the annual Registration For Friday, Fiesta Day Celebration February 7 Tournament on Saturday, February The 2020 Bloomingdale 22 from 11a.m.-6 p.m. Bulls Baseball team is holdVendors and enterGolf Tournament tainment will line ing it’s first Golf Tournament 7th Ave. and fill the Fundraiser on Friday, February 7 at the Bloomingdale Golfers streets with music, art, food and culClub located at 4113 Great Golfers Pl. ture. During the celebration, a in Promenade of Flags will march down ‘La Septima’ and showcase countries, Valrico. Registration, lunch and schools and local businesses that range balls begin at 11:30 a.m. and shotgun begins at 1 p.m. Registration is have made Ybor City their home. $100 per golfer and includes lunch, Fiesta Day commemorates the round of golf and dinner. Registration history of Ybor and highlights the heritages that first immigrated to the for a foursome is $400 and includes lunch, round of golf and dinner for four ‘Cigar Capital of the World.’ A time golfers. that was originally a day of rest for the factory workers has turned into a Please consider being a Bloomingdale Baseball sponsor! street festival that brings together GRAND SLAM SPONSOR – $2,500 Cuban, German, Italian, Spanish and Receives: Foursome in the 2020 Jewish heritages. Golf Tournament plus Home Run Ybor City is known as a melting Sponsor package. pot of originality and culture based on HOME RUN SPONSOR - $1,000 its immigrant population. This event Receives: Full Page Ad in 2020 features the traditions of the cultures that have influenced the community Baseball Program, Hole Sponsor in the and still thrive today. Take a stroll 2020 Golf Tournament, Recognition at all Home Baseball Games, Membership through the historic district and expein the Bloomingdale Athletic Booster rience the old and new of Ybor City. Club and 2 passes for regular season Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available for those who games. TRIPLE SPONSOR- $750 would like to join the excitement of Receives: Half-Page Ad in 2020 Fiesta Day. Information can be found at www.ybor.org/fiestaday Baseball Program, Hole Sponsor in the 2020 Golf Tournament and Recognition
Page 16
Artists Invited To Enter Artwork In Annual Florida Strawberry Festival Fine Art Show
Tampa Theatre Hosts Its 18th Annual WineFest, With Cabbyshack Theme
By Kathy L. Collins
A Call To at the Artists has Suncoast been issued Credit Union by the East Plant City Hillsborough branch. Art Guild There are (EHAG) for prizes for first, the 2020 second and Artists, young and old, proFlorida third places in fessional and amateur, are encouraged to enter original all Adult and Youth Divisions. Strawberry artwork into the 2020 Florida Festival Fine Artists who do not win one of the Strawberry Festival Fine Art Art Show above prizes are eligible for a Show. which runs Business Leaders Choice Award. from Thursday, February 27 through These awards are sponsored by local Sunday, March 8 at the Festival businesses and chosen by a repreGrounds in Plant City. The show will sentative of the business. Artists are be held in the Milton E. Hull Building. also able to win the People’s Choice Adults are divided into Award. The winner receives $50. Professional Groups (entry fee is $15) New this year is the Special and Amateur Groups (entry fee is Awards. Area residents can become a $12). Adults can enter Oils, Acrylics, sponsor and select a winning artist Watercolors, Graphic/Mixed Media who will receive a ribbon and $50. The entry fee for Miniature Art (2D Chairperson Karen Crumley said, Media) and Sculpture (3D Art) is $12. “Anyone in the area can be a sponsor The Youth Divisions are by ages. the Special Awards.” Youth can enter Oils, Acrylics, Space is limited and entries are Watercolors, Graphic/Mixed Media accepted on a first come, first serve and Sculpture. The entry fee is $5. basis. Early entries are accepted until Adults can enter up to four Friday, February 11. Artists can mail entries, but no more than two in the their entry form and fee to East same division. Youth can enter up to Hillsborough Art Guild, P.O. Box two entries. 3055, Plant City, FL 33564. Artwork Entries are eligible for substantial must be brought to the Festival monetary awards. This includes $100 Grounds on Friday, February 21 from for the Strawberry Theme Award, 12 noon to 6 p.m. $300 for Best of Show and $500 for Entry forms and rules can be the Exclusive Purchase Award which found at FLstrawberryfestival.com. If is sponsored by Suncoast Credit you have questions, please email Union. In addition to the prize money, Crumley at kscrumley@yahoo.com or the winning artist’s piece is displayed call 924-3829.
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Volume 15, Issue 1
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
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By Kathy L. Collins
The Tampa Theatre mium silent auction items is teeing up for its representing area retailbiggest fundraiser of the ers, restaurants, services year, hoping to hit a hole and attractions. in one with WineFest There are two levels 2020: Cabbyshack. This of tickets for the Wine fun event will take place Tasting. The Premium on Friday, February 7 Tasting starts at 7 p.m. and Saturday, February and features exclusive 8. The Tampa Theatre is wines for a limited audilocated at 711 N. ence. Tickets are $100 or Franklin St. in downtown $90 for Tampa Theatre Tampa. members. On Friday night, the The Grand Tasting Theatre’s historic stage ticket holders gain entry will be expanded to seat at 8 p.m. and tickets are more than 275 for the $65 or $55 for members. The Tampa Theatre’s 18th elegant Wine Pairing. WineFest 2020: Annual WineFest Fundraiser The multi-course menu, supports the historic landmark’s Cabbyshack is a 21 year programming and preservation. and older event. created and catered by The year’s theme, Mise en Place Chef Guest are encourCabbyshack, is sure to be as fun albeit different from last Marty Blitz, will feature aged to dress as their year’s James Bond theme. delectable small plates favorite character or expertly paired with exquisite wines. come in a Caddyshack-inspired cosTickets for the Wine Pairing are $275 for tume. individuals and $500 for a pair. Table Webber said, “The Theatre’s annual sponsorships for parties of eight or 10 WineFest fundraiser is always a ton of guests are available. Please contact the fun and the perfect way to support Tampa Theatre’s Director of Tampa’s only non-profit movie palace Development, Maggie Webber at magand drink wine at the same time.” gie@tampatheatre.org for more informa- Webber added, “This year’s theme, tion. Cabbyshack, is sure to bring out a ton of The Wine Pairing begins at 7 p.m. golf and Country Club attire, as well as On Saturday night, the Tampa gophers. Remember, costumes are Theatre will offer a two-tiered Wine always encouraged.” Tasting from 7 to 10 p.m. Attendees are For more information on WineFest invited to taste dozens of boutique wines 2020: Cabbyshack, or any of the other and sample favorite fare from Tampa’s great events and movies hosted by the top independent restaurants. You will Tampa Theatre, please visit www.tamalso have the opportunity to bid on prepatheatre.org or call 274-8981.
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January 2020
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Page 17
South County Transportation Improvement Projects Approved And Funded Through 2025 On November 5, the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) presented the 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for Hillsborough County, which provides a detailed overview of investment plans for funding local transportation options. The MPO is made up of local elected and appointed officials and acts as a forum to build a consensus between the public and stakeholders that own, operate and maintain transportation infrastructure with five of our seven current BOCC members on the governing board. Transportation projects can be funded through a variety of sources that use federal, state and local dollars, or any combination of the three. After assessing available funds, eligibility requirements, funding scenarios and the region’s transportation needs, the MPO determined the cost feasibility of prospective projects (i.e., what we can afford and when) and matched it to the community’s goals. Several projects have already been approved and funded through 2025 (First Five Years), with many other projects selected for funding over the next two decades and/or are considered a high priority for dollars that have been set aside
By Brian Bokor
(Cost Feasible 2025-2045). Below is a brief summary of projects already approved that will have significant impact on our communities (First Five Years). Eighteen of the 27 major projects will benefit Eastern or Southern
Hillsborough County, which represents 63 percent of the total funding of over $1.1B with project T-27 (the widening of Lithia Pinecrest Rd. from Lumsden Rd. to Fishhawk Blvd.) representing the single most expensive project over the next five years at $183M. Also of interest would be T-3/T-20 (Big Bend Rd. improvements), T-16 (improvements to the Bloomingdale Ave./US 301 intersection) and T-7 (extension of Balm Rd./Paseo Al Mar Ave. from US 301 to US 41 utilizing a flyover of I-75), as well as the Bell Shoals Rd. widening project
(T-21) already underway. The Selmon Expressway (T-17/T18) will be getting two additional lanes added (one in each direction) from the I4 connector to I-75. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. will be widened from Kingsway Rd. to McIntosh Rd. (T-1), and there will be improvements to the I75/I-4 intersection (T-4). In the Progress Village area, Madison Ave. will be improved, with lanes added from 78th St. to US 41. For information for the complete presentation, please visit the website at www.planhillsborough.org/wpcontent/uploads/2019/10/HillsboroughM PO-LRTP2045-New-PublicHearingDraft102919.pdf. For more information, contact Beth Alden, AICP, MPO Executive Director at 273-3774 x318 or aldenb@plancom.org.
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Page 18
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Chicken Salad Chick – The Inside Scoop On The Newest Addition To Bloomingdale Sq.
By Brian Bokor
due to unexpected construction delays, they waited over three years to open. The Bloomingdale store was to be the couple’s second in the Tampa area with the first having opened in 2015 near USF at 2790 E. Fowler Ave., so while this project was on hold, they moved forward and opened up two other Tampa locations. The menu focuses around the 12 General Manager Jennifer Warren, owners Tammy and Brad Cochran and District flavors of chicken salad made fresh by Manager Elena Diacanu recently opened hand every morning using only premiChicken Salad Chick. um chicken tenderloins. Beyond chickChicken Salad Chick, the nation’s en salad, the menu offers several only Southern-inspired, fast casual, other healthy options in fresh salads chicken salad restaurant along with homemade mac 'n cheese, concept opened its fourth Tampa area pimento cheese, gourmet soups and location at 965 E. Bloomingdale Ave. seasonal desserts. on December 10 The Cochrans, as well as Chicken in Bloomingdale Square at the southSalad Chick corporation as a whole, west corner of Bloomingdale Ave. and strongly believe in supporting local Bell Shoals Rd. charitable events throughout the year, The owners, Brad and Tammy with all the money raised at its most Cochran, as well as General Manager recent friends and family event donatJennifer Warren and District Manager ed to Metropolitan Ministries along Elena Diacanu, welcomed guests at its with supporting the National Pediatric friends and family event held on the Cancer Foundation. This year, Feeding weekend prior to the grand opening. Tampa Bay will be supported with the The turnout was fantastic at the proceeds from the giving card sales opening with well over 100 customers program that Chicken Salad Chick lining the store by 9 a.m. The first 100 offers. customers received a free chicken Chicken Salad Chick is open salad each month for a year with cusMonday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to tomer number one receiving a free 8:30 p.m. Catering is also offered. Visit chicken salad every week. www.chickensaladchick.com, and folThe Cochrans initially signed the low on social media for the latest letter of intent in July 2016 with the trends. store scheduled to open mid-2017, but
Volume 15, Issue 1
Nothing Bundt Cakes In Dessert Wars Event Coming To Armature Works For the first time, Dessert Wars is coming to Tampa. This sweet event will be held on Sunday, February 9 from 3 to 7 Dessert Wars is coming p.m. at to Tampa. Get you tickets Armature now for the largest and Works, greatest sweet tasting event in the area. located at 1910 N. Ola Ave. in Tampa. This is a ticketed event, which sells out fast. Dessert Wars is a celebration of the ‘foodie’ lifestyle, featuring dessert vendors vying for the title of Dessert Champion. The event features a wide array of desserts ranging from cupcakes, cookies, ice cream and doughnuts. Dessert Wars is dubbed the Largest Dessert Festival in America. This event is perfect for the whole family. There are several layers of tickets available. This includes Sprinkle on Top, which gets you 50 sample tickets, a ‘gobox’ and an exclusive Dessert Wars Tshirt with entry beginning at 3 p.m. These cost $75 plus fees. VIP tickets include 50 sample tickets, a ‘go-box’ and entry beginning at 3 p.m. These cost $60 plus fees. General admission tickets include 30 sample tickets, a ‘go-box’ and entry beginning at 4 p.m. These cost $35 plus fees.
By Kathy L. Collins
Sample tickets are exchanged for dessert samples. There is no extra cost for dessert. Voting for People's Choice Champion ends at 6 p.m. and the Trophy Ceremonies begin at 6:30 p.m. Dessert Wars debuted in 2016. Each year, they host over 50 vendors and have traditionally sold out to a crowd of 3,000. You will be astounded as you walk through rows and rows of vendors with multiple selections of ice cream, donuts, cupcakes and more. Brad Matthews, director of Dessert Wars, said, “There is no other place that you can try out over 50 different dessert spots under one roof. It gives you the opportunity to discover unique desserts you might have never had in your life.” For vendors, Matthews added, “It gives all of these wonderful dessert places a chance to showcase their product in front of their direct audience—dessert lovers.” Confirmed vendors include Astro Ice Cream, Craving Donuts, Jeremiah’s Ice, Mike’s Pies, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Sprinkles and The Hyppo. For more information on Dessert Wars and to get tickets, please visit www.dessert-wars.com.
January 2020
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
A Kitten Place, Rescue & Foster Program, Where No Cat Is Left Behind Michelle Bass and Alicia Pollock, co-founders of A Kitten Place, were involved in the feline rescue business even before deciding to start their own 501(c)(3). Bass cited one particular foster scenario as the origin story of Bass and Pollock’s rescue. “I was taking care of a very critical care kitten with another rescue,” Bass said. “At some point, you take them to the vet, and the rescue incurs expenses. And you know, rescues have to be cognizant of what they’re spending because they have a lot of other kittens in their care. But with this particular kitten, I knew there was something else that needed to be diagnosed. The president of that organization texted me and said, 'No more vet visits.' And that’s pretty much the straw that broke the camel’s back. I messaged Alicia and I said, 'If we’re going to do this, then we’re going to do it right.'” Thus, A Kitten Place was born. Bass stated that the rescue looks for every opportunity to save even the most vulnerable and demanding of kittens. “If we ever have a kitten in our care, we’re gonna stay committed to them until the very end,” said Bass. Now, A Kitten Place works alongside shelters and other rescues to prevent any kittens from being put down. The rescue’s focus is neonatal kittens, which are normally euthanized by shelters due to the large amount of time and money which
By Sean Crumpacker
must be spent on their care. “They require pretty much aroundthe-clock care,” Bass said. “It’s almost like having a newborn baby.” Luckily, A Kitten Place has been largely successful in its efforts to save the kittens which are normally left behind. By preventing healthy kittens from being unreasonably put down, rehabilitating kittens with potentially debilitating injuries and rescuing kittens whose conditions were so poor that they would have died in the street, A Kitten Place has lived up to its promise to stay committed to its rescues no matter what. In one particular case, the rescue has even managed to combat an otherwise fatal feline disease. Bass urges for those who can to step up and participate in local TrapNeuter-Vet-Return (TNVR) programs and, more importantly, spay and neuter their pets. “If we can make a dent in the cat overpopulation, it’s going to prevent a lot of suffering,” Bass said. Rescues like A Kitten Place can always use extra help in the way of foster and transportation volunteers alongside donations. As the nonprofit shelter operates solely on the public's donations, every bit of help is greatly appreciated and goes towards a good cause. For volunteering, donation and adoption information, visit www.akittenplace.org or email akittenplace@gmail.com. Additionally, visit the A Kitten Place Facebook page for updates on all the rescues.
Page 19
Join The Fun At CATE’s 2nd Annual Community Day & Chili Cook-Off
By Taylor Wells
If you’re lookprovide good times, ing for some fun but also to raise family time, then funds to assist its mark your calenmission, such as paydar for the CATE ing for its programs, Foundation’s secbuilding rent, workond annual books and utilities. Community Day to The 501(c)(3) be held on nonprofit aims to eduSaturday, February cate the community 1. about the scientific Guests can nature of addiction, expect all kinds of provide educational family entertainand treatment ment, like jumping resources for recovCerra Sauce, a vendor from the first around in bounce annual ering addicts, Community Day. If you’re interested houses, getting in being a vendor for the next Community empower those in Day, make sure to apply on CATE’s their faces paintrecovery to be better website. ed, doing arts and members of the comcrafts, fun with balmunity and help overloons, chances to come the stigma of win various prizes addiction. in raffles and “Our doors are more. open; we give people CATE is curwho come to our rently seeking venclasses workbooks dors. As of now, and things like that. there will be about Everything that we do 40 vendors, so at CATE doesn’t cost there’s plenty of anything, it’s all free,” variety for all kinds said Tina McGlynn, of tastes. president and coSpeaking of founder of the CATE taste, people who Foundation. love to cook and CATE recognizes eat chili can look that there are many forward to the sectypes of addictions ond annual Chili and will help anyone Cook-Off. There’s no better time to show who seeks them, be it for drug, alcohol, off your favorite chili recipes and see how gambling, food or other addictions. It also much everyone enjoys them. It costs $25 helps the family and friends of those in to enter, and there’ll be cash prizes for recovery. first, second and third place. Community Day will last from 11 a.m. To register for the Chili Cook-Off or to 4 p.m. at E.G. Simmons Regional Park find the vendor application, visit the on 2401 19th Ave. NW. in Ruskin. It is 2cate.org and select ‘EVENTS’. You must free to attend, but the park’s entrance fee register by Wednesday, January 29. is $2 per vehicle, up to eight people per Judging for the Chili Cook-Off will start at vehicle. 12 Noon, and chili will be ready for samFor information, call 773-7175, email pling by 1 p.m. for $5. contact@2cate.org or follow CATE’s CATE presents this event not only to Facebook page @CateFoundation.
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Volume 15, Issue 1
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
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Volume 15, Issue 1
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Brandon Regional Welcomes First Baby Of The Decade
Ashley Hayes is the proud mother of Amir, the first baby of the decade born at Brandon Regional Hospital on January 1. He arrived at 2:14 a.m., weighing 7 pounds and 5 ounces. Baby Amir is Hayes’ first child. He arrived wide-eyed and hungry, and he enjoyed being held by family and friends visiting Hayes following his birth.
Drive For Hope Campaign Donates $18,300 For My Hope Chest
Tatyana Frost of The Way 2 Dance and Bob Savage with Savage Consulting held their eighth annual Toys For Tots Benefit at The Regent in Riverview.
8th Annual ‘Top Hats & A check for $18,300 was presented to Tiaras’ My Hope Chest Founder Alisa Savoretti Charity Ball by the Ed Morse Automotive Group. L-R: Collects 22 Anita Evans, marketing manager for Ed Morse Automotive Group’s West Coast Boxes Of Toys Operations; Alisa Savoretti, My Hope For Tots Plus Chest; and Brian Danahy, general manag- 23 Bikes er for Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa.
Baby Suites nurses congratulate For the last seven years, the Ed Hayes on the arrival of her son, Morse Automotive Group has donat- Amir, who was the first baby born at Brandon Regional Hospital in ed a portion of each car sale in 2020. The hospital has one of the October through its Drive for Hope not do this largest OB services in campaign. A check for $18,300 was Hillsborough County, supported by without the a Level III NICU, the pediatric presented to My Hope Chest Founder support of center and the children’s emerAlisa Savoretti. The total for the seven gency center at Brandon Regional our employyears is $157,475. Hospital. ees and Founded in 2003, My Hope Chest is customers. We look forward to continuing the only national breast reconstruction this partnership for years to come,” said organization working to help uninsured Teddy Morse, chairman and CEO of Ed and underinsured women heal completeMorse Automotive Group. ly after breast cancer. The dealerships that participated in “We are so proud to help support My the Drive for Hope campaign were: Ed Hope Chest, which is an incredible Morse Cadillac Tampa, Ed Morse organization that provides funds for Cadillac Brandon, Ed Morse Brandon reconstruction for breast cancer Auto Mall, Ed Morse Alfa Romeo, Ed survivors. What really stood out about My Morse Fiat, Ed Morse Buick Port Richey, Hope Chest is that they help women in Ed Morse GMC Port Richey and Ed our community. At Ed Morse, we could Morse Mazda Port Richey.
Bob Savage with Savage Consulting and Tatyana Frost of The Way 2 Dance, the producers of the Holiday Charity Ball to benefit Toys for Tots, held the eighth annual event at the premiere venue, The Regent, in Riverview on December 12, 2019. One Hundred and Eighty people enjoy the event while the charity collected 23 bikes and 22 boxes of toys. The theme was ‘Top Hats & Tiaras.’ Savage and Frost are grateful to all the people that supported the charity and helped less fortunate children to celebrate Christmas. Delicious food was catered by Inside the Box Catering, professional shows by Dance Quest International and top USA competitors William Proper and Jennifer
Elliott, DJ Chris Heath with Big Beats Entertainment, live music by LeNoir Entertainment, raffles and auction items by Socially Founded, photos by Florida Rustic Photo and videos by Panache Star Productions and Mach Media 5. According to Frost, “We are so looking forward to the next year event as we believe the theme of the event ‘Proud to be American’ will draw many more people to support children in need.” They are looking for more people to volunteer, to sponsor, to bring new unwrapped toys and to attend the event. Save the date: Thursday, December 10 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at The Regent. For more information, call Savage at 240-7772 or Frost at 966-4788. For more information on The Way 2 Dance, visit www.theway2dance.com.
Recruitment Event For ChildCare Careers
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Business Column Continued.............
By Michelle Colesanti
and pre-screened teachers, assistant Window Tinting, call 642-4310. You can teachers and site directors to childcare visit www.elitewindowvalrico.com or on centers, preschools and before and after- Facebook at www.facebook.com/elitewinschool programs. Full and part-time posidow. tions offered. On Monday, Brandon Honda Promotions January 28 from 12 Benito (Benny) Mosqueda has Noon-3 p.m. at Job been promoted to quality assurConnection, located at ance manager at Brandon Honda, 10739 Big Bend Rd. in a Morgan Auto Group dealership, Riverview, there’ll be reporting to both sales and service interviews for teacher’s directors. In his new role, aides, teacher’s assisMosqueda is the key liaison tants and preschool between Brandon Honda’s sales teachers. You must be and service departments, helping 18 or older, and having new car customers get connected 45 DFC training hours to service operations to maintain Benito (Benny) Mosqueda is a plus. For more is Brandon Honda’s new their new vehicles and helping information, contact quality assurance manag- service customers connect with er. Don Negri has recently sales personnel when they are Rebecca at 727-578been promoted to training 0999 or ready to consider trade-in and new manager at Brandon tampa.recr3@childcar options. Honda. carecareers.net. Don Negri has been promoted to the new position of training manager at U.S. Census Bureau Is Hiring Brandon Honda. He is responsible for all The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting of Brandon Honda’s new and refresher for over 3,000 positions in Hillsborough sales training and coaching programs and Manatee County. Events will take to convey the dealership’s unique cusplace for recruiting assistants, clerks, tomer-first culture that centers on excepoffice operators, supervisors and census tionally high morals, ethics and transtakers at Job Connection on 10739 Big parency standards expected of all Bend Rd. in Riverview. Hour-long info employees. sessions will be held for job seekers to Brandon Honda is located at 9209 E. gather information and meet with a Adamo Dr. in Tampa. For more informarecruiter. These events will take place on tion, call 664-1234 or Wednesday, January 29. Session times visit www.BrandonHonda.com/. are 11 a.m.-12 Noon, 12 Noon-1 p.m., 12 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. McDonald’s Is Hiring Pay starts at $18.50, $.59/mile for Caspers Company plans to hire 500 travel, with flexible hours (30-45 per new crew members this month. The week). You must be 18 years old or older McDonald’s franchisee company owns and a U.S. citizen, registered for the over 50 Tampa Bay area restaurants and Selective Service (males only—if born will fill various roles and shifts in many of after 1960). For more information, call these local locations. Crew members can Gloria at 703-887-3868 or visit look forward to competitive wages, benehttps://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html. fits and several educational programs, including tuition reimbursement. Elite Window Tinting Applicants must be Offered Locally at least 15 years old to Mobile Auto Tinting apply. Those interested service has rebranded and in working for has become Elite Window McDonald’s can Tinting, now with a shop visit www.casperscalocation (as of November reers.com/ or text 2018). It has been offering McApply to 85000. tinting services for over While 500 is a eight years. grand goal, the According to Owner Caspers Randy Borrero, “We have Company is congrown our footprint in the fident that they Bloomingdale, Valrico and will find qualified Lithia areas to a household Randy Borrero is the owner of applicants. “We offer Elite Window Tinting located in name recognized for our great benefits and can Valrico. attention to detail, great client satisfaction help to pay for college,” said Kim Scott, and a positive approach to each of our vice president of people and culture. “We clients.” want to hire people who love a fast-paced Borrero is proud to be part of the team environment, are ambitious and local community and tries to stay those that can see themselves in leaderinvolved. He makes a point every year to ship positions. We want employees who donate to the American Cancer Society are passionate about helping people and via the FishHawk Strong Foundation. creating an excellent guest experience.” Elite Window Tinting is located at The hiring campaign kicked off on 3636 Erindale Dr., Ste. 104 in Valrico. New Year’s Day and will conclude on For more information on Elite Friday, January 31.
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Famous Cuban Donkey Unites Families Through Storytelling
By Michelle Colesanti
Perico was a donkey who lived in Santa Clara, Cuba, between 1914 and 1947. He walked freely through his hometown neighborhoods feeling safe. In the 1940s, he became famous at home and abroad when his antics were told and retold. He was featured in The New York Times, Life, and The Evening Post. And in Cuba, La Bohemia, El Diario de la Marina, El Mundo, El País, El Crisol, Prensa Libre, and Habana Post. In Cuba, Perico was not forgotten by one man, Arnaldo Artiles Quintana, who collected stories about Perico, wrote a book, and sculpted a statue of the folkloric icon in Santa Clara. For the first time in seven decades, the story of Perico is published and told outside of Cuba through a newly published book, Perico-The Fabulous Burro, which is a dual language book and now available through Amazon. Sixty years after leaving Cuba, local Valrico resident and author Susana Mueller (pen name JiménezMueller) got to visit her family in Santa Clara. During that visit, Quintana introduced her to Perico’s life story. The book instills cultural values and unites families across stretches
of time and space – from the shores of Cuba to the beaches of exile countries. It was important to tell his story as the memory of Perico began to disappear. Stories similar to Perico’s vanished from the collective memories of Cubans in America and throughout the world as families dealt with the imminent needs of coping in exile. Mueller fell in love with Perico and felt a social responsibility to adopt the project and bring his life-story to readers outside of Cuba. “If we are lucky, once in a lifetime, we have the opportunity to add to the story of a People through storytelling,” Mueller said. Mueller’s trip to Cuba in May of 2019 provided her with deep cultural connections, not just with family but also with her hometown’s rich history. “I imagined Perico walking on Santa Clara’s cobblestones and wondered if he ever knocked on my parent’s door,” she said. “For me, bringing Perico’s story to America is a project of love.” You can find more information at https://soundcloud.com/user205688454/perico-the-fabulous-burro or https://www.facebook.com/susanasbooks or purchase on Amazon.
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Brandon/Winthrop Edition
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cher? What is a goal of yours as a tea w students academically and gro to My goals as a teacher are they can accomplish things build up their self confidence so w I am cheering them on independently. My students kno n mistakes that with every step forward and eve efully that hop but rt, are lessons. A year is sho le! rab mo me year will be fun and ? Do you have any hidden talents is to form a nts tale den hid my of one k I thin up many s put t tha relationship with a child walls or barriers. why? What is your favorite book and h. I nsc Love You Forever… Robert Mu and tear n ldre chi would read it to my own up every time. spirit? How do you show your school pere hav and w sho nt tale I MC the of the end r formed in a couple teache l coach. bow th ma year dances. I am also
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Volume 15, Issue 1
Longtime Area Educator Dr. Earl Lennard Leaves Lasting Community Legacy
By Linda Chion Kenney
His daughter, Missy, in 2009 became the charter principal of the elementary school named for Richard “Dick” Stowers, who died in January. “Earl and Dick are probably the two best historians of this area and I loved hearing their stories,” attorney B. Lee Elam said. “Earl was Earl Lennard with his daughter, a totally selfMissy (l.), charter principal of less person. Stowers Elementary, Annabel, Any talent he his wife of 55 years and son Jeremy, a technology specialist had, any inforat Bloomingdale High. mation he had, From farm to schoolhouse, any way he county fair to boardroom, Earl could help, he J. Lennard is remembered as would, and he a “humble, homegrown icon” wanted to take whose teachings, kindness no credit for it. and leadership leave an indeliStowers, of ble mark. course, was The namesake of Lennard cut from the High School in Ruskin died “Dr. Lennard was a respected leader same cloth.” Dec. 23, at age 77, after a who cared about his community,” said Senator Helen Mulrennan Young, with Earl prolonged illness that led to Tom Lee, a Lennard at the 2010 Brandon High his hospitalization since School Grand Reunion. Helen said Brandon High Thanksgiving 2018. Lennard “was a great friend to the graduate, Mulrennan family and worked on the Lennard entered the agreed. “Over farm with my brother Bud.” Hillsborough County public the past 20 school system as a first-gradyears we’ve lost many of er at Palm River Elementary Brandon’s greatest generaand left as its superintendent tion,” he said. “Together they of schools upon retirement in built this town and it was 2005. Four years later, Gov. honor to have lived and Charlie Christ appointed him served in their time.” Hillsborough County A lifelong history buff, Supervisor of Elections, to Lennard taught at Ruskin replace Phyllis Busansky, who Elementary and at East Bay died that year. Lennard served and Tampa Bay Technical out the remainder of her term Earl Lennard, former high schools. He received and then ran unopposed for Hillsborough County numerous awards for his own four-year term. superintendent of decades of service and lent schools and supervisor Under his watch as support and leadership to, of elections, passed superintendent, Hillsborough away in the evening of among other groups, the grew from the 11th-largest to December 23, 2019 fol- Greater Brandon and Greater lowing a prolonged illthe eighth-largest school disness. Dr. Lennard was Riverview chambers of comtrict in the nation, necessitatmerce and the Boys & Girls 77 years old. ing the addition and renovaClub in Brandon and Riverview. tion of more than 90 schools. He con“Dr. Lennard was a part of us in the tended with the fears and budget shortfield of education working with youth and falls in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist community, who gave us the idea we attacks and in his wake left a contingency could do this work and make a differfund of more than $300 million. Courtence,” said Jefferson High graduate and ordered desegregation ended during former NBA player Ricky Gallon, now Lennard’s tenure and he led the developmetro community liaison for Boys & Girls ment of the school choice and magnet Clubs of Tampa Bay. “He could see school program. something in you that you couldn’t see “He’s going to be remembered by the yourself, and help you quantify it and put education community, but his roots were it to good use.” in agriculture,” said Tom Umiker, manager East Bay graduate Tanya Doran, the of the Hillsborough County Fair, which Riverview chamber’s executive director, Lennard served as board member and agreed. “He saw something in me I did past president. “Everybody knew him and not see in myself,” she said. “Earl is a I never heard a negative word about him. man who inspired generations.” He’s a humble, homegrown icon.” A Celebration of Life was held One of nine siblings, Lennard worked January 11, at Dr. Earl J. Lennard High on his family’s farm and tended to the School in Ruskin. In lieu of flowers, donadetails of its roadside vegetable stand. A tions can be made to Riverview United long-time member of Riverview United Methodist Church, general fund, for a Methodist Church, he taught Gleaners scholarship program in Lennard’s name, Sunday School there up until his illness. soon to be announced.
January 2020
Page 25
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Year In Review- Updates On The Top Stories From 2019
Big Moves, Big Year, 2019 Is One For the Record Books
Thank you again for participating in the Our Favorite Things Sweepstakes Program this holiday season! This year, we had the most successful campaign we have ever done and we were able to surprise three local families with amazing prizes! The Early Bird Big Green Egg Minimax from Rolling Pin Kitchen went to the Yick family. The diamond and blue topaz earrings from McAuley Fine Jewelry went to USF Sophomore Claire Eberhart, A Bloomingdale High School grad and polite young woman pursuing her nursing degree. And, the Grand Prize with a mountain of gift baskets and gift certificates went to the Morin Family who just moved to Riverview from Alaska 2 months ago and Mom Leah and
Middle School Makes Big Impact With Dodgeball Tourney To Fund Crossing Guards
By Kate Quesada
daughters Kai and Zoe can NOT wait to get into the community and try all of the great gift certificates and prizes! In addition, we were able to donate $500 to the foster care home, A Kid's Place for them to purchase gift items and gift certificates movie passes for the teens in foster care. There are always 60 foster children at A Kid's Place right on Lithia Pinecrest Rd. And finally, we were able to donate 100 toys to Toys for Tots which is a program through the Marines to get gifts to kids this season! In addition to all of this holiday excitement, the Osprey Observer has moved its offices to our new location at 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and we look forward to welcoming the community this year! January marks our 18th year of publishing positive community news and we couldn’t do it without you! Thank you for being a special part of our holiday season and please let us know if there is anything we can do for you or your business! Email me anytime at editor@ospreyobserver.com
Parents at Mulrennan Middle School in Valrico held a dodgeball tournament last month to fund three crossing guards to assist students get to the school safely.
After raising over $13,000 for private crossing guards at Mulrennan Middle School last year, Commissioner White added ‘finding funding’ on the agenda in February 2019. The vote, which took place in April, was unanimous; 7-0 in favor of funding crossing guards for middle schools. PTA President Danielle Waymire said, “After advocating for so long for crossing guards, it was a great moment to be present for the vote. We felt that our county commissioners and Sheriff Chronister took our children’s safety seriously.” The implementation of crossing guards was to be over a three-year period of time and more than 100 crossing guards were needed. Sheriff Chronister started immediately hiring and training guards so that on the first day of school in August, county middle schools had crossing guards for the first time. Original Story printed February 2019.
A group of parents at Mulrennan Middle School took their children’s safety into their own hands last month. Frustrated by the conditions for students who walk to the Valrico middle school, the parents raised $13,000 through a dodgeball tournament to fund three private crossing guards. Valrico resident and mother of three Mulrennan students, Danielle Waymire spearheaded the fundraiser when one of her children was almost hit by car while walking to school. “It got to the point where enough was enough,” said Waymire, who walks her children to school every day. “I couldn’t just watch cars regularly not yielding and children almost getting hit without doing something.” Once funded, it took less than two weeks for the crossing guards to take their places twice a day directing students and traffic. “They have already made a huge difference,” said Mulrennan parent and Valrico resident Bridget Wilson. “We are so proud of our school and the fact that we were able to make this happen,” said Wilson. “But we are even happier that local politicians have noticed. We are hoping that by the next school year we won’t have to do this anymore.” Mulrennan Middle School is located at 4215 Durant Rd. in Valrico and can be reached at 651-2100.
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Volume 15, Issue 1
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Year In Review- Updates On The Top Stories From 2019 The Florida Aquarium Opens $4 Million Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center In Apollo Beach The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehab, which opened early in 2019 in Apollo Beach, has been busy doing what it was designed for: rehabilitating turtles from around the state and even nationally, then releasing them when they are healthy enough. The Aquarium received three critically endangered loggerhead sea turtles in December 2019. The turtles were found stranded on Cape Cod after being severely affected by the cold-water temperatures in New England, experiencing what is called a ‘coldstun.’ The turtles were then transported to the New England Aquarium’s sea turtle hospital for triage. They were then transported by private jet to Tampa. The Florida Aquarium’s Animal Response Team, supported by Florida Blue, picked up the sea turtles from the airport and transported them to the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center in Apollo Beach. The sea turtles will remain at the Center until they are fully rehabilitated and will hopefully be returned to the sea. Original Story printed February 2019. The Florida Aquarium officially opened its $4.1 million Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center in January in Apollo
By Preston Rudie
Beach. The two-story, 19,000 sq. ft. center features five different rehabilitation pools including one of the state’s deepest turtle-exclusive dive pool with observation window. “We rescue sea turtles from around Florida and beyond, but during winter months, there is a growing need for more animal care facilities to rehabilitate cold stunned sea turtles,” said The Florida Aquarium President and CEO Roger Germann. “This center is opening at the right time, and The Florida Aquarium will be able to dramatically increase the number of sea turtles it cares for during the year.” The pools at the new care center range in size from 1,500 to 25,000-gallons. The sea turtle dive pool, which reaches a depth of 11 ft., will be used to assess buoyancy issues, swim conditioning and food trials before turtles are cleared by FWC to be returned back into the wild. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) contributed $3 million, The Spurlino Foundation and others donated $690,000. The Florida Aquarium contributed more than $400,000 and TECO Energy helped make through a generous land use agreement. Since inception, the Florida Aquarium has helped rescue and rehab more than 150 threatened or endangered turtles.
Lithia Residents Find Perfect Home With HGTV House Hunters By Kate Quesada
The Potter family has been settled into their new home in FishHawk for a little over a year now, and according to Franka Potter, “This was exactly what my children and I needed to start our new lives.” She expressed that the children have settled into school and the neighborhood and all are doing great. She also said that, thus far, the move has provided all she imagined and then some. “The House Hunters experience was very exciting for my family and I am thrilled that over a year later that the decision I made on the show has proven to be a great one for the family. FishHawk is amazing and I am blessed that we get to enjoy it at this time in our lives,” Potter added. Original Story printed March 2019. A Lithia family made its national television debut last month after an exciting move. Franka Potter and her four children were featured on HGTV’s popular television show House Hunters finding their new home in FishHawk. Potter, who was moving to the Tampa area from the British Virgin Islands following a divorce from her husband of 15 years, was approached by her realtor asking if she would be inter-
ested in being on the show. “I said yes, and everything went from there,” she said. When looking for a house in the Tampa area, Potter told her realtor that she would like to find a beautiful, safe home with four to five bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, an open-plan living room, yard and home office in a great school district, as her children range in age from 6 to 14 years old. “I started out looking at three communities in the Wesley Chapel area; while they were beautiful, they did not meet the exact needs for my family,” said Potter. “My realtor asked if I was willing to travel a little further as she thought Lithia would provide all I wanted and more as a newly single mom. On the first visit, I knew it was everything my children and I wanted and needed and that our search was over.” “The show was like the icing on the cake,” she said. “We were able to document this beautiful, exciting and new experience. It was a joy for the children and their new friends as well.” Potter and her family moved into the home July 1, 2018 and are so far very happy there. To learn more about House Hunters and the schedule of showings, visit www.hgtv.com.
January 2020
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Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Year In Review- Updates On The Top Stories From 2019
Old Sweetbay Finally Finds A Fit With New Charter School
Local Couple Finds Niche With New 90 Day Dream Home Series On HGTV
The new charter provider team school, Navigator for the school, Academy, opened in the end result of time for the new the transition school season in from an unused August 2019. supermarket will Applications are be a high-quality currently being facility appropriaccepted until ate for education Friday, January 17, when it opens in at the fall. http://navigator.stu“It allows us dentreg.org/ for the to repurpose a An old Sweetbay store is being 2020/21 school year. transformed to a new charter school in building that’s Valrico. Registration is via a been a hidden lottery system. The first lottery will eyesore,” she said of the property that take place on Friday, January 24. has been unoccupied since 2009. Original Story printed March “There’s been a lot of due diligence by 2019. the developer for this.” Where Valrico customers once As a Hillsborough County district shopped for food to put on the table a public charter school, Navigator new tuition-free public charter school is Academy follows state mandated stantaking shape to nourish young minds. dards in curriculum content and assessNavigator Academy of Leadership, a ment. Students will take standardized K-8 school with a SMART curriculum tests, but preparation for those exams emphasizing science, math, art, reading are not the school’s focus, according to and technology with an expected enrollIvan Hernandez, who works with Aguilar ment of about 1,000 students, will be to manage the academy’s academics. housed in the long-vacant 58,505 sq. ft. The curriculum also includes art former Sweetbay supermarket at 1101 and music instruction to complement Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico just east of technology offerings that range from Bell Shoals Rd. robotics to space exploration. The conversion is being done by The school’s location will help fulfill MG3 Developer Group of Hollywood, the educational needs of the growing Florida. MG3 has developed several number of families in the area, said charter school projects throughout the Aguilar. state, including BridgePrep Academy of “It seems parents in this area want Riverview. choice.” According to Melissa Prado Aguilar, For more information,visit navigatorawho is part of the educational services cademyvalrico.com or call 863-866-7566.
explained, “Mika takes her clients around to three or four inspiration homes. They may like a kitchen in one house but not the bathroom or the master bedroom but not the backyard, so we take all the elements of everything they like from all those houses and put them into one perfect house for them. We then build it Local residents, Brian and Mika from the Kleinschmidt, filmed their new HGTV show, ground up in 90 days or less.” 90 Day Dream Home, in the Tampa Bay area. The show aired its pilot premiere on Brian explained, “We saw a niche in April 27 at 10 p.m. on HGTV. doing a new construction home on HGTV has decided to pick up HGTV. No one else is doing it. All of the the 90 Day Dream Home show and shows on the network are about flips and the entire season is currently in renovations. We wanted to bring somethe process of being filmed. Air thing different and unique.” time for the new episodes will Mika and Brian met in high school at probably take place in the late Riverview High School about 20 years spring/early fall. ago. While they never dated in high Original Story printed May school and life took them on different 2019. paths, they reconnected about 10 years Local residents, Brian and Mika ago. They built four Anytime Fitness gyms Kleinschmidt, are hosts of HGTV’s together. They then sold one of the gyms newest show, 90 Day Dream Home. The and used the proceeds to focus on real show aired with its pilot premiere on April estate. 27 at 10 p.m. on HGTV. This is the first When asked how and why they got time that a show on HGTV has been into doing a show, Brian said, “I am not based and filmed in Florida. really sure if we found the show or the Each one-hour episode will cover the show found us.” Now that the show has complete construction of a new home. had its pilot premiere, HGTV will decide Mika is a licensed real estate agent and whether to air a six or 13-episode seaBrian is the project manager. Brian son. Stay tuned and find out.
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Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Volume 15, Issue 1
Year In Review- Updates On The Top Stories From 2019 BayCare Fitness Center Offers State Of The Art Health & Wellness Solutions
By Kelly Wise Valdes
Valrico, Florida 33596. Call 440-5544 or visit www.academicallderm.com. Original Story printed May 2019. The new BayCare Fitness Center in Bloomingdale is a 20,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility designed to provide services focused on whole body health and wellness. The fitness center, managed by EXOS–a The BayCare Fitness Center in Bloomingdale includes global leader in human performa HealthHub and state of the art fitness facility that is ance and fitness management a one-stop experience for health and wellness for the incorporates high-tech wellness whole family. tools through web, mobile and BayCare HealthHub™ in Valrico, in-person experiences. At the recent open opened its doors to the community house, community members and last May combining the benefits of BayCare team members were invited to health, wellness and technology. take a first look at the state-of-the-art fitBringing full service health and ness center. More than 200 guests urgent care, onsite labs, fitness attended the event. center, childcare and now even derTodd Jones, vice president of ambumatology and a monthly community latory experience and operations, Farmer's Market, the HealthHub explained “We offer integration of medical continues to become the core of the services with BayCare TechDeck, single Valrico community. registrations desks and other innovative The market is held on the third technology,” said Jones. “We’re also perSaturday of every month from 9 sonalizing services that meet members a.m.-1 p.m. featuring local vendors, where they are and recommending profresh produce, a food truck and grams and materials that support their more. Fun activities for the kids journey.” include free face painting. The 115,000- q. ft. facility integrates Academic Alliance in traditional health care services such as Dermatology has served the Tampa primary care, pediatrics, adult rehabilitaBay metro area for 30+ years, protion, behavioral health and more. viding premier general and cosmetBayCare Fitness Center is located at ic dermatology services as well as 2470 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. For aesthetic services. They now have more information, call 995-8728 or visit an office inside the health hub www.baycare.org/locations/b/baycare-fitAddress: 2438 Bloomingdale Ave. ness-center-bloomingdale.
Design Phase Complete On New 10-Mile South Coast Greenway Trail
By Kate Quesada
Original Story printed June 2019. Hillsborough County has good news for residents who enjoy the outdoors. Representatives recently hosted a public meeting showing design plans for the first phase of the South Coast Greenway Trail, a 10-mile project that will extend from Little Manatee River Preserve to Symmes Rd. in Riverview. The first phase, known as 1 A, is a 1.2 mile stretch in the Ruskin area that will extend from Shell Point Rd. to 19th Ave. near 30th St. The trail will be 12 feet wide and will be paved to accommodate travel, exercise and recrePlans are in the design phases for the first phase ational uses for cyclists and of the South Coast Greenway Trail which will eventually extend from Little Manatee River to pedestrians between Symmes Rd. in Riverview. The first phase is a Hillsborough and Manatee coun1.2 mile stretch in Ruskin. ties. Southeastern Hillsborough “The proposed design includes a County residents will have to wait a 492-foot-long pedestrian bridge, little longer to experience the new wayfinding signs and pavement marksection of the South Coast ings, landscaping, benches, bike Greenway Trail. According to racks, shade shelters and trash recepHillsborough County’s Chris tacles,” said Wilkerson. Wilkerson, construction on the trail In addition, the trail will provide in Ruskin between Shell Point Rd. connectivity to Hillsborough And 19th Ave. near 30th St. is now Community College’s (HCC) set to begin this summer. However, Southshore Campus. sections of the trail, which runs The projected cost for the project from Hillsborough to Manatee coun- is $1,702,000, with $85,000 for design ties are open and provide a great and $1,617,000 for construction. opportunity for residents to explore To learn more about the project, different areas. please visit www.HCFLGov.net.
January 2020
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Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Year In Review- Updates On The Top Stories From 2019 Opening Dates Announced As Bloomingdale Square Reconstruction Continues The construction continues at Bloomingdale Square. There is a light at the end of the tunnel as the new tenants have begun opening. There was a lot of excitement in the community when First Watch and Chicken Salad Chick recently opened. Home Centric also recently opened next to Bealls and saw a lot of shoppers making holiday purchases. The new Publix opened January 16. Original Story printed July 2019. It has been almost a year since the redevelopment of Bloomingdale Square began, and with all the construction underway, everyone is curious about the target dates for new tenants and store openings. The long-vacant Walmart space is currently being converted into a new 48,841-sq.-ft. Publix, a 1,600-sq.-ft. Publix Liquors, as well as a 15,000-sq.-ft. Home Centric, a home goods store owned by Bealls that features a continually changing assortment of home products. The anticipated opening date for the new Publix is tentatively set for Thursday, November 7. The existing Publix will keep
By Brian Bokor
its doors open until the day the new one is ready. “There will be no down time for Publix,” reported Marc Elias, who is the leasing contact agent for Bloomingdale Square, Regency Centers. The old 40,000-sq.-ft. Publix location will be home to a new LA Fitness once the storefront becomes available and build-out is complete (early 2020). It has also been announced that Beef ‘O’Brady’s will open next to Truly Greek. Adjacent to that is a currently available 1,200-sq.-ft. storefront, followed by a 3,000-sq.-ft. Banfield Pet Hospital, then a 2,800-sq.-ft. Pacific Dental Services. Next will be 1,200-sq.-ft. GNC Live Well, and the building will be anchored by a 2,700-sq.-ft. Chicken Salad Chick, a restaurant specializing in fresh, housemade chicken salad. A traffic light has been installed at the entrance/exit on Bell Shoals Rd. For leasing information, contact Elias at 664-4823 or visit the corporate website at www.regencycenters.com.
Five Decades Filled With Festival Fun At Nativity Novemberfest, Nov. 21-24
By Amanda Boston
Novemberfest Strawberry Festival, is a time-honored Novemberfest is the tradition in third largest annual Brandon and a carnival in prime example of Hillsborough County. how the communiMore than just a ty joins together to time-honored tradisupport Nativity tion, Novemberfest is Catholic School. Nativity’s largest Alexis Redig, fundraiser supporting Nativity’s faith and its school and faith media coordinator, formation program. commented on The family-fun Novemberfest’s attracts about social media pres100,000 people each Sharon Evans, Susan Davis and Sherry Stewart selling advanced arm- year and is put on by ence this year. bands for students outside of church its parish volunteers. “It never ceasgarage in 1989. es to amaze me Admission, parkhow much love for Novemberfest ing and entertainment are all free. our surrounding community has. I Crowd favorite Soul Circus Cowboy will see this in the almost 18,000 folperform Friday at 8:30 p.m. The country lowers on our Novemberfest page rock band’s lead singer, Billy McKnight, and the countless posts is an alumnus of Nativity Catholic Novemberfest is tagged in leading School. Also back this year is Classix, up to and during the event.” who will take ‘Center Stage’ on “Novemberfest celebrated its Saturday at 8:30 p.m. 50th anniversary this year,” said Paying homage to Novemberfest’s Cindy Ehringer. “We are so thank50th anniversary, midway rides will ful to our sponsors and volunteers include the Zipper, which recently celeto help make this community event brated 50 years. so successful. We look forward to New this year is ‘Money Mania.’ seeing everyone in November 2020 Instead of only one grand prize cash for the 51st annual Novemberfest.” winner, raffles will be held throughout Original Story printed October the event. The cash prizes are in the 2019. amounts of $2,500, $1,000, $750, $500 Nativity Catholic’s Novemberfest and $250 with the grand prize of will celebrate five decades of festival $5,000 announced on Sunday. fun when it returns from Thursday, www.nativitycatholicchurch.org/nov November 21 to Sunday, November 24. emberfest. Nativity is located at 705 E. Following the Florida State Fair and Brandon Blvd. in Brandon.
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Volume 15, Issue 1
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Eagles Have Won Graves Invitational In 14 Times Including Three In A Row
By Steve Lee
There is a mutual respect between Riverview fin11-6 in the Francavilla in just 22 seconds. Brandon High Wrestling Coach Russ ished as the 132-pound The other four winners for Brandon Cozart and his predecessor, Jim Graves. runner-up for match before were: Jose Berdecia, 21-5 over That’s why Cozart initiated a tournament a second being pinned Riverview’s Jacob Edwards at 113; Darrell in his mentor’s honor. Brandon won the straight seaby Plant Tabor, 9-2 against Plant City’s Ian Graves Invitational in December for a son. The City’s Brent McGary at 120; Roy Kruppa, 16-10 decithird straight season and 14th time in its Sharks got Ruedeman in sion over Riverview’s Josiah Fregoso at 18-year history. two wins from the final 152; and Frank Diaz edged Riverview’s Looking on proudly while the Eagles their seven minute. Oskar Hernandez 1-0 at 160. celebrated was Graves—now 75 and finalists. Only “That Riverview’s two wins were pins— retired as a Brandon physical education Brandon, with was the best Nikolas Hernandez in 3:10 over Plant teacher for the past 19—who notched the City’s Jason Szwejkowski at 126 and first 74 victoCarmelo Edwards ries in a nationBrandon celebrates its third straight win in the against Brandon’s Daniel Graves Inviational and 14th in 18 tries. al record 459 Geronimo in 3:40 at 138. wins for 11 finalists and eight moment of my Other finalists for the Brandon. wins, fared better. wrestling career,” Sharks included Philippe “I have one Second-year said Ruedeman, a Langelier, who lost the 220 state champiRiverview Coach Ryan senior who had match to Plant City’s onship here that Hall, a former two-time never wrestled Antony Talmage. Rivervie I’m very proud state champion at in a tournaAt the conclusion of the w finals in sent seven wre d un po of,” Graves said Bloomingdale, noted 0ment final or competition, Graves and th 17 stle e Grave who won the s Invita rs to the Onid Olavarria, to earn an outstanding of the 1977 title, that his team’s finish ti o come out on top against Cozart presented outstanding nal. weight class of four Brandon was bittersweet. The e on s wa y, the first state ph a Brandon wrestler. wrestler trophies to Olavarria pin. wrestler tro his match by a crown for any Sharks lost 14 wrestlers to win The Eagles did, however, rack up and Lakeland’s Willie Lampkin, who in the Hillsborough wrestlers from last year’s team to graduafour pins: Tyson Lane against teammate 285 final pinned Plant City’s Aiden Leary County wrestling team. “I’m just as proud tion. Blaine Jones at 106; Jonathon Geronimo in 1:15. of my one as [Cozart] is of his 27.” “We never ever like second place, at 145 over Foundation Christian For his part, Graves plans to be Cozart added, “Jim Graves is the one but we did do well for a young team,” Hall Academy’s Kaylee Clark, the lone female around for many more Graves who brought wrestling to this area and he said. finalist in the meet; Onid Olavarria against Invitationals, saying with a hearty laugh, always helps me out.” In the most significant upset of the Plant City’s Justin Williams at 170; and at “Thank God it’s not a memorial [tourney].” As for this year’s Graves meet, tourney, Brandon’s DeShaun Newton led 195 Ryan Voor pinned Riverview’s Josh
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Page 31
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Photos courtesy of Nancy Nahas
Bloomingdale Bulls Football Has Successful National Signing Day For Students The Bloomingdale football program had a busy National Signing Day (early signing period) with four players signing to play college football. Maurice Frost, Jr. (Navy), Dominic Gonnella (North Dakota State), Gabe Jones (Davidson) and Quinton McCoy (Illinois) are all going to play at the next level. Receiver Maurice Frost, Jr. signed to play at the Naval Academy. Quinton McCoy will play for Gabe Jones signed to play at Coach Lovie Smith at the Davidson University. “There’s a brotherhood, University of Illinois. a family, and the people University. “I’m happy and I’m there, the culture and the history behind proud of myself and my teammates for it, it’s amazing,” Frost said. He plans on making it this far and putting in the extra going into the medical corps, and will work to get to where we’re at,” said serve his five years of military duty after Gonnella. He wants to get better every school. “I’m so grateful for this opportuniyear, and see where that takes him. His ty. It’s breathtaking, because this has main goal is to go pro after college. “I been my dream since I was little,” Frost want to thank Bloomingdale, because I said. “I’m actually moving on and going to feel like that step of coming here helped a D1 school that is top 25. We are on the me a lot and put me a position to sign map.” and make it to where I can choose where Running back Dominic Gonnella is I want to go.” going to play for the most accomplished Linebacker Gabe Jones battled back FCS program in North Dakota State through two ACL reconstruction surgeries
Dominic Gonnella signed to play at North Dakota State University.
Maurice Frost, Jr. signed to play at the Naval Academy.
to sign at Davidson University. “Growing up, football honestly wasn’t a big dream of mine,” said Jones. “I got to high school and fell in love with the sport and knew that I wanted to do it at the next level. My main passion has always been medical school, and Davidson has a great pre-med program, so I can follow both of my dreams at the same time.” Jones wants to get reps as a freshman and battle for a starting job, while keeping up with academics. He eventually wants to go to Duke Medical and become an orthopedic sur-
geon. Defensive tackle Quinton McCoy will play for Coach Lovie Smith at the University of Illinois. “I’ve been working since I was a kid to achieve this and being able to choose means everything to me.” He has lofty goals and expectations for his football career, wanting to make All-Big 10 First Team and eventually going pro. He will study business management. “I’m excited to be here and
can’t wait.” Frost, Gonnella, Jones, McCoy and the rest of the 2020 class will leave Bloomingdale as the winningest class in school history with 33-13 overall record, setting a precedent for the program. “They are going to be missed, and I appreciate everything they have done for us,” said Bloomingdale Head Coach Jake Coulson. “That group of kids bought in and never questioned, you knew they were going to put in what they needed to do to be successful. These guys set the bar, and so we just need to keep it going.”
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Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Volume 15, Issue 1