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Dr. Earl J. Lennard Scholarship Fund Draws Stowers Support

By Linda Chion Kenney

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Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce launched the scholarship fund, run in partnership with the Riverview Woman’s Club. To be eligible for scholarship consideration, a senior must live in Riverview or have a family member in good standing with the Riverview chamber or Riverview Woman’s Club. Behind the Stowers Lennard scholarship drive Stowers Elementary School Principal Catherine ‘Missy’ were teachers Elissa Lennard holds a certificate that notes an earlier tally for Walters and Carly Brook, the school’s Dr. Earl J. Lennard Scholarship Fund donation, which teachers surprised her with at an earlier who attended Dr. Earl’s faculty meeting. With Lennard are teachers Carly Brook, Celebration of Life at left, and Elissa Walters. The smiling photo in the Lennard High on January background is of Richard “Dick” Stowers, a lifelong friend of the Lennard family. 11. “Just hearing about his In honor of their principal, and in life I felt changed a little bit, just by posthumous memory of Catherine knowing who he was and what he did ‘Missy’ Lennard’s father, the staff at for kids, how important it was for him to Stowers Elementary School raised figure out what the kids needed and do $1,200 for the newly launched Dr. Earl right by them,” Walters said. J. Lennard Scholarship Fund. Brook said she was moved by “how “It was a huge surprise,” said genuine his character was,” a trait she Catherine, principal of Richard “Dick” finds in Catherine as well. Stowers Elementary School in “She has that focus, ‘Let’s do what’s FishHawk. “It really means a lot to me,” best for kids,’ ” Brook said. “She pushes Her father, the namesake of Dr. us to think for ourselves and she’s Earl J. Lennard High School in Ruskin, always there for us if we need support.” died on December 23, 2019 at age 77 Chamber President Mike Jones after being hospitalized with a prosaid the scholarship program “will help longed illness since Thanksgiving in make sure we never forget [Dr. 2018. One of nine siblings from a farmLennard’s] contributions to this commuing family, Dr. Earl entered the nity and, in a small way, continue the Hillsborough County school system as work he devoted his life to.” a first grader at Palm River Elementary To support the fund, call the chamand retired in 2005 as its superintendber at 813-234-5944; visit ent of schools. He also served as the www.RiverviewChamber.com. The Hillsborough County Supervisor of chamber is in the CenterState Bank Elections. building at 10101 Bloomingdale Ave. At its January 17 dinner, the

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March 2020 Volume 18, Issue 3 Ph: 657-2418

This year, the SouthShore community has three opportunities to support Relay for Life Events. With walks, events, fundraisers, raffles and more, the community will gather on 3 dates to help fund a cure for cancer with the American Cancer Sociaty Relay For Life. See full stories on the Greater Riverview, Sun City Center and SouthShore Relay For Life events on pages 22-23 of this edition.

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New LongHorn Steakhouse Opens With Donation To Forgotten Angels

By Gwen Rollings

LongHorn Steakhouse in Riverview is open for lunch and dinner now.

If there had not been a freak snowstorm in Atlanta, Georgia in 1982, the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) might not have gathered on January 28 to celebrate the grand opening of the LongHorn Steakhouse in Riverview, and there might not have been a proclamation delivered by 2020 Honorary Mayor of Riverview Daniel Cyral as he recognized January 28, 2020 to be LongHorn Steakhouse Riverview Day. That snowstorm is credited with firing up the legend. Founded in 1981 in Atlanta, LongHorn Steaks Restaurant & Saloon was born of one man’s passion for the perfect steak. His dream was off to a slow start with few customers, then that freak snowstorm led stranded motorists and hungry local residents to one of the only hospitable places available. According to the LongHorn legend, tales of its expertly grilled steaks spread after that. By 1990, the LongHorn restaurants had locations throughout the East, Midwest, Southeast United States and Puerto Rico. Currently owned by Darden Restaurants, Inc., there are over 480 locations across 40 states. Managing Partner Kimberly Velez of LongHorn Steakhouse Riverview invites guests to experience “steaks done right.” LongHorn boasts that doing steaks right takes time as its slow-roasted barbecue ribs are cooked for four hours. Its prime rib is hand-rubbed with its own signature spices and slow-cooked for six hours. All

this and freshly baked bread, hand-chopped salads, seasonal sides and signature desserts are available for lunch at 11 a.m. every day and dinner until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others in the community, LongHorn has donated 15 million pounds of food to local nonprofit organizations across the country. According to Gabby Morford, event coordinator for the GRCC, “LongHorn Steakhouse Riverview presented the charity, Forgotten Angels, with over $5,000 from their soft opening earnings.” Customers who join the LongHorn eClub will receive a coupon for a free appetizer on the next visit at the new location at 12974 S. US Hwy. 301 in Riverview. For more information, you can visit its website at https://longhornsteakhouse.com/home or call 232-0715.

In This Issue FEED THE BAY ....................................PG 3 NEW LOTS IN MIRABAY......................PG 4 NEW PITCH GROUP ...........................PG 9

WATERSET CHECKS TO SCHOOLS ..PG 11 GRIFFIN & ASSOC ...........................PG 15 EYE ON BUSINESS....................PGS 25‐26 CHALKLINES....................................PG 30 SPORTS CONNECTION .............PGS 38‐39