Valrico
37
21
April 2021
Volume 18, Issue 4
Ph: 657-2418
CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
RICK AND NANCY MONSIPAPA ARE CAMPO FAMILY YMCA’S VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
By Kathy L. Collins
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
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purpose of what the Community Impact Award is all about,” said Tampa YMCA President and CEO Matt Mitchell. “His service to the community throughout the pandemic has been vital to the health and well-being of our kids and families. He did more than provide food and nourishment to those in need. He Nancy and Rick Monsipapa were recognized as the 2021 Volunteers of also displayed values of compassion and the Year from the Campo Family YMCA. The dedicated members are also members of the advisory board at the Y. They were recognized this caring through acyear during the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA’s four-day virtual event. tions that are examEach year, the Tampa Metroples for us all to live politan Area YMCA holds a Comby,” added Mitchell. munity Impact Dinner. Typically, Locally, the Campo Family this dinner is a celebration and an YMCA recognized two volopportunity to recognize those inunteers for their service and dividuals who make an impact on dedication, Rick and Nancy the community. It is also a time Monsipapa, who are memthat local Ys are able to recognize volun- bers of the advisory board of the Campo teers who go above and beyond to make Family YMCA. Rick and Nancy said, “The their YMCA a great place to be a member. Y is an unending place of friendship. As a This year, in an effort to ensure the safe- child, it meant a place to run, play and learn. ty of the community, the annual event was As adults, we want to do everything we can held as a four-day virtual event on Face- to provide that for others in our communibook. The celebration included compelling ty. The Y is not just a gym and swim, it is videos, stories and more to celebrate the so much more. It is about seeing the needs that the surrounding communities have, Y’s impact, thank donors and honor comand finding a way to fill those needs. And munity volunteers. playing a small part in that means the world Thomas Mantz, president and CEO of to us.” Feeding Tampa Bay, was awarded the TamThe Campo Family YMCA is located at pa Metropolitan Area YMCA’s Community 3414 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico. For more Impact Award for his dedication and pos- information on the Campo Family YMCA, itive impact on the Tampa Bay communi- please call 674-1371 or visit www.tampayty. “Thomas Mantz exemplifies the very mca.org.
FAT WILLIE’S REOPENS AND STARTS VALRICO VILLAGE EXCHANGE MONTHLY MARKET By Libby Hopkins Fat Willie’s loud and clear that Fish Camp and Willie’s is not just The Village Playthe best seafood ers have long restaurant around, been the keyit’s a community stones of the Valcenter that offers rico community. a critical gathering Fat Willie’s Fish place, especially Camp was alduring these diffimost shuttered cult times,” PeterFat Willie’s Fish Camp is re-opening after an outafter the recent son said. “It is a pouring of support from the community. COVID-19 pandemic, but the community piece of everyone’s history, offering a sense and the Robinson family rallied around the of stability that is so important in the unbeloved restaurant to keep it open. known present and future. Through disIt was that outpouring of love and com- cussions and social media posts, we have munity that inspired the Robinson family heard the heartfelt pleas to do something to create the Valrico Village Exchange. that will keep Willie’s open and bring the “We want to create a community meet- community together.” ing place of sorts,” said Amanda Peterson. If you would like to learn more about “Willie’s and The Village Players have sup- the Valrico Village Exchange, you ported each other for years. We are both can email Peterson at fatwilliesfishat the center of the Valrico community camp@gmail.com or visit their Faceand Willie’s has a huge piece of property, book event page at www.facebook.com/ so we thought, why not use it for a great events/1214670852262015. purpose, the community?” The Valrico Village Exchange will be held on Sunday, April 11 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Fat Willie’s Fish Camp’s grounds. It will feature local vendors and, of course, Willie’s awesome food. “The exchange will be a part of Willie’s grand reopening,” Peterson said. “Willie’s reopens on April 9 and we are so excited to have our community back in the restaurant. The exchange will feature local vendors from our community as well.” Some of the vendors include other community favorites like Foundation Coffee and Stalk & Vine on 39. There is some great history behind the exchange too. The building that is home to Willie’s was built in 1915 and was originally a general store. The James McCabe Theater, which is home to The Village Players, was also built in 1915. It’s the only remaining commercial structure from Valrico’s own small land boom at the turn of the century. Originally built to house the Valrico Civic Club, it was established by the membership to be a home for the group and an attractive focal point for the CHAMBER AWARDS............................ PG 4 community. PG 22 Peterson and the Robinson family hope NEW ROOF FOR VETERAN the Valrico Village Exchange will be a suc- EYE ON BUSINESS ...................PGS 25-26 cess and continue to be an ongoing event SUMMER CAMPS...................... PGS 28-37 at Willie’s. “The community has spoken
IN THIS ISSUE:
FOR LUNCH & DINNER
28-37 Showing ALL available Tampa Lightning & Rays games with Food & Drink Specials
Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner Specials available with Live Entertainment!
3345 LITHIA PINECREST RD, VALRICO, FL 33596 | (813) 643-7777 Summer camps offer many options to keep kids active and engaged. Summer camps provide kids with enrichment, educatioin and entertainment. Check out the Summer Camp Guide special section.
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