Two Sections, 48 Pages of Community News
Valrico 4
November 2016 Volume 15, Issue 11 Ph: 657-2418 C E L E B R A T I N G
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Festive Christmas Tree Lightings, Movies And Parades Kick Off The Holiday Season
By Kathy L. Collins
Osprey Observer 918 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Brandon, FL 33511-6121
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On Friday, December 2, gather friends and family and come out to Winthrop Arts’ Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Winthrop Town Centre in Riverview. The tree lighting ceremony will take place from 6:30 to 7 p.m. and a holiday themed movie will be shown on the lawn behind the tree at approximately 7:15 p.m. Bryant Martinez, Winthrop Town Artist and member of the Winthrop Arts’ Board of Visionaries said, "This is the 10th year that we have had a Christmas Tree Lighting in Winthrop. Everyone is invited to Come out and experience some magical holiday fun come and enjoy this great holiday at the many area Christmas Tree Lighting events including the 10th Annual Winthrop Arts Christmas tradition." Winthrop Town Centre Tree Lighting featuring holiday themed entertainment is located at the intersection of by local performers. Bloomingdale Ave. and There is no better way to kick off the Providence Rd. in Riverview. holiday season then to attend one of the The City of Tampa will hold a Tree area's Christmas Tree Lighting events. Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December There are several scheduled during 2 at 6 p.m. in Curtis Hixon Waterfront November and December. Park in downtown Tampa. The event is You can bring the family to Hyde free and includes a count-down to light Park Village in Tampa for the Enchanted the tree with Mayor Bob Buckhorn. A Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, movie will be shown after the lighting in November 19 from 5 to 9 p.m. This free, the park. The 35th Annual Santa Fest will family friendly celebration kicks off the be held the next day, Saturday, holiday season. Everyone will enjoy live December 3 beginning at 11 a.m. folentertainment, food and beverages. Hyde lowed by Santa Fest in Curtis Hixon Park Park Village is located at 1602 W. Snow from 12 to 4 p.m. Ave. in Tampa. On Wednesday, December 7 Center On Thursday, December 1 you will Place will host its 32nd Annual Christmas not want to miss the lighting of the Tree Lighting. Center Place will showcase Community Christmas Tree in historic local dancers and singers at their event. downtown Plant City at McCall Park. This Join the Bloomingdale High School event begins at 5:30 p.m. Come back to Ambassadors as they welcome Santa Plant City on Friday, December 2 for the Claus who will help light the tree and take Annual Christmas Parade from 7 to 9 photos with children. Center Place is p.m. McCall Park is located at 100 N. located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Collins St. in downtown Plant City Brandon.
Photo By Tamas Mondovics Members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office pose for a photo after winning the recent charitable Hoagies for Heroes hoagie building competition against the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue team. The event was part of Wawa’s 100th Florida store grand opening ceremony. HCSO and HCFR both received $1,000 checks to the charities of their choice.
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Garvin Follows Biscuits Success With New Sweet PotatoBy Love Marie Gilmore
Local blogger, chef and cookbook author Jackie Garvin has become nationally recognized for the success of her first ever cookbook, Biscuits and now, just in time for the fall weather, her second cookValrico author Jackie Garvin is book, Sweet thrilled with the Potato Love, is release of her secreleased and ond cookbook, Sweet Potato Love. available on shelves. Garvin is living the dream! As a mom, grandmother and local cooking enthusiast, it was her Syrup and Biscuits blog that first drew the attention of publishers who wanted a cookbook focused on Biscuits. “The success of Biscuits is humbling and heartwarming,” said Garvin. “It’s in the third print run and will be available in paperback next fall.” Sweet Potato Love (Skyhorse Publishing; September 6, 2016; ISBN: 978-1-5107-0966-9; $24.99) contains 60 pages of sweet and savory recipes and is beautifully organized by season to make the most of the freshest produce and weather-based cravings. Seasonal recipes include: Pecan and Sweet Potato Pie, Cranberry Glazed Sweet Potatoes, Banana Sweet Potato Breakfast Bread, Sweet Potato Corn Bread, Barbeque Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, & more. Alongside these delicious sweet-andsavory recipes, author Jackie Garvin provides a touching a personal narrative with full color photographs explaining the life, from harvest to shipment, of the sweet potato and her own family memories. “Somehow, Jackie manages to transform the simple sweet potato into a fabulous ingredient worthy of being showcased at any meal. It’s a potato lover’s dream come true—a real winner,”—said
Melissa Sperka, author of Melissa’s Southern Cookbook. Garvin is well recognized in the Southern Cooking industry and in fact, will be a guest author and speaker on an upcoming Southern Sailings Country Cooking Cruise aboard the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas May 21-28, 2017. For more information, visit www.southernsailings.com. Garvin, a wife and mother, was born in Alabama but moved to Tampa in 1985 and retired after successful careers as a registered nurse, corporate executive, and entrepreneur. In 2011, she created her Southern food blog, Syrup and Biscuits, to chronicle wonderful food memories before they were forgotten. She lives in Valrico, Florida, with her husband and basset hound, Belle. Visit www.syrupandbiscuits.com or find her on Facebook.
In This Issue HOA HOT TOPICS ...............................PG 7 HOLIDAY EVENTS .............................PG 10 CHRISTMAS MUSICAL ......................PG 12 EYE ON BUSINESS ............................PG 25 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE ................PGS 34‐39 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT................PG 40 SPORTS CONNECTION.......................PG46
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