Two Sections, 44 Pages of Community News
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November 2017 1 5
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Volume 12, Issue 11
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P U B L I S H I N G
P O S I T I V E
WWII Vet, 96, Gets Special Welcome Home Ceremony And Flag Presentation
By Tamas Mondovics
World War II Veteran Corporal Richard H. Coates, 96, waves to his neighbors who lined the street of his Brandon home during a special, personal surprise welcome home parade on Veteran’s Day.
present their war veteran father with an American flag. “He had mentioned this to us time to time and we thought since it is so important to him we should organize our own personal celebration of his return from the war as well as to show his grand children and great grand children as well as this generation how much we appreciate and celebrate our World War II vets,” said Coates oldest daughter, Karen Alice Coates, who was just one month old when her dad shipped out. It took three years before her dad had a chance to see her again. Perhaps a little late, but Coates was honored by his now much larger and extended family along with
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PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
Ever since his return from serving his country, World War II Air Force veteran Corporal Richard H. Coates, had just one wish; to get an official welcome home festivity after serving three and a half years overseas and to be presented with a flag. Coates, 96, was unable to return to the United States at the end of the war due to the misplacement of his service records delaying his homecoming for nearly three months, resulting in his preclusion from the country’s victory celebration. While it took Coates more than 70 years for his wish to come true, his family including his four daughters and a son felt was better late than never. To that end, the family decided to host a surprise welcome home neighborhood parade as well as to officially
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
HGTV’s Design Star Winner Jennifer Bertrand Provides Tips At G. Fried Flooring Event
By Tatiana Ortiz
HGTV’s West Florida. Design Star Offering the best winner Jennifer possible flooring Bertrand was experience while the highlight of continuing to supG. Fried port the community Flooring would be its misAmerica’s sion. grand opening Moreover, from celebration for September 8 its new through October Brandon store. 31, G. Fried She offered Flooring America 30-minute oneTampa location on-one design donated $25 for consultations every retail sale of All smiles after receiving a one-on-one too. More than new flooring over consultation with Jennifer Bertrand. On the left (June Rairick), middle (Jennifer Bertrand), $100 sold. Over 40 individuals on the right (Michael Rairick) attended this $2000 was raised two-day event. with proceeds going towards the As the national consultant for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Flooring America and Flooring Canada, Tampa Bay, Inc. Bertrand utilizes her design skills to “All in all, I feel fortunate that teach individuals the basic principles of Jennifer Bertrand is part of the team,” it. Along with that, she is one of the Rufus Ashby, President of G. Fried three national Insiders for the National Flooring America said. Kitchen + Bath Association. To add, For information, visit https://gfriedBertrand recently became a certified fa.com and located at 231 Brandon AKBD (Associate Kitchen & Bath Town Center Dr. in Brandon. Open Designer). Bertrand also travels around Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m.- 7 the world to various places sharing her p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m.- 5p.m. and design knowledge. Sunday 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. Call 628-9630. “I like to think of myself as a design friend,” Bertrand said. Furthermore, the Rairick family had In This an opportunity to participate in the oneIssue on-one design consultation with Bertrand. June Rairick and her son Michael Rairick met with Bertrand to STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL LINE UP........PG 4 get decorating ideas. The Rairick’s also VETERAN TRIBUTE ...........................PG 12 received valuable information that could be implemented into their cabinet refinHOLIDAY LIGHTS ..............................PG 14 ishing business. WALK THRU BETHLEHEM ...............PG 19 “Bertrand encouraged us to take more risks and get a little more edgy,” ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT...............PG 27 June said. Since 1930, G. Fried Flooring GIFT GUIDE..............................PGS 31‐38 America remains being known as the SPORTS CONNECTION ....................PG 42 premier provider of flooring for new home construction, residential and READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE commercial applications throughout
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Photo By Tamas Mondovics
Members of the Bloomingdale High School Rajun’ Bulls Marching Band perform at half-time during the 2017 Class 7A region three quarterfinal varsity football game against the Tampa Bay Tech Titans. The band is one of the most successful in Hillsborough County and respected throughout the state.