Two Sections, 44 Pages of Community News
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Valrico
December 2018 Volume 15, Issue 12 Ph: 657-2418 C E L E B R A T I N G
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New Brunchery Owners Excited To Life Story Writing Classes Help Preserve Stories For Future Generations Continue Community Tradition By Michelle Colesanti By Tatiana Ortiz
Osprey Observer 918 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Brandon, FL 33511-6121
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For 30 years, The opportunity came The Brunchery in at the right time for Athan Valrico has been to become owner of the known for its Brunchery as he was stuffed french searching for places in toast, homemade Florida. He fell in love with muffins and decathe 2,300 sq. ft. restaurant dent quiche speand its rooster theme, cials…but also for decor and friendly atmosits founding owner, phere. Kevyn Farley. “I want the community Farley, opened the to know that we plan on original location in being here for a long time Brandon which and appreciate how wellater moved to its coming the customers current spot in the makes us feel,” Athan River Hills Plaza. said. And in November, a new family Stanley Athan, new moved to the area owner of the Brunchery. and took over ownership and pledged to keep the same staff and menu that fans have come to know and love. “We use the exact same ingredients and recipes that Mrs. Farley did,” describes new owner Stanley Athan who purchased the restaurant with wife Natalia. “We buy the same products from the EXACT same vendors. Same Grilled chicken sandwich with homemade bread distributor and same produce discoleslaw is one of the Brunchery’s many delicious lunches.. tributor. And I would NEVER change your coffee. I truly believe you don’t fix The Brunchery offers a variety of what isn’t broken.” breakfast and lunch items such as Ethan comes from a restaurant homemade grits, seasonal coffees and background and grew up in Seattle as its popular home fries along with a the youngest of three boys. “I've seen new special called the Red Rooster all aspects of the business. Dad had that starts at $12. It is located at 4389 me washing dishes as a 15 year old to Lynx Paw Trail in Valrico. Open pay for my first car,” said Athan. “My Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m.- 2 favorite part of the business is being p.m. and Saturday through Sunday with my customers and making sure 7:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Call 654-9036. they are taken care from the time they Starting January 1, The Brunchery will are greeted walking in, till they time open until 3 p.m. on Saturdays and they leave.” Sundays.
Drive through a mile of dazzling lights and holiday displays at the Wonderland of Lights & Santa’s Village at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Rd. in Dover through Saturday, December 29. Hours are 6 p.m.-9 p.m. daily except Saturday hours are 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Single day admission is $25 per carload. For more information, please visit https://thewonderlandoflights.com.
There are Carol Byrd, many reasons to became ill and the put pen to paper Friends needed and write down the volunteers to carry stories of your life. on the program. You may not think Perry and Lynn that your stories Gardner (now are interesting deceased) offered enough, but your to continue the family’s future genclasses beginning erations will be in the summer of A group photo from the 2018 Saturday appreciative. 2007. Life Story Writing class held at The According to Bloomingdale Regional Library. New classes begin the end of January. Bloomingdale Perry, “I felt strongWriter’s Connection (BWC) offers an ly that this class must continue. I had award-winning Life Story recently retired from my volunteer Writing/Memoir class beginning at the work with the Girl Scouts at their end of January at Bloomingdale Tampa headquarters which meant I Regional Library. This 10-week had the time available. I love to write Life Story Writing (LSW) class is free and most of my previous writing had to participants and funded by the been life stories, although I did not Friends of Bloomingdale Regional know the term at the time.” Library. Classes are for young adults Upon graduation from the 10-week or retirees alike. class, participants become members Each class meets for about two of the BWC, which came about when and a half hours each week and is a group of writers from the original appropriate for all skill levels and all class decided to keep meeting. ages. Whether you are brand new to Email LifeWritersBloom@msn.com writing or a professional writer, you will or pick up a brochure in the lobby of find a fit in this program. the library. Participants should plan on Three classes will run simultaneattending all 10 classes. ously. One begins Wednesday, To register, go to the ‘Ask Desk’ January 30, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. inside the library or Another class begins Friday, February email LifeWritersBloom@msn.com. 1, 1:30-4:30 p.m. and the third class starts Saturday, February 2 from 1:30In This 4:30 p.m. Issue Many people find the course to be therapeutic because the classes invite VIRTUAL RUN FOR VETERANS ...........PG 6 them to reflect on their lives and get new perspectives. CALL TO ARTISTS................................PG 8 A different theme is visited each THE BRIDGES RESIDENT CALENDAR...PG 9 week. Hands-on activities and group interaction help participants to dig SEEDS OF HOPE FUNDRAISER..........PG 11 deeper into buried memories. STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL CONCERTS .PG 13 Individuals can improve selfesteem and increase self-confidence EYE ON BUSINESS .....................PGS 2526 through class interaction. HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE ................PGS 3138 The first LSW classes were held at Bloomingdale Library when it first ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT................PG 41 opened in 2005. Val Perry was in the first class. The original instructor, www.ospreyobserver.com