Osprey Observer Brandon/Winthrop July 2024

PARADE GRAND MARSHAL B. LEE ELAM REFLECTS ON BRANDON MEMORIES

One of Brandon’s most-decorated citizens took his turn as grand marshal for the Greater Brandon Fourth of July Parade, an event that honoree B. Lee Elam, a Key Citizen and Alice B. Tompkins Community Service Award recipient, called a formidable “celebration of community.”

The parade started at the corner of Lumsden Road and Parsons Avenue, where Elam once maintained his law practice and large outdoor sign, used often to spread town news. Known as “Lee’s sign,” it still stands, used by its now-owner, the Reed & Reed law firm.

Elam, with Rotary District 6890 Governor Chevon Baccus, rode the 2024 parade in cool fashion, with burning memories of the 67-year-old parade’s early days. He rode in an EV Hummer driven by his grandson, Joey White, courtesy of fellow Rotarian Roger Rivard, owner of Rivard Buick GMC. With Elam was his wife, Pat; his grandson, Zachary White; and his great-grandson, Joey White III. The Hummer was accompanied by a “Rotary”-wrapped car, from which Baccus waved to the crowd.

At the Lumsden and Parsons intersection for years, Elam would host the preparade morning ritual that determined that year’s Brandon honorary mayor, given to the candidate who raised the most money in June for nonprofits. The winner would be announced on Lee’s sign.

Nat Storms was the first honorary mayor, and Jorgie Franks is the latest honoree, with no race held in 2024. Dick Stowers, a funeral director born on July 4 and the namesake of the elementary school in Lithia, would walk the State Road 60 parade route while greeting kids in a clown costume sporting a red nose. Years later, Elam, through an adoption

By Linda Chion

agency, would invite kids to feast on grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and watch the parade from the lawn outside his ofces.

Elam said he is the last living of the first four attorneys in Brandon, encouraged by Stowers to move from Clair-Mel to Brandon. Long retired, Elam remains a member of the Brandon Rotary Club, where at the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center on Kings Avenue he still makes time for his enduring poker club.

As for the parade, “I like the size of it, the fact that it’s been ongoing for so long and that we’re continuing the tradition for the parade in Brandon,” Elam said. He said it’s great that after a scaled-down efort during the COVID-19 years, the newly formed Greater Brandon Action Network (GBAN) has taken on parade duties formerly carried out by the Presidents Roundtable of Greater Brandon Charities, more recently known as the Community Roundtable.

For that, Elam gives high praise to Lisa Rodriguez, a past Roundtable board member and now GBAN president. She is the longtime widow of Sandy Rodriguez, who with his wife worked for years in community afairs, including helping to establish the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association. The center shares space with the Brandon Regional Library at 619 Vonderburg Dr.

Elam said Sandy is his friend and biggest client, and Lisa, a past Brandon honorary mayor and Key Citizen and Tompkins awards recipient, earns deep respect from him as a tireless civic leader.

“Lisa has been everything that a community could ask for,” Elam said. “She’s always been involved in everything that’s helpful to Brandon, and her daughter, and my goddaughter, Kaia Leigh, is right there with her.”

The Heart Gallery of Tampa is a bubble of hope for kids in the foster care system, featuring professional portraits of children looking for a new home and forever family.

HEART GALLERY OF TAMPA HELPS KIDS FIND THEIR FOREVER HOME

By Lily Belcher

The Heart Gallery, founded over two decades ago, was the passion project of a photographer and a social worker looking to help kids get adopted.

Posting photos in a local gallery helped showcase the faces of kids up for adoption.

After the first girl was adopted as a result of being featured in the gallery, the project took of

“So, then it was like this ‘aha’ moment that these kids need to be seen,” Lindsay Hermida, Heart Gallery of Tampa executive director, said. “And the community needs to know that they’re here and that they’re waiting.”

Through the gallery, Hermida and her team have helped educate the community and raise awareness for the kids who need help finding a family.

The Heart Gallery of Tampa features those in the system who may have a more difcult time getting adopted, such as large sibling groups, kids with medical needs and teenagers.

“There’s just a lot of preconceived notions and myths and things like that about foster care and about the process,” Hermida said.

The Heart Gallery of Tampa began hosting informational sessions for families look-

ing to start the adoption process on Zoom. The next event is on Saturday, August 24.

“What’s really special about the Heart Gallery is it’s very positive,” Hermida said.

Hermida said the gallery is a positive bubble that provides a glimmer of hope within a very sad foster care system filled with kids who have survived trauma and bad situations.

“And despite all of that, they still have this hope that they’re going to find a family and that they’re going to have a better life,” she said.

In addition to highlighting the kids looking for a new family, the Heart Gallery collects donations to support activities, such as proms, baseball games and birthday parties, for kids.

For more information on the Heart Gallery of Tampa, to donate or to register for one of its informational sessions, visit https://heartgallerytampa.org/. To learn more, call 813-930-5345.

Te Heart Gallery of Tampa hosts informational sessions to help families starting the adoption process.

Te Heart Gallery of Tampa features professional portraits of kids looking for new families.

Grand Marshal B. Lee Elam, before the start of the 2024 Greater Brandon Fourth of July Parade, with Rotary District 6890 Governor Chevon Baccus.

1VOICE’S SUMMER CAMP BRINGS SMILES TO CHILDREN’S FACES

The 1Voice Academy holds a special place in the hearts of all those who live in the Brandon area. From being a volunteer to a child who attends the many activities it holds, the school strives to create a welcoming environment for kids who have or had pediatric cancer, as well as their siblings and family.

Board games and bracelet-making

Home to the first and only school in the United States for children with cancer, 1Voice lives up to its expectations with having year-round support and care for grieving families, those going through treatment and those in remission. Mary Ann Massolio, executive director of the 1Voice Foundation, makes it her priority to open her heart to those in need and provide a warm environment for families.

That is why she holds the 1Voice Academy’s ‘Happy Campers’ camp every June.

The camp is held at Rotary’s Camp Florida in Brandon, where other camps for children and adults of all abilities take place. Campers and counselors alike look forward to the fun in the sun, as the weekly schedules are packed with daily crafts and activities ranging from video game trucks to face painting.

Massolio said, “The camp provides a sense of normalcy by allowing kids to be kids and be with others who share their

By Alisa Gershman

journey. Besties are formed and memories made. They cheer each other on, laugh, swim and play while enjoying a true camp experience and fun away from the hospital.”

The summer program has long partnered with Newsome High School students who are a part of the 1Voice Club to provide well-rounded volunteers who tend to each kid’s needs as they see fit. Being the vice president of the club myself, we strive to put the kids first always and help them in any way we can, whether it is simply homework or something personal.

Coming from my firsthand experience, volunteering among these kids puts a smile on my face every day. Waking up every morning and knowing I am making a difference toward a kid’s life is what matters most. Being a Newsome High School student with the opportunity to volunteer at such an amazing camp with a heartfelt cause is a blessing.

Massolio is always grateful for the help students and volunteers provide, stating, “Nurses, social workers and lifeguards who volunteer their time to ensure that all safety and medical needs are met.”

To learn more about the 1Voice Foundation and its cause, visit https://1voicefoundation.org/.

NAM KNIGHTS WESTSIDE CHAPTER DONATES TO SUPPORT IMPACT PROGRAM

School may be out for the summer, but the local Impact Program is still working hard to ensure students are educated and active within their communities. Educators at Impact believe that kids are the future.

“It’s the next generation,” said Angie Kagey, executive director of the Impact Program. “The more we pour into the next generation, the more equipped they’ll be when it comes their time to take the batons from the older generation and expand into the community.”

The Impact Program has been educating students and parents about high-risk activities for the past 14 years. The program provides many opportunities for the local youth to develop life skills such as leadership and public speaking. It employs three diferent approaches to connect with and educate the youth: classroom education at private and public schools, a summer teen program to help students gain over 100 service hours toward Bright Futures and a parent program to give parents the tools they need to navigate the teenage years.

For its eforts, Impact was recently selected to be a recipient of a donation from the Nam Knights of America Westside Chapter. The Nam Knights club is an organization dedicated to supporting local military and law enforcement, as well as community charities, by raising aware-

By Jamie Lu

ness and funding.

Gary Olson, vice president of the chapter, said that “the Impact Program has done tremendous things over the past few years, and for them to continue doing that they need the support of the local community.”

Angie formally received the check from Olson and the Nam Knights at the HiTech Automotive in Brandon, which is owned by Olson and is a corporate sponsor of the Impact Program. Angie said that the funds will go toward the operating costs of Impact’s summer program, such as transportation and activities. Afterward, the Knights, decked out in biker gear; Angie; her husband, Bill Kagey (who also works with Impact); and their summer program students posed for pictures in front of the shop. Together, they created an image of communal support and cooperation, united in their eforts to improve the community for the future generation.

To get involved with the Nam Knights of America Westside Chapter or the Impact Program, check out their respective Facebook pages. The Nam Knights chapter also has a website at www. namknightswestside.com and encourages community members to support it by attending its events or participating in fundraisers.

absorb most of the campers and counselors’ days as summer camp progresses at 1Voice Academy’s ‘Happy Campers’ camp.

Nam Knights of America Westside Chapter Vice President Gary Olsen hands a check to Angie Kagey, executive director of the Impact Program.

1Voice Academy campers enjoy a fun day of puppy yoga as stories are read and puppies run around them.

FEEDING TAMPA BAY EXPANDS FOOTPRINT, REACH AND ON-SITE OFFERINGS

Billed as the first community hub of its kind, the newly opened Feeding Tampa Bay Causeway Center is a major step up for the nonprofit that provides food rescue for 10 West Central Florida counties.

A tour of the stateof-the-art, 215,000-sq. ft.t facility gives testament to both the relief organization’s growth and mission needs, which spiked considerably with the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding Tampa Bay reportedly serves 2 million meals weekly and is on track this year to serve 85 million meals.

But it’s not just food insecurity addressed at the center, where the aim is to get to the root of the problem that causes hunger. As a “one-stop shop for service access, community connection and collaboration,” empowerment oferings include financial assistance, benefits navigation and family, health and mental health services. Job and training services include FRESHforce training for certification in commercial driving, warehouse logistics, culinary arts and barista.

Jim Carpenter of Brandon is the director of facilities and disaster response, hired in 2016 to work at Feeding Tampa Bay, which is part of the Feeding America network of food banks. “I was part of the group that started the planning process for this building,” Carpenter said. Having visited three food banks in Texas, “from each of them we learned what they did right, what they did wrong and what they would do diferently.”

Feeding Tampa Bay left behind its

By Linda Chion

80,000-square-foot home, one of many spaces in the back of a distribution center of Adamo Road and 50th Street at 4702 Transport Dr. The new $60 million, two-story warehouse sits 5 miles away on an 18-acre plot at 3624 Causeway Blvd., west of U.S. Highway 41. Funding includes $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, an allocation approved by County commissioners.

Comparing old to new numbers, Carpenter said Feeding Tampa Bay has grown from 1,400 to 4,200 pallet positions, from 18 to 29 docks (expandable to 36), from 330 to 515 parking spaces and from 18 to 32 feet of racking height. The new space, roughly the size of three regulation-sized American football fields, allows for dry, cold and frozen refrigeration. It’s home to 35 trucks and five tractor-trailers. The enterprise has 160 employees.

Count among them spokesperson Shannon Hannon Oliviero, who on a recent tour of the facility noted volunteer opportunities (two shifts daily, six days a week) and the more than 300 nonprofit partners that use Feeding Tampa Bay to stock food banks throughout the 10-county service area.

Supporters include those featured on outdoor building signs for various spaces, including the entryway (Florida Blue), market (Publix Charities) and bistro (Trinity Cafe). The Community Space (Hillsborough County) is a fully equipped and versatile event space for up to 485 people. Visit www.feedingtampabay.org/causeway.

FEEDING TAMPA BAY’S AWARDWINNING FOODRX ADVANCES FOOD PRESCRIPTION PROGRAMS

The Florida Blue Foundation Sapphire Awards program in April recognized its first-place honoree, resulting in a $100,000 check for Feeding Tampa Bay’s FoodRX program.

Collectively, the nine 2024 award recipients received $525,000 for “doing exemplary work in their local communities to improve health outcomes and increase access to health care services and support.”

Recognized as the first food pharmacy in the state, FoodRX provides food prescriptions to adults with diet-related health conditions in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Patients receive a prescription to visit a food pharmacy co-located at the site of their medical appointments.

“We know when someone is coming out of a health care crisis of some sort, longtime viability and capability is largely dependent on nutrition,” said Feeding Tampa Bay CEO Thomas Mantz in a video about the FoodRX program. “Our theory was, let’s build a FoodRX program, something we would take for granted, and make that available for individuals and families at a much larger scale.”

One such individual is FoodRX patient Herman Dallas, who in the video speaks of the program’s life-altering benefits

By Linda Chion

as a “tough guy not wanting to go to the doctor” who later learned he had kidney failure and needed dialysis and a transplant.

“I had to eat different, I had to think di f erent, I had to work di f erent and I learned the type of foods that I needed to eat to help me … get better and how important it was to eat the right foods,” Dallas said.

Also featured in the video is Rachel Bozich, ambulatory project manager for Tampa General Hospital, who spoke about the Tampa Well Community Garden and Food Pharmacy. The 1-acre garden, connected to a primary care facility, along with a food pharmacy, is “an opportunity for us to really systematically prescribe food as medicine to our patients,” Bozich said.

Praise for the program comes from Felecia Johnson, whose primary doctor sent her to FoodRX. “You don’t have to pay for the food,” Johnson said, “and food is very expensive, especially fruits and vegetables.”

For more on how Feeding Tampa Bay is working with health care partners to open food prescription programs, visit https://feedingtampabay.org/ways-weserve/foodrx.

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Jim Carpenter of Brandon, Feeding Tampa Bay’s director of facilities and disaster response.

A screenshot of Feeding Tampa Bay CEO Tomas Mantz in a Florida Blue video about the nonproft’s award-winning FoodRX initiative.

NEWLY FORMED GREATER BRANDON ACTION NETWORK PRESENTS JULY 4TH PARADE

The Greater Brandon Fourth of July Parade returned this year under a new group’s leadership with traditions intact.

The newly formed Greater Brandon Action Network (GBAN) took charge of the parade after the Community Roundtable, founded as the Presidents Roundtable of Greater Brandon Charities, announced plans to dissolve.

The Roundtable traces its roots as far back as the parade itself, which by some accounts was founded 67 years ago.

For many parade attendees, it’s a chance to relive their childhood memories and to share the parade tradition with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Moreover, with ongoing growth, the parade always attracts newcomers.

“The last big parade was in 2019,” said Lisa Rodriguez, who at age 12 attended her first Brandon parade. Today she is president of GBAN and a former Community Roundtable trustee and treasurer.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 and 2021, the Roundtable presented “a caravan-like parade at area nursing homes,” Rodriguez said, which also made some stops in neighboring communities. There was no parade in 2022. A scaleddown parade in 2023 returned to the

By Linda Chion

contemporary route, kicking of at the corner of Lumsden Road and Parsons Avenue.

That leaves this year’s parade, which Betty Jo Tompkins, GBAN vice president and a former Roundtable trustee, said was “a wonderful showcase, of both new and longstanding units, to continue this cherished Brandon tradition.”

In addition to dozens of youth and adult volunteers, the parade was coordinated by parade marshal Randall Munsters and co-Chair Lela Lilyquist, also former Roundtable trustees.

Rodriguez said unit involvement does not end with this year’s parade. “The groups that participated become GBAN members, and we’re glad to have them and to hear their input for next year’s parade and other programming,” Rodriguez said.

The GBAN goal is community engagement year-round, Tompkins said. “While the parade is our signature event, we anticipate ofering a number of additional activities throughout the year. One idea is to help nonprofits in their eforts to network, market and secure grants and other sources of funding.”

In a nutshell, Rodriguez said, “We’re a network of volunteers for the common good of our community.”

THE SPARK INITIATIVE HOSTS THE TAMPA’S GOT TALENT GALA EVENT

The SPARK Initiative is a nonprofit organization located in Brandon.

The organization serves high-risk and in-need populations throughout Tampa Bay by providing mentorship and facilitating mental health and wellness programs at low or no cost to participants.

By Libby Hopkins

“2024 marks our 10-year anniversary of implementing and distributing SPARK Mentoring Programs locally and globally,” said SPARK’s marketing and events coordinator, Makayla Wheeldon. “Our programs are evidence-based and have been utilized in HCSO jails, local K-12 schools, sex-trafcking safe houses and other community organizations.”

Currently, SPARK youth programs are taught to more than 750 students and juvenile inmates. Adult programs are taught to more than 300 women and veterans. SPARK will also donate 40 support group sessions to a local safe house for sex-trafficking survivors, which will reach more than 100 women.

“In terms of our history, The Spark Initiative was founded in 2007, and became the first nonprofit organization in Tampa to provide free programs to the incarcerated population that were derived from corporate leadership and wellness training concepts used in British Aeronautical Engineers, Tradewinds Resorts, and Risser Oil companies, among others,” Wheeldon said. “These programs spoke directly to the health inside of the incarcerated men and women instead of the illness or circumstances that led them there.”

The SPARK Initiative will be hosting its Tampa’s Got Talent Gala on Friday, October

11, at 7 p.m. at the Hilton Tampa Downtown.

“The Tampa’s Got Talent Gala event is a celebration honoring 10 years of impact the SPARK Mentoring Programs have made in our Tampa Bay community,” Wheeldon said. “As we mark this significant milestone, we invite the community to come together for an evening filled with gratitude, inspiration, entertainment and giving back. Our diverse audience will include local celebrities, business leaders, nonprofit professionals, local SPARK participants and some of Tampa’s most talented individuals.”

Talent show participants will have the chance to win cash prizes.

“We’re ofering $3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third-place winners,” Wheeldon said. “Guests will enjoy a sit-down dinner and talent performances while hearing from a variety of speakers about the impact The SPARK Initiative has made in the community over the past decade.”

Wheeldon hopes the community will be a part of the showcased talent.

“They can audition to be part of the show if they have a special talent they’d like to showcase to win cash prizes,” Wheeldon said. “Or they can simply be our guest and enjoy the show with a sit-down dinner, order their favorite cocktail, browse through our rafes and silent auction items while capturing this memorable evening at our fun photo booth..”

To be involved with its Tampa’s Got Talent Gala, you can visit its website at www.thesparkinitiative.com or call 813-662-6920.

Cameron Ipock, 2023 Harvest Queen, waves from the Hillsborough County Fair foat at the 2024 Greater Brandon Fourth of July Parade.

Te SPARK Initiative will be hosting its Tampa’s Got Talent Gala Event in October, at the Hilton Tampa Downtown.

ROTARY SPOTLIGHT: ACTIVITIES, MEETINGS &

Rotary Clubs wrapped up their Rotary year and new o f cers took the helm on July 1.

Rotary’s Camp Florida is a local, 21-acre, ADA-compliant campsite that provides a safe, barrier-free space to learn, grow and play for groups whose members need supportive accommodations, including chemotherapy. Groups like Faces of Courage rent the camp to provide a camp experience tailored to suit the specific needs of the children and adults they serve. Peggy Sherry, founder and CEO of Faces of Courage, provided firsthand stories regarding the importance of the camp to the campers who attend.

The new CEO of Rotary’s Camp Florida, Dawn Carson, is a member and past president of FishHawk-Riverview Rotary. She will be leading the camp through needed repairs as well as the building of a wheelchair-accessible treehouse. To learn more about the camp and its needs or to volunteer or donate, visit https:// rotaryscampflorida.org/. You can also check out its Facebook page.

On June 16, 160 rising high school seniors sponsored by Rotary Clubs from around the state attended S4TL (Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders), a seven-day residential leadership seminar on the campus of Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Students there heard from world-renowned leaders, learned more about themselves as well as useful

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leadership skills and engaged in thought-provoking discussions in ‘rap sessions’ with current Rotarians. Ava Benedict and Gri f n Chapman attended, sponsored by FishHawk-Riverview Rotary.

To learn more about Rotary and getting involved locally, reach out to a club today.

The Rotary Club of Brandon meets Tuesdays at 12 Noon-1 p.m. and the Brandon ’86 Rotary Club meets Fridays from 8-9 a.m. Both clubs meet at the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center, located at 3007 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon. Contact Debbie Meegan (Brandon) at debbiemeeganrotary@gmail.com or Chad Norgard (Brandon ’86) at chad@norgardinsgrp. com.

Brandon Global Eco Rotary meets via Zoom on the second and fourth Mondays from 6-7 p.m. Contact Bruno Kazenas at bkazenas@comcast.net.

FishHawk-Riverview Rotary meets on Mondays from 12 Noon-1 p.m. at JF Kicks, located at 3345 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. It also has an evening option on Thursdays from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Shrimp Boat, located at 1020 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. Contact Betty Huth at betty@hbphoto.com.

The Rotary E-Club of Tampa South meets via Zoom on the first and third Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. Contact Duane Williams at dsigma79@aol.com.

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Third Tuesday of Every Month at 6:30 pm Meeting in person and via Zoom!!! New Zoom Meeting Number 890 6308 0000 Password: 8240530 Come a litle early for refreshments!

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Te community welcomed the new CEO of Rotary’s Camp Florida, Dawn Carson on July 1.

By Laurie E. Ohall, Florida Board-certifed Elder Law Attorney

Do you know who really owns a company? It is not always as clear as you might think, and now there is a new federal law which will change that. The new law is known as the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), and it went into effect on January 1. The CTA was enacted to combat financial crimes and promote transparency in corporate structures. Under this act, certain reporting obligations have been imposed on corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs), including those formed prior to its enactment.

the initial report within 90 calendar days of receiving notice of their creation or registration. Companies created on or after January 1, 2025, must file the initial report within 30 calendar days of receiving notice of their creation or registration. Failure to do so will result in penalties and enforcement actions. Additionally, companies must file updated reports after the initial report if any information about the company or beneficial owner changes.

If you are a beneficial owner of a corporation or LLC, you may very likely have a duty to report your personal information to the federal government. There are several key points you need to consider.

Reporting Requirement: The CTA requires certain corporations and LLCs to report specific information about their beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Beneficial owners are individuals who directly or indirectly own or control 25 percent or more of the ownership interests in the entity, as well as anyone who manages the company.

Information to Report: The information to be reported to FinCEN includes the full legal name, the date of birth, the residential or business address and a unique identifying number (such as a driver’s license or passport number) for each beneficial owner. Additionally, you will need to provide a statement disclosing the nature and extent of the beneficial ownership interests held by each individual.

Authorized Representative: You may designate an individual or entity, such as your registered agent or attorney, to submit the required information on your behalf. However, ultimate responsibility for compliance rests with the corporation/LLC and its owners.

When we talk about beneficial ownership, we’re talking about the real people who ultimately own or control a company, even if their names aren’t on ofcial documents. Sometimes, companies can be owned by other companies or by individuals who prefer to stay hidden behind layers of ownership. The purpose of the reporting is to help prevent things like money laundering, terrorism financing and other illegal activities that can hide behind shell companies.

Exemptions from Reporting: Certain entities are exempted and do not have to report. These include banks, credit unions, SEC-reporting companies, insurance companies and public accounting firms. Inactive entities are also exempt.

Deadline for Reporting: If your corporation/LLC was formed before January 1, 2024, you must comply with the reporting requirements under the CTA by January 1, 2025. Companies established between January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, must file

Penalties for Noncompliance: Failure to comply with the reporting requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act may result in significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The act mandates a $500-per-day fine for individuals who do not comply with the act by the designated deadline.

Some people might worry about privacy or security when it comes to sharing this information. But the law includes measures to protect sensitive information and only allows authorized government agencies to access it for specific purposes.

For more information, please visit https:// fincen.gov/.

Laurie Ohall is a Florida board-certifed elder law attorney practicing in Brandon, Florida. She has been practicing law for 30 years and her practice is focused on estate planning, elder law planning and probate. Ohall is licensed to practice law in Florida and Ohio.

NETWORKING GROUP CONTRIBUTES $12,000 TO LOCAL ORGANIZATION FOR CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

By Gunnar Wagner

Networking of Greater Brandon (NGB) is pleased to announce that it has contributed $12,000 to a local organization named Faces of Courage, whose goal is to provide free camps to families touched by cancer. NGB is an organization that started in June 2008 and has had weekly meetings at Eggs Up Grill in Riverview every Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. ever since.

According to Patricia Magruder, owner of Magruder Agency Inc., an insurance agency and a member of the group, “The purpose of our group is to help build relationships and support each other, learn about each other’s businesses and keep up to date on the diferent industries represented.”

Magruder also gave a statement on how the group works. “Each week, the designated speaker will give an update about what is happening in their particular industry and explain what we need to watch for or how we can improve our own lives and businesses,” she said.

Magruder also explained the future plans of the group and what the group does for other local charities, stating, “Our plan for the future is to increase the membership as everyone brings something interesting to our group. And each year we donate any membership dues money that remains after expenses are paid.”

So, if you or someone you know are into networking and have a business or would like to learn about networking in general, visit NGB’s website at https://networkingofgreaterbrandon.com/. Membership fees are $50 per year and are billed out by the treasurer in June with a due date of July 1.

Faces of Courage is located at 10006 Cross Creek Blvd., Ste. 519 in Tampa, and its phone number is 813-948-7478. It also has a website at https://facesofcourage. org/.

Eggs Up Grill is located at 3920 U.S. 301 in Riverview. Its phone number is 813800-3447. Its website is https://eggsupgrill.com/riverview.

Members of Networking of Greater Brandon (from left to right): Bernice ‘Neicey’ Popa (Neicey House and Pet Sitter), Donna Fore (PF Auto Glass), Patricia Magruder (Magruder Agency), Kathy Barner (Shaklee Products), Larry Brooks (A & A Mortgage Funding), Natalie Matos (Edward Jones), Mardi Hope (Ken Hope Air Conditioning & Heating) and Lori Goldsmith (Heart of HR).

ANGEL FOUNDATION FL EMPOWERS FAMILIES IN NEED

The Angel Foundation FL is a compassionate and community-oriented organization with the mission of partnering businesses and individuals to families experiencing crises in order to support them through times of need.

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

Founded in 2003 by community leaders Anne Nymark, Clif Curry and Arlene Waldron, the foundation originally aimed to raise funds for small nonprofit organizations. Since then, the foundation has evolved significantly and in 2017 refocused to directly support families.

“We rebranded in hopes to fill a gap in the community for families whose lives were going along just fine until they received that diagnosis of cancer or other catastrophic event and their lives were turned upside down,” said Liz Brewer, CEO of Angel Foundation FL. “Our goal is to keep them on the road to self-sufciency and assist them until they are able to get back on their feet.”

The organization focuses on connecting afected families with local businesses to address their practical needs, allowing them to concentrate on healing and restoration. The foundation also provides financial assistance for essential expenses, like utilities and cell phones, recognizing that even one month without income can create a significant burden for families.

New monthly Angels Connect Luncheons are held in Plant City on the third Thursday of every month and in Brandon on the fourth Thursday, fostering networking among

Angel Leaders, community leaders and business supporters. These luncheons are open to everyone and aim to inspire participants to support families in need, whether through direct involvement or other means.

Other key events organized by the Angel Foundation FL to raise funds and awareness include the Sporting Clays Classic in February, the Evening of Hope Gala in October and the Ladies Christmas Cofee in December. These events are vital for the foundation, as it operates entirely on support from the community. The foundation also oversees the Angel Gift Shop at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, which not only provides flowers, gifts and other items to hospital guests, staf and patients but also enhances awareness of the foundation and increases its ability to serve families.

Community members can get involved with the Angel Foundation FL through the Angel Leader program, volunteering at the gift shop or helping an event committee. Financial support can be provided through sponsorships or as a Monthly Angel Donor, with donations starting at $25 per month. Donors receive an Angel VIP Card with discounts to local and national businesses.

The foundation’s ultimate goal is to ofer compassionate support by providing help, hope and advocacy to families.

For more information, please visit https:// angelfoundationfl.com/ or contact Brewer at liz@angelfoundationfl.com.

Community members with the Angel Foundation FL work together to support families in crisis.

DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM EXPANDS OFFERINGS WITH HCC, USF AND UF OPTIONS

Within the state of Florida, more than 60,000 students participate in Florida’s dual enrollment program. Dual enrollment allows students to enroll in college classes to earn college credits that count for a student Associate in Arts degree while in high school. Dual enrollment is completely free for high school students in the state of Florida, meaning that enrolled students are saving money because they are able to take college classes now for free rather than have to pay for them later after high school.

In Hillsborough County, the most common way for students to partake in dual enrollment is through Hillsborough Community College (HCC), requiring only that the students attend school within the county (public school, private school or homeschool) and have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students applying for dual enrollment also need to have taken the PERT or have sent in their SAT or ACT score.

With many classes available online and teachers dedicated to the dual enrollment program, it is a great option for those who have busy schedules or lack transportation. More detailed information can be found at www.hccfl.edu/admissions/ steps-enroll/dual-enrollment-and-early-admissions.

Not as commonly known is that dual

By Solomon Bristow

enrollment is also available at the University of South Florida (USF) and, beginning in the 2024-25 school year, the University of Florida.

“Starting next year, the University of Florida will also be a dual enrollment partner — only juniors and seniors with the GPA requirements can apply to take dual enrollment,” said Debra Bellanti, director of media and public relations with Hillsborough County Public Schools.

Students who are interested in getting college credit from USF must meet USF’s requirements — including a 3.5 GPA and attending one of USF’s partner schools or districts — can earn college credits just as they would at HCC. Another crucial step is to take one of the following tests: SAT, ACT, PERT, CPT or CLT. Unlike HCC, USF does not have teachers set aside specifically for dual enrollment classes. This paired with the higher standards to be a part of the program make it a more competitive program in comparison to HCC’s dual enrollment. Visit www.usf.edu/early-university-programs/dual-enrollment/ index.aspx for more detailed requirements and information.

To find out more about the program and to apply for dual enrollment, students must meet with either their counselor or their district superintendent.

Dual enrollment allows students to earn college credit for free while attending high school.

CALLING ALL WITCHES AND WIZARDS TO THE LAST FRIDAY HARRY POTTER EVENT

Celebrate the birthday of the Boy Who Lived, the one and only Harry Potter, at the Historic Plant City Main Street’s Last Friday event on July 26 from 5-9 p.m. in McCall Park, located at 100 N. Collins St. in historic downtown Plant City. Admission is free.

Celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday and join in the fun at Historic Plant City Main Street’s Last Friday event on July 26 from 5-9 p.m. in historic downtown Plant City.

This Last Friday event is titled Witches and Wizards. As the title suggests, everyone is encouraged to come dressed as your favorite witch or wizard (or even muggle). There will be a costume contest. You can upload your costume photos via the QR code available at the Main Street tent to enter the contest.

Tina Marie Polson with Historic Plant City Main Street explained, “You can enjoy captivating live performances by the talented musician Aslan Monn. His enchanting music will set the perfect ambiance for the evening. In addition, our dedicated kids zone is back with hands-on activities, face painting, a gyrosphere ride and a giant bounce house. It is a haven for young wizards and witches to enjoy magical adventures.”

Polson added, “This is one of our biggest Last Friday events, with as many as 60 vendors participating. You can explore a variety of unique products and handcrafted items from local artisans and

By Kathy L. Collins

merchants.”

This includes one of everyone’s favorites, butterbeer at Krazy Kup, located at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Get there early, as this delicious treat runs out fast.

You can also enjoy elaborate decorations at Three Hands Mead, and specialty items at The Crafted Butterfly. Past events have proven to be a great fun, so be on the lookout for more surprises in store as many merchants are still planning their magical oferings.

You definitely will not want to miss Platform 9¾ located at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, located at 102 N. Palmer St. in Plant City. You also will not want to miss the photo opportunity where a replica of Platform 9¾ will transport you straight into the wizarding world.

Polson said, “This is a rain-or-shine event. We invite the entire community to step into a magical evening as our downtown transforms into a wizarding celebration. From the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum’s Platform 9¾ to an enchanting scavenger hunt and a bustling kids zone, there is something for everyone.”

Stay updated with the latest news by following the Plant City Main Street Facebook page and visiting its website at www.plantcitymainstreet.org.

Are you anticipating an inheritance someday? If so, you may want to discuss it with your parents or other family members who may be leaving you the assets — because early, open communication will beneft everyone involved.

However, many people are reluctant to have these conversations. More than a third of Americans do not plan on discussing a transfer of wealth with their families, according to a recent study by Edward Jones in partnership with NEXT 360 Partners and Morning Consult. And the same study found that only about a quarter of Americans have actually discussed generational wealth transfer with their families.

Perhaps this low level of communication is not surprising — clearly, talking about wealth transfer and estate plans can be emotional. But having these discussions is important, for several reasons:

plan can be more complex than you might think. Are your parents using tax-smart strategies? Would they beneft from establishing a living trust? Are the benefciary designations on their retirement accounts and life insurance policies accurate and up to date? If you suspect your parents may not have properly addressed these issues, you may want to bring up the benefts of working with an estate-planning attorney and a tax advisor.

• Protecting against incapacitation – Many people go through their senior years with few, if any, physical or mental impairments. But there are no guarantees. If one or both of your parents were to become incapacitated and unable to handle their fnancial afairs, it could cause serious problems with their wealth transfer and estate-planning goals. But if you can discuss your parents’ plans with them while they are healthy and alert, you can encourage them to take the proper steps, such as reviewing outdated estate-planning documents and designating you or another family member as power of attorney to make health care and fnancial decisions on their behalf should they become incapacitated.

• Strengthening family bonds – Generational wealth transfer shouldn’t be seen simply as a transactional event. By discussing your parents’ plans and wishes, and your own expectations, you can build a sense of unity and shared purpose. And you can develop a common philosophy about how your family’s legacy goals will be carried forward through the succeeding generations.

• Avoiding unpleasant surprises – If you or other family members are expecting a certain inheritance and things turn out diferently, disappointment and bad feelings may occur. But this can be avoided by having a discussion beforehand that clearly outlines your parents’ intentions. You still may not agree with them, but at least you’ll know what to expect — and you won’t make the mistake of acting in advance on any assumptions about what you’ll inherit.

• Developing appropriate strategies – Passing on wealth to a new generation as part of an overall estate

While the benefts of having wealth-transfer and estate-planning discussions are clear, starting the conversations can be tricky. You need to show that you want to initiate these talks because you’re concerned that proper plans need to be in place and understood by everyone involved. If you have a good relationship with your parents, you should be able to start these conversations, but you’ll still need to be sensitive when bringing up the subject. One fnal word: Estate plans can take some time to develop — so, the sooner you have these discussions, the better.

BACKPACK HERO PROGRAM

By Libby Hopkins

Backpack Hero is a communitywide outreach event where East Hillsborough community partners, churches and local businesses come together to provide backpacks, school supplies and other critical resources for schoolaged children in need within the Eastern and Southern Hillsborough County area. Registration is required to ensure there are resources available for each child.

Backpack Hero returns to the community for a third year. Tis year’s sponsors are ECHO, Hope for Her and Bikes For Christ. Registration for the event is required and is now taking place at both ECHO resource centers in Brandon and Riverview, Hope for Her in Brandon and Enterprising Latinas in Wimauma.

“This is the third anniversary of this event,” said Pat Simmons, president and founder of Bikes For Christ. “This communitywide partnership of businesses, churches and nonprofits provides filled backpacks to more than 2,000 children within our community. Kids from Sefner to Sun City Center, ranging from preschool to high school, will leave with backpacks filled with needed school supplies and lots of helpful information for parents and caregivers about local services available throughout our community.”

This year’s sponsors of Backpack Hero are ECHO, Hope for Her and Bikes For Christ.

“Registration for the event is required and is taking place at both ECHO resource centers in Brandon and Riverview, Hope for Her in Brandon and Enterprising Latinas in Wimauma and begins on June 24,” Simmons said. “The Rotary Clubs of Brandon and FishHawk-Riverview are providing food and

preparing it on-site the day of the events, which take place on July 27 in Brandon at Bay Life Church in Brandon and August 3 at the brandnew AdventHealth hospital on Highway 301 in Riverview. Boricuas de Corazon will be providing take-home food provisions for those families in need at both event sites.”

Volunteers are needed for this event.

“We need both volunteers and donations of school supplies,” Simmons said.

“This can be from individuals or churches, civic or social groups. We anticipate at least 35 community partners tabling at these events helping our families understand a wide variety of services available to them in our community. There will be door prizes throughout the event and bicycle giveaways.”

All the nonprofits involved with Backpack Hero hope to help as many families as possible.

“We hope to serve as many children and families as possible,” Simmons said. “We will have many local nonprofits and other community resources represented at each event to provide assistance of all types for those in need.”

For more information about the Backpack Hero program, visit its website at www. bphero.org.

Our Next Call in to WIN

closing costs are. Your new construction realtor will help YOUR NEW CONSTRUCTION REALTOR SHOULD HAVE AWESOME REFERRAL SOURCES. So for example we have some home inspectors we work with. They go through each phase of the construction process. Also: homeowners insurance referrals, A NEW CONSTRUCTION REALTOR SHOULD HOLD YOUR HAND THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. If the builder can get 20% as a deposit, they would. It’s typical that we negotiate what that is. For them to take the home of the market or start the construction process, it may be $2,000 or maybe $5,000, but if they could get 20%, they’re going to get 20% from you so you need a realtor representing you for that. in, when you’d make decisions on what

If there’s an in-house lender; let’s say you can’t get pre-approved with that in-house lender. We will probably be able to get you pre-approved elsewhere and then work to deal with the builder to make sure you still get incentives as if you’re using a in-house lender, very important stuf.

LET THEM EAT CAKE: SWEET BITES BAKING SCHOOL

All year long, people search for ways to quell their sweet tooth. Each season carries a myriad of treats with it, from scrumptious pies in the fall to cooling cakes in the summer.

By Alisa Gershman

classes, starting the business many know and love today as Sweet Bites Baking School.

The school operates many diferent baking classes throughout the year, ofered to all from kids to moms.

Many rely on local grocery stores to provide these sweet satisfactions for them, as baking at home is not an easy task. Gathering all the ingredients and finding a good recipe may seem fruitless when in the end the cookies you swore you put in the oven 10 minutes ago come out burnt to a crisp.

Luckily, a local baking school has the solution. Meet Sweet Bites Baking School. The business, owned and founded by Pamela Fulks, began in 2018 in the space it currently stands, at 329 E. Robertson St. in Brandon. However, Fulks’ love for baking began all the way back to her childhood.

Growing up around a grandmother who had a knack for baking, she picked up many of the skills from her, falling in love with making special desserts for friends and family around her.

Starting with a small bakery in 2013 for retail custom cakes, events in life eventually forced Fulks to shut it down. But she knew the passion would always remain.

She eventually opened a small commercial space in the Brandon area for baking

Smiles are seen all around as birthday party attendees enjoy decorating cakes together and getting creative.

Whether you are looking for a chill activity with some friends or a way to reel in the holidays, Sweet Bites has many diferent options to choose from.

Fulks stated, “We ofer cake and cookie decorating classes, baking summer camps, mommy and me decorating classes, holiday events and quarterly Nailed It competitions.”

People from all over the area have shown an outpour of support for the business, choosing to host loved ones’ birthday parties and anniversaries there as fun activities for all to enjoy.

Parties are not the only thing the school caters to, as classes of all levels and specialties are held for customers as well. Customers can choose from cake or cookie decorating to more competitive levels of baking.

No matter how experienced you are near the oven, Sweet Bites Baking School will always invite you in with a smile and a dash of sugar to enjoy some delectable delights.

For more information about Sweet Bites Baking School, visit https://sweetbitesbaking.com/ or call 727-755-4224.

Know T e Key Dates And T e T ree Ways To Vote Ahead Of Florida’s Primary Election

This is going to be an exciting year for elections. Voting is a right, but with every right comes responsibilities. In order to vote, you must be informed. The first opportunity to vote is in the primary election, which is set to take place on Tuesday, August 20. There are important dates and times to keep in mind. The deadline to register/ change your party afliation was Monday, July 22. Early voting will take place from Monday, August 5, to Sunday, August 18, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Thursday, August 8 at 5 p.m. Election Day is August 20, and polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

court judge, soil and water conservation districts, community development districts and special taxing districts — by visiting www. votehillsborough.gov.

For candidates for president, U.S. senator, U.S. Representative, state attorney, public defender, state senator, state representative, Supreme Court justice, district court of appeal and circuit judge, you can visit https:// dos.fl.gov/elections/.

While Florida is a closed primary state, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer said, “I want all voters to understand that they can vote in the primary election, regardless of their party afliation. There are nonpartisan races that will be de-

cided in the primary election, and if you do not vote you will miss your opportunity to have a voice in who represents you in those ofces.”

If you need information on the candidates, you can find local candidates — including clerk of circuit court, sherif, property appraiser, tax collector, supervisor of elections, county commission, school board, county

In Florida, you have several ways to vote. Latimer said, “I encourage voters to plan their vote. You have three convenient options that include vote-by-mail, early voting and election day. So, there really is no excuse to miss an election. You will find information about where, when and how you can vote at www.votehillsborough.gov. Starting about a month before each election, you can also look up your sample ballot to see who you can vote for.”

VOTE-BY-MAIL

Vote-by-mail is the most convenient method. You do not need an excuse to select this method. However, the Florida State Legislature has changed some of the rules surrounding vote-by-mail. Latimer explained, “Because of new state law, vote-by-mail requests expire after every general election. As such, you will only get vote-by-mail ballots for the 2024 elections

By Kathy L. Collins

if you have submitted a new request. The quickest way to make your request is to go online to www. votehillsborough.gov or call 744-5900. You will need to give us your Florida driver license or the last four digits of your Social Security number for verification.”

Using this method allows you to take your time making decisions about who to vote for. However, your vote-by-mail ballot must be received by the Hillsborough County supervisor of elections by 7 p.m. on primary election day.

EARLY VOTING

Early voting is just like voting on primary election day. You must bring one or two forms of identification with your photo and signature. Examples of acceptable forms of ID include a Florida driver’s license issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, U.S. passport, military ID, student ID, public assistance ID and more.

During early voting, you can go to a number of designated sites.

ELECTION DAY VOTING

Polling places or precincts are noted on your voter registration card. They are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. This year, primary election day is August 20.

Whichever method you choose, remember that your vote counts.

(D) trent4congress@ gmail.com

LISA MCLEAN COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER

After several decades, voters in Hillsborough Couty will decide who the next Hillsborough County public defender will be. Lisa McLean, a longtime attorney with over three decades of diverse experience as a prosecutor, public defender, statewide prosecutor and owner of a firm specializing in criminal defense, is running to be the next public defender for Hillsborough County.

McLean would like your vote on Tuesday, August 20.

McLean said, “I am committed to bringing a fresh, outside perspective to the Public Defender’s Ofce. My goal is to enhance efficiency, transparency and trust within the ofce by leveraging technology, fostering partnerships with local colleges and law schools and promoting work-life balance for our defenders to prevent burnout and reduce turnover. Ultimately, my professional journey is driven by a deep commitment to justice, fairness and the well-being of our community.”

McLean will use her vast professional experience as well as the lessons she learned growing up in poverty to revamp and improve the Public Defender’s Ofce.

McLean said, “I will ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely. The ofce should be

By Kathy L. Collins

representing those that are truly indigent. It is the responsibility of the elected public defender to ensure compliance with the law. Fiscal conservatism benefits the community and those that truly cannot aford a lawyer. Limited resources should be directed toward the truly indigent and eforts to make our communities safe.”

McLean is board-certified in criminal trial, which means that she has special proficiency, skills and special knowledge in criminal law, as well as professionalism and ethics in practice. The experience and professionalism that must be demonstrated to become board-certified is exactly what citizens want in an elected ofcial.

“I aim to create a more equitable legal system, one that decriminalizes poverty, supports mental health and provides alternatives to incarceration. The Public Defender’s Ofce stands as a pillar of fairness and compassion in our community,” stated McLean.

“I am ready to lead the Public Defender’s Ofce with dedication, innovation and compassion to ensure a more just legal system for all,” McLean added.

For more information, please visit https:// lisaforpublicdefender.com/.

CHRISTINE EDWARDS COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 11

Attorney Christine Edwards is running for county court judge for Hillsborough County in Group 11. Edwards is on the ballot and you can vote for her during the primary election, which is on Tuesday, August 20. Edwards said, “As someone who walked side by side with someone navigating the court system, I have a unique insight and awareness of the immense responsibility and privilege it is to have someone put their full trust in you. I value trust as the most important quality of a judge because they make decisions that will profoundly impact someone else’s life.”

Edwards focuses on criminal law, family law and personal injury law. Edwards said, “In addition to private practice, I am proud to be the only attorney on the ballot court appointed by the State of Florida. I have the privilege to handle Marchman Act cases exclusively and [am] one of very few lawyers … in this county that practices in this area. Marchman Act Court was established as a problem-solving court that allows families to petition the courts for mandatory substance abuse assessment and treatment, whether drugs or alcohol. Through this appointment, I work closely with the Behavioral Resources Unit of the Hillsborough County Sherif ’s Ofce.”

Staf Report

When asked of her greatest accomplishment, Edwards explained, “I am humbled to have been a young lawyer that successfully defended a 3.850 motion, challenging the conviction of a man that was sentenced to 30 years for a drug offense, a mere six months after I graduated law school. Those motions are argued 100 percent of the time and rarely granted. Today, that man has an amazing life. He is rehabilitated, has a great job and family. His daughter he named after me. That man was also my uncle.”

This story explains the depth and breadth of Edwards’ passion for the judicial system and for those who need a fair judge to hear their case.

Edwards said, “I am the best candidate because when I walk into the courthouse, it will be through the same doors I have walked in nearly every day for the last 12 years. I will be serving the same community I have connected with over my career. My experience in the courtroom, knowledge from practicing in disciplines that a county court judge will preside over, criminal and civil cases, makes me the best candidate for county judge.”

For more information, please visit https:// voteedwardsforjudge.com/.

Professional Practicing law since 2012 in the areas of criminal defense, civil litigation & family law

Owner and Managing Attorney of Edwards Law, PLLC

Offce of Criminal Confict and Civil Regional Counsel - Assistant Regional Counsel

Court-appointed counsel for Marchman Act Court

eDUCaTion

Stetson University College of Law, Juris Doctor, May 2012

University of Central Florida, BS, Legal Studies, cum laude CiViC inVolVeMenT Human Development Center, Board of Trustees

Tampa Kiwanis, Member

Tampa’s Top 40 under 40 FOX 13, Legal Commentator

Innocence Project Stetson Law Chapter, past member

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, past member

KAREN BENDORF SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 7

Karen Bendorf, a Plant City resident and sixth grade teacher at Tomlin Middle School in Plant City, is running for a seat on the Hillsborough County School Board in District 7, a countywide seat.

By Kathy L. Collins

Bendorf is married to a community pastor and is a mother to six boys who range in age from 10-23 years old. Bendorf received her bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University. She has been a teacher in Hillsborough County for 13 years.

“It is time to stand up and do better for our children,” said Bendorf, who wants to bring her experience as a teacher, her knowledge and her out-of-the-box thinking to the Hillsborough County School Board to help reform the county’s schools.

Bendorf articulated several issues that propelled her to run for the school board.

First, Bendorf wants to reform the ways in which we teach our children to read. “We are not teaching our students how to read. More than 50 percent of students are below the third grade proficiency level.” Bendorf added, “Every child should be able to read, and all of them can learn to read. However, we have not been teaching them the basic

skills.”

Second, according to Bendorf, there are discipline issues in schools that are not being addressed.

“The school board needs

to set a high standard for student conduct in the classroom,” said Bendorf. “Teachers do not feel supported, and parents do not know what is happening in the classroom due to behavior issues,” she added.

Third, according to Bendorf, the Hillsborough County School Board needs to be more responsible with the budget and not request additional money through taxes or referendums. Bendorf said, “There has not been an audit of the school budget. When you try to find information about cost of programs, you cannot find it. We need to know where the dollars are going and how it impacts students in the classroom.”

Bendorf said, “I am proud of the fact that I have raised boys to love the Lord, make good choices and go against the flow. I want to see a generation of children who can read and make our community what it can be.”

For more information, please visit www. electkarenbendorf.com.

MATTHEW SMITH COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 21

Judge Matt Smith has served as a county court judge for Hillsborough County since December 2021. He was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis. Smith is running for election in Group 21 and would like your vote on Tuesday, August 20.

Smith presides over county civil cases. These include landlord/ tenant disputes, insurance claims for both homeowner and automobile disputes, debtor/creditor disputes and much more. Smith efectively handles a busy docket. When he was first appointed, he presided over dependency drug treatment court, Title IV child support, animal court and more.

Why is this important? Smith explained, “There is no substitute for judicial experience. Voters want to select someone who they think is a good judge, and the best evidence of that is the fact that he is doing the job and has a record.”

Smith has presided over thousands of cases since being appointed to the bench. Smith said, “A good measurement is to look at how a judge’s rulings are reviewed during an appeal. In the two and a half years that I have been a judge, no case that I have ruled on has been overturned on appeal.”

By Kathy L. Collins

Smith brings discipline and years of trial experience to the bench. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1997 and is a veteran of the United States Air Force. He was medically discharged from the Air Force. He graduated from Florida State University College of Law in 2000.

Following graduation, he served as a prosecutor for 21 years, first in the State Attorney’s Ofce for the Second Judicial Circuit in Leon County and then in the State Attorney’s Ofce for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County. He also served as a prosecutor for the Florida attorney general in the Ofce of Statewide Prosecution.

Again, this is important. Smith said, “As a prosecutor I was constantly in court. I have tried 160 cases to verdict and argued countless motions. Ninety percent of what a judge does is in the courtroom. You want a judge who has trial experience.”

In addition to the trial experience, you can count on Smith to be nonbiased, as he has efectively served in the military and as a prosecutor under the administrations of both political parties.

For more information, visit https:// judgemattsmith.com/.

PROFESSIONAL

County Judge – Presiding over County Civil Division V, Title IV Child Support Division and Animal Court, hearing and ruling on thousands of cases

Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor

State Attorney, Chief Felony Division

U. S. Air Force Veteran

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Military Veterans Afairs Committee

HCBA Bench Bar Committee

Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago

Dad’s Club, Academy of the Holy Names

Florida Bar Grievance Committee

Florida Prosecuting Attorneys’ Association

Education Committee

American Legion

Tampa Hispanic Bar Association

Florida Cattlemen’s Association

Egypt Shrlne

EDUCATION

FSU College of Law

U. S. Air Force Academy

Valley Forge Military College

PERSONAL

Matthew and Roxanna have two children, Penelope and Maximilian, and a French Bulldog named French Fry

Attends St. Patrick’s Catholic Church

Paid by Matt Smith for Hillsborough County Judge.

JIM DAVISON COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 6

Jim Davison, a longtime resident of New Tampa, is running for election to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. Davison, a Republican, is a candidate for District 6, which is a countywide seat.

Davison has spent his life serving others both professionally and as a volunteer in the community. Davison earned his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He retired in October 2023 after working as an emergency medicine physician for over 35 years. As an emergency room physician, Davison made critical decisions in a timely manner.

With countless hours of travel to emergency rooms and urgent care centers throughout the county, from Sun City Center to New Tampa and West Tampa to Brandon, Davison became well-aware of transportation needs due to expansion and growth in the area. He co-founded and was the first chairman of the New Tampa Transportation Task Force. He was appointed by Tampa City Council to the countywide transportation ‘Committee of 99.’ Davison currently serves on the Hillsborough County Transportation Planning Organization’s advisory commission, working on the five-year and ‘LongRange Transportation’ plans.

“Hillsborough County is my home. It is

By Jane Owen

where I raised my family. I love New Tampa. I have driven all over the county. It’s a wonderful county. The people deserve better. There is a better way than what they are getting.”

Davison said. “They are not getting the infrastructure they are being promised.

I want to show them that this can all be done without raising taxes. In fact, we can actually roll back their taxes.”

Davison is dedicated to conservatism with taxes and government control, establishing a dependable transportation system that meets the needs of the growing community and accountability with the county budget.

Davison is endorsed by former Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy R. White; Cyril Spiro, M.D., MBA and former chair of Cory Lake Isles Community Development District; and Karen Jaroch, director of Fix Our Roads First.

Davison has been married to his wife, Diane, for 43 years. They have four grown children and five grandchildren.

For more information about Davison, visit www.votejimdavison.com. To learn more about the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, visit https://hcfl. gov/government/board-of-county-commissioners.

LYNN GRAY SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 7

Lynn Gray is running for reelection to the Hillsborough County School Board for District 7, a countywide seat. She would like your vote on Tuesday, August 20. Gray is one of seven members responsible for making policy decisions and overseeing a total budget of $4.2 billion for the seventh-largest school district in the nation and is the county’s largest employer with more than 24,000 employees.

Gray, a longtime teacher and instructional leader, was first elected in 2016. She has served as the school board chair and is currently a member of the Hillsborough County Children’s Board.

When asked why she is seeking reelection, Gray said, “I would like to continue my districtwide monthly committee meetings which address the needs of our communities, students, parents and staf members. My districtwide committees which had been formed since 2016 reflect the needs of the county. This includes a growing Hispanic population (Hispanic Forum), the need for increased Black studies and cultural identity (African American Task Force) and the need for student mental-social-emotional well-being (the Hillsborough Healthy Schools Committee). There is a major challenge of social media abuse among our students with human trafckers involved in their social me-

By Kathy L. Collins

dia platforms. The Human Trafcking and Student Online Safety committees are made up of the FBI, Hillsborough County Sherif ’s Ofce, City of Tampa Police, NoMore Foundation and other Florida agencies.”

Gray would also like to continue working on afordable housing for teachers with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and other developers in conjunction with unused schools and properties. Gray said, “Providing afordable housing is part of my concern and goal for the 20242025 school year.”

As to the issues, Gray explained that they include taking care of teachers and staf with pay that matches their dedicated service to children in the district.

Over her career as an educator, Gray has taught at every grade level, including college. “I am only serving for the well-being of the children,” she said. Gray was named Teacher of the Year two times in Hillsborough County and one time in Pasco County. Gray is an avid runner as well, having completed over 100 marathons, including 12 Boston Marathons. She has been married for 45 years and has one son and two grandchildren who attend Bevis Elementary School.

For more information, please visit www. votelynngray.com.

40 YEARS SERVING CHILDREN

NANCY MILLAN COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR

Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County tax collector, is running for reelection this year.

Millan was first elected in 2020 and would like your vote to continue serving Hillsborough County’s approximately 1.5 million residents.

Millan said, “I am pleased to announce my candidacy for reelection as Hillsborough County tax collector.” She added, “In the past two and a half years, we have made significant strides in delivering top-notch customer service to Hillsborough County residents. This includes modernizing appointment and walk-in procedures, leveraging new technologies for enhanced accessibility and investing in our dedicated team of 402 public servants.”

The tax collector is responsible for delivering several state and local government services. The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Ofce is one of the largest tax collector agencies in the state of Florida with over $2.8 billion collected and distributed over 2.3 million transactions processed in the last fiscal year.

Last year, under Millan’s leadership, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Ofce modernized the walk-in queuing and appointment process by launching paperless mobile ticketing and a user-friendly online platform to schedule appointments. Millan also shifted the ofce from a strictly appointment-based model, used during the

By Kathy L. Collins

COVID-19 pandemic, to a service model focused on meeting the demand for a walk-in service, allowing for more customers to be served. Millan also improved driving test services and has increased driving tests administered by 43 percent since 2020.

In 2023, Millan became the first tax collector in the state of Florida to identify and deploy a language translation technology called Pocketalk in all Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Ofce locations. This technology allows Millan’s team to communicate with customers visiting the branch ofces for various services in 82 diferent languages, reducing repeat visits and breaking down barriers to service for non-English-speaking customers.

During her tenure as tax collector, zero findings were recorded during the ofce’s annual independent financial audits. With an ofce that collects and distributes over $2.8 billion annually, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Ofce is a model agency for fiscal responsibility and accountability Millan is a native of Hillsborough County and an active community member. She is the first female and individual of Hispanic descent to hold the ofce. Millan was Hillsborough County’s Hispanic Woman of the Year in 2021.

For more information, please visit https:// votenancymillan.com/.

HILLSBOROUGH STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE EXPANDS GUN VIOLENCE UNIT FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES

Hillsborough County is growing faster than ever, and not only because of our gorgeous weather and booming economy. People are moving here because our county is a safe bet to start a small business and raise a family. It’s a place where our residents know law enforcement takes public safety seriously.

One of my top priorities as a state attorney is to work collaboratively with law enforcement partners on important issues facing our residents. Gun violence is at the top of the list. To better meet the needs of our growing community, I have expanded my office’s Gun Violence Unit. This unit is a team of highly trained prosecutors who handle exclusively firearm-related cases.

This restructuring will bring the Gun Violence Unit to a total of five attorneys. It allows our team of specialized attorneys to work hand in hand with law enforcement from the crime scene to the courtroom, giving us the best chance of holding violent offenders accountable.

As prosecutors, our greatest responsibilities are to the victims of crime and protecting public safety. We must use every tool we can to fight gun violence in our community. By expanding the Gun

Violence Unit, we will be dedicating significant resources toward prosecuting these brutal crimes that tear families apart. While it may seem like gun violence won’t happen in your community, I can tell you it has touched every corner of our county. The work this unit performs will make a positive difference no matter where you live. This expansion means we have more attorneys to work closely with law enforcement to keep track of violent offenders before they revictimize our community. It means our attorneys are learning about these cases at the earliest possible stage, moments after the trigger pull, which will create stronger prosecutions.

To ensure Hillsborough County remains a place where people want to live, work and play, we must stand up together to combat gun violence as a community. Addressing gun violence head on, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, is essential to keep our community thriving. I am proud that our office can play an important role in enhancing public safety as we grow together.

Dear Residents of Hillsborough County,

With heartfelt gratitude, I am proud that our campaign faced no opposition and I am honored to continue serving as your tax collector for the next four years.

I am grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me. I assure you that my commitment to serve each and every one of you with integrity, innovation, and dedication remains unwavering.

I am excited to build on our accomplishments and to bring forth new initiatives that will further empower our community and enhance our services.

Nancy Millan

State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

Staf Report

BOB HENRIQUEZ COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER

One of the ofces up for election this year is the Hillsborough County property appraiser.

Bob Henriquez is seeking reelection. Henriquez stands out as a candidate with a proven track record of fiscal responsibility, technological advancement and genuine concern for the county’s citizens.

Throughout his tenure, Henriquez has demonstrated a relentless drive to enhance the efciency of the Property Appraiser’s Ofce while minimizing the tax burden on residents. For the 2024-25 fiscal year, Henriquez has proposed a budget decrease of 1.09 percent from the previous year. Thanks to these and previous efciencies during his 12-year tenure as property appraiser, Henriquez’s ofce has returned nearly $3.2 million to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

Henriquez is a fifth-generation resident of Hillsborough County and a former head football coach for his alma mater, Tampa Catholic High School. Henriquez graduated from Princeton University and played football there.

“As the son of a house painter who was the first in my family to attend college, I fully understand the financial pressures that our citizens are facing due to ongoing inflation,” said Henriquez.

“I have made it a priority to listen to our citizens’ concerns and find ways to alleviate

By Kathy L. Collins

the tax burden many are feeling as property values rise,” added Henriquez.

A recent financial report from the Florida Department of Revenue highlighted Henriquez’s ofce as operating with the lowest budget per capita among the state’s 67 county property appraiser ofces.

The primary duty of the Property Appraiser’s Ofce is to assess the full market value of the approximately 557,000 properties in Hillsborough County as of January 1 each year and issue property tax exemptions to all qualified owners. During his tenure, Henriquez has leveraged cutting-edge technologies to reduce his total number of employees from 133 when he first took ofce in 2013 to its current level of 108.

Of all the property tax exemptions Henriquez’s ofce is responsible for, the most important is homestead exemption. This exemption is vital because it statutorily caps the taxed value of a property from increasing more than 3 percent per year, ofering significant savings and stability for homeowners.

The property appraiser has no authority to raise or lower taxes. Henriquez strives to help citizens of the county understand the rate at which a property is taxed is set by elected ofcials at the city and county levels, as well as by other taxing authorities.

For more information, visit www.vote4coachbob.com.

DIONNE ‘DEE’ JONES COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 21

Dionne ‘Dee’ Jones has been practicing law for over 28 years, defending justice and leading with integrity. She is running for Hillsborough County court judge in Group 21. Jones has extensive experience in both civil and criminal domains. As a civil litigator, she practiced family, employment and tort law. In the criminal field, she was a felony prosecutor handling drug trafcking, robberies and aggravated assault and battery cases. In her role as hearing ofcer for Hillsborough County for the past four years, she fulfilled a quasi-judicial role, hearing cases requiring discernment and good judgement.

“I am deeply passionate about prosecuting domestic violence, aggravated battery and aggravated assault cases. While serving as a felony prosecutor, I took the lead in my division in handling these cases. Ensuring justice for victims and holding ofenders accountable is essential for the safety and well-being of our community,” Jones said.

Jones is the daughter of late Command Sgt. Maj. Levester Jones (USA, retired, who served in the Army for 28 years with two tours in Vietnam) and Liza Dudley Jones, who was an educator.

“My father taught me the value of hard

By Jane Owen

work, duty, responsibility, accountability for my actions and honor,” Jones said.

Raised in Tampa, Jones attended public school and earned a B.A. in political science, a juris doctorate from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in higher education leadership from the University of South Florida.

Jones currently serves as the trial advisory counsel for Allstate Insurance Company. Her community commitment includes the following leadership roles: University of Florida Law Alumni Council; George Edgecomb Bar Association, vice president; National Black Prosecutors Association, executive board and vice president; Hillsborough County Sherif ’s Ofce and Community Relations Committee; and Kiwanis Club of Tampa, executive board.

As judge, Jones said she will carefully consider each case, resolve conflicts, protect rights and ensure that justice is served.

“I am eager to become a judge, as I love the law and want to continue serving our community as well as administering justice with fairness and integrity,” Jones said.

For more information about Jones, visit https://deejonesforjudge.com/.

BRANDON MASONS CELEBRATE 100-YEAR REDEDICATION OF MOON AVENUE LODGE

Masons turned out in force to rededicate Brandon Masonic Lodge No. 114, which this year celebrates its 100year anniversary at its Moon Avenue location.

“On Thursday, June 13, 1924, we settled here, and since then we have been forging a legacy that has lasted a century,” said Cory Jones, the lodge’s worshipful master, in remarks for the June 13 reconsecration and rededication ceremony. “Brandon had three main roads in 1924, and Moon Avenue was at the center of those three roads.”

Today, at the corner of Moon Avenue and Morgan Street, a marker notes the lodge was established on January 20, 1890. Originally known as Hacienda Lodge No. 114, the Freemasons met in rooms over Pemberton’s Store in Sefner. Moves in 1897 and 1912, to Thonotosassa and back to Sefner, preceded the June 13, 1924, move to Moon Avenue, where the newly built lodge was dedicated on August 24, 1924. At the June 13 rededication, Masons unveiled the lodge’s 100year anniversary floor marker.

“Over the past 134 years, our local Masonic group has steadfastly served its members and the community,” lodge historian Steven Dolfi said at the June 13 ceremony. “Our journey has been marked by numerous relocations and name changes, but our commitment to service has remained unwavering.”

Dolfi noted the lodge’s philanthropic efforts, including its support of Mango Ele-

establishment in 1890.

By Linda Chion

mentary School, the Iris and Hubert Allen Scholarship Fund for graduating high school seniors, donations to the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO), donations to OneBlood and providing Meals on Wheels to seniors.

He noted as well the lodge’s connection to John William Brandon, who in 1857 brought his wife and seven sons by covered wagon from Mississippi to Fort Brooke, now known as Tampa. He settled them in what is now Sefner, and months later bought land in neighboring New Hope.

“As New Hope the town was being renamed Brandon, Brandon Lodge was also being initiated,” Dolfi said. “We can claim that our town of Brandon was founded on Masonic principles, as John Brandon himself was a Freemason.”

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest fraternal organizations, dating back to ancient times. The Brandon club reportedly has 386 members, including the youngest member, Hunter Daniel Bernstein, 19, and its oldest, William Andrews Jr., 97, who with 71 years is the lodge’s longest-serving Mason. Among the 121 past lodge masters is Donald Cowart, of Valrico, who held the position in 2013. He attended the rededication as the Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida.

For more information, visit https://brandonlodge.org/.

VALRICO MASON IN TOP STATE POSITION JOINS BRANDON LODGE MEMBERS IN 100-YEAR CELEBRATION

As the top Mason in the state of Florida, Donald ‘Don’ Cowart of Valrico travels a lot, but it was his backyard visit in June that held a special meaning for the 1969 Brandon High School graduate, who in 2006 joined Brandon Masonic Lodge No. 114.

That was 28 years after Cowart first became a Mason, having joined the Temple Terrace Lodge in 1978. On June 13, 100 years to the day the Brandon Lodge was first dedicated, Cowart, as the Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida, participated in the 100-year reconsecration and rededication ceremony, at 203 Moon Ave. in Brandon.

“We’re celebrating Freemasonry, and this lodge that is near and dear to my heart,” Cowart said. “The way I explain it, this country was founded on Freemasonry principles, including charity, faith and hope.”

He noted that 14 United States presidents were Freemasons, including George Washington, who, according to the Museum of Freemasonry, joined the Alexandria, Virginia, lodge as a 20-year-old in 1782, and later laid the cornerstone of the Capitol Building in Washington in a Masonic ceremony.

Jeremy Bernstein of FishHawk, at the June 13 ceremony in Brandon, said he joined the Brandon Lodge after moving to

By Linda Chion

Florida from New York, and that his sons later joined him. Bernstein said he became a Mason “just to belong to something bigger than myself.”

“After being in Freemasonry long enough, it became about the brotherhood, and then it became about bettering myself,” Bernstein said. “Through allegory and symbols, we give men the tools they need to try to improve themselves.”

Cory Jones of Riverview is the Brandon Lodge’s Worshipful Master, a position that 120 Masons before him have held, including Cowart in 2013. Cowart is the state’s first Grand Master from Brandon, reportedly home to the state’s third-largest Masonic lodge, with 386 members. Jones said he became a Mason in 2011 after talking to his boss, a Mason, on and of for several years.

“I was seeking something for self-improvement, and I decided to take a shot at it,” Jones said. There is a misconception “that we’re some type of a secret society, but we are not,” Jones added. “We’re just a society with some secrets, no diferent than any person or business with secrets. Our main goal through our instruction and teaching is to give men the tools they need to make themselves better.”

For more information, visit the website www.brandonlodge.org or email secretary@brandonlodge.org.

Roughly 150 Masons in attendance at Brandon Masonic Lodge No. 114 at the unveiling of the 100-year rededication foor marker, noting the lodge’s

Donald ‘Don’ Cowart, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida (center), with Right Worshipful Gary Jamasche (left) and Worshipful Master Cory Long.

HART BUS OFFERS DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE WITH SOME PROGRAMS

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is the main provider of public transportation in Hillsborough County, but commuters willing to join up with a group of their colleagues for a ride can do so through the vanpool service managed by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). The service is available to commuters in Hillsborough, Pasco, Citrus, Hernando and Manatee counties as well as Pinellas County.

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority’s HARTPlus paratransit vans provide door-to-door transportation service to qualifed riders.

The benefits touted include less wear on personal cars and overall lower commuting costs. The service fee per commuter depends on the distance and number of riders in the group. It’s part of an efort to develop a system that can respond to on-demand transportation needs as well as operate the traditional fixed routes that commuters have known.

This has been especially helpful for people with disabilities who have access to the HARTPlus paratransit program, which provides door-to-door service via specially equipped vans that can easily accommodate wheelchairs and other medical equipment. There is a two-step eligibility verification process, including documentation of a disability and an interview. Cash fare is $4 for a one-way trip.

In the SouthShore area, HARTFlex provides on-demand, door-to-door pickup

By Brad Stager

service to riders in an area roughly defined as extending from Ruskin to Wimauma and just north of 19th Avenue to south of Sun City Center Boulevard. HARTFlex operates Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on a route between HCC SouthShore on 24th Street and La Estancia Apartments on Guadalupe Boulevard. Passengers can also board at designated HARTFlex stops along the route. On-demand rides to or from a non-HARTFlex route pickup stop must be reserved from three days to two hours in advance with a fare of $1.

According to Justin Willits, HART’s director of planning and scheduling, on-demand transportation is being examined for growth opportunities while balancing fixed-route needs.

“We’ll define mobility on demand, where those zones are, where we think and know we can aford to put a few of those zones out there, and then some of those zones that currently could not be funded based on our existing service levels, and we’ll work out what that mix is,” Willits told a recent meeting of HART’s strategic planning and external relations committee.

To find out more about HART’s van on-demand services, visit https://gohart. org/ and https://psta.net/ to learn more about the vanpool commuter program.

#1 BUG MUGGERS

RESIDENTS NEEDING A RIDE MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SUNSHINE LINE

People who need to get to medical appointments or go shopping but don’t have access to personal or public transportation can apply to ride the Sunshine Line, a free, door-todoor, on-demand mobility service operated by Hillsborough County.

Those meeting the qualification guidelines can arrange for transportation in vans with accessible features to buy groceries, visit the doctor, participate in wellness activities, attend social service appointments and take care of important personal business. The Sunshine Line is focused on helping residents who struggle with transportation availability, such as senior citizens, people with disabilities and people who can’t afford to pay for a car or commercial rides like Uber or taxis.

Transportation is provided on a space-available basis and prioritized according to the purpose of the trip, with service possibly harder to reserve during some peak periods. Reservations can be made from two to seven days in advance from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Return trips are scheduled when making the pickup reservation. Drivers are trained to assist passengers in boarding the vans, including the prop-

By Brad Stager

er securing of wheelchairs. To be eligible for the Sunshine Line program, an applicant’s household income must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Other eligibility considerations include age, disabilities and access to other methods of transportation.

Sunshine Line riders can also count on a ride in an emergency situation requiring evacuation of their home. Jerry Stickney, the Sunshine Line’s director of operations, said the service is ready to help get people to safety in the event a major storm hits the area.

“We’ll use these vehicles, create routes for our drivers and go around the community when we have evacuation orders to help those that need to go to special needs shelters,” Stickney said in a Hillsborough County YouTube video about the service.

Residents can also apply to receive daily or monthly HART bus passes through the Sunshine Line program if they are able to ride public transportation. To learn more about the Sunshine Line and how to apply for the service, call 813-272-7272 or visit https://hcfl. gov/departments/sunshine-line.

Hillsborough County’s Sunshine Line provides free, door-todoor transportation for qualifed residents.

Rotarians at the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center in Brandon issued college scholarships and a check to the University of South Florida (USF) Rotaract club.

“It’s wonderful to see the youth we have coming up in this town,” said Joe Campoamor of Lithia, president of the Rotary Club of Brandon’s charity committee, at the club’s June 18 meeting. “We had 19 scholarship applicants, and it’s amazing to see the great service-oriented things the kids are doing.”

USF Rotaract President Suhas ‘Sue’ Das accepted on behalf of his Rotary International service club a check for $1,200, noting the club’s 400 events and 8,900 service hours.

“Trust me, this may not seem like a lot to you guys, but this is almost half our budget,” Das said.

Collectively, Rotary’s eight scholarship recipients reported 2,005 community service hours. It reported as well on its scholarship applications’ weighted grade-point averages (WGPA).

Of to Florida Gulf Coast University is Brooke Ura, a Sefner Christian Academy graduate (4.1 WGPA, 157 hours). Ura is the first recipient of the $2,500 Sharon S. Sell-

By Linda Chion

ers Memorial Scholarship, given in remembrance of the wife of John Sellers, a longtime Rotarian.

Five students each received $2,000 scholarships, including Olivia Davis from Newsome High School in Lithia, with 606 service hours. Davis updated her WGPA at the meeting, from 5.8 to 6.29. She is set to attend the University of Central Florida. Also from Newsome, headed to Florida Southern College, Jocelyn Maidens (5.5 WGPA, 103 service hours) received a $1,000 scholarship.

Three students from Durant High School in Plant City each received a $2,000 scholarship. They are Ryleigh Butz (6.2 WGPA, 336 hours, Auburn University), Anai Hernandez (5.1 WGPA, 107 hours, Florida Polytechnic University) and Andrew Walls (6.7 WGPA, 175 hours, University of Florida).

Zakiyah Adams, a graduate of Spoto High School in Riverview who is of to Florida A&M University, received $1,000 and reported 160 service hours (Adams updated her WGPA at the meeting from 6.9 to 7.3). Of to Howard University, Tampa Bay Tech graduate Divonna Smith received $2,000 and reported a 6.5 WGPA and 361 service hours.

“Seeing the faces of these recipients, all we can say is, stay involved,” said Rotarian Tim Ryan, the Rotary Club of Brandon’s incoming president. “We’re all in this room for one reason: friendship. Giving back to the community, this is why we do what we do.”

The club meets on Tuesdays. For information, visit www.brandonrotary.org or call Larry Fassett at 813-767-5803.

Rotarian Patrick W. Skidmore II (left) and Joe Campoamor (back) with scholarship recipients (from left to right) Brooke Ura, Ryleigh Butz, Olivia Davis, Andrew Walls, Divonna Smith, Zakiyah Adams and Anai Hernandez. Not pictured is scholarship recipient Jocelyn Maidens.

As the population of Hillsborough County continues to grow, meeting the water needs of residents and businesses becomes an ongoing challenge which is being met through a variety of methods, such as mandated restrictions and other conservation methods, including the use of reclaimed water.

Reclaimed water is water that has been used in a household or industrial setting and is treated to a degree that it can be safely used for things like irrigation of lawns. Reusing water helps reduce the strain on the area’s primary sources of drinking water, the Hillsborough River and the Floridan aquifer, and costs less than potable water for customers.

The use of reclaimed water is governed by federal, state and local laws and regulations. Irrigating lawns and landscaped areas, such as golf courses, are typical uses of reclaimed water. Among the things to keep in mind when using reclaimed water from Hillsborough County for home gardens or other agricultural purposes is that it can be used for the direct irrigation of edible crops only if the produce will be peeled, skinned or cooked before consuming, otherwise an indirect process, such as drip irrigation,

By Brad Stager

is required. Watering can be done any day of the week but is not allowed between the hours of 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Reclaimed water can also be used for industrial processes like cooling and cleaning. It cannot be used for filling swimming pools or hot tubs.

The role that reclaimed water plays in ensuring an adequate water supply for county residents was underscored in remarks made by Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen at a recent commission meeting.

“Hillsborough County has countless natural resources; parks, wildlife, beautiful scenery and our most treasured resource, which is water. We must do everything we can to conserve it. Hillsborough County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District do a phenomenal job providing clean drinking water, wastewater treatment and reclaimed water services that enable our community to grow and prosper.”

Because of infrastructure requirements, access to reclaimed water is considered on an individual basis when a request for the service is made by a neighborhood or community association. More information is available at https:// hcfl.gov/ or by calling 813-272-5977.

According to county ofcials, as much as half of the water used in Hillsborough County is for

COOPER PRESSURE WASHING CONTINUES BOYLE FAMILY LEGACY

This year, Cooper Pressure Washing o f cially opened its doors, carrying forward a family tradition of exceptional service and quality. This family-owned and operated business is a continuation of Boyle Pressure Washing and Screen Repair, a well-regarded business founded and operated by Thomas Boyle for the past 22 years. The legacy has now been passed down to his grandson, Cooper DeLallo, who has diligently worked under his grandfather’s guidance for the last six years.

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

it clean will improve your home’s curb appeal and prolong the life of your home’s exterior.”

Cooper Pressure Washing is committed to o f ering the highest quality job at a fair price, which is reflected in every project it undertakes. The company strives to deliver top-notch service that meets and exceeds client expectations.

ATLANTA-BASED VEGAN INFLUENCER PINKY HOSTS VINE VEGAN RESTAURANT TAKE OVER

Slutty Vegan, a popular Atlanta, Georgia-based restaurant, took over Brandon’s Vine Vegan, located at 2080 Badlands Dr., from June 10 and 11. The restaurant takeover, from 6-11 p.m. each night, brought in over 800 people from all over Tampa Bay.

By Jane Owen

but it was also her first time at Vine Vegan.

“I saw on Instagram that they were coming, and I was like, I’ve gotta try it. I got two diferent burgers so I could try them. I ordered two of the Sloppy Toppys and two of the One Night Stands,” Williams said.

Cooper Pressure Washing serves the communities of FishHawk, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Plant City and the surrounding areas. It o f ers a comprehensive range of services to meet the diverse needs of its clients. From houses, driveways and sidewalks to cages, decks and lanais, Cooper Pressure Washing cleans with the highest quality standards. Other services include screen repairs as well as maintaining pools and gutters, preventing potential damage.

“Mold and mildew is a definite threat, and when it is left unattended it can cause wear and tear on your home and pool cage finishes,” said DeLallo, owner of Cooper Pressure Washing. “Keeping

“I am very grateful to have this opportunity. It’s not every day you get to continue your grandfather’s business that he built from the ground up,” said DeLallo. “It makes me very proud to be able to follow in his footsteps and continue the quality work he has done for the past 22 years.”

Customers can receive a free estimate and assessment for all pressure washing and screen repair needs.

Cooper Pressure Washing is dedicated to continuing the tradition of excellence established by Boyle. With a focus on quality, integrity and customer satisfaction, his aim is to be a go-to solution for all pressure washing and screen repair needs in the area.

For more information or to inquire about services, please call or text DeLallo at 813-892-5283.

The two-day event was part of Slutty Vegan’s ‘Gettin’ Slutty Tour.’ Vine Vegan owner Danielle Stevens inquired about being part of the tour through Instagram. Within an hour of sending her message to owner Aisha ‘Pinky’ Cole, on June 5, they had the takeover scheduled.

One thousand burgers were sold, and they were sold-out on both nights 45 minutes before closing.

“This was one of the most incredible experiences. The new people we met and the exposure we got was amazing. The Slutty Vegan crew were like family a few hours into being here. It was an incredible collaboration,” Stevens said.

Slutty Vegan is a 100 percent plantbased burger restaurant known for risqué-themed, tasty food. The burger menu provided at Vine Vegan during the event included the One Night Stand, Fussy Hussy, and Sloppy Toppy.

Riverview resident Shani Williams was the first person in line on June 10, arriving a little after 4 p.m. It was not only her first time eating Slutty Vegan food,

On Tuesday, Eve Lue-Shing and her son, Michael Brown, from Sun City Center, were in town for a doctor’s appointment and stopped at Vine Vegan for lunch. They decided to stay for a Slutty Vegan dinner. Lue-Shing said she went to Slutty Vegan when it started in Atlanta as a food truck.

As regular Vine Vegan customers and longtime Slutty Vegan fans, Lue-Shing and Brown said they love the tasty options at both restaurants.

“At Vine Vegan, I’m hooked on the smash patty melt. It’s like a burger and grilled cheese in one.” Lue-Shing said. Brown added that he gets a diferent chick’n sammy every time.

“I mainly stick to the chick’n sammies. They have five diferent flavors. I get a chick’n sammy, but I feel like it’s a different sandwich because I get a diferent flavor every time,” Brown said.

To learn more about the menu options at Vine Vegan, visit https://vinevegan. com/menu/. To learn more about Slutty Vegan, visit https://sluttyveganatl.com.

Cooper DeLallo, owner of Cooper Pressure Washing, continues the family tradition of quality service, ofering comprehensive pressure washing and screen repair.

Te Atlanta, Georgia-based restaurant Slutty Vegan took over Brandon’s Vine Vegan on June 10 and 11.

Riverview High School Is Looking For Football Coaches

Riverview High School, located at 11311 Boyette Rd. in Riverview, is looking to add assistant football coaches (no experience necessary, and you do not need to be a teacher) to its staf. All coaching candidates must be willing to commit to a year-round football program. Volunteer and stipend positions are available. If you are interested, email head coach Tony Rodriguez at antonio.rodriguez@hcps.net or text 813-815-0310.

Seeds Of Hope Bingo Fundraiser

Seeds of Hope is hosting a bingo fundraiser at Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. on Tuesday, August 6. Bingo will start at 7 p.m., with

cards on sale at 6:30 p.m. and costing $20 for fve games. Tere will also be an opportunity to purchase rafe tickets for the variety of rafe baskets. Seeds of Hope will also be collecting donations of nonperishable food items and back-to-school supplies, as well as monetary donations. Bullfrog Creek Brewery Co. is located at 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico.

Creative Junk Terapy Student Art Show

The Taoist Tai Chi® Arts for Strength-Flexibility-Stllness

Creative Junk Terapy is proud to host its frst student art show, which will be on display throughout the month of August. Creative Junk Terapy’s mission is to promote creativity, environmental awareness and community through reuse. It was created as a space for all people to fnd and enjoy community through creativity and hosts a wide variety of classes for students of all ages, including watercolor painting, crocheting and paint pouring. Creative Junk Terapy is located at 772 W. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon. Visit its website at www.creativejunktherapy.org to learn more and see the upcoming classes available.

Introductory sessions startng now in: Brandon at Brandon Christan Church, Tuesdays from 10 – 11 am; Lithia at Julestarz Academy, Suspended untl September; North Brandon at New Hope Church, Thursdays from 7 – 8 pm.

Terry Vassalotti and Michelle Colesanti in the capital city of Malta, Valletta.

HEAVEN’S BEST CARPET CLEANING GETS THE JOB DONE

When it comes to carpet, tile, grout and upholstery cleaning, those tasks are best left to the professionals, like Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning. The Brandon-area franchise recently celebrated 20 years of business serving Brandon, Sefner, FishHawk, Riverview, Sun City Center and the surrounding areas.

By Sharon Still

Cody Howard founded Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning in 1983 after searching out a cleaning method that would more efectively clean carpets without leaving them soaking wet for hours. Since then, the company has grown to hundreds of franchise locations across the country.

Franchise owner Eric Swilley has been cleaning carpets since the age of 17 and came to know Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning through a family member who owned a franchise. Twenty years later, business is still going strong.

Residential as well as commercial services are available to help make furniture, tile, grout and upholstery look the best possible.

Swilley explained that Heaven’s Best’s method of low-moisture cleaning sets it apart from others who perform the same types of services.

“Our carpet cleaning process leaves

customers with carpets that are dry in one hour,” he stated, adding that there is no sticky residue left to attract dirt and all its products are safe for children and pets. He takes pride in making a diference in people’s lives and is passionate about providing top-quality results with a high level of professionalism.

“Seeing the before and after is the most rewarding part of the job,” Swilley commented.

One tip that Swilley ofered readers to help them keep floor and furniture surfaces in their best condition is to do weekly vacuuming and cleaning, coupled with a professional cleaning at least once a year.

An area native, Swilley is currently living in Valrico with his wife and two children, who attend local elementary and middle schools. He said they stay active in the local community by participating in and donating to the schools’ PTA organizations and their local church, Centerpoint Church in Valrico.

Mention the Osprey Observer for 10 percent of any service.

To learn more about Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning or to schedule an appointment, visit https://heavensbestcleaningfl. com/ or call 813-294-2392.

Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning owner Eric Swilley and his wife, Andrea, and their two children have been living in and providing carpet cleaning services to the Brandon area for more than 20 years.

Garcia Weight Loss Aesthetics & Hormone Therapy

Garcia Weight Loss Aesthetics & Hormone Therapy was founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to medically supported weight-loss services in a warm and welcoming setting. The practice offers a team approach with highly skilled practitioners. Weight loss is more than just numbers; each individual has unique strengths, challenges, needs and goals. Truly customized weight loss takes all these factors into consideration to create a personalized treatment plan. The team at Garcia Weight Loss Aesthetics & Hormone Therapy doesn’t just focus on shedding excess pounds, as its practitioners strive to enhance overall health and wellness. Visit its website at www.garciaweightloss.com or call 813-982-3042 for additional information or to make an appointment.

FastFrame Of Winthrop Celebrates One-year Anniversary

Aki Weaver and David Escobar, owners of FastFrame of Winthrop, have been reflecting upon the beautiful, meaningful and unique pieces that they have had the privilege of framing during their first year in business.

“Our success over the past year is

largely due to the unwavering support from the community, and for that we are so grateful,” they said.

Earlier this year, Weaver and Escobar were also able to attend a conference where they were able to further their education and discover new ways of designing, which has fueled them to keep designing new pieces, utilizing the latest collections of moldings and mats. As always, FastFrame of Winthrop stands by its ‘True Love Guarantee,’ which means if you do not absolutely love your finished frame, then FastFrame will recraft it within the same price range at no additional cost. FastFrame of Winthrop is located at 6128 Winthrop Town Center Ave. in Riverview. Additional information can be found on its website at www.fastframe.com/riverview or by calling 813-436-0044.

Halo Head Spa Focuses On Scalp Health And Relaxation

Halo Head Spa specializes in providing a luxurious and rejuvenating experience focused on scalp health and relaxation. Its unique treatments combine traditional techniques with modern innovations to relieve stress, promote hair growth and enhance overall well-being. From personalized scalp massages to soothing aromatherapy, every visit is a sanctuary for your mind and body. Whether you are looking to unwind, rejuvenate or simply indulge, Halo Head Spa offers a blissful escape from everyday stresses. Halo Head Spa is located at 405 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon. Visit its website at https://thehaloheadspa.com/ or call 813-330-7546 for more information on its services.

MORSECOM Believes In Technology That Serves People

Celebrating 30 years in business! As stated on its website, MORSECOM believes that through “strengthening connections, optimizing performance and helping people in businesses of all sizes adapt and enhance modern workforces, we share the unlimited possibilities of the connected world.” Visit its website at www.morsecom. com or call 321-479-7823.

Satin & Lace Bridal Boutique Participates In National Bridal Sale The National Bridal Sale at Satin & Lace Bridal Boutique is the perfect opportunity to fi nd your dream wedding dress and bridal accessories while enjoying big savings. The event is running until Saturday, July 27. With a wide selection of wedding dresses priced at $999 or less and accessories marked down by up to 50 percent, this event is a bride’s dream come true. Additionally, purchase a regular-priced dress for $1,499 or more and receive a free veil or a $150 credit for any veil over $300. Satin &Lace Bridal Boutique is located at 11286 Sullivan St. in Riverview. Visit its website at https://satinandlacebridalboutique.com/ to learn more or schedule an appointment.

When an unexpected injury or illness happens, you can trust the pediatric emergency experts at AdventHealth for Children in Tampa. We’re ready to care for your child. And, with InQuickER, it’s easy to reserve a treatment time online — so you can wait in the comfort of home and arrive at a time convenient for you and your family.

EYE ON BUSINESS...CONTINUED

Compiled By Jenny Bennett

School Age and VPK students at Childcare of Brandon located at 10811 Bloomingdale Avenue. Riverview, FL had a journalism presentation by Osprey Observer Managing Editor Marie Gilmore about starting a student newspaper at their scholol www.childcareofbrandon.com

Te Stylish Chick Celebrates Two Years With A Ribbon-cutting

The Stylish Chick has helped over 500 people discover their best colors and style in the two years since it opened, and owner Barbara Ellis decided to celebrate this with a chamber of commerce ribbon-cutting. The two main services o f ered by The Stylish Chick are color analysis and style consultations. Color analysis uses color science and large drapes of various colors to take clients on journeys of discovery to the colors that make them look healthy, youthful and glowing. During a style consultation, body geometrics and how to dress your unique body shape for proportion and balance are discussed.

“When you marry color, body geometrics and your clothing personality all together, shopping becomes easy,” said owner Barbara Ellis.

To make an appointment

with The Stylish Chick, visit its website at https://thestylishchick.com/ or call 610-585-8596.

Bayview

Graphix Is Dedicated To Helping Your Business Succeed Bayview Graphix is a full-service marketing company dedicated to helping your busi-

ness succeed. Whether you need assistance with your website, search engine optimization or social media management, it has you covered. Bayview Graphix’s expertise also extends beyond the digital realm, o f ering high-quality print materials, including business cards, full-color banners, eye-catching yard signs and more.

Owner Jason Jones said, “As a locally owned business, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized service tailored to your unique needs.”

Visit the company website at https://bayviewgraphix.com/ or call 813-588-3513 for more information.

GFWC BRANDON SERVICE LEAGUE TO HOST ‘INTRODUCTION TO BRANDON SERVICE LEAGUE’

The GFWC Brandon Service League will hold an event called ‘Introduction To Brandon Service League’ on Sunday, July 28, from 3-5 p.m. The event will be held at the GFWC Brandon Junior Woman’s Club, located at 129 N. Moon Ave. in Brandon. All women interested in service to our community are welcome. The Brandon Service League will have refreshments and a social hour in addition to a short presentation.

Members of the GFWC Brandon Service League invite you to an event on Sunday, July 28, from 3-5 p.m. Attend to learn all about the club, fnd out how you can become a member, support the community, fnd fellowship with like-minded women and have some fun too.

Joanne Baxter, who became co-president of the GFWC Brandon Service League in January, said, “We are hosting this event to bring awareness to women in our community of our existence, our purpose, our programs and to generate membership. At this event, we will have a video presentation running of who GFWC is (the General Federation of Women’s Clubs), of whom we are a part. We will also have a presentation/information on the charities that we support, the fundraisers that we do and the programs that we are in the process of reviving.”

Each year, the Brandon Service League contributes to three charities, including New Horizon Group Home, Outreach Free Clinic and Resource Center, and Hope for Her. It also contributes money to the art

By Kathy L. Collins

department of six local high schools and gives two scholarships.

The club is also reviving two events which it has not been able to hold for several years. The first is the Alice Storms Very Special Arts Festival, which is a field trip for special needs preschoolers and kindergarteners from Southeastern Hillsborough County. This event gives children a fun day of activities, including face painting, a magician show, multiple crafts and more. This event has been held yearly for nearly 30 years.

The second event is a judged high school art show that will be held in December in conjunction with New Hope Church’s tree lighting and jazz concert. There will be monetary prizes in a multitude of categories for the art projects. This is open to Hillsborough County high school students through the art department.

Baxter said, “My goal is to increase membership and to successfully revive the judged art show and the Very Special Arts event.”

For information on becoming a member of the GFWC Brandon Service League, please visit the club’s website directly at www.gfwcbrandonserviceleague.org.

ST. JOSEPH’S CHILDREN’S AND ST. JOSEPH’S SOUTH HOSPITALS HOST CHRISTMAS IN JULY TOY DRIVE

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa is hosting its 16th annual Christmas in July toy drive for hospitalized children.

Riverview’s St. Joseph’s Hospital-South is also partaking in the event for the second year, titling it ‘Christmas in July at the South Pole.’

By Jamie Lu

The program is organized by the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation and supports the bedside activities and complementary therapies provided to pediatric patients by the hospitals’ Child Life Departments. While undergoing treatment, pediatric patients often endure stressful and unfamiliar experiences, all while away from the comfort of their own homes. The toys and gifts donated during the Christmas in July event help to alleviate the children’s fear and provide comfort and joy to them during their stay.

“Toys that are donated go to a variety of di f erent things. It can be for a celebration, like a birthday or a holiday. They can also provide a distraction for the patient while they are going through a procedure,” said Sarah Jenkinson of the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation. “A toy can help ease the stress and scariness of the ER. It allows the patient to focus on something other than the trauma they are experiencing.”

There are a number of ways the com-

munity can get involved, but one of the easiest ways is to start a personal fundraiser page, which can be done by visiting www. stjosephschristmas. org. Community members can then share this fundraiser

on their social media pages and even challenge their friends and colleagues.

Other ways to become involved include donating online, starting a toy drive, encouraging local partners to support or becoming a sponsor.

Community members are also welcome to bring gifts in person to fi ll Santa’s sleigh at the Grand Finale event on Friday, July 26. Santa will be collecting donations at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa from 7 a.m.-12 Noon and at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South from 9-11 a.m. Toys should be new and unwrapped. Sensory toys as well as infant toys and rattles are especially appreciated. The www.stjosephschristmas.org website provides a list of other items needed. Without a doubt, Christmas in July brings the hope and joy associated with its namesake holiday to the children who need it the most. The event “is something that our sta f and our patients get to look forward to,” said Jenkinson.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-South is located at 6901 Simmons Loop in Riverview.

Team members and Santa Claus at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South’s 2023 Christmas in July toy drive event for hospitalized children.

HOPE FOR HER CLAY SHOOT SUPPORTS WOMEN IN NEED

Helping women who are experiencing trauma and crises to restore confidence and self-worth and rebuild critical life skills to survive is the main mission of the local nonprofit organization Hope for Her. The upcoming Clay Shoot Tournament Fundraiser is one of its two fundraisers held each year, making it a critical time to gather funds and support to be able to continue its mission.

By Sharon Still

ty excited about the organization and our events,” she added.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 14, for the Hope for Her Clay Shoot Tournament Fundraiser. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at FishHawk Sporting Clays, located at 13505 Hobson Simmons Rd. in Lithia.

Sponsorship opportunities are available from $500-$7,500, and each level includes at least one foursome. Men, women and mixed teams are invited to participate at a cost of $125 per player or $450 per team.

“All of the money goes right back into the ministry in Brandon,” said Hope for Her founder Cheryl Hickman, stressing the importance of a successful fundraiser for continued operations.

“We are hoping to get the communi-

•

If joining the tournament as a player or sponsor is not possible, area residents and businesses can still help out by donating to the Super Ra f e. Inkind donations of outdoor-related items, such as grills, coolers, hunting and fishing gear, restaurant gift certificates and other items, are needed.

Hope for Her is a nonprofit organization founded and run by women who have endured serious life challenges and can relate to others going through much of the same. Single women and their children are o f ered the strength, skills and support needed to rebuild their lives after experiencing upheaval and crisis situations. The organization’s members work one-on-one with women to transform overwhelming circumstances into opportunities. Financial coaching, courses on topics like parenting and nutrition as well as employment assistance are just a few of the services that Hope for Her provides for those in need.

To register for the event or find out more information, visit www.hopeforherfl.org/clays or call 813-309-3357. Hope for Her’s o f ce hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.