Riverview/Apollo Beach
Article on Page 37
February 2024
Volume 22, Issue 2
Ph: 813-657-2418
February 29-March 10
See Ad On Page 35
CELEBRATING 22 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
WINTHROP CHARTER SCHOOL COMPLETES SPRING EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY THE HAPPY MURAL PROJECT AT THE FLORIDA RAILROAD MUSEUM Bright, painted on the communisunflowers and ty through Wina colorful lion’s throp Charter head brought a School. pop of color to Within the Winthrop Charfirst hour of the ter School. project being At the beginopen, Wagner ning of January, said the wall was the Winthrop filled with comcommunity came munity painters. The Happy Mural Project mural included a lion’s together to com“It was hard head for Winthrop Charter School. plete a paint-byto find room on number mural the wall where designed by Hapyou could kind of py Mural Project squeeze in to put artist Alyssa Masome paint on rie. The two-day it,” Wagner said. project hosted Marie customstudents, parents, ized the mural faculty and neighto include a colbors to fill in the orful lion’s head mural. to represent “I started The Winthrop CharHappy Mural ter’s mascot and Project in 2020 Winthrop Charter School students helped fill in The a symbol found as an effort to in the Winthrop Happy Mural Project’s paint-by-number mural. just inspire more joy community. across the globe through “With each brush larger-than-life sunflowstroke, Winthrop’s ers painted on walls,” learning community emMarie said. braced the arts and crePTC Mural Chair Ranated an impactful expedi Wagner, who particirience,” Principal Terry pated in painting a mural when she was Johnson said. younger, brought the idea up a year and Marie had the opportunity to work a half ago. with the children and tell her story as an “I just loved what The Happy Mural artist. Wagner said the students were Project stood for: inspiring others and inspired by her story and seeing the pasjust making beautiful art, something you sion she has for The Happy Mural Project. can drive by that puts a smile on your Sunflowers were included in each muface and it lasts a long time,” Wagner ral because Marie’s favorite color is yelsaid. low and sunflowers remind people of joy Wagner still drives by the mural she and beauty. helped paint and is reminded of the pride For more information on the Happy of contributing to the project she felt as Mural Project or to submit your wall for a child. She wanted her daughter to have a mural, visit www.thehappymuralprojthe same opportunity to leave her mark ect.com.
The Florida Cotton Tail Railroad MuseSpecial — Frium has an exday and Saturciting lineup of day, March 29events for the 30 spring. Take a The Cotton look at its schedTail Special is ule, take the departing for the family and enmuseum’s annual joy outings you Easter egg hunt. won’t find any- The Florida Railroad Museum has a full calendar of Enjoy a 30-minwhere else. ute train ride to events for the whole family this spring. Va l e n t i n e s Willow, where Celebration — Thurslots of fun activities are day to Sunday, February planned for children of 15-17 all ages. Approximately The Florida Railroad 1.5 hours will be spent Museum is pleased to at Willow enjoying the host its first-ever Valenactivities, followed by a tine’s Day event in 2024. 30-minute return train If you love trains, have ride to Parrish. a valentine (or a standFood and beverages in), love good food and are available for purcan bust a move, join in chase on board the train this February 15, 16 or and while at the egg 17 aboard the Valentine hunt. Limited. Experience an Old Guests will enjoy a West Train Robbery — 30-minute train ride to WilSaturday and Sunday, April low. Upon arrival, everyone 13-14 will disembark for a deliRumors say a valuable cious buffet dinner complete shipment will be on board with a carving station and your train. Passengers are vegetarian options. A DJ assured the situation will be will be taking requests all fully secure in the hands of evening, so bring your list of the United States Marshal favorite songs and dancing shoes. Service. Surely the Hole-in-the-Head Get your tickets today at www.frrm. Gang will not attempt to stop a train unorg/train-rides/valentine-limited/. der Marshal protection. … Will they? Join A Day Out With Thomas — Friday to in for a fun train ride that will let you exSunday, March 15-17, and Saturday and perience an Old West-style train robbery. Sunday, March 23-24 The Florida Railroad Museum is locat‘Pop’ on board a train ride adventure ed at 12210 83rd St. E. in Parrish. For with Thomas the Tank Engine. A Day Out more information about the museum and With Thomas: Bubble Tour is heading its events and to purchase tickets, visit to heritage railways across the coun- www.frrm.org. try with loads of bubble-themed games and activities. Enjoy live entertainment, the exclusive gift shop, photo ops, lawn TECO FAMILY BBQ .............................PG 3 games and so much more. Take a real train ride with Thomas and spend the MOTORING TAMPA BAY .................PG 5 day creating memories for the whole CHALLENGE ISLAND.......................PG 11 family. EYE ON BUSINESS ................PGS 25-26 Get your tickets today at www.frrm. A KID’S PLACE GALA.....................PG 30 org/day-out-with-thomas/.
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HOOKED ON BOOKS
Staff Report
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2118
By Lily Belcher
Are you looking for some good books to read for yourself or to give someone as a gift? Check out the Hooked On Books article on page 41.
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