EYE ON BUSINESS

COMING SOON MARCH 2-12

The White Oak Cottage Introduces New General Manager

The White Oak Cottage is pleased to introduce Kevin Luke as its new general manager. Luke has lived and worked in the Tampa area for the majority of his 25-year career in the food and beverage industry. He is classically trained from Le Cordon Bleu and has worked in everything from bakeries to fine-dining steakhouses. The White Oak Cottage owners Melanie and Shaunessy are continuing to deliver on their promise of establishing a world class restaurant, mouthwatering culinary selections and a customer experience that is second to none. The White Oak cottage is located at 10530 County Rd. 39 in Lithia and can be contacted on 813650-0054. Additional information can be found on its website at www. thewhiteoakcottage.com.

Blu Indigo Spa & Wellness Under New Ownership And Offering More Services

Blu Indigo Spa & Wellness is a sanctuary place bringing back your youth, vitality and self-love because its focus is on you. It does so by activating your body’s innate ability to self-heal through its simple and guided offerings. Services avail-

Kevin Luke, the new general manager at Te White Oak Cottage.

able include facials, waxing, microneedling, lash and brow tinting and body contouring, among others. Blu Indigo Spa & Wellness is located at 3339 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. To book your next appointment, visit its website at bluindigospa.com or call 813-651-3258.

JunkLuggers Now Servicing East Hillsborough County

The JunkLuggers of Tam-

pa East & Hillsborough South is an eco-friendly, locally owned and family-operated junk removal company. It takes the furniture and junk from your home or business and, through its network of donation partners, finds a second home for your gently used furniture, clothing and household goods. Additional information can be found by visiting www.junkluggers.com and following the prompts to find the location.

Eye Doctors Relocate

Local eye doctors Stephanie Kirkland,

OD; Ronald Pierce, OD; Laurie Cuva, OD; and Jessica Pierce, OD are no longer seeing patients at the Pearle Vision in Brandon.

They have relocated to the Maxim Eyes Optical, located at 2615 E. SR 60 in Valrico, where they will continue to provide you with the same thorough, friendly and professional eye care that you know and trust. All exam records and scans will also be at this new location. They can be reached by calling 813-653-9661.

Te Kingston Trio Coming To Lakeland

Fans of legendary folk icons The Kingston Trio can rediscover their timeless music all over again. In celebration of 60-plus years of music, the folk group is performing their best-loved songs as part of their ‘Keep The Music Playing’ national tour and will be at the RP Funding Center on Wednesday, March 29.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the RP Funding Center box office, located at 701 W. Lime St. in Lakeland or online at www.rpfundingcenter.com.

FIND YOUR ZEN.

FIND YOUR Y.

At the Y, you’ll find more than just a place to work out. With opportunities to connect with neighbors and give back to your community, you’ll discover a greater sense of purpose, too.

JOIN IN

JANUARY & SAVE!

SCAN HERE:

SEVEN DURANT ATHLETES SELECTED TO ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM

By Lily Belcher

Seven Durant High School football players were selected to the First Team of the Western Conference Federal Division at the beginning of December 2022.

The seven Durant seniors will join the First Team’s ofense, including wide receiver Jeremiah Gines, ofensive tackle Ajai Brown and center Tanner Pierce. Defensive linemen Ty Merkle and Greg Smith, line backer Jacob Reed and defensive back Xavier Peavy were selected for the defense. The Federal Division will be coached by coach-of-the-year Mike Gottman from East Bay High School.

This was Gines’ second selection to the All-Conference team but the first time he earned a role on the First Team. However, it is no surprise when looking at his senior season at Durant. This year, Gines broke the school record for receiving touchdowns and overall receptions. In one game, Gines made 11 catches for 244 yards against Gaither High School at the end of October.

Brown, Durant’s ofensive tackle, was also selected to the First Team’s ofense after his third year playing on varsity. Brown has earned the attention of recruiters of D-I schools.

“He’s really athletic and he’s really physical. He plays the game well,” said Durant head coach Clayton Varnum.

Pierce also plays the game well, despite 2022 being his first season on varsity. Pierce has been acknowledged by other schools as one of Durant’s strongest players. Varnum said the center was a “nightmare” for the teams that had to face him.

Merkle completed his second year on Durant’s football team this year and was

selected for the All-Conference team after a standout year. Merkle is also a part of the baseball team but joined the football team in his junior year. He made Durant head coach Clayton Varnum led seven key aggressive tackof his senior athletes to being selected to the First les in games and has All-Conference Team. earned the respect of coaches, teammates and opponents. Smith has played for Durant’s program for four years and started on defense for the last two. “He’s really the Seven Durant football players were named to epitome of what the All-Conference First Team, including three we want Durant kids on ofense and four on defense. to be. He’s a good student, … works hard at practice, works hard in the weight room and, this year, statistically, really stood out,” said Varnum. Reed was selected to the All-Conference team for the third time, but this was his first time making the First Team. The linebacker broke the school record for all time tackles and has been a four-year starter for Durant. Reed also was selected to the First Team in one of the most competitive categories for the All-Conference team. Peavy was Durant’s seventh player to make the All-Conference team this year. The basketball and football athlete made key tackles during games and maintained great defense against runs by opponents. Durant’s seven selections to the All-Conference First Team came after an 8-3 regular season record and 3-0 record against division opponents. Varnum’s leadership has built a team focused on class, sportsmanship and well-rounded skills to make them better students and athletes at Durant High School. For more information about Durant’s football team and its athletic department, visit www.durantboosters.com.

HIGH 5 INC. ADDS TACTICAL LASER TAG TO LIST OF OFFERED ACTIVITIES

By Lily Belcher

High 5 Inc. recently added Mission 5 Tactical Laser Tag to its list of programs available through the Brandon nonprofit organization.

High 5 partnered with the former owners of CQ Tactical Laser Tag to bring the set up to their program to add a new and exciting element of entertainment. The Mission 5 set up differs from other laser tag programs because it is entirely tactical and team based, compared to traditionally individual focused games.

“There are missions that each team is trying to accomplish, so the entire experience is goal based. The course is challenging and definitely a great workout at the same time,” said High Five CEO Chuck Burgess.

Mission 5 Laser Tag is perfect for birthday parties, weekend activities or outings with family and friends. To participate, individuals must be 10 years of age or older and at least 48 inches tall. An hour and a half session costs $25 for non-members and $20 for members. Birthday parties can be booked for $275 to $375, depending on specifications for the party.

The set up from CQ Tactical Laser Tag is based on teamwork, communication and strategy, making it a fun activity for corporate team building and family bonding. “The Mission 5 Laser Tag combines nicely with our mission of bringing people together in a fun way to enhance their lives,” said Burgess. “…Overall, we love watching people come in and challenge each other while having so much fun at the same time.” High 5 is a nonprofit organization that has served the Brandon community for 60 years.

The organization aims to make a positive impact on special needs education, after school experience, youth drowning prevention, sports and recreation and community impact.

The nonprofit is currently looking for volunteers to help support their recreational activities offered through their programs as well.

The organization is located on Beverly Boulevard off of Highway 60. The Mission 5 Laser Tag set up is located in the same building at 405 Beverly Boulevard.

For more information on how to join High 5 or to schedule a tour, contact 689-0908 or visit high5inc.org. For more information on pricing and booking for Mission 5, visit www.mission5lasertag.org.