13 minute read
LOSING TO WIN
NELSON ELEMENTARY STUDENTS LEARN TO SAVE A LIFE WITH CPR
By Kate Quesada
Students at Nelson Elementary School used teddy bears donated by the Rough Riders when learning CPR at school last month.
A group of local elementary school students recently learned how to save a life with help from some flufy friends. Nelson Elementary School physical education teacher and Valrico resident Leslie Wheeler thought outside of the box when preparing her CPR unit last month.
Wheeler teaches compression-only CPR to her students but noticed she was missing a vital part for the instruction.
“Because we only have one set of mannequins to use, it is not enough for an entire class, and sometimes the students might not feel comfortable practicing on the mannequins,” she explained. “So, I reached out to the Rough Riders to see if they would be willing to help.”
The Rough Riders are a U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment.
“They are well known in the Tampa Bay community for distributing thousands of teddy bears to hospitals, centers for abused women and children, community health centers, special needs day care center and foster children,” she explained.
Wheeler, who has been a member of the Krewe of Celts for the past 10 years, has a connection with the Rough Riders as they also participate in the Gasparilla Pirate Festival as a Krewe.
The Rough Riders donated 20 large teddy bears to the program. “The use of teddy bears made the learning experience a little less scary,” she said. “When they learn about the circumstances of when you need to administer CPR, it is a very frightening moment to imagine. When the students were watching the video, I could see how engaged they were. They knew this was a serious lesson they were about to learn.”
This is the first year that Wheeler has taught CPR to first, second and third grade students, but she is looking forward to making it an annual event.
“Last year, I only taught it to my fourth and fifth graders,” she said. “This year, I introduced it to first through fifth grade. This is a permanent unit that will be taught yearly. The more the students practice, the easier it will be if they are ever in a situation where CPR will be needed.”
To learn more about the Rough Riders, visit www.tamparoughriders.org.
LOSING TO WIN MOVIE FILMING BRINGS DEAN CAIN TO VALRICO
By Marie Gilmore
A national faith-based movie production company now has a presence in Valrico. JCFilms Studios has launched its most recent production club, JCFilms Studios Tampa. And immedi ately after forming, the club put its first full-length feature film into production. Filming for seven days in April, the movie was shot on location in Valrico, Lithia, Plant City, Riverview, Brandon and Tampa. The film, called Losing to Win, follows four candidates through a reality show challenge and shares their story of regaining faith, building relationships and finding support through friends.
In March, JCFilms Studios Tampa put out a casting call for a faith-based movie featuring Dean Cain, best known for playing Superman in the Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman series, who has been a long-standing supporter of JCFilms. Cain was in town in May for the finale of the filming at 5th Gear Fitness in Valrico. The owners, Jessica Adams and Gretchen Trasorras, are also the directors of the Tampa Club and have been involved in professional acting and training for years.
“I had the opportunity to be on set and be a principal character in two JCFilms productions,” explained Adams, “and we wanted to bring a production club to the Tampa area because we think we can produce really great movies right there in the area.”
The cast and crew filmed for a total of nine days and the movie is now in post-production. Once released, it is planned to be submitted to the streaming services and be available live through a new family-friendly, faith-based streaming app, JC-
Behind the Films scenes during Plus, the shooting of coming Losing to Win, a soon. new faith-based, To date, full-length feature flm shot in Valrico in April. JCFilms has produced over 50 faith and family films. Jason Campbell, president of JCFilms Studios, explained, “Each of these Production Clubs are being created to ofer both education and opportunity for people of faith to get involved in Christian films. Each location is designed as a hub for Christian movie making, from script writing to acting; the goal of these clubs is to tell Christ-centered redemptive stories through film by creating compelling, entertaining and wholesome content.” In addition, Campbell hopes JCFilms Plus will become the premier platform for the growing number of independent Christian filmmakers. “As more faith films are being produced, it’s time we have our own digital platform,” Campbell said. JCFilms Plus is also going to serve as the distribution platform for the ministry’s production clubs. These nationwide film clubs will produce over 20 films in the next year. JCFilms Plus has already been endorsed by top Christian leaders in film, music and church leadership. The video-on-demand platform is set to launch in June. For more information on the clubs, upcoming productions and the new streaming service, visit www.jcfilms.org.
Private Charters: 4 hour, 6 hour, 8 hour & 2.5 hour Sunset Cruises. Cruising the Alafa River and Tampa Bay.
BOOK ONLINE
(Take Out Only)
YBOR Room
Now OPEN!
Call/Text 813-815-6220
Email: info@tikiboatofriverview.com
TIKIBOATOFRIVERVIEW.COM
CARNEVALE COMES TO LAKELAND AT RP FUNDING CENTER
Staf Report
Puerto Rican saxophonist, classical pop recording artist, musical director, and composer Jazz Hamilton performs his latest production Carnevale at the RP Funding Center on Friday, September 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Puerto Rican saxophonist, classical pop recording artist, musical director and composer Jazz Hamilton performs his latest production Carnevale at the RP Funding Center on Friday, September 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Hamilton knew he was destined to become a musician since the age of 3. At the age of 4 and 5, he serenaded his neighbors from the balcony of his grandmother’s third-floor apartment, singing the most famous songs of his favorite salsa artist, Héctor Lavoe. His introduction to jazz was unique; with a father that was an avid collector of good music recordings, he was exposed to diferent genres at an early age. Then one day, he found the original recording of “Body and Soul” by the great Coleman Hawkins and fell in love with the saxophone and jazz music forever.
Known for his recordings of classical, pop, jazz, Latin jazz, contemporary jazz and salsa genres, his main instruments are alto and soprano saxophones. Consequently, Hamilton crafted a distinctive sound that emerges from a classical backdrop but then transcends beyond the limits of any single creative expression, masterfully placing his instrument at the forefront of the orchestra. Now, Hamilton presents his mystical and electrifying masquer a d e concert show casing masterpieces such as “Song from a Secret Garden,” “Libertango,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Green Hornet,” Aranjuez” and “Bésame Mucho,” along with many more.
All this intertwined with his original arrangements, orchestrations and spellbinding interpretations. Come and celebrate love in a unique immersive musical experience with the organic, smooth and warm tone of Hamilton in this dynamic and breathtaking Book of Moments that today he calls Carnevale.
The RP Funding Center is located minutes between Orlando and Tampa in Lakeland of Interstate 4 at 701 W. Lime St.; the RP Funding Center is a short drive from anywhere in Central Florida. Regular box ofce hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now and cost $44, $55, $66, $77 or $97. For tickets, visit the RP Funding Center Box Ofce, call toll-free at 863-834-8111 or online at www.rpfundingcenter.com.
TD BANK OPENS VALRICO LOCATION ON BLOOMINGDALE
Staf Report
Valrico residents recently received a new option in banking. TD Bank opened a location on Bloomingdale Avenue last month ofering checking and savings accounts, small business checking accounts, mortgages, credit cards and home equity lines of credit or loans. Specialists are also available at this location, including mortgage loan ofcers and financial advisors.
“We’re thrilled to bring our newest TD Bank store to the Valrico community,” said Carole Groves, retail market manager for TD Bank’s Tampa Bay region. “This location is the 157th TD Bank store in Florida, and one of several we’ll be opening across the region and the state over the next few years. We’re passionate about contributing to the local economy, about being trusted financial advisors to our consumer and business customers and about hiring local talent.”
According to Groves, the bank is excited to become part of the community.
“Our commitment to community is bigger than our stores, our products and services or even the dollars we give back,” said Groves. “Our employees pride themselves on showing up for local fundraisers, communi-
ty gatherings and volunteer events. We’re proud to support organizations like A Kid’s Place—an organization whose mission is to provide a safe, loving and nurturing home for foster children— through food drives TD Bank opened a location on Bloomingdale and other initiaAvenue last month. tives. Additionally, Photos courtesy of Maria Cruz, TD Bank. we’ve worked with local high schools in teaching financial literacy classes for juniors and seniors, discussing important topics such as using credit wisely.” Groves feels that the bank is in a unique position because it has the strength, scale and experience of a large institution but is able to retain the personalized feel of a regional bank. “A key part of our culture is our passion for our customers—we call it “WOW!” It’s about creating legendary customer experiences, having fun and eliminating the things people don’t like about banks,” she said. “Our customers aren’t an account number. They are people with goals and aspirations, and being the human bank means we know our customers and they know us—and we’re supporting them on their financial journey.” The bank is located at 2170 Bloomingdale Ave. and can be reached at 813-261-4413. To learn more, visit www.TD.com.
GROOMS FAMILY INDUCTED INTO FLORIDA 4-H HALL OF FAME
By Linda Chion
At The Regent last month to receive one award, Carl and Dee Dee Grooms went home with recognition for two, including for their induction into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame.
“That was a great honor, I didn’t see that coming,” said Carl, who earlier, on behalf of his family, accepted the 2022 Outstanding Project of the Year Award from the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District (HSWCD).
The Grooms family owns Fancy Farms in Plant City, and this year it raised its 48th strawberry crop. They also own Fancy Farms Market of Drane Field Road at the Hillsborough/Polk County line, where strawberry smoothies and cookies are among the major draws.
Both honors were recognized at HSWCD’s 2022 Hillsborough 100 Conservation Challenge Kickof Luncheon and Awards Ceremony held on April 27 at The Regent in Riverview. In attendance was Michael Gutter, associate dean at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, through which the Florida 4-H program is operated. The hall of fame honor, he said, recognizes “outstanding partners and contributors to the Florida 4-H program.”
The 4-H program provides youth with opportunities to develop skills, accrue knowledge and explore career paths with projects and events on a broad selection of topics ranging from agriculture to robotics to mock At the Hillsborough 100 luncheon on April 27 at government. Te Regent (from left to right): Carl Grooms; Dee Betty Jo TompDee Grooms and her sister, Denise Alderman; and kins, HSWCD exec-
Kristi Grooms with her fancé, Derek Barnes. utive director, said
Photo courtesy of Hillsborough Soil and the Grooms famWater Conservation District. ily, including son Dustin, and daughter Kristi, were recognized by her organization for sponsoring a Hillsborough 100 strawberry U-pick to benefit youth programs and activities. She noted as well that the Grooms family for 16 years has sponsored strawberry U-picks in support of Hillsborough County 4-H programs. “They have always been community servants,” Tompkins said. “Like they say, service is in their DNA.” As for Carl, “my whole life is a project, and now I get an award for it,” he said. “Especially in agriculture, it’s a project every day and I want to thank my family and my wife. She’s my partner in business and in crime and in everything else.” Carl said that despite being in business since 1974, he’s always learning, and that’s how it should be “in any business you’re in today.” Visit Fancy Farms at www.fancyfarmsmarket.com.
HILLSBOROUGH’S FOREVER CONSERVATION AWARD
By Linda Chion
The sixth annual Theodore Roosevelt Hillsborough Forever Conservation Award has been presented to a decorated Vietnam veteran who started his Florida Forest Service career as a towerman in a Valrico tower on the front lines of prescribed burns.
Michael Perry received the award from the Hillsborough County commissioners at their April 20 meeting. The conservation award is given annually to an individual or group for “attributes of true conservation stewardship,” including “integrity in performance toward conservation goals” and “persistence and dedication” to the longterm conservation of natural resources.
Keep America Beautiful received the award last, the first time a group was honored. According to Commissioner Stacy White, Perry received the award for his integral role in developing Hillsborough’s prescribed fire program.
Proponents of prescribed fires as a land management program said they promote healthy ecosystems by clearing out competing vegetation. Moreover, White said, the fires cycle nutrients into the soil, provide food for wildlife and stimulate growth and seed protection of fire-dependent plants.
According to county ofcials, Perry led an estimated 200 prescribed burns and
helped contain 200 to 300 wildfires in the region, which White said made Perry “as equally comfortable fighting wildfires as he was leading prescribed burns.” T Michael Perry (center) after receiving the county’s eodore Roosevelt Hillsborough Forever Conservation White also said Perry served as
Award at the Hillsborough County Board of County “a passionate Commissioners’ meeting on April 20. educator about
Photo courtesy of Hillsborough County. these crucial and often misunderstood conservation eforts” and routinely met with residents both to promote and explain the benefits of prescribed burns and to lead wildlife fire training for volunteer firefighters. “The firefighters, land managers and other experts who conduct prescribed burns, also called controlled fires, are unsung heroes,” White said. “Mr. Perry is synonymous with this essential practice in Hillsborough County.” In return, Perry said it was “humbling to be up here today receiving this award,” and he thanked his family for their support and friends through the county’s Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP), which to date has protected more than 60,000 acres of rare and important habitat. Launched in 1987, the program was renamed in 2014 in honor of Platt, a former commissioner and lifelong advocate for environmental protection. For more information on the April 20 board meeting, visit www.HCFLGov.net.
Assisted Living
“Tessera Brandon...living your lifestyle.” Memory Care
“Living the present...cherishing the past.”
• Active contemporary style living • Spacious apartments • All day dining from 7am to 7pm with a bountiful variety of choices • Pet friendly • Educational and social opportunities • Cable and Wi-Fi included • Live entertainment from Bach to Big Band • “Wine Down” Wednesdays
Questions about memory loss? Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Groups - LIVE and ZOOM Call for Zoom link
Assisted Living Facility #AL13150
