VALRICO 25-33
22
April 2022
Volume 19, Issue 4
Ph: 813-657-2418
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
CAMPO YMCA HELPS MEMBER CELEBRATE 101ST BIRTHDAY
SOUTHERN CONSTRUCTION TEAMS UP WITH 100-DAY DREAM HOME
By Sharon Still
By Michelle Caceres
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
The Valrico-based Southern Construction recently joined with the HGTV show 100-Day Dream Home to turn dreams into reality for Valrico residents.
The Valrico-based Southern Construction recently joined with the HGTV show 100-Day Dream Home to turn dreams into reality for a fellow resident new to the Valrico area. Southern Construction has been in business since 2015 building custom homes throughout Central Florida, including Hillsborough, Polk, Pasco, Pinellas and Manatee counties. 100-Day Dream Home with locals Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt, both graduates of Riverview High School and owners of Dirt 2 Design, is in its third season on HGTV. Mika, the realtor, and Brian, the developer, join with local designers and builders to create each client’s dream home in 100 days or less. As the featured builder in a March episode, Southern Construction Owner Blair Johnson said he is excited about this opportunity and adds that if the show is picked up for season four, Southern Construction hopes to be a part of future episodes. With a shortage of supplies on everything from lumber to lighting supplies, Johnson explained that his company aims to procure materials in anticipation of need as not to delay construction. “We pre-purchase windows, cabinets, tresses
and whatever we can to set us up for success,” he said. The episode that aired on March 14, “A New Chapter,” left viewers teary-eyed after the unveiling of the 3,200 sq. ft. home for a widowed, single mother of three, whose dream is to start a career in the culinary field. Noting the homeowner’s goal of becoming a chef, the kitchen serves as the center piece of the home. “My house is absolutely beautiful,” said homeowner Tabatha Copper. She hopes to finish her culinary studies and start a career as a personal chef, doing meal prep and catering. 100-Day Dream Home airs on HGTV Sunday nights at 8 p.m. Past episodes, like the one featuring Southern Construction as the builder, can be viewed on Discovery+. For more information about 100Day Dream Home visit www.hgtv.com. Southern Construction is a certified VA homebuilder and can be reached at 813848-4213.
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It’s not often that “You just an exercise gym offers have to keep its members cake and going,” he said. other treats after a Roque has fitness class, but when certainly enone of those memjoyed a full life. bers is turning 101, it He was born makes an exception. in 1921, when Campo Family the world was YMCA staff and memreeling from a bers couldn’t resist different sort of throwing the celebrapandemic (the tion when they found Spanish Flu). out Valrico resident He was in the and centenarian FerU.S. Army from nando ‘Nando’ Roque YMCA staff and members celebrated Valrico resi- 1940-43 as a would soon be celegunner. Stadent Fernando ‘Nando’ Roque’s 101st birthday. brating antioned in other birthEurope, day. he was Roque, a the lone World War survivor II veteran, of his faithfully battalattends Silion, who verSneakers were all classes twice killed in a week. Silaction. verSneakers Shortly is a health, after reexercise and wellness program that helps turning from his tour of duty, he met and older adults live healthy, active lifestyles by married Julia, the love of his life. She passed building muscular strength, improving joint away in 2015. Roque has four children and mobility and increasing cardiovascular en- dozens of grandchildren, great-grandchildurance. dren and even great-great-grandchildren. “Some of the class members knew his He was grateful that people took the efbirthday was coming up and wanted to do fort to throw him the celebration that had something special to help him celebrate,” more than 30 people in attendance. said Wellness Experience Director Alex “He was so excited and happy we were Stafanes. doing this for him, he even dressed up for It was truly a group effort to pull the the occasion,” said Stefanes. “As a WWII event together. Members volunteered to U.S. Army veteran and a regular participant make a cake and desserts; the fitness in- in our group fitness classes, it was an honor structor decorated the room and ended to celebrate with him today.” class a little early so they could sing “HapFor more information about the Campo py Birthday,” have cake and socialize; and Family YMCA or SilverSneakers classes, several people gave speeches in his honor, visit www.tampaymca.org or call 813-684including Roque himself. 1371.
The Mulrennan Middle School girls soccer program has reached three straight county championship games, winning two in a row. See full story on Page 35.
EXPIRES: 9/30/2020
Exp 4/30/2022
