BRANDON/WINTHROP EDITION
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February 2026 Volume 21, Issue 2
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CELEBRATING 24 YE ARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
BRANDON RIVERVIEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR
Staff Report
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
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The Bran‑ don Riverview Chamber of Commerce is proud to an‑ nounce its Community Health & Well‑ ness Fair, taking place Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Garden‑ ville Park & Rec‑ reation Center, located at 6219 Symmes Rd. in Gibsonton. This free, family-friend‑ ly event is de‑ signed to con‑ nect residents with valuable health, wellness and medical re‑ sources while creating a fun and engaging experience for all ages. The fair will feature local health and wellness businesses, medical providers and community organizations, along with interactive activities, on-site health screenings, food trucks, sports demonstrations and live entertainment. “Our Community Health & Wellness Fair is all about bringing people together and empowering our community with access to resources that support healthier, hap‑ pier lives,” said the Brandon Riverview Chamber of Commerce President Amber Aaron. “From preventative care and fit‑ ness to nutrition and mental wellness, this event offers something for everyone.” The fair also provides an excellent op‑ portunity for health and wellness business‑ es to showcase their services directly to families, individuals and decision-makers
in the Bran‑ don-River‑ view area. Participating business‑ es can build brand aware‑ ness, share expertise and form meaning‑ ful connec‑ tions while supporting community well-being. Businesses specializing in healthcare, fitness, nu‑ trition, men‑ tal wellness, preventative care and ho‑ listic services are encour‑ aged to par‑ ticipate. Community members are invited to attend at no cost, and businesses inter‑ ested in showcasing their services can register online at https://web.centralhill‑ sboroughchamber.com/events/Communi‑ ty-Health-Wellness-Fair-63706/details. Join the Brandon Riverview Chamber of Commerce for a high-energy, impactful event that educates, inspires and strength‑ ens a healthier community. About the Brandon Riverview Chamber of Commerce The Brandon Riverview Chamber of Commerce empowers businesses through opportunities for brand exposure, educa‑ tion and advocacy while fostering mean‑ ingful connections that strengthen our community and promote collaboration and growth.
COOKIE SEASON BRINGS SWEET SUCCESS FORT AREA GIRL SCOUTS
By Kelly Wise Valdes
Troop 33521 purchase a box, of the Girl Scouts the money stays of West Central right here in your Florida is head‑ neighborhood, ing into cook‑ supporting local ie season with girls and the or‑ fresh inventory, ganizations they ambitious goals serve.” and a deep sense This year, the of community Cadettes are pur‑ purpose. The Ca‑ suing two Silver dette‑level troop, Award projects part of the Fossil Girl Scouts from Troop 33521 greet customers with smiles focused on ma‑ Valley Service and stacks of cookies as they kick off booth season in Lithia. rine conservation: Unit serving the Lithia and Oyster Oasis and A Hermit FishHawk areas, is led by Crab’s Healthy Habitat. Melissa Sharma and Sarah Sharma said cookie pro‑ Miller, with support from ceeds will help fund educa‑ parent volunteer Erica tion and hands‑on environ‑ Taylor. mental work. The troop is selling cook‑ “Cookie sales have ies through a mix of tradi‑ helped our girls earn their tional and digital methods. Bronze Award; travel to “There are several ways Savannah, the birthplace to purchase cookies, and of Girl Scouts; and host each girl chooses what multiple Me & My Guy works best for her sched‑ (Daddy-Daughter) dances,” ule and goals,” Sharma Sharma said, noting that said. their volunteer efforts span animal rescues, Options include paper order forms, per‑ food drives, beach cleanups and support for sonalized Digital Cookie websites and children in need. in‑person booths at local businesses. With Sharma said watching the girls grow into preorders now closed, the troop is delivering confident leaders is the greatest reward. early sales and preparing for booth season “When we started, these girls were learn‑ at locations including Publix, Outback, Wal‑ ing how to tie their shoes. Now they can greens, EggTown and Danny’s Deli. market, manage inventory, handle money, As the girls begin their busiest weeks, troubleshoot booth locations, and confident‑ each Scout is working toward her own tar‑ ly talk to customers.” get. “Each girl sets her own personal goal,” Cookie flavors this year include Adven‑ said Sharma. “As a troop, we are planning to turefuls, Lemon‑Ups, Trefoils, Do‑si‑dos, Sa‑ average approximately 300 boxes per girl, moas, Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Exploremores combining personal and booth sales.” (new) and Toffee‑tastic (gluten-free). Cus‑ Her daughter, Olivia, has already sold 131 tomers can find local booths at www.gswcf. boxes online. org or order directly to buy your cookies at The girls involved with Troop 33521 are www.gswcf.org/en/cookies.html. 13-14 years old and attend several middle schools, including Progress Village Middle Magnet School of the Arts, Randall, Bar‑ PLANT CITY SPRING CONCERT....PG 4 rington and Bell Creek Academy. Girl Scout cookie season fuels more than SALTY SHAMROCK............................ PG 9 treats. HILLSBOROUGH EVENTS...............PG 14 “Our community support means every‑ thing to us — we truly could not reach our TACO DIRTY.........................................PG 22 goals without it,” Sharma said. “When you EYE ON BUSINESS.........................PG 34
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