JOY STAFFORD CHRONICLES BRANDON’S PAST WITH NEW HISTORIC VIDEO PROJECT
By Libby Hopkins
Joy Stafford of Brandon has been a lover of local history all her life. “I’m 85 years old and I began to become interested in history when my mother and stepfather moved to Virgina,” Stafford said. “The state is full of parks, museums, reenactments and libraries. Upon graduating with honors from high school, I had chosen library science as my major in college.”
Stafford graduated from the University of Kentucky and met her husband, Doug, in 1961 and earned her master’s degree that same year.
“Doug and I married in September of 1962, and I became a full-time wife and mother to our three children until our church, First Methodist Church of Brandon, began a preschool. I was a part-time teacher at the church for eight years.”
Fast-forward to 1989, when Stafford was working as a media specialist at McLane Junior High School. The school celebrated its 75th anniversary, and Stafford was on the committee to create a small book detailing the school’s history.
“Copies of the book were made for and presented to all of the past and present principals of the school,” Stafford said. “I wanted to make recordings of interviews with some of the elders of our community because they were quickly passing
away. I got our students involved with this project so they could write it and make a video of the conversations.”
The advanced placement students accepted Stafford’s challenge to create this video.
“The students’ condensed versions of the interviews were put into the history of Brandon School,” Stafford said.
Over the years, Stafford has self-published books on local history that have made it all the way to the national library in Washington, D.C. This past May, Stafford showed some of the historic videos she has made to the local historic preservation society, Preserve Brandon.
“I was so excited when the Preserve Brandon committee asked me to plan and deliver a program about the history of Brandon School,” Stafford said. “I immediately called my friend and original chairperson in charge of the 1989 committee. Jackie Williams was excited and as willing as I was to do the presentation.”
The video was a hit with the guests at the Preserve Brandon event.
“Jackie and I created a new, longer edition of the history video,” Stafford said. “I intend to have this copy of the video be made to keep in the new Brandon Library in their Brandon History Collection.”
‘Service Above Self’ is something that Liz Brewer takes very seriously. She is the CEO of the Angel Foundation FL, has been a member of the Brandon Rotary Club since 2018 and has served as the club administrator for the past three years. She had also been the club’s president-elect for the past year before becoming its president on June 26.
“Our Rotary club was formed in 1961 and only one other time has there been a woman president,” Brewer said. “I will be the second woman president in the club’s long history. I’m honored that I have been chosen. The previous six past presidents make the recommendation for the new president. To be nominated for this position means a lot to me.”
Liz Brewer became the president of the Brandon Rotary Club on June 26. She has been a member of the club since 2018 and has served as the club administrator for the past three years. She had also been the president-elect for the past year.
Rotary is where neighbors, friends and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders and take action to create lasting change. Locally, Brandon Rotary is part of Rotary District 6890. Globally, the club is part of a network of 1.2 million members and more than 35,000 clubs around the world.
“We take action locally and globally,” Brewer said. “Each day, our members pour their passion, integrity and intelligence into completing projects that have a lasting impact.”
Rotary clubs produce 16 million volunteer hours each year.
No challenge is too big for the club. For more than 110 years, rotaries have bridged cultures and connected continents to champion peace, fight illiteracy and poverty, promote clean water and sanitation, and fight disease.
“Since we began our polio eradication efforts in 1987, Rotary clubs like ours
By Libby Hopkins
around the world have caused 2.5 billion children to be immunized against polio,” Brewer said. “We also work very hard for our local charities as well.”
Brewer doesn’t want to make any changes to the club because it runs very smoothly.
“I want to continue to inspire our club member to keep doing the amazing work they have been doing all these years,” Brewer said. “I do want to get more engagement within the club and educate them on better ways to serve as Rotarians.”
If you ask Brewer what her favorite part of being a Rotary club member is, she will tell you it’s her fellow club members.
“For me, it’s the fact I get to see these great people who truly have a servant’s heart every week,” Brewer said. “Once a week, we get together and have lunch, in addition to hearing inspiring speakers. I walk out of our meeting each week feeling inspired … to keep doing good in our community.”
If you would like to learn more about the Brandon Rotary Club, you can visit its website page at www.brandonrotary.org. The club meets every Tuesday at 12 Noon at the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center, located at 3007 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon.
Brandon has a very rich history, and Joy Stafford, a local Brandon resident, loves sharing her knowledge of local history.
BRANDON’S WONDER WOMEN HOSTS QUARTERLY POWER HOUR BREAKFASTS TO EMPOWER, CONNECT AND INSPIRE
The Brandon’s Wonder Women group is dedicated to championing the success of women and the economic vitality of the community is making bold strides with its quarterly ‘Power Hour Breakfasts.’ With a mission to impact economic growth, foster personal and professional development and build stronger networks, this group is creating meaningful change — one powerful morning at a time.
These engaging Power Hour Breakfasts feature inspiring programs that are led by local women leaders and packed with actionable takeaways attendees can implement immediately. Each event also includes a curated vendor market for shopping, time for quality networking, exciting door prizes and a delicious breakfast that fuels connection and conversation.
Liz Brewer, CEO of Angel Foundation FL, is the chair of the Brandon’s Wonder Women Leadership Team. Other team members include Amber Aaron, executive vice president of the Greater Brandon
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Chamber of Commerce; Liz Montante, owner of QDOBA Mexican Eats; Faith Moeller, sales manager of The Regent; and Annamaria DiLascio, detective of the Criminal Investigations Division Special Victims section at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
All community members and professionals are invited to attend the upcoming Power Hour Breakfast and be part of a movement that supports growth, leadership and collective success.
Event details:
Title: Brandon’s Wonder Women ‘Negotiate with Confidence.’
Featured speaker: Dawn Myers, attorney at law.
Date: Wednesday, August 13.
Time: 8:30-10 a.m.
Location: The Regent, located at 6437 Watson Rd. in Riverview.
Contact info: Amber Aaron at 813-6891221 or amber@brandonchamber.com.
Tickets and vendor info: www.brandonchamber.com.
MICHAEL MCCROSKERY COMBINES FAITH AND SERVICE IN LIFELONG JOURNEY OF GIVING BACK
Michael McCroskery of Brandon has a true servant’s heart. He has traveled the world and volunteered to teach children English and Spanish. He has also volunteered with numerous organizations all over the Tampa Bay area, where he has tutored children. He has substituted for Hillsborough County schools as well. He is happily married and very spiritual.
When McCroskery retired, he found that he needed to do something new to keep himself occupied.
Michael McCroskery of Brandon has had an amazing and active life. When he retired, he found he needed to do something to keep himself occupied. He found an abandoned grocery cart, fixed it and started picking up the litter he found on his daily walks.
“In retirement, Michael sought ways to be a good citizen, a good neighbor and a good Catholic,” said Michael’s mother, Suzanne Hiebert. “Michael is someone who is concerned about the environment as well.”
McCroskery was a cross-country runner in high school and continued running afterward. Some years later, he was in a car accident and could no longer run. He took up walking, and while he did his daily walks, he became upset by all the litter he found on the streets and sidewalks.
He found a damaged grocery cart with no business name attached to it, so he repaired it and painted it environmental green.
By Libby Hopkins
“He found a local sign company that created signs for his cart,” Hiebert said. “FASTSIGNS of Brandon was kind enough to donate the signs for Micheal’s cart since he was going to use it to help the community.”
For hours at a time, McCroskery canvasses his Brandon neighborhood, picking up trash. He then returns home to sort the trash.
“He recycles the aluminum cans and plastic bottles,” Hiebert said. “He throws the trash in the garbage, and any clothes he finds that are in good condition he washes and donates it to ECHO of Brandon.”
ECHO loves the work McCroskery is doing in the community.
“He does this out of the goodness of his heart, and I believe his initiative is so worthy of recognition,” said ECHO’s development associate, Annafe’ Coburn. McCroskery loves giving back to his community by volunteering and keeping it clean.
“Michael is not seeking payment for his services,” Hiebert said. “He wants to make the Brandon community better for all of us and this is his way of making it better. I am so proud and honored to be his mom.”
THE GREATER BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS HELPING LOCAL BUSINESSES THRIVE
Local organizations have the ability to bring a community together. From fun group activities to leadership and developmental programs, locals often find support from these organizations. In Brandon, the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce is doing its part to keep the local community informed on a variety of topics.
By Michaela Galligan
know what issues are currently affecting them.”
The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce has been an active organization for over 64 years, striving to make Brandon a better place to work, live, and do business. It now has about 400 members, all following its mission “to connect, collaborate and build a better community.”
One group that finds support is local business owners. The Brandon Chamber Business Builders initiative was founded in September 2024 as a complimentary networking group for all members and guests. It brings businesspeople together to gain meaningful connections, develop leads for business strategies and help expand clientele within the chamber.
On July 1, the Business Builders met and learned about the importance of business owners learning about state government policies and engagement with elected officials.
“Government action and business go hand in hand,” said Amber Aaron, executive vice president of the Brandon Chamber. “We want our local leaders to be involved at all levels of business, and members should
To further discuss this issue, the Brandon Chamber brought in Edward Briggs, owner of B&B Capitol Strategies, as a featured speaker on the 2025 Florida Legislative Session outcomes, along with the importance of business owners learning about state government policies and engagement with elected officials.
“Government decisions at the state level directly impact how businesses operate — whether it’s new regulations, funding opportunities, tax policies or workforce initiatives,” said Briggs. “The Florida Legislature is accessible, but engagement must be intentional and strategic.”
“When business owners understand how to effectively advocate, they become more confident, informed and connected — skills that are invaluable not only to their business but to their broader leadership journey,” said Briggs.
The Brandon Chamber Business Builders meet every Tuesday from 8-9 a.m. at Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Center in Brandon, next to the Brandon Regional Library.
Visit its website at www.brandonchamber.com or contact the organization at info@brandonchamber.com.
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B&B Capitol Strategies can be found on its website at https://bbcapitolstrategies. com/ and contacted at edward@bbcapitolstrategies.com.
CELEBRATING A LEGACY OF GIVING: SHELTAIR AND AVFUEL PRESENT CHECK DONATIONS TO ACE AND CAF
In a heartfelt ceremony held on the one-year anniversary of the Jerry Holland Destination: Aviation Playground, Sheltair and Avfuel proudly presented checks totaling over $21,000 to the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) and the Commemorative Air Force - Tampa Bay Wing (CAF). This generous contribution, derived from fuel sales during the 51st anniversary of SUN ’n FUN (SNF) and T-shirt sales, underscores their ongoing commitment to nurturing the future of aviation and honoring our rich history.
ACE received over $19,000, while CAF was presented with more than $2,000. These donations are a testament to the successful collaboration between Sheltair, Avfuel and the aviation community, all coming together with a shared vision to inspire future generations and ensure the legacy of flight endures.
“We, at Sheltair, deeply believe in the importance of giving back to our local communities,” stated Lisa Holland, president and CEO of Sheltair. “Our values align with encouraging the next generation of aviators, preserving the rich tapestry of aviation history and promoting family values that have long been the cornerstone of our organization and legacy. These donations are just one way we strive to make a positive impact.”
The event was particularly special as it
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marked the anniversary of the playground named after Jerry Holland, the founder of Sheltair and the father of Lisa. This playground serves as a beacon of interest for young aviation enthusiasts, providing countless opportunities for learning and exploration in the field of aviation.
“Over the last several years, our partners at Sheltair and Avfuel have given back 10 cents of every gallon pumped at the annual SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo to support our year-round aviation educational programming for the youth of Central Florida,” said Gene Conrad, president and CEO for the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo and ACE. “We are grateful for this extraordinary partnership as it allows us to fuel the next generation of aerospace professionals at the Aerospace Center for Excellence.”
This marks the fifth year that Sheltair and Avfuel have collaborated to support ACE through fuel sales.
“At Avfuel, we’re passionate about fueling the future of aviation — not just through our products and services but through meaningful support of the next generation,” said Joel Hirst, Avfuel’s senior vice president of sales. For more information about Sheltair’s initiatives and partnerships in the aviation community, please contact marketing@ sheltairaviation.com.
May 23 - Aug 10
Members of the Brandon Chamber Business Builders at an event.
813-657-2418
editor@ospreyobserver.com NEWS
Taylor Wells
813-657-2418 twells@ospreyobserver.com
813-657-2418
libby@ospreyobserver.com
813-657-2418
NEW LAWS STRENGTHEN PROTECTIONS THIS HURRICANE SEASON
By State Attorney Suzy Lopez
813-657-2418 jbennett@ospreyobserver.com
that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Hideaway Trails Retreat located at 9789 Brantley Rd, in Hillsborough County, in the city of Lithia, FL 33547 intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida
Dated at Valrico, Florida this 23rd day of July 2025
CUSTOM HAIR Thin
This hurricane season, Floridians are once again turning their attention to preparation. We’re stocking up on supplies, reviewing emergency plans and keeping an eye on the weather. This year, we are also entering this season with a new law that protects animals during a declared disaster or an evacuation order.
Trooper, a 5-yearold English bull terrier, was found chained to a pole along I-75 in Hillsborough County as Hurricane Milton approached. With floodwater rising, Trooper stood alone in chest-deep water. Thankfully, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orland Morales responded to a tip and rescued him just in time. Our office charged Trooper’s owner, Giovanny Aldama Garcia, with aggravated animal cruelty. He faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.
Trooper’s story sparked legislative change. This year, Trooper’s Law was enacted, which makes it a third-degree felony to abandon a restrained dog outside during a declared disaster or evacuation order. The new law also classifies failing to provide food, water or exercise to confined animals as a first-degree misdemeanor. At the same time this bill was signed into law, Gov. Ron DeSantis also signed Dexter’s Bill, which is named after a shelter dog tragically killed by an adopter in Pinellas County. Dexter’s Bill strengthens penal-
ties for aggravated animal cruelty and establishes a statewide animal abuser database which bars those listed from owning, working with or living with animals.
We treat animal cruelty very seriously in Hillsborough County. Our office has a dedicated prosecutor who handles each animal cruelty case as it enters our office. These cases receive the same focus and attention as any other crime because this type of behavior is often a precursor for other forms of violence.
These new laws reflect our state’s commitment to protecting our most vulnerable populations. An evacuation is no excuse to leave your pets behind. If you are forced to leave your home during a hurricane, Hillsborough County provides several pet-friendly shelters to help families stay safe together. To learn more about how our office protects you before, during and after a storm, visit our new Hurricane Preparedness and Justice Guide at www. sao13th.com/hurricaneguide.
The State Attorney’s Office of the 13th Judicial circuit encompasses all of Hillsborough County, including the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City. The office staff consists of approximately 320 dedicated public servants including 130 prosecutors, as well as investigators, victim advocates and support staff. The office handles approximately 50,000 cases every year. To learn more about the organization or apply to become part of the team, visit www.sao13th.com.
State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
BRANDON AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY CONNECTS GLOBALLY DURING EVENT
From June 28-29, the Brandon Amateur Radio Society (BARS) participated in the American Radio Relay League (AARL) Field Day. BARS spent Field Day at Riverview Redeemer Church, located at 12404 Boyette Rd. Field Day is an open house for amateur radio societies. Every year on the fourth full weekend in June, radio societies and licensed club members all meet and set up their radios, ranging from large radios with tall, powerful antennas to radios smaller than a walkie-talkie. Once set up, participants search different frequencies to make connections with members of other clubs around the world. After exchanging radio identification information with each other, participants log the information into ARRL’s website and a connection is marked. Teams and individuals can win awards for finishing making the most connections within the 24-hour window.
By Gabe Themar
from another state or even another country.
HELP SHAPE HILLSBOROUGH’S FUTURE ROADS — COUNTY SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT
By Brian Bokor
Interested locals can also get in on the fun, as BARS opened the doors to the public for Saturdays and Sundays. Everyone who entered had the opportunity to enjoy some food, learn more about BARS and meet radio enthusiasts, including many veterans who built their own radios. BARS Field Day also featured a Get on the Air station at the front door, which let visitors make a radio connection themselves and briefly speak with someone
“Field Day is an important time,” said Ron, a longtime BARS member. “It’s a simulation of a disaster event; you bring your radio out of your home and get it working where it’s not meant to work. This way, we can make sure that we can make contact with help in the event of a bad
weather event, like a hurricane.”
BARS finished Field Day with 137 contacts, including connections with other ham radio stations across the country in California as well as international contacts with operators in Costa Rica, U.S. Virgin Islands and Trinidad and Tobago, over 1,800 miles away.
BARS members also serve their community by reporting to shelters that open up during hurricanes, setting up their radios and acting as direct lines of communication between shelters and emergency services during power outages. Those interested in learning more about radio, getting their own amateur radio license or joining BARS can find more information at https://brandonhamradio. org/. Those interested in learning more about Field Day or other amateur radio events can also find more information at www.arrl.org.
Hillsborough County is growing quickly, with its population expected to reach 2.5 million by 2070. To prepare, county officials are updating the Corridor Preservation Plan (CPP), a longrange guide for where future roads may go and how wide they’ll need to be.
The CPP focuses on unincorporated areas, where much of the county’s new development is expected. While minor updates were made in recent years, the last major revision happened more than 15 years ago. With shifting land use patterns and travel habits, planners said it’s time for a fresh look.
The plan plays a critical role in shaping Hillsborough’s future. By identifying where roads will be needed and preserving space for them now, the county can reduce future costs and traffic problems as well as help residents get where they need to go safely and efficiently.
“We’re just trying to capture anything we can, … public opinion on the state of roadways, and the needs that we’re seeing from growth and what they would like the future to look like,” said Chris Fellerhoff, executive planner for the county.
A newly released map outlines potential future road corridors and how many lanes might be needed by 2050. But the plan isn’t final, and public feedback is a key part of the process.
“We have left it very open-ended. If people have an interest in a specific
roadway, either the present conditions there or curious to know what it could be in the future, and they have an opinion about what our data is showing, we’d like to hear that,” said Fellerhoff.
In July, the county hosted four public meetings across the region in Ruskin, Valrico and two locations in Tampa to explain the plan and gather feedback from residents. The meetings offered community members a chance to speak with planners, ask questions and share concerns.
“This is the future, what it could look like. How do you feel about that?” Fellerhoff said. “It is very general. We’re not saying, is this one project good or bad?”
Traffic concerns were a common theme.
“A lot of people have shared with us just their general concern and frustration with congestion and traffic,” he said. “It’s useful to capture.”
Chris reiterated the importance of public input.
“People being on record that they want to see something change and improve, that’s an opportunity to say, yeah, this makes sense that this is coming, or I’d like it to be different,” said Fellerhoff.
Online input is welcome through Friday, August 15, at www.publicinput.com/corridorpreservation.
For more information, residents can contact Dalia Odeh at 813-635-1625.
To simulate an emergency situation, one member used his truck as a portable radio station.
TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2025 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION WRAP-UP
By Michaela Galligan
On June 24, a Good Morning Brandon legislative wrap-up took place, allowing local state representatives to share their thoughts on the Florida Legislative Session. The legislative wrapup was presented by Siesta G., with support from the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, B&B Capitol Strategies, TECO, The Regent, Master Garage Door Co. and Mark Proctor.
The event featured panelists State Senator Darryl Rouson, State Representative Danny Alvarez, State Representative Michele Rayner and State Representative Susan Valdés. The 2025 Legislative Session lasted 105 days, from March 4 till June 16, a very long extension from the originally scheduled conclusion date of May 2.
Each lawmaker also had their agendas of issues important to them for this session. Rouson focused on mental health and substance abuse issues, passing legislation that has now been signed into law.
“The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and unanimously in the House,” said Rouson. “I took the 30 recommendations of the commission, the 10 most important aspects and filed Senate Bill 1620.”
Valdés introduced HB 1111, a nowpassed measure, which will end the certificate of completion for Florida high school seniors. The former Hillsborough Coun-
THE DANCE CENTER REOPENS WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT AFTER HURRICANE MILTON
By Jane Owen
ty School Board member sought to use her term to aid students.
“I can’t say it’s my biggest win; it’s our children’s biggest win,” said Valdés. “There will be no more false sense of accomplishment for our kids.”
Alvarez focused his freshman session on emphasizing the safety of Floridians, proposing a committee to help do so. The Security & Threat Assessment Committee is now a House committee, focusing on internal and external threats to Florida’s population.
“I’ve realized that the safety and security of the state of Florida is vital,” said Alvarez. “It is paramount to everything we build off of.”
Rayner also discussed the importance of business owners in conjunction with the legislature, highlighting how lawmakers often work to benefit local businesses. As a business owner herself, she discussed how proposed legislation affects businesses.
“I don’t just look at things as a legislator but also as a business owner,” said Rayner. “We all work to find ways for businesses to grow and thrive.”
Events such as these allow lawmakers and the local community to come together and discuss successes and areas of improvement, all hoping to see Florida and its citizens grow and do great things.
In October 2024, Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm. Milton was the third hurricane to hit Florida in 2024, and many businesses felt the devastating effects of the storm.
Local areas saw months’ worth of rain all at once. The Dance Center, a Brandon business that has been serving the community for over 30 years, was forced to close temporarily due to flooding at its location on Bloomingdale Avenue.
The floors were soaked. The costumes had extensive water damage. The owners, Brent and Hannah Townend, did not feel comfortable opening the doors and letting children dance on the floors. Insurance wouldn’t cover damage due to the hurricane. The Townends had a mold test done and made the difficult decision to break their lease due to a Florida statute that allowed them to legally break the lease due to mold.
What ensued was a testament to our community pulling together.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of other local business owners, the studio was able to resume classes in December 2024 by temporarily operating out of a yoga studio (Karma Yoga), an event space (Celebrations Venue) and another dance studio (Dancing for Joy).
The Townends give credit to the incredible generosity of those business owners and their staff being flexible.
“We had plans for what we thought
15.
we wanted and what should happen. Throughout all of it, we kept thinking, let’s just wait. But then an opportunity would come up and we would think, let’s just do this,” Hannah said.
“All of our people (staff) stayed and had faith and were willing to step in whenever needed,” Hannah added. “They were supportive and made sure our students felt at home during the transition.”
After months of uncertainty and upheaval, The Dance Center has reopened in a convenient location at the corner of Bryan Road and Lumsden Road. The Dance Center is now located at 911 Bryan Rd. in Brandon.
The Dance Center trains students of all ages in discipline, strength, artistic expression and character development. Programs include ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, tap and pas de deux. There is a Young Children’s Program (18 months to 5 years old), an Adults Program, an Fundamentals Program for beginners ages 6-10 and an Intermediate and Beyond Program for intermediate-to-advanced dancers.
For more information on The Dance Center, visit https://brandondance. com/, email info@brandondance or call 813-684-4282.
The Dance Center held a season performance at Riverview High School on June
Amber Aaron, Senator Rouson, Representatives Valdés, Rayner, and Alvarez, and Steve Manning gather for a photo.
AMERICAN CULINARY FEDERATION OF TAMPA PARTNERS
WITH LIBERTY MANOR FOR VETERANS
In June, the American Culinary Federation (ACF) of Tampa, a not-for-profit organization for chefs and cooks, hosted Liberty Manor for Veterans at its June meeting at Josephine’s Italian Market in Brandon.
Liberty Manor for Veterans is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the developmental and social needs of disabled and honorably discharged veterans who have fallen victim to homelessness by providing transitional, supported housing and establishing objectives designed to attribute to self-sufficiency.
According to Connie Lindsay, Liberty Manor for Veterans founder and CEO, there is a plethora of residential programs designed for veterans who suffer from drug addiction or mental health struggles but nothing for veterans who are homeless because they are down on their luck. Liberty Manor for Veterans, based in Tampa, is the first residential program of its kind. Lindsay is grateful for the American Culinary Federation of Tampa and its support.
“It’s an incredible organization that really gives back to the community. They
By Jane Owen
are not only renowned chefs but they invite other organizations to their meetings and hosted dinners,” Lindsay said.
The American Culinary Federation’s support of Liberty Manor for Veterans goes beyond the dinner it provided the veterans at its June meeting.
“They have gone so far as to adopt Liberty Manor for Veterans. They will bring dinners to our house for the veterans,” Lindsay said.
ACF National President Rene Marquis said the ACF invites veterans to several chapter meetings, the ACF awards gala, its holiday party and monthly meetings.
“One of the most meaningful things we do is feeding our vets. This is what happens when our culinary family and our industry partners come together — we don’t just talk about community; we live it, plate by plate,” Marquis said.
To learn more about supporting the veterans at Liberty Manor for Veterans and the organization, visit www.libertymanor.org. To learn more about the American Culinary Federation of Tampa, visit www.acftampabay.com.
THE ANGEL FOUNDATION’S 20TH ANNUAL EVENING OF HOPE GALA
There are many local businesses in the FishHawk area that try to help and support families in whatever they may be going through. One of those in particular is the Angel Foundation FL, founded by CEO Liz Brewer. She started the foundation in 2006 shortly after her father passed away from stagefour lung cancer. Brewer realized how much support she gained from her friends and family during those difficult times and wondered what it must be like for people in similar situations who may not have the kind of support she did.
Thus, the Angel Foundation FL aims to “match families with local businesses to meet their practical needs, such as car, appliance and home repairs, … so they can focus on healing.” It also aids in paying electric, water and other bills and even provides gift cards for necessities to families that may need financial support.
Brewer said that the foundation’s main goal is to “serve 50 families each year and keep them on the road to self-sufficiency.” This allows them to not only receive help during hard times but also continue to further help themselves once they have
By Alisa Gershman
healed. Volunteers meet with the families to discuss their needs, and they may receive support within as little as 24 hours. They also run the Angel Gift Shop at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, where 100 percent of the proceeds go back to the foundation.
This year, the Angel Foundation is hosting its 20th annual Evening of Hope Gala, which is its largest fundraiser of the year. The event raises funds for families who are a part of the Angel program and allows for more businesses to get involved/support local ‘angels.’
During the event, guests listen to testimonies given by families who have been benefited by the Angel Foundation so they can learn about the impact it makes on individuals throughout the community. This year’s theme is ‘Black, White and Bling’ and includes activities such as a silent auction and live entertainment.
The Angel Foundation FL is looking for more Angel team members to help support its cause. For those interested, more information can be found on its website at https://angelfoundationfl.com/evening-ofhope-gala/.
Vanessa (Chairman of the ACF Tampa Board) and Rene Marquis (ACF National President) are proud supporters of local veterans.
Families and community leaders come together for the gala to celebrate all that the foundation has done.
AVELO AIRLINES CELEBRATES ONE YEAR AT LAKELAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Avelo Airlines celebrates its one-year anniversary at Central Florida’s Lakeland International Airport (LAL) and takes flight to Long Island, New York, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Avelo is the only airline offering nonstop service between LAL and these two destinations.
Avelo will operate these routes twice a week utilizing Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. Affordable one-way fares start at $39. Travelers can book at www.aveloair. com.
Avelo Airlines founder and CEO Andrew Levy said, “It’s our one-year anniversary in Lakeland as we continue to Inspire Travel with two new routes to Long Island and Grand Rapids. These routes expand Avelo’s affordable, convenient and industry-leading reliable air service introduced to the Central Florida region in June 2024. As the only airline offering nonstop service to these destinations from LAL, we are making it more convenient and affordable for our Central Florida Customers to enjoy seven popular vacation destinations.”
Flights to New York/Long Island via Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) began on June 12, with twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays.
Flights to Grand Rapids via Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) began on June 13, with twice weekly service on Fridays and Mondays.
To celebrate one year in Lakeland, Avelo provided customers aboard the inaugural flight to Grand Rapids with a free ticket to Grand Rapids Public Museum, featuring an exhibit of the largest collection of Detroit Tigers autographed baseballs. The gifts were
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Avelo’s way of showing its appreciation to Lakeland customers and the new connection between Michigan and Central Florida.
Growing Avelo in Central Florida
Conveniently located between Tampa and Orlando, LAL offers travelers a refreshingly small, easy and fast alternative airport experience to the much larger and busier airports in the region. LAL’s location along the I-4 corridor makes it the most travel-friendly gateway to and from Central Florida.
Avelo established operations at LAL as part of its regional Central Florida base in October 2024. The airline initially positioned one Boeing Next-Generation 737 at LAL, with plans to grow in the future. To support its base extension, the airline continues to create more jobs in Central Florida aviation for individuals at all stages of their career, including pilots, flight attendants, ground services, customer support and more.
Avelo serves seven nonstop destinations from LAL: Grand Rapids (GRR); Nashville, Tennessee (BNA); New Haven, Connecticut (HVN); New York/Long Island (ISP); Philadelphia/Delaware Valley, Pennsylvania (ILG); Rochester, New York (ROC); and San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU).
America’s Most Reliable and Convenient Airline
Since taking flight on April 28, 2021, Avelo has flown more than 7 million customers on over 57,000 flights. Today, Avelo serves 53 cities spanning 21 states and Puerto Rico, as well as three international destinations: Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Visit www.aveloair.com.
FAMILY PROMISE OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS
CREATING A NETWORK OF HOPE
Family Promise of Hillsborough County is providing hope, support and homes to families across the county. The local nonprofit, started in 2010, opened its doors in 2014, creating a network of opportunities for Hillsborough’s homeless population.
By Michaela Galligan
Family Promise offers 90-day programs for families with school-age children; during that time, families will be offered housing and necessary support, as well as case management and financial savings planning programs. This support is completely free for participants, and the nonprofit has a network of support from the community.
“We are a homeless network, not a typical shelter program,” said Family Promise Executive Director Edwina Reddick. “We partner with the faith community that helps to provide lodging, meals, care, and more essential needs.”
Through a community of local churches and faith-based communities, Family Promise has been able to help many families in Hillsborough in need of support while facing homelessness. However, the nonprofit relies on more than churches to keep its doors open and help those in need, and it is very lucky to have a strong community of support.
Some of that community support comes from a local business networking group, Brandon Biz Pros. Co-founders Harold ‘Mack’ McIntosh and David Thornton felt it was important to give back locally and utilized their business expertise to do so, with all profits donated to charities.
“We collect all fees and membership dues
and donate them to charity,” said McIntosh. “No one takes a salary, but everyone makes a difference in the community.”
McIntosh and Thornton brought Family Promise into the fold a few years ago and have since worked closely in supporting the nonprofit. They have worked together to develop the Promise of Hope Party, a fundraising event full of music, fun and hope.
This past May, Keith’s Oak Bar & Grill hosted the third annual event and raised $3,340 for Family Promise, working with the strong community that supports this nonprofit and its work.
“Every child deserves a home,” said Reddick, emphasizing the event’s mission. “This means so much to us and the people we serve.”
Family Promise of Hillsborough County will host several more fundraising events this year, including the first-ever Tea with a Twist at New Hope Church’s social hall on Saturday, October 11, and the annual Christmas Cookie Sale and Silent Auction at the New Hope Church Family Life Center on Friday and Saturday, December 12 and 13.
Family Promise of Hillsborough County continues to support homeless families across the county and hopes to expand its network of churches and communities further to support those in need. The nonprofit can be contacted at 813-681-6170 or on its website at https://familypromisefl.org/contact/. Brandon Biz Pros can be contacted through its website at https://brandonbizpros.com/contact-us/.
LOCALLY OWNED HIMES BREAKFAST HOUSE OPENS IN RIVERVIEW
Himes Breakfast House, a Tampa-area favorite restaurant known for chef-crafted comfort food and heartfelt hospitality, opened another location in Riverview on July 1.
Owners John and Jess Christen founded the original Himes Breakfast House, located on Himes Street in Tampa, in 2021 with the goal of creating a neighborhood breakfast house with elevated food choices.
Himes’ fresh ingredient menu and guest-centered focus keep customers coming back time after time. From the moment patrons walk in the door, Himes’ warm hospitality is evident.
“We focus on customer service and getting to know our customers,” John said.
Guests not only feel welcome at Himes, but they also feel at home. They can bring in their own coffee mug and leave it at the restaurant for regular use.
“We treat our regulars like family. It’s like a home away from home,” John said.
Himes’ menu includes breakfast, brunch and lunch. The selections are chef-driven and made of fresh ingredients. John says two must-tries are the Jessie grits (house-made, creamy grits served with mixed cheese, thick-cut bacon and fresh-chopped chives) and the lemon ricotta pancakes (house-made
By Jane Owen
batter pancakes whipped with lemon zest and fresh ricotta, and served with house-made citrus syrup). He added that everyone should try their syrups, as all of Himes’ syrups are made in-house and are steeped for hours. A few syrup selections include blueberry poppy, espresso maple, citrus and butter rum. During the upcoming peach season, it will feature peach French toast with a peach puree, fresh peaches and a unique peach syrup.
John said that they have been honored by the community’s response since they opened the original Himes.
“Riverview is a great area with great energy. We really love the Winthrop Town Centre. Hopefully we can make Himes home away from home for the Riverview community as well,” John said.
Himes Breakfast House is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Himes Riverview is located at 11220 Sullivan Ave. In addition to the original location on Himes Avenue in Tampa, Himes is also located in Brandon at 312 E. Brandon Blvd.
To learn more and check out Himes’ menu, visit www.himesbreakfasthouse. com.
PARA-ATHLETE HAYDEN COMPTON
WINS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 800M RACE
Durant High School (DHS) athlete Hayden Compton won the 4A state championship in the 800m and took second place in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
“I’m very proud of my performance. I worked all season to earn a personal record, and I went all season without a PR, and I finally did it at states,” said Compton.
“Hayden has exemplified what it means to be a champion,” said Head Coach Frank Lane. “In only his first year at DHS, he has helped create a culture of hard work, dedication and pride. He has a huge following within our school and even amongst the rival schools. They always cheer and accommodate him during the meets. He has been a huge advocate for wheelchair athletes and promoting the para division in track and field. He’s an awesome kid that makes it all worth it.”
The sophomore, who also competes in the summer with the Hillsborough County Adaptive Sports program under the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Department, has been a big advocate for adaptive sports. He also plays adaptive basketball with the program.
By Nick Nahas
“I really wish more kids had the chance to get involved in adaptive sports in Hillsborough County,” said Compton. “There are so many opportunities out there, but most families don’t know they exist. I think it would make a big difference if schools helped connect their adaptive athletes to programs in the community.”
He is a great student as well with a 4.0 GPA and is a part of student government and sophomore council at Durant.
Compton hopes to set more personal records, eventually become a Paralympian and earn a college scholarship to play the sport. He will compete at nationals in July in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A lot of preparation goes into being ready to compete in a race. Compton trains five days a week, doing weightlifting and endurance training.
“Hayden’s work ethic is unlike any other athlete I have seen,” said Lane. “He is always the first to practice and focused on his work. He challenges himself with very tough timing on his races. I am very proud of Hayden and extremely excited for his future.”
Hayden Compton hopes to set more personal records, eventually become a Paralympian and earn a college scholarship to play the sport.
Durant High School athlete Hayden Compton won the 4A state championship in the 800m and took second place in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
Himes Breakfast House Riverview, located in Winthrop Town Center, opened on July 1.
RAYS BASEBALL FOUNDATION HITS HOME RUN FOR LOCAL INITIATIVES
The Tampa Bay Rays aren’t just the local baseball team but also a source of community involvement and support.
The Rays Baseball Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives and circumstances of those in need within the community. It focuses on aiding youth through education and wellness.
The Rays Baseball Foundation offers seven specified programs available to youth within the community. Each program focuses on a different area of growth and enrichment.
Reading with the Rays was founded in partnership with Suncoast Credit Union to encourage students to avoid reading loss over the summer. Students can win prizes, such as tickets to a Rays game, if they reach certain reading goals through participating libraries. Over 500,000 students have participated in the Reading with the Rays program.
In June, the foundation held its Rays Science of Baseball program at Academy Prep campuses in St. Petersburg, Lakeland and Tampa. The program involves fun lessons revolving around subjects like statistics and geometry.
Other programs, such as the Big Game James Club and the Rays Jersey Program, work to give back to the community youth. The Big Game James Club is a partnership with United Concordia Dental to provide support to foster children, and the Rays Jer-
By Emma Snider
sey Program has donated over 100,000 tee ball teams with jerseys and hats, as well as helped with equipment costs.
The South St. Petersburg Neighborhood Initiative commenced following the fatal shooting of an 8-year-old girl named Paris Whitehead in South St. Petersburg. The program expanded on the topics of education and childhood wellness through the Great American TeachIn, the Rays Room and many more.
The Rays Baseball Foundation also provides scholarships to students in the Tampa Bay area, two being the Don Zimmer Memorial Scholarship and the Barry Jones Memorial Scholarship.
“We’re lucky to be able to live in a community with so many great nonprofits. We’re honored to be able to fund them through grants and scholarships and support all the great work they’re doing,” David Egles, executive director of the Rays Baseball Foundation, said. “We’re also incredibly lucky to use the platform of baseball to teach our youth really interactive educational programming.”
Even with the transition from Tropicana field to Steinbrenner field, the Rays Baseball Foundation has worked hard to continue providing its programs and servicing the community.
For more information about the Rays Baseball Foundation, visit www.mlb.com/ rays/community/foundation-programs.
LOCAL RESIDENT SHARES HER LOVE FOR FINDING AND RESEARCHING LOCAL HISTORICAL MARKERS
Paige Carbon of FishHawk loves all aspects of local history. She especially loves finding unique historical markers.
“I’ve been doing this for more than two decades,” Carbon said. “When I travel, or even here in the Tampa Bay area, I will go around and look for historical markers. When I find them, I take a picture of it and upload it to the Historical Marker Database website.”
So, what exactly is a historical marker? It is a plate of metal, ceramic, stone, wood or other material, typically attached to a wall, stone or other vertical surface, and bearing text or an image in relief, or both, to commemorate one or more persons, an event, a former use of the place or some other thing. Historical markers can commemorate people, places and events that played important roles in a state or region’s history. They help educate the public through signage with distinct lettering, background colors and shapes. Historical markers are the equivalent to government signs, to identify places of historic public interest.
There are a finite number of markers out there, and just like stamp or coin collecting, you can specialize and aim to collect all of a particular subject, geographical location, era or whatever other category you like.
By Libby Hopkins
“Sometimes the marker will still be there, but maybe the building or the structure is no longer there,” Carbon said. “Once you see them and read the information on the marker, you start seeing them everywhere. It’s a great way to find out about local history.”
The Historical Marker Database stores permanent outdoors historical markers and commemorative plaques. It is not for memorials, dedication and donor plaques, survey disk monuments or gravestones. It is not a listing of historical sites either. Markers must be outdoors, must be permanent and must state historical or scientific facts beyond names, dates and titles. If you’re a collector or want to get started, consider uploading your discoveries to this site. National and global events all happened somewhere, and historical markers mark the place where many occurred. But the richness of history is in its local details, details that can be insignificant on the global stage, such as the home of an individual who made a difference; a natural feature, building or byway; or just something interesting that happened nearby. If you’d like to learn more about the historical markers, you can visit the Historical Marker Database website at www.hmdb.org.
Rays Science of Baseball at Academy Prep.
Paige Carbon of FishHawk love finding and researching historical makers. She recently found a historical marker at Stowers Funeral Home.
SKIP THE TRIP OR CALL AND GO ONLINE FOR COUNTY SERVICES
Dealing with the bewildering bureaucracy of government can sometimes challenge the efforts of people to accomplish things ranging from ordering a new trash can to starting a business.
But consider a world where a few digital clicks can connect residents with a whole buffet of civic services and niceties, in a streamlined and organized manner. That is the purpose behind Hillsborough County’s civic engagement platform, At Your Service, an all-in-one online portal that promises to connect residents with the information and services they need to take care of business without having to visit a county government office or make a phone call.
Chillura Square with the county administrative building in the background.
Available 24/7, At Your Service provides access to just about all of the resources and services that Hillsborough County government provides, such as reporting stray animals or adopting a pet via the Animal Services link. Other routine tasks that can be accomplished include obtaining required building and construction permits, connecting with needed social services or reporting unsafe road conditions.
At Your Service is an initiative of the county’s Office of Neighborhood Relations. According to Stephanie Agliano, Hillsborough County’s customer engagement and
By Brad Stager
support division director, residents have many ways to interact with local government.
“The Neighborhood Relations team serves as a liaison for county government to neighborhood organizations and helps support and strengthen neighborhoods through programs and initiatives such as Neighborhood Mini-Grants and Hillsborough Backstage Pass programs to foster healthy, safe and engaged neighborhoods,” said Agliano.
Officials also said that creating an account for the portal offers enhanced convenience, though guest access is available to everyone. Registered users can save their contact details, track past requests and receive timely notifications regarding updates or resolutions.
Users should know that submitted information is subject to Florida’s public records laws and will be provided when it is requested. Provided information also cannot be deleted after it is submitted through the At Your Service or other county government portals. Code violations can be made through the At Your Service portal but not anonymously. The name and address of the reporting party are required.
You can learn more or start doing business with the county by visiting https:// hcfl.gov/ and navigating to the At Your Service portal.
NEW DRIVER EDUCATION RULES FOR TEEN DRIVERS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Teen drivers in Hillsborough County — and across Florida — will be subject to a new driver education requirement aimed at enhancing road safety for young motorists.
The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is notifying parents and teens that a new state law mandates a six-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course for all first-time drivers ages 15-17. This new requirement replaces the long-standing fourhour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course.
all new applicants under 18. The fourhour TLSAE course will remain valid only for those who completed it before July 31 or for applicants age 18 or older.
Certain groups are exempt from the new requirement, including: teens who already have a Florida learner’s permit issued before August 1, out-of-state teen drivers transferring to Florida with a valid license and all applicants age 18 or older.
Course and Application Requirements
Signed into law earlier this year by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the new education standard went into effect on July 1 and will be implemented statewide by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), with the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office acting as the local agent.
To help families adjust to the change, a transition period will be in place from now through Thursday, July 31. During this time, teens may still complete either the fourhour TLSAE course or the new six-hour DETS course to apply for a learner’s permit.
Teens ages 14-17 who complete the TLSAE course by July 31 will be ‘grandfathered in’ and allowed to use that certificate for up to one year. However, if they do not obtain their learner’s permit within that time, they will be required to complete the DETS course before proceeding.
Beginning on Friday, August 1, only the six-hour DETS course will be accepted for
The new DETS course must meet standards established by the Florida Department of Education under Traffic Safety Classroom 1900300. Providers will be approved through an FLHSMV application process. A list of authorized course providers is available on the FLHSMV website: www.flhsmv.gov.
All applicants must also provide Real ID-compliant identification, proof of address and parental consent when applying for a learner’s permit or driver’s license.
“We want to ensure our community is well informed about these upcoming changes,” said Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan. “As we implement these state guidelines, our offices remain committed to providing excellent service to all families navigating the licensing process.”
To learn more, visit the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s website at www. hillstaxfl.gov/drivers-license-id.
Hillsborough County government resources are available with a few clicks at https:// hcfl.gov/ to navigate to the At Your Service portal. Shown is a view of Joe
CHUCK’S NATURAL FIELDS MARKET CELEBRATES DECADES
Chuck’s Natural Fields Market stores, staples of the Western Hillsborough County area, are celebrating important anniversaries this year. The original Temple Terrace location, now at Victorian Village, is in its 33rd year, and the Brandon location is in its 27th. The August and September anniversaries mark decades of providing natural and health-focused products to customers.
OF HEALTHY LIVING
By Michaela Galligan
Chuck Homuth grew up on a small farm in Minnesota, eventually moving to Florida in the late 1980s. He became a certified nutritional counselor in 1990 and recognized the need for access to organic and healthy foods in the area.
“We became pioneers in this business model,” said Homuth. “We were the original local business to bring people healthy products through produce, vitamins and other good things.”
Homuth opened Chuck’s Natural Fields Market in 1992 to provide those in the Greater Temple Terrace area access to these products, later expanding to its Brandon location in 1998. He trains employees with the knowledge he gained as a nutrition counselor, ensuring every customer is helped to the best of their ability.
On top of supporting local customers’ health and wellness goals, the stores also
support other local businesses.
“We place a lot of emphasis on buying from local vendors,” said Homuth. “There is so much importance in supporting other vendors that have high-quality products with similar missions as yours.”
The stores carry lots of products that are health-centered from the Tampa Bay area. One great brand is Sami’s Bakery, which offers a wide range of gluten-free and low-carb options.
Each store also offers a restaurant and a taphouse bar, becoming the first non-GMO organic cafes in the area. The stores explained that whether customers are shopping or dining with them, they are sharing in Homuth’s lifelong vision of creating a community that thrives on an abundance of health.
As Chuck’s Natural Field’s Market stores enter their 33rd and 27th year, they have a lot to be proud of, from business expansion and growth to staying true to their mission.
“There have been a fair share of milestones and challenges along the way,” said Homuth. “I am proud we can say we have stayed in business this long and support the community.”
The Temple Terrace location can be found at 6870 E. Fowler Ave., and the Brandon location is at 114 N. Kings Ave.
ERWIN TECH INVESTS IN THE FUTURE WITH NEW LABS, EQUIPMENT, AND CAREER PATHWAYS
Erwin Technical College held an open house event in June to showcase its recent renovations and new programming to the Tampa community. This event gave an inside look at exciting updates to several of its premier career and technical education programs.
Attendees had the opportunity to explore enhanced learning spaces and interact with instructors and students from the following programs: dental assisting, surgical technology, welding technology and culinary arts.
“As Hillsborough County Public Schools continues to invest in workforce development and student success, Erwin Technical College remains at the forefront of providing industry-aligned training that prepares students for in-demand careers,” said Erwin Technical College’s principal, Sharon Tumicki. “The modernization of our facilities and equipment reflects real-world settings and reinforces the district’s commitment to career and technical education. I cannot wait to expand on our programs and offer more opportunities for our students.”
Erwin opened in 1979-80 school year in the old Sears building on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa. It was the district’s first adult center. Erwin has had equipment upgrades in many programs, including new automotive equipment and new equipment for the electricity program and upgraded nursing program equipment. Four programs have undergone complete remodels, which in-
By Libby Hopkins
clude culinary arts kitchens; the welding lab, which features 24 brandnew welding booths; all-new welding equip -
ment; and an all-new ventilation system. An all-new dental clinic has also been built with state-of-the-art digital scanning machines, dental chairs and equipment, and there is a complete, new surgical technology suite with two new classrooms, two real-life operating rooms, surgery prep rooms, an equipment sterilizer and stainless-steel hand scrubbing stations.
New programming at the college includes 22 career certificate programs as well as adult education classes for new English learners and classes for adults who are working on their GEDs.
“Student, faculty, staff and community member are thrilled about the upgrades and remodels at Erwin,” said Debra Bellanti, director of media and public relations for Erwin Technical College. “The school is a place that is professional, affordable and provides opportunities to gain skills that will lead to employment in much needed fields. Businesses look forward to hiring graduates because they are ready to enter the work force.” For more, visit www.hillsboroughschools.org/erwin or call 813-769-5180. The school is located at 2010 E. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa.
Chuck Homuth in his store in front of a display.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS, EMPOWERING WOMEN: WORKING
WOMEN
OF TAMPA BAY CELEBRATES 16 YEARS OF GROWTH
Jessica Rivelli was working in television 16 years ago and was looking for a women’s organization that supported women entrepreneurs and executive women who were growing professionally.
By Libby Hopkins
“At the time, I could not find an organization that did this,” Rivelli said. “So, I set out to create my own organization.”
Her organization became Working Women of Tampa Bay, and it began in 2009.
“We started out with a couple of women’s events in Tampa and then we had a few in Pinellas County,” Rivelli said. “We quickly grew to both sides of the Bay.”
Today, Working Women of Tampa Bay has 500 active members, some of whom have been there since the beginning and now hold leadership roles.
With affordable memberships, 1216 monthly events and a community of 15,000 women over the span of 16 years, Working Women has thrived under the mission of empowering women entrepreneurs through connection, education and financial support.
The organization also runs a nonprofit, the Working Women Foundation, which has provided over $100,000 in funding. Since launching in 2016, the foundation has utilized grassroots fundraising and donations, many made by members, to support women-owned businesses. It offers support in
various ways, such as paying for billboards, complimentary memberships and grants for start-ups. The foundation also continues to grow the Working Women’s network.
“We are a savvy and supportive community of entrepreneurial women,” Rivelli said. “Together, we create the synergy that enables each of us to achieve more than we ever could alone. With stunning energy and focus, our goal is to help educate, motivate and inspire female professionals and women business owners.”
Working Women’s mission of inclusivity and accessibility continues to drive the organization and foundation forward, providing support and community for any woman who needs it.
“We have this philosophy that anyone can come to our events,” said Rivelli, emphasizing that there are no age or job requirements to be a part of the group. “We don’t have any rules. When you become a member, you are not just a part of the fastest-growing network of women in Florida, you become an ingredient in our partnership and a unique feature of our richly complex organization.”
For more information about Working Women of Tampa Bay, please visit www. workingwomenoftampabay.com or call 1-888-998-6483.
A LEGACY IN THE LAND: HONORING THE MANLEY FAMILY IN VALRICO
Driving along Lithia Pinecrest Road in Valrico, just south of Bloomingdale Avenue, most people only see a modern church building with a sign reading “Creekside Church of Christ.” But long before the church stood there, this land was part of a working farm owned by the Manley family, whose roots run deep.
The property, located at 3949 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., was once part of a sprawling family farm that belonged to John Leslie Manley, born in 1904, and his wife, Eva Barna Manley. The couple raised their family there, including their daughter, Evelyn Manley Smith, who still lives nearby at 96 years old. In 1999, the Manley family sold the land to what was then Bell Shoals Church of Christ. The church, landlocked at its previous location, needed space to grow. After the move, it was renamed Creekside Church of Christ.
Ken Smith, grandson of John and Eva, remembers the land well. “My grandfather bought little pieces of land out here,” he said. “He would buy them from the neighbors. He eventually had where the church is, where the school is, where Lithia Ridge is and even the 80 acres where Bloomingdale High School sits.”
It is estimated that John and his family owned over 300 acres locally. The land was once used for crops, then cattle.
Ken’s mother moved to the area as a child.
“Mom moved out there around 1935/36 when she was about 7 or 8 years old,” he said. “The roads were all dirt back then. The
By Brian Bokor
bridge over the Alafia was still wood. I remember riding across it when I was little.”
“My grandfather had sugar cane, peas, watermelons, he had everything,” Ken said. “We used to take stuff to the farmer’s market over on Hillsborough Avenue.”
Across the road from where the church now stands, the family once raised miniature horses on the 26 acres now known as Shetland Ridge.
“My grandfather gave it to my mom (Evelyn) and dad (Carl, retired Air Force), as long as they built a house on it. She had a miniature horse farm there for years,” Ken said. “You ask anybody who’s lived out here long enough; they remember the miniature horses on Lithia.”
He recalled his mother wasn’t thrilled when they named it ‘Shetland Ridge,’ explaining, “They weren’t ponies, they were miniature horses!” By the 1990s, most of the land had been sold, but the piece where Creekside now sits remained in the family. Bell Shoals Church of Christ made an offer around 1999 and the family accepted and the church recently was proud to recognize and honor the family by dedicating its newly installed playground in memory of John. Church elder and Family Life Minister Dwight Eppler said the church had long hoped to honor the Manley family. “The church has long intended to dedicate something in John Manley’s memory,” Eppler said, “and hopes the ceremony will serve as a meaningful gesture to the Manley family.”
Working Women of Tampa Bay has supported and empowered local women for 16 years. The organization currently has 500 active members and hosts 12-16 monthly events all over the Tampa Bay area.
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165 AND COUNTING! KEEP TAMPA BAY BEAUTIFUL IS GIVING AWAY TREES ALL SUMMER
On May 22, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful (KTBB) partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to present its East Tampa Tree Giveaway. The event was sponsored by Sage Surge.
For the tree giveaway, those interested signed up on their Eventbrite page. From there, signees went to KTBB’s station at Al Barnes Park to pick up their free tree on a first-come, first-serve basis from 8-11 a.m. People picking up trees had the option of picking up either a crape myrtle or live oak, which was loaded into their car by KTBB to be taken home and planted.
By Gabe Themar
said KTBB in its mission statement.
For those interested in the tree giveaway but could not make it to pick one up last month, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful has already started a new tree giveaway, the Plant Your Heart Out program.
The event successfully gave away 165 total trees for planting in its three-hour window. For those who could not make it to the tree giveaway, KTBB continued to giveaway trees throughout the following week at its office, located at 730 W. Emma St. in Tampa.
Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful is a nonprofit organization oriented towards the goal of making the community cleaner and greener for residents. It also offers an opportunity for locals to make an impact and give back to their community via a range of service projects which are friendly to all ages.
“Our mission is to promote a culture of environmental stewardship through volunteer and educational opportunities,”
“Our newest tree program, Plant Your Heart Out, sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union, is well underway and already making an impact,” said Keeping Tampa Bay Beautiful. “This initiative was created to help restore the tree canopies damaged by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.”
The initiative is giving away 1,000 trees throughout the end of this year to help people in the community plant a tree of their choosing at no cost to them, as well as encourage smaller neighborhood associations to host planting events to beautify public places, grow habitat for wildlife and reduce urban heating with the shade from the high-canopy trees.
Those who are interested in learning more about Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful or are looking for community service opportunities or information on future events can go to www.keeptampabaybeautiful. org, or they can call at 813-221-8733.
LOCAL CHARITY CONCERT FEATURES VALRICO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER
On June 16, Valrico Elementary School teacher Sidney O’Sullivan sang and played guitar at Voodoo Brewing Co.’s charity concert for the Honorary Mayor’s Race of East Hillsborough County in partnership with the Valrico/FishHawk Chamber of Commerce and two different charities: Hope for Her and ECHO (Emergency Care Help Organization) of Brandon.
O’Sullivan has been a musician since she was in middle school. Going from Bevis Elementary School to Randall Middle School and then to Newsome High School, O’Sullivan participated in choir and show choir in middle and high school, respectively. After graduating from Newsome in 2014, she enrolled at the University of South Florida (USF), where she raised money by singing with her sorority at the Singing for Shriners charity event at Shriners Hospital.
After graduating from USF in the spring of 2018, O’Sullivan began teaching at Valrico Elementary. She is now going in her eighth year there and is currently teaching third graders. O’Sullivan has also performed in front of her students and the whole school many times, including teaming up with three of her co-workers to sing at Valrico Elementary’s yearly Veterans Day ceremony. Outside of school, she began
By Gabe Themar
performing live at weddings and other events. Then, one of her coworkers got her in contact with Voodoo Brewing Co., and she began performing live at the restaurant in April. O’Sullivan shared that her passion has always been for live music.
“It’s not lost on me how beautiful it is when a community comes together through music,” said O’Sullivan. “It’s so special, I am so grateful for Chris Ciulla for the opportunity and experience.”
Voodoo Brewing Co. is a national brewpub franchise that opened its fourth Florida location under the ownership of Chris Ciulla in December 2024 in Valrico at 3432 S.R. 60. Voodoo Brewing Co. emphasizes community connections and was thrilled to bring on O’Sullivan as a regular performer.
O’Sullivan sings and plays the guitar every second Saturday at Voodoo Brewing Co. from 6:30-10 p.m. She mostly performs cover songs but hopes to release her own album at the end of the summer. Fans interested can learn about her next shows and book her for live events through her Instagram page @sidneyosullivanmusic. Those interested in Voodoo Brewing Co. can visit https://valrico.voodoobrewery.com/ for more information.
Volunteers spent three hours loading trees into cars for the East Tampa Tree Giveaway.
Sidney O’Sullivan is a regular live performer at Voodoo Brewing Co. in Valrico.
BETTER THAN GELATO: LOCAL AUTHOR’S ITALIAN ROMANCE NOVEL
There are so many local talents hidden within our communities. Camille Metcalf is one of those people. Writing under the pen name Libby Tanner, which incorporates aspects of her first and maiden name, she recently put out a new book titled Better Than Gelato. It is the first in a series about summer fun and romance.
Even though she doesn’t come from a creative writing field, Metcalf always had a narrative side to her. Studying public relations in college, she knew she wanted to experience life at its fullest while also staying safe. At the end of her freshman year, she took up the offer to become a nanny for a family in Milan, wanting to throw herself into a new and exciting chapter of life.
While she was there, she met wonderful friends, visited so many stunning countries and fell in love. She never expected to have such a headover-heels romance while abroad, mentioning that “he was American, which [was] incredibly embarrassing when you’re living in a country full of charming Italian men.” Her life and stories became the basis for her romcom novel, one that she felt could resonate with others that
By Alisa Gershman
read it.
The first book in the Ciao Bella series follows starry-eyed Juliet Evans, who works as a nanny to a bratty 6-year-old from the Rossi family in Milan. Metcalf described the main character’s journey as an “incredibly exciting and stressful time of your life when you’re making the big decisions — where to live, what to study in school, who to date, where to work — that will determine the rest of your life.” She hopes that her readers can find something to connect with Juliet that they see in their own lives, or maybe something to reminisce on from their past.
Metcalf is also preparing to release two other books, Bigger Than Versace and Brighter Than Times Square, which follow the Rossi family throughout. She is grateful to be able to follow her passion as an author and know that her family will support her no matter what. Sharing her life on paper is one of the greatest gifts she could have in life, and she is excited for others to share their love for the story as well.
For more information on the books and release dates, visit www.libbytannerauthor.com.
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Camille Metcalf, under the pen name Libby Tanner, is a local author who wants to share her love for romance and Italy with the local book community.
MIELKE FOUNDATION REELS IN SUPPORT FOR FOSTER YOUTH THROUGH FISHING AND FUNDRAISING
The MIELKE Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to uplifting foster children and families in need, continues to leave a lasting impact through its ever-growing charitable programs and fundraising initiatives. Since its founding in 2017, the organization has provided vital financial support and hosted engaging events aimed at enriching the lives of children navigating the challenges of the foster care system.
By Kelly Wise Valdes
nections among community leaders, families and advocates. The event pairs business professionals, generous sponsors and seasoned anglers with top captains for a weekend that blends outdoor adventure with heartfelt purpose.
Launched with a clear and powerful mission — to improve the lives of foster children — the foundation has steadily expanded its reach and influence.
“Thanks to our unwavering supporters, that mission has grown into something truly impactful — enhancing quality of life, raising awareness for adoption, building homes, awarding scholarships and creating job opportunities for those aging out of care,” said Dana Pope, vice president of human resources and communications at MIELKE Holdings.
Among its hallmark programs is the beloved annual Casting for Kids Charity Fishing Tournament. Now a mainstay in the Tampa Bay area, the tournament raises essential funds for organizations supporting foster youth while forging meaningful con-
“What started as taking kids fishing has evolved into meaningful, life-changing connections,” said Pope. “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our supporters, who have helped us raise over $200,000 this year — bringing our total to more than $1.2 million in support of children in the foster system and beyond.”
This year’s eighth annual Casting for Kids event, held from May 2-3, featured a festive welcome party at The Floridian Social, followed by a spirited fishing competition at The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in downtown St. Petersburg. Many gathered to celebrate, compete and unite around a shared cause.
The MIELKE Foundation continues to welcome involvement from individuals and businesses alike. Whether through sponsorships, donations or volunteer opportunities, there are countless ways to make an impact. For updates and ways to get involved, visit https://mielkefoundation.org/ or follow the foundation on Facebook.
FLORIDA NATIONAL
GUARD EXPANDS DRUG PREVENTION EFFORTS ACROSS
The Florida National Guard (FLNG) provides a wide range of resources to support and assist local Florida communities. As an agency with dual federal and state missions, the FLNG has the opportunities, resources and connections to offer valuable programs to Floridians throughout the state.
STATE
By Michaela Galligan
One such division of the Florida National Guard is the Counterdrug Program. This program aims to educate Floridians about the dangers of drug usage and prevent substance abuse. This operates under four missions — analytical support, reconnaissance, training and civil operations — all to reduce the supply and demand of drugs.
Captain Zachary Mason, youth prevention officer of the Florida National Guard Counterdrug Program Drug Demand Reduction and Outreach (DDRO), oversees the Drug Demand Reduction and Outreach initiative within the program, which is set on educating and expanding a prevention toolbox for Florida communities, especially youth and young adults.
The program works closely with schools, community events and after-school programs to inform young people about the dangers of drug usage, how to say no when pressured with drugs and who to contact if they encounter drugs or need help. It leads a variety of discussions, workshops and other face-to-face programs to reach
as many people as possible.
One such workshop is the Night Vision Presentation, a completely free program that educates and offers life skills for young people. These can include refusal skills, dealing with peer pressure and positive ways to cope with stress, mental illness, trauma and depression.
“I am very proud of the work we have done in educating young adults about this issue, but there is still much more to be done,” said Mason. “We need to be in more schools, community events and outreach programs to get one step closer to eliminating substance abuse as a whole.”
The Drug Demand Reduction Outreach program operates with several missions in mind, including education, coalition support and outreach.
The Florida National Guard Counterdrug Program has played a significant role in providing free and helpful resources to people across the state in regard to this issue. Mason and other officers across the state aim to enhance outreach to educate and aid more people across the state.
For any questions regarding these programs, visit the Florida National Guard website at https://fl.ng.mil/services/counterdrug-program/, and Mason can be contacted directly by email at zachary.c.mason2.mil@army.mil.
Captain Zachary Mason joined the Florida National Guard in 2018 and currently serves as the officer overseeing the Drug Demand Reduction Outreach program for the West-Central Florida region.
The MIELKE Foundation raised more than $200,000 to support foster children and families in need this year at its annual Casting for Kids event.
PAINTING WITH PURPOSE: ST. ANDREW’S MURAL BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER
By Lily Belcher
At the beginning of June, people picked up paint brushes before and after church at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church.
The congregation, friends and family helped paint a four-panel community mural that highlights the church’s ministries.
It was the first community mural Sara Nguyen Harris designed.
“I think the biggest part of it was that it was a community led experience that we all got to pitch in,” she said. “Everybody got to help and leave a mark on the church.”
The mural highlights the church’s food pantry, a program for elderly people with dementia or Alzheimer’s, the children’s ministry and the pumpkin patch the church is known for.
She said she was not nervous about having strangers work on the mural she designed because it was done in stages. The first step was adding large color blocks and then painting over a projected outline.
“I know quite a few people were nervous, but I think they were able to really get into it,” she said. “And I had a couple people that were very involved and invested in the project.”
She has been a part of St. Andrew’s
for about two years, and the pastor, Jayne Rideout, heard she was an artist. Pastor Rideout reached out to Nguyen to design a painting that would decorate the side of the church.
The project was supposed to start on May 31, but Florida’s usual summer storms pushed the launch back to the next morning.
But Nguyen said it worked out because people got to spend time with their church community.
She also said it was an opportunity for the congregation to invite others to church.
“I think that was the biggest and most rewarding part about it was that it was such a community experience,” she said. “A lot of people got to meet each other and talk, or have known each other but never really talked or gotten to work together.”
And she added that the process of designing the mural was meditative, and she appreciated the opportunity to share her love for painting with other people.
To see more of Nguyen’s work, visit her Instagram @nguyenindoubtart.
PADDLING TOWARD INCLUSION: FLORIDA NONPROFIT EXPANDS ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Removing the Barriers Initiatives are making waves in developing inclusivity and accessibility across the state of Florida, both figuratively and literally.
The Central Florida-based nonprofit has been working to ensure those with physical disabilities aren’t prevented from enjoying many of the things others can. How was this project started? Surprisingly, with canoes.
By Michaela Galligan
by providing accessible golf carts and other transportation for camps in Lake Aurora. Since then, these materials have been moved across the state, providing access for inclusion anywhere possible, from Central Florida to Tallahassee.
Bill Redmon founded Removing the Barriers after observing a lack of inclusivity in the areas around him for those with physical disabilities. The retired pastor and business director sought to make a difference in these people’s lives and found just the way to do that.
Redmon started Wild Creek Adventures in 2007, a company that encourages team-building exercises in 14-person canoes. The company worked with many corporate organizations and teams to resolve communication and cooperation issues, taking it out of the office and onto the water.
“The canoes are a great way to encourage teamwork,” said Redmon. “There’s no pretending to get along on the water, and communication flows naturally.”
The project stayed active for several years till Redmon set his sights on helping those in need of accessibility.
“I’ve always had an interest in the underdog,” said Redmon. “I’ve seen the lack of accessibility and wanted to support them.”
Redmon and his team began the initiative
With the formerly operational Wild Creek Adventures in mind, Removing the Barriers has also hosted and organized accessible events on the water. Those with physical disabilities can get into canoes and participate in activities.
Recently, Removing the Barriers sponsored this year’s Ms. Wheelchair Florida, Schuyler Arakawa, in her fundraising goal of getting to the national competition in Michigan this August. The event was planned to have Arakawa in a canoe with others paddling on the Alafia River in Brandon. While the paddling of the event was postponed due to rain, the fundraising was still successful, and the paddling will be rescheduled later in July.
Removing the Barriers also has big plans for the future, including Stirring Waters, an accessible and inclusive water park. The park is still in the early stages of development but holds the goal of opening in Central Florida in the coming years.
More information can be found on its website at https://removingthebarriers.org/.
A team of people canoeing together on Lake Aurora, with Bill Redmon directing from the back.
The community helped paint the mural highlighting different St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church services.
BLOOMINGDALE HIGH ARTIST
Staff Report
AFTER LIFE-ALTERING INJURY, ARAKAWA NAMED MS.
WHEELCHAIR FLORIDA 2025
By Michaela Galligan
Recently, Congressman Vern Buchanan announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition, a district-wide showcase for high schoolage artists. This year, 48 exceptional entries were submitted from across the district.
The firstplace winner was Michael Leavitt, a senior at Bloomingdale High School in Valrico. His artwork, ‘system error: expression blocked,’ is currently on display for one year in the highly traveled corridor between the U.S. Capitol and the Cannon House Office Building in Washington D.C.
schoolers in our district are exceptional artists, and I’m excited to feature their art in our offices here in Florida’s 16th District and in our nation’s capital.”
Schuyler Arakawa, a FishHawk local, has recently been named Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2025, and her inspirational story and mission continue to motivate and touch people every day.
Tied for second place were Jaden Denney from Manatee School of the Arts in Bradenton with her piece, ‘Ghost Town,’ and Hana Mullen from Pine View School with her piece, ‘Winners’ Ticket,’ and third place went to Celine Wang’s ‘Tragedy at the Museum’ from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton.
“I’m grateful for the amazing submissions from our students for this year’s competition,” said Buchanan. “The high
An additional component of the annual art competition includes the ‘Facebook Fan Favorite’ Awards. The winning pieces in this category are displayed in the congressman’s offices in D.C., Bradenton and Brandon. The winners were Madison Tavarez with ‘Thermal’ and Emily Komar with ‘Thought and Memory,’ both from Bloomingdale High School, and Andrea Ledger from Parrish Community High School with ‘Patriot’s Game.’
The judging panel included professors from the State College of Florida Art, Design & Humanities department and staff from the Communications and Government department.
More information on the Congressional Art Competition can be found at https://buchanan.house.gov/congressional-art-competition.
In 2016, shortly after her graduation from Yale University, Arakawa fell victim to a terrible accident. While on a fellowship to South America, a falling boulder struck Arakawa, leaving her with traumatic injuries that would forever change her life. As an active student, she found herself in a very different life, waking up in the ICU without the ability to speak and with limited physical movement.
“I felt like I was living life on pause and that things could go back to normal, but it was moving slowly,” said Arakawa. “Now I’m working on finding my new purpose in life.”
With the encouragement of a therapist, Arakawa found the platform of Ms. Wheelchair America.
At her first competition, she could hardly speak, and no one with a speech impediment had ever placed before. During this time, she realized the necessity of access for silent disabilities and used this platform to share the struggle that so many share.
“When you can’t communicate, you get trapped within yourself,” said Arakawa. “That’s why I founded ROAR.”
Raise Awareness, Open Doors, Ampli-
fy Voices and Redefine Accessibility, or ROAR, is Arakawa’s mission for those with silent disabilities, providing accessibility for all disabilities, not just physical ones. Her work has elevated technology for those in need of assistance, such as AI communication and captioning devices.
Of course, none of this can be done alone, and Arakawa is lucky to be one half of a powerful dynamic duo with her mom, Meridith Alexander. The day of the accident, Alexander’s life changed forever as well. Alexander stepped away from her career to care for Arakawa but has found her own purpose and mindset from this event.
“The mental healing is the most important part,” said Alexander. “But through this, we have learned to turn tragedy into triumph and understand that maybe this wasn’t happening to us but for us.”
The strength and bond that Arakawa and Alexander share have allowed them to accomplish great things together, and Ms. Wheelchair Florida is just the beginning. Arakawa will be representing Florida at the Ms. Wheelchair America competition in Michigan later this summer.
Arakawa’s attendance at the competition is reliant on donations from her local community.
For more, contact Alexander at meridith@meridithalexander.com.
www.WeAreTheEssentials.com
Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2025.jpg Schuyler
Arakawa is Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2025.
Congressman Vern Buchanan standing with first-place winner Michael Leavitt in front of his painting, ‘system error: expression blocked,’ on display in Washington, D.C.
Congressman Vern Buchanan has been one of the most prominent political leaders in greater Tampa Bay since 2007.
The United States representative has served Florida’s 16th Congressional District for nearly two decades, and his dedication to serving his constituents remains strong.
By Michaela Galligan
Buchanan entered his tenth term in office this January. His district, Florida’s 16th, encompasses prominent areas across Hillsborough and Manatee counties. The congressman has been a champion for veteran support, strengthening Medicare and combating drug epidemics across his years in office.
During the 2025 legislative sessions in Washington, D.C., Buchanan is focused on passing and signing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law.
“This bill provides real relief to hardworking families and small businesses in Florida’s 16th District,” said Buchanan. “It will make the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, increase the small business deduction and protect over 16 million jobs.”
The bill passed in the U.S. House in May and is awaiting a vote in the Senate. In addition to this bill, the congressman hopes to strengthen Medicare, ensuring that essential programs serve those who need them most, including seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Buchanan also serves as the vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and chairman of the Health Sub-
committee on Ways and Means, roles he is proud to hold to further provide for his constituents.
“At the end of the day, my focus is on lowering costs, supporting economic growth and putting Floridians first,” said Buchanan.
At home in his district, the congressman’s office does a lot to engage with and support constituents.
“I’ve always believed in staying close to the people I serve,” said Buchanan.
“Whether it’s meeting with local families, small business owners, or community leaders, hearing directly from constituents is the most rewarding part of this job.”
His district’s offices, located in Brandon, Bradenton and Longboat Key, can help constituents navigate and communicate with federal agencies they may need support from. In addition, his newsletter, The Buchanan Bulletin, allows constituents to stay informed on what is happening in D.C. and the district.
When at home, the congressman enjoyed spending time with his family, biking through Alafia River State Park’s trails and getting out on the water in Tampa Bay.
“There’s so much to appreciate in our District,” said Buchanan. “I’m proud to represent such a beautiful part of Florida.”
Constituents can find contact information for the congressman’s district and D.C. offices on his website at https://buchanan.house.gov/.
Congressman Vern Buchanan in the Health Subcommittee on Ways and Means as chairman with Congressman Adrian Smith and Congressman Lloyd Doggett.
HUNKS VS. HURRICANES SHOWCASES RESILIENCE, UNITY AND SPIRIT
Tampa’s resilience took center stage at the historic Tampa Theatre as Tampa Mayor Jane Castor joined community leaders for the premiere of HUNKS vs. Hurricanes — a short documentary celebrating everyday heroes who stepped up during last year’s back-to-back storms.
The film includes interviews with Castor and meteorologist Denis Philps and spotlights the quick, courageous response by College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, whose crews worked around the clock to remove storm debris and support neighbors — often while dealing with their own personal storm damage.
“We were spared so many times in the past, but this, Helene and Milton, got everyone’s attention,” Castor said in the documentary. “To see everyone come together to do whatever it took to get our city back up and running — I think that was amazing.”
HUNKS vs. Hurricanes was co-produced by Emmy-nominated Brick Creative, Outbound.com and College HUNKS co-founder Nick Friedman. The documentary highlights Tampa’s resilience and will air as a donation on Tampa Bay Community Network (TBCN), a nonprofit focused on video production training and workforce development.
Anyone can tune in and find the film on YouTube at ‘HUNKS vs The HurricanesDocumentary Film.’
“We wanted to capture the spirit of ser-
Report
vice and sacrifice we witnessed,” said Friedman. “This wasn’t just about our crews — it was about our city pulling together when it mattered most. I hope this film inspires others to do the same in the face of adversity.”
Among those featured in the film is College HUNKS employee Mario Martinez, who lost his entire home in the floodwaters but never stopped showing up to help others.
“I had nothing left, but I knew my neighbors needed me,” said Martinez. “Helping them helped me heal. That’s what being part of this community and this company is all about.”
Founded 20 years ago by two college friends, College HUNKS has grown into a national brand with over 200 locally owned franchises. Built on a mission to ‘move the world,’ the company blends professional moving and junk removal with a strong commitment to giving back — donating over 5 million meals to U.S. Hunger, helping victims of domestic violence move and recycling or donating up to 70 percent of items to charities like Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity.
With hurricane season once again approaching, Friedman said HUNKS vs. Hurricanes is more than a film — it’s a reminder.
“Prepare. Stay connected. And never underestimate the power of community stepping up,” Friedman added.
For more information, visit www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com.
Music brings people together from all different walks of life. Here in Hillsborough County, a group of people have joined one another in their shared love for music and instruments to start their own band.
By Alisa Gershman
The Eastern Hillsborough Community Band was founded in 2009 by Kim McKamey-McCullers, a trumpet player. She started a band since there were none in the area and she wanted to share her love for music. McKamey-McCullers shared that there were “10 people that showed up for the first rehearsal in a little church.” Now the group, which has become a nonprofit, has grown to have over 80 volunteer members, each playing different instruments and ranging in skill from amateur to professional. What makes the band so wonderful is that members are not required to pay to play. The group receives funding through concert proceeds and donors who graciously provide for the band, so those involved can just focus on their passion for music. The core mission is what remains strong for the group, which is “to provide an opportunity for musicians to perform with a concert band and to foster the development of musicians who wish to make a cultural contribution to their community.”
Since many members come from different backgrounds, each brings something new to the group, making it a melting pot of cultures and people.
Cheryl Walkover, one of the band members, mentioned that her “favorite thing about the band is [they] are all like a family.”
Walkover is a clarinet player who joined the band in 2013 and has been improving her skills ever since high school.
Not only are the musicians a large part of the group, but also the composer is the one who truly brings them all together in one harmonious blend. Kevin Lewis is a trained music professional, teaching in the county for 37 years. He also plays the trombone in an orchestra at First Baptist Church of Brandon, where he is also the instrumental music director.
As opportunities to play grow, the group is planning to embark on an exciting journey to play in Normandy, France. The band has been invited for the June 2026 D-Day Commemoration, where they will join others in a mass band on Utah Beach for the prelude music. They will also play a 30-minute concert during the Concert de Liberation in the village of Sainte-Mere-Eglise. This chance to play on a big stage is amazing for the local band, and the members can’t wait to represent the local community on such a prestigious level.
With the waiting list growing for those who want to join, members of the community are thrilled to have a place to share their love for music. The band is proud to serenade anyone who wants to listen, and the members are continuously sharpening their skills. For those who want to join, they must have experience in a high school band or any equivalent to that.
More information on the Eastern Hillsborough Community Band can be found on their website, www.ehcb.org.
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving co-founder Nick Friedman stands with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor at its documentary debut at Tampa Theatre.
BIG BOY SOAP HOCKEY LEAGUE SLIDES INTO BRANDON WITH INFLUENCERS
The Big Boy Soap Hockey League, created by former Brandon resident Nick Pletcher, hosted a tournament in June at the J.C. Handly Sports Complex.
The former Bloomingdale High School student had an idea that took shape nearly four years ago, and it has finally come to fruition. He is a video producer and founder of Glass Eye Creative, a video production company located in Atlanta, Georgia. He had the idea to film and produce a soap hockey tournament in his hometown and play with the friends that he grew up with and went to high school with.
“During my bachelor party, I saw this video on YouTube of these people playing soap hockey, so I bought all the stuff,” said Pletcher, who added that he and his friends played all weekend and had a blast. “For the next four or five years, we’ve been playing it once or twice a year, trying to get together to play it.”
Soap hockey is played on a giant 30-foot-by-40-foot, soap-drenched tarp and is usually three versus three.
“We don’t really have rules like hockey. It’s kind of more rough and tumble,” said Pletcher. “People throw their sticks; people grab a hold of each other. It’s definitely a lot more loose and a little bit more wild than normal hockey.”
TC Drums played at the event, which had a turnout of about 100 people. It had
By Nick Nahas
several sponsors, and commentators from Pewter Report. It had eight teams of three compete in the tournament. It had influencers with over half a million followers come out to be the power players in the game. Each game was 10 minutes long, and each team got one power play, where for one minute they had the ability to sub in one of the influencers.
Swaggy P, who has almost 300,000 followers, played in the event.
“The event went fantastically,” said Pletcher. “I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better. We have a YouTube channel and an Instagram and a TikTok, so we’re going to try to keep posting content.”
Pletcher would like to have more of these events in the future.
“We don’t want to just have the one tournament, we want to try to do a little more,” he said. “We’ll be trying to do more games and stuff as the year goes.”
Pletcher said that his ultimate goal is to become a team like the Savannah Bananas, where they can tour and be on TV.
“They have their own YouTube channel. Something that could sustain itself like that and get huge sponsorships and bring out crowds. So, we kind of always look at them, and it’s like a shining star of what it could be. Being on TV, that’s our goal, bringing more crowds as we go.”
HIGH 5 INC. IN BRANDON HOSTS THE WORLD’S LARGEST SWIMMING LESSON
More than 100 children ages 3 and up gathered at the High 5 Recreation Center in Brandon to take part in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL), a global initiative aimed at promoting water safety and teaching kids essential swimming skills.
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is a promotional event designed to raise awareness and bring local and national media attention to the importance of teaching kids to swim, both to prevent drowning and to increase their quality of life.
“By joining our voices together,” said WLSL, “we can make a positive difference in the lives of children and adults and drive home the message that learning to swim is as important to general safety as wearing a seat belt when riding in a car.”
The kids in attendance went through several valuable swimming teaching points, from just learning how to kick their feet properly to swimming out with an adult caretaker, to finally swimming down to the bottom of the pool so they could retrieve pool rings to the surface. Afterward, the kids got the opportunity to swim unassisted if they were able to, before the event ended with a dance
By Gabe Themar
party on the pool deck.
“My favorite part was definitely the dance party,” said Daniel, a 5-year-old swimmer.
To keep the music going, ID Visual Effects and Sound, or IDVES, provided a live DJ for the duration of the event.
The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Department also attended the event, with kids being able to meet two firefighters and get a free trinket at their table. High 5’s own kangaroo mascot also made an appearance, hanging out with the kids and getting his groove on the dance floor.
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is an annual event happening in local communities every summer. For more information on the WLSL or for details about next year’s swimming lesson, go to www.wlsl.org. For more information about High 5 and other future community events hosted there, those interested can call at 813-689-0908 or email memberservices@high5inc.org. The High 5 Recreation Center is located at 405 Beverly Blvd. in Brandon. Interested readers can also book an IDVES DJ at their own event by going to https:// idvesevents.com/ for booking inquiries.
Nick Pletcher had the idea to film and produce a soap hockey tournament in his hometown and play with the friends he grew up and went to high school with.
TC Drums played at the event.
Grand Opening, Back-To-School Supply Drive & More...
Compiled
by
Jenny Bennett jbennett@ospreyobserver.com
Indigo Creek Grand Opening
You are invited to celebrate the grand opening of Indigo Creek by Taylor Morrison. The event will take place on Satur-
preciation Luncheon on Tuesday, August 5, and is looking for donations. You can help the chamber treat some of the area’s newest teachers with items that will help them in the upcoming school year. Contact bts@valricofishhawk.org for more information on how you can help with sponsorships and donations.
Back-To-School Bash
4-H HOSTS PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE
If your child is looking for an extracurricular activity that covers project areas from leadership and citizenship to poultry and photography, then mark your calendars for the Hillsborough County 4-H Open House on Saturday, August 30, starting 9 a.m. at the Florida State Fair Grounds.
By Kate Quesada
based on that and the meeting location.
day, July 26, from 12 Noon until 3 p.m. at the Indigo Creek Sales Center, located at 5107 Slate Hue Place in Apollo Beach. Along with having the opportunity to tour the beautifully designed model homes, there will be light bites, a gelato cart and corn hole available. Come out and discover why Indigo Creek in Apol lo Beach is the perfect place to call home.
Florida Penguin Productions will be hosting a Back-toSchool Bash on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Brandon Exchange mall. This is a great opportunity for families to prepare for the upcoming school year while enjoying fun-filled activities. The event is presented by MyEyeDr. and will include a scavenger hunt, a backpack giveaway, school supplies, games and activities. Register online at Eventbrite or call 727-674-1464 for more information.
office as of 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM on 07/26/25 (“Promotion Period”) to win one of entry. One registration per attendee for drawing (each, an “Eligible Entrant”). One Winner has forty-eight hours to respond to Sponsor’s voicemail or email notice or an the value of the Prize. No cash equivalent or substitutions. Gift Card Merchant’s options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ stage of construction. See current “Summary of Assessments, Fees and other state and community specific disclaimers, licensing details or other information
Back-to-school
Supplies Drive
The Valrico/FishHawk Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 2025 Back to School Teacher Ap-
Open to youth ages 5-18 years old, 4-H is an informal, practical educational program organized by the Florida Cooperative Extension, a part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The group was started in 1909, and Florida ranks number five of 4-H member enrollment in the nation with 206,000 members.
According to Michele Dunn, Hillsborough County 4-H Association president, South Shore 4-H Club leader and Florida State 4-H Dairy committee member, Hillsborough County currently has 20 4-H clubs with 334 youth members.
“Most of our clubs meet once a week in a church or similar location,” said Dunn, who graduated from East Bay High School and was herself a member of 4-H. She has been a volunteer with the group for 30 years, starting when her son was young.
Most clubs have a specialization, from speech and debate to sewing, and members can choose which club works best for them
“Traditionally, people assume that 4-H just shows animals, but we are so much more,” said Dunn. “We have a new fishing club starting this year, and one of our clubs participated in the 4-H Food Challenge, a cooking challenge similar to the show Chopped, and went on to place third in the nation.”
During the open house, which will take place in the Florida State Fairgrounds’ Ag Hall of Fame building, each local club will be in attendance and set up a project to illustrate their specialty.
“Our members are so excited to show how much they learn through having fun,” said Dunn, who added that, without realizing it, members also learn recording and bookkeeping, life skills, self-esteem, resilience, volunteerism and much more.
For more information, contact 4-H county agent Amber Norris at 813-744-5519 or visit https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/4-h-youth-development/. If you are interested in contributing to Hillsborough 4-H, visit https://ufgive.to/hillsborough4h. Those who wish to attend the open house are asked to enter the Florida State Fairgrounds through the Orient Road entrance and follow the signs.
The Hillsborough County 4-H Association is hosting an open house on Saturday, August 30, at 9 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
When it comes to a cardiac emergency, the difference between life and death can be measured in seconds. That’s why putting automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, in Hillsborough County parks and making them accessible to anyone at any time is so important.
On June 6, Hillsborough County and the American Heart Association celebrated the installation of the first of 25 defibrillators that will be placed at the county’s most popular and most remote parks. Having an AED administered within three minutes of a cardiac emergency significantly improves chances of survival. The defibrillators placed in county parks are designed so almost anyone can use them with no training.
The defibrillators will be kept in a locked cabinet in a publicly accessible location at each park. To gain access to the cabinet, anyone can call 911, and the dispatcher will give them the access code to the cabinet. The requirement to call 911
Staff Report
first ensures that first responders are immediately notified of the medical emergency.
Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation has made a strong effort to make AEDs available in county-run parks. Last year, the county placed 50 defibrillators at parks and sports complexes with athletic leagues. The AEDs were a gift from the American Heart Association.
The ceremony marking the installation of the first of the new AEDs was held at Skyway Sports Complex, located at 3901 George Rd. in Tampa.
Parks slated to receive AEDs include Balm Park, Bloomingdale East Park, Brandon Park, Ruskin Park and the SouthShore Sportsplex.
In June, the county installed two AEDs at Skyway Sports Complex in Tampa, and Carrollwood Village Park and Branchton Park already have them installed as well. For more information, please visit https://hcfl.gov/.
LOCAL CANCER SURVIVOR JOINS TEAM USA FOR PARACLIMBING WORLD CUP
Many people within our communities have exceptional life journeys. All around us, everyone is walking a different path in life and striving to live life to its fullest. That is exactly what Raphael Misael is doing.
Born in the Philippines but bouncing around different states at a young age, Misael ended up in the Riverview area, where he graduated Riverview High School in 2013. He continued to find a home in several cities from New York to Seattle before finally settling in Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career as an independent music video director. While he had a full-time job, climbing was always his passion.
By Alisa Gershman
and learning how to maneuver with a prosthetic, his dream of climbing became more attainable. Spending days in the gym with his fiancé, Bhrielle, they both worked extremely hard, pushing their bodies and “[working] three times as hard just to keep up with everyone else.” With months of hard work from the pair and mentorship from national team climber Caleb Cowen, they both competed in climbing and paraclimbing competitions across the country, all leading up to the Paraclimbing World Cup this year in Austria.
For his entire life, Misael has found comfort in finding different places in nature he could climb, which spurred his desire to learn more about the sport in 2022. However, his life came to a screeching halt that year when his mother was diagnosed with stage-four colon and liver cancer. Shortly after coming back to Florida to visit her, Misael broke his leg; that’s when the doctors discovered a tumor in his bones.
Forced to figure out his own health while also helping his mother, Misael eventually had to amputate his leg in order for him to survive. With the excruciating decision of how to go about the procedure at hand “climbing was the only thing on [his] mind.” After ending chemo
After making Team USA by qualifying in nationals, Misael is now headed to Austria to compete and show his intense skillset. He also said, “Paraclimbing was just announced in the Paralympics, and they are taking 10 members for Team USA in 2028. … I have to make the team each year at nationals, and my goal is to keep moving up.”
With his entire life being shaken and many challenges thrown his way, Misael has risen from the ashes and truly perseveres in the face of hardship. He is not only an incredibly strong climber but a strong person as well through his battle with cancer. Many in the Riverview community are supporting his journey and can’t wait to see what he accomplishes on the world stage.
Raphael Misael looks up the wall as he calculates his next move, showcasing his skills for the Paraclimbing World Cup.
JAMES CONNELL HEADSHOTS FOR HEROES: FREE MILITARY PERSONNEL HEADSHOTS
Headshots for Heroes, founded by James Connell, is giving free headshot sessions for all veterans and military personnel throughout the month of July in honor of Independence Day.
“My father is a Vietnam veteran, and I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for anyone that chooses to go into the military. Not only is it hard being away from their family, but the things they see while away can have a significant impact on their lives — these men and women are heroes and should be treated as such,” Connell said.
Connell has been a photographer for over 10 years and services the areas of Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Orlando from his local studio in Lithia. Though he typically offers one free headshot a month to a veteran or active military service member, in honor of Independence Day, Connell wishes to extend this offer to all inactive and active United States service members during the month of July. Connell hopes that through Headshots for Heroes, he can express his appreciation for all military service members that help serve and protect the Unit-
By Emma Snider
ed States, as well as give back in a way that could help propel their future opportunities.
“My intention is to give back to those that put their lives on the line to protect my freedom and every other American’s freedom.
That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing,” he said.
Jason Krenta, who was photographed through the Headshots for Heroes program by Connell, has been a member of the United States Army for 26 years, and he will soon retire from the military.
Connell wishes to continue to support the military community through the Headshots for Heroes program. His program was designed as a way to give back by helping all former and current military members look and feel like the best versions of themselves.
To book a Headshots for Heroes session, visit https://jamesconnell.com/ and fill out the Headshots for Heroes form, or call 813-625-8168.
Connell would like to thank all active and veteran military members for their continued service and dedication to protecting the freedom of every American.
Daisy Vega founded the Freedom to Walk Foundation, a national nonprofit organization, in January of 2013. For the past 44 years, she has been experiencing multiple sclerosis. Additionally, she experienced foot drop in 2012. After two and a half years of wearing an electrical stimulation device for foot drop, she walked out of her device and no longer needed it to walk.
By Libby Hopkins
“Foot Drop is a weakness or paralysis of the muscles involved in lifting the front part of the foot necessary to walk,” Vega said. “It causes a person to drag the foot and toes or engage in a high-stepping walk called steppage gait. The Bioness L300 Go device, when worn on the calf, sends electric impulses to the affected foot causing the foot and leg to lift and follow through with a natural, unimpaired gait.”
Most insurance companies deny coverage for this device. With an out-of-pocket cost of up to $5,500, the cost is prohibitive for many who see the Bioness L300 Go device as an invaluable opportunity to improve their quality of life.
“Our mission is to assist patients and their families by providing financial assistance for the purchase of WalkAide or Bioness devices for children and adults experiencing foot drop,” Vega said. “We aim to help individuals regain their independence and mobility by providing them with the neces-
sary technology to walk again.” The Freedom to Walk Foundation has educated thousands about foot drop and the electrical stimulation devices that can help them Walk. The foundation has assisted hundreds of families in raising funds for their own devices. The foundation has also held 26 in-person events to raise funds for the $5,500 devices.
“Freedom to Walk Foundation is committed to a life of walking for individuals with foot drop, regardless of their disability,” Vega said. ‘Every dollar donated equals a step towards helping someone to place their footing in the world.”
To help raise funds, the foundation is hosting a comedy show with dinner and dancing fundraiser on Saturday, October 4, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Riverview from 6-11 p.m. Tickets are $75.
“It’s going to be a spectacular night at the newly renovated Hilton Garden Inn,” Vega said. “It’s an evening of fine dining, testimonial speaker, three comedians, dancing, silent auction, raffles and a cash bar. Our goal is to host a successful event that brings businesses and the community together for an evening of education, giving, and fun.”
For more info,rmation, visit its website at www.freedomtowalkfoundation.org.
Jason Krenta, United States Army member of 26 years. Headshot by James Connell.
The mission of the Freedom to Walk Foundation is to assist patients by providing financial assistance for the purchase of WalkAide or Bioness devices.
Out of the crucible of service in elite combat units, two former special forces warriors have become harvesters of history with their wood recovery and repurposing business.
FROM SPECIAL FORCES TO SALVAGED HISTORY: VETERANS TURN RECLAIMED WOOD INTO LIVING LEGACY
By Brad Stager
Former Navy Seal Chris Kelley and former Green Beret Christian Knutzen have traded in their service fatigues for workshop attire with their Three Forks Wood Reclamation company.
The local company sources and collects the beams and planks of structures that have connections to historical places and events or possess cultural characteristics for design projects that preserve the material and maintain connections with its heritage. Wood with an interesting legacy is repurposed for a range of design projects, such as bespoke furniture, architectural expression in luxury homes, corporate offices, hospitality businesses and even museums.
Sources include wooden watercraft, aging estates and even wood from a barn near the site of the WWII amphibious D-Day assault by allied forces along France’s Normandy coastline. As the fighting moved to the countryside, buildings such as the barn at Marmion Farm witnessed the historic operation’s carnage that liberated Europe.
Daily operation of the business means traveling to remote locations, such as Transylvania, to source materials like 50-
foot white oak beams, known to the locals as Romanian Sissle, that have been holding a structure in place for more than 200 years. The task of bringing the treasured wood to the United States involves overcoming things like remote mountain transport and shipping container challenges, as well as meeting strict import requirements.
The story behind the company’s name speaks to a purpose that goes beyond entrepreneurship and is an essential part of each Three Forks project.
“In the mid-’90s, just out of high school, my good friend Fritz and I embarked on a 60-day canoe trip from the headwaters of the Missouri River in Montana — a confluence of three rivers at a place called Three Forks — all the way to North Dakota,” Knutzen wrote in an email. “Fritz was killed continuing this type of raw adventuring in the country of Georgia many years later while I was in the Army, and I wish I had been there for him. While I was able to escort his body back from Tbilisi, Three Forks is an homage to Fritz, his spirit of braving the world and dedication to connecting with people wherever he went.”
You can learn more about Three Forks Wood Reclamation by visiting www. threeforkswoodreclamation.com or calling 844-433-6757.
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Christian Knutzen (left) and Chris Kelley operate the Three Forks Wood Reclamation company, which recovers distinctive wood from around the world for design projects, such as bespoke furniture or architectural enhancement.
BRANDON ROTARY DONATES OVER $164,000 TO LOCAL CHARITIES
It was a proud and heartwarming day for the Rotary Club of Brandon as members gathered for the club’s annual charity check presentation, celebrating the success of its fundraising efforts over the past year.
By Marie Gilmore
Following the most successful Wild Game Night in the club’s history and a successful golf tournament, the Rotary club was able to present more than $164,000 to local charities and community programs.
“Today is the culmination of the work we have done this year as a club,” said Rotary Club of Brandon President Tim Ryan. “Between our golf tournament and Wild Game Night, we have raised the most money ever.”
This year’s beneficiaries include:
• Angel Foundation FL — $9,000.
• Boy Scouts of America — $5,000.
• Brandon Rotary Scholarships — $31,800.
• ECHO (Emergency Care Help Organization) — $37,200.
• High 5 Inc. — $34,800.
• Hope for Her — $21,600.
• Rotary’s Camp Florida — $24,600.
Liz Brewer of the Angel Foundation FL expressed gratitude, saying, “This money will be going directly to families going through life changing challenges and we
are working with two families that this donation can assist right now.”
Cheryl Hickman from Hope for Her add-
ed, “This is a huge donation for us and these funds will help local moms pay rent, get gas, fix cars and directly impact women and families’ lives.”
Alan Feldman from Rotary’s Camp Florida noted that the facility is still recovering from hurricane damage last year, and the donation will be put toward repairing critical services for children with special needs who rely on the camp.
Founded in 1961, the Rotary Club of Brandon is part of Rotary International, the world’s leading organization for professionals and business leaders committed to community and global service. With the motto ‘Service Above Self,’ the club has hosted its signature Wild Game Night fundraiser for 49 years.
The Brandon Rotary Club meets weekly on Tuesdays at 12 Noon at the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center, located at 3007 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon. For more information, visit the website at www.brandonrotary.org.
Dr. Charles Devine of TMS of Central Florida is proud to provide NeuroStar TMS therapy as an alternative treatment for Major Depression and OCD. TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a safe, effective FDA cleared treatment for individuals, 15 years and older who suffer from Major Depression and adults with OCD. It is for individuals that have tried and failed medication due to the side effects or did not receive positive results. TMS is not a drug or “shock” therapy. TMS therapy is an in-office treatment that is 18 minutes and 45 seconds long. Treatments are done 5 days a week for 7 weeks. It requires no down time! You can resume all normal activities immediately such as returning to school or work. We accept most insurances. We are conveniently located at 336 East Bloomingdale Avenue in Brandon.
Visit our websites Tmscentralflorida.com or NeuroStar.com or contact us at 813-423-7037 for more information.
Local charities received more than $160,000 in donations from the Rotary Club of Brandon.
FishHawk residents Carolyn and Frank Taylor took their Osprey Observer on vacation to Cadillac Mountain, Maine.
LOCAL AUTHOR BALANCES TEACHING AND WRITING BESTSELLERS AFTER SCHOOL
Since publishing her debut book in 2012, Maria DeVivo has balanced writing Amazon bestsellers, teaching middle schoolers and raising her daughter.
Maria writes three nights a week after school with the goal of 1,000 words per writing session. She is not as disciplined in every aspect of her life, but she takes pride in her primary job as a middle school language arts and journalism teacher.
Maria has encouraged her students to develop their writing voice for over 25 years.
By Mylena C. Ferman
different direction and write something for the adults in her life. This decision led to the Dawn of the Blood Witch series, which takes place in a world where witches are evil and determined to take over.
Maria’s success as a writer was not without obstacles, however. She often relies on her husband, Joe DeVivo, for support.
“When I’m teaching, I have to give my kids my attention,” Maria said. “They deserve that.”
Due to her ‘old-school’ teaching style, students cannot take writing assignments home and must write them in class with pen and paper.
“I force them to write critically. I force them to write creatively, whether they like it or not,” she said.
While her first series, The Coal Elf Chronicles, was inspired by her students and written with young adults in mind, Maria wanted to take her writing career in a
“He stood by me through this whole thing,” Maria said.
Joe helps support Maria emotionally, gives a male perspective for characters, edits finished manuscripts and has even helped write a few passages. Their daughter, Morgan DeVivo, is also a published author.
Like her mother, Morgan is balancing school with writing; has her own writing schedule; has a book, Sun and Moon, set to release later this year; and is writing a new book.
“This one that she’s writing is very dark,” Maria said. “I’m very proud of her for that.”
Maria’s book, Witch of the Midnight Shadow , will be the seventh book in the Dawn of the Blood Witch series, and it is set to release later this year. You can find out more about her at www.mariadevivo.com, on Facebook at ‘Maria DeVivo - Author’ or on her Instagram page @authordevivo.
BRANDON JEWISH YOUTH ACADEMY TO OPEN THIS FALL WITH FREE TUITION FOR MEMBERS
Congregation Beth Shalom of Brandon is seeking students to attend their Brandon Jewish Youth Academy (BJYA). Set to open in August, the school will provide free tuition for new and current members in good standing.
Currently, the school offers two primary educational tracks. The first teaches Hebrew while the second prepares students for their bar or bat mitzvah by teaching Jewish history, culture, prayer and Torah studies.
The program is “modern, meaningful, and memorable,” according to the school’s advertisement. The Director of Jewish Education, Neil Spindel, uses fresh approaches to teach ancient traditions. Some of these approaches include using melodies of ancient texts to teach Torah chanting and color-coded study guides about ancient rituals.
“Our goal is to have our kids fall in love with their heritage,” Spindel said, “we want our kids to enjoy learning about who they are.”
The school’s modernization also includes the use of new technology. Spindel uses Chat GPT, which he has named “Shlomo,” to help create the school’s curriculum and textbooks. According to Jewish tradition, Shlomo—the Hebrew name for Solomon—built the first temple in Jerusalem.
“AI was very much central to the development of the school,” Spindel said.
By Mylena C. Ferman
Congregation Beth Shalom of Brandon is a Reform Jewish congregation with approximately 40 members. Spindel explained that one of the synagogue’s primary motivations behind the BJYA was to attract more members and further serve the community.
Toby Koch, vice president and ritual committee chairperson, describes the congregation as “a warm, welcoming group of people that care about each other.”
She explained that the synagogue’s members often go out of their way to help the congregation. While Spindel became the Director of the Religious School, another member stepped up to teach. Outside of being a teacher at BJYA, Ianna Rosenthal is a Hillsborough County high school teacher and mother of the two children who learned under the school’s pilot curriculum.
Her two children currently lead the 7 pm service on the last Friday of each month.
“She’s showing me the difference that a real teacher can make,” Spindel said.
The congregation will hold a Q&A and information session for the BJYA on Sunday, July 27, at 1 p.m. To RSVP for the informational session, email rsvp@bjya.org or call (813) 438-3914 by July 25.
To learn more about Congregation Beth Shalom located in Brandon, visit the website at https://bethshalombrandon.org.
Congregation Beth Shalom of Brandon’s building with a ‘coming soon’ sign for its Brandon Jewish Youth Academy.
Morgan DeVivo (left) and Maria DeVivo (right) at a joint author signing.
American Institute Of Legal Counsel Announces Client Satisfaction List Selection
The American Institute of Legal Counsel is pleased to announce that Brian M. Giddings, Esq., founder of Giddings Law Group has made its 2025 list for client satisfaction for personal injury. The American Institute serves as a free, publicly accessible directory designed to help consumers identify attorneys and law firms in their area. Selection for inclusion is based on American Institute’s independent process and criteria, which considers factors such as publicly available information, client feedback and professional reputation. Giddings Law Group is located at 519 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Ste. B, in Brandon. For more information, call 813-830-8284 or visit https://giddingslawgroup.com/.
Graze Craze Charcuterie Boards & Boxes Opens in Brandon
Graze Craze Charcuterie Boards & Boxes, located at 1076 E. Brandon Blvd., Ste. 101, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting with the Central Hillsborough County and Valrico/FishHawk chambers of commerce on May 16. The woman and veteran-owned business specializes in exquisite charcuterie boards
Brian Giddings has made the American Institute of Legal Counsel list for client satisfaction.
and boxes. It serves premium meat and cheese; house-made hummus, dips and jams; along with the freshest fruits and veggies. The mission of Graze Craze is to bring people together through the art of charcuterie while committing to serving the community, supporting local
causes and creating opportunities that enrich lives. To learn more, visit www. grazecraze.com/ brandon-fl or call 813-692-9230.
Pink’s Windows
Pink’s Windows East Tampa Bay is owned by Maria Hart and was founded on the idea of worldclass service at a fair price. It takes pride in its work, no matter the project. Whether it is cleaning your windows, cleaning your gutter, power washing your walkways or giving your home a chemical free soft wash, it will always make a point of treating your property — and your time — with the utmost respect. And Pink’s won’t quit until it gets the job done right. For more information, call 813640-0892 or visit its website at https://pinkswindows.com/ east-tampa-bay.
Marlin James Partners With Lennox To Provide
A New HVAC To Homeowners In Need
Nominations for Feel The Love 2025 are now open. Marlin James is once again partnering with Lennox to provide a new HVAC system to someone in need. Last year, five local residents/families were awarded new units through this partnership. Nationally, Lennox dealers installed more than 2,700 high-efficiency HVAC systems in 2024. To nominate a deserving homeowner, please visit www.feelthelove.com and put ‘Marlin James Air’ in the box that asks for local dealers. The deadline for submission is Sunday, Au-
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Compiled By Jenny Bennett
gust 31. Units will be installed in early October. For additional questions, email carlena@marlinjames.com.
Lucky Lauren Charters
Captain Carl Snodgrass of Lucky Lauren Charters believes that he has the best office ever, and he is inviting you to join him out on the beautiful waters of Tampa Bay. Everything is provided for you to enjoy a fantastic day of fishing out on the water, just bring whatever you would like to eat and drink — a cooler is even provided for you. Any legal-to-keep
and good-to-eat fish will be cleaned for you to take home and eat. Visit its website at www.fishingchartersruskin.com for more information and to book your fishing charter.
CMIT Solutions Opens In Brandon CMIT Solutions is a leading provider of enterprise level IT and cybersecurity services for small and medium-sized businesses, and it proudly announces the opening of CMIT Solutions of Brandon-Lakeland, operated by longtime IT and cybersecurity expert Michael Worlund. CMIT Solutions offers network and endpoint security, cloud service, IT-managed services, security training and more. It helps to transform technology into a strategic advantage, ensuring every IT challenge has a solution that enhances your business operations.
To find out more about CMIT Solutions of Brandon-Lakeland, call 656220-2180 or visit its website at https:// cmitsolutions.com/brandon-lakeland-fl-1222/.
