July Riv Apollo Beach

BISHOP PARKES BLESSES SITE OF NEW RUSKIN MATER DEI CATHOLIC SCHOOL TO OPEN FALL ‘27

A ceremonial groundbreaking marked the beginning of construction for a new Catholic school in southern Hillsborough County, a significant milestone for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg after more than six years of planning.

Bishop Gregory Parkes presided over the event, offering prayers and blessing the site with holy water. The future school, to be named Mater Dei, Latin for ‘Mother of God,’ will serve approximately 320 students in grades Pre-K-8 upon its anticipated opening in fall 2027. The campus will be situated adjacent to St. Anne Catholic Church on U.S. 41 in Ruskin, a region experiencing rapid population growth.

“Anybody who drives through here or spends any time here can see how many homes are being built here and how many new families are moving into this community. So, as you know, the potential is here and the need is here, and that’s why we’re here today,” said Parkes during his remarks.

Mater Dei will be the first Catholic school in the Ruskin area, where the nearest such institution is currently about 40 minutes away. The location was chosen to address both a growing demand for faith-based education and the diocese’s long-standing goal to expand its academic presence in the region.

Staff Report

The ceremony drew a broad range of attendees, including State Representative Michael Owen of Apollo Beach, diocesan officials, local clergy, parishioners and community supporters. Prayers were offered for the safety of all construction personnel and for the project’s successful completion. Construction is expected to take approximately two years. An existing structure on the property will be demolished to make way for the new facilities. The project will be carried out by Tandem Construction in partnership with Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors.

This will be the first new school built by the Diocese of Saint Petersburg in a decade.

The Diocese of Saint Petersburg serves nearly 500,000 Catholics across five counties: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus. It encompasses 75 parishes, five missions and 47 educational and early learning centers, in addition to a wide range of ministries in social services, health care and housing. Mass is offered in 13 languages under the leadership of Most Reverend Parkes, who was installed as the diocese’s fifth bishop on January 4, 2017.

St. Anne Catholic Church is located at 106 11th Ave. NE in Ruskin. Additional information can be found at https://saintanneruskin.org.

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 fulltime job, climbing was always his passion.

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.

Adorned with a smile, Raphael Misael proudly wears a medal he received for his outstanding efforts in paraclimbing.

By Alisa Gershman

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.

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.

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 and learning how to maneuver with a prosthetic, his dream of climbing became more attainable. Spending days

Bishop Gregory Parkes blesses the site of the future Mater Dei Catholic School during the groundbreaking ceremony in Ruskin.

Raphael Misael looks up the wall as he calculates his next move, showcasing his skills for the Paraclimbing World Cup.

SPOTO HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR’S MUSIC HITS THE BILLBOARD 200, GOLD CERTIFIED

Spoto High School graduate Scenario Faryoo produced US Billboard and RIAA certified Gold music all before graduating in May. Faryoo, who produces under the name ‘ScenarioGotDaBassKnockin,’ collaborated with hip-hop artist Bossman Dlow on his song “Muscle Up,” which was featured on his mixtape, Mr Beat the Road, released on March 15, 2024. The album peaked at number 20 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and number seven on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Billboard chart. On November 26, 2024, Faryoo’s production was awarded Gold Certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 copies.

By Gabe Themar

notoriety have grown, and he has worked with several big names, including Central Cee, French Montanna and VonOff1700. Faryoo made the Billboard again on February 25, when Hurricane Wisdom’s album, Perfect Storm, debuted at number 126 on the Billboard 200 chart and number 50 on the R&B chart. Faryoo produced two songs on the work.

COUNTY LAUNCHES STUDY TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON APOLLO BEACH BOULEVARD

As Apollo Beach continues to grow, Hillsborough County is studying ways to improve safety and mobility along Apollo Beach Boulevard, one of the area’s busiest and most heavily used corridors. The effort aims to make the road safer for all users, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and golf cart traffic.

By Brian Bokor

Faryoo has been producing music since he was in seventh grade.

“It all started with me beating on my desk with some pencils,” Faryoo said. “My friend said it was pretty good, and she thought I should start doing it for real.”

So, Faryoo downloaded a beat-making app and began experimenting, learning and perfecting his craft. In November 2023, he began working with popular Tampa artist 1way4xx, and on February 9, 2024, 1way4xx dropped the song “Run Frm Me” in his album The Reaper Bible, the first song Faryoo professionally produced. Since then, Faryoo’s ability and

He has not let his music success get in the way of his school life, though. At Spoto, Faryoo was a member of the National Honor Society, Senior Council, and graduated with a 3.7 GPA. Faryoo was also a two-sport athlete, playing varsity football as a quarterback and wide receiver as well as competing in track and field in the 400-meter dash, the 400-meter relay and the long jump.

With all the business that came with his senior year of high school, Faryoo had a powerful message to the artists he was working with.

“I said sorry, but I have to take a few months off of music,” Faryoo recounted. “I have to make sure the last 12 years of my life weren’t a waste.”

Faryoo’s most recent work has been released by 1way4xx, who used Faryoo’s beats on three songs in his album Captain6er which came out on June 6.

The Apollo Beach Boulevard Traffic Safety Study is focused on several proposed changes. These include filling in sidewalk gaps, adding safer mid-block pedestrian crossings and converting one vehicle travel lane in each direction for use by bicycles or shared bicycle/golf cart traffic. The study will also evaluate the potential addition of dedicated left-turn lanes at the Fairway Boulevard and As Apollo Beach continues to grow, Hillsborough County is studying ways to improve safety and mobility along Apollo Beach Boulevard, one of the area’s busiest and most heavily used corridors. The effort aims to make the road safer for all users, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and golf cart traffic.

The study is focused on several proposed changes. These include filling in sidewalk gaps, adding safer mid-block pedestrian crossings and converting one vehicle travel lane in each direction for use by bicycles or shared bicycle/golf cart traffic. The study will also evaluate the potential addition of dedicated left-turn lanes at the Fairway Boulevard and Manila Palm Way intersection, an area where residents have raised concerns about traffic delays and turning safety.

However, the proposed lane reconfiguration has drawn strong opposition from many residents. Dozens of public comments

submitted through the county’s engagement portal objected to the idea of removing vehicle lanes to accommodate golf carts or bicycles. Residents argued that Apollo Beach is not a golf cart community and that the vast majority of road users are in cars. Many expressed concern that reducing lanes would only worsen existing congestion and create more aggressive driving conditions.

A second recurring concern was the deteriorating condition of the roadway itself. Several commenters noted that potholes, storm damage and inadequate resurfacing have made the road unsafe and unpleasant to drive. Many called for basic maintenance, especially full repaving, to be prioritized before any lane redesign or structural changes are considered.

Traffic congestion was also a major theme. Residents cited difficulty accessing the boulevard from side streets and voiced support for improved turn lanes and intersection safety. Some called for roundabouts or curb enhancements, while others urged the county to better enforce traffic laws to improve driver behavior.

The project is currently in the early planning phase, with $150,000 budgeted for development work. No additional funding has yet been allocated for design, land acquisition or construction, and the overall project timeline remains to be determined.

Residents with questions can contact Public Works at pwcustomerresolution@ hcfl.gov or call 813-635-5400. Feedback collected during the engagement period will help determine the next steps.

Scenario Faryoo’s music earned him a gold plaque to go along with his high school diploma.

FREEDOM TO WALK: NONPROFIT HELPS PEOPLE WITH FOOT DROP REGAIN MOBILITY & INDEPENDENCE

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

‘HUNKS

VS. HURRICANES’

SHOWCASES RESILIENCE, UNITY

AND SPIRIT

“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.

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-

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.

The mission of the Freedom to Walk Foundation is to assist patients by providing financial assistance for the purchase of WalkAide or Bioness devices.

College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving co-founder Nick Friedman stands with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor at its documentary debut at Tampa Theatre.

NEW LAWS STRENGTHEN PROTECTIONS THIS HURRICANE SEASON

By State Attorney Suzy Lopez

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.

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.

he grew up 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.”

TWO DECADES OF SERVICE: CONGRESSMAN BUCHANAN CHAMPIONS LOCAL PRIORITIES

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/.

Nick Pletcher had the idea to film and produce a soap hockey tournament in his hometown and play with the friends

TC Drums played at the event.

Congressman Vern Buchanan in the Health Subcommittee on Ways and Means as chairman with Congressman Adrian Smith and Congressman Lloyd Doggett.

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.

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-

By Brad Stager

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 re-

mote 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.

This year, Pepin Academies celebrates a major milestone: 25 years of providing special education to students with learning disabilities and supporting them in becoming prepared for life onward.

Pepin Academies is a not-for-profit, tuition-free, independent public charter school for grades three through 12 with a transition program offering workforce education for students ages 18-22. Its campuses provide individualized instruction, career readiness and extracurricular activities through comprehensive programs that empower its students to excel academically, socially and emotionally.

“What has been innovative 25 years ago is still innovative today, in that the model still holds true — where we provide a therapeutic model to ensure that students get all the interventions that they need on-site as they need them throughout the day,” stated Dr. Jeff Skowronek, executive director of Pepin Academies.

Pepin Academies marked its anniversary with a special evening on May 3 at the Egypt Shriners Event Center in Tampa. There, around 200 community members — including former staff, current staff and even some alumni — honored Pepin’s past, celebrated its achievements and looked forward to an even brighter future. They played the Kentucky Derby live during cocktail hour, dressed in their best derby or dressy

By Taylor Wells

casual attire, danced to live music, enjoyed a fun photo booth, took part in an exclusive silent auction and experienced special presentations honoring Pepin Academies’ legacy.

“Over 25 years,” said Dr. Skowronek, “we have over a thousand students that have graduated high school thanks to this model, and for many of them high school graduation was not something in their future. We also have students that have gone on to a wide variety of jobs that their families truly felt would never have been possible without our school.”

Pepin Academies started as one school with 17 students, and today it has three campuses in Tampa, Riverview and New Port Richey that serve almost 1,150 students — another testament to the success of its mission. But when it gets down to it, Dr. Skowronek stated, Pepin’s greatest success is giving each of its students the opportunity to find their potential in an environment that supports and recognizes them as students first.

“They all have dreams and aspirations, and it’s our job to continually push the boundaries on how to make sure they reach them,” said Dr. Skowronek.

Pepin Academies’ campuses are located at 3916 E. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa, 9304 Camden Field Parkway in Riverview and 7710 Osteen Rd. in New Port Richey. For more information, visit the website at https://pepinacademies.com/.

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.

Current faculty and one former staff member at Pepin Academies’ 25th anniversary celebration.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TAMPA BAY AWARDS OVER $2.2 MILLION IN GRANTS TO LOCAL NONPROFITS

WIMAUMA NATIVE SERVES WITH THE NEXT GENERATION OF U.S. NAVY ELITE RESCUE SWIMMERS

Community Foundation Tampa Bay has awarded more than $2.2 million in discretionary grants to fund 84 nonprofit projects across its five-county service region, which includes Citrus, Hillsborough, Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties. These investments are aimed at advancing economic mobility, environmental resilience, education and overall community health and well-being.

This year’s competitive grants process saw a record-breaking 363 applications, totaling $10 million in funding requests. After a rigorous evaluation, 84 projects were selected for support, including 17 continuing multiyear initiatives from the 2023 and 2024 cycles.

“This grant cycle was especially meaningful, coming on the heels of significant hurricane recovery efforts,” said Brandi Sanchez, senior director of community investment. “These investments empower nonprofits to pursue innovative, forward-thinking programs that deliver long-term impact well beyond daily operations.”

Among the recipients:

• Firehouse Cultural Center received $55,000 for its Building Community Through the Arts Program under the Vibrant and Engaged Communities category. The funding will support the continuation and growth of no-fee art workshops and scholarships for youth and low-income adults throughout Hillsborough County and the SouthShore area.

•MacDonald Training Center was awarded $50,000 for its CommUNITY Works Program in the Economic Opportunity category.

• Mary & Martha House Inc. received $20,545 to support its Break That Cycle (BTC) Program, which provides shelter residents with tools and training to support personal growth and achieve independence.

“We were super excited to receive this grant and continue our long-lasting relationship with such a great community partner in Community Foundation Tampa Bay,” said Bill Chini, executive director of Mary & Martha House Inc. “They have been a huge advocate for Mary & Martha House and the services we provide to the population we serve. We are lucky to have them in our corner.”

Seniors in Service was also among the grant recipients.

“We strategically back philanthropic efforts that fit our competitive grant fund goals to provide services and benefits to our community,” she said, noting that the foundation offers feedback, training and input for all applications.

As Community Foundation Tampa Bay celebrates its 35th anniversary and the milestone of $1 billion in philanthropic commitments for the region’s future, it continues to focus on creating lasting impact through collaboration and partnership.

To learn more, visit www.cftampabay.org/ annual-competitive-grants. Staff Report

By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Airman Wyatt Fannin, a native of Wimauma, is serving in the U.S. Navy, assigned to Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS), where the next generation of aviation rescue swimmers (AIRRs) are taught to execute lifeor-death rescues in the most extreme conditions imaginable.

Fannin joined the Navy nine months ago. Today, Fannin serves as a student rescue swimmer.

and saving victims whose lives are on the line, AIRRs complete search and rescue missions in some of the most extreme environments imaginable. The motto of an AIRR is, “so others may live.” It is a testament to not only the selflessness of this job but also the honor, courage and commitment it takes to do it well.

The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

“I was looking for other opportunities,” Fannin said. “I’m thankful for the Navy because it helped me turn my life around.”

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Wimauma.

“I learned not to overcomplicate things,” Fannin said. “Whatever you have to do that day is what you need to focus on now.”

Located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, ARSS provides initial aviation water survival training and CPR qualification to all preflight student naval aviators and student naval flight officers, student flight surgeons, naval aircrew candidates, student aviators from other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and international student aviators.

As part of the world’s most elite special operations force, AIRRs are a team dedicated to being the top emergency response unit in the world. Leaping from helicopters, swimming through raging seas

According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.” Fannin serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

Fannin has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“Graduating from rescue swimmer school will be the first big step in the right direction for me,” Fannin said.

Fannin can take pride in serving America through military service.

“We learn, ‘ship, shipmate, self,’” Fannin said. “This means that we put others before ourselves.”

Fannin is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my teacher, Nathan Cooley, for telling me to get my life right and think about my future,” Fannin added.

Bill Chini, executive director of Mary & Martha House, stands with board member K.C. Irons.

Photo by Ensign Tiffany Savoie, Navy Office of Community Outreach Airman Wyatt Fannin.

Central Florida families will once again have the chance to enjoy one of the state’s most iconic destinations for free this summer, thanks to the return of Wawa Summer Fun Days at Bok Tower Gardens.

Through a generous partnership with Wawa, visitors can enjoy free admission on the last Thursday and Friday of each month from now through August. This year’s dates include July 24-25 and August 2829, with free access available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.

The popular program, which began in 2021 and expanded in 2022, has already welcomed more than 12,000 guests through its complimentary admission initiative. However, due to high demand and capacity limitations, advance registration is required, and each registration is limited to four guests. All attendees must have a ticket to enter.

Located at 1151 Tower Blvd. in Lake Wales, Bok Tower Gardens offers an immersive experience for visitors of all ages, featuring lush gardens, nature trails, educational exhibits and cultural activities.

In addition to exploring the gardens

Staff Report

during Wawa Summer Fun Days, guests can also enjoy:

• The Singing Tower carillon concerts at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily, with additional short selections played throughout the day.

• El Retiro historic mansion, a restored 1930s Mediterranean-style estate open for docent-led tours (additional fee required; closed on Mondays).

• The Children’s Solar Art Printing Workshop on Saturday, August 2, from 10 a.m.-12 Noon, where kids can create unique sun-powered art using natural materials.

• The Beginner Watercolor Art Class: Great Blue Heron on Saturday, July 26, from 12 Noon-3 p.m., led by artist Kelly Quinn (materials included).

Regular garden admission is typically $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-17 and free for kids under 5. But thanks to Wawa, the Summer Fun Days give families a cost-free way to experience the serene beauty and cultural richness of this historic site.

To register or learn more about Bok Tower Gardens and its events, visit https://boktowergardens.org.

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 luck 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.

Bok Tower Gardens has partnered with Wawa once again to offer free admission with preregistration on the last Thursday and Friday of each month through August.

Rays Science of Baseball at Academy Prep.

The Riverview Woman’s Club, a local nonprofit organization, was founded in April 2012 by Donna Lee Fore and Jeanne R. Burkeson, who had a vision to provide scholarships to Riverview students, support various education needs and identify and support community outreach.

“Donna Lee Fore and I are the co-founders of the Riverview Woman’s Club and its foundation,” Burkeson said. “After experiencing 10 years of active participation in the Apollo Beach Woman’s Club and a few years in the GFWC Ruskin Woman’s Club, it occurred to me that Riverview, a town whose growth was doubling and tripling before our eyes, needed a club that was dedicated to helping Riverview seniors with their educational goals.”

This past June, at one of the club’s monthly luncheons, five Riverview students were named as this year’s scholarship recipients: Sulei Mejia of Riverview High School, Brooklyn Kadoguchi and Savannah Whittaker of East Bay High School, Ricardo Roman of Lennard High School and Hope Friedrichsen of Sumner High School. In addition, there were two member-named scholarships, which were given to Jocelyn Canalez of East Bay High School, donated by Larry Brooks, and Leanna Russell of East Bay High School, donated by Heather Schlagheck.

“The Scholarship Committee meets in the fall to review the application,” Burkeson said. “Based on established criteria, each applicant is scored on academics, merit, ability to succeed and how they fit into the categories

By Libby Hopkins

of STEM, academic, volunteerism, need and vocational.”

The club also offers its members the ability to name their own scholarships.

“This year, two generous members donated $1,000 to have their own named scholarship,” Burkeson said. “The Central Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce asks the committee to select their Dr. Earl Lennard Memorial Scholarships. The chamber raises the funds, and we make the selection. The committee has been providing this service to the chamber since its start, after Dr. Earl Lennard’s death in 2019. It is our pleasure to provide this service because Dr. Earl Lennard was a great supporter of the Riverview Woman’s Club.”

The Riverview Woman’s Club is now in its 13th year. The club meets regularly for coffee, lunches and after-hour events. The meetings host outstanding speakers and give the members opportunities to learn about each other’s interests and businesses. “We want the community to be aware of the club, its activities and dedication to education,” Burkeson said. “We invite the community to get involved in the club by taking part in its variety of activities and monthly luncheons, which are held at the beautiful SweetWater Grand in Riverview. If residents are unable to participate in the activities, we have a giving circle opportunity to donate what they can, one-time or regularly.”

If you’d like to learn more about the Riverview Woman’s Club, you can visit its website at https://riverviewwomansclub.org/.

LOCAL GEOCACHERS CELEBRATE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF TREASURE HUNTING

Geocaching HQ is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Geocaching provides people all around the world, including Hill sborough County res idents, with a chance to explore the out doors, discover new locations, and hunt for hidden treasure.

Geocaching as a hobby is organized by locals. Anyone can fill up a container with assorted items and a logbook. Then, they hide that container somewhere outdoors, from public parks to the tops of mountains to underwater locations, and post the cache and its location coordinates on the Geocaching website. Anyone who wants to find that geocache can download the free Geocaching app, use the GPS on their phone to locate the coordinates and then look around the area to uncover the hidden cache. From there, seekers can jot their name into the logbook inside and share their discovery on social media.

By Gabe Themar

ers can get its coordinates from www.geocaching.com or from the free app. Geocaching launched its website in September 2000 and began with 75 cache locations. In the 25 years since, geocachers have spread the sport to more than 190 different countries and into space on the International Space Station and Mars Rover. In 2024, the website recorded a record 88.5 million posts uploaded to the platform showcasing found caches, adding to the 1.2 billion total discovery posts.

“The worldwide geocaching community is marking the 25th anniversary by hosting more than 100 (and counting) large-scale events,” said Geocaching HQ, “including Block Parties, Mega-Events and Giga-Events. In doing so, they showcase another unique aspect of the game: the connections between people around the world, uniting through a shared spirit of outdoor adventure.”

Geocaching is a global hobby, with around 3.4 million geocaches hidden worldwide. Florida has over 39,000 caches across the state, 2,000 of which are ready to be found within 20 miles of downtown Tampa.

For Lithia residents who want to give geocaching a try, the Osprey Observer sponsors a cache in FishHawk Ranch off Lithia Pinecrest Road. Interested hunt-

In addition to celebrating 25 years of treasure hunting, Geocaching HQ is also planning on expanding its platform and draw for the next 25 years by introducing community-created, interactive, self-guided tours at their cache locations. Geocaching has also added digital items that can be collected via logging cache discoveries. This feature was launched in March.

Osprey Observer summer interns David Taylor and Gabriel Themar went on a hunt to find the Osprey Observer geocache.

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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ENSURES NO CHILD GOES HUNGRY THIS SUMMER

Summer break has arrived, and Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is making sure every child has access to nutritious meals while school is out. Through the Summer Food Service Program, HCPS is providing free, healthy meals to all children and teens ages 18 and under, helping families access the food they need during the break.

With 166 convenient locations across the county, including schools, parks, recreation centers, libraries and community organizations, this program ensures that young residents can enjoy balanced breakfasts and lunches without barriers.

By Superintendent Van Ayres

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition guidelines. Designed to keep kids energized for summer activities, these menus feature kid-friendly favorites, such as sandwiches, fresh fruits, vegetables and milk.

This initiative is part of a nationwide effort funded by the USDA to combat childhood hunger during the summer months. In Hillsborough County, the impact is significant — last summer, HCPS served over 1.2 million meals.

The program, which runs through Tuesday, July 24, is open to all children, regardless of school enrollment or household income. Families do not need to register — simply visit a participating location Monday through Thursday to receive a meal.

Meals are freshly prepared by HCPS’ Student Nutrition Services and meet the

HCPS encourages all families to take advantage of this vital resource.

Whether you need assistance or simply want to participate, every child is welcome.

Summer should be a time for fun, growth, and rest— not for worrying about where your next meal will come from. HCPS is proud to continue supporting students and families during the break.

To find your nearest Summer Break Spot, visit www.summerbreakspot.org or call 2-1-1 or 850-617-7170.

LOCAL STUDENTS AMONG NATIONAL MERIT COLLEGE-SPONSORED SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) has announced the names of over 2,900 high school seniors nationwide who have been awarded prestigious college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships. Among them are several outstanding students from the Tampa Bay area.

These scholarships, sponsored by U.S. colleges and universities, provide recipients with annual awards ranging from $500$2,000 for up to four years of undergraduate study. Finalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program were selected by the sponsoring institutions based on their academic achievements, leadership qualities and test scores.

This year, 146 institutions of higher education — including 74 private and 72 public colleges and universities in 42 states and the District of Columbia — are funding the awards through the National Merit Program. An additional group of recipients will be announced on July 14, bringing the total number of college-sponsored scholarship winners in the 2025 competition to more than 3,600.

By the conclusion of the competition, more than 6,930 students across the country will have received National Merit Scholarships valued at nearly $26 million. Earlier this year, NMSC also recognized recipients of corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships and the National Merit $2500 Scholarships.

Students became eligible for the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) in

2023. Out of more than 1.3 million entrants, only about 16,000 semifinalists were selected based on their scores, representing less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors.

To become finalists, students had to meet rigorous academic standards, submit a comprehensive application, write an essay and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirmed their earlier performance. Finalists were also required to be endorsed by their high schools and demonstrate excellence in leadership and extracurricular activities.

The following students from Eastern Hillsborough County and surrounding areas have been awarded National Merit Scholarships:

• Samuel B. Bleeze of Lithia (Newsome High School). Career Interest: Law. University of Florida.

• Jacob C. Judson of Lithia (Jesuit High School). Career Interest: Dentistry. University of Florida.

• Bradley J. Roberts of Lithia (Newsome High School). Career Interest: Aerospace Engineering. University of Central Florida.

• Anirudh Sudharshan Vijayaraman of Lithia (Newsome High School). Career Interest: Physics. University of Florida.

• David W. Burton of Ruskin (Bell Creek Academy). Career Interest: Engineering. Florida State University.

• Gabrielle Marquez of Valrico (Academy of the Holy Names). Career Interest: Architecture. University of Florida.

• Sophia V. Pergola of Valrico (Newsome High School). Career Interest: Statistics. University of Florida.

For a full list and more information, visit www.nationalmerit.org.

ASYLUM MADE TRACK TEAM TRAINS APOLLO BEACH ATHLETES

Antjuan Randall found joy in training his young kids in the sport that he grew up participating in. That joy later turned into a successful club team named the Asylum Made Track Team.

Randall, who founded the program back in 2018, was inspired by his love of a fictional character, the Joker, naming the team after the infamous Arkham Asylum in the Batman comic books. The name represents the ‘crazy’ mindset his team has in training and competing for their goals.

The AAU team trains at the Apollo Beach Park and Recreation Center. Athletes range in age from 5-18. Randall said that for the first year that the team competed, he had about 10 students; last year, he had 15; and this year, they made the jump to 35. According to Randall, the team is mostly made up of athletes from the Apollo Beach area, but they have a few from Bradenton.

Asylum Made had a successful season. Of the 35 total athletes, 19 of them qualified and opted to go to regionals. Five of those kids qualified for the Junior Olympics in July.

By Nick Nahas

Roman Torres, an athlete on the team, said he joined because he wanted to try a new sport.

“I enjoy running and doing the long jump, and I want to be a better runner in the future,” said Torres.

Randall’s son, Antjuan ‘A.T.’ Randall Jr. (12), and daughter, Aziah Randall (7), are on the team. They both qualified for nationals in July.

Randall, who ran track and played football in high school, went on to play college football at Chowan University in North Carolina but didn’t have the opportunity to run track in college because it wasn’t offered. He wants his athletes to have the opportunity to move onto the next level.

“I want all the kids to keep excelling, and for the new kids to come into the program and continue to grow and keep competing, and eventually for them to compete in track in high school and college,” said Randall.

The Asylum Made Track Team is looking for sponsors to help raise funds for their efforts. If you would like to become a sponsor, contact Shante Torres at shante@cbtayconsulting.com.

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 four-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course.

A new state law mandates a six-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course for all first-time drivers ages 15-17.

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 four-hour TLSAE course or the new sixhour 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 all new applicants under 18. The four-hour 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

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: www.hillstaxfl.gov/drivers-license-id. Staff Report

The AAU team trains at the Apollo Beach Park and Recreation Center.

Antjuan Randall found joy in training his young kids in the sport that he grew up participating in.

U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan has proudly announced the recipients of the 2025 Congressional Education Awards, honoring 120 outstanding individuals from schools throughout Florida’s 16th Congressional District. The prestigious awards program, now in its 11th year, was created by Buchanan to highlight the extraordinary efforts of educators, administrators and support staff who make a lasting impact on students and the broader community.

Crystal Pagan and Christine Wasylkiw.

Support Staff Award

• Gibsonton Elementary School: Sherriann Johnson.

Teacher Award

• Newsome High School: Natalie Hutchings, Christiana Miller, Montine Vona-Pergola and Kathleen Yates.

• Sumner High School: Leslie Windheuser.

Administrator Award

• Bloomingdale High School: Marcos Rodriguez.

GANNON UNIVERSITY’S RUSKIN OTD PROGRAM EARNS 10-YEAR FULL

ACCREDITATION

Gannon University’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program at its Ruskin campus has been granted a full 10-year accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), solidifying its position among the state’s top occupational therapy programs.

Gannon University has earned a 10-year accreditation for its Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program in Ruskin.

The renewal follows an on-site evaluation conducted in February and marks a significant milestone since the program’s initial accreditation in 2018. The Ruskin-based OTD program is now one of just seven occupational therapy doctorate programs in Florida to hold full accreditation from ACOTE.

“School employees go above and beyond every day to shape the future of our community,” said Buchanan. “They’re the mentors, the role models and the quiet champions behind every student’s success. Their dedication deserves our deepest appreciation, which is why I’m honored to recognize these educators and staff for their amazing work.”

Hurricane Shelter Award

• Collins PK-8 School: Kimberly Coulson, George Coulson and Rebecca Sargable.

• Durant High School: Gary Graham, Charles Parsons and Brenda Rau.

• Mulrennan Middle School: Tamara Brooks, Mohammad Hammad and Premdai Hansraj.

• Shields Middle School: Deanna Fisher, Lillian Parsons and Angelia Thompson.

• Sumner High School: Joshua Fuentes

• Riverview High School: Jennifer Canady.

As part of the recognition, each recipient’s name and achievements have been entered into the official Congressional Record, the permanent archive of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress.

Since its inception, Buchanan’s Congressional Education Awards program has served as a meaningful way to recognize those who work tirelessly behind the scenes and on the front lines of education. The awards not only celebrate individual accomplishments but also highlight the collective efforts of the education community in shaping future generations.

For more information on the Congressional Education Awards and to view the full list of past recipients, constituents are encouraged to visit Buchanan’s official website at https://buchanan.house.gov/.

“Our OTD program in Ruskin continues to uphold Gannon University’s standards of excellence,” said Kimberly Cavanagh, DHSc, PA-C, dean of the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences. “This continued accreditation status from ACOTE certifies that our program is of the highest quality and instills in our students the principles of innovation, collaboration, inclusion and integrity.”

Designed as a comprehensive bachelor’s to doctorate pathway, Gannon’s entry-level OTD program offers students hands-on experience with clients of all ages, preparing them to support individuals facing challenges with everyday activities or at risk of losing independence. ACOTE’s evaluation highlighted the program’s strengths, praising its “highly cohesive and passionate faculty who is readily available and responsive to student

needs” as well as “its success in growing community partnerships and collaborative relationships.”

“One thing that truly sets our program apart is our unique approach to fieldwork placements,” said Dianna Lunsford, OTD, MEd, OTR/L, CHT, professor and director of the OTD program at Gannon’s Ruskin campus. “We design diverse, student-driven fieldwork experiences that align with classroom learning, equipping students to confidently empower individuals from all backgrounds. It’s not only transformative for their education — it’s a meaningful way to give back to the community.”

ACOTE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the primary accrediting body for occupational therapy education. Accreditation ensures graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

For more information on Gannon’s OTD program in Ruskin, visit www.gannon.edu. About Gannon University Gannon University is a Catholic, diocesan institution with campuses in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Ruskin. Serving more than 4,700 students, Gannon offers a range of associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs through both online and traditional formats. The university is committed to an educational experience grounded in faith, leadership, inclusiveness and social responsibility.

Local schools and administrators were among the 120 educators honored by Congressman Vern Buchanan.

FAMILY-OWNED

APOLLO POOLS

OFFERS TOP-QUALITY SERVICE, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

Apollo Pools is the one-stop shop for all of your swimming pool needs — weekly service, repairs, new construction and renovations. Located in Valrico, the company has been serving families in Hillsborough County since 1989. Its decades of experience is matched by their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Apollo Pools is a family-run business owned by two brothers, John and Paul Pignataro. John built the business, growing the customer base one satisfied client at a time. He said the backbone of his business is personal connection.

“Apollo Pools is more than just a pool company. It is a family you can rely on,” John said. “We’re working for someone’s mom, dad, grandmother or grandfather,” he added.

Paul runs the construction side of the business and is hands-on from start to finish, ensuring that each pool is crafted exactly as envisioned and that the team creates a space families can enjoy for years to come.

Every family deserves their own backyard escape. Apollo Pools can create a dream swimming pool and keep your backyard pool in pristine condition. It offers weekly pool service at competitive rates,

By Jane Owen

providing exceptional service without hidden fees.

Whether you are getting your pool cleaned or building a custom oasis, the team approaches the job knowing they are working in your home. John said that trust means everything. Every customer is treated like family.

John believes in building long-lasting relationships with his clients and said that once you’re a customer, you’re a customer for life.

“We’re always available for any needs they could have,” he said.

Apollo Pools proudly partners with Lyon Financial to offer financing. Unlike many banks and credit unions, Lyon’s expertise is unique to swimming pools. Since 1979, it has worked as a specialist in unsecured pool financing solutions.

On the Apollo Pools website, you can view a gallery of its work, see the step-by-step process of pool construction and find out how much financing you can afford. Consultations can also be scheduled through its website, https://apollopools.net/. You can also call 813-689-5197 or send an email to info@apollopools.net.

Apollo Pools is located at 3709 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico and is on Facebook @ApolloPoolsBrandon and Instagram @ apollopoolsinc.

Apollo Pools has been serving Hillsborough County since 1989, offering top-quality service at competitive rates.

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VOLUNTEER MUSICIANS TURN PASSION INTO PURPOSE WITH UPCOMING TRIP TO NORMANDY

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

Walkover is a clarinet player who joined the band in 2013 and has been improving her skills ever since high school.

CHAMBERS ANNOUNCE MERGER TO FORM NEW BRANDON AND RIVERVIEW CHAMBER INC.

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.”

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.

In a historic move aimed at strengthening local business support and economic development, the Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce have announced their intent to merge. The newly unified organization will be known as The Brandon and Riverview Chamber Inc.

This strategic merger represents a significant step forward for the region’s business community. By combining resources and reach, the chambers aim to offer expanded networking opportunities, broader advocacy efforts and enhanced member benefits. The new organization will serve a larger area that includes Brandon, Riverview, East Tampa and Seffner.

“This merger creates the opportunity to build a stronger and more dynamic organization dedicated to supporting businesses and enhancing community resources,” said Jeff Campbell, president of the Central Hillsborough County Chamber. “We’re excited to embark on this journey together.”

The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce has been a cornerstone

of the business community for over 64 years, boasting a membership of around 400 businesses. Its Leadership Brandon program, now in its 40th year, has produced over 1,000 local leaders. Meanwhile, the Central Hillsborough County Chamber — formerly the Greater Riverview Chamber — has served the area since 1966. The merger promises to offer increased access to resources, events and a stronger voice for regional economic growth. Both chambers are known for their commitment to advocacy, collaboration, and community improvement.

Community members and business owners are invited to learn more at an informational session on Wednesday, July 9, at 5 p.m. at Brick’s Smoked Meats, located at 775 Brandon Town Center Dr. in Brandon.

For more information, contact the Greater Brandon Chamber at 813689-1221 or the Central Hillsborough County Chamber at 813-690-5028.

The Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce have announced their intent to merge as The Brandon and Riverview Chamber Inc.

AEDS INSTALLED IN HILLSBOROUGH

COUNTY PARKS WITH GIFT FROM AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

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

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/.

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AEDs are being installed in remote Hillsborough County parks and will require a code from 911 operators to open.

PRIMARY CARE THAT FOCUSES ON THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT

When it comes to primary care, patients deserve more than just checkups and prescriptions — they deserve a partner in health. At AdventHealth Medical Group Family Medicine at Riverview, patients receive compassionate, expert care grounded in whole-person health. Its expert team of primary care providers are committed to building long-term relationships, making them a trusted choice for families in the Riverview community.

Choosing a primary care provider is one of the most important health decisions a person can make. At AdventHealth Family Medicine at Riverview, patients benefit from a comprehensive, personalized approach to wellness that goes beyond simply treating symptoms. From preventive screenings and chronic disease management to lifestyle counseling and mental health support, the care provided is as thorough as it is thoughtful.

Evelyn Exposito Gonzalez, M.D., one of the physicians at the practice, emphasized the importance of prevention.

“Annual physicals are a key part of

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staying ahead of potential health concerns,” said Dr. Exposito. “They allow us to detect early signs of illness, monitor existing conditions and develop plans to keep our patients healthy year-round.”

Annual physicals are important because they help detect potential health issues early, often before symptoms appear. Regular check-ups allow physicians to monitor vital signs, perform screenings and provide preventative care, leading to better long-term health outcomes and more effective treatment options.

This emphasis on prevention is just one way the Riverview team prioritizes the well-being of every individual who walks through their doors. The practice takes pride in providing care that’s not only medically sound but also deeply personal. Patients aren’t just seen — they’re heard, understood and supported in every aspect of their health journey.

Margarette Lespinasse, APRN, captured the heart of the practice’s mission: “We focus on providing whole-person care because we believe that the best primary care experience comes from treating the mind, body, and spirit together,” she explained. “It’s about truly knowing our patients and being there for every step of their health journey.”

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 813-533-7978. The office is located at 13007 Summerfield Square Dr. in Riverview and is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

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.

FROM BINGO TO GELATO: TESSERA OF BRANDON PROVES SENIOR LIVING CAN BE FULL OF FUN

Who says retired living can’t be exciting? At Tessera of Brandon, there is always fun to be had. Catering to the needs of both its memory care and assisted living residents, Tessera celebrates each day of the week with lively activities and field trips.

By Madeline Gardner

With a popcorn machine on hand, movie days are hosted every Monday for assisted living residents and every Thursday or Friday for memory care residents. To satisfy their itch to shop, assisted living residents visit a plaza in Bloomingdale every other Tuesday, with stops at Publix, Bealls, and Dollar Tree among their favorites. Every other Friday, Tessera memory care residents can be seen enjoying routine bus rides and a local gelato stop, while assisted living residents head to their local Walmart.

“They love to go out,” said Tessera of Brandon Activities Director Yajaira “J.J.” Arocho. “They also love shopping.”

No Wine Down Wednesday is complete without musical entertainment. The ladies of Tessera of Brandon can look forward to manicures on the first three Thursdays of the month. While Arocho herself is a certified nail tech, a volunteer from Encore Nails and Spa in Valrico comes in on Fridays to offer services as well. However, no activity generates as

much excitement as bingo. Hosted every Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, no game is complete without a candy cart stuffed with chocolate and honeybun donuts. For Arocho, Tessera of Brandon’s culture— like its activities—remains unparalleled.

“This is the most beautiful place that I have ever worked for. For me, you get so attached to these folks, and it gets to a point where they feel that they have everything here with us,” said Arocho. “I get so many kisses and hugs daily. I walk in and everybody knows I’m here. We try to do our best, and we will keep trying to make it better for them.”

Tessera of Brandon is an assisted living and memory care community offering a variety of services and amenities designed to support seniors in maintaining an active and independent lifestyle. The community features apartments, community spaces like outdoor dining and an event center, restaurant-style dining, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a range of cultural, creative, and fitness programs.

For more information, please visit our website at www.tesserabrandon.com or call 607-6880. Tessera of Brandon is located at 1320 Oakfield Drive in Brandon.

Celebrating Mother’s Day, the ladies of Tessera of Brandon were honored with a tea party.

of pounds of food to be shared with almost 300 families each week in Wimauma.

“Our work on Saturday mornings distributing food to those in need hinges on our being able to collect food from many sources,” said Our Lady’s Pantry co-director Kim Kordalski. “We drive to Feeding Tampa Bay, four Aldis, three Publix, Sam’s Club, Sprouts, Winn-Dixie and Costco four days a week. We have two trucks and a wonderful team of drivers. But keeping our trucks on the road is the key to our survival in fighting hunger among the underserved.”

“We want someone with some basic knowledge of maintenance who can check fluid levels and tire pressure regularly,”

said Dave Maricon da, manager of the pantry’s drivers, who has been driv ing for Our Lady’s Pantry for several years already. “We would point out our areas of concern and ask this individ ual to oversee the general health of our trucks. If anything needs to be done in that general sense, he or she would do that as well.”

Mariconda is also looking for more driv ers to add to his team. No special license is needed to drive the pantry’s trucks.

To meet some of its drivers, please visit www.ourladyspantry.com/on-the-roadagain-2/.

If you wish to help maintain or drive the pantry’s trucks, kindly contact Our Lady’s Pantry co-director Tom Bullaro at 813-3733787. Our Lady’s Pantry is a 501(c)(3) non profit charity. These are volunteer opportu nities. Thank you.

NOW HIRING Kennel Shift Lead C.A.R.E.

Animal Shelter has an opening for a Kennel Shift Lead Part Time 15 hours per week; 7 am - noon.

Shift lead opens the facility and instructs volunteers as needed; provides direct dog care, gives medication and sets up/cleans kennels; assists in Cattery as needed. Occasional maintenance duties. Requires knowledge and/or ability to work with dogs that vary in size, age and strength, and ability to perform physical tasks. Call 813-645-2273 or visit us at 1528 27th Street, Ruskin, FL.

WIN PRIZES THROUGH HILLSBOROUGH

COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY’S SUMMER

READING CHALLENGES

By Lily Belcher

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative is hosting a series of programs this summer to encourage reading.

Programming manager Jason Rogers said the goal of these programs is to combat the summer slide, a loss of learning that students face during the summer.

“It is intended to keep families and the community reading throughout the summer, when reading and learning tends to slow down a bit,” Rogers said.

But he said the initiative goes beyond just students with programs encouraging readers of all ages to pick up a book to win prizes.

The Art of Reading summer program challenges children to read for a total of 24 hours, logging their time through a virtual tracker called Beanstack. Adults are challenged to read four books.

Rogers said adults should set a role model for their kids by reading throughout their life.

“It’s so important for us to keep our minds engaged so that we are constantly learning,” he said. “We’re constantly making a better community and a better society.”

In trying to prevent the summer slide, Rogers said students need to focus on con-

suming any kind of text, even if that means reading a fictional book, graphic novel or the side of a cereal box.

He also said reading gives people the opportunity to focus on themselves and recharge.

“When do you take time for you? When do you emotionally, mentally, psychologically, physically recharge? Reading is a great way to do that,” Rogers said.

The Art of Reading challenge will run from now through Thursday, July 31, with prizes being drawn on Friday, August 1. Those prizes range from tote bags filled with incentives to free books to enamel pins.

The library is also hosting Reading with the Rays and Score through Stories — two initiatives that also award prizes for logging reading hours.

Rogers said one hour of reading logged will count toward all three programs, making avid readers eligible for several prizes at the end of the challenge.

To sign up for the challenge, to download the Beanstack Tracker or to read more about the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative’s reading challenges, visit https://hcplc.org/summer.

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

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

based on that and the meeting location.

“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.

People of all ages can participate in summer reading challenges through Hillsborough County public libraries.

The Hillsborough County 4-H Association is hosting an open house on Saturday, August 30, at 9 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

THE ESTATE PLANNING PUZZLE: FITTING THE PIECES TOGETHER

By Laurie E. Ohall, Florida Board-certified Elder Law Attorney

Picture your estate plan as a puzzle — when all pieces fit perfectly, they create a beautiful picture of security for your loved ones. Let’s explore the most common questions that arise when piecing together your legacy.

Think of your estate plan as your life’s instruction manual. A complete plan typically includes:

• A will — your basic set of instructions.

• A revocable living trust — your private pathway for asset distribution.

• Power of attorney — your designated helper for financial decisions.

• Advance directives — your voice for healthcare when you cannot speak.

• Final disposition instructions — your wishes for your earthly remains.

Unlike a simple document, your estate plan is a living framework that evolves with you, carrying your intentions from the moment you sign until long after you’re gone.

Why do you need a will if you have a trust? It’s like having both a belt and suspenders — redundancy provides security. Your ‘pour-over will’ serves as a safety net, catching any assets that haven’t made it into your trust and directing them there. Ideally, this will never come into play (avoiding the probate process), but having this backup provides essential protection for overlooked assets. Which document matters most? The

answer depends on life’s circumstances:

• During incapacity: Your trust and power of attorney will become your voice.

• After passing (and no beneficiaries listed): Your will and pour-over will become critical.

• For seamless transitions in both scenarios: Your revocable living trust often serves as the cornerstone.

Remember, your estate isn’t just your house — it’s everything you own, from the car in your driveway to the cash in your wallet, your retirement accounts to your grandmother’s china. Many people are surprised to discover their estate is more substantial than they realized. Without proper planning, these assets may travel a path you never intended.

Can you do this planning without the help of an attorney? Yes, but while DIY plans might seem cost-effective initially, they often lead to expensive administrative headaches due to overlooked details or technical errors. Using an experienced attorney can save your loved ones both heartache and financial strain in the long run.

Laurie Ohall is a Florida board-certified elder law attorney practicing in Brandon, Florida. She has been practicing law for 30 years and her practice is focused on estate planning, elder law planning and probate. Ohall is licensed to practice law in Florida and Ohio.

FREE BEER IS BACK AT BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY THIS SUMMER

Visitors to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this summer are in for a refreshing treat with the return of free beer. For a limited time, the Tampa theme park will offer one complimentary beer per day to all guests and two complimentary beers per day to pass members.

Guests will be able to enjoy the free ice-cold beer daily, located near Congo River Rapids, with a variety of rotating options to choose from.

This summer, there are lots of new ways to enjoy all that Busch Gardens Tampa has to offer.

Summer Nights is back, featuring extended park hours, all-new summer-themed entertainment, all-new attractions and animal experiences and all-new food and beverage options. The summer lineup includes:

• All-new Wild Oasis at Jungala — North America’s most immersive kid-friendly adventure realm.

• Wild Skies Dazzling nighttime drone show.

• Moto-Motion — High-energy indoor BMX and Motocross stunt spectacular.

• Meerkat Habitat — Colony of meerkats.

• TOMA at Orang Café — Vibrant Latin American-inspired quick-service restaurant.

• Casbar — Outdoor bar.

Explore Wild Oasis at Jungala: A New World of Kid-friendly Adventure Inspired by lush rainforests and teeming with animal encounters, thrilling rides and interactive play zones, Wild Oasis promises unforgettable experiences for the whole family. Within Wild Oasis, guests will embark on an incredible adventure. From en-

countering fascinating new animals to soaring down the all-new Tree Top Drop, families can explore interactive climbing structures, cool off at an immersive splash pad and take on a thrilling, self-guided scavenger hunt. Designed to ignite curiosity and excitement, Wild Oasis promises an action-packed experience for explorers of all ages.

Summer Nights Spectacular: All-new Stunt and Drone Shows Light Up the Park This summer, entertainment takes center stage at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with an exciting lineup of all-new performances. Headlining the thrills is Moto-Motion, an allnew indoor stunt show in the Stanleyville Theater that fuses high-flying BMX and motocross tricks with dynamic choreography. As night falls, the park’s skyline transforms with the debut of Wild Skies, an awe-inspiring drone show that paints the night with vibrant lights, synchronized aerial movement and an immersive soundtrack culminating in a spectacular firework finale.

Discover New Dining and Drink Options Two exciting new dining experiences at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Inside the allnew Wild Oasis at Jungala, guests will find TOMA at Orang Café, a vibrant quick-service restaurant offering a Latin-American inspired menu, complete with a prime view of the park’s orangutan habitat. For those looking to unwind and enjoy a signature cocktail, Casbar, a new outdoor bar located in the Moroccan Village near Zagora Café. Visit www.buschgardenstampa.com to purchase tickets and learn more. Staff Report

Grace Notes

Fishy Blessings

By Debora Coty

My 7-year-old grandprincess claimed she wanted to be a professional fisherwoman when she grew up. With two brothers and a dad who loved nothing better than gripping a fishing rod in their hands, Bree loved the sport of fishing and had no qualms about reeking of squishy bait or handling squirmy, scaly fishes.

So, as a special treat, her parents signed her up for a fishing tournament.

The tournament rules were very specific about the fish eligible for judging (you had to throw back everything that wasn’t countable), and there were strict time limits. Each age category (Bree’s was age 6-12) would have a cash prize, trophy and brand-new fishing rod for each fish category. Hundreds had entered. All contestants were to gather at a specific time and location with their eligible entries to be measured, weighed and judged.

Bree steadily caught fish all morning, but none met the requirements for eligibility. With a half-hour to go before time expired, I received a text from Bree’s mom that Bree was fighting tears of discour-

agement. So, I did what any caring Mimi would do — I hit my knees and prayed diligently that the Almighty would send an angel under that boat ASAP to herd a plump fish of an acceptable heritage in the direction of Bree’s hook.

Whadaya know? With 10 minutes to spare, Bree hooked a 16-inch seatrout (a small but eligible entry).

They raced to the appointed rendezvous point but were late in arriving. The judges had just announced the final winner in Bree’s age category. She was too late.

But wait. As the names went up on the board, all the fish categories had winners except one: seatrout. Bree was the only one in her age bracket that caught a seatrout of any size. Her little fellow won!

I thanked Papa God for that amazing grace note as Bree proudly showed me her new fishing rod. I told her about my prayers and her little brown eyes got round as dinner plates. I hope that she’ll grow up firmly rooted in the knowledge that our heavenly Father cares about all the details of our lives … even squirmy, scaly ones.

Debora M. Coty is an inspirational speaker and award-winning author of over 40 books, including the bestselling Too Blessed to be Stressed series. Visit with Debora anytime at www.DeboraCoty.com.

OUT OF GOD’S FULLNESS — GRACE UPON GRACE

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another,” (Romans 15:13-14).

This past Sunday was as close to perfect as days get. A good walk with Max Retriever while the coffee makes; relaxed breakfast with Rebekah; a stroll down the street for church; lemonade on the lawn after; lunch with good people we love; a round of golf where the temps push maybe 75 degrees; dinner and a quiet evening together; then another good walk with Max before finishing up an interesting novel and falling asleep in our beautiful new home.

Church was especially poignant because it was Rebekah’s last time in the pulpit here (another attempt at retirement!). God’s love is so very much in evidence, and we enjoyed worship “in spirit and in truth.”

Rebekah, of course, preached her heart out, and I don’t care who brings the message and what kind of crowds attend, but there is nobody anywhere who brings more authenticity and integrity and joy to the way they deliver the good news than her.

I was asked to share the children’s message, and even though most of our kids were at the beach for Memorial Day, one little girl was brave enough to join me on the chancel steps. And she did beautifully, offering exactly the kind of answers I was hoping for.

Rebekah had everyone raise their hands with her at the benediction, so we were all blessing one another. It was a visual representation of what is already happening, every week and every day, the mutual blessing of affirming community.

Like I said, a picture-perfect day. So, I conclude this post with the following truth from John. “Out of [God’s] fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given,” (John 1:16).

Such truth; such light; such hope; such love. — DEREK

Derek Maul has written for many news outlets, including the Tampa Tribune, The United Methodist News Service, All Pro Dad, FOCUS Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, Presbyterians Today, Guideposts, Chicken Soup for the Soul and many other publications. Read Derek Maul’s daily blog posts at www.derekmaul.wordpress.com.

Staff Report

as part of a larger $150,000 commitment for 2024.

is encouraging participation from its employees, business partners, customers and community members to join in volunteering alongside its team.

In May, AssuranceAmerica teamed up with Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa to host a hands-on volunteer event. Local insurance agencies, business partners and members of the public were able to take part in activities ranging from meal preparation assistance to helping with after-school programs. These efforts will support Metropolitan Ministries as it serves individuals and families facing homelessness, hunger and other crises while guiding them through life-changing programs.

Earlier this spring, on April 16, AssuranceAmerica made a surprise appear-

ance at the “Bridge Builders Luncheon,” presenting Metropolitan Ministries CEO Tim Marks with a $50,000 check — part of a broader $150,000 donation pledged for the year. By addressing urgent issues like homelessness and job preparedness, AssuranceAmerica is aiming to make a difference beyond insurance. The company believes that “helping others helps us all.”

Through its signature initiative, ‘The Generous Policy,’ AssuranceAmerica donates 5 percent of its profits to organizations tackling homelessness and hunger. Since 2018, these efforts have totaled $6.5 million, with nearly $2 million donated in 2024 alone.

AssuranceAmerica combines philanthropy with digital innovation and affordability, offering insurance that makes a social impact with every policy. To learn more about its work in the community, visit https://www.assuranceamerica. com/givingback.

WEST FLORIDA FLAMES BRANDON SENDS SIX TEAMS TO NATIONALS THIS SUMMER

Six teams from the West Florida Flames have qualified for their division’s Nationals, and they are preparing to represent the club on the national stage against other highly competitive programs.

These teams have put in countless hours and immense effort throughout the season to qualify, finishing at the top of their leagues and earning the right to compete at Nationals.

“I think it shows the strength and depth we have in the club in regard to the quality of players, the quality of coaches, and everyone being on the same page about what we want to achieve, with the main focus being the development of both girls and boys,” said Associate Girls Academy Director Jamie McGunness.

The six teams representing West Florida Flames at Nationals are the 2008 National Academy League (NAL) Boys, 2009 NAL Boys, 2009 Girls Academy (GA), 2010 Girls Development Player League (DPL), 2010 GA, and 2012 GA. The teams will travel to either New Jersey, California, or Minnesota in June to compete.

The 2008 NAL Boys team, led by Head Coach Eric Sims, ended their regular season with a record of 9-2-3. The 2009 NAL Boys team, led by Head Coach John van der Luit, wrapped up their season with a 15-4-3 record.

Head Coach Jamie McGunness led the 2009 GA team to a historic, undefeated

By Emily Harper

regular season, finishing 14-0-3.

The 2010 DPL Girls team, led by Head Coach Dani Dayan, is heading to Nationals for the second year in a row, finishing their season at 11-3-2.

“Getting the experience of going to Nationals again, bonding with my team even more, and just having fun overall,” are her goals, said team member Mia O’Conner Grana.

Head Coach Ashani Fairclough and his 2010 GA team had an incredible season, achieving a top-ten national ranking in the GA standings for the second year in a row. The team finished 14-3-1 in regular season play.

The 2012 GA team made history by becoming the first U13 GA team from West Florida Flames to qualify for Nationals. Led by Head Coach Brenda Van Stralen, the team finished their season with a record of 14-2-2.

Founded in 1975, the West Florida Flames soccer club includes players and coaches from across the Tampa Bay area. According to the club’s website, its mission is to “promote the sport of soccer in the Greater Tampa Bay community with an emphasis on youth development, while providing each player positive opportunities and experiences to play soccer in a supportive and rewarding environment.”

The teams will continue preparing in the coming weeks as Nationals approach.

AssuranceAmerica recently donated $50,000 to Metropolitan Ministries

An overview shot of the West Florida Flames’ training complex.

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 school 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.

COKE FLORIDA REACHES ANOTHER REMARKABLE MILESTONE

For the fourth year in a row, the locally owned Coca-Cola Beverages Florida has been named a U.S. Best Managed Company, a prestigious national award presented by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. The company, headquartered in Tampa, just opened a sprawling $300-plus million sales and distribution center on the entire northwest corner of U.S. 301 and Causeway Boulevard, and celebrated its 10year anniversary.

Adding to the achievement, Coke Florida has attained ‘Gold Standard’ status, a distinction reserved for companies honored four years in a row. Among Florida-based businesses, only one other has achieved this elite recognition.

“Being selected as a U.S. Best Managed Company for the fourth year in a row while celebrating our 10-year anniversary is a tremendous honor,” said Troy Taylor, CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida. “I am incredibly proud of our over 5,000 associates whose passion for representing our brands, serving our customers and engaging in our communities has propelled us to achieve Gold Standard recognition.”

Based in Tampa, Coke Florida runs operations across the state, from Jacksonville

By Brian Bokor

to the Florida Keys. The company employs over 5,000 people and serves more than 21 million Floridians. It’s also one of the largest Blackowned businesses in the United States. At a celebratory event held in honor of the achievement,

T’Shaka Lee, a partner at Deloitte Private, added,

“It’s very hard to win multiple times.

It’s a very, very small percentage of companies that get recognized as winners multiple times … and Coke Florida is a young company. That speaks to what [they have] built in a short time.”

The award started the celebration as it celebrated its 10-year anniversary on May 29. Coke Florida joins a global network of over 1,600 companies across 44 countries that have earned the title.

Taylor credited the team behind the success.

“The two greatest things we have going for us are the Coke brands and our people,” he said. “Our frontline associates are the face of our Coke brands and our people. When you bring those things together and you execute, that’s when we win.”

Mayor Jane Castor and Coca-Cola Beverages Florida CEO Troy Taylor (center) celebrate the award with county commissioners reps Gwen Myers and Harry Cohen.

Morgan DeVivo (left) and Maria DeVivo (right) at a joint author signing.

LOCALSHOP

Freedom Plaza Partners With Institute For Fitness and Sport

Freedom Plaza proudly marks the first anniversary of its partnership with the National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS) — a collaboration that has elevated resident fitness and wellness. By integrating nationally recognized fitness expertise into the daily lives of Freedom Plaza’s residents, this partnership is setting a new standard for active aging. This collaboration stands out in the senior living industry by going beyond traditional care models to prioritize holistic wellness. The partnership also extends wellness beyond exercise by collaborating with other community departments to promote a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle. To find out more about Freedom Plaza, visit its website at https://freedomplazafl.com/.

caregivers peace of mind and much-needed personal time.

Vitality gives caregivers the chance to shop, run errands, meet a friend or simply rest. While they take time for themselves, their loved ones enjoy social interaction, brain-stimulating activities, music, art and a wholesome lunch, all under the care of a qualified director and specially trained volunteers.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this program — or if you’re interested in volunteering in a fun and meaningful

environment — Vitality Respite Center welcomes you. The center is open to guests on Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, contact Terri Hartney, program director, at 813-689-6849 (option 5) or email vitality@saumc.net.

St. Stephen’s Women’s Ministry: Bullfrog Creek Bingo

Vitality Respite Center Supports Caregivers

Vitality Respite Center at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, located at 3315 S. Bryan Rd. in Brandon, is a safe and loving environment for individuals with memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia disorders. It provides an opportunity for guests to engage in fun activities and connect with others, while offering

The Community for Women of St. Stephen Catholic Church is a diverse group that gathers for fellowship, fun and service. Its mission is to support the priests and parishioners of St. Stephen through social and spiritual events that foster community and connection.

The group is hosting a music bingo fundraiser on Wednesday, July 10, at 7 p.m. at Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co., located at 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. Come early for music, fun and — if you’re lucky — prizes.

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.

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 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 engage-

By Brad Stager

ment and 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.

Vitality Respite Center provides respite care for caregivers and their loved ones at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church.

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.

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.

FLORIDA 2025

By Michaela Galligan

“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, Amplify 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.

THREE MISS TAMPA BAY SOFTBALL FISHHAWK TEAMS QUALIFY FOR STATE TOURNAMENT

By Nick Nahas

16U

Three

Miss Tampa Bay Softball (MTBS) FishHawk teams qualified for the state tournament in Lake City at the

of

The T-ball, 12U and 16U MTBS All-Star teams won first place in the Florida Babe Ruth District 10 Tournament in Madeira Beach at the beginning of June. The T-ball team also won the Miss Florida Softball tournament. They all qualify to go to Lake City at the state level.

Softball All-Star

“These girls show up four to five days a week, whether it’s a practice, scrimmage or game; each and every one of them leave it all on the field,” said the head coach of the T-ball team, Amber Jacobs.

The league sent 36 girls and seven coaches to Lake City from June 26-30 to compete at the Southside Sports Complex.

“I’m most proud of the tenacity these girls have,” said 12U Head Coach Kevin Montanez. “There were a couple of occasions where it looked like we were out of the game, whether down five against a good Madeira Beach team at their home field or tied 2-2 with the bases loaded and no out against a very competitive North West team, they maintained that they are the best when they are fighting back.”

Jacobs is looking forward to the tournament and hopes that her team has fun.

“We want to play to win and have fun,” said Jacobs. “If every girl leaves the field with a smile, then we coaches did our job. We look forward to making memo-

ries that will last a lifetime, bringing home the big win for MTBS.”

Montanez reflected on the progress the league has accomplished over the years.

“The Miss Florida program has grown so much, and especially here in FishHawk it has become very competitive for girls in all these age groups,” he said. “A lot of the time we are competing with baseball for budgets and field time, so I think it’s great that this program has moved past the ‘us vs. them stage’ and into a more cohesive effort to get these girls the attention they deserve as athletes, whether travel or recreation.”

His team’s goal is to represent Florida in the world series.

“I believe what I look forward to the most is the memories that these girls will have from participating in states,” said Montanez. “Competing together against some of the best teams in the state while making memories as friends. In the heat of competition, we must always remember these are 12-year-old girls.”

Jacobs is looking forward to seeing her players grow in the tournament and the future.

“It’s not just T-ball for this Navy AllStar team,” she said. “These girls are the future of softball. They love the sport and they give it their all, and they will always have fun.”

Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2025.jpg Schuyler Arakawa is Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2025.

Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2025 Schuyler Arakawa with her mom and biggest supporter Meridith.

Miss Tampa Bay

12U Miss Tampa Bay Softball All-Star

The T-ball team headed to states.

Your Life, YourWay YourWay

Riverview/Apollo Beach

Pink’s Windows

Pink’s Windows East Tampa Bay is owned by Maria Hart and was founded on the idea of world-class 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 813-640-0892 or visit its website at https://pinkswindows. com/east-tampa-bay.

Graze Craze Charcuterie Boards & Boxes Opens In Brandon

Graze Craze Charcuterie Boards & Boxes, located at 1076 E. Brandon Blvd., Ste. 101, marked its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting on May 16 with the Central Hillsborough County and Valrico/FishHawk chambers of commerce. Graze Craze offers handcrafted charcuterie boards and boxes brimming with premium meats, gourmet cheeses, house-made hummus, vibrant jams and garden-fresh produce. No matter what the occasion, Graze Craze will turn your event into an elevated experience.

Graze Craze’s mission is to bring people together through

the art of charcuterie, and it is committed to serving its community, supporting local causes and creating opportunities that enrich the lives of those around it. For more information and menu options, visit its website, www.grazecraze.com/brandon-fl, or call 813-692-9230.

Himes Breakfast House Expands With Two New Locations

Himes Breakfast House, a locally owned eatery that first opened on Himes Avenue in Tampa in 2021, has expanded with two new locations. A second location launched in early 2025 at 312 E. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon, which is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

A third location is set to open in mid-July at 11220 Sullivan St. in Riverview’s Winthrop Plaza.

Known for large portions, fresh ingredients and affordable pricing, Himes serves breakfast and lunch in a fast, friendly setting.

Find out more at www.himesbreakfasthouse.com or follow @himesbreakfasthouse on social media.

Dave

& Buster’s

Celebrates Grand Reopening

On May 9, the Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce marked the grand reopening of Dave & Buster’s at 10209 Estuary Lakes Dr. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The updated venue features a new look, improved food offerings, innovative games and fresh activities designed for friends, families and coworkers to connect.

To learn more, visit www.daveandbusters.com.

Magnolia Soap And Bath Company Valrico Now Open

Magnolia Soap and Bath Company is a

Southern-rooted brand dedicated to redefining clean living through handcrafted, plant-based bath and body products. It recently celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting from the Valrico/FishHawk Chamber of Commerce. Founded on the belief that personal care should be both effective and safe, Magnolia offers a vibrant line of soaps, bath bombs, body butters, sugar scrubs, soy candles and laundry detergents — all made in-house using naturally derived ingredients. The store also hosts private parties, birthday celebrations and DIY events, where guests can create custom products in a relaxed, hands-on setting. Magnolia Bath and Soap Company is located at 3432 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. Visit its website at www.mymagnoliasoap.com/lithia for more information.

Graze Craze celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting from the Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce.

The Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand reopening of Dave & Buster’s in Tampa with a ribbon-cutting.

Magnolia Soap and Bath Company celebrated its recent opening with a ribbon-cutting from the Valrico/FishHawk Chamber of Commerce.

TAMPA BAY RODEO & FAMILY FESTIVAL, PRESENTED BY BARTOW FORD, ROLLS INTO THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS JULY 18-19

Saddle up for a wild ride because the Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, is rolling into town on Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, with all the heart-pounding action fans have been awaiting. Fresh off a sold-out event in April, this summer’s rodeo brings the best cowboys and cowgirls in the Southeast to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds for a full rodeo. Tickets are on sale now for this event featuring two action-packed days of bull riding, bronco busting, barrel racing, calf roping, team roping and bull dogging. The fun starts before guests enter the arena as the Family Festival kicks up the excitement with live music, tasty food and exciting activities for the whole family. Whether a thrill-seeker or a funnel cake fan, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all evening long. Fans should arrive early to beat the traffic and grab some grub before Florida-favorite Crossfire Creek takes the stage in the Beer Barn from 6-7:30 p.m. Folks can sink their teeth into mouthwatering eats like barbecue, tacos, Cuban sandwiches, pizza, corn dogs, funnel cakes and ice cream. They can dive into the action with mechanical bull rides, axe throwing, monster truck

Staff Report

adventures and plenty of photo ops, including fan favorites like the Tampa Bay Rodeo Girls and a few exotic guests, like elephants, camels, snakes and monkeys. Kids will love cornhole, giant Jenga and the giant super slide. As Florida’s Hottest Show on Dirt, the event promises a night filled with dust, adrenaline and unforgettable memories.

The Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, is a community event featuring local vendors and area sponsors, including: Bartow Ford, 97.5 WPCV, 99.5 QYK, Acme Barricades, Beef O’Brady’s, BOS Sewers & Portables, BubbaQue’s, Busch Light Rodeo, Duke’s Brewhouse, FL GRIT, Harley-Davidson Tampa Bay, Hooters, Hungry Howie’s, John Deere, Keel & Curley Winery at Keel Farms, Monster Energy Supercross, Monster Jam, Ole Tampa Cubans, RDK Truck Sales, Ring Power CAT, Russell’s Work & Western Wear, Tampa Bay Times, Tommy’s Express Car Wash and US 103.5. Gates for both nights open at 5 p.m., and the rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for children, and parking is free.

For more information and tickets, please visit https://tamparodeo.com/.

AMERICA’S SWIMMING POOL COMPANY PROVIDES YEAR-ROUND

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

In Florida’s seemingly endless summer, families turn to their backyard pools to cool off and enjoy an afternoon in the sun.

America’s Swimming Pool Company wants to make sure those pools are in their best shape, especially during the summer.

Owner Travis Larson opened the business after serving 20 years in the Navy. As a nuclear engineer, he has plenty of experience working with chemicals, piping and electricity — all things that translate to a career in pool servicing.

“All that stuff is actually more similar than you would think,” Larson said. “So, it was just a good transition and allowed me to get outside instead of sitting either inside the hull of a ship or in an office all day and interact with customers in my community.”

That’s his favorite part — interacting with the community and seeing the growth in the area.

As a young company, Larson said one of the challenges has been finding and retaining good workers who not only enjoy the work but also understand the chemistry behind keeping a pool clear and sparkling.

By Lily Belcher

“I think a lot of people think it’s pretty easy to clean pools, and it’s really not because you do have to understand the chemistry,” he said.

He said rain, sunlight and leaves can all affect the pool in different ways.

To keep a pool clean, he suggested regular maintenance and making repairs when they come up. He said that while there is a focus on pool servicing in summer, Florida pools really need year-round maintenance.

Larson also said he’s seeing more people switch away from traditional chlorinated pools for saltwater systems.

Another challenge he is facing is the effects of tariffs and insurance markets. He said with the economic uncertainty, it can be challenging for his customers to commit to a repair on a fixed income.

But those repairs are still essential to keeping a pump running.

“To keep a pool blue and clear requires three things,” Larson said. “It requires circulation, filtration and proper chemistry.” America’s Swimming Pool Company provides pool cleaning, chemical maintenance, repairs, upgrades and renovations. For more information, visit the website at www.asppoolco.com.

America’s Swimming Pool Company offers yearround maintenance and servicing.

Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, is rolling into town on Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds.

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.

The 2025 Governor’s Sterling Award recognizes Team HCTC’s commitment to excellence in public service. In fiscal year 2024 alone, our office collected and distributed over $3.5 billion to fund essential community services while serving over one million customers in person and maintaining a 94% customer satisfaction rating and 4.7 Google Review rating. This honor reflects the organization’s commitment to efficiency, excellence, sustainable high-performance operations, and a culture of continuous improvement, dedicated to serving Hillsborough County.

MONSTER JAM RETURNS TO TAMPA FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

Monster Jam is coming to AMALIE Arena from Friday to Sunday, August 15-17, offering a weekend full of entertainment for local families. Events begin an hour before the opening ceremonies with the Monster Jam Trackside Experience, where fans get access to driver interviews, pit crew sneak peeks and giveaways. On Saturday and Sunday, fans can also start the fun early at the Monster Jam Pit Party, where they can get up close and personal with the 12,000-pound trucks, meet their favorite drivers and enjoy more family-friendly activities.

“Get ready for non-stop excitement as Tampa roars to life with gravity-defying stunts, heart-pounding races and plenty of big air!” said Monster Jam in its press release. “The world’s best drivers tear up on the dirt as they battle for the Event Championship in four competitions: Racing, Skills, Donuts and Freestyle, where Monster Jam trucks defy the laws of physics and do the impossible. Fans will be right in the middle of the action, helping to crown the Event Champion as they get to score the drivers in real time based on their skills, stunts and saves.”

The lineup of trucks coming to Tampa this year is headlined by 40-time overall event champion and four-time Monster Jam World Finals champion Grave Digger, driv-

By Gabe Themar

en by Weston Anderson. One of the most recognizable monster trucks, if not the most recognizable, Grave Digger won the overall event championship last year in AMALIE Arena.

Other familiar faces returning to Tampa include two-time Monster Jam Triple Threat Series champion Megalodon, driven by Angelina Nock; and 2004 Monster jam World Finals co-champion El Toro Loco, driven by Fernando Martinez.

Monster Jam will also bring multiple father-son duels to Tampa this fall, with Over Bored driver Jamey Gamer competing against his son and Wild Side driver Zach Gamer. Uproar driver Jon Zimmer Sr. will also face off against his son, Jon Zimmer Jr., who drives Terminal Velocity.

The truck list is rounded out by one of the youngest monster trucks, Sparkle Smash, which is driven by Jamie Sullivan. Sparkle Smash debuted in 2024 and won its first overall event championship in Los Angeles, California, last year.

The full schedule is as follows:

• Friday, August 15, 7 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• Pit party, 10:30 a.m.-12 Noon.

Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www.amaliearena.com for more information.

Megalodon also competed in Tampa last August, winning the Freestyle competition.

LEVELS DROP AT MEDARD; BOATERS FACE CLOSURES, KAYAKS WELCOME

They’ve pulled the plug on the reservoir at Edward Medard Conservation Park, and that means the boat ramp will be closed, according to a news release from Hillsborough County.

Edward Medard Conservation Park includes a lake that is popular with boaters, who if piloting anything other than a canoe or kayak, will need to find another ramp to launch from as the Southwest Florida Water Management District has lowered the reservoir’s water level for an indeterminate length of time.

The boat ramp at Edward Medard Conservation Park was indefinitely closed beginning June 9 because the water level of the 700-acre Medard Reservoir was reduced by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) a few feet to test how well the drainage system installed in 2022 is working. Hillsborough County operates the park and boat ramp, but SWFWMD is the keeper of the reservoir’s spigot and controls all hydrological matters pertaining to the lake.

An inquiry to SWFWMD about the draining yielded an email response from officials, stating, “The District does not have a set timeline on when the reservoir will be allowed to refill to the normal operating level. The reservoir may be lowered for an extended period of time.”

While the testing means the boat ramp is closed for larger, powered vessels, kayaks and canoes should still be able to navigate the lake. Other nearby public boat ramps operated by Hillsborough County include Alafia River Boat Ramp at 4020 Alafia Blvd. in Brandon, Riverview Civic

By Brad Stager

Center Boat Ramp at 11020 Park

Dr. in Riverview, Williams Park Boat Ramp at 9425 U.S. 41 in Riverview and E.G. Simmons Conservation Park Boat Ramp at 2401 19th Ave. NW in Ruskin.

For boaters who prefer navigating freshwater lakes and want to find a space large enough to unleash the power and fury of their chrome and fiberglass nautical beast, the largest lake in Hillsborough County, Lake Thonotosassa, is accessible via the Baker Creek Boat Ramp at 12095 Thonotosassa Rd.

The campgrounds at Edward Medard Conservation Park are also temporarily closed for construction, and an announcement will be made regarding reopening upon that project’s completion.

There is still plenty to do at Edward Medard Park even with the boat ramp and campground closures, with hiking, bird watching, horse riding, bike riding, disc golfing and barbecuing being among the allowed activities there.

Situated on land that was once a phosphate mine and previously called Pleasant Grove Reservoir, Edward Medard Conservation Park is located at 6140 Turkey Creek Rd. in Plant City, about 10 miles east of Brandon, and is open 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Throughout the hot summer months, parents are always trying to find ways to entertain their kids. It seems as though impending boredom is inevitable, but not with the opening of a new amusement park in the Plant City area. Introducing Dinosaur World, a fun-filled theme park dating back to the cretaceous period!

STEP BACK IN TIME AT PLANT CITY’S DINOSAUR WORLD THIS SUMMER

By Alisa Gershman

Built in 1998, the goal of the attraction was to create a fun outdoor activity for families and kids that was an affordable alternative to high price theme parks in the area. Julieanna Bassette, marketing executive of Dinosaur World, shared that “the goal [is] to blend education and fun by showcasing life-size dinosaur replicas in a natural setting — giving kids and adults a place to explore, learn, and play together.”

The park contains many fun ways to cool down during the day while spending quality time with the family. With a Splash Pad, the Doom of the Dinosaurs museum and more, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Specifically at the museum, there are “research molds [available]. … It’s the closest you can get to a real fossil. … [The] research casts are rare

and came from renowned paleontologist, John Hankla.”

Kids can go hunting for fossils at Aunt Cera’s Fossil Dig or dig for gems at Uncle Rex’s Gem Mine and experience some handson activities. A 1-mile-long trail wraps around the park, with life-size dinosaur statues along the way. There is even a Dino Express Train for transportation as well as a Jurassic Mini Golf course for the whole family to enjoy.

Bassette also noted that families can

“pack a picnic and eat in the covered areas. … Food is sold in [the] park, but we allow guests to bring coolers and all kinds of food … [and] bring leashed dogs — it’s pet-friendly.”

Ticket pricing for daily general admission passes is available on their website; additional purchases may be required for activities. There are also ticket options that include exploring the many excavation sites/activities and a ride on the train. Annual passes are available as well. More information on Dinosaur World can be found at www.dinosaurworld.com or call 813-717-9865.

May 23 - Aug 10

Dinosaur World employees show how frightening the lifelike dinosaurs may seem.

Families enjoy taking rides on the Dino Express, which brings them through the jungle.

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.

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,”

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.

“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.

FREEDOM PLAZA HONORS 35 YEARS OF DEDICATION: CELEBRATING FIRST EMPLOYEE PEGGY BURGESS

Freedom Plaza proudly celebrated a remarkable milestone this month: the community’s very first employee, Peggy Burgess, who celebrated more than 35 years of dedicated service in May.

Burgess began working at Freedom Plaza on May 16, 1990, and has been a guiding force in shaping the spirit and experience of Freedom Plaza since before its doors even opened. Her contributions to the Community Life department have helped define the vibrancy, compassion and connection that residents and families have come to cherish over the decades.

to a woman who helped lay the foundation, both literally and emotionally, for what Freedom Plaza has become.

“This community is like a family,” said Burgess. “Watching it grow, and being part of so many lives over the years, has been the greatest honor of my life.”

About Freedom Plaza

“To say Peggy has been a pillar of our community would be an understatement,” said Freedom Plaza Executive Director Angie Roher. “She embodies the heart of what we do here — bringing joy, continuity, and purpose to the lives of our residents every single day.”

The celebration held in early June brought together residents, staff, families and community members to honor Burgess’ extraordinary contributions. The event wasn’t just a milestone party — it was a deeply personal tribute

Freedom Plaza is a vibrant Life Care community in Sun City Center set on 140 acres of landscaped grounds. It features a private lake, walking trails and an 18-hole executive golf course and putting green. Just minutes from both Tampa and Sarasota, residents enjoy a maintenance-free retirement lifestyle with resort-inspired services and amenities. Freedom Plaza’s pet-friendly community features over 400 independent living residences ranging from studio to one and two-bedroom apartment residences. It also offers assisted living residences; skilled nursing, including private rehabilitation suites; and memory care. Freedom Plaza is located at 1010 American Eagle Blvd. in Sun City Center. For more information, visit https://freedomplazafl.com/.

Freedom Plaza employee Peggy Burgess celebrated more than 35 years and was the first employee of the location.

Volunteers spent three hours loading trees into cars for the East Tampa Tree Giveaway.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

“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.

Jason Krenta, United States Army member of 26 years. Headshot by James Connell.

Congregation Beth Shalom of Brandon’s building with a ‘coming soon’ sign for its Brandon Jewish Youth Academy.

BACKPACKS, PRIZES, AND SMILES: FREE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH SERIES RETURNS TO TAMPA BAY

Florida Penguin Productions is excited to announce the return of its highly anticipated Back-toSchool Bash Series, set to take place at four top shopping destinations across the Tampa Bay area this summer. These 100 percent free, family-friendly events will help local families prepare for the upcoming school year while connecting them with valuable community resources and local businesses.

Event dates and locations (all events run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.):

• Ellenton Premium Outlets — Saturday, July 19 (Ellenton).

• Brandon Exchange Mall — Saturday, July 26 (Brandon).

• The Mall at University Town Center — Saturday, August 2 (Sarasota).

• Tampa Premium Outlets — Saturday, August 9 (Wesley Chapel).

Families who preregister on Eventbrite can receive a free backpack for their children (while supplies last). The event’s centerpiece is a fun, interactive scavenger hunt where kids can collect school supplies from up to 50 participating local businesses.

“We’re proud to bring this series back for another year to support local families and kids as they prepare for school,” said

Staff Report

Kevin Tucker, event organizer at Florida Penguin Productions. “It’s more than just a giveaway — it’s a chance for families to engage with pediatricians, after-school programs, health professionals and other vital community services in a festive and meaningful way.”

Each event will feature:

• Backpack giveaways (preregistration required).

• School supply scavenger hunt.

• Up to 50 local businesses and organizations.

• Fantasy character photo ops.

• Live stage performances and entertainment.

• Tons of prizes and giveaways.

• A grand prize drawing: One lucky family who completes the scavenger hunt will win a family four-pack of Busch Gardens tickets.

Florida Penguin Productions encourages local businesses, nonprofits and youth programs to get involved as vendors or sponsors to reach hundreds of families in their communities.

For more information, vendor opportunities, or to pre-register your family for a backpack, visit www.eventbrite. com and search ‘Florida Penguin Backto-School Bash.’

A LEGACY IN THE LAND: HONORING THE MANLEY FAMILY IN VALRICO

By Brian Bokor

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

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.”

BLOOMINGDALE HIGH ARTIST

NAMED WINNER IN CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION

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.

Staff Report

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.”

SIX WAYS TO KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE THIS SUMMER

• Dress them in lightweight, lightcolored clothes

• Cool them off with a cool bath or swim

• Keep your kids hydrated

3. Prevent water accidents

With warmer weather and kids home from school, it’s a good time to master water safety. To keep your kids safe:

• Always supervise them

• Learn CPR

• Make sure they wear properly fitting life jackets

• Teach them to swim

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.

The lazy, hazy days of summer are here! Before you head out, here are some ways to

1. Prevent sunburn

Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 that offers both UVA and UVB protection, and don’t forget to reapply.

You can also dress your kids in:

• A wide-brimmed hat

• Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants

• Sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection

2. Help them stay cool and hydrated

Learn the warning signs of heat-related illness and seek care immediately if your child shows any of them.

You can protect your kids from extreme heat by:

4. Use a helmet

A properly fitting helmet can protect your child from a serious head injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides helmet fact sheets for sizing and using helmets.

5. Keep bugs away

The summer months show an increase in mosquitoes and ticks. To protect your family:

• Apply an effective insect repellent

• Check everyone who has been outside for ticks and learn how to remove a tick safely

• Dress children in breathable long sleeves and long pants

6. Prevent injuries due to falls

Supervise your kids and check to make sure the surfaces under playground equipment are made of wood chips or sand, not hard surfaces like grass or dirt. Keep the fun going this summer by practicing these safety tips. Still, if you or someone you love does need emergency care, our world-class team of health care professionals are ready to help. Visit AdventHealthRiverview.com.

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.

BUILDING

CONNECTIONS,

EMPOWERING WOMEN: WORKING WOMEN OF TAMPA BAY CELEBRATES 16 YEARS OF GROWTH

By Libby Hopkins

ROTARY CLUB OF BRANDON AWARDS 2025 SCHOLARSHIPS TO 12 GRADUATES FROM SIX HIGH SCHOOLS

By Linda Chion

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.

“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.

What’s

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Review

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Brandon Rotarians in June awarded 12 seniors from six high schools scholarships totaling $26,500, noting their determined service and toil for academic achievement.

Collectively, the 12 seniors reported 3,519 service hours, including the 704 hours earned by Durant High School graduate Julian Montefusco, bound for the University of South Florida (USF). With a 5.86 weighted GPA, Montefusco received the $2,500 Sharon S. Sellers Memorial Scholarship, awarded in remembrance of the wife of longtime Rotarian John Sellers.

‘Service Above Self’ is the mission of Rotary International, said Tim Ryan, the outgoing president of the Rotary Club of Brandon, at the Rivard-Simmons Event Center, owned by the Brandon Rotary Charity Fund. The June 10 scholarship recognition was on the agenda for the club’s June 10 meeting.

Ryan invited the scholarship recipients, from Armwood, Bloomingdale, Durant, Newsome and Riverview high schools and Winthrop College Prep Academy, to live a life of service, and to consider one day becoming an adult Rotarian. Past President Debbie Meegan told the graduates that in college they can join Rotaract, a service organization for ages 18-30, sponsored by Rotary International, which at the University of South Florida (USF), she added, is considered one of the strongest such clubs in the country.

Indeed, at last year’s scholarship presentation, USF Rotaract President Suhas ‘Sue’ Das accepted on behalf of his Rotary International service club a check for $1,200, noting the club’s 400 events and 8,900 service hours. Overall, Rotary’s eight scholarship recipients last year reported 2,005 community service hours.

As for this year’s scholarship recipients, Imogen Lanzetta, from Newsome High, is off to USF with a $2,000 scholarship.

She earned 320 community service hours and a 6.63 weighted GPA. Also from Newsome, headed to the University of Florida (UF), are Vincent Nordquist (223 hours, 7.0 weighted GPA) and Andrew Rintoul (178 hours, 7.56 weighted GPA), both of whom were awarded $2,500. Headed to Florida State University (FSU), with a $2,000 scholarship, is Newsome graduate Christian Reggie (200 hours, 5.84 weighted GPA).

From Bloomingdale High, headed to UF, Purdue University and Liberty University, respectively, are Calleigh Eakle (405 hours, 10.26 weighted GPA), Carter Young (304 hours, 9.62 weighted GPA) and Samantha Dimler (313 hours, 5.28 weighted GPA). Eakle and Young received $2,500 scholarships; Dimler received a $2,000 scholarship.

Rounding out the $2,000 scholarship recipients, and bound for UF, are Asher Berger, from Riverview High (104 hours, 7.02 weighted GPA), and Cameron Campbell, from Armwood High (156 hours, 6.6 weighted GPA). Headed for FSU, from Winthrop College Prep Academy, are twin sisters Catalina Dixon (308 hours, 6.4 weighted GPA) and Kristina Dixon (304 hours, 6.4 weighted GPA).

To conclude the presentation, scholarship recipients were asked to take a group picture and to thank the folks who supported them as they sat proudly in attendance. Among the responses, they thanked the mom “who supported me through everything,” the dad who’s “just always been there to push me to do better” and the parents “who helped me with everything I managed to get myself roped into.”

The club meets on Tuesdays at noon at 3007 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon at the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center, which is available for rentals. For more, visit www.brandonrotary.org. Call Larry Fassett at 813-767-5803.

FishHawk residents Carolyn and Frank Taylor took their Osprey Observer on vacation to Cadillac Mountain, Maine.

Photo courtesy of Linda Chion.

Rotary Club of Brandon members recognize scholarship recipients at the club’s June 10 meeting.

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.

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

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.

COOL OFF THIS SUMMER AT COOL OFF THIS SUMMER AT

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.

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.

Local charities received more than $160,000 in donations from the Rotary Club of Brandon.

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.

BALANCING

NATURE AND ACCESS: COUNTY UPDATES BALM BOYETTE LAND

Hillsborough County asked residents to help shape the future of one of its largest and most ecologically important nature preserves. The Balm Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve, a nearly 5,000-acre natural area located about 5 miles southeast of Riverview, is undergoing a required update to its 10-year land management and use plan. The county offered two ways for the public to get involved by either attending an in-person open house on June 24, at 6 p.m. at the Riverview Public Library or submitting feedback online by visiting the county’s website, https://hcfl.gov/ events/balm-boyette-scrub-preserve-landmanagement-and-land-use-plan, until the same date.

USE PLAN

By Brian Bokor

variety of native plants and wildlife, including some of the best remaining patches of scrub and scrubby flatwoods in the county, landscapes that have become increasingly rare due to development.

These habitats are among the last intact examples of what Central Florida once looked like, making them especially important for conservation.

In addition to protecting natural habitats, the preserve offers a 2-mile hiking trail and wildlife viewing on the western portion of the preserve found by visiting https://hcfl. gov/locations/balm-boyette-nature-preserve-west.

STEP RIGHT UP TO CARNIVAL WORLD

By Sharon Still

The updated plan outlined how the preserve will be protected, maintained and used over the next decade. Officials said public feedback is a key part of the planning process.

Residents were encouraged to review the plan and provide comments to help keep the preserve healthy and accessible for future generations.

Purchased between 1992 and 2005 through the Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP), the Balm Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve covers 4,870 acres in the Alafia River watershed. It is jointly owned by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Hillsborough County.

The preserve contains 11 types of natural habitats, ranging from dry, sandy scrub to wetland ecosystems. It is home to a rich

Twenty-five miles of mountain biking trails can be found on the eastern portion of the land, which was previously mined, at https://hcfl.gov/locations/balm-boyette-nature-preserve.

The preserve is also used as an outdoor classroom, giving students and visitors a chance to learn about Florida’s ecosystems and the challenges of managing land in a fast-growing region.

The new management plan addresses how these activities can continue while ensuring the preserve’s environmental health remains the top priority.

The public was encouraged to review the draft plan and share comments either in person or online. The virtual option was hosted through the county’s Public Engagement Hub at https://publicinput.com/hub/1175 and offers a convenient way to get involved without attending the June 24 meeting.

Formerly known as the International Independent Showmen’s Museum, the newly named Carnival World Museum, under the leadership of new Executive Director Lee Stevens, is soon to be a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike.

Filled with history and rare photographs of carnivals, circuses, Wild West shows and other early traveling entertainment, the Carnival World Museum truly is a hidden gem. Guests can stroll through more than 54,000 sq. ft. of exhibits featuring antique wagons and memorabilia from local carnival celebrities, like husband-and-wife Al ‘the Giant’ and Jeannie Tomaini, owners of the famed Giant’s Fishing Camp in Gibsonton. Known as ‘The World’s Strangest Couple,’ Al stood a towering 7 foot, four inches, while Jeannie, born without legs, measured just 2-and-a-half feet. At the Carnival World Museum, you can read their story and see one of the Giant’s size 27 boots.

He hopes to honor the rich legacy of the museum while giving it a fresh, new identity.

The name change to ‘Carnival World Museum’ came the first week that Stevens filled the executive director seat.

“The International Independent Showmen’s Museum is a mouthful,” he said. “We wanted something that sounded more fun and descriptive.”

Along with the name change, there will be several other changes and improvements at the museum.

“Now with me in charge, there will be a lot of new and exciting things,” Stevens commented.

An expansion is underway, and construction is expected to be complete by the end of summer, making room for more exhibits. Stevens also said there will be more events, such as a food truck rally that he is putting together. Guests can also expect expanded hours in the future.

Stevens as executive director is a natural fit, as he grew up with the circus, joining at age 15, with his parents’ permission. Being an ambitious young man, he began emulating others, learning how to juggle and do acrobatics. Over time, Stevens had his own act featuring 31 trained poodles.

Stevens agreed that he is the perfect candidate for the job.

“I am the proverbial kid who ran away to join the circus, and I was married at Circus World Museum.”

In an effort to spread the word about the Carnival World Museum, Stevens has joined Visit Tampa Bay and also formed a cross-promotional relationship with the Ringling Brothers in Sarasota.

“Things are happening now,” he said. The Carnival World Museum is located at 6938 Riverview Dr. in Riverview. Its hours are Thursday through Sunday, 12 Noon-5 p.m. Tours are available by appointment, and groups are welcome. Admission is $20 for adults and $15 for children with a paying adult. Call 813-671-3503 or visit https://showmensmuseum.org/.

Balm Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve management map.

Lee Stevens is the new executive director at the Carnival World Museum, formerly known as the International Independent Showmen’s Museum.