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Aquilla J. Morgan High School, the newest addition to the district, is set to open in August, bringing much-needed relief to nearby Lennard and Sumner high schools. The 359,000-squarefoot school will introduce a variety of new programs and a state-of-theart campus. Named after Aquilla Jackson Morgan, a beloved former Wimauma Elementary School teacher and dedicated community member, the school is a testament to her legacy.

Riverview/ Apollo Beach March 2025

AQUILLA J. MORGAN HIGH SCHOOL SELECTS MASCOT AND PREPARES FOR FALL OPENING

By Marie Gilmore

BuschGardens.com/camps (813) 884-4FUN (4386)

from the community, and to have this school named after an educator from Wimauma brings her legacy full circle,” she said.

The new high school, which began construction in 2020, will be the most expensive high school built in Hillsborough County, costing $178 million.

Architect Jose Gomez of Harvard Jolly PBK, who grew up in Wimauma, shared his pride in the project.

Local dad Derek Stock was honored by the Tampa Bay Lightning as an AdventHealth Goal Getter during a recent game at AMALIE Arena for spreading awareness about the importance of CPR in the community after he saved the life of his son, Levi, when the boy was struck by lightning.

During a February hard-hat tour of the construction site, Principal Brittney Wilhelm highlighted some exciting features of the new facility. The school will o er an automotive program with a focus on electric vehicles, as well as new programs in cosmetology, culinary arts, Esports and pickleball courts. The 2-story gymnasium will feature an indoor walking track, and the media center will also span two levels.

“We’re excited to open our doors in August with a capacity for 3,500 students,” said Wilhelm, who was hired in November and began her role in January after serving as principal most recently at Je erson High School. “Morgan High will help alleviate overcrowding at Sumner and Lennard high schools, and we are thrilled to see the construction progress.”

“This school is special,” she said. “There used to be a high school in Wimauma, and we are honored to be able to name this school after Aquilla Morgan, a local educator who made such an impact on this community.”

District 4 school board member Patti Rendon also expressed pride in the school’s naming.

“We received over 2,000 suggestions

“My family are migrants, and I grew up just ﬁve minutes from this campus. It’s truly an honor to be part of such an important project for this community,” he said.

Located on an 87-acre site in Wimauma, the new high school will have the capacity to accommodate 3,500 students. In the future, the site will also house an elementary and middle school.

Morgan served Hillsborough County Public Schools for over 40 years. She made history as the ﬁrst Black teacher at Wimauma Elementary, where she taught Head Start, kindergarten, second grade and ﬁfth grade. Known as the “pillar of the community,” Morgan’s dedication to education transformed the lives of many students in the area. She earned her degrees from Hillsborough County Junior College, the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa.

The new high school will o er Cambridge AICE, dual enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP) programs. The school’s mascot will be the Mustangs, with school colors of navy blue and determined orange.

Morgan High School is located at 1712 W. Lake Dr. in Wimauma and will open with grades nine through 11, with a senior class to be added in 2026. For more information, visit www.hillsboroughschools.org.

Two and a half years ago, Levi was struck by lightning while boating near Riverview’s Williams Park. Levi, his parents and another sibling were enjoying an afternoon on their boat but noticed storm clouds o in the distance, so they decided to be proactive and head back in to avoid the storm. When they were getting ready to dock, Stock said he watched as Levi was struck by lightning.

“I saw the strike go through him. Never forget the moment, it’s the most powerful force I’ve ever felt in my life; it just rocked me back sitting on the little center console boat,” Stock said.

Fortunately, Stock was CPR-trained and certiﬁed and saved his son’s life.

“I started compressions and CPR immediately; he wasn’t breathing, he wasn’t responding. My wife dialed 911. In that time, and it kind of felt like an eternity going through that, but it was only four minutes before the ambulance showed up,” Stock said. “My wife stayed there (at the hospital), and at 2 a.m. she texted me, ‘he said three words,’ so that was a blessing, and a prayer answered.”

Levi has since made a full recovery.

Since the incident, Stock has made CPR training and education his mission, and he continues to work across the Tampa Bay area to share how important it is for people to know how to do it.

“You can watch a lot of videos online and see how CPR is done, but I’m so thankful; it was almost like it was second nature,” Stock said. “I really support the goal of the American Heart Association to have

one person in each household trained in CPR. There are things where a perfectly healthy person could need CPR, and you just don’t want to not be equipped.” Stock added that Levi also understands the gravity of sharing what he and his family experienced and spreading the word about how critical knowing CPR can be.

“He recognizes the signiﬁcance and importance of his story and how he can a ect other lives,” Stock said.

As part of Stock and 11-year-old Levi’s special night at the Lightning game, they and the rest of their family received a standing ovation from the crowd of thousands in attendance to see the Lightning play against the Ottawa Senators. Levi was also surprised with an autographed Andrei Vasilevskiy jersey. The Lightning’s star goaltender is Levi’s favorite player.

Hundreds of AdventHealth team members and their families went out to Tuesday night’s game, named Health and Wellness Night, where AdventHealth was the presenting sponsor.

As part of Health and Wellness Night, the AdventHealth FAN ZONE was open in Thunder Alley, allowing families to get up and be active before the game with air hockey and mini golf.

AdventHealth is the o cial health and wellness partner of the Tampa Bay Lightning. For more information, visit https:// campaign.adventhealth.com/lp/florida/ west/sports-partnership/lightning.

Principal Brittany Wilhelm speaks to the media during a hard-hat tour of Aquilla J. Morgan High School.

Freedom Plaza is proud to celebrate that one of its residents, retired Rear Admiral Larry Chambers, is featured in the Smithsonian’s six-part documentary on the Vietnam War, now streaming on Apple TV+. Chambers, a resident of Freedom Plaza for 14 years, is the star of episode six, which highlights his historic contributions to the U.S. Navy.

A pioneer in military history, Chambers was the first African American to command a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and the first African American graduate of the United States Naval Academy to achieve flag rank. His role in the Vietnam War, including his leadership during the rescue of South Vietnamese refugees aboard the USS Midway, is a key moment explored in the documentary.

PREMIER PRO WASH & SEAL PAVES THE WAY TO

“This is an incredible opportunity for a global audience to hear Admiral Chambers’ firsthand account of history,” said Angie Roher, executive director at Freedom Plaza.

“We are honored to have a resident whose legacy has shaped the course of American military history and inspired generations.”

Apple TV+ brings worldwide recognition to Chambers’ story, allowing viewers to see his extraordinary journey of service,

Staff Report

resilience and breaking barriers. His achievements not only mark milestones in naval history but also reflect the challenges and triumphs of overcoming racial barriers in the military.

Chambers is featured in Apple TV+’s Vietnam: The War that Changed America documentary, released on January 31 and narrated by Ethan Hawke.

About Freedom Plaza

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. For more information on Freedom Plaza, visit https://freedomplazafl.com/.

PROFESSIONALLY CLEANED PROPERTIES

Premier Pro Wash & Seal LLC is a veteran and woman-owned business specializing in paver sealing, pressure washing and exterior maintenance for residential and commercial properties. This past January marked the company’s ninth anniversary of serving Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas.

A Business Built on Service and Experience

“We served 20 years in the military before retiring in 2016,” said Jeremy Forrest, co-owner of Premier Pro Wash & Seal alongside his wife, Tiffany Forrest. “After retiring, we decided to go into business for ourselves, and that’s when we launched Premier Pro Wash & Seal.”

With nearly a decade in business, Premier Pro has built a reputation for excellence, offering a wide range of exterior cleaning services, including:

• Paver, concrete and travertine sealing.

• House washing.

• Pool deck, screen and fence cleaning.

• Rust stain removal.

• Soft washing for delicate surfaces.

For areas that require a gentler touch, Premier Pro uses a soft wash method — a lower-pressure spray combined with a chemical mixture designed to kill mold, mildew and spores while preserving surfaces.

“We’ve found that certain exterior surfaces can’t handle heavy pressure,” said Tiffany. “So instead, we use soft washing, which applies a lighter spray with a chem-

By Taylor Wells

ical solution that kills mold and spores at the root. This method not only cleans the surface but also provides a longer-lasting clean.”

Award-winning Service and Customer Commitment

Premier Pro Wash & Seal is dedicated to providing outstanding customer service — from answering calls promptly to maintaining communication throughout the process. Its commitment to excellence has earned it numerous recognitions, including:

• Finalist in Tampa Bay Times’ People’s Choice Best of the Best 2024 for Paver Sealing Services.

• Nominated for Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s Best of the Bay in the Best Residential and Best Commercial Cleaning Company categories.

“Our mission is to provide the absolute best service possible,” said Jeremy. “That means being on time, reliable and responsive. Our customers will never have to worry about whether they can reach us — we answer the phone, and if there’s ever an issue, we’re here to fix it.”

Premier Pro Wash & Seal is located at 7709 Nottinghill Sky Dr. in Apollo Beach. For more information, visit https://premierprowashandseal.com/ or call 813-3352869. Be sure to also follow its social media pages: Facebook at www.facebook.com/ premierprowashandseal, Instagram @premierprowashandseal, X (formerly Twitter) @premierprowash and YouTube at www. youtube.com/c/premierprowashseal.

Freedom Plaza resident retired Rear Admiral Larry Chambers is featured in a six-part documentary on the Vietnam War, Vietnam: The War that Changed America, now streaming on Apple TV+.

Jeremy and Tiffany Forrest, husband-and-wife co-owners of Premier Pro Wash & Seal.

SUMMERFIELD AMENITY CENTER OFFERS A RANGE OF EVENT SPACE OPTIONS

Looking for a convenient venue for a wedding reception or graduation party? The Summerfield Master Community Association in Riverview has opened its doors to anyone seeking an event space.

“It’s quite large — you can ﬁt up to 100 people inside,” said Laura Petty-Green, the association’s o ce administrator. “It features a full catering kitchen with high-quality countertops, a full-sized fridge, and spacious restrooms.”

In addition to the indoor space, a conference room for up to 15 people and an outdoor common area is available with couches, chairs and a pergola providing a welcoming setting for social gatherings. According to Petty-Green, the venue hosted weddings, baby showers and graduations, making it a versatile option for any celebration.

Although the facility has always been available for rentals, recent e orts are aimed at increasing general awareness. Summerﬁeld residents receive discounted rates, while nonresidents can book at a separate price. All rental revenue supports the facility’s maintenance, utilities and overall upkeep.

By Pam Oakes

“It’s a beautiful space with great presentation value,” Petty-Green added. “Plus, it has its own dedicated parking right in front of the venue.”

Located just south of the Big Bend Road and U.S. 301 South intersection, Summerﬁeld is one of Riverview’s older communities, with homes dating back to the 1980s. The amenity center, completed in 2021, was created to serve both residents and the general public. It is adjacent to the residential community center, which features a full-size gym, pools, and workout rooms.

Booking is simple through the community’s website, where potential renters can view pricing, check availability and explore frequently asked questions. Special promotions, such as discounted rates for June and Sundays, provide a ordable options for those planning an event.

“Last year, we did a wine and cheese event and put the little twinkle lights all around the pergola. I mean, it was just really a lot of fun; it’s a great space,” Petty-Green said.

The Amenity Center is located at 13013 Summerﬁeld Blvd., Riverview, FL 33579. For rental inquiries, visit www.oursummerﬁeld. org or call 813-671-2005.

TMS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA NOW OFFERS EFFECTIVE AND FDA-APPROVED THERAPY FOR DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND OCD

TMS of Central Florida, a leading treatment center in Brandon, is o ering cutting-edge therapy to help local residents manage depression, anxiety for those ages 15-plus and OCD for adults using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The therapy is FDA-approved for individuals with depression 15 years and older, making it a safe, e ective option for both teens and adults. Most insurance plans cover the treatment, providing greater accessibility to those in need.

Dr. Charles Devine, M.D.,, owner of TMS of Central Florida is excited about the positive results he is seeing with TMS therapy.

TMS is a noninvasive, drug-free therapy that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain responsible for regulating mood. By enhancing brain activity, TMS promotes neuroplasticity, encouraging the brain to reorganize and improve its function.

Dr. Charles Devine, M.D., who owns Bloomingdale Psychiatric Associates, has been using TMS in his practice for over seven years after conducting indepth research into the technology. He recognized TMS’ potential as a promising treatment for major depression and has since seen encouraging results for anxiety, OCD and more.

“In my 25 years of practice, the last seven using TMS have been the most rewarding,” said Dr. Devine. “We’ve seen

By Marie Gilmore

an 82 percent success rate in patients who complete the full seven weeks of therapy.” Sessions at TMS of Central Florida are conducted in the Brandon o ce under the supervision of a licensed psychiatrist. Each session lasts 1820 minutes, with no medication, surgery or anesthesia involved. There are no negative e ects on cognition, and most patients begin to notice improvements after just fi ve sessions, with signifi cant progress typically seen after four to six weeks of daily treatments. The outpatient treatments fi t seamlessly into daily life, with fl exible appointment times available in the early morning, midday and evening. Dr. Divine is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He attended Stetson University where he earned a Bachelor Degree in Biology. He attended the University of South Florida College of Medicine, where he also completed his residency in General Psychiatry and is Board Certifi ed by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. TMS of Central Florida o ers free consultations and is located at 336 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 813-423-7037, visit www.tmscentralfl orida.com or email Sandi at tmscentralfl @gmail.com.

Tobacco Free Florida's Group Quit Sessions (in-person or virtual) now offer participants $25 - $125 in gift cards for their attendance.*

Group Quit offers free, expert-led in-person or virtual sessions for all Florida residents regardless of insurance status. Upon class completion, participants are eligible for nicotine replacement therapy such as gum, patches or lozenges.**

Pre-registration required Call USF AHEC today at: 813-974-7889

*while supplies last **if medically appropriate for those 18 years of age or older

RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL SEEKS FOOTBALL COACHES FOR GROWING PROGRAM

Riverview

High located in the Tampa/Hillsborough County area, is excited to announce that it is currently seeking passionate and dedicated football coaches to join its thriving 6A football program. With over 100 players, the program is seeking coaches for all positions, o ering opportunities for both experienced professionals and those new to coaching.

The school’s seven-vs.-seven season kicks o in March, and the program is speciﬁcally looking for individuals interested in developing ball skills and gaining experience in play-calling on o ense or defense.

Additionally, Riverview is in search of an experienced high school or college-level defensive coordinator. Ideal candidates should possess a thorough understanding of all 11 defensive positions and have the ability to lead and mentor players. Coaches already part of another program who are looking for an opportunity to coordinate are also encouraged to apply.

A unique aspect of this opportunity is that you do not have to be a teacher to coach. Riverview is ﬂexible in working with individuals whose current job schedules allow them to commit to coaching duties. Practices are scheduled in the afternoons during the spring and early

Sta Report

mornings in the summer and fall to avoid the heat. While teaching positions are not required to coach, Riverview anticipates potential openings for the 2025 school year, including roles in ESE, reading, math, English, science and social studies (note that no P.E. positions are available). Exact job openings will be conﬁrmed in April.

For those with teaching certiﬁcations who are willing to work outside of their primary subject area, there may be possibilities to coordinate.

Substitute teaching opportunities through Kelly Services are available, though nonteaching positions are not expected to open at this time.

For more details or to express interest in joining the Riverview High School football coaching sta , please reach out via text at 813-815-0310 or email Antonio Rodriguez at antonio.rodriguez@hcps. net.

Join a growing football program at Riverview High School and make a lasting impact on the next generation of student athletes.

Riverview High School opened in 1998 and is located at 11311 Boyette Rd. in Riverview.

For 60 years, Junior Achievement (JA) of Tampa Bay has been a guiding force for the region’s youth, preparing over 1.5 million students to achieve their dreams through immersion in experiential learning that teaches ﬁnancial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurship. In the 2023-24 school year alone, Junior Achievement impacted over 46,000 students across the Tampa Bay region through its capstone programs and inschool initiatives.

funding and championed the growth of JA Tampa Bay, embodying his mantra, “Make it happen! Make it fun!”

• Gus Stavros, honoring posthumously, a founding supporter of Junior Achievement, played a critical role in creating Enterprise Village (now known globally as JA BizTown) and helping to launch JA Finance Park.

On March 6, Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay commemorated this incredible milestone with a 60th Anniversary Dinner at the JW Marriott Water Street Tampa. The event celebrated the students whose lives have been transformed and honored the extraordinary individuals and partners who’ve been instrumental in shaping Junior Achievement’s legacy: the 60th Anniversary Diamond Laureates.

Honoring a Legacy of Leadership and Impact

The 60th Anniversary Diamond Laureates have collectively dedicated over 200 years of service to Junior Achievement, embodying leadership, generosity and an unwavering commitment to empowering Tampa Bay’s future leaders.

• Pam Muma, the naming sponsor of JA BizTown, presented by Pam and Les Muma, has supported Junior Achievement for over 20 years. Since its opening in 2006, JA BizTown has served over 250,000 ﬁfth graders, including nearly 20,000 students in the 2023-24 school year alone.

• Alex Sink, former chief ﬁnancial o cer for the state of Florida and a tireless advocate for over two decades, chaired the JA BizTown Capital Campaign to build the Tampa’s Bill Poe Family Junior Achievement Campus.

• Bob Sharp, former chairman of the board for AAA, has been carrying the Junior Achievement ﬂag for over 45 years. As a former JA board chair, he raised

• Michael D. Robertson, former senior vice president of operations for Bright House Networks, has been a dedicated leader for more than 25 years. As chair of the Bright House Networks/JA Invitational, he has helped impact more than 200,000 students and ensured Junior Achievement’s programs reaching new heights.

• John Tomlin, CEO of Tomlin St. Cyr Real Estate Services, has held nearly every leadership position within Junior Achievement over his 30 years of service. A strong supporter of JA Finance Park, Tomlin and his family ensure that students have the tools they need to succeed.

Celebrating Lives Transformed

The evening also featured a powerful student testimonial. Through JA BizTown, JA Finance Park and 3DE Schools, this student’s story highlights the life-changing impact of Junior Achievement’s programs. Following the testimonial, attendees participated in A Bid from the Heart, an opportunity to invest in the next generation and ensure the continued growth of Junior Achievement in Tampa Bay.

“Junior Achievement has been part of Tampa Bay’s evolution, empowering students to build brighter futures and creating ripples of impact throughout the region,” said Richard George, president of JA Tampa Bay.

For more information about the Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay and its sponsorship opportunites, visit its website at jatampabay@ja.org or 813-605-1764.

Alex Sink Bob Sharp Gus Stavros

John Tomlin Michael Robertson Pam Muma

Riverview High School is seeking football coaches for its growing program.

CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH CHAMBER HOSTS FAMILY DAY WITH ANNUAL AWARDS

The Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) celebrated a day of fun and recognition during its Family Celebration and Annual Awards Day on February 22 at the YMCA Camp Cristina. The event featured an exciting lineup of activities, delicious food and the highly anticipated Business of the Year Awards ceremony. The title sponsor of the event was Christopher Ligori and Associates. Additional sponsors included AdventHealth Riverview, Suncoast Credit Union, Tampa Electric Co. (TECO) and The Mosaic Company.

The highlight of the day was the Business of the Year Awards, emceed by Jason Britton. Teams of judges from SCORE interviewed all the applicants.

Finalists in each category included:

• Small Business: Accent American, OEL Heating and Cooling and Vosler Young Artists’ Studio. • Medium Business: Bikes For Christ, Preservation 1st Financial Group LLC and RYT IT Solutions. • Large Business: Brandon Crossroads Bowl, High 5 Inc. and Parwani Law.

The winners of each category were as follows: • Small Business of the Year: OEL Heating and Cooling. • Medium Business of the Year: Preservation 1st Financial Group LLC. • Large Business of the Year: High 5 Inc.

The 2023 winner of the Business of the Year in the small business category, Craig Beckinger with ABC Event Planning, presented the award. OEL Heating and Cooling is a trusted, family-owned and operated HVAC contractor serving residential and light commercial clients throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk and Pinellas counties.

The winners of the 2023 Business of the Year in the medium-size business category, Joe and Melissa Canfield with Grease Monkey, presented the award. Preservation 1st Financial Group LLC is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their financial goals through comprehensive financial, retirement, estate, insurance and college planning. With

expertise in long-term care, life insurance and Medicare coverage, it provides personalized guidance to secure your financial future.

Jeff Campbell, president of CHCC, presented the award. High 5 Inc is a community-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that makes a meaningful difference in lives by offering superior after-school, athletic, aquatic and recreational programs that enhance physical, mental and spiritual well-being for children, teens, athletes, adults and those with special needs.

ed in Ruskin. Canfield, known for her significant contributions to our community, including being previously honored as the Honorary Mayor of Brandon, an active member of the Riverview Woman’s Club and instrumental in the establishment of the Brandon Parade of Lights.

The Margy Watkins Volunteer of the Year award went to Joe Nichols of Trax Credit Union.

The Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce also awards four individual awards each year, including the Joe Eletto Ambassador of the Year, the Margy Watkins Volunteer of the Year, the Shining Star and Citizen of the Year.

The Joe Eletto Ambassador of the Year award went to Melissa Canfield of Grease Monkey.

The 2023 Joe Eletto Ambassador of the Year winner, Lisa Jordan with Accent American, presented this award. Canfield is a dedicated business owner and active community leader. Together with her husband, Joe, she owns and operates Grease Monkey, a full-service automotive repair center locat-

Tammy See, CHCC chair of the board, presented this award. Nichols grew up in Alabama and graduated from The University of Alabama with a double major in marketing and management. He met his wife, Tonya, of 28 years, while volunteering through a college community service club. Nichols was in management for Walmart for over a decade where he launched several new stores in Germany. He next made the switch to finance with Trax Credit Union as a branch manager in Temple Terrace, then moved to Winthrop in Riverview and now is an account executive of business development supporting much of the Tampa Bay area.

The Shining Star of the Year award went to Andrew Graves with MORSECOM.

The 2023 Shining Start Award winner,

By Teri Perkins

Dave Lechuga with Florida Executive Realty, presented this award. Graves is a dedicated professional with a diverse background spanning military service, skilled trades and security technology. Deeply involved in his community, Graves joined the CHCC and quickly became very involved. He has attended nearly every ribbon-cutting ceremony since joining, many times volunteering to read the proclamations.

The Citizen of the Year award went to Lisa Tackus with Align Right Realty.

The 2023 Citizen of the Year, Eleanor Saunders with ECHO, presented this award.

As the owner and operator of two thriving real estate brokerages, Tackus leads with integrity, vision and a heart for mentorship. With over 50 agents in each office, she remains a hands-on leader, always present to guide, support and uplift those around her. Her fair and loyal business practices ensure that both agents and vendors are given equal opportunities to succeed, fostering a culture of professionalism and collaboration.

Following the award ceremony, the 2025 board of directors was presented, including See with OEL Heating and Cooling, chair of the board; Annette Bilyeu with Spectrum Reach, incoming chair; and Artie Wright with Suncoast Credit Union, treasurer. Additional members of the board include Jim Johnson, board emeritus; Ron Akers with FruxPay; Dr. Vanity Barr-Little with VANBAR Holdings; Joel Brown with TECO; Patrick Downes with St. Joseph’s Hospital-South; David Isaacson with Beach Geeks; Dave Lechuga with Florida Executive Realty; John Mayhew with Mayhew Mediations; Gabriel Mbulo with Edward Jones; Jason Newmyer with AdventHealth Riverview; Elena Westrop with Charity Clothing Pickup; and Jeff Campbell, president of the Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce.

For more, visit www.centralhillsboroughchamber.com or contact the CHCC office at 813-234-5944.

Photos courtesy of Dave Lechuga Florida Executive Realty, and Max Barrow, CHCC.

Medium Business of the Year: Preservation 1st Financial Group LLC.

The Citizen of the Year Lisa Tackus with Align Right Realty (center).

Small Business of the Year: OEL Heating and Cooling owners Chad and Tammy See (center).

Marie

813-657-2418

editor@ospreyobserver.com

813-657-2418 twells@ospreyobserver.com

813-657-2418 libby@ospreyobserver.com

813-657-2418 bandrew@ospreyobserver.com

MAJOR INTERSECTION OVERHAUL BEGINS ON U.S.

301 AND

GIBSONTON DRIVE, EXPECT DELAYS FOR 140 DAYS

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) began a significant intersection improvement project on U.S. 301 last week, which is expected to take roughly 140 days to complete. The project will be finished in phases, with the first phase expected to last approximately 21 days, weather permitting.

By Brian Bokor

FDOT’s contractor, Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, will be replacing the asphalt pavement at the U.S. 301 and Gibsonton Drive/Boyette Road intersection with concrete. Ajax will also repave U.S. 301 from Whitt Road to Rivercrest Drive.

Drivers can expect delays at the intersection of U.S. 301 and Gibsonton Drive/Boyette Road for 140 days during intersection improvement construction. e rst phase will last approximately 21 days.

tra c delays and congestions” during the project and along all nearby roads during the closure, with FDOT urging drivers to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and expect congestion, especially during peak hours.

During phase one, northbound and southbound U.S. 301 travel lanes will be reduced through the intersection with Gibsonton Drive just west of U.S. 301, completely closed until approximately Friday, March 21. However, the interstate ramps at Interstate 75 and Gibsonton Drive will remain open during the closure, so motorists should use Big Bend Road (County Rd. 672) and U.S. 301 as alternate routes.

Motorists will need to detour around the closure using Riverview Drive, U.S. 41 and Symmes Road. Those traveling east of the intersection can use Rhodine Road, Balm Riverview Road, McMullen Road or Boyette Road as alternate routes. Access to businesses, residents and emergency vehicles will be maintained.

When complete, the intersection improvements will have two left-turn lanes from westbound Boyette Road onto southbound U.S. 301, two through lanes from westbound Boyette Road across U.S. 301 and one rightturn lane from westbound Boyette Road onto northbound U.S. 301.

Motorists should anticipate “signiﬁcant

From Kris Carson, FDOT spokesperson, “The project is replacing asphalt with concrete due to the high volume of truck trafﬁc. Concrete pavement will be more durable and will have a longer life than asphalt. This also reduces maintenance operations at the intersection due to the heavy volume of tra c.”

“We’re going to close Gibsonton Drive just west of U.S. 301, so if you’re traveling o I-75, you can get o the exit, but you will not be able to cross over U.S. 301. We are also reducing some of the travel lanes on U.S. 301. There’ll be only two northbound and two southbound open,” said Carson.

Once the work on the western side of the U.S. 301 intersection and southbound U.S. 301 lanes is complete, the project will then shift to the eastern half of the U.S. 301 intersection — Boyette Road — and northbound U.S. 301 lanes, where a similar process will be followed. The estimated completion date for the project is near the end of July.

For more information on this project or to sign up for tra c alerts, visit www. fdottampabay.com or call 813-975-6204.

RECOGNIZING EARLY SIGNS OF DEMENTIA: A LAWYER’S GUIDE TO NEXT STEPS

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

As an elder law attorney, I often meet families who wish they had recognized the signs of cognitive decline sooner. While occasional forgetfulness is normal with aging, certain patterns might indicate a need for medical evaluation and legal planning.

Key Warning Signs To Watch For

Memory changes that disrupt daily life often appear gradually. Watch for:

• Di culty managing monthly bills or makig basic calculations.

• Getting lost while driving to familiar places.

• Struggling to follow or participate in conversations.

• Making poor decisions about money or personal safety.

• Withdrawing from social activities and family gatherings.

Why Early Legal Planning Matters

When families notice these signs, taking prompt legal action becomes crucial. As cognitive decline progresses, a person’s legal capacity to make decisions about their care and finances may become compromised.

Essential Legal Steps To Consider

Here are key legal documents to discuss with your loved one while they can still participate in the planning:

1. Durable power of attorney, which allows your loved one to choose someone to manage their ﬁnances and legal matters.

2. Health care surrogate designation, which names someone to make medical

decisions if they become unable.

3. Living will, which documents their wishes for end-of-life care.

4. Revocable trust, which can help manage assets and avoid guardianship.

e Importance of Timing

In my law practice, I have seen how early planning can help families avoid crisis situations. Once someone loses capacity, their legal options become much more limited and expensive. Starting these conversations early gives your loved one the opportunity to express their wishes and maintain control over their future care.

Taking Action Together

If you notice concerning changes in a loved one’s cognitive function, encourage them to seek a medical evaluation. You can also encourage them to contact an elder law attorney to discuss legal planning options. At the Law O ces of Laurie E. Ohall, P.A., we can help guide your family through this challenging transition with compassion and ease.

Don’t wait until a crisis forces your hand. Call us at 813-438-8503 to schedule a consultation. Together, we can create a plan that protects your loved one’s wishes and provides peace of mind for the whole family.

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.

With rising construction costs impacting the housing industry, Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County recently received a generous donation toward its mission of helping local residents achieve their homeownership dreams. Global architecture and design ﬁ rm Gensler’s Tampa o ce presented a check for $147,500 to the nonproﬁ t that will go toward completing the Habitat home for local resident Hector Ortero-Reyes and his family.

new home later this year, said he’s thankful to the volunteers whose e orts are helping him achieve greater stability and a brighter ﬁnancial future.

“It is amazing seeing people being generous with their time and money, and not expecting anything in return,” said Otero-Reyes, who lives with his wife and two young children. “Owning a home is an investment in our future. I’m happy that my kids will have their own rooms and a safe place to play outdoors.”

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. TMS of Central Florida 813-423-7037

Visit our websites Tmscentralflorida.com or NeuroStar.com or contact us at 813-423-7037 for more information.

“As we navigate a changing industry, our commitment to providing a ordable housing has not wavered. We’re grateful for community partners, like Gensler Tampa, who share in our commitment and donate their time, talent and treasure toward making homeownership a reality for so many,” said Tina Forcier, CEO at Habitat Hillsborough.

Following the presentation, Gensler Tampa sta volunteered to help paint and install doors and trim on the three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath townhome and other Habitat townhomes adjacent to it. Candidates qualiﬁ ed to purchase a ordable homes through Habitat Hillsborough’s homeownership program, which includes contributing at least 300 hours in ‘sweat equity’ toward the builds alongside Habitat volunteers. Otero-Reyes, who will receive keys to his

Gensler Tampa has been a longtime supporter of Habitat Hillsborough and recognizes the organization’s impact on the community beyond building homes.

“We recognize that Habitat does more than build homes; it builds strong communities that foster a sense of belonging,” said Sarah Joubert, principal and co-managing director of Gensler’s Tampa o ce. “We hope that this donation can support the individuals and families in need of a ordable housing and o er hope and stability for the next generation of homeowners. We’re excited and privileged to sponsor such a meaningful project where we can see our collaboration make a positive, indelible impact.”

Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County is located at 8247 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa. For more information, visit www.habitathillsborough.org.

A KID’S PLACE BUILDS NEW EXTENDED STAY HOME FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE

A Kid’s Place has been helping children who are in foster care since 2009. The center provides a safe, loving and nurturing home for foster children. Its vision is to create, implement and sustain a program which raises the standard of residential care for foster children. It allows sibling groups to stay together as they begin to heal from the trauma they’ve endured.

This past January, A Kid’s Place opened the doors of its ﬁrst extended stay homes for teens and young adults who have aged out of foster care.

“Our extended foster care home is for youth ages 18-22 who have aged out of care,” said A Kid’s Place’s development director, Samantha Mellen. “We expanded services in 2020 with a home for young ladies and this second home will be for young men aging out of foster care. We recently ﬁnished our updates; it has been completely renovated inside with new ﬂooring, paint, kitchen, bathrooms and a new roof.”

The new home will serve young men aging out of foster care from A Kid’s Place or Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco counties.

“We have a dedicated independent lining coordinator that will assist them as they focus on the next phase of their life be it work, trade, college or military in a safe and stable environment,” Mellen said.

Once a child turns 18, they are considered to be ‘aged out’ of the foster care system. What happens next for them isn’t always

By Libby Hopkins

so hopeful and clear. That’s why A Kid’s Place is proud to o er its unique Extended Foster Care services.

“We renovated the home with the help of grants from several community partners that are passionate about helping youth aging out of care,” Mellen said. “As of now, two young men who were residing at A Kid’s Place, they both recently turned 18 and now are living in the home. We can have up to four young men living in the home.”

Mellen and the team at A Kid’s Place want children who have aged out of foster care to know they are there to help them.

“We want them to know that they are not alone during this next phase of adulthood and will have the opportunity to learn the responsibilities that goes with becoming an adult in a safe place,” Mellen said. “Each young man will realize they can take their time exploring the path that is best for them.”

A Kid’s Place’s next project will be to break ground on a new 12,000-square-foot activity center in March that will provide more space, classrooms and opportunities to better serve the children in its care.

If you would like to learn more about A Kid’s Place or donate to it, you can visit its website at https://akidsplacetb.org/ or call 813-381-3839. A Kid’s Place is located at 1715 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon.

The Valrico/Fishhawk Chamber of Commerce (VFCC) is excited to host its fourth annual VFCC Kickball Tournament, sponsored by Edge Pools, on Saturday, April 5, at YMCA Camp Cristina in Riverview. The event will run from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and promises a day of fun for participants and spectators alike.

Her, so come out, have fun and support this amazing local cause.” Organizers are still seeking base sponsors, teams, players and volunteers to ensure the tournament’s success. This family-friendly event is open to participants ages 14 and older.

Each year, the chamber designates a ‘Charity of Choice’ to beneﬁt from the tournament’s proceeds. The 2024 event raised funds for Raining Cats and Dogs Shelter and Sanctuary, and this year the goal is to surpass that total.

The 2025 Charity of Choice is Hope for Her, a local nonproﬁt that o ers women in crisis and trauma a safe space to rebuild their lives with strength, support and resources.

“We’re excited for another incredible tournament this year,” said Mike Neill, mortgage professional and kickball chair. “All proceeds will go directly to Hope for

The Valrico/Fishhawk Chamber of Commerce plays a vital role in supporting local businesses and nonproﬁts through networking, business education and community involvement. With over 350 members, the chamber fosters meaningful relationships that help businesses grow while promoting a ‘know, like and trust’ approach to networking.

For more information on registration or sponsorship opportunities, contact Michelle Leahy at michelle.leahy@tampaymca.org or Mike Neill at kickball@ valricoﬁ shhawk.org. YMCA Camp Cristina is located at 9840 Balm Riverview Rd. in Riverview.

A Kid’s Place opened the doors of its rst extended stay homes for teens and young adults who have aged out of foster care.

SELAH FREEDOM SAFE HOUSE: A CRITICAL FIRST STEP IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING RECOVERY

By Marie Gilmore

In the heart of Southeast Hillsborough County, the Selah Freedom safe house stands as a beacon of hope for survivors of human tra cking, providing a crucial ﬁrst step toward healing. Serving as the ﬁrst point of recovery for victims across a six-county radius, the safe house has even welcomed individuals from other states, thanks to collaborative e orts and outreach.

“Our survivors often arrive here directly from the courts, the FBI or even the Department of Homeland Security,” said Angela Valenti, assessment coordinator for Selah Freedom. “Our goal is to offer them a place to heal for six to eight weeks before they transition into our 12 to 18-month residential program, with the ultimate aim of graduation.”

Valenti, who is herself a survivor, graduate and now an employee at Selah Freedom, brings a personal understanding to her work, speaking directly to the survivors with compassion and empathy.

During a recent visit to the safe house, Thomas and Mary Abraham toured the facility on behalf of their church, St. Mark’s Mar Thoma Church in Tampa.

“We’ve always been passionate about community service,” said Thomas. “Our church members are eager to get involved with a neighborhood mission.”

The Abrahams are no strangers to volunteer work, having also contributed time to A Kid’s Place and Forgotten Angels in the area. As part of their involvement with Selah Freedom, they are exploring ideas for enriching classes for residents, including cooking, art, music therapy and even ﬁtness classes. They also noted the ongoing need for donations of personal toiletries and other necessities, in addition to fundraising for expanded programs.

Founded in 2010, Selah Freedom o ers ﬁve core programs: awareness, prevention, outreach, residential and consulting. The organization provides vital education and support services to individuals a ected by human and sex tra cking. In addition to its residential campus and assessment home, Selah Freedom o ers free education and outreach to schools, law enforcement agencies and partner organizations across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee, Polk and Pasco counties.

Since its inception, Selah Freedom has supported 6,853 survivors and educated over 72,000 children and adults on trafficking awareness and prevention. The name ‘Selah’ is derived from Hebrew, meaning to pause, rest, and reflect — a fitting representation of the organization’s mission to give survivors a space to heal and rebuild their lives.

For more information or to ﬁnd out how to get involved, visit https://selahfreedom.com/.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY STATE OF EMERGENCY ORDERS HAVE ENDED

The local state of emergency orders enacted late last year in response to hurricanes Helene and Milton have expired as of February 3.

The county has been under a local state of emergency since the ﬁrst order was issued on September 23, 2024, in response to the impending Hurricane Helene, followed by an additional order to cover the needs incurred by Hurricane Milton. The orders were renewed every seven days and allowed the county to enter into contracts and conduct business with vendors in a more streamlined manner to meet critical recovery needs in a timely fashion. The orders also clariﬁed restrictions on price gouging by businesses and cleared the way for residents to seek support and relief in their individual recovery e orts.

Hillsborough County’s declaration of a local state of emergency followed emergency declarations by the federal government and the State of Florida.

Declaring a local state of emergency allowed Hillsborough County access to funding to prepare for and clean up after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The disaster recovery response involved picking up and disposing of nearly 5 million cubic yards of natural and manufactured debris ranging from vegetation to drywall, including cherished personal items.

According to county o cials the cleanup was virtually complete as of January

By Brad Stager

31, with more than 4,810,705 cubic yards of debris that was hauled o by the equivalent of 111,484 truckloads to collection sites around the county.

Hillsborough County Assistant County Administrator Kim Byer said the scope of the cleanup after Hurricanes Helene and Milton required a great deal of cooperation to achieve success.

“Planners have learned how crucial communication and coordination is amongst the numerous stakeholders involved when there is a signiﬁcant debris generating event,” she wrote in an email. “There were a number of di erent departments as well as municipalities that pulled together their resources, expertise and experience to ensure we could carry out a successful debris operation.”

With no local state of emergency in place, conducting business with vendors will be done under regular guidelines, which includes any lingering hurricane remediation e orts. The county’s emergency operations center will revert to its regular routine of monitoring local conditions. Residents can continue to ﬁnd disaster-related information, such as recovery resources, at https://hcﬂ.gov/, where they can also sign up to receive emergency messages on their electronic devices.

The 2025 hurricane season begins Sunday, June 1.

Selah Freedom operates a safe house for human tra cking survivors in the Southeast Hillsborough County area.

e local state of emergency orders enacted in response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton helped facilitate Hillsborough County’s massive recovery and cleanup e ort. (Photo courtesy of Hillsborough County Facebook page.)

FOUR ROTARY CLUBS AND LOCAL FAMILY VOLUNTEERS TO BRING AID IN LA PAZ, HONDURAS

The FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Club has traveled to Honduras for the last six years to help families in need. On January 9, it returned again with 11 volunteers from three other Rotary clubs (Brandon Eco South, Rotary Club of Brandon and Chanhassen Evening Rotary Club). This group o ered aid to those in need in La Paz, Honduras. The project was led by Honduras Compassion Partners, a service organization located in Maryland. It has a mission house in La Paz.

This group of 11 volunteers (Dr. Kimberly Tyson, Katie Tyson, Bree Tyson, Christopher Jones, Debbie Meegan, Paul Enberg, Debbie Odom, Tammy Barta, Ed Odom, Deborah Amlaw and Robert Leydon) accomplished a lot within the week they were in Honduras. They built a house for a family within three days, built four latrines for four di erent families and installed and instructed on the use of 12 ﬁltration systems within 12 separate homes. They also fed the poorest community within La Paz, twice, over an open ﬁre. They built one pila, which is a water collection unit, so that families could have access to plumbing. They helped with a clothing giveaway for a community

By Ashley Abene

in the mountains of that area in conjunction with the Rotary Club of La Paz. They painted the inside of an elementary school. They also began construction of a school on the property site of Honduras Compassion Partners.

Dr. Tyson; her partner, Jones; and Dr. Tyson’s two daughters, Katie and Bree, were some of the volunteers on this trip, and they felt it was important to participate as a family to help those in need.

Dr. Tyson said of this trip, “My family went on this trip together not only to do something meaningful but also to connect with one another and have fun. It was a lot of hard work but very rewarding to help my daughters see and understand how fortunate they are and that there is a greater good in the world to be done for those that are not as fortunate. Our FishHawk-Riverview Club is continuing to collaborate with the Rotary Club of La Paz in Honduras with another grant through Rotary International for this year to raise a total of $67,000 for needed supplies to construct a water well for a high school in La Paz, 100 water ﬁltration systems, 60 pilas and 60 latrines.”

ECHO VOLUNTEERS CAN HELP RAISE MONEY AT THE VALSPAR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

ECHO will beneﬁt from the Valspar Golf Championship for the ﬁrst time this year, with some of the proceeds from the event going to the organization.

Valspar will host its annual golf tournament from Monday, March 17, through Sunday, March 23, in Palm Harbor. Volunteers who sign up to work the championship can join a team — one of which is ECHO. For every shift worked by a volunteer on ECHO’s team, ECHO will receive $60.

Steve McKinnon, ECHO’s development manager, said it was possible for ECHO to beneﬁt from the fundraiser this year because of its new fundraiser schedule. Now, ECHO has the time to dedicate to raising awareness and gaining volunteers who can attend the tournament.

“Once you start going west into Tampa, almost nobody knows about us,” McKinnon said. “So, with this tournament being up in the north part of the county and giving people all over the greater ﬁve-county area, opportunities to volunteer for us when they register.”

On top of the donations, the tournament will have a 15 percent match made possible by Copperhead Charities. Birdies for Tampa Bay Charities is partnering with ECHO and the Valspar Championship as well.

McKinnon said his goal is the tournament

By Lily Belcher

helps raise $6,000 for the organization. And volunteers do not have to be immediately associated with ECHO to join ECHO’s volunteering team, called TEAM25.

“This tournament opportunity does give us a chance to have people way outside of our geographic-limited service areas to contribute to ECHO by just volunteering at a fun golf tournament,” he said.

McKinnon said it gives ECHO supporters the opportunity to volunteer outside the Brandon area.

“They may have heard of us, but they don’t get an opportunity to come volunteer at any of our four centers that we have over here,” he said.

ECHO has two emergency centers and two thrift stores, one of each in Brandon and one of each in Riverview.

The money donated to ECHO from its volunteers’ involvement will fund ECHO’s three core goals, including helping families ﬁnd stable housing and preventing homelessness for families at risk of homelessness.

McKinnon encouraged people to sign up to volunteer on ECHO’s TEAM25 as soon as possible.

To sign up to volunteer for the tournament on ECHO’s TEAM25, visit the website https://trusteventsolutions. com/event/140/home.

\ Valspar Championship will donate some proceeds to ECHO to help local families.

A group of Rotary volunteers feeding some in the La Paz, Honduras, community with a nutritious meal.

On January 9, members of several Rotary clubs traveled to La Paz, Honduras, to help people in need.

SIGN UP FOR ALERTS TO AVOID FRAUD AND SCAMS COMMUNITY SUPPORT HELPS LATITUDES TOURS REOPEN

In recent years, the Tampa Bay area has ranked among the top-rated areas to visit and live in, but the region also holds another high-place distinction that is not so well known but has as much consequence on daily life here as the much-touted sunshine.

As far as law enforcement o cials are concerned, the Tampa Bay area is one of the hottest spots for crimes involving fraud. According to FBI numbers, the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area was the third-most active Florida metro area for fraud cases in 2023, and the Sunshine State itself earned the top spot among the 50 states for fraud and scams in 2024.

Popular scams by thieves include stealing property by ﬁling fraudulent documents, draining bank accounts through identity theft or misrepresentation and even impersonating law enforcement ofﬁcials to extract money over nonexistent summons for jury duty.

Florida’s large population of senior citizens is targeted for scams like Medicare fraud as well as faked scenarios, known as the grandparent scam, whereby a family member or friend is reported to them as needing bail money.

Protecting the elderly of Sun City Center is part of Master Deputy Je ery Mer-

By Brad Stager

ry’s beat as that community’s resource deputy. He emphasized that individuals can do a lot to protect themselves.

“The 2 most important things to do are to 1 educate yourself and 2 independently verify anything received (phone call, email, text, messenger, mail, etc),” he wrote in an email.

Merry also rec-

ommends watching out for malware that can take over a computer in a click and, if that happens, to shut down the device and let an expert look at it. Scams involving unqualiﬁed or fraudulent contractors are also a problem in a region where disastrous weather can create a huge demand for repairs.

One way that homeowners can protect themselves from a fraudulent takeover of their property is by signing up for alerts with the Hillsborough County clerk of courts. Doing so means you will be notiﬁed by email or phone whenever documents using your name or the name of your business are recorded with the clerk.

You can learn more about the clerk’s fraud alerts by visiting www.hillsclerk. com or calling 800-728-3858. If you think you have been a victim of fraud, you can ﬁle a report with the Hillsborough County Sheri ’s O ce online at www. teamhcso.com or call 813-247-8200.

Latitudes Tours, located in Ruskin, is o cially back on the water and ready to welcome guests for an unforgettable adventure.

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

While the hurricanes of 2024 brought unexpected challenges, including damage to boats and the loss of buses, the dedicated crew, a skilled boat builder and the incredible community support have helped Latitudes Tours reopen just in time for spring.

Though the storms presented obstacles, the overwhelming encouragement from the community made its return possible. The tour boat has been fully restored to its original condition, and the waterways along the tour routes are clear, ensuring a smooth and scenic ride.

“We want to say thank you to everyone in the community who reached out to check on us, donated to our fundraiser and those who were able to join us for a tour again,” said Nancy Lopez, owner of Latitudes Tours. “We truly appreciate the support and are proud to be part of such an awesome community.”

Guests can once again experience Latitudes Tours’ fully narrated boat tours, where expert guides share the rich history of the estuary and its diverse wildlife. While sightings can’t be guaranteed, dolphins, manatees, alligators and a variety of native and migratory birds are fre-

quently spotted along the route. The calm waters and breathtaking views create a relaxing and immersive experience, perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and families alike.

With safety as a top priority, the team has ensured that the boat has undergone a thorough inspection and that all equipment, from life jackets to emergency communication devices, is in top condition.

“Ensuring the safety and enjoyment of our guests is our top priority, especially as we recover post-hurricane,” Lopez said. “Guests can feel conﬁdent knowing that we are committed to maintaining the highest safety standards while delivering a fun and informative tour.”

Latitudes Tours operates Tuesday through Sunday and can be booked online. Guests can check real-time availability on the Latitudes Tours website or call for the latest updates on weather conditions. While the closure was di cult, it reinforced just how much Latitudes Tours means to the community and how much the community means to it. With the waterway open and new memories waiting to be made, guests are encouraged to book a tour, soak in the beauty of Florida’s coastal wildlife and support a local, family-owned business.

For more information or to book a tour, please visit https://latitudestours.com/.

e team at Latitudes Tours is excited to get you back out on the water and experience the wildlife.

BEEF & SEA BRINGS TASTE OF NEW ENGLAND TO WINTHROP

In the summer of 2023, the St. Hilaire family took an annual trip to the New Hampshire area, where they are from. They spent that summer enjoying time with family and the local New England food. While enjoying the food during that trip, Dan and Linda St Hilaire realized they wanted to bring a taste of New England to the Tampa Bay area. After six months of prepping, on January 11, 2024, Beef & Sea opened its doors to the Riverview area, bringing that taste of New England with it.

By Ashley Abene

whole belly clams are shipped from a source in Maine. Besides seafood and beef, this restaurant has all kinds of food on its menu, like pastrami sandwiches, baby back ribs and a good selection of options for the kids.

RESIDENTS GET PREVIEW INTO UPCOMING FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION

By Marie Gilmore

Beef & Sea is a family-owned and operated restaurant. The day-today of the restaurant is run by Dan and Linda St. Hilaire with their daughter, Jenn; son, Josh (who runs the social media aspect); and granddaughter, Jordynn.

What sets Beef & Sea apart as a restaurant in the area is the o erings of New England charms, such as whole belly clams, New England fried shrimp, scallops, haddock and the North Shore roast beef sandwich (which is served with James River barbecue sauce). Most restaurants in Florida do not serve whole belly clams but rather clam strips. The

Beef & Sea has a seating capacity of 75-90 people and an outdoor seating capacity of 24. It can accommodate larger groups for reservations with advance notice. It is also a pet-friendly setting, o ering outdoor seating and free pup cups for dogs.

For more information about Beef & Sea, visit its website at https://beefandsea.com/ or its Facebook page at www. facebook.com/beefandsea. It can also be reached by phone at 813-853-9058. It is located at 6022 Winthrop Town Centre Ave. in Riverview and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

During the month of March, if a customer mentions this article, Beef & Sea will honor a 10 percent discount for menu orders.

In February, residents, business owners and local o cials gathered at The Regent in Riverview for a preview of the upcoming Florida legislative session. The event, part of the Good Morning Brandon program, was hosted by the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Livingstone Academies, The Regent, TECO, RSA Consulting and Raulerson Castillo & Company. It provided businesses with an opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with elected representatives.

Among those in attendance were State Representative Danny Alvarez (District 69) and Daniel Leyte-Vidal, district director for Congresswoman Laurel Lee (District 15).

Alvarez is working on keeping our state and county safer.

“The big thing that I am concentrating on is making and keeping Florida ultimately safer,” he said. “You can’t have economic growth if we think the state is insecure.”

One of the big proposals Alvarez is taking to Tallahassee is the idea of consolidating 911 call centers.

“I’m proposing we give 911 operations to the sheri ’s o ce so that people don’t have to be transferred between departments in an emergency,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez also emphasized his continued advocacy for veterans, ﬁ rst responders and safe school bus transportation.

Representing Lee, Leyte-Vidal outlined some of the major projects coming to the district, with a focus on transportation.

“We are bringing 15 projects into the district and we are mainly looking at transportation projects. Our district covers three counties, so we are looking at road widening and tra c projects and identifying the roads that need the most help,” he said.

In addition to transportation, Alvarez touched on e orts to stabilize insurance costs, attract more businesses to Florida and regulate artiﬁ cial intelligence to ensure it enhances productivity without displacing jobs.

The 2025 legislative session began on March 4 and will run for 60 days.

For more details, visit the website at www.ﬂ senate.gov.

State Representative Danny Alvarez (District 69) (left) and Daniel Leyte-Vidal, district director for Congresswoman Laurel Lee (District 15).

Stop in at Beef & Sea and meet owners Jennifer, Linda and Dan St. Hilaire.

ECHO’S CLOSET NOW AT HCA BRANDON TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY CLOTHING

HCA Florida

Brandon Hospital has partnered with the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) to provide clothing essentials to patients in need. These patients may have had their clothing damaged in emergency care, be homeless and/or are in need support from the community.

Nurses and hospital staff at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital now have resources available on-site through a partnership with ECHO of Brandon.

Brandon Hospital now has ECHO’s Closet located in its emergency department. It provides clothing of all sizes for men, women and children.

“At ECHO, we are bridging the gap between crisis and stability every day. Creating a patient clothing closet at Brandon Hospital is simply one more way for ECHO to show the community our heart. We feel grateful that Brandon Hospital has joined our cause to give patients access to much needed clothing. After emergency care, people face many challenges to recover and return to their daily lives. We feel that we have a partner in Brandon Hospital in this process,” said Annmarie Macaluso, ECHO store manager.

“It’s important that when a patient is being discharged that they are looking and feeling their best. By providing clothes, especially for patients whose clothes were severely damaged in emergency care or to those who just don’t have a clean outfit, we feel like we connect better with the community. We want to take care of their health but also their overall well-being. Not only does ECHO’s Closet connect them

Staff Report

with clothing when they are in need, but we are able to guide patients to the great resource we have in this community with ECHO,” said Dr. Sergio Martinez, emergency room physician at Brandon Hospital.

Clothing donations can be dropped off at one of the ECHO Thrift locations: ECHO North at 424 W. Brandon Blvd. and ECHO South at 815 W. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon. Financial donations can be provided at https://echofl.org/give-today/.

ECHO was founded in 1987 in partnership with the Brandon Ministerial Association and the business community. It was created so churches and others could send people in need to one central location. ECHO was originally housed at a local firehouse and only provided emergency food and clothing. At this time, volunteers staff it completely.

The hospital is located at 119 Oakfield Drive in Brandon. For more information, visit www.hcafloridabrandonhospital.com.

HCA Florida Brandon Hospital is also one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2025, according to new research released by Healthgrades, the No. 1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital. This achievement reflects Brandon Hospital’s unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care and puts the organization in the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance.

LOCAL GOLFER CHERYL BUSCIGLIO HITS RARE PAIR OF HOLE IN ONES DURING RIVER HILLS TOURNAMENT

In the 10 years Cheryl Busciglio has been playing golf at River Hills Country Club, she has never scored a hole in one. Much less two.

That is until the beginning of February.

Busciglio hit a pair of holes in one during a club tournament event she was playing in with some friends.

“Everybody’s excited,” she said. “We’re all happy and never expecting for it to happen again.”

There is a one-in-67million chance of someone scoring two holes in one in the same round.

“I was just stunned and just couldn’t believe that it happened again because for it to happen once is, like, crazy itself,” she said.

Busciglio, 73, switched to golf after tennis began taking too heavy of a toll on her knees. Golf is a little easier on the body, she said.

She said her favorite part of the sport is getting to be outside with friends.

“Just getting out and being among everybody and out in the sunshine,” she said. “It’s a hard, but fun, game.”

She plays two or three times a week, typically in the morning at the club.

The club’s head golf professional, Eric

By Lily Belcher

Pacana, said they’ve seen two holes in one on the same day, but never from the same person.

“[Busciglio] plays a pretty good amount of golf, but even she was just kind of amazed at what just happened,” said Pacana.

Pacana said they recognized her at the tournament and have broadcast her accomplishment all over social media.

He said the monthly tournament at the golf club, including both men’s and women’s groups, hosts around 65-70 players.

“It’s just an awesome feat,” he said. “It’s something that not many people can ever say that they’ve had. … It’s a pretty cool experience to have at our club.”

Busciglio will continue to play in monthly tournaments, but she said she is not expecting to hit another pair of holes in one again.

“It’s always just for fun,” she said. “It’s just for fun.”

For more information about River Hills Country Club, located at 3943 New River Hills Parkway in Valrico, or to join the club, visit www.riverhillscountryclub. com or call 813-653-1554.

Cheryl Busciglio hit two holes in one at the beginning of February, a rare feat.

11TH CARDINAL ROOFING CLAY SHOOT BENEFITS WE ARE THE ESSENTIALS

Registration is now open for the 11th annual Cardinal Roofing Clay Shoot, scheduled for Friday, March 28. This funﬁlled day includes sporting clays, a full barbecue, a silent auction and a ra e.

The event will kick-o at 11:30 a.m. at FishHawk Sporting Clays, 13505 Hobson Simmons Rd. in Lithia. The fee of $250 per person or $800 per team includes 50 clays, goody bag, shirts, sells, lunch, a golf cart and beer “after the guns are put away.”

The tournament’s tagline is “Shoot for those who shot for us,” and all proceeds will beneﬁt We Are The Essentials, a group of former law enforcement o cers and former military service members, now private investigators, who are providing search and recovery for families with missing loved ones in an e ort to bring answers to those families. With a motto of “No one left behind,” this self-funded organization recently became a 501(c)(3) corporation, accepting donations and rewards on solved cases to o set the cost of investigations and purchase equipment.

“They are absolutely incredible and an asset to our community,” said Rachael Andrews of Cardinal Rooﬁng.

The group gained notability after assisting in the Gabby Petito-Brian Laundrie case and have successfully located many missing persons in local high-proﬁle cases.

By Sharon Still

These talented individuals who volunteer their time and resources have one goal: making a di erence and helping families locate their loved ones.”

To learn more about We Are The Essentials, visit www.wearetheessentials.com.

Presented by Cardinal Rooﬁng, the organizers are grateful for the returning sponsors and are looking for additional sponsorships, ra e baskets, silent auction items and swag bag items. Join sponsors Chick-ﬁl-A, Phillips Creative, JF Kicks, DH2 Building Associates and others as they give back to the community.

Donations may be dropped o at the Cardinal Rooﬁng o ce, located at 1312 Orangewalk Dr. in Brandon, between 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“We can’t wait to celebrate year 11 with you,” added Andrews.

Cardinal Rooﬁng is a huge supporter of area schools and other local organizations.

“Giving back and being a part of the community where we live, work and raise our families in is very important to us,” commented Cardinal Rooﬁng owner Bridget Jenkins.

“This community has supported Cardinal Rooﬁng going on 30 years, and we will continue to give back to the community we call home.”

Find out more and sign-up at www.girlroofer.com or by calling 813-689-7663.

mmartin@riverhillscountryclub

e Cardinal Roo ng Clay Shoot is a family a air for Cardinal Roo ng owner Bridget Wilson (center) with her sister, Cassie Jenkins, and mom, Debbie Jenkins.

COUPLE SHARES TIPS FOR NICU FAMILES AFTER 5 MONTH STAY

Amber Vassell’s life revolves around her family and her mission to support other neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents. A mother of three — Avery (6 years old), Austen (3 years old) and Aliyah (5 months old) — Amber has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for parents navigating the challenging journey of having a baby in the NICU.

Amber and her family moved to Riverview from Atlanta, Georgia, two years ago. Amber’s husband, a senior compensation analyst by trade, is also a motivational speaker who has spent over a decade helping people elevate their lives. Together, the Vassells have been entrepreneurs for more than 12 years.

Amber herself runs Mamapreneur Life, a coaching and consulting business dedicated to helping moms transform their mindsets, master time management and create systems to thrive as entrepreneurs while balancing family life.

Recently, their daughter, Aliyah, was born prematurely and spent the first five months of her life in the NICU at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital. On February 4, exactly five months to the day she was born, Aliyah came home, marking a significant milestone for the Vassell family. She was born in early September at 26 weeks, weighing only 1 lb., 6 oz. Previously, their second child, Austen, was also born prematurely at 25 weeks and spent 118 days in the NICU.

“Parents with a baby in the NICU face nu-

By Kelly Wise Valdes

merous challenges,” said Amber. “Time is a major challenge — many parents feel stretched thin trying to juggle hospital visits, work and home responsibilities. Understanding medications and medical procedures can also be overwhelming, especially when faced with complex terminology and critical decisions.”

With their most recent experience, Amber felt the calling to help other parents through creating The NICU Navigator, a physical guide designed to provide parents with essential information, practical tips, a glossary of medical terms, journaling prompts and guidance on balancing home life while advocating for their baby.

The Vassell family is currently competing in the ‘Stan’s Dare To Dream Challenge,’ which has a grand prize of $140,000. Winning this contest would not only alleviate any incurred ﬁnancial burdens but also allow them to dedicate more time to their family and their mission.

“Winning this contest isn’t just about alleviating ﬁnancial burdens — it’s about reclaiming precious time with our daughter, soaking in every moment without the weight of bills overshadowing our journey,” said Amber. “But more than that, it’s about purpose. This experience has ignited a deep calling within us to serve other NICU parents who ﬁnd themselves on this unforeseen path.” Follow @av_dynasty on Instagram or email thenicuexplained@gmail.com.

RIVERVIEW SHOWROOM HAS LATEST FLOORING TRENDS

Deciding on the perfect flooring for your decor and budget can be an overwhelming task, but thanks to the professionals at FlooringMaster Riverview, it can be a breeze. With more than 20 years of expertise, the goal at this onestop shop for flooring is to make every flooring project a seamless and satisfying experience.

“Our process starts with a consultation to understand the customer’s needs, lifestyle, budget and the speciﬁc area where the ﬂooring will be installed,” said Riverview store manager Diego Pineda.

When it comes to ﬂoor coverings, FlooringMaster has it all: carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic tile, vinyl and specialty products, such as bamboo and slate, from manufacturers in North America and all over the world.

At the showroom — or ‘inspiration center,’ as the associates call it — customers can explore and visualize how di erent ﬂooring options will transform their spaces.

“This focus on inspiration and local expertise is a cornerstone of our approach,” Pineda explained.

For those who wish to tackle the installation process themselves, rest assured that the team at FlooringMaster will o er their skilled advice throughout the entire process.

“We do more than just sell ﬂooring —

By Sharon Still

we guide DIYers through selecting all the materials they need for their projects and tips to ensure a successful outcome,” Pineda added.

FlooringMaster o ers a ﬁveyear warranty on its products and uses only premium materials and meticulous craftsmanship in its installations, ensuring peace of mind for customers.

The ﬁve-year warranty, its emphasis on customer service and its expert consultations are a few of the ways FlooringMaster sets itself apart from others in the industry.

“We focus on delivering quality over quantity, ensuring that each customer’s speciﬁc needs are met,” said Pineda. “What really sets FlooringMaster apart is our deep understanding that our customers aren’t just looking for ﬂooring — they’re seeking inspiration and a partner they can trust.”

In addition to the Riverview store, FlooringMaster o ers its top-quality products and exceptional customer service across its Orlando, Tampa and Apopka locations.

FlooringMaster Riverview is located at 11531 Balm Riverview Rd. at the corner of McMullen and Balm Riverview roads. Its store hours are 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. from Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday. For further information, call 813714-7232 or visit www.ﬂooringmaster.com.

Once you and your spouse retire, you’ll have some decisions to make — decisions that could a ect your quality of life in your retirement years. What are these choices?

Here a few of the most important ones:

potential spousal bene t will be reduced. (Spousal bene ts are given to the lower-earning spouse if their full retirement bene t is less than half the other spouse’s full retirement bene t.)

• How much should you withdraw from your retirement accounts? By the time you retire, you may have contributed for decades to an IRA and a 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. But once you retire, you’ll probably need to draw on these accounts to help pay your living expenses. Consequently, both of you will need to be sure that you don’t withdraw so much each year that you risk running out of money later in your retirement. One common guideline is to aim for an annual withdrawal rate of 4%, but everyone’s situation is di erent based on age, pre-retirement income, lifestyle, health, travel plans and other factors. (Once you turn 73, or 75 if you were born in 1960 or later, you will have to take certain amounts, based on your age and account balance, from your traditional IRA and traditional 401(k) each year.)

• Should you downsize? If you live in a big home and your children are grown, you may nd it economical to downsize. Of course, this is also an emotional decision, but you may nd that you can save money by moving into a smaller home.

• Where should you live? Some states are far more expensive to live in than others. You’ll want to weigh your decision carefully, considering the cost of housing, food, income and real estate taxes, transportation and health care in whatever state you choose.

• Have you nished your estate plans? If not, now is the time. You’ll want to work with your legal professional to create whatever documents are needed — a will, living trust, power of attorney — to help ensure your assets go where you want them to go, and that your nancial and health care choices will be protected if you become physically or mentally incapacitated.

Of course, many of these same issues will apply if you are single, divorced or widowed. But if you are married, you and your spouse will want to discuss all your choices and then decide which steps to take. Once you’ve got your plans in place, you may well nd that you can fully enjoy your retirement years.

• When should you take Social Security? e answer to this question depends on many factors, such as your age and other sources of income. You can take Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly payments will typically be bigger if you wait until your full retirement age, which will be age 67 if you were born in 1960 or later. And if you can a ord to wait even longer, your payments will “max out” when you reach age 70. Your decision on when to take Social Security can a ect your spouse — and vice versa. If the lower-earning spouse claims Social Security before their full retirement age — again, age 67 — their own retirement bene t and any

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, its employees and nancial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or quali ed tax advisor regarding your situation.

FlooringMaster Riverview manager Diego Pineda and his team, Michelle, Ashley and Melissa, o er their expertise to those in search of new ooring for their home or business.

e Vassell family is helping others navigate their journey through NICU after bringing home their baby, Aliyah, from HCA Florida Brandon Hospital.

WATERSET FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM WILL PLAY IN THIS SUMMER’S JUNIOR OLYMPICS

Blaise Williamson, the Waterset 49ers quarterback, will lead his team to the inaugural flag football Junior Olympics game in Texas.

He is a second grader and an athlete with the Under the Lights Flag Football League in Apollo Beach.

His mom, Marya Williamson, said her son has thrived in the league and the team has gotten progressively better.

“Nobody anticipated them winning, and they just kept winning every single game,” she said.

They qualified for the Junior Olympics in December 2024, placing second in the first through second grader age group.

Williamson’s husband, Jason, coaches the team. She said he helped lead the team through his coaching strategies and compassion.

“He just loves coaching,” Marya said. “He loves being a positive influence in the kids.”

The Junior Olympics will be hosted in July. Marya said it’s all the 11 young athletes talk about.

“They’re super excited,” she said.

She said that during the season, the team would lose and become the underdogs going into the tournament.

“It’s not mean, but they’ll say, ‘We’re going to get our revenge today,’” Marya said.

By Lily Belcher

“They just have that grit about them, and they don’t like to lose.”

She said being the underdog fueled them to win.

Under the Lights Flag Football is a national youth league for flag football players in prekindergarten through eighth grade.

The Waterset 49ers include both rookies and more seasoned players, like Blaise, who started playing flag football at the Riverview YMCA in VPK.

Being part of the team allowed Marya’s son and other young athletes to make close friendships through their shared love of the sport.

“It’s really cool to see the bonds that they’ve developed overtime and that’s what is pretty remarkable about them,” Williamson said.

She said, since joining the team, the kids have grown a lot and learned skills they’ve even brought into the other sports they play.

In preparation for the Junior Olympics trip to Texas in July, the team has started a GoFundMe, to help raise money for the trip.

The team is hoping to raise $29,000.

You can follow the team on Instagram @49ers_flagfootball.

The Waterset 49ers team of first and second graders will attend the Junior Olympics this summer in Houston, Texas.

By Libby Hopkins

The Impact Program has a passion for educating teenagers in the benefits of choosing healthy lifestyles and relationships and encouraging them to avoid high-risk behaviors, such as drugs, alcohol and sexual risk avoidance.

As a local nonprofit, it has been serving Hillsborough County for more than 20 years, speaking with teenagers in both private and public middle and high schools, local churches and community organizations. At a time when drug abuse and sexually transmitted diseases are escalating, it is Impact’s vision and passion to educate, equip and empower students to avoid high-risk behaviors and establish strong, healthy relationships.

Impact’s eighth annual fundraiser, the Impact’s Got Talent Competition, will take place on Friday, April 11, from 6:30-9 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church in Thonotosassa. Auditions for grades K-12 will be held on Sunday, March 9, from 1-5 p.m. at Dance Quest International in Brandon. All acts must be three minutes and under. Contestants selected for the event will be asked to pay a registration fee of $15 per person (solos and duets) or $10 each for groups of three

or more to help offset the cost of trophies and prizes.

“We are excited to have Impact’s Got Talent Competition back for another year,” said Impact’s executive director, Angie Kagey. “It brings awareness to the Impact Program, which I love, and it brings so many students together to show off their talents. The students will compete for prizes, but the grand prize winner will receive $250.”

Impact serves the community in multiple venues, such as public and private middle and high schools, churches and community organizations. The organization offers a variety of programs for teens, parents and teachers.

“Impact’s Got Talent Competition will help us raise the necessary funds we need for our operating expenses and our Summer Staff Program,” Kagey said. “Everyone who participates loves this event and we’ve had students go on to be local artists. It really has been a great experience for the contestants to showcase their talents.”

If you would like to audition for the Impact’s Got Talent Competition or attend the event, you can register on Impact’s website, www.whatisimpact.com.

Fellowship Baptist Church is located at 13515 U.S. 301 in Thonotosassa. Dance Quest International is located at 853 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon.

Valentine’s Day in downtown Tampa was filled with romance as 37 couples celebrated their love by exchanging vows. On February 14, in Joe Chillura Courthouse Square, Hillsborough Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller Victor D. Crist officiated the annual Valentine’s Day ‘Tie the Knot’ ceremony.

Valentine’s Day is a popular date for couples to marry, and many preregistered for their marriage licenses at the Hillsborough Clerk’s Office in the weeks leading up to the event. During the ceremony, each couple exchanged vows, and afterward they were presented with a special commemorative marriage certificate. The official certificate of marriage will be mailed to each couple within one week, and the clerk waived the usual $30 ceremony fee.

“We perform marriage ceremonies

every day, but Valentine’s Day holds a special place for many couples. We’re honored to make their dream of a Valentine’s Day wedding come true in such a beautiful setting,” said Crist. Crist, who has an extensive career in public service, previously served as a state senator for 10 years and as a state representative for eight years. He also served as a Hillsborough County commissioner for eight years, playing key roles such as treasurer of the Tampa Aviation Authority.

As one of Hillsborough County’s seven elected constitutional officers, Crist oversees more than 1,000 statutory responsibilities. His office, with over 700 employees, is the second-largest of the county’s constitutional agencies. For more information about the services offered by the clerk’s office, visit www.hillsclerk.com.

Impact’s eighth annual fundraiser, the Impact’s Got Talent Competition, will take place on Friday, April 11, from 6:30-9 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist in Thonotosassa

Love was in the air in Tampa on Valentine’s Day as 37 couples exchanged vows to get married by the clerk of circuit court, Victor D. Crist.

ENTREPRENEUR LEANNE CRABTREE RELEASES HER SECOND NOVEL

LeAnne Crabtree is known in the Brandon community as ‘The Cookie Lady’ because she is the owner of LeAnne’s Old Fashion Cookies. Crabtree has a servant’s heart for the community, as she is always willing to help when asked, but when God laid it upon her heart to share her personal story with the community, Crabtree became an author.

Local Businesswoman and mentor LeAnne Crabtree launched her newest book, e Encourager at e Plant City History & Photo Archives. If you would like order a book or contact her, visit https://leannecrabtree.com/.

By Libby Hopkins

needed things in our society.”

Crabtree’s new book is called The Encourager , and she launched it on Thursday, March 6, at The Plant City History & Photo Archives.

ISAIAH 117 HOUSE PROVIDES PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO CHILDREN IN NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY

By Libby Hopkins

Her ﬁrst book, God Has a Sweet Tooth , was met with rave reviews, and it laid the path for Crabtree to become a mentor and life coach.

“I never expected all of this to happen and it has been an amazing journey,” Crabtree said. “God helped me every step up the way to write my ﬁrst book and to becoming a mentor.”

“In the book, I lay out and tell stories of encouragers in my life along the way who have lifted me up, who encouraged me, inspired me, through the good times and bad time,” Crabtree said. “I also lay out some of the principles and some of the characteristics of how to be an encourager to others. Through this, you are going to gain inﬂuence, you’re going to lift people up and you’re going to make an impact.”

Crabtree hopes her new book will help those who read it.

Isaiah 117 House is a new, local nonproﬁt that has joined the Tampa Bay community.

When children are removed from their homes out of concern for their safety, they are usually brought to a child welfare services o ce to await placement. This wait can be a few hours to several days. These children often have nothing with them and are scared, lonely, hungry and in dirty clothing. Isaiah 117 House’s purpose is to help these children.

Crabtree was yet again motivated by God to continue her journey as an author.

“God, my father and my husband, the three most important men in my life, said I needed to write my second book,” Crabtree said. “The last few years have been rough for a lot of people. Encouragement right now is one of the most

“A lot of people are walking around hurt, worried, scared and nervous,” she said. “Encouragement is a big deal, but also we have the opportunity to be those encouragers for those in need.”

For more information or to order her book, visit https://leannecrabtree. com/. The Plant City History & Photo Archives is located at 106 S. Evers St. in Plant City.

environment while waiting to learn their fate. That is when she believed God put in her heart the idea of creating Isaiah 117 House. The nonproﬁt got its name from the Bible verse Isaiah 1:17, which says, “Defend the cause of the fatherless.”

“Isaiah 117 provides a comforting home where these children instead can be brought to wait,” said Kayla Bain, Isaiah 117 House’s location leader for Hillsborough County. “The home is a place that is safe with friendly and loving volunteers who provide clean clothes, smiles, toys and snuggly blankets. This space allows children to receive the comfort and care they need while child welfare sta can do the necessary paperwork and identify a good placement.”

Isaiah 117 House was originally started by Rhonda and Corey Paulson of Tennessee. The couple started the nonproﬁt after they went through training to become foster parents. During that class, the couple was informed that when children are removed from their homes, they often must go to the DCS o ce and wait for placement. As Rhonda looked around the cubicle-ﬁlled space, she couldn’t imagine a scared child sitting in such a sterile, cold

The couple opened their ﬁrst Isaiah 117 House in Tennessee in 2017. Since then, the Paulsons have been opening Isaiah 117 Houses all over the United States. They currently have homes in Sarasota, Orlando and now Tampa.

The mission of Isaiah 117 House is threefold process. The ﬁrst is to reduce trauma for children awaiting placement. Secondly, lighten the load for child welfare services. Thirdly, to ease the transition for foster families.

“We are new nonproﬁt to Hillsborough County and our latest Isaiah 117 House is being built just 15 minutes outside of the Brandon community,” Bain said. “We are looking to the Brandon community to help with donating items to help our children feel more at home during their time at an Isaiah 117 House as well as spread the word about our mission and what we do for children who are transitioning into foster care.”

If you would like to learn more or become involved with the organization, visit www.isaiah117house.com or contact Bain at 813-428-2966.

ince

STORIES H E MORE TH N ONE CH PTER.

THE B MOR R

Isaiah 117 House is a new and local nonpro t that has joined the Tampa Bay community, providing foster children with a safe, loving and comfortable environment where they can wait until they are placed in a foster home.

FLO RIDA AND GRAND FUNK RAILROAD SIZZLE AT BUSCH GARDENS FOOD &

Get ready to tantalize the taste buds and groove to the beat!

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced new details about the 2025 Food & Wine Festival and Concert Series, including the debut of new culinary cabins, exciting headlining artists and — new this year — concerts on Fridays.

Taking place Fridays through Sundays from Friday, March 7, through Sunday, May 18, the festival is included with regular park admission. New this year, headlining concerts will be held every Saturday, with additional performances on select Fridays and Sundays. Guests can also enjoy immersive photo opportunities, roaming atmosphere performers and additional activities on nonconcert event dates.

WINE

FESTIVAL

for

This year’s festival will serve up all-new culinary creations influenced by the vibrant spices and bold flavors of the Caribbean and India, as well as feature returning fan-favorites spanning the cuisines of South America and Europe. With a diverse selection of dishes to pair with wines, craft brews and cocktails, every bite offers a delicious new adventure for food lovers to explore. The best way to savor the festival is with a festival sampler lanyard, allowing guests to enjoy multiple tastes throughout their visit.

The can’t-miss Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival and Concert Series features

an exciting lineup of musical acts spanning a variety of genres, ensuring there’s something for every taste. From high-energy performances to fan-favorite artists, the festival brings an unforgettable concert experience to the stage. This year’s musical performances lineup includes:

• Flo Rida — Saturday, March 15.

• Luis Fonsi — Saturday, March 22.

• Mitchell Tenpenny — Sunday, April 27.

• Grand Funk Railroad — Saturday, May 10.

Guests can stay tuned to our website and social media channels for the latest updates, as even more artists will be announced soon — there’s always something new to look forward to. Best of all, concerts are free with park admission, making it easier than ever to enjoy incredible live music while savoring the festival’s delicious offerings. With chef-curated and mixologist masterpieces, live concerts, plus thrills like Phoenix Rising and the all-new Wild Oasis opening this spring, there’s never been a better time to become a pass member.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure, offering 300 acres of fascinating attractions based on exotic explorations around the world. For more, visit https://buschgardenstampa.com/. Staff Report

Lanyards

food and wine samplings are now available for the 2025 Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival.

ALL NEW CAMPS OFFER MANY FUN OPTIONS TO KEEP KIDS ACTIVE

Spring is almost here, and summer is just around the corner. That means it’s time to start signing up for exciting summer camps o ering everything from learning experiences to outdoor fun, performing arts and more. The Osprey Observer team has rounded up the best local summer camps and put together a special pullout section with top recommendations for this season. Whether your child is into music, theater, sports, coding or outdoor adventures, there’s something for every interest and age group.

AND

Got a budding performer in the family? Music Showcase allows kids ages 5 and up to shine in musicals hosted by the Florida Academy of Performing Arts. The Straz Center’s Patel Conservatory also o ers a variety of arts programs, including dance, theater and music, with over 50 camps and classes to choose from.

For a fun, active summer, 5th Dimension Dance Center features ﬁeld

ENGAGED THIS SUMMER

trips and themed weeks, with both half-day and full-day options. Easterseals School for Limitless Learning provides specialized camps for neurodiverse families, o ering an inclusive and engaging environment.

If your child loves the outdoors, Circle F Dude Ranch, Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center and Busch Gardens o er traditional summer camp experiences, with overnight options available. Brandon’s High 5 Inc. has a thrilling summer lined up, including safaris and exciting ﬁeld trips. The local YMCAs — Campo Family YMCA in Valrico, North Brandon Family YMCA in Se ner, Spurlino Family YMCA in Riverview and YMCA Camp Cristina in Riverview — feature camps that mix fun with valuable learning opportunities.

Sports enthusiasts can level up at Buckhorn Springs Racquet & Pool Club’s specialty camps or join Tampa Dynamo FC for soccer training.

Kinovo School, a newcomer to the community, is o ering camps at four local locations this summer.

For martial arts, Sidekicks Martial Arts Camp teaches kids self-defense, discipline and provides plenty of fun while staying active. Kids ‘R’ Kids Circa FishHawk o ers both full and halfday camps, with weekly ﬁeld trips and exciting themes for kids of all ages.

To keep their minds sharp, Mathnasium o ers summer learning opportunities, while Skill Samurai and Code Wiz host coding, robotics and gaming camps, with options for all experience levels in Roblox, Minecraft and more.

For full details — including dates

April 27 10am to 4pm

and registration information for all of these camps — check out our special section and start planning your child’s best summer yet! And don’t forget to enter our Summer Camp Sweepstakes! The Osprey Observer will cover the cost of a week at the summer camp of your choice. Simply email us with the subject line “Summer Camp Free” at contest@ospreyobserver.com to enter. Think we missed a fantastic camp? Let us know by emailing us at editor@ospreyobserver.com. With so many exciting summer camp options, get ready for a fun and unforgettable summer 2025!

Sta Report

High 5 Inc. is gearing up for its highly anticipated annual summer camp, set to begin on Tuesday, June 2, and run through Friday, August 8. This year’s exciting theme, Summer Camp Safari, will feature a blend of indoor and outdoor activities, along with fun-ﬁlled ﬁeld trips.

“Our goal is to inspire young athletes, foster teamwork and promote a love for physical activity,” said Jada Spano, vice president of operations. “This summer camp o ers a dynamic environment for children to stay active and develop new skills.”

Campers can enjoy a ﬂexible schedule with drop-o starting at 7 a.m. and pickup running until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The camp costs $165 per week.

Participants are asked to bring their own snacks, lunch, a change of clothes and a towel. Swimsuits and closed-toed shoes are required daily.

Throughout the camp, children will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of sports and activities.

“Our skilled and dedicated coaches will guide campers through training sessions, teaching fundamental sports skills and

helping them enhance their techniques,” Spano said.

The camp will maintain a low student-to-teacher ratio, with approximately 25 students per instructor. In addition to sports, campers will engage in creative crafts, such as making banners to showcase their personal values. Teamwork and sportsmanship will be emphasized as campers work together toward common goals and cheer each other on.

Daily activities include options like swimming and diving, outdoor ﬁelds, the playground, the gymnasium, Gamer’s Grotto, arts and crafts and STEM-based projects.

High 5 Inc., a nonproﬁt organization, is dedicated to promoting after-school programs that support students in learning to swim and providing special education through recreational activities.

Located at 405 Beverly Blvd. in Brandon, o State Road 60, High 5 Inc. o ers a welcoming environment for campers. For more information or to register for the summer camp, visit https://high5inc. org/ or call 813-689-0908.

Cedarkirk is a yearround Presbyterian camp and conference center established in 1971, and it’s gearing up again with plenty of outdoor activities and events for guests and campers on its 170 acres of woodlands, wetlands and uplands.

“Our mission statement is ‘to be a place apart to build up the body of Christ in love.’ … Summer camp is a big part of that, in the sense that we really just want kids to have a place where they can be loved and nurtured and cared for, and grow into the person they were created to be and feel conﬁdent doing that,” said Matthew Shick, executive director of Cedarkirk.

From Sunday, June 8, through Friday, August 1, Cedarkirk will host its summer camp programs, which include residential summer camps, the Challenge to Change mission program and the return of its Adventure Day Camps.

At its residential summer camps, campers spend six days and seven nights in family groups — groups of campers with their counselors. It has programs for everyone from ﬁrst through 12th grade, as well as adult and intergenerational programs.

In the Challenge to Change program, youth groups will spend a week at camp participating in o -site, hands-on missions

By Taylor Wells

with fact-finding opportunities to increase awareness of poverty and social justice issues. Cedarkirk’s adventure-based, faith-focused day camp is one of its newest programs, first o ered last year. Starting on Monday, June 9, campers — current kindergarteners through fifth graders — will be in family groups and have fun playing outside, making friends, growing in their faith and trying out new adventures, like zip-lining, arts and crafts, shark tooth hunting, swimming and so much more. And at $230 a week, Cedarkirk’s day camp is an a ordable option.

“I would say the biggest things that have changed in the last couple years … would be the addition of the day camp and then trying to put a greater emphasis on partnerships with organizations and nonproﬁts that can use this space and help forward their own missions,” said Shick.

And for those new to Cedarkirk, the Spring Fun Day is a great, free opportunity to get to know it. On Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., For those who’ve been to Cedarkirk before, the cost is only $16.

Cedarkirk is located at 1920 Streetman Dr. in Lithia, near the Alaﬁa River. Visit https:// cedarkirk.org/ or call 813-685-4224.

MATHNASIUM SUMMER PROGRAM HELPS DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Summer is the perfect time to give your child’s brain a boost. Mathnasium believes that learning math doesn’t have to stop when school’s out. Its summer programs are designed for students from pre-K through 12th grade, making sure every child has a chance to stay sharp, build conﬁdence and even enjoy the process of learning.

Mathnasium’s personalized approach ensures that each child gets the right support. Whether your child is in elementary school working on building a strong foundation, a middle schooler looking to catch up or get ahead or a high schooler tackling advanced math, its expert instructors will tailor lessons to ﬁt their needs. Mathnasium helps students not only understand math concepts but also feel more conﬁdent when approaching them. It knows that summer is all about having fun, which is why we make our math sessions engaging and interactive. For younger kids, we use hands-on activities

Sta Report

and games that make learning feel like play. For older students, we challenge them with problems that keep their minds sharp and help them get ready for more advanced work ahead.

In addition to improving math skills, Mathnasium focuses on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and study habits — skills that will beneﬁt your child in every subject, now and in the future. Whether your child is simply reviewing concepts or preparing for more challenging coursework, Mathnasium’s summer program ensures they will be prepared for the next school year. Give your child the gift of conﬁdence and growth this summer. Visit the Riverview center, located at 13388 S. U.S. 301, or call 813-565-1102. You can also visit www.mathnasium.com/riverview to get started and see how Mathnasium changes lives through math.

Circle F Dude Ranch Camp, a beloved institution located in Lake Wales, is more than just a summer camp. The ranch was founded in 1952 as a traditional sleepaway summer camp for girls and boys ages 6-16 rooted in a classic dude ranch experience. Owned and operated by Reed Fischbach, the camp o ers a year-round haven for adventure and education. Since its inception, Circle F has been a destination for outdoor enthusiasts, school groups and families seeking a unique experience.

During the summer, Circle F becomes a bustling hub of activity, welcoming approximately 200 campers per session. These sessions are evenly split between boys and girls, creating a balanced and inclusive environment. Campers can look forward to a wide array of activities, including horseback riding, waterfront activities, arts, team and individual sports, ax throwing and climbing towers. The ranches activities are designed to build character and foster individual growth through experiences for all the campers.

Fischbach’s passion for running Circle F is evident in his day-to-day interactions with campers. “I enjoy walking the grounds and meeting the campers,” said Fischbach. “It’s always interesting learning about why they love Circle F, and they ask great questions.”

By Kelly Wise Valdes

What sets Circle F apart from other camps is its commitment to quality and professionalism. The camp boasts yearround, highly trained professional sta , a pristine private lake and a private herd of over 50 horses. These elements contribute to the camp’s unique charm and appeal.

Looking ahead to the summer, Fischbach is excited to highlight several new upgrades and improvements.

“We have been upgrading facilities and revamping the riding program with new horses and tack,” he noted.

This dedication to continuous improvement ensures that returning campers and new visitors alike will have an enhanced experience.

As Circle F Dude Ranch Camp prepares to celebrate its 74th summer, Fischbach is eager to share this milestone with the community.

“We operate year-round with outdoor education programs for school groups and group rentals of 50 to 250 people,” said Fischbach. “We’ve had some groups that have been coming for 40 years.”

Visit https://circlefduderanchcamp.com/ or contact the o ce directly at 863-6764113. The camp is located at 5301 Dude Ranch Rd. in Lake Wales.

MARTIAL ARTS, PERFORMANCE, CODING & SLEEP AWAY CAMP

e Patel Conservatory With 100 Plus Camps & Classes

The Straz Center’s Patel Conservatory

o ers arts education courses and programs in dance, theater and music, with 100-plus camps and classes available. Running from Monday, June 2, to Friday, August 1, full and half-day camps are available weekly for ages 3-18. The cost varies depending on the camp; ﬁnancial aid and scholarships are available. For more information, visit www.patelconservatory.org or call 813-222-1040.

Sidekicks Family

Martial Arts

Sidekicks Family

Martial Arts is excited to announce registration for its Powerful Kids Summer Camp. This action-packed

camp is open to rising kindergarten through fifth graders and includes daily age and developmentally appropriate martial arts training, a wide range of activities and exciting on-campus field trips. There are options available for the full summer or a flexible Pick

Your Weeks option. Secure your spot for as little as $49 upfront.

Tampa Dynamo FC O ers Soccer Fun

Get ready for an action-packed week of soccer fun at Tampa Dy-

namo FC’s summer camp. Designed for players of all skill levels, the camp focuses on skill development, teamwork and passion for the game through engaging small sided games and activities. Camp will be held at the Summerﬁeld Sports Complex in Riverview from June 2-6, from 8a.m. until 11a.m. Spots are limited, visit wwwTampaDymanofc. com for more information and to register.

Code Wiz Coding & More

Code Wiz, located at 16132 Churchview Dr., Ste. 105, in Lithia, teaches coding and robotics to children and embraces the Montessori approach to learning, which means its camps are hands-on, student-driven and designed to foster curiosity and independence.

Campers are encouraged to explore, problem-solve and create at their own pace, with guidance from coaches to support their individual learning journeys. Camps will run throughout the summer from Monday, June 2, to Friday, August 1, and are available for mornings, afternoons or full days.

Visit its website at https:// thecodewiz.com/fishhawk-fl for more information and to register.

Compiled By Jenny Bennett

5th Dimension Dance Center O ers emed Weeks & Field Trips

5th Dimension Dance Center is o ering fun-ﬁlled, action-packed weeks for kids from ages 3-12 years. There will be daily dance classes, games, arts and crafts and weekly ﬁeld trips for full-day campers. There are a wide range of themes, including boogie boogie, superhero, tutus and tiaras. Visit its website at www.5thdimensiondancecenter.com or call 813-643-

5332 for additional information and to register. 5th Dimension Dance Center is located at 3239 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico.

Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center Day & Overnight Camps Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center, located on 170 acres of woodlands, wetlands and uplands near the Alaﬁa River, will have summer camps starting on Sunday, June 8, and ﬁnish on Friday, August 1. Campers can sign up for a week or the whole summer. Cedarkirk offers overnight camps for

STEM, PERFORMING ARTS, DUDE RANCH CAMP & SUMMER SAFARI

older students which run Sunday through Friday and day camp, and younger campers in grades one through three can attend a shorter three-day camp. Day camp is available for campers who have completed kindergarten up to those who have completed ﬁfth grade and is priced at $230 per week. Day campers must bring their own lunch. Cedarkirk is located at 1920 Streetman Dr. in Lithia and can be reached at 813685-4224. For more information and to register, visit https:// cedarkirk.org/.

Skill Samurai STEM, Robotics, Game Design & More

Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind summer camp that combines fun with future-ready skills? Skill Samurai Summer Camps o er kids ages 7-14 hands-on experiences in coding, robotics, game design and STEM activities. Through engaging, project-based learning, your child will develop critical thinking, creativity and conﬁdence while building real-world tech skills. Whether they’re creating games, programming robots or exploring 3D design, Skill Samurai makes learning exciting. Give your child the ultimate summer adventure — sign up today. Skill Samurai is located at 931 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon. Visit its website at https://skillsamurai.com/ﬂ-brandon.

High 5 Inc. Offers Fun Summer Camp Safari

Brandon’s High 5 Inc. is inviting students to embark on an exciting and adventurous journey where your child will experience the thrill of Summer Camp Safari, kicking o on Monday, June 2, and running through Friday, August 8. Daily activities will include pool time, outdoor play, ﬁeld games, arts and crafts and more, including ﬁeld trips.

Music Showcase And e Florida Academy Of Performing Arts

Camp is o ered Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. at High 5 Inc., located at 405 Beverly Blvd. in Brandon. Campers can sign up for individual weeks or throughout the entire summer. To learn more, visit https://high5inc.org/ or call 813-6890908.

Music Showcase and the Florida Academy of Performing Arts will host their annual summer camp this summer. The Music and More and Musical Theater camps will immerse campers into acting, singing, dancing and more throughout the summer. In Musical Theater camp, campers will learn to work collaboratively, the art of stage character, voice projection, props and working with a set. The Music and More camp has full and halfday camps with instrument, art, acting and singing activities. Music Showcase is located at 402 Oakﬁeld Dr. in Brandon. For more information, visit https://faopa. org/.

Compiled By Jenny Bennett

one to three-week sleepaway camp sessions. Kids range in age from 6-16.

Of all the summer and overnight camps in Florida, there’s only one Circle F Dude Ranch. If you’re looking for a horseback riding camp near you, then look no further. But that’s not all — Circle F also o ers unique Western Fun activities you won’t ﬁnd anywhere else. Of course, it’s a traditional sleepaway camp, so it has all the sports boys and girls love, plus extreme adventures, like paintball and skateboarding, and its Alpine Climbing Tower, zip line and high ropes course.

Circle F Dude Ranch has arts and theater, and you know its Florida, so it has excellent water sports too.

Circle F Dude Ranch

Circle F Dude Ranch, located in Lake Wales, welcomes boys and girls from all over the United States and the world for

How can Circle F be described? It’s Florida’s best, most exciting, kid-friendly dude ranch experience. For details about the camp, https://circlefduderanchcamp.com/

YMCA, BUSCH GARDENS, KINOVU, NEURODIVERSE CAMP & MORE

Compiled By Jenny Bennett

Easterseals School For Limitless Learning — Inclusive Summer Camp For Neurodiverse Learners

Get ready for an exciting and inclusive adventure designed speciﬁ cally for neurodiverse young learners and those with other disabilities in kindergarten through second grade. Packed with hands-on and interactive STEAM activities, it’s a supportive space where every child can explore, grow and thrive. Each session has a di erent theme, with topics including such things as Ocean Explorers, where campers dive into the wonders of the deep blue sea, and LEGO Builders, where campers engage in building challenges, teamwork exercises and imaginative play using LEGO bricks. The Easterseals School for Limitless Learning is located at 2460 Bloomingdale Ave., Ste. 170, in

able for eight weeks from Monday, June 16, to Friday, August 8, with morning, afternoon and all-day sessions available.

New To Area Kinovu School Offers 4 Locations

The theme of summer camp at Kinovu School is ‘Where Summer Adventure Meets Education,’ and the goal of the educational program at Kinovu School is to nurture autonomous, lifelong learners because learning autonomy has been proven to be a key determinant of life success. Camps are for all ages and are available all day from 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Your child will explore, learn and grow at Kinovu School, which is located at 3105 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Lithia. For more information, visit https://kinovuschools.com/ or call 813-654-2124.

YMCA Summer Camp

With over 25 di erent summer camp options throughout the Tampa YMCA area, there’s something for every camper to enjoy.

From art and gymnastics to zip-lining and splashing in its pools, the Y is the ultimate summer destination with friends, fun and adventure. Summer camps start on Monday, June 2, and run all summer. Register online at https://tampaymca.org/letscamp.

interests. One of the reasons to choose Busch Gardens as your summer camp include it being accredited by the American Camping Association, meaning parents can trust that the camp meets high standards for safety, staff training and program quality. Also, campers get to enjoy the adrenaline rush of rides as well as the unique opportunity to meet animals up close. Beyond the fun, camp-

Busch Gardens Offers Camps For Students K-12th Grade

For more than 25 years, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has provided children with inspiring, exciting and educational experiences through some of the best Tampa summer camp options. There are a wide variety of Summer Day Camp options to fit your child’s grade level and

ers experience activities that are both enriching and educational, providing a well-rounded experience. Visit Busch Gardens’ website at www.buschgardens. com for additional information.

CAMP WITH US!

With over 25 different camp options throughout the Tampa YMCA area, there’s something for every camper to enjoy! From art and gymnastics to ziplining and splashing in our pools the Y is the ultimate summer destination. Summer Camp starts June 2nd!

MATHNASIUM SUMMER, KIDS ‘R’ KIDS, RACQUET CLUB & MORE

Kids ‘R’ Kids Offers Wanderlost Summer Camp & Field Fun Field Trips

Who’s ready for the ultimate summer adventure? This year, Kids ‘R’ Kids is your passport to fun. Each week, its Wanderlost Summer Camp will whisk your child away to an exciting new destination where they’ll explore fascinating cultures, discover amazing animals and dive into hands-on adventures. From epic games to creative projects, every day is a new journey of imagination and discovery. Kids ‘R’ Kids is located at 5815 Kids Crossing Dr. in Lithia. Additional information can be found at https://kidsrkids.com/ or by calling 813-797-5497.

is a fun and engaging way for your child to keep up their math skills and prepare for the year ahead. It has a proven teaching method that results in true understanding and increased conﬁ dence, along with reward opportunities and more.

Visit the Riverview center, located at 13388 S. U.S. 301, or call 813-565-1102. You can also visit www. mathnasium.com/riverview.

Buckhorn

Springs Racquet Club

will run all summer from Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-12 Noon, starting Monday, June 2, and ending Thursday, August 7.

Early drop-o is at 8:30 a.m. and late pickup is at 12:30 p.m. The price per week is $185 with sibling discounts, multiweek discounts and an early-bird discount. Advanced/

Compiled By Jenny Bennett

tournament players have a full-day option, including match play and video analysis. Tennis shoes are required. Visit www.buckhornracquet.com for more information.

Mathnasium Riverview

There’s no better time for kids to catch up and get ahead in math than during the summer break. Summer at Mathnasium

Do you have a budding tennis player? Sign them up for summer camp at Buckhorn Springs Racquet Club, located in Buckhorn Springs Golf & Country Club at 2721 S. Miller Rd. in Valrico. Camps

PALMA

www.kinovuschools.com

MUSIC SHOWCASE AND THE FLORIDA ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS TO HOST ANNUAL SUMMER CAMP

Music Showcase and the Florida Academy of Performing Arts will host their annual summer camp this year.

The groups’ Music and More and Musical Theater camps will immerse young kids in acting, singing, dancing and more throughout the summer.

“Students will learn to work collaboratively, learn the art of stage character and development, choreography, voice projection while singing and speaking, props and working with a set,” said Danielle Sanchez, academy director.

Each camp will be two weeks long and fast-paced, she said. Some camps are in just the mornings or afternoons, but they generally run between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The earliest drop-o time is 8 a.m. and the latest pickup time is 6 p.m.

The Music and More Camp has full and half-day camps, with instrument, art, acting and singing activities for campers. It will also have themed weeks, with topics like Taylor Swift, Barbie and Ken and Pixar.

The Musical Theater Camp has productions for students of all ages and skill levels. It also has a Broadway Boot Camp that will

By Lily Belcher

be attended by Broadway artists.

Past summer shows have included Mean Girls, Newsies, West Side Story and Legally Blonde

While the shows have not yet been announced for the summer, they will be di erent than last year’s.

“This program begins developing body awareness on stage and giving the conﬁdence to express themselves,” Sanchez said. “At the end of the program, students will showcase their new abilities on the stage.”

The cost for the camp is $275, with a onetime registration fee of $30. Families can also take a sibling discount of $25 o the same program over the summer.

Students should pack lunch and wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing.

“As always, we are excited to work with new and returning students, to continue growing their talent and watching them shine throughout the camp and onstage,” Sanchez said.

To register, visit https://faopa.org/. The camps will be at Music Showcase, located at 402 Oakﬁeld Dr. in Brandon.

EASTERSEALS SCHOOL FOR LIMITLESS LEARNING — INCLUSIVE SUMMER CAMP FOR NEURODIVERSE LEARNERS

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Get ready for an exciting and inclusive adventure designed specifically for neurodiverse young learners and those with other disabilities in kindergarten through second grade. Packed with hands-on and interactive STEAM activities, Easterseals School For Limitless Learning’s summer camp o ers a supportive space where every child can explore, grow and thrive. Each session has a di erent theme with topics such as Ocean Explorers, where campers dive into the wonders of the deep blue sea, and LEGO Builders, where campers engage in building challenges, teamwork exercises and imaginative play using LEGO bricks. The Easterseals School for Limitless Learning is located at 2460 Bloomingdale Ave., Ste. 170, in Valrico, and the summer camp is available for eight weeks from Monday, June 16, to Friday, August 8, with morning, afternoon and all-day sessions available. Sessions are $200 per week for half-day camps and $350 per week for all-day camps. Register by Tuesday, April 15, to get the early-bird discount — $50 o the ﬁrst week’s tuition. Register for all eight sessions and get the last week free. Please scan the QR code to register for the camp and feel free to contact Easterseals at limitlesslearning@

ﬂ.easterseals.com or 813-236-5589. It is located at 2460 Bloomingdale Ave., Ste. 170, in Valrico. Learn more at www.easterseals.com/ florida/programs-and-services/children--families/ school-for-limitless-learning. html.

The Easterseals School for Limitless Learning opened its doors last September and o ers two programs, including a 10-month lower elementary program serving children with a diagnosed disability from pre-K through second grade and a year-round early childhood program serving children from 6 weeks to 3 years old with or without a diagnosed disability. The school’s innovative curriculum is tailored to meet the unique needs of its students, using hands-on activities and a play-based approach. The school follows the DIRFloortime® model, which prioritizes the development of healthy social, emotional and intellectual foundations, rather than just focusing on skills and isolated behaviors. Both programs are currently accepting new students, and ﬁnancial aid and scholarships are available. Easterseals is a nonproﬁt organization leading the way to full equity, inclusion and access through life-changing disability and community services.

Music Showcase helps students learn acting, singing and performing skills through its weekly summer camps.

SUMMER CAMP 2025 REGISTRATION OPEN AT THE TAMPA YMCA

Experience everything the fun of camp has to o er at the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA. Summer camp registration is now open for both members and nonmembers.

Conveniently located across Tampa Bay, YMCA summer camps will run from Monday, June 2, to Friday, August 8, for those ages 6-15, Mondays through Fridays. Camp hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with early and late supervision available starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. at no extra charge.

Campers will explore a wide variety of activities each day in a safe, fun environment that provides the opportunity to build lifelong friendships and make memories to last long after summer ends. A few examples include swimming, science, arts/crafts, nature education, games, team building and more. All of these fun and educational activities are infused with the Y’s character values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Tampa YMCA summer camps are ACA-accredited. This means the Tampa Y camps underwent a thorough review of operations by the American Camp Association (ACA) — from sta qualiﬁcations and training to emergency management — and complied with the highest standards in the industry. The ACA’s nationally recognized standards program focuses primarily on the program

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quality, health and safety aspects of a camp’s operations.

New this year, the YMCA will have summer camps for the little ones too. Children ages 2-5 can enjoy the experience at the newly launched YMCA Preschool Summer Enrichment Camp, which will run from June 2 to August 8 — the same dates for the Y’s older campers.

It will be hosted at the Bob Gilbertson Central City Family YMCA in Tampa Heights and YMCA Camp Sierra in Carrollwood.

Designed to spark curiosity and foster social, emotional and cognitive growth, YMCA camps provide the perfect blend of fun and educational enrichment to keep the Y’s littlest campers active all summer. It is also pleased to o er swimming lessons as an add-on to ensure children learn safety around water. This helps families who cannot enroll their children for swim lessons due to work or other commitments. Additionally, it is pleased to o er a sibling discount for those with older siblings enrolled in summer camps.

Spots are limited and ﬁll up quickly. Register at https://tampaymca.org/letscamp. Visit https://tampaymca.org/ for more information.

PERFORMING ARTS SUMMER CAMP AT THE PATEL CONSERVATORY

There are two things to know about the Patel Conservatory’s summer camps and classes:

1. Patel, the Straz Center’s performing arts education center, o ers a variety of camps and classes in dance, music and theater for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced.

2. They ﬁll up fast.

“We always recommend that people sign up for our camps as early as possible because they tend to sell out as much as a month before they even start,” said Alice Santana, the Straz Center’s vice president of education and community engagement.

Music classes for younger students and all musical theater camps ﬁll up the fastest. The beginner classes let children try out a discipline to see if it ﬁts.

“We try to o er something that reaches kids at their level of expertise,” Alice said. “We have camps for beginners who just want to dabble in the arts and all the way to students seeking expert training to prepare for a professional career.”

Some students will be on to the next thing by fall. Others, though, may want to pursue acting, dance or music beyond the comprehensive but condensed camp experience.

“We’re literally cramming an entire school year’s curriculum into nine weeks of camps and classes,” said Stephanie Pemberton, in-

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ternal clients marketing director.

Patel’s summer schedule also includes intensives, which teach a lot of material in a short amount of time, for advanced students. Some of them attend Patel during the school year as well.

“The students attending the intensives are dedicated,” Stephanie said. “Some want to pursue their discipline professionally. They want to increase their skills and increase their chops.”

Many Patel alums have established professional careers in the arts both on and o stage.

Former students have appeared on Broadway and in national touring companies, danced in some of the most respected ballet companies and performed live and on television and in ﬁlms.

Others work as producers, directors, writers, stage managers and more. In fact, workshops on stage management, directing and playwrighting are on Patel’s summer roster.

Scholarships and other forms of ﬁnancial aid are available as well.

To register for Patel’s summer camps and classes, or for more information, please visit www.strazcenter.org/patel-conservatory/ or call 813-222-1040.

2025 SUMMER CAMPS ON SALE NOW

EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE SUMMER AT BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY CAMPS

Looking for the perfect summer plans? Busch Gardens

Tampa Bay offers an exciting array of camps for animal lovers and thrill seekers alike. With over 12,000 animals and exhilarating coasters, the park provides a fun and engaging environment where children can connect with wildlife, explore nature and forge lasting friendships — all while taking a break from screens.

Busch Gardens’ camps are recognized as some of the best in the industry, led by highly trained professionals who make learning both fun and impactful. The one-of-a-kind day camps are open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade and run weekly from Monday, June 2, to Wednesday, August 6, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (with extended care available).

For older students interested in zoology, veterinary careers or pushing their adventure limits, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay also offers an Overnight Resident Camp for grades seven through 12,

Staff Report

which runs from Saturday, July 5, to Thursday, July 31.

For more than 25 years, Busch Gardens has been offering some of the most exciting and educational summer camp expe -

riences in Tampa. Whether your child is interested in animal encounters, educational opportunities or thrilling rides, there’s something for everyone.

New for 2025 is the Wild Professions Camp for college students and teachers, running from Saturday, June 28, to Wednesday, July 2.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay summer camps are open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. With accreditation by the American Camping Association (ACA), parents can trust that Busch Gardens’ day camps meets high standards for safety, staff training and program quality. To learn more or to register, visit https://buschgardens. com/camps or call 813-884-4FUN (4368). Busch Gardens looks forward to another amazing summer.

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY WITH LOCAL AUTHOR HELPS SUPPORT GIRLS WITH AND BOYS WITH CONFIDENCE

On Wednesday, April 9, FishHawk-area author Stephanie Giese will be hosting a book launch party for her upcoming novel, Out of Left Field. The event will take place at the Girls and Boys With Confidence Center, located at 10540 Browning Rd. in Lithia, from 6:30-8:30 pm. Tickets cost $30 and must be purchased in advance through Eventbrite. Each ticket includes an author meet and greet, a signed book and swag bag, a raffle ticket for door prizes and light appetizers and desserts.

The Girls and Boys with Confidence Center is a local organization that offers programing aimed at helping children build leadership skills and character. Each ticket sold helps support the organization, and donations will also be accepted at the event.

Out of Left Field is a small-town sports romance with a lot of heart and a little bit of heat. Please note that the book does contain content intended for adult

readers.

“I’m so excited to partner with Girls With Confidence,” said Giese, “My youngest daughter went through their program when she was in elementary school, and it was fabulous for teaching social skills as well as providing life experiences.”

Giese’s writing has appeared in newspapers, magazines and three humor anthologies, including the New York Times bestselling I Just Want to Pee Alone. In 2021, she published the memoir All I Never Knowed: Mental Illness, A Mother’s Love, and a Broken System

After a 15-year career creating parenting content, Giese decided to move in a brand-new direction and embrace her true joy: romance novels. She is the author of the upcoming North Bay Series. Her debut small-town baseball romance, Out of Left Field, releases in April.

To purchase a ticket, visit www. eventbrite.com/e/1110606998429.

Local author Stephanie Giese will host a book launch at the Girls and Boys With Confidence Center in April.

Staff Report

Navigator Academy of Leadership (NAL) held a Leadership Day in Valrico and gave students a chance to serve the community by packing thousands of meals for food insecure families in the region. On February 14, NAL, a charter school, invited the community to the campus for a special day filled with events, activities and opportunities for students to showcase their work.

This year’s theme, NAL Loves to Serve, “highlights our mission in raising and teaching student leaders and part of leadership is serving our community,” said Principal Maria Owen.

Between students, faculty, staff and parent volunteers, they packed over 100,000 meals for Feeding Tampa Bay, helping to restock food banks and support families in need.

“It was a huge success. This really has been student centered where they are the ones coming in saying, ‘We’d love to do this,’” said Dr. Diane LaFrance with Compass LLC.

Additionally, the students collected items and packed 500 hygiene kits for struggling families.

“We will be putting deodorant, shaving cream, soap and wash clothes in the kits,” said Navigator Academy eighth grader Keltie Shapiro.

The mission of Navigator Academy of Leadership K-8 is to enable students to be independent learners and leaders by developing each child’s intellectual curiosity and thirst for discovery through a cross-curricular integration of science, math, art, reading and technology.

The vision is to provide a welcoming environment where every student is empowered and inspired to develop agency over learning, and NAL’s goal is to create educational studies in a safe and nurturing environment that will include inquiry and exploration.

Navigator Academy of Leadership is located at 1101 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. Call 813-603-9340 or visit www. navigatoracademyvalrico.com for more information.

Music & Theater Summer Camps

The roar of jets slicing through the sky— there’s nothing like it. Every April, the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo takes over Lakeland, drawing more than 200,000 visitors and securing its spot as the second-largest aviation event in the U.S.

What started in 1974 as a small fly-in for aviation enthusiasts has blossomed into one of the most prominent and successful aviation events worldwide.

The expo isn’t just for pilots; it’s an event for everyone. Visitors can enjoy STEM and career fair activities, a Family Fun Zone, and, of course, spectacular daily and nightly airshows. These shows feature jaw-dropping performances from both military and civilian aviators.

SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In Inc., a nonprofit organization, produces the expo and other events year-round. The proceeds from these events support the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), a leader in STEM and aerospace education. ACE runs several programs, including scholarships, summer camps, and outreach efforts designed to inspire and train the next generation of aerospace professionals. The Florida Air Museum, Florida’s official aviation museum, and the Lakeland Aero Club, the nation’s largest high school flying club, are also housed at ACE.

2025 Expo Highlights: April 1-6

Music & More Camp

By Marie Gilmore

SUN ‘n FUN 2025 will kick off with an unforgettable concert on the Warbird Ramp, presented by Wealth MD. On Tuesday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m., country music stars Tyler Hubbard and Uncle Kracker will take the stage for a fun-filled night under the stars.

A drone, laser, airplane, and pyrotechnic-filled fireworks show will light up the skies from Wednesday, April 2 through Saturday, April 5 at dusk.

The Sunset Aerial Circus will take place on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (April 1, 3, and 4) with an action-packed lineup, including:

STOL Demo

Airythmia Paramotor Team

The Chuters Parachute Team

Pivotal Aircraft

Drones and Balloon Glows

For the first time, SUN ‘n FUN will host the Academic Drone Soccer League World Cup on April 3 and 4 at the Aerospace Pavilion. Prepare for a high-energy competition as teams battle it out in this exciting new event.

And to cap off the weekend, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will perform in the airshow on Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6. For tickets, showtimes, parking info and more details, visit flysnf.org.

• Free early drop off and late pick up

Full and half-day week-long camps, plus daily drop-ins

• Activities to explore instruments, acting, singing and art

• Themed weeks like: Barbie & Ken, Pixar, Taylor Swift, Superheroes

• Scholarships and sibling discounts

Musical Theater Camps

• Productions for all ages and skill levels

• Elementary, Middle School, and High School productions

• Broadway Boot Camp - Broadway Artists To Attend

• Visit FAOPA.org for shows, schedules, and performance dates

TAMPA BAY HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL — ENJOY BALLOON RIDES AND MORE

Mark your calendars for the Tampa Bay Balloon Festival on Friday and Saturday, March 21-22, at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Bring the whole family out for a weekend packed with fun and excitement. Experience the awe-inspiring sight of hot air balloons and check o a bucket list item with an actual hot air balloon ride. Enjoy live music from an amazing DJ to keep the energy high throughout the event, explore craft and retail vendor booths o ering a variety of unique and interesting items for sale, be amazed by Monster Show Kites performing before the hot air balloons take ﬂight, and don’t forget to satisfy your cravings at the food vendors serving up delicious festival-style fare.

Bucket list alert! Tethered hot air balloon rides will be available for $35 per person (while supplies last, and weather permitting). Announcements on availability will be made on-site.

TECO AND NEW WORLDS READING PARTNER FOR FUN FAMILY LITERACY EVENT

For a spectacular grand ﬁnale each night at around 9 p.m., get ready for the Hot Air Balloon Glow & Laser Show. Watch as the balloons light up in perfect harmony with thrilling music and a laser performance and join in the fun with crowd ‘Count Downs.’ It’s a glowing spectacle you won’t want to miss.

Don’t forget to bring your blankets, chairs and umbrellas to enjoy the perfect view.

The event will also feature a kids’ zone, games, rides and so much more.

Tickets start at $10 for children and $20 for adults and are limited. To get tickets, visit www. freshtix.com/events/balloonskitestampa. Additionally, volunteers are needed to help balloon pilots set up the event. Sign up here: https://form.jotform. com/220156954235152.

The Florida State Fairgrounds are located at 4800 U.S. Hwy. 301 N. in Tampa. For more information on the Balloon Fest, visit https://balloonshows.com/. Sta Report

Peoples Gas and Tampa Electric (TECO) and the University of Florida (UF) Lastinger Center for Learning’s New Worlds Reading Initiative hosted a Family Literacy Event on January 30 at Warren Hope Dawson Elementary School in observance of Celebrate Literacy Week.

are not yet reading on their grade level.

Attendees enjoyed a bilingual read-aloud, reading activities and meet and greets with Cli ord the Big Red Dog. Local students and their family members received a free copy of Hello Ocean (or, in Spanish, Hola Mar), by Pam Muñoz Ryan, and a copy of The Little Red Fort, by Brenda Maier, to enjoy at home.

“Peoples Gas and Tampa Electric are proud to promote children’s literacy with New Worlds Reading,” said Kandi Floyd, director of external a airs for Peoples Gas. “Programs that help children learn and grow are how we build strong communities for future generations of Floridians.”

TECO’s support of New Worlds Reading has helped ship more than 8 million books to Florida VPK through ﬁfth graders who

“We’re grateful for TECO’s unwavering support of New Worlds Reading,” said David Bryant, development director for New Worlds Reading. New Worlds Reading is Florida’s free, athome program that helps eligible VPK through ﬁfth graders strengthen literacy skills and spark a lifelong love of reading. Enrolled children receive nine free books that they choose each school year through ﬁfth grade, along with reading activities and resources families can use to help build kids’ reading skills. Books and materials are available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and braille. New Worlds Reading is administered by the UF Lastinger Center for Learning.

Families interested in receiving books and reading activities from New Worlds Reading can apply at www.newworldsreading. com. Florida companies interested in earning dollar-for-dollar tax credits for donations to support the state’s young readers can learn more at www.newworldsreading. com/ﬂ/en/donations.html.

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Left to right: David Bryant, development director for New Worlds Reading; Jane Hennessy, state a airs coordinator for TECO; Julie Ward, community investment manager for TECO; Cli ord the Big Red Dog; Kandi Floyd, director of external a airs for Peoples Gas; and Jessica Long, senior development director for New Worlds Reading.

Riverview/Apollo Beach

Ballistic Dynamics

Ballistic Dynamics is a veteran-owned small business that has been providing ﬁrearms training, gunsmithing, self-defense consulting and ﬁrearms appraisal services to the South Tampa Bay area since 2019.

After a successful 20-year military career, owner Wesley Senn pursued his passion for firearms and custom gunsmithing. He attended Sonoran Desert Institute and earned an Associate of Science degree in firearms technology. He is also an avid shooter and an IDPA competitor. He holds multiple firearms instructor qualifications from the U.S. military as well as the NRA and is an NRA-certified range safety o cer. Additionally, Ballistic Dynamics is federally licensed and insured.

Senn’s goal is to provide honest and consistent service for all your ﬁrearms needs, and he seeks to build long-lasting customer relationships built on integrity. For more information or to make an appointment, call 941-545-2158 or visit Ballistic Dynamics’ website at www.ballistic-consulting.com.

Dollface Lashes, Makeup & Facials Boutique

Makeup and the application thereof were the launching points for Dollface Lashes, Makeup & Facials Boutique. Owner Felicia Stone doubled as a make-up artist for premier cosmetic company Merle Norman

Cosmetics while working as an RN. Makeup is her true passion, and Stone believes that it is meant to enhance your natural beauty and believes in a ‘pretty and polished’ appearance. For those that prefer a more Hollywood look, Dollface is more than capable and excited to provide glam. Along with makeup services, Dollface also o ers lashes, facials and brow services, and much more. Stone looks forward to providing stellar makeup services coupled with timeless customer service. Dollface is located at 3105 King Fern Dr. in Wimauma. You can visit its website at www.dollfacebyfelicia.com or call 574-807-5311 for more information and to make an appointment.

Celebrate St. Patty’s Day At Cypress Creek

of the Cypress Creek owner Jim Biggins. Celebrating this day with family, friends and neighbors has been the Cypress Creek tradition for many years. There will be live music from the Irish Ramblers, Irish food, green beer and prizes to enjoy. You are invited to join in on Tuesday, March 18, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cypress Creek Assisted Living and Memory Care, located at 970 Cypress Village Blvd. in Sun City Center. Please RSVP at 813-633-7777 or marketing@cypresscreekalf.com.

They say “everyone is Irish on St. Patty’s Day” in the Cypress Creek family, and St. Patty’s Day also reﬂects the heritage

AM Design & Services

AM Design & Services, owned by Abi Merkle, is a creative studio that designs business success through graphic design, social media and branding. It helps businesses across the country launch and reorganize their adver-

tising and marketing e orts to elevate their business to the next level. With over 20 years in corporate retail advertising, AM Designs & Services understands more than just advertising and marketing; it understands how businesses can work, and it strives to bring out-of-the-box ideas to the table. AM Designs & Services celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a ribbon-cutting from the Valrico/Fishhawk Chamber of Commerce. To ﬁnd out more, visit its website at https://amdesignservice.com/ or call 813-308-9819.

State Farm Agent Earns Prestigious Designation

Local State Farm agent Melissa Snively has earned the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from the American College of Financial Services, marking a signiﬁcant achievement in her commitment to providing expert ﬁnancial guidance and life insurance planning. The CLU designation is recognized as the gold standard in life insurance planning, equipping professionals with advanced knowledge in risk

AM Designs & Services celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony from the Valrico/Fishhawk Chamber of Commerce.

Local State Farm agent

Melissa Snively earns the Chartered Life Underwriter designation.

management, estate planning and wealth preservation. With this designation, Snively is now even better positioned to help individuals, families and business owners navigate the complexities of life insurance and create tailored ﬁnancial protection strategies. Snively’s o ce is located at 16209 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia. For additional information, visit its website at www.melissayouragent.com.

Compiled By Jenny Bennett

Gentle Touch Estate Sales LL

Gentle Touch Estate Sales

Debbie Berg

813-812-0780

Based in Apollo Beach, Gentle Touch Estate Sales specializes in providing comprehensive estate liquidation. When someone passes away, moves or downsizes, it comes in to organize and price the entire contents of the household and ensure a large, organized sale of their possessions. Its team of experts handles every aspect of the estate sale process, including pricing, staging, cleaning out after the sale and execution. For more information, visit its website at https://gentletouchestate-

debbie@gentletouchestatesales.com www.gentletouchestatesales.com

sales.com/ or call 813812-0780.

Southshore

Coastal Insurance

Southshore Coastal Insurance is a veteran and family-owned, independent insurance agency located at 605 S. U.S. 41 in Ruskin that has been serving the community with integrity and dedication for years. As a family, it understands the importance of trust and reliability, and it brings that same commitment to every client it serves. Being independent allows Southshore Coastal Insurance to o er personalized coverage options from a wide range of providers, ensuring it ﬁnds the best ﬁt for everyone’s needs. The agency’s veteran background shapes its approach to customer service, emphasizing discipline, respect and commitment to going the extra mile. Whether you are looking for home, auto, life or business insurance, Southshore Coastal Insurance is there to guide you. Visit its website at www.southshorecoastal.com or call 813922-4049 for more information.

Sponsoring Teacher Of The

WOMEN’S CLUB HOSTS MISS FLORIDA FOR SPRING FLING FASHION FUNDRAISER

Join the GFWC Sun City Center (SCC) Woman’s Club for an afternoon of entertainment, fashion and fun at its Spring Fling Fashion Fundraiser. Enjoy a spring fashion show featuring the latest trends from The Teal Turtle Boutique in Apollo Beach.

Excitement will continue with a special appearance by guest speaker Casana Fink, Miss Florida 2024. Enjoy live music performed by Cyndi Burger. Gifts can be purchased for yourself or others at the Razzle Dazzle Accessory Sale and Silent Auction tables.

Light refreshments and desserts are being provided by assisted living facilities, such as Cypress Creek, Inspired Living, Sun Towers and Freedom Plaza. All net proceeds will beneﬁt the GFWC SCC Woman’s Club Inc. and the local charities they support.

The guest speaker is a University of Florida graduate and currently pursuing a master’s in business administration. Fink is a passionate advocate for organ donation awareness. Inspired by her father’s organ transplant, she founded her nonproﬁt, Give to Live - Donate Life, at the age of 14.

Over the past decade, she has traveled the state educating over 100,000 individuals and speaking to diverse audiences,

including students, corporate employees and health care professionals. Recognizing the lack of resources for explaining donation to children, Fink authored The Gift of Life, a children’s book on organ donation. She has donated copies of this book to libraries in every county of Florida and organ procurement organizations nationwide to ensure accessibility for all children. In addition to her advocacy, Fink is the owner of The Unveriﬁed, a women’s clothing brand, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to empowering women.

Fink’s lifelong dream of performing on the Miss America stage came true this past January, where she was awarded a preliminary evening gown award and was the third runner-up.

The fundraiser event is on Saturday, March 29, from 2-4 p.m. at the SCC Community Hall, located at 1910 South Pebble Beach Blvd. in Sun City Center. The doors open at 1:30 p.m. This is your chance to support a great cause while indulging in a fun afternoon. Tickets for individuals or tables of eight are available for $30 each by either emailing sccwomansclubfund@ gmail.com or contacting event coordinator Shawna Wainright at 302-740-4098.

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Miss Florida 2024 Casana Fink will be the guest speaker at the GFWC Sun City Center Woman’s Club’s Spring Fling Fashion Fundraiser.

You want to contribute to causes you care about. How can you ensure your money will do the most

Since

Community Foundation Tampa Bay has been helping donors maximize giving potential to create greater impact. For more info, go to cftampabay.org.

Piecemakers Quilt Guild of Brandon, a vibrant community of quilting enthusiasts, is proud to announce its recent successes at the Florida State Fair. Members of the guild have earned numerous ribbons in various quilting categories, showcasing their exceptional talent, creativity and dedication to the craft.

The Florida State Fair, renowned for its diverse and competitive quilting categories, provided a platform for quilters from across the state to present their intricate works of art. The members of Piecemakers Quilt Guild of Brandon rose to the occasion, bringing home an impressive array of awards that celebrate their skill and passion for quilting.

“We are thrilled and honored to have received such recognition at the Florida State Fair,” said Carolyn Payne, president of Piecemakers Quilt Guild of Brandon. “Our members put countless hours of hard work and creativity into their quilts, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see their efforts acknowledged in this way.”

The guild’s award-winning quilts included a variety of styles, techniques and themes, reflecting the diverse interests and expertise of its members. Overall, guild members received 23 ribbons. Some of the standout pieces include:

• “Take It Away and Give It Back,” by Nan Ryan — best in show, Hand Quilting.

• “Starry Night,” by Claudia Ingram —

best in show, Pieced Duet Quilt.

• “Seminole Patchwork,” by Linda Goodwin — first place, Quilted Household Item.

• “Singing in the Cherry Blossoms,” by Paula Paradis — first place, Original Design Quilt.

• “What Once Was Old is Now New,” by Linda Hitchens — first place, Machine Quilted.

Founded in 1989, Piecemakers Quilt Guild has been a cornerstone of the Brandon and surrounding communities, fostering a love of quilting and providing a supportive environment for quilters of all levels. The guild regularly hosts monthly meetings, bee groups, retreats and workshops and supports community projects, encouraging members to continuously learn and grow in their craft. Two upcoming events are its yard sale on Saturday, May 10, in the New Hope Church gym, located at 213 N. Knights Ave. in Brandon, and its Quilt Show 2025: Treasure Trove of Quilts on Friday, October 10, and Saturday, October 11, at The Regent, located at 6437 Watson Rd. in Riverview.

As the guild celebrates these recent achievements, it extends an open invitation to the community to join their upcoming meetings and events. For more information about Piecemakers Quilt Guild, please visit https://brandonquiltguild.com/ or email info@brandonpiecemakers.org.

In today’s fast-paced, screen-ﬁlled world, it’s easy to forget just how powerful a little fresh air can be. As superintendent of schools, I see ﬁrsthand how getting outside — whether it’s for recess, P.E. or just a quick brain break — makes a real di erence for our students. Fresh air, movement and nature aren’t just nice extras; they help kids focus better, feel less stressed and improve their overall well-being.

Science backs this up. Research consistently shows that time spent outdoors boosts cognitive function, sparks creativity and improves mental health. When students take a break from screens and step into nature, they come back to their studies sharper and more refreshed.

By Superintendent Van Ayres

PLANT CITY HISTORY & PHOTO ARCHIVES MARKS 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH STREET FESTIVAL IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

around the block, a trip to the park or even just playing in the backyard can have lasting beneﬁts. Less screen time, more green time — it’s a habit that can stick with

And let’s be honest, we don’t have the same excuse as our friends up north who are currently digging out of the snow. While they’re bundling up in layers, we’re still rocking shorts and T-shirts. So, why not take advantage of it?

At Hillsborough County Public Schools, we know how important outdoor learning is. Some of our schools have outdoor classrooms, garden projects and P.E. programs that take full advantage of Florida’s year-round sunshine. Recess and movement breaks aren’t just perks; they’re essential for keeping students engaged and ready to learn. But outdoor time doesn’t have to stop at school. Families can help foster a love for the outdoors too. A simple walk

That’s why I’m especially excited about our upcoming Race for Education that we partner with the Hillsborough Education Foundation for on Saturday, April 12. This annual event brings together students, teachers, families and community members to support student and sta wellness.

I encourage everyone, students, parents, teachers and community members — to join us. Whether you run, walk or cheer from the sidelines, your participation sends a strong message about the importance of health and wellness in education.

For more details or to register, visit bit. ly/HCPS_RaceForEducation. Hope to see you there!

The Plant City History & Photo Archives has been a part of the Plant City community for the past 25 years.

‘The Archives,’ as it’s known to Plant City residents, started in a small o ce space in the Lee Building in downtown Plant City by Ed Verner and Gil Gott.

By Libby Hopkins

“In 1999, Ed Verner was the president of the East Hillsborough Historical Society (EHHS), when local photographer Bill Friend passed away,” said Gott. “Ed talked with me when I was a board member of EHHS, and we decided that the thousands of photos that Bill Friend had taken over the years of local people, places and events must be saved from the dust pile of history.”

Verner and Gott acquired Friend’s photos and formed The Plant City Photo Archives LLC.

“Our mission is to acquire and preserve Plant City’s history and heritage through its photos and documents,” Gott said.

In 2009, The Plant City Photo Archives moved to its current location at 106 S. Evers St. in the historic downtown district of Plant City.

“The Archives took over the old Orange Blossom Tea Room,” said The Archives’ community outreach manager, Libby Hopkins. “The location was remodeled and became the new home for The Archives. In 2024,

The Archives went through a rebranding to become The Plant City History & Photo Archives.” The Archives turned 25 this year, and to celebrate its anniversary, it is hosting History, Whiskey & Wine on Saturday, March 22, from 1-7 p.m.

“We are having a free street festival to celebrate our 25th anniversary with the Plant City community,” Hopkins said. “We will have tickets available for purchase to come inside The Archives and sample various local libations and food. Evers Street will be closed so local residents and guests can listen to music, enjoy local food trucks and visit all our neighbors who call Evers St. their home.”

Tickets to History, Whiskey & Wine cost $50 and include libation samples and food.

The Archives is currently looking for local vendors to be a part of History, Whiskey & Wine. “We would love to have some local makers and artisans to be a part of our event,” Hopkins said. “The cost to be a vendor at History, Whiskey & Wine is only $25, and vendors must provide their own tent and tables.”

The Plant City History & Photo Archives is located at 106 S. Evers St. in Plant City. To be a vendor or purchase tickets for the event, call The Archives at 813-754-1578.

e Plant City History & Photo Archives has been a part of the Plant City community for 25 years.

LOCALSHOP

Annual Masterworks Chorus

On Wednesday, April 2, two choirs from East Bay High School will perform in their 11th annual Masterworks Concert. The concert will feature two choral masterworks accompanied by string orchestra, percussion and professional soloists; orchestral chamber music; and organ music. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church, located at 106 11th Ave NE in Ruskin. Tickets are $10 plus fees and are available at https://teachtix.com/ eastbaychorus/masterworks-concert, by calling 813-469-4020, or by emailing brian.nesmith@hcps.net.

in Ruskin, on Tuesday, March 18. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., there is an optional roundtable discussion, followed by a sitdown luncheon at 12 Noon. Following lunch, at 1 p.m. the guest speaker, Carol Rooksby, Weidlich will present ‘What’s in Your Genealogy Toolbox?’ The cost is $18 per person per meal and presentation. For reservations and meal choices, call Vicki at 360-608-1647.

Community Action Board Scholarships

Convertible 2LT, generously donated by Stingray Chevrolet, with all proceeds beneﬁ ting Unity in the Community, a local organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged families and youth programs in Plant City. To enter, please visit www.stingraychevrolet.com/chevrolet-charity-ra e-entry-form/. Tickets are $5 each, and the drawing will take place on Sunday, March 9, at 5 p.m.

SouthShore Ladies Luncheon

The Apollo Beach Woman’s Club

The Apollo Beach Woman’s Club (ABWC) held its Fabulous February Gala fundraiser at Southshore Falls on February 1. It was a lovely afternoon. The East Bay Choral Group was melodiously fantastic, the food was delicious and the 36 gift baskets up for auction were creative and fun. ABWC raised over $3000 for the ABWC 2025 College Scholarship fund. At the Wednesday, April 9, luncheon, the ABWC will have a spring hat parade and contest. The luncheon will be at the Moose Lodge #183, located at 1212 E. Shell Point Rd. in Ruskin, from 12 Noon-2 p.m. Reservations and payments must be received by the Wednesday before the luncheon. Contact Claudia Gassett at 352-258-4580 for menu details and reservations. If you wish to learn more about the ABWC, visit www.apollobeachwomansclub.com or contact the second vice president of membership, Liz Pedersen, at 813-777-8215 or kenlizpedersen@msn.com.

South Bay

Genealogical Society Meeting

The South Bay Genealogical Society meeting will be at the South Hillsborough Elks Lodge No. 2672, at 1630 S. U.S. 41

The Campaign Against Human Trafficking Bingo Fundraiser

The Campaign Against Human Trafﬁ cking invites you to the Luck of the Irish Bingo fundraising event on Sunday, March 16, from 2-5 p.m. at the Atrium Building’s Florida Room, located at N. Course Lane in Sun City Center. You could win $100 cover-all and $50 for each game. Wear something green and get a free cover-all card with purchase. There are ra e gifts galore, and the leprechaun may have some surprises.

Beth Israel Congregation Presents The Riverside Jukebox Band

On Sunday, April 6, Beth Israel Congregation will present the Riverside Jukebox Band at Kings Point Veterans Theater, located at 1900 Clubhouse Dr. in Sun City Center, from 2-4 p.m. This outstanding band includes 16 musicians from across the Tampa Bay area. The band will play music from the big band era to the 1980s. American standards from the Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington era will be combined with the danceable pop music of the Beatles, Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire. Vocalists Anita Martin and Charlie Snyder will be featured. There will also be a guest appearance by Faye Nepon. Tickets cost $18 each, made out to Beth Israel Congregation and mailed to Jo-Ellen Bromberg, 2005 Siﬁ eld Greens Way, Sun City Center, Florida 33573. The deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, March 31.

The Community Action Board of Hillsborough County represents the lower-income population of East Hillsborough County. It o ers two $2,500 and four $5,000 year scholarships for both technical colleges and four-year universities. Students can also reapply each year for funding. Applicants must be Hillsborough County residents, have a minimum 2.0 GPA and have a household income below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Applications can be found at www.hcﬂ .gov/education. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 14.

St. Stephen Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry

St. Stephen Catholic Church, located at 10118 St. Stephen Circle in Riverview, will be providing its annual fi sh fry on Fridays during the period of Lent from March 7 through April 11. The menu includes a fi sh dinner, combo fi sh and shrimp dinner, shrimp dinner or cheese pizza and include french fries and a choice of coleslaw or applesauce. A children’s menu is also available. Meals are o ered as a drivethrough, carryout or dine-in option from 4:30-7 p.m.

The Florida Strawberry Festival Raffles A 2025 Corvette For Charity

The Florida Strawberry Festival is proud to announce its continued partnership with Stingray Chevrolet and Unity in the Community for the 16th annual Chevrolet Charity Ra e. This year’s ra e features a brandnew 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

All women are invited to a Ladies’ Luncheon on Tuesday, April 8. Please join in at the Fellowship Hall of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, located at 1239 W. Del Webb Blvd. in Sun City Center. The doors open at 11 a.m.; the program runs from 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. ‘No Crisis in the Kitchen’ is the luncheon theme, hosted by the SouthShore Women’s Connection. Its feature will be Mary Katherine Alston, veteran and owner of Long Legs Shortbread. Wear your favorite apron. The guest speaker, Cassidy Glo Novak, will share ‘Crisis Reveals the Cracks.’ You’ll also enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by a local caterer for only $22 (including a full salad bar and dessert). As always, the luncheon will have fun door prizes.

Impact’s Got Talent

Impact, a local charity promoting healthy lifestyles and relationships to teens, parents, teachers and other youth leaders through classroom education, is holding its Impact’s Got Talent event on Friday, April 11. The event will take place at Fellowship Baptist Church of Thonotosassa, located at 13515 U.S. 301 in Thonotosassa. Impact is looking for vocalists, actors, dancers (solos, duets and groups), musicians, etc., from grades K-12 to audition for the event. All acts must be under three minutes long. The grand prize is $250. Auditions will be held Sunday, March 9, from 1-5 p.m. at Dance Quest International, located at 853 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon. Contact Jennifer Crum at 863-661-3236 or crummiej2@gmail. com for an audition time.

ROTARY SPOTLIGHT:

ACTIVITIES, MEETINGS & MORE

In February, local Rotary clubs hosted ‘The Magic of Rotary’ Speech Contest for area high school students. Winners of the club competitions will compete in March, with the winner advancing to the district competition on April 8, at 5 p.m., at the Bartow Public Library. Rotary clubs are also accepting applications from high school seniors for college scholarships and from high school juniors for Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders (S4TL). To ﬁnd out more, contact your local Rotary club.

E-Club of Tampa South

FishHawk resident and Rotarian with the Rotary E-Club of Tampa South gives life-saving polio drops to a child in India.

From January 28 through February 17, Rotary E-Club of Tampa South member Deborah Williams traveled to India with other Rotarians from our district as part of a global grant project to help administer life-saving polio drops to children in various parts of India. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 30 years. Visit www.endpolio.org for more information, or contact Duane Williams at dsigma79@aol.com.

FishHawk-Riverview

FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Club is preparing for its annual fundraiser, the 15th annual Crawfish Festival, on Saturday, April 26. Visit www.luvcrawfish.com for more information on being a sponsor for your business or organization; vendor opportunities, including nonprofits; volunteering; and advance tickets for crawfish dinners and crawfish cash. The club also wants to thank its ‘Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler’ title

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sponsor, Christopher Ligori & Associates. FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Club hopes you’ll join it for great food, live music and local shopping and help raise funds to support local organizations that are working to alleviate hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy. Interested in doing good in the world? Join the club! For more information, contact Joe Nichols at rotaryjoenichols@gmail.com or visit www. ﬁshhawkriverviewrotary.org.

USF Rotaract (College Students)

In February, USF Rotaract began a new gardening project at Greco Gardens, located at Greco Middle School in Temple Terrace.

The garden and free community composting site was created in a joint venture with Greco’s seventh grade STEM students, Tampa Bay Farm 2 School and the USF School of Architecture and Community Design. In addition, USF Rotaract students network with area Rotary clubs, have fun social events and volunteer on a weekly basis, supporting additional projects with Joshua House, University Area CDC, Feeding Tampa Bay, Vista Gardens and WellBuilt City. For more information, visit @usf_rotarct on Instagram or BullsConnect at https:// bullsconnect.usf.edu/.

Brandon ’86 Rotary

Contact Chad Norgard at chad@norgardinsgrp.com.

Brandon Rotary

Contact Debbie Meegan at debbiemeeganrotary@gmail.com.

TAMPA

MUSEUM OF

ART OFFERS

MONTHLY PROGRAMMING FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN ON THE SPECTRUM

By Libby Hopkins

Established in 1920, the Tampa Museum of Art stands as a beacon of culture and education in the heart of downtown Tampa. Celebrating over a century of artistic excellence, the museum o ers a rich tapestry of experiences, ranging from ancient treasures to contemporary expressions.

The museum’s commitment to education and community engagement shines through its Vinik Family Education Center. This facility provides a variety of year-round art classes, insightful lectures, and engaging tours for all ages, fostering artistic discovery and learning. Through innovative outreach programs, the museum extends its reach, offering art-therapy-informed initiatives and creative platforms for diverse community segments.

One of its art therapy programs, called Art on the Spectrum, is geared towards families with children on the autism spectrum.

“The museum is always looking for ways to be more accessible to our community,” said the museum’s digital media producer, Caitlin Peterson. “One day, we had a guest mention that she had delayed bringing her daughter to the museum for fear of how her daughter may react to the crowds. We started a conversation with CARD-USF regarding working on an initiative to ensure the museum felt more inclusive. After speaking with them both, they had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the museum. Just conversing with them and letting them know that we have accommodation and would always

welcome everyone, they were much more relaxed.”

Art on the Spectrum takes place on the last Sunday of every month at the museum from 9-10 a.m. No registration is required for this sensory-friendly hour. Guests can purchase their admission tickets online through the museum’s website.

“Admission is at the regular museum price, with many discounts available every day for college students, military, artists, educators and more,” Peterson said. “Enjoy exploring the museum in a calm, low-crowd environment with sensory-friendly tools and supportive assistance on hand. Noise-canceling headphones and other sensory items are available for borrowing at the front desk.”

The museum is proud to be listed as ‘Autism Friendly’ in the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) Autism Friendly Business Directory.

“Our full and part-time sta has received training from CARD-USF to better understand and address the unique needs of visitors on the autism spectrum,” Peterson said. “Exhibition-related touchable items are part of those sensory opportunities. They help not only provide sensory support, but they also enrich the learning experience.”

If you would like to learn more about Art on the Spectrum or other programs o ered at the Tampa Museum of Art, visit https:// tampamuseum.org or call 813-274-8130.

The museum is located at 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza in downtown Tampa.

Art on e Spectrum takes place on the last Sunday of every month.

KERBY’S NURSERY OFFERS FUN AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO THE COMMUNITY

Kerby’s Nursery in Se ner was founded as a backyard hobby by Larry and Vicki Kerby. They loved to garden, maintained a large vegetable plot at home in Seminole Heights and were always making cuttings of a variety of plants in their backyard.

“Kerby’s Nursery was started by my in-laws, Larry and Vicki Kerby, in 1980,” said current owner Joey Bokor. “Back then, Parsons and Wheeler was a fourway stop and the nursery was just a little acre parcel on the corner. Over the years, as the Se ner-Brandon area grew, so did the demand for plants, so Larry continued to expand as property became available to our north, eventually resulting in the 5 acres that we operate on today.”

By Libby Hopkins

now becoming known for its educational programming and fun community events, such as yoga in the garden.

“One of my passions is education and being a lifelong learner,” Joey said. “The idea [is] that learning doesn’t stop just because we leave school, so combining a passion for plants and learning led us to o er di erent classes and events. I think this is the 20th year of teaching some of our classic seminars on topics like veggies, butterﬂies and fruit trees. In recent years, we’ve expanded those events to include our annual Easter egg hunt, Plants and Pets, monthly Yoga in the Garden with Keystone Yoga and a variety of di erent make-andtake events, like our recent Valentine’s Flower Arrangements.”

GREATER BRANDON MEALS ON WHEELS: SERVING THE COMMUNITY’S MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS

Every weekday, from Monday to Friday, 200 residents in the Brandon area eagerly await a visit from a familiar face — the volunteer delivery drivers of Greater Brandon Meals on Wheels. For many, this brief encounter might be their only social interaction of the day. These volunteers don’t just deliver a hot meal; they also o er a moment of companionship before heading out to their next stop.

By Marie Gilmore

ering the meals.”

Each church involved in the program commits to cooking and delivering meals one day a week. A typical day sees up to 50 or more meals delivered, with about four churches participating in the program daily.

The meals are designed to be hearty and well-balanced. Each includes a main course, starch, vegetable, salad, bread and dessert.

Joey and his wife, Kim Bokor (whose maiden name is Kerby), originally didn’t intend to be in horticulture or run the garden center.

“I was headed to a career as a computer scientist and she intended to go into international business,” Joey said. “We both graduated from the University of Florida, and after school she found herself pulled towards running the family business. It took me a little longer to jump into it, but after some years as a computer programmer I took the plunge and joined the nursery in 2005.”

Kerby’s Nursery is known for its beautiful ﬂowers and landscaping supplies, but it’s

The feedback the couple has received from their classes and events is always positive.

“I think customers appreciate that our seminars are free and that they are getting good, local advice for how to garden, not randomly taking advice from an inﬂuencer on social media that might be gardening in Oregon,” Joey said. “I think much of the feedback is that people wish we would o er more events.”

If you would like to learn more about Kerby’s Nursery or attend one of its upcoming events, visit www.kerbysnursery.com or call 813-685-3265. Kerby’s Nursery is located at 2311 S. Parsons Ave. in Se ner.

The program primarily serves elderly, homebound individuals who are unable to shop, prepare or cook for themselves. Volunteers ensure that these residents not only receive a nutritious, hot meal each day but also a little bit of human connection.

Operating since 1976, Greater Brandon Meals on Wheels is one of the area’s longest-standing charitable programs, with over 17 local churches banding together to make sure the service runs smoothly. Volunteers, drivers, cooks and prep teams all pitch in to make each delivery a success.

Dave ‘Mac’ MacEwen, president of the organization, has been a dedicated volunteer for the past eight years. After retiring from the Army, he decided to settle in the area and follow his passion for cooking by attending culinary school. He started to prepare gourmet meals for his family, and now prepares meals for his community too.

“There’s a lot of satisfaction in knowing that you’re helping the most vulnerable people in our community get a good meal,” MacEwen shared while prepping a meal at his home church, Presbyterian Church of Se ner. “We start cooking at 8:30 a.m., and by 11 a.m. the drivers are on the road deliv-

Greater Brandon Meals on Wheels is funded entirely through private donations and contributions from program recipients. No government funding is involved. Clients pay a small fee for their meals, and the remaining costs are covered by generous individuals and businesses who recognize the program’s value in the community.

For more information or to refer someone in need, contact general coordinator Carol Shick at 813-404-1973. Those interested in volunteering or participating at a church can reach out to MacEwen at davidkmacewen@gmail.com. Visit www.brandonmealsonwheels.com.

Participating member churches include: First United Methodist Church of Se ner, Kings Avenue Baptist Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Apostles Lutheran Church, Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale, HighPoint Church of Brandon, Nativity Catholic Church, First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, Se ner Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church of Brandon, St. Stephen Catholic Church, Brandon Christian Church, Rich Valley Church, New Hope Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Dover.

Kerby’s Nursery is becoming popular for its educational programming and community events.

Volunteers at Presbyterian Church of Se ner prep meals as part of Greater Brandon Meals on Wheels.

Beauty. Harmony. Originality.

Nestled between Biscayne Canal and Tampa Bay, this custom home sanctuary is perfectly designed for luxurious living with a relaxing boating lifestyle. This secluded, gated community provides privacy and serenity, yet it’s close to Tampa and St. Petersburg — all within an unspoiled natural landscape.

These expansive, direct-access waterfront homesites will feature a blend of custom-built homes and a limited collection of beautifully designed new homes by two of Tampa Bay’s premier builders.

UPCOMING HISTORY TALK: THE FOUNDING FAMILIES OF BRANDON

The History Talks program, sponsored by the Plant City History & Photo Archives, the Tampa Bay History Center, Preserve Brandon and 7th Sky Ventures, is back for the second topic in the History Talks series. This time, the topic of the talk will be the founding families of Brandon.

“This latest installment of our History Talks series will focus on the families that helped build Brandon, Tampa and Plant City,” said the Plant City History & Photo Archives’ community outreach manager, Libby Hopkins.

Michael Wigh is the local historian for Preserve Brandon. His portion of the History Talk will focus on the families that built Brandon.

“The founding families of Brandon were a diverse group, drawn to the promise of Florida’s sunshine and opportunity,” Wigh said. “It’s often said that people came to Florida in search of health or wealth, and Brandon was no exception. From humble farmers to successful businessmen, settlers arrived seeking government land grants, extended growing seasons, winter retreats or a healthier climate. These early pioneers were resilient adventurers, overcoming challenges unfamiliar to us today. Through hard work and cooperation, they built the foundation of a thriving community.”

Rodney Kite-Powell is the historian for the Tampa Bay History Center, and he will be speaking about the families that shaped Tampa Bay.

By Libby Hopkins

“The McKay Family is one of the oldest founding families in Tampa,” Kite-Powell said. “Dating back to the arrival of James McKay; his wife, Matilda Cail McKay; and Matilda’s mother, Sarah Cail, in 1846, generations of McKays and their extended families have had a huge impact on the growth and development of the Tampa Bay area.”

Gil Gott, interim director and historian for the Plant City History & Photo Archives, will be discussing James T. Evers and how he helped to build Plant City.

“The people living in and around the areas of Cork, Shiloh, Knights and Wilder in the early 1880s became the new businessmen and founders of the new town of Plant City,” Gott said. “Among those was an entrepreneur, James T. Evers, who was one of the earliest to move from Shiloh to the center of the nascent town of Plant City, established his general store on what became Evers Street, where the Plant City History & Photo Archives is currently located.”

The Founding Families History Talk will take place on Sunday, April 6, from 4-6 p.m. at Stowers Funeral Home in Brandon. The doors open at 3:30 p.m., with the talk starting at 4 p.m. The event is free to attend, and light snacks and drinks are included. The event is capped at 75 guests.

Register at www.eventbrite. com/e/1245528070989 or by calling the Plant City History & Photo Archives at 813754-1578. Stowers Funeral Home is located at 401 W. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon.

Financial security isn’t just about numbers — it’s about creating security, peace of mind and a future that aligns with your goals and dreams. In an industry where many firms focus more on profits than people, finding a financial advisor who truly prioritizes clients can be a challenge.

That’s where SouthShore Wealth Management stands apart. Built on the belief that service and trust should come before sales, this Sun City Center-based firm is redefining what it means to put clients first.

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

McCormick has over 27 years of experience in the financial industry. After spending much of his career at large investment firms, he saw how many advisors were pressured to promote products rather than focus on what was truly best for their clients. That realization led him to take a different approach, creating a firm where service, integrity, and personal attention come first.

Founded with a mission to provide independent, personalized financial guidance, SouthShore Wealth Management offers a full suite of services, including investment management, retirement planning, annuities, life insurance and long-term care solutions. Operating as a fiduciary, SouthShore Wealth Management will act in the clients’ best interests, ensuring recommendations are based on individual goals rather than corporate agendas.

With a fee-based structure, its success is directly tied to the financial well-being of its clients, fostering trust and alignment every step of the way.

“At the end of the day, financial security is one of the most critical aspects of a person’s life, right up there with faith, family and health,” said Mike McCormick, founder and wealth manager. “We take that responsibility seriously, and we are here for our clients whenever they need us.”

SouthShore Wealth Management operates with a concierge-level service model, ensuring clients always receive timely, proactive communication. Calls are answered by a live person, and emails and voicemails receive responses within 24 hours, often much sooner.

Regular check-ins, structured quarterly meetings and an open-door policy encourage clients to stay engaged with their financial plans. Whether planning for retirement, growing a business or seeking financial security, SouthShore Wealth Management is committed to helping clients navigate their financial future with confidence.

For those seeking a financial partner who values relationships over revenue, SouthShore Wealth Management offers free, no-obligation consultations, helping individuals and families build a secure future, one personalized plan at a time.

For more information or to schedule your free consultation, please call the office at 813-499-9247 or visit its website at www.southshorewlth.com.

Mike McCormick, founder of SouthShore Wealth Management, has been guiding clients for over 27 years and brings extensive experience to ensure clients feel secure in their financial plans.

MAKING HISTORY: GLAZER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM RANKS AMONG THE NATION’S BEST

FOR THE FIRST TIME

The Glazer Children’s Museum is making history by earning the No. 10 spot on USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, marking its first-ever ranking among the nation’s top children’s museums. This national honor reflects the museum’s ongoing dedication to play-based learning and meaningful experiences for children and families. It’s the only children’s museum in the state of Florida to receive the honor.

Designed for children 10 and younger, the Glazer Children’s Museum offers hands-on exhibits, interactive programs and special events year-round. Visitors can gaze in awe at Big John, the World’s Largest Triceratops fossil, and dive into dinosaur-themed activities. The museum sparks creativity and learning with exhibits like the Water’s Journey Climber, KidsPort and Art Smart, where kids can climb, race boats and create art. Children can also take on real-world roles as firefighters in Safety Village, veterinarians in the Vet Clinic or learn about the importance of healthcare in St. Joseph’s Hospital, where they can give a CT scan. At Publix, kids can shop, make sandwiches and practice their cashier skills. Budding performers can shine in the Twinkle Stars Theater, and toddlers can explore in Tugboat Tots, a special space designed for ages 3 and younger.

“This recognition solidifies Glazer Children’s Museum as a world-class destination for learning and discovery, and a true asset to Tampa,” said Sarah Cole, president and CEO of the Glazer Children’s Museum. “Be-

Report

ing named one of the top 10 children’s museums in the country reflects the innovative, impactful experiences we provide every day, and this honor only strengthens our commitment to shaping the next generation of creative thinkers and learners.”

Since opening in Downtown Tampa in 2010, the Glazer Children’s Museum has grown into a key part of the Tampa Bay cultural corridor, sitting along the scenic Tampa Riverwalk and inspiring generations of young learners. This first-time ranking in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards solidifies the museum’s place on the national stage and highlights its commitment to innovative learning through play.

The USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards recognizes the top destinations in various categories based on public voting and expert recommendations. The Glazer Children’s Museum joins an elite list of children’s museums across the country that are shaping young minds and creating unforgettable learning experiences.

The mission of the Glazer Children’s Museum is to create and foster engaging, impactful play experiences for children and families to learn and thrive. The Glazer Children’s Museum encourages children to play with purpose in over 35,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. The museum is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, serving as an innovative educational, cultural and accessible resource for Tampa Bay and Central Florida. Visit https://glazermuseum.org/.

SPRING SHOWCASE EXPO COMING TO SUN CITY CENTER

The Greater SouthShore Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of its annual Spring Showcase ‘Expo’ in Sun City Center. Mark your calendars for Friday, March 28, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church.

“Last year’s event saw an amazing turnout, and we can’t wait to see even more faces this year,” said event organizers.

The Spring Showcase Expo is a fantastic opportunity to connect with Sun City Center residents and fellow vendors faceto-face. In a community that values relationships and trust, this event provides a perfect setting to build meaningful connections while showcasing your business. Whether offering a product or providing a service, residents here appreciate businesses they can rely on.

But that’s not all. The chamber is adding even more excitement this year, including tasty food, live music, a mini pet expo, a car show and more fun-filled activities.

SouthShore Chamber director Melanie Davis encourages all attendees to sign up: “This is a great chance to make lasting impressions and showcase your business to a community that values trust and service.”

Space is filling up quickly, so don’t wait. Reserve your spot as a vendor today and ensure you’re part of this incredible event.

To register, click the link below or contact the chamber for more information at www.southshorechamberofcommerce. org/events/details/23399.

If you need assistance with registration, feel free to email the chamber or call its office at 813-645-1366. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.

The Greater SouthShore Chamber of Commerce looks forward to seeing you at the Spring Showcase Expo at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, located at 1239 W. Del Webb Blvd. in Sun City Center. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to connect with the community.