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Valrico
17 C E L E B R A T I N G
January 2019 1 7
Y E A R S
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Explore Medard Park And Go Hiking With A Viking With Wyrd Bros. Productions
Staff Report
Bluffs Trail. On the journey, the Viking guides teach hikers about their lifestyle, skills and crafts, weapons and their appreciation and dependence on
Go Hiking with a Viking as they descend on Medard Park in Plant City. There are four dates in January and February to choose from and join in the fun.
nature. The length of the hike is 1.5 miles. Each event begins at 9 a.m. Hiking with a Viking is held in conjunction with Hillsborough County’s Hiking Spree, which encourages people to exercise, explore the outdoors and experience nature through the County’s parks and preserves. This year’s trail list features 25 trails at 19 locations throughout the county. Complete at least eight before March 31, 2019 and earn a patch or medallion. Registration is required for Hiking with a Viking, and entry is limited to those who have registered for the Hiking Spree. The cost is $5 (cash only). You pay on the day of the event at the park. There is also a $2 park entry fee per vehicle for up to eight people. Medard Park is located at 6140 Turkey Creek Rd. in Plant City. For information, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/calendar/03-parksandrec/2019/celm/20190126-hiking-with-aviking.
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Colorfully dressed robbers with parrots on their shoulders descend on Hillsborough County every year, but Gasparilla is not the only entertainment option featuring invaders from the sea. Hillsborough County’s ‘Hiking with a Viking’ features park rangers and members from Wyrd Brothers Productions, a volunteer historical re-enactment group focusing on the Viking era. The group trains at Medard Park on the weekends and wanted to become involved in the hiking spree. So the inaugural event held on December 1 was set up, and it reached capacity almost as soon as it was announced. All of the attendees, including the kids, had a lot of fun. In fact, it was so popular that Wyrd Brothers Productions agreed to do it again, and the next four dates were set up: Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27, and February 9 and 10, all at Medard Park. According to Hillsborough County Park Ranger Chris Kiddy, “It is a really cool event that combines education and entertainment. The Vikings really depended on nature.” Together, the rangers and costumed marauders lead hikers through Edward Medard Conservation Park’s Singing
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Volume 16, Issue 1 Ph: 657-2418 P O S I T I V E
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
Fraternal Order Of Eagles Hosts Annual Fundraiser For Underprivileged Children
By Nick Nahas
For 20 years, international non-profit members of the local organization uniting Fraternal Order of fraternally in the spirit Eagles, Aerie 3566, of liberty, truth, justice have hosted the and equality to make Boone’s Kids Annual human life more desirChristmas Party at able by lessening its Lopez Elementary ills and promoting School, giving underpeace, prosperity, privileged children gladness and hope. shoes and other gifts. The organization was This year, the created in 1898. event was held on Stepka asks local December 18. Jim businesses to be Boone started this sponsors to help raise fundraiser in 1998, but money for the gifts had to move to Photos Courtesy of Dennis Stepka and event. Sponsors Michigan several years Dennis Stepka dressed as Santa with include Odiorne 20 underprivileged kids. ago due to health Insurance Agency, issues. Fellow Fraternal Order of Eagles Hungry Howie’s, Terry Fink State Farm member Dennis Stepka promised his and Bubba Que’s. Stepka and his friend friend eight years ago that he would conCarol Hall are the main people that put tinue the tradition. the event together. Guidance counselor Stepka has dressed up as Santa Lisa Hall also plays a big part in the Claus for the event every year since he event. “The most rewarding aspect is took over, spreading Christmas cheer to seeing the excitement and the appreciathe 15 to 20 underprivileged children that tion of the children for what they have are chosen with the help of the school received,” said Stepka. guidance counselor. The children were 5 For more information, please visit and 6 years old. These children are chowww.foe3566.org. sen to receive gifts, visit with Santa and have lunch. They receive two pairs of shoes, 12 pairs of socks, pajamas, two outfits, jackets, hats, blankets, a razor scooter and one toy. The girls also get a doll and the boys get a remote control car. “Most of the children don’t want a lot of toys, they just want something to play 28 with, and most of them want clothes,” said Stepka. He said that the kids are FLORIDA STATE FAIR .........................PG 3 very appreciative. Last year, Stepka noticed a little boy CHALKLINES....................................PG 10 that did not open his bag full of gifts and ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT...............PG 17 never even looked in the bag. Stepka asked the boy why. The boy said that his SPORTS CONNECTION ....................PG 18 brother at home was not going to get any EYE ON BUSINESS....................PGS 21‐22 gifts, so he wanted to save them for him. According to Stepka, he has been a YEAR IN REVIEW......................PGS 23‐31 part of the Fraternal Order of Eagles for 28 years. READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE The Fraternal Order of Eagles is an www.ospreyobserver.com
2 for $8
Photo courtesy of Douglas DeFelice
Owl’s Nest Sanctuary is a state and federally licensed 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works with places like Busch Gardens and SeaWorld to provide wildlife with professional aid, and it is 100 percent volunteer run. With over 90 volunteers and six counties to cover, it has much support but is always seeking more assistance.
Visit www.owlsnestsanctuaryforwildlife.com See article on page 8.
Medium Smoothies or Love It Ice Cream Expires 2/14/19
3426 Lithia Pinecrest Rd • Valrico, FL 33596 (813) 681-2223 (located behind Chili’s)