Valrico
37
February 2023
Volume 20, Issue 2
Ph: 813-657-2418
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CELEBRATING 21 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
2023 FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
THEME IS, WE HAVE A WINNER By Libby Hopkins
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
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The Florida won.” Strawberry FesAs the Florida tival represents Strawberry Fesa piece of Amertival continues to icana, a time in grow each year, American history it also wants to when fairs and be accessible festivals brought for all families. communities toThis year, it is gether through celdebuting a new ebrations of their program called The Florida Strawberry Festival represents a piece harvests. It has Special Smiles of Americana, a time in American history when continued to grow fairs and festivals brought communities together Day, which will in popularity year be held on Friday, through celebrations of their harvests. after year through March 3 from 9 the preservation of a.m.-12 Noon. “The this heritage. Special Smiles Day Central to its has been generfocus, the festival ously sponsored continues to preby the Rotary Club serve and enhance of Plant City,” said the agricultural Kyle Robinson. and historical leg“This unique event acy of the Florida is reserved for celstrawberries. “Both ebrating and serving our Kyle and I have grown most treasured guests in a up in Plant City and we safe, fun and sensory conboth have a rich love siderate environment. All for the festival, this Special Smiles attendees community and the and one companion will be people who attend the admitted for free, and entry festival,” said current is at gate five. We want to Strawberry Festival keep this going forever!” director Paul Davis. He Both Robinson and Davis will be retiring at the hope that this year’s festival end of the upcoming festival season, and will be wonderful for all who attend. “We Kyle Robinson will be taking his place. pray before every meeting at the festival, This year’s theme is ‘We Have a Win- and we pray for safety,” Davis said. “We ner.’ “We always try and make our themes pray for good weather, and we pray that short and sweet,” Davis said. “We got all everyone who comes to the festival has of our staff together and this is the theme the best experience ever and they will join we came up with because we are the us year after year.” number one fair in the state of Florida. If you would like to learn more about Another reason for this theme is that we the 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival, viswon the state competition for the state it its website at www.flstrawberryfestidessert. It was between key lime pie and val.com. The Florida Strawberry Festival strawberry shortcake. How many key runs from Thursday, March 2 through limes are grown in Florida? None, so we Sunday, March 12.
The Tampa Bay Strikers of the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) kicked off their inaugural 16-game season in January. The team named former Buccaneers kicker and 2002 Super Bowl champion Martin Gramatica, head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams last July. Above, Gramatica with his family at his introductory press conference. See full story on Page 36.
CIMINO ELEMENTARY’S COACH DANIEL MACKO AWARDED TECO COACH OF THE BAY By Jane Owen students, Macko hopes his students will be inspired to stay active throughout their lives. He loves making a difference in his students’ lives. “My favorite part of coaching is creating activities that they remember for a lifetime. I still have students that come back that are adults now and tell me how much they loved this activity or that activity. It always brings a Photos courtesy of Vinik Sport Group smile to my face,” Macko Coach Daniel Macko of Cimino Elementary School was recogsaid. nized as the 2022 Coach of the Bay presented by TECO at a recent Macko was named Tampa Bay Lightning game. Cimino Elementary During the Tampa Bay Teacher of the Year in Lightning home game ver2012 and graduated sus the Boston Bruins on from the University of January 26, Cimino ElemenSouth Florida in 2009. tary School’s coach Daniel The TECO Coach of the Macko was recognized as Bay designation has been the 2022 Tampa Bay Lightawarded since 2019. ning Coach of the Bay preMacko received recogsented by TECO. nition during the game, Macko has been teaching a personalized Lightning physical education at Cimino Elementary jersey and $1,000 to give to the charity of for 14 years. He is passionate about cre- his choice; he chose the Down Syndrome ating enjoyable activities that instill con- Association of Tampa Bay (on Facebook fidence. @21StrongForever). “What makes coaching special to me is “I chose the Down Syndrome Associathe relationship I get to create with stu- tion of Tampa Bay because we have a students for six years. Most teachers only dent at our school who has touched the have a child for one year. So, it’s awesome hearts of our family. We wanted the funds I get to see these kids grow up and devel- to go to that charity because they do great op the physical skills to be become better things for people with Down syndrome in and confident in sports and in themselves,” our community,” Macko said. Macko said. Cimino Elementary is located at 4329 Macko introduces sports and skills that Culbreath Rd. Valrico. Visit https://www. will help students live a positive heathy hillsboroughschools.org/cimino. lifestyle. Cimino Principal Joann Griffiths said Macko inspires everyone he is around. “Coach Macko is our hero. He represents all that is possible and positive. He exudes a can-do attitude that is uplifting PROJECT PINK .................................... PG 3 and contagious. Danny demonstrates the BUSCH GARENDS............................... PG 5 character traits we all strive to achieve. MUSEUM OF ART ............................... PG 8 He is our Coach of the Bay each and every EYE ON BUSINESS ................PGS 25-26 day,” Griffiths said. With a focus on making sports fun for MARTIN SECURITY ....................... PG 29
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