Two Sections, 40 Pages of Community News
Valrico
C E L E B R A T I N G
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Bloomingdale High School Makes Big Impact By Hosting Relay For Life
By Kate Quesada
the community, I think people are drawn to wanting to participate in the event,” said Klomparens. “Whether it is by starting a team, becoming a sponsor, volunteering to help with the planning and organizing, attending as a survivor or caregiver or just coming out to walk some laps and support the day of activities, there is truly a way for everyone in the community to get involved.” Bloomingdale HS will feature national holidays as its theme. One highlight of the event is the Luminaria Ceremony that typically starts at 9 p.m. and showcases luminaria bags lit in memory or in honor of loved ones. Bloomingdale’s event will take place at the school’s track, located at 1700 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico, from Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. through Saturday, April 27 at 6 a.m. Residents are encouraged to sign up to participate in either event at www.relayforlife.org, but the community is also encouraged to come out to support the fundraisers at the events, even if they are not part of a team. For more information, contact Klomparens at 616-551-4038 or visit the school’s Relay For Life website at www.RelayForLife.org/Bloomingdalefl.
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Bloomingdale High School is inviting community members to join them fighting cancer at their annual Relay For Life event next month. On Friday, April 26, students and community members will join 28 other teams at Bloomingdale High School to walk, camp overnight and participate in other activities to raise funds to meet their goal of $70,000 for the American Cancer Society (A.C.S.). “Relay For Life is crucial to the mission of ACS because the funds raised through our events help to support the programs, services and research efforts that we provide in our communities,” said Alexandra Klomparens, Senior Event Support Manager. “Without the incredible support we receive through Relay For Life, not only financially but in overall support and dedication from our volunteers, we would not have been able to make the impact we have in the fight against cancer.” “I think that Relay For Life sees such great participation because, sadly, nearly everyone is impacted by cancer,” said Klomparens. “Whether they are a survivor, caregiver or know someone who has been diagnosed, cancer touches almost everyone in some capacity.” The events are not traditional relays, although teams are asked to have one participant walking the track at all times, even through the night. When not walking, there are many events for participants to chose from to keep busy and raise important funds. “With Relay For Life offering so many opportunities and levels of involvement to
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March 2019 Volume 16, Issue 3 Ph: 657-2418
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Local Family Develops New Twist On Tooth Fairy With The Toothless Monster
By Amy Schechter
Most children your plushy to await are happy enough to the tooth fairy’s receive a monetary arrival that night. reward from a Before bed, you read famous fairy upon up to a certain point the loss of a tooth. in the book before However, what if tucking your little one your child was in. Overnight, ‘the adamant in discovertooth fairy’ will ing what the tooth exchange the real fairy does with all tooth for a prize and those baby teeth? you will secretly add Ryan and Jennifer a plastic tooth to Dean found themMonte or Meli to selves tackling this ‘earn’ a tooth. subject with their Children will awake three-year-old to find not only a gift daughter, Cooper, from the tooth fairy, who heard about the Local resident and dad Ryan Dean and but the surprise of magical entity that their monster’s new wife Jennifer developed a new Tooth would one day carry Fairy incentive book and toy called The tooth. Then, you can Toothless Monster. off her teeth. finish reading the An off-the-cuff response soon develstory to find out how excited and thankful oped into a really cool story about being their monster is to earn a tooth. It is an different and helping others. Ryan Dean amazing way to celebrate the loss of a said, “We came up with this by accident. I tooth and learn about how important it is told Cooper the tooth fairy gives them to to overcome challenges and help others creatures that don’t have teeth and need along the way. them.” While on vacation in Central To purchase your copy of The America driving through the rainforest, the Toothless Monster along with your plushy story took root and developed as Cooper and attachable teeth or learn more, visit asked more questions, and the Deans https://thetoothlessmonster.com or find it realized they had a great idea. The on Amazon. Email info@thetoothlessToothless Monster follows the story of monster.com. Monte who cannot participate in a yearly party to celebrate the ripening of a special fruit because he does not have any teeth. He meets the tooth fairy who agrees to help him if he is willing to earn what he is missing. In the process, he learns how to pay it forward to the other creatures in the 38 jungle. The Toothless Monster is a beautifulCRAWFISH FESTIVAL ..........................PG 4 ly illustrated hardcover book that comes with your choice of Monte, a blue plushy, RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL.....................PG 9 or his monster friend, Meli, a purple EYE ON BUSINESS .....................PGS 25‐26 plushy. It also comes with a set of 16 attachable teeth parents should keep hidCHALKLINES .....................................PG 28 den away and a tooth loss chart to record the date your child loses each tooth. READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE When your child loses a tooth, you place www.ospreyobserver.com their real tooth in a secret tooth pouch in
$5 OFF
Any Signature Cake (Excludes Pies, Petite Cakes & Cupcakes) 3426 Lithia Pinecrest Road • Valrico, FL 33596 Limit one per customer per visit. Valid only at this location, in store only. Not valid online. No cash value. Not valid with other offers or fundraisers or if copied, sold, auctioned, exchanged for payment. Expires 12/31/19 (PLU #7)
Look for our Summer Camp Guide in the second section of this edition. From baseball to swimming, theater to arts, there is something for every camper this summer. For the complete guide, see pages 29-35.
3426 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596 (813) 681-2223 (located behind Chili’s)