Two Sections, 40 Pages of Community News
Valrico
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Publishers Clearing House Delivers $1 Million Prize To Valrico Man By Michelle Colesanti
Valrico resident Mike Flaherty was surprised to find the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol at his door with a $1 Million sweepstakes prize.
cal, the Publishers Clearing House (PCH) Prize Patrol team is actually on the road across the country every week of the year presenting prizes and checks to residents who enter. According to the company, people are often surprised that PCH awards a multitude of big cash prizes annually. “I thought there was just one million or ten million dollar prize a year,” some folks tell the PCH Prize Patrol deputies. That’s not the case. While the number of prizes may vary by year, at Publishers Clearing House there are many ways to win and many prizes awarded. In total, Publishers Clearing House awards anywhere from nearly $3 million to just over $13 million in prizes annually. The winner selection process is completely random and unbiased. All of the company giveaways and the handling of SuperPrize numbers are governed by a set of official rules and are under the supervision of the PCH Board of Judges. PCH was founded in 1953, has awarded more than $430 Million in prizes and has evolved to include many ways to win online and through social media and mobile access. For more information or to enter, visit www.pch.com.
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For one Valrico man, being home on a Friday morning became the highlight of his life as he answered the door to the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol! The patrol was on hand to present Mike Flaherty of Valrico with a $1 million sweepstakes prize along with balloons, flowers and camera crews from local news stations as the famous Prize Patrol presented him with his winnings. Flaherty, said he enters the Sweepstakes frequently but had no clue he had won. In fact, his wife was out of town and he was heading out of state before the doorbell rang. "I just can't believe this," said Flaherty. "I'm leaving for North Carolina today and I just can't believe it." When told he was the Publishers Clearing House Winner of $1 Million, he was shocked. "You're coming at just the right time," he added, "you just have no idea." Flaherty was asked by the Prize Patrol if he enters a lot and he said, "I enter all the time!" Although a prize this size is not typi-
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June 2019 Volume 16, Issue 6 Ph: 657-2418 P O S I T I V E
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
Teacher Of The Year Finalist Returns To Inspire Fellow Lithia Springs Students
By Kate Quesada
Fifth grade students at Valrico’s Lithia Springs Elementary School received inspiration from a special former student last month. Dr. Dakeyan Graham, Hillsborough County’s Teacher of the Year for 2019 and one of five finalists for 2020’s Florida Teacher of the Year, spoke at the school’s fifth grade banquet 23 years after attending the school himself.
Graham, who was a student at Lithia Springs for third through fifth grades and attended Burns and Rodgers middle schools, teaches Band, Orchestra and Music Theory at King High School, his alma mater. He also received his Bachelor and Master degrees in Music Education from the University of Florida and his PhD from the University of South Florida. Lithia Springs Principal Kevin Martin invited Graham to speak at the school’s fifth grade banquet after hearing about his Teacher of the Year success. “Dr. Graham was amazing with our students,” said Martin. “His message was about having a dream and that you get one hundred percent of what you put into your dream back out. The students were tuned in throughout and I noticed multiple parents approaching him afterwards and thanking him.” Graham felt the banquet was a great opportunity for him to make an impact on the students as they move on to middle school with the new opportunities that come with that transition. “I wanted to help the students remember how important it is to have a
dream and keep that dream at the forefront as they experience new things,” said Graham, whose parents still live in the Bloomingdale home where he grew up. “Success comes when you don’t allow your circumstances to dictate your future.” The next Dr. Dakeyan Graham, Florida step for Graham Teacher of the on his Florida Year finalist, spoke to Lithia Teacher of the Springs Year journey is Elementary School 5th grade an interview in Tallahassee later graduation. this month. The winner will be announced in mid-July. “Teaching is my passion,” said Graham, who taught approximately 240 students during the 2018-19 school year. “It is amazing to me that I can give individualized attention to and help guide so many growing minds.” Lithia Springs Elementary School is located at 4332 Lynx Paw Trl. in Valrico and can be reached at 744-8016. Visit www.lithiasprings.mysdhc.org.
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STATE FARM GRANT‐ JA BIZTOWN ....PG 3 HURRICANE PREPARATIONS .....PGS 14‐15 EYE ON BUSINESS .....................PGS 25‐26 CHALKLINES .....................................PG 28
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GRAND OPENING!
June 11th
Maple Street Biscuit Company’s newest location in the Tampa area opened June 11. Opening its first location in Jacksonville, FL in 2012, Maple Street continues to serve comfort food with a modern twist. Located at 127 W. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon. For more information, call 409-3583.
Create Your Own Love It Ice Cream Expires 7/14/19
3426 Lithia Pinecrest Rd • Valrico (813) 681-2223 (located behind Chili’s)