Page 8
Bloomingdale/ FishHawk Edition
Nature’s Classroom Facility Celebrates Its Annual Open House Event March 25
By Tamas Mondovics
For nearly five The upcoming decades, Nature’s open house event Classroom, called, "Woods, Florida’s outdoor Water, and Wildlife" education program is a considered has been providing once-a-year celeyoung students a bration that is now chance to get upscheduled for close-and-personal Saturday, March 25 with nature to help from 9 a.m. to 4 them reach an p.m. appreciation of the “This event will Hillsborough County sixth grade students environment, while allow the general participate in a hands-on field study of the Hillsborough River Watershed at Nature’s promoting conserpublic to visit the Classroom. The general public to visit the vation and preserschool that is norfacility during its annual once a year open vation. mally reserved for house March 25. Nature’s the environmental Classroom is located Northeast education of all sixth grade public school Hillsborough County on 365 acres provid- students in Hillsborough County,” said ed by the Southwest Florida Water event coordinator Chris Rusnak. Management District (SWFWMD) and Visitors to the school are steadily within the boundary of the Hillsborough growing, and have enjoyed the support of River. local government officials and community Throughout the year, the school leaders. focuses on the Hillsborough River “It is our goal to foster a better underWatershed Field Study catered to sixth standing of the natural world so that we grade students who attend a three-day can have a highly educated voter base to program that covers the habitats, flora, make smart decisions for the future of our fauna, human use and impact field study state, country, and world,” Rusnak said. of the Hillsborough River Watershed. The one day cash only event is $10 School officials said that nearly per carload. Boat rides are $2 per person 15,000 sixth grade students who visit the and will include children’s activities, anioutdoor facility claim approximately mal experiences, hikes, a shoreline sam540,000 hours of ecological and outdoor pling experience, and exhibitors. skills experiences annually. Nature's Classroom is located at Since 2007, Nature's Classroom offi13100 Verges Rd in Thonotosassa, just cials have also opened the school’s doors 1.5 miles east of I-75 of the Fletcher Ave. to the public to raise awareness and Exit. Volunteers are welcome and may funding, which supports the feeding of its contact Mary Spence at 987-6969 or collection of animals on site. mary.spence@sdhc.k12.fl.us.
Family Owned & Operated
Local Source to Give Your Pets a H appy an d Healthy Life
Visit our store for free & helpful advice on the nutrition and health of your pets. All our foods are American made, corn, wheat, soy and gluten free! Wide varity of toys, dog and cat bedding, apparel and supplies Great selection of all natural foods as well as unique natural chews and treats
Specializing in Hollistic Foods made in the USA from real ingredients with no byproduct.
$5.00 OFF
purchase of $50 or more Exp. 4/1/17 Not to be combined with any other offers
3110 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Valrico 813-684-3663 www.kimsnaturalpetfoods.com
Volume 16, Issue 3
Couple Celebrates 75 Years Of Marriage
By Kate Quesada
When baby needs a diaper change, do Richard and it. If floors need vacuuming, do it. Lois Coates Admire her and praise her for moved to making your house a home.” Valrico in He also emphasizes the 1968, importance of faith, commitment Brandon to wedding vows and showing Blvd. had love in words and action. only two lanes and Lumsden Rd. was a dirt trail between Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Richard and Lois Coates of Valrico and Valrico recently celebrated their 75th Rd. There wedding anniversary. wasn’t a “Keep your wedding vows,” he McDonald’s in sight. The couple is celesaid. “A wife is a treasured thing. Give her brating their 75th anniversary this year compliments on housekeeping and and credits their long marriage to faith appearance. Tell her how much you are and commitment. blessed to have her as your wife and tell Both raised in Florida, Richard and her you love her at least twice a day.” Lois met when he asked her to skate with Both Lois and Richard will also celehim at Tampa’s Sweetheart Skating Rink. brate their 96th birthdays this year and They knew each other only 78 days are proud to call Valrico home. before marrying on January 11, 1942 in “When we moved here it was a lot of High Springs, Florida. They went on to orange groves and pastures with cattle have five children, four girls and a boy still grazing,” said Richard. “We used to and nine grandchildren, while Richard live in the country, but now we have the worked in the railroad industry and Lois big city atmosphere. Conveniences and spent many years working for the City of everything are just a short ride away. We Tampa as Playground Director for the no longer need to go into Tampa for anyJackson Heights Playground. thing.” The couple’s daughter, Rhonda Richard, who is a World War II veterCoates Noland, admires her parents’ an, serving in the Pacific Theater for more marriage and hopes others will learn from than three years, has plenty of advice for them and their sense of community. couples looking for a long, healthy mar“Mom and dad worked together as a riage. team at home, church and in the neigh“It is very important that husbands borhood schools and playground,” she help your wives with household chores, said. “They have an inspirational love and especially the babies,” he said. “If the story.”