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June 2018 Volume 17, Issue 6 Ph: 657-2418
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Local Neighbor Is Familiar Host Wawa Opens Newest Store With On Home Shopping Network Donations To HCSO and HCFR By Kate Quesada
By Kate Quesada
in Florida this year, will be lead by Riverview resident Store Manager Kelly Brennan. “One of our main goals is to make life simpler for our customers,” said Brennan. Wawa, which was named after a rural area in Pennsylvania and is a Native American word for the Canada goose, is open 24 hours, seven days a The grand opening celebration for the Wawa store at the inter- week. Each store is company owned and section of FishHawk Blvd., Boyette Rd. and Bell Shoals Rd. included a ribbon cutting and Hoagie for Heroes building com- operated and nationpetition between the Hillsborough County Sherrif’s Office and wide serves more than Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. 600 million customers Area residents have a much shorter annually. drive for Wawa’s famous hoagies, coffee Speaking at the store grand opening, and gas this month. The company’s State Representative Jake Rayburn wel144th Florida store opened at 13323 comed Wawa to the community. Boyette Rd., at the intersection with “My goal recently has been to foster FishHawk Blvd. and Bell Shoals Rd., on an environment that allows businesses to May 17 with specials for shoppers, fun, grow,” said Rayburn. “We know how games and donations to the Hillsborough much Wawa supports its community, so it County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and is great to see it grow and prosper.” Hillsborough County Fire Rescue For more information on the store, (HCFR). call 437-2608 or visit www.wawa.com. “We are so excited to be here and become part of the community,” said Area Director of Store Operations Dave Filano. In This “We are looking forward to turning cusIssue tomers and community members into friends.” The grand opening celebration for HOA HOT TOPICS ...............................PG 7 the 6,119 sq. ft. store included a Hoagie for Heroes hoagie building competition TALLY OUTDOORS ............................PG 12 where the HCSO and the HCFR faced off CPR CLASSES ....................................PG 13 to see who could build the most hoagies in three minutes. Each group received MOTORIST/BICYCLE SAFETY ............PG 18 $1,000 from Wawa to charities of their WACKY HOLIDAYS ............................PG 21 choice. “At Wawa, when we open a new TAKING FLIGHT ................................PG 25 store, we celebrate our commitment to TAMPA’S RIVERWALK ......................PG 27 not only fulfill lives with our fresh food and beverages, latest store designs and SPORTS CONNECTION...............PGS 32‐33 expanded offerings, but also our commitARTS & ENTERTAINMENT................PG 43 ment to the community and our new neighbors,” said Filano. EYE ON BUSINESS .....................PGS 45‐46 The store, which is the sixth to open
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mom being a HSN shopper and I saw first hand the great deals she found and the wonderful community the station creates between the host, guest hosts and the viewers. I love being part of that community.” As a guest host in the home, lawn and garden categories, Wood tells viewers about everything from chemical-free cleaning solutions to the latest ice machines and solar lampposts. FishHawk When not workresidents who are fans of ing, Wood enjoys the Home Shopping spending time with Network (HSN), might her family at the notice a familiar face in the beach or Disney, but community. Rebekah her hours at HSN Wood, who has lived in can be long and the area for more than six unpredictable. years, is a guest host on “Last month I the network talking with worked from 5 p.m. hosts and demonstrating on a Monday to midproducts in the home, night on lawn and garden cateWednesday, airing gories. the Today Special Wood, who also FishHawk resident Rebekah Wood is every couple of a guest host on the Home Shopping home-schools her three Network in the home, lawn and gar- hours,” said Wood. children, began working at “It’s a job that runs den categories. HSN in June 2015 when on pure adrenaline.” she was introduced to the network’s talDespite the crazy hours, Wood still ent coordinator. After sending in a tape of recommends the job to anyone who her previous on-air work, Wood permight be interested. formed an audition at the studios and was “The guest hosts I work with all come first selected to represent the from different backgrounds,” she said. Margaritaville line. “You do not need television experience. “I absolutely love bringing great prod- You just need a passion for connecting ucts to our viewers that I know will either with the viewers about the products you help them or bring them happiness,” said feel will better their lives in one way or Wood, who worked in broadcast news for another.” 15 years, ending her career as the mornFor more information on HSN and to ing and mid-day anchor of the ABC news see a list of recently televised items, visit affiliate in Minneapolis. “I grew up with my www.hsn.com.
LITHIA
County Commissioner Stacy White recently recognized the Randall Middle School Odyssey of the Mind team with certificates for its first place finish at the state competition, recently held at the University of Central Florida. The team headed to Odyssey Of The Mind World Championships which was held at Iowa State University. (Pictured in no particular order) Blake Bole, Kayla Purifoy, Bradley Carlson, Findlay Hartman, Leela Walbolt, John Annett, Kaylee Matteis and Commissioner Stacy White.
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