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CELEBRATING 22 YE ARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
COMMUNITY & RESIDENTS UNITE FOR CLEANUP FOLLOWING By Libby Hopkins the drive-in. HURRICANE MILTONBy Marie Gilmore “We didn’t have power where
SHOW MUST GO ON AS RUSKIN FAMILY DRIVE-IN PREPARES TO REOPEN we evacuated to, so it took us a while to see pictures of the damage,” Freiwald said. “When the roads were finally cleared
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The Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre, with more than 50 years of continuous service to the Ruskin and South Hillsborough County, has been a community gathering place since its first movie, Singing in the Rain, played in 1952. The Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre has been a part of the “My husband Ted has been Ruskin community since 1952. Hurricane Milton recently working at the drive-in since destroyed the drive-in, but the Ruskin community has come the first day it opened,” said together to help rebuild this beloved family drive-in. owner Karen Freiwald. “The visitors who attended opening night were really and we were able to come back to the drive‘singing in the rain’ because it was rain on in, we were devastated by all the damage the drive-in had sustained.” that first night.” The Ruskin community was also devasMemories from opening night to present tated that the drive-in was destroyed, but day have been something the Ruskin Family the community came together to help the Drive-In has made for many people in the couple rebuild their drive-in. A GoFundMe Ruskin community. account was made for the drive-in and the “We call it the ‘last family drive-in’ in donations started to pour in. The donations the USA because families, dating couples, were not big, but each one started to add up, single parents with children and everyone and currently there is more than $24K and else young and old can come and visit us,” counting in its account. Freiwald said. “We had family values when “We are overwhelmed by the community family values were the rule. We still have support,” Freiwald said. “Donny Buzee rallied family values; although, by some, we’re not the community to help us rebuild and we are considered cool.” so grateful for all Donny and the community Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc on has done for us and the drive-in.” Ruskin’s beloved family drive-in. Construction on the drive-in has been “The drive-in offered great movies, moving along very quickly. good food and peace and quiet on a con“So many businesses have donated suptinuous basis,” Freiwald said. “We had a plies, and the community is so supportive,” 2,000-square-foot screen, clean restrooms, Freiwald said. “We are hoping to be resnack bar and clean parking lot. Now, most opened by Thanksgiving, and the movie we of the drive-in was destroyed by Hurricane are planning on showing is Moana 2.” Milton. We estimate the damage between Vsit www.ruskinfamilydrivein.com. To $100K to $150K.” contribute, https://gofund.me/f30ac350. The couple had evacuated before the storm hit the Ruskin area, so they really The Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre is locatdidn’t know how much damage was done to ed at 5011 N. U.S. 41 in Ruskin.
In the wake of “In times like Hurricane Milthis, we really see ton, which swept the spirit of Lithia through Florida, shining through,” area residents said food bank have come togethdirector Laura er to restore our Sanchez. “Neighcommunity and bors are here for support one anothneighbors, and er in the aftermath we’re determined of the storm. With Osprey & Rotary team members clean up Alafia Canoe. to make sure evwinds reaching up eryone has what to 100 mph and they need.” heavy rainfall leavWhile many ing widespread residents are debris, residents grateful for the are rolling up their outreach and sleeves and pitchhelp, recovery efing in to help their forts will require neighbors. significant time Community voland dedication. unteers gathered The county has Rotarians clean up Rotary Camp Florida in Brandon. throughout area declared a state communities and of emergency, parks in one of the allowing local areas hardest hit leaders to acby the hurricane. cess federal reArmed with trash sources to aid in bags, rakes and rebuilding infrachainsaws, the structure, particvolunteers, rangularly for those ing from families whose homes to local businesswere severely es, tackled fallen Rotary District 6890 debuts its Disaster Aid USA trailer. damaged. FEMA trees, scattered debris and the remnants of representatives have begun assessing the damaged structures. situation to determine support for individu“It’s heartwarming to see everyone come als and families affected by the storm. together like this,” said local resident and As the sun sets on another day of cleanup, organizer Dave Marshall. “We may have lost the volunteers feel an undeniable sense of some things, but we’ll rebuild stronger than hope and solidarity. The spirit of our comever as a community.” munity is proving that even in the face of The cleanup effort is being led by resi- adversity, we stand united, ready to rebuild. dents and volunteers who mobilized local For help, visit https://www.fema.gov/. resources and coordinated efforts. Local businesses have also stepped up, with nearby restaurants donating food for volunteers and hardware stores offering dis- THE COTTAGE DEBUT .......................PG 3 counts on supplies needed for home repairs. MOTORING TAMPA BAY..................PG 5 The Lithia Food Bank has seen an increase in demand due to dislocation from the storm, HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN..................PG 15 prompting local residents to organize addi- EYE ON BUSINESS................PGS 25-26 tional food drives to replenish its stock. REGALITEA ........................................PG 26
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$5 OFF $25 Must present coupon. No Cash Value. Nativity Catholic Church’s 53rd annual Novemberfest will kick off Thursday, November 21, and run through Sunday, November 24, bringing rides, games and classic carnival food to the community. Visit www.nativitycatholicchurch.org/novemberfest or see Page 37.
Expires: 12/1/2024
Open Wednesday - Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 9 AM - 6 PM 701 S.US Hwy 41 S Suite D, Ruskin