Apollo Beach Beautification Wine Tasting

The Apollo Beach Beautification Committee recently held its fourth annual International Wine Sampling fundraiser April 14.

Sponsored by Premiere Beverages and Apollo Beach Liquors, the event was held at the Andalusia Club House where 160 guests sampled wines from around the word and hors d'oeuvres were served buffet style. Local merchants, residents and museums provided items for a silent auction.

The fundraiser will enable the Beautification Committee to proceed with projects for the coming year. Past projects have included the planting of palms along Apollo Beach Blvd. and Gulf and Sea Blvd.

Benches have been installed at the Nature Park and along Apollo Beach Blvd. Native plants and trees have been planted in the median strip at Surfside Blvd. Wreaths and a Christmas display adorn Apollo Beach during the season.

The Beautification Committee welcomes new members and suggestions. Interested parties should call Mary Lou Luce at 645-2267.

Family Fun for a Good Cause

On Saturday, June 10 from 1-6 p.m. the Ruskin VFW post is hosting a Music Fest and BBQ for the whole family. The event will feature a combination of blues, country,

bluegrass, rock n'roll  and gospel music featuring Bill Floyd, Harold & Chelsea Floyd, T-Blue, Rolling River Band, "Off The Cuff" and Haywood Henson.

All proceeds to benefit the Achor Family Home Project.

To learn more about this family log on to: www.eightisenough.org. The Ruskin VFW 6287 is located at 5120 U.S. Hwy. 41 N.

For tickets, call Melanie 394-8990 or Susan (941) 527-6770.

Checks can be made payable to the Achor Family Home Fund c/o South Shore Community Bank.

ABWC Gives Scholarship

The Apollo Beach Women's Club recently awarded scholarships totaling $8,000 to students residing in Apollo beach. Out of the nine recipients, six were students graduating from East bay High School. The recipients were Caitlyn Greene, Josh Herman, Symantha Baker, Kendra Schwier, Brittany Brathwaite, Meghan Armstrong, Catherine Davis and Ashley Ludwig.

In addition, the group recently names Annie Hongiie Chen, who is attending Hillsborough Community College this fall, with the new Carol Carnes Memorial Scholarship Fund.

For more information of how to become eligible for an Apollo Beach Woman's Club College Scholarship,  please contact Beverly Fletchall - Scholarship Committee Chairman at 813 672-4682.

Toastmasters Meet

The Valrico Toastmasters meet the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Campo Family YMCA at 7 p.m.

For questions please email Shannon at shannole@verizon.net or call 924-4679.

Chorus Celebrates

South Shore Sound (SSS) Chorus recently helped celebrate sister chorus Magic Of Manatee's 50th Anniversary held in Bradenton.

Entertainment for the evening included "In the Mix", Region 9"s 1st place Quartet which will compete at International in Calgary, Canada this Fall.

SSS rehearses weekly Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, W. Del Webb. Women who love to sing are welcome. 

For further information, call Terry 786-9418 or Audrey 634-3309

Photo caption: Representatives of the local Sweet Adeline Chorus South Shore Sound Sue Bensman, Jodie Allison, Kathy Patterson, Marilyn Merasayen and Claudine Jenkins recently participated in the Magic Of Manatee's 50th Anniversary held in Bradenton.

Bible School at Ruskin United Methodist

Ruskin United Methodist Church is planning its Summer 2007 Bible School. This year the group will study the Bible at Avalanche Ranch, where the theme is cowboys, chuckwagons and all things ranch.

The first meeting will take place Sunday, June 10 at 6 p.m. The dinner will start at 5:30 p.m. and the classes will start promptly at 6 p.m.

Vacation Bible School is open to anyone in our community.  The first 20 kids to sign up will receive a free CD of the music we'll be singing this year.

To sign up go to www.groupvbs.com/myvbs/?churchid=1543 or call the office at 645-1241.

The church is located at 105 4th Avenue NW, Ruskin.  Call the office for further details at 645-1241.

Music Classes

Ruskin United Methodist Church will sponsor classes beginning June 12 at 7 p.m. for learning to read music. This class is designed to be helpful to anyone in the community who wishes they had a better understanding of music reading to assist them in participating in musical activities.  If you sing in a choir or other musical group and want to improve your participation, come and learn director of music ministries, Robert Romanski. Adults and children (sixth grade and above) are invited to join in the fun.

In addition to learning to read music, participants will also receive a recorder and instructions for playing it. There will be a $6 fee to cover the cost of a recorder. 

Classes will meet June 12, 19, 26, July 3, 24 and 31 in the choir room. 

Please call the church office to sign up or for more information at 645-1241.

South Shore United Methodist Hosts Dance Camp

Instructor Abby Borzewski will host a dance camp at  South Shore United Methodist Church, 435 Apollo Beach Blvd., for students in first through fifth grade.

The camp will take place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-12 Noon, June 18-22 and August 13-17

The cost is $65.

Children from 4 year to Kindergarten can take part in the camp July 23-27, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-12 Noon. The cost is $50.

Call 649-9462 or register online at www.southshoreumc.com.