Singing Valentines for Hire

Give your sweetheart something he/she will remember for a lifetime. The South Shore Sound Chorus, a chapter of the Sweet Adelines, will be doing Singing Valentines on February 13 and 14. For just $35, you can have your sweetheart serenaded with two love songs by one of the group's quartets. A card and a rose will also be included.

To order your special Valentine, call Cooky at 634-4694.

Krewes Hold Fundraisers                       

The Krewe of the South Shore Marauders' are hosting the sixth Annual Golf Tournament at the Renaissance Golf Club, located at 2121 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. in Sun City Center, on April 19 with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Also, Pirate Idol will take place on Saturday, February 23, from 5-9 p.m. at the Dallas Bull located at 3322 US 301 N. It will include three competition rounds in which residents can perform. Votes for each contestant can be bought for $1 each. Admission for 21 and up is $5 while those ages 18-20 pay $10. The events raise money for college scholarships to be awarded to East Bay High School, Riverview High School and the South County Career Center. The Pirate Idol also benefits the Krewe's charity of choice as well as the winner of the competition. Your donation will receive a tax deductible receipt.

For more information, contact Michelle Grady at 641-7003 or go to www.kssmarauders.org/index.html. 

All Pro Dads Group Tees Off

The Lithia All Pro Dads group will hold its next meeting on Friday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m. at ACE Mini-Golf/Driving Range, 12910 Boyette Rd., Riverview. All Pro Dad is the fatherhood enrichment program of Family First and is the ultimate resource for men who want to become better fathers. The theme for this meeting is "Getting A Grip - ways to demonstrate love as an All Pro Dad." Wives are also welcome to attend this outing. The group plans to wrap up the evening with a visit to Sonic. Also, on March 15 from 1-4 p.m. an NFL Dads 'n' Kids event at Raymond James Stadium will take place. The group plans to meet at 10:45 a.m. at Chick-fil-A off Lumsden Rd.

To RSVP or for more information, email LithiaAPD@gmail.com or call 672-7750. For more information regarding the group, visit www.allprodad.com.

Ladies Club Installs Officers

The Ladies Club of Summerfield recently installed its 2008 officers who are Ann Manning, treasurer; Delores Moore, secretary; Martha Crocker, vice president and Betty Ghahary, president. The Ladies Club of Summerfield meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Summerfield Community Center, located at 13011 Summerfield Blvd. in Riverview. The Summerfield Ladies Club meets to have fun, share ideas and talents and to get acquainted with each other in a friendly and relaxed environment. The ladies enjoy monthly luncheons, day trips, crafts, games, guest speakers and an annual holiday party.

For further information, contact Summerfield Community Center at 671-2005.

Marine Corps to Meet

The Riverview Detachment of the Marine Corps League meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm at the American Legion Post 148, located at 7240 U S Hwy 301 Riverview. The detachment is always seeking new members, with all former and active duty marines and navy corpsmen who have served a tour with the Fleet Marine Force being eligible to join.

For additional information, call Jack Skelding at 672-1778.

Calling all Crafters 

Do you have a craft you'd like to sell? If so, book a spot at the FishHawk Ranch Spring Craft Show. Many of the Brandon crafters from Artisans at Large who participated in the successful Art in the Park event will return with their beautiful creations consisting of glasswork, woodwork, jewelry, pottery and more. This show will take place Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, March 16, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The registration fee of $60 includes a 12 x 12 selling space.

If you are a vendor interested in participating in the two day event, contact Sandra Wix at the Osprey Club at 654-6360, or email swix@fhrhoa.com. Information packets are located at all of the clubhouses, the Information Center in Park Square and on www.fishhawkconnect.com.

Post 8108 Offers a Multitude

Riverview Memorial VFW Post 8108 has the following monthly events: Mondays - Bingo at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesdays - Spaghetti dinners from 5-7 p.m.; Fridays - Fish fry that is all you can eat with shrimp or chicken fingers with combos available from 5-7 p.m.; Saturdays - Karaoke by Jeff at 8 p.m.; and Sunday - Breakfast  at 9 a.m.-12 Noon. Euchre at 6 p.m. All events are open to the public. The Post prides itself in "good food" and "great prices." The VFW is located at 7504 Riverview Dr., Riverview.

Please call 671-9845 after 3 p.m. for any inquiries.

ECHO Needs Racers for Eco Quest

The Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO), 507 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon, is currently seeking adventure racers of all skill levels for the third annual ECHO Eco Quest held at the beautiful Alafia River State Park, 14326 S. County Rd. 39 in Lithia, on Saturday, March 15. The event is comprised of two races: a full adventure race consisting of a four mile run, six mile trail biking and three mile canoe; and the Miniquest, which is a one mile run, one mile bike and an obstacle course.

Last year's ECHO Eco Quest race raised over $11,000 for ECHO, which is a non-profit organization located in Brandon. Established in 1987, ECHO provides food and clothing to residents of eastern Hillsborough County that have suffered a recent emergency. Last year alone, ECHO assisted over 8,000 residents. 

For more information, visit www.echoecoquest.org or call 685-0935.

Join Beef 'O' Brady's Against Cancer

Summerfield Beef O'Brady's, located at 13326 Lincoln Rd. in Riverview, has joined the Eager Beaver team of the Breast Cancer Three Day Walk to raise funds all year to "Fight the Fight." The fourth Thursday of each month, from 4-9 p.m., Summerfield Beef's will host a Community Night and donate 20 percent of sales from each customer mentioning the walk. Last year, Beefs raised over $800 for the group - and that was starting in October. Please join the group to have an impact this year and raise over $4,000.

For more information, call 672-4411.

Fairgrounds Hold Math Competition

On April 4, 550 sixth, seventh and eighth grade students from Hillsborough County Public Schools will compete in a district wide mathematics competition to be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds Special Events Center, 4800 N. US Hwy. 301 in Tampa. Each of the forty-six middle schools and charter schools may register a four-student team per each grade level.

Math League provides an opportunity for students to extend their knowledge of mathematics and to participate in a challenging contest. Math League is composed of an individual competition consisting of 25 multiple choice items followed by a team competition event. 

Trophies will be awarded, beginning at approximately 1 p.m., recognizing the top individual scores for each grade level and the top teams at each grade level. The top team scores are determined by a combination of the four individual scores plus the team competition score. The one school with the overall highest score for all grade levels combined will be awarded the district champion trophy.

For more information, contact Middle School Mathematics Supervisor Janet Boatman at 272-4927.

Residents Perform at Fair

The Lacey's from Gibsonton will be in concert at the Florida State Fair, located at 4800 U.S. Highway 301 N. Tampa, February 9, at 12 Noon on the main stage. Admission to the fair will get you in to the program. The Lacey's perform southern gospel music with humor and great music. The Lacey's record for Music City records, having recorded 46 albums in 42 years traveling across America. 

The Lacey's can be reached at 672-8528.

Saint Anne Christmas Giving Tree

For the eighth consecutive year, the parishioners of Saint Anne Catholic Church, located at 106 11th Ave. NE in Ruskin, have generously and enthusiastically responded to the parish's Christmas Giving Tree Program.

The number of recipients has grown from 315 to almost 500 needy children. When the gifts are placed under the tree, the donor places an ornament on the tree, thus leaving a tangible reminder of the true meaning of the season.

Not only does this program provide gifts for almost 500 local children, but after Christmas the unclaimed ornaments are packaged and sent to a mission in Malawi, touching the lives of many more children and adults.

For more information, call 645-1714.

Church Holds Banquet and Rummage Sale

A Sweetheart Banquet will be held at Riverview United Methodist Church, located at 8002 US Hwy. 301 S. in Riverview, on February 9 from 6:30-10 p.m. Admission is $3 for children and $5 for adults. Join the church for an evening of food, music and fun. 

Along with its live band, and karaoke, guests will have an opportunity to have a photo taken with their sweetheart.

All of the money raised by this event will be used for several ministries including the church's youth program, general missions and fellowship functions. The church holds this annual Valentine's banquet for members and the community at large.

In addition, the Riverview United Methodist Church Women will be sponsoring the annual Rummage Sale on March 1 from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. If you are having a garage sale and have leftover items, donations of those items for the Rummage Sale will be gratefully accepted.

Pick up is available. All of the money raised by this event will be used for several, local women's ministries and community programs such as the Restore Food Pantry and Clothing Closet.

For more information or goods pick up, please call Linda Bauer at 677-0868, Jamie Alba at 671-5414 or go to www.riverviewflumc.org. For more information about Restore, call 741-2222 or go to www.riverviewflumc.org/Restore2.html.

South Shore Announcements

Dancers from South Shore United Methodist Church Dance Academy recently performed  at the South Shore UMC church service in December. Winter and spring classes will begin on successive Monday's through April 28. Classes are available for preschool and kindergarten as well as first through fifth grade.

All classes are held at the church office located at 435 Apollo Beach Blvd. The church is also looking for potential members for the Praise Choir with practice taking place at 6 p.m. every Wednesday at the church office.

Worship starts at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday's at East Bay High School located at 7710 Big Bend Rd. in Gibsonton,. The church office can be reached Monday-Friday.

For more information on the Praise Choir, contact Kristen Franzen, director, at 645-3965 or the church office at 649-9462. For more information, go to www.southshoreumc.com

St. Matthew's Unveils Upcoming Events

St. Matthew's Anglican Church unveils a multitude of events. On February 13, Stations of the Cross will begin, taking place all Wednesdays through Lent at 7 p.m.

On February 16, recitation of the holy rosary will begin at 9 a.m.

On February 20, a lenten soup and salad dinner will be served beginning at 6 p.m.

On March 14, the Annual Lenten Fish Fry and Bingo will occur at 5:30 p.m.

The church and office are located at 10701 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview.

For more information, call 663-0334.

Ruskin Methodist Hosts Festival                   

The Ruskin United Methodist Church, 1054th Ave. NW in Ruskin, will host a Spring Arts and Crafts Festival on March 15. The church will have many craft vendors, yummy food and plenty of fun for the kids.

There will be artists and crafters from all over Florida displaying their goods.

A bake sale will be held during the fair and food and snacks will be available for purchase throughout the day. There is still space available for more vendors, both indoors and outdoors.

For more information, call 645-1241 or to download an application, go to http://events2000.com/festivals/aroundthesouth/ or http://www.gbgm-umc.org/ruskinumc.

Church Creates New Mom Group

First Baptist Church of Riverview, located at 8626 US Hwy. 301 S. in Riverview, is launching a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs) group. The group will meet on the second and forth Tuesdays of the month from 9:30-11:30 am. 

Please visit http://fbcriverview.org or call 677-6377 to register or for more information.

Bay Life Hosts Flea Market

The Bay Life Church Student Missions Teams are raising funds for their upcoming mission trips this summer by holding a flea market on February 9, 6 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

There will be over 50 tables of items with many unique items as well as food to purchase.

Bay Life Church is located at 1017 Kingsway Rd. in Brandon.

For more information, call 661-3696.

Divorce Care at FishHawk Fellowship

Join FishHawk Fellowship for this weekly seminar and support group to help people find healing from the pain of separation or divorce. The seminar takes place on Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., in Room 216, at 15326 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia. The facilitators of the group are Scott and Rita Stephens and Barbara Davidson.

For details and registration, contact Barbara at 655-7431 or by e-mail at bdavidson@fishhawkfc.org or go to www.divorcecare.org.

Academy Visits Does Good Deed

The voluntary pre-kindergarten classes, ages 4 and 5, from Lil' Achievers Academy, located at 1139 1st St. N.W. in Ruskin, visited several nursing homes during the holiday season in December. The students went to Sun Terrace Nursing Home, Sun City Center and Palm Gardens Nursing Home, singing eight Christmas songs to senior citizens.

For more information, call 641-2400.

Pinecrest Little League Holds Registration

It's not too late to register your son or daughter for Pinecrest Little League baseball or softball. Players league for ages 5-8 costs $85 while ages 9 and up average $130.  Registrations will be accepted until opening day. PLL serves all areas of Lithia, including FishHawk, Boyette, Keysville, Picnic, as well as Hopewell, and parts of Dover, Valrico and Plant city. Bring the family out for a community event celebrating 40 years of Little League at Pinecrest on February 22 from 6-8 p.m. There will be a barbeque dinner, fun and prizes. 

For more information, go to www.pinecrestlittleleague.org or call 737-4052.

Golf School Offers Classes

Ace Golf / Pebble Creek Golf Club is now offering Junior Golf School with year-round Saturday group classes containing three levels: beginner, advanced and intermediate. Instructor Tom Egan, PGA professional, will be accepting a maximum of 10 students, with a minimum of four per class, ages 7-17. Classes include range balls and run 45 minutes per week at 12910 Boyette Rd. in Riverview. Prices range from $69-$125, depending on level chosen, as do times. 

Call 672-7750 for more information.