GodtoberFest Come join the fun this fall

Anyone looking for family friendly community events happening in Lithia this fall need look no further than Lamb of God Lutheran Church and Open Arms Early Childhood Center’s “Godtoberfest” happening Saturday, October 8 – Saturday, October 15. “This year we decided to make this a much bigger event. We want to involve the community more [...]

The Adoption Option- Bringing Home Baby

      The path to parenthood is not necessarily an easy one. Normally, the act of becoming a parent takes approximately nine months.  Incredibly, this is the exact amount of time it took for our adoption process from beginning to end. Nine months. And 36 hours.      After the home visits, fingerprinting, interviews, classes and [...]

Confessions Of A Pure Heart

Janelle Sanchez and her book Confession of a Pure Heart. By: Katie Welch Twenty-year-old Janelle Sanchez, a student at University of Tampa, has completed her first book called, Confessions of a Pure Heart..    Sanchez is majoring in sociology at the University of Tampa. Sociology has always interested her because she is fasciated by people [...]

Resurrection Catholic Church

Riverview’s Resurrection Catholic Church marked the beginning of a new chapter; one with Father Eugene Gancarz as its new pastor. After 28 years as the face of Resurrection Monsignor Diez retired, leaving a legacy of community involvement.    Gancarz, who comes from Plant City with 40 years of service, doesn’t pretend to be un-phased by the [...]

REFLECTIONS HAIR GALLERY A Unique Children’s Experience

    When you walk into Reflections Hair Gallery For Kids, you may think you have entered a magical fairytale-land instead of a hair salon. The kid-friendly atmosphere comes complete with castles, knights, horses, thrones, movies and games. In addition, Reflections Hair Gallery For Kids also has a birthday party room for enchanted parties and [...]

Dance Quest Provides Christian Dance Instruction

Dance Quest International, a unique Christian dance company, has been serving greater Brandon families since 1997. Dance Quest International is a full service dance company which offers instruction in Ballet, Tap, Lyrical, Jazz Theatrical Dance, Hip Hop and Boys-Only Hip Hop.  It is unique in that it is not just about dance. “Each child is [...]

Holiday Of Hope Tent Exemplifies

Holiday of Hope provides food and holiday cheer to thousand of families in the greater Brandon area. By: Dale Bliss With intense times and a struggling economy, hope is one of our most valued treasures. That is what “Holiday of Hope” is all about. The Second Annual Holiday of Hope, where the Brandon area and [...]

Moody Radio Celebrates A Half-Century Of Broadcasting

WKES 91.1 FM is the flagship station of Moody Radio Florida and will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on Friday, November 11 at Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon. Ravi Zacharias, host of “Just Thinking” and “Let My People Think” radio programs on WKES will be a guest speaker, along with Dr. Paul Nyquist, president [...]

Pumpkin Festival Just Around The Corner

The pumpkins are coming! Newland Communities’ annual Pumpkin Festival is just around the corner, being held on Saturday, October 15, from 3-8 p.m. The gourd gala will be held in the same location as last year – 15800 Starling Crossing Dr. – in FishHawk Ranch’s newest neighborhood Starling on the North Side of FishHawk Blvd., [...]

Fifteen Area Businesses Make Finals For Small Business Awards

Starting with more than 200 nominations, the field of 25 semi-finalists for the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce 30th Anniversary of Small Business Awards has been narrowed to 15 finalists and winners will be announced at a gala on Thursday, October 20. Fifteen area businesses, representing five business categories, will be recognized at the Chamber’s [...]