Osprey Observer » School

Morningstar Named Ambassador Of The Year

Jennifer Silverstein — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:30:39 +0000

Local Brandon resident and owner of local electric company, Morningstar Electric, Tammy Morningstar has been selected as the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador of the Year.
Morningstar is co-owner of Morningstar Electric, located at 506 Shamrock Rd. in Brandon, with her husband, Ken.
“I was completely surprised when I was announced as the winner of the award,” she said. “I felt honored to receive this award. I was selected by my peers for this award and it means a great deal to me to know my peers respect and trust me enough to honor me in this way.”
Bonnie Tekampe, who was Ambassador of the Year in 2006, said that receiving the award is quite an honor because the ambassadors do a lot to get the word out to the community. “It meant a whole lot to me,” she said. Tekampe said that Morningstar deserves the award because she is very giving; involved in the community and her business is very reputable. “I’ve used her business both commercially and residentially,” she said.
“Basically, the job of the ambassadors is to welcome new members and make them feel a part of the community, and she does that very well,” Tekampe said.
“When I became an Ambassador I was extremely shy and didn’t know anyone,” she said. “I made it my goal to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself everyday to excel to new levels.”
Morningstar said her future plans for the community is to see it come together and support local business and charities, neighbors helping neighbors and family events for all to attend.
Her company is very involved in the community and has plans to become more involved. It has done free electrical work for wounded soldiers as well as some local charities. It is involved in the Community Roundtable Charities of Brandon and plan to waive its $49 Dispatch Fee to all customers in the month of April and May if they donate a bag of non-perishable grocery items to us for the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO).
“I was also involved with the Brandon Mayors Race and plan to stay involved until I myself am able to run for Mayor,” Morningstar said.
Morningstar and her husband have lived in Brandon for 12 years and have three children, Alexis, 14, Nicholas, 12 and Kelly, 8, and they all attend Central Baptist Christian School located on Windhorst Rd.
For more information on Morningstar Electric, please call 892-4582 or visit www.morningstarlighting.com.
The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce is located at 330 Pauls Dr. in Brandon.
For more information on the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and its Ambassador program, please call 689-1221 or visit it’s Website at www.brandonchamber.com.

Durant Athletes Give In A Big Way

Tamas Mondovics — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:32:18 +0000

With Durant High School Head Basketball Coach Jeffery Shotwell at the helm, athletes from the school’s basketball, track and field, soccer and cheerleading program were able take part in the holiday spirit of giving by helping those in need.
“It was good for these student athletes to get involved in community projects and experience the satisfaction of giving and helping those who are less fortunate,” Shotwell said as he explained that just before the holiday break the students were involved with a couple of fundraisers, including selling T-shirts, which resulted in raising $700.
The money was then given to Everyday Blessings — a foster home for children in Thonotosassa — in the form of a Walmart gift card.
“They need the money for everyday supplies such as baby wipes, diapers, kitchen items and laundry detergent,” Shotwell said.
According to Shotwell, the children at Everyday Blessings desperately need role models and people that they can consistently depend on in their lives. He believes that the Cougars’ athletic program has a number of students who will step to the plate and be the type of people who will fill those roles.
“Everyday Blessings restores hope for these kids, and it would be great for our athletes to be a part of that process,” Shotwell said.
After visiting Everyday Blessings, to deliver the Walmart gift card, Shotwell was deeply touched and hoped to get personally involved with the facility during the coming year, while he vowed to strongly encourage the Durant athletes to do the same.
“I literally wanted to scoop up all the babies that were there and bring them home with me,” he said. Being a new father himself, having an 8-month -old son, Shotwell was overwhelmed at how children can get into that type of situation.
But the giving this past holiday season did not end there, as the fundraising continued with the effort of the Cougars cheerleaders, who have raised just over $1,100. With that money, toys, books and games were bought and given to All Children’s Specialty Clinic in Brandon in order to help it furnish its playroom and to give the therapists new supplies to use with children in therapy.
“They gave us a wish list of items they needed, and we were able to get most everything on the list,” Shotwell said, adding, “My assistant coach, Brandon Waraksa, even donated his own Wii video gaming system to the clinic, along with some games.”
During an earlier interview, Shotwell explained that it is important for young athletes to appreciate that there is more to life than just sports and that being successful is much more than just winning on the court.
For more information about Durant High School, please visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us.

Florida State Fair Embraces Super Bowl with “Touchdown Tampa Bay”

Jennifer Silverstein — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:07:03 +0000

It’s just about time for Fair time! The Florida State Fair will be back in town before you know it. The fair will run this year from February 5-16. Gates open daily at 9 a.m. and closing time varies by the day of the week and weather conditions.
This year there will be five armband days, February 6, 8, 13, 15 and 16.
“This year’s ‘big event’ should be a lot of fun,” said Paul Wilson, President/CEO of Wilson Media, the company which handles all of the fair’s advertizing and media relations.
Rides and foods are still being secured, and there will be new of each, Wilson said. Food is the No. 1 reason people came to the fair last year, he said.
Wilson said, “Sharks will be sighted at this year’s Fair. A new exhibit, Shark Encounter is very interesting. But it’s educational and exciting for Fair-goers.”
“Yep, someone swims with the sharks, ‘live’ at the Fair,” he said.
Elvis impersonators will shake, rattle and roll in as the Elvis Extravaganza returns. Also, new this year, a Vegas-style show is coming called Glitz, A Tribute to halftime shows.
Opening day, Thursday, February 5, after 3 p.m., you can save 33 percent off regular price of an armband at $20 each armband. No advance sales; must be purchased at a Fair Midway booth inside the Fair.
Student days Friday, February 6 and Monday, February 16, students ages 12 through 12th grade can get into the fair for $6, children ages 6-11 for $5. This student discount on gate admission can only be purchased at the entrance gate on these fair days.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a box of pens and/or pencils to benefit Teaching Tools program for Hillsborough Education Foundation.
This discount is separate from the free admission voucher provided to the public school district students in participating counties. Students must bring their admission voucher and provide it at the entrance gate to get free admission on the specified day.
Hillsborough county public school students will receive free admission vouchers valid for use on Friday February 6.
Senior days are February 10-12, with seniors ages 55 and over getting in for $6; free gate admission is available on February 12 after 4 p.m. This discount can only be purchased at the entrance gate on these days during the fair.
For more information about the 2009 Florida State Fair, call toll-free (800) 345-FAIR or 621-7821 or visit www.floridastatefair.com.

Library Attack Victim’s Recovery Inspired By Community

Carisa Biesecker — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:55:21 +0000

Every good story seems to start with a hero seeded in trying circumstances due to some foe’s doing, but good always perseveres. Every now and again, life mimics these stories as is the case with the victim of the Bloomingdale Library attack.
Having been brutally attacked by accused assailant Kendrick Morris, now 17, in April at the Bloomingdale Library, the 18-year-old East Bay High School student was left badly beaten and blinded, leading to an induced coma in her recovery from the injuries. Morris is currently in Hillsborough County jail and is scheduled to be tried as an adult, while the victim returned home from rehabilitation in November.
“She’s doing good. Home has been a much better environment for her to recover in. It is much easier for her but harder on my mom,” states the victim’s older sister, both of whose names cannot be released due to legal reasons. The victim’s eyesight has improved, and the family is working on her ability to start eating solid foods, which will then help strengthen her capacity to speak. Her sister says the 18-year-old communicates through hand and face gestures. To keep her therapy on track and her progress enduring, the Brandon-based family is seeking volunteers in the realm of a speech therapist, a nutritionist and a doctor of alternative medicine as the 18-year-old is reacting poorly to current prescriptions.
With the support of the community, the victim has gained a wheelchair, a conversion van, donations and volunteers’ time and help. “There’s so many [who have helped], I wouldn’t be able to name them all,” says the sister. “We just want to say thank you. We really wish we could personally thank you all.”
Care is around the clock for the victim, whose mother is the main provider of her needs, though many volunteers from the community have helped along the way. Through time and donations, over $100,000 to put a number on it, the family has been able to move forth with the 18-year-old’s therapy, but funds are running out and coverage will soon be coming to an end.
If you would like to make a donation to the recovering 18-year-old, visit any branch of SunTrust Bank with a check made payable to the Bloomingdale Library Attack Victim Fund. Or, if you would like to volunteer your time and energy to help the family, call Cheryl Zemina, a close friend of the family’s, at 695-1412.
In the end, the victim’s sister exclaims, “It’s helped our little sister recover faster knowing there are so many good people out there, rather than just one bad person. Everyone tells her she is an inspiration, but the truth is, the community is an inspiration to her to get better.” And this victim plans to be a victim no longer but a hero in her own right as she uses the bad to forge good, one day planning to create her own charitable endeavor, helping those who have suffered as well from brain injuries, stroke and trauma. But readers will have to find out more about those adventures in the sequel.
Until then, visit www.bloomingdalelibraryattackvictim.com to blog or see what upcoming fundraising events are in the works.

Newland Communities Renames Lake Hutto To Circa FishHawk

Marie Gilmore — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:16:16 +0000

By Michelle Caceres
It’s not a part of FishHawk Ranch, but the 700-acre site formerly known as Lake Hutto has been renamed Circa FishHawk to reflect its close proximity to the master-planned behemoth.
FishHawk and Circa developer Newland Communities and its advertising agency worked closely to settle on the new name.
“We felt that it was important to position this community as its own special place while still acknowledging the strong FishHawk Ranch brand that has come to define the ‘FishHawk’ area,” said Newland Communities Regional Marketing Director Pam Parisi.
Located south of FishHawk Blvd., between Boyette Rd. and FishHawk Ranch, the steady pace of construction in Circa is currently underway. Roadways to two new schools, Stowers Elementary and Barrington Middle, are being laid with the schools slated to open in August. Attendance boundary lines for the schools are in the process of being drawn and approved. A public meeting to discuss boundaries has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-media room at Randall Middle School.
Parisi expects the community to attract families for the same reasons they’re attracted to FishHawk Ranch. The community will feature onsite schools, a convenient town center and a variety of amenities all connected by a trail system.
In addition to families, Circa is also expected to attract singles, pre-family couples, empty nesters and retirees with its variety of housing options, including many maintenance-free options that appeal to these buyer groups.
While the land plan is still being designed, product offerings will include apartments as well as a variety of single-family and multi-family options.
Circa is the continuation and evolution of the FishHawk area, bringing a vibrant Village Center and fresh, new lifestyle choices-both residential and commercial-to the area, said Parisi.
Newland officials say the community is still in the envisioning process, as they are attempting to nail down the land plan and product offerings. Builders are showing interest in the community but specific discussions with builders have not occurred.
“It’s still way too soon,” said Parisi.
For more information about Circa FishHawk, visit www.newlandcommunities.com.

Sharks Host First Season Six-Way

Tamas Mondovics — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:54:23 +0000

“If you have to wrestle Brandon you might as well get it out of the way,” said Riverview wrestling Coach William Sargable following a meet against the Eagles.
That being said, the young Riverview team was ready to host its firs 2008-09 season six-way tournament in November, producing some impressive results.
Just before the weigh-in, Riverview Head Coach William Sargable commented on the fact that the program continues to work on building the numbers but spoke highly of the effort turned in by each athlete, and the numbers spoke for themselves.
Individually there were some impressive performances with Ryan Hight (5 pins), Herman Hernandez (4 pins), Lemarkus Dennis (3 pins), Ryan Gascon (3 pins) and Rafael Rivera (3 pins) who finished with 5-0 for the day.
Steven Akel and Taylor Akins went 4 and 1 with 3 pins each. Jeffery Hagin, Eric Nava, Ryan Pulaski, Josh Dossantos and Jacob Scott went 3 and 2. Aaron Kee and Lance Gabbert both went 2 and 3.
Team results included RvHS 64 – Armwood 18, RvHS 72 – Blake 6, RvHS 76- Freedom 6 and RvHS 60- Middleton 20. The Bloomingdale defeated the Riverview 54-24.
The event was an opportunity for a number of wrestlers to show what they are made of for first time, but the Sargable was pleased.
“It was the debut matches for several guys… they wrestled well. The JV team went 5 and 0 on the day. Awesome Job,” he said.
For some of the veterans like Ryan Hight, who, according to Sargable, blew through his opponents like a hot knife in butter, it was just practice.
Hernandez— Hight’s wrestling buddy—this portion of the season is just the preparation for the championship.
“For me, the next three months are just to get ready for states,” Hernandez said.
Sargable summed up the day by saying that the Riverview wrestling program’s inexperience was exposed, however, it was still a productive day.
“We still have lots of work to do, starting with not giving up pins. Nonetheless, it has been a great start to the season.”
For more information about the Riverview high School wrestling program, please visit www.eteamz.com/riverviewwrestling.

Golf Takes Young Athlete To Next Level

Tamas Mondovics — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:56:46 +0000

“I feel comfortable with my decision and I am very relieved and excited about moving on to college. I am looking forward to playing the sport I love at my new school,” said Newsome High School senior Jessica Alexander after officially signing her commitment of attending Coastal Carolina University during a ceremony at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club. A talented athlete who enjoyed soccer as her main sport, Alexander started playing golf when she was 12 years old. After a decision to take some time off playing the fast moving game she decided to concentrate her attention on golf, a decision that changed her athletic career for good. She developed a passion and love for golf and has been training with her swing coach, Shane Gillespie of the Inner Circle of Golf, for the pats four and a half years. While her main strength is driving distance (260-280), Alexander is working on improving her percentage of hitting greens in regulation. Her most recent golf highlight was coming in tied for nineth out of 74 women at the Florida State Women’s Stroke Play Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida at the LPGA International Golf Course. “I am so proud of Jessica and how well she has done,” said Alexander’s mom, Caroline, adding, “This game takes a lot of dedication including practices, five-six days a week. There were many times when Jessica couldn’t do things with friends because of having to get ready for a tournament.” While playing the game she loves, Jessica walks in the footsteps of many exemplary young athletes who make sure that education is not neglected. Well liked by all who know her, she is in the top 10 percent of her class at Newsome High School and has a 3.76 un-weighted grade point average and a 5.32 weighted GPA. “I am planning on majoring in Exercise and Sport Science” she said. Understanding that golf is one of those sports one can play beyond college, Jessica is not shy sharing her goals for the future. “I would ultimately like to play golf professionally and my goal is to earn a top playing spot at Coastal by my sophomore or junior year,” she said. For more information about area high school sports and athletic programs, please visit www.highschoolsports.net.

Stowers Honored With School Naming

Marie Gilmore — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:24:52 +0000

By Michelle Caceres
Hillsborough County School Board named the Lithia elementary school located adjacent to FishHawk Ranch after Richard “Dick” Stowers, 79, a local civic leader and businessman that revolutionized the funeral business in the Brandon area. Born in Hillsborough County, Stowers grew up in the Palm River area when Brandon was just a sleepy bedroom community. Ironically, Stowers fondly recalls his younger days of courting young ladies on the property where the elementary school now resides. He and his friends would swim in the lake and park their cars on its banks. “That area was a real lover’s lane,” he says. As an 8-year-old boy, Stowers attended the funeral of a young neighborhood girl, an experience that irrevocably altered the direction of his life. “I knew from that moment on that I wanted to be a funeral director,” he reflects. His big break came in 1960, when a friend loaned him the money to purchase the James Brandon Homestead located on S.R. 60. After remodeling the historic home, he opened Stowers Funeral Home in 1961. “Going into business for myself has given me a lot of opportunities to help other people and that’s a lot of fun,” said Stowers. Throughout his life, he has donated his time and money to many organizations, including the Brandon Kiwanis Club, Brandon Elks Club and Boys and Girls Club of Brandon. He was an active member of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. Stowers and wife Raymetta have five daughters and one son. Raymetta said the naming is the perfect birthday gift (he’ll turn 80 on the 4th of July) for a man who never asks for anything. Friends signed petitions and wrote compelling letters to the school board in favor of using Stowers’ name. “It was wonderful to see so many people come out to support Dick and all he’s done for Brandon,” she says. Other schools receiving names in November include the middle school sharing the same campus, named in honor of the late Glenn Barrington, a long-time educator and school board member. Strawberry Crest High, located near Plant City and its adjacent elementary school, David E. Bailey Jr. Elementary, honoring a former educator and Plant City historian, were also named. Stowers says he hopes the children at his school will learn from his example to go after their dreams. “I hope each child at the school will have a vision to do something great,” he said. For more information about the schools named in November visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us.

Bulls Miss District Title But Playoff Bound

Tamas Mondovics — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:10:30 +0000

While the Brandon Eagles (2-7) struggled to wrap up their 38-20, mistake-filled, second victory of the season against Plant City, history was being made just a few miles down the road at Newsome High School as the Wolves battled their visiting rival, the Bloomingdale Bulls for the 5A-District 7 Title.
While there was noone who could possibly have predicted the outcome of such a lineup, there could only be one district champion. The bulls fought hard and ended a winning season the program has not seen since its start.
Unfortunately, the effort was not enough for Bulls coach Jason Stokes to claim victory as Newsome defeated Bloomingdale 31-10, claiming its first district title in program history and securing itself a spot in the playoffs.
Promising to be a close game the first half did not have much to claim in big plays. Besides Newsome’s Tony Zaccario’s 28-yard field goal and Bulls’ quarterback Anthony Beko’s injury just before the half, there was not much more going on. But things suddenly changed, thanks to the Wolves’ Keller Powers’ 87 yard kickoff return for a touchdown, leading both teams to the locker room with 10-3 on the scoreboard in the Wolves’ favor.
Newsome began the second half marching 76 yards on 11 plays, ending it with a four-yard touchdown run by Trent Cornwell, widening the gap to 17-3. The Bulls answered back with a touchdown on their own with an impressive 71-yard drive down the field, closing the gap.
But that was all the Bulls could do for the rest of the night. Newsome’s Matt Dinneny intercepted a pass returning it for a 32-yard touchdown. Newsome’s Conner Powers sealed the championship title for the Wolves on a one-yard plunge with less than a minute-and-a-half left in the game.
For more information about the Wolves or the Bulls, please visit www.highschoolsports.net or www.maxpreps.com.

New Big Lots Store Has Big Bargains

Kelly Legg — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:50:16 +0000

Many SouthShore residents eagerly anticipated the opening of the new Big Lots store in October. Maybe it’s the thrill of the hunt or the satisfaction of finding that certain item at a discount rate. But whatever the reason, Big Lots holds firm to its advertising slogan – “Helping people connect with their inner bargain hunter.” The large discount retail chain, Big Lots, opened its newest store, measuring 24,000 sq. ft., in the Sun Point Shopping Center located at 3048 East College Ave. in Ruskin. The grand opening ceremony drew large crowds of retail shoppers looking for big savings, especially in these tight economic times and with the holidays quickly approaching. During the opening ceremonies, Big Lots showed its support for the local community by presenting a $2,500 check to Lennard High School. Big Lots is known for its partnership within its communities, coordinating many charitable events including its partnership with Toys for Tots. Store Manager Ira Cohen was enthusiastic about the response from the community. “This is a great turn out, and we are excited that the store is finally open for business” said Cohen. Cohen, an Apollo Beach resident and a father of five children, has worked for Big Lots for six years and had previously worked at two different stores in the Tampa area. The opening of this new store was his first grand opening, and he marks it as an achievement. “We have 45 employees and everyone has worked tirelessly to make this grand opening happen successfully for the community,” said Cohen. Grace Payton, a Sun City Center resident, was shopping that morning at the new Big Lots store looking at the holiday decorations. “I have always loved Big Lots, and I used to drive all the way to the Big Lots in Brandon,” said Payton. “Now, I am thrilled to have this store right down the street.” The new store shelves were neatly stocked with a broad range of brand-name products, including consumables, seasonal items, furniture, housewares, toys, electronics, home décor, tools and gifts to attract any bargain hunting consumer. Founded in 1967, Big Lots is now considered the nation’s largest closeout retailer and operates over 1,400 retail stores, serving 47 states and employs more than 38,000 associates. For more information about Big Lots, please visit www.BigLots.com or you can call the new store directly at 641-7349.