Plenty of ideas were thrown around at a recent meeting at the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce about Ruskin’s Centennial Celebration, but overall one idea was agreed upon: The people of Ruskin need something to come together around. The Ruskin Community Development Foundation (RCDF) is hoping the Centennial Celebration will be the event to accomplish such a feat. The RCDF is the main force behind the celebration as it stands right now, but President of the Foundation Fred Jacobsen proves his flexibility as he said, “This is not my event, it is Ruskin’s event, so if others want to help me, that’s great, but if they want to put together their own event, I would help them as well.” This grand celebration comes on the heels of another big event for Ruskin, the opening of Hillsborough Community College SouthShore. Considering the founder of Ruskin, John Ruskin, had created a college there 100 years prior, it seems fate has brought the new HCC campus to Ruskin. With John’s College long gone, the opening of the HCC SouthShore campus is an exciting addition to the area. The RCDF hopes that the celebration continues throughout the year and is supported by different venues and citizens. The first event will occur on August 3 from 9 a.m.-12 Noon, sponsored by Camp Bayou, located at 4140 24th St. SE in Ruskin, and is titled “Back to Nature – Back to School.” Camp Bayou is hoping to set up stations around the grounds that provide information about nature while providing school supplies. At the moment, Camp Bayou is looking for businesses to donate the school supplies, just about enough for 100 students to keep with the centennial theme. Several days later starting at the Ruskin Women’s Club, located at 503 N. US Hwy. 41, on August 7 from 12 Noon-5 p.m., there will be a walking tour of historic homes of Ruskin, accompanied by sweet tea to defend against the heat. After the tour, a barbeque at the new HCC campus, located at 551 24th St. NE, will take place at 6 p.m., where those in attendance will get a sneak peek of the new college campus. During the event at HCC, the RCDF, who is partnered with HCC, plans on giving away a $2,000 scholarship to a deserving local student who plans on going into the medical field. This is to honor Doc Harris, who was the only doctor in the southshore area during the 1920s located in Ruskin, who served people from all over the south county area. At this time, only one other event is planned for the celebration, and it too is sponsored by Camp Bayou. “Bio Blast: 100 Species for Ruskin’s 100th” is scheduled for August 9 from 9 a.m.-12 Noon. This event is centered on “citizen science” as participants help to find 100 different species. For more information, contact Jacobsen via email at Fred@Ruskinhistory.org, call 298-6028 or visit www.Ruskinhistory.org and click on the link for Ruskin Centennial events.Photo Caption: The Ruskin Community Development Foundation announces Ruskin’s Centennial Celebration which is planned for the month of August.
