Compiled by Michelle Colesanti, michelle@ospreyobserver.com
Driscoll’s Strawberry Classic 5K, 10K, Fun Run
The Tampa Bay Runners Club will host the 36th Annual Driscoll’s Strawberry Classic on Saturday, March 25. Join in for the Classic 5k, the Classic 10k both races in the new 15k Challenge (5K + 10k). Race times are: 10k–7:15a.m.; 5k-8:30a.m., and one mile fun run–9 a.m. Race begins at Temple Terrace Elementary School, 124 Flotto Ave. in Tampa.
Enjoy music, food, massage, awards and delicious locally grown strawberries. This event also benefits Local Tampa Meals On Wheels and Children’s Dream Fund.
Register at www.tampabayrunners.com/strawberry-classic. Contact Tampa Bay Runners Club, Ron Tiller, President and Race Director at 843-3276 or rontiller1@msn.com.
Eastern Hillsborough Community Band Spring Concerts
The Eastern Hillsborough Community Band will perform three concerts as part of its 2017 Spring Concert Series in the Brandon area and Sun City Center.
Performance dates and locations are: Thursday, March 30, 7 p.m. at Logan Hall, New Hope United Methodist Church, 115 Knights Ave., Brandon; Thursday, April 27, 7 p.m. at Strawberry Ridge Clubhouse, 3419 State Road 60 East, Valrico; and Thursday May 4, 7 p.m. at United Methodist Church of Sun City Center, 1210 Del Webb Blvd. W., Sun City Center.
A $5 suggested donation asked at the door. Reservations are not required.
For more information about the band, email info@ehcb.org, visit www.ehcb.org or call 569-1771.
Brandon Coin Club Seeks New Members
The Brandon Coin Club meets the third Tuesday of every month at St. Andrews United Methodist Church, located at 331 Bryan Rd. in Brandon, Room 421 in the Disciple Hall. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. Conversation starts at 6:30 p.m. After the meeting, an auction is held for all ages. Call 719-5192 for more information.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
Hawthorne Health & Rehabilitation Center hosts a free monthly support group for those who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers on the third Thursday of every month. Upcoming meetings include April 20, May 18, June 15, and July 20. Physical, speech and occupational therapists will discuss treatment for issues related to balance, swallowing, talking and other skills that can be affected by Parkinson’s Disease.
Hawthorne Health & Rehabilitation Center, located at 851 W. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon, is a skilled nursing facility with inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs including speech, physical and occupational therapies. Hawthorne also hosts a dementia support group in their assisted living facility, as well as past meetings for those dealing with strokes, diabetes, low vision and other diseases.
Call 661-8998 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
10 Annual Strawberry U-Pick In Plant City
The Hillsborough County 4-H Foundation will conduct its 10th annual 4-H Strawberry U-Pick on Saturday, March 25 (rain or shine), and hosted by Fancy Farms of Plant City. Picking is from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Price is $1 per quart with no limit. Containers are provided.
The picking area has been expanded to accommodate the event and to insure everyone has plenty of fresh strawberries to take home. GPS field location is 1909 S. Wiggins Rd. in Plant City (½ mile west of the previous picking location).
Proceeds from the event fund 4-H awards and scholarships for area 4-H youth and area food banks. Pickers can pick extra quarts and donate them at no cost to the food bank program. Picking assistance for the elderly and disabled will be provided. Call 477-8332 or email mckcar@msn.com.
Daughters of the American Revolution Alafia River Chapter Meets Locally
The Alafia River Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) meets the first Thursday evening of the month in Brandon. DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization, whose mission is to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Some volunteer projects include collecting donations for local veterans and schools on a recurring basis, in addition to an ongoing cemetery clean-up project that aids in historic preservation/conservation.
Any woman over 18 years old who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. For more information, please email registrarAlafiaDAR@gmail.com. The next meeting is April 6.
Rehearsal Venue Change For Plant City Community Chorale
Plant City Community Chorale will begin rehearsals at a new venue, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church at 604 N. Valrico Rd. in Valrico, on Monday, March 27.
For several years, the Chorale has rehearsed at First Presbyterian Church in Plant City, but the Chorale has grown over the years, adding more members from different areas, and Holy Innocents’ will be more centrally-located. The Chorale hopes to attract new singers in the Valrico-Brandon area. The Chorale’s next concert is on Saturday, March 25, at Holy Innocents’.
Call 493-1979 or visit pccchorale.org.
Discover The Arabian Horse
Local business, ShowBiz Arabians, owned by Lisa Loring-Powell, is hosting The Central Florida Arabian Horse Association’s first “meet & greet” at the farm on Saturday, March 18 from 12 Noon-4 p.m. There will be lots for families to do while visiting the farm. Be introduced to this magnificent breed, the Arabian horse; demonstrations of what these beautiful creatures can do; there are quite a few foals on the premises for the families to view; and there will be a drawing for a lucky person to win three free riding lessons, given by a professional trainer. The event is being held to give the public a chance to get up close with these often misunderstood Arabians.
ShowBiz Arabians is located at 8731 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Lithia. For more information, email centralfloridaaha@gmail.com.
