Compiled by Jenny Bennett
Riverview Garden Club College Scholarship Application Deadline Soon
The Riverview Garden Club (RGC) College Scholarship Program is now accepting applications from 2021 graduating high school seniors. The application period runs through Friday, March 12 and the RGC is offering $2,500 per award. The applicant must be enrolled at a college or university in studies of environmental horticulture, natural resources conservation, environmental sustainability, marine aquaculture or agricultural education.
If you attend East Bay, Lennard, Riverview or Durant High School in Hillsborough County, contact your college and career counselor for the application. If you do not attend those high schools and live in the Brandon, Riverview or Apollo Beach area, contact the RGC scholarship chair at apollobeach5@gmail.com.
Serving The Families Of Our Fallen Heroes
Attorney Ashley Ivanov recently spoke to American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. about estate planning and probate: the freedom to plan and the importance of such. Ivanov, whose family members served in the U.S. military, gives back to at least one in-need Gold Star family every year by offering a complimentary estate plan.
“While Gold Star families may be given medals and honoring words, few may receive practical services that serve them,” commented Ivanov. “These families lost a loved one in active military service to our country, and they know freedom well—the benefits of such and the ultimate price that is paid to maintain and keep it. It is an honor to give back to these families.”
If you are a professional and are interested in providing complimentary services to Gold Star families, please reach out to Ivanov on 436-0288 and she will put you in touch with members of the American Gold Star Mothers.
Annual St. Anne’s Golf Tournament
St. Anne’s Catholic Church is building its community outreach funds with its annual golf tournament. The event is being held on Saturday, April 10, at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club in Riverview.
The entrance fee is $75 per player and includes prizes for Hole-in-One, Greatest Putt, Longest Drive, Most Accurate Drive, Closest to the Pin and an awards luncheon with great food following the tournament at the golf club. All proceeds benefit St. Anne Catholic Church’s community and outreach programs, including the weekly food pantry and Catholic Charities Mobile Medical Bus ministering to the needs of rural poor in Southern Hillsborough County.
Registration forms are available at the St. Anne Parish Office Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m.-12 Noon. Registration forms are also available at Summerfield Crossings Golf Pro Shop. For more information, contact Bob Gounaud at bgounaud@verizon.net or John Barr at pioneertire@yahoo.com.
St. Patrick’s Day Virtual Scavenger Hunt Could Win You Prizes
Enter the South Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce’s scavenger hunt for the chance to win prizes without leaving the comfort of your home.
From Wednesday, March 17, 10 a.m. through Thursday, March 18 at 12 Noon, log on to the chamber’s website (www.southhillsboroughchamber.com), click on the business directory and look for all the four leaf clovers next to member business listings. Submit those names to the chamber and you will be entered for the chance to win prizes.
The Cottonseed Marketplace Introduces Its Airstream Mobile Marketplace
Carrie and Joe Perkins, owners of the Cottonseed Marketplace, invite you to tour their renovated 1973, 23 ft. Airstream RV, nicknamed Arrow, which showcases their wooden and leather, laser-engraved gifts and home decor. The Cottonseed Marketplace is a homegrown and handmade local small business based in Valrico that began in 2015 by selling items on Etsy.
The grand opening will take place at the Bullfrog Creek Brewing Company’s Sunday Market on March 21 from 12 Noon until 4 p.m. The celebration will also include raffle prizes from local small businesses, giveaways and complimentary beer.
Bullfrog Creek Brewing Company is located at 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico.
Women Centered 4 Success Helps To Feed Hungry Families
Local nonprofit Women Centered 4 Success partnered with a community of donors to feed hungry families in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy for social change via the third annual MLK Day of Service Student Pantry Project.
In previous years it was able to organize a student food pantry that opened the door for local high school students to participate in a community service project. Due to COVID-19, it was not able to set up the Student Pantry Project in the schools, but through the help of community donors and volunteers it provided 60 pantry boxes to families and seniors.
Women Centered 4 Success is a nonprofit organization committed to bringing together a community of support to make life coaching accessible and affordable for all women who are seeking positive change in their lives.
Easter Of Hope Family Event
The Lighthouse Gospel Mission and Operation Hope are excited to present Easter of Hope on Saturday, March 27 at 11 a.m. The free family event will include an Easter egg hunt, games, giveaways, prizes, fellowship and more.
The event will take place at the Lighthouse Freedom Center on 7211 S. 78th St. in Riverview. Visit www.lighthousegospelmission.org for more information.
St. Patrick’s Day Fun At The Salty Shamrock
St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal at Apollo Beach’s Irish bar, the Salty Shamrock, and this year it will be celebrating with two different events. St. Puppy’s Day is on Sunday, March 14 from 2-4 p.m.; bring your dog for a variety of free-to-enter competitions, including best dressed and owner and dog look-a-like. Live entertainment and vendors will also be on-site.
St. Patrick’s Day itself is on Wednesday, March 17 and will feature live music all day, including Blue Skye Pipe and Drum Band at 4 p.m. Irish fare will be available all day long, and don’t forget to try the green beer. There will be a $5 cover charge starting at 1 p.m.
The Salty Shamrock is located at 6186 U.S. Hwy. 41 N. in Apollo Beach. For more information, visit www.saltyshamrock.com.
Free Easter Egg Hunt At Summerfield Crossings Golf Club
The Summerfield Crossings Golf Club will be holding its annual Easter egg hunt on Sunday, March 28 from 3-6 p.m. The golf club is located at 13050 Summerfield Blvd. in Riverview.
For tickets, information and more fun events, join the FunTampa Facebook page.
Bloomingdale 5K To Be Held At Bloomingdale High School
The Running of the Bulls 5K is happening in 2021. The event will be held on Saturday, May 5 at 8 a.m. at Bloomingdale High School. The 5K will be conducted within guidelines established by the CDC and special COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place. Both runners and walkers are welcome and all the proceeds will benefit Bloomingdale High School students.
Register for the event online at https://fitniche.com/events.
Toy Train And Toy Show At Hillsborough County Fairgrounds
Regal Railways is presenting a Toy Train and Toy Show on Saturday, March 20 at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds on Sydney Washer Rd. in Dover. Vendors will also be on hand selling model trains, various hobbies, collectibles and die-cast cars. There will be a running train layout for children and something for all ages to enjoy.
The show is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free Electronic Recycling Event Benefiting Local Nonprofits
Pronesis Technology Group is partnering with local Tampa Bay business, Urban E Recycling, to offer its local community the opportunity to recycle their electronic equipment safely and securely for free.
“We look forward to hosting this event every year, and with the rise in cyber use this year, it is even more important to protect your data and make sure you are not leaving business or personal information on your old devices,” said Jeff Sheffer of Pronesis Technology Group.
While this is a free event, Pronesis Technology Group is asking that you bring a donation of nonperishable goods for local community heroes, A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay and the Angel Foundation.
The event will take place on Thursday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pronesis Technology Group on 1463 Oakfield Dr., Ste. 101 in Brandon. For more information, including a list of accepted equipment and the top needs for the community groups, visit pronesisgrp.com/e-shred.
American Legion Giving Back To The Community
American Legion U.S.S. Tampa, Florida Auxiliary Unit 5 from District 15 came together to give back to the community recently. They were able to make up homemade Valentine’s Day cards and filled up goody snack bags for nurses who were administering the COVID-19 vaccine injections at the James Haley VA Hospital in Tampa.
