Bloomingdale/ FishHawk
February 2026 Volume 25, Issue 2
Ph: 813-657-2418
SEE OUR AD ON PAGE 39
SEE OUR AD ON PAGE _____ 11
CELEBRATING 24 YEARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
BRIDGEWATER LANDING OPENS LEASING FOR NEWEST 55-PLUS APARTMENT HOMES
COMMUNITY BREAKS GROUND ON ADAPTED HOME FOR ARMY VETERAN
By Brian Bokor
the Sweet Water Club, an exclusive, on-property clubhouse offering wellness-focused fitness classes, creative experiences, social events and group outings. Additional amenities of the Sweet Water Club include a fitness center and resort-style pool. The fully accessible buildings include elevaBridgewater Landing Apartments is now leasing in Riverview, offering tor access and wheela new 55+ active adult community with resort-style amenities. chair-friendly apartBridgewater Landing Apartments is now ments. Bridgewater leasing in Riverview, welcoming residents to Landing Apartments is also pet-friendly. A the area’s newest 55-plus active adult apart- dedicated pet park is underway, providing ment community thoughtfully designed for space for residents and their four-legged comfort, connection and carefree living. companions to enjoy. The community also Designed exclusively for independent boasts a walking trail, outdoor gathering adults 55 and better, Bridgewater Landing spaces, barbecue and picnic areas, a courtfeatures one- and two-bedroom residences yard and on-site management and mainteranging from approximately 703 to 1,170 nance. square feet. Rental rates currently begin at Conveniently located steps from shopping $1,700 per month for one-bedroom, one- and dining at the Winthrop Town Centre, bath apartments and range up to $2,435 Bridgewater Landing places everything resper month for spacious two-bedroom, two- idents need close to home. The property is bath homes, depending on the floor-plan size located at 5790 Stockport St. in Riverview and location within the building. Residents — on Bloomingdale Avenue, directly across may choose from 10 unique floor plans to from the Winthrop Town Centre — making suit a variety of lifestyles and space needs. it easy to meet friends for a meal, run erEach apartment is designed with every- rands or enjoy nearby outdoor spaces. day ease and refined living in mind. Homes Now open in its first building, Bridgeinclude private, modern kitchens with quartz water Landing Apartments will ultimately countertops; high-end LG appliances; luxury include 168 units and complete the larger vinyl flooring; soaring 9-foot, 6-inch ceilings; Bridgewater Landing active adult commuand full-size, in-unit washers and dryers. nity of single-family homes and duplexes. Many residences also feature private patios The apartments are owned by Bridges Land or balconies overlooking landscaped court- and Development and were built by local yards or a lake — a rare amenity in River- homebuilder Sunrise Homes, which has been view — allowing residents to enjoy Florida’s developing communities exclusively in Hillssunshine and fresh air from the comfort of borough County since 1983. Among those home. Water, Wi-Fi with 60 cable channels communities are the single-family homes in and in-unit laundry are included. Bridgewater Landing. Bridgewater Landing offers a truly mainLeasing offices are open Monday-Friday tenance-free lifestyle, complemented by an from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 array of amenities that encourage active, a.m.-3 p.m. Email leasing@bridgewaterlandsocial living. Residents can enjoy access to ings.com or calling 813-934-2204.
Community memvice detonated bebers, veterans and neath him, causing local supporters catastrophic injugathered on January ries that left him 10 at Newsome High blind. While still School to celebrate a recovering from new Homes For Our those injuries back Troops (HFOT) build home, he suffered in Lithia. The cereanother devastatmony marked the ing loss. beginning of a cus“She was given tom home that will some wrong medbe donated to Army icine from a docSgt. 1st Class Aartor and died in her on Cornelius, who sleep,” Cornelius was severely injured said of his wife. “So, while serving in Iraq. that was on top of The home is being everything I’d been Community members, veterans and local supbuilt through Homes porters gather Jan. 10 at Newsome High School to going through. So, For Our Troops, a na- celebrate the start of a Homes For Our Troops build me and my youngtional nonprofit that in Lithia for Army Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Cornelius, a est here came toblinded Iraq War veteran builds and donates gether.” specially adapted, Despite these mortgage-free homes immense personfor severely injured al trials, Cornelius post-9/11 veterans. refused to be deThe custom home is fined by them. As being constructed he adapted to perby Elizabeth Evans manent vision loss, Custom Homes. For Cornelius leaned Cornelius, the project on family support represents more than and discovered an a place to live; it repunexpected outlet resents safety, independence and stability through music. What began as therapy beafter years of navigating a world not de- came a passion, and he now works locally signed for someone who is blind. as a disc jockey. He also became a certified “There’s always a possibility of hurting massage therapist, “because they said I yourself on something because it’s not made probably couldn’t do it — but I did it anyfor your disability,” Cornelius said during his way,” he said, and an active participant remarks. in the Wounded Warrior Project, through Cornelius enlisted in the U.S. Army at 19, which he surfs, bikes and sails. motivated by a desire to support his young Living in a traditional home not designed family and continue a strong family tradition for someone who is blind presents daily of military service. He was married for 14 challenges. HFOT homes are built with more years and said he met his wife while living in than 40 major special adaptations and exCalifornia, though she was born and raised Story Continued on Page 19 in Sarasota. Cornelius is the father of five daughters. “My outstanding youngest one is here CAREY SPORTING CLAYS���������������PG 3 with me, still standing by me,” he said. “She’s actually my official caregiver as well, doing MOTORING FLORIDA ������������������������PG 5 STRAWBERRY FEST COURT...........PG 9 outstanding things for me.” During his third deployment to Iraq in PRE-K READINESS............................PG 17 2008, Cornelius was serving as a platoon EYE ON BUSINESS........................... PG 25 sergeant when an improvised explosive de-
IN THIS ISSUE:
ECRWSS EDDM
Postal Customer
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2118
By Marie Gilmore
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
Not to be combined with any other offer.
combinedwith with anyother other offer. Only valid Riverview, FL - Boyette location. NotNot to to beatbe combined any offer. OnlyOnly validvalid at Riverview FL - Boyette & CRlocation. 672 locations. at Riverview, FL - Boyette
Queena Vuong, known to many as the “Bloomingdale Library Survivor,” continues her journey of perseverance and healing more than 17 years after a life-altering attack, supported by her family, faith and ongoing therapy. See full Story on Page 4.
10524 CR 672 l 813-499-0884 l NOW OPEN! 11690 Boyette Rd, Riverview l 813-499-9606
1/31/2024 2/29/2024 1/31/2024 2/29/2024 3/31/2026
$40 OFF BRAKES $40 OFF BRAKES Includes Free Brake Inspection Includes Brake Not to beFree combined with anyInspection other offer. combinedwith with any other otherlocation. offer. Only valid atcombined Riverview, FL - Boyette NotNot totobebe any offer. OnlyOnly validvalid at Riverview FL - Boyette & CRlocation. 672 locations. at Riverview, FL - Boyette
2/29/2024 1/31/2024 2/29/2024 3/31/2026 1/31/2024