Mar BRANDON by Osprey Observer

YOUR SEARCH FOR SUMMER PLANS IS OVER Home to more than 12,000 animals and world-class coasters, Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay has camps for both animal lovers and thrill seekers alike.

YOUR SEARCH FOR SUMMER PLANS IS OVER Kids in Kindergarten through 12th grade can enroll in one-of-a-kind camps.

Day Camp: K-12th • Resident Camp: 7th -12th

Book today and start counting down to the best summer ever.

Home to more than 12,000 animals and world-class coasters, Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay has camps for both animal lovers and thrill seekers alike. BuschGardens.com/camps • (813)884-4FUN (4386) Kids in Kindergarten through 12th grade can enroll in one-of-a-kind camps.

See Our Ad On Page 35 Day Camp: K-12th • Resident Camp: 7th -12th

Bloomingdale/Fishhawk YOUR SEARCH FOR March 2026 BRANDON/WINTHROP SUMMER PLANS IS OVER Volume 21, Issue 3 EDITION

Home to more than 12,000 animals and world-class coasters, Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay has camps for both animal lovers and thrill seekers alike. Kids in Kindergarten through 12th grade can enroll in one-of-a-kind camps.

Day Camp: K-12th • Resident Camp: 7th -12th Book today and start counting down to the best summer ever.

2020 REGISTERJune NOW!

Volume 19, Issue 6

Ph: 813-657-2418 Ph: 657-2418

See Our Summer Camp

(4386) REGISTER C E L ENOW! B R A T I BuschGardens.com/camps N G 2 4 Y E• (813)884-4FUN ARS O F P U B L I S H I N G P O S I T I V E C O M M U N I TGuide Y N Section E W S Two

BuschGardens.com/camps • (813)884-4FUN (4386)

By Olivia Clark

Bell Shoals Academy marked a significant milestone on March 2 as school and church leaders, families and community members gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of its future high school building. The ceremony represented not only the beginning of construction but also the continuation of a long-standing mission to provide Christ-centered education to students in Pastor Corey Abney and Bell Shoals Academy leaders participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the academy’s future high school building. the community. “This future extends far beyond the students we’re serving today,” said Pastor Abney. “It’s about laying the foundation for generations we haven’t even met yet.” The new high school is designed to support Bell Shoals Academy’s continued growth while strengthening its mission of educating students academically and spiritually. Leaders shared that the goal of the school is not only to prepare students for future careers but also to encourage them to Bell Shoals Academy, a ministry of Bell live lives of faith and purpose. As construction begins, academy leaders Shoals Church, has served families for more than 60 years. The new high school facility remain focused on the long-term impact the is part of a larger vision to expand the acad- new facility will have on students and famiemy’s ability to prepare students academi- lies in the community. The groundbreaking marks the first step cally and spiritually for the future. School leadership emphasized that the in a project that leaders hope will serve gennew building represents more than physi- erations of students while continuing Bell cal growth. It reflects a commitment to fu- Shoals Academy’s legacy of Christ-centered ture generations of students who will walk education through expanded opportunities, new classrooms and a dedicated learning through its doors. “Today, we break ground on something environment for high school students. The school is located at 2102 Bell Shoals more than just a building,” said Pastor Corey Abney. “This new high school represents Rd. in Brandon. For updates and more info, growth, opportunity and a bold commit- visit www.bellshoalsacademy.com. ment to preparing the next generation to live for Christ.” The project has been years in the making, supported by the dedication of church mem- STRAW CREST CHEER........................PG 3 bers, school leaders and families who have BLOOM IS BACK.....................................PG 6 invested in the academy’s mission over de- ROTARY GOLF TOURNY...................PG 13 cades. Leaders noted that many individuals SUN N’ FUN............................................PG 18 have prayed for and envisioned a high school EYE ON BUSINESS...........................PG 38 campus for more than 40 years.

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ing friends and earning money, but they may not even realize they’re also learning the whole time.” White said participants often develop skills such as problem-solving, budgeting, pricing Young entrepreneurs showcase handmade products and creative businesses during and marketa Kids Market event designed to encourage youth entrepreneurship. ing while also Young entrepreneurs will have the opgaining confiportunity to showcase their creativity and dence through real-world experience. business skills at an upcoming Kids MarThe Seffner event is expected to draw ket in Seffner, where families can shop a variety of young vendors and commufrom youth-run businesses while enjoying nity members. While Kids Market events a community egg hunt and outdoor activ- around the country often feature between ities. 30-100 booths, organizers said the Tampa The event will take place at Mango area market is still growing and has space Recreation Center, where families can ex- available for additional participants. plore booths hosted entirely by children White said the partnership with Hilland teens. The market opens at 9:30 a.m., sborough County Parks & Recreation and the community egg hunt will begin at adds another layer of community engage10 a.m. near the playground. Admission ment by pairing the market with a famiis free for visitors, while young entrepre- ly-friendly holiday event. neurs can register for a booth for $25 “I think the biggest highlight of this through www.kidsmarkets.com/markets/ event is that it is a community event,” said seffner. Taylor Cauley, Tampa Market representaThe Kids Market program is designed tive. “The combination of the community to give children a hands-on introduction egg hunt and the youth-run market creto entrepreneurship while creating a ates a family-friendly event where visitors supportive environment for learning and can enjoy the holiday activity while supgrowth. Participants range in age from porting local young entrepreneurs.” 5-17 and are responsible for creating Cauley added that the event allows products, managing inventory and inter- families to see firsthand the creativity acting with customers. and hard work of young people in their “In many ways, our impact is our mis- community while spending time together sion,” said Samantha White, communi- outdoors. cations manager at Kids Markets. “We Families interested in registering a believe entrepreneurship at any age, but young entrepreneur or learning more specifically a young age, teaches invalu- about the event can visit: able life skills. The kids have a blast makwww.kidsmarkets.com/markets/seffner.

BELL SHOALS ACADEMY INVESTS IN FUTURE WITH NEW HIGH SCHOOL

EXPIRES May 1, 2026