Valrico
October 2025 Volume 22, Issue 10
Saturdays & Sundays
Sept. 6 – Oct. 26
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CELEBRATING 23 YE ARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
GRONK TOUCHES DOWN IN BRANDON TO CELEBRATE NEW DICK’S HOUSE OF SPORT Staff Report
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Mark your • The first calendars, 100 kids will Brandon! The receive a DSG long-anticisoccer ball. pated Dick’s • The first House of Sport 300 guests is opening its each day will doors at Brantake home a don Exchange CALIA Stan— the newly ley 30 oz. rebranded mall Quencher. formerly known ScoreCard as Westfield members will Brandon — also earn 3X Photo Courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods website during a grand Rob Gronkowski, former Tampa Bay tight end, who will greet fans points in-store opening week- Sunday, November 2, from 12 Noon-1:30 p.m. at the new Dick’s House all weekend, of Sport in Brandon. end from Friplus 10 perday, October 31, to cent back in rewards on Sunday, November purchases through Jan2. uary 10, 2026. The new, The House of Sport 125,000-squareconcept represents foot store, located Dick’s evolution beyond on the site of the old traditional retail. Unlike Sears at I-75 and SR standard stores, these 60, will bring an exdestinations feature acciting new level of interactive retail to the tivities such as batting cages, golf simulators community. Dick’s House of Sport combines and rock-climbing walls, as well as enhanced the extensive selection of athletic gear cus- services like golf lessons, glove steaming tomers expect with hands-on experiences, and bike repair. The focus is on community, like a climbing wall, multisport cages and an fitness and interactive experiences that inoutdoor turf field for open play and commu- vite guests to practice their skills and find nity events. inspiration. Throughout the grand opening weekend, Originally launched in New York in 2021, guests can expect prizes, giveaways and spe- Dick’s House of Sport now operates more cial appearances from major sports stars. than two dozen locations nationwide, with Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay running back, Brandon’s opening marking a major milewill appear Saturday, November 1, from 12 stone for the Tampa Bay area. Noon-1:30 p.m., followed by Rob GronkowThe new store, located at 686 Brandon ski, former Tampa Bay tight end, who will Town Center Dr. in Brandon, promises to greet fans Sunday, November 2, from 12 be a destination for athletes and families Noon-1:30 p.m. Wristbands are required for alike. Whether you’re climbing the rock wall, appearances and will be available in limited swinging in the golf simulator or just explorquantities each morning when doors open. ing the latest gear, Dick’s House of Sport Early risers will score big: aims to help every athlete “reach the top of • The first 100 adults in line each day their game.” will receive a mystery gift card, with some For more on the new location, visit www. worth up to $500. dickssportinggoods.com.
BLOOMINGDALE AND DANCING FOR A DIFFERENCE HOST BENEFIT SHOW NOV. 5
By Jane Owen
On August 12, On WednesBloomingdale day, November 5, High School sophDancing for a Difomore Caddie ference dance stuSchelle collapsed dio and Bloomingat school golf dale High School practice. Everyare hosting a one thought it benefit to aswas likely summer sist the Schelle dehydration. She family with the was taken to HCA cost of medical Florida Brandon bills. Caddie is a Hospital, where it ‘Swiftie,’ aka a was determined The Fearless for Caddie Benefit Show will be held in dedicated fan of Caddie had suf- the auditorium at Bloomingdale High School, located Taylor Swift. The fered a ruptured at 1700 E Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico, at 6 p.m. For Fearless for Cada r t e r i o v e n o u s tickets, visit https://dancestudio-pro.com/tickets/d4d or die Benefit Show email office@dancing4adifference.com. m a l fo r m at i o n is a nod to Taylor (AVM), causSwift’s Fearless ing a massive album and Cadbrain bleed. She die’s resilience. was airlifted to Caddie will be Tampa General there. Hospital and unDancing for derwent emera Difference gency surgery Director Sara to remove part Battaglia set up of her skull to let the event and her brain expand. The prognosis was not is grateful to be able to support Caddie good. In a matter of 24 hours, a strong high through her studio. The show includes perschool athlete was fighting for her life. formances from Dancing for a Difference In the days and weeks that followed, and Bloomingdale Fine Arts students. Caddie underwent more surgeries. Through The Fearless for Caddie Benefit Show will it all, her body did more than expected, and be held in the auditorium at Bloomingdale the Schelle family was embraced by com- High School, located at 1700 E Bloomingmunity support. dale Ave. in Valrico, at 6 p.m. For tickets, Caddie is expected to come home from visit https://dancestudio-pro.com/tickets/ the hospital on Wednesday, October 15. It d4d or email office@dancing4adifference. is nothing short of a miracle. The road to com. recovery is not over, however; follow-up To follow Caddie’s recovery, join the physical therapy and hospital visits will be ‘Fearless for Caddie: Updates & Support’ a regular part of the Schelle family routine. group on Facebook. To donate to her reRob and Kilene Schelle, Caddie’s parents, covery, visit www.gofundme.com/f/supsaid their family has been blown away by port-caddies-fight-for-recovery. the love they have received from the community. “It’s sounds cliché, but they say that LIGHTED BOAT PARADE..................PG 3 it ‘takes a village.’ People say that all the time, but you don’t really realize the village FREE YOUTH COUNSELING...........PG 7 you’ve got until something like this happens LOCAL PAGEANT WINNER.........PG 15 and it goes into action. We are blessed to T & J PAINTING................................PG 16 be part of this community,” Rob said.
IN THIS ISSUE:
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ECRWSS EDDM Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
STAND FEARLESS FOR CADDIE!
Don’t miss all the fun this month at St. Andrew’s UMC located at 3315 S. Bryan Rd. Brandon, FL 33511. The Youth Ministry Pumpkin Patch is now open, scan the QR code above. The Kids Ministry will host a Fall Festival on Saturday, October 18, 2-5 p.m. and the Fall Craft Fair will be held Saturday, October 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with arts & crafts, food and fun. See page 27 for more info.