Brandon/Winthrop Sip & savor through flavorful eats SELECT DATES
mar. 9 – may 19 Concerts included with admission! ©2024 United Parks & Resorts, Inc.
37
March 2024
Volume 19, Issue 3
Ph: 813-657-2418
Read About Concert Lineup On Page ___ 23
CELEBRATING 22 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
A SALTWATER SALUTE TO VETERANS 570 ATHLETES COMPETE AT THE EIGHTH HONORS VETERANS WITH FREE FISHING TRIP
By Jane Owen
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
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The calm meanor that he and relaxation described as one can expecalming. After rience while on that, Corcelthe water can la adapted his do wonders boat and befor the soul. came passionFishing can be ate about geta therapeutic ting veterans experience for on the water. anyone, but “If you see even more their face A Saltwater Salute to Veterans honors veterans with a free so for miliwhen the fishing trip on Thursday, May 2. tary veterans breeze hits who experithem on a ence anxiety, boat, everydepression or thing changPTSD as a rees for them. sult of their It becomes a service. feeling where P o c k e t everything Change Incalms down for shore Fishing them.” CorcelCharters and la said. “That’s the nonprofit why we put VetCatch are this day on. We sponsoring A have this day of Saltwater Saawesome fellute to Veterans on Thursday, May 2. A lowship with men and women who have Saltwater Salute to Veterans takes place served this country. It’s a day of us giving in St. Petersburg. The event provides vet- back to them. You know what? Let’s have erans a four-hour chartered fishing trip a calm day. It’s a no pressure day. If we with a captain, a delicious lunch, a chance catch fish, it’s a bonus.” to connect with other veterans and entry Event coordinator Sarah Branston said into a raffle for prizes, all of which is free. they will take out as many veterans as Now in its fifth year, the event was possible and currently have over 100 started by Timothy Wilson and captain signed up. The only limiting factor is finanAnthony Corcella with a goal to help vet- cial constraints. erans “connect with others alike, on the A Saltwater Salute to Veterans has a water, for therapeutic fishing and social need for monetary donations, raffle items relations.” and captains. Corcella is the owner of Pocket Change. Registration is required to participate in He became passionate about taking veter- A Saltwater Salute to Veterans. ans on the water after a call from a veterTo register, email asaltwatersaluan who kept getting turned down by other tetoveterans@gmail.com or call 813-370companies because he had a wheelchair. 6567. To donate, reach out through email Corcella took the veteran on his boat and or phone, or donate via PayPal at www. witnessed a true change in the man’s de- paypal.me/roma21690.
ANNUAL INCREDIBULL GAMES
By Jane Owen In 1968, just bePrincipal Dr. Marfore the first Specos Rodriguez and cial Olympics InNewsome Princiternational Games, pal Katie Rocha Eunice Kennedy are grateful for Shriver jotted the collaboration. down the Special “As principal, Olympics athlete the highlight of oath: “Let me win. the event for But if I cannot win, me is seeing our Bloomingdale and Newsome high schools let me be brave in athletes bond co-hosted the eighth annual IncrediBULL Games with their buddy the attempt.” field day on February 23. On February 23, throughout the 570 special educaday while they pertion students from form in their events 18 schools competed and have a great time with determination in the Olympic Vilin the eighth annual lage,” Rodriguez said. IncrediBULL Games “True strength enat Bloomingdale High compasses the fusion School. The Incredof courage, kindness iBULL Games are a and unity. The IncredSpecial Olympics field iBULLS event shines a day event co-hostlight on these virtues, From left to right: Patti Rendon, Hillsed by Bloomingdale sparking our shared borough County Public Schools board and Newsome high determination to conmember; Sue Burkett, chief of schools; and quer new challenges schools. Greeted by the Bloomingdale Principal Dr. Rodriguez at through resilience the IncrediBULL Games on February 23. Bloomingdale drumand collaboration.” line and cheerleaders from both schools, Rocha said. the athletes were celebrated from the The 2024 IncrediBULL Games was the moment they got off the buses. After largest yet with 570 athletes. Volunteers the opening ceremonies, they spent the included 850 student volunteers from day competing in track, soccer and field Bloomingdale and Newsome as well as events. The athletes played games at community volunteers from MacDill Air ‘Olympic Village’ booths staffed by stu- Force Base, the Knights of Columbus and dent clubs. Student volunteers, called the Special Olympics. buddies, were paired with athletes as “A special thank you to Sue Burkett, companions for the day. chief of schools, for supporting the idea Event coordinator Donna Hart loves to start the IncrediBULL Games nine the inclusion and friendship the day pro- years ago. She helped to build a commumotes. nity of inclusion for all students and her “The IncrediBULL Games event con- legacy continues to this day through the tinues to be my favorite day of the year. IncrediBULL Games,” Hart said. The excitement, from both the athletes and the student volunteers, is beyond measure. It is a day for fun and, more importantly, friendship,” Hart said. ASTRO SKATE ......................... .............PG 3 Hart started the games in 2015 (a year EAST BAY RACEWAY.........................PG 5 was skipped due to COVID-19) when she ESTATE PLANNING............................PG 6 was a teacher at Bloomingdale. Hart currently works at Newsome. Both schools SUMMER CAMP.....................SECTION 2 work together to create an amazing day EYE ON BUSINESS.................PGS 38-39 for the student athletes. Bloomingdale
IN THIS ISSUE:
A MODERN DAY IRISH PUB Serving Lunch and Dinner Every Day! Late Night Happy Hour 10 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Special Edition Section 2
See Our Summer Camp
It’s that time of year… Have you thought about your calendar and how you will keep your children busy and engaged during the summer months? Trying to narrow down options that appeal to your children’s interests can be a challenge. See Section 2 for a lisitng of local camps in our area!
Friday & Saturday
$2.00 OFF DRAFT BEER, WELL LIQUOR, AND WINE DINE IN ONLY. NOT AVAILABLE FOR TO GO.