Bloomingdale/ FishHawk
December 2024 Volume 23, Issue 12
Nov. 15 – Jan. 5 INCLUDED WITH PARK ADMISSION
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CELEBRATING 22 YE ARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
INAUGURAL PARADE OF LIGHTS CONGRESSMAN VERN BUCHANAN WILL BRING THE COMMUNITY COMMENDATION EVENT INCLUDES TOGETHER IN DECEMBER HONORS FOR SIX WWII VETERANS By Lily Belcher
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The Parade of Lights will bring the Greater Brandon community together on Saturday, December 14, for its inaugural event. The mile and a half long parade will kick off just as the sun sets, filling the street with Christmas lights and music from Newsome, Brandon, Riverview and Bloomingdale high schools’ bands. Committee Chairperson Kerrie Hoening said the parade, which is sponsored by Reed & Reed, will provide Brandon with a “big holiday event.” The committee partnered with the Greater Brandon and the Valrico/Fishhawk chambers of commerce, which gave them access to resources, businesses and opportunities that helped make the parade possible. “We are working really hard to make it a really fun event,” Hoening said. Creating the Parade of Lights was not without its challenges, but the support from the county has made all the difference, Hoening said. “We’re starting from ground zero,” she said. One of the challenges was selecting a route that will be the least disruptive, a decision that took several months to make.
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The free parade will kick off at 5:30 p.m. at the Parson Avenue and Oakfield Drive intersection, heading west down Oakfield Drive. “It’s right in the heart of Brandon,” Hoening said. There will also be grandstand seating sponsored by Rivard Buick GMC. People can purchase grandstand tickets for $50, which offers VIP seating, parking, food and a signature beverage. However, there are only 100 seats available, so Hoening encourages people to purchase their VIP tickets soon. Proceeds from the event will go to two charities: Raining Cats and Dogs Shelter and Sanctuary and Angel Foundation FL. Hoening said she’s expecting a huge crowd and would be “utterly thrilled” if they have at least 10,000 people. “I would say having something new and unique to bring our community is probably the thing I’m looking forward to the most,” Hoening said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the excitement of people who are going to show up and just have a really good time in this parade.” For more information on the event or to buy grandstand tickets, visit https:// brandonparadeoflights.com/.
REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL SUPPORT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES
Welcome to our annual holiday edition. This year, more than ever, our locally owned small businesses need our support. Throughout this edition, our advertisers have been getting into the holiday spirit, and we are launching our annual Shop Local Holiday Sweepstakes! Enter online at www.ospreyobserver. com or mail in the entry form on page 33. Early-bird prizes include gorgeous jewelry from McAuley Fine Jewelry, a set of four tires from Express Oil & Tire Engineers of Riverview and a fishing charter from True Lies Fishing Charters.
By Jane Owen
Photo courtesy of Congressman Buchanan’s office.
On November 8, Congressman Vern Buchanan hosted a Congressional Veteran Commendation event at Newsome High School’s newly opened performing arts center. The second annual commendation event recognized and honored wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of veterans residing in Florida’s 16th District. An independent panel of veterans reviewed nominations for the commendation awards and selected the 30 veterans. Three additional veterans were presented with meritorious medals for service to our country. As each veteran received their award from Buchanan, their military awards were read and their passion for serving our community was described. In addition, the audience heard their answers to what they are most proud of. The answers included being proud of their family, being proud they were able to bring their unit home without casualties, being proud of deciding to get their GED after the military and then later pursing higher education, being proud of the business that they started and being proud of being a veteran because they hated serving during the Vietnam War. Everyone in attendance was in awe. The auditorium was filled with friends and family of the veterans, Newsome students and community members, including school board members Lynn Gray and Patti Rendon. Newsome’s chorus and orchestra performed. Newsome’s JROTC greeted attendees with a saber salute and presented the colors. “These awards are just one small way we can help pay tribute to our local heroes who put it all on the line to defend our country and way of life,” Congressman Buchanan
said. He added, “While we will never be able to fully repay the honorees for their selfless sacrifices, I hope the Congressional Veteran Commendation helps express how grateful our community truly is for their service.” Congratulations to: Angel Alvarez (Vietnam and Gulf wars), Angelo Barnello Sr. (World War II), Stephen Browning (Vietnam War), Delford Connell (World War II), Geoffrey Cordes (Gulf War), Angel Davila Lopez (Gulf War), Harry Demeza (World War II), Jerry Estes (Vietnam War), Brenda Gaines (served outside of wartime), Jeffrey Gaines (Gulf War), Lloyd Grable (World War II), Dwain Hannah (Vietnam War), William Hodges (served outside of wartime), Carl Hunsinger (Gulf War), Bruce Johnson (Vietnam War), William Kirkpatrick (Vietnam and Gulf wars), Jim Klocke (Vietnam War), Maurice Lanouette (World War II), Robert Marasco (Gulf War), Thomas Moncrief (served outside of wartime), Joseph Muhlberger (served outside of wartime), Jerry Neff (served outside of wartime), Sean Powers (served outside of wartime), Robert Putnam (Vietnam War), Thomas Reichard (Gulf War), Gill Ruderman (Vietnam War), Milton Shattuck (Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf Wars), Vincent Spanicciati (Vietnam War), George Tamburello (World War II), Lonnie Vona (Vietnam and Gulf Wars), Charles McMurtry, Errol Brady Ross and Joseph Pereria.
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