Bloomingdale/FishHawk
28
February 2023
Volume 22, Issue 2
Ph: 813-657-2418
See Ad on Page 40 CELEBRATING 21 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
PALMER HOUSE TRANSFORMS INTO NEWSOME HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR RECEIVES $10,000 AWARD STUNNING LITHIA ACRES EVENT VENUE By Libby Hopkins AND MEETS BARRY MANILOW By Ariana Pedraza
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
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Newsome shone on him High School Oras Manilow chestra director expressed the Christopher Alimportance of len received the music directors Manilow Music and how he Teacher Award would not have last month at gotten to where the concert at he is without Amalie Arena. people like AlHe was invited len. After the to see Barry concert, many Newsome High School Orchestra director Christopher Allen Manilow perpeople walked (right) receiving a giant check for $10,000 from musical icon form as well Barry Manilow as part of his Manilow Music Teacher Award up to Allen and last month. as to speak his large check with him backto congratulate stage where the him, which Alaward was prelen described as sented. He was his “15 minutes given 10 tickets of fame.” and took some “The biggest of his family positive is exand his Orchesposure for my Photo courtesy of Jennifer Wainman tra Boosters. program to the Newsome High School at its All County 9th & 10th grade “I am honored general pubHonors String Orchestra Concert. It is an opportunity for the and humbled, of top musicians from throughout the county to experience music lic. That is the making in a large ensemble setting with students from course, but also biggest one. throughout the county. uncomfortable; Ev e r y b o d y ’s it’s been a little uncomtalking about Newsome fortable in the most posHigh School Orchestra in itive way possible,” said general and music in generAllen. “I am not used to al; it gets conversations gothe attention.” ing about music education. During the voting I am very grateful,” said process, Allen would Allen. encourage his students Allen explained that to vote at the beginning of class by play- meeting musical icon Manilow was very ing “Copacabana” at the beginning of every exciting, and while he does not often listen class. to Manilow’s genre, he highly enjoyed the “Before this competition, I honestly had performance. The award means so much to not heard much from Barry Manilow, but him and to the program, and the $10,000 now when I hear that song, I’ll remember that went toward the program will be used the time in orchestra where we were vot- for instruments and other equipment. ing,” said Allen. Allen and the Newsome High School OrAllen was given a shoutout during the chestra want to extend their thanks to evconcert performance and a spotlight was eryone who voted and made this possible.
Julie and Eros opening on JanDahl have been uary 21. “We business ownhave a great ers for quite a team here at while, but when Lithia Acres, so their event venthat helps to run ue space lease, everything so on Boyette Road smoothly,” Julie in Lithia, was said. “Marianne not going to be Julie and Eros Dahl are the new owners of Lithia Acres, formerly (Hamilton) is our the Palmer House. The couple hosted Lithia Acres’ ribbon-cutting renewed, the event manager, on January 19 and its grand opening on January 21. couple started and she makes to consider their sure we know options. “I had what is going on seen the Palmat all times and er House was has the property available the ready. We actuyear before we ally get to enjoy purchased it; my attending some thought was, of our events ‘No way, we arbecause of our en’t doing that,’” team.” Julie said. “A year latEven though Lithia er, Eros saw it online Acres has only been and he was like, ‘Why open a short time, don’t we do this?’ So it has already hostwe did.” ed a wedding and What the couple a few other events. did was purchase the “We are hoping in former Palmer House the spring to have and turn it into Liththe community come ia Acres, a beautiful out and work in the event venue space in Lithia. “We fell in love plumeria nursery with us,” Julie said. “We with it when we came out here to look at the are also hoping to do some pop-up vendors property,” Julie said. “It gave us a sense of events as well because our vendors are peace, and then we met Gail and Bob (Palm- amazing and great partners.” er), the former owners. We both felt as if The feedback the Dahls have gotten has God had his hand in all of this.” been great. “Everyone has said that they feel “We started Palmer House in 2002,” Gail at peace when they come to Lithia Acres, said. “Our charming Victorian farmhouse and we love that because that’s how we feel is nested on 8 acres, and we catered to lo- being at Lithia Acres.” cal and out-of-state guests. We were open To learn more about Lithia Acres, visit its year-round for visiting relatives; romantic website at www.lithiaacres.com or call 813weekends; corporate events; uplifting cou- 638-0027. Lithia Acres is located at 2221 ples’ retreats; small, elegant weddings; and Hinton Ranch Rd. in Lithia. so much more.” The Palmers retired in 2021. The Dahls have kept that peaceful feeling the Palmer House was known for, but they have added a few of their own touches. They TASTE OF SCOUTING ....................... PG 3 built a barn that will be used as an event MOTORING TAMPA BAY ................ PG 5 venue and a plumeria nursery as part of HELEN MULRENNEN ........................ PG 8 their agricultural business. The brand-new Lithia Acres hosted its EYE ON BUSINESS ................PGS 25-26 ribbon-cutting on January 19 and its grand FLORIDA WILDLIFE ...................... PG 29
The Florida State Fair is right around the corner. Come enjoy a the day filled with entertainment, exhibits and delicious food. This year’s fair food finds are both new and tasty. Try the pork belly pineapple bowl, Mexican street corn, sweet potato apple pie, fried key lime pie, Tampa Cuban funnel cake sandwich and many more new tasty treats. The Florida State Fair opens Thursday, February 9 and runs through Monday, February 20. For more information, visit https://floridastatefair.com
Not to be combined with any other offer. Only valid at Riverview, FL - Boyette location.
02/28/2023
$40 OFF BRAKES Includes Free Brake Inspection Not to be combined with any other offer. Only valid at Riverview, FL - Boyette location.
02/28/2023