Valrico
28
July 2023
Volume 20, Issue 7
25
Ph: 813-657-2418
CELEBRATING 21 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
FAMILY OFFERS MINI FRIENDS FARM VISITS TO BRING JOY TO SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
YE MYSTIC KREWE OF GASPARILLA AWARDS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS By Anna Edlund
By Ava Benedict
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
Four local high This event has school seniors occurred for the received college past 26 years, scholarships from with the fund the Ye Mystic supplying stuKrewe of Gaspardents a total of illa (YMKG) Com$1,346,000 in munity Fund. college scholChoosing to doarship money. nate $120,000 While being a in college scholfun and whimsiarships this year, cal tradition that YMKG conducted encapsulates the a thorough propirate theme of cess to select 10 Gasparilla, this The Haxton twins hold up their scholarships well-deserving act is additionalbeside their mother and brother. high school stuly changing lives dents. Qualifications included academic dollar by dollar. Each scholarship awardsuccess, extracurricular activities, ath- ed supports the education of the next letic excellence and a financial need. By generation to come. reviewing many applications and con“It definitely relieves a lot of stress. ducting in-person interviews, they were It will probably go towards paying for able to select the chosen few. books, fees and other expenses that may The four finalists residing in the local arise,” said Caroline. area are Sarah Fabel from Strawberry The process of searching and applying Crest High School, Westin Doud from is often a lengthy one, but it can ultiRiverview High School, Caroline Haxton mately pay off in the end. With the large from Durant High School and Peyton number of expenses that modernly hang Haxton from Durant High School. over the heads of upcoming college stuCaroline and Peyton, twin sisters who dents, scholarships can be a helpful tool. both plan to attend the University of “It’s definitely worth applying for the Florida, were selected out of their grad- scholarship, even if you think it is unuating class for their immense academ- likely you will get it, because you never ic success and leadership. Each sister know. Of the scholarships I applied for, received a college scholarship worth including this one, I did not expect much $10,000, broken up into $2,500 per to come from them,” said Caroline. school year. Explore social media and keep an eye “I was very shocked, and honestly still out in the community for applicable am. I never expected that I would actu- scholarships such as this one. ally get the scholarship, despite having For further information on the YMKG been a finalist,” shared Caroline as she Community Fund, visit its website at put her feelings into words. h t t p s : / /y m kg . c o m /y m kg - c o m m u n i Unlike other scholarship announce- ty-fund/. ments, YMKG creates a unique ‘invasion’ performance to personally deliver the news. “Our school holds a ‘Diamond Awards’ PAYTON’S LEGACY.............................PG 3 Banquet for seniors, and they ‘invaded’ SENIORS IN SERVICE .....................PG 7 the ceremony in order to give us the BEERFEST .............................................PG 8 scholarships. In true Gasparilla fashion, they were dressed up as pirates and EYE ON BUSINESS................PGS 25-26 came throwing beads,” recalled Peyton. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT..........PG 29
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Nestled among Melissa’s ultithe roads of Valrico mate goal is to have is an expansive 4.3even more children acre property that is with autism vishome not just to the it and experience Karnowski family, the farm. She said but also their farm the animals have a full of miniature anhealing touch, and imal friends. spending time with “I hope that it just them is extremely brings joy calming for everyin someone who visits. The times a farm is home to a sad world,” variety of animals, said Melissa including alpacas, Karnowsminiature donkeys ki, founder of Mini and a pony. Each Friends Farm. animal is named The farm aims after a celebrity or to provide a place pop culture figure, of peace for people including donkeys with autism and Melissa Karnowski, owner and founder of Mini Snoop Donk and mental health con- Friends Farm, uses animals as a way to help peo- Martha Stewart ditions. and a pony named ple with autism or mental health conditions. “Our goal is to Dolly Parton. Alequip all children with the knowledge, skills though these animals are super lovable, it and confidence needed to overcome their takes a huge amount of work to maintain challenges,” the Mini Friends Farm mission the farm and cover the costs of providing statement reads. for them. Melissa views the farm as a place to To raise money for feed, farm supplies disconnect from the rest of the world and and animal surgeries, Mini Friends Farm embrace the quiet of the outdoors. She and hosts birthday parties and other special her husband, Tom, were inspired to create events on the property. One of these spethe farm after their son, Brandon, started cial events includes an annual Open Farm showing pigs through his school’s FFA pro- Day, where the public has the opportugram. nity to learn how to brush, feed and take Brandon was diagnosed with autism and care of the animals on the farm. The last used showing pigs as an outlet to express Open Farm Day attracted a crowd of over himself. Melissa described how his entire 70 people, so booking ahead is a must for demeanor seemed to shift when he was those wishing to participate. Mini Friends around animals, and she wants to give Farm also gives people the opportunity to other kids with autism the opportunity to book experiences with the animals, such as experience the same happiness. Currently, walking the donkeys and animal-assisted several people with autism visit the farm therapy. To learn more about Mini Friends every one to two weeks to brush and feed Farm and how to donate, visit its website the animals. at www.myminifriends.org.
entire purchase
Sunflower Cafe 3452 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Valrico 813-65-SUSHI
Only valid with regular menu. With this coupon. Must present before submitting payment. Before tax. One coupon per visit. Not valid with other offers Offer expires 7/31/23
3452 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Valrico Have you taken a stroll or ridden a bike on the Tampa Riverwalk lately? There are so many attractions, parks and recreation, restaurants and bars to visit along the way. Read more about the 2.4-mile path and the Riverwalk Attraction Pass on page 11.
(Located in the SteinMart Plaza)
813-65-SUSHI
Mon - Fri 11:30-2:30 & 5-9 | Sat 12-9 Sundays 12-8:30 (Serving lunch until 3 p.m.)