Brandon/Winthrop
31
November 2022
Volume 17, Issue 11
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
FLORIDA SPECIAL OLYMPICS RECOGNIZES
MARY FRANCES SMITH FOR HER
EXTRAORDINARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS By Lily Belcher
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
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Mary Frances ities one can acSmith, a Brandon complish. Special resident, has been Olympics has givan active and deen Mary Frances voted member of the opportunities the Florida Special to excel and the Olympics since she confidence to acwas 9 years old. complish so much. Now, 24 years latShe is an inspiraer, she continues tion to everyone to serve the orga- Mary Frances Smith was named Florida Special she meets,” said nization and won Olympics Athlete of the Year because of her dedi- Judith Moore on the Florida Special her nomination cation to the program and her teammates. Olympics Athlete of the form for the Athlete of Year award for her efthe Year award. forts. Outside of her involve“The way she goes ment with the Special about the competition Olympics, Smith is acand the playing and the tive in her community, interacting with other serving in TRIDENT and athletes [has impressed the Nativity Catholic me most]. She encourChurch PB&J Ministry. ages everyone to do One of Smith’s defining their best, which is esqualities is her leadersentially what Special ship skills, encouraging Olympics stands for,” TRIDENT classmates said mother Audrey to join the PB&J MinisSmith. try and supporting her Mary Frances Smith has played Smith, who has Down teammates on the Spetennis for 20 years now. syndrome, joined the cial Olympics team. Special Olympics and began participating Smith is learning American Sign Lanin track and field. Smith has also played guage to communicate with her nonvertennis, bowling and swimming with the bal teammates so they feel included and Special Olympics and played soccer with supported in their own accomplishments the TOPS Soccer League. Smith has been through the Special Olympics. She has an active member of Tennis for Fun and worked to include all her teammates and has been involved with the organization coworkers and support them in their acsince 2003. complishments as well. Now, Smith is a part of the University “You have given me a place where I of Tampa’s Unified Flag Football team. feel included and respected and I can’t She is also trained and certified in the tell you how important that is to me and Athletic Leadership Program and is a all my fellow athletes,” said Smith at the health messenger. Orlando award gala on October 22. “Mary Frances is a motivator and an For more information on the Florida excellent example to other [intellectually Special Olympics, visit its website at disabled] individuals about the possibil- www.specialolympicsflorida.org.
KINGS AVE. WALK THRU BETHLEHEM CARRIES ON ANNUAL TRADITION
By Kelly Wise Valdes
Kings AvGeorge enue Baptist Mathis one Church of Branof the WTB don invites the volunteers community to that helps experience the build the true meaning city scenes of Christmas and acts as at its 36th ana tour guide nual Walk Thru on all four Bethlehem days of the (WTB) event. event. “The The city of reason why I Bethlehem will do Walk Thru once again be Bethlehem brought to life The community is invited to register to attend Kings Avenue is the felat this nostalgic, Baptist Church’s 36th annual Walk Thru Bethlehem event. lowship and free community team work to event that has brought put on such a true Christmas joy to countextraordinary story less families since it about the very first first began in 1986. Christmas,” said This interactive, famMathis. “We also ily-friendly holiday exwant to keep the perience transports tradition going in so guests to the ancient many families, and city of Bethlehem as it this is the only way existed during the time a lot of people get to of Jesus’ birth. Guests hear about Jesus.” will feel immersed in the WTB experience, This free event drew more than 3,000 such as the town’s realistic backdrop, visitors last year, which marked the the authentically dressed townspeople, first year for the reservation system to Roman guards, potters, shepherds and streamline the tours. Reservations can be live animals. Throughout the 30-minute made by visiting www.walkthrubethleguided tour, visitors will see the sights, hem.com. Walk-up spots are available on sounds and smells of Bethlehem. The tour a first-come, first-serve basis, but regisconcludes with a visit to the manger with tration can guarantee a tour. Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Walk Thru Bethlehem takes place on WTB Chairman Tracy Hoyt is thankful Thursday, December 8 from 6:30-10 for the over 350 volunteers from multi- p.m.; Friday, December 9 from 6:30-10 ple churches and organizations that help p.m.; Saturday, December 10 from 3-10 make this event a success. “American p.m.; and Sunday, December 11 from 3-10 Heritage Girls are a huge help in both set- p.m. For more information, call 813-684ting up, acting and cleaning up after the 9453. Kings Avenue Baptist Church is loevent,” said Hoyt. “We have volunteers cated at 2602 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon. from all over Florida and other states that come just to help share the story.” Destin Van Den Bogaert is a Durant High School student and WTB youth vol- WRESTLERS EVENT ......................... PG 3 unteer that is looking forward to volun- LETTERS TO SANTA ......................... PG 4 teering again this year. “I help because it’s the right thing to do to show every- EYE ON BUSINESS ................PGS 25-26 one the amazing God that we believe in,” CHRISTMAS TOWN ....................... PG 26 said Van Den Bogaert. BRANDON BALLET ..........................PG 35
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