Riverview/Apollo Beach
6
October 2022
Volume 20, Issue 10
See our ad on page 12
Ph: 813-657-2418
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
A HORSE’S TOUCH FINDS NEW HOME AND ADDS EVENTS & PROGRAMS IN WIMAUMA
By Kelly Wise Valdes
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
Mercedes McClelin Wimauma on our lan developed her horse farm that we love of horses since bought.” her time as a workWith seven horses ing student at the and a new location, Stanford Red Barn in McClellan is ready Palo Alto, California to help strengthen in 1999. Fortunately, the community with McClellan was able affordable programs take her passion for that use horses to horses and turn it promote healthy livinto a nonprofit oring and lifestyles. ganization to help A Horse’s Touch the community in currently has riders 2017 called A Horse’s ages 4-49 participatTouch. ing in its programs. A Horse’s Touch is a nonprofit organization A Horse’s Touch These programs help in Wimauma that is working with people of program involves all ages to teach basic riding skills as well as these students, famWork Exchange care for the horses. It offers a variety of pro- ilies and adults learn (WE) in support of grams as well as camps and birthday parties. riding skills as well as the state of Floriother horse-related da’s Bright Futures caregiving and activScholarship proities. With all the acgram. WE students tivities and outreach exchange work at programs provided the barn for lessons by A Horse’s Touch, in animal husbandMcClellan is always ry as well as basic in need of help from riding skills in Enpeople in the commuglish and Western nity who are willing disciplines. Students to volunteer. in the WE program also develop confi“We also host birthday parties, kid dence, commitment and passion and horse camps and horse recitals,” said pursue development in the leadership McClellan. “There are also discounts for qualities of accountability and respon- military veterans, first responders, posibility. lice officers and their families.” McClellan also has number of clients A Horse’s Touch is also hosting a Halwith physical, cognitive and emotional loween party on Sunday, October 30 disabilities that include cerebral palsy, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. At this event, there autism, attention deficit disorder and will be a costume parade on horseback children recovering from abuse. Several with games, prizes, food and trick-orof McClellan’s students from A Horse’s treating. The cost is $30. Touch participated in the equestrian A Horse’s Touch is located at 12435 competition at the Florida Special Olym- Cody Dr. in Wimauma. For more inforpics in 2018 and 2019. mation about the program, events or Recently, McClellan relocated her pro- volunteering, visit https://ahorsestouch. gram from Lithia to Wimauma. “Things godaddysites.com/ or email mmbarn4@ were hectic during the COVID period, gmail.com. McClellan can also be consaid McClellan. “But we are now settled tacted at 813-992-0743.
NEW GREASE MONKEY RUSKIN OFFERS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE
By Taylor Wells
Photo courtesy of Weirdo Photography.
Melissa and Joe Canfield, the owners of Grease Monkey Ruskin which opened just over three months ago.
There’s a new automotive business in Ruskin, and its name is Grease Monkey. Owned by Joe and Melissa Canfield, the franchise location is a full-service auto repair center that works on all makes and models, including most European and Asian cars and trucks. Before Grease Monkey Ruskin, Joe and Melissa had owned and operated HiTech Automotive in Brandon for 17 years. They sold it and retired, but they eventually decided to get back into the auto business. “We still had more to give and more to offer our customers as far as car repairs go, so we ended up purchasing an existing shop, and we are rebranding it to Grease Monkey,” said Melissa. Started just a little over three months ago, it specializes in brakes, air conditioning, check engine lights, diagnostics, tires and oil changes, and it services all other mechanical auto needs. Plus, Joe’s ability to easily convey what’s happening with vehicle repairs, depth of knowledge and years of experience make for high-quality service. In addition, Grease Monkey offers courtesy shuttles so customers can return home during vehicle repairs along with a nighttime key drop box so they can drop off their vehicle at night. It can arrange for your vehicle to be towed as well if necessary. For those interested in its trade, while the business is fully staffed, it’s open to interviews for new employees. But business isn’t its only goal, as the
family-owned and operated Grease Monkey Ruskin also has a strong community involvement focus. “We wanted to move into this area because we love the SouthShore area so much, even though we still live in FishHawk. That was part of the motivation of coming down here, because the SouthShore area is beautiful and it’s growing,” said Melissa. “We want to be part of the community.” In November, Grease Monkey will offer a free ‘get to know your car’ class — for ladies mostly, but anyone is welcome — covering warning signs for necessary repairs or maintenance, how to change tires and such. For the date, to be decided, follow its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ greasemonkeyruskin, and be on the lookout for its other community events. Grease Monkey Ruskin is located at 2003 S. U.S. Hwy. 41 and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and it plans to be open on Saturdays. For more information, visit www.greasemonkeyauto.com/locations/ us/fl/ruskin or call 813-645-0339.
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ARE YOU READY TO
VOTE? 2022
General Elections November 8
Are you ready to vote in the general elections on Tuesday, November 8? See the Osprey Observer’s political guide in the back section to help you prepare to vote. There are three ways to vote.: early voting, mail in your ballot and track your ballot or vote on election day. Your vote is your voice making every vote count. Read about the local candidates on pages 34-38. For more information about how to vote, dates and videos, visit https://www.votehillsborough.gov.
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