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Ornament Honors Longtime Brandon Jeweler, Raises Funds For Group Homes

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2007

Brandon - Brandon - There were no stately columns, gingerbread trim or Southern charm to attract the eye to the subject of this year's New Horizons Group Homes' commemorative holiday ornament.

Martin's Jewelers may be a jewel in Brandon, and its owners, Brenda and Joe Martin, may bejewel Brandon, but there's nothing glamorous about the jewelry store's headquarters in the Atlantic Village shopping center on Oakfield Drive.

Artist Lora Eisenberg knew she had her work cut out for her.

"It's just a basic storefront," she said. "I didn't have a lot to work with."

Nearly every year, Eisenberg is charged with designing a 24-karate gold-plated ornament replicating a historical site in the community to sell as a fundraiser for the nonprofit New Horizons Group Homes, which serves adults with developmental disabilities.

It's the group's largest fundraiser, and the pressure was on, Eisenberg said.

"I really struggled with the design, and then I started praying," she said. "That's when I came up with this design. It's not mine. It's from God."

Working with ornament manufacturer Chemart Co. of Rhode Island, Eisenberg was able to give the 1970s storefront an art deco appeal with a band across the top capped with the years the store has been in business, 1954 to 2007, and a faux diamond. She then surrounded the piece with a string of faux pearls to enhance the three-dimensional effect.

"Chemart was really helpful," she said. "I didn't know they could put the gemstone on it, but they worked with us. It turned out beautifully."

The Martins agreed. Their ornament is the 13th in the series offered by the nonprofit group and comes three years after the business's 50th anniversary.

The jewelry store was founded by Joe Martin's father, Freddie, in the family home on Parsons Avenue in 1954, and he later moved the business to Scogin's Department Store in 1956 before opening his own shop on Parsons Avenue in 1960.

Joe Martin took over the business after his father's death in 1969. Although Martin's has had several homes over the course of its lifetime, it has maintained its reputation in the community for high-quality custom designs and jewelry repairs.

Residents will have their first opportunity to purchase the keepsake ornament at the New Horizons Group Homes annual barbecue from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 10 behind the group homes at 109 and 115 E. Clay Ave.

The ornaments cost $18.

New Horizons also has limited numbers of ornaments from previous years available at a reduced price, or the organization can order past ornaments if enough residents express an interest. Previous ornaments were replicas of the Morgan Brothers General Store, which was later Brandon Supply; the James Brandon House, which is now Stowers Funeral Home; Mulrennan Groves; Yates Elementary School; Bill's Prescription Center; the original Brandon School, now McLane Middle School; the James McCabe Theater, known as the Village Playhouse or Valrico Civic Center; the First Baptist Church of Brandon; the First United Methodist Church of Brandon; the Brandon Woman's Club clubhouse, now owned by the Brandon Junior Woman's Club; the Brandon Depot; and Sharrar's General Store.

The barbecue Nov. 10 also will serve as an opportunity for the community to learn about New Horizons, said Peter Watkins, board of directors president.

Watkins has been involved with the private, faith-based organization since 1992, when teachers from the special education ministry and parents of special-needs children from First Baptist Church of Brandon got together to determine whether they could provide homes for developmentally disabled adults.

There were about 350 such adults living in the Brandon area at the time and only five group homes, Watkins recalled. His 32-year-old daughter, Kimberly, is a New Horizons resident.

"There was a great need in our community to provide an independent living and social environment for these high-functioning, special-needs adults," he said. "We wanted to make sure they had a sense of independence and that they would be taken care of after we were gone."

The group started with one house, the Mary Lou Creamer House, for six women. It operated with a $140,000 federal Housing and Urban Development grant, one-time donations from the families, community contributions and the residents' Social Security incomes, wages and Medicaid waivers.

"We didn't know the first thing about starting an assisted living facility," Watkins said. "We just tripped, stumbled and fell along the way, and the good Lord led us with the support of the community."

A home for six men, the Alice Storms Home, opened in October 2002.

"Both homes are full, and we'd love to expand," Watkins said.

The community may tour the homes and meet the residents at the barbecue, which also will feature live entertainment, presentation of the holiday ornament to the Martins, door prizes, a silent auction and a barbecue meal provided by Grandpa Johnson's of Plant City for $10.

For information, call Pete or Brenda Watkins at (813) 653-2466 or New Horizons at (813) 571-2690.

This year's ornament, which costs $18, and is sold as a fundraiser for New Horizons Group Homes can be purchased at the organization's annual barbecue from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 10 behind the group homes at 109 and 115 E. Clay Ave.

After the barbecue, it will be available at: Age's Art & Frame, 628 Oakfield Drive, Brandon; Bill's Prescription Center, 202 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon; Field's Art & Framing, 3407 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Valrico; Martin's Jewelers, 664 Oakfield Drive, Brandon; Rainbow Engraving, 902 W. Robertson St., Brandon; and The Frame Shop & Gallery, 602 Oakfield Drive, Brandon.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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