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Noah's 'Arkcade' Provides Fun Halloween Alternative

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By BARBARA ROUTEN, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 7, 2007

BRANDON - The First Baptist Church of Brandon held its annual fall festival Oct. 31, Noah's Arkcade.

The cost of admission was a bag of candy - treats that were later earned by young costumed children at various game stations.

Children didn't have to win the games to get a piece of candy, just play. Princesses, fairies, cowboys, Noahs, animal critters and superheroes were everywhere.

Some of the grownups wore costumes, too. One woman looked amazingly like state Sen. Ronda Storms.

Cashews, Pecans Fund Church Programs

BRANDON - The ladies of the St. Francis Circle at Nativity Catholic Church are selling shelled pecan halves and jumbo cashews for $7 per pound or $33 for a 5-pound box. "These are both top quality," said Evelyn Hamilton, fundraiser chairwoman for the 22nd year.

The nuts are great for baking holiday favorites, and the sale supports good causes. "We do a lot of worthwhile projects with our proceeds," said Hamilton, referring to the group's donations to the Nativity Outreach Food Pantry and adults and children in need.

To order nuts, which will be delivered to purchasers' addresses this month, call Hamilton at (813) 689-5030; Rose Cowell, group historian, at (813) 685-7948; Janet Trickel, past circle chairwoman, at (813) 655-5506; or Angie DeShong, corresponding secretary, at (813) 689-2633.
Spaghetti Dinner Feeds Athletic Club Budget
VALRICO - The Athletic Booster Club of Bloomingdale Senior High School will hold its third annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 14 in the school cafeteria, 1700 E. Bloomingdale Ave. The price is $5 per meal, which can be eaten on site or taken home and includes salad, bread, dessert and a beverage.

More than 300 Bloomingdale student athletes compete in 22 school sports activities, all of which are supported by the boosters. For information, contact Trish Gold at (813) 684-4632 or tgold2@verizon .net. For details about the spaghetti dinner, call Beth Campoamor at (813) 653-1959.

Fundraisers Mix Scrapbooking, Charity

BRANDON - The General Federation of Women's Club's Brandon Junior Woman's Club will give area residents two opportunities to contribute to a worthy cause Saturday at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 3315 Bryan Road.

The first will save memories: the Crop for a Cause scrapbooking fundraiser will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. inside the church. The event will be "a fun day to crop those photos without interruption" and enjoy fellowship with friends, said Becky Goble, spokeswoman for the club. There will be lunch, snacks, door prizes, goodie bags, vendor tables and a silent auction. The registration fee is $25.

The second event is free to attend and will take place in the church yard. The Shopping Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature exhibitors of jewelry and other wares from such companies as Premier Design, Mary Kay, Weekender Clothing, Home Interiors, Tomboy Tools, Stampin' Up!, Cookie Lee and Tastefully Simple.

The club throws a holiday party for 80 to 100 underprivileged children each December. These fundraisers provide the means to get each child "three toys of their choice, clothing, shoes, socks, books and school supplies," Goble said.

Contact Goble at (813) 651-9333 or agoble@aol.com.

Ceremony, Speakers To Honor Veterans

RIVERVIEW - A tribute to America's military men and women will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Veterans Day, at Serenity Meadows Memorial Park, Funeral Home and Crematory, 6919 Providence Road.

Serenity Meadows President Mike Wick invites everyone in the community "to give thanks to those who have served and continue to serve freedom's cause ... America's veterans, who represent the best of our nation, have placed our country's security before their own lives and remind us that the defense of freedom comes with great loss and sacrifice."

David Braun, president of the Hillsborough County Veterans Council, will introduce guests, including Becky Herndon, president of the AMVETS Post 44 Ladies Auxiliary and president of AMVETS District 3, and U.S. Naval Reserve Petty Officer 1st Class Sivenson Guerrier.

Guerrier served 11 years in the Navy and volunteered for a one-year deployment to Afghanistan. He shares his experiences about serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Also participating in the tribute will be Boy Scouts of America Troop 110 and choirs from Riverview and Bloomingdale high schools. Refreshments will be served. For details, call Serenity Meadows at (813) 677-9494.

Snippets

Unity in Brandon, 115 Margaret St., Suite D, Brandon, will hold Friday Evening Spiritual Cinema with David Hawkins at 7:15 p.m. Friday and Nov. 16. A $5 donation will admit anyone interested into the workshop, called Relativism versus Reality. For information, call the Unity in Brandon office at (813) 727-4431.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampabay.rr .com or call (813) 657-4531.

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