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School Presents Stars, Candlelight Concert

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: December 10, 2008

BRANDON - The annual Stars and Candlelight concert performed by the Brandon High School choral department, directed by Marilyn Rose Nicholson, will take place at 7 p.m. Friday in the school theater, 1101 Victoria Street.

During the first part of the program, the formally attired concert choir, accompanied by the school's renowned orchestra, will sing a Christmas cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach.

After that, falling snow and other holiday props will set the stage for individuals and small ensembles to sing contemporary and traditional holiday favorites. Aquilla, the school's award-winning show choir, will perform tight harmonies and choreography.

Soloists will include Lisa Musella, Andrew Holz, Janice Suever, Rachel Perdun, Cristina Gonzalez, Molly McGilvray, Sonja Packard, Joel Torres-Negron, Karla Rivera, Kara Lorenzo, Angela Kmack, Athena Mignone, Alexis Ray, Brett Chinander, Jessica Pein, Eliza Nicholson, Aaron Fleming, Ishmael Ramjohn, Jacob Rosado, Jesse Green, Robert Holzer, Josh Gavin, DeBreanna Mercer, Cassandra Peck, Diva Rivera, Kip Sanders, TreBora Robinson, Lamonte Foreman, Matthew Bellotte, Stacy Ortega, Brittani Pate, Vanessa Pfau, Charlisa Glover, Cody Basham, Dontryle Stover and Luis Fernandez.

As has been the custom since 1997, all chorus alumni present will be invited to join the choir students on stage in their rendition of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Later, the audience will have an opportunity to sing along with classic carols.

Tickets are $5 per person and may be purchased in advance by contacting Nicholson at Marilyn.Nicholson@sdhc.k12.fl.us or at (813) 744-8120, ext. 289.

Students Celebrate Thanksgiving

Students countywide found ways to celebrate Thanksgiving, generally with food, served with a heaping side of history.

Six classes, kindergarten through second grade, shared a Thanksgiving feast Nov. 24 at Limona Elementary School. "Prior to the feast, all the classes read and talked about the first Thanksgiving," said first-grade teacher Kimberly Gay.

Excited students donned Pilgrim hats or American Indian headdresses. Parent volunteers helped serve sandwiches, popcorn, muffins, pie, mashed potatoes and gravy.

It went surprisingly smoothly, Gay said, even though the classes are in separate portables this year while the school building is undergoing renovations. "The kids loved it," she said.

At Summerfield Crossings Elementary School in Riverview, kindergarteners and their third-grade buddies gave thanks together for a feast Nov. 25. They "prepared for the feast by shucking corn, snapping green beans, making their own butter and making Native American/Pilgrim costumes," said kindergarten teacher Lindsay Johnson.

A two-week-long unit on early American history and American Indians preceded the Thanksgiving feast.

"The students enjoyed learning about their history and having the chance to share what they're thankful for this holiday season," Johnson said.

Hospital Awards Scholarships

Brandon Hospital Auxiliary scholarship awards of $60,000 were presented by Tim Humberson, auxiliary president, and Mike Fencel, chief executive officer of Brandon Regional Hospital, to 30 recipients in June. Thirteen of them were first-time recipients, and 17 were continuing award recipients.

The 32-year-old auxiliary has donated more than $750,000 in scholarships over the years by funds from the two gift shops.

The auxiliary is accepting applications now for the 2009-10 school year. The process is open to students who meet at least one of these conditions: live within specific boundaries in the greater Brandon area, attend Armwood, Bloomingdale, Brandon, Durant, Newsome, Plant City or Riverview high schools; be a member of an Auxilian's family; or be employed by Brandon Regional Hospital.

Applications must be signed out by the applicant at the welcome desk in the hospital's Tower A. The application and supporting documents must be received by the auxiliary by April 1.

For details, contact Mary Wozniak of the Brandon Regional Hospital marketing department at (813) 571-5105 or e-mail mary.wozniak@hcahealthcare.com.

Church Presents Christmas Musical

VALRICO - The drama team of Horizon Christian Church, 1720 S. St. Cloud Ave., will present "Once upon a Holy Night: A Story of God's Promise" at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20.

Characters from the Christmas story share in this musical the various paths each travelled as they came to know Jesus.

The public is invited to the free performance. No child care will be provided, but the show is suitable for all ages.

For information, call the church office at (813) 689-1457.

Holiday Celebration For Newcomers

The Brandon Newcomers Club invites new and longtime area residents to its annual Christmas potluck luncheon party at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive.

There will be entertainment, and all guests should bring a covered dish and a new gift worth no more than $10 to exchange.

For details, call Mary Ann Hartman, publicity coordinator, at (813) 681-7558. For reservations, leave a message for Doris Blake at (813) 689-0088.

Women's Group Celebrates Beginnings

The Brandon Christian Women's Connection will hold a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 12 in the Special Events Room at Bell Shoals Baptist Church, 2102 Bell Shoals Rd.

Ann Parrish of New Smyrna Beach, a biker - as in motorcyclist - and humorist, will tell "Bugs in My Teeth and Other White-knuckle" stories, including how she "knew enough to know there was a God but finally came to know Him."

Start the New Year "with the right connections - fun and meaningful friendships, community awareness and faith rooted in God," said Dorothy Hughes of Lithia, publicity coordinator.

The cost is $12. Childcare for children through age 5 is available by pre-arrangement. All reservations must be made, canceled or transferred to another guest by Jan. 6 by contacting Bobbi Gardner at (813) 657-8632 or Barbara_gardner4@yahoo.com.

Colonial-American Decorating Tips

TAMPA - Dee Dorman of Lithia, president of the Edmund Sheffield Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century, will begin the Dames' meeting at 11 a.m. Dec. 18 in the Magnolia Room of the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, 1605 MacDill Ave.

The program, "Decorating for Christmas in Colonial Times," will be presented by Gail Crosby, second vice president. Shelly Jakes, first vice president, will provide representative table centerpieces, which will be sold after the luncheon.

The group consists of women who can trace their heritage to an ancestor who lived and served in the original Thirteen Colonies prior to 1701. The organization promotes historical preservation and patriotism.

In this spirit, members and guests are asked to bring toiletry items for patients at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa. Proceeds from the centerpiece sale will be donated to the hospital's volunteer program.

For more information about the chapter or the meeting, contact Ann Dunlap at (813) 839-2337.

Reindeer Run Benefits Charities

TAMPA - The Epilepsy Services Foundation, Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation and other epilepsy charities will benefit from the fourth annual Reindeer Run presented by University Community Health at 8 a.m. Saturday at the St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive.

"We are hoping for 2,000 runners/walkers to participate in the 5K run/walk, 1-mile run/walk and the kids' races," said Tom Orth, executive director of the Epilepsy Services Foundation. Last year's race brought in $15,000 for the foundation.

Local schools will provide entertainment. There will be arts, crafts, games, holiday shopping and a Secret Santa store for children.

To get some great exercise and help a good cause, register at www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id= 1619341&assetId=49e36958-e8bc-433f-9c8e-ba4ad194f629.

For details about race times, registration fees and awards, call (813) 870-3414, ext. 5, or e-mail torth@epilepsy services.com.

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

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