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Weight-Loss Group Installs New Officers

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: May 31, 2008

VALRICO - New officers of Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) FL No. 712 were elected at a meeting March 27. Joan Fidler is the new leader; Kathy Senory, co-leader; Char Merritt, secretary; Dick Riedl, treasurer; Sue Riedl, weight recorder; and Christi Renforth, assistant weight recorder.

Merritt was crowned queen at the meeting for having met her weight goal and losing more weight than anyone else in the chapter.

TOPS is an international organization that sponsors obesity research and encourages healthy lifestyles with group support.

State Recognition Day, the annual Florida convention, was held April 5 in Lakeland. The Valrico chapter was represented by its officers and 15 members: Tonda Parish, Faye Barfield, Chris Barfield, Nancy Zacher, Alice Deaton, Joann Cook, Robert Searcy, Charlotte Yarborough, Anne Moriearty, Ann Walker, Phyllis Seaman, Joyce MacDonald, Bill MacDonald, Elsie Amos and Lois Gorbe.

Merritt was awarded a bouquet of yellow roses at the convention as she graduated to KOPS, Keep Off Pounds Sensibly.

Group members invite anyone interested in their program to their meetings Thursday mornings at Bethel Baptist Church, 1801 Miller Road S., Valrico. Weigh-in is at 8:30 a.m., and the meetings start at 9:15 a.m.

For information, call Joan Fidler at (813) 655-5580.
Beta Iota Master Announces New Officers

BRANDON - The Beta Iota Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority installed new officers May 6 at the home of Carol Greene, the new recording secretary. Also starting their one-year terms are Carol Olive, president; Candy McDonald, vice president; Nancy Bishop, corresponding secretary; Linda Pettis, treasurer; and Beverly Englar, extension officer.

The group chose Doris Moran to be its 2007-08 Woman of the Year at a Founder's Day celebration with Laureate Zeta Delta on April 29 in Riverview. Laureate Zeta Delta's Woman of the Year is Anne Behrendt.

At a meeting March 20, members of Beta Iota Master brought treasured antiques for appraisal by "our own registered appraiser, Nancy Hilbert," said Lynn Gardner, publicity chairwoman. In February, Sandy Schlindwein was chosen Valentine Queen and the subject of a comical roast at the home of Bill and Corinne Stuart.

At other meetings this spring, members learned about the power of color, got the best of stress, reviewed a book, made Easter tray favors for Meals on Wheels and played Bunco. They also participated in Bloomingdale High School's Relay for Life on March 28 - a project with special meaning because relatives of two chapter members are cancer survivors, Gardner said.

Christian Rock Bands Coming To Brandon

BRANDON - Breakthrough Student Ministries of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church will host a youth concert featuring the rock bands Nevertheless, Wavorly, Deas Vail and Ruth at 6 p.m. June 17 in the church's Breakthrough Hall, 3315 Bryan Road, Brandon. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The band Providence from Spring Hill will open the show.

The energy of the bands' music "attracts a wide range of fans," said Dan Segale, director of youth ministry at the church, "and the message that gets delivered is brought with much more grace than ever before. The concerts are not just to rock and roll for Jesus. It is way more than that."

Brandon boasts churches of many denominations, each with a youth group, Segale said. The youth directors know the importance of leading "young lives into a relationship with Jesus Christ, and this is one of the best ways to do so."

A similar concert April 4 starring Michael John Stanley and the band Among the Thirsty attracted 100 spectators. Among them was Courtney Hogue, who told Segale, "Oh my gosh, Dan, thank you so much for getting Among the Thirsty to come to our church. Without your help, this concert, and their songs I would have never been able to think like a child of God."

Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the door and are available at the church office or at www.creekviewconcerts

.com.

For information, call the church office at (813) 689-6849.

Arts Council Gathering Features Jazz Duo

VALRICO - The next Gathering of the Greater Brandon Arts Council will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Cork and Olive, 3468 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Valrico.

The jazz duo Take Note, with vocalist Tracy Monteleone and pianist Manny Fernandez, will perform jazz standards, soft jazz and rhythm and blues while guests enjoy appetizers and taste wines and olive oils.

"Please come and get to know people in our local arts community," said Candace Knapp, council secretary.

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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