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Local High School Choir Tapes Television Debut

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 19, 2008

LITHIA - The Newsome High School Chamber Choir, led by Jeff Bogue, was one of several area high school choirs chosen to perform a selection by Tim Janis for a WEDU television program called "Tim Janis: Celebrate America." The vocalists were recorded Nov. 11 singing Janis' arrangement of "America the Beautiful." The show will air on WEDU in March.

Janis, who has sold more than one million albums worldwide, believes music can help heal some of the world's ills. He has developed music projects to help fight cancer and AIDS and to promote a better image of America in China to improve relations between the countries. The WEDU program is part of his "Celebrate America" project, which aims to keep music programs in schools and public television on the air.

The Newsome chorus also will participate in Disney's Candlelight Processional Dec. 29 in the American Gardens Theatre at Epcot. In this annual event, celebrities narrate the story of Jesus' birth. A 50-piece orchestra and choir, largely made up of volunteer singers from schools and churches around the country, provide the musical backdrop.

Denise Godfrey, Newsome chorus president and resident photographer, said she loves the Candlelight Processional. "I am so looking forward to it this year!"

Help Needed For Thanksgiving Dinner
BRANDON - Cynthia Pinckney Ministries' fifth annual Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner will be held from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 27, Thanksgiving Day, at the Bill Carey Boys and Girls Club, 213 N. Knights Ave. More than 700 guests are expected to gather for the meal, live music and children's activities.

Haircuts, blood-pressure and glucose screenings, clothes, shoes, toiletries and school supplies will be provided for individuals and families in need.

The ministry needs help setting up for the dinner Nov. 26. People who wish to volunteer for this duty need not be among the roughly 250 people who were certified to help serve dinner at volunteer training classes earlier this year.

The ministry again will join the River of Life Cluster of United Methodist Churches to host the third annual Community Christmas Dinner from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 25, Christmas Day, also at the Bill Carey Boys & Girls Club.

Families who can't afford to celebrate Christmas with gifts and other expensive trappings may be adopted through the Christmas Cheer Ministry. Individuals, families, organizations or businesses may sponsor families, either as secret Santas or with personal contact with the families.

For information, to volunteer or to sponsor a family, contact Pinckney at (813) 571-1556 or cp@cynthiapinck neyministries.org or visit www.cynthiapinckney ministries.org.

Worship, Praise Focus Of Tour

VALRICO - Matt Maher, a popular Catholic singer and songwriter, will lead worship during Adore 2097, an evening of Eucharistic adoration, worship and praise, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Road.

Recording artists Kelly Pease and Josh Blakesly also will share their songs and testimonies.

George Paul, co-founder of the Adore 2097 tour, will share a message at this Advent event. When not touring with the Adore group, he directs the Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Houma, La.

Paul considers Adore 2097 missionary work. Members of his staff, whom he calls missionaries, seek to lead people of all generations into a relationship with God. They have a special desire to reach young adults who feel distanced from God or the church.

The tour is named for paragraph 2097 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a book that gives a synopsis of the church's teachings. "To adore God is to praise and exalt him and to humble oneself, as Mary did in the Magnificat, confessing with gratitude that he has done great things and holy is his name," it reads.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Groups of eight or more will receive one free ticket.

To purchase a ticket, visit the church office or send a check payable to St. Stephen Catholic Church with Adore 2097 on the memo line to 5049 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico, FL 33596.

Market Needs Artists, Crafters

RIVERVIEW - Summerfield's annual Holiday Market will be bustling from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Summerfield Community Center, 13011 Summerfield Blvd. Registration is open for more than 50 artists, crafters and home-based business representatives that wish to participate.

The fee per table is $25, with a $10 extra charge for an electric hookup. Set-up will begin at 9 a.m.

New, unwrapped toys for Summerfield's Toys for Kids project may be dropped off at the market or any other day at the community center before Dec. 14. The donations will be distributed by an area nonprofit before Christmas.

For details or to register, call Chelsea Greene, program administrator, at (813) 671-4568.

Wine Tasting Toasts Hanukkah

RIVERVIEW - The Sisterhood of the Congregation Beth Shalom of Brandon will host a wine tasting and Hanukkah party at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Centex Model Homes at Magnolia Park, 4606 Watson Woods Way. The public is invited.

The Jewish Festival of Lights will be celebrated in model homes with appetizers, latkes and wines from Cork & Olive.

Tickets are $10 per person. Advance reservations are requested, though not required.

Guests may order additional bottles of their favorite wines at the party.

For information or tickets, call Toby Koch, president of the sisterhood, at (813) 654-0877.

Scout Troop Offers Winter Retreat

BRANDON - Boy Scout Troop 89 of Nativity Catholic Church is offering a winter retreat for Scouts from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 at the Flaming Arrow Scout Camp, 1201 Boy Scout Camp Road, Lake Wales.

The troop meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays in Social Hall C on the church grounds, 705 E. Brandon Blvd. Local boys interested in Scouting are welcome to join. "Also, we're always looking for leaders, men or women," said Carl Bergman, one of the troop's scoutmasters.

In June, members of the troop age 14 and older went on an adventure hiking the Appalachian Trail, Bergman said. Next summer, members age 13 and older will go sea kayaking off the Georgia coast.

To sign up for the retreat or to join Troop 89, call Bergman at (813) 784-8660 or Scoutmaster Robert Wilson at (813) 240-0983.

Bike Night To Help Vets

RIVERVIEW - A Bike Night fundraiser for the Veterans Administration National Rehabilitation Special Events will begin at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion Alafia Post 148, 7240 U.S. 301 S. Proceeds will benefit a James A. Haley Veterans Hospital program that sends disabled veterans to a winter sports clinic. Bike Night activities will be inside and outside with music, drawings and more.

For details, call (813) 677-6529.

Church Opens Doors To Celebrate Holidays

BRANDON - St. Andrew's United Methodist Church at 3315 Bryan Road invites the public to several holiday events.

•Derek Maul, columnist and features writer for The Brandon News & Tribune, will share stories from his newly released book of Advent devotions called "In My Heart I Carry a Star" at 7 p.m. tonight at the church. This free event is family friendly and promises to touch anyone who has stood in the living room in December wondering what connection a star-topped tree standing in the corner has with the sacredness of Christmas.

•About 40 St. Andrew's children will perform a musical at 7 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary. The play "Are We There Yet?" by Tom Long and Allen Pote tells the story of Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt.

•St. Andrew's will participate in Feed the Bay with 13 other churches Sunday to collect food for local nonprofit organizations that help the homeless and others in need. Feed the Bay began last year when the congregation of Bay Life Church of Brandon left a Sunday worship service early, went grocery shopping and purchased 30,000 pounds of food for area food banks and pantries.

Among the organizations receiving food this year will be the Emergency Care Help Organization in Brandon, Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa, Everyday Blessings in Thonotosassa, LifeCare of Brandon, Beth-El Farmworker Ministry in Wimauma and Cynthia Pinckney Ministries in Brandon.

For details, visit www.feed thebay.org or contact Keith Krueger at (813) 681-4310 or kdkfl95@lycos.com.

•A Thanksgiving service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26 in the sanctuary.

For information about any of the events, contact the church office, (813) 689-6849 or visit www.standrews brandon.org.

Snippets

The St. Jude Circle of Nativity Women's Guild invites the public to "Shop Till You Drop" from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Nativity Catholic Church social hall, 705 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon. Admission is free, but with the plethora of gift ideas, crafts, refreshments and holiday decorations on hand - including large, handmade, wooden Nativity scenes - leaving without purchasing something may be difficult. For information, call (813) 653-9482.

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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