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Autistic Kids' Parents Hold Rock Dance Benefit

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 8, 2008

PLANT CITY - Concerned Parents of Autistic Children invite everyone to their third annual Old Time Rock and Roll Dance fundraiser from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Grand Ballroom at the Red Rose Inn and Suites, 2011 Wheeler St. N., Plant City. The Breezin Entertainment and Productions agency will provide the Breezin Band for the evening's entertainment.

Tickets are $65 per person or $110 per couple and included a buffet dinner, door prizes and live music. There also will be a silent auction and cash bar. The event is dressy casual.

Proceeds will benefit the Riverview Academy for Autism, a community center created by the Concerned Parents of Autistic Children to provide services and resources for families of children with autism.

Concerned Parents is made up of parents and caregivers of children with varying degrees of autism. They share information and support at quarterly meetings at the academy, 9631 Raiden Lane, Riverview.

For reservations or information about the group, the dance, sponsorship or donations for the silent auction, contact Geeta Sue-Wah-Sing, Concerned Parents president, at (813) 309-3770 or Geetasue@aol.com; Belinda Alonso, event chairwoman, at (813) 493-4992 or Advantageba@msn.com; or Faye Coulson at (813) 244-4574 or afayec@verizon.net.

Halloween Ribs On Plate For Kids Fest
BRANDON - The Epilepsy Services Foundation will host its annual Halloween Ribs for Kids Fest from 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Oct. 25 at Costco, 10921 Causeway Blvd., Brandon. The event will feature a choice of finger-dripping saucy or dry-rub ribs grilled by master barbecue chef Tommy Pate.

Three years ago, Pate approached Thomas Orth, executive director of the foundation, "and asked if he could do a fundraising event for our kids," Orth said. "Tommy has won numerous awards for his barbecue. He also is a judge for barbecue events held throughout the U.S."

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Tampa is sponsoring the rib fest. Proceeds will go to the Epilepsy Services Foundation, which raises money for medical and support services for individuals and families affected by epilepsy.

A slab of ribs will cost $20 and must be purchased in advance. To reserve a slab, call the foundation at (813) 870-3414, ext. 5, or e-mail torth@epilepsyservices.com. Payment may be made by cash, check or Pay Pal at the foundation's new Web site, www.epilepsysf.org.

Guild Hears About T.H.O.R.N. Ministries

BRANDON - The Women's Guild that meets at Nativity Catholic Church presented singer-songwriter Kristin Taylor in concert Sept. 15 and collected a large cache of bath and beauty items from the audience for Operation Beauty Booty, which donates supplies to female military troops overseas.

The Rev. Arthur Proulx gave a benediction, and refreshments were served. Spokeswomen for each guild circle explained the focus of their groups.

Taylor sang and talked about T.H.O.R.N. Ministries, Thankfully Helping Others' Real Needs. She founded the organization in 1997 as a spiritual and humanitarian effort to serve the homeless of the Tampa area and needy people in Samoa, a small island nation in the South Pacific.

For information about T.H.O.R.N. Ministries, visit www.thornministries.org or call (813) 653-4496.

Alzheimer's Caregivers Invited To Programs

SUN CITY CENTER - A free program, "Alzheimer's Disease: What Caregivers Need to Know," will be presented by the University of South Florida Suncoast Alzheimer's and Gerontology Center and Aston Gardens from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 16 at Aston Gardens, 1311 Aston Gardens Ct., Sun City Center.

The discussion will include an overview of the disease, treatment progress, communication strategies, dealing with behaviors and financial and legal information. The program for people caring for newly diagnosed Alzheimer's patients and those who have been caring for a patient for years.

Lunch will be provided. Register to reserve a seat by calling Eileen Poiley at (813) 974-4355 or toll free in Florida 1-800-633-4563.

In addition, the USF Alzheimer's and Gerontology Center will offer free, 30-minute memory screenings for older adults Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28 at the Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute, 4001 Fletcher Ave. E., Tampa.

Appointments are required. For an appointment or information, call the numbers listed above.

Valrico Service League Wins Awards

VALRICO - The General Federation of Women's Clubs' Valrico Service League President Carolyn Toebes, Treasurer Karen Bennett and members Sharon Highsmith, Sandi Best, Janet Thompson and Karen Boraiko attended the GFWC Florida Fall Board of Directors meeting Sept. 12 through 14 in Orlando.

Membership is open for others who wish to join this group of women who meet monthly and serve as community volunteers in many capacities, Highsmith said. The group was called the GFWC Junior Service League of Brandon for about 20 years until members changed the name to the GFWC Valrico Service League in 2004 to avoid confusion with other groups with similar names, she said.

For information about the club, call Toebes at (813) 657-6358.

Pecan Sale To Aid Area Charities

BRANDON - The United Methodist Women from First United Methodist Church in Brandon will take orders for pecans and pecan products through Nov. 1. This is the 28th year the group has sold pecans to raise money for local charities, including the Emergency Care Help Organization in Brandon, Metropolitan Ministries of Tampa, LifeCare of Brandon - previously called the Brandon Care Pregnancy Center, Cynthia Pinckney Ministries of Brandon, the Beth-El Farmworker Ministry in Wimauma, the Spring of Tampa Bay and Steppin' Stone Farm in Lithia.

Barbara Brooks, chairwoman of the fundraiser, and Denise Gower, the buyer, have negotiated the same price for the nuts as last year - $32 for a five-pound box of pecan halves or pieces. Last year the group sold nearly 15,000 pounds of pecans, Brooks said.

The group also sells decorative tins of amaretto pecans, pralines and fresh cashews.

To order nuts, contact Melissa Voelker at (813) 757-0734, Nancy McDonald at (813) 685-5081 or Brooks at bjbrooks@tampabay.rr.com. Orders will be available for pick up from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 15 and 17 at the church, 121 Knights Ave. N., Brandon.

Seafaring Ancestors Topic of Meeting

TAMPA - The Edmund Sheffield Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century, whose members from across the greater Brandon, South Shore and Tampa Bay work to preserve American history, will have its first luncheon meeting of the year at 11 a.m. Oct. 16 at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, 1601 MacDill Ave. S., Tampa.

President Dee Dorman of Lithia will call the meeting to order. Janie MacBryde of Tampa will present a discussion on "My Seafaring Ancestors." She will share journals and other mementos of one of her ancestors, Emily Pope Winsor, whose husband, Capt. Alexander Winsor, was captain of the Flying Cloud, a sea ship that held the record for years as taking the least time to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

For information or reservations, call Ann Dunlap at (813) 839-2337.

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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