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Last Outreach For The Year Set

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 15, 2008

SEFFNER - Cynthia Pinckney Ministries' final 2008 Saturday outreach for the homeless and needy will take place from noon to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Able Body Labor, 12006 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Seffner. Volunteers planning to attend are asked to contact Pinckney in advance at (813) 571-1556 or cp@cynthia pinckneymi nistries.org.

At the Sept. 20 outreach, 47 men, 21 women and 10 children sought assistance. Seven families needed groceries "but stayed and shared dinner with us," Pinckney said. "There is a great increase in families needing help, especially during the financial crunch we are experiencing. I receive calls every day from individuals, families and social workers for their clients needing clothing, food and monies for rent and electric, and it is getting worse.

"One of the biggest problems we are seeing," she said, "is when landlords are in foreclosure with their rental properties, and the families are unaware until the sheriff comes around to have them evicted. It seems that some landlords continue to receive rent, but purposely not tell the renters they are going through foreclosure. Yes, this is a time for us to be our brother's keeper, because we all need each other."

Instead of Saturday outreaches in November and December, the ministry will serve Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. The final training class for people interested in helping with those meals will be from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 402 Lumsden Road E., Brandon.

To register or for details, visit www.cynthiapinckney ministries.org.

Steppin' Stone Girls Sing For Congregation

BRANDON - Twenty-seven girls from Steppin' Stone Farm in Lithia sang at morning worship services July 27 at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Brandon. It is their yearly tradition to share their music and gratitude with church members who have supported them.

Michele Pruyn, music director at St. Andrew's, said the girls sang beautifully and were well received.

Steppin' Stone Farm offers a Christian residential program that gives parents of rebellious teenage girls an option to intervene even if the girls do not volunteer to go. The girls stay a minimum of one year and are expected to work hard and continue their schooling on site.

The congregation at St. Andrew's, following their mission of "Loving Christ, Serving Others, Making a Difference," volunteer throughout the year maintaining and repairing the farm buildings. They also hold a cookout for the girls and serve them a Thanksgiving meal every year.

For more information about Steppin' Stone, visit www.steppinstonefarm.org. For information about the church, visit www.standrews brandon.org or call the church office at (813) 689-6849.

Fall Fest To Benefit Kingswood School

BRANDON - Kingswood Elementary School at 3102 Kings Ave. S., Brandon, invites area families to a Fall Festival from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24. Children can play games, navigate through an obstacle course, promenade around a cake walk, take shots at soaking their favorite teachers in a dunk tank and win prizes. There will be food and drawings for baskets.

The PTA "is trying to raise money for a covered walkway for the kids to stand under at dismissal," said Robert Nicholson, elementary music specialist at the school. "This is a fun event for the kids and the community."

For information, call the school office at (813) 744-8234.

American Legion Announces Officers

BRANDON - Kathryn Ferrin, commander of the American Legion's 15th District, installed new officers of the Brandon Post 278 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit after a social dinner Sept. 8 at the Brandon Veterans Hall. Ferrin was accompanied by two district staff members, Pat Reagan and Margaret Hoyt.

The post's new commander is Sam Creasman; Dale Wagner is senior vice commander; Louis Palmer is junior vice commander; John Meredith is treasurer; Richard Wilson is adjutant; Tom Vivirito is chaplain; and William Wolfe is judge advocate. The office of sergeant-at-arms is open.

The auxiliary president is Betty Meredith; Mary Ann Raysick is senior vice president; Eleanor Kapraun is junior vice president; Carol Creasman is treasurer; Cathie Vivirito is secretary and chaplain; and Venita Vivirito is historian.

Comedy Mystery Begins Season

PLANT CITY - The public is invited to the Durant High School Theatre Department's production of John Bishop's "Musical Comedy Murders of 1940." The whodunit is "a hilarious show that keeps the audience on their toes and asking questions," said director and school drama sponsor Ed Mason. "I love this show!"

Veteran Durant actors Lindsey Mutert, Rachael Pribil and Sam Roberts join the cast of this first performance of the season. Showtime is 7 p.m. Thursday and Saturday in the Durant High School auditorium, 4748 Cougar Path, Plant City. Tickets are $6 and may be purchased at the door, from Mason by calling (813) 757-9075, ext. 280, or online at www.theatredurant.com.

Durant, Newsome and Plant City high schools will together present the musical "Pippin" in November. The schools plan to enter the performance in the main-stage category of the Florida State Thespian competition.

In February, Durant's theater department will present "Funny Girl," and in April, the troupe will perform "High School (Non) Musical," a parody of Disney's "High School Musical."

"It promises to be an enjoyable season," Mason said. "We hope people will come out and join the fun."

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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