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Local Red Sox Fan Celebrates Her 92nd Birthday

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 24, 2008

BRANDON - Flonnie Metcalf Durkin celebrated her 92nd birthday July 16 with neighborhood girlfriends, including Janice Giuliano, Bernie Howell, Beth Townley, Carla Strickland and Sylvia Ball.

"Carla called and said, 'Your birthday is tomorrow, and there's going to be an invasion ... at your house,'" Durkin said. "It was the most fun celebration I've ever had in my 92 years! I never expected in my wildest dreams they'd do this."

The women sat Durkin down in a comfortable chair "while they covered the table with the most delicious food," Durkin said. They brought gifts, big, pink balloons and cake.

"I've got loads of good friends," she said. "I'm very blessed to have moved into this neighborhood where people are so caring."

"Flonnie is fabulous," said Giuliano, who met Durkin last year when her golden retriever, Blaise, caught Durkin's fancy.

"She's an amazing person," Ball said. "I dream to be like her someday. Even at 92, she's constantly doing something."
Durkin was born in Enfield, Mass., and grew up with seven siblings in Gilbertsville in the Worcester area. "My mother wanted every one of us children home on either Saturday or Sunday - she'd let us know - and that kept the family close together," she said. "We were a very friendly family; if one of us was down or lost a job or had a sick child, all seven of the others chipped in money, time or whatever was needed."

One sister lived to be 98. Her one remaining sibling is a 94-year-old brother, Els.

"We must have good genes in our family!" she said, laughing. "It's a good life. I'm thankful I'm 92."
Durkin and her late husband, John "Mickey" Durkin, moved to Brandon from Massachusetts in the 1980s. She has two children, John "Jack" Durkin Jr. of Worcester and Patti McKeon of Brandon. She has four granddaughters, 10 great-grandchildren and another on the way.

Relatives call her every Sunday. "I'm glad I have them all," she said.
Giuliano said, "Flonnie is an avid reader, has a great sense of humor, loves music. ... And loves to do her daily crossword puzzle. She has boundless energy. She painted her own house when she was 91 - the entire inside!

"She's Baptist and very spiritual, definitely believes in the power of prayer," Giuliano said. "And she loves the Red Sox. She's a diehard Red Sox fan. She takes her phone off the hook if she wants to watch the game."

Poker Run To Benefit Haley House

RIVERVIEW - The Riverview Detachment of the Marine Corps League invites card-playing bikers to its second annual Poker Run in support of the Haley House. Registration is from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the American Legion Post 148, 7240 U.S. 301 S. The ride begins at 11:15 a.m.

Riders will stop at predetermined check points to draw poker cards in Thonotosassa, Zephyrhills, Plant City and Ruskin before arriving back at the post at about 2 p.m. for a barbecue and music. The best, second-best and worst hands will be rewarded.

For information, call John Bain at (813) 967-3150 or Larry Butler at (813) 215-3614.

Post To Install New Officers

RIVERVIEW - American Legion Post 246 will gather for coffee and doughnuts at 9 a.m. and meet at 9:30 a.m. Fridayin Room 3 of Community Hall, 1910 Pebble Beach Blvd., S.

Kathryn Ferrin, commander of District 15 of the American Legion Department of Florida, will install new post officers who were elected for one term July 2008 through June 2009. They are Blaine Brown, commander; Leonard Howard, first vice commander; Ron Engles, second vice commander; Ron Windsor, finance officer; Robert Foster, adjutant; Steve Molnar, service officer; Carl Nissen, chaplain; Wendell Fitts, judge advocate; Marshall Tharp, sergeant-at-arms; and Frank Kager, historian.

Barbecue Fundraiser To Support Troops

RIVERVIEW - The American Legion Post 148 will host a barbecue from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the post headquarters, 7240 U.S. 301 S. Pulled pork and accompaniments, served with a side of music and dancing, will be available for $10.

Proceeds will benefit the post's Support the Troops program and the Fisher House and Haley House in Tampa, which support military veterans returning from duty and their families.

Jack Skelding, executive board member, said the post is always seeking new members. An honorable discharge from a branch of the U.S. armed forces is required for membership. Women who want to join the ladies auxiliary must have a parent or spouse who has been honorably discharged. The Sons of the American Legion are men whose parents were honorably discharged.

Woman's Club Helps Students, Troops

The General Federation of Women's Club's Brandon Junior Woman's Club invites children to a free children's health fair from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the group's clubhouse, 129 Moon Ave. N., Brandon. The "Little Clinic" will offer health screenings for kids and flu shots for adults.

The first 100 children will get a free book. Adults and children can get information about child safety, exercise and dental health.

Club members also will accept donations for their Operation Holiday Support for the troops. On their wish list are toiletry items, candy that won't melt, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, small games, nonreflective sunglasses, AA batteries, power bars, dryer sheets and DVDs. Donations of $9.45, the cost of sending a box to a soldier, also will be accepted. Checks may be made out to Brandon Junior Woman's Club and mailed to P.O. Box 66, Brandon, FL 33509.

Donations also may be dropped off between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 at South Shore Group, 16637 FishHawk Blvd., Suite 103, Lithia; Berg & Wheeler, 217 Robertson Street E., Brandon; Tassels, 3239 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Valrico; and the Pottery Patch, 2551 S.R. 60 E., Valrico.

For information, call Donna Johnson at (813) 244-4758.

Brandon Outreach Clinic Holds Yard Sale

The Brandon Outreach Clinic invites the public to and needs donations for a garage sale to be held at 8 a.m. Oct. 4 at the clinic, 517 Parsons Ave. N.

The clinic opened about 20 years ago and provides free medical care to local residents who don't have medical insurance. It is supported by volunteer physicians and private contributions.

Donations of new or gently used items for the garage sale must be received by Tuesday. For information, contact Deborah Meegan, the clinic's executive director, at (813) 601-2315 or Debbie@boc.fdn.com, or Gail Pitts at (863) 221-0472.

Information about the clinic is available at www.boc.fdn .com or by calling (813) 654-1388.

Hispanic Forum Set At YMCA

SEFFNER - The Brandon Family YMCA invites Brandon, Plant City and Tampa residents to a Hispanic Community Forum from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the YMCA, 3097 Kingsway Road, S. Orlando Nieves, general manager of CENTRO Mi Diario, will moderate.

The Spanish-language newspaper is owned and operated by the Florida Communications Group, the Tampa Tribune's parent company.

Refreshments will be served. Child care will be free for children younger than 8.

We "hope to learn more about how the YMCA can support and serve Hispanic families and children," Sarah Vincent, district marketing director, wrote in an e-mail.

To reserve a place, call Vincent at (813) 263-6097. For directions, call the Brandon Family YMCA at (813) 685-5402.

Meals Raise Money For Men's Retreat

RIVERVIEW - Members of the Men's Club of Resurrection Catholic Church, 6819 Krycul Ave., will cook and serve breakfast after Masses from about 8:45 to 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12 noon Sunday and every Sunday in October. The cost is $4 per person for a breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast, pancakes, grits, quiche, biscuits, gravy, coffee and orange juice.

The men also will serve Spanish lunches with salad, bread, chicken, beans, rice and drinks starting at 1:30 Sundays, after noon Mass, Sunday and every Sunday in October. The cost is $5.

Proceeds will defray costs for men attending a retreat Oct. 24 through 26 at the Bethany Center in Lutz.

The meals are open to everyone. For information, call (813) 677-2175.

Christian Women To Meet For Brunch

The Brandon Christian Women's Connection, in conjunction with Stonecroft Ministries, invites area women to a Fall Brunch from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 13 in the Special Events Center at Bell Shoals Baptist Church, 2102 Bell Shoals Road.

David Durham and Friends will provide musical entertainment. Local-resident Marti Rogers will speak.

Guests are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for a community food bank.

The cost is $12. Reservations are required by Oct. 6 by contacting Bobbi Gardner at (813) 657-8632 or Barbara_gardner4 @yahoo.com. Checks may be mailed to Barbara Harvey at 7608 Loghouse Road, Plant City FL 33565-3120.

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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