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Home Tour A Sparkling Success

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 7, 2009

VALRICO - The Brandon Service League's 16th annual Holiday Home Tour was a big success, said Candy Jackson, first vice president of the league and former tour chairwoman. Hundreds of men, women and children visited the ornamented houses, owned by Valrico residents Scott and Chris Etherington and Dave and Monica Cox and Lithia residents John and Ellen Matheson.

Why did these families open their homes to strangers?

Friends talked them into it, said Chris Etherington, adding that, "first and foremost, it's for a good cause."

Chris Etherington's husband, Scott, said they entertain a lot, and their home was built to accommodate crowds. "We bought this house and liked it because of its flow," he said. He agreed that the reason they joined the tour was to help "raise a lot of money for charity."

The family decorated the house for 2 1/2 months. "I'm not going to take it down," joked Chris Etherington. "I'm going to add Valentine's decorations and Easter eggs ..."

Monica Cox said she has a set of cousins who put her to shame. They open their Lenoir, Tenn., house to the public from Thanksgiving to New Year's. Their guest registry logged 1,200 visitors one year.

With such role models in the family, Cox and her husband, U.S. Air Force Maj. Dave Cox, who moved to Valrico only 18 months ago, were quick to say yes when asked.

Hostesses from the Brandon Service League served as docents in each room of each house, explaining the history or unique qualities of the rooms and decorations.

Glenda Thurow, a 72-year-old league member and past president, pointed out subtle accessories in one of the Cox family's rooms. In it, a white-fur-trimmed red coat was slung over the back of an oversized chair, and round, wire-rimmed glasses, Christmas DVDs and a large bowl of popcorn lay on an ottoman. They gave the impression that Santa Claus would plop back down in his seat any minute, ready to relax after a long night's work.

All money from the league's home tour goes to charity, Thurow said. "Our other fundraiser, the Spring Jamboree, brings in money to run the club. Any extra also goes to charity," she said.

For information about the Brandon Service League, visit www.bsl.cc.

Scholarship Applications Available

BRANDON - Students who wish to pursue degrees in medicine may apply now for the Brandon Regional Hospital Auxiliary's need-based scholarships for the 2009-10 school year.

Applicants must live within prescribed boundaries in greater Brandon or attend Armwood, Bloomingdale, Brandon, Durant, Newsome, Plant City or Riverview high schools, belong to the family of a member of the auxiliary or be an employee of Brandon Regional Hospital.

Applications with supporting documents must be received by the auxiliary by April 1. Applications are available at the welcome desk in the hospital's Tower A and must be picked up by the applicant.

The auxiliary has donated more than $750,000 in scholarships since its inception. Two gift shops at the hospital provide funding for the scholarships and for the Emergency Care Help Organization.

For information, contact Mary Wozniak of the hospital's marketing department at (813) 571-5105 or mary .wozniak@hcahealthcare.com.

Health Fair Seeks Exhibitors

The free, open-to-the-public 2009 Health Fair offered by the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 7 at the Campo Family YMCA, 3414 Culbreath Road. Exhibitors, sponsors, advertisers and attendees are encouraged to participate.

About 1,500 people attended last year. Free health screenings will be available again.

For information, call Crystal Colegrove at (813) 689-1221, ext. 24, or e-mail her at ccole grove@brandonchamber.com.

Suntwisters Support Cancer Awareness

BRANDON - Four- and 5-year-olds in the Hot Shot Group of the Suntwister Gymnastics Team at Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center, 405 Beverly Blvd., have new competition gear. Their black-and-pink leotards display the Breast Cancer Awareness symbol, as do their medals.

"The entire team will wear the Breast Cancer Awareness leotards in upcoming competitions," said Lori Bukaweski, director of marketing, fundraising and member services for the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center.

Families of children interested in the team should call (813) 689-0908 or visit www.mybsac.org.

Free Writers' Workshop Set For Jan. 17

BRANDON - Debora M. Coty of Seffner will offer a free mini-workshop for writers and aspiring writers from 1 to 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Brandon Family Christian Store, 2454 W. Brandon Blvd.

She will autograph copies of her newly released young-adult novel, "Billowing Sails," the sequel to Vintage Romance Publishing's 2007 best-selling "The Distant Shore," from 2 to 3 p.m.

For details about the author, visit www.DeboraCoty .com.

Veterans To Honor Fallen Troops

TAMPA - The public is invited to attend a Field of Honor Ceremony, sponsored quarterly by the Hillsborough Veterans Council, at 10 a.m. Jan. 10 at the Veterans Memorial Museum and Park, 2601 U.S. 301, N.

Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Tampa Bay Chapter 787 will read the names of all individuals in the armed services who have died in Iraq or Afghanistan within the past three months. They also will place a flag for each in the field, adding to the more than 4,000 flags already there.

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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