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Present And Past Will Rendezvous For Re-Enactment At Alafia River

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 14, 2009

HOMELAND - Families from the Brandon and South Shore areas will join more than 1,000 other people for a re-enactment of pre-1840 American life at the 38th Alafia River Rendezvous today through Jan. 24 at the Florida Frontiermen's Homeland site, south of Bartow at the end of Azalea Street.

Taking part in the rendezvous has become a tradition for some members of the Brandon Home School Fellowship and Families Instructing Students at Home. Returning campers include the families of Ken and Michelle Perry, Bryan and Loretta Mion, Carl and Nancy Bergman and Steven and Dorri Warren.

School children and senior citizens are invited to visit the rendezvous between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Jan. 22; the public is invited to visit between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Jan. 23 and 24. Tradesmen, American Indians and hundreds of other 21st-century folks dressed as pre-1840s characters will be camping at the Homeland site, creating a large, living-history experience.

The cost for a daylong visit is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors age 60 and older and $5 for students ages 4 to 15. Children younger than 4 enter free.

For details and a map to the site, visit www.florida frontiersmen.org.

Scholarships For Amputees

RUSKIN - Ye Notorious Krewe of the Peg Leg Pirate has treasure, in the form of scholarships, to share with amputees who are students at colleges or trade or technical schools. The krewe also provides services and equipment to amputees, whether or not they are students. Applications for scholarships and aid must be received by March 31.

The krewe provided $17,000 in assistance last year and more than $56,000 since the krewe's inception in 2004 to amputees in six states and Jamaica. Recipients' fields of study range from fine arts to math, political science and the development of prosthetics and orthotics.

Details about applying for scholarships or financial assistance are available at www .peglegpirate.org.

Mr. Bones' Pirate Adventure
BRANDON - Avast, ye hearty scallywags and landlubbers of all ages! Ye are invited by Brandon's own swashbuckler, Mr. Bones - Patrick Brown - to a Pirate Adventure. Brown will perform a magic show in a small, family-friendly environment with Renaissance-festival entertainment Saturday behind the Electric Motor Rebuilding Co. at 914 N. Parsons Ave. The pre-show will start at 4:30 p.m., the magic show at 5.

Knights will traverse the field on horseback while minstrels serenade. Fire-eaters and belly dancers will demonstrate their skills. Local actors who perform with StageDoor Performing Arts and the Village Players will participate in pirate and Renaissance garb.

Vendors will hawk scurvy dogs on a stick, Pirate Pucker's pickles, soda and water.

An audience member will be chosen to be Mr. Bones's first mate in the Gasparilla Children's Parade on the float of Ye Loyal Krewe of Samuel Bellamy, hearty pirates who contribute to the good of the community.

The price of admission is $8 for all ages, and ample parking on site is free. Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Pirate flags will mark the festival entrance.

For information, contact Brown at (813) 545-3212.

New Library Holds Community Days

SEFFNER - The public is invited to the new Seffner-Mango Branch Library's first- Community Days from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 23 and 24 at 410 N. Kingsway Road. The event will mark the facility's official opening.

Shelly Schrand, event chairwoman, and Charmaine Andrews, president of the Seffner-Mango Friends of the Library, have planned a "gently used" paperback book sale on Jan. 23. Jan. 24, there will be a flag-dedication ceremony, refreshments, activities - including Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero and face painting - and a display by the Seffner-Mango Art Guild. A tow truck and firetruck also will be on site.

Scout Tames Grounds To Earn Eagle Rank

BRANDON - Chris Lemons, son of Don and Dawn Lemons of Brandon, received his Eagle Scout award in December at St. Andrews United Methodist Church of Brandon. Chris is a member of Boy Scout Troop 610, which meets at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Valrico.

Chris' project was taming an overgrown corner of the grounds at Cimino Elementary in Valrico to create a playground. Previously, students played in the school parking lot. He procured funding for the project from Waits Tree Service, MRM Properties and DND Consultants, LLC.

He is a Bloomingdale High School senior who plans to study medicine in college.

Brandon Elks Recognize Standouts

BRANDON - Brandon Elks Lodge 2383, with members from the greater Brandon and South Shore areas, announces Nora F. Zaki of Newsome High as the November 2008 Teenager of the Month and Megan K. McGarrell of Brandon High as the December 2008 Teenager of the Month.

Zaki, with a 5.2 grade-point average, is salutatorian of her class and a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Students Actively Volunteering for the Environment. She also volunteers for Relay for Life, the American Red Cross, United Voices for America and the Muslim American Society Olympics.

McGarrell has served as president and first vice president on the Student Government Executive Board and is active with the Kiwonettes, National Honor Society and Model United Nations. In spite of her learning disability, McGarrell has a grade-point average of 5.64 and class rank of 10.

The Brandon Ladies of the Elks Lady of Distinction for November is Gladys Hayes, and the Lady of Distinction for December is Linda Hinkle.

The November Elk of the Month is Larry Oliver, who originated the Tony Scotch Memorial Golf Tournament. Ray Ritzschke, food service manager, is the December Elk of the Month.

Lodge Esquire Bernell "Bernie" Hiskey, also the ritual coach, was selected Officer of the Quarter.

Over the holidays, the lodge provided food and presents for 11 families. They also visited patients at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and brought them small gifts.

For information about the Brandon Elks, visit www .brandonelks.org or call (813) 654-2968.

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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