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Nonprofit group unveils annual ornament

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By LAURA FRAZIER

lfrazier@tampatrib.com

Published: November 4, 2009

BRANDON - Locals who wax nostalgic about a department store that stood on State Road 60 for close to 50 years will be charmed by a new holiday ornament that depicts in 24-karat gold-plated a longtime landmark that closed in 2000.
New Horizons Group Homes selected Scogins Department Store to feature this year on the keepsake ornament it offers for sale annually. The nonprofit group's 15th commemorative will be unveiled Nov. 14 at a fundraising barbecue.

The group hopes to raise about $10,000 to help run, furnish and maintain its residential program for high-functioning, developmentally challenged adults. Its two homes on Clay Street are occupied by a dozen men and women who work, attend church and volunteer in the community.

Past ornaments have depicted such local treasures as the James McCabe Theater, formerly the Village Playhouse and Valrico Civic Center; First Baptist Church of Brandon; the Brandon Woman's Club clubhouse, now owned by the Brandon Junior Woman's Club; Martin's Jewelers and Sharrar's General Store.

The store's founders, I. Q. and Eunice Scogin, moved to Brandon with their son, Buck, and daughters, Charlotte and Gale, in 1949 when State Road 60 was a two-lane road with no access to Tampa. In 1956, the family opened Scogin's 5 & 10, where many of Brandon's 1,200 residents shopped for a variety of notions and sundries.

The shop went through many changes through years. For a time it was Scogin's Department Store, specializing in clothing for the whole family. It's last known incarnation, Scogin's Apparel and Shoes, closed in 2000.

New Horizons Group Homes is funded primarily by private donations. Residents who receive Social Security benefits pay a nominal fee to offset cost-of-living expenses.

Peter Watkins, president of the group's board of directors, said many nonprofit organizations in the area that rely on donations and government programs are having a tough time.

"Our donations are down, and additional cuts in Medicaid have severely impacted our services," Watkins said. "The barbecue would be a great opportunity for folks to enjoy a fun day, good food, and help New Horizons."

The ornament will be sold for $18 at the barbecue and after the fundraiser at the following local businesses: Age's Art & Frame, 628 Oakfield Drive, Brandon; Bill's Prescription Center, 202 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon; Field's Art & Framing, 3407 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Valrico; Martin's Jewelers, 664 Oakfield Drive, Brandon; Rainbow Engraving, 902 W. Robertson St., Brandon; and The Frame Shop & Gallery, 602 Oakfield Drive, Brandon.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: New Horizons Group Homes fundraiser barbecue. There will be lunch catered by First Choice Barbecue, a special appearance by Carlos from Spirit FM 90.5 and a silent auction for vacation packages, sports memorabilia and more.

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 14

WHERE: Central Baptist Christian School gymnasium, 402 Windhorst Road, Brandon

COST: $10

INFORMATION: Call (813) 571-2690 or go to www.newhorizon shomes.org.

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 627-4767.

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