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Riverview Marines honor fallen

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 11, 2009

TAMPA - The Riverview Detachment of the Marine Corps League remembered soldiers who died during the previous 90 days at last month's Operation Field of Honor ceremony conducted by the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County. A flag was planted in the field in honor of each of the fallen members of the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Army after their names were read aloud at the ceremony held at the Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Museum and Park.
Brush Strokes Awards

BRANDON - The sixth annual Brush Strokes Awards for Excellence in the Arts, formerly sponsored by The Brandon News and The Brandon News & Tribune, was sponsored for the first time by the Greater Brandon Arts Council Oct. 29 at Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association.

"Since its inception, the Brush Strokes Awards have provided the only Bay-area recognition for creative endeavors encompassing all disciplines as well as individual, educational, corporate and philanthropic endeavors," said Cheryl Kuck, awards committee chairwoman.

"The intrinsic contribution of the arts and arts education is inestimable," she said. "What we know of the world and its history has been and continues to be chronicled by those in the arts. The arts teach us to think creatively and find answers to the world's most complex issues."

Local recipients included Kim Hall, president of the Greater Brandon Arts Council, as the Arts Organization Executive of the Year; the 50-year-old Brandon League of Fine Arts, for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts; John and Kay Sullivan, patrons of the arts, for Greatest Corporate Contribution; Suling Chau Caballero, orchestra director of Bloomingdale High School, for Performing Arts - Outstanding Contribution or Performance, for the school orchestra's performance in Beijing, China, before the opening of the 2008 Summer Olympics; Dock "Silverhawk" Green of Plant City as Artist of the Year for his Native American flute music; and Chris Scogin Snook, memorial award recipient of the Visionary Award - Exemplary Inspiration and Commitment to the Community, for founding The Brandon News and devoting her life to community service.

Presenters included Karen E. Marcos, former Bloomingdale High School art teacher; Lisa Rodriguez, marketing director of Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association; Tammy Bracewell, president and CEO of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce; and Ted Hope, supervisor of middle/secondary music for the Hillsborough County Public School District and former band director of Bloomingdale High School.

Robert Hunt's classical guitar performance created an elegant ambiance for the event.

Newsome Idol winner

LITHIA - Sophomore Emily Wiska, 15, won cash and a trophy when she became the second-ever Newsome Idol in a recent Newsome High School soloist competition which student Janaye McGrew emceed.

Wiska said she has been singing forever, hopping from theater to theater since fourth grade and just finished her 22{+n}{+d} show at Newsome Drama. She hopes to make a career of drama and singing. Choosing pop songs for Idol was difficult, because she's a Broadway baby, she said.

Other finalists were Stefone Nelson and Corrie Hodges. Singers who made it to the second round included Tim DeBoef, Lynn Swe and Natalie Wainio.

The first round included Tre Stokes, Derrick Ferrell, Deyonte London, Rachel Wick, Carla Miranda and Sara Villa.

Last year's idol, Alyssa Dessoye, performed at the competition.

Newsome teachers Amy Rogers and Lindsey Ragsdale, Randall Middle School chorus director Melissa Allen and voice teacher Yvonne Bratcher served as judges.

Musician releases CD

Marion Gwizdala of Tampa, president of the East Hillsborough Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida and former musician at Brandon Unity, invites the public to a CD release concert at 1 p.m. Sunday at New Life Unity Church, where he is music director, 13540 Florida Avenue N., Tampa.

Gwizdala's CD, called "Little Things," shares the message, "Whether you think you can or think you can't ...you're right!" He believes a positive attitude can conquer any limitation and considers his blindness, just like his other characteristics, a gift.

A love offering will be taken for New Life Unity's building fund.

For information, contact Gwizdala at (813) 626-2789 or at Swamp

Fox1833@verizon.net.

Writers conference

LITHIA - Local writers Debora M. Coty and Ruth C. Ellinger will host the Florida Inspirational Writers Retreat from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Cedarkirk Camp and Conference Center, 1920 Streetman Drive.

Sessions will be presented to beginning and experienced writers by Coty, Ellinger and authors Eva Marie Everson, Sue Miholer and Larry Leech.

The cost is $115 per person.

A kick-off "Night Owl" evening Friday will provide dinner, entertainment, networking, lodging and breakfast may be reserved for an extra $75.

To register, contact Coty at dcoty@earthlink.net or www.debora

coty.com or Ellinger at writer@ruthellinger.net or www.ruthellinger.com.

Stagedoor auditions

BRANDON - Stagedoor Performing Arts will hold auditions for soloists, duos or trios and for 10- to 12-year-old girl singers/actors for "Broadway Rhapsody" from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, and 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at Limona Village Chapel, 408 Limona Road.

For details, contact Terry Fiset at dfiset

@tampabay.rr.com.

Library hosting fundraiser

SEFFNER - The Friends of the Seffner-Mango Branch Library invite the public to a Pampered Chef fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the library, 410 Kingsway Road, N.

An on-time drawing will kick it off; reservations made by Friday, Nov. 13, will earn three extra tickets for the drawing.

For information or reservations, contact Charmaine Andrews, (813) 205-5133, or charm

@tampabay.rr.com, or Stacy Pressman, (727) 789-6957, or stacy

@stacypressman.com.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at neighbors@tampabay.rr.com.

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