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Angels Dance Their Tiding Of Joy

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By BARBARA ROUTEN, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 22, 2007

Updated: 12/20/2007 07:22 pm

BRANDON - Bethlehem came to Brandon on Dec. 8 as the Nativity Catholic Church Women's Guild put on its annual Breakfast in Bethlehem.

Parish children ages 2 to 12 dropped off new toys for the Nativity Outreach Food Pantry's St. Nicholas Toy Shop and then enjoyed a free breakfast and activities. Kids talked to Santa, made ornaments and built "snowpersons."

Students from Shirley's Dance Studio in Brandon, including Riverview resident Angelina Palustre and Valrico resident Amanda Brenaman, dressed as angels and danced their tidings of joy as parents Joel Palustre and Elaine Brenaman beamed.

Ashley Young, Isabella Olson and Avery Rogers - with a little help from their mothers, Christina Young, Jennifer Olson and Stephanie Bombaugh - created candy cane reindeer.

Ian, Aidan and Ainsley Hamilton stayed warm and dry while playing in Styrofoam snow as their mom, Noelle, kept a watchful eye. Ian and Aidan dressed up as wise men, and Ainsley as an angel, and their sister, Lauren, became Mary and Theodore Lombardi became Joseph in a makeshift stable. Frank Lombardi, Theodore's dad, was on hand for the Christmas scene.

Two-year-old twins Toby and Gabi Schlueter and their older sister and brother, Darcy and David, enjoyed the day's activities - especially because their dad, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Myron Schlueter, was back from his overseas tour and able to accompany them and their mom, Louise, to the breakfast this year.

"It was really nice that all six of us were together," Louise said.

Peg Leg Pirates Share Goodies

RUSKIN - Ahoy! Underneath the bravado, the fun-loving pirates of Ye Notorious Krewe of the Peg Leg Pirate have hearts as soft as jellyfish for landlubbers and mariners in need.

On Dec. 6, krewe members Karen Butterfield and Shirley Huber presented a check for more than $800 to Executive Director Laurie Kepler and community liaison Molly Ford of the Mary and Martha House to bring holiday cheer to its residents.

The Ruskin house offers safe, temporary shelter for women in crisis (due to abuse, domestic violence or homelessness) and their children. The Mary and Martha House is dependent upon private donations, which may be sent to Mary and Martha House, P.O. Box 1251, Ruskin FL 33575.

Ye Notorious Krewe of the Peg Leg Pirate regularly helps amputees and their families and organizations that assist amputees. As a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, the krewe relies on contributions, which may be sent to Peg Leg Pirate Krewe, P.O. Box 1854, Ruskin FL 33575. For information, visit www.peglegpirate .org. (Or is that arrgh?)

Holiday Home Tour A Family Tradition

PLANT CITY - Every year for the past eight to 10 years - "for as long as the Brandon Service League has been doing its holiday home tour," said Sharon Smith of Brandon - three generations of women in her family have visited the decorated homes together.

Her mom, Diane Allain of Riverview, and Smith's daughter, Calene Hernandez of Lakeland, make the pilgrimage together, just the three of them.

"Then we go to lunch and make a day of it - our own girls' day out," Hernandez said.

But this year they changed their tradition. Hernandez's infant daughter, Caitlyn, joined them, adding a fourth generation to the family outing. She was decked out in holiday finery and also was the youngest tour member the league hosted that day.

When asked whether they decorate their homes like those featured in the tours, they nodded in affirmation, but added disclaimers.

Allain said, "Not as nice as these."

Smith said, "Not as beautiful, but we do decorate."

The home tour is the Brandon Service League's main fundraiser of the year. Money raised enables the group to help local charitable organizations and give scholarships to students.

For information about the league, go to www.bsl.cc/ or e-mail brandonservicel @yahoo.com.

Random Act Of Appreciation

SUN CITY CENTER - On Dec. 3, George Meeker, a driver for the Sun City Center Emergency Squad, was leaving a residence when he realized a woman in a nearby golf cart was waving, trying to get his attention. He rushed over to offer assistance.

When he reached in, "she grabbed his hand and put a $100 bill in it without saying anything he could make out," said John Bowker, editor of Sun City Center's e-News.

The woman drove away, and Meeker watched to make sure she was OK.

He then realized "he had just accepted the most direct indication of how the squad is viewed by our resident population," Bowker said. "We wish we knew who the lady was so we could thank her properly for her most personal contribution."

For information about donating to or volunteering with the squad, call (813) 633-1411 or e-mail info@scc-ems.com.

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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