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Camp Bayou Hikers To Hit The Trail By Moonlight

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By BARBARA ROUTEN, Tribune correspondent

Published: October 24, 2007

Updated: 10/22/2007 10:22 pm

RUSKIN - Five nights before Halloween - Friday -- will be a full moon. That night, those who dare are invited to participate in a Full Moon Walk from 7 to 9 p.m. at Camp Bayou, 315 S. Tamiami Trail.

'No flashlights will be used,' said Dolly Cummings, program director, as the no more than 20 preregistered hikers will walk from the uplands down toward the water.

Hoots, howls and rustling leaves may force the question, 'What was that?,' but only the moon's light will answer.

'Don't come expecting a haunted walk,' Cummings said. 'I can't guarantee bats or owls, just a different perspective that most folks don't get to see. ... This kind of event helps people test their comfort zone and perhaps appreciate nature more.'

Cummings said full moon hikes are almost the same as day hikes. 'The biggest difference, of course, is the way moonlight illuminates, as if looking through a blue filter.'

A $5 donation upon arrival is requested. A telescope will be set up for viewing the moon. The evening will end with fire - a campfire, that is, with s'mores.

To register, e-mail Cummings at events@campbayou .org or call her at (813) 363-5438.

Seafood Festival Seeks Volunteers

RUSKIN - The Ruskin Seafood Festival 'is seeking those who are willing to contribute a portion or all of their day,' said Donna Allmond, festival consultant. 'Not only will volunteers enter the festival at no charge, they will also receive other festival benefits.'

The festival, which is a family friendly, alcohol-free event, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 4, at E.G. Simmons Park, 2401 19th Ave. N.W. Admission for is $5, $4 for seniors and free for children 12 and younger. Parking is free, which includes a free shuttle service.
Introductory remarks and the singing of the national anthem will kick off the festivities. On both festival days, the following groups will entertain: 10:15 a.m., Caribbean Cowboy will croon country music Caribbean style (What? Like Toby Keith with dreadlocks? Or Bob Marley yodeling?); at noon You 'n' Me will crank out a little rock, country and funk; and at 1:45 p.m. T-Blue will play island blues.

At 3:20 p.m. Saturday Alfred Sheppard's N-Version will share some smooth jazz. DJ Gary (no relation to SpongeBob's pet snail) will pull it all together all day long.

For information about the festival, including the kids costume contest, boat show and volunteer opportunities, visit www.ruskinseafood festival.org or call Ruskin Chamber of Commerce, (813) 645-3808.

Cancer Unit Celebrates 25th Anniversary

BRANDON - The Southeast Hillsborough unit of the American Cancer Society celebrated its silver anniversary with an awards and installation banquet Sept. 26 at Center Place.

A fundraising history of the unit was told in segments, beginning with Brandon lawyer B. Lee Elam, co-founder of the unit with the late Dick Cimino. Early fundraisers included the ACS 150 casino night and dinner and golf and tennis tournaments.

Barbara Schwabe and cancer survivor Chris Snook, both former unit board chairwomen, reminisced about diverse ways money was raised for the cause in the '90s - Brandon's honorary mayor's race, Making Strides against Cancer and Up with People.

Doris Sidoti, a lifetime board member, discussed contemporary fundraisers - which last year brought in almost $1 million. There were eight Relays for Life, a Reach to Recovery Fashion Show and the Gatsby Affair.

During the awards ceremony, Michael Wick, outgoing unit chairman, presented the Hope Award to volunteer Hazel Martin of Sun City Center for improving the quality of life of patients and their families.

'I was very surprised!' Martin said. 'It's a great honor to receive this award that has gone to fantastic, wonderful people in the past. I also appreciate that they don't go handing out big gold watches. You get a little memento, but the money goes to education and research.'

Cathy Vallianatos, head of the Plant City Relay for Life, was given the Outstanding Achievement in Income Development Award for raising more money than any other relay in Hillsborough County. The Plant City Relay for Life is 11th in Florida in donations collected.

Peter Ryner, who coordinates drivers for the Road to Recovery program, was presented the Outstanding Achievement in Cancer Control Award.

Craig DeMask, board member, gave the Special Friends of the American Cancer Society Award to Riverview Elementary School's Cory Davis for being top Relay for Life team captain. The Hope for Tomorrow Award went to East Bay High School graduate Emma Baxley for organizing her school's Relay for Life.

Sidoti, a former Courage Award recipient, presented this year's Courage Award to Snook. Wick gave the Chairman's Choice Award for Outstanding Service to reporter D'Ann White of The Brandon News & Tribune. Roz Creager, daughter of Cimino and a former board chairwoman, presented the Dick Cimino Volunteer of the Year Award to Wick.

Schwabe and Martha Simmons were inducted as honorary lifetime board members. Others previously so honored were Elam, Sidoti, Cimino, Snook and Kathryn Kepes.

The Rev. Michael Evans, senior pastor of the United Community Church in Sun City Center, was installed as the new chairman of the board. Board members added to the ranks were: Wendy Brown, Jeff Campbell, Steve Daugherty, John Marsicano, Roger Rivard, Alicia Schulhof and Donna Washburn. Their efforts will be combined with those of Creager, chair emeritus; Patti Bramble, secretary; Lara White, treasurer; Craig Amshel, medical adviser; Jim Johnson, nominating chair; Deg'er Saner, marketing and publicity chair; and board members Martin, Schwabe, Simmons, Polly Arman, Ed Booth, Annette DeMask, Craig DeMask, Stacy Feiler, Diane Gill, Sarah Hoffe, Ryan Odiorne, Ron Proulx, Anthony Pursino, Laura Solin, Phyllis Stewart and Bill Ulbricht. Wick will keep working for the unit in the capacity of advocate at the state and national levels.

Snippets

The Sun City Center Ohio Club's Halloween Party has been canceled. Their next event will be a football party in November. ... The American Legion Alafia Post 148, 7240 U.S. 301, Riverview, will host free Halloween party at 8 p.m. Friday. There will be karaoke and a costume contest with prizes for the best costume. For more information, call (813) 677-6529. ... The Sun City Center American Legion Post 246 will meet at 9 a.m. Friday in Room Three of Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd., Sun City Center, for coffee and doughnuts, followed by a meeting with guest speaker, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Paula Welenc, manager of the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher House at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa.

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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