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Funding Is In The Cards For Park Off U.S. 301

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By SUSAN M. GREEN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 9, 2008

WIMAUMA - The Friends of the Little Manatee River State Park, a nonprofit organization, will hold two events this weekend to raise money for maintenance and improvements at the park off U.S. 301.

Hikers, canoeists and horseback riders are invited to participate Saturday in the organization's annual poker event, in which participants travel around the park collecting cards from buckets and assembling a hand to go before a judge. The best hand wins $100 donated by the Triple B Riding Club of Riverview.

The $10 participation fee covers park admission and a hand of cards. People who cannot or don't want to participate in the collection can buy a hand of cards, said event organizer Cathy Moore. Cards remain sealed in envelopes until the participant appears before the judge, but new cards are available for purchase after the participant sees the hand collected. Participants play their best five cards.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. is the latest time a player can set out to collect cards. All hands must be turned in by 1:30 p.m. The prize will be awarded at 2 p.m., Moore said.

Refreshments will be available for purchase in the morning and at lunchtime.

The event typically raises $500 to $700 for park improvements, which in past years have included benches and tables, vending machines, and parking lot refurbishment, Moore said.

Participants should enter through the park's main entrance at 215 Lightfoot Road, off U.S. 301, about 5 miles south of State Road 674. Canoeists will launch from the Canoe Outpost, 18001 U.S. 301 S. For information, canoeists should call (813) 634-2228.

Others should call Moore at (813) 677-9291 or the park office at (813) 671-5005.

A second fundraiser on Sunday will feature bird-watching with Paul Fellers of the Lake Wales Audubon chapter. Participants will meet at the equestrian campground inside the Little Manatee River State Park at 8 a.m. for a 4-mile hike.

Donations are requested, and proceeds will benefit the park.

PARK FUNDRAISER

Hikers, canoeists and horseback riders help raise money for Little Manatee River State Park and maybe win $100 in the annual poker event this weekend. Entry fee is $10. Participants collect cards from buckets in the park and then take their hand before a judge. People who cannot or don't want to participate in the collection can buy a hand of cards, said event organizer Cathy Moore.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. is the latest time a player can set out to collect cards. All hands must be turned in by 1:30 p.m.

Reporter Susan M. Green can be reached at (813) 865-1566 or sgreen@tampatrib.com.

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