TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Apollo Beach Kicks Off 50th

ADVERTISEMENT

By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: November 12, 2008

APOLLO BEACH - Once a rural coastal area, Apollo Beach is now a thriving upscale community of roughly 15,000 about to celebrate its 50th birthday.

To begin the celebration, five area churches have partnered to host a multidenominational service Friday at Calvary Lutheran Church, 5309 U.S. 41 N., Apollo Beach.

"It's the kickoff to our community event," said Meg LaLonde, celebration committee chairwoman. "We wanted to do something devotional to bring the community together. The next phase of the celebration will be Dec. 6 and 7."

The service was conceived by Kathi Sheehan of South Shore United Methodist Church, LaLonde said. Sheehan put out a broadcast to area churches for participation and received responses from Calvary Lutheran, her church, Christ Community and Sun City Center United Methodist.

A collection will be offered to raise money for the Gibsonton mission to help South Shore people in need.

The service will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Calvary's sanctuary, with refreshments and the original movie version of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" to follow in fellowship hall.

On Dec. 6, the second phase of the celebration begins with Community Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the SouthShore Community Event Park at Noonan Branch and Dickman roads. The festivities will include arts and crafts; the Apollo Beach Beautification Committee's annual plant sale; a farmers market; children's activities; food and beverages and more.

The event will also feature live entertainment by the Warehouse Rockers and Apollo Beach Elementary's Dolphin Magic group.

On Dec. 7, a kite festival will take place at the Apollo Beach Nature Preserve from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the north end of Surfside Road. The Apollo Beach Racquet & Fitness Club will host a brunch from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Apollo's Bistro, 6520 Richies Way.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Tampa Sailing Squadron will host an open house next to the Land's End Marina, 1220 Apollo Beach Blvd. And the celebration will end at the Toys for Tots party at the Ruskin VFW, 5120 U.S. 41 N., which will last until 6 p.m. Admission is a new, unwrapped toy.

All other events, except for the brunch, are free.

For information, call the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce at (813) 645-1366.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Meg LaLonde, Kathi Sheehan, Joanne Gadek, Kevin Conlan, Mary Lou Luce, Tom Callahan, Sylvia Gordon, Elizabeth Wilhelm, Marianne White, Isabel Darcy, Tanya Wilkerson, Diane Waronka and Marie Notarfrancesco

Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT