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Reg Brandon

Briefs

By ANDREW MEACHAM, SAUNDRA AMRHEIN, HELEN ANNE TRAVIS
Published July 14, 2006

PLANT CITY

The annual Margarita Ball sponsored by the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce drew 350 people and raised thousands for charity.

Partying Parrotheads who like Jimmy Buffett's music clustered around a spacious backyard grotto in Hawaiian attire at the home of Rick and Dianna Lott. Guests tried their luck at blackjack and craps inside, using play money.

All eyes stayed on auctioneer Billy Herold as he accepted bids on donated items, such as diamond earrings, a four-day cruise to the Bahamas and a daylong fishing trip. The money funds the chamber's scholarships for deserving high school students.

BRANDON

The Brandon Regional Library will be closed July 24 through Sept. 7.

The library will undergo an interior facelift, including new carpeting, furniture, shelving and a fresh coat of paint.

Before the library closes its doors, patrons may check out as many as 99 items - including books, DVDs and CDs - and keep them until Sept. 11.

BRANDON

Market Street Mortgage is collecting new luggage and backpacks for foster children.

The program is part of Backpacks for Foster Kids, a community outreach effort through the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors. The program collects new luggage, including backpacks, soft-sided suitcases and duffel bags.

Market Street Mortgage will collect donations at its Brandon branch at 1463 Oakfield Drive, Suite 102. The collections will be distributed through Voices for Children, an agency that works with the Guardian Ad Litem program and Hillsborough Kids Inc.

To see a list of other participating organizations and dropoff locations, go to www.gtar.org.

BRANDON

The Brandon 86 Rotary Club installed new officers June 29 at the River Hills Country Club.

New president Latour "LT" Lafferty told the club he will focus on supporting the volunteer work of members.

Outgoing president Earl Haugabook said outgoing officers gave more than $125,000 to charities and other projects last year.

VALRICO

School buses won't stop at the corner of Durant and Miller roads for the upcoming year at Buckhorn Elementary.

Buses had been stopping at the corner, which is within 2 miles of Buckhorn, because it wasn't safe to walk to the school.

But school officials determined that the route was now safe for students to walk. A crossing guard will help students cross Durant Road.

BRANDON

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is offering a home security program for vacationing residents. By filling out a form, residents can request security checks of their residences while they are away.

The form must be delivered in person to community substations or district offices at least three days before departure. The form is available at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Web site, www.hcso.tampa.fl.us.

VALRICO

Members of the Buckingham Homeowners Association unveiled a glass-enclosed sign earlier this month that will be used to announce meetings and other events for residents of the 84-home, deed-restricted community.

"It's kind of a pain to get somebody to pass out 84 fliers," said Rex Slay, the association's president. "This will make things a lot easier."

The county paid for the sign, at Cliffdale Drive and Buckingham Loop, through a community grant program. Residents also communicate through a Web site, www.buckinghamhoa.org.

[Last modified July 13, 2006, 12:43:31]