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Franciscan Center Gets New Pavilion With Help From USF

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 13, 2008

TAMPA - The Franciscan Center welcomed a tranquil addition to its grounds Sunday: a riverside pavilion designed by University of South Florida architecture students.

The Rev. Andrew Reitz blessed the pavilion Sunday, more than three years after the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, N.Y., who run the center, asked USF's School of Architecture to create a structure near the Hillsborough River, just north of Columbus Drive. The pavilion will give the retreat center an outdoor space for prayer services, Masses and community functions.

Not only did the students design the pavilion, they helped build it. Most of the materials were donated or purchased at a discount. Work was completed this summer after a yearlong permitting delay.

"The students came up with the idea of a structure thrusting up to the heavens, as if reaching upward," Sister Cathy Cahill said of the design.

Rich Shopes

Sessions Will Leave You In Stitches

NEW PORT RICHEY - From giggles to guffaws, Bunnie McCormack will bring on the laughs as she presents monthly "Laughter Sessions" at the New Port Richey Recreational Center, 6630 Van Buren St.

The first session will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 1.

The sessions are for everyone. It's not about telling jokes or poking fun at people, but are aimed at offering activities to make participants feel "energized, uplifted and joyful," a news release states.

The cost is $3. For information, call McCormack at (727) 848-1838.

A staff report

An Organic Time With Dinner, Dance

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Share a potluck dinner and dance under the stars at Sweetwater Organic Community Farm's sixth annual Planters Ball.

The 6-acre organic farm, which operates along Sweetwater Creek, provides educational programs, community events and seasonal celebrations.

At the fundraiser, the farm will provide fresh organic salad and bread, as well as entertainment by the Urban Gypsies. The event runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Suggested donations are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children younger than 6.

The farm is at 6942 W. Comanche Ave. For information, call (813) 887-4066 or go to www.sweetwater-organic.org.

B.C. Manion

Youth Chorus Auditioning Voices

BRANDON - A new youth group set to take its family-friendly song and dance act on the road has issued a casting call for players with the pipes and personality to perform.

One Voice, a show choir for kids and teens ages 12 to 18, debuted in September at its Brandon studio in Oak Park Plaza.

Director Carol Abbott said the 20-member group invites newcomers to lend their talents in upcoming holiday performances. Rehearsals are under way for shows at The Children's Home of Tampa, Center Place Fine Art and Civic Association in Brandon, and Celebration Church in Valrico.

Participation costs $35 per month. For information or to register, call Abbott at (813) 610-7064, or e-mail cma.sings@gmail.com.

Laura Frazier

Art Festival Fundraiser Will Benefit Bing House

PLANT CITY - A Nov. 8 fundraiser will help restore a boardinghouse and restaurant that the late Janie Wheeler Bing owned and operated during the segregation era.

The rooming house, on the National Register of Historic Places, will soon be a museum to highlight and preserve local black history.

The East Hillsborough Art Guild and Friends of the Bing House will host an arts festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. as a fundraiser for the restoration of the house, 205 S. Allen St. The festival will be on the lake at Samuel W. Cooper Park, not far from the Bing House.

For information, call Farmer at (813) 759-2188.

Betty Briggs

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