Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 12-27-16 Online Edition

Features
Men Of Vision Bring Holiday Cheer To Nursing Home Residents
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The Christmas holidays are a special time of year. The air is filled with the spirit of giving and reaching out to others.
In keeping with this spirit, four members of the Dowdell Middle Magnet School Chap- ter of Men of Vision recently visited Whispering Oaks Nursing Home, 1514 E. Chelsea Avenue.
The young men who vis- ited the nursing home and passed out Christmas cards are: Frankie Cuevas, Kai Gadson, Thomas Baker, and Leandre Durham.
The young men were ac- companied by Ms. Pamela McNair, M. Ed, Student Success Coach at Dowdell Middle Magnet School, and Ross Anderson, founder of Men of Vision, and Program Manager, Educational Advo- cacy of the Hillsborough County School District.
Anderson said, “The Dowdell Men of Vision chap- ter experienced the time of their lives putting smiles on the faces of all of the resi-
Ms. Pamela McNair, Student Success Coach at Dowdell Middle Magnet School, is shown with Frankie Cuevas, Kai Gadson, Thomas Baker, and Leandre Durham.
dents at the nursing home. “The Whispering Oaks patients were in total amaze- ment at all of the beautiful holiday cards. We are very proud of these young men and how they conducted themselves while bringing a little cheer and were truly honored to share some joy. These guys are on the way to
doing some great things.”
Located in East Tampa, Whispering Oaks Nursing Home has served the resi- dents of Hillsborough County for more than 47 years. In ad- dition to offering rehabilita- tive services, the organization also provides long term care for residents in need of gen- eral nursing and restorative services, or who can no longer live alone.
As We Approach The New Year, What Can We Expect From The Political Scene?
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
In just a few days, we will be heading into another year – 2017. Here comes the New Year’s Resolutions – things I want to accomplish, weight I ‘plan’ to lose, the ‘new’ diet I’ll embark upon and so many other “things to do.”
Just as they talked about their wishes for Christmas, our elected officials were also asked about their desires for the coming year. We also talked with 2 persons who just left office and asked what they expect or would like to see in 2017. Here is what they shared.
“My New Year’s resolu- tion is for the upcoming leg- islative session. I wish for
progress for our local busi- nesses, our children and our seniors. I wish that the legis- lation changes that occur in the New Year will have a pos- itive and meaningful impact for every family living in our community.”
State Representative Sean Shaw is making his debut in the Florida Legisla- ture.
SEAN SHAW State Representative District 61
“My New Year's Resolu- tion for the County is that our Board of County Com-
missioners work harmo- niously to make this County a better place for all citizens to live, work, and play.”
LESLEY ‘LES’ MILLER County Commission District 3
“My New
Year's Resolu-
tion is to remain
healthy, spend
more time relax-
ing and to bring
hope and prosperity for my constituents in District 5.
FRANK REDDICK City Council, District 5
“For the New Year, I resolve to continue work- ing hard, every day, to ensure that I’m doing
my part to make our commu- nity great. It is a true blessing to see another year and it should not be taken for granted. As 2016 sunsets and 2017 is on the horizon, I am optimistic about the positive changes to come this year. The long-lasting benefits of a strong community are unde- niable; this year I hope every- one will commit to making us just a little bit stronger. I wish everyone a prosperous and Happy New Year.”
TAMARA SHAMBURGER Hillsborough County School Board District 5
"In 2017, my
desire is to see
our community
work together to
improve the
lives of those
who are less fortunate. We need unity within and across our organizations, and less competition. Only by working together can we improve the lives of our children, their schools and our neighbor- hoods. The power to make change isn't within the gov- ernment or any institution, it’s within us.
“In the New Year, we can be powerful beyond measure if we put aside our differences and work in unity and love."
EDWIN (Ed) NARAIN Former State Representative, District 61
“My desire is
that the country
and nation get a
sense of coming
together. What
the people want
the country to be, that’s what it’ll be. First of all, we have to think about becoming one.
“Personally, I’m making new adjustments to this new journey in my life. My resolu- tion is for good health, be- cause none of this can be accomplished without good health.”
DORETHA EDGECOMB Former Hillsborough County School Board Member, District 5
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3