Happy Fourth of July! We hope that everyone is enjoying the wonderful summer weather and is having a chance to relax and enjoy themselves. Believe it or not, football and cheerleading practices start this month! We will be practicing at the soccer fields at the Ed Radice Sports Complex starting on Monday, July 21. Football equipment handouts are tentatively scheduled for July 12 and July 19. Please keep your eyes out for an e-mail from your coaches giving you more details regarding the practice schedule and equipment handouts.

Our second annual Colts Golf Tournament is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 24, at The Eagles Golf Club. Mark your calendars because you won’t want to miss out on this event! Registration details will be available soon. This event is not only a great fundraiser for our organization, but an opportunity for us to get together and have some fun off the football field.

We are very excited about the 2008 season! Please keep an eye on our Web site, www.westchasecolts.com, throughout the season for current information.

Matthews Takes Second in Meek and Mighty Triathlon
By Marcie and Brian Matthews, Residents of Stamford

Congratulations to Stamford’s Daniella Matthews on her second-place finish in the Meek and Mighty St. Anthony’s Triathlon on April 26! For the race, Diana had to swim 200 yards, bike 5.4 miles and run one mile.

The race topped off a busy year for Diana, who also competed in the Junior Olympics, participated in the All County Chorus and held a lead role in her school play Oliver!.

“We are so very proud of her hard work and determination,” said parents Marcie and Brian Matthews.

MOMS Club of Westchase-North Installs New Board
By Jolean McPherson

The Westchase-North Chapter of the International MOMS Club installed five new board members for the 2008-2009 fiscal year at its end-of-the-year party held recently at Highland Park. Jessica Loewy of The Shires graciously volunteered to take over as the chapter’s new president. Loewy is mom to Madeline Rachel who is now 17-months-old. During her free time, Jessica enjoys card making, scrapbooking, traveling and jogging.

Leslie Wall of The Enclave of Citrus Park assumed the role of administrative vice president, which is responsible for the chapter’s service projects for the year. Cathy Facer of The Bridges accepted the membership VP position; Marie Sanders of The Shires took over as treasurer; and Christina Natoli of The Fords is this year’s secretary.

In addition to its regularly scheduled age-based playgroups that meet weekly, the chapter has some fun, chapter-wide events scheduled for July:

 The chapter’s business of the month for July is West Park Bagel & Deli in West Park Village. They’ll be offering buy-one-get-one-half-off specials to all MOMS Club Westchase-North members. Please show your membership card to receive discounts.

As always, newcomers are welcome at all events. The chapter includes all residents living west of Sheldon Road, east of Rack Track Road, south of South Mobley Road and north of Linebaugh Avenue. For more information about the MOMS Club and any of these events, please contact the group at momsclubtampa@hotmail.com.

 

Congratulations to Briana Matthews on making her first communion! The daughter of Brian and Marcie Matthews of Stamford, Briana received the sacrament on May 3 at Incarnation Catholic Church. Afterwards the family celebrated with a party in her honor at their home.

Locks of Love, Part I
By John Schmidt, Resident of West Park Village

To be donated, Kimberly’s hair had to be specially prepared by being thoroughly cleaned, and couldn’t be damaged by chemical processing. The stylist was meticulous as she measured the hair into a ponytail, and then took about 10 minutes just to cut off the 10 inches needed.

To donate the hair, Kimberly had to lay the ponytail outside to air dry to avoid any mildew. Then she put the bundled hair into a plastic bag and mailed it in a padded envelope.

Kimberly likes her short hair, and can’t stop talking about how different it is from having long hair. “It’s much cooler in the heat and makes swimming much easier.”

Congratulations, Kimberly!

Locks of Love, Part II
By Stacey Clarke

Locks of Love is committed to providing the highest quality hair prostheses (hairpieces) to every child suffering from long term or permanent medical hair loss. The hairpieces are custom-made from donated ponytails and retail for between $3,500 and $6,000, but these girls receive them free. The hairpieces help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers. Kendall said that she was glad to help and is happy with her short summer haircut!

Congratulations, Kendall and all of the others that have donated. You really have made a difference.

Westchase Soccer Sets Fall Registration
By Margot A. Pinheiro, WSA President

Get out those cleats and shin guards and gear up for the fall season with Westchase Soccer Association (WSA). Registration dates and important information about WSA’s fall programs will be posted at www.westchasesoccer.org on July 1.

We anticipate fielding Under 5, Under 6, Under 7, Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12 age groups. A MiniWee Program will be offered to children who are 3½ to 4½-years-old, by the cutoff date, as an introduction to soccer. New and some returning participants in the U7, U8, U10 and U12 age groups must attend a mandatory 15-minute skills assessment in order to complete the registration process.

A federal-issued proof of birth date document is required for all new participants and for returning players whose last participation in a WSA program was prior to 2006. Parents must leave a legible copy of the participant’s proof of birth date with WSA at the time of registration. Please refer to the information on our Web site for acceptable proof of birth date documents.

We look forward to seeing some new and returning smiles this season!

Information regarding WSA programs is subject to change without notice. Please visit our Web site for the most current information.