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Sunday Offers Woodmont Park Fun

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - Mary Grevencamp delights in bringing smiles to the faces of children.

For that reason she relishes the thought of the Temple Terrace Garden Club's third annual Sunday in the Park on Sunday at Woodmont Park. It is an event where families are invited to gather for what she said will be a fun-filled afternoon of free entertainment including a "kids' corner," games, face-painting and the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

Also on tap will be vendors with home and holiday gift items for sale. In addition, garden club members will encourage "kids" of all ages to donate money toward chance drawings for gift certificates for garden tools, groceries, dry-cleaning services, office supplies, restaurants and nearby amusement attractions. Attendees also may try their luck at receiving an autographed photograph of Tampa Bay Buccaneer Derrick Brooks or a Tampa Bay Lightning hat signed by center Ryan Craig.

All proceeds will benefit Sincerely, Santa of Hillsborough County, a program that since 1987 has filled the holiday wish lists of more than 100,000 disadvantaged kindergarteners through third-graders in the county's public schools.

"Sunday in the Park is for kids and Christmas is for kids," said Grevencamp, president of the garden club. "My grandkids get so excited about Christmas. I can't imagine kids not having presents to open."

Chairman Al Latina said the event, sponsored in part by The Tampa Tribune, also is an opportunity to showcase one of the city's most beautiful parks. There will be hamburgers and hot dogs for sale, as well as homemade baked goods prepared by garden club members.

For the third year Herb Sanders & the Sunshine Band will entertain with country music tunes the band has performed at venues in and out of Florida for decades.

"It's for the children and I'm all for children," said Sanders, who lives in Zephyrhills.

The event will feature an assortment of exhibitors, including some who will offer advice on environmental and gardening matters. Friends of Temple Terrace Parks and Recreation and the Hillsborough County Extension Service are among the participants.

Children from the cast of Masque Community Theatre's performance of "It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas" that will debut in Temple Terrace on Dec. 5 will be on hand.

"We are so pleased to have all of them participate as well as representatives from several of Temple Terrace's community service organizations," Latina said.

The duo expected to be the biggest hit of the day are Temple Terrace residents Byron "Hoot" and Charlotte Hooten, who will arrive at about 3 p.m. with the sounds of sirens in a Temple Terrace fire truck under the guise of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Sunday in the Park

WHERE: Woodmont Park, 415 Woodmont Ave., Temple Terrace

WHEN: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday

WHY: To benefit Sincerely, Santa of Hillsborough County

COST: Admission is free.

INFORMATION: Call Al Latina, (813) 988-6794

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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