Want to make Christmas brighter for a child who really needs it? Manatee Children’s Services would love to hear from you.
Presently the child advocacy nonprofit has 48 children who are not yet sponsored through the "Holiday Project." The project coordinates organizations and individuals in the community to help fulfill gift wishes of the children they serve.
These children are the victims of abuse or neglect, or are at risk of experiencing them. Consequently they either reside in the MCS emergency shelter, a group home, or with a caregiver involved in an MCS support program.
Want to do a truly good deed? Call Jocina Newsome at 941-345-1200, ext. 109. Or visit manateechildrensservices.com.
• Great to hear Judge Doug Henderson is home at last after open heart surgery in November. He faces several weeks of outpatient rehab.
• Martha Lewis, who has worked at Bealls forever, is 88 years young.
• A funny thing happened to Blake Keller’s family on the way to his upcoming graduation day at Marshall University.
"Plane tickets were purchased, hotel reservations made," said grandmother Carolyn Keller, the family matriarch.
Alas, plans changed when the Thundering Herd, for whom the former Manatee Hurricane plays defensive end, were selected to play Colorado State in the New Mexico Bowl.
Graduation and game are this Saturday.
Goodbye, Huntington, West Virginia. Hello, Albuquerque.
Blake’s folks, Don and Linda, brother Ryan and Carolyn will be there, expense be hanged.
"Never been to Albuquerque, but there's a first time for everything," Grandma said.
• Logan Wells popped the question to Ashley Eannirino and she said, "Yes."
• More than 900 gift boxes were donated to Meals on Wheels PLUS at its 12th annual Shoebox Reception. The committee included chief executive officer Maribeth Phillips and vice-president Judy Bjork as well as Kristina Atkinson, Kathy Bitting, Marie Gowgiel, Betty Vogel, Shawna Hicks-Cranston, Elizabeth Cranston, Michele Matson and Sharon Stewart.
• Big ups to Southeast alum Brett Timmons, now the Noles’ new head football coach.
• The Manatee School District got some props at the 72nd annual Joint Conference of the Florida School Boards Association in Tampa. The Sunshine State School Public Relations Association named superintendent Diana Greene "Outstanding Superintendent Communicator" and recognized Manatee’s Chamber of Commerce for its continued commitment to public education and support from behind the scenes. Executive director Jacki Dezelski accepted the award.
• That wily ol’ stork just made great grandparents of Babs and Dennis Warren with the arrival of Katherine Cristina Crabtree, daughter of Katie and Patrick Crabtree.
• Duffy’s Tavern on Anna Maria Island holds its second annual Toys for Tots Night this Friday from 7-10 p.m. There will be live entertainment, too. Bring a toy or a donation to Duffy’s, 5808 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
• Lastly, B’town’s Linda Fleming looked out her window the other day, saw a neighbor putting up holiday lights and thought she’d share in the spirit of the season.
Whoops!
"I stepped out to say, ‘Hi!’" Linda said. "But she screamed back, ‘I @#$%&! HATE @#$%&! CHRISTMAS!’ I quickly retreated back inside."
Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com. Or call 941-962-5944. Twitter: @vinmannix.