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Taste of New Tampa a HUGE Success

Heartfelt thanks go out to all who attended to Eleventh Annual Taste of New Tampa on April 4th at The Shoppes of Amberly in Tampa Palms. A big thank you goes out to the sponsors, volunteers and last, but not least, our Board Members who were committed to seeing the community’s Premier Event through to a successful conclusion. Namely Todd Wiener who has had a major role in the production of all 11 “Tastes”, Larisa Lunsford for recruiting and managing the volunteers, Gary Nager, who concentrated on the recruitment of over 40 food and beverage providers, Matt Palmer, who arranged for additional parking and assisted in the execution of the event that Sunday, Pamela Elsaadi, who arranged for the our sign sponsorship and assisted all day at the volunteer tent an Regina Ramalheira, who managed the Admission Tents and directed clean-up volunteers, arranged for the New Tampa Cultural Center to provide the stage and produce the entertainment and the kids activities, Dave Larson, who was key in planning and permitting and there at 6am to assist in set-up and Jamie Thorne, who is not only a Board Member, but the sponsor, again this year, of Radio Disney. There were Non-Board Members who were also instrumental in the production of this event. Thanks also goes out to new comer and Board Advisor Leonard Contardo who helped with permitting, set and clean up and procuring Pepsi for our official soft drink. I can’t leave out Sharon Donofrio, our Administrative Assistant, who kept all the money straight and finally now departed Julie Rinaldi who broke all records in Expo Booth and Sponsorship Sales. Our Grand Total was approximately $57,000 which is over $10,000 more than last year’s event. Thanks, also, goes out to Mike Wallace and the New Tampa Rotary for their production of the first New Tampa Stride Run/Walk. The Rotary’s event primarily benefited the New Tampa Cultural Center and the New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club. Planning is already beginning on next year’s Taste to secure a location and a date. Anyone that is willing to present a suitable sight for next year’s event please contact us ASAP.

Two Dates to note are Thursday, May 20th, Florida Medical Clinic 6pm will be our May membership meeting and tentatively, June 10th at a sight and time to be announced for Mayor Pam Iorio and City Staff holding a Town Hall meeting on issue concerning New Tampa. Watch for further details and confirmation of dates, times and locations in your New Tampa Neighborhood News.

Thanks again for your support of the Taste.


Frank Margarella
President