Rick Frissell- Realtor, CDPE, ePro Tampa and all of Hillsborough County

Entree Vous has opened their newest franchise in The River Springs Town Center, Riverview, FL and minutes from Fish Hawk Ranch. Entree Vous is the fastest growing meal solution company in the United States.

I had the opportunity to attend their grand opening and make my own group of meals. I chose 4 select meals that included a Chicken Piccata, Southwest Chicken Casserole, Margarita Beef Kabob and Mesa Verde Flank Steak. Now, this was a first time for me and I had all four meals completed in less than 30 minutes. Of course I had the superb assistance of owner Bill McCarthy and his team.

Once I got home, off to the freezer went the meals. Planning ahead for dinner was easier than I could have ever imagined. The day before my wife pulled out the Southwest Chicken Casserole (I am a chicken lover already) and because of my unusual work hours the meal sat in the refrigerator until I got home. Once home, the meal was thrown in the oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. I had time to unwind and check emails. Fifty Five minutes later the family was having dinner. I offered something very unusual for my wife. “Honey, I’ll clean the kitchen tonight!” “Yeah, thanks a lot. I think I can handle the three plates and utensils” she replied.

If you are not familiar with the Entrée Vous product and service, the best way to describe it is ... hmmm, let's say ... convenient, fun, economical and easy.

First, we have to understand why Entrée Vous is growing so quickly. No one has to explain how busy schedules are now a days. Between running our kids to cheerleading practice, soccer, baseball and music lessons, there is little time to think what is for dinner. The solution in terms of dinner for busy families have been fast foods or ready to throw in the oven frozen entrees from the frozen food section of the grocery store. They are either not the healthiest or not the tastiest dinner for the family.

The "Kitchen" gets ready for you in advance

Entrée Vous is a complete prep to bake dinner provider. Each month complete menu lists of tasty menus are ready for the busy homemaker to prepare at Entrée Vous. All of the prep work is done ahead for the customer. All ingredients are set up at each menu station along with the menu instructions. Simply follow the instructions and less than five minutes you have prepared a delicious dinner for your family. There is no minimum on meals you have to make. You can make one meal or as many as you like. The meals feed four to six people per entrée. Entrée Vous will make your meals for you at no additional charge.

The complete process eliminates shopping (especially for spices or condiments that require a small amount for a single recipe) chopping, mixing and all of the other chores that go into preparing a meal. No measuring cups, bowls or pans to wash and scrub. No waste of ingredients and besides the less fuss, it is rather enjoyable.

Plan a party! It is not unusual that a group will call ahead and “reserve” the stations for the evening. This provides an opportunity to catch up with each other while getting the dinners complete and ready for future servings.

Do you need a caterer for a casual gathering, business meeting or working lunch? Entrée Vous has hot entrees, gourmet sandwiches on artisan breads salads, side dishes and freshly baked desserts.

All in all, Entrée Vous is délicieux!

Rick's Pick of the Month:

Grilled Blackened Salmon with Citrus Chive Sauce Cooking Instructions | Serving Suggestions Six tasty salmon filets are coated in a traditional blackened seasoning. Not too spicy, but full of flavor. Perfect for the grill. Serve with our refreshing Citrus Chive Sauce (provided). Serves 4 to 6.

Bill McCarthy

13433 Boyette Rd.

Riverview, FL 33569

(813) 436 9205

www.entreevous.com

LOCALISM: FishHawk Ranch

River Hills is a great place to live. River Hills is a gated community in Valrico, FL. It has some very nice amenities such as the River Hills Country Club that includes an Olympic size pool, clay tennis courts and a challenging 18 hole golf course.

It has one other thing. An American Hero.

This afternoon I was driving to my home. I entered the gate, slowing as my vehicle passed the bar scanner, causing the gate arm to slowly rise and allow me passage. As I drove down River Hills Causeway, the main drive, I came to a sign posted on a golf crossing sign.

Now that is unusal to see a sign in River Hills. After all signs are notallowed under any circumstance. Even real estate signs!! But, there they were for all residents to see. But, this sign was for one special person. Joe, military hero, coming home.

I don't know Joe personally. But, I got to know something about Joe today. The next corner and the next sign.

River Hills is a community of about 2500 homes or more I would guess. That may seem like a large neighborhood, but it is broken down into "Villages" and each village seems to take on it's own personality. My trip to my village was taking me along the same street that would take Joe to his village. Now I don't really want to get into "It takes a Village" kind of conversation, but as I approached Joe's village this was the next sign.

Wow, Joe is really some kind of guy. A real today type of hero, living right here in my community. And Joe sure had a great deal of respect from his children.

What must it have been like for this family as this day was getting closer to arrival? How much excitement was being generated as these signs were being prepared?

One last sign awaited on my path. This sign would lead to into Joe's village. I could drive straight and proceed to the village of my home, but I could not pass up the chance to turn toward Joe's home.

This was the sign at the entrance to Joe's village:

I drove down the street that I knew would lead me to Joe's house. As was customary in River Hills each yard was manicured with deep green lawns and landscaping ready for Home and Gardens. But there was something different today on Joe's street. The neighbors on Joe's street had joined the welcome committee. Many of the homes adorned the American flag from their house in honor of their neighbor hero. The afternoon wind that is common this of year was gently waving the flag as to say "Welcome home American hero Joe."

I could see Joe's home as I approached. American flags were everywhere. In the yard, on the door, on the shrubry ... everywhere.

This is Joe's house

Home of the Brave!

Alderman's Ford Nature Preserve and Park

The Alderman's Ford Nature Preserve consists of 970 acres of natural habitat purchased for preservation under the Hillsborough County Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program and the State of Florida's Conservation and Recreational Lands Program.The preserve occupies both sides of the Alafia River and, together with Alderman's Ford County Park, other preserve lands to the east and south, and the Alafia River State Recreation Area, forms part of a permanently protected riverine wildlife corridor of over 10,000 acres.

The hiking trail winds for roughly five miles through some of the most beautiful scenery in west central Florida. Some stretches follow along the banks of the Alafia River, which occasionally runs over limestone outcroppings, forming rapids during low water periods. Other stretches of the trail climb away from the river and enter high and dry forests of longleaf pine and live oak.

The wildlife is as interesting as the natural habitat and includes fish, turtles, alligators, birds, snakes, deer, river otter, bobcat and many other surprises for sharp-eyed hikers.

The trail is open year round during daylight hours but is best enjoyed during the cooler, drier months from October through April.

The main trail head and access point is on Turkey Creek Rd, 1/2 mile south of Keysville Rd. Parking is inside the small entrance on the west side of Turkey Creek (south of the security trailer). Another access point (walkthrough gates) is located on Pitt Rd. Facilities, including restrooms, water fountains and picnic shelters are located at Alderman's Ford Park, located off CR 39 at 100 Alderman's Ford Park Dr. or the Park's canoe launch on Thompson Rd.

History abounds at this park. It was one of the first fording spots on the Alafia River and for many years a popular place for political campaigning in Hillsborough County. This scenic park includes the area where the Alafia River branches into its north and south prongs. The Alafia is one of the most popular canoe spots in the state, and the park includes a modern, erosion-free canoe launch. Several picnic areas are connected by a pedestrian/bicycle loop path, and a first-hand view of the abundant plant life is available on a self guiding nature study via accompanying boardwalk and foot bridges.

Preserve Rules:

• Hours: sunrise to sunset

• Remove all garbage from the preserve

• Dogs must be on hand-held leashes

• No unauthorized vehicles or bikes

• No swimming

• No firearms or hunting

• No digging or fires

• Fishing is allowed; a fishing license is required.

• All plants & animals are protected (Hillsborough County Ordinance 97-14)

Facilities: There are no restroom facilities on the preserve.

Facilities are available at Alderman's Ford Park, located off County Road 39 at 100 Alderman's Ford Park Drive or the Park's canoe launch on Thompson Road.

Safety Guidelines:

• Bring a compass

• Drink plenty of water

• Wear insect repellent and sunscreen

• Poison ivy is present along parts of the trail

• Leave a plan with family and friends letting them know where you will be and what time you expect to return.

Directions:

Trail head address: 8911 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City FL 33567

• From I-75, take exit 250 (Gibsonton Drive) Head east (road name changes to Boyette Rd., then Fish Hawk Boulevard) for 8 miles to Lithia-

Pinecrest Road, Turn southeast, continue 4 miles to County Road 39.

• Head north on County Road 39 for 3 miles.

• Turn west on Keysville Road, continue 2 miles.

• Turn south on Turkey Creek Road.

• Trail head and parking is located on west side of road, approx 1/4-mile south.

• Total trail length = 5 miles

For More Information, Contact:

Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department

Conservation Services Office

10940 McMullen Road

Riverview, Florida 33569-6226

(813) 672-7876 fax (813) 672-7880

www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks

This is a fabulous way to get in touch with nature. Whether you cycle, hike, canoe or just picnic, it's a great destination for the weekend or during the week. Get out there and enjoy the fresh air.

Seventh in a Series for First Time Home Buyers

When you're thinking of buying a home, you may wonder what your mortgage payment will look like. When you have a mortgage, you'll have several different portions of your payment each month.

Your mortgage payment consists of principal, interest, taxes and insurance (often abbreviated as "PITI"), and sometimes additional fees, such as homeowners association dues or mortgage insurance.

Principal is the money you borrowed to purchase the home.

Interest is the cost of borrowing money.

Taxes are paid by homeowners to local governments, and are usually a percentage of the assessed property value.

Insurance helps protect against financial loss from fire, natural disasters or other hazards. Most lenders require you to have a homeowner's insurance policy on your home because it will help protect their investment as well as yours.

Mortgage Insurance, also known as Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), is insurance payable to a lender that may be required when taking out a mortgage loan. It is to offset losses in the case where a mortgagor is not able to repay the loan and the lender is not able to recover its costs after foreclosure and sale of the mortgaged property.

Remember, many loan quotes will only include your principal and interest. You'll also need to factor in the taxes and insurance to calculate your total monthly mortgage payment.

See Wikipedia for Real Estate Terms **Click Here**

When you're ready to take the next step to buying your home, please give Florida's Beautiful Homes a call. We'll be happy to explain the process further and help you narrow your home search.

As outlined on Wikipedia, the free internet encyclopedia

Its history began on January 20, 1857, when John Brandon arrived at Fort Brooke (now Tampa) from Mississippi with his wife Martha and six sons. At first he moved his family to what is now the Seffner area. Then in August 1858, John Brandon purchased 40 acres of land in the New Hope area (now Brandon) south of Hopewell Road (now SR 60), between Parsons Avenue and Lithia Road. Nine years later, after his wife died, John left everything he owned to his son James Henry Brandon and moved to Bartow. In 1876 James built a home for his wife Joanna. It is still standing today and is now Stowers Funeral Home, a well-known landmark on Brandon Boulevard (SR60).

Meanwhile, John Brandon remarried a widow named Victoria and moved back to New Hope in 1874. John bought 160 acres and named his land Brandon. John and Victoria's house was located on what would become the corner of Knights and Victoria Street. Four years later, the New Hope Church was built on land donated by John. Besides being the first church in the community, it also served as Brandon's first school.

After John's death in 1886, Victoria took a leading role in the community. The community's first post office was opened in Victoria's home, when she became the postmistress. In 1890, the Florida Central and Peninsula Railroad came through the area, encouraging the people of New Hope to build a depot on Moon Avenue. Victoria convinced a civil engineer for the railroad to survey the area and lay out a town site. He surveyed 40 acres and prepared a map, and Victoria named the town Brandon, after John Brandon.

Since then, Brandon has grown in spurts, beginning with the first general store opened by Dan Galvin on the corner of Moon Avenue and Victoria Street. In 1905, a school was built on Parsons Avenue and Victoria allowed new teachers to board with her so that the new school would have a teacher.

At the time, Valrico began to develop as Victoria's son Lovic, moved there and opened a general store. Lovic and Victoria's other son, Mark, organized the Valrico Baptist Church in 1915, which later moved to Brandon and became the First Baptist Church in 1930.

By 1916, the community needed a large central school to house all of the area's students, so the Brandon Grade School (now McLane Jr. High) was built on Knights Avenue to house grades 1 through 12.

The first Brandon census was taken in 1922 when the population was 100. In 1925, Hopewell Road became a 9-foot wide, paved road and residents such as Clarence Hampton began building business along it in 1927. Clarence opened the first gas and service station.

During the 1920s, the eastern border of Brandon was Pinewood Avenue. Beyond that, was the Kingsway Poultry Colony, where chickens were raised during the winter to be sold in Ybor City. During the Great Depression, the poultry farms closed, and Brandon stabilized with a population of about 250 people.

Most local residents worked in the two orange packing houses in Valrico. The center of town remained at Moon Avenue and Victoria Street, where the train depot, post office, school, and grocery store were all located. For entertainment and everything else, the train to Tampa was the way to go, as only a few paved roads existed with most being dirt or shell topped, making the drive to Tampa very difficult.

World War II was an interesting time in Brandon, with little growth, but a definite edge as they had the food they raised on their farms. After the war, new businesses began to open again. A drug store and soda fountain at the corner of Parsons Avenue and Hopewell Road quickly became a popular teenage hangout. In 1950, Scogin's opened their famous variety store on Hopewell Road, and in 1953, Brandon got its first doctor, Dr. V. R. Hunter.

The 1950's were the beginning of the real growth period for Brandon. Yates Elementary was built in 1954, followed by Mann Junior High School in 1957. Brandon Grade School, on Knights Avenue, became the first Brandon High School. At the time, there were fewer than 100 graduates a year. In 1956, Hopewell Road was connected to Adamo Drive, which made access to Tampa easier, thus turning Brandon into a bedroom community. With commuters, came subdivisions, the first of which was Hill-Dale Heights on Kingsway Avenue. The Brandon News was established in 1958 as a one-page newsletter and advertisement for Scogin's clothing store, written by Al & Chris Scogin. Brandon's first honorary Mayor's race was held in 1959 and was won by Nat Storms.

In 1959, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce was formed to help promote business and growth. By the early 1960s, Brandon's population was 8,000, and it was estimated that one new family moved into town every day. Brandon began spreading out into the bordering communities of Limona, Seffner, and Valrico; Hopewell Road became four lanes wide and was designated State Road 60. Soon, the town's first shopping center, Brandon Center, was built, and Brooker Elementary School and the Brandon Swim and Tennis Club both opened in 1965. In the next few years, Kingswood Elementary School, the Brandon Public Library, and many housing developments, shopping centers, and golf courses further fueled or reflected the influx of new residences and businesses.

By the 1970s, growth was causing traffic congestion, as approximately 430 commercial and service businesses, 3 malls and a population of 40,000 were all contained with-in a six-mile radius.

In the mid 1970s, Hillsborough Community College moved to Brandon by holding classes at public schools. More indications of the increasing population were the building of Brandon Community Hospital and the Brandon Cultural Center (now the Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association). Brandon took off rapidly during the 1980s. Development of the southern area of Brandon brought thousands of new residents. On September 27, 1986, I-75 began to bring traffic through the Brandon area, dramatically changing the community and helping its population reach approximately 100,000 with over 2,500 business by 1988.

For more current information about the Brandon, Florida area or about homes in the area, please give Rick Frissell a call. 813-653-1241