Cycling For First Responders; Great Pumpkin Giveaway; Haunted Maze

Cycling For First Responders

Mark Gutierrez is a Naval Vet that is riding his bicycle across the country to bring awareness to Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for Vets and First Responders.  He spent several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a bomb disposal expert.  Gutierrez is now riding for Project Hero that uses bicycling for therapy.  He rode through town yesterday with Florence marking his 5000th mile since his journey began.  He says he has a deep respect for the first responders.

“First responders, I mean they typically have a long career, they stay in the same area of operations, and so they never actually get to come home the way that I got to come home.  They’re always on duty and they never hear thank you, especially the police.”

Gutierrez is visiting first responders on his trek that ends in San Diego.  He says his main message is one of gratitude.

Great Pumpkin Giveaway

Tomorrow marks the 31st annual Great Pumpkin Giveaway and also celebrates Coast Radio’s 31st year on the air in Florence.  The long running tradition brings local businesses together to support the handout of free pumpkins to Florence’s youth.  True Value Hardware has been a long running sponsor and presenter of the event.  this year the celebration begins at 3pm in the Old School Furniture and Saw shop parking lots.  Games and candy and prizes will begin at 3 pm with free hot dogs and A&W root beer.  Pumpkin giveaway will begin at 4pm sharp to area students ages 18 and under.

Haunted Maze

With Halloween just a week away, the scary fun starts this Friday at CROW.  The award winning haunted maze will be themed Freak Show.  This year CROW director Melanie Heard says they have shortened the Family friendly portion of the maze from one night to one hour.  She says it will still be scary, but toned down for younger kids and those that are faint of heart.  It begins at 6 pm on Friday and will close at 9.  The haunted maze will be open Friday and Saturday of this week and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week.  Admission is $6.00.  Family hour will be on Tuesday the 29th from 5-6 pm.