National anthem home run for M's home opener

Deborah Bender may have finished as runnerup in the recent 2013 Bright Stars Senior Idol competition, sponsored by Bright House Networks at Ruth Eckerd Hall. But the Ellenton resident hit a home run at McKechnie Field last Friday, singing our national anthem for the Bradenton Marauders home opener.
The M’s open a weekend  homestand against the St. Lucie Mets and Friday night's first pitch is 6:30 p.m.

A benefit for 6-year-old Onicka Patterson, who has endured a difficult recovery from a December car accident, is 8 a.m. Saturday at Manatee Learning Academy, 6210 17th Ave. W., Bradenton. Call 941-794-5838.

Yolanda and Josh McCoy named their first bundle of love, Tristanlea.

Jerry Neff will receive the  Good Scout Award April 17 from the Manatee District of the Boy Scouts of America’s Southwest Florida Council. The community leader was in banking 49 years and in the National Guard and Army Reserve for 39 years, retiring as a brigadier general. The event is 6:30 p.m. at Camp Flying Eagle, 16009 Upper Manatee River Road, Bradenton.Call Henry Miller at 941-301-8272.

The first Mitchell Shreves Golf Tournament is April 19 at IMG Academies Golf & Country Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton. The State College of Florida sophomore suffered a serious spinal cord injury in a car accident last December and is undergoing intensive rehab.
Call Olivia Smith at 941-795-1242 or Rhonda Strawn at 941-928-3172.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.