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Cupid's Arrow To Hit Winning Bidders At Auction

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By LAURA CONE The Sun

Published: January 21, 2009

Frank Koebrich of Sun City Center, or "Mr. March," was reluctant at first to be just another sexy pin-up to be objectified by women.

Koebrich, who is featured in the 2009 Bachelors of Sun City Center calendar, will be auctioned off Feb. 7 to benefit LifePath Hospice.

"A friend of mine read about it and got me involved," he said. "At first I thought, 'Oh it's beefcake. I'm too old to be a sex symbol.' She said, 'No this is a very good cause. All the money goes to help the Emergency Squad and Hospice.'"

Koebrich happened to be a volunteer for the Hospice program. He also admires the Emergency Squad's all-volunteer program in SCC. He ended up having no regrets after attending the Snow Ball in December when the "stud muffins" made their debut.

"It was very uplifting for me to see the caliber of people they chose. We got together and signed calendars," he said.

Koebrich, a psychologist by profession, facilitates the Life Concerns and Life Challenges support groups that meet in the Sun City Center area.

His wife, Patricia, died 5 1/2 years ago of cancer, and it's difficult for him to think about a new romance.

"She was so wonderful and talented," he said. "She was constantly growing and achieving. I can't tell you what a wonderful marriage it was. But I am finally past my grief now. I love helping people."

Dana Dittmar of Apollo Beach, who is helping to coordinate the charity event, said the men participating in the auction are: Mr. January: 'Diamond' Jim Kopernick; Mr. February: Milton Olson; Mr. March: Frank Koebrich; Mr. April: 'Candy Man' King Slater; Mr. May: Mike Jackson, an Emergency Squad captain; Mr. June: David Liehr; Mr. July: Hank Missenheim; Mr. August: Richard Grant, an Emergency Squad member; Mr. September: Carl Johnson; Mr. October: David Rankin; Mr. November: Syd Ashbridge and Mr. December: Joe Balazik.

Dittmar is the local chapter director for the Southshore Chapter of the Blue Thong Society called Aqua Viva Divas.

She said Aqua Viva Divas is a social and community service club for women. Their charities include the American Cancer Society, the Humane Society, and the Martha and Mary House in Ruskin.

"The Snow Ball event to debut the calendar was fantastic," she said. "It was well attended. It was a nice formal event. We kicked off the sale of the calendar."

The goal is to raise $10,000 for the SCC Emergency Squad through the sale of the calendars. They have raised $6,000 to date. The calendars are available for $10 at the SCC Emergency Squad and Regions Bank in SCC.

"For the Feb. 7 event we have a real auctioneer and he will put them up on the block," Dittmar said. "The ladies can bid and the men will go to the highest bidder and win an all-expense-paid dinner Valentine's night."

The Valentine's auction will take place at Apollo's Bistro in Apollo Beach at 6 p.m. Cost is $15 which includes hors 'doeuvres. There will be a cash bar for wine and beer. Auctioneer Charlie Browning will open the bidding at $50. Winning bidders will receive a Valentine's Day dinner with their date at Apollo's Bistro.

Tickets will go on sale Jan. 16 at Regions Bank in Sun City Center or by calling (813) 938-3747. For additional information, call Dana Dittmar at (813) 253-9248.

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