FOCUS Plant City 17-07 by Floyd Publications

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Presenting funds raised by our charity car wash for The United Food Bank of Plant City.

Hillsborough Title is proud to be "born and raised" in Plant City. Founded in 1984 by my mother Gail Calhoun, we aren’t one of those fly-by-night companies riding the wave of a great economy. We are here today to serve you, and here tomorrow when you need us. We’re your friend and your neighbor - the people you turn to when you need advice or a helping hand. We are proud to be a cornerstone in our community and live amongst those we serve. Whether we’re handling your home sale, purchase, or refinance transaction, or volunteering in the community, we’re your hometown, family-owned title agency. - Aaron M. Davis, CEO, Hillsborough Title

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Contents Table of

focusplantcity.com / Issue 17-07 / July 2018

LOCAL

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The local action slows down only slightly in Plant City. Stories this month include Hillsboro Bank celebrating its 20th year, a trio of Hamiltons serving in education at PCHS, valedictorian Hannah Spivey and a fond farewell to the Lions Club Ladies Auxiliary.

F E AT U R E

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Our annual back-to-school issue offers information on the local schools and news about the guardian training program, along with cool photos of great students styling in the latest fashions.

SPOTLIGHT

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Wayne Wiggins, founder of Plant City Realty, credits the lessons learned through hard work on his boyhood family’s farm for the business success he’s enjoying today. He knows the land, loves working the land, and enjoys helping his neighbors find just the right property to suit their needs.

F E AT U R E

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This issue also showcases the area’s “Top Realtors,” and offers a little insight into today’s real estate market in eastern Hillsborough County.

BUSINESS

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The team at First Response Heating & Cooling wants locals to know that service for their home or business is available 24/7. Dedicated to customer satisfaction, technicians provide quick response time and reliable repairs and installations. Save the name and save the number, so you can see for yourself when the need arises.

DINING

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Linda’s Crab Shack is open again! If you haven’t visited since its updating makeover recently, now’s the time. With more room for more folks at one time to enjoy the delicious seafood cooked fresh-to-order, Linda’s is ready to serve up your next meal. PAGE

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From The Publisher I

sn’t summertime wonderful?

The change of pace, the anticipation of extra playtime, and the chance to enjoy different scenery -- no wonder we always look forward to the two months when our kids can relax with us.

Publisher Mike Floyd mike@floydpublications.com Office Manager Candy Owens cowens@floydpublications.com Account Manager Chris Stovall chris@floydpublications.com Managing Editor Cheryl Johnston cjohnston@floydpublications.com Art Director Anthony Sassano asassano@floydpublications.com Distribution Tony DeVane Staff Writers Cheryl Johnston | Barbara Routen | Kelli Tharrington Sherrie Mueller | Anthony Bolesta | Cierra Craft Contributors Gil Gott | Jo-An Lusk | Nate Davis | Candy Owens Natalie Sweet | Wanda Anderson | Heather Davis | Layla Keeler Drawdy

Got a story idea? Looking to advertise in Focus? Contact us for more information. Floyd Publications, Inc. 702 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd.Plant City, FL 33563 Office 813.707.8783 Fax 813.764.0990 www.focusplantcity.com Standards of accuracy: The goal of the writers at FOCUS Magazine is to provide heart-warming stories that are accurate from the start. Being human, however, we sometimes make mistakes. Please forgive us. So if you notice anything that is incorrect, then please do not hesitate to contact the editorial department and inform it about the fact error. To do so, call (813) 707-8783 or e-mail editorial@floydpublications.com. The staff will fix the error in a timely manner.

I’m especially excited about this one because by the time you’re reading this Back-to-School issue, our family will be headed out West on a major road trip. Inspired by a similar one my parents experienced years ago, we decided it was time for their grandchildren Zane and Zy to see the Grand Canyon and some national parks. With Zane’s recent high school graduation, his leisure time is sure to be limited soon by work or more schooling. So we’re off on a big family adventure. The motor home journey will find us stopping at numerous other sites along the way, too. Thankfully, because of Mom’s planning and knowledge of how to improve on that first trip, we’re expecting a great time of memory-making. She’s very organized about scheduling the route, what to pack, and what foods we’ll need to stock, etc. Something tells me that her planning will definitely beat my idea of just filling the tank with gas, loading a suitcase or two, and heading off to whatever awaits. Whether your vacay has been a stay or away, we’re hoping your summer will involve special occasions as well. A welcome break from the routine brings its own joys --- and then, when we return from our jaunts of any size, the break can also help us realize just how wonderful we have it here at home. And if you took a Focus with you, we’d love to share a photo of your group holding our community magazine. It’s fun to see where life is taking our readers.

FOCUS Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Plant City businesses, restaurants and many local venues. Advertisers warrant and represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. Focus Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All letters and their contents sent to Focus Magazine become the sole property of Floyd Publications, Inc and may be reproduced thereof. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Floyd Publications, Inc. Use or duplication of material used in this publication is prohibited without approved written consent from Floyd Publications, Inc.

Warmest Regards, Mike Floyd PAGE

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Town Talk of the

Submit your good news to: editorial@floydpublications.com or call it in 813.707.8783 The Plant City Warriors have played in three tournaments this summer with a runner-up finish at Eagle Lake and a firstplace finish at Lakeland Highlands. The Warriors have high hopes for their final tournament in Apopka on July 14-15.

Congratulations to 9-year-old Abi Silas who celebrated her first year of dance at Dance Connection’s 2018 recital on June 30. The acro classes she takes blend dance and acrobatic elements. All dancers received a medal for their hard work this year. Ladies of the Elks Lodge #1527 donated $1,500 to the United Food Bank, $500 in gas cards to Meals on Wheels volunteers, and remaining monies to the group’s scholarship fund as a result of their recent Taste of Plant City” fundraiser. On May 23 the Plant City Elks Lodge presented 14 checks totaling $2,400 for unpaid lunch balances in Hillsborough County Area VI schools to help families in need.

Plant City residents are buzzing with excitement to see Ole’ Tampa Cubans opening in here in August at 404 N. Alexander Street. Plant City native Dwayne Williams opened his first restaurant in Mulberry in October 2016. The menu includes Cuban sandwiches, Spanish Bean Soup, Guava Pastries and Ole’ Tampa Cubans’ renowned Hand-Rolled Devil Crabs! PAGE

Found on Facebook: Vice President Dennis Brownlee and Commercial Account Manager Linda Allen, of Florida Insurance Center, Inc., received the Westfield Insurance 25-Year Agent Award, presented by Tim Middleton and Dan Urban of Westfield Insurance. Each Wednesday, Plant City Main Street and the East Hillsborough Art Guild host “Art Around Town at the Arcade,” a pop-up gallery for local artists to showcase their talent from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 104 West Reynolds Street. Art is available for purchase.

Florida Insurance Center and the Westfield Insurance Foundation’s Legacy of Caring program awarded $4,000 to Learn Tampa Bay, which offers educational services to families in East Hillsborough County. Each year, Westfield independent insurance agents nominate a local nonprofit for the Legacy of Caring program, which invests in communities and helps impact disaster recovery, family stability or safety.

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FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY JUDGE / GROUP 8

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COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE Investigated Attorney Misconduct for the Florida Bar Volunteer Teen Court Judge in Hillsborough County Worked to help people with disabilities for over a dozen years

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www.GutmanForJudge.com POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR AND APPROVED BY JACK N. GUTMAN, FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 8. PAGE

LOCAL

Hamilton Trio Combines Talents to Make a Difference at Plant City High School BY SHERRIE MUELLER

Casey Hamilton's graduation from the University of South Florida in 2017 put him on course to teach with his mother, Jennifer and be at the school where brother Kyle was beginning his sophomore year.

hen Jennifer Hamilton finished her degree in Secondary English Education at the University of South Florida, she had no idea of the impact she would make on future students, and in particular her own two sons. Jennifer just completed her sixth year of teaching at Plant City High School. With a positive attitude of service above self, Jennifer’s responsibilities and career accomplishments have grown to include Advanced Placement Language and Composition instructor, Yearbook Advisor, Sponsor of the Interact Service Club and her most recent appointment as Chair for the English Department for the 2018-2019 school year. Last school year her son, Casey Hamilton, also a USF graduate in Secondary English Education, joined the PCHS staff as a first year teacher of TV 1-4. He instructs students on

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the fundamentals of film production and creating a television show. He is the sponsor of the school’s “Raider Television Network” (often called RTV) and is responsible for communicating daily school news and opportunities for the entire student body. Students in Casey’s classes have the opportunity to earn industry certifications in video editing software used in the actual television field. At the 2018 Hillsborough County Awards Ceremony held at the Straz Center in Tampa, his Raider TV students earned seven Superior Awards. Casey and Jennifer are always looking for innovative ideas. They attended a “Medal of Honor” training together this summer. The seminar included ways to incorporate core values into teaching. Jennifer shared, “The core values are courage, sacrifice, patriotism, citizenship, integrity and commitment. We loved

the training! It truly aligns with my belief that serving others builds character.” The Mother/Son duo plans to team together with cross-curricular lessons that will include multimedia analysis. Students in Mrs. Hamilton’s journalism class will pair up with a partner in Mr. Hamilton’s class and together decide on a topic to research and then use their journalism and film skills in creating a multi-media essay. They will incorporate core values learned in the Medal of Honor training their teachers attended. There is a third Hamilton in the mix of what is going on in the communication world at Plant City High School. Kyle Hamilton, a rising junior, serves the school on his mom’s yearbook staff. As the current Photography Editor, Kyle often creates video announcements that spread the news about yearbook events to be shown on his brother’s RTV morning show. While a student at PCHS, Casey

was in his mom’s drama class. Both sons say the best thing about having their mom as a teacher was that they could call her “Mom” when everyone else called her Mrs. Hamilton. Kyle recently attended the HOBY Leadership Conference which is designed for outstanding sophomores. Both Kyle and Casey are Eagle Scouts and their father, Mark was their scout leader. Jennifer shared, “The three of us meet in my classroom most every day during our lunch break to debrief on the day’s events.” All three have active schedules outside of school with community events and projects. The Hamilton family of five also includes little sister, Katie, a student at Tomlin Middle School. The entire family exudes values of service to others with a twist of fun. Students at Plant City High School can look forward to hearing and seeing the news knowing that the message will be presented with a lot of thought, training and compassion.

Jennifer Hamilton and her son Casey Hamilton, both teachers, show their PCHS Raider pride at school events.

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LOCAL

Hillsboro Bank Celebrates 20 Years of Banking with a #1 Ranking Plant City’s Only Community Bank BY SHERRIE MUELLER

or two decades the Hillsboro Bank has encouraged the community to “Come bank with your friends and neighbors.” This has never been truer than it is today as the Hillsboro Bank is Plant City’s only community bank. Not only has it survived the Big Bank takeovers, it is thriving. Based on earnings, asset quality, capital, growth and liquidity, the Banker’s Caddy algorithm designated the Hillsboro Bank as Best Community Bank in Florida in 2018 with a #1 ranking for performance. The bank also earned an 11th place National Ranking. The Hillsboro Bank officially opened its door on July 6, 1998 and operated out of a trailer for several months while building the main branch building located at 509 West Alexander Street in Plant City. Prior to the successful opening, ten community leaders met for months to strategically plan the new financial institution. The founding directors included Tony Azorin, Gary Boothe, Ron Daniel, Dot Harkala, Andy Mueller, Tom Poppell, Mac Smith, Mike Sparkman, Don Stine, and Hank Varnum. The late Tom Poppell served as the first Chairman of the Board and Ron Daniel was named President and CEO. This group had a vision and within a couple of months raised the needed capital through stock sales to create the Hillsboro Bank. The Bank serves the Plant City and Valrico communities with two locations currently, with a third branch scheduled to open August 1, 2018 in Dade City. Originally opened with seven employees, Hillsboro bank has grown now to include 26 full time team members. The value of the stock issued in 1998 has more than doubled with the stockholders receiving the majority of their original

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investment back in the form of dividends. Dade City native Mike Ward has served four years as the bank’s current President, taking the reins from Gary Boothe, who served as President from 2004-2014. Mike is leading the expansion to the Dade City market with the same enthusiasm established by the bank founders. He shared, “I want to do more of what we do. We’re going to grow the bank simply by being good community members. To me, meeting people is fun and exciting.” This third branch bank will be located at 13844 7th Street in Dade City, Florida. Over the twenty years, the Hillsboro Bank has kept up with the technology trends of banking by offering online banking, online bill

pay and mobile banking. Customers can have the best of both worlds that include “personalized banking with individual assistance” and “banking on the go” with the use of their cell phones. The Hillsboro Bank prides itself in meeting the individual needs of their customers. Phone calls to the community bank are answered by a “real person” who desires to meet the needs of each customer.

The Hillsboro Bank would like to thank its loyal customers for their business and continued support. Those searching for a hometown bank that makes customers a priority will appreciate the outstanding service in Plant City, Valrico, and in the soon-opening Dade City branch. For more information and to discover hometown banking at its best, call 813-707-6506 or drop by to bank with your friends and neighbors.

Founding Board Members gather for a photo in front of the temporary home of the Hillsboro Bank in 1998. Front: Tony Azorin, Andy Mueller, Tom Poppell, Dot Harkala Back: Mac Smith, Ron Daniel, Don Stine, Hank Varnum, Mike Sparkman, Gary Boothe

The staff of the Hillsboro Bank main branch invites the community to "Come Bank with your friends and neighbors!" Front: Alex Wilder, Olivia Brosky, Monique Hoffman, Rose Godall, Morgan Fowler, Kim Cannon, Gracie Wagner Standing: April Sullivent, Andrea Brock, Debbie Crosby, Ande Fowler, Pam Warnock, Mike Ward, Jennifer Denney, Summer Rains, Tiffany Padilla, Brett Mueller

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LOCAL

Making Ideas Come to Life BY ANTHONY BOLESTA

Hannah Spivey - CFAA Valedictorian PAGE

lant City has another valedictorian! Hannah Mary Spivey earned the top honor with a perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA and her recent graduation from the Central Florida Aerospace Academy in Lakeland. This academy, which is connected to Kathleen High School, caters to students interested in aviation, technology and engineering. During her time at CFAA, she earned credits from 7 AP classes and will begin classes in August at the University of Central Florida with 40 college/dual enrollment credits. The National Honor Society member and Academic Team captain also served her school as a Student Government class representative. Her more than 250 volunteer service hours included time helping area youth robotics teams, Camp Invention in Plant City, community events, and the SPCA. The eldest child of David and Lisa Spivey described the students and academic environment at CFAA by saying, “Students are very disciplined. You don't have the problems that you have at other schools. Everyone is there to learn.” She added, “CFAA is small and we all get along well. We all appreciate the opportunity we’ve been given to attend." Born in Tallahassee, Hannah moved back to Plant City before she was two years old when her father wanted to join the family farming business. She attended Springhead Elementary and Marshall Middle School before applying to CFAA. With this accomplishment of valedictorian, she’s set a great example and a tough act to follow for her two younger siblings, Zachary

(15) and Abigail (11). While taking engineering classes at the academy, Hanna received industry certifications in Autodesk and Solidworks. She also realized how much she enjoyed the "artistic" side of engineering and admired the concept of making ideas come to life. So, she has decided to combine her artistic side and her love of STEM into the ever-growing career field of animation and computer science. In August she’ll begin attending the University of Central Florida, with plans to double major in Experimental Digital Animation and Computer Science. Through her studies, Hannah was awarded the prestigious Provost Scholarship from UCF and attained the Florida Academic Scholar award through Bright Futures. Truly giving her peers and underclassmen an example to emulate, Hanna did not achieve all of this without trials and obstacles to overcome. Between adjusting to a competitive school, making friends in a place where everyone was new, volunteering at a shelter, and attending both CFAA and Polk State College during her senior year, the experience had its challenges. However, with the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields becoming more prominent each year and with a bright mind like Hannah’s being propelled by her equally impressive drive, this young scholar’s future is looking very bright. And she’s also very thankful that UCF is only an hour away from family, friends, and home.

Do you like to Sing?

Then we want YOU...to join the Chorale! All ages and skill levels welcomed from Beginners to Advanced! Join us for our first rehearsal on Monday, August 20th, 2018 at 7:00pm. No auditions required however there will be vocal placements by the director.  HOLY INNOCENT'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 604 N. Valrico Road, Valrico FL 33594 REHEARSALS MONDAY NIGHTS 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM  Past Repertoire Has Included: ♪ Armed Forces Medley ♪For Good - from Wicked ♪A La Nanita Nana ♪ ♪Tshotsholoza! ♪Sure On This Shining Night ♪ Mozart’s VIVA! ♪ For further information: Call / text: 813-965-7213 Email: PCCChoraleSecretary@gmail.com @PCCommunityChorale Serving Plant City and the surrounding areas since 2008 PCCChorale 501 (c) 3 PAGE

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LOCAL

Food, Family, & Fireworks: Plant City Community Celebrates the Fourth of July BY CIERRA CRAFT

Haylee Zelko and Destiny Anderson

espite the rainy conditions on Independence Day, residents continued the long-standing tradition of attending the Plant City July 4th Celebration at the Plant City Stadium from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. Hosted by Plant City Recreation & Parks and The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, the familyoriented event included tug-a-war, crafts and bungee jumping, among other activities on the field. Jacki Gerholdt and her family have attended the July 4th celebration since 2002. “This is always fun and you run into people you haven’t seen in years,” says Gerholdt. Gerholdt’s grandson, Ace, enjoyed decorating his own apron. From balloons to outfits to face paintings, red, white and blue could be seen everywhere. Haylee Zelko and Destiny Anderson had matching patriotic face paintings. The pair agreed that the weather was not going to prevent them from celebrating the United States’ 242 years of independence. Food vendors served up kettle corn, cotton candy and mini donuts. Layla and her brother, Easton, took a break from the festivities to share a red snow cone. The patriotic extravaganza concluded with the community

standing for the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem before the firework display began at 9:15 p.m. Once again, this patriotic holiday brought a collective sense of pride for the birth of our young nation as all eyes watched the sky glitter with fireworks.

Paxtyn Pellens PAGE

LOCAL

Madame President Jodi Stevens

Plant City Rotary Club appoints its first female president BY CIERRA CRAFT | PROVIDED BY JODI STEVENS

n February 1905, Chicago attorney Paul Harris formed the first Rotary Club. The organization was designed for businessmen to form relationships, exchange ideas and give back to the community. Chapters began to pop-up across the country and ultimately the globe, leading to what is known today as Rotary International. It wasn’t until May 12, 1955, when the Plant City Rotary Club was chartered and in May 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Rotary clubs could not exclude women from membership based on gender. Thirty-one years later, in 2018, the Plant City Rotary Club appointed its first female president: Jodi Stevens. Stevens is the Manager of Medical Staff Services at South Florida Baptist Hospital. She is a graduate of Plant City High School, Hillsborough Community College’s Plant City Campus and Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Stevens is a mother of two and has

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lived in Plant City for 26 years. In addition to the Rotary Club, she also serves on the board of several community organizations including the Law Enforcement Appreciation Association and cochair of the Suncoast Credit Union Plant City Pig Jam. Stevens is a cochair for the Ambassador Program at the Florida Strawberry Festival and PTF President at First Presbyterian Early Learning Center. Her community involvement fully embodies the Rotary International motto: Service Before Self. She was drawn to the organization five years ago because of the caliber of leadership within its membership. “I see our rotary club as the movers and shakers and I wanted to be a part of it and I am so proud that I am!” said Stevens. While honored to be named the first female president, Stevens humbly gives the credit to the group as a whole. “It is a great honor to be named as our first woman president, but

there's more to our club than just the President, we are a dynamic group of leaders,” said Stevens. “I have a lot of respect for our club and its members and plan to keep the club moving in the same direction as past presidents have.” The Plant City Rotary Club participates in several events throughout the year including Community Appreciation Day, Dancing with the Locals, providing hotdogs to the Plant City Christmas Parade’s youth participants, Christmas for an Angel project, as well as the organization’s largest fundraiser, Wild Game Cook Out. Stevens says there are possibilities for a few other projects where Rotarians can give back to the community while touching people’s lives. One of the many missions of Rotary International is to battle

global health crises such as malaria, diabetes and polio. Stevens said she hopes the Plant City chapter can make a difference in eradicating polio, as there are few cases of the disease in the world. “We’re down to eleven cases in the world,” said Stevens. “It would be great to eradicate polio and begin working on eradicating another health issue.” In June 2018, Stevens attended the Rotary International Convention in Toronto, Canada, where she met Rotarians from around the world. Over 24,000 people were in attendance from over 200 countries. Stevens said she was inspired by those she met on the four-day trip. “It was amazing to see so many people with the same interest in mind,” said Steven. “Gets you fired up to go do more and do anything you can.”

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LOCAL

Kona Ice Fundrasiers for Local Schools, Teams, & Charitable Causes Local Entrepreneur Commits to Giving Back to Community Schools and Organizations BY JESSICA TCHOLAKOV | PHOTOS COURTESY OF DIANA KERR

ringing tropical tunes and cups of shaved ice everywhere it stops, Kona Ice is introducing Plant City to its distinctive blend of entertainment and gourmet frozen treats. “The communities’ first taste of our cool treats and colorful truck will keep them coming back for more,” said Diana Kerr, the local resident and entrepreneur who is ready to shift good times into overdrive in Plant City with the launch of her new food truck franchise. She shared, “It will only be a matter of time before our Kona truck captures the hearts, minds and taste buds of the neighborhoods we serve.” Kona Ice’s escape from the ordinary begins as the sounds of tropical calypso music fills the air at each event and group gathering. The fun continues as attendees get their overflowing cups of freshly shaved ice and then help themselves to any of the ten tastes on the truck’s Flavorwave™ (interactive dispensing system of the flavors to pour over fluffy snow) or the additional 20-plus flavors and 500 different combinations available. “It’s an opportunity to enjoy a unique, tropical treat,” added Kerr. “For a few dollars you can experience the excitement of the truck, flavor your own Kona Ice, donate to an organization you care about and kick back for a few minutes to enjoy sounds of the tropics. It’s an escape everyone can enjoy.”

Equally as appealing about the launch of Kona Ice of Plant City is its philanthropic commitment to the communities it serves. Kerr is continuing the mobile franchise’s tradition of donating thousands of dollars annually to local school groups, teams and community organizations. From events booked with these groups, she pledges a percentage of the proceeds from each stop. Since its nationwide launch in June 2007, Kona Ice has donated more than $50 million to community-based organizations. “Diana Kerr shares our commitment to giving back,” said Tony Lamb, founder and president of Florence, Ky.-based Kona Ice. “She wants to have a positive influence on the people in her community, whether it’s new textbooks, sports uniforms or, simply, a smile. We are proud to have her on-board. Together, we are excited to make a difference in the lives of those around us.” Beyond fundraisers, popular spots for the food truck franchise include stops throughout Plant City and surrounding towns at fairs, festivals, corporate events, neighborhood socials, church events and birthday parties. Kerr’s truck also maintains regular weekday and weekend routes. To learn more about Kona Ice of Plant City and to book your next event, contact Diana Kerr by email at dkerr@ kona-ice.com or by phone at 727-2722734. PAGE

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Lions Auxillary Bids Farewell after 76 Years of Service Group donates historic photo albums to Plant City Photo Archives BY CHERYL JOHNSTON | PHOTOS BY SILVIA DODSON

for the Lions through the years. She explained, “’We SERVE’ is the Lions Club motto and that is what the Lions Auxiliary really tried to do: SERVE.” She explained how the ladies “have spent countless hours preparing” for the pageant’s success by hosting the social for contestants, picking up trophies, assembling goodie bags for Children’s Court members, making armbands and decorations, setting up the stage, placing plants, obtaining the Children’s Court outfits and maintaining them in pristine condition. Even the queen’s robe was sewn by a member. They also prepared food for contestants and workers at rehearsals and the competition and provided breakfast for judges when necessary. Perhaps most importantly, they “made time to interact with the girls, often offering moral support at the pageant’s end. She also shared a few of the pageant’s memorable mishaps with

several contestants’ clothing, such as buttons falling off and using pliers to zip a dress. In addition to their pageant duties, the Lions Auxiliary offered a scholarship to Miss Congeniality and to a graduating senior at the three area high schools and supported Lions’ projects such as Empty Bowls, Southeastern Guide Dogs, and Eye Institute/Cocklin Center for the visually impaired. Since females can now become Lions Club members, the Auxiliary is passing the torch on to the next generation. “We will forever hold dear the memories of our past involvement,” Valdez encouraged, “but gladly pass on the behindthe-scenes contributions to others, to assure a continued successful outcome for the pageant…” She added, “We will always be here for the Lions Club when needed, and this is not the end of the friendships we’ve forged over the years.”

The Lions Auxiliary donated their scrapbooks kept through the years to the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center. Among the 13 in attendance, pictured L to R here are: Sue Davis, Nancy Burke, Nora Hanna, Silvia Dodson, Laurette Valdez, and Joyce Fulks.

he final luncheon for the Plant City Lions Auxiliary on July 7 was a time of bittersweet yet joyful memory-sharing. As members gathered to donate the group’s scrapbooks and a financial contribution to the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center, they reflected on their experiences in serving the community for the past 76 years. Chartered on March 20, 1941 with eleven members, the ladies’ group formed because wives were asked to assist with the Strawberry Festival Queen’s pageant at a time when the Lions Club membership was exclusively male. Mrs. L. E. Morgan, Jr (Elva) was the first president from 1941 into 1942. Meetings on the fourth Tuesday monthly from September through May were held in members’

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homes. In their mission to cooperate and encourage the Plant City Lions Club in its civic outreach, a goal was also to “promote friendship among the wives of the Lions Club members.” Those eleven originals (with husband’s initials in parentheses) included: Lena Andrews (O.M.), Elva Morgan (L.E.), Frankie Cone (John), Demples Clark (D.W.), Lib Barker (E.C.), Bonnie Peeples (J.B.), Ledgie Alley (Fred), Jewel Smith (Grady), Agnes Winter (Pete), Marie McEver (A.J.) and Madline Redman (J.W.) The current and final president, Joyce Fulks, welcomed those attending the luncheon and in closing, offered her gratitude for the members’ faithful service. VicePresident Laurette Valdez shared some thoughts which recalled the ladies’ attention to detail provided

Gil Gott, Executive Director of the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center accepted a donation check from Lions Auxiliary VP Laurette Valdez and Treasurer Nancy Burke.

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LOCAL

From Fairway to Fishing FOCUS Magazine to Host First Annual Charity Golf Tournament BY CIERRA CRAFT

OCUS Magazine will host the 1st Annual Hero Golf Tournament benefiting HookA-Hero on Thursday, September 6, 2018, at Buckhorn Springs Golf & Country Club. The entry fee of $100 per player includes a trip to the lunch buffet, served from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The 9-hole scramble will begin with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Players can register online at www. herogolftournament.com or call the FOCUS office at 813-707-8783 for details. Following the scramble, golfers will have the opportunity to purchase

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putts to further contribute to HookA-Hero. Hook-A-Hero is a Plant Citybased nonprofit dedicated to providing outdoor adventures, such as fishing and hunting, to first responders as a thank you for their service. Founder T.J. Romano witnessed firsthand the need for an organization to recognize the sacrifices of first responders, as he is a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. A longtime friend of Romano and Hook-A-Hero Vice President, Brandon Snyder, says 100% of the proceeds given to the organization

go directing to paying for the outdoor trips. “We are on track to raise $50,000 this year that can be used to pay for trips,” says Snyder. Nine local breweries will be on each hole offering a selection of their finest beers and ciders for purchase. The partnership with the breweries will offer not only offer beverage selections but allows the business community to support the local charity. Additionally, opportunities to win prizes from local areas sponsoring the event will be available. Currently, FOCUS is seeking contributions from businesses that would like to become event sponsors. Contact the FOCUS Magazine office for more information about sponsorship opportunities. “We want to bring the business community together to benefit a local charity,” said Mike Floyd, owner

of Floyd Publications, the publisher of FOCUS Magazine. “We decided to host the Hero Golf Tournament because we wanted to host an event for a good cause.” Floyd says this isn’t the only community event the magazine will sponsor this year. Currently, he is working out details for another community event later this fall. In February, the magazine will host its annual Anniversary Party and present Reader’s Choice Awards. FOCUS Magazine First Annual Hero Golf Tournament Thursday, September 6, 2018 Buckhorn Springs Golf & Country Club Lunch: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Shotgun start: 12:30 p.m. Contact FOCUS Magazine for more information regarding registration and sponsorships: 702 W Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Plant City, FL 33563 | 813-707-8783

813.759.9122 800.277.9722 tampa.itex.com www.itex.com PAGE

T CI ER RA CR AF IN TE RV IE W BY

Kristen Wyckoff M

ost college graduates are filling out job applications or perfecting their resumes. But Kristen Wyckoff isn’t your average college grad; she is a professional softball player. In May 2017, she began her professional career with the Akron Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). The University of South Florida graduate is now coaching at her alma mater. Back to her roots where it all began, Wyckoff is also offering softball clinics to Plant City’s youth. How many years have you played softball? “20 years. I started at age 4 on a tee ball team. My first softball team was called the Rangers.” What was the process like in transitioning from college to pro ball? “My senior year at USF I broke my hand… but I had an opportunity to try out for Akron and a Texas team. I tried out and was offered a position with the Racers the same day. I canceled my flight to Texas and two days later, I was in Akron.” How did you feel when you received the call from the General Manager at Akron? “All of my dreams had come true; I was shocked. I am a female

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professional athlete. I am a game changer to help prove female athletes can play professionally. I liked being able to help grow women’s NPF.” Why have you decided to offer clinics? “I decided to offer clinics to do something with my knowledge. Little girls can make their dreams come true, whether that’s to play in college, professionally, or if they’re in Little League, make the All-Star Team or even hit a home run.” What advice would you give to young athletes? “Never let anybody tell you, you can’t do something. You never know if you don’t try. The more you work, the more you will succeed. I’m always “if you want it, go get it.” Who do you look up to? “I look up to anyone who is trying to be better. People trying to do better for himself and to help others. That applies to life and softball.”

Find more People of Plant City on Facebook. Connecting the community one story at a time. facebook.com/peopleofplantcity Find more People of Plant City on Facebook. Connecting the community one story at a time. facebook.com/peopleofplantcity

RIBBONCUTTINGS

On Tuesday, June 12th The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Taylor's Forklift Repair & Service! The company provides prompt onsite forklift repair to much of Central and West Florida. They provide 24/7 service to their customers and have over 20 years’ experience in the industry. Owners Kim and Robbie Taylor were both born and raised in the area and have been involved in forklift repair and service for nearly two decades. "At Taylor’s Forklift, we understand the urgency of your needs. When you call us during weekday business hours, we immediately dispatch one of our service staff to your location. In most cases, we’ll have a technician on the scene within two hours." On Tuesday, June 12th The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for new member Kids Town Learning Center! Kids Town Learning Center provides unique, creative programs for children 0 – 12 years old. The children will be exposed to a wide range of activities including arts and crafts, socialization, large muscle group activities, and general learning. Kids Town Learning Center is located at 1108 Goldfinch Dr, Plant City, FL 33563. Kids Town Learning Center is open 6:30 am – 6:00 pm, weekend and after hours upon request. On Thursday, June 14th The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Edge of the Razor Barbershop INC. This old school barbershop was founded on May 25, 2017 to maintain the tradition of a gentlemen’s barber shop. "Our services focus on hair and beard cuts for men. We specialize in traditional, contemporary, and military haircuts and beard services such as shaving with straight edge razors and hot towels. We also offer hair and beard dye services. We look forward to serving the area and benefiting our community as we grow our business." On Tuesday, June 19th, The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Clayton Dermatology Group at their new location! They have been serving Plant City and the surrounding areas since 1987. Dr. Catherine Clayton and Dr. Erica Smithberger are both board-certified dermatologists. Their physician assistant, Ms. Amber Kelly also has 20 years of experience in dermatology. They offer medical dermatology services, including skin cancer treatment, as well as cosmetic services such as Botox, fillers, and micro-needling. Stop by their new office building at 2010 Thonotosassa Road. On Thursday, June 28th The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Magnolia Insurance Agency, LLC! "We are a family owned independent agency located in your neighborhood. Our company specializes in personal service to make sure our customers receive the proper coverage. We offer personal coverage as well as business coverages." PAGE

LOCAL

Did You Know?

Two of Greater Plant City’s Black Communities (Part 1 of 2) BY PLANT CITY PHOTO ARCHIVES

Bing Rooming House Museum

n Monday, May 13, 2013, a historical marker was dedicated to the Bealsville Community sponsored by the Hillsborough County Historical Advisory Council. Bealsville was founded by freed slaves shortly after the end of the Civil War in 1865, and with that in mind, let’s take a look at two historically significant black communities in the Plant City area. [Some of these data and comments are derived from a thesis written by Mark W. Kerlin, a graduate student at the University of Central Florida, titled Plant City, Florida, 1885-1940: A Study in Southern Urban Development and written in 2005. We have added some of his analyses to our data collection.]

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Following the Civil War, the Reconstruction effort that sought to repair the diverse damages of four years of war and return governmental entities, society, and the economy to a state of relative normalcy began to fade. By 1877 the Reconstruction era was over. The end of Reconstruction began the unraveling of gains the black population had achieved since the end of the war in 1865. Also with the end of the Civil War, Florida became the only frontier area east of the Mississippi. Thousands of black Americans, white Americans, and foreigners seeking new lives migrated to Florida, many to Hillsborough County and to the Plant City area. Kerwin writes that “because of

segregation and its marginalizing effect, the story of black communities, which grew in the shadows of the dominant white community, were often left unrecorded.” Hence, documentary evidence of segments of a community may be difficult to locate. It is notable that because of segregation, blacks “were relatively free from white interference where they could develop their own communities, economically and culturally. Plant City’s black community reflects both the initiative and inventiveness of its citizens and the oppression of segregation.” This is seen both in the agriculturalbased Bealsville community and the economically mixed community

which grew up around the Laura Street business district. By the late 1800s there were clear signs of the institutional development of separate black communities. Their major foundations were built around churches – the Antioch Baptist Church in Bealsville (1868) and the Allen Chapel of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (1893) in the Laura Street community. The next layer of the communities’ foundations was their schools. Bealsville was first named Howell’s Creek in honor of the assistance received from the Howell family. It was later called Antioch. Shortly after the construction of Antioch Baptist Church, in 1868, a school was started inside the church building. In 1875 the community residents built a one-room log cabin school, which continued for the next 70 years. Antioch Baptist Church, its school, and its cemetery were constructed on land donated by Alfred Beal and in 1923 the community became Bealsville. The Laura Street community in Plant City also focused on education and, following the Allen Chapel built in 1893, “a school of some variety was in operation for Plant City’s black children as early as 1898.” The community school continued in operation until about 1909-1914 when the first public school for blacks was built in Plant City. This school evolved into Midway Academy in 1920. The school continued to evolve and the higher grades became Marshall High School in 1949 and later the lower grades became Lincoln Elementary School. [Story continues in Part 2, August 2018 issue] Sources: James W. Loewen, Lies My Teacher Told Me; Quintilla Geer Bruton and David E. Bailey, Plant City; Its Origin and History; Mark W. Kerlin, Plant City, Florida, 1885-1940: A Study in Southern Urban Development; U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places; The Tampa Tribune; Tampa Bay Times; Plant City Photo Archives and History Center.

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brokepoorï¬&#x201A;.com PAGE

Skyler Barber Tomlin Middle School

GUARDIANS IN EDUCATION School Security is a Priority in Hillsborough County Feature By Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks, President/CEO-Chaplaincy Care, Inc.

Following the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018 that killed 17 and wounded 17 others, Florida enacted a law the next month requiring its schools to have at least one armed and trained law enforcement officer or "school guardian." At a May 10 press conference, Hillsborough County School Superintendent Jeff Eakins described his district as "light years" ahead of others because the county has had its own school security deputy force for over 40 years. Every Hillsborough middle and high school already has at least one officer assigned. Now, however, the district will hire -- and the Sheriff's Office will train -- more than 100 officers and supervisors to cover elementary and charter schools.The state-funded Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program, named after the football coach who died protecting those Parkland area students, will provide $6 million to the Hillsborough district for this purpose. While military and law enforcement training proves helpful, Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister considers the ideal candidate to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;someone who puts student safety first.â&#x20AC;? Caleb Callins Advantage Academy

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Meet The

Principals Bailey Elementary Jarrod Haneline

Bryan Elementary Tamethea Simmons

Buckhorn Elementary Tami Brooks

Burney Elementary Alan Black

Cork Elementary Sherri Black

Dover Elementary Gina Becker

Durant High School Pam Bowden

Jackson Elementary Michelle McClellan

“Upon the subject of education ... I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people may be engaged in.” - Abraham Lincoln

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Peyton Martin Plant City High School

Until vacancies are filled, Hillsborough deputies, along with officers from local cities and municipalities will cover in the probable two-year interim. In preparation for the 2018-2019 school year, the Hillsborough County Public School (HCPS) Security Services and Emergency Management Officers have worked diligently this summer alongside our Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). The seasoned HCSO range and classroom instructors, under the Training Division leadership of Major Ciro Dominguez, have prepared, trained, and equipped current HCPS security team members to a deeper level of tactical, technical, and professional readiness. After retiring from U.S. Navy in 2008, Officer Dennis Garcia stepped into the School Security position the same year. Regarding the new additional training required for all officers, he shared, “This great training sharpened our skills and replaced older methods with newer techniques. If you have an ax, you need to sharpen it often. You don’t sharpen it once and expect it to stay keen to do the job.” Chief John Newman, a seasoned and decorated former Tampa Police

Department assistant chief, directs the robust HCPS Security Services. Today, the district’s school safety template serves as a progressive model for countless school districts now scrambling to close their own safety gap. Qualified candidates desiring to become one of the chosen few who stand guard for our children must meet stringent requirements. Administrative secretaries Diane Turner, Patsy Chandler, and Lissette Anaya process the hundreds of applications and validate necessary documentation. Turner explained, “It takes a lot of time to ensure they meet the qualifications, especially the security background investigations.” Numerous positions are available within the Security and Emergency Management Services division. After Captain Zamir Ode provided a great three-page visual of the duties, responsibilities and competencies required by a Community School Officer - Level 2, he commented. “When you expect the best, you look for the best.”

Meet The

Principals Knights Elementary Janine Hall

Lincoln Elementary Jennifer West

Marshall Middle School Daphne Blanton

Mulrennan Middle School Tim Ducker

Nelson Elementary Mary Hewett

Pinecrest Elementary Denise Mobley

Plant City High School Susan Sullivan

Robinson Elementary Alicia Wilkerson

Once applicants accomplish the physical fitness evaluation and academy training successfully,

Kendall Gaudens Plant City High School

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Meet The

Principals they experience the HCSO four-weeks of tactical and technical weapon and firing proficiency training, including a dramatic “active School Shooter” scenario evaluation. Simmons Career Center Sundy Chazares

Springhead Elementary Ann Rushing

Strawberry Crest High School Dave Brown

Tomlin Middle School Traci Durrance

Trapnell Elementary Krissy Perkins

Turkey Creek Middle School Fredda Johnson

Valrico Elementary Tricia Simonsen

Wilson Elementary Kayla Forcucci

Walden Lake Elementary Dina Wyatt

“The Sheriff’s Office instructors are the best at what they do,” offered Officer Bob Abruzzese, an Air Force veteran and former New York policeman. “They’re very professional and truly passionate at ensuring we get the best training to help protect our kids.” Parents can rest assured. Since May 2018, three classes of 35 or more HCPS officers already in service have been retrained with the most current information and technology. Going forward, the extensive training for new guardians will greatly enhance school security.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks, President of Chaplaincy Care, serves as a Chaplain for both agencies. After completing his story’s research, he shared: “I am deeply impressed with the dedication that motivates these Officers. They desire more than a career and have responded to a higher calling -- one that could cause them to move from wearing a shield to becoming the SHIELD for our kids, teachers, staff, and community. I cannot speak for other counties, but one thing I am sure about in relation to Hillsborough County: We have guardians who serve to provide passionate protection for the hearts and minds of our children. As a Chaplain, my question to the community is this: ‘What are we doing to protect the hearts of our guardians?’ [Perhaps this will be a topic for a future story].

Katie Hamilton Tomlin Middle School

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WAYNE WIGGINS Plant City Realty

Story by Kelli Tharrington Photos by Mike Floyd Historic photo taken by Bill Friend PAGE

orn and raised in Plant City, Wayne Wiggins didn’t start out in real estate. Even before his success at Plant City Realty, he has always been a farmer at heart. While growing up on the family farm, his father W. J. “Bill” Wiggins contracted tuberculosis when Wayne was just 5 years old. He spent nine months in the hospital and Wayne had to grow up fast. “I learned the nature of people and saw our community come together to help my family.” Wayne remembers a relative showing up at 7:30 in the morning on a tractor. When asked what he was doing, he said that he had finished his own chores early and was there to help. “It was very clear that he had not even begun his work for the day.”

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Though Wayne’s father recovered and lived to see 73, the impact of the TB took its toll on him physically. “When I was in 7th grade my father turned everything over to my brother and me.” With the help of their mother, the brothers farmed their way through school. “Everything I know about life I learned on the farm,” said Wiggins. “I learned honesty, integrity, and hard work. I learned how to help people and to be helped.” Those lessons showed through in his life and business. During his days at Plant City High School, Wayne and his FFA classmates loaded hampers of peas harvested from the FFA chapters’ agricultural fields and took them to the State Farmer’s Market to be auctioned off. As the hampers were being weighed after the sale, it was realized some did not weigh

enough. So, Wayne began removing the lids from the hampers and started filling up the light ones to make weight. “We were about two hampers shy when we finished, but now I could live with myself. You just have to be honest and if you’re going to do something, do it right.” Another day at the auction reinforced this belief. This time it was eggplant on the auction block and it was his family crop. “We grew eggplant as a way to get through the summer.” They were popular and Wayne sold what was on the truck, but there were more eggplant at the farm to be sold. There would not be enough time to go home and return before the auction ended. Joe Whishnatzski would often ask if there were more at home. If Wayne said yes, he would tell the auctioneer, “Let’s go ahead and sell them now. He will just drop them off later.” It was

“You have to care about what you put out there. It’s a product with my name on it... then that Wayne knew being a man of integrity was the way to live life. “You just have to be a man of your word, it’s everything.” Through the years that followed, Wayne and his wife Juanita owned and operated Wiggins Dairy, a very successful business that processed and bottled the milk from the cows they raised. “You have to care about what you put out there. It’s a product with my name on it and it has to be right.” When Wayne sold the dairy business and changes were made to how the milk was processed that were not agreed to, Wayne showed up at the dairy plant, went inside and took all the Wiggins Dairy labels to the dumpster. “The deal was off, it was my name and it wasn’t what people expected,” he said. After selling the dairy, Wayne decided he would retire, take it easy, and play a little bit. “It was about then that I realized I never learned how to play. I was always taught that you had to get your work done first and then you could play, but I have always loved my work.” Retirement lasted about four months and Wayne set out to find a new way of serving his community with honesty and integrity. In 2001 he started Plant City Realty. Wayne realized he had been playing all along. “When you love what you do and you do it the right way, it’s not work,” he said. He has applied all the same qualities of farming to real estate. At Plant City Realty people are

treated fairly and honesty guides the entire process. “We try to help you find a realistic balance between your needs and wants,” Wayne shared. “We want you to know the good, the bad, and the ugly, so you can make an informed decision.” He added, “If I just tell someone what they want to hear, that’s just being a salesman and you’re just helping yourself, not necessarily helping the customer. Buying or selling real estate is very likely the largest financial decision people make in their lifetime. If the customer makes a mistake due to lack of information, they will have to live with it for a long time; I don’t want that on my conscience.” Plant City Realty takes the time with every client to help them find property that will fit their needs. If they see an issue during the process, whether it’s financing, inspections, or repairs, the team at Plant City Realty will strongly encourage getting a second opinion. Since Wayne has built a strong and positive reputation in Plant City and Hillsborough County, he will contact the lenders, inspectors, or contractors he has a relationship with to get his client an honest and fair deal. “Greed gets you nowhere and will not make you happy and I want my clients to be happy,” he explained. “Like my daddy always said, ‘You can’t make yourself taller by standing on someone else’s shoulders.’”

Ardene and Wayne Wiggins farming eggplant in 1963.

...and it has to be right.” Plant City Realty 208 W. Baker Street 813-763-0840 plantcityrealty.com PAGE

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Plant City's

Top Realtors

Featuring

Blue Sun Realty Property buyers and sellers have good reasons to consider investing in real estate in our area this year. According to Pat Comstock, Realtor, GRI, with Signature Realty, “Overall, we are still in a very healthy market. Although cooling somewhat, In our area the market is still hot. For buyers, interest rate increases affects how much they can afford and low levels of inventory is frustrating. For sellers, the price climb has slowed and we are seeing a few problems with appraisals coming in at sale price. Fortunately, qualified buyers can benefit from down payment assistance programs and sellers are still seeing a good return on their investment. Real estate is still the best investment you can make!” Angie Inzerillo, Blue Sun Realty Broker, says today is “the best time to sell your current home and buy your dream home.” Many builders are increasing their inventories as a result of “the lowest number of homes on the market and pricing near 2006 peak levels. This should level out price increases, so it’s a great time to downsize or move up. Plant City is a target for buyers desiring to be near their Tampa jobs, and with all our community offers, we’re seeing an increase in demand.” A quick check at Zillow.com confirms the market in Hillsborough County remains in a positive mode. Here are a few helpful statistics: • Median home value: $212,700 • Home values up 10.4% this year; Zillow predicts 6.8% rise within next 365 days • Median list price/square foot: $137 (lower than Tampa Metro average $141) • Median price of homes currently listed: $268,528

• • • •

Median price of homes sold: $215,200 Median rent price: $1,500 (same as Tampa Metro) Percent of delinquent mortgages: 2.3% (higher than national value of 1.6%) As a result of the peak to trough dip in home values between 2007-2011, 9.3% of homeowners in Hillsborough County are underwater on their mortgages (higher than Tampa Metro at 9.0%) • Generally, the active Hillsborough real estate market usually sees fewer sales in December-January and the highest number around May. We hope you’ll be encouraged by the thoughts of several other local realtors on the business in eastern Hillsborough County. “Our market conditions are very favorable right now,” offered John L. Haney, President & Managing Broker of Ace Realty Advisors, LLC and Auction Consulting Experts, LLC. “For buyers, the interest rates are still low and lenders are lending. For sellers, the supply of properties is limited and demand is strong. Most importantly, the Plant City area is poised for significant growth in the near future. It’s our time to shine.” Renee Corzine of Keller Williams agrees and encourages those considering a home purchase. “Rather than pay rent building your landlord’s equity, buy a home to build your own equity.” Sounds like great advice! And what better place to make a house a home than Plant City. Now is the perfect time to shop local and shopping with a pro saves time, energy, and money. You can begin your journey by finding a great realtor in the following pages. PAGE

Plant Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Realtors

JohnHaney

Ace Realty Advisors, LLC \ 813-716 5108 \ jhaney@acebid.com

John is the President and Managing Broker of Ace Realty Advisors based right here in historic downtown Plant City. During his 18+ year career, he has sold real estate in almost every county in Florida, 41 states and 3 foreign countries. He is particularly skilled in commercial real estate sales and leasing but handles all types of property, both locally and abroad. John is also heavily involved in numerous civic organizations. He is a board member of the Plant City Rotary Club, a board member of Plant City Main Street, and a member of the Plant City Economic Development Corporation. A lifelong resident of Plant City, he is married to Amy, his wife of 17 years and they have a son Ryan. Together they own and operate a 100 acre cattle ranch just northeast of town.

EarlWilliams

ACE Realty Advisors \ 813-716-0834 \ Earl@acebid.com

With over 12 years of professional experience and closing transactions in 36 states, Earl Williams has assisted buyers and sellers with real estate needs through various methods including traditional methods,auctions and foreclosures. Being a Plant City native and lifelong resident has made Earl an expert in understanding market conditions in this area. His knowledge in commercial, residential, agricultural and larger land tracts has made him a valuable asset to the ACE Realty Team. He also consults on agricultural exemptions and regularly assists with parcel splits to maximize the income and value potential for his clients.

CrystalMeade

Better Homes and Gardens Olive Branch Realty \ 813-310-2911 \ crystal_meade@yahoo.com

Crystal is a licensed realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Olive Branch who loves working with first time home buyers. She is an expert in the greater Lakeland area as well as Plant City, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, and Wesley Chapel. Having raised her 4 children in Plant City, she is ideal for and can help guide people looking to raise families in these towns.

StephanieEisenbach

Blue Sun Realty \ 813-468-0230 \ Stephanie@BlueSunRealty.com

Stephanie is a licensed real estate agent with Blue Sun Realty. As a Tampa native, she enjoys sharing all that her community has to offer with home buyers. She is very active in the Plant City community. She is outgoing, personable and truly loves helping people. She specializes with first time home buyers, and has a passion for helping others.

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Plant Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Realtors

AngieInzerillo

Blue Sun Realty \ 813-230-4453 \ angie@bluesunrealty.com

Angie Inzerillo is the Broker of Blue Sun Realty, the top selling Independent real estate company in Plant City with 10 years of experience offering honest, intelligent solutions while using technology, video, drones, social media and more to help our clients find and sell homes fast. Awarded the Zillow.com Real Estate expert designation and proud to have 100+ FIVE Star reviews on Zillow, Yelp and Google from your neighbors. We THANK YOU so much for the opportunity to help you, your friends and family. If you are looking for a family oriented Realtor who Saves Them Money & Time and who builds relationships with exceptional results and also an expert in the industry-contact Angie at Blue Sun Realty.

NicoleMoody

Blue Sun Realty \ Nichole@BlueSunRealty.com \ 813-802-3452

Nichole Moody is a real estate professional for Blue Sun Realty. Licensed in Real Estate since 2006, Nichole offers her clients an outstanding level of service. Her personal experience purchasing, renovating, owning and selling property, allows Nichole to excel at every level of the real estate transaction. Prior to earning her real estate license, and after studying to get her paralegal degree, Nichole worked for many years as a Paralegal with firms whose focus was in the areas of Real Estate and Corporate Law. Nichole has extensive knowledge in all aspects of the foreclosure process, short sales, reviewing and summarizing title commitments, surveys and commercial and residential real estate transactions. Combining her strong work ethic with her extensive background as a paralegal and her dedication to continued education in her field, Nichole provides an unsurpassed choice for anyone ready to buy or sell a home.

AshleyCarlisle

Keller Williams Realty \ 813-523-5959 \ ashleycarlisle@kw.com

Ashley Carlisle has lived in Hillsborough County her whole life. She grew up in Brandon, graduated from Bloomingdale High School, and lives in Plant City. Even as a child, Ashley wanted to be a realtor. Ashley is a wealth of knowledge on the local real estate market and also does property management. She really enjoys helping people and is very excited when they find their dream home. Building and continuing relationships with her clients is paramount to her business as is the flexibility of being her own boss in a demanding 24/7 career. In her down time, Ashley loves fishing and being on the water.

ReneeCorzine

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Keller-Williams \ 813-716-6007

For over 17 years, Renee has used her skills and experience to help buyers and sellers accomplish their goals. Specialties include First-Time Home Buyers, Bank Foreclosures, Short Sales, Families Upsizing, Families Downsizing, Vacant Land, and New Construction. As a full-time,full-service realtor, Renee performs above and beyond expectations to facilitate a smooth real estate transaction. In the first six months of 2018, Renee closed transactions for 15 fantastic buyers and sellers. Renee has been married to Don, lead pastor at Plant City Community Church of the Nazarene, for 33 years. They are blessed with four amazing adult daughters, two sons-in-law and one 8 month old granddaughter. Whatever your real estate needs, Renee is ready to apply her real estate knowledge to make your dreams a reality!

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Plant City’s Top Realtors

TammyJenkins

Keller-Williams Realty \ 813-478-9885 \ tjenkins68@hotmail.com

Tammy Jenkins was born and raised in the Plant City area. Her grandparents and parents owned and operated familyowned businesses that served the Plant City area for over 50 years, thus teaching Tammy the importance of “being good at what you do” and “wanting to take care of your customers.” As a Plant City High student she began to be a hairstylist and was a very successful hair dresser for over 16 years. In 2001, she took a leap of faith and made a career change to become a real estate professional, applying the same personal principles. Tammy has become a consistent top producer with Keller Williams Realty of Plant City, and gladly serves the Central Florida Market. Tammy strives to treat her clients with Honesty, Integrity, and Compassion.

CathyMartin

Keller Williams Realty \ 813-376-0891 \ cmartin4re@kw.com

Cathy, a native Floridian, has lived in the Plant City area her entire life. She is married to Greg, and together they have four children: Kyle, Jared, Kaitlyn, and Ben. Cathy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance at USF. Prior to becoming a Realtor, she worked in the Financial Services Industry and held various licenses for securities trading. Cathy has been a Realtor since 2005 and works diligently with each client to make sure the Buying or Selling of their home is a smooth process. She served on Keller Williams Agent Leadership Council in 2007, is a member of the KW Capper’s Club, and serves in various capacities within the community. She feels that hard work and integrity are the key components to a successful business and strives for excellence with each customer.

LisaRhodes

Keller Williams Realty \ LisaRhodes@kw.com \ 813-376-8294

Lisa Rhodes is a licensed REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty who helps her clients realize their dreams of home ownership. She is a member of the National Association of Realtors and The Greater Tampa Area Realtors. Cultivating a career in real estate began nearly 30 years ago with her work in custom home building. This experience primed her as an expert in all facets of the real estate industry; including construction, estimating, plan review, project management, and interior design. In addition, Lisa is currently co-owner of Plant City Handyman, Inc., which has furthered her insight in home repairs, remodels, and the latest trends in home design. Whether buying or selling, the key to your real estate success is choosing an experienced REALTOR who understands the building process from the ground up. Lisa Rhodes’ expertise will help you open the door to your real estate dreams.

HildaRivas

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Keller Williams Realty \ hildarivas@kw.com \ 813-953-8344

Hilda Rivas was born in Tampa, Florida and was raised in Plant City her whole life. She studied Business Management and received her A.A. degree in Fine Arts. With the encouragement of her family, she started Real Estate in 2017. Being bilingual is an advantage she plans on pursuing to become well known within the Hispanic community. She believes that Real Estate is an avenue of never ending knowledge and continues to educate herself in this field. She pursues her passion with Keller Williams to help people buying or listing their home have a pleasant and worry-free experience.

Lisa A. Rhodes

Direct: (813)376-8294 LisaRhodes@kw.com 1607 S. Alexander St. , Plant City, FL 33563

therhodesrealtygroup.com

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Plant City’s Top Realtors

ShannonSchulte

Keller Williams Realty \ 813-759-3207 \ shanonschulte@kw.com

Shanon has lived in Plant City her entire life. She has been married to Eric for 22 years and they have 3 children, Erin, Alli, and Zachary. Shanon graduated from PCHS in 1986 and Florida Southern in 1990. Shanon is an active member of First Baptist Church Plant City and enjoys volunteering in their children’s ministry. Whether you are buying or selling a home, Shanon is eager to help you get to the closing table.

CandaceWatson

KP Realty Services \ candywatson.realtor@gmail.com \ 813-478-4410

Candy is a Plant City native, born and raised in the community of Turkey Creek. Her father and grandfather owned and operated poultry farms until 1989. Then they moved to Hardee County where her parents continued a business in agriculture. In 2001 she moved back home to Plant City and resides in her grandparents family home in the Turkey Creek area. After 7 years of home educating her children, she is starting a new career as a Real Estate Agent for KP Realty Services, Inc. She provides a high standard of services for Buyers, Sellers, Investors and Property Management. Follow her on social media @sassysouthernrealtor.

HeatherCampbell

McGrath Poppell & Company Inc. \ 813-478 0296 \ HeatherC@JustSoldbyHeather.com

Whether buying or selling, Heather Campbell loves the excitement of seeing her customers at the closing table. She strives to meet them at a personal level and provides outstanding service and communication. From contract to close she makes sure everything runs as smooth as possible. Heather was born and raised in Plant City and is extremely knowledgeable of the area. She is very active in the Plant City community and enjoys sharing all that her community has to offer with home buyers. Heather had over 4 Million in sales last year and is highly motivated and ready to work for you!

PatriciaSmith

McGrath Poppell & Company \ 863-738-0593 \ ctsmith2@aol.com

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I’ve lived in Plant City all my life and truly enjoy the small town feeling. Supporting my community by volunteering at The United Food Bank, working with Habitat for Humanity & being a Strawberry Festival volunteer is very important to me. I love being able to give back to the community. Being a local girl, I am very familiar with the Hillsborough County area and surrounding communities including Pasco and Polk Counties. I am personable, a go getter, dedicated and committed to keeping in regular touch with my customers. Maintaining relationships with past customers has allowed me to continually grow my business. Having been a Realtor for 12 plus years has given me a wealth of knowledge, the ability to negotiate and the experience needed to be a Top Realtor that puts my customers’ needs first. I truly enjoy helping people make their dreams come true! AND REMEMBER, I am with McGrath Poppell & Company.

Melissa Connell

“Turning Dreams Into Reality, One key at a Time.” “Melissa from the very beginning was great to work with. She listened to our needs and was patient with us as we made up our minds. She is a great Realtor and if you are looking for someone who knows their stuff, then call Melissa Connell!” Kelvin Mathis “We have had SEVERAL transactions with buying and selling, Melissa is an excellent Realtor and knows how to get things done!” - Kenny McIntosh “I was beyond blessed to have had Melissa as our Realtor to turn our wants aka DREAMS into reality! It was a pleasure going through this journey with her! Charity Miller

Multi-Million Dollar Producer Melissa Connell of Dream Realty Group, has been selling real estate for over 14 years. Born and raised in the Plant City community, she specializes in residential, commercial, and vacant land sales. Although Plant City is her home, Melissa has mastered her craft in multiple areas including Hillsborough, Polk, and Pasco counties. The key to Melissa’s success in this ever-changing real estate market is her knowledge of market trends, her ability to always put her clients and their needs first and lastly, the team of other professionals that she has aligned herself with. Coined as the “Dream Maker” with Fierce negotiating skills, Melissa’s passion to help the dreams of her clients come true is her priority. 625 Commerce Dr. #206 | Lakeland, FL 33813 myfloridahomefinder@gmail.com | DreamRealtyGroup.net

We would like to WELCOME

Arden White to the Family!

McGrath Poppell & Co. is excited to announce Arden White as a new up and coming agent to Plant City that has joined our team. We can’t wait to see what a younger, fresh perspective will bring to our already great town and bustling market. Welcome Arden!

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Plant City’s Top Realtors

ArdenWhite

McGrath Poppell & Company, Inc. \ 813-957-0534 \ ardenwrealtor@gmail.com

Arden White is a Plant City native and a licensed Realtor under McGrath Poppell & Company, Inc. Arden was raised in the world of real estate, and has developed extensive knowledge on the industry. She is passionate about helping clients buy or list their home at the perfect price. She puts the client first, and always brings hard work and integrity to every transaction.

SandiSasser

Re/Max Real Estate Professionals \ sandi@sandisellstamps.com

Sandi is a born and raised Floridian who lived most of her life in Plant City. She graduated from Plant City High School and enjoys her hometown’s small town charm and big town amenities. She is a licensed Realtor with 14 years of experience. Being a Buyer’s Agent and Listing Agent along with specializing in Relocation and Commercial Real Estate, Sandi can cover your real estate needs from Start to SOLD. She has the experience to help buyers find the home of their dreams and the knowledge to help sellers receive top dollar.

PatComstock

Signature Realty \ Direct 813-759-9449 \ Cell 813-763-5524 \ patcomstock@msn.com

Ever wonder what keeps a long time Realtor in the business? Ask Pat! “The satisfaction of sitting at the closing table with smiles all around keeps motivating me to continue selling real estate:. “It takes a lot of patience to get as far as the closing table, but it’s such a wonderful feeling, knowing you have helped someone accomplish their dream of home ownership”. And she must be doing something right because approximately 90% of her business comes to her through referrals from past clients, which is a great testimony. Call her and you will see why she is so highly recommended!

JenniferKoch

This Sold House Realty Inc. \ jenniferkoch@thissoldhouseinc.net \ 813-764-5124

If you're looking for an experienced listing agent look no further. Jennifer is a native of Florida and has been in Plant City for 20 years. She is a member of Greater Tampa Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors. Her employing broker is This Sold House Inc. She has experience in Commercial and Business sales. She is a New Home Specialist saving buyers money on new homes. She thoroughly completes the transactions in order to ensure your buying or selling experience runs smooth. PAGE

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REAL ESTATE

Do you have an FHA mortgage loan? BY NATE DAVIS, FLORIDA MORTAGE FIRM

eople who bought or refinanced their home with an FHA loan may be in a position to save a lot of money. With the recent increase in real estate values, there is a strong possibility that they can benefit from what I am about to tell you, saving them and their families their hardearned money. Most FHA mortgages carry something called “mortgage insurance,” which is paid monthly — with the mortgage payment. I have a way either to reduce, or remove the monthly mortgage

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insurance payment. Depending on the homeowner’s equity position, he or she may be able to convert the FHA loan into a conventional loan — without mortgage insurance — with no money out of pocket. Additionally, when they refinance an escrowed mortgage loan such as an FHA loan, not only do they have the opportunity to save on their monthly payment, but they also may be able to skip a mortgage payment. Furthermore, they may also receive an escrow refund from their existing mortgage. If you or someone you know has

an FHA mortgage loan from 2012 or prior, then they should call my team at 813.707.6200 to see if they can financially benefit from this. We are

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REAL ESTATE

Walden Lake Review BY NATALIE SWEET

Boulevard is mid-August and the milling, resurfacing and reconstruction of Timberlane is set for late August. Please note that this schedule is subject to change. During the month of June, there were 7 sales in Walden Lake and no sales in Walden Lake East. The average sale price was $230,000 with an average of 15 days on the market. There are currently 25 active listings for sale in Walden Lake with prices ranging from $180,000 to $949,000. The average list price is $342,900 and an average of 51 days on the market. There are currently 14 properties Pending Contract with an average list price of $245,964 and average of 26 days on the market. Although we are seeing increasing numbers of listings staying on the market for a longer period of time, the current

he Walden Lake Community Association Board Meetings are the third Monday of each month at the Walden Lake Community Association office building on Griffin Boulevard in Walden Lake. The next meetings are scheduled for August 20th and September 17th at 7:00 PM. There will not be a meeting in July. The meetings are open to all Walden Lake residents. Watch the announcement boards at all entrances for dates and times for special meetings and events. You should have paid your invoice for the 2nd half of the 2018 dues. Paying your fees in a timely manner is appreciated by the Board, keeps you from being assessed any additional fees or interest, and helps save money for the community. The new tentative schedule for the milling and resurfacing of Griffin

The June sales are as follows: Address

Sales Price

Living Area

Pool

Garage

106 Valencia Court N

$146,000

1581 Sq’

Community

2 Car

3323 Steinbeck Place

$175,000

1258 Sq’

2 Car

3423 Silverstone Court

$185,500

1571 Sq’

Yes

2 Car

2006 N Golfview Drive

$236,500

2892 Sq’

Yes

2 Car

4113 Kipling Avenue

$253,000

2216 Sq’

Yes

2 Car

3026 Spring Hammock Drive

$299,000

2142 Sq’

Yes

2 Car

3225 Kilmer Drive

$315,000

2485 Sq’

Yes

2 Car

Sales and Pending Contracts show that if a home is priced well, in good condition, it will sell quickly and close to asking price. During the summer, The United Food Bank is in need of non-perishable items particularly for children. Our HOA office is a

convenient drop off location,so please consider dropping off a few items and the HOA will be sure to get those items to the food bank for you. Feel free to contact me about any real estate questions or about this article. NSweet@KW.com or 813-758-9586.

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FOCUSBUSINESS

First Response Heating & Cooling BY CIERRA CRAFT | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MATT ROBERTS

irst Response Heating & Cooling, LLC is the brainchild of Matthew Roberts and Bryan Chapman. The 24/7 heating, ventilation and cooling company began in early 2018 after the men met working at a residential air conditioning company. Working in air conditioning was a family business for Roberts, as her grandfather owned an A/C business in Plant City. “After graduating high school, I decided to work in the industry,” says Roberts. “I got my foot in the door working for a company that serviced and installed AC units on Verizon and AT&T cell phone towers. I traveled the southeastern United States for about six years before changing over to a

residential company that allowed me to be home at night with my family. I worked for them for five years. This is where Bryan and I met and decided it was time for us to do our own thing.” Bryan Chapman’s journey into the A/C industry began in 2005 when he joined a Trade School Apprenticeship Program, where he learned new construction and installation replacement systems. “I traveled the state doing large scale commercial jobs for a few years,” says Chapman. “After finishing trade school, I started doing service work for residential, commercial and industrial AC systems. I extended my education by taking classes and training for pool heaters, ice machines and refrigeration. I moved to

Bryan Chapman enjoys trouble-shooting and problem-solving to ensure customers enjoy their climate-controlled homes and businesses. PAGE

Matthew Roberts and Bryan Chapman established their 24/7 heating, ventilation and cooling company in early 2018 after they met while working for another A/C company.

Hillsborough County in 2013 and worked for another company for 5 years then decided to take the next step and get licensed and partner with Matthew Roberts and start our own company.” First Response currently serves Plant City, Brandon, Lakeland, Tampa and wherever service is needed. The company offers repairs, maintenance, and installation services all units of all sizes. Roberts says the business is named First Response because they strive to take care of anyone’s air conditioning needs in a timely manner. “We work 24/7 to ensure our clients have someone to call if they have an after-hours emergency,” said Roberts. “We have fully stocked trucks on the road, so 99% of the time we can fix any issue we come in contact with. This also saves our clients time and allows us to get the systems back up and running much faster.” First Response Heating & Cooling, LLC is different than other A/C companies because building a relationship with clients is at the center of everything they do. “We decided to have more of a relationship with our clients,” Roberts explained. “We make sure all of our clients are satisfied

with our work. We follow up with every client to make sure the maintenance, repair or replacement went exactly like we said it would.” Clients have described the crew at First Response as “knowledgeable,” “honest,” and “fast.” These values are the foundation of First Response’s business model. Bryan Chapman says the men built their business around their core values and beliefs, including integrity and honesty. While some home service companies may feel rewarded with money in their pocket, Matt Roberts says the reward comes from customer satisfaction after a job well done. “The most rewarding part about this is when I walk into a home that the A/C has broken and I am able to fix it and get the home cooled back down for that particular family,” said Roberts. “The smiles light up the room after they can start to feel a difference in the home.”

First Response Heating & Cooling, LLC

License # CAC1819392 Plant City, FL 813-756-3899 1stresponseairconditioning.com 1stresponsehvac1@gmail.com Open 24 hours/7 days week

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SPORTS

Athlete of the Month Abigale DeVane

“Reel Blonde Angler” BY TARYN STORTER

to the Savannah College of Art and Design, she was ecstatic. “I felt so blessed to receive more than I thought I ever would,” she shared. Abigale is not only an exceptional athlete. She is also involved in her community. While in high school, Abigale was the 2017 Plant City High School Miss August, a member of the 2017 Plant City High School FFA Sweetheart Court, and the 2018 Strawberry Crest High School Miss March. When asked where she finds her inspiration, Abigale offered: “I always want to keep up with the change. In fishing, we are constantly trying to figure out where the fish are and what they are wanting to eat. I love the challenge of trying to figure out what these fish are doing at all different times of the year.” Abigale had incredible advice

for younger athletes, “I always hear people saying that it’s too late to get a scholarship or that they didn’t grow up playing a sport. My advice is, ‘Don’t worry if you haven’t been playing one sport for your entire life! It’s okay to play different sports and find out what you really like! I was a junior in high school before I began competing competitively, and I still got a scholarship. It is not too late.” As for the future, Abigale wants to set new records as a female who fishes competitively. She also wants to be the first female angler to qualify for certain tournaments and is excited for the opportunity to reach these goals at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Keep your eye on Abigale DeVane, Plant City! She is a “Reel Blonde Angler” ready to take on the collegiate fishing world.

Abigale Devane shows off her huge catch.

bigale DeVane is a college freshman whose passion is fishing. As a recent Strawberry Crest High School graduate she has competed in countless fishing tournaments and has even received a full tuition athletic bass fishing scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design. Throughout her childhood, Abigale competed in numerous sports, including softball, soccer, cheerleading, basketball, and even golf. But she found her passion when she started fishing. “My favorite sport is competitive bass fishing,” she explained, “because unlike many other sports, PAGE

guys don’t have an advantage over the girls. In this sport, it doesn’t matter how tall, how fast, or how coordinated you are. It is just about who works the hardest and spends the most time practicing.” While participating in fishing tournaments throughout high school, Abigale has earned two “Top 5” finishes, as well as, multiple “Top 10” finishes. She is extremely excited to continue her fishing career in college. One of her fishing career goals was to earn a college scholarship. When she learned she had received the Bobby Lane fishing scholarship, as well as a full tuition scholarship

Abigale’s father, Derek, encouraged her passion for fishing.

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SPORTS

Sports Team of the Month

Plant City Little League’s 2018 Major League Softball All Stars District 4 Champions BY TARYN STORTER | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KIM GIFFORD

The 2018 Major League Florida District 4 Champions, The Plant City All Stars!

he Plant City Little League’s 2018 Major League Softball All Stars are an incredible team of young girls who aspire to go far in their softball careers. This opportunity allows girls from all around Plant City to compete against All Star teams from other areas in various tournaments. In June, the Plant City All Star team took home the victory at the District 4 tournament. They played an extremely tough “best of three games” set against Lake Wales. The girls won the first two games with scores of 4-3. Head Coach Jeff Ness explained,

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“The girls had their first challenge at the district tournament in Lake Wales, June 23rd and 24th. Plant City struggled to get their bats going until the second half of the game on both Saturday and Sunday. Eventually, Plant City started hitting the ball and had come from behind victories with a final score of 4-3 against Lake Wales in both games. Kaden Hall had a big hit on Saturday to help push Plant City ahead. Kaylee Bowers had the big hit to help clinch the District Title on Sunday. Amy Bak pitched two outstanding complete games and was named the Most Valuable Player for the District Tournament for Plant

City.” The coaches who led the team to victory are Head Coach Jeff Ness, along with Marc Zeff and Jason Bowers. The efforts these men poured into their team this year clearly paid off, as the girls are headed to the next level in their All Star season. Coach Ness added, “The entire team has worked hard in the post season and hopes to get through the Sectional Tournament.” A double header is scheduled for Saturday, July 7 at the Little League complex in Zephyrhills. This will again be a best two of three games.

If needed, the girls will play a third game on Sunday, July 8. The girls are so excited to compete at the sectional tournament. Happy with this honor, they are prepared to take home another victory. The All Star team members include Amy Bak, Kaylee Bowers, Cadence Friks, Grace Gifford, Kaden Hall, Emily Peacock, Mallory Ness, Kaylin Raines, Caris Schneider, Shelby Tomasina, Natalie Whitman, and Ava Zeff.

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EXTRA

Leaders in Faith Kyle & Hayley Judah Transforming Life Church BY CHERYL JOHNSTON

astor Kyle Judah and his wife Hayley, both Plant City natives, are a team at Transforming Life Church. Describing her as “right by my side in ministry,” he added: “She helps take so many things off my plate so I can focus on preaching and casting vision. Also, she might be more holy than I am.” Married for nine years, they have two children: Aiden, 6 and Ansley, 3. They appreciate the small town atmosphere, values, and relationships because “People were meant to do life together.” Kyle earned his Bachelor’s degree in Church Leadership from Southeastern University, while Hayley, who works as the math resource teacher at Springhead Elementary accomplished her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education at Saint Leo University and Florida Southern, respectively. Kyle enjoys golf and together they love the beach and movies. Raised in church, Kyle “grew up knowing about God,” but shared he “finally owned my faith after a season of doubt in middle and high school.” He credits the “amazing people in my church” for helping him to “experience God on my own and not just live off my parent’s faith.” What led you to Transforming Life? I have been in ministry 15 years as a worship, youth, and now lead pastor. For the past 7 years, I was the Youth Pastor at Arise Assembly of God at Brandon. We loved being in ministry there but our home and roots are in Plant City. My prayer had always been to serve in my hometown, so when we learned of the Lead Pastor position opening at TLC, we felt it would be an amazing opportunity—and apparently so did

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God. We have been serving here for since December 2017. What do you enjoy most about your work? I love to see God move in people’s lives. Obviously people experiencing salvation is amazing, but we love also to help people discover their God-given gifts and talents and engage in ministry with us. We long to see lives changed, marriages restored and people developing a relationship with Jesus. Favorite Scripture? Proverbs 3:5-6 has helped me through many dark times and answered that ‘Why’ question we all ask when things don’t seem right. ‘Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.’ We can choose to have much worry, stress, and frustration or be reminded we were not meant to do life alone and that God’s ways are best. Any suggestions about the Christian faith? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Nothing has made more sense in my life than trusting Him. Once a person becomes a Christ-follower, I would offer: Don’t allow your walk to be simply something else you do in your schedule. Make your relationships with Jesus the center and most important part of your life. What do you think is your church’s special appeal to locals? We believe the church exists so people can encounter God through life-changing experiences. We

choose to be the church by engaging with our community. One saying here at TLC is: ‘See a need, meet a need.’ That includes praying for the sick, seeing a neighbor in need, or helping someone financially as we’re able. At TLC we partner also with multiple schools and the Pregnancy Care

Center. A question we always ask is: ‘If our church ceased to exist, would it hurt the community?’ Service times at Transforming Life Church, 3805 Turkey Creek Road, are 10 a.m. on Sundays and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. The church began with tent revivals in 1950 and built its first building in 1954. Visit tlchurchpc. com to learn more.

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EXTRA

Candy’s Corner BY CANDY OWENS

School days, school days, Dear old Golden Rule days, Readin’ and writin’ and ‘rithmatic Taught to the tune of the hickory stick. …I was a girl in Calico and you were a barefoot boy.

irls in Calico and barefoot boys! Hey…wait a minute and hold the phone, a new state of the art push button phone. Back when I entered first grade at Jackson Elementary in 1968, our world as we know it today was in a much different place. Our President was Lyndon B. Johnson, our Vice-President was Hubert H. Humphrey, the cost of a new home was $26,000.00, a first-class postage stamp was 5 cents, a gallon of gas was 34 cents, a dozen eggs cost 53 cents, and a gallon of milk was $1.07. The year 1968 was a turning point in American history—for our nation and its people. A year of vivid colors, startling sounds, and searing images. A year full of turbulent events that changed America forever. From the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the Vietnam War, pop culture and free love, civil rights and women’s rights. Yes, 1968 was a year that rocked our country. Elementary school girls of 1968 showed their fashionable side with bright pinks and yellows along with dramatic pleats in their dresses and bold florals, stripes, and polka dots. Puffy sleeves, long bow collars, and tent dresses were popular, along with jumpers, pant dresses, and turtleneck tops. Elementary school boys of 1968 wore button down shirts, mock turtleneck zip-ups, and trousers with a single pleat. Girls’ shoes included penny loafers, sandals, GoGo boots, and Keds tennis shoes. Boys wore loafers, Dingo boots, sandals, and tennis shoes. Boys’ haircuts were neat and orderly with the “just out of the barber shop” look. Girls wore their hair long or cut off short in a “Pixie” style with adornments such as hairbands, yarn ribbons, and barrettes. Our school day began when the

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school bell rang at 8 a.m., followed by a tardy bell at 8:05 a.m. Our teacher called the roll and then we stood as a class with our hands over our hearts to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and close with a moment of silent prayer. Students looked forward to a fifteen minute recess, or what we called “break,” around 10 a.m., during which time we would go outside and chat with our friends while enjoying a carton of chilled and a piece of fruit or whatever you brought from home. I always tried to avoid bringing bananas because every time I got mine peeled, someone would be horsing around and knock it in the dirt. After the break we would head back to our classroom and work until lunchtime, my other favorite time of the day. You could buy a lunch ticket for 35 cents and a milk ticket for 5 cents. Our lunchroom manager was Mrs. Cotton and she, along with her staff, made the best Beef-a-roni, yeast rolls, and peanut butter cookies you’ve ever put in your mouth. Bringing your lunch to school was also very popular back then. Most kids carried a metal lunchbox themed with their favorite TV show. Boys liked lunchboxes with Gentle Ben, Lost in Space, Gilligan’s Island, Land of the Giants, Mission Impossible, Hogan’s Heroes, Get Smart, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lassie, Snoopy, Huckleberry Hound, Astronauts, Bonanza, Daniel Boone, and Batman. Girls preferred Family Affair, Laugh-In, The Banana Splits, The Archies, Junior Nurse, Disneyland, The Brady Bunch, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Julia, Mary Poppins, The Monkees, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, The Flying Nun, Barbie, Campus Queen, It’s About Time, and Dr. Doolittle, to name a few. Inside our lunchboxes you would find a matching glass thermos filled with Kool-Aid, Tang, Nestle’s Quick, or iced tea. The thermos was held in place by a wire swing arm. You would also find a sandwich—usually a peanut butter and jelly, bologna or ham and cheese—and would be accompanied by a piece of fruit, a tin can of Snack Pack pudding, a Little Debbie snack cake, or small bag of chips. If you were real lucky your mother packed a new and special treat made by Pillsbury called a Space Food Stick. This

long Tootsie Roll looking stick packaged in a yellow foil wrapper was created in honor of the space program. Supposedly, the astronauts ate them as a great source of protein while up in space. After lunch it was back to class where we worked hard on our assignments until 2:15 p.m. when the school bell rang. Our teachers dismissed us to our school busses or waiting parents. The school bus I was assigned to was #357, driven by Mrs. Faitha Schwenderman, who we affectionately called “Granny” and who remained my bus driver until I graduated from high school in 1980. Our school principal was Ms. Bennie Sampley. Several teachers at Jackson School that year were Irma Herring, Dot Knox, Betty Shearin, Jean Fulford, Shirley Surrency, Judy Gleaton Connell, Martha Smith, Myra Weldon, Betty Daniels, Martha Willis, Ravenell Taylor, Andrea Hill, and Martha Phillips. Our School Librarian was Mrs. Johnnye Charlow. Once home from my 30-minute bus ride, I would come into the house, turn on the TV and grab a snack. In those days there was no cable television. You could watch channels 3, 8,10, 13, and 44. Channel 44 required rabbit ears positioned on top of your television for good reception. In our house it took two people to make channel 44 happen. One person went outside and turned the antenna pole attached to the roof, while the other stood in front of the set and banged on the window when the picture came in clear. Of all the television programs I watched as a child through the 1960s and 1970s, my all-time favorite had to be Dark Shadows. If I did not have an after school Girl Scout meeting or dance lessons, then I was across the street at Kimberle and David Edison’s house every Monday through Friday by 3:45 p.m. because their parents, Robert and Doris Edison, had a great big color TV set and Mrs. Edison never missed an episode. I can remember playing with Kimberle and David when Mrs. Edison would yell out: “Come on y’all, it’s getting ready to start and it’s Friday so somebody is probably gonna get bit!” Kimberle, David, and I would run to their family room and watch with bated breath as the creepy theme song started. I was so scared when I watched that program and don’t think I sat down once during the entire episode. When the program was over at 4:30 p.m., I had to go straight home and do homework and chores before my parents returned from work. I was so afraid after

watching Dark Shadows that I ran home as fast as I could; in fact, I ran so fast I got to my front door before the Edison’s door shut. That’s how scared I was. Dark Shadows was an American gothic soap opera that originally aired weekdays at 4 p.m. on the ABC television network from June 27, 1966 to April 2, 1971. The show created by Dan Curtis featured a vampire named Barnabus Collins (played by Jonathan Frid) along with werewolves, zombies, witches, warlocks, time travel, and a parallel universe. Some of my favorite characters were Elizabeth Collins played by Joan Bennett, Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott), Willie Loomis (John Karlen), Dr. Julia Hoffman (Grayson Hall), Anglique Collins (Lara Parker), Quentin Collins (David Selby), Daphne Harridge (Kate Jackson) and of course, Barnabus Collins. Back in 1968, our world seemed so much simpler. As families, we ate meals at the table together, played together, prayed together, and talked to each other. Our families gathered together around the television set and watched as the Astronauts orbited the moon. We had no idea what the future held for us and for our nation. Now only 45 years later, the world, the people in it, and our technology is completely different, but you know what? I wouldn’t change a thing. P.S. And to the person who invented the flip-phone: Capt. Kirk, Bones, Scotty, Sueloo, Mr. Spock, and the rest of the crew of the Starship Enterprise had those phones back in 1968. So what took you so long, dude?

EXTRA

Wanda’s

Words of Wisdom BY WANDA “LEWIS” ANDERSON

Invested in Plant City. For more than three decades, The Bank of Tampa has continually worked to deliver a client experience like no other in the communities we serve. Our promise is to continue that approach as we invest in the Plant City market. Nick Thurston I SVP, Market Director 813.373.9267 I nthurston@bankoftampa.com

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ot Termites? It’s official. I need to have my house tented. But while I await the date, let’s look at some home remedies for fighting those pesky bugs. Sunlight plays an important role in killing termites naturally, so let the sunlight into your home. Orange oil has proven effective at killing termites, particularly the dry wood termites. Extremely affordable and all natural, orange oil is derived from orange peels and is made mostly of d-limonene—a solvent that’s deadly to termites. This method works as a deterrent, too, since termites will avoid traveling in areas saturated with orange oil. Orange oil is also believed to disrupt termites’ pheromones, which they use to communicate. Simply spray full strength or mildly diluted orange oil onto termite problem areas. However, be aware. Orange oil can irritate skin and cause complications if ingested, so please exercise caution when using this essential oil. Vinegar can also be used to kill termites. Just mix half a cup of vinegar with the juice of two freshly squeezed lemons; then simply use the mixture in the same manner as the orange oil, spraying in or around where the termites congregate. The acidity of the solution is too caustic for termites, killing them on contact.

This solution also functions as an effective deterrent. Repeat the process as needed. Salt works, too. Mix salt and water, making sure it’s extremely salty. Then use a sponge or washcloth to wipe along your home’s baseboards and window trim. Use caution on wood surfaces as it will leave a salty film. Afterward, pour the remaining salty water around the outside of your house. If you have serious infestations, hire an exterminator. Got ants? Sprinkle used coffee grounds around the outside of your house. Ants are repelled by the scent given off by the grounds; and incidentally, so are cats. This makes them a great form of pest control. Since coffee grounds are full of minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, they also happen to be great for the soil in your garden. Additionally, you can leave some cucumber or citrus peels in the areas of ant activity to send them on their way. Both are toxic to the types of fungi that ants feed on, so these critters do their best to avoid them. If you're battling ants in your kitchen or bathroom, switch to cucumber or citrus-scented cleaners. Until next time relax, enjoy and be thankful…

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EXTRA

Matt Rentz BY HEATHER DAVIS

att Rentz, painter, traveler, explorer and third generation Plant Citian, has spread his wings and has landed for the past few years in New York City. Recently while in Plant City visiting his parents, Matt took the time to update me on his art-filled life living in the big city. As a young man, Matt surrounded himself with like-minded creative souls like himself. He was one of the original founding members of The Art Lounge Gallery in downtown Plant City. When speaking of that experience, Matt says he was "proud and blissfully happy to be a part of the Art Lounge Gallery from its very beginnings." He definitely was the youngest member and learned much from observing some of the more seasoned and experienced artists. Before moving to New York, already feeling the traveling itch, Matt uprooted and spent several years in Sarasota and Virginia. While there he immersed himself with other area artists and participated in many local art exhibitions. Three years ago Matt left Sarasota for New York and as a result spends his days broadening his horizons and perspectives, especially when it pertains to art. He describes himself as a selftaught painter who has just always loved art. His preferred medium is oil and he enjoys painting on many different surface types other than just canvas. Matt confided that for a newcomer, New York can be overwhelming and intimidating. After the first year he began to feel himself settle in and get into the flow of things. For the past month, Matt has taken time off work to concentrate fully on his artistic efforts. Used to having structure, he admits to spending the first couple

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weeks fully immersing himself in the city by spending his time wandering, exploring, and drawing. Matt's paintings are very impressionistic with leanings towards Picasso and Chagall. One of his most recent inspirations came after the recent election. Titled "50 Fists" this painting took over one week to finish. Matt feels this piece of artwork is one of his best and represents the direction he wants to go. Through the years it has been interesting and inspiring to watch Matt grow and evolve into the mature and confident painter he is today. To view Matt Rentz's painting portfolio, you can visit him on Instagram at Mattherrentz.

EXTRA

Candy’s Gettin’ Serious! BY CANDY OWENS

ey Guys....I have a question for you. Does anyone know how an old, rusted out, abandoned Rail car feels?? Well, that would be me!!! HAHAHA! I have been working out six days a week for two months now with Mike Gartz of Elite Home Fitness and his amazing team of Tina Barber and Tammy Simpson. I can honestly say I have never worked with such a fine group of people who are this passionate and dedicated to helping others become healthy through diet and exercise. These three are becoming one of the biggest blessings in my life. Tammy Simpson works with me on a diet made especially for me and also texts me several times a day to see how I’m feeling before and after my workouts. She’s the one can come to with any questions regarding food-- "The Do's and Don'ts" that is. Tina Barber weighs me every Tuesday morning and also counsels me on this new and uncharted territory. (Tina was at one time double her current size, so she knows what I am going through). And then there is Mike Gartz. He is the Angel who reached out to me because he sees the potential in me and... IS GOING TO CHANGE MY LIFE IT IT KILLS HIM! I MEAN ME!!! IF IT KILLS ME! HAHAHA When I first started this journey, I could walk for only five minutes on the treadmill, JUST 5 MINUTES! I ask you, “How does somebody get so out of shape that they can only walk five minutes on the treadmill? Well I did. But guess what! I can now walk for one hour on the treadmill without

stopping. Hip Hip Hooray!! And when Mike started having me work with weights, I thought that he was crazy when he told me to bend over and pick them up, do 4 reps of 10 curls, then walk to the back wall of the gym while carrying the weights. "BEND OVER AND PICK UP THE WEIGHTS???" AH! Isn't bending over an exercise in itself?? HAHA! I sure thought that it was. I can tell you that each and every day with Mike Gartz is new and exciting and HARD!!! I never know what he is going to ask me to do. But what I do know is that by having him by my side, along with his team of Tina and Tammy, I am changing my body and I am changing my life. I have lost 23 pounds so far. That may seem like a lot of weight to many people but it is just scratching the surface of the poor scale that I have been stepping on. This is just the beginning of a life changing journey. IT'S HARD, IT HURTS, AND IT IS KICKING MY BEHIND!, But I feel very certain that if I keep trying and give it all I have, I will change my life.

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DINING

RECIPE BY VICTORIA WATKINS SGRO

Kale, Parmesan, & White Bean Soup with Bacon – in the Crockpot! In this perfectly satisfying meal, tender, sweet kale combines with soft, slow-cooked white beans and a heaping cup of parmesan cheese for a hearty crockpot soup that’s topped with crispy bits of crumbled bacon. Soak some beans tonight, get in your kitchen for 10 minutes tomorrow, and have yourself a big bowl of delicious for dinner. It’s that easy!

Servings: 12 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 290 minutes Total Time: 300 minutes Ingredients • 1 lb (about 3 cups) dry white beans (I used Great Northern), soaked* • 1/2 medium onion • 4 cloves garlic • 12 oz (approx. 10 cups) curly leaf kale** • 8 cups water • 1 tsp paprika • 3 tsp sea salt • 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper • 1 cup grated parmesan • 12 slices bacon, cooked

Notes

Instructions Dice the onion and finely mince the garlic cloves. Add the chopped kale (see recipe notes), onion, garlic, soaked beans (see notes), and water to a crockpot. Mix ingredients together as much as possible. Lid the crockpot and cook on high for 4-6 hours, or until beans are tender. Or keep crockpot on low and allow to cook all day (8+ hours). About 30 minutes or so before serving, turn crockpot off and stir in salt, pepper, paprika, and grated parmesan cheese until cheese has melted (to keep it from clumping). Re-lid and allow flavors to mingle for 30 more minutes. Serve up your steaming hot soup with a sprinkle of parmesan and a piece of crumbled bacon on top!

*Cover beans with cold water and soak overnight. Drain and rinse in the AM before making the soup. **I use a 12 oz bag of already washed and chopped kale to make this recipe even easier! You choose whether to remove stalk pieces or leave them on. They will soften in the crockpot while cooking! PAGE

If you try this recipe, be a gem and tag @ahintofgarlic on Instagram and Facebook. Victoria loves hearing from readers and seeing your beautiful photos.

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DINING

Linda’s Crab Shack Plant City’s Taste of the Sea BY CIERRA CRAFT 202 E. Reynolds Street Plant City, FL 33563 813-754-0492 Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30AM to 9:00PM Friday & Saturday 11:30AM to 9:30PM Lunch: 11:30 to 3:00PM, Dinner: 3:00PM to Close Cash and Credit Cards Accepted

The $5 made-from-scratch-daily deviled crab, a favorite among regulars, is brimming with crab meat. Linda shared, “We probably make 100 to 150 per day.”

Grilled Shrimp with Rice entree and a bowl of Clam Chowder

wenty-five years ago, on the corner of Reynolds Street and Palmer Street, sat a bus stop, a Western Union and a piece of property owned by Ramon and Linda Garza. After years in the dairy industry, a friend wanted the trio to open a seafood restaurant. Ramon loves seafood and the couple knew where to buy blue crabs in Tampa. In 1993, Linda’s Crab Shack opened its doors at 202 E. Reynolds Street. At the time, Linda was the only female in the immediate family, so the restaurant is her namesake. Eventually, Ramon and Linda bought the friend out of the restaurant and it became a family owned and operated establishment. Since its opening, Linda’s Crab Shack has offered generous portions at an affordable price. In addition to crab, the menu features other

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seafood choices such as grouper, shrimp, clams and catfish. Favorites include the $5 deviled crab, which Linda and Ramon say they make from scratch every day. “We probably make 100 to 150 deviled crabs per day,” said Linda. While these football-shaped delicacies may have roots in Tampa’s Ybor City, Linda’s Crab Shack does not include the traditional onions or peppers in the filling. Linda’s Deviled Crabs are exclusively brimming with crab meat. The deep-fried breading creates a crunchy texture on the palette. Must-try dishes include: • Fish Tacos with Fries: Two soft tortillas with breaded Grouper strips and topped with creamy Cole Slaw. The basket includes crisp fries for $9.

• Grilled Shrimp with Rice: A colorful $16 meal with 10 grilled and seasoned Shrimp on a bed of seasoned Yellow Rice and 2 slices of crunchy garlic bread. • Clam Chowder: Hearty, thick and plentiful chunks of clam and potatoes make this $5 chowder the perfect bowl of comfort food for a cool or rainy day. Most notably, Linda’s Crab Shack recently got a facelift. These renovations not only include a fresh exterior paint job and the installation of an outdoor patio, but also modernized dining furniture, flooring, a raised ceiling and updated restrooms. These renovations were paid for, in part, by a grant from the City of Plant City. However, renovations aren’t the only aspect of Linda’s Crab Shack that are new. The restaurant is now offering a Birthday Special: “On your birthday, receive a free entrée from our lunch menu, dine-in only, with proof of I.D.,” said Linda. “Or, if you prefer the dinner menu,

you can get 50% off your entrée during dinner hours, dine-in only, with proof of I.D.” Winner of several FOCUS Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards for “Best Seafood,” Plant City residents choose Linda’s Crab Shack for their taste of the sea. Plant City resident, Deanna Shaw, says she has eaten at Linda’s Crack Shack for years and is impressed with the renovations. “The best thing they have is their deviled crabs,” said Shaw. “I love the new little outside seating that they have, makes it so much more convenient.” Plant City couple, Ruben and Maria Aloyo, give Linda’s Crab Shack a five-star rating for its laid back, come-as-you-are atmosphere. “We’ve been dining at Linda’s Crab Shack for years and have never been disappointed,” said Maria. “The food and service are always great and the prices are pretty reasonable. Our favorites are the grouper sandwich, deviled crabs and crab cakes.”

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events can’t miss CAN'T MISS EVENTS

JULY

21 Sat. Back 2 School Health Fair 9 AM – 1 PM Swindle Medical Center 1601 W. Timberlane Dr., Plant City NOTE: Advance Registration required at www. back2schoolfair.org Info: Back 2 School Fair hotline 800-406-4871

“Once Upon a Mattress” 8PM Performances: July 20, 21, 27, 28 2PM Matinees: July 22, 29 The musical comedy rendition of The Princess and the Pea that launched Carol Burnett’s career Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Plant City Entertainment, Inc. Community Theater 101 N. Thomas Street, Plant City, FL 33563 Info & Tickets: www.pceshows.com or 813-752-0728 Cost: Adults (18-59): $18; Senior (60+): $14; Students (under 18): $14; PCE Members: $12 (only in advance at Hardee’s Fashions & at the door- cash/check only). Groups of 10+: $12 (only in advance at Hardee’s Fashionscash/check only). Advance ticket purchases at Hardee’s Fashions, 1501 N. Wheeler St., Plant City (813-754-4929) or at the door while available, cash, check or credit cards.

Michael’s Store Creativity 1) Kids Club® Jam-bor-ee 10 AM – 12 Noon for children Cost: $2, ages 3+; $5, ages 6+; supplies included 2) MAKEbreak Musical Canvas Art 1 – 3 PM Cost: Buy the canvas, and the supplies to decorate it will be provided. 229 W. Alexander Street Sign up online at michaels.com Tea-Esta! Friends of the Bruton Memorial Library Fundraiser 3 - 5 PM Tea with some sass, spice and special guest, romance writer M. Garnet who will speak on her journey as a writer. Info: Angel House, 813-757-9215 Registration required. Admission is $10 Strawberry Classic Car Show 4 - 8 PM 102 N. Palmer St., Historic Downtown Plant City Info: Laura Leslie, 814-754-3707 www.plantcity.org

Thursday, July 26

28 Sat.

Movie Night - "Dirt! The Movie" 6:30 PM Sundance Film Festival winner, narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis, Dirt! begins with the amazing versatility of Earth's skin and highlights the interconnectedness of the many environmental issues we face. Trinkle Center @HCC Plant City Campus Info: Karen, 813-435-8111 $10 suggested donation

Plant City Social Dance Club 6:30 - 9:30 PM Enjoy music, moves, and friendships. Strawberry Square (clubhouse) 4401 Promenade Blvd. Cost: $6; bring snacks & non-alcoholic beverages Info: Ken Miller, 863.409.7714; pcsocialdanceclub@inbox.com

Saturday, August 4 Rotary Community Appreciation Fun Day 10 AM – 1 PM Enjoy FREE food, drinks, giveaways, K-9 demonstrations, bounce houses, dunk tank and more for the entire family! The first 500 children receive a FREE back to school bag. Randy Larson Softball Complex 1500 S Park Rd., Plant City

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30 Mon. 10th Annual Kiwanis “Stuff the Bus” 9 AM Donate school supplies & help stuff the 1166 backpacks to be delivered to 26 area schools for children whose family cannot afford to purchase needed materials. Backpacks will be delivered to schools on August 1st. Info: Sharon Moody at 813-453-7134.

AUGUST

02 Thurs. 8th Annual Lots of Hugs Summer Reading Performance Night 6:30 PM Come be inspired by local children who share what they learned Hope Lutheran Church 2001 N. Park Rd., Plant City Info: Sharon Moody, 813-453-7134

04 Sat. Magic Show 2 PM and 7 PM Sleight of Hand Magic Show/Fundraiser for PCE Community Theater Plant City Entertainment Community Theater Info: 813-752-0728; Website: http://www. pceshows.com Admission: $25; $35 VIP Front Row

10 Fri. Hillsborough County First Day of School

11 Sat. Plant City Social Dance Club 6:30 - 9:30PM Enjoy music, moves, and friendships. Strawberry Square (clubhouse) 4401 Promenade Blvd. Cost: $6; bring snacks & non-alcoholic beverages Info: Ken Miller, 863.409.7714; pcsocialdanceclub@inbox.com

2nd & 4th Mondays Monthly Plant City Commission Meeting 7:30 PM City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St. City Clerk: 813-659-4237 (December: 2nd Monday only)

2nd Monday Monthly Plant City Garden Club 10 AM (Sept. thru May) Walden Lake East Community Center 1304 Teakwood Dr. All are welcome Info: Lisa Firm 813-404-4922 plantcitygardenclub.org Open Mic Night 8:33 PM Come show off your talent, whether musically or comedy and drink a cup of our local coffee. Krazy Kup 101 E J Arden Mays Blvd Info: 813-752-1220

3rd Monday Monthly Family Community Advisory Council (FCAC) 5 - 6:30 PM The Children's Board Family Resource Center at East County invites residents to its Family Community Advisory Council (FCAC) meets monthly to discuss services or programs needed or wanted. Children will enjoy the FCAC Playgroup care, crafts, & activities while the adults meet. 639 E. Alexander St., Plant City Info: Ladislao Sanchez, 813-752-8700

1st Tuesdays Monthly Economic Development Corp. Meeting 2 PM @PC Chamber unless announced 106 N. Evers St. Info: Jake Austin, 863-712-0655

ONGOING

1st Tuesdays Monthly (Sept-May)

Mondays Weekly

Arts Council of Plant City 7 PM Chamber of Commerce Public Room 106 N. Evers St. Info: Marsha Passmore, 813-245-2244

Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club 7 AM South Florida Baptist Hospital Community Rm. Info: George Banning, 813-759-1638 PC Community Chorale 7 - 9:30 PM Meets every Monday evening Cost: $35/season Info: Mary Ella Enciso, 813-417-2808; pccchoralesecretary@gmail.com Online: www.pccchorale.org

1st & 3rd Mondays Monthly Improvement League of Plant City 7 PM Historic Glover School Conference Room 5104 Horton Rd. Info: William Thomas, 813-757-6760

2nd Tuesdays Monthly GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City 10:30 AM @1110 N. Wheeler St. Info: Nancy Miller, 813-754-2544

2nd & 4th Tuesdays Monthly American Legion– Norman McLeod Post#26 6 PM @2207 W. Baker St. 813-752-8608 Info: Nancy Miller, 813-754-2544 Integrity Business Referrals Luncheon 7:30 AM Networking and Marketplace Ministry BuddyFreddy’s Restaurant 1101 Goldfinch Drive, Plant City Info: Norm Blanton 813-326-0749

4th Tuesdays Monthly

Thursdays Weekly

2nd Thursdays Monthly

Last Fridays Monthly

Hot Coffee Topics 7:45 – 9 AM Krazy Kup 101 E J Arden Mays Blvd Info: http://www.plantcitymainstreet.org; 813-210-9926 Fees: $5 Non-member suggested contribution

Toastmasters (Chapter 4051) 7:30 - 9 AM PC Chamber Community Room 106 N. Evers St. Info: April Lubrano 813-545-1607

GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Plant City 7 PM @1110 N. Wheeler St. Info: Lisa Rhodes, 813-376-8294

Entrepreneur/Small Business Consulting Services 9AM - 4PM by appointment PC Chamber, 106 N. Evers St. Info: James Chittenden, 813-204-9267 [x62017]

Music in The Loft @Krazy Kup Fridays 6:33-8:33 PM; Saturdays 8:3310:33PM 101 East J. Arden Mays Blvd. 813-752-1220; Facebook

Java & Jeans 8 – 9:30 AM Join us for an informal networking opportunity, donuts and coffee will be provided. Minuteman Press 1701 S. Alexander St Suite 105 Info: Norm Nelson 813-754-3707

Line Dancing Lessons Starts @ 7:30 PM Crossroads Seafood and Steakhouse 106 State Rd 60 East, Plant City

Live Music @O’Brien’s Irish Pub Fridays 530-8:30 Acoustic; Saturdays 9PM ‘til close 1701 S. Alexander St. 813-764-8818

Tuesdays Weekly Plant City Lions Club 12 Noon @BuddyFreddy’s Restaurant 1101 Goldfinch Drive Info: Tony Lee, 813-752-7202 Recovery for Life 6:30 - 8PM 12-step Bible-based program to help w/ addictions Lorena Jaeb Rainbow House 504 N. Palm Dr., Plant City Info: Debbie Ray 813-763-1562

Fridays & Saturdays Weekly

3rd Saturdays Monthly Strawberry Classic Car Show 4-8 PM 102 N. Palmer St., Historic Downtown Plant City Info: 814-754-3707 www.plantcity.org

Wednesdays Weekly Walking Club 7:30AM for 45-minute walk Meet @Bruton Library Info: Susan Miles 813-757-9215 Plant City Kiwanis Club 12 Noon Meetings at BuddyFreddy’s Restaurant Info: David Wolf 813-717-9300

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THE CAT’S PAJAMAS

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ACROSS 1. __ on; trampled 5. Crush 10. Quarrel 14. Treat like a celebrity 17. Brief snooze 19. Capital city 21. Choose a jury 22. Awaken 23. Sail assembler 25. Ruby, for one 26. Seine season 27. Circle 28. Horse’s color 30. Prior to 31. Stuff 32. Ending for hero or exam 33. Do a household chore 34. Jason’s ship 35. Con __; with spirit 38. Bird of prey 40. Go by 41. Mounds 42. Gunfighter Wyatt 43. Obstacle 44. Fruit bearer 45. Calcutta garb 46. “...of beauty is __ forever.” 47. Follower’s suffix 48. Tie up 49. Pestered 52. Astaire and Baryshnikov 54. Charge 55. Happening 57. __ du Diable 58. Beer’s cousin 59. Ladies’ items 60. Path 61. Prison division 62. Covenants 65. Stitched joining 66. Is the right size 67. Old 68. Ages 69. Jai __ 70. Juan’s uncles 71. Butter contents 72. Quantity: abbr. 73. Bergen’s dummy 74. Fancy vase 75. Book of wares 79. Spring back 81. Strong urges 83. Saloon 84. Skin opening 85. In the matter of 86. College sports assn. 87. Adorable 88. Russia’s __ Mountains 89. Sham 91. Fly high 92. Pen 93. Part of the eye 94. Helper

95. 96. 97. 100. 101. 102. 103. 104. 107. 109. 111. 113. 114. 115. 116. 117. 118.

16. 18. 20. 24. 29. 31. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 39. 40. 41. 43. 44. 45. 48. 49. 50. 51. 53.

Uppermost room Monet’s field Mister Literary monogram Place for grain Of the ear Pamplona cry Linear measure Reverberate Kia model Fixes Talked and talked __ Barrymore __ for; desired Bugle song Part of a daisy Marvin and Majors

DOWN 1. Magazine title 2. Strong cord 3. Stop __ dime 4. Menu studier 5. Alarming 6. Armed forces member 7. Make reparation 8. Comfortable 9. Common verb 10. Skinny Jack 11. Arthritis symptom 12. S.A. nation 13. Orange-and-purple flowers 14. Can cover 15. Fraternity letter 1

38 43

49 55

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107

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106

84 88

71 75

41 45

30 34

13 20

23 28

71. Cost of a ride 73. “Of course!” 75. “Jeopardy!” player’s choice 76. Traditional knowledge 77. Algerian port 78. Becomes firm 80. Fairy tale start 82. Incus’ location 83. Cockroach 86. “There’s __ like an old fool” 87. Derisive shout 89. Actor Jamie __ 90. Sick person 91. Roman sun deity 92. Black Sea peninsula 95. Football team 96. Apply __; do a beautician’s coloring job 98. Gen. Robert __ 99. Nation in Asia 101. Small store 102. Oklahoma Indian 104. Look for ore 105. Angers 106. Hallucinogen 108. Nursing home worker’s letters 110. Hero of “Great Expectations” 112. Exist 10

54. 56. 59. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 69. 70.

by Calvin R. & Jackie Mathews Weather Read Twill fabric Old Olds WWII agency Unoriginal ones Lawn weed Haughtiness Rosary piece Foreign prince Common metal Girl’s name Brooch Time gone by Father children Competes Not bananas Ray Egg toppers? Annexes, often Editor’s note 2012 British Open champ Coward Dyers’ tubs Furry animal Stone-hurling device Juicy fruit Weapon: Fr. Enviable position Vehicle with runners Cone-bearing plants Boone or O’Brien Prince Charles’ sister __ casserole

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R A D A R

A L A D

A R E A

B O L T

A L O T

M E W S

W E N T F R O M D A D G U R U

M E K A T G O N B S A

S A Y D A D O L R T M N O I L F K L D I O A L P D Y S R H I T O O E L T A Y S L L A L I B I S E E A L

D A D P O S L E E E S G D O O A N D S S S M I O R K E D

T A R E O M E L W E A L O L L A R I M S A A E B U T O G D O G A D S D O I M B R I A I N E T S T E S O G D N R E S A L V A D E A K O T L I N E

S E T T H E W I B I S I N L G A F M O O A R I D O L A S D D S I G R E A S H L A A R D D A S D

A Day for Dad

L E A P

E N D O R

G E A G M O E S S F L I O R R S D D Z A A D N Y

T S A T E J A V E R E B O K R A O R T Y Z A E V E R I D A S N A G O GM A P R U F F A S I A N E R D O D E S S N E O WO L F R T O F Y A N

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