FOCUS Plant City 20-04 by Floyd Publications

CHEST PRESSURE

CAUTION NARROWED ARTERIES AHEAD

Chest pressure, a squeezing sensation or chest pain. These feelings may be angina, a symptom of heart disease. Your heart comes with a warning system called angina, which happens when part of the heart doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen. Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), a type of heart disease that occurs when arteries that carry blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. Although angina often feels like a pinching sensation in the chest, it can also be accompanied by sluggishness, fatigue and chest tightness. If you experience any of these symptoms, the heart experts at BayCare’s South Florida Baptist Hospital can quickly get to the cause and treat it with a procedure that’s right for you. Diagnosing and treating CAD is just one area of our expertise in heart care. Using state-of-the-art technology, our compassionate and multidisciplinary team of experts provides a suite of other advanced heart care services. From treatment options for rhythm disorders like AFib and heart attacks, care for advanced heart failure through our Heart Function Clinic, to helping you recover with cardiac rehab, South Florida Baptist Hospital is here when you and your heart need us. And we have enhanced safety measures to help keep you protected, so you can feel secure getting the care you need. Learn more and get a cardiology referral: SouthFloridaBaptistHeart.org

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Contents Table of

When pondering Plant City’s music history, few artists who have reached fame come to mind, but those that had legions of fans never forgot their roots. Take a look back at two artists who rose to fame in completely different ways, but hail from our small town.

Plant City is brimming with musical talent. From solo acts to bands, meet the artists who makeup Plant City’s music scene and perform at venues across Central Florida.

FEATURE: PLANT CITY’S MUSIC HISTORY

Photo taken at Dark Horse Music Store. Shop their collection at 105 S Collins St PAGE

FEATURE: TALENT CITY

SPOTLIGHT: ROLLIN’ A TASTE OF TAMPA INTO TOWN

The Williams family spent time on the Port of Tampa, enjoying Cubans and Devil Crabs while watching the Shrimp boats roll in. These memories inspired Dwayne Williams to open Ole Tampa Cubans and share a “Taste of Tampa” with Plant City in 2018.

FOCUS PLANT CITY

focusplantcity.com / Issue 20-04 / April 2021

BUSINESS: 813 CHINESE

Looking for Chinese-American cuisine that is made to order? Stop into 813 Chinese, located in the Walden Woods Plaza. 813 Chinese is a family-owned and operated restaurant with the option to dine in or carry out. Learn more about the commitment to fresh food and happy customers in this month’s Business Profile.

PUBLISHER

Mike Floyd

MANAGING EDITOR

Cierra Craft

ACCOUNT MANAGER

mikef@floydpublications.com

cierra@floydpublications.com

Chandler Workman

chandler@floydpublications.com

Crystal Colegrove

crystal@floydpublications.com

ART DIRECTOR

OFFICE MANAGER

DISTRIBUTION

Anthony Sassano

asassano@floydpublications.com

Candy Owens

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Tony DeVane

STAFF WRITERS

Angela Ardrey Anthony Bolesta Cheryl Johnston Sherrie Mueller Emily Topper

CONTRIBUTORS

Candy Owens Heather Davis Gil Gott Natalie Sweet

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 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) 7078783 or e-mail editorial@floydpublications.com. The staff will fix the error in a timely manner. 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.

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UBLISHE

From The

Publisher

MAKE SOME NOISE

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Whether it’s an acoustic solo act at a beach restaurant on the coast or a loud, cover band on a late-night, there is something captivating about live music. Live music delivers a very human, emotional product that just brings strangers together for a shared love for beautiful sounds. I have always loved lived music, especially live acoustic performances. Back in 2013, FOCUS presented The Heart of Nashville Live, a concert series featuring some of the Nashville’s best singer/songwriters at Uncle Mike’s Steakhouse and The Barn Theatre at Winthrop. The featured artists included Jesse Keith Whitley, Jaida Dreyer, Chad Warrix, and Plant City’s own Clemons Road. Each May, I travel to Key West for annual Songwriter Festival. The event was cancelled last year due to COVID-19; it’ll be good to be back to enjoy some live music in one of our state’s most beautiful cities. This love for live music is what inspired FOCUS Magazine’s first-ever Music Issue. Inside, you’ll find profiles on some of the hottest musical artists in our area including Justin Grimes and three-man band, The Show Ponies. As well as those who have performed all over the country like Charleene Closshey and Pee Wee Callins. These artists all make up the wonderful talent that stems from our community. Some perform weekly, hopping between venues in Tampa Bay, others produce records, write movie scores, and perform on a multi-state tour. We couldn’t have a music issue without paying homage to some of the artists from our community who have passed, one who reached the Country Music Hall of Fame. The other reached Internet fame with a humorous music video filmed right in front of his Plant City home. Regardless of the stage, each of the artists featured in our inaugural Music issue hasn’t forgotten the place where it all began. On the cover, we feature another type of “rockstar” from our community. Dwayne Williams and his team at Ole Tampa Cubans are serving up a traditional ‘taste of Tampa’ with Cuban sandwiches and Devil Crabs, reminiscent of the old days. He and his team are rolling out hundreds of the deep-fried crab croquettes each day and will soon roll out a new customer experience: A fully renovated trolley car. Meet Williams as he chats about his quality customer service and commitment to delicious food.

Warmest Regards,

Mike Floyd

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MLK Parade Marches through Plant City By Cierra Craft On April 3, the Improvement League’s Martin Luther King Jr. Parade marched from Wheeler Street to the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center. The event initially scheduled for January 16 was rescheduled for April 3 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Parade entries included Shawndrana Creative Floral Designs and the Plant City Democratic Party, as well as city officials. Parade Grade Marshal was Pastor Calvin “Pee Wee” Callins of Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries. The organizing board said Pastor Callins was the perfect choice for the honor due to his support for the Bing Rooming House, iImpactPC, and unique revivals to spread the gospel in 2020. Parade attendees collected beads and candy along the one-mile parade route as parade participants blasted Dr. King’s speeches through audio systems. The event, themed “Let Freedom Ring,” was inspired by the minister’s 1963 I Have A Dream Speech. Following the parade, families were invited to gather at the Community Center for the MLK Festival which includes live music, vendors, food and activities for youth. “The Festival provides an all-inclusive setting in which citizens of every ethnic background can experience and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to the culture of Hillsborough County & West Central Florida,” said the Improvement League of Plant City’s website. PAGE

9th Annual Dean’s Ride: The Biggest One Yet By Jennifer Jordan

On March 27, the 9th annual Dean’s Ride was held for the first time at Keel Farms, with the event having its biggest turnout yet. Originally having 125 riders at the 1st Dean’s Ride, 240 riders came out this year to raise $15K in support of Livestrong at the YMCA, a 12week program which aims to provide adults who are battling cancer with free strength, endurance, and balance exercise sessions. Dean’s Ride began in 2013 by Dean Snyder to share his love of biking, and the event continues every year to pay tribute to his legacy of strength and honor and to raise awareness for cancer. Snyder was involved in many organizations and clubs around Plant City and passed away in 2013 from esophageal cancer after the 1st Dean’s Ride. Riders 15 and older were able to take in beautiful scenic country views and choose between 4 cycling distances: a 9-mile family trail, a 20-mile quarter-metric century, a 34-mile half-metric century, and a 60-mile metric century. Pre-ride snacks and refreshments and postride lunch, craft beer and cider were provided by many sponsors including (but not limited to) Keel Farms, Star Distribution, Power Design, Jimmy John’s, and Smokin’ Aces BBQ. South Florida Baptist Hospital offered free sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and blood pressure checks. Pint City Brew Club was also offering free samples of beer. Bruce Curtis -chair of the Dean’s Ride committee- said of the turnout this year, “Being out here in the country this year and riding past strawberry fields, farm animals, and beautiful homes has been a much better experience for the riders, and I think having the event at Keel Farms is one of the reasons we had such a successful ride and raised the most money we ever have at this event.”

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Camp Invention: Kids STEM Camp Comes to Festival Grounds By Cierra Craft From June 7 to June 11, Plant City kids can immerse themselves in science, technology, engineering, and math concepts at Camp Invention. A nationallyacclaimed summer program led by certified local educators, Camp Invention is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. This is the seventh year Camp Invention has come to the Arthur Boring Civic Center at the Florida Strawberry Festival and open to children Kindergarten through 6th Grade. 7th and 8th graders can enroll as Leadership Interns with High School and college students eligible to volunteer on staff. Students will not only use STEM skills to complete challenges, but students will be taught problem-solving skills, confidence, creativity, and persistence. The goal this year is to enroll 140 campers. The camp is co-ed and runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Area businesses are sponsoring the event and for the month of April, parents can receive $50 off the camp registration fee. According to Camp Director Paul Coletti, each year the Plant City camp continues to grow and was named the #1 Camp Invention in the state. For more information about registration and how to prepare your student for camp or questions regarding COVID-19 protocols, please contact Paul Coletti at pacman1988@hotmail.com. High school and college students interested in earning service hours by volunteering should contact Coletti for a pre-camp interview.

Cooper Park Gets New Fitness Equipment By Jennifer Jordan The Plant City Parks & Recreation Department has completed the installation of outdoor fitness equipment at Samuel W. Cooper Park, located at 900 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The 14 ADA-compliant workout stations are free and designed for users 13 and older. Available daily to use during daylight hours, the workout equipment is a new and exciting addition to the 11-acre park, which already included a 0.6mile paved and lighted walking trail. Benches around the beautiful 8-acre pond with fountains offer parkgoers spots to rest and take in a charming scenic view. The HealthBeat Outdoor Fitness System stations include an assisted row/ push-ups, tai chi wheels, mobility ramp, stretch, elliptical, cardio stepper, chest/back press, parallel bars, squat press, pull up/dips, plyometrics, balance steps, ab crunch/leg lifts, and hand cycler. The stations are designed to promote balance, cardiovascular health, flexibility, strength, and meditation/relaxation. With rubber safety surfacing poured in place, the area(s) surrounding the workout equipment stations helps protect a user from hurting themselves in a potential fall. Funded with a $165,000 allotment from the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the project was completed under budget by Rep Services, Inc. For further questions about the new fitness equipment or Samuel W. Cooper Park, the Plant City Parks & Recreation Department can be reached at 813-659-4255.

Finding Sweet Success: Crumbles & Cream Opens on South Evers Street By Cierra Craft Crumbles & Cream is now open in downtown Plant City. The European bakery is located at 113 South Evers Street and owned by Grit Rambusch. Rambusch is a certified pastry chef, trained in the south of Germany. Her passion for her family’s traditional German recipes led her to adapt those recipes for Florida’s climates and she began selling her goods at markets near Celebration and Lakeland, Florida. She was lucky enough to travel all over the world, immersing herself in the flavors, baking methods, and techniques of other cultures, comparing to her German baking. Now, Plant City will get a taste of Germany at Crumbles & Cream. Guests will find that the bakery’s offerings incorporate a lot of fresh, local fruit and less sugar. Currently, you’ll find pastries that incorporate a lot of Florida berries, including a Blackberry Gugl, a mini bundt cake featuring a layer of baked blackberries and topped with a flavorful cream and fresh blackberries. As the produce seasons change, so will Crumbles & Cream’s pastries and breads. Rambusch does not use preservatives, trans fats, artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners. The bakery is also offering coffee drinks, ranging in price from $2.00 to $5.00: Cafe Creme, Cappuccino, Espresso, Cafe Latte, and Tea.

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Community

FOCUS

CHECK IN WITH PLANT CITY On March 23, the Wishnatzki family held its ribbon-cutting ceremony for Wish Farms’ brand new headquarters. Wish Farms welcomed Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, Mayor Rick Lott and the City Commission, among many other partners, vendors, and business owners. As a fourth-generation business, Wish Farms unveiled a state-of-the-art 24,000-square-foot office featuring a tree-house meeting room, a slide, a workout center, a wellness room for nursing mothers, and nature walking paths. The 36-acre property also features a three-acre blueberry farm, a 120,000-square-foot warehouse with a 20,000-square-foot solar array. The solar array will save 10,000 tons of CO₂. During the ceremony, Wish Farms owner Gary Wishnatzki talked about the company’s commitment to agriculture, as year-round marketers of various berries including strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pineberries, and raspberries. Wishnatzki shared it was important to he and his team to plant their roots within city limits and to have a Plant City address. “All of these things, we could not have achieved without great people…,” said Wishnatzki. “It’s been a team effort because we have some of the best employees in the business. We should be proud but we should also remain humble. Let us remember where we started, how we’ve grown and where it’s brought us today. Plant City is home to us and it’s where we belong and we are very proud to be part of this community,” said Wishnatzki. The land was previously a three-generation family farm owned by the Kuhn family. They had cattle, citrus, pepper, and other various crops. The owner, who sold Wish Farms the land in 2018, put every penny from the sale into a charitable trust that benefits local agriculture education groups like FFA. The trees removed from the property were used to create desks, stairs, tables, and other furniture and features within the office, making the development as sustainable as possible. Rick Lott called Wish Farms “a champion in the community” for their commitment to not only farming, but agriculture programs, youth development and education, health, ending food insecurity and many other causes. Florida Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried spoke about her first meeting with Gary Wishnatzki while on the campaign trail in 2018, reminiscing on their conversation about Gary’s dream to create property housing all things Wish Farms, “Pixieland,” synonymous with Wish Farm’s mascot, Misty the Garden Pixie. “Two and a half years later, I am the Commissioner of Agriculture and we are all standing on his dream,” said Fried. “I made [Wishnatzki] a promise, if you build it, I will come... you are the epitome of what ‘Fresh from Florida’ means.”

Wish Farms Cuts Ribbon on a New 24,000-Square-Foot Headquarters By Cierra Craft

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Walden Lake Review BY NATALIE SWEET

GraceWay Church hosts 1st Trunk or TrEaster, brings Easter fun to Plant City By Jennifer Jordan On April 3 at GraceWay Church- located at 3016 S. Wiggins Rd- the Plant City community was invited out for some Easter fun at the first Trunk or TrEaster event. The free event included vehicle trunks decked out in Easter decor, pictures with the Easter Bunny, games, and goats to feed. The event also had a free raffle drawing that anyone could sign up for and have the chance to win $100 in cash. When asked about how Trunk or TrEaster got started, Pastor DeWayne Howard, also known as Pastor D said: “We opened the church in January of 2020 right before the pandemic started, so this is our first time getting to celebrate Easter like this and it’s such a fun event for the kids that we hope we’ll get to keep doing and improve every year. We took feedback from the community and our church members and thought this would be something a little different.” With so many Easter egg hunts to choose from, GraceWay Church wanted to stand out and take the “Trunk or Treat” idea from Halloween and make an Easter themed “Trunk or TrEaster” event that would be easier for families to take their time and enjoy going from trunk to trunk to collect candy. Kids also enjoyed feeding adorable goats and winning prizes such as balls and stuffed animals from playing games that included ring toss, toilet paper toss, and bean bag toss. For event information or information about GraceWay Church, call 813-752-4879. PAGE

alden Lake Community Association Board Meetings are held virtually the third Monday of each month. You can Livestream or Teleconference the conference by signing in to www. WaldenLake.org. The next meeting is scheduled for April 19 and May 1 at 7:00 PM. Watch the boards at the entries for any special meetings and times. The Walden Lake HOA Annual Meeting is Thursday, April 15th at 7:00 and will be held at the Plant City Church of God at 2103 Mud Lake Rd. Social distancing and masks will be required. It will also be livestreamed by going to www.WaldenLake.org although for best sound quality, attendance is better. There are 4 openings on the Board of Directors this year. You will be getting your letter notifying you of the meeting along with the proxy to vote for new board members. Having food trucks on the 2nd Fridays and last Sundays of each month in Walden Lake at the HOA office/sports complex, has been a big hit with many residents. Happy Ending Food Truck will be here on Sunday, March 28th from 11:00 to 7:00. The Easter Bunny will be at Walden Lake on March 20th from 9:00 to Noon! It will be a drive-in where you will pick up a snack bag and drink boxes or water, Santa will be reading a story and you will pick up the goody bags on the way out, all while staying in your vehicle. Walden Lake LLC submitted a revision of their plans to the City of Plant City. To see this and past information on what is happening with the development of the Walden Lake golf course, you can visit www.WaldenLake. org under the “News” tab. The latest information can also be found at the City’s website www.PlantCityGov.com. During the month of February, there were 11 sales in Walden Lake and 1 sale in Walden Lake East. The average sale price was $342,525 with an average of 16 days on the market. The February sales are as follows: Address / Sales Price / Living Area / Pool / Garage 3207 Concord Way / $263,900 / 2380 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 1406 Teakwood Drive / $279,000 / 1886 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 3331 Michener Place / $280,000 / 1836 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 3207 Hawthorne Court / $315,000 / 2554 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2905 Hammock Vista Court / $329,900 / 2115 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 3306 Kilmer Drive / $334,000 / 2335 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2814 Hammock Drive / $335,000 / 2816 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2901 Forest Hammock Drive / $340,500 / 2165 Sq’ / Private / 3 Car 2902 Clubhouse Drive / $343,000 / 2054 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2906 Pine Club Drive / $375,000 / 2488 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 3901 Fairlea Circle / $435,000 / 2826 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2707 Aston Avenue / $480,000 / 3746 Sq’ / Private / 3 Car There are currently 8 active listings for sale in Walden Lake with an average list price of $609,488 and an average of 118 days on the market. One of these listings one is listed at $900,000 and another is listed at $2,100,000 and if you eliminate these 2 listings, the statistics of the remaining 6 change the averages to $312,650 and 43 days on the market. There are 19 properties Pending Contract with an average list price of $350,389 and average of 10 days on the market. The real estate market is hot due to a lack of inventory, and interest rates are extremely low, making this not only a great time to sell but also a fantastic time to purchase. If you are interested in the most current statistics or any questions regarding this article, feel free to reach out to me. NSweet@ KW.com or 813-758-9586.

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Sip, Sip: Only Juice Hosts Successful Pop Up Event By Cierra Craft

Only Juice, an all-natural fruit juice company, held a successful pop-up event on March 26 at The Corner Store. The event allowed the locally owned and operated company to present its flavorful, antioxidant-rich juices to the community. Only Juice is the creation of Tamar Bettis, Kayvious Campbell, and Roderick Henderson, who joined forces to produce not only a delicious collection of beverages but also to create community. “Tamar was passionate about having her own juice bar and I like being on the creative side of seeing what fruits and vegetables complement each other and the taste palette,” said Campbell. “She has been friends with Rod since they were kids and then I was introduced to Rod through another friend.” The trio is passionate about helping others be mindful of what they’re putting into their bodies, creating something sustainable, and dispel the myth that health juices aren’t delicious. Only Juice uses as much locally grown produce as possible and does not include any additives, sugar, or preservatives. Each bottle contains 100% fruit juice. “We use a cold-press machine or citrus juices to get the most out of it,” said Kayvious Campbell. The machine separates the juice from the pulp, creating a smooth beverage. The company currently offers 10 flavors ranging from “Cream,” a pineapple-based juice with orange and ginger to “OJ’s OJ,” a blueberry, lemon, and orange concoction. Only Juice is a great option for those who are health-conscious, those who are looking for drinks for detoxing, recovery and fitness, or those who care about sustainability, as the produce is locally grown. In the future, Campbell says Bettis will use the fruit’s pulp to create allnatural fruit snacks, expanding their collection beyond beverages. Henderson founded Innovative Academy, a program designed to help disadvantaged and underprivileged individuals and families

by creating and promoting career opportunities. Students from the program help the team pick up produce, juice the orders, and label the bottles, preparing them for delivery. Currently, the group’s juice production days are Monday and Thursday, with juice delivery reserved for Tuesday and Friday. “We currently have four-ounce bottles that are available for $3 and we have 10-ounce bottles that are available for $5,” said Campbell. “We also sell a sample pack with all 10 juice flavors in 4-ounce bottles for just $25.” Popular flavors include the “Vitamin C” mix of strawberry, apple, ginger, and cherry or cucumber, mint, apple, and spinach mix called “Cool It!” At the pop-up event, customers were able to sample the various flavors and purchase 10-ounce bottles for $5 each. If you missed the pop-up, order online at onlyjuice.co or visit Only Juice on Facebook.

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Is Your Business Hiring?

Future Career Academy Fair Can Help If you are a business in need of additional people for your team, you’re invited to register to join the Future Career Academy Future Fair online from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 22. The Future Fair will bring prepared young people and adults of a variety of experience levels and skill sets from all over Hillsborough County to your virtual door. Business insiders often talk about a shortage of skilled labor in Hillsborough County, especially in industries such as logistics, construction, manufacturing, information technology, industrial trades, agribusiness, healthcare and financial and professional services. To address those concerns, the Future Career Academy (FCA) was started in 2015 to prepare non-college-bound high school seniors to join the workforce right out of high school. FCA’s success has allowed it to expand from its beginning in Plant City High School six years ago to now being able to offer hiring opportunities to thousands of students in every Hillsborough County public high school today. Many students are not aware of the successful paths available to them. Because there is so much emphasis in high schools on college as the gateway to sustainable futures, for some noncollege-bound students, the Future Career Academy is the first exposure they have to the hope that they, too, can look forward to a prosperous future. They start with workforce-development training that includes not only topics like financial literacy, resume and interview preparation, but also the intangibles needed to keep a job, such as punctuality, presence, propriety and purpose. The Academy’s award-winning field trips to company facilities introduce students to the large number of diverse industries and companies nearby that provide on-the-job training, certifications, internships or meaningful jobs they can start right out of high school. The Future Fair gives Academy students a chance to demonstrate this preparation and their eagerness to work to PAGE

employers who need hardworking talent. In previous years, the Future Fair was presented regionally, at each participating high school. This year, due to Covid, one countywide virtual event will open the door for all potential employers to meet with interested graduating seniors. Local third-party logistics provider Star Distribution Systems’ vice president of business development, Larry Jimenez, Jr., considers the Future Career Academy an important part of his strategy for finding new team members to grow Star’s essential supply chain business. Several Plant City High School students have started working at the company immediately after graduating, with some earning their way into managerial roles. If you are a thriving business with job openings, please join our diverse array of sponsoring industries and participating businesses this year, such as: Associated Builders and Contractors Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, Sudler Real Estate, BayCare Health System, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Stingray Chevrolet, Star Distribution Systems, Inc., The Beck Group, Brandon Regional Hospital (with 100 job vacancies), Plant City Economic Development Corp., Keel Farms, Moffitt Cancer Center, Hillsborough Title (Florida Agency Network), National Aviation Academy, Livy O’s Catering Co., Evergreen Packaging and International Paper. The Future Career Academy’s 2021 Future Fair will be presented virtually, in partnership with CareerSource Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough County School District, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22. The early portion, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will be dedicated to student job searchers. A two-hour window, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., will then open to any job-seeking adult applicants. For more information about the Future Career Academy or to register for the Future Fair, visit www.thefuturecareeracademy. com.

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Plant City’s Music History by Cierra Craft

In showcasing our city’s current musical talent, it only seemed fitting to commemorate the artists of the past, some of which reached fame in their own unique ways. Meet the artists who paved the way for Plant City artists. Mel Tillis reached famed as an award-winning Country music artist and Bishop Bullwinkle rose to fame with the help of modern technology- the Internet. While these two artists couldn’t appear to be more different, they both called the greater Plant City area home.

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Mel Tillis

Aug. 8 1932- November 19, 2017 Before he was named as a Country Music Hall of Famer and rose to stardom in Nashville, Mel Tillis was a Dover resident with a stutter, a result of a childhood case of malaria. In a 2015 interview with Florida Trend, Tillis said until he went to school, he thought that was just the way people talked. “I come home from my first day in elementary school,” recalled Tillis. “I said, ‘mama, do I stutter?’ She said, ‘yes, son, you do.’ I said, ‘mama, they laughed at me.’ And she said, ‘well, son, if they’re going to laugh at you, give them something to laugh about.’ I went back to school the next day, and that was my very first day in show business.” He attended Wilson Elementary in 1st grade, Wilson, Dover, Pahokee, and Dover in 2nd grade, Turkey Creek Elementary in 3rd grade, and Pahokee until he graduated. Mel’s cousin, Willeva Rogers Van Den Bogaert, says many members of their family played music. “Mel came from a very musical family on his Mother’s (Burma Rogers Tillis) side, “ said Van den Bogaert. “My dad, J.T. Rogers, his mother’s brother, played the fiddle and guitar and had his band “The Strawberry Hill Billy String Band” that played for the Dover Community get togethers back in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Their sister, Lila also played with the band. Their sister’s Virginia, Mozelle and Woodrow all performed in plays at the Dover Community gettogethers. Mel grew up with this heritage.” When he moved to Nashville in the 1950s, he began a career in songwriting. Artists Ray Price, Brenda Lee, Charley Pride, Kenny Rodgers and even wrote the hit "Mental Revenge" for outlaw country star Waylon Jennings. Tillis was a regular on The Porter Wagoner Show. In 1969, things turned around for Tillis, as his career as a country singer went into full swing. His songs “These Lonely Hands of Mine" and "She'll Be Hanging Around Somewhere" hit Top 10 country charts in after “Heart Over Mind” peaked at number 3, his career as a country singer began to take off. His hits Tillis' biggest hits include "I Ain't Never", "Good Woman Blues", and "Coca-Cola Cowboy.” Following his heyday in the 1970s, Tillis remained a songwriter in the 1980s, writing hits for Ricky Skaggs and Randy Travis. He also wrote his autobiography called Stutterin' Boy.

Al Berry set up a performance for Mel Tillis about 1966 at the Self Service Shoe Store on West Baker Street, just west of the Thonotosassa intersection.

On February 13, 2012, President Barack Obama awarded Tillis the National Medal of Arts for his contributions to country music. He also won the Country Music Association Awards' most coveted award, Entertainer of the Year in 1976, Tillis was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Country Music Hall of Fame. Additionally, he was known for his stutter, which did not affect his singing voice. His daughter is 1990s country hitmaker, Pam Tillis. PAGE

Carrie Rogers (Mel’s grandmother) and his Rogers’ relatives. His mother was Burma Rogers Tillis of Dover. Most of them have been lifelong locals, living in Dover and Turkey Creek. Mel is on the front row, second from the left. This photo was taken in 1942.

Mel Tillis PAGE

Bishop Bullwinkle August 22, 1948- June 16, 2019

One Plant City native rose to fame in an unconventional waythrough comedy. Bishop Bullwinkle- born Bernard Thomas- gained his popularity as a YouTube celebrity, for his profanity-laced, original songs. Bullwinkle’s most popular tune, “Hell 2 Da Naw Naw,” was written about the hypocrisy he witnessed growing up in the church by fellow church members. The video was shot in the front lawn of his Plant City home, featuring an old pulpit, a monkey statue, and a fire extinguisher, that Bullwinkle told BayNews 9 in 2015, is empty because “no one can put him out.” As of April 2021, the song has more than 58 million views on YouTube. The song was released in January 2014 and the song became a viral Internet meme, skyrocketing the Bullwinkle to fame with over 1 million views in its first month. However, the Plant City man said in a previous interview, that the fame had not changed him. The Bullwinkle part of his name came from a childhood nickname; while in school, a classmate of his wrote on the bulletin board, "Bernard Thomas is funny like Bullwinkle the moose.” The Bishop part of his name was of his own choosing, noting releasing the song as “Bullwinkle” or “Bernard” wasn’t interesting enough. In that interview with BayNews 9, Bullwinkle said, “I do have my own church. - the church of ‘nothing but the truth,' " he said. "We tell it like it is." Bullwinkle’s other popular tracks included “Some Preachers,” “You Do too,” and “Pouring Water on a Drowning Man.” Chicago Reader described his music as “...a glimpse at one of the vernacular roots of hip-hop, a living history so to speak, while simultaneously pushing the envelope and being riotously funny (at least to those who aren’t easily offended).” In June 2019, his family shared via social media that Bullwinkle had passed away at age 70. “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our father Bishop Bullwinkle,” a statement on social media reads. “He has booked a show in Heaven to perform for our Heavenly Father and for once, he couldn’t be late. We love you sir and please book us the VIP room for us when we meet again.” Bullwinkle’s music can be heard on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and Pandora.

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Talent City

PLANT CITY

ARTISTS

YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT By Cierra Craft

Our little city is booming with the talent of local singers, songwriters, and musicians. Meet some of our city’s entertainers, across all genres of music. From Broadway appearances to internationally recognized R&B Gospel singers and even a variety of bands on the Central Florida circuit, these talents are making a mark on Plant City. Meet a handful of the musicians bringing people together with a love for rhythmic percussions, string instruments and soulful vocals.

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JustinGrimes Grimes Justin

“I have honestly never known how to answer this question,” I guess you could almost call it Country-Soul,” said Grimes. “Maybe I just invented that. You can Google ‘Justin Grimes Music’ for tons of links to hear for yourself.” Grimes says he comes from a musical family, first learning piano as a child, then saxophone before getting into guitar at 14-years-old. He is also skilled at piano, although he rarely incorporates it into shows now. Grimes says: “Originally, I was inspired by Nirvana to learn guitar. Not long after, I saw the Eagles‘ ‘Hell Freezes Over’ special and was inspired to become a serious musician. Later, I would discover Jackson Browne, who inspired me to learn piano and influenced my songwriting heavily. After a few years of gigging, I fell into Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings, etc. More recently, I’ve become a big fan of guys like Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, and other modern, mainstream “outlaws.” I’m a big fan of Red Dirt music these days. I find it extremely hard to relate with what’s on traditional radio these days.” Primarily an acoustic act, he's played venues across the country and has become a regular personality on numerous Florida-based radio broadcasts, and has performed LIVE on ABC, CBS & NBC television networks. He has shared stages with artists such as Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett, and Michael Ray, among many others. One thing unique about Grimes: His tour bus once belonged to music legends. “I renovated and moved into a 1980 Silver Eagle tour bus purchased from my friends at Starr Creations, where I discovered documents, photos and other items from Willie Nelson & Family, Kansas, Crystal Gayle, UB40 and other major artists,” said Grimes. “After some digging, it turns out the bus was a workhorse crew/band bus for a great number of legends, and I have the paperwork to prove it!” Upcoming Appearances: April 16 The Wine Stable Bartow 9:00 p.m. May 1 American Legion Bike Fest Mulberry 6:00 p.m. May 5 Tequila Azul w/ Outta Hand Band Sebring - TBA May 8 Grove Roots Brewing Winter Haven 7:00 p.m.

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Melissa Lee Melissa Lee

Raised in the phosphate mines and citrus groves of Polk County, Justin Grimes is a singer/songwriter from Central Florida performing a blend of blues, country, soul, southern rock and folk. Ask Grimes to define his musical style- and things get complicated.

Melissa Lee’s musical inspirations range from country, southern rock, and pop. The artist credits Country music star Miranda Lambert for inspiring her to pursue music full-time at 19. Now the 25-year-old is rising in the music scene with her sassy country, southern rock, and catchy vocal songs. “I didn’t listen to country music until my junior year of high school,” said Lee. “I heard Miranda’s song, Gunpowder and Lead, on the radio one day and it gave me butterflies in my stomach. I told myself, I don’t know who or what that is, but whatever she’s doing is what I want to do for the rest of my life, ha! Gunpowder and Lead is still my all-time favorite song.” Lee has opened for music artists Josh Turner, Cole Swindell, David Allan Coe, and her most memorable performance while touring with ACM band, Confederate Railroad, was performing with Charlie Daniels at the Dallas Bull in Tampa. Melissa originates from Michigan, where she started touring full-time in 2015 with an all-girls group called Girls With Guitars. In 2016 she sold out Michigan casinos as the only female singer in a “tribute to the Grand Ole Opry”. She moved to Nashville in 2017 and was hired as a performer in The Music of Nashville- an elite group whose weekly performances at the Texas Troubadour Theatre. Now, Lee performs at venues throughout the state of Florida including Ellenton, Clearwater, cities through Polk County, Homosassa, and of course, Plant City. “My favorite venue to perform in Florida is probably the Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa,” said Lee. “I also love Salt Cracker in Clearwater where I usually perform on Saturday nights and Keel & Curley in Plant City where I usually perform the first Friday and third Sunday of the month!”

Upcoming Appearances April 18 Keel & Curley 12:30-4:30 pm May 7 Keel & Curley 6:00-9:00 pm May 16 Keel & Curley 12:30-4:30 pm Visit melissaleemusic.com for more shows dates/locations

“I wanted to BE Garth Brooks- who didn’t?- and seeing him in person at the Strawberry Festival left such an impression on me I never forgot what it must feel like to entertain a crowd like that, and especially have so much fun doing it,” said Stidham. “Although I never thought I'd reach his heights of fame, he was my inspiration. From there I spent a long time following and becoming obsessed with the Dave Matthew's Band and still love to go see them today. John Mayer, Tom Petty, ELO, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson are all huge ingredients in the recipe that makes up my musical taste.” With these influences, Stidham is often told he sounds like a band of musicians working together, but Stidham is a oneman-show. Often only accompanied by his guitar and a foot pedal. “What I strive for is to sound like multiple musicians all rolled into one,” said Stidham. “I attempt to accomplish that by layering percussive sounds and beats all made from my guitar and pedals with melodies and vocal harmonies that hopefully, -and I've had a few people tell me this- if you closed your eyes you would think there's more than one person playing, but when you open them, it's just me!” Stidham gives credit to Aaron LeSage and Cliff Brown of Five 5 Entertainment for booking about 80% of the work Stidham has right now. While bars and music halls are open again, things aren’t “back to normal” for full-time musicians yet. Stidham counts himself as very lucky and thankful to have regular, weekly gigs to play.

Upcoming Appearances: Every Saturday American Social Tampa @ 11:30 AM Every Friday in May Post Card Inn @ 6 PM

Charleene Closshey Charleene Closshey

CaseyStidham Stidham Casey

Casey Stidham is one of the most popular vocal artists from the Plant City community. With regularly scheduled appearances throughout Central Florida, including Post Card Inn, American Social Orlando & Tampa locations, Wine & Wood in South Tampa, and many more. Stidham says he is inspired by artists such as Garth Brooks, John Mayer, and Michael Jackson.

Actress. Singer. Classically-trained instrumentalist. Awardwinning composer. Plant City-native Charleene Closshey set the bar high for musicians hailing from our city. When studying piano, Charleene was two-years-old when she learn to read music. Closshey starred on Broadway in the award-winning show, Once, with her voice described as “enchanting” and “angelic.” With a passion for all things Christmas, Charleene’s first mainstream album Christmas Time is Here produced by sixtime Grammy winner Brent Maher features live orchestra and choir recorded in Sofia, Bulgaria. The album opens with Holiday Radio Top 20 hit “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” later featuring the voices of Sofia Boy’s Choir in Charleene’s own composition of the sacred prayer “Ave Maria”. Both tracks have already received international press acclaim. She’s a Top 5 Most Spun Indie Artist on radio with a Top 40 most played song across all radio format, spinning alongside Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey, John Legend, Pentatonix, and Sia. Closshey has released both singles and LPs across diverse musical genres, played Irish fiddle with Celtic Thunder, sang opera in Rome, was called out by Frank Sinatra, Jr. on stage as the ‘violinist who knows my dad’s songs as well as I’, and dueled fiddles with Charlie Daniels (twice). In 2014, she starred in the holiday feature film, An Evergreen Christmas, and released the movie’s soundtrack album, An Evergreen Christmas: Music from the Motion Picture, in 2020. In 2018, she released Talk About Love, a soundtrack album for her 2018 film No Postage Necessary. Charleene is set to release her next album Only Love Remains produced by Brent Maher in 2021. To learn more about Charleene’s music, visit her website charleeneclosshey.com PAGE

Now, Zeigel is a full-time musician who has performed at over 70 different venues through nine Florida counties with a guitar in hand. Zeigel’s voice has a little grit, but it’s smooth. Ask him about his musical style and he describes it as “passionate, authentic, and genuine.” Not only is he inspired by Guns N’ Roses, but today, Zeigel says he is inspired by his friends. “Guys like Logan Grant/Show Ponies, Branson Welsh, Chris Walker, Damon Fowler, Johnny Shelton and Seth Campbell,” said Zeigel. If you’ve seen Lanny Z perform in the past, he was probably joined by his band mate, Axl, his beloved Pug. Axl would sit at Zeigel’s feet as he entertained crowds. “Axl doesn’t go to many shows these days,” said Zeigel. “He’s about to turn 11-years-old so he’s enjoying retirement. I just always wanted him by me, I guess. Plus, my tips increased when he was around.” Zeigel is currently the Entertainment Director for the four Duke’s Brewhouse locations. He says the position was a natural fit for him, as he has performed at all of the locations over the last few years. “I couldn’t ask for a better job or better people to work with and I’m extremely grateful to have this opportunity,” said Zeigel. “Handling the music for the franchises keeps be on my toes and always busy.” Upcoming Appearances: April 25 Duke’s Brewhouse Lakeland

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BornLonesome Lonesome Born

Lanny Z Lanny Z

At 14-years-old, Lanny Zeigel, known professionally as “Lanny Z,” heard Knocking on Heaven’s Door by Guns N’ Roses performed live at The Ritz. It was then that young Lanny wanted to learn to play. He says it changed his life.

Founded in 2019, Born Lonesome is an emerging Bluegrass ensemble from Central Florida. Blending the American Roots genre of country, bluegrass, and Americana, Bone Lonesome offers soulful vocal performances. Born Lonesome comprises Royce Burt, banjo; Clay Hess, mandolin; Chad Spikes, lead vocals/guitar; Jimmie White, guitar; Claybo Varnum, bass; and Jason Baker, fiddle. Burt says the best way to describe Born Lonesome’s sound: Outlaw Bluegrass. “The lyrics aren’t Outlaw, but the sound is edgier than traditional Bluegrass,” said Burt. “We’re a little Rock & Roll, old school Country, but with Bluegrass instruments. We aren’t your grandpa’s Bluegrass band.” Born Lonesome, while a relatively young group, has combined decades of experience performing. Currently, the band recently released its self-titled debut album, featuring original songs. Born Lonesome has performed at Krazy Kup regularly, as well as Florida Strawberry Festival, Florida State Fair, Citrus County Music Festival & Car Show, The Florida Opry, and continues to book fairs, festivals, and events. Born Lonesome recently made an appearance on WMNF 88.5 FM’s Traffic Jam, to which Burt says the band felt honored. Show attendees have raved about Born Lonesome’s talent and the band’s commitment to the traditional sounds of American music. The band’s Facebook page is filled with comments such as: “Such a talented band! Loved your show,” “I've seen y'all twice now in Florida. Ohio is gonna love you when they find out about you,” and “You boys sound like you've been together for a long time. Better than excellent! Thank you all for a great show!”

Upcoming Appearances: Florida State Fair May 2 @ 11:00 AM Check out Born Lonesome on Facebook for more information on their upcoming schedule

In 2009, Pastor Callins did an 11-day concert tour in Europe. Callins recorded his first national gospel album in 1994 entitled The Family That’s Prays Together Stays Together and says he has been featured on more than 20 albums as the main artist or as a guest artist. In 2019, Callins traveled to 47 states in 30 days to perform. Every year, he performs at the Florida Strawberry Festival, hosting a Gospel Night. In February 2021, Callins released a new single, “Till the World,” produced by Grammy award-winning producer and Plant Cityresident Cliff Brown. The song is available on all streaming platforms.

Upcoming Appearances Every Sunday Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries @ 11 AM

The ShowPonies Ponies The Show

Calvin “PeeWee” Callins Calvin “PeeWee” Callins

When Calvin “Pee Wee” Callins isn’t leading the congregation as Pastor of Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries, he is using his musical talent to guide people’s spirit to God. Pastor Callins is an R&B Gospel artist, traveling throughout the world to perform. He says his first experience with Gospel music was as a boy in his grandfather’s church. At age four, he began playing the drums and by 12, he was playing the keyboard. He didn’t have formal training, but self-taught, influenced by his family’s love for music.

Thursday nights at 1916 Irish Pub are full of energy, thanks to The Show Ponies, a local band comprising Jeff Baker on drums and backup vocals, Eric Long on bass guitar, and Logan Grant on guitar and lead vocals. The band’s musical style is a mix of alternative country and the 80s. “We all have different influences, and that’s really want formed our musical style,” said Grant. “Jeff loves Waylon Jennings and Van Halen, Eric grew up on George Jones and Sublime. I listened to The Eagles a lot and got into a lot of 80s music after college. Like Foreigner, Prince, and Tears for Fears.” The trio performs at venues such as Tampa’s MacDinton’s Shepherd’s Clearwater, and Lakeland’s Ybor Cigar and Spirits. Throughout Tampa Bay, The Show Ponies are known as one of the best bands for a high-energy crowd that wants to dance or a calm night to enjoy the classics. This diversity makes The Show Ponies one of the most sought-after bands in Tampa Bay, keeping their schedule packed. “As far as a particular song that we’d play to get a room ‘energized’ really is the job, every room is different, every night is different,” said Grant. “Some nights people want to dance, some nights people want to listen. I’d say our song ‘Driving Back to Georgia’ has really been hitting a sweet spot for our audiences lately. That one hasn’t been recorded yet but we’re planning a trip to Nashville soon to put together an EP with that one on it.”

Upcoming Appearances: April 22, April 29, and May 6 1916 Irish Pub @ 8PM April 18, April 25, and May 2 Caddy’s at St Pete Beach @ 6PM April 23 and May 12 Post Card Inn St Pete Beach @ 3PM & 4PM, respectively PAGE

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Rolling a Taste of Tampa into Town By Cierra Craft

Ole Tampa Cubans Rockin’ Plant City’s Cuban Cuisine A native of Eastern Hillsborough County, Dwayne Williams has vivid childhood memories standing on the docks at the Port of Tampa. He remembers the sights of old shrimp boats in the bay, the taste of a traditional Tampa Cuban sandwich, and the sounds of movies at Auto Park Drive-In on Causeway Boulevard. These memories were the inspiration for his restaurant, Ole Tampa Cubans, a casual eatery serving Cuban sandwiches and Devil Crabs, giving each customer “a Taste of Tampa.” With rockstar customer service and a passion for serving quality food, Ole Tampa Cuban’s unique approach to Plant City’s Cuban cuisine is making a splash as a standout. Each day, Ole Tampa Cuban’s team is hand-rolling 300 to 500 Devil Crabs per day and uses fresh La Segunda bread, the epitome of old Tampa heritage. Plant City customers can dine in or carry out from the service window at 404 N. Alexander Street or pick up from the Ole Tampa Cuban food trailer, currently located at The Market at St. Martin Farms at 4810 James L. Redman Parkway. Meet owner Dwayne Williams as he sits down with FOCUS to talk about rolling a Taste of Tampa into town.

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Ole Tampa Cuban rolls about 300 to 500 Devil Crabs per day, according to owner Dwayne Williams.

In your own words, share with readers why Ole Tampa, specifically the Port of Tampa, is so important to you. The Port of Tampa is important to me because our family spent many weekends there. My father worked most of his life at the Port. He retired from Central Oil Company after nearly 30 years of service. As a child, I remember hanging out at the dock behind the Sea Breeze restaurant waiting for my dad to get off work. I would watch the shrimp boats coming in and out of the Port and was always fascinated by them. They looked like giant birds on the water. That is the reason I wanted to use a shrimp boat for the Ole Tampa logo. How did you go about crafting your own version of the Cuban Sandwich and creating "A Taste of Tampa" for your customers? Tampa has a long history with the Cuban Sandwich. The Tampa Cuban is very specific to its origin as is the Miami Cuban to Miami. Many people drive to Tampa for the Cubans and Devil Crabs. I wanted to create those favorites outside of Tampa. "Bringing a Taste of Tampa" to other communities is my goal. What is the process of making your famous Devil Crabs like? How many are made per day? Every morning at 5:00 a.m .you can find me at our Ole Tampa location in Mulberry making the tasty crab filling mix. Our staff arrives at 6:00 a.m. every morning to begin the Devil Crab rolling process. It is a two-day process to make a batch of Devin Crabs. We actually make our own breadcrumbs for our dough. We roll approximately 300-500 each day. Our largest order to date was 2,000 Devil Crabs for the Amalie Arena in Tampa. What do you think makes Ole Tampa Cubans different from other Cuban sandwich shops? There are many great local Cuban Sandwiches. My Cubans are different because of the passion I have for the Cuban Sandwich PAGE

specifically. We are not just a "sandwich shop" nor are we a "Cuban restaurant." My passion is to adhere to the strict processes and ingredients found in a true "Tampa" Cuban. I am very picky about the little things; I want every bite of a sandwich, from the first to the last, to be great. You have a location in Mulberry and now Lakeland, as well as your food trailer at the Market at St. Martin Farms. Why did you choose Plant City as a place to open up shop? Any plans of the next location to receive a "Taste of Tampa?" My goal is to open five locations. After that, our goal is to franchise. This would allow hard-working families the opportunity to own their own location. Ole Tampa Cubans is growing fast and getting more and more popular as we prove ourselves to be the place to go for great food. As more and more are getting out to the public, we are becoming known for the place to get the best Cubans and Devil Crabs.

Ole Tampa Cubans sandwiches begin between bread baked by local legend La Segunda. It’s then piled with ham, slow roasted pork, salami, pickles, Swiss cheese, and mustard.

At the beginning of the year, you rolled out an Ole Tampa Cubans trolley. How does the trolley elevate the Ole Tampa experience for customers? The Trolley is a great representation of Ybor City in Tampa. It is definitely eye-catching and people have told me when they see it, they just have to smile. When our guests eat the food at Ole Tampa, I want them to get a sense of authenticity. The restaurant is renowned for its Cubans and Devil Crabs. What menu items do you feel deserve a little more time in the spotlight? I've been working on different variations of the Tampa Cuban. We now have the Honey Cuban, the Spicey Cuban along with our American Cuban and our Traditional Cuban (the El Cubano). If you haven't had a serving of our "Shipwreck" fries, then you are missing out. Also, our Black Beans with Cilantro Lime Rice and our Spanish Bean Soup are equally to die for. Everything is made in-house from scratch. Everything right down to the roasted garlic pork on all of our Cuban Sandwiches. Care to share with readers about the staff of the Plant City location? Our Plant City location is managed by my sister Marisa. Working alongside her is my cousin Donna. My kitchen is staffed with welltrained, caring, and responsible cooks - Teresa, Alejandra, Clara and Daniela. I am very proud of the staff at all of our Ole Tampa locations, they all do an outstanding job serving our guests and community.

Ole Tampa Cuban owner Dwayne Williams is a native of Eastern Hillsborough County. He opened Ole Tampa Cubans Plant City location in December 2018.

What is your favorite genre or era of music? Who are some of your favorite artists? I have a really broad liking for music, everything from Southern Gospel, Country Classics, 80s Country and Rock to more modern-day artists like Billy Ellish and Asten Wyld

Do you or anyone in your family have musical talent? I have been told I should become a singer. I grew up singing in church as a child and still love to sing, I just don't in public.

Have you ever been to a concert? If so, who was the musical act? George Strait

Are there any songs that hold special meaning to you? Cross My Heart by George Strait. When I married my beautiful wife, Liesel, it was our wedding song. PAGE

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What was your favorite place to visit as a kid? My favorite place as a kid -- and still one of my favorite places to visit -- was Magic Kingdom. Where is your favorite place to visit in Plant City as an adult? Now, it’s Pelican’s SnoBalls. There are so many different options to choose from. I try a different flavor every time I go. It’s definitely the place to go to, especially during a hot day. You attended FAMU. What are you doing right now in your career? I’m working in Plant City with Fryed Egg Productions. I’m also doing freelance reporting and writing with my media company, Cala Callins Media (CCMedia).

People of Plant City

Calaydria Callins By Emily Topper

Calaydria (Cala) Callins has got spirit – especially for the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. The former Plant City High School cheer captain and FAMU grad has returned to Plant City to begin working in the media industry. She’s even launched her own media company, Cala Callins Media. What schools did you attend, and what activities were you involved in growing up in Plant City? I went to Tomlin Middle School and Plant City High School. Cheerleading was my favorite activity growing up. I participated in Little League Cheerleading with the Plant City Dolphins and then started Allstar Cheerleading with the Brandon Allstars. I was also on the PCHS Varsity Sideline and Competition team, where I served as senior captain. When I graduated and went to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), I cheered on the FAMU all-girl cheer team.

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What is a business or event you would like to see Plant City have in the future? A career expo for the younger generations. What is your hope for the future generations of Plant City? I hope the younger generations are able to get out of Plant City and be able to explore and learn about different opportunities another state or city has to offer. What is a local cause/organization you feel passionately about? In general, giving back to the community. My father’s church, Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries, has a community outreach program where we do acts of kindness for the community. Last Thanksgiving, we were able to bless over 100 families and deliver food to the homeless. To put a smile on someone’s face makes my heart happy.

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Did You Know?

Arthur Elmer Sharpton, Jr. – One of Plant City’s Outstanding Automobile Dealers By Dr. Scotty and Hsiu Huang History Center Plant City Photo Archives, Inc.

rthur Elmer “Bill” Sharpton, Jr., was the owner of one of the most successful automobile dealerships in Plant City’s history. Born on October 31, 1917, in Monroe County, Georgia, A. E. Sharpton, Jr., was the son of Arthur Elmer Sharpton, Sr., and Lena (Sorrels) Sharpton. At the age of three, young Sharpton moved with his family to Springhead, where he would attend elementary school. In 1936 he graduated from Plant City High School and began his varied career. The late 1930s through the early-to-mid 1940s saw Sharpton taking several jobs, such as at the local A&P Grocery and at the Dixie Restaurant as a waiter. In 1940, when he was 22, Sharpton and his family lived at 602 West Baker Street. At that time, Sharpton worked for the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., at the corner of Reynolds and Palmer streets; his mother worked as a seamstress, and his father in sales at Bates Chevrolet. Sharpton was also a manager for Hinson Hardware in Plant City and worked for ButterKrust Bakery in Lakeland. Sharpton’s wide variety of jobs even included a stint in the Navy. During WWII, Sharpton joined the United States Navy and served as an Aviation Machinists Mate from August 1942 to November 1945; and, in 1943, married Myrtle Lester of Lakeland. Sometime after the war, Sharpton entered the auto sales business as a buyer and salesman for H. F. McCranie Used Cars in Lakeland. It was in his blood – his father, Arthur Elmer Sharpton, Sr., had once owned a Star and Flint Motor Cars dealership, until the Durant Automobile Company that built the cars went out of business, and he later went to work for Bates Chevrolet in Plant City.

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Sharpton attributed his own success, in part, to his spending much time with this father as a youth and learning the fundamentals of the car business. In 1947, Sharpton opened his own used car lot in Plant City – Bill Sharpton Auto Sales - with an inventory of two cars of his own and three borrowed from Harold McCranie. By 1955, he was successful enough to buy the Don Phipps Chevrolet dealership, formerly the Bates Chevrolet where his father had worked. Since1955, Bill Sharpton Chevrolet, Inc., had received thirty-five first place Grand Awards in Chevrolet sales campaigns. An honorable employer, always concerned about his employees, Sharpton offered numerous benefits and training for them and was known to retain his employees for lengthy terms. Sharpton was a graduate of the Chevrolet School of Merchandising and Management, and the Chevrolet “Practicum”, which was held in cooperation with the General Motors Institute in Detroit, Michigan. He served six times on the advisory panel for the Chevrolet School of Merchandising and Management. He was a director of the Florida Automobile Association and served as General Motors Customer Relations chairman for the east Hillsborough area.

Sharpton was also a devoted supporter of his community. He was a member and past president of the East Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of the Industrial Expansion Committee of 100, director and vice-chairman of the Board at South Florida Baptist Hospital, associate director of the Hillsborough County Fair and Florida Strawberry festival., American Legion, Automotive Oldtimers Association, Olin S. Wright Masonic Lodge, former director of the First National Bank in Plant City, and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Plant City. After selling the Chevrolet dealership to Gary Bell, Sharpton retired in 1979. He and his wife Myrtle spent their last years at 1111 W. Terrace Drive. Myrtle died in 1987, and Bill Sharpton died in October 2000. Sources: Ancestry.com; newspapers.com; Quintilla Geer Bruton and David E. Bailey, Jr., Plant City; Its Origin and History; Plant City Photo Archives & History Center Collections: The Bill Sharpton Collection.

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813 Chinese By Cierra Craft

rom the delicious savory flavors of Bourbon Chicken and Pork Fried Rice or the warmth of Wonton Soup, 813 Chinese serves up delicious Chinese-American entrees to hungry Plant City residents. Dine-in the restaurant’s quaint dining room, order take out or opt for delivery with DoorDash or UberEats to have 813 Chinese brought to your doorstep. Every dish begins with fresh ingredients, flavor, and a whole lot of passion for high-quality meals. 813 Chinese infuses flavor into each entree, cooking over a fiery wok, a round-bottomed pan. This tool allows 813 Chinese to cook customers’ orders quickly at high heat. Entrees are made-to-order, ensuring customers that special requests will be met. Often 813 Chinese can turn orders around in 15 to 20 minutes despite high volumes. Tom Y. of Plant City left a review online noting the restaurant’s quick turnaround and excellent execution: “Always prepared perfectly. Fresh, crisp veggies and tender meats and seafood. We like the Beef Broccoli, Egg Foo Young, the Egg Rolls, Chicken Teriyaki, the Steamed Dumplings, and two standouts are the Shrimp with Mixed Veggies and one I tried for the 1st time (and will get again ), Happy

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Family! Have always had fast & friendly service and the food is always well portioned and very flavorful. Excellent Chinese food!” Many customers praise 813 Chinese for its generous portions and affordable prices. The lunch special, available Monday through Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., allows customers to pick one of 30 entrees, then served with pork fried rice, a free 12-ounce soda or choice of Wonton Soup, Chicken Egg Drop Soup, or Hot and Sour Soup for $7.00. Some of those entrees include Orange Chicken, Shrimp of Lobster Sauce, and Egg Foo Young. For dinner, customers can choose from chicken, beef, seafood, or pork dishes to be served with steamed white rice, ranging in price from $7.00 to $11.00. Combination platters, offer customers nearly 30 options, to pair with pork fried rice and a crispy egg roll. 813 Chinese is highly ranked on Google, TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Yelp with 4 stars or higher on each platform. 813 was named #1 on Yelp’s Top 10 Best Chinese Restaurants in Plant City and #1 on TripAdvisor Top 5 Best Chinese Restaurants in Plant City. The restaurant is also a nominee of the FOCUS Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards in the category of Best Asian cuisine.

Here are a handful of the abundant 5-star reviews written about 813 Chinese: “Best Chinese food ever!! Everything was seasoned perfectly! The noodles, my general tso chicken, everything! The crab rangoon was crunchy on the outside, but soft inside! Definitely the best place I've gotten Chinese food from. Will be back!” - Destiny H. “Best takeout around, we drive a half hour from Valrico to go here. Super clean, super friendly, and super good.” - James J. “The best cashew chicken I’ve ever had. Loaded with cashews, fresh veggies and big pieces of chicken (not that little diced up stuff). Kung Pao shrimp is also very good. Excellent iced tea. We drove from Lakeland to eat here and will be back!” - April V. 2204 James L Redman Pkwy, | Plant City, FL 33563 | (813) 752-6888 | 813chinesefood.com Open daily: 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. PAGE

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RISING STAR Tanner

Gosner By Katie Hamilton

Tanner Gosner is a pitcher for the Majors Plant City Little League team and overall has had an overwhelming success this season. From throwing a no-hitter to winning a championship ring Tanner has started to flourish in the sport he holds dearly. Tanner is a hard-working team player with an opportunistic schedule practicing with his teammates 3-4 days a week, taking private lessons a few times a month, and working out with his brothers. Tanner is sure to succeed in his goal of playing baseball throughout middle and high school and continuing on to receive a scholarship to attend college and play baseball. Tanner attends First Baptist Brandon Christian Academy and has been playing baseball since the age of five. Tanner is coached by Joel Connell and Sean Ray and admires them closely stating “They encourage me and teach me the mechanics of baseball.” Tanner deeply enjoys baseball and has grown so much as a player describing “I love playing baseball because I get to have fun with my teammates playing my favorite sport. When I am pitching and strike a player out it is a rewarding feeling to know that my demanding work is paying off.” Tanner recounts his favorite memory explaining “I loved hitting my first home run over the fence.” Tanner has made many friends on his current team and even gets the privilege of playing with his closest friend: his brother Travis. Tanner thanks his biggest supporter his father, Shawn Gosner. Tanner appreciates all that his father contributes to his passion stating, “He is my #1 fan, pushes me to do my best and is at my practices and games cheering me on.” Through Tanner’s amazing support team, Tanner has made gains this season by increasing his running speed and improving his pitching skills to throw batters off. Overall, Tanner wishes to make his biggest life accomplishment of letting Jesus into his heart and getting baptized. PAGE

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Team of the Month PCHS Flag Football By Katie Hamilton

he Plant City High School Girls Flag Football team is truly a deeply tied team of girls who love their sport. Coached under Coach Eatman and Coach Cantu, the girls have had much success and growth. Rylee Schaffer in the 12th grade expressed, “I love my coaches mainly because they are so fun so work with and they can be jokesters, but when it comes time to be serious, they are there for us.” Many sports teams come to struggle with support between teammates; however, these girls have their trust down pack. Raevyn Lewis is a junior this year and describes her relationship with her fellow mates stating, “My main motivation is always my teammates because if I didn’t have them, I more

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than likely would not want to play anymore. They make me want to improve and have made me love this sport so much.” The team not only has a great relationship on the field but expresses their kindness and gratitude to each other by hanging out before and after practice, maintaining group chats, and going to dinners after games. The girls all also bond over the signature quote that they use on the field to keep themselves motivated. Alyssa Stahl in the 10th grade uses “Nobody past us.” Also in the 10th grade, Rosa Arevalo follows “Don't be last.” While interviewing this team, they were asked who their greatest inspiration was, many of them chose a teammate who was close to their

heart. Caris Schneider is a freshman on the team and is deeply inspired by Raevyn Lewis explaining “She is such a sweet person but isn't afraid of saying what needs to be said. She is always there to cheer me up and put a big smile on my face. Her willingness in the game and her stride to success is always amazing.” The memories made on this team will stay with the girls for the rest of their lives. Kelli Mcavoy has made it to her last year with PCHS and has many stories from the team to tell; however, Kelli stated that her favorite memory overall was when she had a softball game and a flag football game on the same day. Kelli states “I ran over to the flag game and switched uniforms on the sidelines, but after all, we ended up winning the game.”

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Meet the

Maker: Starr Creations By Heather Davis

very once in a while if you are lucky in life you may be granted with an opportunity that seems almost too good to be true. However along with that opportunity comes a responsibility and a realization that you are taking on one of the most challenging and life changing endeavors you have ever faced. The choice is yours. You can back down and say this is not for you or you can rise up and meet the challenge. Such is the story behind how Starr Creations was born. Starr Creations is a custom fabrications company located in Plant City, comprised of Aaron Starr, Jesse Starr, Eric Long and Ian Denton. In 2013, Mr. Long was approached by Monster Jam through the body company he worked for to custom build a monster truck. Realizing this was out of his realm of expertise he enlisted the help of Aaron and Jesse Starr. Aaron stepped up to the plate and spent hours, days, and months relentlessly hand carving out of foam the body for his first monster truck, The El Diablo. From this amazing conquest that was met with huge success, Starr Creations was born. Each year, these talented and driven men hand build, down to the exact specifications, three to four custom monster trucks for Monster Jam. The actual unveiling of the finished product, the Monster Truck itself in all its completed glory at the Monster Jam shows, is what drives and makes all the hard work, blood, sweat and tears worth it. Starr Creations has been accredited with changing the industry of Monster Jam with the level of skill, raw talent and expertise they bring to the table. It is truly a team effort from start to finish with each person on the team making the magic happen. Beginning with Jesse who renders the 3D computer designs to the act of making and completing the molds completed by Aaron, Eric and Ian. The future of Starr Creations is looking extremely bright with Monster Jam beginning to make a come back and many other projects in the works, along with a possible television show to stay tuned for. Always innovative and willing to completely step out of their comfort zones to achieve the impossible, Starr Creations has reached for the stars to make their wildest dreams come true. Starr Creations 611 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Plant City (813) 659-3879 www.starrcreations.com Instagram @starrcreationsllc

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Leaders in

Faith James Douglas Hurlburt

Worship Arts Pastor / Youth Ministry Leader By Cheryl Johnston

lant City native and musician/songwriter James Douglas Hurlburt has been leading the musical worship at First Baptist Church of Midway since January 2015. He is proud of his hometown and thankful for the encouragement his family provided through group sings from a young age. In addition to piano, James also plays the guitar, banjo, dobro, mandolin, fiddle, bass, and other folk instruments. Previous to his years at FBC Midway, he served as Youth Praise & Worship Leader at FBC Dover for seven and as Worship Technology leader at Element Church Tampa for three years. He's also directed and composed with praise bands, orchestras and worship choirs at other local ministries such as FBC Plant City, Bell Shoals Brandon, Bay Life Church, The Crossing, and Ardella Baptist. As to what the husband and father of two loves most about his work, James said, “The worship experience is different each week because God never moves in the hearts of our people the same way twice.” “In fact,” he added, “The Lord surprises us in new ways every Service.” When did you realize you’d be involved in music ministry? God abruptly led me into music ministry at age 21 when my wife Robin and I were newlyweds. It was an exciting new beginning for us. Today, she continues to support me by singing on Sundays. She is my rock in many ways.

youth, we try to remember that they are indeed the future of the church and the body of Christ. I enjoy teaching young people to play instruments, run our computers and audio equipment, etc. It’s a joy to work with those who have a desire to serve God in any capacity, but especially those who share in my affinity for worship.

Describe a little about a typical week when you are preparing for the next gathering’s worship services. When getting my bearings on what our weekend worship schedule will look like, the first thing I strive to do is play hard and pray harder. What I mean by that is usually I’ll pick up my guitar or sit at the upright piano and worship God alone in my office (sometimes for hours). Then from that time spent with Him, I’ll find clarity on what music to bring before the congregation. I try not to over-prepare on my own, because usually, He knows what songs the people of our church need to hear before I do.

Tell us about First Baptist Midway. FBC Midway is an incredible place to call home. The church family welcomes people best by remaining rooted in the Word of God, while raising up disciples who actively live that out in the community. I believe Midway is a humble church. We know that to reach the community we don’t need to dazzle with fancy services, big signs, or manufactured “experiences.” Instead, we need to focus on what’s most important, and that’s loving God, loving people, and sharing the good news of Jesus with the world.

You are also involved with Midway’s youth, correct? Yes, for about six years I’ve been volunteering to help build a youth music team. This is not to be taken lightly, because when working with our PAGE

All are invited to visit First Baptist Midway at 2902 Midway Rd, Plant City, FL 33565. For additional information about services at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, call 813-752-7209 or visit in person or online at http://www.fbcmidway.org and Facebook.

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