FOCUS Plant City 20-07 by Floyd Publications

Great health care is closer than you think. South Florida Baptist Hospital is more than just a small community hospital. We’ve got a wide array of specialty care and surgical services that you don’t have to travel far to get. Our surgeons are experts in minimally invasive robotic surgical procedures that provide lots of benefits, including shorter hospital stays, decreased blood loss and smaller incisions that reduce the risk of infection. Plus, faster recovery times that mean you can get back to your normal activities sooner. You’ll find comprehensive orthopedic care—whether you’re an athlete who needs sports medicine services or you’re someone who needs a total joint replacement. Our allinclusive gynecology program offers high-quality care to the women and mothers in our community with a variety of women’s care services. We’ve even been designated as a Center of Excellence for our weight loss surgery program, meeting nationally recognized standards and providing outstanding care to our patients. And all of this extraordinary care exists right here in Plant City. Learn more: SouthFloridaBaptistSurgery.org

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Contents Table of

BY CIERRA CRAFT

Marzucco Real Estate’s managing partners Jeremy & Lisa Rhodes are passionate about Plant City, real estate and creating a community of skilled agents, ready to tackle this challenging market and ever-changing industry. Meet the Rhodes as they discuss mentorship, Marzucco, and being on main street.

Plant City has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s when settlers began populating Florida. The city was incorporated in 1885 and those early communities shaped some of the neighborhoods we live in today. Check out The Neighborhood Guide for a little history, architecture, and stats.

SPOTLIGHT: JEREMY & LISA RHODES

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FEATURE: THE NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE

FEATURE: TOP REALTORS

This July, FOCUS presents its annual Real Estate issue, highlighting our city’s top real estate offices, recognizing accomplished agents, and showcasing homes on the market. Meet the professionals who turn houses into homes with varied specialities including historic homes, rural property, and property management.

FOCUS PLANT CITY

focusplantcity.com / Issue 20-07 / July 2021

BUSINESS: THE CROSSING CHURCH

The Crossing Church Plant City campus is led by Pastor Michael Pippin. With his campus pastoral team, The Crossing Church Plant City is giving back to the community in prayer and service, while seeing lives transformed through the power of Jesus Christ. Learn more about The Crossing Church and its vision for lives from stagnation to spiritual revitalization.

PUBLISHER

Mike Floyd

MANAGING EDITOR

Cierra Craft

ART DIRECTOR

OFFICE MANAGER

DISTRIBUTION

mikef@floydpublications.com

cierra@floydpublications.com

Anthony Sassano

asassano@floydpublications.com

Candy Owens

cowens@floydpublications.com

Tony DeVane

STAFF WRITERS

Cheryl Johnston Emily Topper Jennifer Jordan Katie Hamilton

CONTRIBUTORS

Candy Owens 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.

www.focusplantcity.com

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UBLISHE

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YOU SHOULD BE HERE

This month started out like any other: Having family BBQs, swimming in the pool, and just doing life. Little did we know, our lives were about to change. On Saturday, June 26, I woke up super early to take my son and his friend tubing on Rainbow River, which we arrived too late as all the rentals were already sold out. But, we made the best of the trip and went swimming in the spring, then grabbed some lunch before heading back home. On the way home, we decided to call my mom and dad and see if they wanted to meet us at the bowling alley. My son Zy said, “Make sure Uncle Derek comes, too.” So, we all met in Brandon to spend some extra time together. We had such a great time together, and we even bought tickets to a Bucs pre-season game. We all talked about how much fun it will be to go together and tailgate. We left the bowling alley and decided to go to Dave and Buster’s to spend more time together. Later that night, I woke up to a phone call that my younger brother Derek had been in a car accident that took his life. I can’t even begin to tell you the pain I felt and could not stop running memories through my head. I couldn’t stop thinking about his 14-year-old son Gavin and the pain he was feeling. It just didn’t make sense. Derek was always happy, always smiling, and it seemed like he never met a stranger. He would go out of his way to make sure everyone around him was having a good time. Anybody in need, he would help without hesitation. He was a decorated officer with the Seminole Police Department, and later in life, he worked in underwater construction. But his greatest accomplishment was being a dad to Gavin. While there will always be a void in our lives, I’m thankful Derek’s last day on earth was a day of love and happiness, surrounded by family. Through all of this, we’ve learned to take lessons from my brother’s sweet personality and apply it to our own lives. Spending time together as a family means so much more now, cherishing one another and hugging a little tighter. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to offer your condolences and lift our family up in prayer. We greatly appreciate it during this difficult time.

Warmest Regards,

Mike Floyd PAGE

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Community

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CHECK IN WITH PLANT CITY Harry Potter Birthday Celebration Coming to Downtown By Jennifer Jordan On Friday, July 30, downtown Plant City is being transformed into a Harry Potter fan’s dream come true! From 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., all wizards and muggles are welcome to come to downtown Plant City donning their best Harry Potter attire and join in on the fun of celebrating Harry Potter’s birthday. The event is being presented by Plant City Main Street and sponsored by T-Mobile. Several businesses downtown are participating, including Brick City Bricks, Krazy Kup, Tub Treats, The Kandy Shoppe, and many others. These businesses will have Harry Potter-themed products for sale, exclusively for the July 30 Last Friday in Downtown event. Krazy Kup will serve butterbeer, the Kandy Shoppe will have chocolate frogs, Brick City Bricks will be having a sale on Harry Potter Lego sets, and Tub Treats will have special Harry Potter themed soaps. Many other businesses and vendors will be offering wizard-themed items and 10 food trucks will be in McCall Park. Greg Williams, owner of Brick City Bricks, stated, “This is the fourth year we have had the Harry Potter birthday celebration, and every year it seems to get bigger and bigger. There are a lot of businesses wanting to get involved in these types of events now and that’s why these events happen, to encourage more shopping and business downtown.” The Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum will have a platform 9 & ¾ and be the perfect spot for photos. McCall Park will also play Harry Potter music throughout, so even muggles can feel the magic. If you, your family, or friends love all things Harry Potter, be sure to be in downtown Plant City on Friday, July 30 in your favorite Harry Potter gear and “expecto lot of fun.”

PLANT CITY PERSONALITIES!

CAN YOU GUESS WHO THIS IS?

New Art to Appear in Collins Street Mural Park By Cierra Craft A replacement mural is in the works for Collins Street Mural Park. The current mural, titled “I Love Plant City,” painted in 2009, features the likeness of 25 city figures and iconic landmarks. The piece welcomed visitors into the downtown district, but the wall underneath is made of sand bricks, which are slowly chipping away, the paint is peeling, as well. Needless to say, it was time to create a smooth canvas for a new work of art, crews completed that step the last week of June. Vice Mayor Mike Sparkman is heading up the project in collaboration with Whistle Stop owner Jerry Loftstrom and Arts Council president Marsha Passmore, to design the new mural. The new design will feature historical people, places, and things that honor the past and embrace the future. The artist selected is Keith Goodson, a professional artist who has painted murals in Lake Placid, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Sandford, and Lakeland, among many other Florida cities. His work depicts photo-realism and vibrant colors and texture. “Visit his website or search for him on Facebook and you’ll be amazed by his talent,” said Sparkman. “He is fantastic and the perfect artist for our new mural.” The current city ordinance says murals are limited to buildings and sites that have a mural or a previous mural, with proper documentation of said murals existence. Sparkman says he hopes if the bar is set high with the new Collins Street Mural, this will lead to more murals within the city. Murals express an area's heritage and culture in a way that makes districts walkable, beautiful, and inviting, a longtime goal of city officials and Plant City Main Street. The project is funded by a corporate donation. There is a preliminary design in the works, but Sparkman says it is not finalized at the time of publication. Once Goodson completes the mural, a dedication will be held at the Collins Street Mural Park for an official unveiling. Stay up to date on the new mural on the City of Plant City’s Facebook page.

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HERE IS YOUR CLUE: This little Cutie Pie is born and raised in Plant City. You will see him POP all over town making sure that all his customers are covered with everything that they might need! AND MY HE LOOKS GOOD IN RED!

IF YOU KNOW WHO THIS IS CALL CANDY O AT FOCUS MAGAZINE! 813-707-8783 The first 3 people to guess the correct person will win a PRIZE!!!! (The TRUE identity will be given in next month’s FOCUS Magazine) LAST MONTHS ANSWER: MR. JIM SCOTT OF JARRETT-SCOTT FORD.

PCPD announce promotion of 12 officers By Cierra Craft On June 29, Police Chief James Bradford promoted 12 officers to the ranks of Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, and Corporal in a ceremony held at First Baptist Church of Plant City. The honor guard presented the colors and Kenzie Wheeler performed the National Anthem to open the ceremony. Police Chaplain Jeff Howell provided the invocation. In attendance, city commissioner Mary Thomas Mathis and her husband Tony, Vice Mayor Mike Sparkman and his wife Diane, and City Manager Bill McDaniel. Chief Bradford said this is probably the largest number of promotions at one time in the Department’s history. He reminded the new supervisors of the responsibility they have to protect the greater Plant City community, their respective units and to the police department as a whole. “Like the parts of the body function as one, the police department must function as one to accomplish a mission,” said Chief Bradford. “It will be your job to ensure all the parts of the police department work together.” The officers promoted included: Captain • Robert McLellan: McLellan has an 18-year career with PCPD after serving in the U.S. Navy from 1994 to 2002. • Alfred Van Duyne: Van Duyne is a USAF and Florida National Guard veteran. He worked for the Florida Dept. of Corrections, HCSO, and has been with PCPD since 1999. Lieutenant • Michael Ward: A Lakeland native, Ward served in the U.S. Marine Corps (19911995), U.S. Coast Guard (1997-2018), Florida Dept. of Corrections (1996-1997), before beginning his career with PCPD in 2003. • Matthew Lawson: Lawson has a long career of service with experience in the U.S. Marine Corps, Florida Department of Corrections, and Haines City Police Department before his 20-year career with PCPD. Sergeant • Paul Tester: Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Tester served with HCSO for three years before joining PCPD in 1998. • Stevie Carmack: Carmack served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, before joining HCSO in 2004 and PCPD in 2008. • Gerald Baker: Born in Tampa and raised in Zephyrhills, Baker joined PCPD in 2005. • Ernest Ward: A Tampa native, Ward served with HCSO from 2003 to 2007 and then joined PCPD. Corporal • Jason Fowler: Fowler worked with HCSO for three years and began his career with PCPD in 2012. • Justin Carpenter: Carpenter is a Lakeland native, with experience in Pasco County Sheriff’s Office before joining PCPD in 2014. • Tiffany Lindsey: Lindsey has 20 years of law enforcement experience with Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 2001-2005; Bay Harbor P.D., 20052006; and PCPD (2006- present). • Kevin Toenes: Toenes is a Tampa native and has been with PCPD since 2014. Chief Bradford also used this ceremony as an opportunity to go off-script and announce the retirement of longtime PCPD captain Jerry Stwan. Among his recent responsibilities, Stwan commanded the 911 Communications Center, Records Unit, Training Unit, Accreditation Unit, Evidence Unit and the Facilities/Vehicle Fleet Custodian. Captain Stwan was presented with his retirement badge at the conclusion of the program.

Phil Waldron Named Chairman of the Florida Strawberry Festival Board By Jennifer Jordan Since 1986, Phil Waldron has dedicated his free time to the Florida Strawberry Festival. Starting out volunteering, he became associate director in 1998. In 2014, he became a director and served as treasurer, secretary, and vice-chairman. With his knowledge of the festival and his 35 years of commitment, he is now the chairman of the board, and is eager for the opportunity. Waldron stated about becoming chairman, “Overall it’s a humbling experience; the festival is an integral part of Plant City. I enjoy meeting with the visitors and guests and making sure they are having a great time because we always want to improve and be bigger and better than previous festivals.” As chairman, Waldron said he would like to keep making upgrades to the stages, to ensure the performers’ criteria are being met, in addition to upgrading the dressing rooms for the performers. Waldron also included upgrading the technological infrastructure in his list of goals. Improving the Wi-Fi, security, gates, ticketing, and phone systems would not only help improve the guests’ experience, but also make the volunteers’ jobs easier. As a graduate of Plant City High School and the University of South Florida with a master’s in Urban Planning, a former Captain of the U.S. Coast Guard, and a former City Manager of Plant City, Phil Waldron is more than qualified for the role of chairman of the board. With his drive to get things done and his devotion to the festival, the 2022 Florida Strawberry Festival should be one of the best years yet. For any questions, information, or theme ideas for the 2022 Florida Strawberry Festival, visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com or call 813-752-9194. PAGE

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Foodies rejoice: Food Hall ‘The Vault’ coming to Plant City By Cierra Craft

iving and working in the downtown district, the empty building that once housed First National Bank of Plant City is one I’ve become familiar with. I was at the intersection of Wheeler Street and Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, staring out of the window when I said to my passenger, “ya know, they really should do something with this big building, it’s got a lot of parking, it’s a huge space for events…” Little did I know, behind the scenes Shane and Tara Karlson were putting plans in place to renovate the former 22,000 sq. ft. bank into a food hall named The Vault. Food halls are one of the hottest trends in the food and dining industry and Plant City is riding the culinary wave. Food halls allow everyone in the party to order whatever type of cuisine they want from a number of vendors and meet back at a table to enjoy. The Karlsons said they went to a food hall in Clermont and came to the conclusion that the concept was something needed in Plant City. “The first floor will be the food hall with six vendors serving unique foods, possibly a custom butcher shop and specialty foods,” said Shane Karlson. “We’re not letting just anyone in here, they have to offer something truly unique, desirable, and the best food they’ve ever had. We want to create an experience and make The Vault a family-friendly and pet-friendly space in Plant City.” The first floor will also feature a brewery and space for activities such as escape rooms and ax throwing. Guests have the option to have dinner in the original bank vaults, view the old safety deposit boxes, and other fixtures that tell the story of the bank. “We’re asking if anyone has photos, memories, old bank slips, or anything else that they’d like to share,” said Shane. “We want to use those pieces as decor in The Vault.”

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The second floor will be an office space, which the Plant City Economic Development Center will soon announce to potential occupants with approximately 50 office spaces. The elevator will go to the third floor and they’re exploring the options of a rooftop element of some sort. The Karlsons say the drive-thru teller line will be renovated into a beer garden/outdoor patio with a stage for live entertainment and The Vault will be partnering with a Florida entertainment management company to select the musical acts, food trucks and outdoor events. The vision includes plans to renovate the rooftop into another outdoor space with a bar, where guests can overlook the downtown district. The property comes with ample parking, with right around 100 spots and includes the parking lots across the street at the old TECO building. The Karlsons wanted to make it very clear that The Vault will not be a noisy night club. The business will be a family-friendly, pet-friendly space where all are welcome for a good time. Jaydon Development is leading the development with support from Marlon Lynn Architect, PA, The Bank of Tampa, Juno Marketing, and Ace Realty & Auction. Shane and Tara say the City of Plant City, Plant City Main Street, and the Plant City EDC are already doing great work to revitalize downtown and The Vault will be their part in leaving a legacy on the city they call home. The Vault has asked for the community’s input on the food vendors, activities and entertainment. Visit their Facebook page to submit the survey.

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Walden Lake Review BY NATALIE SWEET

alden Lake Community Association Board Meetings are held the third Monday of each month at 7:00 at the Walden Lake Community Association office building on Griffin Boulevard in Walden Lake. The next meetings are scheduled for July 19th and August 16th. Please keep an eye on the announcement boards at all entrances for dates and times of special meetings and events. Meetings are now being held in person although you can still log in to www. WaldenLake.org and view the meeting virtually as well as the video of the meeting will be posted on the website. The food trucks at the HOA Building/Sports Complex are on the second Fridays and last Sundays of each month. If you have not taken advantage of the delicious offerings, give it a try! Watch for more information from emails coming from the HOA, the entrance boards, and on Nextdoor. During the month of June, there were 19 sales in Walden Lake and 2 sales in Walden Lake East. Of the 21 sales, 5 were villas or townhomes. The average sale price was $298,981 and an average of 16 days on the market. The year over year increase in price is just under 14% as the average sale in June 2020 was $269,607. It’s a great time to be a Seller.

4th of July Celebration Returns to Plant City Stadium with a Bang By Jennifer Jordan On Sunday, July 4, hundreds of friends and families arrived decked out in red, white, and blue gear to celebrate America’s 245th independence at the Plant City Stadium. Located at 1810 E. Park Road, the alcohol-free event was presented by the Plant City Parks and Recreation Department and the Plant City Chamber of Commerce. Offering concessions, vendors, corn hole, inflatables, rock wall, train rides, tug-of-war, and balloon animals, kids and families had fun and stayed entertained while waiting for the dazzling fireworks display by Zambelli fireworks. After a year break due to Covid-19, the 15th year of the 4th of July event saw many Plant Citians with smiles on their faces and excitement in their eyes as they waited for the fireworks to light up the night sky. City Commissioner Mary Mathis spoke to the crowd on her enthusiasm to be back at the event, stating, “This is a family event, and this is a celebration. When you look out at the fireworks tonight, just think about where we were last year, and where we are this year. This really is a celebration to come together again.” The event began at 6:00 p.m. with Double Barrel Band providing the live music throughout the evening. A Military Salute started at 9:00 p.m. and recognized Tuskegee Airman Sgt. Thomas W. Newton of the 99th Fighter Squadron of the United States Airforce. The 2021 Little Miss Plant City Queen and Court led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Kenzie Wheeler made a special guest appearance to perform the National Anthem. The fireworks display began at 9:15 p.m., and attendees witnessed an incredible show with music accompanying the colorful and bold fireworks. Sponsors for the celebration included the Florida Strawberry Festival, Global Sports Alliance, Stingray Chevrolet, and Jarrett Scott Ford, among many others With feelings of community, togetherness, freedom, and fun in the air, the July 4th Celebration at the Plant City Stadium will continue for years to come and keep bringing friends and families together for a safe and fun time celebrating our nation’s independence. PAGE

The June sales are as follows: Address / Sales Price / Living Area / Pool / Garage

204 Granada Court North / $264,500 / 1401 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 102 Dorado Court / $205,000 / 1401 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 108 Seville Court North / $210,000 / 1648 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 2308 Village Green Drive / $230,000 / 1513 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 4101 Longfellow Drive / $240,000 / 1641 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 1905 Preservation Drive / $245,000 / 1573 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 1711 Teakwood Drive / $248,000 / 1736 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 1807 Hitching Post Drive / $252,500 / 2235 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 3109 Emerson Place / $260,000 / 1559 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 1303 Sandalwood Drive / $285,000 / 1789 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 2621 Bridle Drive / $290,000 / 2039 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 4301 Longfellow Drive / $292,000 / 1402 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 4013 Thackery Way / $300,000 / 2188 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 3413 Silver Meadow Way / $300,000 / 1689 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2745 Horseshoe Drive / $327,000 / 1692 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2907 Laurel Meadow Court / $348,000 / 1808 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2904 Laurel Meadow Court / $370,000 / 2055 Sq’ / Private / 3 Car 2901 Forest Club Drive / $390,505 / 2406 Sq’ / Private / 3 Car 3005 Forest Club Drive / $395,100 / 2419 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2704 Spring Meadow Way / $402,000 / 2635 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 2847 Hammock Drive / $524,000 / 2369 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car There are currently only 4 active listings for sale in Walden Lake and without the one new build that is on the market for $2.2M, the average list price of $322,967 with an average of only 2 days on the market! There are 24 properties Pending Contract in Walden Lake and Walden Lake East. The average list price of $379,508 and average of 14 days on the market. There is very little inventory available in Walden Lake. So far year to date, there have been 95 sales in Walden Lake and Walden Lake East with an average sales price of $355,029. If you are thinking about selling, this may be the perfect time to put your home on the market. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in talking about the best strategy. Walden Lake LLC has 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. Rumors have been circling that a golf course company has been in touch with the developer about bringing back a portion of the course. To date, there are no plans that have been approved or under consideration by the City. Check back on the City’s site often if you want to keep updated. How is COVID-19 affecting real estate? As you can see from the sales data above, we do not see a slowdown of our listings going under contract, providing they are priced correctly and in good condition. We are seeing fewer homes being listed, so The Sweet Team of Keller Williams Realty feels this is a great time to list, as there are buyers out there that are looking for a home. 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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TEASE Hair Studio Owner in the Running for the Cover of Muscle & Fitness HERS Magazine

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY SUMMER! Timothy B. Williams, D.O., M.Ed., F.A.A.P. • Emily Buchholz, P.A.-C Brandy Garcia, A.P.R.N. • Chandra R. Williams, M.D., F.A.A.P. Emily S. Zink, A.P.R.N.

By Jennifer Jordan Tiffany Dupree, owner of TEASE Hair Studio at 1705 James L. Redman Pkwy, is in the running to be on the cover of Muscle & Fitness HERS Magazine and needs the community’s support to win with as many online votes as she can get. If Dupree wins, she will be the next Ms. Health & Fitness, be on the cover of one of the magazine’s issues, have a double page feature spread in the magazine, and win $20,000. Starting with CrossFit eight years ago and developing a love for fitness, Tiffany Dupree received her personal training certification, and is even preparing to compete in the Tampa Pro in August, her first figure show. After seeing a Facebook advertisement about the Ms. Health & Fitness contest run by Muscle & Fitness HERS Magazine, Dupree wanted to take on the challenge of the contest and has advanced her way currently to the top 10. “I never thought I would be selected for this, so to make it this far is awesome,” said Dupree. “Hair is my passion, but I love fitness and it’s always great to have a hobby that pays.” As a mom, wife, and newly-turned 40-year-old, Dupree believes age is just a number, and thinks it is possible to achieve your goals so long as you start with small ones; a little progress each day adds up to big achievements. It is a newfound goal of hers to be on the cover of Muscle & Fitness HERS Magazine and win the contest, and if you would like to show your support and vote for Tiffany Dupree, visit the link https://mshealthandfitness. com/2021/tiffany-du and cast your vote daily. If Dupree wins the contest, she stated, “I’m going to use the money to pay for school; I’d love to continue my education and get a degree in nutrition.” If she advances to the finals in the contest, voting will continue until August 5. Help Tiffany Dupree achieve her goal and vote for her online to be the next Ms. Health & Fitness for Muscle & Fitness HERS Magazine.

Plant City Pediatrics believes that “children are a gift from the Lord”. We view patient care as an investment in the future of each child and take our mission very seriously. Our providers provide gentle, compassionate care to each patient, offering quality healthcare.

www.plantcitypediatrics.com PAGE

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The ‘Mango Man’ poised to be Plant City’s 2nd African American Children’s Author By Jennifer Jordan

illie Knight, Sr. has lived in Plant City his whole life. Known around town as the ‘Mango Man’ for the mango trees that are growing strong on his property, he has always had a love for writing and creating stories, as well as being creative through drawings. His life-long passion and dream to publish a book has finally come to life through his recently published children’s book, “Red Shirt, Blue Shirt, Green Shirt, Gray”, and he has become only the second African American from Plant City to publish a children’s book. The first is Evelyn Scott, according to the Plant City Photo Archives and the Improvement League. Due to his dedication and commitment to his writing and drawings, the 72-year-old Knight got to see his book come to life when Fulton Books released the 11-page story in late February 2021. Originally set to be released in August 2020, Covid-19 slowed down the publishing process; however, the book is now available in over 33,000 bookstores across the country. “Red Shirt, Blue Shirt, Green Shirt, Gray” goes through the decision-making process kids experience while trying to figure out what shirt to wear for the day, and the problems that arise while deciding. Working as a bagger at Felton’s Meat Market in Plant City during the

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day, Knight stated the book took about six weeks to write and illustrate, since he was only able to write the book in the evening. Knight said, “I always liked to write; I just sat down one day and said I want to write a book, and I thought about a children’s book because children like books and they get joy out of reading.” Knight even read the book before it was published to his granddaughter’s classroom over Zoom for the Great American Teach-In, getting rave reviews from the children. In his ‘about the author’ biography and dedication, Knight said that growing up during the fifties and sixties as a young man of color, he developed a burning desire to succeed, and hopes that his book will bring laughter, joy, and smiles to its readers. Currently, he is working on his second book that will tell a story about butterflies. For $12.95, “Red Shirt, Blue Shirt, Green Shirt, Gray'' can be purchased on Knight’s website, shootinstarproductions.com, along with t-shirts. You can also purchase it as an ebook at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Be sure to support Willie Knight, Sr. and get a copy for the child in your life and be sure to say hello to the ‘Mango Man’ while shopping at Felton’s.

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What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I co-run an Instagram page, Fantasy Football State of Mind, with two close friends of mine, Robert and Dom. The handle is @fantasyfootballstateofmind and we have almost 45,000 followers. What motivates you? I’m extremely motivated to do well in life because of my parents. Neither one of them had the best upbringing but they made the most of it. After they had me, they gave me the best life possible and I’m forever grateful. You’re a social person, and you started a social media business! What inspired you to start that career? During COVID and quarantine last year, I had a lot of down time and was struggling with a career path. The college route wasn’t for me, so I started thinking, “If I can build my Fantasy Football State Of Mind brand on social media, I can help other companies out with social media as well. The best way to contact me for social media is to visit socialmediahandled. com, which has a list of my current clients and contact information.

People of Plant City

Dylan Tice By Emily Topper

lant City resident Dylan Tice is energetic, upbeat and positive – all traits he brings to his business, Social Media Handled. The young entrepreneur began supporting the social media needs of local businesses during the pandemic and has turned his passion into a plan. Where were you born? I was born in Mulberry and moved to Plant City when I was 4 years old.

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What were your favorite places to visit in Plant City as a kid? What are your favorite local places to visit now? As a kid, my family would always go to the Plant City movie theater and then go across the street to eat at Woody’s! Now, my favorite local place is 1000000000% Krazy Kup. From the staff to the coffee and pastries to having my own assigned seat, I love that place!

What’s the best part of your job? The best part of my job is being able to help these local businesses. They simply don’t have time to run a business all day and do social media, so I’m happy to help! What is a business or event you would like to see Plant City have in the future? We need more family activities! Mini golf, escape rooms, and how about an indoor complex offering batting cages, basketball courts, kickball fields and skateboarding ramps? Come on, Plant City! Let’s make it happen. What is the best part about living in Plant City? The downtown community! Everyone knows each other and looks to spread positivity and support.

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Want to become a member of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce? Businesses may join the Chamber online by visiting www.plantcity.org or by calling the office at (813) 754- 3707.

Towneplace Suites by Marriott Plant City Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening The TownePlace Suites Plant City is the perfect place to call home for two nights or two months. Their pet-friendly hotel offers spacious studios and one-bedroom suites with separate living and sleeping areas, comfy beds, and full kitchens. Free WiFi, connected Smart TVs, free hot breakfast, and adjustable workspaces are all included, as well as a 24/7 fitness center and outdoor grilling and pool/patio area. 2709 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City, Fl 33563

Marzucco Real Estate Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Marzucco Real Estate is a residential and commercial real estate brokerage focusing on building relationships and turning houses into homes. Agents are primed as experts in all facets of the real estate industry, including construction, estimating, plan review, project management and staging design. They believe that, whether buying or selling, the key to your real estate success is choosing an experienced realtor who understands the process from the ground up. 107 ½ South Evers Street, Plant City, Fl 33563 PAGE

Did You Know? Floy Britt and the Florida Cooperative Extension Service By Dr. Scotty and Hsiu Huang History Center Plant City Photo Archives, Inc.

ot long after Florida began its extension service program, later called cooperative extension service, the state set up a program for Negro Extension Work in 1917. For most of the next fifty years Florida operated parallel extension services— one for Whites and one for Blacks. In the mid-1960s Florida’s extension services were integrated into one system completing the process around 1965. Our interest in this topic was piqued while researching the history of the Plant City based Florida Strawberry Festival. The festival began in 1930 and reading the programs for the yearly festivals we noticed a “Boys Corn Club” in the list of exhibitors in 1932. This was a program initiated by the Florida Extension Service. But in the 1934 program we noticed, in addition to the Corn Club, and the Home Demonstration Exhibit, there was a listing for a “Home Demonstration Exhibit (Colored) Floy Britt in charge.” It was apparent there were two separate parts to the extension service, but who was Floy Britt? In additional programs we read that Floy Britt oversaw the “Colored Home Demonstration” exhibit at the festival in 1934, and 1936 through 1940. A 1941 program was not available and due to World War II, the festival was not held again until 1948. We recently discovered a book in a box of photos that we had acquired. It was enlightening: Dimensions In History; Recounting Florida Cooperative Extension Service Progress, 1909-1976, compiled and edited by J. Francis Cooper; Bicentennial Edition, published by Alpha Delta Chapter, Epsilon Sigma Phi, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 1976. This book laid out the course of the history of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service and led to answers about Floy Britt and who she was. Here is some of the information gleaned from Cooper’s book, “Chapter 11—Helping Negroes Make Notable Advances.” During the early years of the Florida Agricultural Extension Service a department for Negro Work was established to assist Black citizens in rural areas. The extension service agents were responsible for developing and implementing programs to benefit Black citizens through clubs— Farm Makers Clubs for boys and Home Makers Clubs for girls. The first supervisor, A. A. Turner, was appointed in 1917 to lead this new organization, working under the auspices of the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes in Tallahassee and under the direction of the segregated Florida Extension Service based at the

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Floy Britt, (standing far left), with Florida 4-H youth on Florida A & M University Campus, Tallahassee. Miss Britt served in the extension service and 4-H programs from 1932 until she retired in 1967. She was a pioneer in the civil rights movement to bring equal opportunities for African American youths in Florida through 4-H Clubs and Programs. As Home Demonstration agent for African Americans, she visited the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City several years, including 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, and 1940.

University of Florida in Gainesville. Beginning in 1920, annual negro agents’ meetings were held at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College to provide training in programs of work and related responsibilities. Home Makers Clubs had canning clubs, poultry clubs, improvement clubs, dairy clubs, sanitation clubs, and savings clubs. Through the exhibits at county and state fairs, and the pride in their work shown by club members, the farm and home makers clubs movement became very popular. Interestingly, Chapter 11 was written by Virgil L. Elkins, who had participated in extension service programs for Black children as a youth. Elkins graduated from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College, then worked for the extension service until his retirement. Along with Floy Britt, Elkins was inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame in 2002. It was said that, along with Britt, Virgil Elkins played a pivotal role in the smooth transition from separate segregated programs to joint 4-H programming by FAMU and the University of Florida. (Florida 4-H Hall of Fame records.) Floy Britt became interested in 4-H when attending Florida A&M and joined the service in 1932. Unlike many of the agents in the extension service, Britt had a bachelor’s degree in Health Education, (and later a master’s degree in 1954). Sent to Hillsborough County to work with the clubs, Britt set up community gardens, training residents to grow their own food and to can food for the future. She frequently visited Plant City and the Bealsville area. During the mid-1940s Britt was promoted and supervised all Black home demonstration agents in Florida and was instrumental in developing home demonstration agents into a more professional and better educated organization. She established the Florida State Association for Negro Home Demonstration Agents to develop quality leadership and a sense of professional pride. (Ref. Darryl Palmer, UF/ IFAS Communications). Britt organized 4-H short courses at Florida A&M for Black boys and girls and was the first state director of the 4-H for African American girls. She served in that capacity until 1965. Following a remarkable, long and successful career, Britt retired in 1967. Source. UF/IFAS Blogs; Project VI: Florida Extension in the Era of Segregation. Daryl Palmer, February 13, 2014. Also Florida Strawberry Festival Programs 1930-1940

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JEREMY & LISA RHODES:

Changing Plant City’s Real Estate Culture BY C IER R A C RAFT Sit down for one conversation with Jeremy & Lisa Rhodes and one thing is apparentthey have a big heart with a lot of love for Plant City, love for real estate, and a love for people. Their big heart has led the couple to opening a Marzucco Real Estate office at 107 ½ South Evers Street, centrally located for the new growth of the downtown and midtown areas. As parents of six children and active members of Plant City’s civic groups, the Rhodes are channeling their passion for community and mentoring the next generation of agents. In doing so, they’re changing Plant City’s real estate culture from one of cold calls and door hangers to virtual tours and immersive open house events. Meet Jeremy and Lisa, as they discuss the Marzucco philosophy, the current housing market, and their team.

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What is the culture of Marzucco Real Estate? JEREMY: The culture of Marzucco Real Estate encourages agents to collaborate and work together and mentoring agents is something Lisa and I are passionate about. We want to help people to get to where they want to go. There is a famous Zig Ziglar quote that says, “If you help enough people get what they want, you will get what you want.” So, when we opened this office, we made it tech-based for agents to thrive, come and go as they please, and it has an open floorplan to collaborate with one another. You were with another broker previously as The Rhodes Group, what led you two to Marzucco Real Estate? LISA: At the time, I had been practicing real estate for five years and Jeremy for two years. My sister-in-law works for Marzucco and said “Josh Marzucco wants to open a Tampa office, I think you need to talk to Josh.” So, we talked with Josh and decided that even if we didn’t open our own office, we wanted to go to Marzucco Real Estate. A few months later, Josh came to our home and Jeremy brought him to Evers Street. JEREMY: We told Josh we can open a downtown Plant City office, I shared with him what was coming to Evers Street, what was coming to downtown, and said, “this is where we’d want to put the office.” Josh saw the vision and saw the growth around us and Plant City. Josh said ‘this is your office, do with it what you want,’ so we have original paintings we commissioned by a local artist in a bright, pop art-style and we love our neon #closed sign. While our office might be in Plant City, we aren’t a boutique real estate office. We serve Orlando, St. Pete, as far south as Sarasota and north to Wesley Chapel. How did you two get into real estate to begin with? LISA: We were both in the building industry before real estate. I was in it for a few years and Jeremy was in building his whole life, really. I transitioned into real estate before Jeremy and the two of us had Plant City Handyman, a remodeling business. JEREMY: When our daughter, Taylor, got sick, it changed our perspective on things and we realized we had to live life and you know, as children, we’re told “chase your dreams,” and for some reason that stops for adults. So, we knew that we had to chase our dreams and make real estate full-time. We sent a letter out to all of our Plant City Handyman customers and explained we were ending the business and real estate had to work, there was no back-up plan or plan B. So, I got into real estate three years ago and we’ve been a team ever since. Taylor’s life may have come to an end, but we knew we had to do this for ourselvesand for her- to make the most out of life.

"While our office might be in Plant City, we aren’t a boutique real estate office. We serve Orlando, St. Pete, as far south as Sarasota and north to Wesley Chapel" PAGE

"The market has been unpredictable and inventory is low right now and with the influx of people from out-of-state, many homes are selling for way over asking price." Share with our readers a little about your team LISA: We currently have agents who live throughout Tampa Bay and Polk County. We want to give them the tools they need to brand themselves and succeed in this industry. So, if they’re fresh out of school and just got their license, we work with them hands on and go through every step with them. We have full training on kvCORE, our customer relationship management system, and coach them on how to host an open house, listing agreements, buyer consultations, etc. We have mentoring and then the next week we role play and practice some of these scenarios. JEREMY: We want them to make a mistake with us and learn from those mistakes so they can go out with clients and know how to navigate these situations. Real estate is a challenging industry and it’s changing rapidly. So, we want to teach even veteran agents how to leverage social media, photography, videography, and using those tech-based tools to connect with buyers and sellers where they are online. If we can help them build pipelines and systems, then it will lead to better service for the clients. Speaking of changes in the real estate industry, can we chat about the current market and how are you helping clients find homes? JEREMY: The market has been unpredictable and inventory is low right now and with the influx of people from out-of-state, many homes are selling for way over asking price. But, we are staying in tune with the market and we know the buyer and sellers point of view. We’re really good at finding solutions to problems and chaos- we are parents of six kids- but, we our slogan at Marzucco is “Turning Houses into Homes,” and I say buying a home is like that magical moment when you buy a wedding dress: You’ll just know when you've found the right one. LISA: The market is crazy at the moment because houses are going fast once they’re out on the market. It’s important for us to have those buyer consultations so we can educate them on market trends so they’re ready and communicate expectations of what they’re going to see, what the process may be like, etc. For us, it’s all about transparency and we want them to know we are here for them. PAGE

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Plant City residents who have lived here for any considerable amount of time know that we reside within “the bubble” of eastern Hillsborough County. We are just isolated enough from the county seat of Tampa. But, Plant City is growing rapidly with our population expected to double by 2040. There are a number of factors to consider when determining where to live: schools, amenities, home prices and location are among the variables that matter to homebuyers. As many continue to plant themselves as Plant Citians and hunt for the perfect home, we’ve made this easy-to-use guide to help you navigate some of Plant City’s neighborhoods. Neighborhood stats are from the MLS system as of July 8, 2021 and subject to change. Thank you to John Haney at ACE Realty & Auction for pulling these statistics. Homes photographed in this feature were currently on the market at the time of publication. PAGE

WALDEN LAKE

Gated Communities Southeast/Central Plant City

ARCHITECTURE Developed in the mid-1970s, Walden Lake offers homes from gated communities to multi-family residents around a 62-acre lake. With 30 neighborhoods and two apartment complexes, there are a wide variety of floorplans that make up this area of Plant City.

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SCHOOLS Walden Lake Elementary, Tomlin Middle School Plant City High School

PARKS Walden Lake Park Walden Lake Dog Park PAGE

PINEDALE ESTATES

Central Plant City

ARCHITECTURE Homes in this quaint community were built as early as 1959 and the area continued to grow well into the mid-1980s. Pinedale Estates mostly features large family homes

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SCHOOLS Walden Lake Elementary, Tomlin Middle School, Advantage Academy Middle School, Plant City High School

PARKS Dr. Hal & Lynn Brewer Park

3-Year Average Median Sale Price $500,000

$412,500 $400,000

$300,000

$305,750 $258,500

$200,000

$100,000

2019

2020

2021

Few homes were sold in this area over the past three years. These numbers reflect those few sales.

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HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

North Plant City

ARCHITECTURE The historic residential districts are made up by some of the city’s oldest homes, dating back to the late 1800s or early 1900s, according to the National Register of Historical Places. These homes encompass the styles of Bungalow, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival.

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SCHOOLS Wilson Elementary, Jackson Elementary, Faith Christian Academy, Marshall Middle Magnet School, Tomlin Middle School, Plant City High School

PARKS Gilchrist Park, Courier Field, McCall Park, Village Green Park, Plant City Dog Park, Cherry Street Park

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WEST PLANT CITY

ARCHITECTURE West Plant City includes Burchwood, Country Hills, and Royal Hills neighborhoods, situated between Dover to the west and the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds to the east, south of 92 and north of 574. Country Hills was built in the mid-1980s and Royal Hills in the 2000s with mid-size homes and Burchwood features cozy homes dating back to 1928. PAGE

SCHOOLS Bryan Elementary, Tomlin Middle School, Strawberry Crest High School

PARKS Burchwood Park, Country Hills Park

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MIN 2021 NO

BEST NEW BUSINESS AND REAL ESTATE OFFICE

NOW OPEN

TURNING HOUSES INTO HOMES Locally owned branch by Jeremy & Lisa Rhodes Here for all of your Real Estate needs.

813-763-6043 PAGE

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KNIGHTS/CORK

North of Interstate 4

ARCHITECTURE Settlers moved into this area in the mid-1840s and some homes still encompass the Florida Cracker style. Throughout the decades, as people sought “country living,” they moved to these north Plant City areas and today many architecture styles can be seen. Today, the Knights and Cork areas remain rural.

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SCHOOLS Knights Elementary School, Bailey Elementary School, Cork Elementary, Tomlin Middle School, Marshall Middle Magnet School, Strawberry Crest High School

PARKS McIntosh Preserve, Hillsborough River State Park, Lower Green Swamp Preserve

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LINCOLN PARK

East Central Plant City

ARCHITECTURE Lincoln Park is a neighborhood rich in history, with homes dating back to the early 1900s. Homes are centered around the Bing Rooming House, a historic boarding house built in 1928. Homes are small, single family dwellings and homes are currently being constructed in this area. PAGE

SCHOOLS Lincoln Elementary Magnet School, Jackson Elementary School, Marshall Middle Magnet School, Plant City High School

PARKS Marie B. Ellis Park, Samuel W. Cooper Park, Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center

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WILDER/DORENE TERRACE

Northeast Plant City

ARCHITECTURE Dorene Terrace mostly features midsize, family homes built in the mid-1960s. Neighborhoods popped up along Wilder Road in the decades to follow including Wilder Reserve, Wilder Oaks, Wilder Park, and Wilder Trace.

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SCHOOLS Jackson Elementary School, Marshall Middle School, and Plant City High School

PARKS Mike Sansone Park, Ellis-Methvin Park Few homes were sold in this area over the past three years. These numbers reflect those few sales. PAGE

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JAMES BROWN

THE GODFATHER OF SOLD! Serving Plant City and Surrounding areas for over 25 years!

Sparrow Key Realty, Inc. 3017 James L. Redman Parkway Plant City, Fl 33566 863-409-9961 Cell Thegodfatherofsold.com thegodfatherofsold.sparrowkeyrealty.com

Broker/Realtor PAGE

When it’s time to sell your home, call someone who knows Plant City! Call Jackie Brazil

Some agents sell for more than others. Don’t leave money on the table by listing with another brokerage!

Jackie Brazil Licensed Real Estate Agent JackieBrazil87@icloud.com

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Call or Text Today (813) 484-9499

FOCUS Magazine's

TOP REALTORS Home values in the Plant City area are rising, with no sign of abating in 2021. Homes in Plant City have sold for 11.5% more than they did one year ago, as compared to Lakeland, who saw a 16.8% increase. As a sellers market, homes are selling faster and at a higher price: 66% of Plant City homes sold above asking price in June and 94% of the homes on the market sold in under 30 days. In fact, the average number of days homes take to sell in June 2021 was just nine days. With this quick look at the market, meet the top real estate agents in our market. Some specialize in property management, auctions, or home construction. Others specialize in the sale of historic homes, luxury homes, or acreage. Meet the city’s top agents and learn more about the Plant City housing market.

Thank you to John Haney of ACE Realty & Auction for pulling the statistics featured in this section from the MLS matrix.

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HEATHER

CAMPBELL

Ashley Carlisle has lived in Florida her whole life. She enjoys working with sellers, buyers, and in property management. Even as a child Ashley wanted to be a realtor. Building and continuing relationships with her customers through purchasing homes, selling homes, and managing properties is paramount to her business as is the flexibility of being her own boss in a demanding 24/7 career.

McGrath Poppell / 813-478-0296 / heatherc@justsoldbyheather.com Rentals@mcgpop.com

McGrath Poppell & Company, Inc. 813-523-5959 / ashleysellsproperties@gmail.com

COMSTOCK Ask Pat why she doesn’t retire after 30 years & her answer is that she constantly has past clients contact her for help and she just can’t say no! She loves helping people and her clients become life long friends. If you need to sell or buy, give her a call and experience for yourself why her clients keep coming back.

Sparrow Key Realty / "His eye is on the sparrow" Direct 813-759-9449 / Cell 813-763-5524

CARLISLE

Heather has been in the Real Estate industry for over 10 years. She is a top producer at McGrath Poppell & Company, where she works with buyers, sellers, property owners, and tenants throughout Florida. Heather strives to meet her customers at a personal level and provides outstanding service and communication. For all your Real Estate and property management needs CALL HEATHER TODAY! She is ready to work for you!

PAT

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ASHLEY

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RENEE

CORZINE

Plant City and its surrounding areas are a great place to live and work, and I am proud to have my roots here. Real estate is a passion of mine, I enjoy helping people buy and sell homes. My background as a Realtor and Building Contractor allows me to provide clients with the knowledge and expertise to make the right real estate decisions.

Keller Williams / 813-716-6007 rcorzine@tampabay.rr.com

(813) 967-3607 mikeg@griffinexecutiverealty.com / www.gersold.com

GRIFFIN I provide services in the Hillsborough, Polk and Pasco areas. I have experience as a full time realtor in the real estate industry for 10 years. My knowledge of the market helps buyers and sellers with their real estate needs. Taking an aggressive approach to marketing and negotiating provides superior real estate services to all clients.

813-504-0266 Dianeg@griffinexecutiverealty.com / www.GERSold.com

GRIFFIN

For over 19 years, Renee has been marketing, listing and selling Residential Homes, Luxury Homes, Horse Properties, Kennel Properties, Waterfront Homes, Vacant Lots, Acreage, Homes with Acreage, Commercial Properties, Investment Properties, Foreclosures, Short Sales and New Construction. Whether working with first-time homebuyers or families upsizing or downsizing, Renee uses her skills and experience to help clients achieve their real estate goals. As a full-time, full-service realtor, Renee performs above and beyond expectations to facilitate a smooth real estate transaction. Whatever your real estate needs, Renee will apply her real estate knowledge to making your dreams a reality!

DIANE

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MIKE

WHEN IT COMES TO REAL ESTATE, YOUR GO TO IS THE NICHOLE MOODY TEAM! GET TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR HOUSE, AND GET IT SOLD FAST!

Call Our Team at 813-802-3452 813-690-0319 OFFICE | Nicholemoody@gmail.com

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JOHN

HANEY

Cathy, a native Floridian, has lived in the Plant City area her entire life. She is married to Greg and together they share four children. Cathy earned a Bachelors Degree in Finance at USF and held several licenses for securities trading and insurance while working in the Financial Services industry for several years. Having been in real estate for 16 years, she has endured the full market cycle and recognizes that hard work, integrity, and customer service are the key components to a successful business and strives for excellence with each customer.

Ace Realty & Auction LLC / 813 716 5108 jhaney@acebid.com

Signature Realty Associates / 813-376-0891 cmartin4re@gmail.com

METTS

Carter is a licensed real estate agent with Ace Realty & Auction and is a member of the Greater Tampa Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. Prior to joining the team at Ace, he spent 18 years in the insurance field. Carter grew up in South Georgia and while he is not from Plant City, he is quick to say he got here as fast as he could. He is active in the local community as a Board member of Plant City Main Street, volunteer at the Pig Jam every year and a former chamber ambassador and. He enjoys working with new residential construction as well as commercial property sales and leases. Carter also manages the growing property management department at Ace.

813-732-7814 / carter@acebid.com

MARTIN

John is the President and Managing Broker of Ace Realty & Auction based right here in historic downtown Plant City. During his 20+ year career, he has sold real estate in all 67 Florida counties, 41 states and 3 foreign countries. He is particularly skilled in commercial real estate but handles all types of property, both locally and abroad. He is a graduate of the College of Business Administration at the University of South Florida. John is also involved in numerous civic organizations. He is the President of the Plant City Rotary Club, a board member of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Plant City EDC. A lifelong resident of Plant City, he is married to Amy, his wife of 20 years and they have a son Ryan, 13. Together, they own and operate a 100 acre cattle ranch just northeast of town.

CARTER

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CATHY

2021 WINNER

BEST REA

L ESTATE

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IS NOW IS THE TIME TO SELL? YOUR HOME MAY BE WORTH MORE THAN YOU THINK

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813-966-4304

Come See Us In Our New Downtown Location! 212 North Collins Street Plant City, FL

(813) 754-8888 PAGE

MADISON

NELSON I am a local Realtor®, born and raised in the South Tampa area. Now I reside in Plant City, where I work closely with my community, maintaining and building relationships. My goal is to make the buying and selling process stress-free for my clients!

813-368-0999 madisonn@griffinexecutiverealty.com

Signature Realty Associates 813-759-3207/seschulte@verizon.net

SMITH

For 15 years Patricia has had the priviledge of making dreams come true for many people. Whether buying or selling, she is happy to assist and guide you through the process. Being a local girl, she is very familiar with not only Plant City, but all of Hillsborough County as well as Polk & Pasco Counties. The many years of business has given her a wealth of knowledge, the ability to negotiate and the experience needed to be a Top Realtor. She is personable, a go getter and dedicated to her customers. Keeping in close contact with past customers has allowed her to grow her business. She is ready to work for you!

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

SCHULTE Shanon Schulte has lived in Plant City her entire life. She has been married to Eric for 25 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, where she enjoys volunteering her time. Whether you are buying or selling a home, Shanon is eager to help you get to the closing table.

PATRICIA

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SHANON

HAPPY SUMMER FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!

LOOK FOR SOME OF THE UPCOMING TEAM CHANCEY SPONSORED EVENTS: August 3rd Teacher Appreciation October 12th Community Chili Cook-Off November 18th Turkey Drive December 5th Holiday Shopping Extravaganza

Tony Chancey spent his youth in the Plant City Little League fields and his teen years playing ball as a Plant City High School Raider. “ONCE A RAIDER ALWAYS A RAIDER” AND NOW TODAY...Tony is a part of the hometown Team Chancey Coldwell Banker Realty. Our company had been guiding people home since 1906 We love being apart of a winning Real Estate Team serving our hometown.

Team Chancey 813-758-2728

Tammyachancey@gmail.com PAGE

ARDEN

WHITE

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EARL

WILLIAMS

Arden White, born and raised in Plant City, is a 3rd generation licensed Realtor with McGrath Poppell & Company, Inc. During the last 4 years, Arden has helped many buyers and sellers while obtaining her Bachelor’s & Master's degree from the University of Tampa. Arden is excited to continue her real estate career, upholding her reputation as a Realtor who ensures she gets the best deal for her clients while making the process smooth and exciting.

With over 15 years of professional experience and closing transactions in 36 states, Earl has assisted buyers and sellers with real estate needs through various methods including traditional sales, auctions and foreclosures. Being a Plant City native and lifelong resident has made Earl an expert in understanding market conditions in the region. His knowledge in commercial, residential, agricultural and larger land tracts has made him a valuable asset to his clients. He also consults on agricultural exemptions and regularly assists with parcel splits to maximize the income and value potential for his clients.

212 N Collins St. Plant City, FL Cell: (813) 957-0534 / Office: (813) 754-8888

Ace Realty & Auction LLC 813 716 0834 / earl@acebid.com

Ⓡ

Mike Griffin, Broker Diane Griffin, Realtor 813-967-3607 813-504-0266

Plant City, FL 3 BR/ 2 BA Home located on 1/4 acre lot. Home Includes newer A/C system, metal roof, new water, heater, and new stainless appliances,

3/2 Renovated Home $260,000

3/2 Block Home

Plant City, Fl 3/2 block home located on almost 2 acres with key pad gated entrance. Home includes newer roof, master bedroom with n uite, large screened in patio, barn/workshop with electrical. Property is high and dry, and includes a well and septic. $379,900

3/1 Block Home

3/1 Block home located on 1/3 acre lot in the city. Home includes a new roof, Central Heat / AC & gas water heater, terrazzo and ceramic tile flooring, inside laundry and gas water heater. The large yard is fenced and is not located in a flood zone. $239,900

Dover, Fl Updated 3 BR/ 2 BA Home on 3/4 acre. New upgrades Include roof, waterproof plank flooring, paint, cabinets with granite counter tops, stainless kitchen appliances, and more!

Plant City, Fl

3/2 Renovated Home $300,000 Dover, Fl 2/1 Remodeled block home on 1/4 acre with fenced yard. New Central Heat/AC, waterproof plank flooring, paint, updated electrical panel, screened lanai, and two storage buildings.

2/1 Renovate Home

$175,000

Ⓡ

Madison elson, Realtor 813-368-0999

www.gersold.com 813-745-2012

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Pastor Michael Pippin is the Campus Pastor at The Crossing Church Plant City. He and his wife Julie have been members of the Crossing family for nearly a decade. In service to the community, Pastor Pippin led a prayer session in McCall Park for the city, a prayer session at City Hall for city leaders, and in 2021, led a Baptism Blowout event to baptize anyone upon a profession of faith.

The Crossing Church Plant City By Cierra Craft

he Crossing Church is a Spirit-filled, life giving church, led by Pastors Greg and Tamara Dumas. With the vision to see transformed lives through the power of Jesus Christ. The Crossing Church has campuses in Tampa, Southshore and Plant City. The Plant City Campus is located in the Midtown district, across the street from Village Green Park. The Plant City Campus is led by Pastors Michael and Julie Pippin, multi-generational Plant City residents. The Pippins are joined by Campus Worship Pastors Caleb & Arlene Castro, and Campus Student Pastors Cole & Savanna Reichert. Together, with Assistant Danielle Recktenwald, these leaders are hoping to help Plant City residents go from “stagnation to spiritual revitalization,” a longtime goal of The Crossing Church, previously mentioned in a FOCUS interview with the church. Since the campus opened in September 2019, The Crossing Church has seen lives take shape in service to God with hundreds of new members. The Crossing Church saw over 300 people baptized following their Easter services this year. Service is held Sundays at 10:30 a.m. with a live broadcast of Pastor Dumas from the Tampa Campus. Together, the congregation engage in worship, watch the sermon, interact with others at their respective campus, pray together, and are cared for by campus pastors and other leaders. Every Wednesday, high school and middle school students are welcomed for Crossing Student Ministry at 7:00 p.m. Their student

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In 2020, Pastor Pippin, his wife Julie, and the congregation held a prayer session in front of City Hall, praying for the city leadership during the pandemic.

ministry exists to help students experience Godly encounters, build relationships, learn Biblical foundations, and be empowered to minister to others. The Crossing Church believes in helping your children begin to learn the basic truths about God and His Word. Crossing Kids, provides worship experiences that are faith-based and age-appropriate for babies up to 5th grade. These are led by background-checked and trained leaders and staff. The church also holds seven different types of Life Groups: CoEd, Common Interest, Family, Married, Women Only, Men Only, & E-Groups. “Life Groups give people the opportunity to make an impact on their neighborhood and be leaders and shepherds in their community,” said Pippin. “Our Life Groups will pray together, experience life and have fun together. That is what Jesus called us to do, so we want to do that, too.” The Crossing Church was able to stay connected, and even grow, as a church body throughout the pandemic shutdown by quickly converting Life Groups to virtual gatherings, by creating daily online content to engage with, and by creating safe environments for teenagers to connect in. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Crossing Church partnered with Metropolitan Ministries, United Food Bank and One More Child, to ensure Plant City residents were receiving food and hygiene products and in a creative social media campaign, highlighted small businesses in the Plant City community to encourage the city to support the local economy. In December 2020, The Crossing Church Plant City partnered with Project Access, adopting families that were hit hard by the pandemic by providing Christmas gifts for those families. The church is a ministry partner with several great ministries including, The Pregnancy Care Center of Plant City, collecting diapers, clothing and other necessities for the center’s clients. If you are looking for a church that honors God’s truths as expressed in the Bible and cares for the Plant City community, visit Pastor Michael Pippin at The Crossing Church Plant City Campus at 507 S. Wheeler Street on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. The Crossing family is ready to welcome you and see your life changed by a relationship with God.

The Crossing Church Lead Pastor Greg Dumas (right) and his wife Tamara, lead service from the Tampa flagship location. The sermon is then transmitted to the SouthShore and Plant City campuses through a live feed, where the satelitte campuses worship in their own respective campuses.

507 S. Wheeler Street | Plant City, FL 33563 | 813.626.0783 | wearecrossing.com/plantcity | info@crossingonline.org | Facebook & Instagram: @crossing.pc Service: Family Worship Service Sundays 10:30 AM, Crossing Student Ministry (HS & MS Only) Wednesdays 7PM PAGE

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RISING STAR

Tucker

Garner By Katie Hamilton

Tucker Garner is a rising Freshman of Plant City High School who has shown great success in archery this past year. Tucker has been shooting since he was five years old; however, he just recently started competing this past year. Tucker gained his skill by throwing Coke cans in his backyard and shooting them with a bow from different distances and angles. When Tucker made the step to compete, he decided to join the National Archery in the Schools Program and has thrived ever since. Tucker enjoys archery mostly because of the discipline it takes to constantly shoot accurately. Archery came to Tucker through his experiences with hunting. Since the age of two, Tucker has been going out in the woods with his dad to hunt. Harvesting his first buck at the age of six, the woods and water became a strong passion of his. The ability to grab his bow and head into the woods fills him with joy, whether he harvests of not, Tucker states “I just love being in God’s creation.” Tucker’s main inspiration is a family friend Don Davis who has passed. Davis taught the sport of archery to Tucker’s father, who passed it down to him. While shooting, Tucker receives lots of support from everyone in his community, especially his Mom, Dad, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles. With a great support system like this, he has shown great improvement and was able to win the state championship this year. Tucker not only has won the state championship, but also has shot a score of 296 of a possible 300. Overall, Tucker shows stats of another promising upcoming season.

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Team of the Month

Plant City Special Olympics Basketball Team By Katie Hamilton

he Plant City High School Special Olympics Unified basketball team is a group of seven students who have had quite the season. When the FHSAA team was introduced at Plant City High School, they did not have a coach, so a staff member of the school, Alecia Goad, stepped up to guide the students. Goad has been coaching the team for over four years, and has been coaching Special Olympics teams for 11 years. Goad explained her favorite part of the job stating “I love the kids. They love you no matter what: when you are winning and when you are not, when you are yelling at them and when you are hugging them. They are a joy to be with. They are committed and willing to do anything you ask of them.”

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Goad recognizes talent in some of the students on the team explaining “I really don't have a star player but if I had to pick one this year it would be: Austin Davis and Kyle Hall. Austin is a partner who brings a different atmosphere to the team. He is very silly and always easing the team's nerves during game play with his silliness and diligence. Kyle Hall is an athlete who has been on the team as long as I have coached it. He is very determined when it comes to things and is a great all-around athlete.” Taylor Teeden is a rising junior at PCHS who has been playing on the team for two years. Teeden has shown great passion and dedication to this sport quoting “Special Olympics is important to me because all of the positive energy to be around my teammates and coaches is really good for me

and we always have a good time.” Teeden not only is an athlete, but he is a well-balanced student with plenty of Honors courses on his plate, which goes to show the effort they all put into this team. Teeden explained his favorite memory while being on the team stating “I loved winning State Championships and celebrating after with the entire team, we had a great time and the whole day was just filled with such supportive energy.” The best characteristic of this team is that they are all such committed athletes and students who love to work together to achieve their goal. This team has worked so hard, even earning their place at the National games.

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Meet the

Maker: Deanna Hurley

By Emily Topper Photos courtesy of Deanna Hurley Photography

eanna Hurley’s interest in photography began when her eldest child, Maxon, was born. After having professional photos done with her son, she tried to create her own portraits at home with the help of several online classes and trial and error. A decade later, Hurley is now a household name in Plant City as the go-to photographer for newborn portraits, family sessions and more. “There was a lot of online education,” Hurley said. In addition to learning proper lighting and camera technology, she also studied newborn safety for photography and other safety precautions. “I took classes and I would also find photographers online whose style I liked. I don’t think photography necessarily requires a degree anymore since there are so many quality resources out there. A huge part of photography, or any art, is to constantly keep learning.” Hurley specializes in what she calls legacy portraits -- professional family photos that can be treated as valued heirlooms for years to come. She is involved with her clients every step of the way, from weighing in on wardrobe to creating a session where her clients feel happy and comfortable. “I want my clients to laugh a lot, to connect with each other,” Hurley said. “They should be able to feel that love when they look back on that photo years later. My goal is to be with a family through all of their milestones.” Hurley opened her first studio in 2016. Her current studio in downtown Plant City opened in 2019. But while she’s found success as a photographer, her initial career plans were much different. “Growing up, I wanted to be a doctor until I realized I was not a science kid,” Hurley said. “When I decided to change course, one of my Plant City High School teachers, Leslie Rice, said, ‘I knew that wasn’t you.’ In college I liked political science, so I got my bachelor’s degree in that.” After graduating from the University of South Florida, Hurley worked in politics for nearly a decade and later worked for the City of Plant City. She still does campaign photography for candidates. When her husband, Matt, graduated from pharmacy school, Hurley switched gears to focus on photography full-time. After fellow local

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Deanna Hurley Photography specializes in family, seniors, and newborn photography. Deanna is also the official photographer of the high school Calendar Girl contests, Strawberry Queen pageant, and Jr. Royalty pageant.

photographer Stephanie Humphrey retired, she recommended Hurley to numerous families and organizations throughout Plant City. “Stephanie felt I could give them the same quality she provided,” Hurley said. “She has been such a huge blessing, and I’m so grateful to her.” Besides family sessions, Hurley also does photography for multiple local high school calendar girl contests, the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Scholarship Pageant, contributes cover photography for FOCUS Magazine and serves as the communications and social media pastor for her church, The Resting Place. She also serves on the board of directors for the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. She manages her time between her business and her family -including husband Matt and children Maxon, Caroline, Charlotte and Griffin -- by making sure she only takes on projects she feels she can contribute to. “My friend Sophia Hyde taught me that everything you say yes to means you’re saying no to something else,” Hurley said. “That means not saying yes to everything. It allows me to spend more one-on-one time with my clients.” And that means staying focused on Plant City and her customers here. She is extremely grateful for the support the Plant City community has shown her over the years. As a fifth generation Floridian and Plant City resident, she wants to keep her business rooted in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World and serve locals. “It’s everything to me,” Hurley said. “And I’m all about being invested in Plant City.” Hurley’s studio hours are by appointment only. Interested clients can contact her online at deannahurleyphotography.com. PAGE

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IN MEMORY OF GLENN W. CALLIS April 1935 - February 2021

• • • •

12,000 Sq, Ft. Facility Knowledgeable and Service -Oriented Staff Machine Shop Industrial Hydraulic Hoses In Stock & Made While You Wait • Hydraulic Cylinders Resealed • Large Inventory of Tube Fittings, Pipe Fittings & Swivels

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808 W. MLK Blvd. Plant City

813-759-0599 Mon. - Fri. 7:30am - 5:00pm

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Leaders in

Faith Robert Franklin By Cheryl Johnston

lant City native Robert Franklin is grateful to live in a city “where many leaders maintain biblical values.” He’s also grateful for his 40-year marriage to Darlene, his eight children and eight grandchildren. For relaxation, Pastor Bob enjoys working outdoors, driving his 1959 Massey Ferguson tractor, playing the guitar, exercising, spending time with family, reading a good book, and taking occasional beach or mountain trips. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, the Franklins joined First Baptist Church of Plant City in 2014. He has just facilitated the Biblical Citizenship in Modern America course, and another is scheduled for August 31. All are welcome to attend the eight sessions of this life-changing, perspective-focusing class. Simply register by typing https://www.patriotacademy.com/coach/register/1755 in your browser. He is also happy to help any churches interested in hosting a course. For additional information, churches can e-mail RobertFranklin@ DrRobertFranklin.com. What prompted you to become a coach for the Biblical Citizenship course? A growing concern for the direction our nation is headed, i.e., “away from God and from protecting and preserving our Constitutional Republic.” Why would you encourage others to participate? Surveys show that in general, Americans are not familiar with the Constitution [including elected officials]. “We the People” gave us the Constitution and “we the people” need to help preserve it. The class undergirded and strengthened my own conviction that America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and a fundamental belief in God. The Declaration of Independence makes this clear: Paragraph one speaks of the “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” The second paragraph opens with: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men were created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights....”

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What role do you see American churches playing in our country’s future? The church was intended by God to be the “pillar and ground of the truth” in the world [1 Timothy 3:15]. The founding principles are biblical, Judeo-Christian principles. The church must continue to teach the Word of God, but also re-educate the nation concerning the “true” history of America. Tell us a little about your faith journey. From early childhood, I attended church with my family. At age six, Christ became my Savior. The call to preach the gospel came at 15 years of age. After graduating from Plant City High School in 1971, I earned a Bachelor’s in Accounting from the University of South Florida, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice University and Seminary. One defining moment in my journey came in 1975 while attending seminary. I committed to spend time with God daily and to become accountable to other men for my personal walk with God. Describe how you serve today? My wife, Darlene, and I serve in the music ministry at church and help lead a small group Bible study. I also facilitate two men’s discipleship groups. Recently, I felt God’s leading to host the Biblical Citizenship classes. Do you have a favorite Scripture verse? 2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Over the years of knowing the Lord I have come to realize “Change takes place in the presence of God.” God wants us to be conformed to His image. Spending time with God changes us! Which verses compel you to share your faith? Be ready to give an answer to every person who asks a reason of the hope within us [1 Peter 3:15], be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading [Romans 8:14] and speak the truth in love [Ephesians 4:15].

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