WHERE FLORIDA FAMILIES GO FOR FUN! Twelve days of fair fun celebrating all things Florida, deep-fried favorites, agriculture, creative art exhibits, shopping and more! The Florida State Fair is the place for family fun and entertainment every February! Join us in 2022 to Find Your FUN!
FLORIDASTATEFAIR.COM
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11/8/21 11:38 AM
Don’t let fear stop you from getting the care you need. Don’t delay getting essential medical care. We’ve put enhanced safety measures in place to help keep you safe. COVID-19 has stopped people from doing many things. But we can’t let it stop us from getting what we need most: medical care. BayCare is helping to keep our patients safe by following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for safety processes and cleaning procedures. This makes sure that everyone can feel secure getting the care they need. Don’t let fear of this pandemic make other health conditions worse. Learn more about how we’re keeping you safe: BayCare.org/Safety
21-1772299-0921
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Contents Table of
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FEATURE: PC WOMAN’S CLUB CELEBRATING 100 YEARS By Cierra Craft
Back in 1922, the Plant City Woman’s Club was officially federated and was uniquely intertwined into almost every aspect of our city’s history. Take a look back in the history books as the club prepares to celebrate its centennial anniversary. PAGE
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By Cierra Craft
By Jennifer Jordan
The Wolf family is proud to serve Plant City families in their time of need, as owners of Haught Funeral Home. Meet David Wolf and his family as they discuss changes in the industry and how they give back to the city they love.
Sideline Field Striping, owned by Rusty Judah and Phil Gianfrancesco, paints football, soccer, and lacrosse fields across four counties, one of a few field painting companies in the state.
SPOTLIGHT: ANSWERING THE CALL
BUSINESS: SIDELINE FIELD STRIPING
FOCUS PLANT CITY
focusplantcity.com / Issue 20-12 / December 2021
PUBLISHER
Mike Floyd
MANAGING EDITOR
Cierra Craft
ART DIRECTOR
OFFICE MANAGER
mikef@floydpublications.com
cierra@floydpublications.com
Anthony Sassano
asassano@floydpublications.com
Candy Owens
cowens@floydpublications.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Jayme Harris
DISTRIBUTION
Tony DeVane
jayme@floydpublications.com
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.
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DINING: MIKEY’S PLACE
By Cierra Craft Mikey’s Place is Plant City’s premier pool hall, with a full-service bar and restaurant. Check out the menu of burgers, pizza, and wings—you may just discover your new favorite dinner spot.
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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NER
2021 WIN
BEST JEWELER
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM BROWN’S JEWELERS!
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We Buy Gold & Silver
1705 Jim Redman Pkwy Plant City, FL 33563
754-2360
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UBLISHE
From The
Publisher
As we brace ourselves for a new year, I sit back and think about the hard work our team has put in, and when I look at the 12 covers we’ve produced over the past year, I think about some of the stories told: A couple mentoring the next generation of realtors to a restauranteur who worked his way up from busser to business owner. Since day one, FOCUS has always been about the content our readers care about. In 2022, the FOCUS team has plans to bring you more inspiring stories about the people that make our city great. If you have a story idea or feedback, email our editor Cierra Craft at cierra@floydpublications.com, she’d love to hear from you. We’re closing out 2021 with a cover story of how one family is taking care of your family when you need them most. David Wolf, his wife Cynthia, and daughter Katherine are the owners and operators of Haught Funeral Home. In this story, David reflected on his 30 years of experience in the industry and shared how his own childhood, growing up in Oklahoma, is impacting youth in our community today. Katherine provided some insight into the balance of being a working mom and Funeral Director.
SIGHTS SET ON 2022
In January, the GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City will celebrate its centennial anniversary. The ladies of the Woman’s Club of Plant City were so intertwined into the community, with their sights set on making Plant City a great place to live, work, and play—the same mission of the current City Commission. In 1938, then Woman’s Club President Mrs. Albert Schneider wrote a short poem about if we strive to have a big heart, we can help the entire community grow. I think the current Woman’s Club and the Wolfs are living up to Mrs. Schneider’s words, so it's fitting these stories run together in this issue. We’re also asking everyone to get ready for the 2022 FOCUS Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards, which kick off in the next issue. We will nominate businesses in 54 categories and ask for you to cast your vote in naming the best of the best. We will then present those winners with their Readers’ Choice Awards at our 21st Anniversary Party in February. Be sure to read the next issue to learn more about the awards, nominees, and voting details. I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at FOCUS Magazine.
Warmest Regards,
Mike Floyd PAGE
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You see them in Movies, T.V. Commercials and in Magazines!
KAITLYN KELLEY Kaitlyn did an incredible job shooting a National Print Ad for L’ANZA Hair Products as a Featured Print Hair Model at $750.00 a Day! CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!
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ARIANA DOEG Great job Ariana for landing the National Print Ad for L’ANZA Hair Products as a Featured Print Hair Model at $750.00 a Day!
DOUG MAKURAT Doug has completed a new TV Show and is also up for several TV Commercials and Print Ads! Congratulations on a job well done!
www.jessandersontalentandmodelagency.com
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Community
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Parks & Recreation Dept. Makes Updates to Ellis-Methvin Park By Cierra Craft
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n November 23, The City of Plant City Parks & Recreation Department announced the recent completion of the installation of additional walking trail lighting at EllisMethvin Park, located at 2601 East Cherry Street. According to Parks and Recreations Department Director Jack Holland, the project added 23 light poles and LED fixtures to complete the lighting along the 0.9 mile perimeter paved walking trail’s east segment, which runs along North Wilder Road to the entrance on East Cherry Street. “This walking trail receives constant use from our area residents and visitors, and this lighting project allows for users to feel safe when walking in the evenings,” said Holland. The City Commission agreed to finish the lighting back in August 2021 and at the time, the Procurement Division said the most advantageous method to fund the project was piggybacking under a competitive bid with the School District of Manatee County. According to Holland, the $88,735 project was finalized on time and under budget by Synergy Lighting, LLC of Bradenton under that bid. The City of Plant City Parks & Recreation Department also completed resurfacing on two baseball fields at the park. The project removed the existing deteriorated grass and topsoil, testing the soil, adding fresh topsoil, laser grading the fields for better drainage, raising and adjusting irrigation heads, laying Tifway 419 Bermuda sod, and top-dressing. “The fields were used as part of a large baseball tournament on November 20 and 21 and we received lots of compliments,” said Holland. “These are two of four diamond ball fields and eight rectangle fields at Ellis-Methvin Park which also houses the 10-court Plant City Tennis Center.” The $72,030 project was finalized on time and under budget by World Sports Turf & Maintenance, LLC of Tampa under a competitive bid with the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
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PLANT CITY PERSONALITIES!
CAN YOU GUESS WHO THIS IS?
HERE IS YOUR CLUE: This LITTLE MISS LINCOLN was born and raised in Plant City. In her younger years she helped her Grandmother pick vegetables at Pippin Farms. In the 1970s she went on to become a star runner for the Plant City High School Track team. To say that this gal NEVER SLOWS DOWN in her efforts to do for others is an UNDERSTATEMENT!!!!! She has even gone on to become the GOVERNOR ELECT of The Kiwanis Clubs of Florida.
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 MONTH’S PERSONALITY: MARK POPPELL
Relevant Church of Tampa to host Christmas is Near at Festival grounds By Cheryl Johnston
F
or the past eight years, Relevant Church of Tampa has hosted an inspirational family-friendly gathering to celebrate the birth and gift of Jesus Christ. Again this year, as it was last, Christmas is Near welcomes all to the Florida Strawberry Festival Amphitheater at the Wish Farms Sound Stage on December 23, 2021. From 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., the evening will include music, special holiday messages, food trucks, giveaways, and plenty of fun for the children. Pastor Paul Wirth explained: “This effort to bless Tampa Bay area families is a way we can share the gospel and help people who may not experience the joy of Christmas monetarily. God has given us an opportunity and a responsibility to be generous.” “We also welcome every church to get involved,” he added, “This is not about Relevant Church. It’s about the kingdom of God.” At this time, the congregations at CityPointe Church, Free Rider Fellowship, Graceway, Plant City Church of God, Relevant Church and Youmans Praise and Worship Center are participating. “We were excited when Paul Davis invited us back this year. We love this venue because it’s more intimate than an open park, with more room for food trucks and children’s activities,” Pastor Wirth shared. “And diversity is a beautiful thing in God’s kingdom. This outreach offers a different environment to allow people to bring someone who may not attend church.” He added, “We’re also working in collaboration with Christmas Lane, encouraging guests to attend both events. At the Christmas Parade, we distributed 5,000 invite cards to be redeemed at the information station for five-dollar savings off food purchased from one of the trucks.” From 5:00 to 7:15 p.m. beneath the Wish Farms Stadium stands, children will enjoy photos with Santa and live reindeer. Other fun in the Kids and Youth Zone will include train rides, crafts, carnival games, inflatables, and a Christmas maze. Special music by Kenzie Wheeler, Rekindled Bluegrass, and Relevant Worship (led by Plant City native Edgar DeJesus) will bless everyone. And the hungry can discover delicious food for purchase from six trucks: Fishin’ Chicken, Fiske Fries & Lemonade, Gertrude’s Low Country Wings, Sikes Southern BBQ, Slider Guy, and Smitty’s Corn Dogs. The giveaways are special, too. In addition to blessing 100 families with a $400 Christmas shopping spree, the event will provide two $50 gift cards during the first hour, two $100 awards in the second, and two $200 awards in the final hours. Thanks to generous sponsors and fundraising through the Christmas is Near Golf tournament, monies will benefit a bunkbed-building effort locally and in the Dominican Republic.
Pastor Scott McIntosh of City Pointe Church and Pastor Dewayne Howard of GraceWay Church will share briefly during the five and six o’clock hours. At 7:30 p.m. families can worship God with the Relevant Church Band and hear an important Christmas message during the Candlelight Service led by Pastor Paul Wirth. Listed alphabetically, sponsors include: American Marketing, Bar G Enterprises, CSI Construction Services, Inc., DEX imaging, Gallagher Insurance/Risk Management/Consulting, Guglielmetti Asset Management, Kabinets by Kinsey, Miracle Toyota, Murphy Auto Group, OneDigital, Protective Asset Protection, Spine Enthusiast, Stratigakos Law, and Truist. To learn more and register, visit Facebook (Relevant Church Tampa) or www.relevantchurch.com. This is the perfect event and year to begin a new family tradition! See you there! Location Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds Wish Farms Sound Stage, 303 Lemon Street, Plant City FL (Note: Parking entrances are off of Oak St. and Reynolds Ave.) Schedule 5:00 pm – Welcome and Event Details 5-7:15 pm: Kid/Youth Zones and Photos with Santa (underneath the stadium stands) 5-7:30 pm: Main Stage Pre-Show featuring Rekindled Bluegrass and Kenzie Wheeler 7:30 pm- Music by Relevant Church Band and Candlelight Service led by Pastor Paul Wirth PAGE
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Plant City to have The Renewal at the Florida Strawberry Festival By Cheryl Johnston
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lant City has been selected to host a historic convention on January 8, 2022 at the Florida Strawberry Festival Amphitheater. While it’s expected to draw folks from across America, organizers hope the stadium seats will be filled with locals who care deeply about our country. From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST) that day, speakers in ministry, government, our military and entertainment realms will gather for “The Renewal: Restoring America’s Founding Covenant.” They’ll share about America’s history, its spiritual foundations, and the importance of its covenant with God. Top musical artists will lead worship as well. The Renewal will be broadcast on major television networks and simulcasted to thousands of churches worldwide, too. Spreading to all continents, this global movement began September 26, 2020, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. with “The Return: National and Global Day of Prayer and Repentance.” An estimated 250,000 people attended the gathering and approximately forty-two million watched it on television or via simulcast. Keynote speaker Carter Conlon, Times Square Church General Overseer, will deliver an important national and global message on the significance of the covenant. Other confirmed speakers currently include: Defending the Republic founder Sidney Powell; Global Strategic Alliance founder and co-founder of The Return- Rev. Kevin Jessip; New York Times bestselling author Rabbi Jonathan Cahn; MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell; Times Square Church General Overseer Carter Conlon; Pastor Kent Christmas- Regeneration Nashville; All Pro Pastors International founder Paul Pickern; Hon. Louie Gohmert; Hon. Michele Bachmann, Operation Restored Warrior founder Paul Lavelle, historian Bill Federer; Lt. Gen. William “Jerry” Boykin; historian David Barton; Liberty Pastors co-founders Paul Blair and Dan Fisher; Romans 911 author Grant Berry; Recover America president; Allan Parker; Dr. Rick Scarborough; Foundations of Freedom founder Dave Dias; bestselling author Troy Anderson; The Isaacs; Graham Lacey, Chris Mitchell, Guy Penrod, Jerry Perera and many others. At a time when America’s “cup of iniquity” is nearly full – and God’s redemptive judgments are awakening the Body of Christ to the lateness of the hour on the prophetic clock, “The Renewal” will be a faith-focused day of heritage, history, praise, worship, and prayer dedicated to the
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American renewal of the covenant the Pilgrims made with God four centuries ago. “It will be a historic day in America,” explains Rev. Jessip, a descendant of “Pilgrim Fathers” pastor John Robinson, who sent the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower to America in 1620. He adds, “The parallels between this biblical story and what is happening today are prescient. This is a spiritual assembly to re- covenant and come into agreement with God again.” Based on the biblical template, “The Renewal” is the next step after “The Return,” says Jessip, co-founder of The Return. The date of The Renewal – January 8 – is based off chapter and verse numbers from Exodus 1:8 and Deuteronomy 1:8 when God instructed the ancient Hebrews, after suffering oppression in Egypt and wandering 40 years in the desert, to take possession of the Promised Land. It started with repentance during ‘The Return’ in 2021 and now we’re going through reconciliation and restoration, which focuses on renewing the covenant we broke with Almighty God.” He continues, “In ‘The Renewal,’ we are saying, ‘Lord, have mercy on us in the midst of the redemptive judgments happening. The fires, plagues, floods, and everything we are seeing are no different than the redemptive judgments ancient Egypt experienced known as the Ten Plagues of Egypt. ‘The Renewal’ is a reconciliation and restoration of the covenant, which is part of returning to God. It’s the next step. I believe after this renewal step that the revival is coming.” The Renewal is co-hosted by Defending the Republic and the Global Strategic Alliance. To learn more and get tickets, go to www. TheRenewal2022.org.
Happy New Year!
Call Our Team at 813-802-3452 813-690-0319 OFFICE Nicholemoody@gmail.com
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Tickets On Sale Now! • FLstrawberryfestival.com
Artists Appearing on the
Soundstage:
The Oak Ridge Boys
Lady A
Thu. Mar. 3, 3:30 $25
Boyz II Men
The Beach Boys
Featuring Terri Clark, Pam Tillis and Suzy Bogguss Sun. Mar. 6, 3:30 $25
Lee Greenwood Wed. Mar. 9, 3:30 $25
Sun. Mar. 6, 7:30 $40
Jake Owen
Wed. Mar. 9, 7:30 $40
Lauren Daigle
Sat. Mar. 5, 3:30 $25
Sammy Hagar & The Circle
Chicks With Hits
Tue. Mar. 8, 7:30 $25
Home Free
Fri. Mar. 4, 7:30 $35
Fri. Mar. 4, 3:30 $35
Zach Williams
Thu. Mar. 3, 7:30 $50
John Anderson Mon. Mar. 7, 3:30 $25
The Drifters, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters & The Platters Thu. Mar. 10, 3:30
$20
Kenzie Wheeler Mon. Mar. 7, 7:30 $20
Sat. Mar. 5, 7:30 $40
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Starring Matthew & Gunnar Nelson Tue. Mar. 8, 3:30 $20
Tesla
Thu. Mar. 10, 7:30 $35
#1 FOR FUN! Mar. 3 - 13, 2022 Plant City, FL
Gene Watson
Fri. Mar. 11, 3:30 $20
Visit FLstrawberryfestival.com or call 813-754-1996 and get your tickets for the best seats available! Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots
Sat. Mar. 12, 3:30
$35
Nelly
Sat. Mar. 12, 7:30 $40
The Bellamy Brothers Sun. Mar. 13, 3:30 $20
Sam Hunt
Sun. Mar. 13, 7:30 $55
Concert dates and times are subject to change
Cole Swindell
Fri. Mar. 11, 7:30 $45 Home of OUR
#berryfest22
• T-Mobile • ZYN • Alessi Bakeries • AMSCOT • Astin Farms • Candyland Warehouse • Global Frequency Living • Circle K • Local Ford Dealers • O’Reilly Auto Parts • Grove Equipment Service • Stingray Chevrolet • Uncommon USA • Netterfield’s Concessions • Verizon Wireless • Badcock Home Furniture &More • Good Health Saunas • Dakin Dairy Farms • Krazy Kup • Russell’s Western Wear • DIRECTV • Images Everywhere! • Master Spas • Wyndham Destinations • TRUFFOIRE • DR BROWN’S CBD • Entenmann’s • Portillo’s Hot Dogs • The Bank of Tampa PAGE
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Community
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Walden Lake Review BY NATALIE SWEET
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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 will be January 17th and February 21st. 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. Donuts with Santa was a big hit with about 200 children participating. The kids had the chance to visit with Santa this year and let him know what they were hoping he might bring them. Watch for the Neighborhood Boards, emails from the HOA, Nextdoor and the Walden Lake Facebook page for information on upcoming events. 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 November, there were 8 sales in Walden Lake and 3 sales in Walden Lake East. The average sale price was $370,534 with an average of 12 days on the market.
The November sales are as follows:
Lawmakers Push for Strawberry Shortcake to Become Florida’s Official State Dessert By Jennifer Jordan
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lant Citians know how important the strawberry is to our community and economy. More than 10,000 acres of strawberries are planted annually in the greater Plant City area, and the berries grown in Plant City account for 75 percent of the United States’ winter strawberry crop. The Florida fruit is creating a “berry” sweet buzz throughout lawmakers in the state of Florida. State Senator Danny Burgess, a Republican whose district includes portions of Hillsborough County, introduced a bill in addition to Representative Lawrence McClure (R-Dover). If the bills that were introduced are passed, strawberry shortcake would become Florida’s official state dessert. The legislation to make strawberry shortcake the official dessert of Florida, SB 1006 and HB 567, might not be passed until next year, and many Florida residents are arguing that key lime pie should remain the Sunshine State’s official dessert, as it has been since 2006. However, Senator Burgess stated to Anne Geggis of Florida Politics that, “I think it’s time we all stand tall for shortcake.” If the bills are passed and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, it would become the state's official dessert on July 1, 2022. With over 200,000 strawberry shortcakes sold each year at the Strawberry Festival alone, it’s difficult to ignore the impact strawberries have in our state. Here’s hoping next summer the dessert that represents Plant City represents the whole state of Florida. Now if strawberry shortcake becomes Florida’s official state dessert, the only question that remains is this: will they use a cake or a biscuit?
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Address / Sales Price / Living Area / Pool / Garage 1477 Walden Oaks Place / $305,000 / 1573 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 1418 Sandalwood Drive / $305,000 / 1587 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 4329 Barret Avenue / $322,000 / 1557 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 1503 Teakwood Drive / $325,000 / 3250 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 2901 Hammock Vista Drive / $330,000 / 1775 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 3214 Alcott Avenue / $391,774 / 1995 Sq’ / Private / 3 Car 1405 Sandalwood Drive / $395,000 / 2398 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 3005 Forest Club Drive / $399,995 / 2419 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2807 Spring Meadow Drive / $411,900 / 2055 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2917 Sutton Oaks Drive / $419,700 / 2138 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2707 Pine Club Drive / $470,000 / 3080 Sq’ / Private / 3 Car
There are currently only 5 active listings for sale in Walden Lake with the lowest priced at $459,000 and the highest at $2.2 Million. There are 22 properties Pending Contract in Walden Lake and Walden Lake East. The average list price of $383,232 and average of 8 days on the market. 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. 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 many buyers looking for a home. Feel free to contact me with any questions about this article or about your real estate needs. NSweet@KW.com or 813-758-9586.
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2021 Plant City Christmas Parade Winners Announced By Jennifer Jordan
T
he Plant City Christmas Parade has been a tradition in the community since 1963. Families and friends gather throughout the streets of downtown Plant City to see the festive, colorful, and creative floats that various clubs, schools, organizations, and businesses build and put together while hoping to catch some candy or beads. While each float is unique and wows the crowd at the parade, only a handful of teams won prizes for their floats. The winners of the 2021 Plant City Christmas Parade as chosen by four out-of-town judges are as follows: Best Overall Entry - Drop the Wall Boutique Best School Entry - Simmons Career Center FFA Best Marching Unit Entry - Strawberry Crest High School Marching Band Best Church or Religious Group Entry - Church on the Rock Best Business Entry - Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant Each team won a trophy in addition to a cash prize. The theme for the 2021 parade was “Celebrate the Season”. Marsha Passmore, President of the Plant City Christmas Parade Board, stated about the parade, “ [The board was] so excited to hear from the city and people who attended the parade that it was the best attended parade ever in Plant City. That wouldn’t have been possible without every group’s participation, and we appreciate you all putting effort and creativity into your floats.” Congratulations to all the parade float winners! To learn more about the Plant City Christmas Parade or to have a float in the parade next year, call Marsha Passmore at 813-245-2244 or Dodie White at 813927-0595 or visit the Plant City Christmas Parade’s website at www. pcchristmasparade.homestead.com.
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24th Bi-Annual Youth Fishing Derby By Jennifer Jordan
O
n November 13, The Plant City Parks and Recreation Department hosted their 24th Bi-Annual Youth Fishing Derby at a pond by the Plant City Stadium back parking lot. A free event for children ages 5-15, the derby saw over two dozen kids try and catch as many of the nine varieties of fish available in the pond during a two-hour period. Participants were asked to bring their own fishing pole, bait, and a fivegallon bucket. Children could fish using the pole and bait of their choosing and move spots to try and catch fish to win prizes that included trophies, fishing poles, tackle boxes, and bobbers. The children were broken up into two age groups- ages 5-10 and ages 11-15 and prizes were awarded based on different categories such as ‘biggest fish caught’ and ‘most fish caught’. Parents could help their child hook bait and cast, but the child had to reel in their own catch. Each child could only have one pole in the water at a time to keep things fair, and everyone was able to choose their own fishing spot, with boundaries being placed at certain areas of the pond to allow nature to remain undisturbed. Once a fish was caught, they were brought to the scale to be weighed and then released back into the pond safely. Since there was a tie in one of the categories, a tiebreaking casting contest was held. The contest required some of the children to cast a fishing pole in a small field to try and “catch” plastic fish to gain extra points and win the tiebreaker. The winners of each category are as follows: 1st Bass Caught- Kenneth Reeves 1st Catfish Caught- Daisy Davenport 5-10yrs: Biggest Fish Caught (5.6 lb. Bass; broke previous derby record)- Kenneth Reeves Most Fish Caught (based off casting contest tiebreaker)- Briar Rose Davenport Honorable Mention- Dawson Moody (Caught 2 Ib. and 2.4 Ib. Catfish) 11-15yrs: Biggest Fish Caught (3.8 lb. Catfish)Daisy Davenport Most Fish Caught- Daisy Davenport Honorable Mentions- Christopher Dudzinski (Caught 2.4 Ib. Bass and 2 Ib. Catfish), Ryan Haney (Caught 1.6 Ib. Bass), and Tizianna Craft (Caught 1.1 Ib. Bass) Congratulations to all the winners of the 24th BiAnnual Fishing Derby! For further questions about the Bi-Annual Fishing Derby, contact Plant City Recreation and Parks Department at 813-659-4255.
Joseph Mitchell Announced as the 2021 Firefighter of the Year By Jennifer Jordan
P
lant City Fire Rescue has many brave and hardworking firefighters that help keep our city and residents safe from all varieties of fires and dangers. However, only one firefighter can earn the 2021 Firefighter of the Year honor, and that honor was given to Joseph Mitchell. Mitchell has worked for Plant City Fire Rescue for three and half years, in fact, he started his career at Plant City Fire Rescue. Born and raised in Clearwater, Mitchell moved to Ruskin when he was 10-years-old and has been living in the area ever since. Mitchell stated about working with P.C.F.R., “I enjoy the small-town feel and the comradery of the department.” Best known for his positive attitude, selflessness, and work ethic, Joseph Mitchell keeps pushing himself to learn and improve new skills. As a paramedic, Mitchell wanted to contribute more by using his skills to further help first responders on the front lines when faced with danger in the community. Due to this, Mitchell tried out and was selected to become a SWAT Medic with the Plant City Police Department. Mitchell stated about being a firefighter, “My favorite part is the brotherhood that we share at the stations and the ability we have to provide a service to the community. Nothing makes the calls run smoother and the days go by faster than enjoying the people you are with and having a good time while doing it.” Even though Joseph Mitchell has achieved so much in a short amount of time with Plant City Fire Rescue, he continued to support the department by obtaining the status of Field Training Officer (FTO) to mentor new paramedic trainees. Mitchell also achieved the status of acting driver engineer in the department to be available to fill that
capacity when needed. Upon receiving the 2021 Firefighter of the Year honor, Mitchell said it was a great feeling and that, “Everyone deserves the recognition for the hard work and effort they’ve put in for the year.” Understanding his role to serve the community, Joseph Mitchell is willing to help anyone in any way he can, and he tries to learn as much as he can every day while passing his knowledge along to fellow firefighters. It is due to this and many more reasons why Joseph Mitchell was rightfully selected as the 2021 Firefighter of the Year. Congratulations Joseph Mitchell on your achievement. PAGE
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Community
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Join the ‘Create Your Dream City’ Experience: Local to host workshop for youth
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oes your child get excited whenever the topic of a big city, like New York City, is mentioned? Do they gaze in awe at skyscrapers? Do they get excited whenever they see a plane, train, or subway? Do you ever catch them creating doodles of their ideal city? If the answer to any of these questions is a ‘YES!’, Then this course is for them! ‘Create your Dream City!’ is a fun and hands-on week-long workshop series, in collaboration with the East Hillsborough Historical Society, for youth ages 10 to 15. Students will get to learn about the exciting interdisciplinary field of City, Urban & Regional Planning. Urban & Regional Planning is an interdisciplinary field that involves the arenas of Geography, Civic Engagement, Engineering, Architecture & Design, Government, and Public Policy. It is a fun, vibrant, challenging, yet creative profession! During the week, students will learn about Planning-related topics, such as Transportation, Land Use, Zoning, and Housing. Students will also learn about some of the challenges Planners face, such as geographic constraints and solutions to ending the cycle of homelessness. By the end of this multi-part workshop, I want students to not only learn more about the field of Urban and Regional Planning but to be inspired to become positive agents of change within their own communities. This workshop is directed and facilitated by Mara Latorre, a local artist, educator, and former Planner with the City of Plant City. The workshop will run from January 24-28, 2022, from 1PM-4PM, at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center Classroom Gallery, located at 605 N. Collins Street, Plant City, FL, 33563. The workshop fee is $100 per camper. For registration, visit https://form.jotform. com/211917031460143 or contact Mara Latorre at marathetutor@gmail. com for more information. Space is limited!
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Makin’ ‘Em Shine: Walden Lake Car Wash offers GT Quartz Coating By Cierra Craft
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he team at Walden Lake Car Wash takes pride in their work, offering detailing, vehicle maintenance, and car wash packages. But, the company is also the only business within 45 miles of Plant City offering Glipstone GT Quartz Coating. GT Quartz uses nano silicate SiO2 cross-linking adhesion technology to shield the vehicle’s surface from UV and harmful pollutants while providing extreme depth of gloss, guaranteeing four years of protection and shine. “Your vehicle will remain cleaner longer between washes and more resistant to contaminants than conventional waxes or sealants,” said Cummings. “It’s safe to use on all clear coats, singlestage paint, fiberglass, plastic trim, and metal wheels.” Some of the benefits include protection from dirt, tar, bugs and bird droppings, protection from micro scratching, GT Quartz Coating can only be applied by Authorized Applicators. At Walden Lake Car Wash, Cummings and team member John Jordan traveled out of state to take classes on the application. “It’s safe to use on all clear coats, single-stage paint, fiberglass, plastic trim, and metal wheels,” said Cummings.
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In 1949, the Woman’s Club held “Follies of ‘49,” a show designed to entertain attendees and raise funds for South Florida Baptist Hospital, which opened in December 1953 Photo: GFWC Woman’s Club Archives.
Past Presidents from 1922 to 1923 term to the 1954 to1956 term. Photo courtesy of 85 Years of Service by Quintilla Bruton, Patt Edwards and East Hillsborough Historical Society.” PAGE
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PLANT CITY WOMAN'S CLUB to celebrate 100 Years By Cierra Craft
The year was 1922: Plant City had earned its moniker the “World’s Winter Strawberry Capital,” and it was the largest inland shipping center in the state. According to the Plant City Photo Archives, about 50 to 60 trains passed through Plant City per day. In downtown, one would shop at Strickland’s or visit the Post Office that once was located at Reynolds and Collins. Perhaps their Model T Ford needed repairs at one of the auto shops at Palmer and Mahoney streets. Women’s dresses had shorter hems and dropped waistlines. Women in Plant City were looking to stimulate their minds with studies of culture. According to 85 Years of Service: A History of The GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City, Mrs. Annie Hammerly Schneider recalled: “Prior to 1922, the women of our town formed self-culture clubs to study History and the Fine Arts. They served as university extension courses.” The ladies fostered a Cemetery Improvement Association and a School Improvement Association, which secured a $40,000 bond for a new three-story brick school, known today as the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center. The women of these clubs then combined their interests to form the Woman’s Club of Plant City. On January 29, 1922 in the auditorium of the school building they funded, The GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City Florida, Inc. was organized. In January 2022, the GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City Fl, Inc. will celebrate its centennial anniversary. We take a look back at its rich history. The women of the club—past and present— are “literary, benevolent, scientific, philanthropic, civic, and social.”
Quintilla Bruton received the Plant City Public Library Award in April 1963 from the Book-of-the-Month. Bruton was named Plant City Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1961, the first woman to receive the award. Photo courtesy of Plant City Photo Archives.
Thank you to the East Hillsborough Historical Society President Shelby Bender, GFWC Woman’s Club President Patricia Wolff and Plant City Photo Archives Executive Director Samantha Poirier for supplying photographs, newspaper clippings, and other resources for the research of this story. PAGE
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In February 2017, the Woman’s Club of Plant City held an International Fashion Show to support Operation Smile, helping pay for cleft palette surgeries across the globe. Photo: GFWC Woman’s Club Archives.
PLANT CITY WOMAN'S CLUB CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
The first Woman’s Club of Plant City meeting was held in the 1914 PCHS auditorium in January 1922, according to 85 Years of Service, and an article published by The Plant City Courier, courtesy of the East Hillsborough Historical Society. Twentyfive women were in attendance, but membership was open for the new club. When the group became officially federated, it had nearly 100 members. The Woman’s Club was among many groups to lend their support for an annual celebration of the berry harvest to be known as the Florida Strawberry Festival.
In the early to mid-1980s, the Woman’s Club presented a check to the Hillsborough Community Mental Health Center, which was located at 1403 E. Reynolds Street, under the presidency of Ernestine Knight. Photo courtesy of Patricia Wolff PAGE
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Nell Hathcock Leifeste served as the club’s first president and organized itself into departments. In those early years, the ladies first endeavor was securing a Red Cross nurse for Plant City schools and the community. The Woman’s Club was also instrumental in the establishment of Plant City’s first public library. An article published in The Courier in the Fall of 1924, read, “a library which will eventually be the pride of Plant City. Every civic-minded citizen ought to help.” Many members brought books that at the time were deemed “essential reading,” and the club held a book shower to collect donated books. With these efforts, Plant City’s public library was opened on June 21, 1929 with 317 books on the shelves at the Central Grammar School, under the presidency of Mrs. Veronica Wells, acknowledged as the “mother” of the library. Just three years later, with over 2,000 books, space was running out in the library. The ladies approached the city to renovate and repair the Old Miller House (where the current library is located) and the city was persuaded and an ordinance was prepared by City Attorney G.B. Wells. On January 9, 1933, the ordinance was signed by Mayor-Commissioner G.A Caret and was duly passed by City Commissioners. The Woman’s Club provided the city with library service for the next 27 years. By 1941, there were over 9,000 books in the library. During the war years of the 1940s, club members helped in the war efforts with first aid classes, plane spotters, USO activities, Red Cross drives, bandage making, home defense with victory
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PLANT CITY WOMAN'S CLUB CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
In October 2020, the women dressed in white, with sashes that read “Votes for Women,” in honor of the walks, parades, and advocacy efforts for the suffrage movement in honor of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. Photo courtesy of Patricia Wolff
gardens and home canning. The ladies of the Woman’s Club of Plant City met at the clubhouse and sewed hospital garments. In 1949, the Woman’s Club of Plant City began raising funds for a pediatric treatment room at the hospital. According to 85 Years of Service, most of the funds were raised under the presidency of the wife of one of Plant City’s doctors, Dr. J. Edgar Austin. Mrs. Austin was the first surgical patient at the new hospital when it opened in December 1953. To raise those funds, the ladies organized “Follies of ‘49,” showing two nights, January 28 and 29, 1949, it was a talent show choreographed by Jerome H. Cargill Producing Company of New York. A favorite number by far was the “Can Can Girls,” a chorus line featuring Vaviel Prosser, Lucile Langford, Lewie Belle Moore, Frances Hull, Geneva Ramsdell, and Mary Coleman. They contributed $6,000 to the South Florida Baptist Hospital with the combined efforts of “Follies” and other fundraisers. The group’s continuous giving to the hospital is regarded as its greatest contribution next to the city library. In later years, the club hosted concerts, parties, and card playing nights in support of South Florida Baptist Hospital. In the decades that followed, the Woman’s Club was responsible for the founding of the Plant City Garden Club in the late 40s and in the late 1950s, there was a push for the building of a new library. It’s reported that the City Commissioners believed it impossible to PAGE
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persuade a sufficient number of voters for more taxes in order to fund the library. The Woman’s Club launched a campaign, sending slips home with kids from school explaining the importance of a yes-vote and bank’s sent slips when mailing monthly statements. By election day, the Woman’s Club had earned the support of 11 civic and professional organizations, ran ads on WPLA and earned the support of Courier editor, who supported the effort editorially. When the votes were counted, the levy was voted at a 3 to 1 majority. The ladies had finally gotten the support they needed for a brand new library building. The project had taken 30 years to become a reality. Following a successful campaign in Plant City, Mrs. Bruton helped launch a campaign to build a library in downtown Tampa and became the first chairman of the Hillsborough County Library Advisory Board. Plant City’s Bruton Memorial Library is named in her honor. Throughout the decades the ladies of Woman’s Club campaigned for tuberculosis x-rays for every adult in the city, advocated for saving the county courthouse, and held a Fashion show for fundraising. In the 60s and 70s, the club continued to philanthropically support organizations such as Plant City Art Council, Special Olympics and others. Under Jean Weaver’s presidency in the mid-70s, the Woman’s Club remained a sponsor of the “Mini Float Parade,” at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Throughout the eighties and nineties, the group held an annual Christmas party for students at J.S. Robinson Elementary and made dresses for the area’s exceptional students.
In the 2000s and 2010s, the club took an international focus helping raise funds for children’s cleft palate surgeries across the globe. The International Outreach Committee partnered with Free the Girls. The organization helped rescued victims of Human Trafficking heal mentally and physically and reintegrate into society. The Woman’s Club of Plant City collected bras, shipped them to Africa, where these women could start life anew by selling these bras, earning financial independence and providing for their families. In recent years. The club also purchased and installed wood burning stoves for underprivileged families in Guatemala and over the past two years, the Woman’s Club of Plant City collected a combined 1.75 tons of food for the United Food Bank of Plant City.
This home was located off of Haines (modern day MLK Jr. Blvd.) and Palmer streets and later moved to the corner of Wheeler and McLendon streets to become the Plant City Public Library and Clubhouse of the Woman’s Club of Plant City. In 1959, Plant City residents voted to approve a tax that would be used to fund the public library services. Photo courtesy of Florida Memory.
PLANT CITY WOMAN'S CLUB CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City elected Karen Griggsby as their first African American president, who led the club from 2016 to 2018. Patricia Wolff will serve as president from 2020 to 2022. “We are sixty-eight women with very different histories and backgrounds, but when we are in the club, we aren’t French, African, Honduran, American, Cuban, etc.,” said Wolff. “We are just women like any other, we are just women serving our community…” Over the past two years, Woman’s Club of Plant City has collected two tons of food for the United Food Bank in response to the mass unemployment due to the pandemic and established the annual Happy Feet Walk for Alzheimer’s awareness. Today, there are three members of the Woman’s Club who are 58year members: Jossie Azorin, Cookie Smith, and Judy Martin.
Sunday, Jan. 23 - Centennial Anniversary Celebration at the Bruton Memorial Library. Drop-In event from 2pm to 4pm. Short presentation at 2:30pm. Proclamation. Our club member Cookie Smith will be presented with the Club Woman Harmony Award for her outstanding service to the library for more than 50 years. Cake and punch.
In celebration of the club’s centennial anniversary, it’s hosting eight days of giving:
January 10th to February 11th - Pictorial and scrapbook exposition at the Bruton Memorial Library.
Sunday, Jan. 16 - Dual Little Free Library Unveiling at the Dr. Hal & Lynn Brewer Park
For more information on these events, please contact Woman’s Club president Patricia Wolff at wolffone@hotmail.com or 941-725-1135
Monday, Jan. 17 - Civic Engagement and Outreach CSP: MLK Celebration at the Woman's Club clubhouse | Donation of 138 pairs of socks for veterans at the Chaplaincy Care Counseling Center Tuesday, Jan. 18 - Environment CSP: Planting a tree at the Boys and Girls Club of Plant City with a Granite memorial stone. Wednesday, Jan. 19 - Education and Libraries CSP: Presenting the Achieve Plant City with a Registration Fund for students that need help. Children book delivery at Jackson Elementary School. Thursday, Jan. 20 - Health and Wellness CSP: Afternoon Tea Party with the residents of the Community Care Center. Friday, Jan. 21 - Arts and Culture CSP: Baby Bundles and Mommy Goody Bags for the Pregnancy Care Center clients. Saturday, Jan. 22 - Antique Appraisal Fair. 10am to 4pm. Appraisal event at the Woman's Club clubhouse by "Hess Fine Arts and Old Northeast Jewelers". This event is FREE and open to the community.
The current officers and board members met on the steps on the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, commemorating the first Woman’s Club meeting, which was held in the school’s auditorium in 1922. PAGE
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PLANT CITY WOMAN'S CLUB CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
1961
1983
1991
1995
2002
2016
Many members of the Woman’s Club of Plant City have been named Citizen of the Year including: 1961 – Quintilla Greer Bruton 1983 – Betty Barker Watkins 1991 – Ruth Poppell Lyle 1995 – Judy Martin 2002 – Betty Chambers 2016 – Sharon Moody Of the 12 women selected since the award’s first recipient in 1960, six are past or present members of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City. PAGE
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On November 5th Achieve Plant City held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at their new location inside the Wesley Center. Achieve Plant City is a not-for-profit organization located in Plant City, Florida. It was established in 2014 and it offers educational services to families in East Hillsborough County. Our mission is To Empower Families to Help Them Achieve Success Through Education. Welcome to the Plant City Chamber, Achieve Plant City! 202 W Reynolds Street Floor 2
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People of Plant City
Kayla Drawdy By Emily Topper
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etween being a busy mom of two boys, David and Jackson, and working full service title agency Hillsborough Title, Plant City native Kayla Drawdy still finds time to give back to the community she calls home. As a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader and a former Florida Strawberry Festival Queen, her passion for people and community is evident in everything she does. Just ask anyone in the many civic organizations she’s involved in! Were you born in Plant City? Yes, I was born at South Florida Baptist Hospital. What are your favorite local places to visit? I love RAOK Boutique and Johnson’s BBQ. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I am definitely a complete country girl. I was raised on a farm and rode horses competitively, including barrel racing and pole bending. I also love to fish, both salt and freshwater fishing. What local causes/organizations are you involved in? I am on the board of directors for the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. I’m also involved in Rotary, YMCA, Walden Lake Elementary PTA, Aspire Plant City and Achieve Plant City. I’ve also participated in the annual Dancing with the Locals competition. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I like relaxing with family and friends, fishing, reading and going to the beach. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pizza What is the best part about living in Plant City? Definitely the community What’s your personal motto? “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” - Dr. Seuss
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Did You Know? Plant City Photo Archives & History Center to Establish “Writers in Residence Program” By Dr. Scotty and Hsiu Huang History Center Plant City Photo Archives, Inc.
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amantha Poirier, Executive Director of the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center, has announced plans to establish a Writers in Residence Program as early as January 2022 under the auspices of the Dr. Scotty & Hsiu Huang History Center, Plant City Photo Archives, Inc. The program will consist of writers and researchers who will focus on topics of local interest in the greater Plant City area including Hillsborough, Polk, and surrounding counties. The program, according to Poirier, will allow the Photo Archives & History Center to produce a greater number of historical papers with these volunteers working individually or collaborating on the stories of the many people, places, things, and events in this west central Florida area. The participants of the program will be able to expand their works into publications, presentations, podcasts or blogs in a manner not possible previously, something Archives’ President Ed Verner has promoted earnestly. Over the past twenty years the Photo Archives has published over one hundred articles, contributed to numerous media sources, supplied research and written information for individual inquiries, and produced two books, including Remembering Plant City; Tales from the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Also contributing to this process is the work of interns who authored papers on “The Home Demonstration Program;” “Bud Clark, Even the Sky Isn’t the Limit;” “Growing Up Black in Plant City During the Time of Segregation;” “Bill Sharpton Chevrolet;” and the “116th Field Artillery, Plant City, Florida National Guard”. The new Writers in Residence Program would add to this list and allow the writers to produce longer and more detailed papers without number of words or graphics restrictions. Spearheading the formation of the program is Felix Haynes, Ed.D., former President of the HCC Plant City Campus. Joining Haynes in the Writers in Residence Program is Gil Gott, former Executive Director of the Photo Archives. Having seen the quality of the writings of local authors, Haynes said he is confident that more writers will join the program during the next six months. Writers such as Nick Brown and the late Alvin Futch have produced excellent local public history stories, including Brown’s Strawberries and Steel, and Futch’s Wild and Wooly. Haynes said the call is out to all those of all ages who are interested in researching and writing on local topics to contact the Photo Archives and send or email a letter of interest. Participants of the writers program will have full access to the collections and resources of the Photo Archives and the Huang History Center, as well as writing, research, and editorial help. Poirier said she is looking for this program to become a significant asset to the greater Plant City community. The Photo Archives is located at 106 South Evers Street in historic downtown Plant City and is open Monday through Thursday from 10:15 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For further information on the program email Gil Gott at gvgott@gmail.com or call the office at 813.754.1578.
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Answering the Call:
Wolf Family Continues the Tradition of Exceptional Service By Cierra Craft
David Wolf is passionate about a few things: His job as Funeral Director of Haught Funeral Home, music, and sports, but his family remains his pride and joy. Haught Funeral Home is a family-owned and operated business established in 1999 by Timothy and Jo Haught. Wolf acquired the business in 2011; joined by his wife of 37 years, Cynthia, and their daughter Katherine, the Wolf family continues the tradition of providing Plant City with exceptional service. From pre-planning to cremation or interment, Haught Funeral Home is there at every turn to guide families through the many decisions that must be made. “It can be hard to say goodbye,” said Wolf. “but it’s rewarding to be able to be here to help. When a family says ‘thank you,’ I always reply with ‘it’s an honor’- and I mean that- it’s a true honor. We are a family-operated business, so we are serving the families of Plant City the way we would want to be served.” Meet David Wolf, as he talks about how his family is here to serve your family, in your time of need.
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What is the history of Haught Funeral Home? Haught Funeral Home was founded by Tim & Jo Haught in 1999. Tim wanted to establish a funeral home that was not corporately owned, but rather family owned. In 2011, Tim’s health started to decline, but Tim and I hit it off and my wife Cynthia and I bought Haught Funeral Home on October 7, 2011. I’m not saying I am young, but being a funeral director is a young man’s job. You’re up in the middle of the night and working weekends and holidays, if you’re on call. How did you get into this industry? In 1988, I was a senior at the University of Oklahoma. I saw a newspaper ad for the “Ideal Student Job,” and I answered the ad. It was working at a funeral home and during my first job there, I joined the Funeral Director in visiting the widow. On the day of the funeral, I drove the family car and the widow looked at me and said, “David, I couldn’t have gotten through this day without you.” I went home that day and told Cynthia I wanted to be a Funeral Director. I went to the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services and got my degree in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science and became a licensed Funeral Director in 1991. Being a Funeral Director is truly a calling and you give up a lot of family time to serve other families, but I am happy to do it because this is my calling. Haught Funeral Home remains a family-owned business. Tell us about your daughter Katherine’s role here. It was important to Tim Haught for this funeral home to remain a family business. Fortunately, Katherine is a licensed Funeral Director and my granddaughter Ellie is only one, but I’ve already joked we’re only 15 years away from her being here answering the phones. I’m very proud of Katherine, it’s a challenging industry to be in. You earn two paychecks: One financially to support your family and the other is a family hugging your neck saying “Thank you, I
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couldn’t have gotten through this without you.” Katherine’s always been around the business and knew at 5-years-old when my pager went off, it meant a family was in need. She knew, at 5, the sound of my pager meant a family was impacted by death. When I would return home, she would ask me about the deceased: What was their name, did they have a family, etc. You mentioned a pager… how has the improvement in technology impacted how you serve a family? I dated myself when I mentioned the pager. But, that was how we communicated, I carried a pocket of quarters and a pager. At the time, they were a freedom funeral directors didn’t have before; prior to the pager, you had a phone at home that rang, if you were on call. If the phone rang, sometimes multiple people from the funeral home would answer and you’d have to say, ‘hang up, I can’t hear the family.’ And if the funeral director for some reason left home while on call, it was then the spouse’s responsibility to answer the phone. I give my personal cell phone number to every family I work with and that’s why it’s on our website. People will call me at 3:00 a.m., “David, we need you, Mom has died.” It can be challenging to balance family life and work life, and sometimes a cell phone feels like freedom and a chain at the same time. Thankfully, Cynthia and Katherine understand a family in need takes precedence over everything else and I’m happy to take their call and be there for the deceased’s family. The emotional support by families is what makes me do this job. Back in the day, when we created a Memorial Folder, there were no pictures and we had a small selection of prayers or verses the family could choose from. We had them printed in Oklahoma City and the printer lived in Norman, so he would drop them off on his way home. If the loved one’s name was spelled wrong or any
other error, there wasn’t much we could do. Today, we completely customize each Memorial Folder to the family’s wishes. We’ve made some that were Florida State University-themed and one themed around St. Andrews golf club in Scotland. We ask families to bring in 30 to 50 images of their loved ones to create a memorial video, it’s then played at the service and uploaded on our website for people who cannot attend the service… During COVID, we were limited to just ten people in attendance so we started live streaming each service on Facebook. It’s received overwhelming support and its one service we will continue to offer after COVID. The video is downloaded and uploaded to our website, as well, and we offer that service free of charge. How is Haught Funeral Home different in terms of community impact? We try to be involved as much as possible. We are supporters of the Plant City Christmas Parade, I am a member of Plant City Kiwanis and we actively support St. Clement Catholic Church. We are also big supporters of Diamonds and Denim by South Florida Baptist Hospital; we usually buy a table and bid on items. It’s important we support the hospital that supports our community. I sat on the board of the Strawberry Youth Parade. I was asked to sit on the board of the Chaplaincy Care led by Dr. Dan Middlebrooks; I want to do as much as possible to support our first responders. One of my pet peeves is seeing tattered American flags. I actually carry flags in my car and will stop and ask people if I can replace their flag for free. If anyone has a tattered flag they would like to dispose of, they can bring it to Haught Funeral Home and we will retire it properly, which is by setting it on fire. We will ask a veteran's family if they’d like us to retire a flag with them and so, that is what we do with the tattered flags—we cremate it with a U.S. veteran. Every December, we host a Service of Remembrance ceremony. We send an invitation to every family we have served since 2011 and offer refreshments and it’s an opportunity to share with others who are dealing with loss around the holidays. I usually share a personal anecdote, Plant City Community Choral performs some Christmas carols, and Eastside Baptist Church will be here to offer support. Finally, we offer The Wolf Family Scholarship to FFA students at Plant City High School. I was a member of the Norman Oklahoma Chapter and Vice President of the chapter my Senior year. Lessons I was taught in the FFA stick with me to this day. Plant City High School pumps out class act students and that’s evident by the fact that many girls in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queens pageant are members of the FFA. Four years ago, you also purchased Lanier Funeral Home in Lakeland. How did the purchase of Lanier fit into your commitment to offering a family-owned funeral home to the community? The intention was for Katherine to be in Lakeland running Lanier. Shortly after we opened it, she came to me and said, “Dad, I want to be in Plant City,” and this city just grows on people, Plant City is just a great community. We live in Lakeland, but we love Plant City. When we came to Plant City, we were accepted with open arms and an open heart to me and my family.
David and Cynthia Wolf have been married for 37 years. The pair purchased Haught Funeral Home in October 2011.
Haught Funeral Home
708 W. MLK Blvd | Plant City, FL 33563 813-717-9300 | haught.cares PAGE
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Keeping it in the Family:
Meet Katherine Wolf Gordon Licensed Funeral Director Katherine is a wife to Eric and a mom to one-year-old Ellie and is due with her son Calder in May 2022. She is a Disney fanatic, a huge hockey fan, and an avid runner. She loves traveling and in the future, she and Eric want to visit every NHL arena. You're a second-generation Funeral Director. How important was it to you to keep Haught Funeral Home a family-owned business? It’s a small, family-operated business that makes Plant City so unique, and we’re actually the only family-owned Funeral Home in town. It was also Tim Haught’s desire to not sell his Funeral Home to a corporation because he wanted Plant City to have a family-owned choice. What's the most rewarding part of your job? It’s hard sometimes especially when I first started working at the Funeral Home parttime. I remember a family friend lost their daughter. I didn’t believe that I could even be there to help on the service because of the friendship I had with the family. My dad reminded me that we’re doing something that no one else can cause there is nothing that can be said or done to help a grieving family. It’s also the friendships I’ve made with families that I’ve helped that sent gifts for my daughter when she was born. Your dad mentioned how challenging it can be to be a Funeral Director with a family. How are you managing a work-home life balance, especially with Ellie? I can definitely be tough; I know firsthand what it’s like to be a daughter of a Funeral Director. There are certainly no days off, holidays and birthdays are not off-limits. But you know what, I can’t even recall one thing my dad missed because it didn’t matter to me if he missed a game (not that I was any good in the first place). Cause he was just there for the everyday things and that mattered more to me. We’ve never not been close. That right there is why I know I can balance being a working mom. It makes you understand that time is the most precious, it needs to be spent with the people you love most. When I get home and I see her face light up to see me walk in the door it just fuels me, no matter how hard my day was no matter how tired I am, none of that matters anymore. What advice would you have for other young women interested in a career in funeral and cremation services? They need to spend some time working at a Funeral Home before they invest the time and money into Mortuary School. Because it can be a physically and mentally taxing career. PAGE
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Member FDIC
Hillsboro Bank and The Bank of Tampa
Coming together to serve you. Hillsboro Bank and The Bank of Tampa have come together to continue to serve the Plant City area with the same dedicated team and local approach to community banking that you have experienced for the past 22 years. We look forward to serving you as The Bank of Tampa, now and in the future.
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BUSINESS PROFILE
Sideline Field Striping
By Jennifer Jordan Photos by Sideline Field Striping
A
s a player, coach, official, volunteer, parent, or fan, we’ve all seen a sports field at some point in our lives. Smelling the freshly cut grass and looking out at newly painted field, it gets the adrenaline flowing and excitement fills the air on game day. At the game, those in attendance might think about the players, the coaches, the officials, and all the fried food you can devour, but does anyone think about the people who paint the fields? Rusty Judah and Phil Gianfrancesco are two of those people, and they own Sidelines Field Striping, a company that paints a variety of sports fields in four counties. Beginning in June of 2015, Rusty and Phil began Sidelines Field Striping after observing a need for field lining options. It was during their time working together as officials for high school and youth football that they realized they could make a legally licensed business out of painting fields. Many schools and leagues struggle with recruiting volunteers, scheduling, storage and maintenance of machines and the cost of paint. Sidelines Field Striping tries to eliminate those worries by painting straight and professional lines, buying and storing paint, and buying and maintaining machines. They also have 8-10 employees which eliminates a school or organization’s need to recruit and schedule volunteers to paint fields. Judah stated about the business, “It’s
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great to see the kids’ faces light up when they see the field with their team’s logo that looks clean and professional; growing up playing sports I didn’t have that, so we want to make the fields look nice for the kids.” Operating in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, and Pasco Counties, Sidelines Field Striping paints football, soccer, and lacrosse fields. They paint fields for little league teams, in addition to middle and high schools. Each paint job takes roughly 45 minutes to one hour, and the paint used is a water-based paint that doesn’t kill or harm any grass. The paint takes approximately 45 minutes to fully dry. The paint job can last anywhere from 7-14 days depending on the weather conditions and if the grass gets cut after the paint job. Sidelines Field Striping will paint lines, numbers, mascots, and logos on the field with accuracy and professionalism. Every crew member is level two background checked and badged in compliance with the Jessica Lunsford Act. The business is also family operated, with Gianfrancesco stating about Sidelines Field Striping’s future, “Currently my sons Michael and John work with us and my wife Mary is our President and principal majority owner. I believe when Rusty and I retire that my sons will take it over and keep the business growing and do even better than what we’ve been able to do.” One of a few field striping businesses in the state of Florida, Rusty Judah and Phil Gianfrancesco’s business stands out. They make sure every field looks its best for game day and will even do their work in the late evenings and early mornings to get the job done. They stay in contact with clients to remind them of their services and prices, and they reach out to potential clients to explain how Sidelines Field Striping works. They also have several examples of their work on their website and Facebook page to show off their skills. Sidelines Field Striping’s Corporation name is Fieldlinz LLC and can be looked up on Sunbiz. To contact Sidelines Field Striping for questions or information, call 813440-3021. You can also send them an email at sales@sidelinesfs.com. To fill out a customer application and have Sidelines Field Striping paint a field that needs a professional and quality paint job, visit their website at www.sidelinesfs.com. Remember, when it comes to Sidelines Field Striping, “We keep your fields in line!”
Sidelines Field Striping: “We keep your fields in line!” | www.SidelinesFS.com (813) 440-3021 | sales@sidelinesfs.com PAGE
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RISING STAR Esteban
Navarrete By Katie Hamilton
Esteban Navarrete, known to his classmates and teammates as “Tebo,” is a junior this year at Plant City High School. Navarrete is an active athlete at PCHS, but his athletic talents shine through most while he is playing varsity soccer. Navarrete has been playing soccer since he was 4 years old, making this his 13th year playing the sport. Navarrete states, “My whole family has always played soccer and my dad got me into playing at a very young age.” There are many components of soccer that keep the game flowing smoothly, but certainly the most important part is motivation. Navarrete explains, “The love that I have for playing soccer is my biggest motivation, but the goals that I've set for myself are also constantly motivating me. I don't want to fall short of the goals I have had since I was a young kid.” Navarrete does a great job keeping himself motivated, but also, he relies on an outside supporter: Jorge Navarrate, his brother. “My biggest supporter would have to be my older brother. He's constantly giving me advice on how to become better in sports and in life. He is my biggest critic, but he is also my biggest supporter.” While Navarrete leads a rewarding life on the field, he also is tremendously involved all around the PCHS campus stating, “I am in clubs such as Boys Interact which focuses on helping others and doing positive things for the community. But my main involvement on campus is to simply be friends with as many people as I can and to be a listening ear to students who may not be heard by others because of their social status of not being seen as ‘cool.’” While “Tebo” exhibits many strengths on the field, what he remarks as being his greatest strength is his passion for the game. “Many people lack a true love and pride for playing soccer,” he said. This season, Navarrete tore his ACL during a game against Durant. But in true Tebo fashion he said, “Tearing my ACL has been super tough physically and emotionally, but it's also shown me that there is still so much to be thankful for. I'm blessed enough to have the resources needed to overcome the injury as compared to athletes, or just people, who may not have the resources and immense support that I have in my life.”
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Team of the Month
Plant City High School Competition Cheerleading Team By Katie Hamilton
T
he Plant City High School Competition Cheerleading team has had a great season of bonding and growth this fall. From a holiday team party to spending time together at school, these girls are practically inseparable. The girls have become a tight-knit squad who know how to have fun on and off the mats. The cheerleading team has become a root of good memories for the girls. Madison Hood (12th) has been cheering for PCHS since her freshman year and has been able to experience the true love for her sport, stating, “I wouldn't necessarily say I chose cheer; it kind of chose me at a really young age and I'm so thankful for that. I stuck with cheer because of the sense of family it brought me. I've been on tons of teams and no matter what, the bonds I’ve made with the girls and coaches are simply unmatched. It's also
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taught me so much not just in the sporting aspect, but also in life. I have learned so many lessons from my teammates and coaches that I will carry with me forever.” Not only has Hood learned from her teammates, but she has made plenty of memories with them as well, explaining, “My favorite memory with the team this year is the lake trip we took together during the summer. It was the moment that we all truly bonded and became best friends. It was such an exciting thing to see how close we all got in such a short amount of time being even though we spend such a long season together. It was really important for our foundation as a team and we all love each other so much.” For many of the girls, cheer has been something that will stick with them for the rest of their lives, something that truly carries meaning to them. For Makenzie Cole (12), cheer has been
her life for the past 12 years whether it was her start in competitive cheer at Brandon All-stars, or her high school years cheering for PCHS, Cole has found cheerleading to be her favorite sport. Cole has received constant support from her teammates, but especially thanks her mom for everything she has done for her, stating, “My absolute biggest supporter has always been my mom. As I’ve grown older, I realize just how much she has had to sacrifice to allow me to pursue my dreams. Cheerleading is not just a full-time sport for me; it has also been full-time for my mom. There is no one more supportive and selfless than my mom. In my 12 years of cheerleading, I could count on one hand the competitions that she has missed. She constantly shows up and encourages me through every team, hard practice, good days and bad ones.”
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Meet the
Maker: Betty Jones By Emily Topper
T
he first hat Betty Jones made didn’t start out as a hat at all. “One year, I bought a Halloween costume of an umpire’s outfit,” Betty said. “It had a big hoop around it to be funny, so I started playing with the hoop.” The costume, decorated with stripes and beige fabric, reminded Betty of the 1964 film “My Fair Lady.” She used the hoop and fabric to create a base for the hat, then added feathers. Her hat sold before she even had a chance to wear it. That was in 2009. Now, a drawing of that first hat is depicted on her business cards. Betty’s business, Love the Hat, accepts commissions for beautiful, one of a kind hat creations. Many of Betty’s hats use one of her favorite art forms, assemblage, where a piece is made from unrelated objects. “I didn’t come into art until I had a friend ask me to help her hang artwork for the Florida Strawberry Festival,” Betty said. “I sat with her during the show, which is put on by the East Hillsborough Art Guild. Next thing you know, I started going to their meetings.” Betty also tried her hand at a few classes, including cartooning. But when she started going to other shows and began to see assemblage pieces, she decided to try her hand at that. “Certain things really bother me, especially incest and abuse,” Betty said. “I had a wonderful childhood, but I heard stories from several friends who had been in difficult situations.” For one assemblage piece, a sculpture called “Dysfunctional,” Betty used chicken wire to tell the story of a family. “In this piece, I had a boy upstairs in his bedroom wearing a cast. His sister was laying face down on her pillow and the father was sitting in the living room watching television,” Betty said. “His hands were tied and he had a black eye. Outside of the chicken wire was the mother in a lounge chair and holding the remote to the TV.” Another assemblage piece Betty made was a stovepipe hat, made from assembling a potbelly stove, a Calabash pipe and a top hat made from a can of beer.
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Today, Betty continues to use upcycling and recycling elements and assemblage in her pieces. Her hats have incorporated everything from that first umpire costume to beads, feathers, fabric and more. Her hats range from pieces incorporating decorative spiders to ones shaped like beloved Plant City strawberries. “One of my commissions was for my friend, Beatty Raymond, who asked me to make her a hat that screamed ‘car,’” Betty said. To accomplish it, Betty made her a hat with a wide brim to look like grass and a fiery red cardboard car on top, complete with a mini license plate for the Lake Mirror Classic. She’s also completed commission work for the Swan Derby, the Kentucky Derby, tea parties and even Coachella. For the latter, she turned a blue and purple ballgown into a hat with a flowing train. To date, she’s made about 20 hats. All of them make a statement. If you ask Betty, that’s what hats - and art - should do.
“I always loved hats as a kid,” Betty said. “And I used to go to stores and buy hats I thought were fun or beautiful.” Betty often wears hats she’s bought or made to teas or events, or to services at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Plant City. As a docent at the Polk Museum of Art, a member of the Central Florida Flute Circle and a member of the East Hillsborough Art Guild, she’s become known for her hats wherever she goes. In 2007, 2008 and 2010, Betty won “Most Outlandish” for her hats (two store-bought and one she made) at the Plant City Photo Archives Progressives Tea. “Hats are meant to be worn and displayed,” Betty said. “And like other art, hats speak to the artist.” For more of Betty’s hats or to request a commissioned piece, visit Love the Hat on Facebook.
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Leaders in
Faith Pastor Paul Wirth By Cheryl Johnston
B
orn and raised in Tampa, Pastor Paul Wirth and his wife Susie love that God has blessed them “with a home surrounded by farms in Dover” and that they call Plant City “hometown.” Every Thursday you can find him at Krazy Kup, scripting upcoming sermons and he invites, “Stop by and say hi. I would love to meet you. “ Since his grandmother came from Cuba and rolled cigars in Ybor, he’s grateful God gave him the opportunity to take the gospel of Jesus there when he launched Relevant Church in 2004. Pastor Paul invited Jesus Christ into his heart at age 13 when Dr. Clayton led him in the prayer of salvation at Temple Heights Christian School. Since that time, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry and a master’s in Christian Apologetics. Including 15 years in youth ministry prior to Relevant, Pastor Paul “had the privilege of serving at Temple Heights Baptist Church, Believers Church in Virginia, and Bay Life Church in Brandon.” Married for 31 years, the Wirths have two adult children: Ashlyn, 25 and Anthony, 22. For relaxation, Pastor Paul loves winter snow skiing and spear fishing with his son in summer. What do you enjoy most about sharing faith? The greatest blessing of serving at Relevant is having a front row seat to the transforming power of Jesus Christ in people’s lives. Jesus is not just a ticket to heaven one day. He is our Redeemer, our Savior, and our Sustainer. Traditionally, people don’t argue when you’re sharing your life-changing story. So, I try to share mine, connect it somehow with theirs, and ultimately show how we are connected to God’s story through Jesus. Everyone can explain the change He has done in their own lives. Please share an especially meaningful Scripture passage. Psalm 34:6-8 [ESV] is a picture of my life. ’This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them. Oh,
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Pastor Paul & Susie Wirth enjoyed this great family photo op with son Anthony and daughter Ashlyn.
taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!’ A moral failure 24 years ago took me out of ministry for a season. I was that broken poor man who cried out and God heard. He restored my faith, my marriage, and in time restored me back to ministry. My life, marriage and ministry are reflections of our incredible God’s goodness and grace. How does Susie minister with you? Born in a pastor’s home, she didn’t want to date me in college because we were both theater majors and she felt called to marry a pastor. Little did she know God had called me into ministry four months prior to our first date. She is my partner in ministry and has shown me the grace of God through our marital struggles more than I can ever imagine. Any advice for Christ-followers and those considering the faith? Move beyond consideration to exploration because faith in Jesus is something to explore, examine and experience. Once you jump in, God will reveal Himself to you, which is where the experience of faith begins to take flight. Also, find someone to whom you can ask any questions about faith. Jesus was not afraid of questions. He welcomed them because they lead to answers and answers always lead to Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith. Never think you have arrived spiritually. Take the model of Jesus and grow in wisdom with both God and man. Christian leaders should be learners and listeners. How would you describe your church’s special appeal? Relevant Church is not a perfect church because it is led by an imperfect pastor. We are a hospital for hurting and broken people to find help and healing through Jesus Christ. We don’t just say that we love people and our community. We demonstrate love through actions – through serving the homeless (or as we say ‘our friends in transition’), tutoring/mentoring students at under-resourced schools, building homes for single moms, building beds locally and globally for children and families without beds. People do not need to hear we care. They need to experience our care. Join us at 1704 N. 16th Street in Tampa on Sunday at 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. Visit online at www.relevantchurch. com and live on Facebook (Relevant Church Tampa) and YouTube (RelevantChurchLive) or call 813-443-0732.
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SPONSORED BY
Candy’s Corner By Candy Owens
HAVE YOU HEARD??? The Hottest Cool Gadgets That Are Going to Sell out This December! Drones, Starscope Miracle Sheets, Photo Stick Omnis, and GoDonuts???
H
ey! Whatever happened to bicycles, tricycles, Barbie dolls and board games, basketballs, Bar-B-Que grills, and new record players? When I was a kid my parents, my sister, and I would ride over to Searstown in Lakeland to shop. My father would park the family car in front of Sears and in the store we would go. Back in the 1960’s and 1970’s Sears was the store that had everything. We would look at sporting goods, tools, perfumes, shoes, records, record players and my least favorite of them all, were the clothes. My mother would drag me to the section called: “The Lemon Frog” (which was for chubby little girls.) My mother never mentioned that part to me. She was always very careful with my feelings and just said that the “Lemon Frog” section had a more generous cut. We, as a family always enjoyed a visit to the television department. My sister and I would always sit on the carpet in front of a brand new color television set and watch a game show like: “The Newly Wed Game” or “Truth or Consequences” while our parents talked to the salesman. If my parents needed to shop in another department and we were tired, we could and would sit in front of that television set forever without moving. Back in those days, people did not have to worry so much about watching their child’s every move. If we were shopping in Sears and my mother turned around and I was gone, she would send my sister to the appliance department to get me. I was totally fascinated with the vacuum cleaners. I thought that it was magic how a beach ball would go round and round in the air and not get stuck in the vacuum cleaner hose. I also loved to stand in front of the air conditioners and watch the colored fringe blow in the air. Sometimes I would sing in to the air conditioner vents and get embarrassed when the salesman caught me. My favorite of all the new appliances were the new refrigerators. I would love to open them up and stare at the fake hams and fake cakes that they put inside for display. Sometimes my sister and I would play “Let’s Make a Deal”. I would be Carol Merrill (the show’s model) and stand in front of the refrigerator or washer and dryer and wave my hand back and forth like I was showing the prize just like she did on the program. We had loads
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of fun until my parents came to get us and told us that it was time to go to the next store. I am sure those sales people got a good laugh watching us, or did they? We would next continue down the sidewalk of the shopping center to the kiosk where a man stood all day and made keys. I was fascinated with all of the different shapes and colors of the keys. As a kid, I thought that the man that made keys had a very cool job. When my mother got me away from the key maker, we were on our way to Belk-Lindsey. We always bought our Buster Brown shoes there. My sister and I never minded getting new shoes because the salesman always gave out balloons. When we were finished with Belk-Lindsey and had our new shoes in hand, my sister and I would run next door to the Gandee Toy Shop. I can remember Mr. Gandee sitting behind the counter of what my sister and I thought was the happiest place on earth. Gandee Toy Store had everything that you could imagine. There were baby dolls, Barbie Dolls, and G.I.Joe Dolls. There was Play Dough, Silly Putty, Slinkys, Etch A Sketchs, Silly Sand, Creepel People, doll houses, playhouses, toy cars and planes, board games, yard games, tents, drum kits, guitars, hat, horns, and whistles, stuffed animals, model trains, model cars, model rocket ships, and Hot Wheel cars, beauty kits, and tea sets. It was a kid’s paradise. My father would always without fail, buy my sister and I a play fashion ring before we left the store. Mr. Gandee always had a box of toy rings up at the register. My sister and I took forever to select the ring that we wanted. Next, we were up the ramp to the Green Stamp store, to look in the window at all the groovy things you could get with stamps. Our parents would never let us go in the store unless we were ready to redeem our stamps. Next was to the piano and electric organ store. We would stand in the doorway of the store and listen to the salesman play show tunes on the organ. When we were finished listening to the piano and/or organ concert it was down the ramp which meant walking by this weird looking Octopus shaped sculpture. My sister always told me to not look directly at it or it would come after me. Next
WELLS MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME 813-752-1111
we went to Woolworth’s which had the old wooden floors and a lunch counter. I always wanted to have a snack at their counter but my mother always had a reason why we were too busy to stop. I would usually come out of Woolworth’s with a new book of paper dolls. Sometimes there would be a blind man that stood outside the store and played a guitar and sang. People would put money in his cup as they walked by. This would always upset me therefore my parents would walk me by very quickly. I was worried about that man and wondered if he had a family and a home. We then went to the Empire, the Colony Shop, the Halmark store, the Singer Sewing Center, and finally we were at the end of the shopping plaza. “Time to Eat!” There was a restaurant at the very end of the shopping center which was like a Morrison’s Cafeteria. I do not remember the name but I sure remember their great food. We always left there with a full tummy. So many years have passed since our shopping days at Searstown. The center itself is no longer a shopping complex but more like a group of private office space. Times have changed since those days and I am sure that the kids of today would never be interested in the things that brought us excitement during our shopping trips back then, but I would not change a thing. I often wonder if the blind man that played the guitar and sang is still alive. I also wonder what happened to the scary Octopus looking sculpture. Maybe a kid starred at it too long and it came after the kid. Who knows, but at least it didn’t get me. HA! HA! I would like to close with this happy thought for 2022. • • • • • • • • • • •
During the year may you have Enough happiness to keep you sweet. Enough trials to keep you strong. Enough hope to keep you happy. Enough failure to keep you humble. Enough success to keep you eager. Enough friends to give you comfort. Enough wealth to meet your needs. Enough enthusiasm to make you look forward to tomorrow. Enough determination to make each day better than the day before.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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CELEBRATE THE SEASON 2021 Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Plant City Christmas Parade Best Overall Unit DROP THE WALLS BOUTiQUE Best Church/Religious Unit
Best School Unit
CHURCH ON THE ROCK
SiMMONS CAREER CENTER FFA
Best Marching Band
Best Business Unit
STRAWBERRY CREST HiGH SCHOOL MARCHiNG BAND
Mi CASA MEXiCAN RESTAURANT
THANK YOU
to all of the volunteers who made this year’s parade a success! Plant City Christmas Parade is sponsored by
Plant City Recreation & Parks
Mayor Rick & Di Lott
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Mikey’s Place BY CIERRA CRAFT PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIKEY’S PLACE
3412 W. Baker St, Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 704-5735 Mon-Thurs 3:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Fri & Sat 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Sun 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
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magine this: It’s a Saturday night in Plant City, the kids are playing pool and karaoke is rocking. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be a vision. Mikey’s Place, located on U.S. 92, has made that a reality and is owned by Michael and Shannon Mofield. With 10 Diamond tables and five Bullshooter Dartboards, Mikey’s Place is a laid-back full-service bar and restaurant. Mikey’s Place serves a wide variety of options with something for everyone, including burgers, pizza, and wings. Pair one of those with the bar’s selection of imported and domestic beers on draft or bottle, or a mixed drink prepared by one of the bartenders.
Must-Try Items
Mikey’s Place doesn’t use frozen patties for its burgers, the patties are hand-pressed and made to order. Half-pound Specialty Burgers are a must-try menu item with five flavor options including Cajun Bacon, Cheddar Bacon, Mushroom Swiss, BBQ Bacon, and the Ultimate. Specialty Burgers are $12.50 and served with fries. “We started offering the Speciality Burgers about a month ago and they’ve been a big hit so far,” said Shannon. Mikey’s Place also offers Jumbo Chicken Wings with the option of ordering six, 10, 15, or 25 in eight flavor profiles from Garlic Butter to Buffalo. Customers get their choice of bone-in or boneless wings at Mikey’s Place. Prices range from $7.50 to $33.50. Mikey’s Place also offers a wide selection of sandwiches including a Shrimp Po’Boy for $11.25, Philly Cheesesteak served with fries for $10.25 and Benny’s Famous Cuban served with shredded pork for the same price. “Our pizzas and Macaroni and Cheese Bowls are popular with the customers, as well,” said Michael. “The pizzas are 10” thin crust and made fresh and we offer traditional flavors like pepperoni, cheese, Supreme, and Meat Lovers. We don’t use frozen pizzas and PAGE
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with our bowls, customers can add toppings to them and it just elevates a comfort food item.” The Macaroni and Cheese Bowls include toppings such as Jalapeno, Bacon Cheddar, Cajun Chicken, Cajun Shrimp, and just plain Mac ‘n Cheese. Mikey’s Place offers an impressive selection of appetizers ranging from sports-bar-basics such as pretzel bites and onion rings to Mikey’s Place exclusives such as the Pizzadilla. “We’re like a cross between a quesadilla and a calzone,” said Michael. The Pizzadilla ia $9 and available in pepperoni, sausage, ham, and mozzarella.
Just for the Kids
The Mofields are parents to seven children in a blended family. It was always their intention to open a sports bar that was truly family-friendly. “It was important to us that kids could be here and it gives teenagers a place to go in Plant City and be safe,” said Michael. It’s a common occurrence to see Junior Players on the pool tables and on Sundays, they offer free billiards classes through the nonprofit Shooting for the Future. Some of the Junior Players are National Champions and one is ranked #1 in the United States in the 14 and under division. The Kids Menu includes fries and small fountain drink with any of these $6 entrees: Grilled Cheese, Chicken Tenders, Fried Shrimp (4), Kid’s Pizza, and a Cheeseburger. If you’re looking for a family-friendly sports bar to enjoy the Sunday night game or want to enroll the kids in competitive billiards, visit Mikey’s Place in the Strawberry Hill Shopping Center and explore the menu of burgers, pizzas, wings, pastas, and more. PAGE
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Assortments Of Jams, Jelly And Preserves
Home And Garden Flags
Gift Certificates Available in Any Amount!
Cookies & Bread Basket
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Beautiful Poinsettias PAGE
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January 8 Plant City Annual MLK Freedom Parade
Plant City
Happenings
December 18
December 23 Christmas is Near 5:00PM-9:00PM Kid Zone | Christmas Concert Candlelight Service Strawberry Festival Grounds @ 303 Lemon St Cost: Free Info: Relevant Church Tampa @ 813-433-0732
January 4 Musical Story Time
Bluegrass Night with Southern Express
3:00PM-6:30PM Classic Cars & Trucks | Food | Vendors Downtown Plant City @ 102 N. Palmer St Cost: Free & Free Car Registration Info: 813-754-3707
7:00PM-8:30PM Evening of Worship | Christmas Music Food & Drinks Krazy Kup @ 101 E. J Arden Mays Blvd Cost: Free; Love Offering Info: 813-752-1220
Bikes & Brews 11 7:00PM Donate Money & Buy Shirts Money Raised to Purchase Bikes for Kids Goal of 60 Bikes Duke’s Brewhouse @ 2212 James L Redman Pkwy Cost: Free Event Info: www.fastkicksacademy.com/bikes or 813-752-2700
Sip & Shop with Santa 10:00AM-3:00PM Local Vendors | Holiday Gifts Photos with Santa Keel & Curley Winery @ 5202 Thonotosassa Rd Cost: Free Parking & Admission Info: 813-752-9100 PAGE
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(every Saturday) 10:30AM-12:00PM Waltz | No Experience Required Fun Way to Exercise Strawberry Square & Round Dance Center @ 4401 Promenade Blvd Cost: $7 per Person per Lesson Info: Tom & Cindy Bunn @ 813-752-0491
January 10
Strawberry Classic Cruise-In
Valley’s End- A Christmas Tradition
December 18
Strawberry Square Waltz Lessons
(Tuesdays in January) 10:30AM-11:00AM Interactive Stories | Music | Movement Ages 3-5 (Siblings & Caregivers Welcome) Bruton Memorial Library @ 302 McLendon St Cost: Free Info: 813-757-9215
December 17
7:00PM-8:33PM Bluegrass Music | Food & Drinks Limited Seating Krazy Kup @ 101 E. J Arden Mays Blvd Cost: $15/Ticket; Tickets Available In-House & on Eventbrite Info: 813-752-1220
1:00PM-3:00PM Marching Bands & Floats | Million Dollar Corvette Posse Stroll Route from Wheeler St to End at Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center Cost: Free Info: 813-757-6760
December 22
Florida Feud @ O’Brien’s 7:00PM-9:15PM Win Prizes | Family Feud Style Trivia Cell Phone Friendly O’Brien’s Irish Pub @ 1701 S. Alexander St Cost: Free Florida Feud Info: 813-764-8818
City Commission Meeting
Modern Western Square-Dancing Lessons 6:30PM-8:00PM Square Dancing | No Experience Required | Wear Casual Attire and Comfortable Shoes Strawberry Square & Round Dance Center @ 4401 Promenade Blvd Cost: First Lesson Free; $7 per Person After First Lesson Info: Dunelle @ 860-941-9841 or The Office @ 813-752-0491
7:30PM-9:00PM Everyone Welcome | Government Plant City City Hall @ 302 W. Reynolds St Cost: Free Info: 813-659-4200
January 14
Your Turn! Teen Program 4:00PM-5:30PM Board Games | Ages 12-18 | Bring a Friend Bruton Memorial Library @ 302 McLendon St Cost: Free Info: 813-757-9215
23 Annual Lights of Love rd
Thank You to Our Sponsors As the holiday season begins, we would like to thank our sponsors for supporting Lights of Love! Donations support the many services and programs offered at South Florida Baptist Hospital. The tree located in McCall Park in downtown Plant City will be lit through the end of December. We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
For more information about the Foundation: SFBHFoundation.org
LIGHTS OF LOVE MAJOR SPONSORS Publix Super Markets Charities Terry and Peggy Crum
TREE SPONSOR
Al and Norma Whitaker
PHOTOS WITH SANTA SPONSOR Jack and Carolyn McMullen
MRS. CLAUS’ KITCHEN SPONSOR Susan L. Doan
TOP STAR SPONSORS
ASR Staffing Solution Katherine and Brian Rauschert BayCare Health System Kenneth Fryer City of Plant City First Baptist Church Plant City The Kerr’s Betty Jo Roetzheim
PATRON SPONSORS
Betty Astin Greg and Carol Coleman Coleman and Sue Davis Mary Ann Hall Jarrett-Scott Ford Sylvia B. Knox Bill and Diane Morrow Dean and Nancy Nourie Patterson Companies Mary Ann Paris Plant City Noon Rotary Pat and Darcy Stottlemyer Fred Williams Dale and Sheila Lewis
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
Joan Andrews Steve and Sheryl Boggs Susan Clendening Mary Clare Codd Susan Eddlemon Edwards Platt Meyer, PA Florida Strawberry Festival Brenda Futch Larry and Kim Johnson Leslie Lentz Pec and Dub McGinnes Sherrie Mueller David and Arlene Perkins Plant City Church of God John Pope Jimmie Dan and Karen Robinson Bruce and Margaret Rodwell Marion (Cookie) Smith Mike and Diane Sparkman Union Contractors Association Ann Venning Walden Lake Car Wash Selinda Walden
21-1904200-1221
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a Gallery of Plant City
CHRISTMAS PARADE
Thousands lined the parade route as the Plant City Christmas Parade marched down Collins and Reynolds streets on December 3. Parade participants included churches, businesses, city officials, and royalty. Beads and candy were galore as Plant City celebrated the season.
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d e a. The 2021 Grand Marshal were first responders and health care workers as a thank you for their hard work protecting our communities. b. The parade closes with an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. c. City Manager Bill McDaniel got into the holiday spirit with a Christmas-themed blazer, tie, Santa hat and of course, throwing beads to the crowd to spread some cheer. d. Elves were a common sight at the parade, including these happy elves from the Drop the Walls Boutique float. Drop the Walls was named Best Business float. e. Plant It Earth wrapped its iconic alien truck in wrapping paper and lights, affixed with candy canes. The PIE team passed out beads to the crowd.
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a Gallery of Plant City
LIGHTS OF LOVE
On December 2, South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation hosted its annual Lights of Love Tree Lighting Ceremony in McCall Park. The community event drew hundreds of people to downtown Plant CIty to join in the official kick off of the holiday season. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus made an appearance, along with Rudolph and live music was performed by First Baptist Church of Plant City’s worship music ministry. The city counted down the official Christmas tree lighting and had the chance to take family photos in the park.
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a. First Baptist Church’s worship ministry provided live music throughout the evening. b. Little Miss Plant City court members Giselle McDowell (L) and Analyse Garica (R) pose with Mayor Rick Lott, all sporting festival apparel. c. Plant City Dolphins Cheerleaders pose in the Christmas glasses. The team sold the glasses to participants in support of SFBH. d. Families loved attending the community event and taking pictures in front of the city Christmas tree. e. Once the city Christmas Lights were turned on, families could stroll through McCall Park and the train depot to enjoy the festive lights shining bright throughout downtown.
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a Gallery of Plant City
PLANT CITY PIG JAM
On Nov. 19 and 20, teams from across the U.S. converged on Plant City for the annual Plant City Pig Jam, competing for cash prizes and bragging rights in the annual competition. Plant City Pig Jam Champions: Kings BBQ Team and Continental Barbeque Co. named Reserve Champion. Master Series: 1 Kings BBQ Team 695.9888 2 CONTINENTAL BARBEQUE CO. 691.3372 3 KNIFE PORK AND SPOON 690.7772 4 BACKYARD BROS 690.7772 5 WEQ4U 687.3484 6 SMOKIN' AIN'T EZ 686.7544 7 ROOSTERS BULLS & BOARS 684.4688 8 UNCLE KENNY'S BBQ 683.8972 9 Cooter's N Smoke 680.4688 10 RGDBBQ Backyard Series: 1 Wicked Oak Barbeque 680.5144 2 Evans Family Ranch 678.8228 3 Pig Timers 673.5772 4 Drunkin Brothers Bbq 665.6232 5 Big Red BBQ 655.3944 6 K & E's Little Smokers 650.8116 7 Uncharted BBQ 649.6344 8 Slapulator BBQ 649.5548 9 BBQmyway 649.0860 10 Keiser Que 641.6456 Best BBQ Sauce: Butts on the Barbie Best Dessert: Smoking Aces Best Margarita: Sweet Smoke Q Best of Plant City: BBQmyway
a. Live music rocked the main stage, including Dock Seven, a band from Plant City. b. Continental BBQ was named Reserved Champions, coming in first place Chicken, 27th in Pork Ribs, 13th in Pork, and first in Brisket. Photo: Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. c. Local businesses, like Nichole Moody Team with Better Homes & Garden Ellie and Associates, tabled at the event. Pig Jam served not only as an opportunity for BBQ competitors, but for businesses to market in a unique, but casual way.
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d. Vendors served a variety of smoked goods including ribs, corn on the cob and sausages. e. Winners of the competition were presented with these custom wooden trophies and cash prizes. This KCBS event is a state of Florida qualifier. Photo: Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce
Gallery of Plant City
f. The four categories of the Pig Jam competition are pulled pork (pictured), chicken, ribs, and brisket. Following the competition, competitors sold their delicious eats. The creators of this sandwich,Swamp Boys BBQ, ranked 21 in pulled pork. g. In the margarita competition, Sweet Smoke Q was named the first place winner, with Smokin’ Aces in 2nd. Photo: Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce h. Smokin’ Aces BBQ was named first place in the Dessert competition, submitting these strawberry dessert cups. Photo courtesy of Smokin’ Aces BBQ/ Robert Jordan.
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GRIEF RELIEF WORKSHOP
“Grief Relief” will be 4 sessions. DATES: Thursday November 18th, 2021 @ 6:30- 8:00
Thursday December 16th, 2021 @ 6:30- 8:00 Thursday January 13th, 2022 @ 6:30- 8:00 Thursday February 10th, 2022 @ 6:30- 8:00
WHERE: Shiloh Baptist Church
In one of our many buildings, to accommodate the number of people who sign up.
ADDRESS: 905 West Terrance Drive Plant City, FL 33563
TOPICS: The 17 stages of grieving The focus on relief and as a counselor, I have come up with a unique category.
It’s new & inclusive P.T.S.E. POST TRAUMATIC STRESS EXPERIENCES
We will cover a large array of emotions & feelings; not just the death of a loved one. The sessions P.T.S.E. – will cover life experiences that have traumatized your life ( Example: Divorce, car accident, unexpected illness, family upbringing, abuse, etc.) ***Note: If you are not able to make all 4 sessions, please attend any of the other sessions. We will teach these again and you can pick-up that session then.
Materials
All materials will be provided for you at NO COST. Just bring a friend or family member who you think might benefit from these sessions.
Cost
To attend these 4 sessions is $0 they are free!!! Everything will be provided for you as we address this very sensitive subject. I chose these months because the holidays are sometimes the most dreaded times of the year. Covid has devastated the world. I invite you to come out and be with others; even though you may think your fine or this isn’t your comfort zone you will gain something that may help you now or in the future.
Let me introduce myself.
My name is Mitch Weissman and I’ve been counseling for over 40 years, navy veteran ( I assisted the Navy Chaplain), Jewish by birth, all of my degrees from my B.A. from U.C.F. to my masters degree, honorary doctorate have all been connected to psychology and counseling. I’m a published author and have written many articles. 40 years of experience covering marital, individual, family, young adults/children. I have dealt with P.T.S.D., emotional issues, survivors of every horrific life experience you can imagine. Dealing with my own griefs and life experiences, I believe I bring a lot to the table and will do my best to see you and others find relief.
If you have any questions and want to sign up, please call me at 727-219-5558. Or you can call Shiloh Baptist Church directly at 813 752-8345.
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