FOCUS Plant City 22-11 by Floyd Publications

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As we approach the busy holiday season, we believe it is important that there is a purposeful reflection on the true meaning of the Christmas season: a celebration of the birth of Jesus the Messiah. We recognize Jesus of Nazareth as the one through whom God established his longawaited kingdom. Because of this turning point in the history of humanity, we are all tasked with being stewards of creation and with reflecting Gods wise rule on earth as it is in heaven. This task is one that is both heavy and energizing at the same time; and one that requires sacrifice and responsibility. Humbly, we try and live out this service in our restaurants. We are truly thankful for all you have done to make Fred’s Market and Johnson Barbeque part of the fabric of the community for so many years; we are privileged to serve you.

Merry Christmas! -the Johnsons PAGE

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Table of

Contents 33

FEATURE: STORIES OF SERVICE By Cierra Craft

Each November, the nation pauses to honor those who have answered the call to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Meet two local Army veterans as they share stories of bravery and courage.

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FEATURE: CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICE GUIDE

By Cierra Craft Plant City churches are opening their doors on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. FOCUS has created a convenient guide for service times & special events from area churches.

FEATURE: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

By Cierra Craft “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” Forecast retail sales are expected to increase between 3% and 4% this holiday season. Shop local from Plant City retailers featuring gifts in the 2023 Holiday Gift Guide.

FOCUS PLANT CITY

focusplantcity.com Issue 22-08 / August 2023 PUBLISHER Mike Floyd

mikef@floydpublications.com

MANAGING EDITOR Cierra Craft

cierra@floydpublications.com

ART DIRECTOR

Anthony Sassano anthony@floydpublications.com

OFFICE MANAGER Candy Owens

cowens@floydpublications.com

DISTRIBUTION Tony DeVane STAFF WRITERS Cheryl Johnston Victoria Shawgo CONTRIBUTORS Candy Owens David Moon Dr. Chap. Dan Middlebrooks

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

The Trunzo family is best known as the owners of Krazy Kup, and Frank Trunzo is a world-renowned auctioneer. Now, the Trunzo family introduces Plant City to artisan pizzas and live performances at Stage 201.

By Cierra Craft

SPOTLIGHT: COFFEE, AUCTIONS, & PIZZA

DINING: THICK NY STRIP WITH CHIMICHURRI ROJO BY CJ FRAZIER

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

CJ Frazier is a Plant City resident and “Griddle Pro” for Blackstone. Learn more about CJ and try one of his recipes this holiday season.

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Capture a Pose:

OH SNAP SELFIE WALK-THRU MUSEUM || DECEMBER 8 & 9 To purchase tickets go to: plantcitycog.churchcenter.com

Capture the Light:

CHRISTMAS EVE SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP December 24 - 10:15 AM

WITH GUEST ARTIST

JODY MCBRAYER JODY MCBRAYER IS BEST KNOWN AS A MEMBER OF THE AWARD WINNING CHRISTIAN CONTEMPORARY GROUPS TRUTH, AVALON, AND CANA’S VOICE. JODY IS ALSO A SOLO ARTIST, SONGWRITER, SPEAKER, WORSHIP LEADER & AUTHOR.

PLANT CITY CHURCH OF GOD

2103 MUD LAKE RD., PLANT CITY, FL 33566 || (813) 752-4591 // WWW.PLANTCITYCOG.COM CONNECT WITH US! @PLANTCITYCOG PAGE

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From The

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THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

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As we transition into the holiday season, my mind turns to gratitude for all of the blessings and opportunities that have come my way over the past year. I’m proud of my sons and the men they’re becoming, and I’m thankful for the love of friends and family, and I appreciate each of you who continue to support FOCUS Magazine or its sister company, TURFBrands. Gratitude is a powerful emotion that has the ability to transform our lives in ways we may not even realize. When we take the time to appreciate the things we have in our lives, we are opening ourselves up to a world of positivity and abundance. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can have numerous physical and mental health benefits. It can improve our sleep, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and even boost our immune system. But the benefits of gratitude go far beyond just our health. When we are grateful, we are more likely to attract positive experiences and people into our lives. We become more resilient in the face of challenges, and we are able to see the world through a more optimistic lens. So how can we practice gratitude? It can be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to reflect on the things we are thankful for. Maybe it’s a supportive friend, a delicious meal, or a beautiful sunset. By focusing on the positive aspects of our lives, we are training our brains to see the world in a more positive light. Gratitude can bring us joy, peace, and a renewed sense of hope. So as we approach the holiday season, I encourage you to join me in practicing thankfulness. Let’s take the time to appreciate the good in our lives and spread kindness to those around us.

With gratitude and hope,

Mike Floyd

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IT IS OUR OFFICE POLICY THAT THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED-FEE OR REDUCED-FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT. DN18996. Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/ or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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PC Parks & Rec Volunteers Place 300 Flags on Veterans’ Graves

PLANT CITY PERSONALITIES!

CAN YOU GUESS WHO THIS IS?

By Cierra Craft

n Saturday, November 4, the Plant City Parks & Recreation Department and 60 volunteers gathered at the City of Plant City’s Cemetery Office to honor veterans as the group placed 1300 American flags on veteran graves. The 4th annual Flag In honors and remembers the heroes interred at Plant City’s four cemeteries. “The Flags In event started four years ago with the previous superintendent, Jeff Black, who previously had worked at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia,” said Cemetery Superintendent Gregory Novak. “I was involved with a similar event at my previous cemetery in Iowa where the local American Legion Post would come out the week prior to Veterans Day, and we would place flags at our veterans’ graves and at our Veterans Memorial.” Families were encouraged as a means to teach our youth the importance of honoring and respecting those who served in our nation’s armed forces. “My thoughts about why we have future generations help with placing flags is twofold,” said Novak. “First, I feel that we have a responsibility to our children to ensure that they understand our past and how we got to where we are today. Second, placing flags on veterans’ graves serves as a powerful symbol of gratitude, remembrance, unity, and duty. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families and the debt of gratitude we owe them. It encourages us to reflect on our own roles as responsible citizens and to consider how we can contribute to our communities and our country, even in small but meaningful ways. It inspires us to honor their legacy and continue the tradition of service, thus ensuring that the spirit of patriotism and sacrifice lives on for generations to come.”

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LOOK AT THIS LITTLE CUTIE PIE! Who would have thunk, that this soft and gentle little “ Baby girl” would grow up to be “TUFF ENOUGH” to run a Platoon of people young and old, that need to be “Whipped into Shape”? This personality graduated from Plant City High School a few years ago. She has been involved in everything from the Chamber of Commerce to Cheer leading. She is well known in our little town as a Woman on the Move, a GO GETTER, and a person that Walks the Walk rather than just Talk the Talk. Today she is a wife and a grandmother who loves her family like no other. ANY GUESSES?

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: GAIL LYONS AND HER DAUGHTER JENNIFER CHAMBERLAIN

Saul Lopez’s Near-Death Experience Inspired New Book: “Wake Up”

By Cheryl Johnston

hen Saul Lopez felt compelled to write a book about his own neardeath experience, he had no idea the “After Death” documentary film was in production. He simply wanted to warn others and to give them hope. “No matter what is going on in your life,” he said, “as long as you have breath, never give up!” Twenty-four-year-old Saul was born in Meson, a city in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. As a very young boy, he moved to America so his parents could work, harvesting fruits and vegetables in Florida, Michigan, and North Carolina. His two older brothers were born in the U.S. Saul graduated from Plant City High School in 2017, where his favorite subjects were English. The student who “loved to write” had hoped for advanced education, but since he wasn’t yet a citizen, he was ineligible for scholarships. His Plan B was to enlist in the Marine Corps, where his brothers still serve, but lack of citizenship prevented that. For the same reason, he’s been denied a law enforcement career as well. So, while in the process of becoming an American citizen as his parents, Carlos Lopez and Emilia Ramirez, have done, Saul’s life and work options are in limbo.

This humble, earnest young man longs for nothing more than to support himself. However, in addition to sidelined work options, Saul was also recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, with current symptoms that include difficulty with walking, balance, and trembling hands. And yet, because of his near-death experience (NDE), he does not complain. With faith in God, he is hopeful for miraculous healing, accomplished citizenship, and a career he can embrace. Like many young people today, Saul suffered from depression and anxiety. Several times, he felt like giving up on life. During one instance, to relieve the emotional pain of feeling without purpose, he snorted a dangerous drug. Quickly, he realized that he would die if he didn’t keep his eyes open and remain awake. At first, he was successful but then felt himself losing consciousness. While feeling lost in total, pitch-black darkness, his biggest concern was not having said goodbye to family or friends. Suddenly, however, he sensed someone pressing a finger onto his chest and speaking boldly, “Wake up!” Then, the darkness changed into what he describes as “a blue aurora” (like his book cover image), and he felt himself being pulled up into this uniquely beautiful light.

When he awoke in the empty room, he remembered feeling grateful, heard, and more alive than ever. Since that day, this supernatural experience has strengthened his Christian faith. “I had always known about God and prayed over my food,” he explained, “but now I am seriously pursuing a relationship with Him.” Today, he feels loved and valued and believes a brighter future is ahead. He also felt spiritually impressed to share his story in book form. After struggling to write it himself, he contacted Dr. April Johnson to finish the work. He hopes anyone reading or listening to “Wake Up: Before It Is Too Late” will lean into God and “never give up.” Saul added, “Look up to God, talk to Him. He will hear you and help you.” Advance orders are available at drapriljohnson.com. Saul also expects his rhyming book for children, “The Fat Cow Goes Meow,” to be published in early 2023. In the meantime, this devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend is busy applying for jobs and searching for affordable medical care. If you have suggestions, call Saul Lopez at 813-410-4913 or e-mail lopezram.219@gmail.com.

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Plant City Optimist Club to Open Christmas Tree Lot Nov. 20 By Cierra Craft

orth Carolina-grown Fraiser Fir trees will be sold from Nov. 20 to Dec.9 by the Plant City Optimist Club at the corner of Maki Road and Alexander Street. Christmas trees from four to nine feet will be delivered to Plant City throughout the season to ensure the highest quality trees are available. According to the club, many people travel from the surrounding area to Plant City to purchase their family Christmas tree from the Optimists, knowing that the top-grade trees are fresh-cut and that all proceeds stay in the local community to support youth programs. For six decades, the Christmas Tree lot has remained a top fundraiser for the Plant City Optimist Club. The money raised through the tree sales will go back to youth in the Plant City community, including the Plant City Parks & Recreation Department to co-sponsor the youth flag football,

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basketball, and soccer programs, which included 200, 300, and 1,300 participants, respectively in their latest seasons. The club provides financial assistance to the programs to help keep the participant cost low and ensure no student is left out due to an inability to pay. Many of the Optimists serve as officials, coaches, or administrators. Annually, at least eight graduating Plant City area seniors are selected, through applications to the club, to each receive either a $1,000 college scholarship or a $500 tech/trade training scholarship. This effort is through a partnership with the Construction Technology Group of Plant City and its president, Rick Baldwin. During the winter, the Optimists host an Oratorical Contest for area students under 18 years of age. The local winner and runner-up advance to higher levels of competition within Central Florida and potentially to the North Florida District finals,

where a $2,500 scholarship is on the line for each gender. A Plant City contestant has won the District title and scholarship nine times since 2001. These events and many more are just a few ways the Plant City Optimist Club lives up to its motto of being a “Friend of Youth.” For several years, the club has offered a discount on a Christmas tree purchase with the donation of three or more cans or boxes of nonperishable food items. Partnering with the United Food Bank of Plant City, the commodities will be used to help local families during the holiday season. For more information on the Plant City Optimist Club or its activities, please drop an email to president@plantcityoptimistclub.org or check out their website at www.plantcityoptimistclub. org.

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Turkey Creek First Baptist Church Welcomes Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks By Cheryl Johnston

The joy-filled and welcoming folks at Turkey Creek First Baptist Church share a warm fellowship and concern for the people who visit or attend regularly. This church in the Southern Baptist denomination was established in 1878 as Palmetto Harbor, a mission church of East Thonotosassa Baptist. Early congregants met in a brush arbor. Turkey Creek First Baptist has long been regarded for its hospitality, as was displayed in September when members welcomed their new Senior Pastor, Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks, and his wife Arienne. As the church’s 26th pastor, he succeeds Pastor David C. Jones, who served in that role from 2000 until his retirement this summer. A retired U.S. Army Chaplain Major and Plant City native, Middlebrooks is thankful for the church’s years of love while serving his country. Now he counts it “a great privilege to protect that confidence prayed for and demonstrated in the church’s desire to see a blessed future of faith and families.” He added: “Arienne and I are blessed and honored to be here. This church has been an important one in the Plant City community for over 140 years and has a rich and deep history. We want people to feel loved and needed here at this growing “hospital of hope” called Turkey Creek First Baptist Church.” The church’s mission is to always proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed. In serving God as a community of compassionate Christians, they work to create a loving environment that helps expand the family of God one soul, one couple, one family at a time. Through worship in music, solid Bible teaching, and community outreach, Pastor Dan explained, “The church body continues to go, grow, and glow as the days get shorter and the night grows darker.” In a nutshell, Southern Baptists believe the Bible is God’s Word, his love letter to His human creation. it is without error and still applies to all, thousands of years after it was written. The mission-minded members also believe in helping everyone know the Good News of Jesus, whether that be the neighbor next door, the community in Hillsborough County, or the people groups at the very ends of the earth. “We long to bring others who want to know the Lord to worship, walk, and work into our family,” shared Pastor Middlebrooks. “We believe there is one God who created the entire universe, yet so personally, He desires an intimate relationship with you. He does this through your faith in His son, Jesus Christ, who offers an abundant life on earth and eternal life in heaven to all who follow Him with their whole heart. That is why our foundational theme for this body of Saints of the Savior is based on Ephesians 3:20, “Exceedingly, Abundantly, MORE.” “If you’re looking for a family-feasting recipe for loving folks with a big spoonful of warm fellowship and care, come join the faithful believers at Turkey Creek First Baptist Church,” said Pastor Dan. “Please, bring your family and neighbors and make new friends here,” he continued. “If you’ve felt God’s nudging to find a great church home, Turkey Creek First Baptist is eager to welcome you!” All are invited! For additional information, call 813-752-7890 or visit online at Facebook or www.tcfbc.org. Located at 4915 West Trapnell Road in Plant City, the service times are as follows: Sunday School - 9:15 AM Morning Worship - 10:30 AM Evening Worship - 6:00 PM

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Midweek services on Wednesday Kids Worship & Youth - 6:00 PM Prayer Meeting - 6:00 PM Adult Choir Practice - 7:00 PM

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STEVE AND SUSAN HURLEY TO SERVE AS GRAND MARSHALS OF PLANT CITY CHRISTMAS PARADE By Cierra Craft

he Plant City Home-Town Christmas Parade is Friday, December 1, at 7:00 p.m. The parade route will start at Collins and Ball Streets, travel north on Collins through downtown, turn right onto Reynolds Street, and end at the courthouse. “The parade committee has worked very hard in the past several months to ensure there will be improvements in the quality of the parade this year, and we believe that some very positive changes are in store for everyone who attends,” said Sharon Moody, Parade Committee President. This year’s Grand Marshals are Steve and Susan Hurley. Steve and his business partner opened Stingray Chevrolet in 2005. The committee chose the couple because of the Hurleys’ participation in several local philanthropic organizations, such as Unity in the Community. “Volunteering on the Unity in the Community board is a very humbling experience,” said Steve. “I have learned so much about giving back and helping those in need from many of our board’s talented people. That experience is one of the highlights of my professional career. Stingray Chevrolet is renowned for its annual Chevy Corvette Charity Raffle, benefiting Unity in the Community. To date, the dealership has raised $2.5 million for Unity by selling $5 raffle tickets, and the winning ticket drawing is on the final day of the Florida Strawberry Festival. Those dollars have stayed in the city through Unity’s mission “To help those

in need in and around the community of Plant City.” The 2024 Florida Strawberry Festival will be the 15th year of the raffle. The Hurleys also support Lots of Hugs Summer Reading Camp, an educational summer camp for local youth who need a safe place with adult supervision over the summer. The Hurleys also have a joint effort with the Plant City Kiwanis Club’s “Stuff the Bus,” putting 1200 to 1500 backpacks into the hands of local kids to kickstart the school year. Each December, Susan Hurley and the staff of Stingray Chevrolet buy gifts for nearly 400 kids in the Kiwanis’ Angel Tree program. “We feel like it’s so important to support the community that supports our business. We don’t do what we do just to sell another car or to service another truck. It just makes sense to me: How can you expect a community to care about your business or feel connected to your business if you don’t first show that you care about your people and your community?” said Steve Hurley. The major sponsors for this year’s parade are Unity In The Community and Stingray Chevrolet. For further information concerning the Christmas Parade, contact Sharon Moody, Board President, at 813-453-7134. PAGE

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Aspire honors Silvia Dodson as the 2023 Woman of Distinction

By Cierra Craft

n November 1, Aspire Plant City honored Silvia Dodson as its 2023 Woman of Distinction luncheon, held at the GFWC Plant City Woman’s Club on Wheeler Street. Silvia Dodson is a member of several community organizations, including serving as chair of the United Food Bank of Plant City’s annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. None of the work Dodson puts into the community is for awards but because she believes in its purpose. Born in Cuba, Dodson—then Azorin—immigrated to the United States at 9 years old during the Cuban Revolution to escape the Castro regime that “confiscated and stole our family business, confiscated and stole our homes, confiscated our bank accounts and stole our life savings,” said Dodson’s cousin, Maruchi Azorin. Dodson learned English, became a Girl Scout, and settled into her new life in Georgia, where her father and uncles found work in a brick company. They remained there for two-and-one-half years before relocating to Plant City and opening Florida Brick & Clay Co. Dodson worked there alongside her brother, Antonio, and her husband, Bill Dodson, until the company sold its Turkey Creek Road property in 2021. Bill said, “[Silvia] lives a life of passion, leads by example, and

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believes in community. She is all about the end result. She says to me, ‘less talk, more doing.’” Mary Heysek, Executive Director of the United Food Bank, said, “For me, what a privilege it is to know you, Silvia, and call you a friend. In a world filled with inspiring women, she stands out and has an embodiment of excellence, compassion, and unwavering determination… Silvia’s constant dedication, passion, and tireless efforts have demonstrated her distinction in all aspects of her life.” The Woman of Distinction Award – a tribute to extraordinary women who are true inspirations. Aspire Plant City outlines the characteristics of its Woman of Distinction. These women: • Mentor and empower women and girls. • Advocate for positive social change and equality. • Exhibit exceptional leadership in their fields. Being a Woman of Distinction is both an honor and a calling. It means excelling in career, mentorship, leadership, and community. It’s about striving for excellence and nurturing our Plant City community. Past recipients of this award are Marsha Passmore (2020), Gwen Thomas (2021) and Susan Sullivan (2022).

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Find us IN PLANT CITY at 3014 James L. Redman Pkwy

Arts Council Installs Lamppost Banners Honoring Plant City Veterans

he Arts Council of Plant City, in partnership with Unity in the Community and the City of Plant City, brought an installation of Military Lamppost Banners to Plant City’s downtown core, and the Veterans Memorial Park is up for your viewing. “To bring this project to fruition has been a labor of love that has taken 18 months from conception to reality,” said Marsha Passmore, President of the Arts Council of Plant City. The work to identify the names of Veterans who served from the Plant City area or who have called Plant City home has been a process to be sure the information is correct and verified. The Arts Council sought the help of Shelby Bender, Executive Director for the East Hillsborough Historical Society, who helped in identifying names of service men and women from Plant City and nearby communities, and the second leg of the research was with Gil Gott and Erin Schulte with the Plant City Photo Archives. Erin went through virtually every military veteran that the Photo Archives have in their files and then found highresolution images that would be suitable to transfer to a vinyl banner. The veterans that you will find on the first banner installation were randomly selected and were not placed in any order or ranking system. It is our hope to do a similar project in the future and, ideally have banners on the lamppost in Veterans Park continually. The cost for a two-sided banner with the photo of a different veteran on each one played a role in how many we were able to provide. We placed 76 banners in total: 60 banners in the downtown area and 16 in the park. The City’s General Services Department was more than honored to provide their service to the project. A good place to begin your stroll in viewing the banners is in Veterans Park, proceed to the areas around City Hall, and continue your journey along the North-South corridors of Collins Street, Evers Street, Wheeler Street, and Palmer Street, and the East-West corridors of Reynolds Street to Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd, including McCall Park. The Arts Council of Plant City, with our thanks to Unity in the Community, hosted a short Veterans Day Ceremony dedicating the banners from the City of Plant City and its residents to all who have served. The men and women on the banners represent all that is good and honorable to all who have served.

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“Stack some Stones”

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Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks Senior Chaplain, PCFR, HCPS-EM/S

ver had a pet rock? In 1975, it became a growing fad launched by Gary Dahl. The Pet Rocks were smooth stones from Mexico’s Rosarito Beach. The rocks were marketed like live pets with a cardboard box, straw, and air holes (nice touch). Although the fad ended six months after it began, Dahl sold 1.5 million Pet Rocks at $4 each and became a millionaire, and bought a new house. I wonder if he had a rock garden. Why do I have rocks on the brain? As we move through the last months of 2023, there are a few rocky moments in history that I would like to remind us of, not as a pet rock project but as a powerful promise. The first set of rocks can be found thousands of years ago in a place called Gilgal. If you know your Bible history, this was the camping place of the children of Israel right after they came into the promised land of God’s provision. In Joshua 3-4, we read how God parted the flooded Jordan River and prepared a mass of wilderness wonders to become Canaan conquers. The first set of rocks were not found on the land they stood on but in the riverbed they walked through. God directed Joshua to have twelve men, one from each tribe, unearth a stone from the riverbed and carry it with them to the place they would lodge that night. I can imagine these were not small stones. The guys that were selected were the best of each tribe and probably the strongest. I’m sure that each one was not satisfied to pick up a smooth stone but as big a boulder as he could carry. Maybe the talk during the walk to the campsite was, “Yes, you got a good one, but look at my rock!” Why the parade of poundage? It was to remember what God did for them. In Joshua 4:19-24, the leader of Israel tells them, “When your kids ask, ‘Pop, why the rocks?’ you will be able to tell them of God’s mighty hand of help.” (My southern paraphrase). For us today, these rocks remind us of God’s promised power when facing incredible obstacles. A second set of rocks are found through the various war-ravaged sites of our nation’s conflicts. From the Revolutionary War where rocky barriers were blown into pieces, to the barren and bleached stones of the scorching sun in Iraq and Afghanistan, the hardened trail of both tears and triumph moves forward, and the truth of life, liberty, and love of country still marches on. In between these mountain-making stones are the set of rocks found amid smoke, chaos, fire, fear, and tragedy. It is the day of September 11th, 2001. One World Trade Center tower falls to the earth, and then later, a second. The news reports a third plane hitting the Pentagon, and another plane, turned off course by the heroic passengers, crashes into a field. It is a different scene than the previous paragraph. Where the children of Israel took a walk of triumph, here the rocks tell a story of tragedy for the American people and a multitude of other nations that lost loved ones. Yet, these very stones, though forged in fire and smoke, tell a greater story. It is a story that came from tragedy and began to move a people into a triumph, to shift from pain into peace, and to move from scattered and distant to gathered and united. These stack of stones represent the unstoppable human spirit that will not lay down in the dust in defeat but will stand back up, bloodied, bruised, but ready to remove the rubble, confront the evil, and allow the beacon of light and life to burn even brighter than before. These rocks remind us of God’s shining light of Hope in the darkest night of our pain. The last set of rocks are found all over our nation and the world. These stones are not rugged but made ready to stack neatly to build not just as an altar, but beautiful buildings. These gathering places of history workers and warriors represent the rich heritage and faithful history of a Shepherd and flock and Pastor and people that felt God’s call to come together to worship. What makes these “stack of stones” differ from the previous ones is the keystone that is put into place. It is called the cornerstone. It is the crucial component of the construction that keeps a building standing strong during the winds of adversity, the sudden storms of anxiety, and the unexpected attacks of the enemy. They are symbols of thousands of churches that have endured the trials, tests, and tragedies of life to stand triumphant as a stack of unmovable Stones. (Matthew 16:18) As you go forward into the last weeks of November, are you thankful for the rocky pathway of problems and pain that led you to a place of promise and personal perspective? Do you need to stack some stones of God’s power, of God’s hope, and God’s purpose? If you do, let me encourage you with this last thought. Instead of trying to find some stones, be one to someone and you will find you had the stoney strength all the time. As the Guardian of our Schools and representative of what is right in the world, stay solid as a rock and remember God’s promise when He gave us His “Rock of Ages.”

Miriannette Gayoso, M.D., F.A.A.P., Katherine Puisis, APRN, Emily Buchholz, PA-C, Timothy Williams, D.O., M.Ed., F.A.A.P., Chandra Williams, M.D., F.A.A.P., Cynthia Garcia, APRN, Hernando Valero, DNP.

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Workforce Development Partners Corp’s Future Career Academy and the Hillsborough County School District announce the Launch of the Susan Redman Sullivan Workforce Development A Champion Award

“Sullivan was an exceptional champion of the unique program that seeks to advance and promote students who otherwise may not pursue higher education post-graduation.” PAGE

t the school principals meeting on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, the Workforce Development Partners Corp team, along with School District officials, presented the inaugural award to longtime educator Susan Sullivan. Named for her, the Susan Redman Sullivan Workforce Development Champion Award recognizes the strong commitment and deep relationship Ms. Sullivan had with both her students and community. During Principal Sullivan’s tenure, the Future Career Academy was launched at Plant City High School in 2015 in cooperation with local businesses and community leaders. Sullivan was an exceptional champion of the unique program that seeks to advance and promote students who otherwise may not pursue higher education post-graduation. Workforce Development Partners’ Future Career Academy model is a disruptive educational and immersive approach that prepares students for life while supporting economic development and opportunity for communities via a partnership between high schools, the school district, organizations committed to the economic success of a community, and the business community. Sullivan’s commitment to gaining the best available outcomes and opportunities for her students aligns with the School District’s approach to achieving wins with a holistic approach to “what comes next.” After 41 years in education, including eight years as Principal at PCHS, Sullivan was honored for her impact on many within the Plant City community at her retirement celebration at the close of the 2022-2023 school year. Her career included classroom teacher, guidance counselor, assistant Principal of curriculum, and Principal of Marshall Middle School and Tomlin Middle School before serving eight years as Principal of Plant City High School. While at Marshall, she was named Middle School Principal of the Year by the Hillsborough Council of PTA/PTSA. She stated that for as long as she can remember, she always wanted to be an educator. While at Tomlin, Sullivan emphasized community service and introducing programs that promote accountability and healthy relationships. She put in place the practice of “Be Nice, Be Noticed,” a program that recognizes students for their positive actions. In her time at Plant City as a teacher, an administrator, and a principal, Sullivan highlighted the support the school always received from the local community. As Principal, she says that she’s most proud of their graduation rate, a number that jumped 10 points in her tenure, the five state championships that the Raiders won under her watch, the installation of a brand-new turf football field, the establishment of a business advisory board that has helped open the door for students to transition into the workforce, and the Raider Champions Foundation, an organization that works to build a partnership between the school and its community donors. In the future, annual recipients of the Susan Redman Sullivan Workforce Development Champion Award will be chosen based on their commitment to and support of workforce development initiatives that benefit our community’s students, organizations, and school district.

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Hillsborough Co. Fair Honors Agriculturalists at the 2023 Harvest Awards By Cierra Craft

n November 2, the Hillsborough County Fair hosted its annual Harvest Awards. Established by Cooperative Extension Service, the Harvest Awards recognizes those who preserve the agricultural heritage of Hillsborough County and celebrate outstanding pioneers in the farming community. Congratulations to the 2023 Harvest Award winners: • Farm Family- Winfred Harrell Family • Lifetime Achievement- Doug Holmberg • Outstanding Woman in Agriculture- Dee Dee Grooms • Outstanding Farmer/Rancher/Nurseyman- Joe Sumner III • Outstanding Public & Community Service- Fred Williams • Posthumous Memorial Tributes- Timothy Cribbs & Clyde Dixon, Sr. Also recognized were “Friends of the Fair” recipients, who received fair awards distributed by Rep. Danny Alvarez to thank for their continued support of the fairgrounds. Those recipients were Hillsborough County Sheriff Mounted Posse, Hillsborough County Cattlewomen, Commissioner Michael Owen, Central Maintenance and Welding, Pipe Pros, TEW Electric, Ed and Terri Kelly, ACME Barricades, Stepps Towing, McCullagh and Scott, Odiorne Insurance, Tampa Bay Times, IHeart Media, In the Field Magazine, America Show Camels, Bill Bartlett, Tampa Electric Co and Peoples Gas, Astin Farms and United Rentals. A Posthumous Friend of the Fair will be given to Robert McElheny.

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Past and Present Woven Together at 2023 Pioneer Day By Cierra Craft

n November 11, the East Hillsborough Historical Society hosted its 46th Annual Pioneer Day, an event highlighting Plant City’s rich history and celebrating the arts. Held at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, attendees explored the 114-year-old school, viewing museum exhibits, collections, art, and archives by the historical society. A visit inside the Community Center showcased period clothing, vintage photography, yearbooks and items from the Plant City Planters, and military uniforms from the Plant City men who served in the armed forces and so much more. Guests also got the opportunity to hear living history presentations from employees from the Plant Museum in Tampa, and Henry B. Plant shared stories of how the city was named after him and brought the railroad to Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast. John Briggs annually shows Pioneer Day visitors how to use a lithograph printer in the same studio he uses to paint his iconic works of art that are in private collections across our nation and globe. Willeva Rogers Van Den Bogaert is the curator of the Turkey Creek High School archives. She is a proud alumna of the school and enjoys preserving photos, yearbooks, and artifacts of other former graduates. “The first graduating class of Turkey Creek High School received diplomas in February 1908; that graduating class consisted of three students: W.E. Bledsoe, Zona Giles Hall, and Paul Graham,” said Van

Den Bogaert. “We just added Bledsoe’s original diploma. It was recently donated, so we’ve got it framed and on display.” Drawdy’s Dance School provided entertainment throughout the morning, and Davitta White, Kadance Drawdy, and Elliott Green were among the solo performers for the award-winning dance team. Collective Sound Cloggers, Plant City Entertainment, and Chris Welbon Karate Club were among the handful of entertainers to also perform throughout the day. Internationally recognized musician, author, actress, and singer Charleene Closshey, who grew up attending Jackie’s School of Dance, wanted to recognize her former dance teacher, Jackie Everidge. Everidge taught dance in Plant City for 54 years, influencing four generations of Plant City children to love the arts. Everidge and her daughter, Sharon, in turn, recognized Amanda Drawdy and Teala Mahoney for continuing the tradition of teaching dance in Plant City at Drawdy’s Dance School. The annual event drew a crowd excited about history, arts, and heritage, many of which were families. It’s important for youth to learn about Plant City’s history, share stories, and make new memories. The 47th annual Pioneer Day is Saturday, November 9, 2024. Donations to the Historical Society are not expected but are greatly appreciated as they wish to continue the important work of local historic preservation for many years to come. Please email Shelby Bender at info@ ehhsoc.org for more information.

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People of Plant City

Hillary

Padron By Cheryl Johnston

roud to be a Plant City native, Hillary Davis Padron graduated from PCHS in 2010, where she played Raider Volleyball. Originally planning to become a schoolteacher, she changed her major at the University of South Florida to Communications before graduation. These days, she is busy creating a wonderful family life with her husband Dan, and four beautiful little girls. Describe your family, please. My parents are Greg and Billie Jo Davis, and I’m the third of four children – a sister Mallory, and two brothers, Ryan and Landon. We’re very close and love spending time together (and my parents love helping with our four girls). In fact, our new home is on the 12-acre compound where my parents live and my sister’s family just built. After friends introduced me to Daniel Padron, we married in 2017 at Pretty Place Chapel, overlooking the Blue Ridge mountains in South Carolina with just our families in attendance. My sister was my Maid of Honor and Dan’s “Best Man” was his Papa, who passed away in December of 2022. We are crazy about our four daughters: Georgia (7), Dallas (5), Dixie (3), and Memphis (8 months) and we like country living. What type of work have you done in the past and presently? I have been a stay-at-home mom for almost 5 years now, since I became pregnant with our second daughter, Dallas. Formerly, I substituted for a time and then worked as a preschool teacher at First Presbyterian Learning Center here for a year. These days I’m a full-time homemaker and will just begin our first year as a homeschooling family. I’m excited about “The Good and the Beautiful” Christ-centered curriculum we’ve just purchased. We’re in the process of creating classroom space in the spare living room. So, my work these days is chasing little ones (which is also my only fitness plan at the moment). Since birth, I attended Plant City Church of God, where I previously taught Sunday School, helped direct Jr. KIDS Church, and volunteered in the nursery. I also help my father with the social media posts for his Pelican’s Snoballs business. My husband Daniel is now the Youth Pastor at First Assembly of God here in town. So now I will be assisting him as well. When you have spare time, how do you relax and unwind? I really enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. And I love making food my family enjoys. We used to raise pigs, but now we only have chickens and our dog. Spending time with my mother, sister, and a few close friends is always fun. But honestly, I most enjoy being at home with Dan and our girls. Do you have some favorite foods at Fred’s Market? Yes, for sure – fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, and banana pudding. We like to eat here on weeknights when the children can eat healthy and for free! Thank you, Fred! Any wisdom from experience you’d like to offer our readers? Don’t be afraid to live differently from everyone else and live a simple life. If you take a different path such as homeschooling or being a stay-at-home mom, stand firm in those decisions and be proud of them. Be good examples to your children, and make God, your marriage, and your family priorities. This will make you more fulfilled and content with your life than many other things the world has to offer.

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Did You

Know? Remembering JFK

Writers in Residence Program, Huang History Center Plant City Photo Archives, Inc.

November 2023

0 years ago, on November 18th, 1963, President John F. Kennedy visited Tampa, Florida. It was the first time that a sitting president had ever visited Tampa. Officially, Kennedy was there to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first commercial flight between St. Petersburg and Tampa. Unofficially, Kennedy, who had narrowly lost Florida in the 1960 election, was determined to do everything to capture Florida in 1964. Over 10,000 people flocked to Al Lopez Field (now the site of Raymond James Stadium), for even the chance of a glimpse of the President of the United States—one of them was Plant City photographer, Bill Friend. Friend, a member of the Hillsborough County Sheriff Auxiliary, had received special security clearance to photograph the President up close. In an interview with Panky Snow, fellow Plant Citian and correspondent for the Tampa Tribune, Friend recalled his favorite photograph taken on that day: President Kennedy reaching out to shake hands with a white girl and a Black boy at the same time. In that same interview, Snow discussed her own experience that day, of the excitement while gathering both her and her neighbor’s children into the car to be one of the many onlookers at Al Lopez Field. She also remembered the sorrow felt just four days later, of her neighbor banging on her front door, sobbing, that the President had been shot. On November 22nd, 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. It’s the date that many point to as the day that America “lost its innocence.” Following his death, there would be more assassinations—Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., and JFK’s brother, Robert Kennedy—and violent riots, over the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. With Kennedy in office, however, it appeared as if things were about to change for the better. In 1965, American actress Grace Kelly, then Princess

PAGE

Grace of Monaco, gave an interview with novelist Paul Gallico, as part of the Oral History Program conducted on behalf of the John F. Kennedy Library. Princess Grace, not only a “born American, but also the wife of the head of an independent European country,” remarked that what stood out to her about Kennedy was “his youth…my husband [Prince Rainier] often remarked what a pity it was that a great country like America, which in Europe is still regarded as such a young nation, should be represented seemingly only by old or infirm men.” “From the moment that he became President, it seemed as though a wave of excitement ran through all of the young painters, poets, writers, and musicians of the United States. Now that someone of their own age was in the White House, there was somehow a better chance for them to be seen or heard.” Five months before his death, Kennedy had addressed the nation, announcing his support for Civil Rights. A year before, he had successfully talked the Soviet Union down from the brink of a full-scale nuclear war. It’s highly likely that, had Kennedy still been in office, the Vietnam War would not have devolved into the controversy that we know today. Kennedy embodied the progressive, youthful spirit that America had longed to imbue itself with since its birth. He had given Americans, perhaps for the first time, a President that they could identify with. If Kennedy united the country in any sure way, it was in his death, and the nation’s resulting grief for

the dream—of Camelot—lost. Princess Grace captured this feeling when responding to what she felt was the impact of Kennedy’s death. “I, for one, cannot believe that a man of Mr. Kennedy’s stature and achievements was put upon this earth for no other purpose than to stop an assassin’s bullet. I believe that God allows these certain tragedies to happen in order to emphasize the man and his achievements and to inspire those who follow to have the strength and the will to accomplish his unfulfilled dreams.” Erin Schulte is the Curator of Collections at the Plant City Photo Archives. Stop by the Archives, located at 106 S. Evers St, to discover more. If you would like to share your photos and history, please email info@plantcityphotoarchives.org or call the office at 813.754.1578.

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By Cierra Craft

Each year, as a nation, we pause to honor the millions of service members who have served in the United States Armed Forces. First observed in 1919 as “Armistice Day,” the Veterans Day of today is an opportunity to show veterans gratitude for the immense sacrifices they have made throughout their service. Sometimes, the easiest way to do so is by asking about their time in the military or simply thanking them for their service. Too often, the stories of our veterans and the lengths to which they went to defend our country are forgotten. In honor of this Veterans Day, here are two stories of veterans’ experiences of their time in the military and the transition into civilian life.

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FIRST SERGEANT (E-8), U.S. ARMY At age 20, James “Mike” Beck worked at Hardee’s in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. His boss offered him a promotion to Assistant Manager in Training. But Beck had bigger dreams. “I said ‘thank you for the opportunity, but I quit,’” said Beck. “I didn’t want to stay in Tuscaloosa my entire life.” Beck wanted to be an educator. So, he decided to join the US Army to earn college money like many do, serve his four years, and get out so he could go to the University of Alabama and become a teacher. He enlisted on July 27, 1992, and completed his Basic Training at Fort Leavenworth and then joined the Air Defense Artillery (ADA) at Fort Bliss in Texas. Shortly after enlistment, he was deployed to Bosnia with the 101st Airborne Division. Beck would go on to serve 23 years in the U.S. Army with several deployments and visit multiple duty stations in the U.S. and Germany throughout his career, as well as training in South Korea and Honduras. As the events of 9/11 unfolded, Beck said he and his fellow service members felt personally attacked. “Our job was to put it to an end and make it stop,” said Beck. He was deployed to Iraq in 2003 with the 101st Airborne Division for the Ground Invasion. While his parents were proud, they, like many, always wanted someone else to have to go overseas. And while some may think, “If not me, then who?” Beck knew who. He could put faces with the people who were going overseas to defend our country. He would then complete two deployments in Germany (August 2006 to June 2007, August 2008 to February 2009) and return to Iraq (June 2007 to August 2008),

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then deploy to Afghanistan (August 2013 to April 2014). Unfortunately, he would lose many friends in combat throughout his career. For his heroic actions, Beck would be awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and Army Commendation Medal, among many other honors. Beck suffered an injury to his neck, which required spinal fusion surgery, and he was no longer able to be deployed. Beck chose terminal leave, and he and his wife, Traci, moved to Florida in October 2015. He officially retired on December 31, 2015. He then decided to pursue his dream of becoming a History teacher. He earned his associate degree at Valencia Community College and transferred to the University of Central Florida to earn his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and certification in Social Science Education. He taught at Polk County Public Schools for several years and, in August 2023, joined the staff at Tomlin Middle School, teaching Civics and U.S. History. He said he is enjoying his time at Tomlin and getting to know his colleagues. “While I am more strict on behavior in the classroom, I am able to provide meaningful structure and remove distractions brought by bad behavior. This gives me an opportunity to talk to the kids more, and a lot of the kids like my class because it’s orderly.” At the middle school level, Beck is teaching his students about the structure and function of the government without political bias, and the students can figure out who they are and know their rights before they go to high school.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS PEOPLE CAN SUPPORT VETERANS? “I led 127 people at my last duty station. I was in charge of $65 million in equipment and a half billion dollars in aircraft that went with me to a foreign country, and every single piece came back. But when I left the military and was looking for a job, many employers didn’t take my 15 years of leadership in the Army as management experience. If you want to support veterans, employers should keep their promise of accounting military experience as management experience and hire veterans.”

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SPECIALIST (E-4), U.S. ARMY Joy Pierce began volunteering at the VA Hospital and was a member of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) while in high school. She says she knew during her time in JROTC that she wanted to serve. In 2008, Pierce enlisted in the U.S. Army at 17 years old. She recalls having to get her mom’s permission to go into Basic Training a year early. She was shipped out to Fort Jackson in South Carolina and became a 92A Automated Logistics Specialist.

“I was told, ‘This is what you’re doing today,’” and suddenly it became, ‘What do I want to do today?’” said Pierce.

Pierce was a member of the 2nd Engineer Battalion and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and swept for explosives in the Middle Eastern country.

Pierce found building LEGO sets as therapeutic, as it helps relieve the stress of coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“Our unit’s mission was to sweep for IEDs, so we were always on patrol; I remember a lot of sand and camels,” said Pierce.

“I build a LEGO set every day and said, ‘I wish someone would pay me to build,’ and the next day, I saw a post for Brick City Bricks hiring a full-time Customer Service Associate,” said Pierce. She applied and was hired instantly. The shop is owned by Gregg Williams, a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

During her deployment, Pierce was sent to Germany for treatment. She medically retired at the age of 20, serving three and a half years. Despite her enlistment period just shy of four years of active duty, Pierce is proud to be a veteran of the Army and do her part to fight terrorism. Pierce said for three and a half years, she was a part of a culture of structure, and transitioning back to civilian life was challenging.

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She went on to study Psychology, looking for another way to serve people, and in 2021, she opened her own counseling center, Empathy Counseling, on Alexander Street. Pierce is looking for ways to serve and help those who suffer from mental illnesses.

Of course, there is more to the job than building, but Pierce is blessed to have the opportunity to share the healing of bricks with the shop’s customers. “In therapy, we use toys and bricks to help children who have trouble communicating to open up, so I hope to help parents and their children connect with LEGO,” said Pierce.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS PEOPLE CAN SUPPORT VETERANS? “Go down to the VA Hospital and volunteer. Some veterans don’t have support from their families, and those volunteers are all they’ve got. Not all wounds are visible, so volunteer at the VA and meet face-to-face with veterans. When I was in high school, my friend said they were going down to the VA, and I asked, “For what?” They said to volunteer. I went with them, and it was impactful. Now that I think about it, maybe that is what really inspired me to join.”

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Holiday Gift Guide FOCUS Magazine makes it easy for our Plant City readers to find the perfect gifts to give for the holidays.

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Some holiday traditions may come and go, but some never change: Choosing a beautiful Christmas tree as a family, cooking with Grandma, and heading into town to find the perfect gift. From the hottest gifts to holiday classics, our city has many local businesses to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

Local businesses provide a more personal touch Buying from a corporate giant has advantages, but customer service isn’t always one of them. Local businesses will often offer a one-on-one experience helping find a gift and two of our gift guide advertisers—RAOK and Rowan and Plum—offer gift wrapping, free of charge.

Take a stroll through downtown Plant City to find gifts at Brick City Bricks, Sweet Roots Apparel or Rowan and Plum, or visit Brown’s Jewelers uptown to give the gift of elegance and style. Parkesdale Market has the gift basket perfect for the hostess of the holiday party and Russell’s has something for the cowboy and cowgirl on your list. PawBerries has a gift for your four legged friends and deck the halls with decor from Sassi’s. RAOK and Lakeland’s Yates and Hagan has something for everyone, with a variety of items to choose from. Shopping small supports the local economy When you shop local, $68 of every $100 spent stays local when you shop small, that’s almost twice the amount when you shop with a corporate giant, according to Forbes. When you shop from an

Should the gift recipient have any issues with their present, our local businesses make exchanges and returns easy. While our local businesses don’t see the volume of customers as big retailers, they can address customer concerns quickly and easily. In the spirit of “Shop Local,” FOCUS is proud to present its annual Holiday Gift Guide! Inside, you’ll find great gifts for everyone on your holiday lists from a variety of local businesses. Your local merchants—your friends and neighbors—work hard each year to create an exciting and magical experience in the community. Celebrate the season by shopping small this holiday season!

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Trinkle Redman, P.A. Attorneys at Law

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Stage 201 is set to become Plant City’s new gathering place to enjoy a delicious artisan pizza and dazzling talent on the performance stage.

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COFFEE Auctions &

Pizza

What could they possibly have in common with Frank, Wenda, and Joshua Trunzo?

Well, let’s start with Coffee & Krazy Kup, the award-winning coffeehouse that has won the Focus Readers’ Choice Award for the past decade. Marriages have started, and families have grown through the years. Krazy Kup has been a meeting place and gathering for all walks of life, not to mention the live music, which has featured several Grammy winners.

Up Next:

Auctions: Frank has sold over $5 Billion in Luxury Real Estate worldwide. He is a “World Champion” and 7x multi-state champion auctIoneer. He holds the coveted position as Head AuctIoneer for the Luxury Real Estate Division of Sotheby’s/Concierge Auctions. Sotheby’s was founded in 1744 and is the premier auction house in the world. Frank has been a part of the auction history made with Sotheby’s at both stateside (NYC) and the Asia Gallery (Hong Kong) It took Sotheby’s 288 years to hold their first-ever designated luxury real estate auction. That auction was led by Auctioneer Frank Trunzo in New York City. Another Hong Kong and London portfolio auctions are forthcoming. That leaves Pizza, which has become a passion for the Trunzos.

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Dishes are made in this gas-fired Wood Stone Fire Deck 9660, the focal point of the Stage 201 kitchen.

“It’s like nothing you have ever seen or tasted before.” PAGE

In 2019, we knew absolutely nothing about the process of making world-class pizzas. Passing through the ranks of the auctioneer and being in the company of world-class motivational speakers (Frank served as past president of Central Florida’s National Speakers Assoc.), “I learned how to learn.” We were attending a restaurant equipment show when we learned about the World’s Largest Pizza exhibition in Las Vegas! We attended it, and we were blown away. It was the proverbial “drinking from a firehose.” (We’ve attended every Expo since.) We were taken aback by the willingness of world-class pizzaiolos to share their knowledge and friendship. We learned the #1 ingredient in the pizza world is “love” – you gotta love what you’re doing to do it right, and we’re in love. Our world changed, and our goals became clear. We trained side by side with the leaders of the industry, and we attended the Pizza University outside of Baltimore. We attended every workshop and seminar conducted by those same leaders every chance we had and were not done, not ever. One of those special people, and there are so many, is Chef James Amato. He asked Wenda and I why we wanted to do this. Build a 195-seat, 5,000 sq. ft. pizza restaurant with a 350 sq. ft. performance stage. After a little thought, I knew exactly why. All three of us have always been comfortable being hosts and being on stage.

Wenda is a former photo & runway model and a natural bodybuilder & fitness champion. Not to mention, she runs Krazy Kup and loves her customers, who often become her friends. Joshua is a “most excellent dude” guitarist who is both energetic and sometimes overthe-top entertainer who loves being upfront and on stage. He’s also become a pizzaiolo aficionado. He knows how to work our artisan gas fired Woodstone Firedeck 9660 Brick oven. You’ve got to see this oven in person. It definitely has the “WOW” factor. I have always enjoyed being center stage and will lead our house band as a songwriter, vocalist, and rhythm guitarist. Don’t be surprised if you see me tossing and baking in the incredible oven I designed. Various entertainment is planned for the stage – country, Christian, rock, alternative, jazz, bluegrass, folk, improv, comedy, magic, karaoke, trivia, etc. are all part of the entertainment to come. “Good Ain’t Good Enough” and “It’s In The Crunch” are the two mantras set as the goals while studying & experimenting in the kitchen and learning from the world’s top, most talented pizzaiolos. It’s been a labor of love for Joshua and me, and we would be remiss not to mention so many wonderful people that we will salute at our grand opening we hope to hold the first of the year. For now, thank you, Greg Howard, Kim Taylor, A.T., and Benny Lubrano. The ambiance and design have been completed, but the love will never end. I’ve been given a talent – I dream about it, I wake up designing it. I love doing it and continue to continue. “Life is a canvas – Make it as beautiful as you can.” Oh yeah, can’t forget #1 son Jacob, who moved to Nashville as a pauper and has become a prince.

Spaghetti Torta is another Stage 201 dish, a dish Frank’s mom was famous for, made with layers of spaghetti pasta, ricotta and topped with cheese and served on top of Stage 201’s proprietary sauce.

Frank Trunzo tossing the restaurant’s proprietary dough, made with Italian unbleached 00 Flour. It’s robust, flavorful and made in house to order.

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Stage 201’s Signature Pizza “The MoTown,” is a hybrid between a Grandma & Detroit-style pizza. Made with proprietary dough, light tomato glaze, this light and airy pizza is topped with white cheddar and asiago brick cheese. Frank Trunzo says the MoTown is recognizable for its striped sauce topping.

Each detail of the space was installed with intention, including this Comic Book Alley that lines the hallway leading to the restrooms. The wall boasts “Stan Lee was here!”

Frank and Joshua Trunzo attended the 2019 International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they realized the pizza industry was an one they had to get into. The top pizzaiolos in the world shared their knowledge and embraced the Trunzo family with respect and love.

He’s helped with our sound & stage between touring the world and states. He’s currently the Production Manager and Keyboardist for “Cain,” one of the top Christian bands who are on the radio. He’s played the Red Rocks, The Grand Ole Opry with Steven Curtis Chapman, and played with Ann Wilson (My Jesus) at the Dove Awards. Ann won 2 awards that night. If you haven’t seen Stage 201 up close yet, you’re in for a treat. Stage 201 is a menagerie of interesting gems. Like the Comic Book Alley that boasts “Stan Lee was here” or the Overlook 2nd Floor that has an incredible gallery of movie posters from the past century. You will definitely enjoy the over-the-top entrance that has a gallery wall of authentic magical posters where the Magical Mandrake floats several musical items high above. The suit Mandrake is wearing is the same suit I wore when I won the “World Auctioneer Championship.” The bar evokes a time gone by and the Steampunk theme. You will probably see something (dare to guess) covered in black cloth that will be a secret until the unveiling at the Grand Opening. There is so much to see; you will probably find something new with each visit. The response has been over the top with so many compliments, and thank you for finally opening your doors. “It’s like nothing you have ever seen or tasted before.” Performance Pizzas @ Stage 201 is currently open from 4 o’clock to 9 o’clock, serving the full pizza menu and appetizers. By the time this story is printed & released, our family hopes to have expanded the hours to include lunch. The full menu includes our signature pizza, “The Stage 201 MoTown’’ with updates available across our social media platforms, inc. Instagram, Facebook, and Google Business Profile. Or just show up. STAGE 201 is located at 201 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Plant City, 813-7044548 So, now, as we always say …. “NEXT!”

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RISING STAR

Elliott

Green By Victoria Shawgo

Elliott Green might be what you would call a “jack of all trades” in the entertainment world. A drummer, dancer, and actor, Green juggles a full plate of extracurricular activities and excels in all of them. As a Senior at Plant City High School, Green serves as the Percussion Captain in the marching band, where he shares the responsibility of running in-school rehearsals, ensuring that everyone knows their parts, and checking that everyone is in line during after-school rehearsals. He is also Co-Captain of the competitive dance team at Drawdy’s Dance School in Plant City and is active in his school’s theater department. “The stage is my most favorite thing,” he shared. “I love feeling the crowd and being able to entertain people. Entertainment is my passion.” Most recently, Green competed in the THESPYS, a competitive thespian event where he participated in a duet musical, two student choreography numbers, and a large group musical. “Friend Like Me,” a student choreographer number in which Green played the Genie, received a Superior and will advance to the state competition at the Straz during Spring Break. Green’s talent is hard-won, and he has been inspired by those who have gone before him. “I look up to the people that have come before me in the theater program,” he remarked. “When I started, there were always upperclassmen who were so good and knew what they were doing, and I wanted to be like them. Now that I’m an upperclassman and I have to fill in these roles, it’s now, ‘how am I going to be like them’? I’ve always just wanted to follow in the footsteps of the people in the theater program before me.” As a dancer, Green focuses mainly on tap and hip-hop, but he also studies jazz and ballet. With the studio, he performs in a variety of ensembles, dances competitively, and participates in community performances.

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Green’s acting abilities were recognized when he was awarded “Broadway Star of the Future’s Outstanding Performer in a Supporting Role in a Musical” for his role in Cinderella. With the dance studio, he performed as the Genie in the large group, “Arabian Nights” at the America Loves to Dance Awards, and as a band member he had the opportunity to play at Steinmetz Hall last year and will be performing at Carnegie Hall this coming April. After graduation, he hopes to attend the University of Central Florida where he will work to acquire a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, majoring in Musical Theater and minoring in dance. “I want to pursue a career in musical theater, and hopefully get on Broadway, as well as dance professionally,” he explained. He is surrounded by a wonderful support base that cheers him on and pushes him forward. “My biggest support group of everyone is all the people at the dance studio,” said Green. “They come and see everything we do with the theater program and some of them come to the band concerts. We all cheer each other on and I feel very loved at the studio, and in the theater department. I feel love everywhere.” Hopefully, he will feel the love for many years to come as he shares his talents on stage and continues to work toward establishing his professional career.

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Florida Baseball Heaven By Victoria Shawgo

“T

his is Heaven.” It’s an expression we use when something is just as it should be, and it is an apt name for Mark Persails’ full-service baseball program. Florida Baseball Heaven was founded by Persails in 2008, two years after he retired from a twelve-year stint playing professional ball for the Tigers and the Astros. With a large, indoor facility located off of Drain Field in Lakeland, and practice fields in Plant City, Persails’ program offers everything a ballplayer could ever want. Private, semi-private, small group and team instruction are available to players of any age or ability, and competitive teams are available via tryout. Players twelve and under are eligible to play for the Miracles, while those thirteen and older can tryout to play with the Angels. The competitive program is made up of sixteen teams that play in local tournaments across Florida, and also travel out of state to places like Cooperstown, Pigeon Forge, and Myrtle Beach. During their most recent trip to Cooperstown, the 12U team finished 2nd out of over one hundred teams competing in the tournament. Florida Baseball Heaven’s coaching staff is

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comprised of former professional and college ball players, some of whom got their start with the original 9U Florida Baseball Heaven Team. “Our coaching staff is by far our best attribute,” Persails remarked. “We have coaches with World Series rings coaching teams. We’ve had Big League Manager of the Year and current minor league managers as part of the program. We currently have four coaches who began in our program, went off to play college ball, and are now coming back and giving back to the community by helping the young boys on the team.” The program has quite a track record, with more than two hundred players who have gone on to play college ball and 17 who have received scholarships this year. “It’s a lot of fun watching the kids grow,” shared Persails. “The most fun is watching kids go from eight to nine years old, all the way through your program to eighteen. It’s been a lot of fun watching them grow up and being able to go on to the next level and pursue their dreams, and knowing that you got to be a small piece of that and that you got to be a part of their life.” According to Persails, the players who

participate in the program for any length of time become family. Even after their time on the diamond is done, they often continue reaching out, inviting their former coach to weddings, birthdays, and Thanksgiving celebrations, and sometimes just calling to ask for advice. “I really think of these kids like my own,” he admitted. Perhaps this bond is forged because Coach Persails offers more than an exceptional staff and a top-notch training facility. To him, every player is important, regardless of their ability, and he takes the time to tailor instruction to the needs of each kid. “I think the mission changes based on the person that is in the program,” he explained. “Everybody’s different, and everybody needs something else, so the biggest thing is to help everybody. Whether they’re the best player, the CEO, or the janitor, we treat everybody with respect.” To learn more about Persails’ baseball academy, visit www.floridabaseballheaven.com, follow Florida Baseball Heaven on Facebook, or call 863-583-4489.

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Sunday, December 24th | 5 and 7 p.m. 3106 S WIGGINS RD. PLANT CITY, FL

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Meet the

Maker: Courtney Miller By Victoria Shawgo

riginally from Ohio, Courtney Miller has been a Plant City resident for the last 13 years, bartending at Duke’s Brewhouse and running a boarding facility for horses on her ranch. Recently, she began a new entrepreneurial venture with “Fire Flower Candles,” her own small candle-making business in which she creates decorative candles using crystals, herbs, flower petals, and dehydrated fruit. Miller began making the candles because she wanted to use them in decorating her own home but could not find anything like what she was looking for. She began making them herself and now includes her young daughter in the process. “We both enjoy making them,” she shared. “At first, we only did 30 candles to give to friends and family, but when we saw how many people wanted them, we started making more to sell.” She currently sells them at farmers markets and festivals, as well as through social media, and has sold out at every market she has attended. The most rewarding thing about the business is that it is something that she and her daughter do together. “My daughter and I love the crystals,” said Miller. “We love to pick them out and decorate the candles together. Most candles have her fingerprints on them from her decorating them herself.” The candles are made from soy wax, nestled in wooden bowls and arrayed with crystals, dried fruit, herbs, and rose petals grown in Miller’s garden. Each one is as unique as the tiny fingerprints captured inside them. These beautiful, decorative pieces would make a lovely accent in any home. Though she has only been in business for about a month, Miller hit the ground running. Her custom candles can be viewed on Facebook (Fire Flower Candles) and Instagram (fire_flower_candles) or at her website FireFlowerCandles.com. Order online or catch her at one of the local markets and make one of her gorgeous creations your own.

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Faith Leaders in

Victoria Griffin By Cierra Craft

orn in nearby Brandon, Victoria Griffin grew up in the same Plant City home her entire childhood. The 2004 PCHS honors graduate married Derek Griffin, a U.S. Army Reserve Veteran and high school sweetheart the following year and then earned her A.S. degree in Accounting from Hillsborough Community College in 2007. Ultimately, her joy as wife and mother has been raising and homeschooling their three children – Michael, 15; Caleb, 11; and Hannah, 8. Today, the family loves deer hunting in Georgia, riding four-wheelers, watching NHRA races, and family movie nights with pizza. Of life in Plant City, she appreciates “the small-town feel, the history behind downtown, community events, and how you can’t go anywhere, especially Publix, without running into someone you know.” When spare time allows, Victoria reads. Books fill their home’s shelves, and she dreams of a future “home library.” She also enjoys decorating cakes and teaches a class at their Homeschool Co-op. Victoria’s passions continue to be children, education, and serving others. Most definitely, she’s a doer. Among her other efforts, she remains committed to the homeschool co-op, volunteering in the church nursery and youth department, and directing the Operation Christmas Child shoebox effort at Plant City Church of God. When did your relationship with Jesus begin? My mother, Kathy, was always a Godly example and took my older sister Kim and me to church. When she had cancer, my great-uncle, Clarence Knowell, would drive us to Sunday School on the church bus. At around age six, I accepted Jesus and was baptized at 11, on Easter Sunday, with my sister. What made you embrace the Operation Christmas Child effort? A church friend introduced me to the ministry, and that year I packed one box with my two boys, ages five and one. I even put their little finger-painted handprints inside the lid and wrote, “Place your hand here and know I am praying for you.” Two years later, another homeschooling mom coordinated an OCC Shoebox packing event for our families. Each would bring 25 of one item and a dinner dish to share. All ages, from grandparents to toddlers, gathered to fellowship and pack 50 boxes, 25 for girls and 25 for boys. At evening’s end, we placed our hands on them PAGE

and prayed they’d be gifted to the exact child in need. My family participated for many years until I began the ministry at my church. We host a “Packing Party” with our Royal Rangers and M’Pact Girls. How does this Samaritan’s Purse project impact you most? The joy it brings knowing I am doing God’s work; being His hands and feet by spreading His love and Good News. We consider these shoebox gifts as “Gospel opportunities,” because the children (age 2-14) typically participate in “The Greatest Journey,” a 12-week Bible study. Upon completion, children receive a Bible in their language. Many come to know Jesus as their Savior and some lead their families to Him. I love the idea of changing the life of each child recipient – that a simple washcloth, pencil, or doll can impact them forever. I love watching the Operation Christmas Child videos on YouTube. Last year, our church also became a “Drop-Off Location” where other churches, families, and businesses deliver their shoeboxes or transport to the Atlanta Processing Center. Derek is my #1 support. Whatever help I need with OCC, he’s right beside me. He just bought more storage totes to hold 100 pairs of flip-flops I’d bought on clearance. We joke that soon I’ll need my own Shoebox storage shed. Do you have a favorite Scripture passage? Many are dear to my walk with God, but Philippians 4:6-7 is very special because I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression my entire life. It’s difficult to explain and even harder to cope with. God’s not just telling us, ‘Don’t be anxious,’ as if we can flip a switch. He also gives clear instructions on HOW to not be anxious and He promises to fill us with HIS inexplicable, unfathomable PEACE. These verses remind me to actively pray, seek Him, thank Him for my many blessings, and not be afraid to ASK Him for my needs or wants. How do you most enjoy sharing your faith? Well...I love to talk and connect with others to share thoughts, ideas, and history. A simple conversation interspersed with scripture and testimony works best for me. When you live your life with a Godly character, your speech will reflect Him.

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