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Vol. 26 | Iss. 1 | Jan. 2022
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Columns: Grace Notes: Hooked On Books: Faith & Footprints: News From The Wire:
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AWARD-WINNING CHRISTIAN MUSIC ARTISTS PERFORMING AT THE 2022 STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL The 87th annual Florida Strawberry Festival will take place for 11 days from Thursday, March 3 through Sunday, March 13. The festival, which is ranked as the 28th top fair in North America, is not only known for its strawberry shortcakes, carnival games, youth livestock shows, food vendors and thrilling midway rides, but also it’s legendary for hosting big name musical artists and entertainment. The event typically sees more than 500,000 visitors each year. Two major Christian artists will be performing at this year’s festival: Lauren Daigle and Zach Williams. Daigle is a two-time GRAMMY, seven-time Billboard Music Award and four-time American Music Award winner. Her platinum debut album, How Can It Be, produced three number one songs, but it was her release of Look Up Child, her second consecutive platinum album, that revealed Daigle as one of the most impressive vocalists of our time. Look Up Child, which earned Daigle her second GRAMMY Award, featuring her hit song “You Say,” is the longest-running number one song to appear on any weekly Billboard chart. Daigle’s ability to connect with her audiences has been well documented. It’s
By Kelly Wise Valdes
GRAMMY Award-winning and chart-topping Christian music artists Lauren Daigle and Zach Williams are scheduled to perform at the 2022 Florida Strawberry Festival.
helped make her the fastest-selling new artist of her genre over the past decade and given her soulful, authentic, vocal power a worldwide audience. She’s amassed a billion worldwide streams and sold-out headline shows on three continents. This is Daigle’s first time performing at the Strawberry Festival, and she’s excited about the opportunity and encourages concertgoers to “bring their dancing shoes.” “Performing is one of my favorite things about music,” said Daigle. “Looking out every night and seeing people sing along brings a feeling of joy that doesn’t just stop at me. It connects with everyone around the room, and I think that is something I will never take for granted. It is such a blessing to be able to play music with people I love to dearly, it feels like a family reunion every time we take the stage.” Christian artist Zach Williams is an award-winning and chart-topping sing-
er and songwriter who is also performing at the Strawberry Festival. His background inspires many of his songs—he was raised by Christian parents in the church and in a loving community but was seduced away by the illusion of rock stardom, and the drugs and alcohol that so often accompany that lifestyle. Now, the Nashville-based artist is a renewed man. He’s a husband, a father and has also become one of Christian country music’s leading artists and songwriters by carving a niche with his blend of Southern rock, country and faith-filled songwriting, which quickly awarded him his first GRAMMY Award® with his debut album, 2017’s Chain Breaker. With two additional GRAMMY nods among numerous other accolades, he recently released his new album, aptly titled Rescue Story. Daigle will be performing on Saturday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. Williams is scheduled to perform on Tuesday March 8 at 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets and see the full list of entertainers, visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Amscot Main Ticket Office, located at 2209 W. Oak Ave. in Plant City, or by calling 754-1996.
LEARN A NEW TRADE AT MT. ZION CONSTRUCTION TRAINING PROGRAM Those seeking to gain a fresh start in their lives or careers can apply for the Second Chances Construction Training Program. The rotating program is held at Mt. Zion AME Church Riverview in association with the nonprofit organization Adonai’s Second Chances, Inc., (ASCI) which is dedicated to serving the needs of the Hillsborough County community. Participants will get an opportunity to get certified, paid on-the-job training internships; gain skills funding in the building trades; highway Kito Karim Lopes, a newly enrolled student of Riverview, receiv- with ing his training materials. from the U.S. Deand heavy construction; as well as earn their GED (general education develop- partment of Housing and Urban Development ment) and more. A total of 50 candidates are (HUD). It is open to income-eligible residents of allotted for this year’s program to complete the unincorporated Hillsborough County. Classes are offered Monday through Thursday with an option course with paid internships. On October 1, 2021, the program came to Mt. for make up and fast-forward classes on Fridays. Structured class instruction is from 2-6 p.m. Zion AME Church Riverview. Rev. Karen Jackson Sims, senior pastor at Mt. The program is funded by the Hillsborough Zion AME Church Riverview, shared how timely County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
By Tatiana Ortiz
this training program is, especially with some still searching for employment and such. “Both the building trades, highway and heavy construction industry, offer great long-term careers with benefits and have a wealth of open opportunities for qualified applicants,” Sims said. With its uniquely practical and straightforward approach, participants can start applying their new skills after eight to 10 weeks of training. ASCI prepares students with all different backgrounds and more with the necessary knowledge and tools to help reach their goals. “These training programs can turn lives around for the entire family,” Sims said. For more information, visit https://www.ascbuildingfutures.com. The church is located at 5920 Robert Tolle Dr. in Riverview. To apply, send contact information to asc2021project@gmail. com or pick up an application at Mt. Zion AME Church Riverview from Monday through Friday anytime between 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
