MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS
PLANT CITY TIMES &
Observer
Three times the brotherhood.
SEE PAGE 12
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 4, NO. 24
FREE
Savory Sweet &
Known for fresh, made-from-scratch desserts, Tani’s For Dessert is now offering cheese and charcuterie to customers.
EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR
W
henever possible, Tani Sum-
•
FRIDAY,DECEMBER 23, 2016
YOUR TOWN City creates welcome kit for residents The City of Plant City has created a welcome kit for residents that gives an overview of the town’s culture, landmarks and government operations. The welcome kit includes a list of public safety and development services, as well as overviews of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and Plant City Main Street. Contact information for the city commissioners and various city departments is also included in the kit. The welcome kit can be viewed on the City of Plant City’s website at PlantCityGov. com.
mers likes to do
things herself.
There’s proof of that throughout the dining room of Tani’s For Dessert, the restaurant Tani Summers runs with her hus-
City announces Midtown redevelopment
band, Lloyd. Christmas decorations adorn the walls. In the corner, three mannequins dressed as carolers are placed next to a Christmas tree. Tani Summers made the carolers out of PVC pipe. “We go the extra mile on everything we do here,” Tani Summers said. But her real labor of love takes place in the restaurant’s kitchen. Everything served at Tani’s For Dessert and the Summers’ adjacent storefront, Buttercream Bake Shoppe, is made from scratch. Homemade pie crusts. Cakes and cookies baked and decorated daily. With a menu that includes everything from bread pudding and crepes to tiramisu and cheesecake, the Summers’ focus has always been on desserts — just desserts. And while desserts still reign supreme, the Summers have decided to add a cherry on top to to a sweet tooth’s dream menu. Customers can now order wine and customizable cheese and charcuterie dishes to enjoy with dessert. The Summers hope that the addition will bring in new clients to the dessert shop, which Lloyd Summers calls “the best kept secret in Plant City.”
SEE TANI’S PAGE 5
Emily Topper
Lloyd and Tani Summers opened Tani’s For Dessert and Buttercream Bake Shoppe two years ago. They now offer cheese and charcuterie.
Lights of Love fundraiser yields $31,000 The funds will go toward further enhancements at the hospital’s heart and vascular center, which can now treat patients actively having a heart attack. EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR
On Dec. 1, the holiday season kicked off in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World with the 18th annual Lights of Love celebration, organized by the South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation. Complete with live music and pictures with Santa Claus, the event
attracts families into Historic Downtown every year — and raises money for a hearty cause. The South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation has announced that this year’s event raised $31,000. In addition to selling lights in honor of a loved one, the foundation was able to raise money through photos with Santa, glow stick sales and concessions at Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen. Out of the $31,000, a total of $1,500 was raised the night of the event. “We get a lot of community support,” Jana Butler, executive director of the foundation, said. “We couldn’t do it without the City of Plant City. It’s a great partnership. We really appreciate the support of Plant City. This keeps us up to date in our medical treatments.” SEE LIGHTS PAGE 5
File photo. About $1,500 was raised the night of the event, Thursday, Dec. 1.
The City of Plant City is planning to move forward with Midtown’s redevelopment in 2017. The City announced Friday, Dec. 16, that a request for qualifications has been issued by the Community Redevelopment Agency. Interested developers will be required to attend a pre-proposal meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St. The City has invested over $4.5 million for infrastructure and land preparation. “Our location, strong workforce and growing community are the perfect combination for new development and amenities,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “Our city is open for business.” Jake Austin, president of the Plant City Economic Development Corp., agreed. “With corporate relocations and expansions on the rise, we are experiencing positive momentum in the greater Plant City area,” Austin said. “Our community leaders have created an environment ready to respond and support a project like Midtown. There is high demand for this mixeduse model in our community, as more people are looking for a lifestyle that will allow them to live, work and play in an integrated space.” The City has made Midtown a top priority for 2017. At the City Commission meeting Monday, Dec. 12, the city commission’s top legislative funding request was for the redevelopment of Collins Street, totaling $1,825,000. Developers attending the RFQ meeting will be able to submit questions until 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017. Those seeking more information about the RFQ process are encouraged to contact Procurement Manager Wiley Storey at wstorey@plantcitygov.com.
WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND Check out photos from this year’s Christmas Trail. SEE PAGE 7 AND ONLINE AT PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM.