FOCUS Magazine 04-01 January 2005

LOCAL • REAL ESTATE • TRAVEL • SPORTS • DINING • ENTERTAINMENTLOCAL • REAL ESTATE • TRAVEL • SPORTS • DINING • ENTERTAINMENTVOLUME 4 NUMBER 1 • JANUARY 15 thru FEBRUARY 15 • 2005

TAKE ONEFREEAt 200+ Locations In Plant City

G R O W I N G S T R AW B E R R I E S F R O M D I F F E R E N T F I E L D S O F V I S I O N

ATASTE

OFFARMLIFE

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

The Tampa TribuneAd Number:Ad Size:Advertiser:Sales Representative:Last User:Date Range:

1391825 x 12.5”Lott Mather OldsJeanette NicholsJuan Alvarez, 1st ProofThu, Jan 27, 2005

��

��

��

��

��

� � � � ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

��

��

��

�

��

��

��

��

4

FOCUS Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Plant City businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also

distributed to 10,000 homes.

Letters, Questions and Comments can be sent to our main office 702 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. Plant City, Florida 33563 or you can e-mail them to

us at [email protected]

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.

702 West Mlk Jr. Blvd. Plant City, Florida 33563 Phone 813.707.8783 Fax 813.764.0990

PLANT CITY EDITION

floyd publications, inc.

PUBLISHED BY /

PublisherMike Floyd

[email protected] In Chief

Linda [email protected]

Managing EditorJeff Neely

[email protected] Manager

DeDe [email protected]

Bob [email protected]

SalesTania Summers

[email protected] Clark

[email protected] Gross

[email protected] DirectorJoel Cook

[email protected] Dale Hutto

PhotographerBilly FriendStaff Writers

Sherri Robinson, Brian West, Sophia Dedon, Kristen Toney

Ken Lawrence, Lynne Warren Contributors

Sherry Nueesch, Gil Gott, Mac McGrath, Jim Brown, Shelton Keely, Michael Cameron,

Al Cohen,

On the cover: Sam Williamson & Thomas IbarraStory on pg. 49. Photo by Mike Floyd.

FEATURE40-45We give you an insight to the strawberry farming industry through different fields of vision. We talk to farmers about the industry and what makes Plant City the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the world”.

SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW49-522004 Strawberry Festival Queen Kaitlin Jo-An Sharer reflects on her reign this year. She’s a Plant City Beauty Queen with the heart of a servant. The reality of her being the Strawberry Queen exceeded her expectations of what she thought it would be since the age of five.

DID YOU KNOW?56Plant City Archives takes a look at Bowen Supply Com-pany that was located in the Historic Downtown of Plant City. Pictorial of two buildings that Bowen Supply Company had in the good ol’ days.

HOME GUIDE SECTION59-80This section is dedicated to buyers, sellers and owners. Shelton Keely brings us up to speed on investment property in our real estate article.

SPORTS90-92Coach Terry Terrell takes the Plant City Dolphins youth football team to super bowl victory at Raymond James Stadium.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT103-119This month the FOCUS Magazine food critic takes you to Manatee Bay Café Sandwich Shop in beauti-ful downtown Plant City, where adult fast food is good food fast. Plant City’s newest sandwich shop is now serving breakfast and lunch. Blues, country, and rock ‘n roll would describe Plant City’s local band, Buck Hummer. These en-tertainers have performed at many Plant City venues along with performing for President Bush at the USF “Sun Dome.” We also pick the flicks on some of the chart topping movies in theaters now. Looking for a place to eat? Check out the complete guide to Plant City dining out on the town.

LOCAL • REAL ESTATE • TRAVEL • SPORTS • DINING • ENTERTAINMENTLOCAL • REAL ESTATE • TRAVEL • SPORTS • DINING • ENTERTAINMENTVOLUME 4 NUMBER 1 • JANUARY 15 thru FEBRUARY 15 • 2005

TAKE ONEFREEAt 200+ Locations In Plant City

G R O W I N G S T R AW B E R R I E S F R O M D I F F E R E N T F I E L D S O F V I S I O N

ATASTE

OFFARMLIFE

Is This Your New Years Resolution?

Call Sunshine State Federal Savings Today!

6LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The modern concept of time progression is a curious one. We understand life according to a linear means of interpreting our experience. Future events are overtaken by the present, only to slip through intangible moments into the past. We assign historical significance with numerical value—20 years ago, three months from now, etc. Our universe, we assume, operates along the quickest path in space and time from point A to point B, which we consider distinct. Yet we have no knowledge where either point might be found. That is to say, we can’t really know from whence we came, and our final destiny is beyond us as well.

This understanding of time is so engrained within us that we can hardly imagine it being any other way. Interestingly, it has not always been this way in all cultures. Many American Indian civilizations saw life as moving not in a straight line, but within an elaborate system of continuous cycles. Life was defined according to the recurrence of seasons, the ebb and flow of tides, the exchange of birth for life and harvest for planting. For such cultures, time traveled in interconnected spheres with no clear distinction between point A and point B. As the writer of Ecclesiastes penned, “There is nothing new

under the sun.”

Certainly, our ability to chronicle events provides us with a valuable learning tool. Temporal measurements allow us to recognize patterns with greater accuracy, predict the recurrence of natural cycles, and establish social ritual to strengthen community bonds. Most recently, we celebrated the arrival of a new year. Annual traditions of watching fireworks, merrymaking with friends, and counting down as a big ball of electric lights drops from the sky give us an opportunity to reflect on events of our previous trip around the sun and make plans for the next one. These are all good things. But sometimes I wonder if our concentration on destination betrays the truth that life is more about the journey than the arrival.

In Plant City, we are very familiar with cycles. Every winter our fields come alive with the harvest of our renowned strawberries. Our feature story this month looks into the strawberry farming industry from a few different angles. Kaitlin Jo-An Sharer, 2004 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen shares her reflections on her reign this past year in the Spotlight Interview, and our travel piece will take you to the recently reopened Cypress Gardens, where you can experience thrill rides, entertainment and see displays of nature’s beautiful floral artistry.

I hope the stories this month make your journey a little more rewarding. Happy New Year and enjoy!

Jeff NeelyManaging Editor

Corrections: Last month a few of the stories were attributed to the wrong writers. Wanting to ensure that credit is given where it is due, the following corrections are intended to clear up our mishap. The story and photos for the Second Annual Jeremiah Thornton Baseball Tournament were by Brian West. The Friends for a Lifetime story was written by Sophia Dedon with photo courtesy of Greg Davis and Rick Jones. The story and photos for The Sky’s the Limit were by Lynne Warren. The story and photos for the Plant City Pioneer Day were by Jeff Neely. We also apologize for the misspelling the name of Lauran Williams, who recently received the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award.

6 7

LOCAL

15th Annual Chili Cook-Off, sponsored by the Arts Council of Plant City, is coming up on February 12, 2005, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the Historic Train Depot. Setup time is 10 a.m. There will be three categories: Spicy, Mild, and Novelty. First place in each category wins $100, second place in each category wins $50, and best decorated table wins $25. Entry fee is $15 for ½ of an 8 ft. table or $30 for a whole table. Entry fee for each category is $15. Deadline for entry is Feb 5, 2005. Entrants must have a minimum of three gallons of chili. Supply your own fire; they provide cups and spoons. Entry Form:

Name_______________________________Spicy_______________________________Address_____________________________Mild________________________________Novelty_____________________________Phone ______________________________

Please make checks payable to: Arts Council of Plant City & send form & check to: Sandy Roger, 755 Cape Cod Circle, Valrico, Fl, 33594. Phone: 335-4113.

Jack Holland was appointed Director of our Recreation and Parks Department, effective Dec 6. Jack has been with the department for over 25 years, serving as Superintendent of the Recreation Division for the last seven years.

After serving as a part time seasonal employee in 1977 and 1978, Jack began full time as Recreation Program Director in 1979. He became Assistant Director of Recreation in 1994 and following the merger of the Recreation Department with the Parks Division of the Public Works Department in 1997, he became Superintendent of Recreation in the newly formed Recreation & Parks Department. The Recreation & Parks Department manages the city’s leisure services and facilities. The 10-member Recreation Division operates three recreation centers, six regional parks and 16 neighborhood parks. The 38-member Parks Division oversees the maintenance, preparation and development of athletic fields and other park amenities. The department is also responsible for trimming trees on city rights of way and providing burial services and maintenance of the city’s four cemeteries. Jack can be contacted at [email protected] or 813-659-4255. Alcoa Foundation Donates to Plant City Scholarship -The Hillsborough Community College Foundation received a donation of $6,500 from the Alcoa Foundation to fund scholarships for Hillsborough Community College (HCC) students enrolled at the Plant City campus.

The Alcoa Foundation gift is a part of their scholarship program providing funds to educational institutions in communities where Alcoa maintains plants. Alcoa and HCC have a long-standing relationship of annual scholarship awards for Plant City students.Hillsborough Community College is an accredited two-year institution serving more than 40,000 students on campuses located in Plant City, Ybor City, Brandon and on Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa.

Congratulations to Owen and Heidi Johnson on the birth of their son Patrick Owen. Born on Dec 30, 2004. 9lbs, 6oz

(L to R) Felix Haynes, President of the HCC Plant City Campus, Jennifer Closshey, HCC Foundation Board Member, Ellie Hicks, Alcoa HR Specialist, Tom Jones, Alcoa Operations Manager, Adrienne Garcia, HCC Foundation, Inc Executive Director.

507 N. Wheeler St. Plant City, Fl.

(813) 752-1621 • (813) 752-1683www.jackiesdance.com

New Gifts & Baskets: By Katha Myers

Gifts For All Occasions!VALENTINE SPECIALS

New Classes: Cheerleaders, Improved Gymnastics Skills

Back Hand Spring-Jump: Tues - 7pmSpecial: Monday 4:45-6pm

Ballet • Clogging • Gym • Musical Theater

Be a part of Oklahoma!Fri-6:00 & 6:45 New Clogging. Pre-School: Mon:11:45

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION JANUARY 15 - FEBRUARY 15 • 05 PG 8

STORY BY KRISTEN TONEY

AROUND TOWNLOCAL

“People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors.” This is the motto of the Plant City Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. From educating individuals in ancestry, southern literature and music, to giving of their time and resources to veterans and servicemen, these women provide assistance to our community in ways seldom made mention of. Mary Noel Moody, the great-grandmother of Carole Shelton, originally formed the Plant City Chapter of the UDC in 1927. Shelton currently serves as president of the organization, which now boasts approximately 50 members. “It appears we

PASSED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONSTHE DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY IN PLANT CITY SPEAK OUT

are fighting against a politically correct society,” Shelton said. “It’s so shocking to us that some people consider us racist…we’re not! We’re about honoring our ancestors, and we hold them in high esteem! History, family and the community, these are all things that are so important to us.”

The group meets one Saturday each month at the Cone Room inside the historic 1914 High School. A main focus on their agenda right now is the sale of the cookbook, Suppertime in the Old South: Generations of Recipes. All proceeds from the cookbooks, which feature genuine southern family recipes passed down through the years, like Mama’s Comfort Soup and Hoppin’ John (black-

eyed peas and hog jowl with rice), go directly into a fund to erect a monument in tribute to the Cow Cavalry. At this point, there is over $10,000 in the account created for the monument. But wait a minute—just what is the Cow Cavalry?

In 1863, during the period of the Civil War, troops were recruited throughout Florida to drive cattle northward to provide food for the starving armies of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. You may have known that fact, but did you also know that the first unit of these troops came directly from Plant City? Many of these members of the Cow Cavalry were members of prominent families in Plant City—the Platts, the Sparkmans and the Collinses—to name just a few.

In order to become a bonafide member of the society, each woman must trace her ancestry back to a confederate soldier and prove that she did indeed come from his lineage. However, there are chances for others to become involved, as well. “Anyone is welcome to attend”, former president Martha Sue Skinner enthusiastically explained. “We invite those who are simply interested in the south and in their ancestry to join us anytime. They’re associate members, and we love having them with us!”

For more information on the Plant City Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, contact Carole Shelton at (813) 759-0078.


404667

REPAIRS:• Vinyl • Leather • Plastic • Fabric • Windshield • Carpet

Home• Vinyl Siding Repair

Automotive• Pinstripe • Moldings • Wood Dashes • Stain Removal • Graphics • Wheel Covers and so much more

Auto • Marine • Golf Carts • Furniture • Commercial404667

Dr. VinylSolutionFREE Estimates Dr. Vinyl can repair cracked, split, or discolored vinyl and leather in your car, furniture or boat.

DOES YOUR CAR INTERIORLOOK OLD?

Our best work isnever seen!

IN MINUTES IT CAN LOOK

Call Sean & Tom 813-681-4002 or Toll Free 877-433-1333Mobile

ServiceWe ComeTo You!

NEW!NEW!

THER LEASPECIALISTS!

Before

After

10Chamber of CommerceSTORY BY BRUCE RODWELL

AROUND TOWNLOCAL

On behalf of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, I want to wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

A reminder…as we go forward into 2005, if your organization or service club is having an event, call the Chamber office at 754-3707 and have the date put on the COMMUNITY CALENDAR. This will avoid conflicting dates which might affect attendance at any given event.

Don’t forget to call the Chamber office 754-3707 to reserve your place for the annual 2005 CHAIRMAN’S BANQUET. The date is January 27 th. and it is being held at the Ramada Inn Plantation House/Red Rose Ballroom.

Plans are already underway for the 2005 MARGARITA BALL. This event will be held May 14 th. at the home of Rick & Di Lott. Mark your calendars now so you can plan on attending this fun filled event. More details later.

On February 12 th. the Arts Council will hold their annual CHILI COOK-OFF. This event takes place in Historic Downtown Plant City at McCall Park. If you have a great Chili recipe, why not enter it in this contest? Call Sandy Rogers at 335-4113 and she will give you all the details. This is always a fun event and one you will not want to miss.

Remember on the first Tuesday of each month the South Florida Baptist Hospital has aDiabetes Support Group that meets from 5 to 6 pm. Registration is required and you can call 757-8202 to register.

Here is a date to put on your calendar….Saturday, February 12 th. That is the date of the Pregnancy Care Center WALK FOR LIFE 2005. The Center invites you to grab your walkin’ shoes for this annual walk which benefits the Pregnancy Care Center of Plant City. Registration begins at 8 am and the walk begins at 9 am at Plant City Stadium. All ages can participate! Ask your friends and neighbors for a single, generous, tax-deductible gift for your participation in the event. The idea being, the more people you ask, the more will say yes. The Pregnancy Care Center relies solely on gifts from churches, individuals and fund raising events to provide the totally free services to

help women choose life for their babies when facing an unplanned pregnancy. For further information, call 759-0886.

SPOTLIGHT ON MEMBERS:

SIMMONS CAREER CENTER, located on the corner of Grant & Gibbs Street in Plant City. Leslie Morris is the Principal of this new non-traditional school. The school offers students alternative methods of obtaining a standard high school diploma by offering academics with technical career training. Within the career center is the teen parent program and a nursery for day care for the infants of teen parent homes. Also within Simmons is the Exceptional Center for students in grades 1-12 who are severely emotionally disturbed or autistic. For information on enrollment call 707-7433.

MINUTEMAN PRESS, located in the strip mall on Alexander Street between Cherry’s and Westshore Pizza. Mike & Julie Arndt are the owners of this new business in our city.Minuteman is a full service printing and graphics center offering free pick-up and delivery. They also offer copying, faxing, graphic design and custom full color printing.

ALL PROS CARPET CARE & CLEANING SERVICES, All Pros offers steam cleaning of carpets and tile as well as cleaning services for auto and RV interiors. They also offer full janitorial services for residential and commercial businesses. They serve Hillsborough and Polk counties. You can call them at 863-660-3103.

CICI’S PIZZA, located on West Alexander Street in the Kash n Karry Plaza. Cici’s is an all-you-can-eat buffet with pizza, pasta, salad and dessert for only $3.99. Tim & Vanessa Dallman are the owners of this establishment. You can dine-in or stop by for take-out on your way home. They welcome birthday parties and also have a fund raising program. Give them a call at 659-3400 for more details.

January 17 – Senior Citizen Luncheon at Plant City MLK Recreation Center. The luncheon gets underway at noon followed by a memorial service from 1 to 2 pm. Call 757-6760 for information,

January 20 – Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

sponsored by the Tampa Tribune and The Courier, 101 North Wheeler Street. Starts at 5:15 pm. Call the Chamber at 754-3707 to RSVP.

January 22 – Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Pageant at Tomlin School. Here is your opportunity to witness the crowning of the 2005 Florida Strawberry Queen and Her Court. For tickets call 752-9194.

January 27 – Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce 2005 Chairman’s Banquet. This event takes place at 6:30 pm at the Ramada Inn Plantation House/Red Rose Ballroom. Call 754-3707 to reserve your seats.

February 3 – Strawberry Festival Fashion Show at the Arthur Boring building. Call for information 752-9194.

February 3 – Bruton Memorial Library presents James Tokley & Friends at 7 pm.

February 4 - American Business Women’s Association annual BACHELOR AUCTION. This fun-filled event takes place at 7:00 pm at theRamada Inn Plantation House/Red Rose Ballroom. Call Jodi Smith at 754-3703 for tickets and further information.

February 5 - Bike Fest in Historic Downtown Plant City. Great family fun. Come out and look over the hundreds of motorcycles on display. Starts at 5 pm.

February 9 - Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce CONTACT BREAKFAST. Sponsored by Poppell Insurance. Takes place at 7:30 am at Walden Lake Golf & Country Club. Call 754-3707 to reserve your spot.

February 10 – Florida State Fair opens.

February 12 - Pregnancy Care Center WALK FOR LIFE at Plant City Stadium. Registration is at 8 am and the walk starts at 9 am. Call 759-0886 for additional information.

February 12 – CHILI COOK-OFF sponsored by the Arts Council. This great food tasting event takes place from 11 am to 1 pm at the Depot in McCall Park in downtown Plant City. Call Sandy Rogers at 335-4113 to register.

February 12 – Florida Opry at the 1914 High School. Starts at 7 pm. Call 752-4094 for information.

37836 Meridian Ave. Historic Dade City • P: 352.521.5700

Fabulous Gifts • Gorgeous Accessories • Clothes You’ll Love

104 E. Reynolds Historic Plant City • P: 813.754.099023801 Hwy 27 Lake Wales • P: 863.676.6295

Sisters & Company

HerValentine’s

Day

10

37836 Meridian Ave. Historic Dade City • P: 352.521.5700

Fabulous Gifts • Gorgeous Accessories • Clothes You’ll Love

104 E. Reynolds Historic Plant City • P: 813.754.099023801 Hwy 27 Lake Wales • P: 863.676.6295

Sisters & Company

HerValentine’s

Day


STORY & PHOTOS BY LINDA FLOYD

AROUND TOWNLOCAL

“Recognizing that supervisory liability can extend to the highest levels of state government, we have noted that liability ultimately is determined by pinpointing the persons in the decision making chain whose deliberate indifference permitted the constitutional abuses to continue unchecked.” Shaw v. Stroud 115 S.Ct 67 (1994)

The Plant City Police Department has successfully passed its onsite state accreditation assessment recently. The department expects that status to be officially conferred upon them in February, during the next meeting of the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. The standards for police departments, developed by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., or CALEA, are meant to make law enforcement training and practices universal for all accredited departments. The practical result is that interaction becomes more standardized and professional for the officers and the citizens.

This process took eight years and required a significant investment of time, energy and talent by literally every member of the

HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE BY PLANT CITY’S FINEST!POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES ACCREDITATION

police department. Their progress was charted on a wall so that everyone could see where they stood in complying with the 900 individual standards they had to pass in order to qualify for accreditation. When asked exactly what it meant and how it benefited the community, as well as the seventy officers he leads, Plant City Chief of Police Bill McDaniel had this to say. “This is a way to let the community know that they are served by a law enforcement agency that has been scrutinized by outsiders and have been found to meet the highest possible standards. Our officers are professional in everything they do. Not just because we think so, but a team of outside professionals have judged them to be so. That gives the officers and all our employees more confidence and a greater pride in their department.”

From the writing of rules and regulations, to training personnel in the proper procedures, to the application of the standards on the street, every single person who works for the police department had a role to play in this process. “This wasn’t my accomplishment, but the accomplishment of the good people that work for this department,” McDaniel said.

Site of the new Police Department building

��

��

Insert Your Diamond Here

��

��

Est 1947

��

*Original Designs Available*Custom Fitting

*Alterations

��

Winter Sale In Progress


AROUND TOWNLOCAL AROUND TOWNLOCAL

When you have a medical need you want quality health care not only for the body, but also for the mind. At Family Medicine Associates we strive to provide care for the whole person, body and mind.

With 2 doctors and 1 practitioner in our group we are equipped to handle your needs as they arise, right when you need it. At Family Medicine Associates we understand the importance of family.

In fact, our medical staff is a family affair. Dr. Michael A. Salvato, M.D, and his sister Helen M. Tepper, AR.N.P. in conjunction with Dr. Brian Shaub D.O. are working together to provide the best care possible.

With managed care on the rise it is more important than ever to have a strong medical group working with you. You, the person are our priority, Family Medical Associates will work for you.

“From the day I became chief, I’ve said we’re going to be the best department we can be, not the biggest, but the best, and accreditation has helped in that process.”

CALEA compliance provides an agency that is more open and responsive to citizen input. Citizens win because their law enforcement agency has taken the initiative to comply with a set of national developed standards. Law enforcement officers win because for almost any circumstance in which an officer may find him or herself, there is a set of established guidelines and a methodology for solutions. Law enforcement managers win because it ensures that adequate guidance is provided to the operational level employee, and it forces management to stay on top of the many changes in

law, judicial decisions and civil litigation. The result is a focus on continuous improvement.

On the second day of the assessment process, a special phone line was opened for the assessors to take comments from the Plant City citizens. By the time the phone line closed, the assessors had received an unusually high number of calls and later advised that it may well be a record number for the state. Even better, 100 percent of those calls were positive in nature.

The state assessors were highly impressed by the professionalism, dedication and pride that they saw exhibited throughout the department, according to a newsletter from the office of the city manager. The assessors also made it known that the Plant City Police Department had passed the accreditation assessment without one single issue that required further action or correction before they could become accredited.

In April, the police department is slated to move into their new 68,000 square-foot building off of Alexander Road, providing the department with a facility they can grow into and be proud of for many decades to come. This is only fitting for a police department that has earned the right to be called “Plant City’s Finest” and for which all of Plant City’s citizenry should be proud.

Police Chief Bill McDaniel

18 yr. veteran Ofc. Mark Pfister

“Headaches A Thing Of The Past For Many

Chronic Sufferers.”Toll-free 24-hour recorded message reveals details.

If you suffer from headaches and are currently taking medication to alleviate your pain, then you need to call the Headache Sufferer’s Hotline and discover what your doctor may not know about the real cause of most headaches. Learn what medical studies have proven to be the most effective headache treatment to date. And the best of all is that this treatment doesn’t involve taking any pills or surgery of any kind! To hear the truth about headaches most drug companies don’t want you to know, call the…Toll-Free 24 Hour Recorded Message At 1-888-251-6435.


STORY BY SHERRI ROBINSON

AROUND TOWNLOCAL

“CAPTURING THE PAST BY HONORING THE PRESENT”“SHERI RAY HONORS GRANDFATHER”

W ish somebody could help you put your car

insurance puzzle together? As a local

professional independent insurance agency

representing Auto-Owners, weʼre up to the challenge.

For peace-of-mind protection and all your insurance

needs, contact us today!

FLORiDA NSURANCE CENTER

A U T O • H O M E • H E A L T H

��U.M.

U.I.M.

15/13

B/I

Ded. P.I.P.

414 N. Alexandar St.• Plant City, Fl. 33563Ph: 754-3561 • Fax: 754-3450

100/300

P.D.

Sheri Ray is a great inspiration to all of us with her demonstration of love for her family and her determination to preserve her history. She is a descendant of the Tanners, a Hillsborough County pioneer family that lived on Tanner Homestead for over 100 years. Six generations were raised on this land. Her grandfather, Luther Tanner, has lived there all of his over 80 years of life. He is her inspiration for writing the family heritage cookbook, “Seeds of Love Tasty Tanner Traditions.” The book is not just a cookbook, but also a tribute to him. She wanted to honor him while he

was still with her and could enjoy it. Her family has lived through so much she felt she wanted to share that with others. The book is a step back in time and an appreciation for the past. Sheri writes of family history and relationships, local history, granny lessons, family recipes, inspiring stories, scriptures and includes family pictures that date back to the 1800s. To celebrate the publishing of this special book, a gathering for the public was held on Saturday, Nov. 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. behind the Old Tanner Cookhouse. The sounds of southern gospel music

serenaded those present, while Sheri signed books on the front porch. Ray says she has had a wonderful life not just growing up as a Tanner, but now as an adult. Ray lives in Plant City with her husband and children on a blueberry farm


AROUND TOWNLOCAL

1505 S. Alexander St., Suite 102PLANT CITY, FL 33563

1801 THONOTOSASSA RD.

7 Stations - 1 Private Estecian Room1 Nail Tech - Equipment is Included in sale price

Jana or Ron Evers813.717.7700 or 813.767.6786

Call

Moving Location In MarchNew Employment Opportunities20 Hairdressers • 3 Nail Technicians •

2 Massage Therapists • 3 Estecians Will Offer Day Spa Packages

Salon and SpaSPACE & EQUIPMENT

FOR SALENEW LOCATION

they started approximately four years ago. She says her grandparents were of great support and believed in their success from the very beginning. They showed that support by coming out and helping to work the fields on a regular basis. I could see the great love Ray has for her family and the admiration for her grandfather, who is now widowed. He plans on donating the book to the Historical Society. Writing

the cookbook has helped to bring her back to her roots and has been very fulfilling, Ray says. She was a showcased author at the Pioneer Day in Plant City this year. Ray does everything in a big way. She believes in stepping out and doing adventurous things, which is why she wrote the book and started the blueberry farm. In doing so she has realized true peace and happiness. Ray says that to her, that is more important than anything. For many years she has followed that belief and has prospered. The secret to her success, whether it be in business or life, is her positive attitude. She doesn’t let fear get in the way. If she wants to do something she just goes for it and doesn’t let the “what ifs” even enter her mind. Everyone

has the same struggles and fears in life, but if you let it keep you from going forward you will miss out on so many blessings. I enjoyed the time I spent with Ray talking and looking through her book. I learned of a time in her life when her focus was of things much different than today, but through the experience of gathering information and writing she feels her life has come full circle. Ray’s greatest satisfaction now comes from growing blueberries and taking care of her family. She says she cherishes the time she has with each one of them, especially with her grandfather and the memories she has of her grandmother. If you would like to order a cookbook or find out more information log onto www.sheriray.com.


STORY & PHOTOS BY JEFF NEELY

AROUND TOWNLOCAL

Everyone knows John Deere, but few know the King. No, Elvis has not been hiding in the tractor business for the last 27 years. From 1934 to 1954 the Fate-Root-Heath Manufacturing Company in Plymouth, Ohio produced a series of tractors called Silver King. Plant City resident R.W. Willaford, 67, now owns five of these rare tractors, which he says really belong to his grandchildren.

When Willaford and his wife, Felice, traveled to Pennsylvania two years ago for a family reunion, they found a 1951 Silver King stowed away in a barn. Willaford decided it would make the perfect gift for his 10-year-old grandson, Justin Royster, who will one day inherit Willaford’s family farm. When he got it to Plant City, Willaford suddenly realized he had a problem on his hands. “I have a total of five grandkids,” Willaford said. “So the other four started to say, ‘Where’s mine?’”

CLASSIC COLLECTION CONNECTS KIDS TO KINGSTRACTORS TELL HISTORY FOR GENERATIONS

Now, Willaford’s collection includes a 1935 Silver King tractor for his granddaughter Katie Royster, 16, a 1936 for her cousin Courtney Turner, 8, a 1942 for Carlee Turner, 7, and a 1943 for Caitlyn Turner, 6. Representing virtually the entire 20-year span the tractors were produced, Willaford’s

collection marks many of the distinct phases in the life of the Silver King series. The 1935 tractor holds the serial number 348, making it only the 22nd manufactured that year. Willaford said that to his knowledge, there are only five or six Silver King tractors older than his 1935 documented as still being around. Continental engines powered the Silver Kings for the first time in 1942, when they replaced the Hercules engines, which were needed for use in portable welding machines in World War II. The 1951 tractor is an example of the last style of the series, a much beefier and more powerful tractor than its predecessors.

Through this unique collection, Willaford said he is hoping to

educate his grandchildren about a time before air-conditioned cars and overseas manufacturing. All parts of the Silver King tractors were made in the United States. “They’re not a Wal-Mart tractor,” Willaford said. “They’re a 20-year segment of history.”

R.W. Willaford with granddaughters Carlee, Courtney and Caitlyn Turner aboard a classic 1936 Silver King.

��

��

��

THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE

REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT OF ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT 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.

*Hearing screening is always free. In some locations, hearing screening is not a complete medical exam or diagnosis, nor is the screening intended to replace a physician's care. It is an audiometric test to determine proper

amplification only.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Limited-time offer ends 1/31/05.�

*Trade-in offer is based on the current value of your trade-in and is limited to $250 per hearing aid or $500 per pair. If you cannot locate your original receipt, your Sonus provider will appraise your current hearing aids. The Sonus Solution Digital Hearing System includes two hearing aids and cannot be purchased as single hearing aids

unless only one ear can benefit from amplification. Offer not valid on prior purchases. May not be combined with other offers. Valid only

at participating locations during Special Celebration offer. One coupon per purchase.Cash value 1/20 cent.

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

��

Limited-time offer ends 1/31/05.�*Offer not valid on prior purchases. May not be combined with

other offers. Valid only at participating locations during this Special Celebration. One coupon per purchase. Cash value

1/20 cent. The regular price of a Siemens PHOENIX One hearing solution is $695.

��

Willaford and his grandson, Justin Royster

R.W. Willaford with granddaughters Carlee, Courtney and Caitlyn Turner aboard a classic 1936 Silver King.

Willaford and his grandson, Justin Royster

12409 N. FLORIDA AVE • TAMPA • 813.931.HOME

Awning Style • Single Hung • Double Hung • Sliders • Impact Resistant • Storm Shutters

Call Today for your FREE estimate!


STORY & PHOTOS BY SOPHIA DEDON

AROUND TOWNLOCAL

��

��

��

��

��JUST WEST OF PARK RD. IN PLANT CITY, CALL FOR APPOINTMENT

��

“When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them I’m a magician.” said Jim McElvenny, one of the owners of Paragon Development Group LLC, better known as Plant City Transfer Station. “I make trash disappear.” People commonly refer to this place of work as “the dump,” but there is so much that goes beyond common knowledge.

Almost two years ago, the city of Plant City was managing its own waste and carrying it all the way to Pasco County. An incredible amount of funding was being used for supplies, labor, gas, upkeep, etc. Now that the Plant City Transfer Station has opened, the city only has to carry its waste about ten minutes to North Frontage Road. To put it in simple

TAKING THE TRASH OUTA CLOSER LOOK AT WHERE YOUR GARBAGE GOES

terms, in the first year of business, the transfer station saved Plant City over $600,000. The way it works is Plant City runs about thirteen trucks that pick up waste around the city. The trucks bring the trash to the Plant City Transfer Station where they unload it, scan it for items that cannot be disposed and then load it onto bigger trucks to ship it two hours away to a landfill. Many may say, “I had no idea that place was out there.” That is because Plant City Transfer Station was awarded Cleanest Facility by Hillsborough County. For being “a dump,” there is no odor or dirtiness. As soon as the waste arrives, it’s shipped out. They do not only accept household waste but take everything from roofing to trees to metal, and will even demolish mobile homes. If you are cleaning your yard, cutting down trees or anything like that, for only $25 you can bring all your

waste to them and dispose of it in one trip. They base their business off of building relationships and want to please everyone. If you accidentally throw anything away like glasses, or a check, contact the city and nine times out of ten they can find it for you! We can all be thankful for the job they do because often the work they do goes unrecognized until there is a problem.


AROUND TOWNLOCAL

3 0 1 N . A l e x a n d e r S t . P l a n t C i t y, F L 3 3 5 6 3

7 5 4 - 4 4 4 4WW

W.

SO

UT

HF

LO

RI

DA

BA

PT

IS

T.

CO

M

Heart disease can't hide anymore thanks to thediagnostic superpowers of the new GE LightSpeed16 multi-slice CT Scanner. A new test called CTHeart Score provides a very reliable picture of calcium deposits in arteries, a condition that canlead to a heart attack. Call us for more informationor ask your physician, today.

The CT Heart Score is painless and non-invasive. Best of all, it could save your life.

Images of the entire heart in less than 20 secondsCardiovascular studiesCoronary artery calcification measurements

* Not covered by insurance. Prescription required.

DIAGNOSTIC DYNAMO !DIAGNOSTIC DYNAMO !

CT Heart Score only$300.00.*

15127a-8.75x5.25-CT.qxp 11/1/2004 11:40 AM Page 1

��

��

��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �


AROUND TOWNLOCAL


Being single is a very lonely place for many people, but belonging to a group or organization helps. No one knows that better than the people at First Baptist Church of Plant City. Pastor Ron Churchill has always had a heart for singles, having been single for many years himself. He saw a need for a singles’ ministry here like he did in Texas where was previously lived. They began there with a group of four and soon grew to 900. The ministry here is growing also. About a year and a half ago, Rev. Kevin Brevik was given the position of minister of single adults. He is a passionate and a genuinely caring person who just wants single adults to know that First Baptist Singles is a place where they can come to be known, loved and cared for. That is very refreshing for many singles who used to attend as a child

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SINGLES

or previously with spouse and children, who now feel church is a place for couples and families only. They feel like outcasts and are afraid they will just be preached at or misunderstood if they attend.

First Baptist has been one of the few to realize that. Over the next year their focus will be on singles. They already offer five different Sunday School classes—two college and career classes

for ages 18-24, Career Minded for ages 24-38, Singles for ages 38-50, Senior Adults 50-65 and Heaven Group for ages 65 and up. If you are still uncomfortable thinking about attending a traditional Sunday School class or church service, they offer Singles’ Night Out on the second Saturday of every month. It’s a time of fellowship for singles of all ages and denominations. For two hours, singles can come and enjoy a guest speaker, short devotion, games, a coffee bar and entertainment. The




local businesses even get in on all the fun by donating door prizes. Singles’ Night Out is also a chance to make friends with other people from Plant City, Lakeland, Temple Terrace, Zephyrhills and other local communities. The Singles group is involved in four mission projects each year, including Habitat For Humanity and Florida Baptist Children’s Home. They minister to their own with a Divorce Care program that offers a single-parenting class two times a year. They hope to offer a divorce class for kids in the near future as well. Rev. Brevik talked about his own experience as a child of divorced parents and feels that this class would be a great help to those who are experiencing the same things he went through. First Baptist Singles is growing steadily with 50 - 75 singles attending their monthly Night Out. The singles has had a positive effect on the church as whole. Where in the past they catered to married couples and focused on the children’s

ministry, they now have even have a special singles service. The world is changing and First Baptist Church is changing with it. Through compassion and love they are reaching out to the singles in our community. For those of you who have been discouraged from returning to worship services or long to have a place to belong, there is hope. Whether you attend service or come to a singles event, you have to start somewhere to find peace and choose to be happy. They hope you will come and give them a try.... no pressure, no strings attached. To find out more log onto www.fbcpc.com and click on the singles link or call 813-752-4104.

Offering Individual and Family Coverage with Large PPO Network*Family Coverage based on the age of the youngest spouse!

All approved applicants must be a Florida Farm Bureau member.

Call Today for detailed Company information and a personalized rate quote!

*Networks are comprised of Independent contracting healthcare providers.

**These programs are available through select business partners and are not benefits of the health insurance

plan.The amount of benefits provided depends upon the plan selected and the premium will vary with the amount of

benefit selected. These policies are medically underwritten. These policies have limitations and

exclusions.


STORY & PHOTOS BY BRIAN WEST

AROUND TOWNLOCAL

Ever wonder what’s in your water? Calcium, lime and rust are often found in our water supply, not to mention many other contaminants. A new company

NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN SAYS SALES ARE FLOODING INWATER PURIFICATION WORKING IN WAYS UNHEARD OF

in town believes they have a system that can improve the quality of your water and give you many other benefits in the process—and no, this isn’t a water softener.

Waterite LLC is a business with a new approach to cleaning the water supply. Waterite’s system doesn’t add anything to the water being

treated. Instead, the system uses a patented technology (they just received their patent this month) to treat the water as it is and get rid of impurities.

The business started years ago in the United Kingdom as a method for eliminating the buildup of yeast in beer lines. Tony Allen invented the system and soon began to wonder how it might work on water lines. He moved to the United States and discovered a water softener in the home he purchased. Unhappy with the softener’s performance, he decided to try his system. Allen soon met Debra Kerr of Plant City and the two became partners sharing this technology. The rest is history.

Since that time, the system has been installed in homes and businesses. The system uses ultrasonic radio wave frequencies to transform the entire molecular structure of the water. The system

consists of a small electrical box with some wire that must be coiled around the water lines. It is typically installed at the point of entry to a residence, facility or process.

Kerr says they recently installed a system on the home of one of our local residents who’s well tested positive with poisons. She claims tests are proving that the system is removing the poisons from the water. Kerr is currently working from an office in the Lee building down town. She said she is taking calls from all over North and South America from people anxious to try the system. If you are interested, please feel free to contact Kerr at 813-754-3502 or 813-477-5343.

��

Come visit us at our new location off I-4, exit 22 at Park Rd. Plant City FL.

��

��

��

��

��

DISCLAIMER: Must present coupon when order is written. Valid on most GM makes & models. Not valid with any other offer. Valid only at this location. Offer expires 2/15/05.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��Plus tax

��


��

��Plus tax

��

DISCLAIMER: Must present coupon when order is written. Valid on most GM makes & models. Not valid with any other offer.

Valid only at this location. Offer expires 2/15/05

��

Plus tax

��

DISCLAIMER: Must present coupon when order is written. Valid on most GM makes & models. Not valid with any other offer.

Valid only at this location. Offer expires 2/15/05.

��

��Plus tax

��DISCLAIMER: Must present coupon when order is written. Valid on most GM makes & models. Not valid with any other offer.

Valid only at this location. Offer expires2/15/05.

�� Plus tax

��DISCLAIMER: Must present coupon when order is written. Valid on most GM makes & models.

Not valid with any other offer. Valid only at this location. Offer expires 2/15/05.

��Plus tax

��DISCLAIMER: Must present coupon when order is written. Valid on most GM makes & models.

Not valid with any other offer. Valid only at this location. Offer expires 2/15/05.

��Plus tax

��


��

��

DISCLAIMER: Must present coupon when order is written. If insurance is involved, 10% off deductible only. Valid on most GM makes & models. Not valid with any other offer.

Valid only at this location. Offer expires 2/15/05.

��

��

��


AROUND TOWNLOCAL


Some people’s lives seem much more interesting to everyone who hears about them than those who actually experience it themselves.

TELL YOUR TALE

JILL KANTROWITZ—HOME FROM HOLLYWOOD

Take Jill Kantrowitz for example. To her it was nothing, but to everyone else working directly for Jodi Foster, Warner Brothers, touring with MTV Road Rules and meeting the casts of shows such as Friends, ER, Smallville, Gilmore Girls and others seems anything but dull. Her career began after she graduated Florida State University with a communications degree. Kantrowitz moved to Orlando and was able to land a job as the director’s assistant for Kevin Hook’s film, Passenger 57. She stayed with Hook for about two and a half years until she started working for Jodi Foster at Egg Pictures, where she was

the assistant to the company president. After another two and half years there, Kantrowitz ran into a friend that was able to get her a job with MTV for the show Road Rules. “Working in reality TV is a whole story in itself, but I had a lot of fun—especially during the season ‘Semester at Sea’ when we traveled to various islands around the world,” Kantrowitz said. Eventually, she wanted to settle down again and she began working for Warner Brothers. As time passed, Kantrowitz began taking more notice of the priorities of people in the entertainment business. “I knew something was wrong when it was more important to please the actors and make sure

they had just the right amount of foam in their latte than anything else,” Kantrowitz said. As her boss decided to leave to do a pilot for Everwood, Kantrowitz saw this as the prime opportunity to come back home. She rested for a year, with perfect timing to be able to take care of her father who went through major surgery. She is currently working full-time at the library and is waiting to see where else her life will lead her at the age of 36. “Some people ask, ‘How can you come back home to Plant City after living a life in Hollywood?’” Kantrowitz said. “And really, it’s very easy. I had to get away to appreciate what this town has to offer.”

* Same Day Appointments Available * Concise and Quick Results * Caring and Helpful Staff * Comfortable and Convenient for all your imaging needs * Coming soon: Digital Radiology * Close Parking Available * Accept Most Insurance Plans

HIGH FIELD OPEN MRI MAMMOGRAPHY MULTI SLICE CAT SCAN ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��


SETTING A PATTERN FOR MAINTAINING TRADITIONLOCAL LADY WEAVES HERITAGE THROUGH THE CRAFT OF CANING

��

��

��

��

AROUND TOWNLOCAL


Birthed in antiquity, carried on throughout history and finally making its way into Betty Denton’s living room, the craft of caning has crossed countless cultures from ancient Egypt to the Florida crackers. Denton, 56, says she always thought caning was a neat craft. But it was not until a moment of seeming destiny when she met Ned Johnson, an endearingly crotchety caner from Indiana, that she decided it was something she wanted to learn.

Denton met Johnson caning on his porch roughly 14 years ago. She asked him how she might go about learning the craft and after some cajoling, Johnson agreed that Denton could come to his house and he would teach her. As providence might have it, Denton discovered that she and Johnson were distant relatives. Denton apprenticed under Johnson for three and a half years. Now she is self-employed, caning full-time, as well as sewing and reupholstering for various customers.

Caning is a technique of weaving wood strips, primarily bamboo, into patterns. It has often been used in the making of traditional furniture.

There are many varieties of the craft including over-the-round, splint, through-the-hole and rush caning, each requiring knowledge of different techniques. Denton teaches caning and says anyone can learn. However, she cautions, “One day’s caning does not a caner make.”

Denton has given caning demonstrations at numerous events including the Florida State Fair Cracker Country attraction, the Highlands State Park Civilian Conservation Corps Festival and the Plant City Pioneer Day. Denton says one of the most honoring events she has been invited to has been the Florida Folk Festival in High Springs. She canes annually at the festival on Craft Square, where only the most skilled and respected artisans are invited to participate. Denton says she takes pride in doing quality work. “It’s just very important to do the very best job I can,” Denton says. “It’s how I would want somebody to treat me.”

For more information about having a piece of furniture caned or to learn how to cane, Denton can be contacted at (813) 659-2918.

Our Team Is The Home Team!Our Team Is The Home Team!

Hometown banking at its best!Hometown banking at its best!

HILLSBORO BANK509 West Alexander Street • Plant City

(across from Plant City High School)

813-707-6506

AROUND TOWNLOCAL


813.752.1888 2011 N. Wheeler Street • Plant City, FL 33565Located of off exit 21 and I-4 at The Ramada Inn Plantation Hosues

Fine Dining and More...www.ramadaplantation.com

Gianni Russo January 22nd • The Rat Pack Too January 29th • Sammy Kershaw February 5th The Rat Pack Too February 12th • The Rat Pack Too February 18th • Gary Lewis & The Playboys February 19th

Joey Dee and The Starlighters February 25th • The Diamonds February 26th • The Rat Pack Too March 5th The Rat Pack Too March 19th • The Diamonds April 2nd • The Rat Pack Too April 9th

John Anderson and Mark McGuinn April 23rd • The Rat Pack Too April 23rd

Entertainment Schedule


AROUND TOWNLOCAL

This event is free and childcare is provided by reservation. Call 752-4104 for more information.

First Baptist Church of Plant City

All Singles of all ages are invited to“The Upper Room”

a singles ministry event of FBC Plant City.

Join us the second Saturday of each monthin the Singles ̓Building located at103 E. Baker St. • 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Come and share the love of Christ with other Plant City singles.


During the stress of the holiday season we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves, and we catch the latest flu or cold going around. That means we might have to take a trip to the doctor or hospital. Thankfully, we have the hard-working people at South Florida Baptist Hospitals who not only give of themselves day in and day out during the year,

SANTA VISITS SOUTH FLORIDA BAPTIST HOSPITALSFBH TEAM MEMBER ACTIVITY COMMITTEE HOLDS CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY

but also sacrifice time with their own families on holidays to work. While we are trimming the tree and eating Christmas dinner, they are mending broken bones and caring for the sick. The Team Members Activity Committee wants to make sure this selflessness doesn’t go unnoticed by making sure workers and their families get the opportunity to celebrate the holidays too. A Christmas party was held at the hospital café for the children and grandchildren of all staff members, physicians, and team members. Approximately 120 very excited children attended the festivities. They were visited by “Candy,” a clown magician, Rudolph the Reindeer and entertained by a puppet show and Tae Kwan Do demo. Of course,

the big event was the arrival of Santa in this year’s transportation, Wellness On Wheels, accompanied by Mrs. Clause and Elf. Each child had a chance on Santa’s lap, had their picture taken and received a gift. Face painting and refreshments provided by the hospital topped off the celebration. The Team Member Acitivity Committee also has other events throughout the year for the children such as a Halloween and Easter party. They have events such as bake sales once a month, parking lot sales, arts and craft sale, and hiring out Rudolph the Reindeer to raise money for the organization. They also offer assistance to employees of the hospital in need, whether it is because of fire, accident or they are in a financial bind. Though they have a big heart

they never just hand out money. A bill needs to be presented to show real need. If you want to donate money or are an employee in need, you can contact Candy Greene at 813-764-2258 or Juanita Radford at 813-757-1248.

��

��

��

��

��

��

FINE CHILDREN APPAREL & GIFT BOUTIQUE

��


AROUND TOWNLOCAL


752-5189752-51891802 W. REYNOLDS (JUST EAST OF FAIRGROUNDS)

Myrtice Pippin is a very special lady. In December she turned 100. Her family wanted to do something to let her know how much they loved and cared about her, so they organized a birthday party and invited all of her relatives, friends and the community to come out and help her celebrate. At noon, people began to gather and continued until 4 p.m., each taking their turn to wish her a Happy 100. I was in awe of her. I had never met anyone who had lived so long. What was surprising was that though she no longer had her sight, she still recognized people by their voices. She also had a terrific memory. She remembered each and every event anyone would ask her about no matter when it had taken place. What a wonderful gift. Myrtice came to Florida by train with her family from Carrolton, Georgia after the boweevil plague wiped out the cotton crops, married and had a houseful of wonderful boys. She lived, in her early days, what

MYRTICE PIPPIN TURNS 100LIFE LESSONS FROM A LADY WHO’S SEEN IT ALL

we would consider a hard life. She rose every morning at 5 a.m. to heat the cook stove with wood, milk the family cow, return to cook breakfast and get the children up and out the door for school at Trapnell. Before arriving to work in the strawberry fields with her husband, she would clean the kitchen. She returned around 11:30 a.m. to cook lunch, clean the kitchen again and then returned to the fields. After a hard day of work, Myrtice would return home to milking the cow again, cooking dinner, cleaning the kitchen yet another time, helping with homework, baths, readings from the family Bible and bedtime prayers. Many nights before she would retire, she would mend and iron the family’s clothing, as well as sew new clothes and quilts out of feed sacks on her foot peddle sewing machines. Sometimes Myrtice only slept a few hours in a night in order to get it all done. Every Sunday she took her family to church at Berea Baptist Church in

Plant City, where she played piano for many years. Today, Myrtice is the oldest living member of the congregation. Many people ask her how she could work so hard, so many hours, and get so much done. She just tells them it wasn’t hard work to her, it was fun and she would do it all over again if she could. She says that though they were poor they were not aware of it so they were happy. Amazingly, Myrtice rarely ever got sick or took medicine unless it was an occasional aspirin. She never even went to the hospital until the last five years, when she has still only been hospitalized twice. Myrtice has lived through a 100 years of change in our world, including the period of silent movies to the “talkies” of today. She watched the making of the first automobile, the computer age come

about and the worldwide use of the cell phone. She witnessed segregation, desegregation, World War I, World War II, other major wars, women given the right to vote, the prohibition of alcohol and the repeal of that amendment. Here are a few of Myrtices’ favorite sayings that have contributed to her own long healthy life. “I have never seen hard work hurt anyone.” “Live a clean and good, healthy Christian life and trust in God.” “God helps those who help themselves.” Well said from the expert on long life. Happy 100 Myrtice.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��


STORY & PHOTO BY SOPHIA DEDON


Everyone has heard a plethora of stories about the experiences people had on Sept. 11, 2001. But what about now? How has it affected their lives on a long-term basis? Well, just ask Stephen Shouse, a local Plant City businessman who was on the 33rd floor of One Liberty Plaza, directly across from the World Trade Centers on that tragic day. Shouse’s story is much like everyone else’s who was there—fear, running away, worrying for family, racing a dust cloud amidst tens of thousands of people, standing in silence in the city that never sleeps, and being in a state of complete confusion. However, he did not choose to handle it like everyone else. While others bargained with God, Shouse

SEPTEMBER 11: THE AFTERMATH

STEPHEN SHOUSE SHARES HIS STORY

worried about his wife and her having to raise three kids on her own. Surrounded by a cloud of dust, he dropped to his knees, desperately wanting to get home. Two weeks later, Shouse finally made it home to his family in Plant City. He returned to his job working at Prudential Securities on the 34th floor of the Bank of America building in Tampa, but he was no longer satisfied. Suddenly, it was the little things that mattered

most to him, and being at home became a larger priority. After a 15-year-old boy flew a plane into the Bank of America building, Shouse decided enough was enough and he opened an Edward Jones business in Plant City. Since then, things have been better. Now Shouse can take his kids to school, spend time with his family, be more involved with his church, and invest in the community. He considers himself very fortunate. “As a Christian before, it helped confirm my faith. Some doubted, it made me a stronger Christian, father, and husband,” said Shouse. More than three years later, Shouse has been able to put everything into perspective and said he knows that the two most important things in his life are God and his family.

��

��

��

��

��

��



STORY & PHOTO BY SHERRI ROBINSON

Jump for Fun!

FUNFOR

EVERYONEBirthdays

GraduationsWeddingsFestivals

Church EventsThe Hop Stop

Call to schedule your FUN!Bruce 813-986-5357Kelly 813-757-6683

Slides

Moon Walks

Bouncy Bounce

More To Choose From Than Pictured!

The Ramada Inns ̓Red Rose Room is by far one of the most romantic places I know. The lights are soft, the food is fabu-lous and Destiny, the house band, is there Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to bring you an evening of entertainment and enjoyment. History of great talent has always fascinated me so finding out how the group came up with their name and start was top on my list of questions to ask. Destiny was formed out of a 20 year friend-ship between Dennis Hoag and Bruce Farr. They were hired on the spot after auditioning to open for Michael Peterson in April 2003 and have been a constant with the Ramada ever since. Bruce had been holding onto the name Destiny for a long time and presented it that night to the Medonias, owners of the Ramada. They loved it. It was ìDestinyî they said. Until recently they were a duo. Four months ago the beautiful and talented Jenni-fer Roys was added. She had previously worked with Dennis on the cruise ship Star Prin-

IT WAS DESTINYRAMADA INN’S HOUSE BAND IS LOVING LIFE

cess. One of the things I love about Destiny is their versatil-ity. Dennis described their music as an adult contempo-rary mix of 50ís through the 90ís. Though Dennis, Bruce, and Jennifer each have quite an extensive music history on their own, they are mak-ing new memories right here in Plant City with famous groups such as Joey Dee and the Starlighters and The Plat-ters. Destiny is proud to be part of the Ramada Inn. In the words of Dennis Hoag, Itís the sweetest gig Iíve ever had.î They want to see con-tinued growth and hope it will be a place that people from everywhere will fly in to see whatís going on. If you ha-venít yet been to the Ramada and heard Destiny, you are really missing a treat. Unless a concert is scheduled there is no cover charge. Come out and support a great band and the Ramada Inn. For more information call 752-3141 or log on to www.ramadaplanta-tion.com

��

��

��

��


AROUND TOWNLOCAL

1103 Goldfinch Dr.( off of Thonotosassa)

813-719-2246

Grand Opening!Grand Opening!Come Visit Us At Our New Location!Come Visit Us At Our New Location!

Custom Draperies, Bedcoverings, Top Treatments, Shades, and more are on sale now at 25% SAVINGS during our

special Fabricut sale event. Outstanding quality, tremendous selection plus

prompt delivery create just the right combination to help solve all your

decorating needs.

INTERIORS by “Pamela”

Justin Hall and Jill Welsh were recently chosen to the Student Leaders program at Bank of America. Justin and Jill were chosen for this honor as a result of their volunteer activities at Plant City High School and in our community.

Left to Right: Cathy Bessant, Chief Marketing Officer, Bank of America; Buddy Raburn, former Principal of Plant City High School; Jill Welsh, Student Leader; Justin Hall, Student Leader; Barbara Franques, Area Director; Steven Raney, Bank of America Hillsborough President.

Plant City High School’s Clay Bavinger and Caroline Evans have been nominated for the coveted Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. Awarded in conjunction with the collegiate Heisman recognition, this award honors the nation’s top high school seniors who best exemplify a supreme “citizen-scholar-athlete.”

Ray and Sue Henderson celebrated Veterans Day by awarding scholarships to three students at Plant City High School. Mr. Henderson served many years in the military as did several members of his family. Collectively they have accumulated over 60 years of military service. The scholarship “Ray Henderson Scholarship Honoring Veterans” required the applicants to write an essay on “What is a veteran and what does it mean to you?”

Winners: Jason Reschke – First place and winner of $1000 scholarshipJustin Hall – Second place and winner of $600 scholarshipAshley Bergeron – Third place and winner of a $400 scholarship

Caption: Ray and Sue Henderson congratulate (left) Jason Reschke and Justin Hall (right) for their winning essays honoring veterans. (Not pictured: Ashley Bergeron – Third place recipient.)

Caroline Evans 5.03 grade point average, Varsity Swim Team – four years, Coach’s Award, Civinette Service Club- President, Student Council – Secretary, Senior Executive Council- Reporter.

Clay Bavinger 6.32 grade point average, National Merit Scholar Semifinalist, Varsity Tennis Team – played number one singles and doubles, 2003 HOBY Award Winner, Governor’s High School All Star Award, American Cancer Society Relay for Life’s Top Youth Fundraiser, Steering Committee for the 2005 Relay for Life.


STORY BY AL COHEN

AROUND TOWNLOCAL

Ameri-Can Waste, LLCAmeri-Can Waste, LLCAmeri-Can Waste, LLC(A Plant City Roll-0ff Waste Company)

“Life, Liberty, & The Pursuit of

Trash”

“Life, Liberty, & The Pursuit of

Trash”

Check- Out Our Low Rates On:C&D (Construction + Demolition)

Class III (Furniture, Cardboard,Plastic) Yard Waste (Trees, Brush, ETC.)

Container Delivery Same Day Possible

20yd., 30 yd., and 40 yd. open top containers

Permanent Use or One Time Use

You Are Going to Save a lot of MONEY!!

Phone: 813-707-1393 Toll Free: 877-707-1133

Fax: 813-752-9701E-Mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

Every so often, a stage show is put together with song and panache. Here is a show that will take you back to the Tin Pan Alley days when New York City gradually became the Mecca of the music publishing business with popular songs from the 1940s, 1950s and songs with us today. You’ll hear songs like “Country Roads,” “My Guy,” “Crazy,” and a song that will live forever, “Second Hand Rose” sung by Mollie Anderson. Mollie is drop-dead gorgeous with a voice and performance that is as good as it gets. Mollie was Miss Tampa in 1977, Miss St. Petersburg 1978 and second runner-up to Miss Florida 1978. She has entertained on two USO tours, one in Germany and one in Alaska, sang lead vocalist with The Pieces Band, and played various roles in community theatre productions. She has been a former cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Rowdies professional soccer team, as well as for the Houston Oilers. We at Star Productions could not be happier to have Mollie with us.

When you hear the amazing voice of Guy DeFlorio, you’re going to say, “WOW!” He’ll be singing songs like “Summer Wind,” “New York, New York,” “When I Fall In Love” and others. Guy is not only an unbelievable talent but when he is not on stage, he is a truly sincere guy. In 1951, while singing with a band in high school and a band at a local nightclub, he was discovered by Tony Agbay, who had a top-notch band in the area. Tony hired Guy as a singer with his band. While with the band, Guy gained valuable experience traveling, recording seven records and making television appearances. After two years, Tony encouraged Guy to go out on his own and helped him start his own band, The Starlighters After that, Guy’s career took off, with him appearing on “The Strip” in Boston at such nightclubs as The Monticello, the

largest nightclub in New England. While at The Monticello, Guy worked with such popular stars as Tony Bennett, Phyllis Diller, Jerry Lewis, Sergio Franchi, Carol Sloane and many more.

After leaving The Monticello, the band continued to work all the smart nightclubs in the New England area. For several years, Guy also sang with a big band (18 men) at the Lake Whalom Ballroom when he could take time from his own band. In 1991, Guy retired from the band business and recently sang on a Carnival cruise ship. Now Guy sings occasionally with Al Cohen’s Star Productions.

Aside from Mollie and Guy being our principle performers, we are very fortunate to have Jonathan Douglas, a veteran performer with an amazing acting background and one of my favorite actors. In this show, Jonathan is my assistant director and will work our sound system, as well as serve as our master of ceremonies. Jonathan is also the owner and director of “Shows To Go”, a show that has received great reviews.

We also have Dock Green, otherwise known as “Silverhawk”. Dock plays his magical Indian flute for veterans and seniors all over the United States. His music is inspirational and spiritual. Dock is an extraordinary man.

Gary Cohen, also known as “Oliver”, our video man is a gifted performer. Gayle and Valerie Moorer are our hospitality people. Betty Bennett is our costume person. Mike and DeDe Floyd, of Focus Magazine, are our printers and good friends.

Our host for “Showtime” is Jim Pollard, owner and manager of The Orange Blossom Tea Room at 106 S. Evers Street in Plant City, Florida. The phone number is (813) 759-2247. Tickets for the show are $22.95 and may be purchased at The Orange Blossom Tea Room. Performances at The Orange Blossom Tea Room will be on Friday, January 28 and Saturday, January 29. Dinner starts at 7:00 p.m. and the curtain goes up at 8:00 p.m. both nights. You don’t want to miss this show! For further information, please call Al Cohen at (813) 707-0788.


AROUND TOWNLOCAL

STORY & PHOTOS BY SHERRI ROBINSON

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Jean Chellino has the ability to capture the true essence of those she paints. It is never more apparent than in her pet portraits. Each one, with their own quirks and personality, become frozen in time for their owners to display like a parent would their own child’s photo. Chellino has only been painting for three years but has completed two 5’ by 8’ wall murals that are displayed on her patio and foyer in her home. After relocating to Plant City from Naples she decided it was time to begin painting. Her previous travels to far away places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Austria, Germany, Italy, many Caribbean islands, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge armed her with hundreds of beautiful pictures from which to paint. She has been studying under Plant City art teacher Von Watson for the past two years. Von Watson feels Chellino has done so well that she rarely needs any corrections. She has become quite accomplished, displaying her

JEAN CHELLINO: ARTIST AND WORLD TRAVELERCAPTURING BEAUTY ON A CANVAS

work in Hillsborough Bank and the Chamber of Commerce during the month of December. Chellino was also the featured artist at Southern Hospitality for the same month. She will continue to hang her work at Hillsborough Bank in January and February. One thing I appreciated about Chellino is that she doesn’t charge exorbitant prices for her work. She wants to make it possible for everyone to have a chance to own a piece of artwork instead of just admiring it. She tries to charge only for cost of materials. Those who buy her work are aware of how meticulous she is with detail. She feels that concentrating on style, body, depth and shading all help to convey the feelings she wants to get across. Chellino says she is very grateful for the support she has received from her husband Sam. She says she feels he is the backbone of her work. If anyone is interested in purchasing any of her paintings or wish to make an appointment to see her work displayed in her home, call 813-707-0332.

AnimalWellness Center

� � � � � � � � � � � � �

3109 SR 574 West • (813) 752-2869

Hours: Mon•Tue•Thur & Fri 8:00-12:00 & 1:00-5:00Wed•Sat: 8:00-12:00 Noon

“We Make Pets Smile!”

Dr. Jennifer Conner

FEBRUARY IS Dental Month

We Treat You Like Family...Los Tratamos Como Familia.

Doctor Bou Pediatrics, Inc.We See Patients from birth to age 21.

108 Southern Oaks Drive, Plant City, Fl. 33563 • (813) 719-3716 • Fax: 813-759-2487

��

AROUND TOWNLOCAL

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

STORY & PHOTOS BY SHERRI ROBINSON



AROUND TOWNLOCAL

EVENING OF FUN WITH ELIGIBLE BACHELORS TO THE HIGHEST BIDDERProceeds to Benefit American Business Women’s Scholarship Fund

The American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) will hold their second annual “Be My Valentine” Bachelor’s Auction on Friday, Feb. 4, 2004. The event will be held at the newly remodeled Ramada Inn and will begin promptly at 7 p.m. The purpose of the auction is to raise money for the ABWA Scholarship Fund and have some fun in the process. In addition to money raised through the auction, the ABWA also sells sponsorships to businesses. The sponsorships provide recognition to the businesses in all program and signage materials, and a number tickets to the event—2, 4, or 8—depending on the level of sponsorship—Adonis, Aphrodite, or Cupid respectively.

You may be asking yourself, “What exactly is a bachelor auction?” In this case, the ABWA arranges a pool of eligible bachelors, all at least 21 years old. Last year the age of the bachelors ranged from 21 – 65 years old. A committee from the organization helps the bachelors put together a date package, but the bachelor must plan and pay for the date of the winning bidder’s choosing. On

the night of the event, patrons who have already purchased tickets to attend bid on the bachelors.

Prior to the auction, the bachelors and lady bidders are invited to a mixer where the men serve drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Meanwhile, the women are given a list of questions to ask the bachelors. A sample question might read, “Which bachelor grew up in Missouri?” This gives everyone a chance to get to know something about one another, and it helps the bidders decide which bachelor they might

like to bid on. Again, this is all about meeting people and having a great time.

Once the auction gets started, the bachelors parade around on a runway while the emcee, former Miss Tampa, Charleene Closshey, reads information from the bachelors’ bios. The bios include information like where the bachelor is from, where they live, their occupation, hobbies, favorite thing to do on a date, first thing they notice about a woman and qualities they look for in a woman. Then

the bidding begins. When all the excitement is over, the bachelor treats the winning bidder to a date within three months of the event.

Jodi Smith, ABWA President, said, “It’s a great cause for a great event. Where else in Plant City could you have a room full of women looking at men?” Last year’s bachelor auction was very successful, bringing in about $11,000 to the organization and providing $1,000 scholarships to four young women; Jennifer Cowart, Melissa Ortiz, Roxana Tojas and Brittany Saranko. Quite an accomplishment when you consider this was the ABWA’s first and only fundraiser. The organization hopes to be able to give away even more in scholarships this year.

The bachelors understand that this is all about charity, but it should be noted that one winning bidder began dating her bachelor after last year’s auction, and they are believed to still be together. So, although the event is not promoted as a means to find a romantic relationship, things do happen.

Tickets are available for $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Prices include lots of food and a drink. Yvonne Fry Stemnock, ABWA Bachelor Coordinator Extraordinaire, said they are expecting 250 people this year. “We may even have some bachelors older than 65 this year,” Stemnock said. “We’re looking to have a handyman or two in the group, but we’re limiting the field to 25.”

Those interested in sponsorships must have their information turned in to Smith by January 21, 2005. For more information, please feel free to contact Smith at 754-3703 or Stemnock at 478-0494.


� ��

� ��

� ��

��

�

��

DOWNTOWN LEE BUILDING • 110 E. Reynolds St., Ste. 400 • Plant City, Florida•813-759-1023

��

jane iredale make-up

jane

ired

ale m

ake-

up

��

��

��863-683-9111 • 1-800-243-IDIN • FAX (863) 683-1943

��

��

��

Certified Public Accountants


WALDEN LAKE ELEMENTARY TEACHES STUDENTS ABOUT THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMASPresents For The Needy


AROUND TOWNLOCAL

On Dec. 9 at 9 a.m., the courtyard at Walden Lake Elementary was filled with excited Kindergarten students each carrying a gift for another child. It was not a gift exchange. It was a gift given without anything expected in return. These presents went to help fill the Holiday Store, where clients of the Child Abuse Council could come and shop for gifts for their children at no cost to them. Without this store many children would not have received anything for Christmas. I wondered what some of the Kindergarteners thought and felt about what they did, so I spoke to Christopher, Arie, Taylor, Jordan, and Savannah—students in Mrs. Hooker’s class. They were all excited that they could share with others and they

hoped that the children who received the gifts would feel love and have a chance to be with their families for the holidays. Mrs. Hooker said she tried to talk to the children about the idea of giving and the need for helping others. Her class did this instead of having a gift exchange. Last year, over 400 children received gifts thanks to the CAC. The council accepts donations of non-violent toys with the greatest need being for the 0 to 4 year-old age group. They also welcome cash donations to help increase the assortment of gifts, refreshments, wrapping supplies and general program support. Volunteers are always needed to act as greeters, personal shoppers, gift wrappers and store personnel. If you are interested

in volunteering, contact Suzanne Secrest at 813-673-4646 Ext. 289 or email [email protected]. The Child Abuse Council has been in existence since 1977 and has helped families throughout Hillsborough County, teaching prevention and offering

education and treatment programs. Their mission is to prevent abuse before it occurs, stop abuse that is occurring and rebuild the child and family after abuse. If you wish to donate, volunteer or are in need of any CAC services you can contact them at (813) 673-4646.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

10% OFF


WW

W.

SO

UT

HF

LO

RI

DA

BA

PT

IS

T.

CO

M

First Care at South Florida Baptist Hospital is specifically designed to quickly treat people with minor illnesses or injuries. And it's just down the hall from the Emergency Center in case your minor emergencybecomes a major one. For minor illnesses or major ones, there's no better place to be in Plant City.

3 0 1 N . A l e x a n d e r S t r e e t P l a n t C i t y, F L 3 3 5 6 3

707 - 8779W W W . S O U T H F L O R I D A B A P T I S T . C O M

MIGHTYMEDS !

Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Seven days a week

MIGHTYMEDS !

15086-10.5x12-FC.qxp 11/1/2004 11:27 AM Page 1



AROUND TOWNLOCAL

DR. LOWE HAS MOVEDCOME VISIT HER NEW

LOCATION IN PLANT CITY.

044089-1204

Dolores Lowe, M.D., Family Practice1601 W. Reynolds Street, Suite 203, Plant City, FL 33563

(813) 754-6700 · Fax (813) 754-6776

Dr. Lowe provides experienced and compassionate care to peopleof all ages in the Plant City area.

• Board-certified member of the Florida Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians

• Privileges at South Florida Baptist Hospital

Patients may call (813) 754-6700 to make an appointment. Most insurances accepted. MasterCard and Visa accepted.

Delores Lowe, M.D., Family Practice

1601 W. Reynolds Street, Suite 203, Plant City, FL 33563

(813) 754-6700Fax (813) 754-6776

Dr. Lowe provides experienced and compassionate care to people of all ages in the Plant City area.



Patients may call (813) 754-6700 to make an appointment.

Most insurances accepted. MasterCard & Visa accepted.

DR. LOWE HAS MOVEDCOME VISIT HER NEW

LOCATION IN PLANT CITY.

044089-1204

Dolores Lowe, M.D., Family Practice1601 W. Reynolds Street, Suite 203, Plant City, FL 33563

(813) 754-6700 · Fax (813) 754-6776

Dr. Lowe provides experienced and compassionate care to peopleof all ages in the Plant City area.



Patients may call (813) 754-6700 to make an appointment. Most insurances accepted. MasterCard and Visa accepted.

The East Hillsborough Historical Society sponsored their annual candlelight tour of historical homes in Plant City’s Historic District on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004. The walking tour is a trip through historic homes in the area to benefit the Quintilla Geer Bruton Archives Center.

The Historical Society contacts home owners within the Historic District each year to ask if they are interested in displaying their home for the tour. The organization then makes arrangements with a local restaurant, usually the Orange Blossom Tea Room, to serve dinner and/or dessert with coffee to those interested immediately following the tour. This year, patrons were served at the Corner Stone Center, formerly First Baptist Church of Plant City. Jim Pollard of the Orange Blossom Tea Room catered the event. Other homeowners in the area participate by putting out candlelight luminaries just as the tour is about to begin. It’s quite a sight.

The tickets for the tour only were $15, while those who also wanted coffee and dessert were charged $20. A third ticket option, which included the tour, dinner, dessert and coffee, was $30. The idea behind the event is to have a relaxing evening with friends or family while walking through the historic district and touring these old homes decorated for the holidays.

The tour began in the old 1914 High School. Ryan Fisher and Holly Stein played piano as people milled around the high school drinking punch and viewing many antiques on display, including an antique car. This year’s walking tour included the homes of Guy and Brenda Ford, 805 N. Wheeler, Phillip and Martha Faith, 711 N. Evers St., and Wayne and Jany Shuff, 711 N. Collins St.

The Fords’ home is a two-story Dutch style colonial home built in 1910. Along with a traditional Christmas tree, the Fords had several different trees decorated in different themes, including a Coca-Cola tree. It appeared

that every room in the 94-year-old house has a theme year-round. There is a “Reba room” upstairs named after Reba McIntyre, Guy’s favorite country singer, and a NASCAR room complete with black and white checkered flooring and a large screen TV. Any NASCAR fan would enjoy spending time in this room watching a Sunday afternoon race.

The Faiths’ home was also full of the holiday spirit. Santa Clause and a pair of Elves, played by Rick Russell and Cassidy and Blaine Sorrells, greeted the touring guests as they approached the house. Cassidy and Blaine Sorrell are the Faiths’ grandchildren. These two elves spent the evening handing out candy canes to everyone. The Faiths had a traditional Christmas tree in the living room, but those that may have been hungry during the tour probably eyed the cookie Christmas tree in the kitchen. The cookie tree was a stack of fresh baked cookie’s beginning with a large cookie at the base and progressively smaller cookies stacked on top. We made our way through the home to find Mrs. Faith in one of the back rooms proudly showing off her collection of dancing Santas.

The Shuff home is an impressive two-story Colonial Victorian and if you’ve ever driven North on Collins St. just past the 1914 high school, you’ve probably noticed it. The home has a black wrought iron fence bordering the yard and a pair of Lions on each side of the walk to the front door. Inside, some of the unique features include four fireplaces and eight-foot-tall pocket doors off the dining room. The home was beautifully decorated for the holidays. It also had a traditional Christmas tree in the parlor and a pair of smaller trees in the master bedroom. Mr. Shuff added his own subtle touch of the Christmas spirit. The laptop in his office played National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation during the tour. If you want to see some beautiful homes decorated for the holidays, take in the tour next year.

CANDLELIGHT TOUR A WALK THROUGH HISTORYPLANT CITY RESIDENTS OPEN THEIR HOMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

10% Off ��

��

10% Off ��

��

��

��

��

Send Your Sweetheart A VALENTINE

��

��

��

��

��

The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

��

��

��

��

��

��

��



AROUND TOWNLOCAL

We Know QualityWe Know Quality

Native Landscaping & MaintenanceProperty Maintenance Professionals

Locally Owned and OperatedServing Plant City for Over 10 Years

Call for details: 813-659-0370

Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios have been independently owned and operated since 1931.

1514 S Alexander St. Ste. Plant City, Fl. 33563 • 813-752-4718

��

��

��

��

��

��

Mention Plant City to anyone outside of the area, and if they have ever heard of the town, you invariably receive the same reaction—“Oh yeah… strawberries!” For more than 100 years, local farmers have been growing strawberries. By approxi-mately 1912, Plant City was exporting such an abun-dance of the crop that it was named the “Winter Straw-berry Capital of the World.” It is not an overstatement to say that for the residents of Plant City, strawberries are more than a tasty cereal ad-dition; they are a way of life.


The influence of the strawberries is so pervasive in Plant City that one will find them emblazoned on buildings, crowning our water tower, naming numerous streets and, of course, sprawling in the vast acreage of the many farms in which they’re grown. “They provide an identity for the community,” said Chip Hinton, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. “There’s a lot of red paint sold in this community.”

According to Hinton, strawberries produce an annual local revenue of nearly $200 million in sales alone. This figure does not include the tremendous economic impact that the industry has on local business ranging from farm equipment sales to restaurants to retail stores. Strawberry farming provides jobs, directly and indirectly, for many people and attracts a multitude of consumers to Plant City. The Florida Strawberry Festival, celebrating the yearly harvest, swells the city for a week and a half with visitors from all over the world. Last year, the festival saw nearly one million people pass through the gates to enjoy professional country music entertainment, carnival attractions and fresh, delicious strawberry shortcake and shakes.

Strawberry farming is traditionally a profession inherited by one generation from another. “One of the great things about our industry is that it’s still continued by families,” Hinton said. Because of the sizable expense of initial start-up, the high degree of knowledge required and the sheer difficulty of the work, strawberry farming is typically not a career sympathetic to the curious neophyte. Planting

just one acre of strawberries requires an investment of more than $25,000. Combined with the potentially crippling cost of learning from one’s mistakes, the resulting financial risk of farming strawberries is enough to

keep away most would-be novice growers.

Thankfully, all signs show that there is an interest in farming among the upcoming generation in farming families. One main goal of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association is to encourage interest in local agricultural education.

The association has given more than $120,000 in scholarships to support students studying agriculture, with 23 scholarships awarded last year alone. The association is also highly committed to funding research for

the advancement of the industry. Many different varieties of strawberries have been developed through the research partnership of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and the University of Florida. A portion of the royalties collected from these varieties goes back to the farmers who are members of the association. “Our

goal has always been to directly put more money into the pockets of our members than what they pay in (fees),” Hinton said.

For those that do grow up on the farm and choose to carry on the

tradition, farming can be a rewarding and profitable venture. Sam Williamson of Sam Williamson Farms is a fifth-generation farmer on both his mother and father’s side of the family. Together with his wife, Anna, Sam Williamson farms over 320 acres of strawberries in the Dover area. “I always make the joke,” Anna Williamson said. “Sam was born on a tractor.” Sam Williamson said he never really planned on going or not going into farming, he just sort of grew up doing it, realized he liked it and is still in it. He said farm life, family and the people he has lived around have taught him responsibility and a hard work ethic. “Most farmers are down-to-earth people,” Sam Williamson said. “They try to do the right thing.”

Responsibility and working hard are essential for the success of any farmer. “It’s not as glamorous as what people think,” said Anna Williamson. There are many times in the life of a farmer when work demands your attention 24 hours a day, seven days a week, she said. Strawberry season begins around the middle of August. A

cover crop, which is grown in the fields over the summer to replenish soil nutrients, is cut down at the beginning of the season to prepare for planting. Around September and early October, farmers start preparing the beds where the berries will be planted. Once this has been completed and the soil has been fumigated, the berries


are planted. Finally, somewhere after Thanksgiving picking begins with what Anna Williamson calls, “Easter-egg hunting,” where workers can search the field for a few select berries that are ripe enough to be picked. Harvest season escalates to its peak in the first months of the year, and then drops off in the latter half of March. In a good year, Anna Williamson said they produce between 2,200 and 2,500 flats of strawberries.

In addition to the fieldwork, modern strawberry farming entails a great deal of paperwork just like any other business. Checks for workers have to be processed, financial records have to be maintained, safety procedures must be kept up to date, adherence to environmental protection standards has to be documented and the list goes on. Changes in environmental law are currently one of the biggest challenges facing farmers today, according to Chip Hinton. Specifically, the use of methyl bromide, a soil fumigant, is being phased out by mandate of the Environmental Protection Agency on account of its contribution to ozone depletion. Methyl bromide is used to sterilize the soil and control insects, nematodes, weeds and pathogens that are detrimental to a healthy crop. There is currently no replacement for methyl bromide, which means that when it is no longer permissible to use, strawberry farming will become

exponentially more difficult. “Being without a soil fumigant will make it virtually impossible,” Hinton said.

Another difficulty facing farmers is the prevalence of illegal workers. Hinton said farmers are placed between a rock and a hard place because the law requires farmers employing immigrants to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the United States, but it also requires that farmers accept all documents they are given to verify a person’s right to legally work in the country. Furthermore, the intensive manual labor involved in the fieldwork of farming is a job that few Americans want.

Martin Bueno arrived in the Plant City area in the early 1980s with little more than two hands ready for work and hopes of making money to send home to his family still in Mexico. He started picking in a local orange grove, but because he could not speak English, Bueno, 43, didn’t even know who his boss was. The next thing he knew, he had picked all the oranges, but the farmer who owned the grove refused to pay him.There was nothing he could do—no one he could tell. He wasn’t even legally allowed to work in America. Returning to Mexico was not an option. There was no money to be made there either. He decided things had to get better.

Now, 20 years later, Bueno says they have.

“It’s better here than in Mexico,” said Bueno. “It’s harder to make a living in Mexico. The pay is not there.” Bueno is just one of the many Hispanic farm workers who come to the Plant City-Dover area to escape poverty in the suffering economy of their homelands. The majority of these immigrant workers are from Mexico and most of them are illegal.

Thomas Ibarra is the farm manager where Bueno works. Ibarra is also originally from Mexico, but now lives permanently in Dover. Ibarra, 32, said he grew up like many farm workers in the U.S.— migrating around the country following

different crops by the season to find work. In the winter his family picked strawberries in Florida, then during the summer they traveled north to Ohio to pick pickles and tomatoes. Ibarra said he has worked in the fields since he was eight years old. “It’s just the job that the Americans won’t do,” Ibarra said. For the most part, Ibarra said he feels like Hispanics are respected and treated fairly in Plant City. However, he said he feels some Americans think they should go back to Mexico because they are a strain on the economy. “If it wasn’t for the government over there—300 years of corruption—we’d be over there,” Ibarra says. “And you guys would be going to work for us,” he said with a laugh.


PerformanceCurbing

BeautifyYour Yard

Commercial • ResidentialCreate Your Own DesignCurves • Circles • Corners

Easy MaintenanceAffordable - Less Expensive Than Traditional Methods

Durable - Will Not Rot, Rust, or Discolor

FREE Estimates863-802-0032 • 863-661-1884

It was when Mexicans started migrating into America in the late 1970s and early 1980s that the American economy started booming, Ibarra said. Hispanics, both legal and illegal, make up a large part of the American workforce and provide businesses with cheap labor. Because of Hispanic workers, Ibarra said, Americans today pay $1 for a tomato rather than $2 or $3. Many Hispanic workers in America do not have access to a lot of services for social assistance. Without the papers to say they can legally live and work in the United States, Hispanics are ineligible to receive food stamps, medical insurance, or other government provided assistance.

Ten years ago, Catholic Charities visited the farm worker community in Plant City and found people living in frightening housing conditions. “What we found really was people living in squalor,” said Arnold Andrews, executive

director of Catholic Charities in St. Petersburg. “No screens on windows, sewers not connected, electricity not connected.”The experience inspired the agency to purchase and dedicate a parcel of land in Dover to help improve life for local Hispanics. The land was soon developed into the San Jose Mission. The mission is a full-service campus providing childcare, a food pantry, medical services, a school system and other social services for the people who live there. These services are supported by money that comes in from affordable quality housing. According to Andrews, the mission has become a model for many national agencies, including Housing and Urban Development and the United States Department of Agriculture. While the mission has helped some Hispanics in the area, it has not solved the problem.

“There’s still areas where there’s (poor) conditions,” Andrews

��

��

��

��


said. “However, we’ve seen a tremendous improvement over the last ten years.” It is not the farmers who exploit the Hispanic population, Andrews said. It is other outside profiteers who know that many farm workers have nowhere else they can go. Many of the workers are undocumented and scared of getting deported, said Andrews. Unscrupulous property owners rent out substandard housing at inflated prices to the farm workers who have no other option.“They feel hunted,” Andrews said. From his perspective, Andrews said he sees the Plant City community reaction to Hispanic farm workers as being mixed. There are many who appreciate their hard work and contribution to the local economy. But others see them as outsiders coming in and treat them with a lot of suspicion.

Gary Parke, a local strawberry farmer who employs Hispanic farm workers agrees. “Some people are tickled pink that they’re here helping out,” Parke said. “On the other end of the spectrum you’ll hear people talk about intrusion and the crime rate increasing and that sort of thing.” Parke, whose family owns Parkesdale Farms, said he has Hispanics working for him that are the grandchildren of people who worked for his father many years ago. He said he grew up around many different kinds of people and has never personally had problems with someone because of his race. Most farmers try to treat their workers fairly, Parke said. And while he acknowledges there are bad farmers out there, he said they are few and far between. “It’s kind of stupid really,” Parke said. “These are the people that are going to be picking your crops. So, you’re going to try to treat them with respect.”

For a farmer, the one looming uncontrollable challenge of constant concern is the weather. Strawberries are a very delicate crop. “One hard freeze is all it takes,” said Anna Williamson. Florida has a fortunate climate that allows for even the possibility

of a “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.” Still, even Florida sees an occasional overnight freeze. If neglected, a freeze can destroy a crop and with it a farmer’s livelihood. When one comes, farmers must work tirelessly throughout the night to keep the freeze from setting in to the berries by keeping them wet with massive overhead watering. This year Florida farmers have been exhaustively reminded of another weather hazard to which they are particularly susceptible—hurricanes. “The hurricanes cost us a little money and a lot of time,” said Chip Hinton. Many growers were late getting their berries into the ground this year on account of the soil being so wet from the heavy rainfall brought about by the hurricanes. In addition, some of the plastic used for bedding was damaged and some fumigation systems were compromised, Hinton said.

Despite the challenges, strawberry farming continues to be the Plant City’s primary industry and identifying factor. Its contribution to the economy at all levels gives Plant City a unique influence on free-market commerce, politics and cultural dynamics. According to the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, approximately 15 percent of the nations entire strawberry production, and nearly all of the nation’s strawberries produced in the winter come from this area. Members of the association alone account for over 7,000 acres of strawberry farms. Roughly 16 million flats of berries are produced every year from Plant City and surrounding areas.

Although it received its namesake from the railroad magnate, Henry Bradley Plant, it is no wonder why so many people think Plant City was named with reference to strawberries. H.B. Plant is to be thanked for many notable contributions in the area, but none of them so tasty as our acclaimed winter delight. With strawberry season now in full swing, there seems no better time to enjoy the sweetness of local life. Go ahead—paint the town red!

LLEETT OOUURR PPRROOFFEESSSSIIOONNAALL SSTTAAFFFF AASSSSIISSTT YYOOUUREEDDEECCOORRAATTEE OONNEE RROOOOMM OORR TTHHEE WWHHOOLLEE HHOOUUSSEE

LLEETT OOUURR PPRROOFFEESSSSIIOONNAALL SSTTAAFFFF AASSSSIISSTT YYOOUUREEDDEECCOORRAATTEE OONNEE RROOOOMM OORR TTHHEE WWHHOOLLEE HHOOUUSSEE

Come Visit Us At Our New Location!

��CARPET & INTERIORS

��

��

1103 Goldfinch Dr. •Plant City(off Thonotosassa Rd.)

813-719-2246

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Pam BresterInterior Designer

FREEDESIGN

SERVICEwith purchase

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

FEB. 7 Monday $ 35.00

FEB. 8 Tuesday $ 35.00

FEB. 9 Wednesday $ 35.00

FEB. 10 Thursday $ 35.00

FEB. 11 Friday $ 40.00

FEB. 12 Saturday $ 40.00

6 DAY PASS $200.00





FEB. 19 Saturday$ 25.00

4 DAY PASS $85.00

2005 Winter Nationals

6311 BURTS ROAD TAMPA, FL 33619 (813)677-RACE (7223) TOLL FREE (877)457-5611

JAN. 26 Wednesday $ 25.00

JAN. 27 Thursday $ 25.00

JAN. 28 Friday $ 30.00

JAN. 29 Saturday $ 35.00

4 DAY PASS $105.00





4 DAY PASS $130.00

--- all reserved seats will be held until november 15, 2004.--- all combo prices good until january 24, 2005 when single tickets will go on sale.--- add $5.00 handling on all credit card orders--- pit tickets sold the day of the race event--- front gate tickets can be upgraded to a pit pass for the difference of the pit entry fee on day of event--- camping $15.00 per event (6 day of late models $30.00).--- no combo prices below row 14.

360 Sprints

410 Sprints

Late Models

Open Wheels

KAITLIN JO-AN SHARER

POISED, POLITE, HUMOROUS AND HUMBLE—KAITLIN

JO-AN SHARER SHATTERS STEREO-TYPES OF SUPERFI-CIALITY. FROM THE TIME SHE WAS FIVE

YEARS OLD, SHARER KNEW SHE

WANTED TO BE STRAWBERRY

QUEEN. HER REIGN AS THE 2004 STRAW-

BERRY FESTIVAL QUEEN HAS BEEN

ONE, SHARER SAYS, BETTER THAN SHE

COULD HAVE IMAGINED. LOOK-

ING BACK, SHE SAYS IT HAS BEEN A

TIME OF GREAT FRIENDSHIPS, WON-

DERFUL EXPERI-ENCES, DEEP PER-SONAL GROWTH AND FORTUNATE OPPORTUNITIES.

NOW ON THIS SIDE OF HER DREAM,

SHARER IS A BEAU-TIFUL YOUNG 17-YEAR-OLD LADY WITH MATURITY

AND INSIGHT THAT SUGGEST A

WISDOM BEYOND HER YEARS. A QUEEN WITH THE HEART OF A SERVANT

STORY BY JEFF NEELY • PHOTOS BY MIKE FLOYD

FEB. 7 Monday $ 35.00






6 DAY PASS $200.00





FEB. 19 Saturday$ 25.00

4 DAY PASS $85.00

2005 Winter Nationals

6311 BURTS ROAD TAMPA, FL 33619 (813)677-RACE (7223) TOLL FREE (877)457-5611

JAN. 26 Wednesday $ 25.00

JAN. 27 Thursday $ 25.00

JAN. 28 Friday $ 30.00

JAN. 29 Saturday $ 35.00

4 DAY PASS $105.00





4 DAY PASS $130.00

--- all reserved seats will be held until november 15, 2004.--- all combo prices good until january 24, 2005 when single tickets will go on sale.--- add $5.00 handling on all credit card orders--- pit tickets sold the day of the race event--- front gate tickets can be upgraded to a pit pass for the difference of the pit entry fee on day of event--- camping $15.00 per event (6 day of late models $30.00).--- no combo prices below row 14.

360 Sprints

410 Sprints

Late Models

Open Wheels


KAITLIN JO-AN SHARERA QUEEN WITH THE HEART OF A SERVANT

Having grown up in Plant City, Sharer attributes who she is to the love and support of her family, as well as the strength of a small-town community. While her heart’s desire is to be a professional country music entertainer, she says a piece of her heart will always be here in Plant City. With the world as her proverbial oyster, Sharer seems to have both the right gifts and attitude to accomplish whatever she pursues. Success for her future appears inevitable. Plant City and the Florida Strawberry Festival are privileged to have been represented by her reign of dignity.

FOCUS: Other than being Strawberry Queen, what’s going on in your life right now? What are some of your hobbies?

Kaitlin: I sing and take piano lessons. I work watching a little five-year-old boy, Arie. I have a little brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters. His name is Quay. I spend a lot of time with him. I spend a lot of time with my family. I dance. I try to work out. I work at Sisters and Co. on Fridays and Saturdays. This will be my last Christmas there, so it’s kind of sad. I’m home schooled. I’ve been home schooled since the end of my tenth-grade year. I will officially be finished on Dec. 31. I will receive my diploma the end of January. I will be attending HCC in the spring and hopefully UCF in the fall. That’s my plan.

FOCUS: What do you want to do there?

Kaitlin: I will major in radio and television and minor in musical theater. I’m excited…kind of nervous.

FOCUS: How would you describe your past year as Strawberry Queen?

Kaitlin: More than what I would have ever expected. I mean, it’s been unbelievable. We’ve done events all through the year: volunteer events—things for the Lion’s Club, things for the Junior Women’s Club, things with kids. We fit kids for shoes at Bryan Elementary, which was really fun. I think over the last year we’ve probably done over 200 events, including the festival. So, it’s definitely a whirlwind. You just have to catch your breath and move on. But it’s exceeded all expectations that I’ve ever had for it.

FOCUS: Two hundred events—how do you do that and school at the same time?

Kaitlin: You just juggle them. Most of the events are on the weekends or in the evening so everyone can kind of work it out.

FOCUS: So, you really haven’t had any weekends free for yourself?

Kaitlin: No. We’ve had a few. Summer was pretty slow, which was nice. We could take vacations and it kind of gave us a break. But as soon as school started, everything picked right back up.

FOCUS: I guess it is nice to have a vacation time, but I guess that sort of compounds your responsibilities to have school and all these events going at the same time.

Kaitlin: It does. We have two girls that are in college. They had to juggle the festival while going to college, which was really hard. At the time, we had one girl who was a junior in high school. Now, we have one that’s in massage therapy school. But everyone seems to work it out. Eventually, we get it all together.

FOCUS: Do you all get along?

Kaitlin: We do.

FOCUS: What’s the relationship like between all the girls?

Kaitlin: When you’re in a court

like that, it becomes a sisterhood. During the festival, some days we were there from seven o’clock in the morning to eleven o’clock at night. You get to know each other. It’s a learning experience for everyone because you have to get along. But what is nice for us is that we do get

along. We’re really good friends.

FOCUS: Do you think the five of you will stay in-touch over the years?

Kaitlin: I think so. We’ve actually made a pact to always return to the festival together one night. So, we’ll be 80 years old, and the five of us will still be going to the Strawberry Festival.

FOCUS: What has been the most fun and rewarding part of your year?

Kaitlin: Let’s see. There’s been a couple. At the festival, you could have people from Kentucky, Michigan, California…anywhere…and they feel like they know you. I think that has been really rewarding. Then, all the little kids—they’re just so excited to see you. That to me is wonderful because they look up to the five of us so much. The fact that we could be good role models for someone that might not have someone positive to look up to, that in itself has been enough to keep me going.

FOCUS: So, you would consider yourself a role model for kids. Would you say particularly so for young girls growing up?

Kaitlin: Absolutely. Those hard teenage years—especially that middle school age—you’re still trying to find yourself and your role in society. I think sometimes things get misconstrued and you think you have to be a size zero. I want girls to know you can be yourself,

“The fact that we could

be good role models for

someone that might not

have someone positive to look up to,

that in itself has been

enough to keep me going.”

“It’s exceeded all expectations that I’ve ever had for it.”


��

��

Let Our Team Of Professionals Help You.

�� your ��with a new look!

RITA NORMAN

LOUISE GINN

KATHY BERTRAM

MISTY LOCKARD

GINA NORIS

SELENA ENFINGER

ANGEL ORMSBEE

SYBIL BARRON

��

��Shear Expressions

Looking for an Angel of Mercy

for your Health Care

Benefits?

“Everyone Accepted”M e d i c a l • D e n t a l

You can pay as low as $109.95 Per Month for the

Entire Family.Plus one time enrollment fee of $100.00

We can help Uninsured, Under-Insured, Small Business, Self Employed, Cobra

Call TodayFor Details!

Jacquie Frimpter, RNwww.iabweb.com/JF 813-293-1418


be healthy, and be proud of who you are and you don’t owe anyone an explanation. That’s what I’ve tried to relay to young girls. It’s important to be true to yourself.

FOCUS: What has been the most challenging thing about being the Strawberry Queen?

Kaitlin: I guess there are times when you think to yourself, “I don’t really want to put that outfit on. I just want to sleep today.” You have to just keep pushing yourself. You have to tell yourself, this has been a blessing and you need to in turn bless others. And you get over it. It’s a commitment. It takes dedication.

FOCUS: How has your experience as Strawberry Queen contributed to your life? How has it affected you personally?

Kaitlin: Very positively. I’ve always been very outgoing, but it forces you to be very comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. You’re meeting people that you’ve never met before, and at that time they’re the only person in the world that you want to talk to—right then and

there. Speaking on stage, you can’t have a script. You can’t have little notes on points that you want to make. It’s all in your memory. I’ve always had a very deep faith, but it’s pushed me to rely on God even more because I can’t do it alone.

FOCUS: What do you feel the role of the Strawberry Queen and Court provides to the community of Plant City?

Kaitlin: We are all united under one goal. That is to know that when our year is up we have truly made a difference in one life. It doesn’t have to be more than one life. If it is, then that’s great. But just to know that we have had a positive impact on someone’s heart, that is our ultimate goal. And we have done that. That’s what we contribute to the Plant City community. And it’s not just about the queen. It’s about all five of us. Everything we do, it’s always all five.

FOCUS: As a representative of Plant City, what do you see as some of the community’s greatest strengths?

Kaitlin: Well, obviously the Florida Strawberry Festival. Last year we had close to a million people that walked in through the gates. It brings a lot of tourism to the Plant City area. It really helps the growth of the economy. Beyond, that—the people. Everyone is very supportive and very helpful. I think that is something Plant City has benefited from. Something unique about Plant City is that it will always have that nostalgia and hometown feel. We have so much history here. You just can’t take that away. It will always be here.

FOCUS: Will you be staying in Plant City or do you have plans of going elsewhere?

Kaitlin: New York City. My true love is country music. I sing. So, that’s where I want to go. I will be moving to Orlando for school, hopefully May 16, when summer classes start. But I’ll be back. You can’t stay gone for too long.

KAITLIN JO-AN SHARERA QUEEN WITH THE HEART OF A SERVANT

“We are all united under one goal. That is to know

that when our year is up we have truly made a difference

in one life.”


City of Plant CityRecreation & Parks DepartmentSPRING FEATURE ACTIVITY

Start Smart Golf Programstarting March 2, 2004

*NEW* ProgramCreative Ceramics atM.L. King Rec Center

Structured parent child lessons on the basics of golf! Registration Starting in February 1-23rd. For youths ages 5-7!

Contact Deborah at the PlanteenRecreation Center - 757-9166.

Adult ceramics class meeting on Saturdays. 5pm-8pm Registration

fee $30 (includes 2 pieces)Contact Sharon or

La’Tasha at 757-9195.

SpringBerry Boogie 5K& Mile Fun Run

March 19, 2005. Registrationforms available in February at the

Planteen Rec Center, 301 Dort Street

Youth Soccer RegistrationJan. 3rd - February 16, 2005

Boys and girls ages 4-18 as of June 1, 2005. Only $20 for an 7 game season, includes jersey and accident insurance. Fun rec-level program.

More Info. call 659-4255

Adult Co-Ed & “20 Something Rec League RegistrationJanuary 3rd - February 9, 2005. $35 for a 10 game season, includes jersey

and accident insurance. Fun rec-level program. More Info. call 659-4255

Lots of other activities for youths and adults!For more information on programs contact the

Recreation & Parks Department office at 813.659.4255 or check out our web site at

www.plantcitygov.com/gov

Send Flowers Worldwide

��The FTD®

Lasting Romance®

Bouquet

Flowers from the Heart113 S. Collins St. Plant City. FL. 33563

Phone (813) 764-9808 • Fax: (813) 764-9809

For Y

our Valent

ine...


Queen Contestants2005

Amanda Wetherington Amy Stewart Ashley Rae Watkins

Hannah Renee HodgeElizabeth ChavezCherica BrownChelsa Rushing

Caycee HamptonCatherine WalkerCassandra Renee BrowningBrooke Ellis

Angie Parish

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION DECEMBER 15 • 04 - JANUARY 15 • 05 PG 54


Staci Lynn SmithSamatha Lea WilliamsonRatasha Williams

Mary Catherine ColemanMarissa RobertsMallory Brooke DavisKristina Beck

Kendelle Lavelie PrestwoodKayla ShirleyKayla Nicole DashlerJulie Boback

Jill Lynn WelshJenny Kay BrewsterJennifer Marie PetrashIlene Chavez

Michael Ashly Beatty

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION DECEMBER 15 • 04 - JANUARY 15 • 05 PG 55


LOCAL

STORY BY PLANT CITY PHOTO ARCHIVES, INC.

See if you can remember the businesses shown in these historic photographs. The first one shows Matthew Bowen proudly showing off his new company truck in November of 1957. Bowen Supply Company was then located in the Plant City Growers Association, Inc. building, constructed in 1921 in the 100 block of North Palmer Street. If you look closely at the window to the right, you can see a poster for a Revival at the Northside Baptist Church. Also notice the telephone numbers on the side of the truck: 3-6031 in Plant City, 6-2231 in Lakeland. The second photo gives you a good view of the Plant City Growers Association building as it was in 1962, already falling into a state of some disrepair. It was demolished years later and today that site is a city parking lot, which now runs from Reynolds Street south to the historic 1908-09 Union Station, now a museum and visitor center.

Photo number 3 shows Matt Bowen speaking at the ribbon-

THEN AND NOW ~ ONE OFFICE SUPPLY BUSINESS, TWO BUILDINGS

cutting for the newly constructed Matthew C. Bowen building at 301 North Palmer Street in 1965. Bowen Supply Company, Inc. operated their office supply out of this location for years to follow. Today, 301A North Palmer Street is the Adult Community Services center, and 301B is the office for the FASST & ATOSS program.

City officials address the Palmer Street ribbon-cutting gathering, including the Bowens, in photo number 4. The two-story structure seen in the background has long been razed and almost forgotten. The one-story building in the right background is now Olin-Mott Plant City Tire and Auto.

If anyone recognizes anyone in any of our photographs, or has information or photographs that you would like to pass along, please send the information to Plant City Photo Archives, Inc., 110 East Reynolds Street, Suite 700, Plant City 33563. Hope you enjoyed this Did You Know?

Resources: Plant City Photo Archives, Inc.

1.

2.

3.

4.


PLANT CITY

Earn Points TowardsFree Nights, Miles,

and More.

Hotel Facilities & Services• 70 Guest Rooms• Meeting Rooms• Outdoor Pool & Fitness Center• Free Continental Breakfast• HBO, ESPN, FOX NEWS CHANNEL

2102 North Park Road • Plant City • (813) 719-3800

FREEHIGH SPEEDINTERNET!

FREEHIGH SPEEDINTERNET!

Your Plant CityYour Plant City��

��

��

��

��

“We have been in the Transwestern Plant City Phone Book for a number of years now. We have been very pleased with our results. We always get lots of call from The Strawberry Book.”

“We have been in the Transwestern Plant City Phone Book for a number of years now. We have been very pleased with our results. We always get lots of call from The Strawberry Book.”

��

��

��


��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING, INC.PAYNE

754-1955

"Open Saturday's with NO OVERTIME!!

Service • Maintenance Contracts • Residential Sales Lic # CAC 057909

We're There When You Need Us" "

Mon-Fri. 8am-8pmSat. 8am-5pm

��

��

��

��

Multi-Million DollarPRODUCER

��

��

��

��

��

1701 S. ALEXANDER ST. PLANT CITY, FL. 33566

��

��

��

BUY OR SELLA Home Thru Natalie

Receive ��

��

��towardsclosing costs

��

Walden Lake Realty, Inc.Walden Lake Realty, Inc.Walden Lake Realty, Inc.

��

��

��

��

Homes Sold in 2004...Another Successful Year!

Find The Support You NEED With...

A little bit country, 1.37 acres, 3 bdrm+ den, 2 baths. $125,000. Call Janet Calvello at 813-967-1939. #105

This is a beautiful home located in the hammocks of Walden Lake. It is a 4/3/2 situated on a neatly landscaped oversized lot. New roof 2004. Wonʼt

last long call Donna Hodges keel for an appt. today. 239,000 #125 813-967-4276

5.88 Acres located conveniently close to town. Bring your horses. 4/2 bath home

with newer roof and newer a/c unit. 2,162 sq. ft. plus a large workshop. Priced

BELOW Appraised value. $274,900.00 Call MAC or DAVY for more details.

SWILLY ROAD110 acre with 40 acre deep lake

Ideal for crops / berries / campground

KEYSVILLE ROAD/PORTER ROAD24 acre and 10 acre groves.

Owner financed

BAKER STREETBaker St corner lot, OFC/repair/retail

building like new, fenced lot

AIRPORT ROAD2.98 Ind office space site. Corner of Airport/

Sydney roads. Ready to develope. Owner financed $250,000

Call Stewart at 382-9338

Call John Walmsley. Evenings 752-4835

One of many we have for sale.

Great Country Living!. Home is built to look old with modern conveniences. 2+ secluded acres. Detached 30 ̓x 34 ̓barn. Loft/bonus room upstairs. 2 a/c units. Pond in back yard. Circular drive. 2 hot water heaters. All with a very low monthly utility bill. Contact Mac McGrath for more info. #180

Pride of ownership displayed throughout the home. Home features 4 spacious rooms and 2 baths. Beautiful wood laminate floors, updated

kitchen, huge master suite, split plan, formal living room and large family room with wet bar for entertaining. Beautiful fenced backyard with wood sun deck and spacious workshop for dad. Easy to view. Call Shelton Keely at 503-0999

As Good As New: Manufactured home located on 1.7 Acres of land. Home features 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and nearly 2000 Sq.Ft.La. Spacious kitchen, formal dining room, great

room and in perfect condition. Easy to see, call Shelton Keely @ 813-503-0999 to view.

Priced at $139,900.00

Beautiful 3 BR/3 BA block home on huge treed lot w/ fenced back yard and

utility shed, brick gas grill & much more. $221,000. Call Davey today: 376-4444

30-Acre Horse Farm. Beautiful acreage. 5 bedroom/3 bathroom remodeled home on

property as well 12 stalls spread throughout 3 barns plus tack room. 1/2 acre stocked pond.

New roof and a/c. $655,000. Call Mac or Barbara Layton for more details. #181

Beautiful 2/1 picket fence home located near historic downtown Plant City. Wood and

ceramic tile floors, newly remodled kitchen and bathroom. It is a great starter home and is a must see. Call Garrett Warner @ 813-

323-8363. #108

RENTALS AVAILABLEEdith Delany 2 /1 $900

4655 Copper Ln 3/2 $1100 Vacant No Pets

210 Hwy 60 3/2 $1200 Vacant Outside Pets

Call Becky Bowdish (813) 376-2100

��

Weʼre more than just Walden Lake!

Carl “Sold” Seigel35 Years Experience

The True Real Estate Consultant REALTOR®

THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING IN 2005?

1701 S. ALEXANDER ST., STE 104, PLANT CITY, FL.OFFICE 813-759-1200CELL 813-310-5588

What Realtor has the most experience?

What Realtor should I choose?

WhatRealtor will

sell my home fastest

& getthe bestprice?

WhatRealtor hassold the most

homes?

WALDEN LAKE

WORRY STONE

WALDEN LAKE

WORRY STONE

Carl “Sold” Seigel35 Years Experience

It’s The Experience That Counts

REALTOR®

It’s a ‘NO BRAINER” Let the numbers speak for themselves. Carl participated in the sale of 115

fine homes in Walden Lake from January 1, 2003 thru December 31, 2004

Carl will contribute $1,000 toward your closing costs if you list or go to contract on a home thru Carl before January 31, 2005

2332 Alcott Ave3235 Alcott Ave4116 Barret Ave4335 Barret Ave2707 Barret Ave2807 Barret Ave4118 Barret Ave4130 Barret Ave4132 Barret Ave4214 Barret Ave4216 Barret Ave4222 Barret Ave

2305 Beechwood2612 Bridle

2802 Brook Pines1723 Brookstone1736 Brookstone1736 Brookstone1748 Brookstone1746 Brookstone1717 Brookstone1901 Carriage Ct2805 Clubhouse2908 Clubhouse3201 Concord3222 Concord3201 Concord3213 Concord

4102 Concord3906 Executive

2901 For Hammock3002 For Hammock3021 For Hammock2915 For Hammock3007 For Hammock3018 For Hammock3001 For Hammock

1808 Golfview2843 Hammock2853 Hammock2855 Hammock2906 Ham Vista2908 Ham Vista2730 Horseshoe2912 Juniper Lk

3219 Kilmer3406 Kilmer3219 Kilmer3224 Kilmer3308 Kilmer3225 Kilmer4207 Kipling4304 Kipling4305 Kipling4310 Kipling4311 Kipling

4306 Kipling4107 Kipling4120 Kipling

2902 Laurel Mea2714 Laurel Oak4203 Longfellow4210 Longfellow3303 Michener3324 Michener3331 Michener3332 Michener3314 Nohlcrest

3606 Oak Club Ct.1505 Paddock1802 Paddock2332 Pine Club2813 Pine Club

1005 Sandalwood3512 Sandburg3401 Silver Glen3208 Silverlake

3402 Silver Meadow3405 Silver Meadow

3339 Silvermoon3345 Silvermoon3350 Silvermoon3352 Silvermoon3426 Silverstone

3427 Silverstone3429 Silverstone3423 Silverstone3423 Silverstone3425 Silverstone3526 Silverstone3434 Silverstone3437 Silverstone3443 Silverstone3450 Silverstone

2912 Sp Hammock2928 Sp Hammock2933 Sp Hammock3001 Sp Hammock3024 Sp Hammock3025 Sp Hammock2801 Spring Vista3318 Steinbeck

3213 Stevenson St2912 Sutton Oaks2914 Sutton Oaks3029 Sutton Wds3061 Sutton Wds3056 Sutton Wds3202 Thackery4010 Thackery4021 Thankery


813-478-3802 813-478-3802Physical Address: 100 Keysville Road • Lithia, Florida 33547

Mailing Address: 2616 Bridle Drive • Plant City, Florida 33567Phone: 813-478-3802 • Fax: 813-752-8522 • Email: [email protected]

5 Acres from $200,0005 Acres from $200,000* Elegant estate living* Lots from 5-12 acres* Near Alderman’s Ford* Homeowner’s Association* 3000 sq ft min under roof

* Custom homes only* Underground utilities* 2 Gated Entrances* Deed Restricted* Pricing available online...

* Elegant estate living* Lots from 5-12 acres* Near Alderman’s Ford* Homeowner’s Association* 3300 sq ft min under roof


www.AlafiaRidge.comwww.AlafiaRidge.com

SALES PENDINGSALES PENDING



SALE

S PEN

DING

SALE

S PEN

DINGSA

LES P

ENDIN

G

SALE

S PEN

DING



* Horses welcome* Horses welcome

An upscale equestrian community in Lithia, Florida


813-478-3802 813-478-3802Physical Address: 100 Keysville Road • Lithia, Florida 33547










SALE

S PEN

DING

SALE

S PEN

DINGSA

LES P

ENDIN

G

SALE

S PEN

DING




An upscale equestrian community in Lithia, Florida 813-478-3802 813-478-3802Physical Address: 100 Keysville Road • Lithia, Florida 33547










SALE

S PEN

DING

SALE

S PEN

DINGSA

LES P

ENDIN

G

SALE

S PEN

DING




An upscale equestrian community in Lithia, Florida


��

��

��

��

Linda BlackburnRealtor

Mango Groves Subdivision this home was a Former model home with all the upgrades. It is a nice 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a large bonus room. Call today for more details.

Beautiful Country Living with this Large 4 bedroom 3 bath Home with 2,722 Sq feet on 12 acres which includes a lovely pond. This home fea-tures lots of storage, no space wasted! Downstairs you have a large fam-ily room with a stunning wood burning fireplace, formal dining room, huge indoor laundry with wall to wall pantries, large master bedroom, a kitchen that opens to a nook with large bay windows overlooking the screened la-nai and pool area. The downstairs bathroom also opens to the pool area. Upstairs are the other nicely sized bedrooms and a full bathroom.

Perfect Starter Home in the Country Hills Subdivision. This is a nice 3 bedroom 2 bath, 2+ car garage home built in 2000. Features a split floor plan, an eat-in kitchen, security alarm system, and a fenced backyard. Ready to move in. Great deal @ just $135,00.00 Please call 813-752-8852 today for more details.

LAKE FRONT PROPERTY IN A TERRIFIC SOUTH BRANDON LOCATION. This is a Great 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 2+ car garage, split floor plan home located on a cul-de-sac overlooking a beautiful lake. The home sits on a nice huge lot with your own picture perfect view of the lake. This would be a perfect place to launch a canoe from your own backyard. The owners have completely updated the home and the screened in pool has been refinished. The home features a formal dining room, living room, a family room, plus a 15’x21’ bonus room. This home has a lot of good things to offer, so call to day to make an appointment to see this beauty!

4475 US HWY 92 WEST: PLANT CITY, FL 33563 • 813-752-8852��

1.5 Acres- in the Cork area, homes only. Land is 100% high & dry. Lot #2.

1.5 Acres- Homes only, land is 100% high and dry. Lot #1 has nice trees and a well.

Commercial -Plant City -Concrete block building.1536 square feet under roof. Lot size 85x130. Located off Jim Redman Parkway & Henry Ave just behind Blockbuster.

Beautiful country living in Cypress Reserve and Close to I-4! Great 4/3/2 car garage two-story home built in 2000 located on 1.64 acres of pure beauty. Beautifully landscaped, this home features a huge open floor plan. You will be very happy with all this home has to offer including Baker industry windows, Pocket sliding glass doors along the back, Separate formal dining area, Berber carpet and tile throughout walk-in closets, a garden tub w/ separate shower downstairs master bedroom, vinyl fence in the back yard for your privacy. Please call today to view this one 813-752-8852. (Use the attachments marked Baileigh Reserve)

Country Hills Subdivision - 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2+ car garage with 1,976 sq ft. This would make a nice home for a family or a great investment property to rent out. This home will go fast so call today.

Great Starter Home located in the Country Hills Subdivision. This is a very cute 1,579 sq ft home w/ 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. The home has been well maintained both inside and outside. The roof was replaced in 2001. The back yard is surrounded by a wooden privacy fence. Homes in this neighborhood go fast so call today to schedule an appointment to view.

Nice clean, well maintained adorable 2 bedroom 1 bath located in the Country Hills subdivision. This would make a great starter home or a terrific invest-ment. Call today to view this home.

Great Seffner location. This will be a stunning home when completed, the owner is currently totally renovating this 4 bedroom 2 bath home with 2100 square feet and on a double lot! The home will have all new cabinets, floor-ing, and paint. If you move quickly on this you can pick your own color scheme! Inside will feature big bedrooms, an inside utility room with new cabinets, downstairs and upstairs is the large master bedroom with 2 walk in clos-ets, large master bath and a computer area. Outside you have a large 8’x24’ new front porch, a 12’x24’ large back porch, a shed and a nice big yard to play in. call 813-752-8852 to view and learn more about this great home.

New Royal Hills Subdivision Great home great lo-cation! Nice 2 story 3 bedroom 2.5 bathrooms 2 car garage home with upgraded elevation. This home is like new with all natural colors throughout, nice size rooms with lots of windows and an inside laundry room. Call today this one will go quick.

Cute Country Cottage HomeThis 3 bedroom 2 bath home with a large front porch has approx 1300 sq ft and sits on an acre of high and dry land with a serene large pond The home is being completely gutted and remodeled. Don’t delay call today!

4475 US HWY 92 WEST: PLANT CITY, FL 33563 • 813-752-8852��

1.5 Acres- in the Cork area, homes only. Land is 100% high & dry. Lot #2.

1.5 Acres- Homes only, land is 100% high and dry. Lot #1 has nice trees and a well.

Commercial -Plant City -Concrete block building.1536 square feet under roof. Lot size 85x130. Located off Jim Redman Parkway & Henry Ave just behind Blockbuster.

Beautiful country living in Cypress Reserve and Close to I-4! Great 4/3/2 car garage two-story home built in 2000 located on 1.64 acres of pure beauty. Beautifully landscaped, this home features a huge open floor plan. You will be very happy with all this home has to offer including Baker industry windows, Pocket sliding glass doors along the back, Separate formal dining area, Berber carpet and tile throughout walk-in closets, a garden tub w/ separate shower downstairs master bedroom, vinyl fence in the back yard for your privacy. Please call today to view this one 813-752-8852. (Use the attachments marked Baileigh Reserve)

Country Hills Subdivision - 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2+ car garage with 1,976 sq ft. This would make a nice home for a family or a great investment property to rent out. This home will go fast so call today.

Great Starter Home located in the Country Hills Subdivision. This is a very cute 1,579 sq ft home w/ 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. The home has been well maintained both inside and outside. The roof was replaced in 2001. The back yard is surrounded by a wooden privacy fence. Homes in this neighborhood go fast so call today to schedule an appointment to view.

Nice clean, well maintained adorable 2 bedroom 1 bath located in the Country Hills subdivision. This would make a great starter home or a terrific invest-ment. Call today to view this home.

Great Seffner location. This will be a stunning home when completed, the owner is currently totally renovating this 4 bedroom 2 bath home with 2100 square feet and on a double lot! The home will have all new cabinets, floor-ing, and paint. If you move quickly on this you can pick your own color scheme! Inside will feature big bedrooms, an inside utility room with new cabinets, downstairs and upstairs is the large master bedroom with 2 walk in clos-ets, large master bath and a computer area. Outside you have a large 8’x24’ new front porch, a 12’x24’ large back porch, a shed and a nice big yard to play in. call 813-752-8852 to view and learn more about this great home.

New Royal Hills Subdivision Great home great lo-cation! Nice 2 story 3 bedroom 2.5 bathrooms 2 car garage home with upgraded elevation. This home is like new with all natural colors throughout, nice size rooms with lots of windows and an inside laundry room. Call today this one will go quick.

Cute Country Cottage HomeThis 3 bedroom 2 bath home with a large front porch has approx 1300 sq ft and sits on an acre of high and dry land with a serene large pond The home is being completely gutted and remodeled. Don’t delay call today!


��

��

��

��

� � ��

� � ��

� � ��

� � ��

� � ��

� � ��

� � ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Call for aComplimentary Market Analysis

on your home

Buying or Selling….Feel free to call anytime for an appointment.

��

1701 S. Alexander Ste. 104, Plant City, Fl. 33566

Direct: 813-431-4930Office: 813-759-1200 • Email: j tal ley3@ verizon.net

��

��

��

��

FL LIC CPC 050502

��

��

��


Barbara Jean Kulyk

REALTY, INC. REALTORS ®

Walden LakeWalden LakeR E A L T O R

Cell: 813-781-1915

Quiet and private cul-de-sac community of “Holloway Estates” with that free and easy country feel. A mid-December projected completion will allow the new owner to be moved in by the holidays! This

sensational home has that custom built flair with three dimensional roofing shingles, an arched transom window above the elegant double doorway, and a sophisticated motor court leading up to a spacious 2 car garage. The welcoming foyer, the desirable great room,the formal dining room, the

casual breakfast bar, the spacious good morning room overlooking the pastoral backyard, the volume ceilings, the “wonderful and white” thermofoil cabinetry, the tastefully painted walls, the nuetral carpet

and designer tile are only the beginning of the generous amenities list! (feature builder sheet provided) If country privacy with unique community comfort is what you desire, then this home is for you!!!

Fabulous TGC Builders offer builder warranty!

��

Call Barbara Hall

For your mortgage services!

813-478-7157

��

��

SOLD

I HAVE OTHERS

��


For Rent��

Lots for Rent��

Windward Oaks301 Wilder Rd.

Plant CityFL 33563

813-752-9296Fax: 813-659-9375

��

FOR SALE: $15,600.00FOR SALE: $15,600.00

For Sale��

SHARONOURS

MULTI-MILLON

DOLLAR

PRODUCER

TEL:

763-0856

��

��

��

��

HILLSBOROUGH SURVEYING, INC• Large Boundry & Topographical Surveys• Mortgage Surveys• Elevation Certifications• Residential & Commercial Surveys• Wetlands Surveys• Complete Site Development• Construction Stakeout• Subdivision Planning & Platting

��

Timothy W. Tew P.L.S.President

“HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS” - and this brand new custom-built beauty will steal yours! Delightful foyer, oak stair case, beautiful hardwood floors offers warmth and coziness. Over 3700sqft, 4Bd, 2 full baths & 2 half baths with functional floor plan. Stone accent wall enhances huge Master Bd, gorgeous Master Ba with whirlpool, granite counters & custom tile. Gourmet kitchen w/ granite counters, top of the line stainless steel appliances. You’ll love screened pool, closet space galore and relaxing fireplace. Situated on 3.13 beautiful acres conveniently located within minutes of I-4. This country retreat is just what you’ve been looking for at $459,900.

BABBLING BROOK BECKONS…With nearly 3 acres of gorgeous tropical living, 4BD / 2BA mobile home with huge laundry room, workshop, office and in-law quarters. With a bit of TLC this country haven can be yours! Priced to sell at $105,000. #38

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

FABULOUS FIND…Nearly 2000sf, lovely 4 BD, 3BA plus office offers beautiful stone fireplace in large family room, hardwood flooring, newer CH/A, 3+ carport completely C/L fenced on huge ½ acre lot. Stake your claim on this fabulous find. $164,500. #45

SEARCH STOPS HERE…Nearly new 3Bd/2Ba, 1566 sq. ft. Homes of Merit home, beautifully maintained, cathedral ceilings, great floor plan, lots of storage, a beautiful country setting w/ separate shed, 6‘ C/L fence and screen room- An inviting retreat priced to sell at $124,900. #2

WOW!! What a wonderful country retreat! Located on 1.14 Acres under a canopy of grandfather oaks, this well maintained home shows beautifully. Seller states new roof installed in June of 2003 and an A/C duct system approx. 3yrs new. Like new appliances completely fenced w/ remote access gate. This 3 Bd/2Ba with bonus room, can be used as a formal dining, family room or as you may desire…Hurry this gorgeous country retreat won‘t last long at $154,900.#80

PRE-FORECLOSURE…This diamond in the rough offers 1080sqft - 3Bd/2Ba, fireplace, double car garage & utility shed, also large screened porch. Located in lovely community close to schools, parks & I-4. Bring your imagination & energy to buy a great value! Priced to sell at $99,900. #34

��

IDEAL COMMERCIAL SITE! 300ft. Of visible road frontage on highway 574 - 5 acres of C2 property, 1512sq.ft. of office space in remodeled building, new 6ft. Chain link fence makes this an ideal site for auto repair, retail sales, upholstery shop and a multitude of other uses! Priced to sell at $219,900!! #7 DEVELOPERS DELIGHt. 51 acres located in Keysville area. Enter from well established, beautifully maintained subdivision, property offers pasture, oaks & conservation area. Best of all it’s priced to sell at $895,000 - Please call for more info. #30 DEVELOPERS DREAM. 10 acres of grove in Springhead with 660 ft on English Rd. Wonderful country location. Build your dream home or develop into lots. $250,000. Adjoining 10 acres also for sale. Call for details. #49 YOUR OWN CORNER OF HEAVEN, RIGHT IN SPRINGHEAD. 10 gorgeous acres on 2 roads with 660 ft on Nesmith and 660 on English Rd. Wonderful development potential. Priced to sell at $250,000. Adjoining 10 acres also available. Call for details. #50 BUSY ALEXANDER STREET!7.7 acres, with frontage on three roads. Located north of new YMCA site & Walden Lake, this property offers lots of potential with a multitude of uses. Price reduced to $985,000. #77

��

��

��

REAL DEAL IN TAMPA...3Bd/1Ba Concrete block home with nice yard and fruit trees. Located close to Copeland Park in North Tampa. A must see at $104,900. #56

��


STORY BY KEN LAWRENCE-SENIOR WRITER

WALDEN LAKE REVIEWHOME GUIDE

Hoist the flags! Dance a jig! Shout halleluiah! Our City fathers and mother (Mary Yvette Thomas-Mathis,vice-mayor) have finally seen the light and agreed to spend money to repave Timberlane Drive, the main thoroughfare through Walden Lake West. Mind you, the repaving budget is limited and will only allow work to be done up to Clubhouse Drive and the entry to the golf course.

No one was officially informed about the project, because officials were not sure it could be done in 2004. While some of the work has spilled over into the new year, last year’s budget has covered the cost.

Not only have most of the biggest potholes been covered, the repaving adds to the overall beauty of Walden Lake. Unfortunately, there is one area on the west side of Timberlane, just past the golf course that has not been repaved, but overall it certainly looks and feels much better as you drive through the community.

LawsuitThe unfortunate drowning death of a 22 year old maintenance worker two years ago, will be going to court in March. Eric Pannell died when the lawn mowing

tractor he was operating, flipped over into a pond in Walden Oaks, on the east side of Alexander street. The vehicle pinned him and the father of two young children drowned. He was working alone at the time and no one saw the mishap. The estate of Eric Pannell has sued WCI (developers of Walden Lake), One Source (the landscape contractor at the time and his employer) and the Walden Lake Community Association. No specific amount has been requested and it could be up to a jury to decide.

Walden Lake Community Association carries liability insurance and so it’s not expected that homeowners will see any impact on their dues.

Vandalism and ThieveryThis past holiday season resulted in a much smaller incidence of vandalism around Walden Lake than in previous years. One thing that was noted were fewer fireworks. There’s simply too much to do at Christmas and New Year’s than to waste money on the “bang-bangs”, which leave a mess wherever they’re set-off.

Another “blind” driver crashed through a security gate leaving Walden Lake at Mud Lake Road on Christmas night.

The security camera did not capture a clear enough picture and as a result, a higher resolution unit has been ordered. Next time, the violator will be caught and prosecuted.

While on the subject of erratic drivers, a vehicle ran into a street light on Timberlane last Dec 18, knocked down the pole and took off. Anyone who may have noticed a neighbor with a damaged front end around the 19th or so of December, call Plant City police. They’ll check it out.

As for the thievery part of this segment, a number of homeowners in Emerald Forest and the Paddocks report the theft of mail from their boxes over Christmas. Some of the outgoing mail were Christmas cards containing cash (one should never put cash in the mail but we can understand people sending money to relatives at that time of year). Also, we suggest you do not place outgoing mail in your box until the morning.

Please remember Neighborhood Watch which exists in most if not all of the Walden Lake Communities. If you see anyone suspicious around a neighbor’s mail box, including people who put advertising material in the boxes, call

police or the post office. It’s illegal for anyone to put anything into or attach to a mail box, which technically is the property of the United States Postal Service once it is placed at roadside.

Odds ‘n’ EndsThe number of underage golf cart, atv and motorized scooter drivers seems to have dropped since the campaign began to stop the practice. Mayor Sparkman and others were not trying to be anti-kids, just being careful to ensure no one got seriously hurt or even killed. If you see children driving these vehicles, call police. It’s for their own safety.

Believe it or not, hurricane cleanup continues in Walden Lake, with the last chore being to remove tree stumps that are visible around the community. With more than 200 trees blown down, especially from “Mean Jeanne”, the cost to Walden Lake Community Association was a paltry $4,000. (hiring trucks to haul away the debris) The work was covered by the general maintenance contract. To Tom Daramus-general manager and his people….. BRAVO!

If you have info for Walden Lake Review please call Ken Lawrence at (813) 716-0187. Till Next Month!


S.O. SmithIs Starting A New Yearwith a New Name...

Becky WetheringtonR.E. Broker

Certified Building Contractor

1906 W. Thonotosassa Rd. Suite 2Plant City, Fl. 33566

Office: 813.719.1919Fax: 813.719.1920 • Cell: 813.478.9660

��

��

��

��

Let the light in...

��

��

Nancy C. WingateEves: 659-0274

Adam SpiveyEves: 477-1625

Sharon B. OursEves: 763-0856

Ronnie WingateEves: 659-0274

��

813-752-5804

A FAMILY PLAN!This 3 bedrm 2 bath home double wide sits on 4 acres M.O.L. with 240 ft. of road frontage. Zoning would allow 2 more dwellings. Make this a real family homestead for just 165,000 # 41

BEGINNERS LUCK Ideal for a small family, this charming 2 bedrm home is in a good neighborhood surrounded by a pretty wooded acre. There is time for rest & relaxation on the covered patio since it has been recently updated. This home will sell quick at 94,000 so call now! #44

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��


THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOWHOME GUIDE

COURTESY OF SHELTON KEELY

Being a landlord can be profitable – or a big headache. Landlording isn’t science, but if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, buying and operating rental properties can pay off big. The key thing to remember is that buying rental properties is not for point and click investors. Even landlords who hire out the plumbing, painting and rent collection to contractors and management companies typically make a big time commitment.

For the first time landlord, there is plenty to learn – about taxes, financing, dealing with difficult tenants—and usually there are many mistakes to be made. The payoff can be terrific though, even for investors who own just one or two properties. Doing it right will get you extra income now and a valuable addition to your retirement nest egg down the road.

Know how to take your market’s temperature.

When considering a rental property,

REAL ESTATE INVESTINGyour top concern should be whether you can make money renting it out now, not how much its price might appreciate in the future (although that’s important too).

All you’re doing is speculating on real estate prices if you’re shelling out more than you’re taking in—and that can be dangerous, especially if you’re doing it with borrowed money. You never want to buy a property where every month you have to feed it.

So before you buy, add up your projected property taxes, mortgage payments and maintenance costs, and make sure the total is less than your expected rental income.

Find smart ways to cut your financing costs.

Borrowing to buy real estate as an investment is more expensive than borrowing to buy a home. Lenders generally think they are taking more risk on buildings that the owner

doesn’t live in. Consequently, the interest rates they charge tend to be 0.5 percentage point or more above those for traditional home mortgages.

Not only that, but borrowers need excellent credit scores to qualify for the lowest rates. In addition, the minimum down payment is usually 20 or 25 percent, instead of 0 to 20 percent for standard home mortgages.

Learn to take advantage of the many tax breaks.

For tax purposes, what you make in rent is generally taxable as regular income. Real estate taxes and mortgage interest on an investment property are fully tax deductible though. Operating expenses such as utilities, insurance and repairs are also deductible. So are rental fees paid to brokers, although they must be spread out of the life of the lease.

Even better, the federal tax code entitles rental property owners to a

depreciation deduction even though housing prices usually go up, not down, over time. (There are, however, numerous conditions and catches, which is why it is essential to consult a tax adviser before you invest a cent.)

Anticipate problems (they will be numerous).Reliable, prompt – paying tenants do up and leave suddenly. Minor leaks have a way of becoming expensive repair jobs. That’s why it’s smart to line up inspectors and contractors before you buy. And why it’s important to establish rainy-day funds. Two or three months’ rent is usually – but not always – sufficient.

Finally, don’t skimp on fees should you decide to hire a management company to tend to your rental property. The typical fee is 8 to 10 percent of rental income. Experienced landlords say it’s not worth it to be cheap: Property managers often work harder to fill vacancies and to maximize rent.

One StopDecor

Shopping

��

��

��

��

BUYERS ARE WAITINGBUYERS ARE WAITINGNEED TO SELL YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY...CALL THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM AND GET IT

“SOLD” QUICKLY.

IF YOU ARE SELLING YOURSELF, WE CAN STILL HELP.CALL US TODAY AND FIND OUT HOW.

Locally Owned & Operated (Owner on Site)

��

��

Basic•Sweep

•Vacuum•Mop•Dust

•Clean Bathrooms•Wipe Cabinets &

Doors ( Sanitize)•Clean Windows

•Sweep Porches & Entry Ways•Make Beds•Do Dishes

•Any Visual Straightening Needed

Additional•Refrigerator•Stove•Cabinets Straightened•Clean Windows Sills•Wipe Down Base Boards•Watering of any House Plants•Outside Window Cleaning

• We Offer One Time Cleaning• References Available upon request• Licensed-Insured-Bonded

��Residential & Commercial Cleaning Service

��

��


��

��

��

��

��

��

We are so happy in our new home! Natalie took the time to work with us to sell our house and then to find us the perfect home in a great neighborhood. Our girls feel so safe here and love to go

outdoors to play. We love it here. Thank you so much!

Chris, Amy, Kaylee & Sierra

Welcome Home to beautiful Walden Lake. 4 Bedroom 2 Bath home with Formal Living and Dining and open Family Room with fireplace. Ideal for the growing family. $204,900

Call Natalie before its gone 758-9586


��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

��

Homeowners Mortgage Corporation IIMillions Of Dollars Available!Millions Of Dollars Available!

Homeowners Mortgage Corporation II��

��

ATTENTION HOMEOWNERS... Save up to $100,000 or more by refinancing your 1st or 2nd mortgage. We also finance up to 125% on your first and second mortgage.

Gerald Danley, encourages you to give him a call. Specializing in 1st and 2nd mortgages, his firm offers

fast, efficient and dependable service.

Gerald Danley, encourages you to give him a call. Specializing in 1st and 2nd mortgages, his firm offers

fast, efficient and dependable service.

ATTENTION HOMEOWNERS... Save up to $100,000 or more by refinancing your 1st or 2nd mortgage. We also finance up to 125% on your first and second mortgage.

��

��

��

Lowest fixed & adjustable rates on first mortgage up to 30 years. Lowest fixed 2nd mortgage rates or equity lines up to 125% of appraisal value.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��


1705 Jim Redman Pkwy • Plant City, Fl. 33566813-754-2360 • Hours: Tue. - Fri. 10-6 • Sat. 10-5

Valentine's

Day SaleValentine's

Day Sale

40-50% Off

Entire Stock

of Gold &

Silver 20% Off

Citizen Watches

Large

Earring

Selection

Wedding Sets

DiamondHeart

Pendant

Past, Present &

Future Ring

��


We make it affordable to ensure your child gets the help they need. Call today and ask about our monthly payment plan and

make your child’s success a reality!

WEGUARANTEE

Your child will improve at least one full year* in Reading or Math

within the first 40 hours of instruction.

*Some restrictions may apply

NOWTUTORING

as low as

$99Per month

Call For Details

HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH2001 N. Park Rd. Plant City, Fl.

Call Today: 754-7788

Affordable Tutoring


��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

New Homes on 1/4 acre - 1 acre HomesitesStrawberry Village Robinson Farms

Quality built 4 bedroom homes to be completed in late Febru-ary-early March. 1 Acre scenic homesites in southern Plant

City-some w/pondviews. Priced from $239,900.

Spacious 3 & 4 bedroom homes on oversized, treed homesites within minutes of I-4!! 4 floor plans to choose from.

Priced from the high $150s.

Kelly Abraham813

[email protected]

Greg Walker


��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

ANGELS AT HOME CARE, LLCANGELS AT HOME CARE, LLCAsk your Doctor’s Office for...

Nursing, Therapist, Homemaking.

Accepting Medicare& Health InsuranceSpecializing In Accident & Post SurgeryRecovery

Alzheimer-Dementia Care

Be Independent! Stay At Home with an angel’s help!

Post Operative Recovery, Wound Care, Medication

Injections, Diabetic Care, IV Therapy, Personal Hygiene, Baths, Shaving, Colostomy Bag Changes, Supervision

of Self-Administered Medications.

Exodus 20:12

Serving All of Hillsborough & Polk Counties

752-2722

A Full Service Home Health Agency

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

7025 Fort King Road • Zephyrhills, FL 33541Office: 813-782-6900 • Cell: 813-997-1233 • Fax: 813-715-1725

Jeffrey T. Reutimann

Broker/[email protected]

Call for a FREE HOMECOMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS

Call for a FREE HOMECOMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS


BUSINESS & FINANCE

Financial Focus

INVESTING

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Each New Year, most of us vow to improve in one aspect or another of our lives. However, we donʼt always rush into car-rying out our resolutions. But if youʼve promised yourself that “this is the year” that youʼre really going to stay on top of your financial and investment situations, youʼll want to get started now.

Start by reviewing your family and career circumstances. Will there be any significant changes in your life in 2005? If so, they almost certainly will have an impact on how you save and invest. Consider these types of factors: ∑ New child - If youʼve recent-ly added a child to your fam-ily, or youʼre going to add one in 2005, you have a lot to be happy about. And you also have a lot to protect. So, make sure that you have enough life insur-ance to help raise and educate your child, should something happen to you. Also, itʼs never too soon to set up a college fund for a child, so you might want to open a Section 529 plan or a Coverdell Education Savings Account.

• Child heading to college - If your child is heading off to college next fall, itʼs time to put your college-funding strate-gies in high gear. Once itʼs past January 1, you can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Also, you may want to shift some assets from your childʼs name to yours; col-leges typically expect students to contribute 35 percent of their money toward college expenses - but you are only required to

PLAN YOUR INVESTMENT MOVES FOR THE NEW YEAR

kick in around 5.6 percent. And youʼll want to contribute as much as you can to whatever investments youʼve designated for college.

• Salary increase - Are you getting a raise next year? If so, try to invest at least part of it. For example, you may want to increase your contributions to your IRA or 401(k). Both these retirement-savings vehicles of-fer tax advantages and a range of investment options. Further-more, both have higher contri-bution limits in 2005, so, even if you “maxed out” last year, you can put in more this year.

• Retirement - If youʼre plan-ning to retire in 2005, you have many issues to consider. You may need to take distributions from your employer-spon-sored retirement plan or your IRA. You might also have to decide whether or not you should begin accepting Social Security. And youʼll want to ensure that your investment portfolio is properly balanced for your retirement years. Keep in mind that you may enjoy a healthy, active retirement for two or three decades, so youʼll still need your investments to provide you with growth op-portunities, as well as current income. Your investment and tax advisors can help you deter-mine the best moves to make as you enter retirement.

Start the year off rightGet 2005 off to a good start by making sure your financial plans fit your life. It may be the most important New Yearʼs resolution you make - and itʼs one youʼll want to keep.

��

��

��

��

��

��LAYAWAY• FREE GIFT WRAPPING • MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

��


STORY BY BRIAN WEST PHOTOS BY BRIAN WEST

BUSINESS & FINANCE BUSINESS PROFILE

Do you remember the television show from the ‘70s, Sanford and Son? If so, you probably have a few distinctive memories— a crotchety Fred Sanford (Red Fox) yelling at the top of his lungs, “Lamont!” when his son did something wrong. Fred grasping his chest pretending to have a heart attack, looking to the heavens and saying to his dead wife, “Elizabeth! I’m comin’! This is the big one!” But the memory most people probably have is the theme music that played while Sanford’s pickup truck, full of junk, drove around town. That music will be forever associated with mess.

That music always runs through my head when I drive past Broke and Poor, located just east of Plant City on U.S. Route 92. On the outside, the business looks like a junkyard of new and used construction materials. But step inside and you won’t find anyone yelling. Rather, you’re likely to find much more

ONE MAN’S JUNK IS ANOTHER MAN’S TREASUREBARGAIN HUNTERS FIND BARGAIN PRICES, BUT WITH SERVICE AND A SMILE

treasure than junk and several people who know their business committed to helping you find what you need in a nice friendly manner.

Don Brock started the business 18 years ago with his partner who’s last name was Price. The two knew each other for some time and used to kid about their last names. Instead of calling each other Brock and Price, Broke and Poor seemed to be more fun. The banter stuck and they later turned it into a business. The original location opened in Auburndale, and then they opened their second location here in Plant City.

Today, Don does most of the ordering. His wife Sandra takes care of the accounting. But Don and Sandra are trying to retire, so their son, Ted Brock, runs the business for the most part. “It’s an eclectic collection of building supplies,” said Ted. “We sell mostly new building materials, but we also carry some antique items and used items that are

great for people working on rental properties, or people just looking to save some money.”

Mobile homeowners are their largest market, which has caused a surge in business due to the heavy hurricane damage across central Florida this year. Since the storms, Broke and Poor has seen an increased demand for aluminum products such as awnings, siding, windows and doors. Large portions of the windows they sell come from Palm Harbor Homes, a mobile home manufacturer here in town. Palm Harbor sends them items

that may be simply scratched or dented, but that they are unable to install as new at that point.

Broke and Poor also carries many unique, or hard-to-find items. Ted Brock said they sold a claw foot tub to a woman in California. The woman was looking for a four-foot-long claw foot tub, which is very

rare, just to use to bathe her dog. The woman’s sister lived in the area, purchased the tub for her, and drove it to California. Another customer contacted Broke and Poor from Maine to buy an antique pedestal sink to match an existing toilet. A gentleman from the Bahamas comes to buy materials to take back because it’s cheaper than buying things there.

They like to focus on customer service. “When you come to us, you don’t have to walk across a big parking lot, or worry about being able to find someone to help you, or having to wait in

long checkout lines,” Ted Brock said.

Broke and Poor is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. So, when you visit Broke and Poor, it’s okay to think of the Sanford and Son theme music, but don’t expect a crotchety old man like Fred Sanford to wait on you.

B.J. Swinson, Paul Brock, Ted Brock, Susan Brock, Don Brock and Shirley Bechore.

QUALITYCARS & TRUCKSAT AFFORDABLE PRICES!

95 Chevy Blazer LS 4x4, Neat, 4-Dr, Fully Loaded, Power everything, Runs & Looks Good

01 Chevy Malibu, 4-Dr, Only 45,000 Low Miles, V6, AT, AC,

PW, PL, Cruise, Tilt & More Extra Clean

97 Dodge Ram Laramie SLT X-Cab, 81,000 Low Miles, HD Pkg, Air Shocks,

Power Locks, Windows, Cruise, Tilt, Very Nice

98 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Diesel Dually, Only 78,000 Low Miles, AT, AC,

PW, PL, Cruise, Tilt, Topper, X-Clean

00 Dodge Ram 4x4 Quad Cab Sport Good Miles, Fully Loaded, Leather, Power

Everything, XClean

01 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins Turbo 24 Value Diesel SLT Sport Quad Cab,

Loaded, Excellent Condition

96 Ford Ranger XL Pickup, 5-Spd, AC, Runs & Locks Good, Low Miles,

XClean, Low Payments

98 Ford Windstar GL, V6, Loaded, 7-Passenger Minivan, PW & PL, Very Clean, Runs Good

99 Ford F150XLT 4x4 Supercab, 4-Dr, Bright Red, Off Road Pkg, Loaded,

XXClean, Runs & Looks Good

99 Ford Ranger XL Supercab, V6, AT, AC, Runs & Looks Good, Easy

Financing, Low Payments

99 Ford Windstar LX, Dual Doors, V6 Remote Starter, Power Everything, X-Clean,

Quad Seats, Easy Financing

99 GMC Suburban SLT 4x4, Leather, Loaded, Rear AC, 3rd Seat,

Luxury Options, X-Nice

01 Ford Expedition 4x4 Eddie Bauer, Fully Loaded, Leather, 3rd Seat, Rear AC,

Very Clean

97 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, Low Miles, X-Clean, Loaded, X-Clean,

Fully Loaded, Easy Financing

98 Mercury Sable LS, Only 72,000 Low Miles, Fully Loaded, V6,

Power Everything, XX Clean, Easy Financing

93 Saturn SL1, 4-Dr, Auto, & Cold AC, Runs & Looks Good, Great Gas Saver,

Low Payments, Easy Financing

96 Saturn SL2, 4Dr, Auto, Cold AC, PW, PW, Cruise, Tilt,

Alum Whls, XX Clean, Easy Financing

00 Saturn SL1, 4Dr, A real gas saver, 5-Spd, Cold AC, Low

Mileage, X-Clean, Runs & Looks Good

00 Ford Taurus SE, A real nice car, Low Miles, Loaded, Bucket

Seats, V6, Power Seat, PL, PW & more

02 Dodge Grand Caravan SE, Very Low Mileage, 7 Pass., Dual Side Doors, Power Locks & Windows & More, Financing

5211 J.L. Redman Pkwy, 3 miles south of Plant CityOffice 813-650-0535Cell 813-610-7624

3 Blocks N. of SR 60, Plant Citywww.plantcityusedcars.com

E-mail: [email protected]

$2,950 $4,250 $4,250 $4,450

$7,450$5,950$5,850$5,450

$7,450 $7,950 $7,950 $8,450

$13,950 $12,950 $11,950 $9,850

$15,250 $16,950 $18,950 $22,950

EASY FINANCING AVAILABLE ON ALL VEHICLES

LOW 4.9% FINANCING AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED BUYERS

Se Habla Español


EDUCATION

Santa Sweets, Inc is in search of highlymotivated individuals to join our growing

team. We have excellent benefits andcompensation. If you are interested in

advancement and a fast paced environmentSanta Sweets, Inc. is the place for you.

• MAINTENANCE MECHANICS• PRODUCTION SUPERVISORS• FARM SUPERVISORS

��

STORY BY SHERRI ROBINSON PHOTOS BY SHERRI ROBINSON

I hear great things about what is going on at Plant City High School. One of those things is the band. This year, the PCHS Raider Marching Band acheived a Superior rating at Florida Band Masters Association on Oct. 30 at Bloomingdale High School. A Superior rating is the highest rating a band can receive. Band in the past has had a stigma attached. Most kids thought if you belong to band you were weird. Who

needs that, especially if it is your freshman year in high school? Now, band is the cool thing to be involved in. If you played an instrument in middle school, you have probably attended summer band camp before your freshman year. There you made new friends who would be attending the same high school as you. For many young people fitting in and making friends the first year of high school can be most

difficult hurdle to overcome. If you are in band… Wha La!… you have instant friends. Problem solved! This elite group of young people is drawn together for one reason—passion for music. They are there because they love it, not because it is a requirement. They don’t mind that it is a lot of work with practices two to three times a week, two to three hours at a time, as well as playing at

games, in competitions, walking in the Martin Luther and Christmas Parades and participating in the Strawberry Festival. Unfortunately that doesn’t leave much time for study, but that’s okay because they are bright and talented. Band members are just as devoted to their education. Many of these students are top in their class. Last year, Josh Smith, a drum major, graduated Valedictorian

THE PRIDE OF PLANT CITYTHE PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOL BAND


EDUCATION

and is attending Harvard. Way to go Josh! Another band member, Jason Renske, is making plans to attend University of Florida after graduation and wants to play in the college band. He has worked hard in PCHS band, starting out as a trombone player and graduating to drum major. He says he has had a lot of fun and enjoys being with his friends from band. Band director Matt Green was a former Plant City High School student that returned after college to teach there. He has worked very hard with the students to help them reach a successful year. To be successful though, the band needs instruments. Unfortunately, there are not enough to go around, so some students may not be able to be in band because they can’t afford to rent one. To help fulfill this need, the parents and students organize fundraisers each year.

Among the biggest ones is the Calendar Girl Calendar. This year’s calendar is the best they’ve ever done, including for the first time, a centerfold of their cover-girl, Kira Renee Story. Rose Peacock was the hard working coordinator for the Calendar Girl competition. The band kids and parents volunteered to help make this event a success. The calendars were on sale at Plant City High School for $12. The band budget for this year is between $20,000 and $24,000 after paying expenses. Last year they didn’t raise as much as they had hoped, but this year they expect to do much better. In order to help increase funds, the school has decided that they will advertise the name of donors on the side of their 32’ band travel-trailer. Last of all, the band members hope other students will come and join them. It really is a lot of fun.

��

��

��

��

��


STORY BY BOB HUGHENS

SPORTS

First 60 Days Place An Ad Free!We Make It Easy...

Search Until your Hearts Content From:

w w w. y o u r t h i s n t h a t . c o m

Plant City’s Online Classified Advertising Arena!

• Appliances• Medical • Watercraft• Auto• Miscellaneous• Furniture

• Antiques• Heavy • Equipment• Yard Sales• Electronics• Patio & Pools

• Real Estate• Animals• Sports• Computers• Jewelry• Investments

• Motorcycles• Wanted Items• Tools

Raymond James Stadium

For the Plant City Dolphins youth junior varsity football team, Dec. 11 was a “Super” day. The Dolphins, led by head coach Terry Terrell, brought their undefeated 12-0 record into Raymond James Stadium to face the Pasco Police Athletic Association champions, the New Tampa Wildcats.

Coming into the game, the Dolphins had battled their way through the playoffs against the East Bay Buccaneers and the American Division champions, the Temple Terrace Jaguars, to win the title of West Coast Youth Football Conference Superbowl champions. During the regular season, the Dolphins outscored their opponents 261-38. The Dolphins were led all season by the play of their

GAMEDAY OF CHAMPIONS


SPORTS

Chiropractic care is the number-one natural treatment choice for most pains and injuries, according to a national survey. The study found that 42 percent of consumers had back pain during the past year. Although the top choice for treating this pain was medicine, the first natural treatment choice was chiropractic care and of those patients who saw a doctor of chiropractic, 91 percent rated their care as “very” or “somewhat” effective.

“People are still taking medicine for pain relief”, says Dr. Louis Sportelli, of the Chiropractic Progress Foundation. “But in their quest to find healthy options to drugs, they have begun to experience the effectiveness of natural care, such as chiropractic.”

Of the different alternative treatments available, 23 percent of those surveyed said they would go to a doctor of chiropractic versus 7 percent to a physical therapist, 4 percent to a massage therapist and 1 percent to an acupuncturist. “After trying different headache medicines, patients typically visit a doctor of chiropractic and feel better without potentially harmful side-effects,” adds Dr. Sportelli.

Blessings, Dr. Dukes & staff.

��

outstanding defense, coached by defensive coordinator Mike McEnany and defensive backs coach Kenneth Parker. Clint Stearns, middle line backer, led the team in tackles. Defensive ends Ellis Adams, Billy Rice, and Steven Craft, defensive tackles Ryan Rice and Mitchell Courson, linebackers Michael McEnany, Josh Proctor, Sharod Hardnett, Derek Carman, Jordan Wilson, and defensive backs Gregorio Ibarra, Jerrod Parker, Ivan Hunter, Ryan McCall and Raheem Billington all helped to keep their opponents out of the end zone.

Linemen Kyle Parker, Jordan Prestwood, Ben Wells, Ryan Thomas, Ethan Cauley, Brent Draper, Ryan Shelby, and Michael Wallace led the front line of the offense. B. Rice, Adams, Courson and Proctor Hardnett, R. Rice and Hunter were the running backs. Ibarra, J. Parker, Billington, Carmen, Keith Patterson, Josh Rainbolt and Shawn Smith led the receiving corps. Jack Prestwood, the offensive line coach, directs the offense. John Parker and Curtis Blackmon are the trainers who round out the talented staff of this team. Clint Stearns at quarterback threw 12 touchdown passes this season, including a game tying 74-yard touchdown-pass to Ibarra in the 4th quarter of the Superbowl when the Dolphins were trailing Temple Terrace 6-0. Ibarra had a total of seven touchdown-receptions this

year. Ellis Adams kicked the game winning two-point conversion. Adams kicked a 37-yard field goal in a game against the Brandon Broncos this year. He also averages 42 yards per punt as the punter. In the game against the East Bay Buccaneers, Derek Carmen filled in for injured Clint Stearns at quarterback and threw two touchdown-passes in the Dolphins 19-0 win.

1st QuarterPasco, who elected to receive, fumbled the opening kickoff but recovered on their own 14-yard line. After several possession changes, the Dolphins missed a scoring opportunity when Pasco fumbled on their own 8-yard line and Plant City recovered. However, on the very next play, the Dolphins fumbled the ball back to Pasco at the 2-yard line. Pasco was able to run the ball out to their 24-yard line before having to punt. With 5:20 left in the first period, No. 12, Sharod Hardnett, pulled in a 64-yard touchdown-pass for the Dolphins’ first score. The kick for the extra point was blocked. Dolphins 6, Wildcats 0.

Pasco had to punt after going three and out on their next possession. After a five-yard penalty against Plant City for too many men on the field, No. 34, Ryan Rice, took off from the Dolphins 28-yard line for a 72-yard touchdown-run with 1:55 left in the first period. Again, the extra point was no good. Dolphins 12, Wildcats 0.

This year, follow through on your resolution to get fit! Call us!

1852-1854 Jim Redman Pkwy, Plant City(In the corner of Strawberry Plaza Shopping Center)

��

Get in shape while at the same time learning practical and effective self defense tech-niques to help keep you and your loved ones safe! Plus! Our profes-sional instructors will keep you motivated to stay on track with a proven goal setting program.

Come and experience a total MIND + BODY workout at Pong Lai Martial Arts!

Achieve greater flexibility. Lose Weight. Increase Muscle Tone. Reduce Stress.KUNG FU • TAICHI • FUROBICS • FITNESS CLASSES

Pong Lai has something

for everyone!

Day and Evening Classes.

Adults and Children

Ages 5 and Up

Totʼs Kung Fu Now

Enrolling!

CALL FOR INFO!

�� CALL FOR YOUR FREEINTRO CLASS TODAY!4017 N. Lois Ave.

Ste. 105-106 Tampa

��


SPORTS

WE WILL CUSTOMORDER ANY TIRETHAT YOU NEED

WE WILL CUSTOMORDER ANY TIRETHAT YOU NEED

Tires N’ StuffTires N’ StuffTires N’ Stuff 2nd QuarterOn Pasco’s next possession, the Wildcats were able to move the ball downfield, despite several penalties. With 7:12 left in the second quarter, Pasco’s quarterback ran a keeper play in for their first and only touchdown. Dolphins 12, Wildcats 8.

After the kickoff, Plant City had good field position at their 40-yard line, but on a 2nd and 10 call, Pasco intercepted and ran the ball down to the Plant City 8-yard line. The Dolphins put on a strong goal line stand with 4th down and goal to hold off the Wildcats and get the ball back in the shadow of their own in-zone. However, the Dolphins could only get the ball out to their own 17-yard line and had to punt. Pasco was unable to score before the end of the second quarter. Halftime score: Dolphins 12, Wildcats 8.

HALFTIMECoach Terrell told me at halftime, “Turnovers definitely hurt us in the first half. We have to tighten up in the second half. I hope the missed extra points don’t come back to haunt us.”

3rd QuarterPasco kicked off to the Dolphins No. 34, Ryan Rice at his own 40-yard line but Rice dragged a gang of Wildcats back up to the 48-yard line before finally being tackled. The Wildcats had trouble stopping Rice, who played with so much heart and determination, all day long. Plant City moved the ball down to the Pasco 46-yard line and had to punt. The punt landed at the 4-yard line and several plays later, the Dolphins sacked the quarterback for a safety with 3:36 left in the third quarter. Dolphins 14, Wildcats 8.

On Plant City’s next possession, they moved the ball down to the Pasco 11-yard line where Rice ran the ball three consecutive times down to the one-inch line. With :07 left in the third quarter, quarterback Stearns scored on a

keeper play. Again, the extra point was no good. Dolphins 20, Wildcats 8.

4th QuarterOn the next kickoff, the Wildcats had to start deep in their own territory. The Wildcats were desperate to put some points on the board. With 4th down and 6 yards to go, Pasco went for it on their 15-yard line, but the pass fell incomplete and Plant City took over on downs. The Wildcats dug in, however, and after four unsuccessful plays, the Dolphins had to give Pasco the ball back. The Wildcats started at their 4-yard line but on 4th and 10, the Pasco quarterback was gang tackled for another safety with 3:54 left in the game. Dolphins 22, Wildcats 8.

The Wildcats could do nothing on their next possession and the Dolphins intercepted at their own 49-yard line with 3:20 left. On a 2nd and 10 call, No. 22, Ivan Hunter, ran the ball down to the Pasco 45-yard line. The next play saw quarterback Stearns hook up with Hunter for a 45-yard touchdown-toss. Again, the extra point was no good. Dolphins 28, Wildcats 8.

Pasco was able to move the ball on their next possession, but on a 3rd and 6 play, their pass was intercepted by No. 44, Jordan Wilson, to put the game on ice for the Dolphins. The final score was Plant City Dolphins 28, New Tampa Wildcats 8.

Congratulations to the Dolphins, Coach Terrell and his staff for a great season! This team has such a wealth of talent, drive and determination. It is easy to see why they are such great winners. We look forward to seeing them play again next season. Congratulations also go out to the beautiful, talented Dolphin cheerleaders, coached by Carisa Courson, Cindy Reeves and Susie Shields. See all of you next year!


HEALTH & FITNESS

STORY BY SHERRY NUEESCH

��

��

��

How do you measure success in your weight loss program? If you don’t see the numbers on the scale decreasing, does that mean you aren’t succeeding? If you have deviated from your eating plan by just a little bit, do you consider that day (or week, or month) a failure and figure you might as well pig out and start your diet again tomorrow (or Monday, or …)? If you miss a workout, are you more likely to skip the next few, figuring you’ll start your exercise program over, at a later time? Have you lost weight in the past, only to gain it (and a few more pounds) back, leaving you heavier than ever? If this sounds all too familiar, you are in good company. Most of us take an all or nothing approach to weight loss. Our definition of success or failure directly correlates to the numbers on the scale and whether we have been “good” or “bad.” As a result, we spend a great deal of time criticizing ourselves for what we consider to be our failures, which leaves us frustrated, upset and discouraged. Most of us then turn to food for comfort which, of course, only makes the problem worse. Unfortunately, by following this pattern we have not only set ourselves up to fail, but pretty much guaranteed that we will continue to fail. Science is finally beginning to recognize just how powerful our minds and our thoughts are. Studies have shown that the mind cannot distinguish between a vividly imagined event and an actual event. This means that anything you put your focus on is going to increase in your life. In fact, when we continue to repeat our thoughts and they become

part of our belief systems, that information is actually stored in the cells of our bodies. How much time do you spend thinking about how unhappy you are with your weight? Do you tell yourself that you have no willpower and you’ll never be thin? Most of the thoughts running through our heads at any given time are not new but the same ones repeated over and over, day after day. Can you see how you might be programming yourself to fail? The good news is that you can reprogram your mind for success. You can start changing your thoughts into messages that work for you not against you. By creating a winning mind-set, you will create a successful outcome to your weight loss efforts. First, you must clearly define your goals. Picture yourself with the thin, healthy body you want. If it helps, find a picture of yourself at that weight or a picture from a magazine that you can paste a picture of your head onto. Write down your weight loss and fitness goals, with as much detail as possible. Write down why you want to lose the weight, how you will feel (physically and emotionally) when you get to your goal, how you will look in your clothes… whatever makes that successful future as real as possible for you. If you have a picture, glue it to the page as well. Allow plenty of room for writing because you will add to this later. A small notebook or diary works well for this. Use visualization to create your success scenario. At least twice a day, find a place where you can relax and where you

won’t be disturbed (doing this as you are falling asleep at night is one possibility). Sit or lie comfortably and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths and progressively relax your body, starting with your toes and working your way up to the top of your head. When you are completely relaxed, picture yourself at the weight and fitness level you want to achieve. Include scenes of yourself eating, and enjoying, the proper foods in the proper amounts. See yourself performing some type of enjoyable exercise. Make it as vivid as possible, using as many of your senses as you can. Notice how you look, what you can hear, smell, feel and taste. Notice your surroundings, if

there are other people there, and anything else that is a part of your visualization. Notice how good it feels to have reached your goal and allow those feelings to get stronger and more intense. Whenever possible, spend ½ - 1 hour each time you do this exercise. If your mind has a tendency to wander, try making a tape to listen to each time you do your visualization. Record your own voice or someone else guiding the process; telling each part of your body to relax, telling yourself to notice how you look and feel, what you smell, taste, etc. The more real and vivid you can make this in your mind, the more successful you will be.


HEALTH & FITNESS

STORY BY SHERRY NUEESCH & DR. JOHN CARROZZELLA • SAND HILL BONE & JOINT

OUCH!! A 32 year old farmer slides into second base during his weekly softball game. He jams his knee and he is unable to continue to play. His knee swells and he cannot walk. Later that evening, his 63 year old father says that his knee began to swell and hurt. He too, can not walk very well. How do they sort this all out?

Well, if they know an Orthopaedic Surgeon, they can

certainly get to the causes and the correct treatment for each condition. More than likely, the young man injured either a ligament or a cartilage in the knee and the father probably has arthritis. While both people have similar symptoms, the underlying causes are different. With the knowledge of many bone and joint conditions and the skill to determine which is which, an Orthopaedic Surgeon can diagnose and effectively

treat each of these problems, and many more.

My name is Dr John Carrozzella. My partner, Dr Susan Ott, and I practice Orthopaedic Surgery in Plant City and this is the first in a series of articles on the field of Orthopaedics. Over the next year Dr Ott and I will discuss a variety of conditions and injuries that many of you will find interesting and informative. Today, I am going to answer the question: What is an Orthopaedic Surgeon?

An Orthopaedic Surgeon is a highly trained physician who specializes in the care of bones, joints, muscles and ligaments or the musculoskeletal system. Usually, they will attend 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school and 5 years of post medical school residency training. Frequently, as is the case with myself and Dr Ott, there will be an extra year of special training called a fellowship. This extensive training allows the Orthopaedic

Surgeon to evaluate and treat most conditions and injuries of the Musculoskeletal System.

Most of the time, the Orthopaedic Surgeon will see patients in the office. Occasionally, patients will be evaluated urgently in the Emergency Room. They will often prescribe treatment that can be completed as an outpatient. Sometimes, such as in the case of a ligament repair, patients will require treatment in the operating room. But every condition is different and there can be a wide variety of ways to treat the many conditions that are seen on a regular basis.

Next month, Dr Ott will be talking about a special area of Orthopaedics called Sports Medicine, a subspecialty field devoted to the care and treatment of athletic injury. Both Dr Ott and I practice Orthopaedic Surgery in Plant City. We see patients regularly at our office, Sand Hill Bone & Joint.

��

��

��

Fellow: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

Fellow: American College of Surgeons

Member: American Society for surgery of the Hand

Certified: American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons

• General Orthopedics• Total Joint Replacement• Partial Joint Replacement• Mini Incision Joint Replacement

116 N. Kings Ave.Brandon, Fl 33510(813) 490-1393

Team Physician for Florida Southern College

National Healthcare Referral Network forUSA Gymnastics & USA Swimming

American College of Sport Medicine

Certified: Board Certified D.O.

• Sports Medicine• Fracture & Injury Care• Arthroscopic Surgery• Ligament Reconstruction

1601 W. Timberlane Dr., Suite 500Plant City, Fl 33567

(813) 754-0817


��

��

404 N. Frontage Rd. • Plant City, FL 33563813-764-0603

��

��

��

��

��

��


STORY BY AL RUECHEL

EXTRA

I have the answer to that question and will share it with you at the end of this article. Now, promise not to cheat by reading ahead. First, a word from our sponsor – Beliefnet – a “wonderful” website that shares lots of ar-ticles from different faith com-munities. In the past, Beliefnet has done a fairly good job of exploring all viewpoints. Iʼve been reading the site off and on for several years, but have decided to dump the service. It is clear to me that the site has been taken over by partisan politics through those who appear to be listening more to men with agendas and check-books than to God. Case in point: Beliefnet re-cently did a series of articles on the question, Did God raise up George Bush to be the president who would handle the 9-11 crisis? According to a survey of readers, 70% voted no. This is clue number one that something must be up with Beliefnet. Anyone who believes in the infinite power of God understands – at least in reformed tradition – that God is in control and doesnʼt make mistakes or goofs. Itʼs called Sola Gloria. Things donʼt happen by chance. The Bible is very clear on that point. God is infinite and almighty and in charge. He is not off creating some parallel universe while letting His little experiment here bubble away in a haphazard fashion. Clue number two that Belief-net is a fraud: in the middle

FOR WHOM IS GOD VOTING?of an article explaining in detail why George Bush believes that he was called to be president, an ad for John Kerry and John Edwards has been inserted. Excuse Me? A website that pretends to be offering differing points of view sells a political ad that directly contradicts the argu-ments being made on behalf of George Bush? This screams of moneychangers in the temple! Do the editors of Be-liefnet have no ethics of their own? For Peteʼs sake, man! Any two-bit journalist knows you donʼt bait and switch. The appearance of conflict of inter-est should be ringing so loud in the editors ̓ears it should be making them deaf. Maybe they are! It serves a political agenda to overreact to the way evan-gelicals display and talk about their faith. The newest mainstream mantra appears to be: if any politicians claim to receive any kind of divine guidance, they must be clini-cally out of their minds. So who is the greater fool – the one who, because of a series of life-changing events that cannot be denied, claims that there is a God, or the one who claims to know enough about the secrets of the entire uni-verse to declare that there can be no God? We find ourselves asking these kinds of divisive religious questions about Bush versus Kerry. We have religious leaders lining up behind both candidates, using their own sets of glasses tinted by their

own religious views. Bush is the killer and the warmonger, while Kerry is the more en-lightened traditionalist who op-poses the notion of war. Kerry is the vexed soul because he is willing to lie down or com-promise his own faith, which disapproves of abortion, while he does nothing toward stop-ping it. The arguments for and against are tossed about like missiles, in hope of creating the illusion that God is choos-ing sides in this very human battle. You do understand that you are being played with, donʼt you? Beliefnet is just as guilty as any campaign consultant who looks at religion as a ripe field of hot buttons. People make most of their decisions based on emotion. Toss God Almighty into the mix, and you may be able to cement support, or to drive voters away from the candidate who claims to listen to God. It all just makes me sick. As with so many things we en-counter in life, it is much easier to have someone else make up our minds for us than to invest the time and energy needed to come to our own conclu-sions with the help of divine guidance. If you donʼt believe that God is capable of giving you guidance in the first place, then youʼre going to vote for whichever candidate delivers the most for your own special interests, i.e., “Whatʼs in it for me?” Donʼt fault Bush for feeling he has some divine appointment

for the Presidency. He isnʼt the first President to feel this way. Do the names Washington and Lincoln ring a bell? And donʼt fault Kerry for trying to figure out how to display his own faith leanings without betray-ing the notion of “wearing your faith on your sleeve” that so many liberals find disin-genuous. God is in this election, all right! Heʼs in it whether Bush gets four more years, or Kerry takes us in a new direction. God will speak to those who follow His teachings through His word, and through prayer and meditation. God will al-low or cause those who donʼt hear His voice to vote in a manner that, ultimately, will bring about His purpose. Yes, thatʼs terribly unnerving for non-believers, and extremely comforting for those of us who do believe. After all, thatʼs the way it really is. And for whom is God vot-ing? Neither Bush, nor Kerry! God doesnʼt need to vote. He already knows the outcome! And Iʼm just fine with that!

Local 813.968.7888 Toll Free 800.237.359913521 N. Florida Ave. Tampa, FL 33613

2005

FourTrax

Foreman

Rubicon


WHY KEEP THAT OLD PHONE LINE IF YOU HAVE BROADBAND? (Follow-Up)

HOME COMPUTING TIPS:EXTRA

STORY BY JIM BROWN

Jim BrownProduct Consultants Unlimited, Inc.601 N. Michigan Ave.Plant City, Fl 33566813-717-7717e-mail: jimb@plantcity.comwww.pcustore.comwww.plantcity.comwww.whatsuptampabay.com

Leah Clark, LMTMA# 0037286 • FB9715396

Debbie Ray LMT, CNMTMA# 0015647

Teri Smith LMTMA# 0019085

Maylene Shackelford LMT, CNMTMA# 0034743 • FB9714650

WE ACCEPT VERIFIED INSURANCE (AUTO & PERSONAL) • GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

��

QUALITY CARE MASSAGE CLINIC1003 S. Alexander St., Ste 4 • 719-1963

Call for an appointment.

��

��

“Gift Certificates for Your

Valentine!

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Hello everyone. I am writing to you all this month about a technology that Iʼm sure youʼve heard mentioned over the last few years. That technology is VoIP which means Voice over Internet Protocol. What this means to you is, you no longer have to pay Verizon for a telephone bill and all of the extras that they tack on to your bill. Instead, you purchase a VoIP service from a Company like PCU at a fraction of the price of your telephone service and you use your Broadband Internet Connection, i.e. Road Runner. PCU offers residential and business based VoIP (Voice over IP) phone services. These services allow a customer to maximize their broadband Internet connection and take advantage of inexpensive flat rate plans for all local and long distance calling with advanced features that are only possible with VoIP phone service. On the business side of things, these advanced features offer all the basic functionality of the old office PBX, along with many revolutionary new features, which will deliver the office phone system of tomorrow to the small and medium sized businesses of today, all via a broadband Internet connection. Some of the features are that you keep your existing phone number if you want to due to number portability. You get caller ID, call waiting, three way calling, voice mail, voicemail delivered to your e-mail or web page, call forwarding, personal toll free number, geographic mobility and it is all cheaper than your old land line plan guaranteed. The way we communicate is definitely changing and this type of service now makes broadband affordable for those who couldnʼt afford it before because they are slashing their phone bills in half. If any of you have questions about this technology, feel free to call me, e-mail me or visit the site @ www.pcuvoice.com . Folks, this is the way technology

is heading and I am the first to tell you to embrace it; donʼt be afraid because we are now in the technology “New Frontier”.

Follow Up to this article:

After this ran in November many people have called me about VOIP and many of you have signed up. I wanted to share this with you.

Jim,

We signed up our home for PCUVOICE after reading your article. My wife has been thrilled that she is able to call her children up north all the time with no long distance charges. We have signed them up as well on your refer a friend program and have already been reimbursed for our first monthʼs service. Our children are also being reimbursed. Thanks to you and PCU it looks like we may never have to pay a phone bill again because for each person we have referred we get a monthʼs service free and do as well. What a great program you all have developed.

Thanks a Million, Larry Dawson

After reading what Larry had to say, I definitely wanted to share this with you all. We do in fact have a program that we call refer a friend. If you refer a friend and they sign up for PCUVOICE, you get a month free and so do they. We have also decided to honor this for as many friends as you want to sign up. So, in fact, Larry is right he may never have to pay a phone bill again.


EXTRA

“Homeowners Special”

You Haul, You Dump, You Save

$25 standard pick-up

special

Accepting: construction & Demolition Waste, Roofing, Brush, Concrete, Yard Waste & Furniture

Plant City Transfer Station

402 N. Frontage RoadPlant City, Fl 33567

813-752-9700


EXTRA

In the late 1960ʼs Ford began making the Bronco, basically a Jeep with a hard top. My dad bought a 1973 Ford Bronco from our local Ford dealership when it was known as Wilson Davis Ford. It came with two bucket seats and an optional, removable, back seat. The back seat was only about three and a half feet wide, just large enough for both my brother and I to ride in it when we were just little kids. Unfortunately, I totaled it the week before my senior year in high school. Needless to say, my dad wasnʼt very happy with me, but thatʼs another story.

The Bronco became very popular, and during the ʻ70ʼs and 80ʼs it grew into a more full sized vehicle, basically the predecessor of todayʼs Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). Then, in the late ʻ80ʼs, Ford introduced the Bronco II, which was a downsized Bronco, and the Ford Explorer. The new Explorer was longer and narrower than the earlier full sized Bronco, but while the Bronco II just never caught on, the Explorer has been a great vehicle for Ford. In fact, according to Ford, the Explorer

THE FORD EXPLORER JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER…AND THE 2005 MODEL IS CERTAINLY NO EXCEPTION

has been “the best selling SUV for 13 years and counting.” Itʼs become the standard-issue suburban family hauler.

The 2005 Ford Explorer is very capable as a tow vehicle and able to venture off the highway. But most Explorers spend their lives collecting groceries and carrying kids to and from soccer games.

Like years before, the 2005 Explorer has two engine options, a 4.0L V6 with 210hp or a 4.6L V8 with 239hp. Both engines are capable of towing most loads. Depending on the axle ration and whether you choose 2 or 4-wheel drive, the V6 is rated from 3240lbs – 5380lbs and the V8 from 3260lbs – 7000lbs.

Our local Ford dealer, now Jarrett Ford, allowed me the opportunity to view and test-drive the new Explorer. In 2003 the Explorer received its latest major facelift, getting away from squared corners and incorporating many more curved lines.

What I like most about the new Explorer is how well it rides. The steering is responsive and I didnʼt

feel like I was detached from the road. There is enough feel in the ride to know whether you are on a smooth or rough surface, without a lot of roughness. The Explorerʼs wide track and long wheelbase give it a solid, stable stance, while its independent rear suspension (an unusual feature in mid-to-large-size SUVs) gives it a smoother ride and better handling than SUVs with traditional live rear axles.

I got the feeling that this Explorer is put together so well that even if you drove it for 100,000 miles, you wouldnʼt even begin to hear the rattles or squeaks of things loosening over time. The Explorer is also roomy

and comfortable enough to seat seven people, with the optional third-row seat which folds almost flat into the cargo floor. The one option Iʼd like to see here is a power third row seat like the Expedition, but apparently Ford hasnʼt figured out a way to incorporate that feature with the limited space in the Explorer.

This new Explorer also has many safety features, such as AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, now standard on all Explorers. This sophisticated system not only senses and corrects potential skids and slides, but also monitors for potential rollovers. Onboard electronics determine if one or more wheels is about to lift off the ground, then reduces power and/or selectively brakes one or more wheels to re-settle the Explorer back on all fours. Similar technology was introduced several years ago when Acura debuted the NSX. Itʼs nice to see it finally catching up to more affordable vehicles. The model I drove was an XLT with a sticker price of about $29,000. At the time, Ford was also offering $2,000 in rebate money. Happy shopping.


EXTRA

STORY BY & PHOTOS BY SOPHIA DEDON

“If it ain’t fun, the heck with it.” Dick Pope, founder of Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, has always been accredited for this saying that served as the motto in building his theme park. Pope and his wife, Julie, opened the park in 1936, making it the first theme park in Florida. Over the years, Cypress Gardens flourished with water skiing, beautiful scenery and fun for the family until Sept. 11, 2001 put a huge damper on the park’s tourism. In April 2003, the park was forced to shut its doors. But now, with the help of Kent Buescher, the state, local government, and the Trust For Public Land, the park has been reopened. For those who are leery of change, do not be alarmed. The park still has everything it originally did—they just added even more attractions! From the moment guests arrive at the booth to pay for parking, all the way to the ticket counter, attractions, restaurants and gift shops, they are treated with nothing but hospitality. Everyone in the park has a smile on their face and is easily approachable. Beautiful southern belles scattered throughout the park add a special touch to the experience. Cypress Gardens is the ideal park for parents to take their children for a treat. Through Feb. 28th, admission for

CYPRESS GARDENS

THE BEST PLACE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

all ages is only $29.95. Such a low price allows access to 38 rides, four roller coasters, spinning rapids, butterfly gardens, skiing and ice shows, luscious scenery, and just pure enjoyment. Every ride is completely age-blind. Everyone from small children (of appropriate height of course) to teens, to parents and grandparents are unable to hold back the laughter that bursts from inside. A definite favorite would be the Storm Surge, which lifts a raft of six people 60 feet in the air, and then drops them down by twirling

the raft around a twisting slide. The entire slide is painted with an array of colors, making passengers feel like they’re in the middle of a Dr. Seuss book! The flying swings are fun for all ages as you strap in and lift off the ground, soaring in circles. There are kiddy rides for smaller children and scary rides for those in search of a thrill. Going through each ride and describing their best features still would not give justice to the excitement unless you ride them for yourself. However, anyone can relate to the fact that the best feature about every single ride is that there was never a single line! Since the park is still in opening stages, it was far from crowded and anyone could walk directly onto any ride with no wait. That fact in itself was enough to make Cypress Gardens stand out from every other amusement park in Florida! If all the previously mentioned aspects are not enough, then maybe the entertainment will appeal to you. From Jan. 15 through Feb. 5, various famous artists such as Trace Adkins, Chubby Checker, George Jones, and Tanya Tucker will all be making stops at the park. General seating is included with park admission. From 1936 to 2005, and over 45 million dollars invested in just the last year, Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven is the perfect place to go when looking for a day of pleasure. It’s less than 45 minutes from Plant City and yet still has the comfortable sweet southern feeling. No matter what your taste, whether it be thrill-seeking, a green thumb, eating good foods, shopping, having fun, acting like a kid again, watching a talented performer or simply eating an ice cream cone while watching the sun set on the water, there is no excuse as to why you too would not enjoy Cypress Gardens. The adventure awaits you.


We at Taylor s̓ Forklift Repair & Service believe that service is the back bone of our business. Robbie has an average of 20 years of mechanical experience, Which is where the time is saved when you have an experienced mechanic

diagnosing the problem you save $ on labor.

No wild programs or promises. Just honest work, by honest people.

��

Why should your company have Taylor s̓ Forklift Repair & Service your lift?

��

[email protected]

Free Estimates

Dependable

20 years experience

No Travel Time

24 Hours a day

7 days a week!

��

TAYLOR’SFORKLIFT

REPAIR & SERVICE

When you want the best ... Buy the best!

8949�Gall Blvd. Zephyrhills��Fl. 33541813-788-1555 ��

��


STORY BY SHERRI ROBINSON PHOTOS BY SHERRI ROBINSON

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Many of you may not be aware of Manatee Bay Cafe Sandwich Shop that moved into our community just four months ago. They are located at 199 S. Collins St., on the corner of Collins Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard. Early in the morning, owner Wesley Shelton opens up shop to feed Plant City’s work and school crowd. Like mom always said, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Manatee Bay cooks up the best breakfast burritos filled with beef, bean, bacon, scrambled eggs, salsa, lettuce and cheddar cheese melted on top. Three breakfast plates include scrambled eggs and a variety of other items like toast, ham, sausage, bacon, crab cakes and biscuits and gravy. The breakfast menu continues with breakfast sandwiches and sides. Lunch is the busiest time of day. Wes and his staff work as fast as they can, cooking and

EXPERIENCE MANATEE BAY CAFE SANDWICH SHOPADULT FAST FOOD IS GOOD FOOD FAST: DINE IN OR TAKE OUT

putting together lunch platters, deli and pressed sandwiches, soups, salads and sides in time for everyone to eat and arrive back at work in record time. By 12:30 p.m. or 1 p.m., the lunch rush is over and the afternoon crowd leisurely comes and goes—just the perfect time for me to make a visit for lunch. I invited my friend Cathy Cooper to join me. We sat a table near the front as Wes met us and gave us a little information about the restaurant and this week’s specials. He does four specials per week, always with one including a 7” Cuban and the remaining three a choice of half-Cuban and side or chicken salad and sides. They all sounded so delicious that we both ordered one of the specials. I chose the half-pressed Cuban, black beans, yellow rice and marinated chicken. Pressed sandwiches are among my favorite lunches, especially this time of year

when I want something warm and hearty but not too heavy. I ordered it just the way I like it with lettuce, tomato, no onion and no peppers. The chicken was tender and had a flavor not soon forgotten. Adding black beans and rice to the mix, seasoned just right, was filling enough to get me through my busy afternoon. Cathy ordered the half-Cuban and Spanish bean soup, which she enjoyed to the last bite. Everything was delicious. Wes suggests that since the restaurants’ busiest time is 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., local customers with time restrictions for lunch might want to take a menu with them on their first visit and phone in their lunch order next time with a name and time of arrival for pick up for faster service. The staff at Manatee Bay asks that those who come during the rush please be patient with them. They do their very best to get everyone

their food as promptly as possible. Remember, the reason their food is so good is that is made fresh to order, so it takes a little time. If you are not sure what to order on your first visit to Manatee Bay Café, some of the most popular items include French dips, Ruebens, and anything from the lunch platter list, but everything is really very good. If you like variety, you can find it here with weekly specials and an upcoming menu revision.

HoursMonday-Friday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.Saturday: 8 a.m.-3p.m.Sunday 10a.m.-3p.m.Breakfast Served All Day Every Day!

To call in an order: (813) 707-1450


Are you Creative?

FOCUS is in serach of a full-time graphic artist.

Ask for Joel

Email your resume tojcook@floydpublications.

com

Or

��

��

��

��

��AN HABITUAL CRIMINAL

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION JANUARY 15 - FEBRUARY 15 • 05 PG 105FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION JULY 15- AUGUST 15 • 2004 PG 114

12-15-04 thru 1-15-05

Expires 2/15/05

Expires 2/15/05

Expires 2/15/05

Expires 2/15/05

Expires 2/15/05

Expires 2/15/05

Expires 2/15/05

Expires 10/15/04

Expires 2-15-05Expires 2/15/05

Expires 2/15/05

1701 S. Alexander St. 813-719-6103

You Haul, You Dump, You Save

$25standard pick-up

SPECIALPlant City Transfer Station 402 N. Frontage Road. Plant City, Fl 33567 • 813-752-9700

Expires 2/15/05

ADVERTISEHERE!

813-707-8783FOCUS

2-15-05




“Honky Tonk” music best known and enjoyed by the regular hard working folk who would gather at a pub or bar to have a drink and relax after a long day on the job. Buck Hummer and the Pick Ups are known as one of the last “Honky Tonk” bands because they are preserving that same rock and roll music by bringing it to the public at fairs, festivals and corporate events. Their music covers three decades from the 60’s through the 80’s. “We have no inspirations in becoming rock stars and we aren’t pretty enough to be on MTV.” says “Woody” Woods. They

“PLANT CITY IS BRIMMING WITH TALENT”“BUCK HUMMER AND THE PICK UPS PRESERVE ROCK AND ROLL”

just want to play music that everyone will recognize and enjoy. Their shows are very

much family oriented so you never have to worry about bringing the kids. Their song

selection ranges from the 60’s to the 80’s playing tunes from Elvis, Motown, Waylon Jennings, and Ernest Tubbs. Many groups focus on one type of music but with the talents and different music background of each member, Buck Hummer is one of the most well rounded bands in our area. Each band member comes from a different music background starting with Jeff Jackson with the “Blues,” Andy brings “Rock and Roll,” Geri - Country Music, and “Woody” is talented in a wide variety of music. When it comes to Plant City venues they have played at the best including the Florida Opry, the Car Show, and the Florida Strawberry Festival to name a few. They have been busy on a larger scale playing for President George W. Bush at USF “Sun Dome.” In May of 2004 they performed a free concert at the Strawberry Festival to celebrate the release of their new CD. If you are interested in finding out more about Buck Hummer and the Pick Ups log onto www.BuckHummer.com. They invite everyone to come out and see them live at the Car Show on March 5th in McCall Park. See you there!


J ̓eat Yet?

Now at 2 Locations Serving You!

Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerBuffet or Ala Carte • Catering

Mon - Sat • Closed Sun2120 Harden Blvd.

Lakeland, Fl.863-603-7080

1401 W. Dr. MLK Blvd.Plant City, Fl.813-752-7763

��


��

��

��

.

.

Both locations open till 9pm the third Saturday of each month for the

��

��

109 W. REYNOLDSPLANT CITY, FL 33563

Kim A. Allen (813) 719-8922

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Olde Village ShoppesMini Mall 102 N. Collins St. 752-3222

Tues-Sat 10am-5pm (Over 10,000 Sq Ft)

Frenchmanʼs Flea Market108 S. Collins St. 754-8388


�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�


��

��

��

.

.

Both locations open till 9pm the third Saturday of each month for the

��

��

109 W. REYNOLDSPLANT CITY, FL 33563

Kim A. Allen (813) 719-8922

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Olde Village ShoppesMini Mall 102 N. Collins St. 752-3222


Frenchmanʼs Flea Market108 S. Collins St. 754-8388


�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

111 W. Reynolds St.Plant City, Fl. 33563 • 813-754-5505

A Place Where Quality CountsAren’t You Worth It?

SoupsSalads

SandwichesVariety of FreshBaked BreadsCatering Available

Dine In & Take Out

OPEN: Mon-Fri. 8:30am-3pm


��

��

��

��

��

��


��

��

PLANT CITY204 W. Alexander St.759-9424

��

Domino’s

Deals!Double

��

��

��

��

��

New Years Specials

Plus tax applicable. Deep Dish may be exra. ©2003 Dominos Pizza, LLC. Not Valid wih any other offer. Valid at participating stores only. Prices may vary. Our drives carry less than $20.00. Expires 2-15-05

MOVIE REVIEWS BY SHERRI ROBINSON

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS - PGStarring: Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Cur-tis, Dan Aykroyd

Empty nesters Luther (Allen) and wife Nora (Curtis) decide not to celebrate

Christmas this year since their beau-tiful daughter won’t be home this year. Luther informs his co-workers, who then nickname him Scrooge, and the neighbors that he will not be attending any parties or giving any gifts because he is skipping Christ-mas this year. Well, the neighbors are

none too happy as the Kranks’ house will be the only house on the block that will not be decorated. Then there is the issue of Frosty. A posse is formed to try and “Free Frosty” while Nora tries to escape in the car. The bags are almost packed and paradise is just a few hours away when the daughter calls to let them know she will be coming home for Christmas after all, and will be bringing her new fiancé with her. A mad dash to create the perfect homecoming Christ-mas party and vacation cover-up begins. Christmas With The Kranks was funny, heart warm-ing and not nearly as shallow as I had expected. Rating 3

BLADE TRINITY - RStarring: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Jessica Biel, Ryan Reynolds

Blade Trinity is the third in the series of vampire movies that has thrilled vampire enthusiasts everywhere. The perfect vampire, Drake (Purcell), is resurrected and he is not too happy about it. Once awakened, it is real-ized he has new powers including the ability to endure daylight. A new human rebel group called Nightstalk-ers, which include the daughter of Whistler (Biel), Blade’s partner, is set on helping Blade free the world from Drake and the vicious menaces. An attack on Nightstalker Headquar-ters produces deadly results. The

general public will not be interested in this movie, however those of us who are fans will it. As always the special effects were great. I loved the introduction of the ultimate vampire, and the casting of Dominic Purcell as Dracula was perfect. He not only had the talent for playing the part but the physique and look that pulled off the character. Jessica Biel as Whistler’s daughter had to be admired for her ability to hold up to such a strenuous part. Ryan Reynolds balanced out the serious-ness of the movie with his constant humor. Rating 4

OCEAN’S 12 - PG13Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Bernie Mac, Andy Garcia

Crime doesn’t pay when the crimi-nal gets caught red handed. Casino owner, Terry Benedict (Garcia), sees Ocean (Clooney) and his gang steal $160 million from him and he wants it back with interest. The gang must

quickly figure out a way to get a job that makes enough money to pay back Benedict. They can no longer work in the states, so they will have to jet off to Europe and hope against hope they can steal enough to pay the debt. I liked Ocean’s 11 and with the cast of stars in Ocean’s 12 you would think it would be a blockbuster. Unfortunately, I don’t think so. I went to see it two times, both late showings and fell asleep both times. I don’t know if that says the movie is really bad and just couldn’t keep my interest, or I was just too tired to watch a movie. I guess you will have to be the judge of that yourself and go see it. I did find, however, I stayed very confused during the whole thing. It was like I was missing out on some information that I needed to put the pieces together. I also heard this from another moviegoer. This might make a better rental than wasting an evening in the theater. Rating 2

NATIONAL TREASURE - PGStarring: Nicholas Cage, Harvey Keitel, Diane Kruger

What’s a national treasure without the involvement of Nicholas Cage? He plays Gates, a man who has been desperately searching for an elusive treasure everyone thinks he’s crazy for believing in. He believes that clues to the treasure were left

by the Founding Fathers and he is not far from realizing his lifelong dream. However, he must take huge risks to get close enough to get his chance. The movie definitely kept my attention. It was creative, inventive, and full of action. I got feedback from viewers of all ages who enjoyed it immensely. Don’t believe the negative reviews you read about this movie. It’s a a great flick. Rating 3


��

��

��


$1OFFExpires 2/15/05

ANY CRAVEABLE SALAD15% OFF

Expires 2/15/05

ALLSUPERBOWLPARTY TRAYS

$2OFFExpires 2/15/05

ANY REG. OR LARGE SUB

1818 JAMES L. REDMAN PKWY PLANT CITY, FL. 33566 • 813-719-29991818 JAMES L. REDMAN PKWY PLANT CITY, FL. 33566 • 813-719-2999

Cannot be combined with any other discount.

WELCOME TO THE NEW

YEAR!

MOVIE REVIEWS BY SHERRI ROBINSON

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS - PGStarring: Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Cur-tis, Dan Aykroyd

Empty nesters Luther (Allen) and wife Nora (Curtis) decide not to celebrate

Christmas this year since their beau-tiful daughter won’t be home this year. Luther informs his co-workers, who then nickname him Scrooge, and the neighbors that he will not be attending any parties or giving any gifts because he is skipping Christ-mas this year. Well, the neighbors are

none too happy as the Kranks’ house will be the only house on the block that will not be decorated. Then there is the issue of Frosty. A posse is formed to try and “Free Frosty” while Nora tries to escape in the car. The bags are almost packed and paradise is just a few hours away when the daughter calls to let them know she will be coming home for Christmas after all, and will be bringing her new fiancé with her. A mad dash to create the perfect homecoming Christ-mas party and vacation cover-up begins. Christmas With The Kranks was funny, heart warm-ing and not nearly as shallow as I had expected. Rating 3

BLADE TRINITY - RStarring: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Jessica Biel, Ryan Reynolds

Blade Trinity is the third in the series of vampire movies that has thrilled vampire enthusiasts everywhere. The perfect vampire, Drake (Purcell), is resurrected and he is not too happy about it. Once awakened, it is real-ized he has new powers including the ability to endure daylight. A new human rebel group called Nightstalk-ers, which include the daughter of Whistler (Biel), Blade’s partner, is set on helping Blade free the world from Drake and the vicious menaces. An attack on Nightstalker Headquar-ters produces deadly results. The

general public will not be interested in this movie, however those of us who are fans will it. As always the special effects were great. I loved the introduction of the ultimate vampire, and the casting of Dominic Purcell as Dracula was perfect. He not only had the talent for playing the part but the physique and look that pulled off the character. Jessica Biel as Whistler’s daughter had to be admired for her ability to hold up to such a strenuous part. Ryan Reynolds balanced out the serious-ness of the movie with his constant humor. Rating 4

OCEAN’S 12 - PG13Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Bernie Mac, Andy Garcia

Crime doesn’t pay when the crimi-nal gets caught red handed. Casino owner, Terry Benedict (Garcia), sees Ocean (Clooney) and his gang steal $160 million from him and he wants it back with interest. The gang must

quickly figure out a way to get a job that makes enough money to pay back Benedict. They can no longer work in the states, so they will have to jet off to Europe and hope against hope they can steal enough to pay the debt. I liked Ocean’s 11 and with the cast of stars in Ocean’s 12 you would think it would be a blockbuster. Unfortunately, I don’t think so. I went to see it two times, both late showings and fell asleep both times. I don’t know if that says the movie is really bad and just couldn’t keep my interest, or I was just too tired to watch a movie. I guess you will have to be the judge of that yourself and go see it. I did find, however, I stayed very confused during the whole thing. It was like I was missing out on some information that I needed to put the pieces together. I also heard this from another moviegoer. This might make a better rental than wasting an evening in the theater. Rating 2

NATIONAL TREASURE - PGStarring: Nicholas Cage, Harvey Keitel, Diane Kruger

What’s a national treasure without the involvement of Nicholas Cage? He plays Gates, a man who has been desperately searching for an elusive treasure everyone thinks he’s crazy for believing in. He believes that clues to the treasure were left

by the Founding Fathers and he is not far from realizing his lifelong dream. However, he must take huge risks to get close enough to get his chance. The movie definitely kept my attention. It was creative, inventive, and full of action. I got feedback from viewers of all ages who enjoyed it immensely. Don’t believe the negative reviews you read about this movie. It’s a a great flick. Rating 3



ABC Pizza114 N Alexander St752-5146

Alexander’s Café at S Fla Baptist Hospital301 N. Alexander St.757-8451

Anna’s Restaurant3410 Baker St W754-6215

Apple Tree2218 Jas Redman Pkwy707-8109

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar1204 Townsgate Ct719-1500

Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurant1909 Frontage Rd S719-3321

Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurant201 Alexander St W754-4881

Ava’s Café1801 W Baker St (Hwy 92 W)717-9785

Beef O’Brady’s Sports Pub2418 Jas Redman Pkwy757-0300

Bobs Sports Grill226 Alexander St W.719-8187

Bogey’s Restaurant2001 Clubhouse Dr752-1171

Boston Market238 Alexander St W759-2652

Brooklyn Bridge Deli1309 S Collins St659-3621

Branch Ranch Dining Room5121 Thonotosassa Rd752-1957

Buddy Freddy’s Restaurant1101 Goldfinch Dr754-5120

Catfish Country712 S Collins752-0126

Chancy’s Catfish Shack2509 N Park Rd754-3433

Checker’s2405 Jas Redman Pkwy759-0151

Cherry’s Bar & Grill1701 S Alexander St W764-8818

CiCi’s Pizza211 Alexander St W659-3400

China King Restaurant2410 James Redman Pkwy754-8098

China One1862 James Redman Pkwy707-8898

China Palace1106 Collins St S754-7145

Church’s Fried Chicken703 Collins St S754-5200

Curbita Inc (Only speaks Spanish)4109 State Rd 574754-0620

Dairy Queen1902 W Reynolds752-2236

Denny’s Restaurant2001 Frontage Rd S752-3338

Domino’s Pizza202 Alexander St W759-9424

El Buen Gusto Michaocano3414 Baker St W759-6635

El Mirasol Bakery Cafeteria1419 Collins St S752-2108

El Rincon Mexicano 4109 State Rd 574 754-0620

Fred’s Market Restaurant1401 W Dr MLK Blvd752-7763

Frontage Sports Bar & Grill Days Inn1301 S Frontage Rd752-0570 exit 168 & 169

Grandpa Johnsons BBQ1305 Dr MLK Jr Blvd759-0009

Heavenly Sinsations Inc.1803 Jas Redman Pkwy717-7512

Hong Kong Buffet213 Alexander St W764-8255

Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs208 N Alexander St752-6113

Hungry Howie’s - #2002424 Hwy 92 E764-0363

Joann’s Country Kitchen12650 McIntosh RdThonotosassa982-0739

Kazbor’s Grille2212 James Redman Pkwy752-2700

Kentucky Fried Chicken2305 Collins St S752-0437

La Esperanza Mexican Restaurant113 Prosser Dr W659-3940

Linda’s Crab Shack202 Reynolds E754-0492

Lin’s Express2307 Thonotosassa Rd719-6066

Long John Silver’s Seafood Shoppe1805 Jas Redman Pkwy752-1717

Maryland Fried Chicken315 N Alexander752-9200

Norma’s Ybor City Cuban Shop1305 Baker St E754-6557

Orange Blossom Tea Room106 Evers St S759-2247

Outback Steakhouse1203 Townsgate Ct759-4329

Papa John’s Pizza1829 Jas Redman Pkwy719-7300

Park-side Café101 E J Arden Mays Blvd719-8345

Pesos Mexican Restaurant2006 Reynolds St W752-8841

Pizza Hut2316 James Redman Pkwy752-8222

Pizza Moni2607 Thonotosassa Rd759-6664

Plant City Restaurant & Drive-in2005 W Baker St752-9202

Ponderosa Steak House1914 Jim Redman Pkwy754-1129

Popeye’s Famous Fried Chicken & Biscuits2005 Frontage Rd S757-9742

Quackers Café 1707 James Redman Pkwy759-2233

Ramada Inn Red Rose Dining Room 2011 N Wheeler St752-3141

Shanghai Chinese Restaurant805 Collins St S759-0518

Shelby’s & Jacob’s Java110 Reynolds St E719-6570

Snellgrove’s Restaurant109 S Collins752-3652

Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q1102 Goldfinch Dr757-3118

Strawberry Hut Sandwich Shoppe1505 Wheeler St N752-3779

Strawberry Paradise4511 James L. Redman Parkway (813) 737-3866

Subway2305 Thonotosassa Rd754-4550

Subway 2403 James Redman Pkwy754-4878

Subway2209 N Park Rd659-0288

Taco Loco Restaurant14672 Dr MLK Blvd659-0916

Tim’s Café 10903 Lithia Pinecrest Rd737-4026

Twistee Treat2301 Jas Redman Pkwy707-9303

Waffle House1201 Townsgate Ct707-0190

Westshore Pizza1701 S Alexander St754-5600

Whistle Stop Café102 S Collins752-7340

Woody’s Bar-B-Q203 Alexander St W754-3229


$2.50ONLY

$2.50LARGE SERVING

$1.50ONLY

Pizza • Cheesesteaks • Salads • Lasagna • Chicken Parmesan • Calzone • Hoagies • Baked Ziti • Stromboli • Wings • Ravioli

$10.99Must present coupon. Expires 2/15/05.

Not valid with any other offer or coupon.





Mon-Thur 11am-10pm Fri & Sat 11am-11pm Sun 1pm-10pm

Our Dough Made Fresh Daily!







$19.99The WorksTwo18” Pizzas

Must present coupon. Expires 2/15/05.Not valid with any other offer or coupon.

WE DELIVER!All Menu

Items

813.754.56001701 S. Alexander St. Plant City, FL 33566

Family Meal Deal18” 1 Topping Pizza

12 Wings & 2 Litre Soda

2 Philly Cheesesteaks

14” Pizza WithOne Topping

50 Sweet WingsMild or Hot also Available

18” 3 ToppingPizza

F F F

F F

F

$10 Minimum Delivery


2005 FestivalConcert Schedule

For Complete TicketInformation Call:813-754-1996 or

813-754-2190

The Oak Ridge BoysThur. March 3rd

Charlie Daniels BandFri. March 4th

Aaron TippinSat. March 5th

Louise MandrellSun. March 6th(4:00pm)

Clint BlackSun. March 6th(7:30pm)

Vince GillMon. March 7th

Wayne NewtonTue. March 8th

Neal McCoyWed. March 9th

Neil SedakaThur. March 10th

John Michael MontgomeryFri. March 11th

Michael W. SmithSat. March 12th

LeAnn RimesSun. March 13th

Delicious Sweets Designed Just For You!

Fun to Give. Fun To Receive. Fun to Eat

205 N. Collins St. Plant City Historic District, Plant City, Fl 33563 • (813) 719-2120

$5.00

OFF A $25.00 BOUQUET

Exp: Feb. 15th, 2005

WE SHIP & DELIVER

We Carry 25 Flavors Of Fresh Fudge!Exclusive Headquarters For Jellybellys.

Over 50 Flavors.

Just In Time For The Holidays!

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Visit our web site: www.feltonsmarket.comVisit our web site: www.feltonsmarket.com

Paradise Fruit in 5-lb. box (available All Year Round)

WIDE SELECTION OF:#10 Can And Gallon Size Items

Martin’s Potato BreadEntenmann’s Bakery products

Goya • Lisy • La Costena• San Marco’s and La Dona Tortillas

Fresh Hot Tortillas

WIDE SELECTION OF HAMS

SPECIALIZING IN SPECIAL CUTS OF MEATNo Order Too Big Or Too SmallLargest Spice Selection In Town

One Stop Shopping for all your large parties, family reunions and church events

SPECIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE INCLUDE:

Western Union, Money Orders

& Wiring Sevices

Plantains, Green Bananas

(by the box or lb.)

Fresh Local Produce Daily Fresh

Greens Available Daily

LOW CHOLESTEROL ITEMS:Smoked Turkey Wings & Necks

Fresh Turkey Tails & GizzardsSmoked Turkey Tails • Fresh Goat

Fresh Mullet/Catfish/Perch

Fresh Dressed, Grade A, Premium, Ice-Packed Poultry

Leg Quarters 40-lb. box Fresh IBP Small and Med. Spare Ribs

Fresh IBP Lite Spare Ribs “Great for Barbecuing”Fajitas by the package or the box.

MEATSMEATS PRODUCE



January 17th Monday

Senior Citizen Luncheon at Plant City MLK Recreation Center. The luncheon begins at noon, followed by a memorial service from 1 to 2 pm. Call 757-6760 for information.

January 20th Thursday

Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce BUSINESS AFTER HOURS sponsored by the Tampa Tribune and The Courier, 101 North Wheeler Street. Starts at 5:15 pm. Call the Chamber at 754-3707 to RSVP.

January 22nd Saturday

Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Pageant at Tomlin School. Here is your opportunity to witness the crowning of the 2005 Florida Strawberry Queen and Her Court. For tickets call 752-9194.

Arts Council of Plant City trip to Tarpon Springs. Leaving by carpool at 9:00 am. Members, guests and friends, join us for a fun-filled day! Things to do include: ride aboard a sponge fishing boat departing every hour beginning at 11:00 am, takes 45 min. $8; tour St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on your own. Take the trolley, donations appreciated. You can also take the trolley to the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center and the Heritage Museum for current art exhibits. You can shop in the unique stores along the waterfront, again, on your own. Lunch at Pappas’ World Famous Greek Restaurant (Order from menu, starts at $10). We have made reservations for all at 12:00 noon! Everyone please plan to be there at that time.

We will gather and carpool from the Plant City Chamber of Commerce at 9 am and should return about 5 pm. Carpool Drivers Needed! Maps will be provided. Please call Chot Rogers at 707-0036 & tell him how many are coming for lunch. Let him know if you will be a driver. It’s important to call by Tuesday, Jan. 19th, as he needs drivers so everyone has a way there. The only cost is lunch, plus whatever else you choose to spend.

Gianni Russo, who played Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather, will be at the Ramada Inn Plantation House’s Red Rose Dining Room. Tickets are $20 in advance & $25 at the door. Show time is 8:00. For reservations, or additional information, call 813-752-5452, or visit their website at www.ramadaplantation.com.

January 27th Thursday

Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce 2005 Chairman’s Banquet. This event begins at 6:30 pm at the Ramada Inn Plantation House/Red Rose Ballroom. Call 754-3707 to reserve your seats.

January 29th Saturday

The Rat Pack Too will be appearing at the Ramada Inn Plantation House’s Red Rose Dining Room, show time is at 8:00 pm. For reservations, or additional information, please call 813-752-5452 or visit their website at www.ramadaplantation.com.

February 3rd Thursday

Strawberry Festival Fashion Show at the Arthur Boring building. Call for information 752-9194.

Bruton Memorial Library presents James Tokley & Friends at 7 pm.

February 4th Friday

American Business Women’s Association annual BACHELOR AUCTION. This fun-filled event takes place at 7:00 pm at the Ramada Inn Plantation House/Red Rose Ballroom. Call Jodi Smith at 754-3703 for tickets and further information.

February 5th Saturday

Sammy Kershaw will be appearing at the Ramada Inn Plantation House’s Red Rose Ballroom. Show begins at 8:00 pm, and tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. For reservations or additional information, please call 813-752-5452 or visit their website at www.ramadaplantation.com.

Bike Fest in Historic Downtown Plant City. Come out and look over the hundreds of motorcycles on display. Starts at 5 pm.

February 10th Thursday

Florida State Fair opens.

February 12th Saturday

Pregnancy Care Center WALK FOR LIFE at Plant City Stadium. Registration is at 8 am and the walk starts at 9 am. Call 759-0886 for additional information.

CHILI COOK-OFF sponsored by the Arts Council. This great food tasting event takes place from 11 am to 1 pm at the Depot in McCall Park in downtown Plant City. Call Sandy Rogers at 335-4113 to register.

Florida Opry at the 1914 High School. Starts at 7 pm. Call 752-4094 for information.

The Rat Pack Too will be appearing in the Ramada Inn Plantation House’s Red Rose Dining Room. Show begins at 8:00. For reservations or additional information, please call 813-752-5452 or visit their website at www.ramadaplantation.com.

February 14th Monday

Ferns, Master Gardener Eileen Hart: 7 p.m., Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McClendon St., Plant City, 33566, (813) 757-9216.

LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH (ELCA)Lord of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA) located at 2104 Mud Lake Road in Plant City, FL would like to invite you to join us for the following events:

Sundays in January, 2005 Worship Schedule8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service9:30 a.m. Christian Education Classes10:30 a.m. Traditional Worship ServicePlease join us for the Sundays in January as we celebrate the Season of Epiphany, beginning on Sunday,

January 9th. The speed of light is the story of Epiphany. The light of the star leads people far and near to worship the newborn ruler of the world. The Epiphany story reminds God’s people to hold the light of the world high so that all people may be drawn to its revealing illumination.

Serving Dinner to USF StudentsOn Sunday, January 23rd, members of the Lord of Life congregation will be preparing and serving dinner to students at the University of South Florida Chapel Center. Lord of Life holds this event at the Chapel Center on the USF campus twice a year. Prior to the meal, the Chapel Center leads a special Worship Service. If you are interested in participating, please contact the Lord of Life Church Office at 813-752-6064.University of Christian Training Winter Classes First Baptist Church Plant City is offering the following training classes: Starting January 9th 4:00-6:15 p.m. will be “Living Beyond Yourself,” a Beth Moore Bible study for women. This class is also offered at 9:00 a.m. each Friday morning. Three classes will run from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m.: “Frazzled Females,” “Hope When Believers Struggle; Studies in Mark’s Gospel,” and Witness Training. Classes starting February 13th: “Divorce Care” from 4:00 - 6:15 p.m., “Single Parenting That Works,” “Biblical Evidence from the Empty Tomb,” “Study of the Book of Revelation,” and possibly a class on “Identifying Spiritual Gifts,” all from 5:00 - 6:15 p.m. Come to the church at 503 North Palmer Street to attend, or call the church office at 752-4104 for further information. Strawberry Square Dances: 4401 Boot Bay Rd., Plant CitySquare and Round dancing for all levels and workshops.Mornings, afternoon, evening sessions daily in an air conditioned, smoke free facility with a floating floor. Square Dance Apparel Shop is open during our dances. For schedule or questions, call: 813-752 0491


Decorative Concrete Coatings

��

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED LICENSED & INSUREDFREE ESTIMATES

��

PATIO DECKS

DRIVEWAYS

LANAIS

SIDEWALKS

POOL DECKS

RIVER ROCK REMOVAL

GARAGE FLOORS

COLOR CROWNPRODUCTS

PATIO DECKS

DRIVEWAYS

LANAIS

SIDEWALKS

POOL DECKS

RIVER ROCK REMOVAL

GARAGE FLOORS

COLOR CROWNPRODUCTS

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Lic.# CBC 059203

(813) Family Owned & Operated 707-1221w w w . c e n t r a l f l o r i d a c u s t o m h o m e s i n c . c o m

Dear Jimmy & Annie, I wanted to write this letter so you and all your employees at Central Florida Custome Homes, Inc. will know the level of appreciation my wife and I have for your company.When Carmen and I decided to build our new home, we were faced with alot of difficult decisions and you were there from the very start until the project was completely finished. From the long hours of meeting and designing our home with the architect to the day you handed us our key to our dream home. We knew we made the right decision the first day you started the project. Your employees were always professional and curteous, the job site was always spotless, and considering the amount of changes we had, you were always patient and helpful with our decisions. There are a lot of contractors that say they build custom homes but later find out they only charge custom prices. Your company truly tailors to the customer and you don't find that much these days. Thank you for the quality job and help making our dream home come true. You have, and always will be, a dear friend to Carmen and I. Sincerely,Dennis & Carmen Brownlee

Gated Equestrian Community

FOCUS Magazine 04-01 January 2005

Documents

Transcript of FOCUS Magazine 04-01 January 2005