FOCUS Plant City 07-04 April 2008

Take One Vol. 7 No. 4

PLANT CITY EDITION

spotlight interview

Workin´ Around the Clock

Feature

Trains of Plant City

Jodi Smith Makes Time to be involved in our Community Little Miss Plant City

Athlete of the Month

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 2

*AMES 2EDMAN 0ARKWAY 0LANT #ITY

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 3

tabl e o f co n t e n ts

feature 48-53

i ssu e 7- 4 on the cover: Jody Smith

MAGAZINE

photo by sophia hyde

When a person first comes to Plant City it’s likely that within at least the first hour or two of being here they’ll hear the familiar sound of a train going by. It’s likely you’ve been stopped somewhere in Plant City at a railroad crossing just before you could pass it and head to your destination. What exactly are these trains carrying? Where are they going and what’s their history?

Publisher Mike Floyd mike@floydpublications.com Editor Ashley Grant agrant@floydpublications.com Office Manager DeDe Floyd dede@floydpublications.com Credit Manager Lori Boyle lboyle@floydpublications.com SALES Sophia Hyde shyde@floydpublications.com

spotlight 56-59

Jodi Smith isn’t a life long resident of Plant City, like many of us, but you’d never know that with everything she does for our community. Many people who know her often ask where she finds time to sleep. If you’ve attended events or helped to put one together, chances are you’ve worked with her, or at least met her. She recently spent a few minutes with us to talk about her life and the things she’s involved with.

local 7-45 Spring brings April showers, May flowers and all these great stories. We hope you’ll enjoy what we have in store for you in this issue.

business profile 60 Each month we write about one of our advertisers and their place in the community of Plant City. This month we feature Cowboy’s Western Wear

sports & fitness 90-96 Team USA, America’s Olympic softball team, has dominated the sport in

Edward Jones .................................. 62 Success .............................63-64 Real Estate Section .............................67-88

Art Director Stefanie Burlingame Graphic design Anthony Sassano / Phil Ransdell Distribution Belva DeVane Photographer Billy Friend Staff Writers Brian West, Wendy Brown, Holly Mallalieu, Heather Davis, Sherry Baldwin, Cheryl Johnston, Daniel Sperry, Janeel Shulmister, David Harris, Joe Bowles, Pat Hearn, Ruchelle Owens Contributors Sherry Nueesch, Gil Gott, Al Ruechel, Jo-Ann Lusk, Michael Cameron, Bruce Rodwell, Natalie Sweet

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

Real Estate Article .................................. 82

Letters, Questions and Comments can be sent to us at editorial@floydpublications.com.

Mortgage Article .................................. 84 Local History .................................. 98

dining & entertainment 110-124 There’s a new restaurant in town; read all about Pollo Tropical. In

This I Believe ................................ 104

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 4

Paula Meyers pmeyers@floydpublications.com

Walden Lake Review .................................. 78

international competition since softball was introduced to the Olympics in 1996. Read about them coming to Plant City. In our Sports Highlights section be sure to check out Plant City’s Raiders Junior Varsity Baseball Team.

Entertainment check out Jason D. Williams, the man who has been described as “the past and future of rock & roll.” Don’t miss our Sock Hop story either!

Tammy Simpson tsimpson@floydpublications.com

Al Ruechel ................................ 102

Ask Who What ................................ 106 Words of Character ................................ 108

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.

published by:

floyd publications, Inc. 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Plant City, FL 33563 Phone 813.707.8783 • Fax 813.764.0990

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 5

letterFROMTHEpublisher It seems that all around Plant City transition is taking place, not just at Focus Magazine. We just completed two of our largest issues of the year, the issue leading up to the festival and the one covering all the exciting events during those eleven days.

As I drive into town from my home, I pass many strawberry fields, or rather the remnants. That season has come to an end once again and the last of the berries are being taken up. Farmers are now making room for the new crops that will be laid for the summer.

The election was also a transition time for the city as Dean Snyder and Mike Sparkman competed for city commissioner. As Robert Brown steps down, Mike will fill the Group 4 seat in June. He will help guide the city as it prepares for growth and other transitions to come in our near future.

Our children are preparing for transition in their lives. The school year is almost over. We just came back from spring break, and it all moves quickly from here.

For most students, that means summer fun for a few months and then they will move up to the next grade. However, it’s much more significant for our seniors who are preparing for graduation. They’ve received their cap and gowns, invitations, and tassels. The next few months will bring much change in their lives as they prepare for college or the work force.

Right now at Focus we are experiencing some changes of our own. We are in the process of restructuring our editorial management roles as Kristen Toney recently resigned to pursue other opportunities. We have added magazines in New Tampa and Brandon and are set to launch May 25th in Winter Haven. Our magazine, which has roots embedded in Plant City, has grown to serve eight communities and prints over 135,000 copies each month.

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I hope you enjoy this month’s issue. Jodi Smith is our spotlight interview. Take time to read everything she is involved with in this community. Her mornings begin at 4:30 when she awakes and hits the gym, and then she’s full speed ahead from there. She is continually donating much of her time to help this community.

Our feature is on the railroad. Much of our history revolves around the establishment of the railroad in this city. It seems frustrating when stopped by a passing train for five or so minutes, but the role they play is extremely significant to Plant City.

Once again I hope you enjoy this issue, and in next month’s magazine we should be able to release some exciting news. Thank you for your support and make sure you support the advertisers in this magazine, as many of them are the ones that make this community go round.

Mike Floyd Publisher

Retractions: Brenna Mae Sturgis won 2nd place for Most Personality in the Three Year Old Division at the 2008 Baby Parade. We printed her name incorrectly in the last issue.

Last month’s Athlete of the Month was Kendall Dawson. The article stated that she is a pitcher, but she is actually a nationally ranked catcher. We apologize for the misprint.

local talkofthetown

story and photos subm itted by the commu n it y send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

TALK OF THE TOWN Fifteen year old Nathan Carson was the winner at the North Florida District Oratorical Contest on Saturday April 5 in Orlando. Nathan was judged the winner after he competed against

two other male competitors from Ocala and Panama City. By winning the contest, the home schooled 9th grader received a trophy and the $2,500 Bob Howe Memorial College Scholarship. Following the award, Nathan was invited to present his speech to the banquet audience that night at the North Florida District 3rd Quarter Convention. The theme of this year’s contest was “Why Me? Why Not?” Students competed in local club competitions in February and March and then advanced to Zone and Region contests before making it to the North Florida District finals. The Optimist Club of Plant City has been involved with local youth through the Oratorical Contest for over 40 years. First conducted by Optimist International in 1928, this is the second most popular Optimist International program, with over 2,000 clubs participating each year. Congratulations Nathan!

Festival this year and has just finished a 10 song CD. He wrote all the songs on it and played the guitar. He is a 40 year native of Plant City and graduated from Plant City High in “86”. He is also a strawberry grower. One of the songs on the CD is called “Plant City”. It’s about growing up in Plant City. If you would like to find out more about Mark Sprouse please visit http:// www.marksprouse.net/ Good luck Mark in your musical journey!

The City-Wide Easter Egg Hunt was A Hopping Success! Overcast skies did not slow down the hunt for eggs at the 19th Annual City-Wide Easter Egg Hunt, coordinated by the City of Plant City Recreation & Parks Department.

An estimated 800 youths in four age groups (3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-11) searched for 12,000 plastic eggs in their respective “nests” Many of the eggs held special prizes or certificates donated by area businesses. Eight youths, two per age

group, were successful in finding the elusive golden eggs which were redeemed for large Easter baskets. Prior to the hunt, the attendees were treated to a magic show by Cesar Domico in which several of the youths were invited on stage to participate. Following the egg hunt, the participants were treated to free drinks and hot dogs cooked by the Plant City Optimist Club.

Activities such as face painting, caricature artists, trackless train, inflatable bouncers, arts and crafts as well as a balloon artist kept the youngsters busy. The annual event was coordinated by Stephen Rossiter, Special Events Coordinator of the City of Plant City Recreation & Parks Department and was sponsored in part this year

by East Coast Brokers and Packers, Juan’s Plastering, Animal Clinic at Southside, Lott Mather, Parkesdale Farm Market, Dinosaur World, Roney Auto Sales, Panera Bread, Publix Super Markets and the Plant City Optimist Club.

Mark Sprouse is local singer/songwriter/guitarist. He performed twice at the Strawberry

continued on page 8 FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 7

local talkofthetown

story and photos subm itted by the commu n it y send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

TALK OF THE TOWN The Russian Rawlings Velocity 10U AAU baseball team was here in Plant City visiting the area sites and wanting to play some baseball.

With the help of Andy Knotts from Team Knotts Sporting the kids from Russia were able to get some gear and a few local teams showed them some great baseball. The local kids had a great time just playing baseball for the fun of the game. Some of the visiting players had never seen or played on a field like we have at Mike Sansone Park. They were very impressed, and our kids had the time of their life playing someone from a different country and culture The Plant City Panthers 13U/7th Grade basketball team recently went 5-0 in a USSSA Tournament held at various sites in Tampa on March 21. Games were played against teams

from Seminole, Maderia Beach and Indialantic, with the Panthers defeating the Tampa Bay Spirit from Seminole 37-35 in the championship game. Along with the Panthers’ Kyle Harrell who was named tournament MVP, Plant City players Nicholas Bornstine and Andrew De La Garza made the All-Tournament team.

Recently all the troops in Plant City got together to donate teddy bears to the Sheriff’s department, the Plant City police department, and the Plant City fire department to give to children when they go out on calls. They donated LOTS of bears -- so many they lost count and there were enough to fill up three squad cars and part of the fire truck. Immediately following this event the girls had Campfire Night -- smores, games, crafts, dancing, and friendship. The Girl Scouts plan on continuing this event that they are calling Operation Teddy Bear every year.

March 15, 2008 was the 5th annual Spring Berry Boogie at Mike Sansone Park. Rosemary Rodrigues took first for overall female and Omar Cortez came in first for overall male in

the 5K Spring Berry Boogie. In the 2008 Fun Run/Walk, Robert Araya came in first, Katie Lahaie came in second and Kassandra Martinez came in third. Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s event!

Florida Strawberry Festival is proud to reward Hillsborough County students for their dedication and hard work in agriculture through annual livestock shows. The livestock shows are a tradition at the Florida Strawberry Festival.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 8

The festival grounds serve as a venue for local students studying agriculture, allowing them to showcase their skills while competing for trophies, ribbons and premium money to pursue higher education. Students from Hillsborough County youth agricultural organization or FFA members are eligible to participate in the show if they meet the scholastic requirement of a 2.5 weighted GPA. The 73rd Annual Florida Strawberry Festival® is proud to announce the following competition winners: Grand Champion was Selina Williams, Plant City Senior FFA, whose steer weighed 1218 lbs. Williams receives $250, a trophy and a rosette. Reserve Grand Champion was Shayla Knight and her steer weighed in at 1294 lbs. Knight receives $200, a trophy and a rosette.

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local AROUNDTOWN

Story and Photo by Ashley G rant send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

From Naughty to Nice Bully Patrol Program What do you do when you have a group of students that are bullies in the school? For Lisa Carlsen, guidance counselor of Knights Elementary, the answer is to give them leadership roles. With the Bully Patrol Program Carlsen has created, once troublesome students are now behaving better than ever before.

The Bully Patrol Program was formed in an effort to transition students who were the bullies into those that can problem solve via a transition to a bully patrol guard. By having the “bullies” watch out for the safety of other kids at the school, they feel empowered and their selfesteem is lifted; self-esteem is often the crux of the problem.

They are respected by their peers who now see them in a leadership role for the safety and welfare of the students and of their school.

It helps them take ownership while they are learning about the victim’s feelings and they then can begin to empathize with them.

Olivia Sales, Lisa Carlsen, and Obed Aguilar are working together to stop the bullying at Knights Elementary.

Not pictured: Josh Cordero.

When asked why he is in the bully program, Obed Aguilar said he is “Helping our school

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 12

stop bullying and helping kids that are getting picked on.”

Olivia Sales said that in the future, to keep herself from bullying she will, “Walk away from people.”

Aguilar said, “Don’t pay attention to them when they (fellow students) are getting on your nerves.”

Bullies are often those that have been bullied and do not have the social skills acquired and therefore, react as a bully towards others.

When given conflict resolution skills, they learn better how to communicate with others and what to do in case of a situation which is harmful to others.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 13

local tellyourtale

Sto ry by Ja n e e l S h u l m i st er / P hoto C ou rt e sy of Be n nie Baker

Bennie Baker A Pillar of the Cork Community Bennie Baker remembers the morning in 1935 when he was five years old and his father took him and his twin sister out to Preacher Chitty’s strawberry farm in the Cork community to pick strawberries.

“He put me on one side of a double row of strawberries and put my twin sister on the other side of a double row of strawberries,” he said.

Long ago, during a time when school calendars revolved around strawberry seasons, Chitty’s farm stood 200 yards from where Baker’s house is today. Baker started school in 1936 at Cork School and picked strawberries every season for nine years until he was fourteen and big enough to carry a ladder for oranges. He picked oranges until he Bennie Baker graduated from Plant City High School in 1949. To this day, he meets monthly with classmates from his graduating class.

Baker accepted the Lord into his life at the age of sixteen and preached his first sermon at eighteen. As a pastor of six different Baptist churches across the state, the preacher of forty-two revivals, an interim pastor and retired jail chaplain with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, he has lead many people in their spiritual journey. The seventy-eight year old Baker still volunteers at the jail and considers working with inmates the greatest part of his ministry, “It’s the most exciting, the most challenging, and most rewarding ministry that God’s ever given me,” he enthused. For some inmates, he has been the only father figure they have ever known.

On June 24th at twenty-two minutes after three, Baker and his wife Betty will celebrate their fifty-seventh wedding anniversary.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 14

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local AROUNDTOWN

p hoto from Fl oyd Publi c ati o ns arc hi ve s send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Send in Your Nominations NOW! Time to nominate someone for the “Focus on You” Makeover It’s that time of year once more: Focus on You Makeover time! If you know someone, male or female, who is in need of a makeover, we want to make it happen! Send a 300-word nomination in for them via mail, e-mail or fax. All nominations must be received by midnight May 16. Four winners will be chosen and notified on May 19.

The day begins with a breakfast and then the winners will be whisked away to pick out a brand

new outfit. Then they will be taken for a relaxing massage. After the massage, the staff of Focus will sit down for lunch with the winners and present each of them with a month’s membership to a fitness center.

The fun jump-starts again while the winners finish out the day with a facial, manicure, pedicure and haircut. The girls will also have their makeup done.

Finally, the day comes to a close when a limo comes to pick up the ladies and their sweethearts to get their pictures taken and enjoy an evening of dining and entertainment provided by the Red Rose Dining Room.

Last years’ winners with Evelyn Madonia at the Red Rose Dining Room.

Remember, tell us why your nominated person deserves this makeover and mail it to FOCUS

Magazine, “FOCUS ON YOU” Makeover, 101 E. J Arden Mays Blvd, Plant City, FL 33563.

You may also send your entries by e-mail to AGrant@Floydpublications.com. Place “FOCUS ON YOU” Makeover in the subject line and send your entry in the body of the e-mail (no attachments, please). Be SURE to include name, address, home phone number and work phone number, and e-mail address, if you have one.

You may also fax a nomination to 813-764-0990, Attn: Ashley.

Entries must be received by midnight on May 16!

Letters and entries may be published in FOCUS Magazine and photographs will be taken throughout the “FOCUS ON YOU” makeover day and published in the following month’s edition. ENTER NOW!

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local artistofthemonth

story and photos by heather davi s send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Art That Rocks Kim Wells is a Plant City artist who enjoys painting on many different levels. Not relegating her art to just canvas, she enjoys painting walls, murals, furniture, interiors and exteriors - anything that allows her to dip a brush into paint.

Three years ago, Kim, with her husband and their five children, moved to Plant City from Tacoma, Washington. The move away from all she knew created an urge from within to paint. That desire came from a childhood spent exposed to art through her mother who always took her to art shows and kept an extensive art collection.

As a self taught artist Kim began her own business called Rock Star Art specializing in all types of painting. She soon established a relationship with another Plant City artist Colleen Elwell of It’s Just Paint. Together they are changing the walls of Plant City with their custom art.

Since Kim has started painting she says that everything she looks at looks like a painting. While speaking with her in my Coffee Shop she was busy gazing out the window at a group of elderly women enjoying their coffee and pastries. She stated her desire to capture the scene with a painting.

Kim’s advice to other closet artists, as she refers to herself, is to just get your art out there for others to enjoy. The most exciting thing as an artist is to see other people’s reactions to your art. Recently Kim has done just that with her involvement in a Friends and Family Art Show at Channel 13 and more recently by displaying her work at the Strawberry Festival.

As a busy mother of five Kim’s favorite way to paint is when she is alone in her house with her stereo cranked up. While these times may be few and far between, she doesn’t let it keep her from doing what she loves - rocking out with paint.

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To view Kim Wells work you may visit www.myspace.com/rockstarpainting.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 17

local AROUNDTOWN

Story by Lana S ome r lot t / Photos by Lana Somerlott and courtesy of D e b b i e K e r r

Lifestyle Changes and Weight Loss Debbie Kerr’s Challange Four years ago Debbie Kerr was faced with one of the hardest challenges of life: weight Debbie Kerr before reaching loss. After her weight loss goal. changing her whole routine, Kerr lost 125 pounds. Feeling she couldn’t lose more weight, Kerr was asked to be the first participant for a new program called “Less is More� sponsored by Dr. Dolores Lowe.

Kerr eliminated starches, sugars and unhealthy foods. She committed to a low carb, organic, healthy diet. Kerr consumed fruits and

vegetables, lean meats, fish and only whole grain bread.

Kerr became more active by starting yoga, pilates, kickboxing, running and joining the local YMCA and Shapes.

By July of 2007, Kerr had lost 200 pounds.

Debbie Kerr, now.

After losing a significant amount of weight, Kerr became a consultant for Dr. Lowes’ company and was hired for weight maintenance. Kerr felt she could help others with the same problem and help women feel better about themselves and reaching their goals. Kerr then started her own

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company: Why Weight? Management.

Kerr holds monthly meetings at the Winery and Coffee 101, where they share information on recipes, motivate each other, and share good ideas.

After achieving her goal, Kerr will run a “Biggest Loser� program at the Dallas Bull.

The public signs up and four are drawn and announced on WQYK, April 18. After 12 weeks, the contestant that loses the most BMI, weight, and the most votes cast on the Dallas Bull website will win. “It’s going to be a lot of fun and lots of crazy things going on,� states Kerr about the upcoming program. To contact Debbie Kerr at Why Weight? managment call 813-477-5343.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 19

local AROUNDTOWN

Story by Jerry Lofst rom / Photos by As hley G rant and J erry Lofst rom

Still Sweethearts After 60 Years of Marriage It’s easy to read about love, sing about love, dream about love -- much harder to put love into action, to act loving when people are far from perfect and may not accept our love in the way we want them to.

This is a story about eight couples from the Meadows in Plant City who are living their promise to “love and cherish” one another after 60 years of marriage.

The year was 1948. World War II was over and “the greatest generation” of Americans’ came together in quiet confidence after defeating the mighty forces of Germany and Japan. President Harry Truman was promising “peace and prosperity.”

The average cost of a new house was $7,700.00; a new car could be bought for $1,250.00 and a gallon of gasoline cost 19 cents at a full service gas station.

What’s even sweeter is that after 60 years of marriage, love is still going strong.

How do they do it?

It was a time when the future of our nation was filled with hope and high expectations -- a time when Americans’ were getting married in record numbers.

Love was a sweet thing in 1948 when Ralph wed Jeannette, John wed Norma, Dick wed Grace, Ed wed Mabel, Ernie wed Ginny, Dick wed Joan, Maynard wed Alfrieda, and Dick wed Colleen.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 20

Front L to R: Colleen Earnhart, Alfrieda Francis, Mabel McDougall, Ginny Kline, Joan Meserve, Grace Strand; Back L to R: Dick Earnhart, Maynard Francis, Ed McDougall, Ernie Kline, Richard Meserve, Dick Strand; Not pictured: John and Norma Wolfe; Ralph and Jeannette Brune.

local AROUNDTOWN

stil l sweethearts continued

Faith in God, friendship, respect, compromise and perseverance topped the list of things that keep a marriage together, they said.

And who’s to argue?

After 60 years of marriage the men and women who promised to love each other forever still cuddle on the sofa, go dancing at the senior center and travel together on the trips they wished they could have afforded when they were newlyweds.

Having fun together was an important ingredient to a happy marriage, they said.

After 60 years of marriage, Joan Meserve says her 83-year-old husband Dick is still a hot date.

“We hit the dance floor every chance we get,” says the 81-year-old woman.

In a time when half of all marriages end in divorce and many couples get hitched and then ditch their wedding vows faster than you can say “prenuptial,” these couples have defied the odds.

Young couples today -- starry-eyed, under the influence of passion, engraved wedding invitations and silky white dresses -- could learn a lesson from these extraordinary couples.

Why does their love survive?

Each couple offered many answers, but summed it up with the belief that God joined them together for a reason, and together they give thanks to God because He did.

What’s their secret?

Both Maynard and Alfrieda said the thought of leaving the other has never entered their minds.

To them, marriage is sacred. “I think young people today give up on marriage too soon,” Mrs. Francis said. “They want everything immediately and when they don’t get it, they start blaming each other. We had very little, but we had more than enough.”

When their wedding vows were exchanged, they meant them. They promised to stay together forever -- “till death do us part.”

They supported each other when there wasn’t enough money to take a vacation, when a widowed mother-in-law had to move in, when jobs were lost, when illness struck -- they have held strong to those promises.

The couples enjoying a dinner at the Red Rose Dining Room.

DON’T FORGET YOUR

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CALL TAMMY OR SOPHIA AT 813.707.8783 FOR SPECIAL PRICING MAGAZINE FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 21

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Story by Chery l Jo h nsto n / Photos court e sy of Rainbow Family L earni ng Center and R e d Ros e I n n send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

21st Annual Rainbow Ball Black & White Formal Event Benefits Abused Children and Families The 21st Annual Rainbow Ball is a Black and White formal attire affair. The 2008 ball, presented by Sunshine State Federal Savings and Loan, will be held during Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month on Saturday, April 26th from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Red Rose Ballroom at the Red Rose Inn & Suites (formerly the Ramada) in Plant City. Funds raised help support our very own Rainbow Family Learning Center on Tillman Drive, a therapeutic center of the Child Abuse Council for at-risk and abused children and their families.

Hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting sponsored

by ABC Fine Wine & Spirits begin at 6:30.

Following the dinner at eight, dance to the seven-member Funk Monster Band’s high energy 60’s to 90’s music. Silent and live auctions, cigar bar, and the 50/50 Pot of Gold Fund cash prize drawing are also part of the fun event emceed by Plant City’s own Mayor Rick Lott.

Additionally, throughout the evening guests will enjoy watching one of Florida’s premier landscape artists, Robert Butler, and his daughter, Doreen Butler create art canvasses to be featured in the live auction. Five of Robert Butler’s limited edition prints are also available for purchase now through the Rainbow Ball’s website, with proceeds benefiting the center.

The 2008 event’s 21-member committee is cochaired by Yvonne Fry and Jodi Smith. Last year’s ball raised more than $100,000 for the Plant City Rainbow Family Learning Center, which has been supported since 1987 by the formal benefit. Over the years, through very generous community support, the Rainbow Ball has raised over $1 million for this childcare center. Tickets to attend are $125 per person.

Information regarding tickets, sponsorships, and donations is available at www.rainbowball.org

Yvonne Fry and Jodi Smith - Rainbow CoChairs

The Child Abuse Council’s accredited treatment program operates with highly trained, educated staff in accordance with nationally defined best practice standards to consistently deliver superior services to affected families. It combines training and support for parents, along with security and protection in a structured growth-oriented atmosphere for children, ages infant to five years. Prevention and education programs reach out to parents at-risk for violent behavior and parents who just need a helping hand. Available services include home visits, workshops, support groups, and developmental

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 24

playgroups to enhance parenting skills, as well as the physical, social and intellectual development needs of affected children. The Child Abuse Council also operates a Rainbow center in South Tampa.

When communities fail to prevent and treat child abuse or neglect, everyone suffers.

Sadly, Hillsborough County perpetually ranks amongst Florida’s highest for most reported and confirmed cases. Tragically, abused children often grow up to become abusers themselves.

Abused children also suffer from higher rates of death, teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, school failure, domestic violence, crime, and mental health disorders.

Together, we can prevent the tragic cycle of child abuse and neglect in this community.

Please call Jodi Smith at (813) 757-8574 or Shannon Sellards at (813) 673-4646 today to purchase tickets and help the cause.

Online, visit www.rainbowball.org or http:// childabusecouncil.com to learn more. Then, don your best black and white dress clothes, your dancing shoes, and your community spirit to make a difference here in our town. Great food, good friends, and generous hearts – the Rainbow Ball is the place to be.

The Red Rose Ballroom Staff of Hosts, Hostesses and Servers greeting guests for last year’s Rainbow Ball.

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Story by David H a r r is / Photos by Bi l ly F r i e n d send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Little Miss Plant City A New Queen is crowned Dawn Michaels was surprised when her daughter Taylor asked to compete in the 40th annual Little Miss Plant City Contest, but not as much as when Taylor won the crown.

“Taylor is way more tom-boyish. She rides dirt bikes, plays on the soccer team and plays tennis,” Michaels said. “So, I was shocked when she asked if she could do it.”

Michaels was familiar with the contest. She worked Little Miss Plant City contests before and thought a different experience would be good for her daughter.

Taylor will serve her term with her First Maid Drew Knotts and court members Kaitie Bracewell, Ellie Shouse, and Alissa Joy Baker.

“You can be too fancy for our contest,” Bobbie Ehrenfeld said. “It’s not a beauty pageant.

There isn’t even a score for outer beauty.”

with the students of the school where they collaborate on art, gardening, literacy and conservation projects.

Bobbie Ehrenfeld is chairwoman for the contest, and she believes in promoting the inner beauty of the girls.

The first event after the contest, the “juniors” opened Relay for Life by handing flowers to cancer survivors, leading the survivor lap and carrying the event banner.

Girls eight to ten-year-olds are judged on inner view and stage presence. Five judges from outside of Plant City ask the contestants age-related questions, scoring them on confidence and ability to formulate answers.

The Little Miss Plant City Contest is sponsored by the Plant City Junior Woman’s Club and is a town tradition, promoting volunteerism and community outreach. Proceeds from the event go to help fund the Junior Annual Shoe Project that has provided over a thousand pairs of shoes and socks to underprivileged children. The Shoe Project has been a part of Plant City for the past 50 years.

The club also adopts an area elementary school with children in need every year.

The club provides school supplies and clothes, and assists in service projects

Ehrenfeld chaired the event for the second year and said this year was easier than the last. She couldn’t delegate tasks she didn’t know how to do herself she said, but after taking on almost every task, she learned what needed to be done to run the contest.

She learned how to delegate tasks this year and received a lot of support from the planning committee members. She also received a lot of support from the “juniors”.

“We have wonderful juniors,” Ehrenfeld said.

“They are very responsible, and when they say they are going to do something, they do it in a classy way and get it done.”

Even if the girls do not place, the contest organizers work hard to ensure that all the contestants have a good time, meet new friends and look forward to the next year’s contest.

L to R: Katie Bracewell, Drew Knotts, Taylor Michaels, Alissa Joy Baker and Ellie Anne Shouse

200 friends and family watched as 27 contestants vied for the queen’s crown, but the contestants relied on their words and talent, not their looks. The judges are instructed to score down for excessive makeup or inappropriate dress.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 26

The Queen, her court and everyone that made LMPC possible.

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Story and Photo by Ashley G rant send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

THOMAS A. DIGERONIMO, M.D.,P.A. BOARD CERTIFIED NEUROLOGIST

Operation Kidsafe

GLENN D. TURNER, A.R.N.P.

Fingerprint and Photo Safety Program Operation Kidsafe stopped by Jarrett-Scott Ford on E. Baker St. on Friday March 14 and Saturday March 15. Operation Kidsafe is on a National Safety Tour to protect children. They are a free digital fingerprint and photo safety program.

According to Operation Kidsafe, more than 3,000 children are reported missing every day in the United States. When a child goes missing, every second counts. With the printouts of vital information Operation Kidsafe offers parents, an investigation can get moving a little faster with an instant aid.

Operation Kidsafe captures your child’s picture and fingerprints using a digital video capture device, digital ink-less fingerprint capture device and specialized software. The captured data is assembled and a quality 8 ½ X 11” printout is given to the parent.

On the document is the child’s fingerprints, picture, name, race, weight, height, birth date, medications they’re on, allergies and more.

Operation J.J. Crab with dad Jerry, mom Susie and sister Jacie.

Kidsafe’s J.J. has to hold his finger very still so the Wayne Petro computer can record his finger print. said he suggests parents keep the information on the page up to date. Tape a new picture over it or when Operation Kidsafe comes through town again get your printout redone.

There’s no need to worry about your child’s image going on the Internet. The only copy of the document goes home with you and there is no databasing of this information. The only time that this information would be made public is in the event something happens to your child.

For more information on Operation Kidsafe or to host your own, visit http://www.kidsafeprint.com.

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Sto ry by Ruch e l l e Owe n s / p hoto cou rt e sy of G e o rg e LaBl an ce & Kat h y Beverly

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The Science in Skateboarding

Wilson Elementary Student Places at District Science Fair Maxwell Beverly is forever testing, mixing, and observing. “My little Jimmy Neutron” his father, George LaBlance, endearingly calls him.

Beverly, a third-grader at Wilson Elementary, took home the second place silver medal for his division, Third Grade, Physical Science--Energy, at the Hillsborough County Regional Science Fair, held at the USF Sundome on Wednesday, February 20, 2008.

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Beverly’s project, “The Best Bearings for Your Bucks,” made its debut at Wilson’s science fair, where it took first place for 3rd grade, earning him a ribbon and the opportunity to join only two other Wilson students at the district fair. Wilson was also the only Plant City elementary school with participants.

Students were not allowed to talk to their parents or teachers at the fair, only the two judges asking questions. An official awards ceremony was held the following night, where Beverly made his way across the stage to claim his medal.

Beverly’s project compared the value of skateboard bearings to determine which offered the best performance, in comparison to price. Four different bearings were used in the three trials, which consisted of a 6’x15’ ramp, where a skateboard was dropped from the top and timed until it stopped. When asked where he got the idea for the topic, Beverly replied, “I’m a skateboarder and I have a half-pipe in my backyard.”

LaBlance agrees that the “challenge all kids and parents face is the topic.

How creative can you be?”

Beverly’s AGP teacher, Cheryl Edwards, proudly proclaims that Beverly “took the ball and ran with it. This was Wilson’s first time entering.”

With any luck, Beverly may capture the 4th-grade gold medal at next year’s competition.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 29

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Sto ry by Ruch e l l e Ow e n s / P hotos cou rt e sy of Ma ry Gard n er

Plant City Little League

Founder Lived a Full Life!

Born on May 26, 1924, Herbert Shannon Gardner, Jr., affectionately known as “H,” loved sports from a young age. Gardner started exhibition boxing at the age of six and played baseball and football at Plant City High School, where he was asked to coach a boxing team.

Gardner served in the Army Artillery and while at Camp Blanding was drafted by his friends for an Army boxing team, never losing a fight the entire time. After the Army, Gardner worked at Sebring Air Force Base before taking a job at the Plant City Post Office. It was while delivering a letter that he first met Mary Burkett, whom he eventually took as . Herbert “H” Gardner spent a lifehis wife of 60 years. Their two time enjoying a variety of sports. children, Danny and Peggy, also grew up active in sports. Gardner attended First Baptist Church, where he served as a teacher, greeter, and deacon. “H. and I were very busy parents. I really felt like a taxi driver and a wash woman trying to keep the right clothes for the right part,” laughs Mary.

Plant City had a Minor League baseball team which Gardner played on, but he began to gather information on getting a nationally-recognized Little League, writing to the headquarters and going out-of-state to obtain the charter, allowHerbert and Mary on their “H” spends quality ing Plant wedding day, June 8, 1947. time with one of his City its granddaughters. first Little League program for boys and girls. Gardner worked for nearly 30 years organizing, umpiring, coaching, forming meetings, and presiding as President. Mary claims that “nearly every child has played baseball under him.” “Mr. H.” passed away on December 19, 2007. Says Mary, “Maybe he is getting a Little League team started in Heaven.”

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Hillsborough Community College Turns 40 Celebrations Take Place All Year Long

Hillsborough Community College turns 40 this year, but unlike other birthdays, they do not consider themselves “over the hill.” Instead, HCC believes that they have become an integral part of many young people’s lives and education and have decided to celebrate their birthday all year long. One of the events to celebrate their birthday took place right here at the Plant City campus. On April 5, the Spring Fling was a special celebration of the years that HCC has provided educational excellence to its students. The event was free and included food, games, music and a mini expo from noon until 4pm.

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The expo at the Hillsborough Community College Spring Fling offered free information and gifts on a variety of educational and health issues to everyone.

Hundreds of people attended the event and enjoyed the great weather and activities throughout the day. The family-friendly event was a hit with young and old and the expo provided people with an abundance of information and free prizes to take home with them. Although the Spring Fling was supposed to end at 4pm, the event was so popular that there were still people enjoying the food and expo as 5pm approached.

The Spring Fling is not the only way that HCC is celebrating this year. The college plans a number of events throughout the year. April 17 will be the Presidential Showcase, which features a silent auction, cigar bar and refreshments. Additionally, a number of concerts and performances by HCC students will be taking place at the campus FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 32

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hillsborou gh commu nity college tu rn s 4 0 continued

here in Plant City. HCC established a 40th Anniversary Committee which was responsible for planning all the birthday events this year.

John Huerta, public relations director for HCC is a committee co-chair.

“The college will be working with Clear Channel Radio and Bright House Networks to publicize these events,” he said.

HCC will be hosting a film festival, featuring innovative films that explore the culturally diverse realms of our lives. There will be a performance of the dark comedy, Pterodactyls at the Brandon Campus and a number of other events at the various campuses will take place through the end of the year. More information can be found at the school’s website at hccfl.edu.

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No one left empty-handed from the Spring Fling. The event was a wonderful celebration of 40 years of education offered by HCC.

HCC was established in 1968 as Hillsborough Junior College and was renamed Hillsborough Community College in December of 1970.

Hillsborough Community College now serves more than 40,000 students on its four campuses located in Tampa, on Dale Mabry Highway, in Ybor City, Brandon and Plant City. A fifth campus is planned to open this summer in Ruskin. In addition, HCC also serves students at learning centers on MacDill Air Force Base. HCC was the recipient of the 2006 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Equity award.

The college is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which makes it possible to award certificates, diplomas and associate degrees. To view the 40th anniversary calendar, visit www.hccfl.edu/hawknet/ and click on HawkNet - Campus Cruiser on the left side of the Web page. Under “Around Campus,” click on “Calendars.” Then choose “40th Anniversary Calendar” near the top of the page. Information can also be obtained by calling the campus offices at 813-253-7000.

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local AROUNDTOWN

Story and Photos by Pat H earn send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Space: The Final Frontier

Local Space Society Chapter Strives to Educate and Inspire Long before the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, man has always wondered what was beyond the Earth’s atmosphere and even our own galaxy. Our curiosity led us to create special programs to explore and learn more about the endless void that surrounds our planet. Over the centuries general interest in space has waned and heightened, but there are still enthusiasts that support the idea of expanding the frontier of man. One such group of supporters, the National Space Society, believes in the importance of passing

and Co. contacted Bruton Memorial Library in Plant City and was allowed to use the premises for the event. The first year the event was held supplies were donated by the Kennedy Space Center and had an attendance of about 80 people. The second year, that number skyrocketed to 300. Last year, Wal-Mart joined the list of patrons and the event was decked out with displays, videos, and guest speakers.

It was even promoted on radio as well as on T.V. This year, Wal-Mart, NASA, To Be Determined Films, and many other sponsors will be supplying the materials needed to make this year’s Space Day a success.

This year’s Space Day will include numerous activities to keep the participants busy.

Contests, such as Jeopardy In Space, will present a little friendly competition throughout the day. There will also be many scientific experiments, including building your own rocket, which is sure to be a favorite for the kids. There will be a new feature this year as well. A computer program called Lunarnautics

allows the user to fully plan his or her very own space mission from building the shuttle, right down to designing the mission patch. Another treat this year will be the guest appearances of Russell Romanella, the Spacecraft/Space Station Payload Directorate at NASA and Joe Palaia of the Mars Base of Research company 4Frontiers. Mr. Romanella will be discussing the NASA’s plan to return to the Moon, as well as the hope to eventually reach Mars and beyond. Mr. Palaia will be discussing the possibilities of eventually establishing a colony on Mars’ surface.

Like in previous years, Space Day 4 will be held at the Bruton Memorial Library on May 10. The event will last all day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendance is free and drinks and snacks will be provided. There will also be a grand prize giveaway of a maximum access pass to the Kennedy Space Center for an entire family as well as other prizes. So bring out the entire family for a fun-filled day of space exploration.

A model of the solar system serves as a teaching aid.

the knowledge and curiosity of space on to youngsters.

The organization’s main goal is to make the United States a space-faring country and to reignite the interest in space exploration by conducting outreach programs and pushing the space agenda. The Tampa chapter He-3, in particular, began about five years ago due to the Columbia tragedy. The group began by doing volunteer work and giving presentations at local public schools.

Eventually, He-3 was ready to give their first Space Day event. However, schools denied the program. So, society President, Jason Rhian,

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 36

Participants learn through the use of computer programs.

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Story by Ashle y Gr a n t Photos court esy of P r e g n a nc y C a r e C ent er of Pl ant City

More Than Just a Casual Stroll Walk for Life The Pregnancy Care Center of Plant City hosted its Walk for Life on Saturday March 29 at the Plant City Stadium Complex.

Participants raised money to support the Center before coming out to walk the two mile path.

The Pregnancy Care Center has looked to the support of the community for the past 15 years. “The PCC has quietly and powerfully ministered to each woman, providing the care, information and services she needs.

She is given every opportunity to make a life affirming choice for her baby and her future.”

The money that was raised in the Walk for Life helps fund the following: pregnancy testing, Ultrasound confirmation, confidential support, adoption referrals, maternity and infant needs, abstinence education and an abortion recovery program.

When some women get pregnant, they are not ready, it’s unplanned and/or they are scared.

Kids getting pulled in wagons had it made during the Walk.

Participants gear up for the Walk.

The PCC wants women to know that they are not alone. Yes, they care about the babies of pregnant women, but they want to make sure the women know that they matter too.

“The PCC of Plant City is staffed by trained volunteers who are prepared to help whether you are single or married, regardless of age, race or religion.” For more information on the Pregnancy Care Center of Plant City, please visit www.plantcitypregnancycenter. org.

Put on your best hat and go for a Walk…For Life.

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813-752-4591 Now accepting applications for our summer semester! Call for more information or email our director, Kristy Pate at k.pate@pccog.com FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 38

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 39

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Story by Brian W est / P hoto by B i lly Fri e n d send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Holland and Hallman Shine On Saturday, March 15, a few hundred spectators witnessed the 2008 competition for Miss Heart of Plant City and Miss Outstanding Teen Heart of Plant City, which was held at the Plant City High School auditorium. This year there were four contestants vying for Miss Heart of Plant City; Keelee Tomlinson, Amanda Holland, Mackenzie Clark and Summer Woodard, and three contestants vying for Miss Outstanding Teen Heart of Plant City; Rachael Hallman, Hayley Meyers and Jordan Williams.

Contestants for the Miss Heart crown compete in four events; interview, swimsuit, talent and evening gown and onstage question, with overall consideration given to stage presence and speech, while contestants for the Teen crown compete in the same events with sportswear in character substituting for swimwear, and evening gown and onstage question; again with overall consideration given to stage presence and speech.

The contestants were all beautiful and their talents varied widely, with two contestants dancing and a couple signing to songs. Mackenzie Clark did a very entertaining “Catholic school girl monologue” that drew rowdy cheers from the audience; a standout performance. Contestants for both titles shared the stage at various times which helps with the efficiency of the pageant.

The Emcees for the evening were the reigning Miss Heart of Plant City, Megan Shelly and the reigning Miss Outstanding Teen Heart of Plant City, Ashlyn Robinson. Shelly and Robinson both provided entertainment during the competition. Shelly sang while accompanied by acoustic guitar and Robinson performed a dance routine.

of the Best Buddies Club and Civinettes. Both winners appeared to be truly shocked and surprised when their names were called.

Miss Heart of Plant City and Miss Teen Heart began in 2002 to provide a local competition as a stepping stone for the Miss Florida pageant. The group that puts on the event is small, but they did a very good job. There is quite a bit of work that goes into putting on a pageant like this. Board members include Roxanne Griffin Fullwood, President and CEO, Jennifer St. Martin Morgan, Vice President Elect, Crystal Wiggins Romano, Secretary, Kim Tafe Williams, Tresurer, and Regan Whitehurst, Choreographer. A panel of five judges from out of town scored the contestants; Sammy Schomer, Bob Clark Jr., Angela Harwell, Barbara Allaert and Melissa Wolfe. The winners of the pageant receive scholarship money and go on to The winners of the 2008 Miss Heart of Plant City competition. represent Plant City and compete for the titles of Miss Florida and Miss After a couple of hours of competition, Amanda Florida’s Outstanding Teen, held July 2 – 5 at the Holland was crowned as the 2008 Miss Heart of Mahaffey Theatre in St. Petersburg. More than Plant City. Holland is a 2005 graduate of Durant $1,500 in scholarships and prizes are awarded High School and currently attends the University to Miss Heart wins and more than $500 in of South Florida, where she is working toward scholarships and prizes to Miss Teen. Obviously a degree in Education. Rachel Hallman was this is a great opportunity for young women crowned the 2008 Miss Outstanding Teen Heart to help pay for their college education and an of Plant City. Hallman is a student at Plant City experience they’ll all remember.

High School. She is a cheerleader and member

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FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 41

local AROUNDTOWN

Story by Ruche l l e Ow e ns / Photos courte sy of M eli ssa Jay & Lo ri P et e rson

Spring “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things…”

The chirping birds, the Easter Parade, new clothes and hats for church...whatever the case, people enjoy Spring for various reasons.

For many, Spring means baseball season.

Tammy Joyner says of her family, “When I think of Spring, the first thing that comes to mind is BASEBALL! We have a son that plays and our

family has become baseball junkies. There’s nothing like the ballpark in the Spring and the beautiful weather in Florida.” Tyler James Peterson, an 8th grader at Tomlin agrees, “The best thing about Spring is baseball, the finals of basketball, and Spring Break.”

Others take a more natural approach. “I know Spring is near when I walk in the yard and see all the plants coming back for another year of beauty,” says Jerry B. Bert Gideons states, “My favorite things about Spring are the sounds of the songbirds, the smells of new growth, and the breeze that inspires the soul.”

Spring also affects those not originally from Florida. Melissa Jay proclaims, “As a child growing up in Ohio, I anxiously awaited the first hint of Spring…the tiny crocus. Then, as

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 42

an encore, there was the full-on explosion of color a few weeks later; yellow daffodils, dark pink redbud trees, and green wild burdock. My fondest association, however, was the delicious smell of the thawing earth. We have nothing like that here in Florida and I miss it desperately.”

Spring has much to offer and everyone can find something to enjoy. Says Tzeporaw Sahadeo, “Light linen fabric!”

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Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce

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The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce BUSINESS AFTER HOURS will take place April 17 th. at Lott-Mather Buick-Pontiac-GMC, 2900 James L. Redman Parkway. Come on out and meet your Chamber members. This great event starts at 5:15 pm and goes on till 7 pm. Be sure to call the Chamber at 813-754-3707 to RSVP.

NOTE: As soon as possible please drop off donations, in sellable condition at the Ferman dealership during regular business hours. Contact Timela Cross at 752-1033 to schedule a drop-off time or if you need a driver and truck to pick up larger items. This promises to be a great event and for a very worthy cause.

HHHHHHHHHH

HHHHHHHHHH If you have not already registered for the April 18 and 19 American Cancer Society Relay for Life event which will be held at Plant City High School, there is still time. Call Lauren Erickson at 813-685-0670, extension 112 HHHHHHHHHH The Annual Ikon Children’s Classic Golf Tournament will be held Friday, April 18 at Walden Lake Golf & Country Club. Starts with an 11:00 am check-in and a 12:30 pm shotgun start. This yearly event is sponsored by South Florida Baptist Hospital, Plant City Kiwanis Club and the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.

Mark your calendars for the 21 st. Annual Rainbow Ball. This years theme is ‘A BLACK and WHITE AFFAIR’. This very worthwhile event will take place April 26 th. at the Red Rose Inn and Suites Ballroom. Back this year by popular demand will be wine tasting, live and silent auctions and a cigar tent. This is a gala you will not want to miss!

Patrons are encouraged to wear Black and White attire to fit this years theme. All monies collected will stay right here in Plant City at our very own Rainbow Center on Tillman Drive. If you need additional information, call Jodi Smith at 813-757-8574.

HHHHHHHHHH Championship Softball is coming to Plant City Stadium on May 3 rd. at 7 pm. Team USA will be here on a stop from their BOUND 4 BEIJING TOUR to play against Florida Southern College.

HHHHHHHHHH You will not want to miss the 11 th. Annual STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CAR SHOW which will take place in historic downtown Plant City on Saturday, April 19 th. This great family fun filled event gets underway at 4:00 pm and goes on till 9:00 pm. A very special attraction for this Anniversary show is an appearance by the Southern Star Bluegrass Band. They will be performing at 4, 5:30 and 7. Come on out and bring the family. Lots to see and a great fun time to look over the classic automobiles.

Again this year, Plant City will play host to the Florida High School Athletic Association Softball State Championships. Tournament week is May 5-10. This will be followed by the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 Softball National Championship Tournament on May 15-17.

These events are great fun to watch. Imagine the United States Olympic Team USA playing right here in Plant City! It doesn’t get much better than that! The High School and Junior College teams are also fun to watch. Plan to take the family out to the ballpark and enjoy some great softball.

HHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHH COMMUNITY YARD SALE to benefit the United Food Bank & Services of Plant City will take place on Saturday, April 26 th. from 8 am until 3 pm at Ferman Chrysler, Jeep & Dodge of Plant City, 502 East Park Road. There will be live music, food and lots of family fun.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 44

Do you have children ages 4 to 18? Are they interested in soccer? If so, you will want to register them for the Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp this summer at Otis Andrews Sports Complex. The 5 day camp is June 16-20. There are camps for mini-soccer (ages 4-5) Rec level (ages 6-16) and higher level (ages 13-18). You can register online at

p lant city cham ber continued

AMERICAN BOARD CERTIFIED

PLANT CITY’S URGENT CARE & WEIGHT LOSS

Dawson / Jones Equipment , 1403 Sydney Road

www.challengersports.com by May 1 st. You can get more information on the Plant City Recreation & Parks web site, www.plantcitygov.com/rec - click the Youth Soccer link, or contact Steve Rossiter at 813-659-4200 ext. 4311.

HHHHHHHHHH On Saturday, May 3 rd. the Canon Tennis Challenge of Tampa Bay will take place at Mayor Rick Lott’s residence, 3200 Polo Place, Plant City. Tennis matches start at 1:30 pm with the main event (Mardy Fish vs. John Isner) taking place at 6 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.glsportsentertainment.com or by calling Gregg Gruhl at 813-318-2075.

Urgent Care

Weight Loss

s .O !PPOINTMENT .ECESSARY s -OST )NSURANCE !CCEPTED s %XPERIENCED 5RGENT #ARE 0HYSICIANS s /N 3ITE 8 2AYS s %+' ,ABS s 3TICHES s 3ORE 4HROATS s )NFECTIONS s 0HYSICALS s 3PRAINS s /CCUPATIONAL -EDICINE s -UCH -ORE

s -EDICALLY 3UPERVISED s !PPETITE 3UPPRESENTS s 6ITAMIN )NJECTIONS s $IET 0LANS s -EDS )NJECTION )NCLUDED IN THE TOTAL PRICE s -EMBER OF THE !MERICAN 3OCIETY OF "ARIATRIC 0HYSICIANS

BE READY &/2 35--%2

HHHHHHHHHH

HHHHHHHHHH We have over 700 members in the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.

Is your business a member? If not, contact Susan Marshall, Membership Director at 813-754-3707.

Remember to shop where you see this sign: MEMBER GREATER PLANT CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Wheeler

Save these dates…..

May 15 Business After Hours at Keel & Curley Winery, starts at 5:15 pm.

May 17 Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce MARGARITA BALL. Takes place at Mayor Rick Lott’s residence, 3200 Polo Place and starts at 7 pm and goes to midnight. Call the Chamber at 813-754-3707 for tickets and additional information.

Baker NOW CARE

ANY INITIAL WEIGHT LOSS EVALUATION IN -AY

Davis

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20% OFF

Alexander Whitehall

On May 8 th., the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce will hold their Annual BUSINESS EXPO at the Trinkle Building on the Hillsborough Community College Campus. This event starts at 3 PM and goes on till 6 PM. This is a great time to come out and check out the services that the various businesses have to offer. Admission is free.

-ON &RI AM PM 3AT 3UN AM PM

Reynolds

1009 W. Baker St. Plant City, FL 33563 813-759-1232 nowcareclinic.com FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 45

Trinkle, Redman, Swanson, Coton, Davis & Smith P.A. Attorneys at Law /UR 0RACTICE #ORPORATE "USINESS ,AW s )NCORPORATIONS 0ARTNERSHIPS ,,# S s !CQUISITIONS 3ALES -ERGERS s %MPLOYER %MPLOYEE 2ELATIONS &AMILY ,AW s $ISSOLUTION OF -ARRIAGE s !LIMONY #HILD #USTODY 3UPPORT s !DOPTIONS %STATE 0LANNING 0ROBATE s 7ILL 4RUST $RAFTING s 0ROBATE !DMINISTRATION OF %STATES s 'UARDIANSHIP 0ROCEEDINGS

2EAL %STATE s #OMMERCIAL 2ESIDENTIAL #LOSINGS s 4ITLE )NSURANCE s $EVELOPMENT 0LANNING :ONING s &ORECLOSURES s ,ANDLORD 4ENANT ,ITIGATION ,AWSUITS s #OMMERCIAL ,ITIGATION #OLLECTIONS s #REDITOR 2EPRESENTATION IN "ANKRUPTCY s 2EAL %STATE s 0ERSONAL )NJURY s 0ROPERTY $AMAGE s 0ROBATE

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Hope Christian Academy Now Enrolling For 2008-2009 School Year

Openings Available Educational Opportunities for Str uggling, Average & Advanced Learners tary lemen all E t a e Gr h sm m wit s a r g o Pr oom classr mmer ing Su er r e f f Now O and Summ Camp toring Tu

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Call, Click or Visit: (813) 871-2690 ext. 21935 or toll-free 1-888-871-2690 ext. 21935

WWW.GTEFCU.ORG Visit us at 2201 James L. Redman Parkway in Plant City or any one of our 37 branches.

Hope Christian Academy

1109 W. Grant St. • Plant City, FL 33563

813-752-1000

mhagel@hope-christian.com

Member of ACSI Accredited: NPSAA

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 47

C i t y

•

P a s t

a n d

P r e s e n t

S t o ry b y A s h l e y G r a n t • Photos by Ashley Grant and submitted by Plant C i t y P h o t o A rc h i v e s

Past & Present

C i t y

• 217 miles to Jacksonville via Orlando • 241 miles to Miami via Auburndale • 021 miles to Tampa via Dover • 022 miles to Tampa via Valrico

T r a i n s

P r e s e n t

o f

• 025 miles to Mulberry (phosphate mines)

a n d

P l a n t

• 189 miles to Jacksonville via Ocala

P a s t

Ra i l M i l e s F ro m Plant City to:

•

T r ac k s Where Do They Go?

C i t y

•

ofPlantCity Trains of

P l a n t

a n d

P l a n t

o f

P a s t

o f

T r a i n s

P r e s e n t

T r a i n s

T r a i n s

o f

P l a n t

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 48

C i t y

•

P a s t

a n d

P r e s e n t

What Are They Carrying?

T r a i n s Pa s s i n g T h ro u g h P l a n t C i t y

Orange Juice Trains The Orange cars in this train belong to the Tropicana products company in Bradenton, FL. There have been three trains per week to Jersey City, NJ since 1970. Two trains per week started going to Cincinnati, OH in 1997.

Each northbound car contains about 18,000 gallons of refrigerated juice in cartons and glass or plastic bottles.

W

hen a person first comes to Plant City it’s likely that within at least the first hour or two of being here they’ll hear the familiar sound of a train going by. It’s likely you’ve been stopped somewhere in Plant City at a railroad crossing just before you could pass it and head to your destination. What exactly are these trains carrying? Where are they going and what’s their history?

The first steam engine came to Plant City a little more than a year before Plant City was actually created. On December 10, 1883 the steam engine arrived and in January 1985 the “City of Plant City” was officially created.

In 1909, Union Passenger Station was completed and used by the South Florida Railroad and At-

Phosphate Trains These trains haul wet phosphate from mines to processing plants where the phosphate is made into fertilizer. The wet phosphate is hauled in open top cars and looks like gravel. The phosphate is strip mined about 25 miles southeast of Plant City.

Auto Rack Cars These large 89-foot long cars carry new motor vehicles from which they are then delivered to automobile dealers. The local distribution center is in North Tampa. Each car carries 8 to 15 automobiles depending on their size.

General Freight TrainsThese freight trains consist of various types of freight cars hauling all types of commodities.

Normally one train per day serves local industries from the Winston Rail Yard in Lakeland.

This is the only freight train with a caboose.

Piggy- Back and Container Trains These trains carry highway truck trailers (called piggy-back) and containers (like highway truck trailers without wheels). Many of the containers arrive and depart from the port of Tampa on ships.

Passenger Trains Amtrak operates two trains daily through Plant City. The southbound trains go to Miami via Lakeland, Auburndale, Winter Haven and West Palm Beach. The northbound trains go directly to New York City via Dade City, Ocala, Jacksonville, Savannah, Charleston, Richmond, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Newark. Locally these trains handle passengers only in Tampa and Lakeland.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 49

ofPlantCity Trains of

Fast Train Facts: lantic Coast Line Railroad for passengers, mail, and for the Western Union telegraph service.

ger trains come through Plant City on their daily runs between Tampa, Miami and New York City.

When the trains first began coming through Plant City, they carried all different types of cargo.

Throughout the 1920s and later, there were large quantities of farm produce being shipped as well as wooden packing crates and, of course, strawberries.

CSX Corporation is based in Jacksonville, Fla. Its principal operating company, CSX Transportation Inc., operates the largest railroad in the eastern United States with a 21,000-mile rail network linking commercial markets in 23 states, the District of Columbia, and two Canadian provinces. CSXT headquarters are also based in Jacksonville, Fla.

In fact, the first recorded shipment of strawberries dated back to 1892. By 1920 Plant City had become known as the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World” according to Gil Gott of the Plant City Photo Archives.

Gott also said that throughout the 1920s as many as 44 passenger trains served Plant City daily and up to 30 carloads of freight and produce were shipped.

Because transportation kept growing with the interstate system and jetliners, the emphasis on passenger trains diminished greatly. Around the 1960s, Union Station became more of a historical object than a thriving spot and in 1974 the railroad deeded the building to the city. In 1975 Union Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

After many mergers, CSX Transportation emerged and now operates approximately 16 through freight trains daily, as well as a local train with a caboose that serves the area’s industries and warehouses. Although they don’t stop in Plant City, Amtrak passen-

To learn more about the history of the railroads and trains in Plant City you can visit the Union Station Welcome Center located at 102 North Palmer Street in Historic Downtown. They are opened Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Welcome Center has a Railroad Museum filled with facts and memorabilia of yesterday and today’s rail system in Plant City.

You can also visit the H.B. Plant Railroad Historical Society online at www.hbplantrr.org. There you will find information about the society itself, upcoming events and links to rail manufacturers, as well as rail links.

Sources * H.B. Plant Railroad Historical Society * www.csx.com * Amtrak * Plant City Photo Archives *Gil Gott

1.

Grand Central Station covers 47 acres of land on Manhattan Island in New York.

The first diesel and electric trains were

2. invented in the 1950s

The fastest train in the US is the electric

3. Amtrak train. * Oracle Education Foundation

Japan has the world’s busiest rail network.

4. It can carry almost 12% of its population!

It’s almost 32 miles long.

In the entire world, the German Intercity

5. is the fastest. It was clocked at 243 miles per hour in 1988.

Train Rides

The closest place to hop a passenger train is in Lakeland, FL. The Amtrak passenger station is located at 600 E. Main Street Lakeland, FL 33801. The Palmetto and Silver Service trains offer service between New York City, Georgia and Florida. Services on the Silver Service train include viewliner sleeping and dining car accommodations or Coach Class seating. The Palmetto offers Business Class Services.

Trains travel daily and you can expect up to 28 hours or more of travel time by train. For more information on passenger trains, visit http:// www.amtrak.com.

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ears ly five y te a im x o appr service mer for Lynne, urteous to o s c & u e d c n ik a a al Dear M We have been ofession h the pr it w y p p . very ha ee Sales ng of and are arren Tr scheduli tly do W e y th b h d it w ten provide odating s consis accomm your employee d with your n e e b s e alway e greete me and lanning You hav work at our ho , it is nice to b m the initial p ll o e r a of our p F f call. ded all e landsca nt job. Most o to e d to c a x h e I’ve lle mpany t and an exce your co henever e Sales has me d w n e e ic m o v om re friendly tion, Warren T uld highly rec le wo p e m w o c d n to sa pe need n Tree landsca s and family. d Warre the n a e m nd to for our frie portant nk you emely im ll respects. Tha y years of con tr x e is e a n a ic in v m r it e u yo er s d at Custom clearly excelle we wish ed and s id a v h o r s p le Sa ave re you h great ca cess. uc tinued s - Robin Bailey

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Small Enough to Care FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 51

ofPlantCity Trains of G lo s s a ry o f Train Terms: A/C Locomotive - The newest type of locomotive in the CSX fleet. The A/C locomotive operates using alternating current and can move more tonnage faster.

Balloon Track - An arrangement of tracks in the form of a balloon used for turning around engines, cars, and trains.

Bi-Level Car - A two-level freight car used for transporting automobiles and other vehicles.

Block Operator - A person who follows train dispatcher’s instructions for aligning signals and switches on tracks within a block.

Cab - The space in the locomotive unit containing the operating controls and providing shelter and seats for the engine crew.

Caboose - A car which is attached to the rear of a freight train and serves as office and headquarters for the conductor and trainmen while they are in transit.

Sometimes called cabin car, way car, hack, shanty, or crummy.

Car Dumper- A device for quickly unloading bulk materials such as coal or grain from a freight car. After being clamped to the rail, the car is then tilted or rolled over to discharge the lading.

Departure Tracks- An arrangement of tracks to which outgoing freight cars are switched, usually from classification yard or directly from receiving yard, and made ready for train movement.

Derailment- Anytime the wheels of a rail car or engine come off the rails, usually accidentally.

Engine- A locomotive unit propelled by any form of energy. It is also a combination of such units operated from a single control.

Engineer- The operator of a locomotive.

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) - One of seven major branches under the Department of Transportation. The FRA deals with matters pertaining to railroads and their operations.

Gage (AKA Gauge) - The distance between the heads of rails, measured at a point 5/8 inches below the top of the rail. Standard gage in the United States and Canada measures 4 ft. 8 1/2 inches.

Hours of Service Law (AKA Hog Law) - The Federal statute which provides that all train and engineer crews must be relieved of duty after 12 hours of continuous service.

Inter-Terminal Switching - The switching of cars from one location to another within a terminal area, but involving two or more railroads.

A long history of putting Florida in Good Hands . ÂŽ

In 1939, Allstate opened its doors in Florida. The Sunshine State was just beginning its population boom. In 1970, the number of people in Dade County alone had quadrupled. As Florida added families, they needed insurance to protect those new homes and cars. And life insurance to protect loved ones. Allstate was there to put them in Good Hands.

Most of the time, the sun shone on our prosperous state. But along the way, Allstate, Allstate Floridian and the people of Florida weathered many major hurricanes together, including four of the worst on record.

Today, after more than 65 years, Allstate and Allstate Floridian continue to be there serving over 2 million households in this state. s !LLSTATE PROTECTS MORE THAN MILLION &LORIDA VEHICLES !ND WE JUST STARTED offering Your Choice Auto here—an innovative product with the unique rate population of Accident Forgiveness, as well as extra rewards for safe Florida drivers, like Deductible Rewards and the Safe Driving Bonus Check. s !LLSTATE EMPLOYS PEOPLE IN THIS STATE AND !LLSTATE AGENTS PROVIDE jobs for another 3,000 Floridians. s 4HE !LLSTATE &OUNDATION SUPPORTS THE &LORIDA CHAPTERS OF DOZENS OF WORTHY ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH GRANTS AND VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING 4HE !MERICAN 2ED Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, Urban League, Salvation Army, American Cancer Society and the YMCA. s !LLSTATE )NVESTED BILLION IN &LORIDA MUNICIPAL BONDS LAST YEAR 4HAT MONEY goes to build local roads, schools, parks—the infrastructure that makes our state a great place to live.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 52

s !LLSTATE IS COMMITTED TO REDUCING TEEN DEATHS FROM CAR ACCIDENTS ,AST YEAR 680 Florida high schools received our teen safe driving toolkit.

Allstate Floridian insures thousands of dwellings in Florida. Even when we’ve had to say goodbye to a valued homeowner customer, our Allstate agents were there to make sure they were protected by helping them find insurance through a network of reputable independent insurance companies.

Allstate employees, agents and their staffs live here, work here, and help provide protection to the people of this state as proudly as they always have.

With Allstate, You’re in Good Hands.

RALPH L. FEOLA, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF (813) 752- 2556 1003 S Collins St Plant City a026519@allstate.com The Cupped Hands logo and “Good Hands� are registered service marks of Allstate Insurance Company Auto Insurance issued by Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Northbrock, IL. Property insurance issued by Allstate Floridian Insurance Company, St. Petersburg, FL. Allstate Floridian Insurance Company and Allstate Floridian Indemnity Company, while part of the Allstate group are not underwritten or reinsured by any other company in the Allstate group. Š 2008 Allstate Insurance Company

Jackknifing - Excessive lateral forces caused by heavy buff loading, resulting in heels lifting over the high rail or the rail rolling over.

Piggyback - A term used to describe the hauling of loaded or empty highway trailers or containers on railroad flat cars.

Johnson Bar - Reverse lever on a steam locomotive.

Radio Controlled Engine - An unmanned engine situated within the train separated by cars from the lead unit, but controlled from it by radio signals.

Keeper - A latch-type device used to secure a switch in the desired position.

Locomotive (AKA Locomotive Consist) - A selfpropelled unit of equipment, or combination of units operated under a single control, and designed solely for moving other equipment.

Mechanical Refrigerator Car - A car equipped with a diesel powered refrigerating unit under thermostatic control.

Negative Plate - The grid and active material to which the current flows from the external circuit when the battery is discharging.

Ohms Law - The fundamental law of flow of electricity in a circuit. The rate of flow in amperes is equal to the electric pressure in volts divided by the resistance in ohms (The unit of electrical resistance).

Sawtoothing - The shifting of packaged goods that sometimes occurs when the straight stack method of loading is used.

locomotive or car, that responds to an emergency rate of reduction of brake pipe pressure by locally venting the brake pipe at the locomotive and/or car to the atmosphere, thereby serially propagating the emergency application throughout the train.

Whistle Stop - Station for flag stop only.

Yard - A system of tracks other than main tracks and sidings. A yard is used for making up trains, for storing cars, and for other purposes.

Shorts - In train service, cars or blocks of cars to be set-out before the final terminal is reached.

Tank Dome - A vertical cylinder attached to the top of a tank car.

It permits the tank proper to be filled to full cubical capacity, which would be impossible if there were no allowance for expansion in the dome.

Vent Valve - A valve, attached to the brake system of a

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 53

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We would like to thank all those who made the Strawberry Festival special for us.

Your generous gifts and talents were greatly appreciated.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

Sister’s & Company My Girlfriend’s Place ue De Javu’ Upscale Boutiq Parrish Threads Tip to Toe Nail Salon Lott Mather Motors Denise Young’s Boutique Nia Bella’s Planet Beach Sassi Nails Camellia Rose Tea Room Focus Magazine YMCA of Plant City Lion’s Club Katie Sharer Lisa McGrath Leah Mullis Long Lynn Connor Nancy Rupp Rev. Tommy Warnock t Fred’s Southern Marke k Hollie & MacKenzie Clar ics - Merle Norman Cosmet Jules Burt

n, Queen Kristen Smith, Amanda Sparkman, Jaclyn Raulerso ency Britney Balliet, 1st Maid Shaunie Surr

The 2008 al Strawberry Festiv Queen & Court Kristen, Shaunie, Amanda, Britney & Jaclyn FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 55

Ma k

in ommunity

Jodi Smith

T

be invol ve d

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Workin´ Around

The Clock

J

odi Smith isn’t a life long resident of Plant City, like many of us, but you’d

Interview by Brian West Photos by Phil Ransdell & Submitted

by Jodi Smith

never know that with everything she

does for our community. Many people who know her often ask where she finds time to sleep. If you’ve attended events or helped to put one together, chances are you’ve worked with her, or at least met her. She recently spent a few minutes with us to talk about her life and the things she’s involved with.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 56

“Working in the environment I do makes one appreciate every moment. When CODE BLUE is called I’m always grateful for what I have, and for some reason it always makes the day seem so much brighter.”

Emergency room.

Where are you from originally?

That’s a hard question to answer, but I was born in Independence, Missouri and lived in a small town outside Kansas City called Blue Springs. We lived there until I was 8 years old and then we were transferred to the suburbs of Chicago. We lived there until my freshman year of high school; I was 15 when we moved to Plant City, and this is what I call home.

Focus: Why did your family move from Chicago to Plant City?

My dad got a promotion. Irony of this move was I had just mentioned to my dad about a month earlier that I wanted to go to Florida because all my friends had been there on vacation, and I had never seen a palm tree.

So I thought that would be a great idea. My father sat me down on January 1, 1992, and said, “Guess what? We’re going to Florida.”

And I said, “Great! When, Spring break or sometime this summer?” He said, “No. We’re moving.” I said, “Dad, you misunderstood.”

Seven months later we were heading south to Florida to live! It’s also ironic that I had a friend and his mom come to say bye to us and she gave me a name of a family member who lived in Plant City and told me if I ever needed something to give him a call. That gentleman was a doctor here at South Florida Baptist Hospital (SFBH) whom I met and became friends with later.

What did you do when you finished high school?

Being an only child, I knew deep in my heart that if I went away for school that I’d be too homesick and be back home. So rather than waste my parent’s money, I decided that I should stay local. So I decided to go to HCC, where I got my two-year degree. I kept my grades up high enough that I got an Academic scholarship to Florida Southern.

I graduated with a degree in Public Relations.

So after graduating from Florida Southern (Go Mocs!), what was your first job?

I worked in Community Health at that hospital during and a year after graduating. I actually drove the Wow van. Yes, I drove that big van and never hit or ran over anything! I worked my way up to an On-site Coordinator position. That program goes out in the community to give flu and pneumonia shots, takes patient’s blood pressure, handled vision screenings for the elementary school kids and any other health fair in the community.

So where did you get your interest in working with the hospital?

I have two phobias; being in hospitals and snakes. So I thought I’d volunteer at the hospital to help me get over that fear. I called myself a pink girl because I didn’t want to feel old and think I was a pink lady, I was 19 years old. I’ll never forget the day I signed up to volunteer. I called my mom and said, “Mom, I signed up today, but I just realized that I forgot to tell them that I don’t like emergency situations.” She said, “Jodi, you’re 19 years old. They’ll put you on the flower cart or the candy cart or something like that.” Later that night the lady from the hospital called me and said that for the day and time I was available, that they had a position for me. I said, “That’s great, what is it?” She said, “Emergency room.” I told her that I wouldn’t be able to work there, that I’d end up being a patient, but she convinced me to give it a try. I think I put blinders on for the first two months because I was afraid of what I might see.

I logged close to 500 hours in the

You eventually started working at the hospital.

Once I graduated from college, I needed a full time job so my dad had cut out an ad for the Marriott Waterside which had just recently opened. It was a fluke that I happened to run into my future boss while thinking I was just dropping off my application. I was hired on the spot and worked in Human Resources where I handled the interview process from a-z and planned all the employee parties. Some of my favorite days at Marriott surrounded all the festivities of the Superbowl that year.

I was approached to come back to Plant City and work in the legislative office of Johnnie Byrd. I landed the job with the state and was Johnnie’s scheduler.

This was an

Jodi Smith Workin´ Around The Clock Presenting YMCA Strong Leader Award to Cindy Churchill

Jodi Smith Makes Time to be involved in our Community government and politics every minute! I was a state employee for nearly 4 years and due to term limits I began looking for a new gig. After a short time off I was offered the job I am currently in and I just recently celebrated my 3rd anniversary in my second time around with South Florida Baptist Hospital.

What are you involved with today as a volunteer?

I’m on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls club as a charter member. I am active with the Plant City Junior Women’s Club where I was President for two years. I am on the Board of Directors for the Plant City YMCA where I was Chairman of the Board last year. I was on the American Cancer Society Board and I chaired our own Relay for Life, which is probably

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 58

one of my biggest accomplishments as far as fundraisers go. The year I chaired the event, our Plant City Relay for Life came in number one in Hillsborough County and number six in the state. We rose over $220,000.

I’ve been the President of the American Business Women’s Association, where I helped start the Bachelor Auction. I take great pride in Pig Jam which is an event sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. I like to say this is like my first born child for as many hours as I put into that event; proud to say this November 22nd will be our sixth year.

I just finished chairing the Strawberry Festival Queen’s Contest with the Plant City Lions Club and I’ll become club President on July 1st. I take great pride in our community as well as our chamber so I continue to be involved

Jodi Smith Workin´ Around The Clock Jodi Crocker baking again!

Jodi Smith Makes Time to be involved in our Community in the Ambassador program and was a part when that program began six years ago.

Right now I am the co-chair for the 21st annual Rainbow Ball to benefit the Child Abuse Council that takes place on April 26th.

What’s one of your biggest accomplishments?

I have a lot that I am proud of but one I am most proud of is being a mentor to a young lady whom I met as a 6th grader at Tomlin.

I signed up with a program called Take Stock in Children and that’s where I agreed to mentor a student for one hour a week during each school year. The student signs an agreement that they will keep their grades at a certain level, stay off of drugs and meet with me each week and upon graduation they are awarded a scholarship for 2 years at a community college and 2 years at a state school free ride. My little

HOPEWELL Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

6th grader grew up and I watched her walk across the stage last May graduating with honors and knowing the world was at her fingertips and I helped open those doors and to think that student loans will not be in her vocabulary is a great thought! Way to go Kayla! I now have a 10th grader at Plant City High whom I expect to say the same thing for in 2 ½ years.

I have so many things to be thankful for. I am a lucky gal who enjoys giving back to those that need it or those that I like to see a smile on their face. Working in the environment I do makes one appreciate every moment. When CODE BLUE is called I’m always grateful for what I have, and for some reason it always makes the day seem so much brighter.

As you can tell, Jodi is someone that likes to be involved. She cares about our community and the people who live here, and we’re all a lot better off because of her work. Thanks for all you do.

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ONE LOCATION FOR ALL YOUR SERVICE NEEDS 813.737.3128 • 6005 STATE ROAD 39 SOUTH • 1/2 MILE SOUTH OF STATE ROAD 60 FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 59

business & finance businessprofile

Story and Photos by Dani el Sperry

send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Cowboy’s Western World Opens It’s The Real Deal For Cowboys (And Girls) Every so often, a new business comes to town that just seems to have done everything right.

Cowboy’s Western World is one of those companies. Founded by Don and Susann Mitchell, Cowboy’s Western World represents the culmination of a lifelong dream. Don spent his early adult life developing a love for calf roping.

He has done the rodeo circuit and even spent his college years managing a western apparel company. Over the course of time, Don became a successful businessman, but he never lost his desire someday to own and operate his own western supply business.

On March 15, 2008, Cowboy’s Western World opened its doors for the first time. “We’ve far

On the corner of Hwy 60 and SR 39 is the perfect store for anyone who loves riding, roping and just being a cowboy or cowgirl.

Cowboy’s Western World carries Cinch Jeans, Cruel Girl Jeans and is an exclusive dealer for the Adiktd Jeans Brand. Along with carrying Kelly Heard Jewelry, Cowboy’s Western World is the largest Southern Thread dealer in central Florida.

Some of the customers include the cowboys from the rodeo circuit, such as Spunk Sasser, who recently stopped in for some ropes, and Roho Miley, who recently stopped in for a new suit.

Folks from all walks of life come in to get in touch with their inner cowboy or cowgirl.

Sit down on one of the leather sofas or rocking chairs and try on your favorite cowboy boots.

Mitchell insists on only selling the best products and he or his staff will help you discover the hat that was made for your head.

exceeded all our original goals,” said Don. “People are coming from as far away as Winter Haven and Brooksville to find their gear.” Dozens of people come in and out of the store, browsing, buying and chatting it up with Don, a man who obviously knows his stuff.

“I think that one of the great things about what we have here is that we know what it means to be a real cowboy,” said Don. “This is the real deal and people understand that when they walk in and start asking questions.” Cowboy’s Western World fills the two story building at the corner of Hwy 60 and SR 39. The lower floor contains an abundance of western clothing, cowboy boots, custom jewelry and gifts. The second floor contains anything and everything one could need in the way of tack.

Saddles, bridles and even a wide variety of ropes for roping are available to customers.

“It doesn’t matter if someone is new to all this or an experienced rider,” said Don. “We have the knowledge to guide our customers into exactly what they need and that is what sets us apart.”

There is an amazing selection of products at Cowboy’s Western World. Brands like Montanna, Silversmith and Wrangler are all available and

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 60

they are the exclusive dealer for Reinsman X Series and Tyler Magnus Saddles. One of the things that Don likes to emphasize is the fact that it is not just what is on his shelves that is available for sale, but also custom products. “We have custom saddles, custom jewelry, custom everything,” he said. “Whatever it is that you are looking for, we can probably get it.”

Don has big plans for the future as well. He expects to open a fully functioning arena this summer which will host horse shows, calf roping and other training programs. Down the road, he even hopes to open a steakhouse next door.

Cowboy’s Western World is located on the corner of Hwy 60 and SR 39 in Plant City. For more information, contact them at 813-737-3259, or just drop by. They would love to see you.

Mitchell talks roping with two customers who just purchased some of his high-quality ropes to use in competition and practicing.

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Breed: Black Retriever

Owner(s): Dennis and Linda Hackney I was named after Charles Barkley (the Basketball player) and Sparkley because his uncle Chuck thought he just shined.

Favorite treat: People food Age: 9 yrs I got my first hair cut, came home really sweetly smiling and kept trying to rub it off all day rolling and rolling in the grass.

I am sweet , listen well, protect my turf, love my family, bark when I should, and all the girls like me at Dr. Conner’s.

I get to sleep on the sofa, get a lot of treats, get petted a lot and have a lot of pictures taken of me.

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FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 61

business & finance investing

sub m it t e d by e dwa r d jo nes

Smart Portfolio Moves for Your Retirement Years For most of your working years, your investment strategy, by and large, has probably revolved around achieving sufficient growth to help you meet your long-term goals, such as college for your kids and a comfortable retirement. But once you have retired, you can’t just sit back and put your investment portfolio on “autopilot.”

What types of portfolio moves should you make as a retiree? Here are a few possibilities: • Generate your own paycheck. When you’re retired, you can collect Social Security and receive distributions from your 401(k) and IRA. But you’ll also probably need to generate some income from your investment portfolio. Consequently, you’ll need to own the appropriate mix of investments, including stocks that have the potential to pay dividends, bonds and certificates of deposit (CDs).

• Protect against inflation. Even if you use some of your investments to provide an income stream, you can’t ignore the need for growth.

Consider this: Everything you buy today will cost about twice as much in 25 years, assuming a three percent annual inflation rate. In other words, if you need $75,000 a year to retire comfortably now, you’ll need about $150,000 per year in 25 years to maintain your standard of living. And with advances in medical treatments leading to longer life spans, it’s entirely possible that you could spend 25 years — or more — in retirement.

• Leave a legacy. As you may know, the estate tax laws are in flux. In 2008, the estate tax exemption amount — the amount you can pass to your heirs free of estate taxes — is $2 million. This figure rises to $3.5 million in 2009. Then in 2010, the estate tax disappears —for one year only. And unless Congress changes the laws before then, in 2011 the exemption amount will revert to $1 million, with a maximum estate tax rate of 55 percent.

How can you help your family cope with a potential estate tax burden? You can make some “tactical” moves, such as rolling your 401(k) into an IRA, which, when passed on to your heirs, could be “stretched” for years to reduce the tax bite. You can also reduce the size of your taxable estate by making gifts to family members and charitable organizations.

Clearly, there are many portfolio considerations for retirees. So when you’re nearing retirement, start preparing. By making the right moves, you can help make your “golden years” considerably brighter.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 62

business & finance success

Story and photo by ashley grant

Stephen Tippie General Manager/Owner of Fancy Pet Stephen Tippie went to Middleton High School in Tampa. He has studied Aerospace Engineering and moved to Plant city in 1999. He’s an Eagle Scout, is currently in his third year of college and is working on his BSTM Technical Management with an electrical engineering background and a concentration on small business and Entrepreneurship at DeVry University.

My Aspiration: I guess my will to succeed is that I want to provide the best service and quality products to my customers and to bring a better family environment to the pet store industry, and in doing so, to become as successful as I can.

The other reason for my will to succeed is that I want to be something different.

My Inspiration: Well, my inspiration would be my family and friends. My parents (Butch Tippie and Susin Tippie) were the big push, since they own their own business; I kind of just followed in their foot steps. My friends and family have always been there with support, and now I try to support them in their endeavors.

Why I’m a Success: I am a success because I made a difference in Plant City. Most businesses fail within three years after opening. In three years, I have more than tripled my business and I continue to grow.

What’s Next: What’s Next? Well, within two months I will be increasing my inventory by 25 percent by adding 12ft more of shelf space for dog food and another 12ft for dog supplies.

I will also be carrying a new and exclusive bird cage and toy line and will be introducing a delivery program to many of our current customers.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 63

7 "AKER 3TREET 3UITE $ 0LANT #ITY &LORIDA

business & finance success

+%,,9 % 30%%2 !44/2.%9 !4 ,!7 ,,#

sto ry a n d p hoto by Ash l ey Gran t

Dennis Der Owner Southside Farm Supply

Dennis Der began as a part time worker and then bought out the company he worked for. In 1978 he changed Ham Farm Supply to Southside Farm Supply and the business took off from there. In 1995 he bought the five acres adjoining Southside’s original location and in 2007 that five acres became the area the 14,000 sq foot store sits on today.

My Aspiration: We have already achieved more than anyone can ask for. Hopefully we can turn our business over to our daughters so they can use it to provide for their families.

My Inspiration: Self-motivated. Our family has always been workers. We like to achieve things to help others. By being accomplished in business it allows us avenues to do that.

Why I’m a Success: We feel our store is successful in part because we have always tried to treat customers like family and give them the service that isn’t available at many stores anymore.

What’s Next: My daughter Lauren and I started the Freedom Fighters Hunt for disabled soldiers this year. We took a young man, disabled in Iraq, on a Texas hunting trip all expenses paid through our fundraising efforts. We are now working on a national drive to raise money to buy a ranch in Texas for disabled soldiers and health challenged children.

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 64

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FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 65

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FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 66

67

HOME GUIDE

89

This is a special advertising section

By now, you may have seen Exit Realty signs showing up all over town. We would like to introduce ourselves. We are TEAM WAINORIS; Randy and Kathleen Wainoris. We have been married for over twenty years, and have been Plant City residents for more than thirteen years. We have three children; all of whom attend school here in Plant City. We would be honored if you would allow us to assist you in your real estate needs. In addition to his MBA, Randy is an Attorney at Law. (Formerly of Haas, Dutton, Blackburn, Lewis and Wainoris, PL in Tampa) Kathleen is a registered nurse and also a Notary. Over the last few years, Kathleen’s real estate business became so successful, that we decided to put all our resources together and create TEAM WAINORIS...the rest is history! Please let us put our education and expertise to work for you. We promise you that you will not be disappointed!

813-997-3000 www.TEAMWAINORIS.com

EXIT REALTY IS GROWING

FOCUS Magazine plant city • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 67

110 W. Reynolds St. Suite 104 Plant City, FL Phone: 813-757-9727 or 813-363-2047 ww w. mi lle nn ium ho me s.b iz License #CBC1251837

We Build On Your Lot Or Ours rs u O r O n la P r o lo F r u o Y ild u B e W

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Custom Built Homes from $79.00 per sq. total Includes: Garnet, Tile, 5 1/4 Base Trim---Lots of Up Grades!!!!

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In tough times, Will Pay Closing choose a Custom Cost on New Home ONLY 7 lots left in Purchase or Custom Southern Meadows to Home Builder, that is here to stay!!!

Built Home*. choose from. *Must present this ad at first consultation.

SPRINGFIELD OFF SPARKMAN RD $69,900

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#ALL .ATALIE 3WEET s 813-758-9586 FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 68

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FAMILY MATTERS STAY WITH US!

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A JEWEL OF A FIND -

JUST RIGHT!

Finished guest cottage & 39x15 CB workshop (needs finishing) could be perfect for relatives! Secluded 5 acres minutes from Plant City, nicely maintained 3bd/2Ba, w/sc patio, huge great rm, wonderful Family rm, separate 3 c garage - 1812sf. You‘ll love open patio, above ground pool & beautiful deck, a great place to relax. Great value at only $324,900. #80

Just minutes over County Line Rd in Mulberry, you‘ll find a gem! 1512 SF, 3Bd/2Ba, nicely maintained on 1.30 acre on corner lot. A steal of a deal at $110,000! #87

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN PLANT CITY

1440 SF Retail space plus canopy & storage. Ideally located w/ ample City parking, brick facade.

New CH/A, newer roof. Make this your office or Shoppe. $249,900. #1

Perfect for 2 families provide privacy yet convenience & care. Beautiful Cork locale 1.33 acre surrounds 2 homes. Custom-built 3Bd/2Ba w/2330sf, FR, LR, DR & huge Bonus Rm. Huge country kitchen & 2 c garage.

Recently remodeled 1000sf, CB-3Bd/1Ba & carport. All for only $289,900. A Family retreat or income producer! #75

You‘ll get your money‘s worth in this lovely 2Bd starter home! Quiet cul-de-sac living, completely chain linked & wood privacy fenced makes this open patio & BBQ area a delight! Wood cabinetry, newer carpet & newer ceramic tile are only a few amenities to discover for only $94,000. Must see before it‘s too late! #29

MAJESTIC TREES SHADE THIS LOVELY HOME…

This 3/2 home, 1674 SF sits on 5.11 acres. Conveniently located to Durant High School. This home features separate living rm, dining rm, laundry rm and den. RV ready with septic tank. Additional 4” well ready for planting crops. Priced at only $224,900.#19

SITUATED IN PRIVATE NEIGHBORHOOD –

ENCHANTING GARDEN WITH PRIVATE WOODED SETTING!

RARE OPPORTUNITY WITH HILLSBOROUGH RIVER FRONTAGE…

NEW DOESN’T LOOK THIS GOOD!

CRAMPED QUARTERS NO MORE!

HIGHLY VISIBLE COMMERCIAL SITE -

Attractive 3Bd/2Ba two-story home is one of 9 homes located on a secluded street but has pedestrian access to Lake CannonChain of Lakes. The Community offers a pool and dock to park your boat/jet ski. Master bathrm has been remodeled with his/ her sinks, large walk-in closet, whirlpool tub, & separate shower.

Newly renovated kitchen includes all stainless steel appliances & separate dinette area. Large Family rm features wood burning fireplace that overlooks the covered porch. Backyard is nicely landscaped w/ a gazebo & a concrete block wall. Priced at only $195,000.#41

CB - 2Bd/1Ba with formal Dining rm boasts of hardwood floors. Step out back door with pole and go fishin! Priced at only $269,000. #45

Spread out in this nearly 4000 SF, 5Bd/3.5Ba home on 1.25 acres. Let your creative imagination guide you as you complete the interior & exterior as you like! Excellent for Adult Living Facility or extended family. A lot of materials are included to complete, soaring ceilings, huge rooms, marble & ceramic tiles and more! Also, 3Bd/2Ba MH to live in while completing your dream home. Offered at $324,900. #74

RENTALS:

ACREAGE AND COMMERCIAL:

SPACE FOR LEASE:

This 10 acre tract can be developed with 8 units per acre or 5 duplexes per acre. The site has recently been annexed into the City of Wauchula with R-2 zoning and Low Residential Land Use. The City of Wauchula has water and sewer service available. Priced at only $274,900.#89

TERRIFIC OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPER -

Law Office space available (approx. 2491SF.) for up to four attorneys in downtown Plant City.

Two blocks from Plant City Courthouse. Includes kitchen, conference room and reception area. $2150/Month. Call for more details.

CEDAR RUN CONDO FOR RENT -

2Bd/2Ba - great condition, split bdrm plan, easy access to I-4, new Publix & more. $965/Month.

INDUSTRIAL SITE -

Plant City 1.61+- acre, great Park Rd location easy on/off access to I-4, Lakeland, Tampa & Orlando. Zoned Light Industrial - Ideal site for manufacturing, processing plant, etc. REDUCED to $149,900. A great value! #44

This well cared for 3/2 Homes of Merit home is located on beautiful 1.20 acres. Almost 1900 SF includes separate living rm w/bay window, formal dining rm with arched entryway, large family rm with custom plant ledges. Kitchen has large pantry, center island, w/ all appliances included. Master bath has his/her sinks, separate garden tub/shower. Detached workshop and single car garage and separate RV/boat parking. The kids will love the pool with pool deck. Priced at only $165,000.#50

Plant City, with easy on/off access to I-4, this site offers over 4409 SF in existing English Tudor bldg. Plus outdoor lanai. Presently thriving Gift & Tea Shoppe, perfect for office space, retail, spa, beauty shop, fast food, plenty of parking. Call for more info. $989,000.#70

WOW! 4 ACRES FOR $179,900!!

Bring your house plans, 4 gorgeous acres in Springhead on Wiggins Rd. Lovely, ideal for your dream home, pond for fishin‘ days. You‘ll love quiet, cleared pasture in great location - Must see! No Home Owner fees, No Restrictions! #86

HILDA’S HEAVENLY ACRES…

16 gorgeous 1+acre lots located in desirable Cork - Priced to sell from $85,000 to $128,000. Call to stake your claim on these wonderful country sites. #120-135

Sunny Italy is jealous of the vineyards, chestnut trees, peach trees, pecan trees, citrus & more! 17 beautiful acres minutes from I-4 in Thonotosassa approx. 235 ft. on Road. Great Development site! $1,200,000. #6

LOCATED WALKING DISTANCE TO SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY This graded lot is ready for a home. Priced at only $30,000.#10

RECEIVE FLAT SCREEN TV WHEN YOU PURCHASE A HOME THRU VOGEL REALTY. CALL FOR INFO.

1514 S. Alexander St., #203, Plant City, FL 33563

813-659-3306 www.vogelrealtyservices.com

2 bdrm w/ den (potential for 3rd bdrm) on 2.12 acres has 6’ chain link fence & electric gate. Remodeled kitchen features Kraftmaid cabinets, porcelain countertops, & Listello surrounds kitchen walls. All appliances included. Outside entertaining fits this park like setting w/sparkling pool & spa, 18x22 pool house & meandering brick sidewalks that take you through a variety of organic plants & trees. This yard has been certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. Includes a 12x24 C/B building with electric & A/C. Priced at only $219,900.#71

POOL MASTERS

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FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 70

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WALLACE BRANCH ROAD

Beautiful 1/4 acre lot with grandfather oak trees close to interstate but living the country life. Save on impact fees to be ratified by buyer. 2 concrete floor workshops 32’x23’ & 29’x24’. 1936 home, value on property.

Offered at $55,000. MLS #T2252770.

Call Teresa Smith, (813) 763-2918.

THE VILLAS OF WALDEN LAKE

You’ll love the carefree lifestyle in the villas. This 3BR/2BA/2CG, 1542 sq. ft home is across from the pool and steps from the golf course. Great all season lanai and much more. Very well cared for home! Price reduced to $184,995. MLS#T2285389.

Call Lorrie Sobzak, (813)760-9574

SHOWS LIKE A MODEL HOME!

Custom built 3/2/2 sits on 1.4 acres and features great room with fireplace, split plan, volume ceilings, screened lanai, master bedroom with walk-in closets, large master bath with separate tub and shower. Breakfast nook and bar off kitchen and a formal dining area. Convenient to I-4 and just minutes to shopping and schools in Plant City. Most of the property is fenced. Check this one out if you’re looking for over an acre with a fine home. Offered at $234,900. MLS #T2292673.

Call Sam Clark, (813) 719-0414.

GREAT FAMILY HOME

4BR/2BA/3CG located in the Forest Park community of Walden Lake.

New air handler, separate irrigation meter, new water softener & water filtration system. New Berber carpet & ceramic tile for the patio.

Kitchen includes a bar plus breakfast area. A luxurious master bath includes dual sinks, garden tub, separate shower & water closet.

Professional landscaping. Offered at $229,916.00 MLS #T2301050. Call Roger Burrage at (813) 675-5140.

STANLEY ROAD!

Country home 3BR/2.5BA/CG on 1.5 shaded acres. Great room w/ fireplace, open dining, breakfast nook and kitchen w/smooth top range, side-by-side refrig and micro. Master w/sitting room and garden bath. Florida room, wood deck and 2 out buildings. New “real” wood floors and ceramic. No deed restrictions. Truly could be you “own home”. Now $289,975. MLS #T2300583.

Call Maddie Alford (813) 382-8382 to preview.

CRYSTAL SPRINGS

Enjoy the country! No deed restrictions. Almost 1/2 an acre. Beautiful 2004 3 bedroom/2 bath double-wide.

Needs you to move-in. Do not delay at $124,500. MLS #T2269584. Call Teresa Smith, (813) 763-2918.

NORTH PLANT CITY

Out-of-the-ordinary custom home on a country acre in north Plant City. 3 BR/2.5 in cul-de-sac. Immaculate inside & out! Details include unique brick hearth in kitchen, hardwood, tile & Berber carpet, oversized screened lanai, attic with flooring, oversized 2-car garage with workshop and utility shed. Beautiful views and peaceful setting.

You won’t want to miss checking out this one. Offered at $324,838.

MLS #T2284607. Call Lynne Halleran at (813) 763-1881.

WILDER PARK

Beautiful 3 bed/2 bath home in Wilder Park. Convenient to I-4, HCC College Campus & Mike Sansone Sports Complex.

Priced to sell. Owners relocating out of state. New paint inside & out. New carpet and appliances. If you want a clean home, this is the one! Offered at $175,750. MLS #T2291455.

Call Jimmie Robinson, (813) 390-6441.

HISTORIC DISTRICT

Everything in this home is new - even the kitchen sink. New roof, new cherry laminate floors throughout, new stainless steel appliances, and more. Completely remodeled in 2005. New kitchen cabinets with Corian countertops and remodeled bathroom in 2006. Landscaping and irrigation in 2007. “Move-in ready” in 2008. You will not be disappointed with this cozy home located near Plant City’s Historic District. Price reduced by $20,000. Sellers are motivated. Now $149,000. MLS#T2290481.

Call Malissa Crawford, (813) 967-0168.

FORTNER ROAD

Beautiful 1/4 acre property to build on or set a mobile home. Has well and septic tank certification, needs pump. Ready to set up electricity. Offered at $49,000.

MLS #T2281105. Call Teresa Smith, (813) 763-2918.

NO DETAIL OVERLOOKED!

There is so much to this charming home, a small ad is not enough. A must see this 2 BR/2 BA home has pride of ownership in the circular drive, 28’ porch, white PVC fence and professional landscaping. Step inside to enjoy beautiful hardwood floors, ceramic tile and a spacious laundry room like you’ve never seen! Stainless steel appliances, upgraded wood cabinets w/roll-out drawers; everything is new. Nothing was spared by the owners – you must see this for yourself, especially at $168,605.MLS #T2296127.

Call Lynne Halleran at (813) 763-1881.

WOODFIELD VILLAGE

One of a kind 3 bedroom/2 bath, 2 car garage home built by a local contractor. Tinted stucco and block, screened porch, largest lot in Woodfield Village. No homeowner dues. Professionally decorated inside. Newer roof & A/C. Priced to sell.

Original owner. Offered at $165,000. MLS #T2302206.

Call Jimmie Robinson, (813) 390-6441.

COUNTRY HILLS

WOW! LOOK! You will want to call this home from the moment you walk through the door. This inviting home exudes the warmth and comfort of “Home Sweet Home.” This home features a shining kitchen with newer appliances and breakfast nook with large window. Watch the sun rise while sipping coffee with the newspaper. Settle down with a good book by the fireplace in the family room overlooking the spacious fenced back yard and lanai perfect for those summer backyard BBQ’s that are right around the corner. This home is sparkling and ready for new owners, you absolutely will not be disappointed. Offered at $139,900. MLS #T2298604.

Call Malissa Crawford, (813) 967-0168.

Call us for your Residential and Commercial Real Estate needs

1513 Jim Redman Parkway, Plant City

813-754-3586

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

PRAISAL

UNDER AP

PAT COMSTOCK GRI, Realtor Multi-Million Dollar Producer

813-759-9449

patcomstock@msn.com

$250,000

PIONEERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; DREAM!

$289,000

$199,900

GORGEOUS PROPERTY WITH TOWERING OAKS UNBELIEVABLE PRICE! "2 "! ,/' #!"). /. !. !#2% -/, (!2$- "2 "!

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See all my listings in detail at www.patcomstock1.com

WALDEN LAKE POOL HOME

$229,000

S F LOCATED IN 7ALDEN ,AKE .EW CARPET TILE PAINT

$319,000

OWNERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PAIN IS YOUR GAIN!

BUILDING LOT

$69,900

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RENEE CORZINE KELLER WILLIAMS

Realtor

$150,000 WALDEN LAKE VILLA

$139,000 PRIVATE BACK YARD

3/2/2 villa. 1989 SF Ceramic tile and 3/2/1, 1236 SF, Wood Floor, Fam Rm, Lanai, Fenced carpet. A/C Florida Room 33â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x12â&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

$142,900 POOL HOME ON ACRE

$185,000 GORGEOUS SUNSETS OVER POND

4/2/2, 1924 SF, Scrnd Pool, Conservation, Wood Floors, LR/DR and FR

$175,000 TWO-STORY ON AN ACRE

$162,000 FOUR BEDROOMS

3/2, 1678 SF, Fenced Acre w/Pool, Wood Deck, 3/2.5 on 1 acre, 2064 SF, Bonus Rm/Den, Fire- 4/2/2, 2014 SF, Scrnd Lanai Bonus Rm, Fenced, New Kitchen, Fireplace place, Fenced, 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x12â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Utility Shed Fireplace,Cul-de-sac

Multi-Million Dollar Producer

813-716-6007

rcorzine@tampabay.rr.com

3 !LEXANDER 3TREET s 3UITE s

#1 Plant City Real Estate Company ...and still growing!

289K HOME

GREAT HOME LOCATED ON THE 3RD HOLE OF WALDEN LAKE HILLS COURSE Circular drive gives great curb appeal. Recent Appraisal valued @ $430,000.

Newly remodeled kitchen with new cabinets, lots of granite, and extra pull out drawers for storage. Pool boasts new marcite and deck as well as 2nd bathroom doubles as pool bath. Owner’s suite has double walk-in closets and newly remodeled shower. Central Vacuum and large inside utility room. All appliances will stay.

Roof and A/C units are new within last 5 years.

Call Mac McGrath @ 813-967-1820

AFFORDABLE 4 BEDROOM IN ROSELAND PARK Remodeled Block home on ¼ Acre in non-deed restricted neighborhood. Ceramic Tile, NEW Kitchen and Baths, Screened Patio, Workshop, Fenced!

Call Lorraine Bennett @ (813) 716-3997

WALDEN LAKE CHARMER …at an affordable price! Bright and cheery 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. Great Room plan, volume ceilings, tile and wood floors in living areas. Large, shaded, and fenced back yard! You gotta see this one! ML # T2270387. Great price at $170,000.

Call Bob Adams (813) 817-4829

GREAT STARTER HOME WITH LOTS OF POTENTIAL! Many upgrades have been made to this concrete block home inside and out - from flooring and paint to landscaping and privacy fencing. Just needs the Buyers personal touch priced at $130,000 Call Cathy Martin @ (813)376-0891

DISTINCTIVE AND SPACIOUS GOLF COURSE HOME Wonderfully maintained 2610 sq ft home. Vaulted Ceilings, newer design tile, french doors from the Grand Dining Room leading out to a separate and private Garden/Court Yard as well as many light inviting sliding doors opening up to a wonderful “L” Shaped pool overlooking a verdant golf course vista. MOTIVATED $351,500 Call Barbara Jean Kulyk @ 813-781-1915

TWO MASTER SUITES! Custom built home with hardwood flooring, Large front porch, screened covered back porch. Has 3 bedrooms but could be 4 or 5 with a few walls. Two car garage And a 3 car carport with enclosed section for workshop! Custom kitchen. $460,000 Call Brenda Salyers @ 813-230-1120

62K HOME One of a kind. 1 acre with trees 145’ x 290’, Build your dream home on this beauty of a peice of land.

T2286438. $62,500 Call Davy Miles @ (813) 376-4444

FRONT PORCH PERFECT FOR ROCKERS! Pristine 3/3/3 with Pool on 1.13 acres. Custom kitchen with granite. Fireplace. Luxurious master suie, Hardwood floors, Front porch that stretches across front of house. See additional pictures at www.BrendaSalyers.com. This house will Wow you! $375,000.

Call Brenda Salyers @ 813-230-1120

his one has it all. Pool, fire place,huge lot, new roof, fresh paint , new carpet and owners who care. Den could be 4th bed room, make appt. today, located close to all things Plant City/ Brandon. T2276952. $289,000 Call Davy Miles @ (813) 376-4444

00

$144,9

RENTAL DOLLHOUSE IN PLANT CITY LIMITS This 3/2 block home has been taken care of and waiting for you. Perfect location to shopping and schools. Bonus room will make a great office or game room. You don’t want to miss this one! Priced to sell.... $159,900

Call Sharon Ours @ 813-763-0856

1607 S. Alexander Street

813-759-1200

Cute 2/1 home in country

$800

2/2 Cedar Run Condo Call about move in special

$800

Walden Lake 3/2

$1150

3/2 corner lot

$1100

Kentwod Condo 2/1.5 Call Becky @ 813-376-2100

$1100

NON- DEED RESTRICTED Beautiful Home on Beautiful Property 3/2 w/ Den Vaulted Family Room with Fireplace on 1.21 Acres. Wood Laminate floors.

All bedrooms have walk in closets. Electric Gate, Alarm System Covered Front & side Porch Two sheds.

Call Brenda Salyers @ 813-230-1120

Nicole Adams

Team Leader / Managing Broker

METRO PAINTING

Don’t Try and Do it Yourself Let the Experts Help #OMMERCIAL s 2ESIDENTIAL s 2EMODELS .EW #ONSTRUCTION s 3TAINING 0AYMENT 0LANS /FFERED ON 2ESIDENTIAL 0AINT *OBS

1804 W. Reynolds St. Plant City, FL 33563

(Next to Brown’s Florist)

813-752-1960 SARAH ZELLER-BADAT

ion

Con

at serv

Lot

Don’t miss the chance to have one of the best Walden Lake has to offer. This true 5 bedroom, 4 bath home also has a roomy office/den with its own private bath that leads outside.

Situated on a spacious conservation lot, this home is ready for a large family. From the freshly painted interior and tasteful decorating to the amazing floor plan, this place is one you will love to call home. Call Sarah today for details.

813.763.5676 1607 S. Alexander Street Suite 102 Plant City, FL

Don’t let the low price fool you. This is a great 3/2.5 home with a wonderful screened in porch, fenced backyard and great floorplan. Just a little TLC could make this home perfect for anyone!!

Call today for a showing. 155,000.00 FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 75

PARK PLACE PROPERTIES REALTORÂŽ

813- 752- 5804

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PICTURE PERFECT Theres lots of space for a growing family in this 4 Bedrm 2Ba home surrounded by 2.13 acres .

Screened back porch & above ground pool with deck. Plus a 20 x 24 two story barn & a 12 x 18 shed. PRICE REDUCED!!! $169,900 #722

LOOKING FOR LOTS OF SPACE? Then be sure to check out this nice 3 bedrm 2 bath with home on 2.91 acres just inside of Pasco County. Family rm w/ďŹ replace. Could possibly be divided. Completely fenced. Live the country life! $175,000. #833

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WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE PUTTING YOU ONâ&#x20AC;Ś to a great opportunity to own this 3 bedrm 2 bath ranch home w/1954 sq ft of living space on 3.75 acres. Fenced & Xfenced with a barn & small pond w/ ďŹ shing dock.. PRICED $80,000 BELOW APPRAISAL. Yours today for $319,900. #718

READY FOR YOUR NEW HOME

This pretty 1 acre lot already has a well & septic tank installed. Scattered trees. No deed restrictions. Great area $69,900. #834

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BEGINNERS LUCK

Ideal for family. This 2 BR block home is surrounded by a pretty acre lot. At the end of a long day you can relax & enjoy the nice covered patio. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let this one get past you. It can be yours for an affordable $134,900. # 731

OFFICE BUILDING FOR SALE

Just south of downtown Plant City on a large corner lot. 4662 sq ft block building plus canopy. Paved Parking. Priced below current appraisal! Now you can be the landlord for just $325,000. #732

HERMITS HIDEWAY Really want privacy? This unique 1BR 1BA cabin is tucked way back on 9.42 acres located in Southeastern Hillsborough County. Land is still in itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural habitat with small creek running through it. Priced below appraisal at $284,900. Make your appt today to see. #726

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NATURE LOVERS PARADISE

This 6.32 acres will make a beautiful homesite.

Heavily wooded with lots of trees. Make your own park like yard. Well already on property. $400,000 #730

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...Is where you will ďŹ nd this nice 3 bdrm home with a spacious living room & family room.

Fenced backyard & 2 outdoor sheds.PRICE REDUCED TO $151,405. Call for the details. #727

IDEAL FOR HORSE LOVERS

There is a beautiful site for your new home among the oaks on the front part of this 6.15 mol acres with trees & pasture that is fenced & cross fenced. Small pole barn.

PRICE REDUCED TO $240,000. #729

Each office is independently owned and operated, except offices owned and operated by NRT incorporated

FOCUS Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ april 15 - may 15, 2008 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 76

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30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Attention: First Time Home Buyers Do not miss out on the advantages of FHA Financing

s .O CREDIT SCORE MINIMUM CREDIT GETS RATES IN THE LOW S s .O CREDIT SCORE LOANS ./ CREDIT HISTORY REQUIRED WITH RATES IN THE S s 3ELLERS ARE ALLOWED TO PAY FOR !,, CLOSING COSTS IN MOST CASES s -OBILE (OMES /+ s ,/7 RATES

Call today about our FHA loans. I GUARANTEE that you will not be disappointed.

Concerned about down payments?

We offer 100% financing that requires $0 down payment with rates in the Low 6’s.

Concerned about your credit?

We offer FREE credit repair. I will give you SPECIFIC steps on EXACTLY how to boost your scores. You will not get the “Work on your credit” response without receiving exact instructions.

We are FHA approved. This means that we have access to loan programs that are NOT credit score driven. Last month we helped someone with a 530 credit score purchase their first home. The only needed 3% down. That 3% was provided to them as a gift from family member.

They literally had $0 of their own money into the purchase.

What about closing costs?

Our loan programs allow the seller to pay up to 6% of the purchase price towards your closing costs. This is more than enough to cover your expenses. In this market, many sellers are more willing to offer this concession.

Can you do Mobile Homes?

Yes we can.

We can help you purchase a mobile home with only 3% down We can also refinance an existing mobile home up to 95% of the value. This is great for consolidating debts and pulling cash out. You can end up with just one monthly bill.

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CALL NATE DAVIS Mortgage Consultant

(813) 763-3910 Office Located In Plant City

www.PlantCityMortgages.com GO TO www.PlantCityMortgages.com AND REQUEST YOUR COPY OF A FREE REPORT THAT REVEALS THE FACTORS THAT ARE CONSIDERED WHEN DETERMINING YOUR INTEREST RATE.

homes homeguide

submitted by n ata l i e s w e et

Walden Lake Review At the March board of directors meeting, Greg Horwedel was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Bob Norton, who resigned. Greg is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Plant City and a Forest Park resident.

Dick Shiller and his group of interested homeowners came to address the Board regarding a dog park at the Polo Field. He talked about the dog parks in Hillsborough County, using one in Seffner as an example. It was decided that he would present and discuss a 2-acre dog park on a portion of the Polo Field at the annual meeting in April. Dick will outline what a dog park is and the benefits to the Walden Lake community.

The Board is investigating building an office building and storage facility at the Polo Field. The Board feels that for what the current rent runs at Alexander Street, it would not take too long to pay for our own facilities.

Police Chief McDaniel also spoke at the March

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 78

meeting, and presented statistics regarding criminal and traffic offenses, and non-criminal related calls that the Police Department has responded to in the past year. He talked about “crimes of opportunity” where the cars were left unlocked with money, computers, GPS systems and other valuables in the car. Other types of calls were for trespassing, vandalism, larceny & theft and burglaries. He said that we need to keep our cars and homes locked and ask our neighbors to watch your home. You can also request police checks when you are away for extended periods. He has an officer assigned to Walden Lake 24/7 but there are times when the officer has to leave the area for another emergency. He reminded the Board that the residents need to call the police whenever they are concerned.

Pre lien letters have gone out for delinquent dues.

Once the pre lien letter goes out, a homeowner has 45 days to pay prior to the lien being placed on the home. Please pay your annual dues if you haven’t done so.

Jan Griffin and Tom Duramus recently rode through the community and found many lost trees, due to the cold snap, that need to be removed.

They felt that the community as a whole looks good. There was discussion about landscaping, demossing trees and mulching.

It was voted that the Walden Oaks neighborhood would get a turn out for their mail pick up. Currently there is a safety issue at the mail pick up.

Walden Lake Golf & Country Club is planning the summer golf and tennis camps for kids. The dates awill be announced soon. Please check in with the club for more details. There are lots of events and golf tournaments happening this spring.

Billy Kagle said to book now if you are planning a tournament or an event.

There was a lot of buzz around the club on March 10th. PGA tour pro, Jim Furyk played in a benefit tournament at the Walden Lake Golf & Country Club along with other PGA tour members.

For “Another Sweet Sale” Call 813-758-9586. Call Us For All Your Real Estate Needs!

GATED HAMPTON PLACE

STUNNING GOLF COURSE HOME

Stretch out with over 2900 sq’ on the golf course. 4 large bedrooms & office, gorgeous master suite with sitting room. The kitchen features a huge pantry, granite countertops, 42” Cherry Cabinets & wrap around breakfast bar. Bathrooms have upgraded tile. $417,900. Call Natalie Today to see this BEAUTY! 758-9586

The minute you walk in, you’ll notice the pride of ownership in this well maintained 2800 sq’ 4 Bedroom 3 Bath Home w/3 Car Garage. Kitchen & Baths all have Granite Countertops. Larger Family Room w/Fireplace, Heated Pool & Spa and lush Landscaping frame this marvelous home. $397,500 Call Natalie 813-758-9586

CHARMING GOLF COURSE HOME

WALDEN LAKE MODEL PERFECT

Live the fine life in the prestigious Aston Woods neighborhood in Walden Lake. The lovely landscaped setting sets the stage as you enter this wonderful 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, great room floor plan with formal dining room and large kitchen w/center island. $309,900 Call Natalie 758-9586.

You’ll love the colors in this wonderully decorated home.

Over 2600 sq’ with 4 large Bedrooms, 2 1/2 Baths and huge bonus room. Recently pained outside, fenced & large screened lanai with gorgeous yard. $274,800.

Call Natalie 758-9586.

GREAT HOME CLOSE TO EVERYTHING

GREAT HOME GREAT LOCATION

WALDEN LAKE FOR $165,000!

Welcome to this 3-4 Bedroom Home w/2 Baths, Huge Great Room, Nice Yard w/Utility Shed & almost new Roof. This home has been very lovingly cared for by it’s owners. $189,900 Call Natalie for more details!

Charming 3 bedroom 2 bath home with great room & 2 car garage on beatiful corner lot. Enjoy the screened lanai and the front porch with swing. Don’t let the price fool you, this is a great home! Call Angel 546-9863.

DON’T LET THE AGE FOOL YOU

PRICED TO SELL

NEWER HOME ON 4.9 A WITH GREENBELT

This 1925 Bungalow is all NEW! Everything has been updated inside and out from the floor to the roof. You will love the gorgeous NEW Kitchen with Granite Countertops and New Appliances. A Must See! $149,500 Call Natalie 813-758-9586

3 Bedroom 1 1/2 Bath Home on nice lot in convenient location for easy commute and shopping. New tile floors. Price to sell at only $119,900.

Call Natalie for more details 758-9586.

Fabulous Just Like NEW Home with tons of upgrades & 2400 sq’ of living space. Featuring Solar Heated Pool, 2 Gas Fireplaces, Central Vacuum, Granite Countertops, GE Profile Appliances, Crown Molding & so much more!

Call Natalie for your personal tour 758-9586.

3 Bedroom, 2 Bath w/out deed restrictions in quiet neighborhood. Almost 1800 sq’ w/over sized screed patio w/brick pavers & heated spa. Large in town lot. $190,000 Call Natalie Sweet 758-9586.

WALDEN LAKE ASTON WOODS

4 bedroom, 3 bath custom Home w/large kitchen open to family room w/fireplace. Large master suite with walk in closet, jetted tub & double sinks. Formal living & dining rooms. Pool & Spa. Don’t miss this one! Newly listed for only $314,900. Call Natalie at 813-758-9586.

GREAT HOME GREAT PRICE!

This beautiful 3 Bedroom 2 Bath home with a NEW pool in Walden Lake is just waiting for you. You will love the huge great room floor plan and large kitchen. Enjoy the outdoors with your fenced yard on a conservation lot. Call Angel at 813-546-9863 for an appointment today. $229,900

BEFORE YOU PAY CLOSING COSTS,

ASK THESE QUESTIONS WHEN CHOOSING A TITLE COMPANY - Do you ďŹ le Homestead Exemption at closing at no additional cost?

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- Can you close at a location and time convenient to me?

- Am I entitled to a reduced rate of title insurance, EVEN IF I closed elsewhere before?

At Hillsborough Title, the answer is YES--

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Plant City

Brandon

1605 S. Alexander St. Suite #102 â&#x20AC;˘ Plant City, FL 33563 350 E. Bloomingdale Ave â&#x20AC;˘ Brandon, FL 33511 Ph: 813-754-4440 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: 813-754-0915 WWW.HILLSBOROUGHTITLE.COM Ph: 813-655-4000 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: 813-655-4110

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homes realestate

R UBBER M ULCH

s u bm it t e d by jo - a n l u s k

Selling

in a Buyer’s Market As you may have heard by now, the news is out…it is a Buyer’s Market! Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about selling your home in this market. That is the challenge you are facing, right? While I’m making assumptions, let’s assume that you really need to sell; you’re not just trying to make some money. I hope not, for your sake. You will be disappointed. After all, it’s not your market right now…it’s not your turn.

But, there is some good news for you, and it’s not rocket science.

When you sell, you will become a buyer, and it will be your turn!

So, what do you need to do to sell your home? I believe I can speak for most Realtors that it’s going to come down to price. After all, in the Plant City area alone, there is currently 23 months of inventory (based on 4-zip code area, 1800 s.f. home). That means this – if no additional homes were listed, it would take 23 months to sell what is on the market. What is going to get buyers to look at your beautiful home? Price. On average, the homes in this report (Trendgraphics-Feb. 08) are on the market 156 days, have an average SOLD price of $214,000 and an average ACTIVE price of $387,000. Again, this is just the average 1800 s.f. home in Plant City. The one thing that you can do to create value in your home is price it right…not what you want to get out of it, but start at 5% below your competition.

So here’s the good news. I’ll wrap this up with a great example.

Let’s say you bought your home in the last “hot” market and paid $200,000. You want to buy another home, but the market has depreciated by 25%. You will probably take a loss on the sale of your home, but you can make up that loss on your next purchase. $200,000 - 50,000 (25%) $150,000

New purchase: $350,000 - 87,500 (25%) $262,500

$87,500 savings on the purchase of your new home $50,000 loss on the sale of your old home $37,500 gained!

Open Mondays Through Saturdays: 8:30-5:00

Maybe this helps a little. It doesn’t have to be painful if you must sell. Good Luck!

(Between Lakeland and Plant City)

2670 Highway 92 East, Plant City, FL • 813-752-3378 www.brokepoor.com FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 82

Jo-An Lusk Manager Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

THIS COULD BE YOUR...

Nate Kilton REALTOR

ÂŽ

(813) 732-3113 Cell

Hate Income Taxes?

DOLPHIN REALTY

208 Apollo Beach Blvd.

Apollo Beach, FL 33572

Contact me for a free, no obligation consultation about the income tax implications of your real estate transaction

R o n e om!! e r c S

BEAUTIFUL CRAFTSMANS STYLE 2,592 sq ft 3 bedroom 2 bath nome located on about .44 acres in the Historic District of Plant City. This home has a spacious unďŹ nished attic with loads of potential for additional living space. There is a ďŹ replace in the living room, detached garage, and front and rear porches. Asking $250,000 Adjacent .80 acres under folio #20760630-0050 is being sold separately.

E IC ED PR UC D RE

GREAT LOCATION!! 1 acre mol zoned C-1A w/ ELU multifamily on the corner of Thonotosassa Rd and Mobley St in Plant City. Perfect for a medical facility given close proximity to South Florida Baptist Hospital. City water and sewer close by. Buyer should conďŹ rm details with city. Asking $400,000 (http://mid-ďŹ&#x201A;oridahomes.com/373288) 5.2 ACRE MOL PROPERTY This 5.2 acre mol property is located on Colson Rd and is just minutes to Plant City, shopping, and dining yet still provides seclusion and privacy. Asking $225,000.

Customer Referrals on Request

HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Quiet country living close to shopping and dining. This property sits on 5 wooded acres and is only 3.5 miles to Fishhawk, 10 miles to Plant City, and 1.5 miles to Aldermans Ford Park. This home has 2,450 sq. ft., four bedrooms, four bathrooms, pool and spa, and stone woodburning ďŹ replace. New roof within past ďŹ ve years.

Quality Construction Competitive Prices 47 Years of Professional Service

RESIDENTIAL LOTS IN HISTORIC DISTRIC This property is currently being divided into residential lots and is zoned R-1A. Buildable residential lots in this part of the Historic District of Plant City are not available very often. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let this opportunity pass you by.

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homes mortgage

s u b mit t e d by n at e dav i s

To Escrow, or Not to Escrow that is the question

When preparing a refinance loan or purchase transaction, I often get asked the question, “Should I escrow my payments”?

Many lenders encourage borrowers to escrow their tax and insurance payments with their mortgage payment. The benefits to the lender are that they: 1) Know that your insurance will be kept active and in place, securing their investment in the event of an insurable loss a. Should your property burn down, they know that they will be paid in full since most would not want to continue to make payments on a home that no longer exist 2) Know that property taxes will remain current while they have a lien on the home, helping to ensure they have clear title a. If they must foreclose on the property, they want clear title and not to pay additional money towards incurred liens that can supersede their lien position such as property taxes 3) The lender has additional funds in holding to issue loans while the money is awaiting it’s annual disbursement to pay property taxes and insurance a. Your property taxes and property insurance is paid annually, yet the lender has funds from your payment each month even though the tax and insurance bill is not due from them each month

Purchase

Refinance

Rates are still low and there are plenty of options. Let us help you purchase your first home or your dream home.

Let our no obligation mortgage analysis help you decide if a refinance is the best option for you.

There are 2 ways that the lender can encourage borrowers to escrow their payments.

1) They can require that your payments be escrowed. That usually nips it in the bud. This is often what occurs when your loan amount exceeds 80% of the value or sales price.

2) They can create an incentive for you to escrow your payment (or create a penalty to not escrow your payments). This allows the lender to cater to borrowers that demand they not escrow their payments, but a rate adjustment will be added.

For these reasons, you may be paying an escrow waiver fee upfront of .25% of your loan amount, or your interest rate may be increased by approximately .125% by electing to not escrow taxes and insurance.

1703-B Thonotosassa Rd. • Plant City, FL 33563

(813) 754-8700 50 Years of combined mortgage experience

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Licensed Correspondent Lender

An honest solution for all of your mortgage needs. We provide options and help you decide what is best for You. Member of the greater

Chamber of Commerce

For some, the additional fee or interest rate is well worth the benefit. If you can get a 25% return on your money, then you would be losing by giving it to the lender on a monthly basis. For others, they realize that they would be financially better to keep the escrow money themselves, but prefer the peace of mind that they will not be struck twice a year with large invoices (taxes and insurance).

There is not a right or wrong way to determine whether or not you should escrow your payments, but my goal is to ensure that you are making an educated decision when you do decide.

Bryan Piccari

If you have any specific mortgage related questions, please feel free to email your questions to Nate@PlantCityMortgages.com

Licensed Correspondent Lender

Nate Davis - Owner - Plant City Mortgage - 813.763.3910 FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 84

Randall & Kathleen Wainoris

REALTOR® / Attorney at Law

REALTOR® / Notary

PLANT CITY CIRCA 1900

PLANT CITY WITH NO DEED

Charming two story turn of the centu- RESTRICTIONS Over 4100 sq. foot, 4 bedroom 2 story home ry colonial. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths on 1/2 acre. Dramatic entry, living room with with new roof and a/c. Home has wood burning fireplace. Downstairs master been completely rewired with a suite, separate hobby/computer room, and totally remodeled kitchen. Large separate family/game room. Gourmet kitchen corner lot with beautiful mature with stainless steel appliances. Beautiful trees and detached garage. Asking property. Asking $474,900. only $239,500.

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PLANT CITY MARKET UPDATE

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GOLF COURSE TOWNHOME

Stunning 2 story 3 bed/2.5 bath town home in Haines City. Offered furnished for only $169,000.

Spring is in the air, and that usually means housing sales are on the increase! This year appears to be no exception. According to both the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors and Lakeland Association of Realtors, February housing sales volume increased compared to sales figures for January.

Typically, housing sales volume is strong through summer, and based on the recent statistics, it appears 2008 will be no different.

Housing inventories are higher this year than in past years, so now in 2008, home buyers definitely have more to choose from than in recent years.

Since average selling prices are still down compared to 2006 and 2007 figures, home buyers are able to get more house for their money.

CARE FREE LIVING

Immaculate 2 bed/2 bath Lakeland condo.

Private back yard, covered parking. Asking $136,900.

DAVENPORT DREAM Immaculate 4 bed/2 bath pool home with no back yard neighbors! Freshly painted inside and out. Great location. Reduced to $239,900.

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INVESTMENT INCOME!

Two unit Auburndale duplex. Each unit has 2 beds & 2 baths and newer roof. Solid rental history. Asking $135,000.

Additionally, FHA lending limits have just recently increased to $292,500 for Hillsborough County, and $271,050 for Polk County. Typically, FHA financing allows the buyer to purchase a home with a much lower down payment compared to conventional financing. These new higher lending limits should allow more home buyers the opportunity to purchase homes this spring. As interest rates are still very low, this is just more good news for both buyers and sellers!

Thinking of buying or selling? Please call us today to see how we can help you with your individual real estate needs. *Please consult your tax advisor for your individual tax considerations.

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Premier Assisted Living

Premier Assisted Living Stone Ledge Manor offers unparalleled facility for Assisted Living Business Review by Brian West Photos Courtesy of Stone Ledge Manor

As Americans age, care, while maintaining a sense of community, become concerning. For many, assisted living facilities offer peace of mind for their loved ones. But many are skeptical about the level of care provided and the quality of the facility.

Enter Mac Harriman. Just a couple of years ago, Mac Harriman was fresh off a couple of personal business ventures and was looking for something new. Harriman had spent years in the healthcare industry in positions ranging from child care worker to Chairman and CEO, served on several boards, and also spent several years in finance; most recently with Raymond James. The two interests came together at the end of 2004 after a friend asked him to take a look at a local property.

As soon as Harriman saw it, he thought to himself, “I know what to do with this.” Harriman decided to purchase the property with the idea to convert it to an assisted living facility that would be unparalleled; at least in central Florida, and Harriman has succeeded.

Stone Ledge Manor is located about three miles north of Interstate 4; just north of the east entrance to Stone Lake Ranch. That’s where Harriman got the idea for the name of the facility. Harriman said with a chuckle, “I thought if they were going to be

the lake, then I’ll be the ledge.”

The facility is beautiful, and that may be an understatement.

It’s certainly not your stereotypical assisted living facility.

Renovation and construction began in February, 2006 and just finished this March. Some of Our café provides constant coffee, beverages and snacks for our members the work to the facility includes new ceilings and roofing in portions of the strucside of the facility, and stone trim throughout, as ture, new wiring – each room has its own breaker one might imagine, which really adds a nice feel to panel and door bell, custom cabinets throughout, 3 the facility. large living room areas, a couple of large screened porches, an outdoor courtyard located in the center The new kitchen and community dining room are of the facility with rooms available with views very impressive. The community dining room to the courtyard, a community recreation room, will seat 50-60 people, and Harriman even added a library, and even a nature trail around the back two-story windows during the renovation to add

The front entrance of the Assisted Living facility is the first thing that visitors and prospective residents see.

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 86

This room is unusual in the ALF industry because it will seat the entire facility population at a meal and has a restaurant feel as opposed to a clinical atmosphere

natural lighting to the room. They also have a traditional dining room that members can reserve.

Imagine a member who’s having guests and wants to spend time with them some place a little more private. The room could be used for birthdays, family dinners, or other functions and the Chef will make a special meal for the reservation; something different than the meal being served in the community dining room. So there are many places in the facility for the members to gather and socialize with one another and their guests. But these are just a few of the features available to the members.

After the complete renovation of the existing facility and an extensive addition, Stone Ledge Manor now boasts 44,000 square feet with 52 suites available and Harriman is ready to begin accepting members. Harriman said, “We won’t think of those in our facility as residents. They are members of our facility.” Rooms range from about 300 square feet to about 600 square feet.

Think of a nice hotel room and you’ll begin to get an idea of how nice these rooms are, and they all come with kitchenettes – all with refrigerators that are standard sized, and of course closet space increases as the size of the room increases. Access within each room is amazing. All the rooms have been designed so they are wheel chair accessible, especially the bathrooms.

And there’s not only plenty of space for those in wheel chairs, but also room for them to maneuver around comfortably with a care provider. This can make a big difference

resident Physical Therapist and will be providing care to the members. She can even provide Home Health Therapy. Members can also bring in their own home healthcare professional and Harriman will provide the equipment necessary for their treatment.

There are three events scheduled at Stone Ledge Manor to give people an opportunity to visit the facility; an open house on April 17th from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., complete with hors d’oeuvres created by the Chef, another open house on April 20th from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. and an antique car show on May 3rd from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Most people expect to live their lives in their own home, but for many, that just isn’t the best choice, and an assisted living facility can make all the difference. If you or your loved ones are looking for a facility, please stop by and visit Stone Ledge Manor. You won’t believe it until you see it, and you’re likely to find yourself comparing other facilities to it. Harriman has done an outstanding job with the renovation and construction and is ready to start accepting members.

Alcove style member apartment – this is rather like a very large 1 room, 1 bathroom studio arrangement with a kitchenette included (all of our apartments have kitchenettes)

Harriman has worked hard to make the facility as up to date as possible with electronics. Each room is cable ready for TV and computer and the dining room can be reserved on-line. On the care side, there is a computerized accounting system, a 32 camera security system that monitors every entrance and exit of the facility plus the common areas. They also have a nurse on staff and every room has a wireless system to call the nurse when needed. They have a contract with an outside pharmacy to supply the necessary medications and the nurse is responsible for dispensing to the members. Each room has a DID phone system in place so members can begin their stay with a new number, or even bring their existing home number to the facility. Once the member has moved in, the number is easily transferred to another room if the member should decide to move within the facility.

There is also an Executive Chef on staff who has a significantly larger budget to work with than other facilities. This translates into better quality meals that will be available to the members; breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other positions on the staff include a Concierge and Lifestyle Director.

in the comfort of the member. The shower area has a small rubber lip on the floor to keep the water in the shower, but it collapses easily, whether stepped on or rolled over with a wheel chair. It is so obvious that Harriman has worked closely with every minor detail to the facility to make it as nice and comfortable as possible for the members.

Rounding things out, Harriman’s wife is the

One of two screened lanais/patios that are available for use by members year-round.

One of two lounges. This one is located on the hall called “The Shore” (because it’s blue) and contains seating, television, and more.

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 87

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(813) 754-0817 FOCUS Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ april 15 - may 15, 2008 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 89

sports & fitness sports

Story by Joe Bow les / Photo s courtesy o f T e a m U SA

send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Team USA to Play in Plant City

City Chosen as Part of Olympic Team’s “Bound 4 Beijing Tour” The reign of the most dominant sports team in all of history may come to an end at the conclusion of the Olympic Games this summer. Team USA, America’s Olympic softball team, has dominated the sport in international competition since softball was introduced to the Olympics in 1996, winning gold medals in 1996, 2000, and 2004. Their dominance may come to an end, not because of their play on the field, but because of a decision by the International Olympic Committee to eliminate softball and baseball from Olympic competition in 2012.

The IOC voted in July of 2005 to eliminate both sports from Olympic competition because they were “too American.” Most outsiders feel that the decision was a reaction by the European dominated IOC to the success of the teams from the United States, despite the growing popularity of baseball and softball around the world.

In an effort to prepare for this year’s Olympics and to promote the game of softball, in the slim

hope that the IOC may reconsider their decision, Team USA has scheduled 46 softball games that began in February and will conclude in July prior to the start of the Olympics. This series of games being played all over the country pits Team USA against top quality college and all star teams. It is called the “Bound 4 Beijing Tour.”

On May 3, the Bound for Beijing Tour will stop in Plant City, home of the International Softball Federation. The Olympic champion, Team USA, and the Lady Moccasins from Florida Southern College in Lakeland will compete at 7:00 PM at Plant City Stadium. Team USA has defeated every opponent in their tour until March 26’s stunning upset by Virginia Tech 1-0. Tech’s star pitcher Angela Tincher pitched a no-hitter while striking out 10 batters. The last time Team USA was shut out was August 4, 2005 against Japan.

Prior to their loss, the reigning Olympic champions had a 185 game win streak in which they outscored their opponents 1,475 to 24.

During the 2004 Olympic Games, Sports Illustrated called Team USA “The Real Dream Team.” They outscored their Olympic op-

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 90

ponents 51-1, not giving up a run until the sixth inning of the gold medal game Those who get tickets will see stars such as three time gold medallist Lisa Fernandez, who set an Olympic single game record when she struck out 25 batters against Australia in 2000 and batted .545 four years later in the games held in Athens.

Other stars include the 2006 Collegiate Softball Player of the Year, Cat Osterman, and Jennie Finch. Finch is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. Her career has expanded to include endorsements, modeling, television appearances, and a starring role in this year’s Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump.

This may be the last opportunity that this area may have to see the most dominating sports team in history compete in person. No other games are scheduled in the state of Florida after Team USA plays in Plant City. Plant City Stadium is located at 1810 E. Park Road. The gates will open at 4:30 PM. Pre-game drills and batting practice will begin around 5:00 PM. Tickets are $15 and purchasing information may be obtained by calling the Plant City Recreation Department at (813) 659-4200 Ext.4304.

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FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 91

sports & fitness sports

Story by Joe Bow les / P hoto courtesy o f Step hani e H um p hrey

send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

The Plant City Raiders Junior Varsity Baseball Team have already clinched first place in the Hillsborough County Junior Varsity Developmental League with four games remaining. The Raiders have a 12-2-1 record and have been awarded the top seed in the season ending tournament that will be played beginning April 17. According to Head Coach Jeff Jacobsen, pitching has been a key element to their success. Pitching leaders include C.J. Davis, Brett Nizamoff, and A.J. delValle.

Leading the squad in hitting are Travis Cannoles, Luis Gomez, Matt Singletary, and Sebastian Ray. On March 13 seven different athletic teams at Plant City High School played and won against their respective competition.

Front row (L to R): Kyle Bowers, Jordan Keyes, Levi Brown, Kaylen Smith, Josh Jacobsen. Second row- Cole Dickson, Cody Akers, Dallas Thompson, Luis Gomez, Travis Connoles, Matt Singletary. Back row- Coach Roger Brown, Head Coach Jeff The boys and girls tennis teams Jacobsen, A.J. delValle, Drake Futch, Brett Nizamoff, Sebastian Ray, Mike Singletary, G.J. Davis, Caleb Ray, Coach Frank Dickson both posted identical 5-2 wins over East Bay at the Plant City tion game between Team USA Softball and Tennis Center. The boys’ track team narrowly Coach Todd Long, took over the program two Florida Southern College on May 3. Team USA beat Middleton 72-64 while their female counseasons ago and promptly guided the Raiders to has been on the road since February competing terparts crushed the Tigers 113-12 at home. The consecutive district championships. against teams all over the country in preparation boys’ flag football team traveled to Brandon and for this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing, shutout the Eagles 41-0. The biggest wins came The City of Plant City Recreation and Parks China. from the girls’ softball and the boys’ baseball Department, in conjunction with Plant City’s teams who traveled to Durant to beat their riFamily YMCA has announced the start of the The Plant City Family YMCA will offer a sumvals. The Raiders 2-0 win was the first baseball 2008 Spring Co-ed Volleyball League. Registramer basketball program for youth ages 3 -13. victory over the Cougars in five years. The girls tion will continue until the start of the season on Registration begins May 17 and will conclude avenged an earlier defeat to Durant by outApril 16. Games will be played every Wedneson June 28. Opening day will be held on July scoring the Cougars 4-1. It is rare for so many day at the YMCA. The first 8 teams to register 19. There is no cost for YMCA members but a events to take place in one day, but because of and pay the $125 league fee will participate in a $45 fee will be charged for non-members. There scheduling changes all seven events were held five-week season followed by a tournament. For is an additional cost of $12 for tee shirts that on the same day. more information, please contact Larry Langscan be worn throughout the year. Games will be ton at 813-659-4200 ext 4302 or by e-mail at played on Saturdays and practices will be held Kevin Kelley, the popular head football coach llangston@plantcitygov.com. on week nights. For more information please for the Plant City High School Raiders, ancall (813) 757-6677. nounced his resignation, citing personal reasons.

Plant City Stadium, the home of the InternaKelley, a long time assistant to previous head tional Softball Federation, will host an exhibi-

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 92

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*IM 2EDMAN 0ARKWAY s "EHIND 4WISTEE 4REAT FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 93

sports & fitness athleteofthemonth

Story and Photo by Ho lly M allali eu

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SPORTS EQUIPMENT

Drew Charles Coach Dale Rice is fortunate enough to be the head of a team of great tennis players, although this makes for a tough decision when asked to single out just one guy who has stood out up to this point as an outstanding, well-rounded member, enough to be recognized for this month’s honored high school athlete. His choice for this time around is Drew Charles, a senior at PCHS, who is playing in his fourth consecutive year of tennis.

Charles’ introduction to the sport can be credited to his father, who attended Georgia Southern University and played as a professional tennis player for four years. Drew got started playing in about the seventh grade, and has only been advancing since. Coming to the high school as a freshman, he joined the tennis team and has solidly stuck with it since. Now, in his final year, he is at the top of his game. “He’s really settled into a leadership position this year,” said Coach Rice, “and is important to the overall team.”

After high school, Charles says that he may continue playing tennis for fun, but not on a team. It is a fact that the PCHS Raiders tennis will be short an excellent player after this year’s graduation, but Charles has done a great job every year that he has been on the team. The best of luck to him!

Andy and Jeanne Knotts of Knotts Team Sports congratulates Drew Charles for being the Athlete of the Month FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 94

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 95

sports & fitness sherrynueesch

s ubmit ted by s herry nueesch

There Is Always Tomorrow I recently had the privilege of speaking to a church group about exercise. I am going to use my space this month to share with you what I shared with them. Let’s just start with resting heart rate. In part of a study that we have done at Curves, we have been testing everyone’s resting heart rate before they start our program.

The average resting heart rate that we tested was 84 beats per minute. After three weeks of exercising the average resting heart rate was 77. Why is that important? A drop of just 5 beats per minute equates to: 300 less beats per hour, 7200 less beats per day, 50,400 less beats per week, 201,600 less beats per month, and 2,419,200 less beats per year. If you keep exercising you can bring your resting heart rate down even more. My resting heart rate is 58. That equates to over 12 million less beats per year than the average!!! You think exercising is good for your heart?

American Cancer Society research findings have linked dramatic increases in risk for multiple cancers to carrying too much body fat. Obesity and excess body fat increase your chances of the following cancers: colon cancer up 35%, breast cancer up 23%, pancreatic cancer up 27%, uterine cancer up 57%, kidney cancer up 43%, esophageal cancer up 52%, gall bladder cancer up 36%, and gastric cancer up 36%. You think exercising is good cancer prevention?

Physically active people have cells that look younger on a molecular level. Your body is made up of trillions of cells that live mostly for a few weeks or months, die and are constantly replaced by new cells. An active lifestyle can tip the balance in your body toward growth and renewal. When you exercise, your muscles release specific substances that travel throughout your blood stream, telling your cells to grow. When you don’t exercise, your muscles let out a steady trickle of chemicals that tell every cell to decay, day after day after day. Do you think exercise is important for us to thrive?

Here are some more rewards for working out: sleep like a baby, have skin like a baby, increase fertility, prevent and/or improve arthritis, lower blood pressure, menopause relief, up your happiness factor, prevent and or manage diabetes, have a better back, healthier eyes, maintain stamina, and maintain balance, just to name a couple.

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 96

Consider this, each pound of fat requires an estimated 200 miles of new capillaries, an unfair burden on the heart. That’s 200 miles per every one pound! If you are 30 pounds overweight your heart has to pump blood for an additional 6000 miles every day!!! That is about the same distance as going from Tampa to Seattle and back again, all in one day! Do you think you need to exercise?

We all know we need to exercise. The truth of the matter is only about 30% of us actually do so on a regular basis. In talking to people who do not exercise I have found that they all plan on doing it sometime in the future, there is always tomorrow. According to a Canadian researcher the number of people who procrastinate has risen from 5% of us to 26% of us.

The University of Calgary professor, Piers Steel, concludes that procrastinators are poorer, fatter and unhappier. My wish for you is that you don’t procrastinate until your health is gone. There is no tomorrow. There is only today. God gave you 86,400 seconds to spend for today. Use 1800 of those seconds to exercise. Then take a few of those seconds to say thank you and count your blessings. You’ll be thinner, wealthier and happier. What a bargain. To your health, Sherry Nueesch.

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local history didyouknow

s ubmitt ed by P lan t City Photo Archives Sources: Pl ant City Photo Archives photog r a p hic a n d o r a l histo ry f i l e s.

send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Plant City Photo Archives

“Roasts” Its Newest Heritage Award Recipient, Dr. Hal Brewer Along the lines of Forrest Gump, representatives of the Plant City Photo Archives presented a humorous Roast of Dr. Hal Brewer as they depicted him from his birth in 1847 through

his capture and service during the Civil War, his participation in World War I, and his many activities after.

Dr. Brewer, the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Heritage Award, enjoyed the antics as they discovered his medical training at the hands of anachronistic witch doctors, his rewarding patients who actually survived his medical treatment, his thespian roles, his mobster friends (also doctors), his proclaiming himself “King for Life”, and his modeling as the Gorton brand fisherman. And more.

Days”, with historic photos of the twenty-some schools in the greater Plant City area.

The exhibit included over 130 historic photos not shown before and 40 enlargements including special sections on Marshall High School, the 1914 Plant City High School, and ten new photos included in the popular “Splendiferous Photo Trivia Quiz”.

The event, in support of the Photo Archives’ mission of preserving the history and heritage of the greater Plant City community, and that of west central Florida, began with a champagne reception, featured the photo exhibits, entertainment provided by the Florida Southern College Jazz Ensemble, a gift table where the recent publication, Remembering Plant City; Tales from the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, was available, on the spot photographs taken in front of one of the area’s high schools, an elegant and sumptuous hors d’oeuvre buffet, the photo trivia quiz, and the presentation of the Heritage Award.

City Commissioner and history enthusiast Dan Raulerson served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, and Steve Smith, Ed Verner, and Mac Smith participated in the award program.

Other volunteer staff for the evening included Linda Smith, Sally Verner, Anne Haywood, Marsha Passmore, Alise Sollenberger, Maribeth Mobley, Jodi Smith, Carole Wright, Doug Gibbs, Lou Baird, Vi Massey, D.E. Bailey, Pat Pogue, Lynn Brewer, Ruby Jean Redman, Tim Martin, and Candy Owens, among others.

Plant City Photo Archives is located at 119 North Collins Street, in historic downtown Plant City and operates a museum and exhibit gallery.

The Gallery is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, and the staff is available on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday by appointment – call (813) 754.1578.

Previous award recipients include David E. Bailey, Jr., James L. Redman, Robert S. Trinkle, B.M. “Mac” Smith, and Betty Barker Watkins.

All this took place at the sixth annual “Evening of Picture Perfect Memories”, the annual fundraiser for the Photo Archives, Saturday, March 29, at the Red Rose Ballroom, Red Rose Inn and Suites, Plant City.

About 200 guests enjoyed the stationary and video exhibits along the theme of “School

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 98

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extra alruechel

s ubmit ted by al ruechel

Christian Rights Trampled …again!

The constitution is a wonderful document that protects all of our rights. It guarantees the freedom to express our religious beliefs and frees us from the tyranny of government imposed religious doctrine. It’s too bad that often times school officials are so paranoid of anything religious they would rather trample on the rights of Christians than follow the mandates of our forefathers.

Take this story from Madison, Wisconsin. An art teacher at Tomah High School asked students to draw a landscape. A.P., as he is referred to in a federal lawsuit, drew his landscape and added a cross and the words John 3:16. His teacher, Julie Millin, asked him to remove the reference saying some students were offended by it. He refused and was given a zero for the project.

According to the Associated Press, Millin made the students sign “a contract” that prohibited any violence, blood, sexual connotations or religious beliefs in artwork at the beginning of the semester. The lawsuit filed by the boy claims Millin told the boy he had signed away his constitutional rights when he signed the policy at the beginning of the semester. The boy tore the policy up in front of Millin for which he was kicked out of class. If it had been my son I wouldn’t have let him show that kind of defiance though I would have supported his protest. Later that day the assistant principal told the boy his religious expression infringed on other students’ rights. The assistant principal also told the boy’s stepfather and pastor that religious expression could be legally censored in class assignments.

A short time later the boy wanted to build a chain-mail cross in his metals class. His metals teacher rejected his idea telling him it was religious and could offend someone.

Students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.

Here’s why the school district will lose and lose big in this lawsuit. First, the teacher allowed satanic drawings in the same art class where the cross drawing was rejected. Second, the metals teacher allowed students to make demonic masks, drawings of Medusa, the Grim Reaper, and other horned creatures. Third, a social studies teacher has figurines of Buddha and Hindu objects prominently displayed in her room and passionately teaches Hindu to students. Fourth, the teacher, the assistant principal and other school officials have arbitrarily discriminated against the boy based on his religious beliefs without proving irreparable harm or other compelling state interest.

Five, a contract signed by a minor must have an adult co-signer in order to be valid. Six, you cannot sign away your constitutional rights in written contract. And seven, students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.

These kinds of stories boil me because it seems to be so much easier for school officials to trample religious expression than to take the time to learn what the courts have already ruled in these religion vs school matters.

Maybe it’s because as a journalist I’ve seen school board after school board violate religious expression and end up paying hefty legal bills for, in the words of a federal judge, “their ignorance, or arrogance, of the law.”

Here’s what the courts have ruled. You must treat all religions equally. You cannot punish students for expressing their religious beliefs in any works of art, musical expressions, writings, or assignments. Just because someone is offended does not give administrators the right to deny an individuals first amendment protections. A “compelling interest” does not mean whatever any teacher happens to think is right or wrong. Constitutional rights are not subject to the politically correct whims of the day. Students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.

School officials in Wisconsin should spend a few hours training each year with a lawyer well versed in student religious matters. They could have saved themselves what I predict will be a very expensive court case they are destined to lose.

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 102

extra thisibelieve

By fath e r c a r l o s ro jas send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Coffee 101 is hosting a monthly community event called This I Believe.

Modeled after the series on NPR reviving an Edward R. Murrow radio program from the 1950’s, This I Believe is a national media guide project engaging citizens in writing, sharing and discussing the core values and beliefs that guide their daily lives. Each month Focus will choose a This I Believe Essay to highlight and publish. Come join the group of This I Believe right here in Plant City every first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. held at Coffee 101. For more information call (813) 659-0101.

This Month’s This I Believe Article was written by Maria Herzog The Light of the Eye This I Believe…

That the state of the heart colors our perceptions and our interactions. Our words reveal the state of our hearts.

Conversation, naming the known, internal monologue—we interact with the world mainly through word, and since the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they either defile or illuminate, we must take care what we let escape from our lips. When words of hate, anger or despair come out we need to mend our hearts by turning inward and looking beyond our complaints to discover the ideals they obscure.

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FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 104

Do not be afraid to notice the insignificant, for “to perceive the small is called discernment” (Laozi). The open and vulnerable heart contemplates even the insignificant details of its experiences and this infuses the perceptions with an intimate comprehension of the very significant connections between the seemingly insignificant details.

But an obscured and hardened heart disregards the insignificant and so is blind to the intricate meanings of its experiences. Instead, it confines its realm of experience within the limits of its habitual labels.

The hardened heart is enslaved by its labels, but the open heart freely employs the labels in its search for meaningful expression.

My goal is to have a humble heart, a heart ready to give of itself freely and without hesitation while at the same time just as willing to receive from others, a heart that does not resist anything but rather embraces all, a heart that does not compulsively apply labels like “bad” and “good” but takes in the fuller meaning of life.

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extra askwhowhat

Sto ry a n d P hoto s by S h e rry Baldwin send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Ask Who What Question Submitted by

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Response from

Gary Boothe, 2007-2008 President, Florida Strawberry Festival Association Board When I think of the success of the Florida Strawberry Festival, the acronym TIPS comes to my mind. I truly attribute this combination of Tradition, Involvement, Pride and Service to the Festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success. All of the citizens of East Hillsborough County realize the importance of Tradition, and they take Pride in this tradition. They get involved through volunteering their services. Plant City is more than a just a city, it is a community that believes in â&#x20AC;&#x153;TIPSâ&#x20AC;?.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure what you mean by change, but I would like to see more education encompassed in our Festival. Education is something that can never be taken away from us. I believe that this could be done by bringing the past more into the forefront. By establishing a museum and/or Hall of Fame, we could promote our founding roots and those who have contributed to the success of not only the Strawberry Festival but also the entire community of Plant City. We need to educate not only our visitors, but also our children as to why the past has made the future so bright for the citizens of East Hillsborough County.

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sto ry a n d p hoto s by as h l ey g ran t send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Knights Elementary School Defining Trustworthy Each month, Focus Magazine is profiling several students from a Plant City area school and asking them for their personal definitions of that month’s character word.

This month we stopped by Knights Elementary School, and with the help of their counselor, Lisa Carlsen, we interviewed six students for their views on April’s word: Trustworthy.

“You trust someone and they trust you back.”

-Molly Kim

Left to Right: Megan Daumy, Christian Munoz, Molly Kim, Clayton Zazik, Amanda Cerny, Christopher Watson

“I think it means that you’re trusting someone to do something for you.”

-Amanda Cerny

“Honesty. Never lying. Never lie to somebody. Tell the truth.”

-Christopher Watson “It means you’re confident. If you broke your leg you would trust somebody to go to the store to get what you need; you would trust them with your money,” -Clayton Zazik

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“If you trust someone you can fall back and if you trust someone they will catch you. You can believe someone for the rest of your life.”

-Christian Munoz “If you respect someone they’ll respect you back and you trust each other.”

-Megan Daumy

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FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 108

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 109

dining & entertainment diningprofile

Story and Photo s by W endy S. B row n

send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Dine With Salsa & Spice Pollo Tropical Style Enjoy Pollo Tropical’s Caribbean experience.

Sounds of reggae, salsa, and steel drums add a lively atmosphere to this Caribbean styled restaurant. Add some spice and salsa to your life with freshly made healthy alternatives.

Pollo Tropical boasts quick service of healthy grilled meats and low fat, low carbohydrate options. Fresh, hormone free, never frozen chicken, ribs, roast pork, and shrimp meals come with daily made sides including rice and beans, balsamic tomatoes, Caesar salad, corn, French fries, broccoli and carrots, macaroni and cheese, yucca with garlic sauce, or yellow rice with vegetables. Plantains, fried yucca, and tostones add tropical interest while soup and salads are available for light eaters. Try the Tropichops or meat and veggies served atop rice. The family trio of a whole chicken, half rib rack, two steak skewers, two family sides, plus six dinner rolls is $20.99. What a bargain!

Pollo’s most requested items are the grilled marinated chicken, rice and beans, and homemade Caribbean chicken soup. First time customers, Plant City High students Darren Goodwald, Bryan Weiland, and Marco Duran, said they would definitely come back. Mr. Goodwald stated, “The meal was very good and a great price for healthy food which is usually so expensive.”

Chamber members, city officials, PCHS band, and Pollo Tropical team are on hand to cut the red ribbon on Friday, March 28.

According to Daniel W. Lessem, Manager for Event Marketing, there are 96 Pollo Tropical restaurants in Florida, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and Ecuador employing 3000. The business started in Miami in 1988 and is now owned by Carrols Corporation in New York. Fourteen million customers are served yearly. Sales are from 40 percent drive thru, 35 percent eat in, and 25 percent takeout purchases.

General Manager Patricia Ontaneda oversees a typical day starting with cooks, prep staff, and delivery trucks at seven a.m.. Prep workers daily make rice, beans, salsas, vegetable dishes, and soups. Chicken pieces have been marinating for 24 hours in a secret blend of spices with exotic flavors of mango, lime, and orange. The chicken is salted, and by nine the grills start flaming chicken and ribs. Line staff prepare the front of salsas, salads, and veggies while cashiers start at 9:30 a.m.. The Plant City location employs 45 including a management team of four covering several shifts. Manager Ontaneda has over twenty years restaurant experience and has worked her way up the

Alex Agullar grills the famous Caribbean spiced chicken.

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 110

Staff members Cassandra Carreon, Wanda Smith, and Veronica Mosley are all smiles.

ladder. She enjoys customer service, taking care of people, and especially likes being a leader: leading by observation, training, and setting an example. She welcomes everyone to Pollo Tropical and believes her friendly staff and nutritious menu will please Plant City.

Grand opening activities took place March 28 and 29 with the Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Rick Lott and Commissioner Bill Dodson cutting the ribbon. Members of the PCHS Marching Band entertained with island music, there were carnival games, and the YMCA presented a Kid’s Craft Workshop.

On Saturday, Pollo’s “Got Talent?” competition entertained the audience with first place earning $500. Pollo Tropical is community minded and donated sales percentages to the Plant City Little League and Hillsborough Education Foundation. Enjoy dining with an island flair at Pollo Tropical.

Pollo Tropical 238 West Alexander Street Phone: (866) 769-7696 Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., 7 days Credit Cards accepted Children’s menu: $3.49 with one side and a treat.

Catering available Dine in, take out, and drive thru service Price Range: Value meals: $3.49 (1/4 chicken) to $7.99 (Caribbean Ribs), soup/ salads $2.99 to $5.99.

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FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 111

dining & entertainment entertainmentstory

Story by Daniel Sperry / Photos Court esy o f T he R ed Ro s e I nn an d S u it e s

send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Jason D Rocks Plant City

Modern Day Jerry lee Lewis Plays At Red Rose

Like Jerry Lee Lewis, Jason D pours his energy into the piano as he pounds out rock & roll on the keys

Jason D. Williams has been described as “the past and future of rock & roll.” He has made a name for himself across the country with his enthusiastic style of music and in March he brought his own version of musical madness to the Red Rose Inn and Suites in Plant City.

Energetic would be too mild a word to use to describe Jason D. He brought an edge and attitude with his music that was reminiscent of Jerry Lee Lewis. His sound ranges from classical to rockabilly and from jazz to rock & roll and he adapts his music to the locations where he plays. Here in Plant City, his sound was strongly country, which was a huge hit with the audience, but amazingly, he blended sounds of doo-wop and classical piano into the mix as well.

Jason D has been featured on MTV, Regis and Kelly and Entertainment Tonight and has found a tremendous amount of success in touring with his music across the country. “I just love entertaining,” he said before the show. “I love to bring something fun into people’s lives.”

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 112

There’s no resting for an entertainer who has as much energy as Jason D.

Jason D began playing the piano when he was three. After many years of just picking his way up and down the keys and without any formal training, he took to the road when he was 18 and never looked back. At this stage in his career, he has played in every state in the country and in many countries around the world. Musicians like Elton John and Billy Joel have heard him play and have commented on his talent.

Plant City was fortunate to have such a talented artist performing right here in town. Not enough can be said about the Red Rose Inn and Suites for their ongoing success at providing excellent options for entertainment for local residents on a regular basis. Aside from the top-notch talent that the Madonias draw in, the Red Rose boasts an amazingly good house band as well, who typically open the show whenever a special guest is going to appear.

Jason D drew a diverse crowd to the Red Rose Dining Room for his show. Young and old alike seemed to thoroughly enjoy the evening’s entertainment. Amanda Day came with her

sister to see the performance. At 24 and 23 years old, they had seen Jason D online and were thrilled when they found out he was coming to Plant City. “We just couldn’t believe it,” said Day. “We absolutely had to come.”

Jason D is an amazingly prolific performer.

Each year he does more than 200 shows and provides his unique gifts for musical talent to hundreds of thousands of people. Not many performers have the energy in one show as Jason D, but he somehow manages to channel his talent and energy into each and every performance throughout the year.

Of course the Red Rose did their part to make the experience a complete success for everyone who came. The food and service were exemplary, as always, and the staff was excellent throughout the night. Weekends at the Red Rose almost always feature an amazing entertainer and it is an incredible option for an evening out that is barely beyond the back door.

For more information about the Red Rose, visit redroseinnandsuites.com.

5/15/2008

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 113

dining & entertainment entertainmentstory

Story and photo s by W endy S. B row n

send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Smashing Sock Hop Funds Cornerstone Project Beside strawberry fields, under beautiful moss draped oaks stands a red barn outlined in sparkly lights. Inside the Brownleeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s barn is not your typical barn dance, but a sock hop

Newlyweds Jim and Louise Sullivan enjoy 50s music.

with 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and 60â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music and food representing Old Plant City. Cool breezes and great music by DJ Mark Nolde of Sunset Entertainment relaxed guests.

Jerry Brownlee hoped for $3000 from Cornerstoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second annual sock hop dedicated to Jeannie Burt who wanted a fun family fundraiser. Coleman Davis â&#x20AC;&#x153;came out to support the project and see old friends in a casual atmosphere.â&#x20AC;? Granddaughter Taryn Storter was queen of the dance floor. Surrounded by tall soda tables, decorations of old cars, records, and Elvis, folks in poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and leather jackets danced to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Twist and Shout,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sherry Baby,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wake up Little Susie,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shake Shake Shake.â&#x20AC;?

The Twist and Jitterbug dance winners were awarded prizes by Sassy Nail Bar and Old Towne Pizza.

Yesteryear continued with food representing downtown hangouts. Eschewing the old days, Chinese chews of Kirbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bakery, Ice Cream from Cones Dairy, Cherry Smash from Whites Drugstore, Slaw Dogs from Barwick Drug

Guests danced to the tune of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wake Up Little Susie.â&#x20AC;?

Store, burgers from Strawberry Drive Inn, and chocolaty brownies and strawberry shortcake were relished. The sock hop was smashing.

Volunteers Rex and Sharon Cole, say â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cornerstone is a pillar to the community since many people have precious memories there.â&#x20AC;?

According to Violet Massy, new bathrooms, windows, and a roof are required for this historic structure. Plant City cherishes its hometown feeling. Let the community continue supporting Cornerstone!

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FOCUS Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ april 15 - may 15, 2008 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 114

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FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 115

dining & entertainment localband

Story and Photo s by Pat Hear n

send questions and comments to editorial@floydpublications.com

Damascus Road

A Young Band with Something to Say For most bands, or musicians, music is their medium of expression. They pour out their souls into the form of a song and then share it with audiences hoping they can share a glimpse of what they have experienced and the things that are held dear by them. The Seffner-based band, Damascus Road, is no exception. I was able to get a hold of front man Caleb Hyres and talk to him about what the Seffner quartet is about and what exactly they are up to these days.

Focus: What do you guys hope to accomplish with your music?

Caleb: We hope to say something. Something that is only ours through the grace and mercy of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We want people to know that they are not alone in this crazy place we call “life as we know it.” Most of all, we want to use

our gifts and talents to bring a message of everlasting peace, love, hope, and mercy to people.

Focus: What are some of the accomplishments of the band?

Caleb: This past summer we won the state finals of a battle of the bands called Emergenza and went on to place third in the regionals in Atlanta.

We also won a more recent battle of the bands and won 10 free hours of recording at Morrisound Recording Studios.

Focus: What’s happening with Damascus Road now? What do you guys have planned for the future?

Caleb: We just started on our next album and we hope to be getting a response for our last one as we send it out to different places in our promo

Wisdom Center SMOKEHOUSE

624 S. Evers Street Plant City, FL 33566 • (813) 754-4561 Hours of Operation: Mon-Wed 10:30-6:00 • Thur-Sat 10:30-8:00 • Sun 11:00-4:00

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Mother Reeves

(all dinners come with 2 sides and roll)

Rib Dinner $9.00 Combo Dinner $9.50 (1/4 Slab of Ribs; 1/4 Chicken) Garlic Crabs 6 $6.99 12 $12.99 FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 116

Damascus Road wants to say something more with their music.

package and we will continue to work on our next album and hopefully have it released by the end of fall.

Be sure to check out Damascus Road at www. myspace.com/damascusroasfl

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Attorney Brad Culpepper Former Tampa Bay Buc & FL. Gator

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Walker Plaza, 617 N Maryland Ave. Plant City, FL 33563 ATM Available at Customer Service TECO Payments Accepted

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FOCUS Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ april 15 - may 15, 2008 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 117

Event Calendar April 17, Thursday

Country Club. For more information call (813) 754-4444.

South Florida Baptist Hospital will be teaching a Heartsaver CPR class from 6-8:30 p.m. in the South Florida Baptist Hospital- Community Conference Room located at 301 North Alexander Street Plant City, FL 33566. The cost is $25. For more information call (813) 754-4444.

Drum Circle will be held at Coffee 101 in downtown Plant City at 7:00 p.m.. For more information, call (813) 659-0101 or visit www. espressyourself101.com.

SFBH will also be hosting an informative 2-hour discussion for women by cosmetic surgeons that will include a Q&A on various cosmetic surgeries that are now available. This discussion will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. and is free. For more information call (813) 754-4444

Today is the 11th Anniversary Strawberry Classic Car Show. The event will be held from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. ‘83 and older cars and trucks, entertainment & vendors.

Dash plaques to the first 200 registered vehicles. Free registration & admission. On Drane Street from Palmer to Evers at Historic Downtown Plant City.

Release Your Inner Artist at Bruton Memorial Library from 2:-4:00 p.m. Have lots of fun while finding your creative spirit with artists, Peggy Paramore and Cheryl Worsham.

This event is sponsored by the Arts Council of Plant City.

For more information or to register call the library at (813)757-9215.

April 18, Friday South Florida Baptist Hospital will host its Childrens Classic Golf Tournament at 12 p.m. at the Walden Lake Golf &

April 19, Saturday

Walden Lake Golf and Country Club located at 2001 Clubhouse Drive, Plant City, FL will be hosting a Junior Golf Clinic from 9 to 10 a.m.

The cost is $15-$20 for ages seven and up. For more information, call (813)754-8575.

Musical Guests Suzy and Erin will be at Coffee 101 in downtown Plant City. For more information, call (813) 659-0101 or visit www.espressyourself101.com.

Ralph Allocco and Second Wind will be performing in

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 118

the Red Rose Dining Room.

For more information, call (813) 752-3141 or visit www. redroseinnandsuites.com.

April 20, Sunday Keel and Curley Winery will be hosting Sunday market featuring wine samples, music, food, crafts and other wares from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This event is free and will be held at 5210 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. For more information, call (813) 748-0441

April 20-24, Sunday- Thursday Shiloh Baptist Church will be holding the Spring Crusade at 905 W. Terrace Drive featuring special guest Evangelist - Ronnie Owens, Musician - Bruce Rice, Drama - Trevor Thomas, Larry Ford of the Gaithers, Geraldine and Ricky (Ventriloquist), Brad Culpepper (Former Tampa Bay Buc), Victoria Jackson (Saturday Nite Live) and a special NewSong Concert! For more information please call, (813) 752-8345.

April 23, Wednesday The University of Florida

April 15th - May 15th Plant City Campus will be holding an Expanding Your Plant Palette event from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 1200 N. Park Road, Plant City, FL 33563. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. For more information or to register, visit www.regonline.com/expandingyourplantpalette08 or call Lacey at 813-744-5519.

April 25, Friday Ralph Allocco and Second Wind will be performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

For more information, call (813) 752-3141 or visit www. redroseinnandsuites.com.

Teen Night will be held at the Planteen Recreation Center from 7 to 11:00p.m. for middle school ages 12-15 (strictly enforced). For more information, call at (813)659-4256.

Friday Night Jam Session will be held at Coffee 101 in downtown Plant City at 7:00 p.m.. For more information, call (813) 659-0101 or visit www.espressyourself101. com.

April 26, Saturday A Community Yard Sale will be held at Ferman of Plant City 502 E. Park Rd. from

Event Calendar 8:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. For more information call, Timela Cross at (813) 752-1033.

Pat Capuzzi, The Ultimate #1 Tom Jones Impersonator Show and P.J. Leary and The Las Vegas Sounds will be performing in the Red Rose Dining Room. For more information, call (813) 752-3141 or visit www.redroseinnandsuites.com.

Musical Guests Adam Welchel and Josh Coleman will be at Coffee 101 in downtown Plant City at 7:00 p.m.

For more information, call (813) 659-0101 or visit www. espressyourself101.com.

The 21st Annual Rainbow Ball, presented by Sunshine State Federal Savings and Loan, will be held from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Red Rose Ballroom at the Red Rose Inn & Suites in Plant City. For more information, call Jodi Smith at (813) 757-8574 or Shannon Sellards at (813)673-4646.

April 28, Monday The Plant City Charter Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) will host their annual Working Women’s Round Up to benefit The Spring of Tampa Bay. Donations will be accepted at

the Plant City Carrabba’s between 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 28th. Great donations include clothes for women, especially new or lightly used business clothes, as well as men’s and children’s clothing. Toiletries, toys, books and household items are also appreciated.

Please contact Annie Carapezza at 813-707-1221 with any questions or for more information.

April 29, Tuesday Bruton Memorial Library will be hosting Game Zone for Grades 6-12 from 5-7:00 p.m.

The event will take place at 302 McLendon St. Get in the zone and join your friends for gaming fun with games such as Guitar Hero, Dance, Dance Revolution and others.

For more information, call (813)757-9215.

May 2-3, Friday – Saturday The Beverly Hillbillies will be presented by Plant City Entertainment at the Plant City Cornerstone Center located at 315 North Collins Street in Plant City, 33566. Tickets are $10. Each performance will begin at 8:00 p.m. For more information, call (813) 986-7141.

April 15th - May 15th

May 3, Saturday Ralph Allocco and Second Wind will be performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

For more information, call (813) 752-3141 or visit www. redroseinnandsuites.com.

The United States Women’s Olympic Team is coming to Plant City Stadium, 1810 East Park Road on Saturday, May 3, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. Team USA will be playing Florida Southern College of Lakeland. The USA Team will be available 20 minutes after the game is completed to sign autographs for 45 minutes.

The game will be broadcast live on the Internet by Softball Magazine. For more information please visit: http:// www.plantcitygov.com/news/ files/Plant_City_News_Express_v5N5.htm

May 6, Tuesday Pickin’ Wildflowers will be held in the Public Works Building (1802 Spooner Drive) at 6:00 p.m. Kids ages 4-12 will paint a terra cotta pot and learn how to grow the state wildflower, Coreopsis. Kids will follow along with a coloring book provided by the Florida Department of Agriculture and learn about the native beauties that used to grow

all over the Florida – the Land of Flowers! Dress to make a mess. For more information, call 813-757-9289 x 2249

May 8-10, Thursday-Saturday The Plant City High School theatre department will be featuring the live play The Diary of Anne Frank in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $5 per individual. The play will begin at 7:30 nightly.

For more information call 813-757-9370.

May 9, Friday Ralph Allocco and Second Wind will be performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

For more information, call (813) 752-3141 or visit www. redroseinnandsuites.com.

Teen Night will be held at the Planteen Recreation Center from 7 to 11:00p.m. for middle school ages 12-15 (strictly enforced). For more information, call at (813)659-4256

continued on page 120

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 119

Event Calendar May 9-10, Friday- Saturday The Beverly Hillbillies will be presented by Plant City Entertainment at the Plant City Cornerstone Center located at 315 North Collins Street in Plant City, 33566. Tickets are $10.

Each performance will begin at 8:00 p.m. For more information, call (813) 986-7141.

May 10, Saturday P.J. Leary and The Las Vegas Sounds will be performing in

the Red Rose Dining Room.

For more information, call (813) 752-3141 or visit www.redroseinnandsuites.com.

May 13, Tuesday Bruton Memorial Library will be hosting Game Zone for Grades 6-12 from 5-7:00 p.m.

The event will take place at 302 McLendon St. Get in the zone and join your friends for gaming fun with games such as Guitar Hero, Dance, Dance Revolution and others. For more information, call (813)757-9215.

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 120

May 14, Wednesday

April 15th - May 15th Tuesdays:

Mondays:

Heart Health Screenings and Blood Pressure Checks are held from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the South Florida Baptist Hospital Community Resource Center (main hospital lobby). No appointments are necessary and this event is free. For more information, call (813) 754-4444.

Zumba is held at the Planteen Recreation Center from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Cost is $5. For more information, call Chris at (813) 659-4256 or Patty at (813) 516-4731.

Free Time Jazz begins performing at 7:00 p.m. at the Red Rose Dining Room. For more information, call (813) 752-3141 or visit www.redroseinnandsuites.com.

The Plant City Children‘s Theatre will perform it’s Spring Play “Annie”. For more information, call (813)752-1683

Recurring Events

Event Calendar Wednesdays: Knitting Group is held at Coffee 101 in downtown Plant City. For more information, call (813) 659-0101 or visit www.espressyourself101. com.

Zumba is held at the Planteen Recreation Center from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Cost is $5. For more information, call Chris at (813) 659-4256 or Patty at (813) 516-4731.

Free Time Jazz begins performing at 7:00 p.m. at the

Red Rose Dining Room. For more information, call (813) 752-3141 or visit www.redroseinnandsuites.com.

Thursdays: Bluegrass Jam Session is held at Coffee 101 in downtown Plant City. For more information, call (813) 659-0101 or visit www.espressyourself101.com.

Destiny, the House Band of the Red Rose Dining Room, will perform for Single’s Night Out with special guest Ralph Allocco. For

April 15th - May 15th

more information, call (813) 752-3141 or visit www.redroseinnandsuites.com.

Fridays: Destiny, the House Band of the Red Rose Dining Room, will perform. For more information, call (813) 752-3141 or visit www.redroseinnandsuites.com.

Saturdays: Zumba is held at the Winter Visitor Center from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Cost is $5. For more information,

call Chris at (813) 659-4256 or Patty at (813) 516-4731.

Free Time Jazz begins performing at 7:00 p.m. at the Red Rose Dining Room. For more information, call (813) 752-3141 or visit www.redroseinnandsuites.com.

Destiny, the House Band of the Red Rose Dining Room, will perform. For more information, call (813) 752-3141 or visit www.redroseinnandsuites.com.

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 121

Creamer Air Conditioning & Heating Creamer Appliance Inc. Family - Owned • Est. 1970

Keeping The Tampa Bay Area Cool...

Since 1970 You Name It, We Can Get It! Servicing All Major Makes and Brands

Call Us Today!

813-986-1881 • 813-754-3293 • 813-986-1874 FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 122

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 123

GETTING MARRIED? WON AN AWARD? DELIVERED? GOT A PROMOTION? Call 813-707-8783 Ext 24 To Share Your Good News MAGAZINE

MAGAZINE

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Who’s Your Mama?

FOCUS Magazine • april 15 - may 15, 2008 • Page 125

MOTHERS DAY......

TIME TO PLAY!

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FOCUS Magazine â&#x20AC;¢ april 15 - may 15, 2008 â&#x20AC;¢ Page 126

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Lic# CC-C057919

Jimmy & Annie Carapezza

When Quality & Honesty Count

ROOFING DIVISION Residential & Commercial

Re-Roofs - Flat Roofs - Metal Roofs - Tile Roofs Fiber Glass Shingles - GAF Certified - Modified Roofs Insurance Claims - Quality Carpentry - Many Local References Termite and Water Damage Repairs

Family Owned & Operated

“One Call Does It All”

813-707-1221