2025 NOMINEE
LENDERMORTGAGE
By Cierra Craft
By Cierra Craft
From The Publisher
NAVIGATING PLANT CITY
As summer begins to wind down and we transition into fall, FOCUS takes a look at real estate in Plant City. The landscape of Plant City has changed over recent years with communities popping up all over the city, including Lantana Groves on Johnson Road, Farm at Varrea on Charlie Taylor Road, and Terrace at Walden Lakes on Turkey Creek Road. While some have voiced concerns about the loss of our small-town charm, others are embracing the growth of the greater Plant City community.
Our 2025 Real Estate Rockstar feature showcases some of our city’s best agents, representing residential and commercial buyers and sellers. If you are looking to buy or sell, let this feature serve as your guide to the home experts.
When choosing a home, it’s important to choose a great school. The familiar buzz of back-to-school season is here. We know how vital our schools are to the fabric of Plant City. We’re proud to feature the principals leading our area schools in our Back to School feature.
With gratitude and hope,
Mike Floyd
Bright Night 2025 Invites All High School Girls
By Cierra Craft
Bright Night, founded by Plant City native Gracie Garner, is a night of girlhood, community, and fellowship. For one night in August, Bright Night has brought together 9th-grade girls navigating high school for the first time. New this year, Garner says girls of any high school grade level are welcome to Bright Night.
Bright Night is free to attend. Registration is open and spots are filling up quickly. This year’s event will take place on August 16th at 6:30 p.m.; once registered, attendees will receive the address for the event. It is held at a private residence and therefore not announced publicly. Pizza will be served, along with the opportunity to win prizes.
Women in leadership in our community will be speaking to the girls about a variety of topics, including faith, confidence, and inclusiveness. Speakers in the past have included Durant Cheer coach Jessi Rae Varnum, Florida Strawberry Festival director Sandi Systma, and First Lady of Greater New Hope Dr. Tandria Callins.
High school girls can register at brightnight25.rsvpify.com
76ers select Plant City Native Johni Broome in 2025 NBA Draft
With the 35th pick in the NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Johni Broome.
Broome, a Plant City native, played for the Plant City High School Varsity Basketball team in his sophomore year. As a 6-foot-9 rising junior, he then transferred to Tampa Catholic High School. Broome averaged 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds as a junior and earned Hillsborough County player of the year honors as a senior.
But his path to college basketball wasn’t easy for Broome. When college coaches scouted him, they questioned whether his skills would translate into college basketball or noted his slender build. Some made offers, but they were given to another larger player before Broome had the opportunity to commit. He continued to work hard and prove himself.
Broome signed with Morehead College in December of his senior year. Days before Morehead’s season opener, forward Tyzhun Claude suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, thrusting Broome into the starting lineup. At the end of the regular season, Broome was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and earned First Year All-OVC honors. He was a nine-time OVC Freshman of the Week, breaking the program record previously held by Kenneth Faried, who earned the accolade eight times.
In 2022, he announced the decision to transfer to Auburn over the University of Florida. In the 2024–25 season, Broome helped Auburn secure a top seed in the NCAA Division I tournament by leading the Tigers in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. He was named The Sporting News Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year. He was named the 2024-25 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year for the Auburn Tigers. Broome was also named the 2024-25 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year and Pete Newell Big Man of the Year. Broome joins Hall of Famer Charles Barkley (No. 5 overall in 1984) as the only Auburn players ever drafted by the 76ers.
On June 26, Broome was announced as the Sixers’ pick in the second round of the 79th annual NBA Draft.
“I’m a winner. I get things done, offensively and defensively, so the Sixers got a good one,” Broome said on the ESPN broadcast. At Auburn, Broome wore the jersey number 4, he says, because he is the fourth member of his family. But No. 4 is retired at the Sixers; Broome chose jersey number 22 for his professional career.
On July 1, he officially signed his contract with the team. On July 3, Yahoo! Sports announced that Broome will play in the team’s summer league as he adjusts to NBA-level play.
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Friends in the Park Needs New Site for Nightly Feeding Outreach
By Cheryl Johnston
In America, the land of plenty, many communities—including Plant City—face the challenge of assisting the unhoused and hungry. Thankfully, our city is filled with generous and compassionate residents who support organizations like the United Food Bank, Unity in the Community, and other faith-based efforts aimed at reducing hunger here.
One such group, Friends in the Park, urgently needs a new place to serve. In early July, the City of Plant City informed group leaders that nightly feedings at the Winter Visitors Center must end after August 31, 2025. This is a heartfelt plea for help in locating a new venue.
Currently, the Friends coalition comprises more than 30 groups, with each serving one night per month. Often, for the 40–60 people they serve, this is their only meal that day.
Guests are in various circumstances—women with children, Veterans, and those recently unemployed or working low-wage jobs. Some are mentally ill, and some are unhoused. Not all are homeless, but all need a helping hand.
Since 2015, the Winter Visitors Center has offered indoor seating, restrooms, and shelter from heat and rain. Volunteers arrive nightly by 4:30 with prepared meals, drinks, and disposable dinnerware. Guests enter at 5:00 for some good food, welcoming smiles, kind words, and “to go” meals (if supplies allow). By 6:00 p.m., cleanup is complete, and everyone has left.
The Friends are praying and trusting God for a new venue. If your business, church, or group can
offer space for two hours each night, please contact Dennie Crooks at 813-763-7122 (crooksdennie0114@ gmail.com), or Kim Kitchen at 813-562-4495.
HISTORY
Friends in the Park was established before 2010 by Ron and Julie Dixon of Restoring Hope Global. Initially, they served under a Courier Field pavilion at Veterans Monument Park, until 2015 when City Manager Mike Herr suggested the ministry’s move to the Winter Visitors Center on Dort Street.
He shared in a September 2015 Plant City Observer article: “So far, I have every reason to believe this transition has worked well for people in the city who need help the most. Friends in the Park continues to meet a valuable need in our community.” After Unity in the Community donated $5,000 to the City for the cause, Herr expressed hope for expanded services and partnerships across Plant City and Hillsborough County.
When the Dixons moved in 2017, New Hope at the Cornerstone and Generations ReNewed continued the outreach. That year, then-Assistant City Manager Bill McDaniel said, “Keeping it at the Winter Visitor Center…is an asset, especially… when it’s so hot and humid. The people who benefit know where to go, and it’s been successful since its inception, so we wanted to see that continue. I didn’t want to see anything put risk on that program.”
Generations ReNewed has coordinated the effort and supplied the general liability insurance for the past four years.
TO HELP
This need is urgent. If your heart is stirred for the hungry and displaced, please ask who might provide two hours of space each evening in the same vicinity—most guests walk or ride bicycles.
With steady financial support, Friends may be able to lease a site. Many community members even hope for a permanent shelter, where the unhoused could access the “Shower Up” trailer and other resources to improve their situation.
All ideas are welcome. To get involved, contact Dennie Crooks or Kim Kitchen (contact info above).
As Proverbs 31:20 reminds us, may we in Plant City continue to “open our hand to the poor and reach out our hands to the needy.”
MANY THANKS TO:
Churches
• Allen Chapel AME
• Amazing Love Ministries (East Tampa)
• City Pointe
• Cowboy Up
• Dwelling Place (Lithia)
• Eastside Baptist
• Emmanuel Seventh Day Adventist
• Faith Lighthouse
• Live-Love-Lift class (FBCPC)
• Greater New Hope
• Hope Community
• Midway Baptist– Hands & Feet of Jesus
• Mt. Olive AME
• New City
• Plant City Church of God
• Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispania (Dover)
• St. Clement Catholic
• St. Peter’s Episcopal
• Transforming Life Ministries
Groups
• Cato’s Connection– Lois Cato
• Dennie & Friends
• Feeding Plant City– Karen Crumley
• Fred’s Market Restaurant – Tammy Johnson
• Generations ReNewed
• GFWC Woman’s Club (Plant City)
• Heather & Friends
• Jarrett Scott Ford– Jim Scott
• Julia Harrell
• L.A.S.T. Hope Center
• Tony Lee– State Farm
• PLI– Linda Dougherty
• PC Black Heritage
• PC Islamic Community
• PC Lions & Leos clubs
Rev. Charles and Beverly Hollowell Celebrate 55 Years at Victory Baptist Church
By Cheryl Johnston
The Victory Baptist Church family had a wonderful celebration on May 18th, 2025, when the congregation honored Pastor Charles and Beverly Hollowell for their incredible 55 years of faith and service in leading the church.
The morning was filled with music by the Henson Sisters and others, including some of the very musical family members. John and his young son, Dock Hollowell, sang as a father-son duo. Sunday school director Matt Frazier sang with his brother and three sisters, while the Hollowells’ daughter Kim sang with their granddaughter and great-granddaughter.
With the gathering’s theme of “Thank You for Giving to the Lord,” many also shared, some in person and some via video, how much the ministry of the Hollowells has impacted their life.
One person explained about his own situation before coming to faith in Christ, saying, “It was a hollow well ‘til God filled it. Now there’s such joy in loving the word of God and the quest to follow wherever He leads.”
Reverend Hollowell expressed his thoughts that morning about “Conviction.” The 85-year-old pastor explained that one’s convictions are “something you will die knowing and believing.” Personally, he listed his preference for the King James Bible version, worship that God deserves, the doctrine of the Church from Matthew 16:18, the idea that Christians are new creatures in Christ and must separate themselves from ways that dishonor God, and that the Lord will return for His Church. He also believes Christians have a duty to help others abandon sinful behaviors.
A dear friend of the family, Wayne Guest, shared how he “has known Sister Hollowell since she was in diapers;” that she “was taller than others and could dribble a basketball like no one else.” He added, “Chuck is who he is because of her, and it doesn’t get any better than these two.”
Each guest received a gift and enjoyed a delicious meal to commemorate the occasion as well.
The friendly folks who love “old-fashioned” Sunday worship services, wonderful singing, and life-changing teaching” invite everyone to Victory at 2603 South Baptist Church Road (off Alexander Street across from Plant City High School). For additional information, call 813-752-8054.
Community
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Transforming Life Church Invites EVERYONE to its 75th Anniversary Celebration
By Cheryl Johnston
Come one, come all to celebrate an important milestone with Transforming Life Church on Sunday, September 7, 2025. The friendly congregation welcomes EVERYONE to commemorate its 75 years of ministry in Plant City.
During the celebration service, which begins at 10:00 a.m., the former and most tenured pastor, Jim Rodriguez, will share God’s word and some memories from TLC’s history.
Located at 3805 Turkey Creek Road in Plant City, the church offers a weekly Sunday morning worship service, nursery care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, along with Kids Church for ages K-5th grade, and a growing youth group of 50-70 students. The Wednesday evening gatherings begin at 6:30 p.m. with classes for Youth, Adults, Royal Rangers, and Girls Ministries.
In the church’s recently remodeled sanctuary, guests will now find chairs rather than pews, which allows for more versatile use of the space
when necessary. In fact, immediately following the September 7 service, the sanctuary will be reset for the catered meal that follows.
“It’s our desire that people come to experience life change,” said Worship Pastor Wynn, “and not necessarily to be impressed with our facilities and programs. We know God’s word is what changes lives.”
HISTORY
In 1950, Josie Harrell felt called to start a church in the Turkey Creek area on a cornfield owned by Mr. Beatty, a local farmer. She asked for an acre of land, and he quickly declined. But after she prayed for his very sick wife, Mrs. Beatty was healed. Her husband was so moved by this miracle that he granted Pastor Harrell “whichever acre she wanted.” While the land was being cleared, another man was passing by en route to the hospital because his wife had suffered a deadly snake bite. The men clearing the land stopped to pray with her, and she was healed!
And so, the church began as Turkey Creek Assembly of God with an eight-week tent revival and 65 people inviting Jesus Christ into their lives. In 1954, the first building was completed, and the second, which is now the Youth building, was built in 1972. The present sanctuary was built in 1998 and the name changed to Transforming Life Church in 2002.
LEADERSHIP
Today’s dynamic, family-oriented church is led by Pastor Kyle Judah and his wife/Co-Pastor Hayley, Pastor Ryan Wynn (Worship/Connections), Pastor Trevor Overstreet (Youth), Madie Cullison (Kids) and Zach & Courtney Tinsley (Prayer/Inner Healing).
Plant City natives Kyle and Hayley Judah have a passion to see lives changed in their hometown. They’ve served as TLC Lead Pastors since 2017, with Kyle having served in ministry since 2003 as a Worship, Youth and Lead Pastor. Married since 2009, they have two children, Aiden and Ansley. Their desire is that TLC will “be a fun environment where people from all walks of life come together, be inspired by the worship, family atmosphere, and message of hope – and most importantly, encounter God through life-changing experiences.”
For additional details, phone the church office Monday through Thursday from 9AM-5PM at 813754-5372, visit online at tlchurchpc.com, or better yet, join the loving congregation in person at the anniversary celebration or an upcoming service.
Community
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Five Local Ladies Named Finalists in Miss Florida & Miss Florida Teen Pageants
By Cierra Craft
From June 25 to June 28, 38 delegates competed for the title of Miss Florida and 30 delegates competed for the title of Miss Florida Teen at the Youkey Theatre at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida.
Since 1935, the Miss Florida organization has helped young women in the state of Florida further their education through scholarship awards for graduate or postgraduate degrees.
The Miss Florida Scholarship Program recognizes the importance and immense value of diversity, from our candidates, sponsors, and volunteers.
According to their website, “The Miss Florida Scholarship Program recognizes the importance and immense value of diversity, from our candidates, sponsors, and volunteers. We value the gifts and ideals of all young women and celebrate their contributions to our organization and the world at large.”
The local pageants are preliminaries to Miss America and Miss America’s Teen competitions.
Five local ladies were named finalists in the Miss Florida competitions:
Miss Florida
• Juliana Fray (Miss Hillsborough County)- Top 10
• Jada Brown (Miss Polk County)- Top 10
Miss Florida Teen
• Milee Hasting (Miss Winter Park)- Fourth Runner Up Finalist
• Taylor Gregory (Miss Hillsborough County Teen)- Top 10
• Annistyn Griffin (Miss Plant City Teen)- Top 10
Fray, Brown, Gregory, and Griffin were awarded more than $6,000 in scholarships combined in the pageant. The girls were part of the Miss Southwest Central Florida Scholarship Organization, led by President Jennifer Chamberlain and vice presidents Gail and George Domedion. SWC Florida
Scholarship Organization won the Outstanding Organization of the Year award, the highest recognition in the Miss America system.
The only top 5 finalist of the local girls, Milee Hasting, is a member of the Miss Orlando Scholarship Organization. A recent graduate of Strawberry Crest High School, she will be attending the University of Alabama this fall; she was awarded the school’s Out-of-State UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship for academic excellence and leadership, with a value of $80,000. She also earned a scholarship in the Miss Florida Organization previously, as First Runner-Up, and again this year, as Fourth Runner-Up.
“Each of these placements awarded me scholarship funds that are now helping pay for my college education,” said Hasting. “The Miss America Organization has not only advanced my education but also helped jumpstart my career by giving me invaluable experience, confidence, and a powerful platform to share my passion.”
But her journey in pageantry doesn’t stop here.
Hasting said: “My journey doesn’t end with Miss Florida’s Teen; it’s only just the beginning. I plan to continue competing within the Miss America Organization at the Miss level, beginning with Miss University of Alabama. From there, I hope to earn the title and the honor of competing for Miss Alabama.”
NOW LEASING
103 W Mahoney St.
Plant City, FL 33563
813-752-5116 TTY 711
405 E Damon St.
Plant City, FL 33563
813-659-2669 TTY 711
Two Plant City Ladies to Serve on FFA State Officer Team
By Cierra Craft
On June 20, the Florida FFA Association announced its 2025-2026 FFA State Officer Team. Strawberry Crest’s Hope Storter was selected as State President. Storter’s background in FFA began at Tomlin Middle School and continued throughout her time at Strawberry Crest, where she graduated as Valedictorian. She served as the school’s Vice President and will now take her leadership to the state level.
She has experience showing plants, sheep, and swine, as well as developing an urban farm with chickens and a garden. She also served elementary school students in our area by teaching them about the origins of our food and providing them with hands-on experiences.
Both Storter and Bent are recipients of the 2025 Florida Strawberry Research and Education Foundation’s O.M. Griffin Memorial Scholarship.
Durant’s Lyla Bent was selected as Area 5 Vice President. Bent previously held leadership positions, including District 9 secretary in 2024 and District 9 president in 2023. During her time as a district officer, Bent hosted The Blue and Gold Radio, a podcast that showcased the ins and outs of FFA. She has experience showing plants, swine, and steers.
Both Storter and Bent are recipients of the 2025 Florida Strawberry Research and Education Foundation’s O.M. Griffin Memorial Scholarship.
Congratulations to Storter and Bent for this incredible opportunity to serve, influence, and impact Florida’s FFA members, advisers, teachers, and supporters of the organization.
Smokin Aces BBQ & Steakhouse Claims Top Honors in National “Sauces of Honor” Contest
Plant City’s Smokin Aces BBQ & Steakhouse, led by pitmaster Robert Jordan, has made a commanding mark on the national barbecue stage in the 2025 Sauces of Honor Contest, hosted by Barbecue News Magazine.
Jordan’s signature Smokin Sweet Sauce earned 1st place in the Pork category, besting 183 other entries from across the country and beyond. The sauce also claimed 7th place in both the Beef and Seafood categories, showcasing its versatility and bold flavor across multiple proteins. Overall, Smokin Sweet Sauce placed 3rd out of 741 total entries, making it one of the highest-scoring sauces in the entire competition.
Now celebrating its 15th year, the Sauces of Honor Contest has grown into one of
the world’s most respected blind-judged barbecue sauce competitions. In 2025, sauces were submitted from 41 U.S. states, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Each entry was judged without branding or packaging—just pure sauce paired with beef, chicken, pork, or seafood—ensuring a level playing field and emphasizing flavor and performance.
The contest is presented by Barbecue News Magazine, a leading voice in the BBQ world since 1990. For more than 35 years, the magazine has provided barbecue enthusiasts, competitors, and culinary professionals with trusted news, recipes, reviews, and coverage of the people and products driving the industry forward.
“Robert Jordan and the team at Smokin Aces have delivered something truly special,”
said Kell Phelps, Publisher of Barbecue News Magazine and Managing Partner of the National Barbecue & Grilling Association.
“To take first in a major category and finish in the top three overall is an incredible accomplishment. Their success reflects the dedication, passion, and flavor that define great barbecue.”
To see the full list of winners or learn more about Barbecue News Magazine, visit www. BarbecueNews.com.
Congratulations to Robert Jordan and Smokin Aces BBQ & Steakhouse for lighting up the national stage with award-winning flavor!
Hope Lutheran Church on Mission to Serve the City
By Cierra Craft
Hope Lutheran Church, located at 2001 N Park Road, is on a mission to serve the city and “to reach into our communities with the love of Jesus Christ and an invitation for celebrative worship, spiritual growth, and service in His Name.”
The church hosts worship services on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., with Family Bible Hour, and at 4:00 p.m., it offers a Spanish-speaking service. On Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., the church hosts Living Hope Worship. Holy Communion is celebrated at both morning services on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of each month, and these services tend to be more traditional in nature. Services on the 2nd and 4th Sundays feature a blend of traditional and contemporary music and liturgy. The Wednesday service is a contemporary service with a Lutheran flair. Holy Communion is offered every week.
Through their ministries, the church also supports the United Food Bank of Plant City and the Pregnancy Care Center. Hope Lutheran Church hosts Moving Hope, a nonprofit organization based in Lakeland, offering a walk-up food distribution outreach on the third Thursday of each month beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Back in May, Hope Lutheran Church organized “Sending Servant” events, assisting Plant City local Sharon Moody with lawn care and helping Moody’s daughter with tasks inside and outside her home. The church also provided a new washer and dryer. Moody served an appreciation dinner at the church to thank their team for their kindness. Hope Lutheran has partnered with Moody throughout the years for the annual Santa Sled, Plant City Black Heritage, Inc., the Kiwanis Club, and with Lots of Hugs Summer Reading Camp.
All are invited to worship on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings at Hope Lutheran Church. The church is on Park Road, adjacent to Culver’s. For questions about their ministries or upcoming events, visit hopeplantcity.com
• General Home
• 4-point and Wind Mitigation
• New Construction, Manufactured Homes & Condos
• Advanced Pool Inspections and Leak Detection
• Docks/Boat Lifts and Seawall Inspections
• Ranch, Barns and fence line inspections
• Infrared Scanning/Thermal Imaging
• Commercial Inspections
Plant City native Tyler White moved with his family to Shirley, Arkansas, and returned to the Winter Strawberry Capital at age 22. This unassuming and unafraid young man appreciates the opportunity to work as a front service clerk at Publix and the flexibility the company allows him to pursue his other mission as a spokesperson and DJ at Autism Speaks events around the country.
Tyler inherited his passion for music and singing, particularly Christian worship and ‘80s to early 2000s country music, from his mother, Nana, Papa, and Aunt Mimi. He began playing the drums at the age of 5 and played regularly at church from the age of 9. Today, he sings in the Plant City Church of God choir and most recently appeared at the Grand Ol’ Opry in Nashville. He was invited to sing “Deeper Than The Holler,” and Randy Travis surprised him onstage and shared a hug.
Tyler is gifted with perfect pitch and the ability to name many, many songs, their artists, the keys they’re performed in, and often the backstories. Viewers of “Love on the Spectrum” were impressed during the Season 3 episode of Netflix’s popular series when his new love, Madison Marilla, tested his musical talent. He passed with flying colors!
With his infectious enthusiasm, Tyler is also known for promoting favorite things, events, and companies through impromptu ads on social media. Bold and fearless, he is, and God obviously has big plans for his life.
Tell us a little about your family, Tyler.
I have a very supportive and close-knit family. I’m the only child of Tim and Brenda White, who are my biggest cheerleaders. Dad has been a pastor, and Mom is the CFO for Ram General Contracting & Development. My grandfather owned Central Florida Excavating & Fill Dirt. Both are Plant City companies. They’ve always encouraged me to do my best, to overcome struggles, and to be thankful for everything, including the gifts God has blessed me with.
Offer a few details about your “DJ TyWy” business.
I’ve been a DJ now for eight years, bringing great music to weddings, birthday parties, family gatherings, church events, and autism fundraising walks in Tampa,
White People of Plant City Tyler “DJ TyWy”
By Cheryl Johnston
Orlando, and Atlanta. Recently, I’ve emceed at the Special Smiles Day at the Florida Strawberry Festival and the Country Music Association festival, and introduced both Reba McIntyre and Wynonna Judd. This year, when I announced for Wynonna, at her request, we were told that she and Trisha Yearwood had a bet about who would meet me first, since Trisha Yearwood goes by “Ty” and Wynonna by “Wy”. Both had seen Madison and me on Love On The Spectrum. I’ve also assisted at the Nissan Stadium and the Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville and have work scheduled in Houston later this month. (Note: Contact Tyler online at djtywy.com, by phone 863-594-7636, or through his social media pages.)
Who are your favorite country artists?
Alan Jackson, George Strait, Randy Travis, Alabama, Wynonna Jud,d and Trisha Yearwood. I also like Bon Jovi and NSYNC.
In addition to dancing to country music, what other pastimes do you enjoy?
I like fishing, both freshwater and saltwater, and hunting; playing arcade games; riding roller coasters at Busch Gardens, Disney World, and Universal Studios. I also like following all four of our major sports teams – the Bucs, the Lightning, the Magic, and the Rays. And I’m a big NASCAR fan, too.
What do you love about your hometown?
The people in Plant City have embraced me and we have the best restaurants (including Fred’s). We’re a faith-filled community with many different churches. I like that we’re inland and not so affected by storms as coastal towns. And our traditions for the Florida Strawberry Festival, Fourth of July, and Christmas are very special here.
How can we all contribute to making the world a better place?
Love God and love each other. My family has always said, ‘With hard work, determination, a positive attitude, perseverance, and faith in God – you can do it.’
DID YOU KNOW?
A Welder Like None Other
Cliff Hardee & Plant City Steel
Writers in Residence Program
Dr. Scotty & Hsiu Huang History Center
Plant City History & Photo Archives
Much of this is excerpted from Nick Brown’s book “Strawberries & Steel.”
He attended a small Strawberry School in Dover, Florida, and worked in the strawberry fields. Clifford Elexander Hardee’s formal education ended with the completion of ninth grade at the end of September 1930. He looked up from the strawberry fields and was determined to change things.
Two teenagers, Clifford Hardee and Ethel Smith, were married in 1932, and Cliff set off on his journey with much support from Ethel. He found a job in 1935 at a paper mill in Charleston, South Carolina, then with the Chattanooga Boiler and Tank Company, where he learned welding and how to run a business.
He moved back to Plant City and in 1939 began welding at the Tampa shipyards. With the possibility of war in Europe, shipbuilding was in demand. He bought a portable electric-arc welder and started a welding school in a borrowed garage. In 1941, the Hillsborough County School District added a vocational welding class at Brewster Technical School and hired Hardee to teach the welding students. He also worked for Mack Welding and Tank Company in Tampa. It seemed he was working 40 hours a day.
In 1943, Hardee bought a garage on East Baker Street, starting Plant City Welding & Tank Company with Ethel Hardee as bookkeeper, plus her many other roles. By 1945, Plant City Welding & Tank Company had grown, adding welders and set-up men. In 1947, he added Owen Whitehurst, who had experience at Tampa shipyard, to work the front office, along with Ethel.
The company had grown to about 50 employees by 1948, including several female welders he had
trained. It was said that Cliff Hardee’s relationship with his employees was legendary. He would work alongside them on the shop floor; he kept an opendoor policy for all his employees and hosted an annual BBQ picnic for employees and their families.
The big break came in 1949 when the company moved to a 15-acre plant site one mile east of the garage shop; the much larger plant at the NE corner of Park Road and US92 had 143 employees and was considered one of the best-equipped fabricating plants and engineering departments in the South.
In 1954, Cliff Hardee formed Hardee Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of Plant City Welding and Tank Company, to manage an increasing truck/trailer body business, becoming one of Florida’s largest in its field, manufacturing truck bodies for hauling heavy materials.
Hardee became one of Plant City’s most civicminded men, he served as President of the East Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce (1955), and he helped form the Industrial Expansion Committee of 100, later the Plant City Development Committee. He was elected to the City Commission and served two terms. As President of the Dads Club, he helped solicit the funding for the construction of the new stadium for the high school.
By 1957, Plant City Welding and Tank Company had grown exponentially, serving clients throughout the USA and into South America. Hardee Manufacturing business increased steadily, and Hardee built a new facility across US92 from the steel plant to meet the demand for his trucks.
The company continued to grow; its product line had expanded to include fabricated fuel tanks, dryers, hoppers, heavy steel plates, forms, and other structural materials. Hardee’s customers included Allis Chambers; Westinghouse; General Portland Cement; Tampa Electric; Florida Power & Light; and the phosphate and citrus industries. The shop
space expanded to over 150,000 square feet. For one customer he constructed a 1,250,000-gallon tank, 80 feet across and 40 feet high.
In 1958 the name became Plant City Steel Corporation. They built seven 450,000 gpm floodcontrol pumps for the City of New Orleans. The pumps were 11 feet in diameter and each weighed 175,000 pounds. Plant City Steel manufactured coffer dams, 20-feet in diameter for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The company employed 125 people with an annual payroll of $500,000. Hardee expanded to Hollywood, Florida, constructing a plant on five-acre site for the East Coast División of Plant City Steel. By 1961 Hardee businesses had expanded to include American Welding and Tank Co. with plants in Marion, Ohio, and Jessup, Georgia. In 1962 Cliff Hardee was named Plant City’s outstanding industrialist for which Governor Ferris Bryant honored him. Hardee’s businesses included Plant City Steel; Plant City Steel Construction Co.; Hardee Manufacturing; Hardee Properties; and Bay Concrete Industries Inc., of Tampa. He was popular in Tampa and was appointed to the Greater Tampa Citizens Safety Council and to the Hillsborough Aviation Authority, where he served as Secretary/ Treasurer.
Hardee decided to slow down and in 1964, Clifford Hardee, president of Plant City Steel Corporation, announced the sale of the business to Harsco Corp., of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Hardee remained as President. By 1974, Cliff Hardee retired as President and became Chairman.
On August 8, 1982, Clifford Hardee died at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.
Resources: Nicholas D. Brown, Strawberries and Steel, this book is available at the Photo Archives. Bailey and Bruton, Plant City: Its Origin and History; and newspapers.com various dates. Also available at the Archives.
How Our Communities Got Their Names
By Cierra Craft
“In Hopewell, in Springhead, in Coronet (long before the very names came) and out towards Knights, in the oak groves of Dover, into the stillmysterious woods of Thonotosassa, our ancestors made a way of life work, somehow; and often on little more than fatback and collards, a strong arm on a plow, and a good rifle eye.”
Plant City: Its Origins and History, 1984
Plant City was incorporated in 1885; however, the history of many of our city’s surrounding communities can be traced back much further than that. In this special feature, we delve into the origins and history of our small slice of Hillsborough County. Relying upon books, county reports, newspaper articles, and historical records, we trace the history of our surrounding communities. There is so much more that can be written about the greater Plant City area, and we hope to continue uncovering more history about the places we all call home.
Springhead School in 1908 featured in the book Images of America Plant City, published in 2005. This group of students were taught by teachers Lillian Lindley (fourth row far left) and Ida Blanton (third row far right).
Springhead
The Springhead community is in eastern Hillsborough County near the Polk County line. This area was settled before the Civil War, but significant growth occurred after the war. It received its name because the water was carried from a spring dug nearby. Reconstruction by homesteaders, many of whom were from Georgia, included George Hamilton, Joseph Howell, W.M. Clemons, and William English. They were followed by the DeVanes, Morgans, Harrells, Blantons, and Bryants. These pioneers settled on unclaimed property, built log cabins, and began farming. According to the 1998 Hillsborough County Historic Resources Survey Report, George Hamilton reportedly planted the first orange trees, an important crop for families throughout the 19th century.
These families raised cattle and drove their cattle to Fort Myers, where they were shipped to Cuba. The main cash crop was oranges until the dreadful freezes of 1894 and 1895. After that time, most families began truck farming, raising strawberries and poultry, as noted in the Historic Resources Survey Report.
William English and Samuel DeVane established a grist mill on English Creek, which became a gathering place for area residents. Eventually, English and DeVane ended their partnership, when Mr. English took complete control; he then added a sawmill.
Mr. English was also associated with the founding of Springhead’s first public school. Before this, Mr. Belton taught a few students in a one-room, log schoolhouse. Springhead residents petitioned the county for a school, which was granted on September 2, 1876, with William English, Nathaniel C. Bryant, and William Clemons selected as Trustees. While farming continued to play an essential role in Springhead, the phosphate industry emerged as a competitor in 1908. Upon graduation from eighth grade, boys had the option of learning to farm or working at Coronet’s phosphate mines. The school was relocated several times until a brick building was erected in 1914.
Growth in the area led to the founding of the Springhead Baptist Church around the same time as the school was established.
The last two decades of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century brought about several changes for Springhead. As Henry Plant constructed his railroad, area trees were cut down to make railroad ties. Not all of Springhead’s families supported Plant’s investment; they viewed it as a destructive force.
While the community has seen the development of new neighborhoods and homes throughout the years, Springhead remains centered around Springhead Elementary School, Springhead Park, and GraceWay Church (formerly Springhead Baptist Church). In June 2015, Hillsborough County opened Fire Rescue Station #25, serving the Springhead and Trapnell areas.
Pictured in the early 1900s, Turkey Creek school consolidated with Pleasant Grove School and Bledsoe Schools to create one school to serve the area. Photo credit to Plant City Photo Archives and History Center
Turkey Creek
Wild turkeys were abundant in the creek and brush areas of this region. A September 1934 article in the Plant City Courier said, “...William Weeks drifted south before the Civil War and as he drove his team along approaching what is now Turkey Creek section he was obliged to stop frequently to clear the road of turkeys and deer.” The history of Turkey Creek can be traced through its schools and churches.
In 1875, under the leadership of Reverend Thomas Jaudon, the Baptist congregation cleared a wooded area and used the trees to erect an arbor for worship. The arbor also became a convenient place for the turkeys to roost. The church then built a log cabin to host its services in 1876. The six acres and the cemetery were deeded to the church on August 7, 1884, by John and Olive Mooney. The log cabin was replaced in 1890, and the congregation gathered in another sanctuary until 1949, when the current sanctuary was built. The church’s growth led to the creation of additional buildings, including a fellowship hall, throughout the following decades. In 2025, the church celebrated its 150th anniversary under the leadership of Senior Pastor Dan Middlebrooks.
The first school was founded in 1873 as a one-room log cabin. In 1888, the School Board purchased approximately half an acre of land along what is now Edwards Road. By 1903, three schools served the district, and trustees petitioned the school board to consolidate them into a single school in the area. The trustees were tasked with selecting a location for the new school. Turkey Creek combined with Bledsoe and Pleasant Grove Schools, forming one campus southwest of the intersection of Highway 60 and Turkey Creek Road. In 1908, the school was relocated once again to the corner of Turkey Creek and Connell Road. That same year, Turkey Creek graduated its first Senior Class. In 1909, the school board closed the high school at Turkey Creek, and the school became a Junior High. In 1928, senior high school classes began again, and the “U-shaped building” constructed in 1938 became the new senior high school building. In 1960, Turkey Creek was the largest high school in Florida, and by 1963, it had become the home base of the largest FFA chapter in the state, according to a 2014 article in The Tampa Tribune. When Plant City High School was built in 1972, Turkey Creek began offering exclusively junior high school coursework. In 2001, the red brick building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nathaniel E. Moody established Turkey Creek’s post office on February 12, 1892, and it was discontinued in 1943.
By 1911, the population of 100 people supported two general stores, operated by Moody and R.C. Hooker, two churches, the school, and a sawmill.
In 1962, J.S. Robinson Elementary School was opened next to the Turkey Creek High School and Junior High. Named after James Seward Robinson, who taught school for 20 years and served on the school board for two decades. In 1991, Walden Lake Elementary School was opened on Turkey Creek Road.
Turkey Creek is a 10.36-mile creek, with its headwaters located southeast of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Sydney Dover Road, flowing south to the mouth of the Alafia River. The community remains predominantly rural, except for State Road 60, which is the only major highway in the area. There are no big-box stores; it’s still a tight-knit community.
Beallsville is named after Alfred Beal, a founding resident of the area of southeast Plant City.
Photo credit to Bealsville, Inc.
Bealsville
Bealsville’s history begins at the close of the Civil War. The area’s residents were former slaves from nearby plantations in Hopewell, Springhead, and surrounding areas. According to the Historical Marker at the Bealsville Community Center, the original settlers were Steven Allen, Issac Berry, Peter Dexter, Neptune Henry, Mills Holloman, Bryant Horton, Samuel McKinney, Roger Smith, Mary Roddick, Abe Segenger, Jerry Stephens, and Robert Story.
According to the Hillsborough County Historical Resources Survey Report, the group sent five individuals (Mr. Dexter, Mr. Smith, Mr. Stephens, Ms. Reddick, and Mr. Horton) to survey prospective home sites. Remaining on the land of the former slaveholder, Mrs. Howell, until a new location was selected, the founding members moved to their new property in late 1865. On Christmas Eve of that year, they named the area Howell’s Creek.
Through the 1866 Homestead Act, families could homestead property ranging from 40 to 160 acres. Yet, it did not guarantee that they would become landowners. To retain the title, they had to clear the land, build homes, and procure farming implements. It was a big challenge, and despite the seemingly overwhelming odds, the community succeeded. Mrs. Howell offered horses and farming equipment; they built log homes from the trees they cleared, and Andrew Williams (son of Mary Reddick) built roads for the community with a hoe, a mule, and a plow. According to the Historical Resources Survey, the Hortons planted the first orange tree. Alfred Beal, another of Mary Reddick’s sons, sowed the first seeds, helping to start the community’s long tradition of orange production.
Antioch Baptist Church was founded in 1868, the first among five churches established in Bealsville. Soon, a school followed, and William Glover became its first teacher. The church, the school, and the cemetery were established on land donated by Alfred Beal. In 1873, the community built a oneroom log cabin school, named the Antioch School, which remained in existence until the 1940s. It was renamed Jameson School when it moved near the cemetery.
The name of the community first evolved from Howell’s Creek to Alafia. In 1923, it changed to Bealsville in recognition of Alfred Beal, the son of Mary Reddick. After several freezes led to bankruptcy for some of the original settlers, Beal acquired the property and sold parcels of the land back to them, thereby ensuring the community’s continuity.
In 1932, the community raised $1,000 from fish fries and musicals and donated ten acres to the Hillsborough County School Board. The county matched the money and built a new, larger school that same year. In 1934, the Bealsville PTA named the school after William Glover, whose family had donated the land on which the school is currently located. The county closed the school in 1980 due to declining attendance. Citizens then formed Bealsville, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Today, Bealsville, Inc. continues to promote the history and heritage of Bealsville by hosting community events at the Glover School and the Bealsville Community Center.
Hopewell Baptist Church, pictured in 1902, is the anchor of this community on County Road 39, just south of Highway 60.
Photo: Plant City History Center and Photo Archives.
Hopewell
Pioneers came into eastern Hillsborough County by covered wagon from Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas after the third and final Seminole uprising in 1856. The earliest known settlement in the Hopewell area was known as “Turner Plantation,” a large antebellum estate. Little is known about this property or its owners; many records suggest the large farm may not have survived the Civil War.
The area was known as Callsville as early as May 14, 1883, when George W. Wells established a post office. However, the post office closed in 1884, when the mail service was relocated to Alafia.
John Robert McDonald relocated from northern Alabama to the Hopewell area. He purchased several hundred acres of land for $2.50 per acre and established some of the finest citrus groves in the region. John is credited with renaming the community to Hopewell after his previous home in Alabama. The McDonalds joined with eight other residents to found the Hopewell Baptist Church in 1870, and John led services for three years, when Reverend LJ Simmons became the first official pastor in 1873. It was under Walter M. McDonald’s leadership, from 1888 to 1933, that the church experienced its most significant period of growth and flourished. The church initially operated out of a 10-foot-by-12-foot school building, but in 1897, it was relocated to land donated by Walter’s brother, William. Church member L. Farnsworth was contracted to build the church for $854.92 in 1902 as a one-room, clapboard structure. The church underwent significant modifications in 1955, including the addition of a steeple, front steps, columns, and stained glass windows.
During the 1890s, the Warnell Lumber and Veneer Company built a railroad through Hopewell. The Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad purchased the logging rail, and in 1905, the Seaboard Airline Railroad acquired and expanded the track. Hopewell’s citrus industry boomed. James Hull became the first orange grower to practice “firing” his groves to prevent the oranges from freezing during one of the state’s rare cold winters. Oranges, strawberries, corn, potatoes, and cattle were among the popular products in the area.
In 1989, Hopewell Funeral Home was established adjacent to the church and cemetery. Presently, Hopewell is still anchored by the Hopewell Baptist Church, the funeral home, and the cemetery. A walk through the peaceful manicured memorial gardens, one might notice the names of Hopewell’s pioneers: McDonald, Bugg, Colson, Trapnell, Wiggins, just to name a few. If you drive through the area on country roads, the roads are named after these founding families.
Mastering the Market:
Hillsborough Title’s 40 Years of Experience
Hillsborough Title is a hometown title company, founded in 1984 by Gail Calhoun. She opened Hillsborough Title in a small office in Plant City with two small sons, Nate and Aaron. In 2008, Aaron purchased the business from his mother. He expanded Hillsborough Title’s services across the state of Florida. He revolutionized the title industry with the founding of Florida Agency Network, a group of independently-owned title companies with shared backoffice resources, proprietary technology, and solutions to streamline the closing process.
Hillsborough Title has six offices throughout the county to serve the needs of its clients; it’s still a mom-and-pop, hometown title company. Learn more about the company’s four decades of experience and why Hillsborough Title is the master of the Plant City housing market.
1605 S Alexander Street #102
Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 754-4440
Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 5pm
Can you provide a brief overview of Hillsborough Title’s history and its presence in the Plant City community? How long have you been serving this area?
Hillsborough Title was founded right here in Plant City in 1984. We’re proud to say we just celebrated our 40th anniversary—a milestone that reflects our deep roots in the community and long-standing commitment to serving local buyers, sellers, Realtors, and lenders with unmatched care and expertise.
What are the core services Hillsborough Title offers to buyers, sellers, Realtors, and lenders in the Plant City market?
We offer full-service title and closing support for residential and commercial real estate transactions. But what really sets us apart is our personalized approach—local experts delivering concierge-level service, backed by decades of experience. Whether you’re buying your first home or managing a complex commercial deal, we ensure every detail is handled with precision.
Our experience helps us anticipate hurdles and find solutions before they become problems.
Beyond standard title searches and insurance, what unique services or technologies does Hillsborough Title offer to streamline the closing process for your clients?
We combine the personal touch of a hometown title company with the efficiency of modern technology. Our clients benefit from remote and hybrid closings (including Remote Online Notary services), secure online portals, 24/7 access to our virtual closing assistant, Alanna, and electronic earnest money deposits—all designed to make the process more convenient, secure, and stress-free.
Are you seeing any particular challenges or opportunities for buyers and sellers in the current Plant City market? How does Hillsborough Title assist clients in navigating these?
Plant City’s market is dynamic—with interest rates, inventory, and buyer behavior all shifting regularly. Whether it’s a short sale, refinance, or commercial transaction, we have specialized teams ready to guide our clients through every scenario. Our experience helps us anticipate hurdles and find solutions before they become problems.
How have interest rate fluctuations or other economic factors impacted real estate activity in Plant City, and how does this affect your business?
Fluctuations in rates have certainly reshaped the pace and type of activity we’re seeing. While some buyers may pause, others view it as an opportunity—especially in growing communities like ours. We’ve adapted by expanding our offerings and staying closely aligned with our Realtor and lender partners to ensure we’re all moving forward together.
Gail Calhoun (right) founded Hillsborough Title in 1984. In 2008, her son Aaron Davis (left) brought the business from her and expanded its services across Hillsborough County and revolutionized the industry with the creation of Florida Agency Network.
Hillsborough Title celebrated its 40th year in business in 2024. The company, founded in Plant City, has expanded across the county to serve the title needs of Hillsborough residents.
What advice would Hillsborough Title offer to first-time homebuyers looking to enter the Plant City market right now? And for sellers? For first-time buyers: surround yourself with a great team—your lender, Realtor, and title partner matter more than ever. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and lean on professionals who take the time to educate and support you.
For sellers: pricing strategically and working with trusted local experts can make all the difference in today’s market. We’re here to ensure your transaction closes smoothly and securely.
Is Hillsborough Title a part of any professional organizations or civic clubs?
Absolutely. We believe in showing up and giving back. We’re active members of the Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Plant City Rotary, and the Plant City Economic Development Council. This involvement keeps us connected to the people and priorities of our community.
What do you see as the long-term outlook for the real estate market in Plant City?
Plant City continues to grow while maintaining its small-town charm. With new developments, infrastructure improvements, and a strong
sense of community, we’re optimistic about the future. It’s an exciting time to be involved in local real estate—and we’re honored to play a part in that growth.
How is Hillsborough Title preparing for future changes or advancements in the real estate and title industries?
Innovation is part of our DNA. As part of the Florida Agency Network, we have access to top-tier tools and support—from IT and cybersecurity to AI-powered client communication and back-office efficiency. We’re always looking ahead, adapting our services to match where the industry—and our clients—are going.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about Hillsborough Title or the Plant City real estate market that would be valuable for our readers?
Plant City is more than just where we work—it’s home. Our legacy here is built on trust, reliability, and relationships. Whether you’re buying, selling, or partnering with us as a real estate professional, you’ll find a team that cares deeply about your success and your experience.
2025 PLANT CITY REAL ESTATE ROCKSTARS
When navigating the local real estate market, look no further than FOCUS’ Real Estate Rockstars. These aren’t just agents; they’re fellow Plant City residents, deeply rooted in the community’s unique character.
Their intimate knowledge of our vibrant neighborhoods, hidden gems, and local trends ensures you make informed decisions. Whether you seek a bungalow near the historic downtown or a new construction ranch-style home, their expertise will guide you to the perfect fit.
Get ready to meet Plant City’s top realtors—your hometown heroes prepared to unlock the door to your dream property. On the following pages, delve into their biographies and discover how their local knowledge and passion can empower your real estate journey.
2025 PLANT CITY
REAL ESTATE ROCKSTARS
Maggie Beard, REALTOR®
When you need assistance with what will probably be the most important financial transaction of your family or business, you want experience, as well as thorough, attentive and PERSONALYZED service. Let my 30 years of experience, as well my background of being a 3rd generation Florida Realtor®, work hard for you! You can be confident that your real estate purchase or sale transaction will receive the utmost in care and attention. Contact me and let’s discuss YOUR situation.
Ashley Carlisle, REALTOR®
Ashley Carlisle has lived in Florida her whole life. She enjoys working with sellers, buyers, and in property management. Even as a child Ashley wanted to be a realtor. Building and continuing relationships with her customers through purchasing homes, selling homes, and managing properties is paramount to her business as is the flexibility of being her own boss in a demanding 24/7 career.
Renee Corzine, REALTOR®
Renee began her career in the fall of 2001 and for over 23 years has been marketing, listing and selling Residential Homes, Luxury Homes, Horse Properties, Kennel Properties, Waterfront Homes, Vacant Lots, Acreage, Homes with Acreage, Commercial Properties, Investment Properties, Foreclosures, Short Sales and New Construction. Whether working with first-time homebuyers or families upsizing or downsizing, Renee uses her skills and experience to help clients achieve their real estate goals. As a full-time, full-service realtor, Renee performs above and beyond expectations to facilitate a smooth real estate transaction. Whatever your real estate needs, Renee will apply her real estate knowledge to make your dreams a reality!
2025 PLANT CITY
REAL ESTATE ROCKSTARS
John Haney, REALTOR®
John is the President & Managing Broker of Ace Realty & Auction based right here in historic downtown Plant City. During his 20+ year career, he has sold real estate in all 67 Florida counties, 41 states and 3 foreign countries. He is particularly skilled in commercial real estate but handles all types of property, both locally and abroad. He is a graduate of PCHS and the College of Business Administration at USF in Tampa. John is heavily involved in our local community. He is a past president of the Plant City Rotary Club, board member of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and a board member of the Plant City EDC. In 2022, John was appointed to the City of Plant City Planning Board. A lifelong resident of Plant City, he is married to Amy, his wife of 24 years and they have a son Ryan, 17. Together, they own and operate a 100 acre cattle ranch just northeast of town.
Cathy Martin, REALTOR®
Cathy, a native Floridian, has lived in the Plant City area her entire life. She is married to Greg and together they share four children. Cathy earned a Bachelors Degree in Finance at USF and held several licenses for securities trading and insurance while working in the Financial Services industry for several years. Having been in real estate for 20 years, she has endured the full market cycle and recognizes that hard work, integrity, and customer service are the key components to a successful business and strives for excellence with each customer.
Shanon Schulte, REALTOR®
S.
813-759-3207 SESCHULTE@VERIZON.NET
Shanon Schulte has lived in Plant City her entire life. She has been married to Eric for 29 years and they have 3 children, Erin, Alli, and Zachary. Shanon graduated from PCHS in 1986 and Florida Southern in 1990. Shanon is an active member of First Baptist Church, Plant City, where she enjoys volunteering her time. Whether you are buying or selling a home, Shanon is eager to help you get to the closing table.
2025 PLANT CITY
REAL ESTATE ROCKSTARS
Earl Williams, REALTOR®
With 20 years of professional experience and closing transactions in 36 states, Earl has assisted buyers and sellers with real estate needs through various methods including traditional sales, auctions and foreclosures. Being a Plant City native and lifelong resident has made Earl an expert in understanding market conditions in the region. His knowledge in commercial, residential, agricultural and larger land tracts has made him a valuable asset to his clients. He also consults on agricultural exemptions and regularly assists with parcel splits to maximize the income and value potential for his clients
Heather Wise, REALTOR®
Heather Wise was born and raised in Plant City. She’s been married to Daniel for 11 years and they have 3 beautiful children. She specializes in listing homes in the Plant City and surrounding areas. She’s active in the community and First Baptist Church of Plant City. In her spare time, you can find her in the livestock barn with her kids showing their animals! Give her a call for all of your real estate needs.
RISING STAR
Newman Caroline
By Cierra Craft
Caroline Newman is a name readers are familiar with. She has served on the Junior Royalty Court and Little Miss Plant City Court. But for the first time, Newman appears in this month’s Rising Star feature. She cheers for the Lakeland Xpress Athletics Diamonds team.
“My favorite part is definitely stunting,” said Newman. “I love being challenged, and when you’re able to hit stunts that seemed so difficult to begin with, it’s just a great feeling.”
Newman previously cheered for the Plant City Dolphins, and this is her time with the LXA Diamonds. She said the team is growing a bond quickly.
Newman said, “I also love how close our team is becoming. This is my first year on this team, and even though I was worried about not knowing anyone in the beginning, it’s definitely turning into a second family. We work hard but always seem to have a good time doing it!”
Her big goal this season is to perfect her back walkover and get her front handspring without the need for a spotter. When she isn’t at the cheer gym, she enjoys roller skating with her friends and making “Get Ready With Me” videos just for fun. She enjoys makeup and skincare.
While Newman may be the youngest of her four siblings at just 11 years old, this girl’s got big dreams. She hopes to continue cheering and earn a spot on a high school team and cheer in college. She says she wants to continue growing, getting stronger, and making more memories with her team.
“I might be the youngest in my family, but I’m working hard to follow in my sisters’ and brothers’ footsteps,” said Newman. “They’ve all done amazing things, and I’m proud to take on the challenge and make my own path too!”
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ORIGINAL WOOD FLOORS, TEXTURED PLASTER WALLS, ORIGINAL TILE IN KITCHEN AND BATHS. LOCATED IN THE BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC DISTRCT OF PLANT CITY. ALL APPLIANCES INCLUDING WASHER AND DRYER INCLUDED. CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN AND MOVE IN READY!
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CONTACT MAGGIE BEARD 813-299-7155 OR JORDON BERGMAN 813-848-7703 REALTORS, MARZUCCO REAL ESTATE
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MOVE IN READY! LOCATED IN THE SOUGHT AFTER KATHLEEN AREA, ON OVER A HALF ACRE, THAT GIVES YOU ROOM FOR EVERYTHING. WELL KEPT, VERY CLEAN! FRESHLY PAINTED , WITH METAL ROOF AND AC ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. FULLY FENCED YARD AND AN AMAZING SCREENED FRONT PORCH. MLS # TBB8371505 4844 CREEK MEADOW TRL, LAKELAND. CONTACT CLARISA MOODY 813-446-2003 REALTOR MARZUCCO REAL ESTATE SWEET COUNTRY LIVING !!
Leaders in Faith
Pastor Michael Lawson
By Cheryl Johnston
Pastor Michael Lawson and his wife Amy, the love of his life, moved recently to Plant City from Marysville, Tennessee to assume the role of Children’s Pastor at Plant City Church of God. Their children, Jace (20) and Ally (18), attend college in Tennessee, preparing for careers in medicine.
Passionate and energetic, Pastor Michael desires to help children know and grow in their relationship with Jesus. With a creative teaching style, a love for storytelling, and a whole lot of fun, this ordained Bishop in the Church of God brings the Bible to life for kids every week. Whether it’s through illustrated sermons, worship, games, or silly skits, he believes “every child is a worldchanger in the making.” When not serving in ministry, he enjoys surf fishing and cooking for his family.
Your testimony illustrates perfectly how God guides our steps, even from a young age. Please share.
I was just five years old when my life changed forever at a little Vacation Bible School. That day, our teacher used colorful props and simple illustrations that brought the Gospel message of God’s love in John 3:15 to life. As she shared how God gave His only Son for me, I felt His love so clearly – and the Holy Spirit prompted me to give my heart to Jesus.”
What happened next?
I remember going home, full of excitement, and telling my dad what I’d learned and experienced. And something incredible happened—he gave his heart to Jesus, too. Then my mom followed. Soon after, our whole family on my dad’s side began coming to Christ, one after another.
Not long after, my parents and I were all baptized together on a Sunday night at a little country church, Six Mile Missionary Baptist in Maryville, Tennessee. We weren’t alone—several other family members joined us in the water – and it was the beginning of something beautiful.
Today, many of those are still faithfully serving the Lord—and now their children and grandchildren are walking with Jesus, too. It all started with one simple Gospel lesson in a VBS classroom. God’s love truly changes everything.
When did you realize you would become a pastor?
My call into ministry didn’t begin with a loud voice or spotlight—it started quietly, years ago, in a small Sunday School class at Mountain View Church of God in Maryville. As a child and teen, I often found myself helping the teacher, drawn to the lesson and the kids around me. Even then, something stirred in my heart. I know God was planting the seed of ministry early on.
That seed began to grow years later at Cornerstone Fellowship in Alcoa, Tennessee. In my twenties, while serving with the children and student ministries, the whisper of calling became unmistakably clear. Something inside me lit up—I felt alive, aligned, and right where God wanted me.Around my 30th birthday,
everything changed. I’d been reading Isaiah 6:8 and it gripped me. “Here I am. Send me.” I couldn’t shake it. While fasting, praying, and seeking direction during that season, I heard the Lord speak to my heart: “You are called to serve children and youth.”
With this confirmation, I went to my father-in-law, who was our church’s pastor. As I poured out what God had been speaking, he smiled knowingly, opened a drawer, and handed me a book: The Purpose Driven Youth Ministry. He said, “I’ve been waiting for you to say yes.”
That moment marked the beginning of my journey into full-time ministry. I’ve learned the call of God isn’t about position or platform—it’s about purpose. It’s a commitment to walk in step with His divine plan. When you say “yes,” you step into the most fulfilling, blessed place you could ever be.
No wonder Paul described our calling as a “heavenly call in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). There’s no greater joy than knowing you’re living out what you were made for.
The Plant City Church of God family LOVES children and ALL are welcome here. GROW classes for every age on Sunday begin at 9:00 a.m. with Children’s Church and adult worship following at 10:15. Wednesday night classes include Royal Rangers, Mpact Girls, Plant City Students, Choir practice, and Pastor’s Bible Study. Young Adults meet on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Sports in the gymnasium are enjoyed on two weeknights. Visit pccog.ife or phone 813-752-4591 to learn more.
Candy’s Corner
By Candy Owens
Not enough hours in the day, we often say. We watch as the business of life allows time to slip away. Before we know it, days turn to months and months into years, “Has it been that long,” we ask. It’s time for the family reunion and a chance to see your loved ones that you don’t want to miss.
Webster defines a family reunion as an occasion when many members of an extended family congregate. Sometimes these are held regularly, for example, on the same date every year; an act of reuniting an organized gathering of people who have not been together for a long time.
I have always looked forward to gathering with my family for our reunions and enjoy all the fun, fellowship, learning the family history, friends, and food. Oh, the food!
My great-great grandparents on my mother’s side: John Isaiah Ergle born in 1857 and Melvina Sylvester Terrell born in 1862 (who were of Russian decent) married back in 1881 and started what my family calls: The Ergle Family Reunion. Their ten children: Ella Clara Ergle Perry ( my great grandmother), Ada Belle Riles (mother of Evalie Riles, a graduate of Plant City High School), Clifford Elmer Ergle (father of Lillian Ergle Boland, a graduate of Plant City High School), Lorena Nancy Ergle Cassels, Zeffie Elizabeth Ergle Carlton (mother of Supreme Court Justice Vasser Carlton and sisterin-law of former Florida Gov. Doyle Carlton), James Corbett Ergle, John Bert Ergle, Clyde LeVelle Ergel, Lester, and Simmie Hoyt Ergle, along with their spouses and children, began holding our family reunions at Lakeland’s Adair Park back in the late 1930’s.
Adair Park was located at 1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd. and was the perfect place for families. There were little league fields, restrooms, picnic pavilions, swings, see-saws, and a municipal swimming pool that was built back in 1938, which provided recreation opportunities to the people of Lakeland and surrounding areas for many years.
The year 1961 brought a new and wonderful addition to Adair Park. What we kids back then called: “The Big Choo-Choo Train.” The locomotive was built in 1920 in Patterson, N.J., by the American Locomotive Co. for a sugar company in South America, but the deal fell through and the train was eventually sold to the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Co. which had a plant in Nichols, south of Mulberry. The train hauled phosphate for year until it was donated to the city of Lakeland by the company.
I can remember back in the 1960s when my sister and I were little, Mother would always have us dressed in matching outfits for the reunion. We
WELLS MEMORIAL FUNERAL
813-752-1111
I have always looked forward to gathering with my family for our reunions and enjoy all the fun, fellowship, learning the family history, friends, and food. Oh, the food!
were made to sit on the cement benches inside the pavilion so we could hug, kiss, greet, meet, shake hands with, and have pictures and movies made with any and all of our relatives arriving at the reunion. Well…I had a problem with that. I was more interested in getting out there on the playground to swing, seesaw, run around, and hop that fence to get up on that “Big Choo-Choo Train.” I was not the least bit interested in sitting “lady-like” on the bench waiting for people to kiss and hug without messing up my hair or getting dirty.
Once Mother felt as though enough people had arrived and my sister and I had done enough hugging and kissing, hand shaking, and picture taking, she would release us to go play. Yeah!! But she would always say: “Do not get dirty, stay where I can see you, don’t go near the road, and if I call you then you come!” So off we went! We were on the swings, the seesaw, and over the fence and inside the train, smiling and waving and pretending to drive and shovel coal. We had a wonderful time. Before long, Mother would stand at the edge of the pavilion and yell for us to come see Aunt, Uncle, or Cousin so-and-so. My sister would always hide inside the train and act like she couldn’t hear Mother calling. We would always get in trouble for that, but that’s not the only thing I got in trouble for at reunions.
Back then people brought pots and pans filled with the most delicious home-cooked foods. There were pots and pots filled with Chicken and Dumplings (rolled and dropped), Chicken and Rice (yellow and white), Fried Chicken, Baked Chicken, Bar-B-Q Chicken, Potato Salad, Baked Hams, Roasts, Scalloped Potatoes, Macaroni and Cheese, Conch Peas, Black-eyed Peas, Zipper Peas, Creamed Corn,
Casseroles, Fresh Fruits, Marshmallow Salads, Jello Salads, Deviled Eggs, Rolls, Bread, Cakes, Pies, Cobblers, and Cookies. Pots and pans and trays and platters filled the tables from one end of the pavilion to the other. It was very tempting. In fact, several times Mother caught me lifting lids off the pots looking for the dumplings, trying to steal a chicken leg, or sticking my finger in somebody’s cake.
When it was lunch time, we all gathered inside the pavilion to say the blessing and line up to fill our plates. So much food graced those tables you’d have had to drop out of line before you got to the end, because there was no room on your plate for anything else. And that was not even counting the dessert table! We stayed all day, eating and talking, playing and laughing, telling stories and reminiscing, and having the most wonderful time. The best of times!
My sister and I are now in our late-60s and we both agree that if we could go back through those years, we would have spent more time in the pavilion with family. Not just for the dumplings and cake and pies and goodies….Well yes, for more dumplings, cakes, and pies, but for our family: the stories, photos, fellowship and laughter; for the hugs, the kisses, and the time. Yes, more of their hugs, more of their kisses, and mostly…time with them.
I will leave you with this prayer.
“Father, we thank Thee for the privilege of being together as a family. As the generations grow farther apart, let them be brought together with the memory of the loved ones who were once with us, but now live only in our memories. Strengthen the bond of relationships as we face the future, but always keep with us our ties of the past.”
Line Dancing Class
5:30 p.m.
Choreographed line dance instructed by Michelle Richardson. Enjoy repeated sequence steps to all kinds of music. This fun group-inspired class will have you eager to learn line dancing basics while staying active.
Bruton Memorial Library @ 302 W McLendon St
Cost: Free Info: 813-757-9215
Chair Yoga Class
12:30 p.m.
Find your center with this invigorating session of Chair Yoga hosted by Florida Meditation Center.
Bruton Memorial Library @ 302 W McLendon St
Cost: Free Info: 813-757-9215
Every Tuesday Every Wednesday July 18-27
Mystic Pizza @ PCE
July 18, 19, 25, 26- 8 p.m.
July 20 & 27- 2 p.m.
PCE brings the beloved 1988 film to the stage with a story of love, friendship, and finding your place in the world—all set to a killer 80s soundtrack! Follow three young women navigating life, love, and their futures while working at a small-town pizza joint in Mystic, Connecticut.
PCE @ 101 N Thomas St
Cost: $20-$26.50 Info: plantcityentertainment.com
Aug 01
Back to School Splash Bash
9:00 a.m.
Kick off the school year with water slides and fun games with Bible lessons for kids Kindergarten through fifth grade!
Faith Lighthouse Church @ 3409 Paul Buchman Hwy
Cost: Free; Pre-registration required. Info: (813) 752-1885
Kids All-Nighter @ GraceWay Church
7:00 p.m.
For K–5th graders, this overnight event is packed with Power Hour & Worship, high-impact games, dance battles, and movie fun. We’ll serve pizza, juice boxes & water.
Kids should bring a sleeping bag or pillow + blanket and sweet or salty snack to share (chips, cookies, fruit, etc.)
Cost: Free Info:
There are many phrases spoken that impact lives. The greatest of these phrases are often short, sweet, and to the point. In my life and in the life of Sondra Ayers (now Middlebrooks), our pathway together, after losing our spouses to cancer, began with these three words, “I Love You”.
On July 4th at 10:41 AM in the beautiful Hollis Butterfly Gardens in Lakeland, FL, and under the ministry of Rev. Scott McIntosh, we both spoke two words that began a lifelong journey of this love together. Those words were “I Do!”
Thank you all for your prayers, love, notes, support, and blessings. Plant City, and especially the extended family of Turkey Creek First Baptist Church, have helped us start an incredible journey as more than just husband and wife. We start it as family to the greatest family anyone can haveYOU!
For better, for worst; in sickness and in health; for as long as we both shall live;
So Help Us God!”
