FOCUS Plant City 03-11 Nov 2004

LOCAL • REAL ESTATE • TRAVEL • SPORTS • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT VOLUME 3 NUMBER 11 • NOVEMBER 15 thru DECEMBER 15 • 2004

FREE At 200+ Locations In Plant City

TAKE ONE

Rediscover D o w n t o w n

INTRODUCING

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* Photos are for illustration only. All prices are plus tax, tag & title. Prices include delivery fee of $499.95. See dealer for details. All rebates to dealer. In stock units only.

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4

PLANT CITY EDITION

FEATURE 40-45

Rediscovering downtown Plant City, where restorations, renovations and additions are helping to promote our downtown businesses.

SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW 49-52

Our Plant City Manager, David Sollenberger, talks to Ken Lawrence about the future of our city, and about his number one priority, growth management. He wants to help the city get prepared to handle the population explosion he knows is coming over the next decade.

DID YOU KNOW? 56

Plant City Photo Archives takes a look at Badcock Furniture’s reaching a wonderful milestone, “A Century of Success”, and a little bit of what it took to get there.

LOCAL • REAL ESTATE • TRAVEL • SPORTS • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT VOLUME 3 NUMBER 11 • NOVEMBER 15 thru DECEMBER 15 • 2004

FREE At 200+ Locations In Plant City

TAKE ONE

HOME GUIDE SECTION 59-79

This section is dedicated to buyers, sellers and owners.

SPORTS 90-91

Looking back at the Plant City High School Homecoming game against the Brandon Eagles. Even though the Raiders lost, it was still a night to remember.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT 103-119

This month the FOCUS Magazine food critic takes you to Snellgrove’s for breakfast. No matter what you order there, you can be sure it was made from scratch by people who care about the quality of their food.

The Diamonds put on a great show at the Ramada Inn Plantation House’s Red Rose Dining Room on October 23rd, and we were there!

We also pick the flicks on some of the chart topping movies in theaters now. Looking for a place to eat? Check out the complete guide to Plant City dining out on the town.

Publisher Mike Floyd mike@floydpublications.com Editor In Chief Linda Floyd linda@floydpublications.com Managing Editor Jeff Neely jneely@floydpublications.com Office Manager DeDe Floyd dede@floydpublications.com Bob Hughens bob@floydpublications.com Sales Tania Summers tsummers@floydpublications.com Karen Berry kberry@floydpublications.com Suzanne Gross sgross@floydpublications.com Art Director Joel Cook jcook@floydpublications.com Graphic Design Phil Ransdell philrand@floydpublications.com Distribution Dale Hutto Photographer Billy Friend Staff Writers Sherri Robinson, Brian West, Sophia Dedon, Kristen Toney Ken Lawrence, Lynne Warren Contributors Sherry Nueesch, Gil Gott, Mac McGrath, Jim Brown, Shelton Keely, Michael Cameron, Al Cohen, Jodi Smith

FOCUS Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Plant City businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed to 10,000 homes.

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

Rediscover D o w n t o w n

On the cover: 4 year old Taylor Carlough rediscovering downtown Plant City. Story on pg. 40. Photo by Mike Floyd.

floyd publications, inc.

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

Serving Plant City For Over 50 Years

Main Office, (813)752-6193 • 102 West Baker Street • Plant City Walden Woods, (813)754-1844 • 2400 Jim Redman Pkwy • Plant City

6 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR I sat down to write this month’s Letter From the Editor, and I was going to lead in with this stimulating discussion of Plato’s Republic and the concept of justice and ideas about vice and virtue and, well… blah blah blah blah blah. That’s not why you picked up this magazine.

If you really want to talk philosophy, give me a call and we can go grab a cup of coffee.

The truth is you read this magazine because you want to know what’s going on in Plant City, not Athens. This is our town. Every smile at the bank, every walk in the park, every Sunday service, every check in the express checkout line and every train that decides Alexander Street is flowing just a little too smoothly… it’s all our town. This is where we live, eat, go to school, many of us work and yes, this is where we vote.

Due to our deadline, I am writing this a week prior to the election. As you read this, you are probably either reveling in victory, despondent in defeat, or satisfied with having known that your candidate would never see more than 3 percent of the vote. Regardless, hopefully you did your civic duty and made it out to the polls. While there were no local city positions on the ballot this time, the fact remains that our leaders determine the future of our community. The direction of Plant City, and for our country as a whole, will only heed our desires to the extent that we make our voices heard.

Our spotlight interview this month is with Plant City’s city manager, David Sollenberger. In his interview with Ken Lawrence, Mr. Sollenberger gives us a look into town life and the issues that face Plant City. Our feature this month brings us a reminder of all the wonderful things to discover downtown. Our local section covers bluegrass jams, a masquerade ball, feeding the needy and lots of other great things about Plant City.

The bottom line to a good life is doing it right and doing right by others. I guess in a very simple form, this is much of what our friend Plato was really trying to say. I like to think I’m trying, and as the stories show, so are a lot of other people. Here they are. Enjoy!

LOCAL

7 USA WINS 1 ST WORLD UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD MEDAL

GLORIOSO WINS FLORIDA HOUSE DISTRICT 62 SEAT “Thank you for all of your support; I appreciate it more than you will ever know.

For those of you who walked door-to-door, made phone calls, folded-stuffed-sealedand-stamped numerous mailing pieces, held signs, made financial contributions and most importantly, VOTED, I thank you for your commitment and dedication, and for believing in my message. Our victory would not have been possible without your support! Together, we will build a better Florida. Thank you very much for all of your efforts and God Bless.”

Sincerely, Rich

Our man, Rich Glorioso, won his race for State Representative for District 062! A great showing, with 64.1% of the vote.

More election news from District 012. Adam Putnam has won reelection to the United States House of Representatives with 64.9% of the vote.

Congratulations, Adam Putnam!

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USA defeated Chinese Taipei, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon in Plant City Stadium to win the gold medal at the 1st World University Softball Championship, an eight-country tournament that began on Tuesday, October 26th, on the grounds of the world headquarters of the International Softball Federation (ISF), right here in Plant City. The fast pitch event includes female athletes ages 17-28 that have not been out of university or its equivalent for more than a year.

Kristie Fox of the University of Arizona singled to left field to score Vicky Galindo (of NCAA Women’s College World Series runner-up Cal) with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning as the USA defeated Chinese Taipei, 1-0. The U.S. almost added to their lead when Jodie Legaspi stepped to the plate next and singled to the same spot Fox did, forcing a Chinese Taipei pitching change.

Norrelle Dickson was hit on the hand by a pitch to load the bases, but Taipei got out of the jam to give themselves one last chance. However, the first seed from round robin play went three-up, three-down in the top of the seventh to settle for the silver medal.

Earlier, it had seemed that the USA was poised to score when the bases were loaded withone out and the game was scoreless in the bottom of the third inning. But, Andrea Duran hit into a fielder’s choice, with the runner on third getting thrown out at home to keep the bases loaded. Sara Dean then flew out to center where the centerfielder made a diving catch for the third out.

Winning pitcher Alicia Hollowell, who, on October 30th, threw a perfect game against the same Taipei team in a playoff game, surrendered just a sixth inning single in Sunday afternoon’s game.

Australia, Canada, China, Guatemala, and the Netherlands also competed in this week’s event. Russia and Uganda had entered as well, but were both unable to attend due to visa problems. Japan had defeated Canada, 3-1, on Saturday night to advance to Sunday’s medal games.

The next World University Softball Championship will take place in Taiwan in 2006. It is the hope of the ISF – the world governing body for the sport, including at the Olympics – that staging this event will lead to getting softball added to the program of the World University Games. The WUSC is sanctioned by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), which supervises the World University Games

The Nutcracker PLANT CITY CHILDREN’S THEATER presents

Tomlin Middle School Friday, December 10th, 8pm • Saturday, December 11th, 11am $6 paid in advance • $10 at door Tickets at Plant City Children’s Theatre, 507 N Wheeler & Hardee’s Fashions, 1501 N. Wheeler Free attendance for all handicapped, children’s homes and nursing homes

SILENT AUCTION One hour before show Over 150 Baskets and Trips including Disney, Universal, Busch Gardens, Yankees Luncheon, Super Bowl - Outback Bowl 507 N. Wheeler St. Plant City, Fl. • (813) 752-1621 • (813) 752-1683

*Nutcracker attendance not required for auction

LOCAL

AROUND TOWN

STORY BY LYNNE WARREN PHOTO MIKE FLOYD

HILLSBOROUGH TITLE, INC.

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SERVICE TO PLANT CITY In any real estate deal, the title company is the key to making the entire transaction successful.

A good title company is nearly transparent throughout the process, until closing - but they have been heavily involved throughout. In a nutshell, the title company is the accountant for the whole transaction. They ensure clear title for the new owners and make sure all of the pieces are in place to make the deal happen.

Hillsborough Title, Inc. has been doing just that - and very successfully - for 20 years now.

Locally owned by Plant City native Gail Calhoun McGrath, and operated by her son Aaron Davis, Hillsborough Title will be celebrating their 20th anniversary

in November - and it just so happens that is when they will be moving into their new state of the art facility at 1605 South Alexander St., Suite 102. In 1984, Gail had been working in the title industry.

She saw an opportunity in the need for a good title company in Plant City and she took it. Taking a space upstairs in the Sunshine State Federal building, she began Hillsborough Title, Inc. In 1988, as the business grew, a new building was constructed at 504 East Baker Street to house the company. The second office, located on Alexander Street just a few doors to the south of their new location opened in 2002, with Aaron as branch manager. When the company moves to their new facility, they will maintain a satellite branch at the

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 8

Baker Street location.

The firm plans to hold a celebratory office warming later this year to welcome clients and neighbors into their new office.

When asked how long he has been involved in the title business, Aaron jokingly says since he was 10 years old - but that is really no joke. When Aaron was 10 and his younger brother was 7, Gail would bring them into the office with her, even to closings when necessary. Aaron also helped with filing and miscellaneous office work from the time the business began. In 1992, when he was a junior in high school, he became an official employee of Hillsborough Title, Inc. In 1997 he attended the University of Florida and graduated with a degree in finance and business administration, and then became a financial planner in Tampa. After 2 years in the financial services arena, Aaron

decided it was time to return to the family business, which he did in late 2001.

Although Hillsborough Title caters to Hillsborough and Polk counties, the firm provides their services to the entire state, and accommodates Florida property owners and potential buyers outside the state and country via e-mail, mail-away closings, or courtesy closings. After 20 years in the business, Hillsborough Title, Inc. is going strong, and maintains a high level of commitment to the Plant City community. For more information on the company, you can visit them on the web at www. hillsboroughtitle.com, or give them a call at 813-754-4440.

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 9

LOCAL

AROUND TOWN

STORY BY BRUCE RODWELL

Chamber of Commerce One of the objectives of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce is to keep the Plant City community and Eastern Hillsborough County informed of events and items of interest that take place. If you or your organization have an event or function planned that you want the community to know about, please call Al Collinge at the Chamber office, 813-754-3707 and it will be placed on the community calendar.

This is a great way to prevent conflicts from occurring when events are planned on the same date.

Linda Lawson, Executive Director of The United Food Bank & Services of Plant City asked me to express their sincere appreciation to everyone that attended the annual TASTE OF PLANT CITY. It was a huge success. Their motto is “A hand-up, not a hand-out”. After the devastating hurricanes that our area experienced, many people had no food or means to get food. The United Food Bank came to their rescue. This is a wonderful organization and certainly deserves everyone’s support.

You will not want to miss the BIG event planned for Saturday, November 20th. at the Randy Larson Four-Plex off Park Road in Plant City. The second annual PIG JAM will take place on that date. Last year this event drew about 6,500 people who feasted on some great barbecue. It is expected this year’s crowd will be even larger. Chris Sparkman and Jodi Smith, co-chairs of the event, have heard from many of the professional teams that participated last year and are expecting some new ones to be added.

These professionals will be looking to cop the first prize purse of $2,500!!

checked for safety. The staff will guide you through correct car safety seat installation and use. Registration is required but the safety check is free. Call 813-754-4444 to register.

Also, at the hospital you can have your blood pressure checked every Tuesday from 1 to 2 pm. This check is performed in the Community Resource Center off the main lobby.

The next STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CAR SHOW takes place on November 20 th.

This event occurs in Downtown Plant City at gets started at 4 pm and goes on till 9 pm. After you have had your fill of barbecue at the PIG JAM you can stop by the car show and check out the various models of classic cars.

On Tuesday, November 30th. the annual GREATER PLANT CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARDS BANQUET will take place at the Ramada Inn Plantation House Red Rose Convention Center. This is a great community event. There are awards presented for small business of the year, mid- size business of the year, large business of the year, growing business of the year and a special award is also given to an outstanding business. Call the Chamber at 813-754-3707 to make your reservations. This is one you will not want to miss.

SPOTLIGHT ON MEMBERS

You won’t want to miss the fun and excitement of an added attraction this year….a HOG CALLING CONTEST. This event is being sponsored by Poppel Insurance and entries will be accepted on the day of the event.

SCRAPPER’S DELIGHT – this scrapbook shop is located in the Southern Hospitality Shopping Plaza. Scrapper’s Delight is the Plant City area’s only scrapbooking shop and carries all the supplies necessary to make your scrapbook look professionally done. Nikki Kimmel is the owner and she carries all the supplies you need to make your scrapbook a true work of art.

The barbecue event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society complete with professional judges. It is great family fun.

There will be kid’s activities and bands will be entertaining throughout the event. All the festivities get started at 10 am and continue till 6 pm when the prizes will be awarded. Call the Chamber office at 813-754-3707 for additional information.

MANGO CLEANER’S – located in the Florida Insurance Center across from South Florida Baptist Hospital. Marc & Grant Poling are the owner’s and they have stated their number one goal is to make Mango Cleaners the best dry cleaners in Plant City. They offer same day drop off and pickup Monday through Saturday, in by 9 and out by 5. Give them a try.

Did you know the SOUTH FLORIDA BAPTIST HOSPITAL offers free car seat safety checks? Every Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm you can have your child’s car seat

BOGGS & BUTCHER – Steve Boggs and David Butcher, long time residents of Plant City, have joined together to offer professional engineering services to land owners, developers

10 and municipalities. They are a civil engineering firm located in the newly renovated Young & Moody building. Their background includes planned developments, zoning changes, commercial site planning, residential subdivision design, storm water management design, potable water design, and lift station and wastewater collection design.

The design of the new Church Campus at the First United Methodist Church and the Wesley Centre is an excellent example of one of their designs.

November 18 th. – Business After Hours at Colonial Bank, 2318 James L. Redman Parkway.

Starts at 5:15 and goes till 7 pm. Great time to meet your neighbors and tour the Bank.

November 20 th. – Strawberry Classic Car Show, downtown Plant City November 20 th. – Second Annual Pig Jam, Randy Larson Four-Plex, Park Road Plant City November 22 nd. – Inter-league Softball Championship, Randy Larson Four-Plex November 30 th. - Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Awards Banquet at Ramada Inn, Plant City December 2 nd. - Lights of Love Celebration, McCall Park, downtown Plant City. Starts at 5 pm followed by lighting of Christmas tree at 6:45 pm.

Call 757-8478 for additional information December 2 nd. - 2004 Christmas Showing of the Arts, Walden Lake Golf & Country Club from 5 to 7 pm. Call 752-9660 for further information December 3 rd. - Annual Plant City Christmas Parade. Gets underway at 6:30 pm December 4 th. - Bike Fest. Downtown Plant City – starts at 5 PM. The City will have McCall Park all decked out with Christmas lights. Bring the family and enjoy!

December 8 th. - Contact Breakfast, Walden Lake Golf & Country Club. 7:30 am. RSVP the Chamber at 754-3707 December 11 th. - Antique Street Fair and Arts & Crafts Fair in downtown Plant City. Starts at 8 am and continues to 3 pm December 18 th. - Strawberry Classic Car Show.

Downtown Plant City. Starts at 4 pm

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LOCAL

AROUND TOWN

STORY BY BRIAN WEST PHOTOS BY BRIAN WEST

THE PLANT CITY OPTIMIST CLUB HOLDS THEIR 10TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

most everyone was involved in sports in one way or another. If you didn’t grow up in the area, or if you did, maybe you have children involved in sports. Either way, if you’ve been involved, you’re familiar with the Plant City Recreation Department (PCRD), and hopefully you’ve at least heard of the Plant City Optimist Club. The Optimist Club works closely with the PCRD for the various sports activities for children in the area, such as little league football, basketball, soccer, and flag football. The club motto is “Friend of the youth.”

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 12

The Optimist Club raises money to help to pay for the referees and the team uniforms for the children. With the money raised by the club, children are charged only $15 for a uniform and the opportunity to play the season.

Can you imagine trying to play any organized sport without a referee or uniforms? The club also provides college scholarships for both Plant City and Durant High School students and they sponsor the Respect for Law banquet.

To do this, the Optimist Club holds two fundraisers each year; a golf tournament and they sell Christmas trees on a lot behind Stock Lumber.

The club has been selling Christmas trees as long as I can remember and just held their 10th annual golf tournament on Saturday, October 16, 2004, at the Plant City Golf Course.

This year, Jimmy Garrison, was named the Golf Chair and placed in charge of the golf tournament.

Garrison’s own children are involved in sports supported by the club so he has a true appreciation for the efforts of the club. By all accounts, the club did pretty well.

There were 18 teams for a total of 72 players. Cal Calhoun, Director of the PCRD, was heavily involved with soliciting sponsorships for the tournament. Garrison estimated the club raised between $5,000 and $7,000.

The club meets every 3rd Monday at the Winter Visitor Center located next to the PCRD. If you are interested in getting involved in the community and would like to find out more information about the Plant City Optimist Club, please contact Pat Stottlemeyer, Club President, at 813-752-1911.

LOCAL

AROUND TOWN

STORY BY JEFF NEELY PHOTOS BY JEFF NEELY

TOMLIN INVITES EVERYONE TO CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE

MULTI CULTURAL CELEBRATION PROMOTES APPRECIATION AND ACCEPTANCE

20 BAGS IN 20 DAYS MY ACCOUNTANT THINKS I’M CRAZY…

for doing this but I firmly believe in giving back, especially when youʼve been blessed as much as I have. And since this is the season to be thankful weʼre doing it again. Hi, Iʼm Dr Shane Parson, D.C. of Parson Chiropractic and you may remember last year we did a food drive in my office by giving away Free Complete Exams and Free Adjustments. All donations were given to Operation Compassion for their wonderful program of feeding those in need. Well weʼre doing it again but with a little twist!

This year our goal is to fill 20 large paper grocery bags to the max in 20 days. My office is very busy and last year it was tough fitting all the exams and adjustments in along with our regular workload. So this time when you donate weʼre giving you a Free Gift Certificate that you can use now or in the future. Itʼs good for a Complete Exam for New Patients or an adjustment for current and past patients. You can use it for yourself or give it as a gift this Holiday Season.

www.foc u s r c

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2004 FOCUS

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However, the festival was not intended solely for local Hispanic residents. People of all races, ethnicities, ages and gender were present for the festivities at the school’s band shell. The inviting atmosphere provided an opportunity for everyone to

PS- You can still donate after the 20 days ends on 11/30/04 but you wonʼt receive your free gift!

www.fo cu s r c

Club Enlase, a student Hispanic dance club at Tomlin, put on the event under the direction of Greg Burgos. Burgos is the school’s staff migrant advocate and acts as a liaison between the school and local Hispanic families.

Tomlin offers a variety of services like after-school activities and homework assistance specifically designed to meet the needs of the Hispanic community. “It’s important for the families to feel welcome,” said Burgos.

Principal Beverly Carbaugh said that crossing ethnic boundaries is nothing unusual for students at Tomlin. The relationship among students of all cultures is very positive, Carbaugh said. Because there is such a high population of Hispanics in Plant City, the school felt that it was important to show the Latin community that they were appreciated. “We want every kid to feel like Tomlin is their home,” Carbaugh said. Faculty sponsors of Black History Month activities also teamed with Club Enlase to put on the festival, and Burgos said they intend to do the same in return in February.

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17. The event was a celebration of all things Latin including folkloric dancers, live music, games and delicious homemade food. Popusas from El Salvador and tamales and frijoles from Mexico were just a few of the authentic treats giving guests a taste of culture you won’t find in any restaurant.

participate in the celebration of Hispanic culture.

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Tomlin Middle School held its first annual Hispanic Heritage Festival this past Oct.

Call 717-7553 and tell Lora or Pam that you want to be part of the 20/20 Thanks-for-Giving special and theyʼll tell you how to come by and get your Certificate!!

GO TO

To Mail a Ballot: Attn: FOCUS 2004 RCA • 702 W. Dr,. MLK Jr. Blvd. Plant City, Fl 33563 • To Fax a Ballot: 813-764-0990

PLANT CITY ESTABLISHMENTS ONLY...

TO VOTE

Providing much of the financial support for the event was local chiropractor, Brenda Dukes. “She just laid the cash out on the table to get us going,” said Carbaugh.

Local radio station La Ley 760 helped to emcee the event, and Univision was also on site to cover the fun. Other businesses including Coldwell Banker and Realty Executives also came out to sponsor the celebration.

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“Hopefully this will be the first of many more to come,” Burgos said.

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 13

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STORY BY KRISTEN TONEY PHOTOS BY BILLY FRIEND

THE PLANT CITY GARDEN CLUB TOUR A CHANCE TO SHOW OFF GREEN THUMBS Now is the time of year that we Floridians begin to fully enjoy being outside. The humidity in the air has lessened, the wind seems a bit cooler, and the sun not quite as blazing as during the summer months.

and something that we could make a little bit of money doing,” said Jan Griffin, who has been a member since 1992, and is also one of the individuals in charge of the tour of five local gardens.

However, now is the time when the Plant City Garden Club is able to display the hard work of those who have been working outside through all kinds of weather. On October 23, the club presented their 8th annual Garden Club Tour to approximately 100 attendees.

At the home of Hieu Thinguyen, there are not only many Floridian specimens, but also plants from around the world. The most unique thing about Hieu’s garden is all of the herbs she brought from her native country of Vietnam, which she grows regularly and uses to cook in her Vietnamese meals.

The Garden Club was organized in 1948, and currently boasts approximately 55 members. “We were always looking for a way to do something that promoted what we enjoyed, which is gardening,

Another stop was a garden of southern attraction belonging Jim and Shelly Connell. Complete with a pond, swings, huge oaks and dozens of shade plants, this relaxing area is a favorite for the Connell’s

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 14

and their family and friends. Not to mention a peaceful source of envy for those who took the tour!

Barbara Henderson has created an escape from the noise on Jim Redman Parkway with her backyard paradise, complete with a rockery of limestone, a fishpond, cypress and podocarpus trees. The nicest surprise from this garden is the grape vines boasting hundreds of plump and juicy globes.

Winfred and Sue Harrell are not only known for their nursery, but

also for their generosity to the community and to the garden club.

One of their gardens, located on Old Mulberry Road, is filled with oaks, foliage and flowering plants, and incredible topiaries. Another stop on the tour was theirs, as well, a property which they have transformed into their guest retreat, complete with bromeliads, gingers, palm trees and oaks.

For more information about the Plant City Garden Club, and the annual Garden Club Tour, call (813) 752-5485.

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STORY BY SOPHIA DEDON PHOTOS BY CINDY GRAHAM

TELL YOUR TALE

THE LIFE OF ANN PLETCHER 39. Many people would consider her life as typical as anyone else, but the truth is, it is just as unique.

When she was diagnosed with cancer in 1995 she decided she wanted her family to have a copy of the story of her life, so she wrote a 19 page book recording all the events.

Originally from Iowa, Mrs. Ann Pletcher moved to Plant City in 1952 simply because her and her husband thought the town was beautiful, while driving in for breakfast down State Road

Mrs. Pletcher was born and raised in a small town called Anamosa in Iowa on September 10, 1921.

Anamosa is the same town that the famous painter Grant Wood was born. She was raised in a loving Christian home, and after graduation from high school, she went to college in Des Moines with her sister. She left Des Moines to join the Marine Corps in 1944, where she met her husband, Ray

Pletcher. They married in 1947 in Las Vegas, where they lived for 5 years. They decided to move and somehow wound up in Plant City, Florida In 1952 they bought a Gulf gas station in the middle of town that they eventually sold when business got too busy at the television store that they co-owned with Ray’s brother and his wife. Mrs. Pletcher and her husband built a home behind the store building that they lived in until 1997. In the following years, that store building became the home of a fabrics store and later a shortcake business.

The shortcake business closed when their friends across the street wanted to open one, Parksdale’s Farm, sound familiar?

In 1969, they lost their daughter, Julia, when she was hit by a car.

At the closing of the shortcake business, Mrs. Pletcher started selling Avon. In 1978 she began volunteering at the hospital. Her involvements with Avon and the hospital are ones she still participates in now.

After speaking with Mrs. Pletcher, it is more than obvious her most valuable asset is her family.

Everything she says somehow relates her pride in them. She is the mother of four, with one daughter being the late Julia Pletcher, and the grandmother of eight. Looking back on her life Mrs. Pletcher said, “The Lord guides you so much, you just have to open your eyes.”

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These days, one can hear about fall festivals quite often around Plant City. All promise food, fun, games and a general good time. However, if you missed Oktoberfest, sponsored by the First United Methodist Church, you missed the best fall gala yet.

Not only was this event a multigenerational celebration, but also a grand opening for the church’s new campus addition, the Wesley Center. Formerly known as the SunTrust bank office, the church recently obtained the building and property which lie adjacent to their current sanctuary. Since then, anyone who has driven through the downtown area has seen major renovations taking place. Mahoney Street has been blocked off, new sidewalks were installed all around the church and a covered walkway from one structure to the next was completed. The outside décor of the Wesley Center was completely refurbished in order to create a similar look that would correlate with the main building. Along with that, the inside of the new building was completely remodeled for the church’s ministry purposes. All were finished just in time for Oktoberfest, which was held on Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17.

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 16

The events began at 8:00 Saturday morning with a craft, rummage and bake sale in the new Wesley Center, sponsored by the United Methodist Women. Taking a peek inside, one could see that tables full of treasures filled the room.

There was also no point in entering if you weren’t hungry, being that baked goods prepared by the ladies of the church were being offered, as well. “Don’t you want to buy a cookbook?” church member and retired schoolteacher Dot Knox called out, waving her hand at all who entered. “It’s a collection of recipes from all the women in the church, what a great gift it would make! If you think about it, it’s kind of an antique!”

At 10:00, city officials arrived and presided over an official ribbon cutting to re-open Mahoney Street and present the new campus to the community for the first time.

Donations from the dollar-bill-lined ribbon were given to the United Food Bank.

The pumpkin patch opened at 10:30am, and was soon filled with eager children searching for the perfect pumpkin, and proud parents searching for the perfect photo op. Sub Conscious served a bag lunch beginning at noon, and the children’s favorite activities began at noon as well…face painting,

moon walk, roaming clowns, makeyour-own crafts and various other carnival games.

Right in the middle of all the commotion were Senior Pastor Alan Beaver and his wife, Sylvia. “We kind of made a big deal about the ribbon cutting this morning”, Pastor Beaver commented. “And that was great. But it’s all about this, too”, he smiled, motioning towards the kids spread across the lawn.

But the day was far from over.

At 5:00pm dinner was served, consisting of grilled bratwurst and hot dogs, potato salad, sauerkraut and apple pie. As soon as everyone was satisfied, it was time for the outdoor worship concert under the cross and flame of the Wesley Center from the church’s Youth Praise Band and the Contemporary Praise Team. To finish off the evening, Southern Star Bluegrass took to the stage for a toe-tapping finale under the clear night skies.

The next morning, the events came to an end with the morning service, conducted in the new building.

If you missed the event this year, don’t worry; First United Methodist will continue the tradition next year with another autumn celebration.

You’ll want to make a mental note to attend the festivities in the future!

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STORY BY SHERRI ROBINSON PHOTOS BY BILLY FRIEND

MEET THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES AND CELEBRATE OUR FREEDOM

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The Ramada Inn Convention Center was full of very important people on Thursday, October 18th, at 6:30p.m. I’m not talking just candidates. I’m talking about the voting public. The Plant City Federated Republican Women’s Club was the host of this fine event. I had never been to a political event, so I did not know what to expect. I have to say I was a little nervous. I had only seen the television version of political events and they left a bad taste in my mouth. I wondered if this would be more of the same. That question was soon answered when the program began.

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Al Higginbotham, Chairman of the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee, was our Master of Ceremonies.

Tina Mallare-Pike, President of PCFRWC, welcomed us.

Chaplain Alice Williams gave the invocation and the Future Farmers of American, Marshall Middle School Chapter, led us in the pledge to the flag. Violinist, Charlene Closshey played a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. The Keynote address was given by Congressman Michael Bilirakis, United States House of Representatives. He

spoke of the upcoming elections and the issues that are closest to his heart, like health care, social security, Medicare, and minimum wage.

When the last word was spoken and the benediction was given

by Rev. Don Corzine, Pastor of Plant City Wagoner Memorial Church of the Nazarene, my mind set began to change. I realized that, though this was a Republican event, these were really just patriotic Americans who had strong beliefs about what makes America great. They were not here to bash the other candidate, even though they didn’t agree with him. They just want to see America stay strong and its people to prosper. I was impressed.

I know I am not alone in having felt that my vote was just one in so many and it really didn’t count. What I learned that night was, it is not so much who I vote for, it is that I care enough about this country to vote. I believe whether a Republican or Democrat gets voted into office, they all love this country and will do their best. God Bless America.

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STORY BY SHIRLEY GILL AS TOLD TO LINDA FLOYD PHOTOS COURTESY OF CYNTHIA DROSS

FRAN JOHNSON IS AWARDED THE BETA SIGMA PHI

INTERNATIONAL AWARD OF DISTINCTION

(L to R) Shirley Gill, Fran Johnson and Cyndi Johnson, Fran’s step-daughter.

Beta Sigma Phi is an International Sorority with over 250,000 members in 22 countries. The International Award of Distinction is the highest honor that Beta Sigma Phi bestows upon its active members. An IAD candidate must have participated actively in a chapter or chapters for at least 30 years, have received the Order of the Rose, hold the highest degree to which she is eligible, and be a current and active chapter participant. Finally, she must contribute to the sorority’s service objectives in an extraordinary way.

Fran Boone Johnson of Plant City was given the Beta Sigma Phi IAD award October 23, 2004 at the

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 20

Area Council Luncheon. Fran is a Beta Sigma Phi institution. If you need to know anything about BSP, you call Fran. She has held every office in her chapter and most of them several times, served on and chaired every committee at least once and many of them several times. She has held offices in City Council, again some of them more than once.

In 2002 Fran began the move towards a Friendly Venture Chapter that became known at Beta Rho. She has given endless hours of her time, knowledge and wonderful ability to all the Plant City Chapters and also, assistance to this area’s Area Ridge Council.

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Fran Johnson with her step-daughter Cyndi Johnson who is a 25 year member of Beta Sigma Phi.

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Fran has served as advisor for Xi Mu Sigma since it was formed 10 years ago.

She was named District Woman of the Year in Atlanta for BSP in the 1970’s. She has had perfect attendance in BSP for 42 years!

She has been awarded a number of program awards at Founders Day as well as being named the Woman of the Year for 1982-83, & 1984-85.

She was named Sweetheart of her chapter in 1983-84.

Among her additional services and awards she was President of the Plant City Ladies of the Elks in 1984-85 and served as a lady of the Elks until 2004. As of 1998, Fran had made 1,500 baby caps for new infants at the South Florida Baptist Hospital and continues to crochet them today.

When Plant City began the Meals on Wheels program, Fran Johnson was

one of the first volunteers. She also volunteers one day a week for our Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center.

Fran joined the South Florida Baptist Hospital Auxiliary in 1981 and served as their president in 1986-87. She has held the position of chairman of the information group for several years at the hospital. She was elected Auxillian of the fourth quarter in 1998 and Volunteer of the Year for 1998.

She served as acting secretary in 2003 and elected to secretary in 2004. She works as escort every week and often subs on other shifts and in other departments, when asked. Fran is also very active in her church, serving as the church treasurer.

Congratulations, Fran, from the entire community for a job well done! It’s an honor to have you among us!

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 21

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STORY BY SHERRI ROBINSON PHOTOS BY SHERRI ROBINSON

TILE BARN GRAND OPENING

SAME GREAT BUSINESS, GREAT NEW LOCATION The Tile Barn Carpet and Interiors can offer you just about anything your heart desires to turn your home into your castle. They not only have a fabulous selection of flooring and accessories, but are doing it in a beautiful new showroom at 1103 Goldfinch Dr., off Thonotosassa Road. To celebrate, owners Hiram Oyola and Pam Brewster, and their staff wanted to share the opening of their new showroom with Plant City by having an Open House on Friday October 22nd. The fun began at 5:30p. m. It was a Thank You party for all their customers and an invitation to Plant City to come out and enjoy an evening of food, beverage, and dancing. The evening became a time of seeing

friends, networking, and coming up with new decorating ideas.

I met a lot of great people, like Operations Manager, Kevin Mackenzie and David Wilkins, Account Executive of Florida Talks 1570 WTWB-AM radio station. I enjoyed talking with them and finding out all about radio life. Some browsed while eating the food that was provided

by Outback Steakhouse and Catering by Millers Cafe. The rest of us gathered in the warehouse for more fun. “The Strawberry Express Cloggers” and the band “1800” provided the entertainment.

I enjoyed both immensely.

There were also drawings for a table full of decorating items such

as lamps, picture frames, and lovely display dishes. If you missed the Open House you missed a fun evening.

I realized Luis Ramos, Bill Stitz, Cindy Wingate, Hiram Oyola, Pam Brewster, Sharon Maron, & Jeremy Patrick that there’s one thing that sets the Tile Barn is why Tile Barn is going to be apart from any other flooring stores, around for a long time. Everyone and that’s the service. Here is an works together as a team to make example of what I’m talking about. sure the customer is taken care of.

I made a return trip to Tile Barn If you haven’t had a chance to visit to take another picture and saw a them yet, they would love for you customer come in with a piece of to stop by or call (813) 719-2245. tile she needed matched. The entire Store hours are: Monday – Friday, staff was at her service and found 8:30a.m - 5p.m., Saturday - 8:30a. her flooring that matched as closely m. - 3p.m., closed Sunday. as possible, within 5 minutes. That

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2001 Clubhouse Drive • 752-1 171 752-1171 FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 22

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STORY BY BRIAN WEST PHOTOS BY BRIAN WEST

PLANT CITY CIVITANS CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF SERVICE CELEBRATORY DINNER TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 20TH the first President.

November 16, 2004, will mark 50 years of service for the Plant City Civitan Club. The Ybor City Civitan Club sponsored our Plant City club with 43 charter members.

On that evening, Otis M. Andrews, acting Mayor, welcomed the club and Dean H. Byrd was inducted as

Civitans was started in Birmingham, Alabama on March 17, 1917. The club’s purpose was not unlike other service organizations, to contribute collectively to improve the community. Some of the charter members, largely business and professional men (women would later take an active role), included the likes of Paul B. Causey, Dr. J. Frank Chambers Jr., Dr. John B. Ellis, Dr. A. J. Peacock, and William E. Wilder.

Most of you may be familiar with the Civitans through their food booth at the Florida Strawberry Festival, which is their largest fundraiser of the year. The booth is located underneath the stadium seating used for the live entertainment. Since their inception, the Plant City Civitans have become involved in supporting many different projects in our community, such as the Florida Baptist Children’s Home, the Strawberry Festival Youth Parade, and the Mentally and Physically challenged classes at J. S. Robinson Elementary, to name a few. The club is also involved in supporting the Civitan International Research Center for Autism Research, Pediatric Constraint Therapy, and Rare Disease Research.

The club will hold a celebratory dinner at Buddy Freddy’s on Saturday, November 20, 2004.

Other service club members are invited to attend.

There are many great service organizations in Plant City to get involved in, and regardless of the organization, there is always plenty of work to be done. Our local Civitan club meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:00am at the Park-Side Café located at 101 East J. Arden Mays Blvd., in Plant City. If you’re interested in joining a worthwhile organization that serves the community, please contact Pat Pogue, President, at 813754-4680.

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 23

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STORY BY SHERRI ROBINSON PHOTOS BY SHERRI ROBINSON

JAMMIN’ TO THE SOUNDS OF BLUEGRASS CENTRAL FLORIDA BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION HOSTS THEIR “FALL INTO BLUEGRASS OCTOBER JAM”

The love of Bluegrass music

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is growing by leaps and bounds here in Florida. It is full of culture and talent, and has become one the most interesting and enjoyable forms of music in this area. I have heard many people remark how it was a foundation in their formative music listening years. Many people found that after childhood they grew apart from it for awhile, but as an adult they have gravitated back towards their musical roots, whether it is by spending time listening or participating in events.

We have the Central Florida Bluegrass Association to thank for that. They are creating an interest in musicians and enthusiasts alike to get back to their roots through Bluegrass music. One way they do that is by holding Bluegrass Jams.

The most recent event was the “Fall Into Bluegrass October Jam” open to the public on Saturday October 23rd, which began at 4p.m. and lasted until 8p.m., on the beautiful and rustic Lanier property.

Central Florida Bluegrass Association is one group of extremely talented people of all

ages. Impromptu groups formed everywhere and all had a chance to play with as many groups as they wanted. The event reminded me of a pick up game of basketball, except it was groups of musicians.

I enjoyed moving from group to group and listening to the different combinations of instruments and voices. Everyone sounded as though they had been together forever.

The evening was topped off with a drawing for a beautiful Oscar Smivt guitar donated by Dove’s Music. The lucky winner was Carl Wade. Congratulations!

The Central Florida Bluegrass Association is always looking for new people to join them, whether you play or just listen. Joining gives you access to all of their jam sessions, cookouts, concerts, a newsletter full of information, and discounts from local retailers focused on Bluegrass enthusiasts.

For more information you can contact the organization at: CFBA, P.O. Box 473, Plant City, Florida, 33564, or email them at info@cfbluegrass.com, or visit their website at www.cfbluegrass.com

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STORY BY SHERRI ROBINSON PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAROL RODRIGUEZ

WALKING TO FIGHT MS 4TH ANNUAL MS WALK Saturday, November 6th, marks the fourth anniversary of the Plant City MS Walk held at Plant City High School. Registration started at 8 a.m. and the walk began at 9:30 a.m. Approximately two hundred fifty people took part in this year’s event. This is my second year of covering the walk and the one thing I have been most impressed with is the large number of young people who are involved. They are both walking and volunteering their time to help make this a successful event.

Many of the students from the Plant City High School clubs, and young people from the Plant City Church of God, and St. Clements Catholic Church, all pitched in to do everything from setting up

tables to helping at the food table.

Organizer, Carol Rodriguez, said she could not have done it without all the help from both the youth and adult volunteers. The logistics committee consisted of Jim & Earla Turcich, and what a great job they did! Carol has more than just an interest in helping others. Her son, Anthony, was diagnosed with MS 4 years ago. Though it is necessary for Anthony to take medication daily, I am happy to report that he is doing great.

While at the walk I met a very special young lady. Victoria Stropagel was generously sharing part of her sixth birthday by walking to help raise money. She told me this is her 4th year walking and she was raising $610.00!

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With kids like this, who, at such a young age, are already making a difference, the future of Plant City is bright.

This was not just all serious walking. There were a lot of fun events, like the magic show that was put on my Dr. John Aime, lots of raffles, auction items, and a Karate demonstration by Chris Welbon. There was lots of food, McGruff, the police dog, was there, and, of course, the fun highlight of the day was the dunk tank. Four very brave teachers from Plant City High School and four from Tomlin Middle School volunteered their time and dignity on a very cool morning to be dunked for a good cause. Holly Turcich and Gabriella Aime worked so hard collecting

donations with their little wagon of lollipops with wrappers that read “Kids Helping Lick MS”.

The South Florida Baptist Hospital Wellness Van took blood pressure readings and Hill-Rom displayed the “Vest” machine that helps patients of MS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and many other pulmonary diseases breathe a little easier.

Most of us who are not directly affected by MS tend to forget, or may not be well informed on how debilitating MS can be. Just getting out of bed everyday can be more than a challenge for those afflicted by this devastating disease. There is no cure as of yet, but raising money for research helps. Carol wants people to know that MS is not a contagious disease.

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You can’t get it by talking to or touching someone who has it. She hopes that by having the “MS Walks” that it will help to make the public more aware and more informed about MS.

The walk this year raised around $9,000, when all the money comes in over the next week. The Rotary Club was the “company” raising the most money. She hopes to raise a total of $10,000 by years’ end.

All monies go to fund research.

This disease is affecting people in our own community, so helping MS is helping your community. If you are interested in donating, you can contact Carol Rodriguez at

757-6234. You can also make out a check payable to the National MS Society and send it to: National MS Society, 4002 Concorde Way, Plant City, Florida, 33566.

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 27

LOCAL

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STORY BY SOPHIA DEDON PHOTOS BY SOPHIA DEDON

MISSION POSSIBLE: HAITI 2004 MISSION TEAM SURPASSES DOUBT AND GOES TO HAITI

Despite the doubts surrounding them from friends and family, a team of nine Plant City citizens went to Haiti from October 16th23rd. Nicole Adams, Michael Bugg, Sophia Dedon, Kelley Freeman, Melanie Jones, Anita McDonald, Will Oliff, Todd Smith, and John Willis enjoyed the experience of a lifetime. I, Sophia, can personally testify to the amazing adventure and miraculous experience that none of us will ever forget. It was obvious that God hand picked every individual to come. We climbed mountains, worshipped in a foreign language, led an entire village to Christ, provided an orphanage with a well, lived a day in the life of a Haitian woman, started a woman’s bible study, laid hands, witnessed healing miracles, prayed endlessly, stood in awe of God’s beauty and fell in love with the Lord all over again.

It cannot be refuted that we had an extremely well rounded mission trip.

I wish I had the opportunity to share with you all the details, but it would be impossible to cram a week full of events into one story. Thus, I’ll have to just hit the highlights. I think the team would agree that the most

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 28

The team of nine left for Haiti on Saturday, October 23rd, 2004 from the Tampa International Airport.

No Haitian commoners have kitchens so they make up for it by cooking outside or in shacks.

humbling day of all was when we visited the village of Rouso (pronounced Woo-so). We climbed a treacherous mountain in 100 degree weather up to the village. Anita had to ride a donkey because her knees are not good, but the fact that a cancer survivor made it to the top of a mountain is a victory in itself. Waiting at the top of the mountain was an entire village that was laying eyes on

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white men for only the second time in their history. We brought them 250 pounds of rice, and 100 pounds of beans, and many gifts. Come to find out, the village had never heard of Jesus before and practiced voodoo. After telling them about the Gospel of Jesus, the entire village accepted Christ as their savior! When I say entire, I mean that they all prayed out loud in unison, together, to God. We could all feel the presence of God. Our hearts went out to them as we witnessed their living conditions.

If they actually had clothes on, they were old and torn. They lived in mud huts and if a heavy storm comes through their village, it will be wiped out.

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On Wednesday, they climbed a mountain to a primitive village, Rouso, and brought 250 pounds of rice, 100 pounds of beans, hundreds of gifts, and the message of Jesus Christ

a pure heart and believe, it can happen. One morning, Mike woke up with a head ache that kept him up all night, even causing him to vomit. He could not open his eyes because it hurt, he could not close them because it hurt. He said he had never felt this pain before. The team laid hands on him and prayed that God would heal him and instantly the pain disappeared.

The women decided to trade places and become a servant to the housekeeper of the compound. We carried 5 gallon buckets of water on our head, washed clothes in pots, and shopped in the Haitian market.

We had no energy left, only half way into the day. I have no idea

how these women do it. Not to mention, the men do nothing except sit and watch. The women are so unappreciated. They do all the work, but are treated like filthy rags. We had the opportunity to minister to them and show them how vital they are to the kingdom of God. Day after day God presented us with so many opportunities to minister to the people of Haiti. The life lessons and experiences we carried away are priceless. I, for one, would have to say that this was the best week in my 18 years of experiences. On behalf of the team, I know that we all grew so much, would never trade those moments for anything, and thank God for the opportunity.

��������������� ������������������ ������������ ������������������� ������������� Doctors of chiropractic analyze your spine to locate vertebral subluxations (misalignments), a serious condition that causes spinal distortions and interferes with your nervous system function.

Over a hundred years of chiropractic and osteopathic observations have demonstrated to many patients that spinal care improves immune function. The exact mechanism of how the spine and the nervous system affect the immune system is one of the hottest areas of scientific inquiry. This new field is called Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). Keeping your spine healthy under chiropractic care is one of the best ways of keeping your immune system functioning at its optimum level so you have a better opportunity to be healthy and whole.

Take preventative actions to build your immune system. Remember there is a lot of controversy to what is in vaccines and potential effects to the body.

Many have wondered why such a rush to get a flu vaccine. Many feel it is a “scarcity mentality” like rushing to the store when a hurricane is approaching or a rush to the banks during a stock market crash. As David Ropeik, Director of Risk Communication at the Harvard School of Public says it is “that sense of being out of control is scary.”

So remember the chiropractic advice given at the top of the article to help give you a healthy piece of mind and some motherly advice: wash your hands frequently, and if you do get sick, stay home, drink hot soup, and keep up with your chiropractic adjustments.

SPECIAL NOTE: At this special time called Thanksgiving we would like to say Thanks to our many wonderful patients, family and friends. God Bless you, Dr. Dukes & Staff

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 29

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The question she began with was “What does life mean to you?” It was such an encouragement to hear her talk about her journey to God and how her faith has brought her through the tough times in life. It has been a long road, but today she says she has found new meaning and purpose in life.

Discussing the agenda and enjoying lunch

It’s almost holiday time again. That means it’s time to get serious about shopping. The difficult thing is thinking about how much money you are going to spend. What if you knew the money you spend was going to a good cause? Wouldn’t that make you feel great? That’s what the Christian Women’s Club of Plant City was thinking when they held their Fabulous Fall Fair Luncheon at the Walden Lake Country Club on Tuesday, November 2nd.

At 10:30 a.m., the ladies began their shopping at the country store. There were all kinds of handmade gifts and goodies that would delight even the most discriminating shopper.

At 11:30 a.m., the luncheon began with a welcome and prayer

by Chairman, Diane Kennedy.

Program Coordinator, Patricia Rogers introduced special singer, Stephanie Shuff, who blessed us with two songs. The guest speaker was Belva Crooks, who had quite an inspiring story to tell about her family and her life in business.

Though the luncheon was concluded, the reason for meeting will continue. A portion of the monies raised will go to help support Stonecroft Ministries, a ministry that helps financially struggling pastors and churches to keep their doors open. The Christian Women’s Club is a warm and wonderful group of ladies who are “reaching the unreachable to bring them within reach.” There is no charge to become a member and they meet monthly at the Walden Lake Country Club. They want to invite anyone of any denomination, or of no church affiliation, to attend their meetings and/or come to a Friendship Bible Coffee. For more information on the Plant City Christian Women’s Club, please call Diane Kennedy at 813-659-3487.

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 31

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INTERIORS by “Pamela” FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 32

The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and with it a time of year that most of us look forward to. It is a time to spend with family and friends, and to enjoy good food and fellowship.

But, for many folks in our area who are in need, the holidays are a very difficult time. There are people in the community who have a hard time providing for themselves and their families day-in and day-out.

They certainly may not have the means or the ability to put on a big, festive holiday spread. Many times we don’t know how to help these folks – but here are a couple of ways we can.

United Food Bank One of the main resources in Plant City for feeding those truly in need is the United Food Bank.

The food bank is a United Way affiliated agency, and everything donated to the organization stays in our local area. Although their services are provided throughout the year, the need is especially great during the holiday season, and the food bank tries to make sure that everyone who is referred to them gets everything they need to prepare a nice holiday meal. Providing assistance only by referral, the organization takes referrals from all local human service agencies: churches, police, fire, Neighborhood Service Center, Department of Children and Families, schools, Hospice, and more. In the five years the United Food Bank has been in existence, they have helped over 30,000

individuals, with nearly a million pounds of food.

Donations of food or money can be made in person to the food bank office on Alsobrook Street, and the agency is always in need of volunteers to help sort and separate food donations as they come in.

If you would like to donate food or money, and ensure that it is earmarked specifically for holiday use, just make a notation on the check or attach a note to the bag of donated items. If you want to make a donation, but do not have a lot of time, many local grocery stores pre-package bags of food items for purchase. These packages are then sent to local charities. The Kash N Karry on Alexander Street and the Publix on Jim Redman Parkway have historically sent all of the bags purchased there to the United Food Bank.

The agency also takes donations of toys and gifts for children and teens for the holidays. For more information on making a donation or volunteering, call the United Food Bank at 813-764-0625.

Churches Most local churches have a food pantry program. Through these programs, non-perishable food items are donated to the church, which then distributes them to those in need in their local area. Call your church, or one in the area, for information on their food pantry program.

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STORY BY JEFF NEELY PHOTOS BY JEFF NEELY

TASTE OF PLANT CITY – A DELICIOUS WAY TO DO GOOD PROCEEDS HELP THE UNITED FOOD BANK FEED THE HUNGRY

Cameron, Barbara and Ivy Angel enjoy tasting Plant City.

For the seventh year in a row, a group of socially minded individuals in Plant City has found a way to bring our community together with generous helpings for everyone. The United Food Bank of Plant City hosted its annual Taste of Plant City extravaganza Saturday, Oct. 9.

The event was a scrumptious sampling of local cuisine from numerous area vendors, and best of all the proceeds went to a good cause.

The United Food Bank has been open in Plant City for five years.

In that time they have helped more than 28,000 individuals in need by providing them food and other basic living necessities. Linda Lawson, executive director of the organization, began the Taste of Plant City benefit two years prior to the opening of the food bank, and success has continued to grow ever since. “Every day in Plant City there are hundreds of people hungry,” said Lawson. “If we’re not there for them, where are they going to go?”

The Taste of Plant City fundraiser

provided an opportunity for all members of Plant City to band together to help solve the problem of hunger in the community. Many local businesses helped sponsor the event with financial support, and close to 40 area restaurants came out this year to donate samplings of their food for a smorgasbord of flavor. As people arrived to the downtown train depot, they could purchase an all-you-can-eat ticket for $12 for adults and $6 for children. With that ticket, guests could get their fill on everything from she-crab soup to carrot soufflé to nachos to pizza. All of the proceeds went to support the United Food Bank. The event took place in conjunction with the monthly downtown antique street fair. “It’s a nice complement,” said Lawson. “They draw people for us and we draw people for them.”

Kelly Thomas, a volunteer with the United Food Bank, was responsible this year for contacting all the restaurants involved.

“We’ve had some really good participation,” Thomas said.

“Everything just came together.”

Thomas said that not only does the event benefit the food bank

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 34

Solo artist Bob Prong was one of the acts entertaining the hungry crowd.

and the hungry in Plant City, but it also benefits the vendors who participate. “A lot of people don’t know about the restaurants [in Plant City],” Thomas said. “It’s a good way to get people informed.” Andy and Deborah Stone, owners of Domino’s Pizza recently moved to Plant City from Arkansas. “We’re a new family business,” said Andy Stone. “We wanted to help out and get involved. It’s a good cause.”

Many other community members also volunteered to help serve the food. Kerry McIntire, an employee of International Paper, pitched in and brought co-workers along as well. “I said, ‘Staff, I know you like free food. How do you feel about volunteering three hours of your time?’” said McIntire. Last year the Taste of Plant City raised over $9,000 dollars in proceeds to

help the hungry. This year Lawson reported that they had raised nearly $9,000 in business sponsorships alone. The United Food Bank continues to take donations year round for people who want to donate toward the cause. Clients of the food bank are served solely on a referral basis, so the agency is assured that the people who come in are truly people in need.

Grace Evans is a star volunteer at the United Food Bank. She is 86 years old and has volunteered at the food bank since it opened five years ago. If the food bank is open, Evans is there. Evans heard about the food bank through her daughter-in-law and thought it would be a rewarding way to give back to the community. “It gives you a good feeling knowing you’re helping people,” Evans said.

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 35

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STORY BY SHERRI ROBINSON PHOTOS BY SHERRI ROBINSON

HCC-PLANT CITY CAMPUS HOLDS ITS 1ST ANNUAL STUDENT ART EXHIBIT

Dewayne Hobdy

For the past few months we have included this section, which introduces you to an artist in the Plant City area. This month we have something a little

exhibit, even though it was taking a risk for her, because most people didn’t know of her talent. Marcos Roman is a Graphics Arts major and hopes to work for a magazine or own his own business one day. This is his second art show.

His first show was at the 30th Annual Juried Student Art Show in Ybor City. Dewayne Hobdy is a talented portrait artist. He has been drawing since he was very young, but became a commission artist at the age of 15. Melanie Givens is a Graphics Arts Major.

Her work is an example of the influence of Raphael and Dagos.

I spoke with Michelle Lambert Monteleon, LRC Coordinator and student art exhibit organizer about the event and future events. She hopes to have a Faculty and Staff Art Exhibit in the spring and make the Student Art Exhibit an annual event.

Annual Student Art Exhibit in the campus library from October 25th - December 1st. I attended the “Meet the Artist” event on Tuesday October 26th at 11a.m. I arrived even before most of the artists and had the opportunity to admire their work and try to get an idea of what message they were trying to project, as well as who they were. My contemplation time was short lived as the library began to fill with art enthusiasts. I tried to blend into the background for just a little while to get a feel for the reaction of the onlookers and see the pieces as they did. I was in awe of the talent. different. We are introducing you to four very talented students from The Plant City Campus of Hillsborough Community College. The school held its First

The first artist, Heather Sims, is a Nursing major who had only ever taken a Drawing 1 art class in high school, but has been drawing for 5 years. She entered the art

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 36

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 37

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STORY & PHOTOS BY JEFF NEELY

I’M GLAD I LIVED

ERNEST HOLBROOK’S RECENTLY RELEASED AUTOBIOGRAPHY

He is a man with a million stories, and at the age of 75, Ernest Holbrook is able to say what we all aspire for. I’m Glad I Lived is the title of Holbrook’s recently released autobiography, and it is filled with amusing and touching anecdotes from his past. But the semi-retired pastor says the most impacting part of his life has been his continuing relationship with God. “I figured if I was going to put it all together I needed to include my experience with the Lord,” says Holbrook.

As a teenager, Holbrook was involved with a country-western music group called the Florida

Strawberry Pickers that played at various high schools and civic club meetings around the area. At the age of 18, Holbrook says he felt the call of God to go into the ministry.

“Church was a stronger impact,” says Holbrook. “And eventually the church won first place.” After four years as an evangelist, Holbrook became a pastor and served at four different churches before serious heart trouble required him to retire from active pastoring in 1993. He continues to perform weddings and funerals. In his career, he has performed 305 weddings and 495 funerals.

Growing up during the Depression years, Holbrook knows the importance of hard work and a caring family. As a child, Holbrook’s family worked as truck farmers in the rural parts of eastern Hillsborough and Polk counties. “I was shaped country,” says Holbrook. “You can call me a country boy all the way.” In search of work, the family constantly traveled from one farm to another.

Holbrook’s grandfather, J.J. Holbrook, founded Mt. Zion Assembly of God in Plant City.

This would be the first church where Ernest began his career as

a pastor. Holbrook would go on later to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps again when he founded the Faith Temple Assembly of God in Plant City, near County Line Road. Holbrook and his wife, Junell, 73, have three daughters: Sandra, Sharon and Phyllis, eight grandchildren, and one recently arrived great-grandchild.

Now, Holbrook serves on the board of the Radio Training Network, an interdenominational Christian radio network that operates 15 major radio stations across the southeastern United States. The network even operates a station as far west as Springfield, Mo, and is developing a new station in Dothan, Ala. Locally, the network broadcasts Joy FM out of Sarasota.

When he has some spare time, Holbrook still enjoys singing and playing guitar, as well as fishing and playing golf.

Being able to look back on how things have changed throughout his lifetime, Holbrook says things used to be more laid back and relaxed. “Today it’s fast paced,” says Holbrook. “It’s just a different world and it can make you or break you.” He says teenagers in today’s world have a lot of pressures

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that he didn’t have growing up, particularly from the television and the Internet. Coupled with this pressure is a society where broken homes are common, which Holbrook says tends to leave people frustrated. Still, he recognizes that despite the difficulties, things are not meant to stay the same.

“Change is constant,” Holbrook says.

I’m Glad I Lived is a fun read of stories of change throughout Holbrook’s life. Beginning with a humorous account of the first date with his wife, Holbrook threads his tale through various experiences relating to friends, family, history, music, ministry and God. The book also includes a foreword by Terry Raburn, a friend of Holbrook and the superintendent of the Peninsular Florida District Council of the Assemblies of God. The book has been published by AuthorHouse and can be purchased by going to www.authorhouse.com or by calling 888-280-7715. You can purchase the book in electronic format for $5.95, or it is available in paperback for $17.50. Holbrook has just completed his second book; a work of fiction called The Country Parson and should be released within a year.

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 39

40

40 RESTORATION, RENOVATION, NEW BUSINESSES AND ACTIVITIES ARE REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN

When was the last time you traveled to Lakeland, Brandon, or even Tampa, for weekend entertainment like dinner and a movie? For many, this is the routine; rush home from work, change clothes, rush out the door and drive 20 minutes or more to another town to wait in line for dinner, likely 30 minutes or even longer, all the while hoping to get in and out quick enough to make it to an early movie, all so you can get back home at a decent hour. Sound familiar?

Last year, the Plant City Chamber of Commerce began a campaign called “Buy Plant City.” The idea was to promote the businesses here in Plant City. Many people don’t realize all the things our home town has to offer, especially in the downtown area. In recent years Plant City’s historic downtown has seen a dramatic change; the restoration of many of the historic buildings, new businesses and residents moving to the area, and activities promoted by the Plant City Chamber of Commerce that are helping to sustain the area.

Plant City’s downtown area encompasses about 20 square blocks, including parking. And despite what you may have heard, there is plenty of parking. The first thing you notice about our downtown area, and one of the great things to be proud of, are

the historic buildings, buildings that have seen years of change to the downtown landscape and are a large part of the history of the city.

Fortunately for the area and all of us, there have been many recent efforts to rebuild and/or restore the buildings, and bring new life to the area. Most will agree those efforts have been very successful.

Much of the renovation of the old buildings is attributed to David Hawthorne and his wife, Vicki. Hawthorne grew up in Plant City as a farm boy, but left in pursuit of a business career.

Then in 1996, after much success, he decided it was time to return to his hometown. He began purchasing the old buildings and renovating them. The first was the building that is now occupied by Hicks Furniture on the corner of

MLK and Collins Streets. Others soon followed; the old pawn shop downtown was renovated, including the addition of 6 apartments upstairs.

Hawthorne said, “The apartments are doing better than we thought.

They stay full. When one becomes vacant, it doesn’t last more than a week or so.” The Hawthorne’s also renovated the site currently occupied by Plant City Community Bingo, Park Avenue (the restaurant), the Miller building on Evers Street and Frenchman’s Market. The Hawthorne’s own the buildings and lease the space.

Hawthorne is very appreciative of Mike Sparkman, Plant City Mayor.

Hawthorne said, “Mike was very supportive of the effort to renovate the buildings. Anything we needed, Mike was there to help.”

The centerpiece of downtown is McCall Park. Several years ago the park received a complete makeover and then some expansion after the old Growers building was raised. The Growers building was located immediately west, across Collins Street, from the original McCall Park. Once the building was raised, the city went to work constructing an addition to the park. The city even rebuilt the short section of Drane Street with the same antique bricks, and made it one way in the process.

One addition to the landscape is the new City Hall building with an enlarged parking lot. It is a beautiful 3-story building whose architecture complements the historic look of downtown.

More recently, the First United

Methodist Church purchased the old Hillsboro Bank building and completed the renovation in the past several months. The new building is called the Wesley Center Heritage Hall.

working on the project removed years of old paint from the exterior to reveal the original yellow bricks.

As for the businesses, there is a broad range represented: from a coffee shop to an Italian restaurant,

is a must for any first time visitor to the area. The food is great and the service is personable. As soon as you enter the restaurant, you feel welcome and comfortable.

The Whistle Stop Café is owned and operated by Jerry and Marti

Princeton Construction recently completed the last piece of the project. A covered walkway was added that joins the south side of the church with the west side of the Wesley center. The walkway is broken by Mahoney Street, which also received a makeover for the project. The street was redesigned with a slight curve, providing some character, while helping to cut down on speeding. If you drove through the area in October, you probably noticed the new grass area next to the walkway being used to sell pumpkins for Halloween and fall decorations.

Another great place to visit is Berry Patch Kids. It is located on the southwest corner of Collins Street and MLK Blvd.

Berry Patch Kids is a children’s boutique with everything from formal dresses to jumpers for young children. Dee Dee Coile is the owner and operator and she has been in business for several years now. I asked Dee Dee how the location was working for her and she said, “Great! This location is better for me than my old location on Reynolds Street, because I get traffic going in both directions. Reynolds Street is only one-way and I found there was a lot of truck traffic through town.” Dee Dee uses post cards to communicate with her regular customers and said they come from as far away as Winter Haven and St. Petersburg.

In addition to these recent completions, at least three buildings are currently undergoing renovation: the old Magnolia Pharmacy building, the old State Theatre building, and the old A&N Furniture building. Steve Sparkman and E.C. Watkins, both practicing attorneys and local residents, purchased the old Magnolia Pharmacy building a couple of years ago. They are currently renovating the building for their offices and possible rental space. The project has been held up for quite a while, but they hope to get started again in the next few months.

Contractors have been working on the old State Theatre building for several months and were recently spotted working on the building’s marquee. Once completed, this should be a nice addition to the downtown area. The building faces McCall Park, the setting of the Saturday night car and bike shows each month. Additionally, the renovation will help join walking traffic to busy Collins Street and the antiques shops on Evers Street. The old A&N Furniture building is currently receiving its makeover and is slated for office space. In the past several weeks, the contractor

Bush. There are also some very unique items, like a Plant City Cigars cigar box Jerry said he found upstairs when they were renovating the space. Now, there’s a mystery. I can’t find anyone who knows anything about Plant City Cigars. If you know something about the cigar box, I’d really like to hear from you. There is also a train that runs around the room a few feet below the ceiling, complete with a whistle, of course. If you visit, I highly recommend the smoked turkey sandwich, with grated mozzarella cheese. It’s wonderful. Top it off with a Cherry Smash, a cherry drink for only 5 cents. Another unique treat for diners is live piano music.

a children’s boutique and women’s boutique, antique shops to motorcycle shops and the Paso Fino Horse Association office to law offices.

One of the more popular stops in the downtown area is the Whistle Stop Café. The café is a soup, salad and sandwich shop located at 102 South Collins Street. This

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 42

Lofstrom. You’ll know who they are as soon as you arrive. Marti, a cancer survivor, often greets customers with a hug while Jerry mills around the restaurant, talking about everything from the food to politics.

The restaurant is filled with pictures of their family, including a picture with Governor Jeb

I actually have a funny story about my first visit to the store. I was driving east, down MLK one evening, on my way home from Grandpa Johnson’s Bar-B-Q. I stopped for the red light at Collins and MLK. I looked to my right, and through the large display window I spotted a lavender Easter dress and thought to myself, that’s the dress Elizabeth [my daughter] can wear for her first Easter this year. A couple of days later I visited the store to purchase the dress.

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While Dee Dee was ringing me up, I commented on how many nice things she has in the store and that I hoped the business does well. Then I asked how long she’d been open, thinking it could only be a few months, at most, because I hadn’t noticed the place before.

Dee Dee responded that she had been in this location for 3 years and that she was at the other end of the downtown area for about 3 years.

Then, referring to my new daughter, she added, “That’s okay. You never had a reason to notice us before.”

She’s remembered me ever since.

Sisters & Company, a Brighton store, carries “accessories & necessities for your home and wardrobe.” It’s a women’s boutique with clothing and accessories. They also carry the artwork of one of Plant City’s own, Jules Burt. I even found some refrigerator magnets with the artwork. Cathy Davenport is the owner and operator of the store. Cathy loves the location and

the ambiance of the space. Sister’s & Company is located in the Lee building at the west end facing Reynolds Street.

John Zilba, Plant City Community Bingo owner and manager, loves the downtown location. Zilba said, “My clientele want a safe environment, something familiar and well lit. Downtown provides that for them.” Plant City Community Bingo is only open Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I asked Zilba why they aren’t open for bingo on Saturday’s when the crowds are here for the car and bike shows. Zilba said, “We don’t want to compete with the veteran facilities like American Legion. That’s a day they play bingo. A large portion of their business involves working with charitable organizations. If your organization would like to do something different for a fundraiser, you might want to consider bingo, just contact Zilba.

A couple of newer businesses to the downtown area are Flowers from the Heart and Candy Bouquet. Flowers from the Heart has only been around for about 2 months, but the buzz around town is that their prices are competitive and the quality of their flowers is just as good as the other flower shops in town. The store is located in the space formerly occupied by Sweetie Pies. Although Sweetie Pies isn’t located downtown anymore, I understand they are still doing business. Just give them a call first.

Candy Bouquet has been in business for several years but just moved to the downtown area.

Carmon Matos is the owner and operator of the business. Matos was born and raised in New York City, but said it was time for a change. So Matos and her family moved to the Tampa area several years ago then decided to go on a drive one afternoon and discovered Plant City. Matos has been involved in several fundraising efforts for the town and encourages others to do the same. The downtown location has been good for her business.

Matos said, “I get a lot of business from the people who come into town, especially during Bike Fest.

Everyone is very friendly. People gather outside the shop and come in the store to buy things.”

This restoration, combined with the new businesses and a push by the Chamber of Commerce to draw events to the area, has helped breathe new life into the downtown area. Several years ago, the Chamber began quietly setting up events that have not only helped to maintain the businesses, but they’ve also brought Plant City recognition for something other than strawberries; the Antique Car Show and Bike Fest, the first and third Saturday of each month, respectively.

The Antique Car Show draws hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people to the downtown area the first Saturday of every month.

People come from all over the state, and sometimes farther to participate in the show, or

just to visit. The show features automobiles mostly from the 50’s and 60’s. We visited the car show just a few weeks ago and found it made for a relaxing evening. Most everyone walks around the cars, dreaming of driving or owning them. Some look and remember times with their own cars from years ago. Still others stop and ask questions of the owners about the restoration of the car and its performance. Some of the cars I’ve seen at the show include a 1968 Ford Mustang GT500, a 1968 Ford Shelby Cobra, a 1959 Chevrolet Corvette and even some old VW vans.

Bike Fest just celebrated its second anniversary a few weeks ago. To cap off the celebration, the Chamber of Commerce held a raffle for a 2004 Harley Davidson Fat Boy. And one of our very own, Pam Warnock, Vice President, Hillsboro Bank, won the bike.

This year’s Bike Fest drew an estimated 15,000 bikes and 25,000 people into the downtown area.

Can you imagine the impact that has each year?

The next step may be to figure out how to attract people to the downtown area after regular business hours. Davenport and Matos both said they thought a bookstore would be a great addition to the downtown area.

Cathy said, “I’d like to see a bookstore. We don’t have a bookstore in town.” Matos said, “I think a bookstore would be a great place to have downtown. Some place where people could go after business hours to hang out and unwind in a quiet surrounding.

Maybe something with a coffee shop.” Hawthorne believes we should focus efforts on the restoration of the residential areas around the downtown area.

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So, instead of traveling out of town every weekend for entertainment like dinner and a movie, rediscover downtown Plant City. You might just find that time spent here will provide some truly relaxing moments for you and your family and you can still make it home at a decent hour without all the rushing around.

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 48

A Report on David Sollenberger-Plant City Manager

“For decades cities in search of a more perfect instrument of government have turned to the City Manager plan” …. Don K. Price & Harold A Stone—1940

Story and Photos by Ken Lawrence-Senior Writer

Municipal government in America has had an unsavory past, going back to the 1800’s. It had been used by successive political parties and individuals to keep themselves in power and they often used public funds for their own purposes. In 1913, the City of Dayton, Ohio (the hometown of our featured person in this article) adopted what is now commonly used in most cities in the USA and Canada, the City Manager concept. The basic idea is that the elected officials set policy, and turn-over the day-to-day operations of city hall to a highly experienced nonelected person, called The City Manager.

Since 2002 when the former City Manager Phil Waldron left, the affairs of city hall have been in the hands David Sollenberger, a man with a resume as long as that proverbial arm. His last place of employment was in Sarasota for 14 years, where he oversaw the redevelopment of downtown, especially a new Ritz Carlton Hotel, and awards galore, including Money Magazine’s “Best Small City in America” in 2000 and 2001.

More importantly, Sollenberger controlled spending so well that just about every place he worked saw their municipal bond ratings improve. That enables a government to borrow money at a greatly reduced rate of interest.

David Sollenberger had similar success in Winona, Minnesota, plus Watsonville and Vallejo in California. Having reported on municipal politics since 1965, your writer saw more city managers come and go in municipalities, where the politicians blamed them for whatever issues the public did not like. Just look at Hillsborough County and its succession of managers over the years.

David Sollenberger had actually joined the ranks of the thousands of retirees living in Florida, when he got the

call about a vacancy in Plant City. Other than having visited the area occasionally, such as the Strawberry Festival, Sollenberger was not all that familiar with Plant City. You cannot say that now. He knows this community better than many locally born people.

“There are a lot of great people in this community”, he says

health insurance costs and was fortunate to locate a company that will provide coverage for the city’s 425 employees, with a 4-5% increase over the next year, well below double digit increases nationally. “Health insurance is such a volatile market, with so many new drugs on the market”, says Sollenberger.

Originally, this was to have been a temporary job until a countrywide search for a City Manager was completed. When city commissioners looked at all the applications, they quickly realized that the person they required was “right under their noses”. David Sollenberger is now as entrenched in Plant City as one could be, also living in Walden Lake with his wife, Alise, and their beautiful boxer dog, Riley.

Another money-saving program that has been adopted is the standardization of vehicle specifications, so that the city can purchase vehicles best suited for the job at the best prices. In addition, he plans to establish a “vehicle replacement fund”, something like a piggy bank to put aside money each year for new vehicles, something that was not done in the past.

The Sollenberger View of Plant City The City Manager works on the premise that elected officials are responsible to the community and he is responsible to the mayor and commissioners for the day-to-day operations of the city. “It’s my obligation to keep them informed, especially if a problem arises, and it works very well”, David told FOCUS in an interview at his city hall office. He says a good example of that is how staff kept everyone up to date throughout the four hurricanes that hit Florida this past summer.

“They did a fine job”, he says.

Actually, the work is not yet complete. Some trash from the storms is still being collected and the mess of trees, limbs, branches and other vegetation is being burned by the city, under the watchful eye of the Plant City Fire Department, at a field off Wilder Road.

The city is being assisted by construction company WTS, owned and operated by Kimball Wetherington.

While on the subject of city workers, the City Manager has been concerned about rising

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 50

David Sollenberger is also investigating potential for lower costs in the pension plan for miscellaneous city workers, with the premise being to “get the best deal possible for city workers’ retirement money.”

The number one topic on David Sollenberger’s list of priorities is Growth Management.

There are expectations that the eastern part of Hillsborough County, especially Plant City, will undergo a population explosion over the next decade and David wants to have the city prepared to handle this.

A large annexation program was examined by the Plant City Chamber of Commerce, but when the numbers were checked, it was found to be a very expensive proposition.

What is now being done is voluntary annexation, considered to be a more prudent way to deal with growth. For example, if a former orange grove, or such, is about to be turned into a subdivision and the developers request annexation to the city, the application is studied carefully and if it’s financially feasible, with the developer paying the inherent costs, then

it is approved. The types of dwellings, roadways and watersewer lines are all part of the process.

Speaking of water and sewer services, Plant City’s system was in need of upgrading when David Sollenberger arrived in 2002. The waste water plant off Alexander Street had to be upgraded on orders from the state Department of Environmental Protection. That, plus a need to replace many old clay-pipe sewer lines that were 50 to 60 years old and the city was facing a bill of some $30 million. David Sollenberger proposed a system of sewer impact fees for new developments, plus an increase in existing water and sewer rates. That works out to be a 9% sewer and 3% water yearly fee hike for the next five years, followed by rate increases based on the inflation index.

The Developers are A-Comin’ Pretty soon, new homes are going to be sprouting out of the ground almost as fast as strawberries. Plant City is already starting to be inundated with applications for building permits and we’re not writing about a home here and another home there.

The long awaited Lakeside Station project by Sun Rise Homes of Valrico has been approved by Plant City Commissioners, but that is expected to take upwards of 18 months before the first of some 2800 homes appears on the1370 acre site, east of Park Road. Plans must be finetuned, then roads must be cut, then water, sewer and power lines must be laid, a very time consuming process.

There’s another project at the southwest corner of Trapnell and Drawdy Roads, with some 300 homes proposed on 89 acres. The builder for that community, named Magnolia Green, plans 3 mini-parks.

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Another venture is planned for next door to Magnolia Green, on 59 acres on the southeast corner of Trapnell and Timberlane Roads, just outside the back gate of Walden Lake.

David Sollenberger says the city is working with all serious developers to provide them with the required services. Of course, the builders must pay for such services, including roadways.

Housing projects seem to be coming along very well, but the same cannot be said for commercial development.

Mind you, it has been slow nationwide, but in last month’s FOCUS, Mayor Sparkman expressed disappointment that there was not more commercial and industrial development on the horizon.

The City Manager says there is a proposal for an Office Park on the north side of I-4, on the site of a company that left the area some years ago.

David Sollenberger says the Plant City Chamber of Commerce has been very helpful in trying to recruit businesses to the area, especially ones that will create jobs. One development that has started is at the corner of Charlie Griffin and Jim Redman Parkway, where the Chili’s Restaurant chain is building.

Next door a commercial

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 52

development is planned that will include some 160,000 square feet of retail and office space.

The City Manager says Plant City is prepared to handle all this growth and do it in such a way as it does not wind up looking like another Brandon, with its mish-mash of roadways, homes and businesses. He does not want to see a series of strip malls up and down Jim Redman Parkway (CR39), rather a mix of properly designed businesses and homes. One way to approach this is through a method called Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND), something along the lines of Celebration in Orlando.

Not only is David Sollenberger devoting his attention to growth, but to revitalization of existing neighborhoods, such as the area along Martin Luther King Blvd., just east of Collins Street.

Through federal and state funds, affordable housing will be planned for the numerous vacant lots along MLK East, as well as the refurbishing of existing dwellings.

Plant City Commissioners have certainly made the correct choice when they handed David Sollenberger the keys back in 2002. This man has a plan for Plant City to take us through the early years of the 21st century in a cost effective and efficient manner.

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

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 53

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“This is the first time we have advertised in the Plant City Strawberry Pages, and we couldn’t be happier. We even ran a metered phone line to track or calls, and we are very pleased with the results.

I highly recommend the Strawberry Pages to other area businesses. ” Tracy Fosnow We are starting sales for the 2005 Plant City Stawberry Pages this month.

If you are not currently advertising with us and would like to....

Please call Lisa Thomson.

The 2005 Strawberry Pages Directory will debut at the 2005 Strawberry Festival.

For More Information about advertising in the 2005 Strawberry Pages please contact: Lisa Thomson, Area Sales Manager 800-469-4333 x123

TransWestern Publishing - Office: Winter Haven FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 54

IN BUSINESS NOW FOR OVER 15 YEARS!

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED.

SURPLUS BUILDING MATERIALS, INC.

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Aluminum Carports Screenrooms & Roofovers

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 55

LOCAL

STORY BY PLANT CITY PHOTO ARCHIVES, INC.

BADCOCK FURNITURE CELEBRATES “A CENTURY OF SUCCESS” Personnel Manager. Maida and Billy have been active in civic affairs in Plant City ever since and are members of many organizations, including the Pioneer Group at Plant City Photo Archives, Inc.

In the late 19th century many immigrants traveled to the United States of America looking for a new opportunity for a new life.

One was the Englishman Henry Stanhope Badcock, who sailed to New York in 1889, while in his early twenties. He left New York and headed for Florida, taking in first Jacksonville, then Bushnell, Fort Meade, and Mulberry.

While in Bushnell, Badcock met Hattie Omah Vaughan, whom he wed in Alabama in 1896. The Badcocks bought the general store in Fort Meade, where he worked, and in 1904 moved to Mulberry – which was about to experience the dramatic growth brought about by the discovery of phosphate.

That was the beginning of the Badcock furniture business, now the W. S. Badcock Corporation, and the slogan, “Badcock Will Treat You Right”, became the

guiding principle at that time, and continues to this day.

Interestingly enough, as other furniture store owners and operators did, Henry S. Badcock sold coffins in his store and was a certified “Undertaker”.

Henry and Hattie’s son, Wogan Stanhope Badcock, was born in 1898, graduated from Mulberry High School in 1915, served in the U.S. Army during WWI until 1919, attended the University of Florida; but furniture was in his system and he returned to Mulberry. He bought out his father’s Mulberry store in 1920 for $9,000.

In 1925 Wogan married Evelyn Clark in Mulberry and they had three children, Evelyn Marie, Maida Frances, and Wogan Stanhope, Jr. Wogan, Sr.’s parents,

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 56

Henry and Hattie, moved to Plant City in the late 1920s and lived in a two-story house on Roux Street.

Badcock incorporated in 1926, and continued its growth through the depression years and in the 1930s had five stores, a furniture repair shop, and several small warehouses. In 1937 Badcock entered the mattress business, buying the Polk County Mattress Factory. By 1943 the W.S. Badcock Corporation boasted 15 stores.

Maida Frances Badcock and William Knox Pou were married June 15, 1953. They met while Maida was a second grade teacher in Plant City, and Billy was a lab chemist for the W.R. Grace Phosphate Company. Not long after, Billy joined the Badcock Corporation as Executive Vice President, Safety Director, and

In the 1930s, Badcock changed its mode of operation and branch stores were changed to franchised dealers. Ed Cunningham had the 1st franchise for the Plant City store, then located at the southeast corner of Collins Street and Haines Street (now MLK), and he kept it until his son-in-law, Horace Andrews, took it over in August 1958. It was later moved to South Evers Street and operated by Coleman Davis.

Bill Pou, Jr., son of Maida Badcock Pou and Billy Knox Pou, Sr., joined the Corporation as Executive Vice President of Retail Operations, overseeing the company’s 355 dealers and corporate stores in a number of states. He had served as an Associate Dealer since 1980, owning both the Haines City and Winter Haven North stores in Florida.

We congratulate the Badcock Corporation, and certainly our friends Billy and Maida, for the wonderful milestone, “A Century of Success”.

Resources: A Century of Success.

By Janice Heran. Published by the W.S. Badcock Corporation, 2004.

Plant City Photo Archives, Inc., and Plant City Photo Archives Oral History Project 2004.

Ship Early & Save More F

FedEx/UPS/DHL Shipping

20% OFF until Dec. 5th 10% OFF until Dec. 31st Offer good for one package. Only at Plant City location. $10 Minimum

Ship Early & Save More F

FedEx/UPS/DHL Shipping

$5 OFF Next Day Air until Dec. 23rd.

Offer good for one package. Only at Plant City location. $10 Minimum

2505 Thonotosassa Rd. New Publix Center • 764-9878 Visit during our extended holiday hours • We accept all competition’s coupons

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 57

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WWW.PAYNEAIR.COM FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 58

Lic # CAC 057909

PAYNE AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING, INC. 1048 E. OLEANDER ST., LAKELAND, FL. 33801-2012

Sharon Ours

HOME GUIDE “GOBBLE” UP A NEW HOME!

LET SHARON SHOW YOU HOW! Buying or Selling?

Thanksgiving...a time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for.

Thank You to all my clients who have put their trust in me.

Sharon’s Satisfied Customers “Sharon’s an A-1 realtor in our book!

She went above and beyond her duty as a realtor and we thank her!”

Chris, Tracy, Kenny & Bryce Grooms

763-0856

“Ours” is a relationship you can trust!

Walden Lake Realty, Inc. Warmest wishes from our home to yours. Serving special people like you gives us many reasons for gratefulness.

Thanks for all you have done to help our business grow.

We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!!

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Happy Thanksgiving!!

SO LD

SOLD

Call John Walmsley.

Evenings 752-4835 One of many we have for sale.

20 one acre + lots available lots starting from $39,500. Deed restricted 1800 sq. ft. min. Site built Homes Only.

Call Jackie Wyckoff @ 752-2087

Work in Progress. Brand new, quality, TGC Builders’ home on an acre lot...buyers will appreciate the stylish yet practical design throughout. Offered at $224,900, #135. Call Barbara Jean at 781-1915 for a feature sheet!

��������������������Beautiful acreage. 5 bedroom/3

Family Perfect “Glenmoor” plan w/3 bedrooms, 2 baths and screened lanai. Ceramic tile entry, baths and kitchen. Beautiful hardwood floors in living areas.

Window treatments stay. Master bath with whirlpool tub and custom closets. Call Jayne today to see this special home - hurry- $182,900. #137

Ready to move into. This great country home on a 3 acres. 3 BR/2BA with all new carpeting. 2 car garage & screen porch. All for $1200. A month 1 year lease.

Call Becky Bowdish 752-2087 or 376-2100.

Beautiful 3 BR/3 BA block home on huge treed lot w/ fenced back yard and utility shed, brick gas grill & much more. $223,900. Call Davey today: 376-4444

������������������������Home is built to look old with modern conveniences. 2+ secluded acres. Detached 30' x 34' barn. Loft/bonus room upstairs. 2 a/c units.

Pond in back yard. Circular drive. 2 hot water heaters.

All with a very low monthly utility bill. Contact Mac McGrath for more info. #180

This is a beautiful home located in the hammocks of Walden Lake. It is a 4/3/2 situated on a neatly landscaped oversized lot. New roof 2004. Wonʼt last long call Donna Hodges keel for an appt. today. 239,000 #125 813-967-4276

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This is a fabulous 4/3/3 home with over 3,000 sq. ft. living. Call Donna Hodges Keel for an appointment today! 967-4276 $298,900 #125

Efficient 1020 sq. ft., 2 BR/1.5 BA, 2-story townhome situated in the heart of Brandon offering so much for so little.

Call Jackie on her cell at 813-477-5562

bathroom remodeled home on property as well 12 stalls spread throughout 3 barns plus tack room. 1/2 acre stocked pond. New roof and a/c. $655,000. Call Mac or Barbara Layton for more details. #181

Too New For Photo

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Carl “Sold” Seigel REALTOR®

The True Real Estate Consultant

35 Years Experience

IT’STo allTIME TO GIVE THANKS my loyal past, present & future customers for making 2004 my best year in real estate sales in 35 years.

Carl’s negotiating skills were apparant even in his earliest transactions.

CARL LISTED AND/OR SOLD THESE WALDEN LAKE HOMES SINCE JANUARY 1, 2004 3235 Alcott Ave. 3007 Forest Hammock 1802 Paddock Dr. 2707 Barret Ave. 3018 Forest Hammock 3401 Silver Glen Ct. 4130 Barret Ave. 2843 Hammock Dr. 3402 Silver Meadow Way

4132 Barret Ave. 3345 Silvermoon Dr. 2802 Brooke Pines Ct. 2906 Hammock Vista Ct. 3352 Silvermoon Dr. 1717 Brookstone Way 2908 Hammock Vista Ct. 3423 Silverstone Ct. 1723 Brookstone Way

3202 Hawthorne Ct 2833 Spring Hammock Dr. 2928 Spring Hammock Dr. 2707 Barret Ave. 3308 Kilmer. Dr. 3021 Spring Hammock Dr. 4130 Barret Ave. 3305 Kilmer Pl. 3024 Spring Hammock Dr.

2802 Brooke Pines Ct. 4207 Kipling Av 2801 Spring Vista Ct. 1717 Brookstone Way 4305 Kipling Ave 2912 Sutton Oaks Ct. 1723 Brookstone Way 4310 Kipling Ave. 2912 Sutton Oaks Ct.

2305 Clubhouse Dr. 2912 Juniper Lake Pl. 2914 Sutton Oaks Ct. 3201 Concord Way 2714 Laurel Oak Dr. 3029 Sutton Woods Dr. 4102 Concord Way 3331 Michener Pl. 3056 Sutton Woods Dr.

3906 Executive Circle 3332 Michener Pl. 4010 Thackery Way 2915 Forest Hammock 3314 Nohlcrest Pl. 4021 Thackery Way 1505 Paddock Dr. 1441 Walden Oaks Pl

Thinking of buying or selling? Now is the time to call Carl “Sold” Seigel

1701 S. ALEXANDER ST., STE 104, PLANT CITY, FL.

OFFICE 813-759-1200 CELL 813-310-5588

List your home with Carl before December 31th and receive $600 credit toward your closing costs.

Exp: 11-30-04. Coupon must be presented at time of contract Execution

PRESTIGE Impressive 4BR/2BA Aston Woods beauty boasting over 2,600 sq. ft. of LA. Corner cul de sac lot w/side load oversized 2 car garage. Formal living & dining. Family room w/fireplace overlooks pool. Exquisite master w/dual fireplace shared w/luxury master bath. Open, bright & airy. $284,997. Call Carl "SOLD" Seigel at (813)-759-1200.

DIVINE Beautifully appointed 4/2 in Emerald Forest. Pool & HUGE fenced yard. Over 2,400 sq. ft. of LA. Formal living & dining. Grand open kitchen/family combo w/breakfast bar. Master suite fit for a King w/tremendous walk-in closet and garden bath & separate shower. Pristine condition. $269,970. Call Carl "SOLD" Seigel at (813)-759-1200.

ALMOST READY FOR OCCUPANCY Exquisite quality buit home in new subdivision of custom homes. 3BR/2BA + den w/closet or 4th bedroom. Divine master suite w/jetted tub and separate shower. Great Room w/soaring ceilings. Large under truss lanai. Upgrades galore.Contract in time to choose your colors. $229,970.Call Carl "SOLD" Seigel at (813)-759-1200.

CLASSY Impressive 3/2 on stunning corner waterfront lot overlooking 2 ponds.

Dramatic entry leads to Massive Great Room w/custom ceramic & soaring ceilings.

French door lead from dining area to fenced tropical paradise yard & POOL w/lots of decking. $155, 499.Call Carl "SOLD" Seigel at (813)-759-1200.

ENCHANTING Enjoy the status of living in Emerald Forest. Dintinctive courtyard entry. 3BR/2BA Great Room w/ hi-volume ceilings. Formal dining room. In-ground pool overlooks deep fenced yard. Luxury master suite w/dramatic trayed ceiling. $199,900. Call Carl "SOLD" Seigel at (813)-759-1200.

SURPRISE Imagine the smiles when you present your family with the ultimate yet affordable Christmas present.

Newly redecorated. Wood flooring, new roof, newly painted, new sod & ready for immediate occupancy.

Stylish 3/2 Great Room.Dramatic hi-ceilings.Unique bridged plant shelves. Fenced yard.Home warranty included. $148,900.Call Carl "SOLD" Seigel at (813)-7591200.

It’s The Experience That Counts

Carl “Sold” Seigel 35 Years Experience

REALTOR®

FOR SALE: $ 15,600.00 SHARON OURS MULTI-MILLON DOLLAR PRODUCER

2/2, 1996, 16 x 66, #49

For Rent House, 2/1 with sunroom, central air, no pets, rent $600 sec $600

Lots for Rent Minutes from Downtown Plant City off I-4 at exit 22, clean, quite, family park, walking distance from community college and public park, select a lot for your singlewide or doublewide under one of our beautiful shading oak trees or on a sun-drenched lot, includes water, sewer and trash, lots either $240 or $245 per month.

Windward Oaks 301 Wilder Rd. Plant City FL 33563

TEL:

Family Compound!

Dividable 4 acres in Cork Area. 1997 3/2 doublewide situated on front of property.

Zoned ASC-1. Price reduced... &165,000

763-0856

813-752-9296

Fax: 813-659-9375

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 64

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Don’t get caught in a sour deal!

Natalie Sweet

Call

758-9586

REALTOR®

15 Year Walden Lake Aston Woods Resident • Experienced in New Construction and Resales

Walden Lake Beauty! Move right in to this beautiful home featuring a split plan with a formal dining and living room, spacious kitchen, dinette, family room and 2 car garage. Large master suite with tray ceiling and 2 walk-in closets. Built in 1999 and better than new. $190,000. Call Natalie 758-9586

“Buying a new house is a big decision, especially when you are as picky as we are! We met Natalie and right away we felt very comfortable. Since then her patience with finding us the perfect home has been enormous. We must have looked at every house between Plant City and Brandon and Natalie never gave up on us. Now she has become part of our family. Not only do we have a beautiful new home, but a wonderful friend.”

Kris, Stacey & Nicholas Jones

Looking for that special WATERFRONT property? Here it is! Fabulous renovated home on a tip lot with 200' on a deep water canal wrap around covered dock &13,000 lb. boatlift. Minutes to the bay and gulf. In ground pool and large lanai. All on a cul-de-sac with beautiful Tropical Palms surrounding the home for that finishing touch. Apollo Beach. Call Natalie for details and to see this home.

Want To Know The Value of Your Home? FREE Market Analysis 758-9586 Congratulations!

Lightning 2004 Stanley Cup Champions

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

Commercial 752.6003 Cleaning Please call now for an appointment

Specializing In Problem Pet Odors Upholstry Cleaning

20% OFF

Regular Price

We Don’t Cover Up the Smell We Eliminate It!

Call for Quote.

Offer Good thru 12/31/04

$41.95 for 1st room &

$

19

95

for each additional room

AVERAGE ROOM SIZE 10’x12’. Certain restrictions apply. Good through 12/31/04 with coupon only. Can not be combined with any other offers.

HUGE SAVINGS On Carpet Cleaning Services!

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 65

Blackburn & Associates Realty Linda Blackburn Realtor

Let Blackburn & Associates Realty Go To Work For You And Save You Thousands!

Blackburn & Associates

Average Home $200,000 X 2% = $4,000.00 Average Home $200,000 X 4% = $8,000.00

Other Realtors

Average Home $200,000 X 7% = $14,000.00

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

You Gotta See this great piece of property - This 3.92 acres has an older 2 bedroom 1 bathroom frame home with 1,928 total square footage, and a 3 bedroom 2 bath double wide mobile home with 1,308 total square footage and an above ground pool. Both homes have screened in porches. The frame home does need some repairs. The 3/2 double wide has a new roof. The property can be subdivided . Call today to see this wonderful buy!

Blackburn & Associates Realty 4475 US HWY 92 WEST; PLANT CITY, FL 33563 • 813-752-8852 www.blackburnandassociatesrealty.com

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

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

Beautiful country living in Cypress Reserve and Close to I-4!

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

Build your dream home on this beautifully cleared 2.2 acres in the Cork Area. This lot has minimal deed restrictions. The surrounding homes are valued at $250-$300K. Hurry this one will not last long at the offering price of just $88,000.00!!

Waterfront on the Alafia River- 230'of water on 8.5 acres of land, all high & dry. Dock needs repairs. House is of little or no value. Absolutely a must see.

Call Linda Blackburn @ 813-752-8852.

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

Seffner Area 4/2 with 2,100sf on a Double Lot. This home is in the process of being totally renovated and will be fully upgraded when completed. This home will have all new appliances, cabinets, paint and flooring. Inside will feature big bedrooms, an Inside utility room with new cabinets, a large master bedroom with 2 walk-in closets. Outside you will have a large 8x24 new front porch, a 12x24 new back porch, a shed and a nice big yard. Make this one yours today and you can choose your own color scheme. Call 813-752-8852 to view.

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

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

SUGAR CREEK SUBDIVISION Great split floor plan home with 3 bedrooms 2 baths and a 2 car garage in excellent condition. This home sits on a nice large corner lot. The backyard has an in-ground pool and is surrounded by a wooden privacy fence. Many other features - A must see Call today because it will not last long.

507 W. DR. MLK BLVD. PLANT CITY, FL. 33563 JUST LISTED

BE THE FIRST

MCWETHERBEE JUNCTION...

COMMERCIAL BUILDING DOWNTOWN...

SUBDIVISION

Corner lot 34 ac. 2672 sq. ft. block bldg. formally a convenience store. Call us about this unique property just $99,900. Call Wright & Linda Hazzard.

...to preview this gorgeous and HUGE doublewide home on 1.41 acres of country space located in a great area!! This home is loaded with extras, has attached carport with brick pavers. Big covered pole barn/workshop $164,000. Call Louise Brock or Pam Pomfret for more information.

GREAT LOCATION

HISTORIC DISTRIC

...for a small business. Plenty of parking. Previously used as a church. Entry 14 x 10, largest room 25 x 24, 2 other nice sized rooms, 3 officies & a small kitchen $159,900 or rent for $1,500 per mo.

Call Don Phillips – cell 763-4366

This home needs special attention. 3 bedroom, 10ft ceilings. Crown molding through-out. Formal dining, living and fireplace. 1 car carport and best of all red brick streets front and back. $145,000. #A3 Call Trish Joyce to preview today.

Near Courthouse. 1540 S.F. - Several office spaces & work areas & reception area. Block building w/ adequate parking. $ 175,000 - #G2 Call Carol

Wright or Linda Hazzard for more details.

NICE 3/2 DOUBLEWIDE ON 1.8 ACRES.

VACANT LAND 1 & 2 + Acre Sites. Homes Only in great location. Country setting atmosphere, close to school + Country Playground Park. Starting at $49,800

Corner lot w/over 300 ft. of frontage on Vaughn Rd. & over 200 ft. frontage on Knights-Griffin. Large metal building for a motor home. Fenced yard & fence around most of the acreage. Bring your animals & vehicles. Easy access to Tampa or Lakeland. #A1 Don Phillips cell 763-4366.

CALL ANY ONE OF OUR LICENSED AGENTS FOR COMPLETE DETAILS.

Leading The Way In Real Estate In Your Neighborhood Since 1994.

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 68

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Barbara Jean Kulyk

R E A L T O R

Cell: 813-781-1915

Walden Lake R E A LT Y, I N C . R E A LT O R S ® 3BD/2BA 1,792 sq. ft. Heated 1 Acre Lot

Quiet and private cul-de-sac community of “Holloway Estates” with that free and easy country feel. A mid-December projected completion will allow the new owner to be moved in by the holidays! This sensational home has that custom built flair with three dimensional roofing shingles, an arched transom window above the elegant double doorway, and a sophisticated motor court leading up to a spacious 2 car garage. The welcoming foyer, the desirable great room,the formal dining room, the casual breakfast bar, the spacious good morning room overlooking the pastoral backyard, the volume ceilings, the “wonderful and white” thermofoil cabinetry, the tastefully painted walls, the nuetral carpet and designer tile are only the beginning of the generous amenities list! (feature builder sheet provided) If country privacy with unique community comfort is what you desire, then this home is for you!!!

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

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WALDEN LAKE REVIEW

HOME GUIDE

STORY BY KEN LAWRENCE-SENIOR WRITER

Also, a few cars with costumed individuals were 24 hours early and came out Saturday night, only to be told by homeowners to return Sunday night. One disgruntled individual heaved a beer bottle at a car parked in a driveway in Emerald Forest. Other than shards of glass all over, there was no damage.

Some 60 trees alone blocked the bike paths, especially around the big lake.

They have since been removed by association landscape crews who were assisted by some temporary help. In addition, there were over 20 trees blown down onto roadways around Walden Lake and in the conservation areas, more than 100 more felt the wrath of “Mean Jeanne”. Those trees will not be removed because of conservation rules and regulations that state nothing can be touched in such designated areas.

Monday morning after Halloween, Community Association landscapers spent most of their time cleaning up trash along roadways. That was an

There are still a handful of the trees that are leaning a little too much for comfort and will have to be leveled for safety reasons.

As for Plant City, there has been nothing but praise for city workers who toiled night and day to remove trees, limbs and branches that were left at roadside. Given the mess, it can only be described as a Herculean effort.

Back to the Grind Now that another hurricane season is all but history, it’s back to the job of keeping Walden Lake in top notch condition. Before the storms, the association had embarked on sprucing-up the various entrance ways into individual communities.

Some ten of the more than 35 entrances had been tackled with old plant life either removed or cutback and new plants installed. Doing the math leaves about 25 to go and that’s where the landscapers’ attention will be focused in the weeks ahead.

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The Association Executive believes “fair is fair” and the Fairway Villas residents should be paying something to enjoy the amenities around Walden Lake. The Fairway Villas folks say they already have to pay hefty condo fees, around $150 a month. However, none of that money goes to the Walden Lake Homeowners’ Association.

Negotiations are taking place.

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Would you believe that more than 200 trees in Walden Lake, many of them old oaks that were decades old, were destroyed during the storms, especially the last one, Jeanne?

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Post Hurricane News

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Some individuals smashed about 9 backflow valves in various parts of the community, causing water to gush out at a heavy rate into the air. What should have been a peaceful evening for Community Association Manager Tom Daramus, turned into a late night, going around Walden Lake shutting off the numerous valves that keep the watering system operational.

The Homeowners’ Association is making another attempt to sign up residents of Fairway Villas, the condos with the tile roofs you see on the right, when entering Walden Lake off Alexander. The villas, about 100, which date back to the early 1980’s, were in place when the Homeowners’ Association was formed and at that time and since, the owners have refused to officially join Walden Lake.

They do not receive entry passes, although some have obtained them and are not supposed to use the bike paths or go to the park at the lake, again many doing so. It’s almost impossible to police.

When all is said and done, Association Manager Daramus says a little bit of overtime will be all that the hurricanes cost Walden Lake homeowners.

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expected occurrence as the little ghosts and goblins obviously had to eat some of their booty and had no place to toss their wrappers.

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Trick or Treat has come and gone for another year but for some areas of Walden Lake, tricksters resorted to vandalism, especially on Saturday night, October 30th.

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 73

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HOME GUIDE

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

COURTESY OF SHELTON KEELY

WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORTH? When you are interviewing REALTORS to market your home, you’ll be introduced right away to a priceless documentthe comparative market analysis (CMA.) This is one of the areas in which the real estate industry really earns its keep-by showing you in black and white what your competition is. But like a sword, it is a tool that can cut both ways.

You and your agent will use the CMA, among other tools, to determine where your home will stand in comparison to others which are on the market, and those which have recently sold to determine the highest possible asking price. Your buyer will use it to find ways to reduce his or her offer.

CMA’s are about facts which can

be qualified and quantified. The CMA is typically designed to give quick capsules of information such as number of bedrooms and baths, approximate square footage, size of major rooms, amenities such as fireplaces and pools, age of the home, property taxes, listing agent contact information and more.

CMA’s can include homes that are currently for sale and those which have recently sold. They can go back in time as long as a year or month or week ago. CMA’s can cover areas as narrow as one or two streets surrounding your home, or as broad as an entire subdivision.

What are not included in the CMA are those factors that affect

perception, and that is the key difference between why one home with identical features will ultimately command a higher price than its twin. Perception alters reality, and this is a crucial consideration in understanding the buying and selling process and the value of the CMA. Much of a home’s value will ultimately be determined by the emotional impact it has on buyers. These emotions are based on subjective elements such as drive-up appeal, interior decor, colors, views from the windows, light, darkness, room flow, and hundreds of other factors.

The CMA is clearly a selling tool, but like any tool, it doesn’t work very well by itself. It takes

a skilled person to be able to use it. For this reason, the CMA will always need to be interpreted by a professional or with complete objectivity by the seller or buyer.

Remember that the CMA is also a buying tool; it is taken just as seriously by the buyer and his or her agent. As you and your agent are going to use the CMA to ask the highest possible price for your home, the buyer is going to use it to find reasons to either choose or eliminate your home, and to arrive at the lowest price possible.

Shelton Keely Broker-Associate Walden Lake Realty, Inc. 813-752-2087

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 75

HOME GUIDE

FEATURE HOME

HOME GUIDE STORY BY SARAH HOLT PHOTOS BY SARAH HOLT

BLACKBURN & ASSOCIATES REALTY, INC.

IS VERY PROUD TO FEATURE THIS MAGNIFICENT HOME NESTLED IN RURAL PLANT CITY.

This home offers a family plenty of space to grow. Located in the Plant City area near I-4, on 1 1/2 acres, sits this spacious. 4 bedroom, 2 bath and 2 car garage home with 2736 sq.ft. of heated functional living space.

The perfectly manicured yard has plenty of room to add a pool off the huge covered and screened lanai. The lanai has been plumbed

and would make a great space for a summer kitchen and / or wet bar.

This is a great home for those who like to entertain!

Inside this great split floor plan you will find many features that are sure to please. Starting with the oversized great room which has a wonderful natural stone woodburning fireplace; great for those chilly winter nights. Deco-

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 76

rative double french doors stand on both sides of the fireplace that lead out to the covered lanai.

For Dining, you have a choice of either a separate formal dining area or an eat-in area located off the large kitchen. The kitchen is perfect for both the novice chef or the gourmet in your family. It is well equipped with double wall ovens, a compactor, a center cooking island with

HOME GUIDE

FEATURE HOME

a hood, many overhead lights and plenty of room to move around.

The master suite is large in size and has many extras including double french doors leading to the covered lanai. The perfect retreat to come to at the end of a long day is the large luxurious master bathroom which includes a whirlpool bath surrounded by tile with a separate shower area, a duel vanity sink, private toilet and bidet area in addition to a large walk-in closet.

This home has many extras which include a central vacuum system, an intercom system, water treatment system, ceramic tile in all wet areas, natural wood trim, and an inside utility room. The two plus car garage has an electric garage door opener. There is also an extra garage off the rear of the home perfect for storing your lawn equipment.

You do not want to miss out on this one! Call Blackburn and Associates Realty, Inc. today. We are DEDICATED ALWAYS to listing homes for just 2% or 4%! We work hard for our clients, so they don’t have to!

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 77

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Tel: 813-300-4763 • 813-757-0140 FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 79

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 80

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The speeds of both services are difficult to truly determine. In advertisements, it’s not uncommon to hear figures as high as 100 times faster than a 56K modem. The reality is that both technologies have the potential for very high speeds, yet are usually constrained by a variety of factors.

For cable modems, these include the user’s machine, the number of users online and the head-toend connection to the Internet (in addition to a variety of other factors). Typical data transfer rates clock in at 500 Kbps downstream (from the Internet to the user) and 128 Kbps upstream (from the user to the Internet). All cable lines in a given area are connected to the same “local loop.” And because the loop is shared, speeds degrade significantly when traffic increases.

DSL, however, is a dedicated connection (users do not share bandwidth) so the speeds tend not to fluctuate. The true speed of the line is often determined by the age and condition of the telephone lines in the area and the distance between your home and the local Central Office. Though more reliable than cable, most DSL lines only reach 80% of their listed speed.

Currently, cable has more subscribers, but analysts predict that DSL will surpass it as the high-speed access of choice within the next few years. But neither or these metrics are truly reflective of the quality of each technology.

Friends or experts might have you believe that one technology is clearly superior to the other, but this is simply not the case.

However, depending on your intention for accessing the Internet, one technology may be more appropriate than the other. Cable is the least expensive solution and often appeals to those who simply want fast Internet access and the ability to download large files.

DSL tends to be favored by the technical community and provides power and robustness to support web hosting, LANs and heavy two-way traffic. Keep in mind that both services offer a tremendous increase in speed over a dial-up connection. And as competition drives down the price, we can (according to CNET.com) expect both to reach a comfort level of around $40 to $50 per month. And with many providers offering free installation and other incentives to attract subscribers, it’s a great time to make the switch to high-speed.

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���������������������������������������� The campaigning and the commercials are just about over - and Election Day is upon us. As a citizen, you have something at stake in this election, and in every election. But as an investor, should you really be that concerned over who wins the presidency?

You might think so, if you listen to all the claims coming from both parties. And yet, many of these charges and counter-charges are just rhetoric. Hereʼs the bottom line: Individual investors have done well and poorly under both Democrats and Republicans.

Ultimately, the good health of the financial markets - and, by extension, your investment success - depends on a variety of factors having relatively little to do with whoʼs in the White House.

Looking ahead Does a presidential election have any impact on the markets? Yes. If an incumbent wins, the stock market typically has performed a little better over the next year - but thatʼs often because the markets donʼt like the uncertainty caused by change. And this positive effect is really a short-term reaction.

Over the longer term, a particular administrationʼs policies can have some effect on the economy, which in turn affects the markets.

But itʼs far from clear just how much control any president has over economic forces. And not infrequently, an administrationʼs actions may not even have the desired economic results.

So, as an informed investor, donʼt let Election Day determine your future moves. As you look ahead, then, what “big picture” factors should inform your decision-making? Here are two to consider: • Corporate profits - As a determinant of stock prices, corporate

�������������������������������� profits matter greatly - today, tomorrow, next year and next decade. Corporate profits are a key driver of the financial markets. If you want a fairly dramatic illustration of this point, you need only look back a few years, to the late 1990s, when “dotcom” stocks were all the rage.

Investors couldnʼt get enough of these companies, which seemed fantastically full of potential.

However, potential is not profitability - which is something many of these companies lacked. And in 2000, this problem caught up with these stocks: Their prices plunged, and the fall helped drag down the entire market.

• Sustainable economic growth - If you want to see what might lie ahead for the financial markets, you might want to watch the progress of our economy. In general, a sluggish economy is not particularly good news for investors, particularly those who invest in stocks. At the other end of the spectrum, an economy thatʼs too hot can lead to inflationary pressures and movements by the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates - events that may also bring mixed results to investors. Consequently, you and other investors might want to hope for a “Goldilocks” economy - not too hot, not too cold, but just right.

Vote your conscience If you want to have a voice in how your government is run, you need to vote - itʼs that simple.

The winner of the presidential election can play a huge role in shaping the issues of the day.

But, as weʼve seen, other factors are likely going to be more responsible for determining the investment outlook for the next four years. So, when you enter the voting booth, let your conscience - not your brokerage statement - be your guide.

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 85

BUSINESS & FINANCE

BUSINESS PROFILE

STORY BY LYNNE WARREN PHOTOS BY LARRY JOHNSON

PLANT CITY AWNING AND ALUMINUM PRODUCTS, INC. MAINTAINING A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENT QUALITY AND SERVICE FOR 43 YEARS

include: “If he (Larry) said something would be done at a certain time, it was done and all phone calls were returned promptly. Everything was finished on or before deadline.” Margie Gonzalez of Plant City “I have had the privilege of using Plant City Awning and Aluminum Products on three different occasions. To say I have been pleased with this company’s work would be an understatement.

Their work is superior, prompt, and more than reasonable.” Louise Sullivan of Plant City

When Plant City Awning and Aluminum was first established in 1961, the main product was an aluminum window awning. In a time before air conditioning became common in the Florida household, these awnings were designed to make a home cooler and offered some protection against storm damage. Harold Johnson founded Plant City Awning Co. in 1961 with that one product and as the company grew, he added other products over the course of the years. Harold’s son, Larry, learned the aluminum business literally from the ground up. He started in the installation end of the business and eventually worked his way into management. As his father began spending less time in the business, Larry assumed responsibility for day-to-day operations of Plant City Awning, and became a state licensed contractor. Today, Harold is retired and Larry owns the business. In 2002, Larry relocated the company from Tanner Road, where it had operated for 40 years, to 806 South Woodrow Wilson Street.

Now called Plant City Awning and Aluminum Products, Inc., the company offers top-quality

products from manufacturers such as PGT Industries, Alcoa, OwenCorning, and others. Over the years, items have been added to provide customers with a varied and technologically advanced product line. This product line includes carports, screened rooms, pool enclosures, siding and soffit, replacement windows, patio awnings, and mobile home roofovers. Do-it-yourself kits are also available. The personnel who install the various products have many years of experience to ensure that each project is constructed according to the appropriate building code. The company’s goal after 43 years remains the same: “to provide every customer with a quality product at an affordable price.” It is a measure of the company’s success that they have many repeat customers and have done business with second and third generations in a customer’s family.

The company has been very busy lately due to the recent visits by hurricanes Charlie, Frances and Jeanne. Johnson says that he received nearly 80 phone calls in just one day following hurricane Jeanne. He estimates that nearly 60% of the screened pool enclosures

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 86

in Walden Lake are either down or damaged. It will probably take until the end of this year to complete all of the repair work from the storms. You can bet the work will be done right if it is done by Plant City Awning and Aluminum Products, Inc. Although born in Sarasota, Larry Johnson has been a resident of Plant City since the age of four.

As a long time resident, he has witnessed the many changes that have occurred over the years. He is proud of the longevity of his company, and the quality service and products Plant City Awning and Aluminum Products has been able to provide. This experience factor is what Larry feels sets his company apart from the others.

“We have been in business longer than any other home improvement company in the Plant City area” Johnson points out. “We’ve proven over the 43 years that we have been in business that we offer quality products, competitive prices, and service after the sale.”

Based on the many testimonials the company receives, customers seem to agree. Some of the comments from happy customers

“Plant City Awning and Aluminum Products not only did a fantastic job on my screen room, but they did it in record time and for the best price – and I did a lot of comparison shopping. Larry Johnson is professional and courteous and I would recommend him and his company to anyone.”

Heidi Attir of Valrico Plant City Awning and Aluminum Products, Inc. accepts MasterCard, Visa, and Discover - which is a big help to cash-strapped customers trying to recover from storm damage. The company is an active member of the Plant City Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, and the Aluminum Association of Florida – proving even further that Mr. Johnson is proud to be a part of the Plant City business community and stands behind his product and service.

If you are in need of any of the products or services mentioned in this article, give Mr. Johnson a call at (813) 659-2501 – and tell him FOCUS sent you. You can also visit them on the web at: www.plantcityawningandaluminum.com.

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 87

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98 GMC Yukon SLE, Fully Loaded, Runs & Looks Good, 86,000 Miles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,950

98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Only 68,000 Low Miles, Black, Power Everything. . . . . . $7,950

97 Volvo 960 Sedan, Only 86,000 Low Miles, AT, AC, Loaded, XClean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$7,950

97 Chevy Blazar LT, Leather, V6, Loaded, Power Everything, Clean $7,450

2001 Chevy Suburban LS, Power Moonroof, 3rd Seat, Rear AC, Power Everything. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,950

99 Chevy Suburban LS, Only 61,000 Low Low Miles, Fully Loaded, Rear AC, 3rd Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,950

2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE, Only 56,000, Low Miles, 7 Pass, Loaded, XClean. $8,450

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2000 Chevy Suburban LT, Leather, Quad Seats, Rear AC, 3rd Seat, ON Star, XNice . . . . . $18,450

99 Chevy Suburban LT, Leather, Luxury Options, Rear AC, 3rd Seat, XClean $12,950

*TO QUALIFIED BUYERS SUBJECT TO FINANCE APPROVAL

2001 Ford F150 XLT Supercab 4Dr. Big Wheels & Tires, Fully Loaded, Low Miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,950

1998 GMC Sierra SlE Z71 4X4, 3 Door, X Cab, Loaded, At, AC, PW, PL, Cruise, Tilt. $12,950

5211 Jim Redman Parkway, Plant City

3 Miles South of Plant Cith • Hwy 39, 2 Blks North of Hwy 60.

99 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Sport, Low Miles, V8, AT, AC, PW, PL, Cruise Tilt & More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,950

97 Ford Ranger XLT, 5Spd, AC, CD, Metallic Red, XClean . . . . . $4,450

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2000 Ford F150 Supercab 4Dr. XLT,Tutone Green/Tan, PW, PL, Cruise, Tilt, Clean. $9,950

97 Chevy Cheyenne Shortbed Pickup, 5 Spd., AC, Toolbox, XClean $4,950

2001 Ford F150 XLT Supercrew Low Miles, Fully Loaded, XX Clean. . . . . $15,950

98 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab SLT, Cummins Turbo Diesel, XClean, Fully Loaded. $16,950

813-650-0535 • 813-737-3110

99 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Sport 4X4 Only 66,000 Low Miles, Fully Loaded Black, XXClean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,950

2000 GMC Sierra SLT Sportside 4DR XCab, 47,000 Low Miles, Loaded, Leather, XClean. $16,950

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96 Ford Taurus GL,77,000 Low Miles, V6, Loaded, Metallic Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,650

2000 Ford Taurus SE, 6 Discs CD, Power Everything, Aluminum Whls, XClean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,950

99 Ford Escort SE, 4dr, AT, AC, PW, PL, Cruise, Tilt, Super Nice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,650

95 Olds Ciera Sl Station Wagon, V6, PW, PL, AT, AC, Only 75,000 Miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,950

92 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, Super Clean, Fully Loaded, Leather, Runs & Looks Good $3,950

98 Jeep Cherokee Sport, 6 Cyl, AT, AC, PW, PL, Cruise, Tilt. $5,950

98 Dodge Neon 4dr, Only 42,000, Low Low Miles, Automatic & AC, Very Nice. $4,250

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EDUCATION

STORY BY SHERRI ROBINSON PHOTOS BY SHERRI ROBINSON

HAVING FUN IS OUR ANTI-DRUG!

RED RIBBON WEEK AT KNIGHTS ELEMENTARY them about the dangers of drugs and how to say NO. I was invited to attend the last day of events on Friday, October 29th, at 8:15a. m. Friday was “Band Against Drugs” day. Students could wear a bandana or headband in celebration.

Miss Miller’s Class

The worst things kids were involved in when I was in school, not so many years ago I might add, was skipping school, sneaking around to smoke, and the occasional fight outside on the playground. Those were the days.

However, I do remember in middle school the occasional locker check for drugs. It was unbelievable that kids as young as I and my friends would have access to such things,

much less bring it to school. Today is a whole new world. It is no longer a rare occurrence in middle and high school. It is common and running rampant amongst even the grade schools.

Knights Elementary knows this is a problem and is trying to do something about it by getting the kids involved in anti-drug activities at school that will warn and teach

PCHS Cheerleaders doing their stuff

To start the day off, all classes gathered at the bus ramp for the “Drug Walk.” The big red truck holding Principal Linda Bailey and Assistant Principal Melody Murphy came first, then Plant City Drumline and Cheerleaders ready to liven up the walk as children, teachers, parents, and volunteers followed in behind. It was a beautiful sight to watch them circle and chant, “JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS! JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS!” Around and around they went to the beat of the drums.

The cheerleaders cheered and entertained us all as we watched them do pyramids and flips. Soon the truck slowed and the line of children made their way over for a refreshing glass of water and a cookie. Now that’s my kind of event! Music and dancing ended the fun.

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 88

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EDUCATION

Determined to be drug free.

Plant City High School Drumline, Cheerleaders, Bill Bradford.

It was clear to see how hard everyone worked to make this a fun and informative week.

Knights Elementary is doing all they can to help the community stamp out drugs by teaching the children anti-drug skills, about leadership and emphasizing career goals. They feel it is important to “nurture the full potential of healthy, drug-free youth.” The school has a big job reaching all 853 students, but I am confident they will do it.

The other activities that kept the children busy during the week included: Monday: Red Cap or Hat Day, “Hats Off To Being Drug Free - Tuesday: InsideOut Red Shirt Day “Don’t Let Drugs Turn You Inside Out” - Wednesday: “Hugs Not Drugs” Students bring their favorite stuffed animal to school to hug

- Thursday: “Give Drugs The Slip” Students wear their favorite slippers to school. Sounds like it was a fun week.

The school suggests that parents take time to talk to their child about drugs and drug abuse. They also offer help and information to their parents from the guidance counselor. Remember, the best example is the one we set for our kids. It’s a tough world out there and kids are faced with many things. Drugs shouldn’t have to be one of them. Nor should they have to deal with them at home.

Parents have the most important job of teaching and protecting their children. The best way to do that is by example. I want to say thanks to Lisa Carlson, Guidance Counselor, for showing me around the school and providing all the information I needed.

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 89

SPORTS

Tires N’ Stuff

STORY BY SOPHIA DEDON PHOTOS BY SOPHIA DEDON

PLANT CITY HOMECOMING GAME

2004

WE WILL CUSTOM ORDER ANY TIRE THAT YOU NEED

Hundreds of folks from the Plant City community gathered together at the Raider’s stadium on October 8th, 2004 to watch the annual homecoming game. The game was against the Brandon Eagles, and although it ended up in a 27-35 loss for the home team, the crowd was still extremely enthusiastic. Six minutes into the second quarter, Plant City was up 10-7. They never had the lead after that, but the crowd remained pumped up the entire game. Bright House Networks chose this particular game for their game of the week.

Therefore, fans showed up in an array of attention grabbing outfits, hoping to be noticed by the camera. Not to mention, a Disney representative was there to pick the most fanatic fan to award with Disney tickets. Students arrived in homemade shirts, colorful paraphernalia, and even costumes mimicking an actual Raider, hat, cape and all. Regardless of their motivation, the stands were crammed with students showing their school spirit. The excitement never died in the stands during any part of the evening.

During half time, students cheered as the senior girls nominated for Homecoming Queen rode by in their classic convertibles. After their

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 90

ride, they were escorted by their fathers or male role models down the football field. Seven beautiful young ladies stood on the field with butterflies in their stomachs as returning queen, Lyndsay Weisman, walked from girl to girl raising the crown above their heads. Her anxiety turned into happiness when senior Tara Parker was crowned Plant City High School Homecoming Queen 2004. Jill Welsh was elected 1st runner up. The crowd erupted in cheers when the results were announced. As Homecoming Queen, Tara Parker had the honor of crowning the homecoming King. All the nominees approached

SPORTS

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the stage and were eliminated one by one by a tap on the shoulder.

In the end, only Scott Nelson remained and he was crowned the King.

After half time the team returned with their 10-21 deficit. Coaches were screaming, trying to stir up motivation. Players encouraged each other in order to bring out the most of each player’s potential.

Although they did not end up with a victory, certain players were still able to leave the game shining.

Derrek Hallback scored multiple touchdowns during the game, proving his talent as a player to everyone. Not to mention, Maurice Bolden intercepted and ran for a touchdown in the last 6 seconds of the game. From the start of the game, all the way until the end, the Plant City High School football team captivated their spectator’s attention.

Between the crowd stomping to the beat of “We Will Rock You,” the cheerleaders keeping everyone encouraged the whole game, and the excitement of homecoming court, the game itself may not have been a victory, but the night overall was. Moments like these

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The Cheerleaders kept the crowd pumped during the game.

are the memories that make high school such an unforgettable time. Regardless if you were a Plant City High School student coming to watch your peers, a fellow member of the community wanting to get in on the action, a player on their field working toward victory, a cheerleader keeping the crowd pumped, a parent coming in support of your child, a band member entertaining the crowd with music, or Tara Parker experiencing a moment to be forever treasured, the 2004 Homecoming game night was bodacious.

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 91

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HEALTH & FITNESS

STORY BY SHERRY NUEESCH

In the August issue I wrote about the dangers of trans fatty acids found in hydrogenated oils. These trans fats are found in most all of the manufactured, boxed and packaged “stuff” sold in most grocery stores.

I keep screaming about what not to eat. This month I am going to change my tune. We are going to talk about what to eat. Remember the food God gave us. You know, like saturated fat, whole milk, beef tallow, butter, cream, palm oil and coconut oils.

Thatʼs right, some good old saturated fat. It must be good for us; God put it in abundance in our food supply.

Saturated fatty acids are said to cause cancer, heart disease and obesity. I guess that is why there is so much found naturally in our food. Not only found, but consumed for thousands of years. That is, until the food giants convinced us in the forties that it was bad. Heart disease, cancer and obesity were rare at the turn of the century when consumption of saturated fat was much higher than it is today.

So back when we were eating the skin on chicken and frying in lard, eating eggs, whole milk and cream, HEART DISEASE WAS RARE!!!!!

I am not making this stuff up. I will list some books for you to reference at the end of this article, as well as some good web sites. We have been so brainwashed from advertising by the food industry and pharmaceutical companies, we are scared to eat natural foods and, instead, consume manufactured trash that is harming us far faster than a little fat is going to. Recently I was talking to the Curves members about how bad the manufactured coffee creamers were.

One woman looked at me with horror on her face and asked me, “What shall I put in my coffee?” I was left speechless. It distresses me to see how brainwashed we have become.

She was scared to death of the very food God provided for us. She isnʼt the only one.

Let me list some benefits of saturated fat and cholesterol. For one, they produce bile salts. Bile salts are vital for digestion. Vitamins A and D, which are vital for proper growth and for protein and mineral assimilation, are found mostly in saturated animal fats. Saturated fats

helps the body lay down calcium in the bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. Did you know that most of our cell membranes must be built from saturated fats for the cells to work properly? Saturated fats play many important roles in the body chemistry. Because they are needed in large amounts, the body makes saturated fats it needs out of carbohydrates when they are not sufficiently supplied by the diet. Saturated fats are vital to the functioning of the kidneys.

Saturated fats protect the liver from alcohol, drugs and poisons. Your lungs cannot work properly without saturated fat.

In past cultures potential parents were given very high fat foods, natural foods, because they wanted to have healthy babies. It was their wisdom handed down through the generations that fertility and good fats were partners. Dr. Weston Price, who studied these cultures, predicted back in the forties that couples who replaced traditional fats with vegetable oils would have trouble conceiving. He predicted that with each generation living off these non-traditional foods, birth rates would continue to decline.

Today 25% of American couples are infertile. Like sex, animal fats are necessary for reproduction.

There are books written about the goodness of wholesome foods that have sustained generations of people all over the world. I read many of them. I find it incredible how traditional foods are now labeled dangerous. How did this happen? Corporate greed, profits are more important than people.

Traditional oils cost more money.

Vegetable oils, especially soybean oils, are cheap. Remember, itʼs the health of the food giantsʼ bottom line and not your health they are concerned about.

Americans spend approximately 90% of their food dollars on processed foods. Foods that contain high levels of refined sugars, high fructose corn syrup, refined polyunsaturated oils and trans fatty acids, as well as highly processed, refined proteins.

Framingham Heart Study is often

cited as proof that cholesterol and saturated fats cause heart disease.

This study began in 1948 and involved some 6,000 people from the town of Framingham, Mass. Two groups were compared at five-year intervals, those who consumed little cholesterol and saturated fat and those who consumed large amounts.

After 40 years, the Director of this study, Dr. William Castelli, had to admit: “In Framingham, Mass, the more saturated fat one ate, the more cholesterol one ate, the more calories one ate, the lower the personʼs serum cholesterol…we found that the people who ate the most cholesterol, ate the most saturated fat, ate the most calories, weighed the least and were the most physically active.”

Food manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies are telling you one thing, I am saying another.

YOU do your own research. Just make sure your information doesnʼt come from a source or a study funded by big business. There are several books I can wholeheartedly recommend: “The Cholesterol Myth” by Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD., “The Untold Story of Milk” by

Ron Schmid, ND. Go to the web site www.WestonAPrice.org and read everything by Sally Fallon or Mary G. Enig, PhD. Or call me.

I am going to end this with information from Dr. Ravnskov in his book “Cholesterol Myths”.

Page 61 reads; “French researchers from Paris found that old women with very high cholesterol lived the longest. The death rate was almost 5 times higher for women with low cholesterol. At a workshop held at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, researchers looked at every study that had been published about the risk of having high or low cholesterol and came to the same conclusion: Mortality was higher for women with low cholesterol than women with high cholesterol.” I told you, I donʼt make this up.

Fifty years ago grocery stores carried approximately 200 items, most of them grown within a 100 mile radius. Today our stores carry approximately 50,000 food items or more, most of them highly processed and refined, coming from thousands of miles away. Do the math.

To your health. Sherry

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 93

EXTRA

STORY BY AL RUECHEL

IS IRAQ WORTH THE TROUBLE? This has nothing to do with Bush or Kerry or politics in general. It has to do with a gut feeling you hate to acknowledge. It has to do with wondering if the Iraqi people are worth the blood of our sons and daughters. Okay, I’ve said it! Don’t tell me that at some time over the last several months you haven’t had the same doubts. I’ve heard it spoken in grocery stores and in shopping malls. I’ve heard it spoken by the old and young, both men and women. I don’t trust polls and I certainly won’t let Time or Newsweek or CNN dictate to me how I should feel. No, this is coming from my own head and heart. I fear there are many more like me who are having a hard time resolving what we know needs to be done and the reality of what is happening.

You saw the story! Young Iraqis were dancing on car tops just moments after a terrorist bomb blew up a number of vehicles and killed 13 people. Three American civilian contractors working to rebuild Iraq’s antiquated electrical power grid lost their lives. The Iraqis in the street looted their burned bodies and danced for joy shouting anti-American slogans.

We’ve seen so many beheadings we have almost become numb. Nick Berg, Paul Johnson and the young man from Korea. I suspect there will be many more. We beat ourselves up over some prisoner abuses by a few nutcases while they video themselves hacking off the head of a screaming American. The Geneva Conventions… what a joke! We try to play by the rules while the terrorist write their own.

You stupid, ignorant fools. My contempt and loathing is so great for the terrorists it is beyond measure.

That’s my internal voice talking.

You celebrate the deaths of the ones who are trying to help you. Did you bother looking at the faces of the thousands of other people who

lost arms and legs? They are Iraqis, bone of your bone and blood of your blood. You celebrate the deaths of a few Westerners at the expense of hundreds of your own countrymen.

You are so ignorant that you believe the best way to get rid of the U.S. is to cripple your own country. You remind me of when I was a missionary in Ethiopia. More than one-million people needlessly starved to death because they refused to leave their homeland, travel over a small mountain ridge, to a valley lush with vegetation and food. They told aid workers it was better for them and their children to die in their own birth land than to flourish in a land of another tribe. This wasn’t outside of Ethiopia. It was a short three miles over a ridge. The tribe they feared had never actually occupied that valley. It was a myth. Life was within their reach and instead they chose death. That is the epitome of ignorance of those who are actually hoping freedom fails in Iraq.

In just a matter of days, the US will complete the transfer of power and sovereignty back to the Iraqis.

It has been a brutal war between the past and the present. We have attempted to salvage a religion and a people who have seen their culture destroyed by the zealots.

My prayers and hopes are with the silent millions of Iraqis who have been manipulated and abused for so many years they may not understand any other kind of leadership than the kind delivered at the hands of an oppressor. Many more Iraqis and Westerners will be killed before freedom’s roots have a chance to grow.

Every member of the transitional government knows they are marked men and women. They are marked because they represent something terrorists fear more than the wrath of Allah: choice, self-determination, and democracy. Freedom is the enemy of ignorance. But like the air itself, it is almost impossible to manage once the scared lungs of the oppressed take their first breath. It

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 94

demands another and another until there is nothing else to satisfy the soul. It creates its own space. It assumes everyone is created equal by a God who likes a level playing field. That principle alone clashes with many of the clerics who claim some direct link with a Deity who demands that men avenge His enemies.

Which brings me back to my original point. Do Iraqis deserve freedom and democracy? Are they worthy of the sacrifices of our children? Are they intelligent enough to handle the responsibilities it takes to keep it alive? The outraged part of me says no. The selfish, disgusted redneck begs for my attention. The pessimist that fears the Iraqis will choose a leader as bad, if not worse, than the one we

just dethroned is just a shadow away.

Then…the flag catches my eye.

Somebody more than two hundred years ago thought enough of me to lay down their life in pursuit of these “self-evident” truths. They didn’t debate my intelligence or worthiness. Somebody over two thousand years ago thought enough of me to bear my ignorance and stupidity and my spiritual terrorism to a place I could not go but deserved to hang. God is the author of freedom. It does not bear a name or a nationality. It is a free gift we have been given the privilege to carry to those too weak and down trodden to see its glory. May we not fail in our resolve to do that which is right in God’s eyes!

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EXTRA

HOME COMPUTING TIPS:

STORY BY JIM BROWN

WHY KEEP THAT OLD PHONE LINE IF YOU HAVE BROADBAND?

Hello everyone, I am writing to you this month about a technology that I’m sure you’ve heard mentioned over the last few years.

That technology is VoIP, which means Voice over Internet Protocol.

What this means to you is, you no longer have to pay Verizon for a telephone bill and all of the extras that they tack on to your bill. Instead, you purchase a VoIP service from a company, like PCU, at a fraction of the price of your telephone service and you use your Broadband Internet Connection, i.e.

Road Runner or DSL. PCU offers residential and business based VoIP (Voice over IP) phone services.

These services allow a customer to maximize their broadband internet connection and take advantage of inexpensive flat rate plans for all local and long distance calling with advanced features that are only possible with VoIP phone service. On the business side of things, these advanced features offer all the basic functionality of the old office PBX, along with many revolutionary new features, which will deliver the office phone system of tomorrow to the small and medium sized businesses of today, all via a broadband internet connection. Some of the features are that you keep your existing phone number if you want to, due to number portability. You FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 98

get caller id, call waiting, 3 way calling, voice mail, voicemail delivered to your e-mail or web page, call forwarding, personal Toll Free number, geographic mobility and it is all cheaper than your old land line plan, guaranteed. The way we communicate is definitely changing and this type of service now makes broadband affordable for those who couldn’t afford it before, because they are slashing their phone bills in half. If any of you have questions about this technology, feel free to call me, e-mail me or visit the site @ www. pcuvoice.com . Folks, this is the way technology is heading and I am the first to tell you to embrace it; don’t be afraid because we are now in the technological “New Frontier”.

Until Next time, Happy Computing

Jim Brown Product Consultants Unlimited, Inc. 601 N. Michigan Ave. Plant City, Fl 33566 813-717-7717 e-mail: jimb@plantcity.com www.pcustore.com www.plantcity.com www.whatsuptampabay.com

EXTRA

STORY & PHOTOS BY BRIAN WEST

THE 2005 FORD MUSTANG TROTS FROM THE STABLE WITH A NEW LOOK

2005 has seen several new additions to the highways from the domestic car companies, but the 2005 Ford Mustang won’t be overlooked. The new mustang was long overdue for a makeover, and Mustang enthusiasts won’t be disappointed; once again, the styling matches the car’s performance. The concept car was introduced in March 2003, and Mustang enthusiasts have been anxiously awaiting the production model since. Brandon Ford had about a half dozen models on the lot. Seeing the car in person, it was easy to understand why it’s not parked on the lot long before someone decides they need to take one home. The car just gets your attention.

The new Mustang is a throwback look of design characteristics mostly from the 1960’s. The car has side panels ala ’66 and a roofline traveling well into the trunk area, narrowing the trunk lid just like the ’67 Fastback. The front end resembles the ’67 GT500 (think Eleanor from the movie “Gone in Sixty Seconds”), and the rear end looks like the 1970 Mach 1 with the chrome medallion on the rump.

One version of the wheels available even has the three-point chrome spinner from the ‘60’s. In other words, this Mustang is a visual of the greatest days of the beginning

of the Mustang, the years most recall when thinking about the Mustang.

The interior also has several design characteristics from the ‘60’s. The dials on the dash are round ‘60’s styling. A unique feature here is that Ford allows customers 125 different color choices for the lighting in the dash. The dashboard itself has top edges protruding toward the driver, again, a mark of the ‘60’s. The model I drove was an automatic and the shifter itself looks and feels like those of the first Mustangs right down to the elongated lettering for the gears, P, R, N, D, 1, 2, 3. In addition, the center console runs almost to the front edge of the back seat. The back seats are deep bucket seats which makes it appear that the console runs through the back seat up to the back dash, another ‘60’s look.

When I visited, Brandon Ford had already sold the GT’s they received on their first delivery that week, so I drove one of the V6 models. And even though this version has only 210 HP, it was quite a ride. I was fortunate to have Lyle Herb, Internet Sales Manager, along with me. Herb has an interest in performance cars and discussed many of the designs this Mustang is modeled after.

We did some light city driving and some highway driving and the car

handled well in both areas. Ford actually went to a completely different platform for this Mustang.

The same platform is also used in the Ford Thunderbird, Lincoln LS, and the Jaguar S-type. This puts the wheelbase at 107 inches, almost 6 inches longer, and the difference was obvious. The ride was very smooth, not anything like I recall of the last body style and the steering was responsive. The turning radius seemed small, given the added length in the wheelbase.

Unfortunately, the drive wasn’t as long as I’d liked. When we got back to the dealership I found myself wondering what it would be like to drive one every day.

The base sticker prices begin at about $19,000 for the V-6 coupe and the GT, a 300HP V8, starts at about $25,000. Expect the Cobra model for 2006 to begin at about $30,000 plus, with at least 400 HP. Roush has already been toying with the car and it will make its debut locally at Brandon Ford on November 18th, with Jack Roush present. There is also talk of Carol Shelby getting involved again. Keep your fingers crossed.

Wouldn’t it be great to see a Shelby GT500 roll off the production line?

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 99

EXTRA

STORY BY & PHOTOS BY LINDA FLOYD

THE R & R RANCH

LUXURY ENTERTAINMENT FOR DOWN TO EARTH PRICES for $100 a month. They also have summer and Christmas camps, along with safe horsemanship clinics.

If you were looking for a fun and creative birthday party for your child, R & R Ranch offers pony parties. They have party packages with pony rides, food, games, goodie bags and lots of fun. You could decorate the party area yourself, or have Kim from Heavenly Sinsations in Plant City decorate and cater the party for you. The only thing you’d have to do is show up!

I was especially impressed by their expertise with children.

My grandson, aged four, accompanied me, and they were so understanding and sweet with him, letting him carry around a rabbit he especially liked, and teaching him how to brush a pony.

By then, though, I had learned that they also offer group lessons for beginners for just $20, and they specialize in young children. With a helper, they teach the children to brush and wash the horse, and then saddle and ride them. Barb explained, “Learning how to groom, handle and ride a horse really helps build self-confidence and self esteem.”

Until recently, Ron and Barbara Childs owned a home in Plant City, but they didn’t have the land they needed to do what they’d always wanted; board and maintain horses. So they bought a ranch in the Lithia – Fish Hawk area, and R & R Ranch and Riding Stables was born.

Their mission statement reads: To provide safe and economical horse experiences to families. They have long maintained that for a

lot of youngsters learning to ride horses has been a bit out of reach, financially. Their goal is to offer facilities which enable families to enjoy horses without feeling the pressure to participate in expensive lessons and shows. Barb says, “We provide a service for people who can’t afford all the expenses that go with owning a horse, but would still like to enjoy pleasure riding.”

One visit to the R & R Ranch and you will witness the animal lover

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 100

in the Childs. There are cages of rabbits, two large turkeys and chickens and roosters walking around, a couple dogs, and, of course, many horses and ponies.

R & R Ranch has an established riding club, offering guided trail rides in a park-like setting, as they have direct access to miles of nature preserves and shaded trails.

The trail rides usually last about 1 ½ hours, and are only $25. They offer leasing in their boarding facilities, with one ride a week,

There is an arena onsite for those who want to learn or practice specific disciplines and a knowledgeable staff who maintains a family atmosphere, believing that learning and fun are essential to enjoying your riding experience. So for almost anything horse related: lessons, guided trail rides, summer and Christmas camps, safe horsemanship clinics, leasing, boarding and pony parties, give Barb or Ron Childs a call at 813-653-3819. They are located on Bryant Road off Lithia Pinecrest, near Fish Hawk.

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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

STORY BY LYNNE WARREN PHOTOS BY LYNNE WARREN

SNELLGROVE’S RESTAURANT

SERVING GOOD FOOD AND SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY FOR OVER 43 YEARS

Only a few lucky towns still have one – a restaurant that has been around about as long as anyone can remember, a restaurant that is part of what defines the community. In Plant City that restaurant is Snellgrove’s. It is the place where regulars come in for breakfast or lunch or dinner, and have for years; regulars who sit at the same table every time and whose order the server knows by heart. It is the kind of place you search for when you travel to other cities. Snellgrove’s is a Plant City institution, and has been a cornerstone of downtown since long before the Main Street program or the idea of downtown revitalization was even necessary.

It has been serving folks good food, quickly, and at a fair price since the era when downtown was the place everyone did their shopping and gathered for social events – back in the good old days.

Forty three years ago, Norman Snellgrove took ownership of a two story restaurant and boarding house at 109 South Collins Street. He continued operating both until the early 70’s, when one of the boarding house guests lit a cigarette in bed and burned the place down. After rebuilding at the same location, Norman continued to operate the restaurant for many years. After thirty years in the business, Norman sold the restaurant to Curtis and Tammy Devane. Curtis is Norman’s nephew and he and Tammy have continued the Snellgrove’s family tradition for thirteen years now.

With many residents who are new to Plant City, and the major influx of visitors and tourists soon to descend on our town over the next few months, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit

Snellgrove’s.

This month our dining review is specifically on Snellgrove’s breakfast – but let it be known that the person doing this review frequents the establishment for lunch (often) and absolutely loves the sirloin tips over rice!

Whatever you order here, you can be sure it was prepared from scratch, by people who care about the quality of the food. One of the ladies who helps prepare the salad bar has been at the restaurant for 27 years, and a cook who recently retired had been here for 52 years.

Nothing comes out of a bag, preprepared at Snellgrove’s. The restaurant cuts their own meat, and even the carrots and rutabagas are peeled by hand – 50 pounds at a time!

As with everything else on the menu, breakfast portions are large and the meals are served fast. It is surprising how such good, home-style food can be served so quickly – but this place has done it successfully for years. Prices are extremely reasonable, with breakfasts beginning at less than $2 for a fried egg sandwich. On my visit, I was treated to a variety of items from the menu. First was one of the daily specials, including two eggs cooked to order – and mine were cooked perfectly. It also comes with a strip of crispy bacon, grits, and toast. The price

for this combo is a mere $2.99.

Next I tried the sausage gravy and biscuit, and take it from a sausage gravy connoisseur – this was chock full of sausage, and some of the best I’ve had. It was obvious that it was made from scratch, with good, old-fashioned country sausage. The price for two biscuits and sausage gravy from heaven is just $3.59, and you can add two eggs for only 89¢. Last on the agenda was a pancake. It was served fresh and hot and fluffy, just like a pancake should be. Everything was wonderful, and I wish I could have tried more, but I couldn’t restrain myself with the sausage gravy and biscuit and got too full, too fast!

Snellgrove’s offers a full breakfast menu, everything from simple daily specials to Tennessee country ham (yes, the salty kind) and steak and eggs. No matter your choice of breakfast fare, you can bet it will be served hot, fresh, fast, and with good old southern hospitality. And, if you have a special request, Curtis, Tammy, and the rest of the staff will do their best to make it happen.

Visit Snellgrove’s and tell ‘em FOCUS sent you.

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 103

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 104

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION JULY 15- AUGUST 15 • 2004 PG 114 FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 105

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

STORY BY SHERRI ROBINSON PHOTO BY SHERRI ROBINSON

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

THE DIAMONDS PERFORM AT THE RAMADA INN PLANTATION HOUSE Whether eating dinner in the Red Rose Dining Room or having a drink in the Polo Club Lounge, you are assured of having a wonderful time. The food is always fabulous, as is the service. The atmosphere is something that everyone needs to experience at least once.

I can assure you that you will want to return again and again.

Who began their music career in 1956 and had 10 hit records, beginning with Why Do Fools Fall In Love? This group also sold more than 40 million records since that time. Have you guessed who they are yet? If you guessed The Diamonds, you would be correct and one step ahead of me. I had no idea who they were when I was asked to cover the event on Saturday, October 23rd, in the Red Rose Room at the Ramada Inn Plantation House. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I was familiar with their music, though.

It was nice to put a name and a face to the tunes I had heard for years. I quickly settled in for a wonderful night of entertainment.

They celebrated 50 years of Bandstand by performing

“Bandstand Boogie.” One of my favorites of the night was an acappella rendition of “In My Room.” Having an extensive background in music, I know how difficult it is for a group to sound great without music. The Diamonds are masters at it. They continued with “The Stroll”, which brought the young and young at heart down to the dance floor “to shake a leg.” They toned down the beat to a slow dance song of “Unchained Melody.”

The Diamonds have quite a history in music. They not only have 10 hit records, that I mentioned before, but they have live performances that include locations like our very own Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida - Disneyland - Tours in Ireland, England, Korea,

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 106

and Brazil. They have performed at The Wisconsin, Iowa, Oklahoma and New Mexico State Fairs, as well as with the August, Greenville and University of South Carolina Symphonies. Their recording career includes Alive and Well - 1982, Diamonds Are Forever - 1986, Classic Cuts - 1988, Silhouettes From The Past - 1993, We’re Still Rockin’ -1995, and Silver Bells & Diamonds - 1998.

The Diamonds attracts audiences of all ages, from 1 - 92. In my opinion, they are one of the best groups to have ever come to Plant City. I know they will become one of your favorites, too. The Ramada Inn Plantation House continually strives to provide top quality entertainment for everyone.

I always have a great time when I cover events at the Ramada, but being single, I find that many times I am attending events alone and watching other people dance with a partner and wishing I could join in on the fun.

I just want to thank Mr. David Finocchiaro for asking me to dance. He saw me sitting alone and was kind enough to introduce himself. He is one example of why the Ramada is a great place not only to enjoy an evening of music, but also to meet new people.

If you have never been to the Red Rose Dining Room at the Ramada Inn Plantation House, you might want to check out their website at www.ramadaplantation.com to see the latest schedule of upcoming events, or call 813-759-1888.

Don’t forget to check out their holiday schedule for December.

December 4th - Joey Dee & The Starliters December 11th - The Rat Pack Too December 18th - The Marcels December 31st - The Crests and The Saturn Five December 31st - The Platters with the Legendary Monroe Powell and Destiny

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 109

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

MOVIE REVIEWS BY SHERRI ROBINSON

THE GRUDGE - PG13 Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Bill Pullman, Clea Duvall, Jason Behr, Kadee Strickland

I am not into horror flicks, but I just had to see this one. The Grudge is a less violent Buffy the Vampire Slayer turns American nurse Caretaker in Tokyo. Not too unbelievable I figured since it appeared she would still be up against bad guys, sort of. Japanese lore dictates “The Grudge” as a curse of one who dies in the grip of powerful rage. All those who come in contact with the curse are terrorized and murdered. It becomes like a bad chain letter, with no end in sight not even in death.

The best part about going to a horror movie is audience participation and there was plenty the night I went. Two people ran out after the first scary scene. Throughout the

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movie people screamed, “Don’t go in there. Are you stupid?” It was more scary than gruesome but still more gore than I care to watch. The visual effects were pretty amazing and the scare factor was right up there. I consider this movie a personal accomplishment. I watched the whole thing and was still able to sleep...... Rating 3

SHARK TALES - PG Starring: Will Smith, Robert Di Niro, Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Renee Zellweger All of life boils down to dreams even in the fish world. And like the human world, circumstances and

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

others can try to rob us of those dreams. Oscar (Smith) is a little fish in a big ocean with dreams of being SOMEBODY. He is willing to do whatever it takes to get there even if it means he has to lie. Unfortunately his lie may make him the catch of the day with the crime boss (Di Niro). The animation was remarkable resembling each star voice behind the scenes. It came complete with a moral of the story and about love. It was creative and

inventive. It sent a message about putting aside differences and accepting people for who they are not for who you wish they would be.

Rating 3

LADDER 49 - PG13 Starring: John Travolta, Joaquin Phoenix, Jacinda Barrett, Billy Burke, Jay Hernandez This movie is an amazing true depiction of what firefighters and

their families go through. You will leave with a greater appreciation for these great men and women. It takes a special kind of person to risk their life day in and day out.

The movie so closely depicted the real lives of firefighters everywhere that Oprah dedicated a whole show to the cast of Ladder 49 and also to recognize some our firefighting heroes. The cast was very emotional and talked of how it had touched them during the filming. It changes your perspective when you see and can almost feel the intensity of the fire. The fear of things going wrong in an instant is gut wrenching. What kind of anguish would it be if you knew you could save one of your own? That is part of what it is like to be a fireman. Ladder 49 is an experience you will not want to miss. Rating 4

RAISE YOUR VOICE - PG13 Starring: Hillary Duff, John Corbett, Rebecca Da Mornay

A small town girl has dreams of going to a prestigious performing arts school in Los Angeles but it is a no-go with her father. After her brother’s tragic death she receives an acceptance letter but tosses it out. After all how can she sing when the person she was closest to is gone?

Thanks to the encouragement of her very accomplished artist aunt she accepts the offer and is off to Los Angeles, completely unprepared for life in the big city. She has to juggle her new environment, a budding love interest and hiding the truth from her father. Most of us would be grateful to have a thimbleful of the talent I heard in Raise Your Voice.

I can’t say enough good things about this movie. The story line was good but the talent was phenomenal. I can’t wait to get the soundtrack. You’ve got to see it!

Rating 4

PARTY & DESERT TRAYS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR HOLIDAY EVENT. � �������������������

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

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 111

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ABC Pizza 114 N Alexander St 752-5146

Catfish Country 712 S Collins 752-0126

El Rincon Mexicano 4109 State Rd 574 754-0620

Maryland Fried Chicken 315 N Alexander 752-9200

Shelby’s & Jacob’s Java 110 Reynolds St E 719-6570

Alexander’s Café at S Fla Baptist Hospital 301 N. Alexander St. 757-8451

Chancy’s Catfish Shack 2509 N Park Rd 754-3433

Fred’s Market Restaurant 1401 W Dr MLK Blvd 752-7763

Norma’s Ybor City Cuban Shop 1305 Baker St E 754-6557

Snellgrove’s Restaurant 109 S Collins 752-3652

Checker’s 2405 Jas Redman Pkwy 759-0151

Frontage Sports Bar & Grill Days Inn 1301 S Frontage Rd 752-0570 exit 168 & 169

Orange Blossom Tea Room 106 Evers St S 759-2247

Grandpa Johnsons BBQ 1305 Dr MLK Jr Blvd 759-0009

Outback Steakhouse 1203 Townsgate Ct 759-4329

Heavenly Sinsations Inc. 1803 Jas Redman Pkwy 717-7512

Papa John’s Pizza 1829 Jas Redman Pkwy 719-7300

China King Restaurant 2410 James Redman Pkwy 754-8098

Hong Kong Buffet 213 Alexander St W 764-8255

Park-side Café 101 E J Arden Mays Blvd 719-8345

China One 1862 James Redman Pkwy 707-8898

Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs 208 N Alexander St 752-6113

Pesos Mexican Restaurant 2006 Reynolds St W 752-8841

China Palace 1106 Collins St S 754-7145

Hungry Howie’s - #200 2424 Hwy 92 E 764-0363

Church’s Fried Chicken 703 Collins St S 754-5200

Joann’s Country Kitchen 12650 McIntosh Rd Thonotosassa 982-0739

Anna’s Restaurant 3410 Baker St W 754-6215 Apple Tree 2218 Jas Redman Pkwy 707-8109 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar 1204 Townsgate Ct 719-1500 Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurant 1909 Frontage Rd S 719-3321 Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurant 201 Alexander St W 754-4881 Ava’s Café 1801 W Baker St (Hwy 92 W) 717-9785 Beef O’Brady’s Sports Pub 2418 Jas Redman Pkwy 757-0300 Bobs Sports Grill 226 Alexander St W. 719-8187 Bogey’s Restaurant 2001 Clubhouse Dr 752-1171 Boston Market 238 Alexander St W 759-2652 Brooklyn Bridge Deli 1309 S Collins St 659-3621 Branch Ranch Dining Room 5121 Thonotosassa Rd 752-1957 Buddy Freddy’s Restaurant 1101 Goldfinch Dr 754-5120

Cherry’s Bar & Grill 1701 S Alexander St W 764-8818 CiCi’s Pizza 211 Alexander St W 659-3400

Curbita Inc (Only speaks Spanish) 4109 State Rd 574 754-0620

Kazbor’s Grille 2212 James Redman Pkwy 752-2700

Dairy Queen 1902 W Reynolds 752-2236

Kentucky Fried Chicken 2305 Collins St S 752-0437

Denny’s Restaurant 2001 Frontage Rd S 752-3338

La Esperanza Mexican Restaurant 113 Prosser Dr W 659-3940

Domino’s Pizza 202 Alexander St W 759-9424

Linda’s Crab Shack 202 Reynolds E 754-0492

Pizza Hut 2316 James Redman Pkwy 752-8222 Pizza Moni 2607 Thonotosassa Rd 759-6664 Plant City Restaurant & Drive-in 2005 W Baker St 752-9202 Ponderosa Steak House 1914 Jim Redman Pkwy 754-1129

Strawberry Hut Sandwich Shoppe 1505 Wheeler St N 752-3779 Strawberry Paradise 4511 James L. Redman Parkway (813) 737-3866 Subway 2305 Thonotosassa Rd 754-4550 Subway 2403 James Redman Pkwy 754-4878 Subway 2209 N Park Rd 659-0288 Taco Loco Restaurant 14672 Dr MLK Blvd 659-0916 Tim’s Café 10903 Lithia Pinecrest Rd 737-4026 Twistee Treat 2301 Jas Redman Pkwy 707-9303

Popeye’s Famous Fried Chicken & Biscuits 2005 Frontage Rd S 757-9742

Waffle House 1201 Townsgate Ct 707-0190

Quackers Café 1707 James Redman Pkwy 759-2233

Westshore Pizza 1701 S Alexander St 754-5600 Whistle Stop Café 102 S Collins 752-7340

El Buen Gusto Michaocano 3414 Baker St W 759-6635

Lin’s Express 2307 Thonotosassa Rd 719-6066

Ramada Inn Red Rose Dining Room 2011 N Wheeler St 752-3141

El Mirasol Bakery Cafeteria 1419 Collins St S 752-2108

Long John Silver’s Seafood Shoppe 1805 Jas Redman Pkwy 752-1717

Shanghai Chinese Restaurant 805 Collins St S 759-0518

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 112

Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q 1102 Goldfinch Dr 757-3118

Woody’s Bar-B-Q 203 Alexander St W 754-3229

Delicious Sweets Designed Just For You!

Fun to Give. Fun To Receive. Fun to Eat

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

In fact, our medical staff is a family affair.

Dr. Michael A. Salvato, M.D, and his sister Helen M. Tepper, AR.N.P. in conjunction with Dr. Brian Shaub D.O. are working together to provide the best care possible.

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

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

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 113

Visit our web site: www.feltonsmarket.com

MEATS GROCERY

WIDE SELECTION OF HAMS Low cholesterol items: Smoked Turkey Wings Smoked Turkey Necks Fresh Turkey Tails & Gizzards Smoked Turkey Tails Fresh Goat Fresh Mullet/Catfish/Perch Fresh Dressed, Grade A, Premium, Ice-Packed Poultry Leg Quarters 40-lb. box Fresh IBP Small and Med. Spare Ribs Fresh IBP Lite Spare Ribs “Great for Barbecuing” Fajitas by the package or the box

Paradise Fruit in 5-lb. box (available All Year Round) Wide selection of: #10 Can And Gallon Size Items Martin’s Potato Bread Entenmann’s Bakery products Goya • Lisy • La Costena • San Marco’s and La Dona Tortillas Fresh Hot Tortillas

PRODUCE • SPECIALIZING IN SPECIAL CUTS OF MEAT No Order Too Big Or Too Small LARGEST SPICE SELECTION IN TOWN • One Stop Shopping for all your large parties, family reunions and church events • Special services available include: Western Union, Money Orders & Wiring Sevices Plantains, Green Bananas (by the box or lb.)

Fresh Local Produce Daily Fresh Greens Available Daily

Call for special orders: 813-752-1548

Walker Plaza, 617 N Maryland Ave. Plant City, FL 33563 ATM Available at Customer Service. TECO Payments Accepted

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

November 17th Wednesday All public schools will be holding The Great American Teach In. For additional information, or to volunteer, call the public school of your choice.

November 18th Thursday Plant City Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at Colonial Bank, 2318 James L. Redman Parkway. Starts at 5:15pm until 7:00 pm.

November 19th Friday The Passion of the Christ will be shown in its entirety at 7:00 pm and at 9:45 pm at the First Baptist Church of Midway, 2902 E. Midway Rd., Plant City. If you have not seen this movie, please join us. There is no charge! If you’re between the ages of 0 to 100+ please come visit us, we have much to offer, from: Children’s Church, active youth (8-18) activities, family activities, College and Career (18-25) and the very active 50+.

Worship services are held Sundays at 8:30 and 11:00 am, with Sunday School at 9:45 am. Wednesday evenings offer various worship and other activities, usually beginning at 7 pm. For additional information, please call the church office at 813752-7209.

November 20th Saturday Strawberry Classic Car Show in beautiful historic downtown Plant City. Starts at 4:00 until 9:00 pm.

2nd Annual Pig Jam at the Randy Larson Four-Plex off Park Road in Plant City. This event is expected to exceed the success of last year’s event, with many of the same participants and many new ones. This barbeque event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, and is complete with professional judges. Professional teams from as far away as South Dakota, Kansas, North Carolina and Tennessee are expected to compete for the top

prize of $2,500. There will also be competitions for amateurs and children, including a Hog Calling Contest, which is being sponsored

by Poppel Insurance and entries will be accepted on the day of the event. There will be children’s activities and bands will be entertaining throughout the event. All the festivities kick off at 10 am and continue until 6 pm, when the prizes will be awarded. For additional information, call the Chamber office at 813-754-3707.

The Rat Pack Too is appearing in the Red Rose Dining Room of the Ramada Inn Plantation House, beginning at 8:00 pm. The show is free. For additional information, or to make reservations, please call 813-752-5452.

November 27th Saturday The Rat Pack Too returns to the Ramada Inn Plantation House’s Red Rose Dining Room. Show begins at 8:00 and is at no charge.

For additional information, or to make reservations, please call 813752-5452.

November 30th Tuesday Annual Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Awards Banquet at the Ramada Inn Plantation House Red Rose Convention Center. Awards will be presented for small business of the year, mid-size business of the year, large business of the year, growing business of the year and a special award to an outstanding business. This is a great community event. For additional information, or to make reservations, call the Chamber at 813-754-3707.

December 2nd Thursday From 5:00-10:00 pm Lights of Love Celebration, in McCall Park in downtown Plant City. Animated and lighted scenes set up for everyone to stroll through, lighting of the Christmas tree at 6:45 pm. Arts and Crafts vendors along

FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 116

with concessionaires will be on hand. Contact Deborah Haldane at (813) 757-9166 days or by e-mail at dhaldane@plantcitygov.com for more information on transforming McCall Park in historic downtown Plant City into a festival of lights for the holiday season. This is a FREE event for everyone!

2004 Christmas Showing of the Arts at Walden Lake Golf & Country Club. Starts at 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. For additional information, please call 752-9660.

December 3rd Friday From 2:00 to 8:00 pm continuation of the animated and lighted scenes in McCall Park, as well as building a shaved ice mountain of “snow” for the children to play on.

Various stage entertainment will be on hand. Arts and Crafts vendors along with concessionaires will be on hand. Donations from local merchants help make this event possible: Contact Deborah Haldane at (813) 757-9166 days or by e-mail at dhaldane@plantcitygov. com for more information. This is a FREE event for everyone!

Annual Plant City Christmas Parade through downtown Plant City.

Begins at 6:30 pm.

December 4th Saturday Bike Fest in downtown Plant City.

Starts at 5:00 pm. The city will have McCall Park all decorated with Christmas lights! Bring the family and enjoy.

Joey Dee and the Starliters will be appearing in the Ramada Inn Plantation House’s Red Rose Dining Room. Show begins at 8:00 pm, and tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. Come hear the original recording artists of “Peppermint Twist” belt out their famous tunes from the 50’s & 60’s.

For additional information, or to make reservations, please call 7525452. Tickets are also available from Ticketmaster online.

December 10th & 11th Friday - Saturday The Plant City Children’s Theatre (PCCT) will be having their fourth annual gift basket silent auction before the Nutcracker performances on December 10th & 11th at Tomlin Middle School.

Everyone is invited to come and participate in the silent auction even of they are not attending the Nutcracker performances. Doors will open at 7:00 pm on 12/10, and 10:00 am on 12/11, an hour before the performance, and the bidding will stop when the performance begins. There will be over 100 gift baskets, with something for everyone, ranging from starting bids as low as $5.00. The baskets make wonderful gifts for all occasions, including items such as theme park tickets, gift certificates, Brighton jewelry and many more treasures!

All proceeds from this silent auction fundraiser will go toward college scholarships.

The PCCT is a non-profit organization established to benefit, educate and provide the youth of Plant City and the surrounding areas the opportunity to develop and experience the performing arts. The PCCT provides three free plays a year: spring, summer and winter, including an annual performance of the Nutcracker. For the youth of Plant City, we provide summer jobs, dance convention scholarships, college scholarships, opportunities for rural children to study with professional artists, Peacemaker Performing Arts Team, and a positive environment for the development of our youth.

Please come out and support the PCCT silent auction on December 10th and 11th and walk away with some wonderful gift baskets!

December 11th Saturday The Rat Pack Too is appearing at the Ramada Inn Plantation House’s Red Rose Dining Room. Show begins at 8:00 pm and is free of charge. For additional information, or to make reservations, please call 813-752-5452.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT Antique Street Fair & Arts & Crafts Fair in downtown Plant City. Starts at 8:00 am until 3:00 pm.

December 18th Saturday The Marcels are appearing at the Ramada Inn Plantation House’s Red Rose Dining Room. Show begins at 8:00. Advance tickets are $20, and will be $25 at the door.

For additional information, or for reservations, call 813-752-5452, or visit their website at www.ramadaplantation.com. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster online.

Strawberry Classic Car Show in downtown Plant City. Begins at 4:00 pm.

Year Round or Coming Up Square and Round Dancing at Strawberry Square, 4401 Boot Bay Rd., Plant City, where dancing is a pleasure.

Tuesday night: Mainstream/Plus dancing, 7:30-9:30 PM Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

nights: Round dancing, 7:00-9:30 PM

total!

No pre-registration is needed 2005 competition will be held in late January, 2005

Saturday night: Plus dancing with Rounds, 7:00-9:30 PM Special dance: New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2004.

Ages groups: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 (boys and girls compete separately) Event held at Tomlin Middle School Gym

We are an air conditioned, smoke free facility with a floating hardwood floor. And be sure to visit our Square Dance Apparel Shop while at our dances.

Register at 1:30, event starts at 2:00 Ages 8-13 (as of event date) - both boys and girls FREE EVENT!

For more dancing and workshop schedules, specials, and other information, call: 813-752 0491.

Plant City Jazzercise For more information, contact Donna Breting at 813-986-4261.

For young adults through seniors – CoEd. A fun way to fitness! Total body conditioning program. Over 4500 classes around the US and in 38 other countries. Each class is one hour. High/low intensity aerobic workout to all types of popular music. Classes include weights and floor exercises. Warmup segment with gentle rhythmic movements and jazz isolations for individual muscle groups. Aerobic

Optimist Tri-Star Basketball Skills Competition Contact Dan Smith at 813659-4255 days or by e-mail at dsmith@plantcitygov.com for more information. 2005 is our 32nd season hosting the competition - 91 participants were at the 2004 event. Scoring is for accuracy and speed. Passing, dribbling, shooting for combined total points.

Trophies awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd in each age group - 36 awards

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segment increases cardiovascular fitness and burns extra calories.

Aerobic cool-down allows body to slow down and stretch. Muscletoning segment concentrates on strengthening, then stretching the hips, thighs, derriere, abdomen and upper torso. Final cool-down allows the body to return gradually to normal. Leave feeling relaxed, refreshed and revitalized - great way to start or end your day! Wear comfortable clothing allowing sweat evaporation and ease of movement, aerobic shoes to help absorb shock and support the feet, bring an exercise mat.

Weekly year-round at the Winter Visitor Center, 403 Dort Street Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00 pm $25 for new students - no long term contract required - monthly registration

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 117

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FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 15 • 2004 PG 119

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