Local » did you know
BOB EDWARDS TO RECEIVE HERITAGE AWARD AT PLANT CITY PHOTO ARCHIVES AND HISTORY CENTER’S NINTH ANNUAL GALA L submitted By: Plant City Photo Archives & History Center
ocal attorney Robert “Bob” Edwards will receive the coveted Heritage Award at the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center’s ninth annual gala scheduled for Thursday, March 31st at the Red Rose Ballroom, Red Rose Inn & Suites in Plant City. In making the announcement, Photo Archives’ president, Ed Verner, said Edwards has been involved in the preservation of the community’s history and heritage since he first arrived in Plant City in 1955.
A 1953 graduate of the University of Florida Law School, Edwards settled in Plant City after a tour of duty with the United States Air Force and joined former law school friend, Woodie Liles, in the practice of law. Edwards went on to gain an outstanding reputation in law and in community affairs. Although his family roots go to north Florida, south Georgia, and farther back to the Carolinas, Robert Sydney Edwards was born in Miami, July 10, 1929. The family returned to Mayo, Lafayette County, Florida, about 1932, where Edwards attended public schools, graduating in 1947 as Salutatorian of his class. He was also student body president, and lettered in basketball. Bob Edwards then entered the University of Florida and participated in the Air Force ROTC
program, worked two part-time jobs, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1951. He entered the University of Florida Law School, where he met Woodie Liles, a Plant City native. They graduated in 1953 and were admitted to the practice of law. After a two-year tour with the United States Air Force, Bob joined Woodie in Plant City and formed the law firm of Liles and Edwards in 1955. Bob Edwards fell in love with Plant City and devoted the following decades to his law practice and to civic and community affairs. Bob Edwards became involved with the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Council, the Main Street program, Citizens for Positive Growth, Hillsborough Community College, Tampa General Hospital, the Hillsborough Planning Commission, the Plant City Swim Club and the YMCA, the First Methodist Church, and many other organizations and causes. Bob Edwards was honored as the Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Plant City civic clubs in 1994, and, an Eagle Scout at 15 years of age, he received the Friends of Scouting Distinguished Citizen Award in 2008. This year he will be recognized for his efforts on
behalf of the preservation of the history and heritage of the community and will be the recipient of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center’s prestigious Heritage Award. 2011 ANNUAL GALA This year the annual gala will be held at the Red Rose Ballroom, Red Rose Inn and Suites in Plant City, beginning with a Champagne Reception at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will be treated to the mellow jazz of the Florida Southern College Jazz Combo, an exhibit of numerous historic photographs sponsored by Tampa Electric, a photo display by Plant City High School students, a photo opportunity sponsored by Sunshine State Federal Savings and Loan, an elegant buffet, a complimentary wine bar sponsored by George and Cassandra Banning, a splendiferous Photo Trivia Contest sponsored by Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, and a musical selection provided by the Plant City High School Chorus, followed by the presentation of the Heritage Award. Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be the Honorable Mayor/Commissioner Dan Raulerson, assisted by presenters Ed Verner, Gil Gott, Hal Brewer, and Sonny Jones. Hosts, hostesses, greeters and committee members include Linda Smith, Sally Verner, Lou Baird, George and Cassandra Banning, Al Berry,
Lynn Brewer, Doug Gibbs, Edwena Haney, Anne Haywood, Maribeth Mobley, Marsha Passmore, Betty Patton, David Patton, Maida Pou, Jodi Smith, Dean and Mikie Snyder, David and Alise Sollenberger, Darcy Stottlemyer, Bill Thomas, Amanda Verner, Carole Wright and others. Staff members include Candy Owens and Tim Grzelczyk. Previous recipients of the Heritage Award include D.E. Bailey, Jr., James L. Redman, Robert Trinkle, B.M. “Mac” Smith, Betty Barker Watkins, Hal Brewer, Gladys Jeffcoat, and James “Sonny” Jones. Reservations may be made by stopping at the office at 106 South Evers Street, or by calling the office at 813.754.1578, or by emailing gvgott@gmail.com. Admission is $85 for Photo Archives’ Members and $100 for Non-members. The Photo Archives and History Center is an award winning organization formed in 2000 for the preservation of the greater Plant City and east Hillsborough County’s history and heritage. The museum of historic photographs, containing over 100,000 images, documents and photographs, is located at 106 South Evers Street, in downtown Plant City, and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Its website address is www.plantcityphotoarchives. org.
foCUS Magazine Plant City march 2011
45