FOCUS Plant City 20-05

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Contents Table of

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LITTLE MISS PLANT CITY CROWNED

For more than half a century, Plant City has chosen one young lady to hold the prestigious title of Little Miss Plant City. This year, the new Queen and Court are sure to discover “there’s no place like home” as they dive into a whirlwind of events, appearances, and community service.

Photo by Rob Yoho PAGE

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SPOTLIGHT: 10 YEARS OF WEIGHT LOSS AT SOUTH FLORIDA BAPTIST HOSPITAL South Florida Baptist Hospital has performed over 650 weight loss surgeries since opening its bariatric surgery department in 2011. Meet SFBH’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephen Butler, Dr. Anthony Rossi, and dietitian Lisa Musician as they reflect on the past decade of patient success.

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FEATURE: THE DOCTORS’ ORDERS

FOCUS is proud to present our annual May Medical issue. Meet our city’s top doctors from all specialties including dermatology, pediatrics and even a doctor for your four legged friend.

FOCUS PLANT CITY

focusplantcity.com / Issue 20-05 / May 2021

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FEATURE: NOW HIRING PLANT CITY

As the economy rebounds from the pandemic, job openings are plentiful in Plant City. Check out what the experts are saying and see some of the career opportunities available in our city.

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FEATURE: POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE: MEET THE 2021 VALEDICTORIANS

As seniors prepare for graduation ceremonies scheduled for late May and early June, four students from the greater Plant City area hold the distinct title of being the top of the class. Meet the 2021 Valedictorians from Plant City High School, Durant High School, and Strawberry Crest High School.

PUBLISHER

Mike Floyd

MANAGING EDITOR

Cierra Craft

ART DIRECTOR

OFFICE MANAGER

DISTRIBUTION

mikef@floydpublications.com

cierra@floydpublications.com

Anthony Sassano

asassano@floydpublications.com

Candy Owens

cowens@floydpublications.com

Tony DeVane

STAFF WRITERS

Cheryl Johnston Emily Topper Jennifer Jordan Katie Hamilton

CONTRIBUTORS

Candy Owens Heather Davis Gil Gott Natalie Sweet

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Contact us for more information.

Floyd Publications, Inc. 702 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd.Plant City, FL 33563 Office 813.707.8783 Standards of accuracy: The goal of the writers at FOCUS Magazine is to provide heart-warming stories that are accurate from the start. Being human, however, we sometimes make mistakes. Please forgive us.

So if you notice anything that is incorrect, then please do not hesitate to contact the editorial department and inform it about the fact error. To do so, call (813) 7078783 or e-mail editorial@floydpublications.com. The staff will fix the error in a timely manner.

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

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.

www.focusplantcity.com

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UBLISHE

From The

Publisher

DAYS OF SUMMER

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The school year comes to a close on May 28 and it's hard to believe.

Time is flying by so quickly; it feels like just yesterday my son Zy was off to his first day of eighth grade.

Now, we are talking about vacation plans for the summer. One of my favorite summer memories was three years ago, when we took the camper all over the country and spent time with my parents out west.

This year, we are switching things up and having a family vacation somewhere new.

This summer, Zy will also be busy with camps and training for football.

In this issue, we’ve got a list of summer camps for kids, ranging from LEGO building at Brick City Bricks to basketball camp at the Y. There is something for everyone and plenty of activities to keep our youth busy this summer.

Another group of students, who I am sure are ready for a much needed summer vacation are our community’s 2021 Valedictorians: Antik Patel, PCHS; Valeria Cortes, DHS; Dua Bangash, SCHS; and Sagnik Yarlagadda, SCHS IB. Meet these bright young minds who talk about their senior year and their futures at our state’s universities included.

This month, we also tip our hats to a group of professionals who have committed their lives to caring for others. We are proud to present our annual Medical issue, highlighting the various doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who help keep our community happy and healthy. On the cover, we feature South Florida Baptist Hospital’s Bariatric Surgery department and enclosed, meet two patients who have had incredible success as a result of their weight loss surgery.

Warmest Regards,

Mike Floyd

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Community

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PCHS Student Competes in Rotary Speech Contest

By Cierra Craft Hannah Holm, a student at Plant City High School, is not a stranger to the stage or being in the spotlight.

Holm grew up in the performing arts and is a member of the school’s drama club. But, the young thespian tried her hand at a new talent: public speaking.

Holm participated in the Rotary Speech Contest, a contest that provides a valuable opportunity for young men and women to demonstrate and enhance their skills at developing a theme and presenting it to others in a convincing manner.

“There are three rounds to the competition: Club level, Group level, and the District level,” said Holm, a PCHS junior. “My theater teacher, Mrs. Schmidt, sent out the link in January and no one signed up. She pulled me to the side and encouraged me to enter with only two days before the deadline. So, I prepared a speech and presented it to the Rotary Club of Plant City.”

Holm chose to speak on resources for single parents, a topic close to her heart, as a child from a single parent home. Holm was declared the winner and modified her speech for the Group Level. At the Group competition, she spoke about father absence, provided statistical information and shared more of her personal experiences.

“I choked up and froze at one point in this stage of the competition and honestly, didn’t expect to advance to the next level,” said Holm. “I’m a bit of a perfectionist and when I mess up, I take it personally. To my surprise, I was named the winner between Plant City, Newsome and Strawberry Crest High School.”

On April 12, she competed in the District 6890 Speech Contest, against students in Hillsborough, Hardee, Polk, and Highlands counties. Holm came in third place and while it wasn’t the number one spot as she had hoped, Holm said she was definitely inspired to compete in more speech contests.

“I saw through Hannah how far our youth have come in discussing topics that were once taboo,” said Kelsey Bridges, Holm’s mom. “I hope her involvement [in Rotary] opens doors for her peers to educate themselves on issues not often talked about and better understand that organizations such as the Rotary provides resources most aren’t even aware of.”

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Author JeanAnn Everidge Taylor hosts Mermaid Magic Book Signing Party

By Jennifer Jordan On April 24 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., friends, families, and mermaid lovers came out to Pelican SnoBalls to celebrate author and Plant City native, JeanAnn Everidge Taylor on publishing her second book, Mermaid Magic: An Enchanting Story of Secrets and Adventure.

The 84-page book was released in February 2021 and is meant for children ages 8-13. It tells the enchanting story of a mermaid named SparkleLeah, who takes a human named Michael on an adventure around the world -from Hawaii to Tokyo to France- and reveals some magical mermaid secrets along the way.

“It took me about 6 years to complete, mainly because I didn’t know how to draw or paint; I took classes and lessons because after reaching out to professional artists I realized I had to illustrate the book myself to make sure it was my vision,” said Taylor.

Mermaid Magic: An Enchanting Story of Secrets and Adventure was on sale at the book signing for $20, with a free and matching Mermaid Magic coloring book being given with every book purchase. Taylor was also selling her first book that was published in 2011, The Little Girl Who Loves to Twirl for $15.

With kid-friendly activities that included temporary tattoos, chalk art, and creating your own mermaid bookmark, kids were able to express their creativity and create their ‘dream mermaid’. Pelican SnoBalls even offered a new Mystical Mermaid SnoBall for the book signing party that included Polar Punch and Wally Bobo stuffed with Hershey’s Mystical Mermaid ice cream and topped with whipped cream and fairy dust. With dozens of supporters, friends, and mermaid lovers in attendance, JeanAnn Everidge Taylor’s book signing party turned out to be as magical and fun as her second book, Mermaid Magic: An Enchanting Story of Secrets and Adventure.

To learn more about JeanAnn or to purchase a copy of Mermaid Magic, visit Barnes and Noble, barnesandnoble.com or Amazon.com

Community

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Plant City Chamber Welcomes ModWash with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

By Jennifer Jordan On April 29, The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, City Commissioner Mary Mathis, and Mayor Rick Lott came out to ModWash to welcome the new and rapidly growing car wash business to Plant City. Officially opening on November 13, 2020, this is the third ModWash location in Florida and the southernmost located ModWash in Florida currently.

“Being out here supporting and welcoming new business is the culture of our city, as they provide new jobs and invest in our community, and we want to show our support and appreciation for them,” said Mayor Lott.

At ModWash, customers can choose between single washes, unlimited memberships, and family plans. With single washes and membership plans ranging in price from $10-$39.99, washing your car can be affordable and easy, with washes lasting only a few minutes for those who are short on time or are on the go. There are also self-serve vacuum stations that are free to use, as well as sham towels, glass cleaner, and an air blower for those who want to give their vehicle a more detailed cleaning. If someone is unable to or chooses not to hand vacuum, there is a free machine that if a vehicle rug is placed inside it, the rug will get a detailed vacuum and cleaning job.

Vice President of Operations at ModWash Miguel Prendes stated, “We use a lot of modern technology that separates us from other car washes; when you pull up to enter the car wash as a member, there is license plate reading technology that will scan a member’s license plate to open the gate and allow the member to enter the carwash. During a pandemic, it’s great to have a contactless way to get your vehicle washed.”

ModWash is located at 2511 James L Redman Pkwy and is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For questions and further information, ModWash can be reached at 813-540-7077.

The Anointed Life of Plant City to Host Community Baptism

By Jennifer Jordan On Saturday, May 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Pastors Elder Lloyd and Evon McDonald are baptizing as many people as possible that are willing to accept Jesus Christ into their hearts as their Lord and Savior. The all-nations community baptism will be held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, located at 604 W. Ball St. The event is free to the public and anyone who is wanting to get baptized is welcomed to attend. A post-baptism celebration will be held at Snowden Park -located at 902 Waller St- and will include music, food, and entertainment. All who are baptized that day will receive a certificate of baptism.

For more information about the community baptism, the Anointed Life Ministry of Plant City is located at 402 N. Plant Ave and can be reached at 813993-6982 or lemcdonald@theanointedlifeministry.com.

Blues, BBQ, and Berries creates Block Party in Downtown Plant City

By Jennifer Jordan On April 24, the Improvement League of Plant City hosted the first annual Blues, BBQ, and Berries event on Evers Street, attracting dozens of residents with live blues music, delicious BBQ, and strawberry shortcake. The free event enabled the residents of Plant City to come together to experience and enjoy some of the many businesses in downtown, such as Three Hand’s Mead Company, the Tipsy Bookworm, Root’s Tap Room & Wine Bar, and My Town Barber Shop & Salon. The event also highlighted the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center, which gives residents and tourists the opportunity to discover some Plant City history and learn about its journey.

During Blues, BBQ, and Berries, residents could set up chairs and blankets along Evers Street to enjoy the music, step into the Plant City Photo Archives after hours to soak up some Plant City history and information, and enjoy the amenities of Three Hand’s Mead Company, the Tipsy Bookworm, and Roots Tap Room & Wine Bar. William Thomas Jr., president of the Improvement League of Plant City, said, “We really want downtown Plant City to become a fun hang out spot, and by having these types of events where people can come together on the street and enjoy these newer and older businesses in downtown, we’re hoping residents won’t feel the need to visit Lakeland or Tampa to have a good time.”

Falling off the Bone BBQ served up ribs, chicken, and corn on the cob and were able to sell out to event goers. Jacob Davies and Tony Bernard Smith performed with some classic blues jams, and the Plant City Photo Archives served up strawberry shortcake and a quiet place to discover Plant City history. The first Blues, BBQ, and Berries was a fun event for friends, families, and pets to come out and enjoy a few of the amazing new businesses in downtown and show the potential of downtown Plant City after dark.

The next event hosted by the Improvement League will be its ‘Florida Emancipation Day’ held on May 20 at 5:30PM at the Glover School located at 5104 Horton Rd. The event will be free to the public and will include a reenactment of General Edward Moody McCook announcing the emancipation proclamation, which formally freed the slaves in Florida in May of 1865.

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Community

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Ready for Camp: Your Guide to Summer Camps

By Cierra Craft

B

uilding robots. Shooting hoops. Creating with clay. Summer Camps in Plant City are far from a snooze fest. They’re engaging, educating, and entertaining ways to keep our city’s youngest residents connected with peers with something for just about every age and interest.

Now is the time to sign up! Availability goes fast, and waitlists are constantly changing and reopening. Contact the camp of your choosing directly for more, including costs, aftercare COVID-19 protocols and other requirements.

The Classics

City of Plant City Parks & Recreations Summer Program runs for 8 weeks, from June 7 and runs until July 30, running daily 7:30 am to 5:30 pm (Closed Monday July 5 for the observed July 4 holiday) and caters to campers ages 6 to 15 years of age. The camp will be located at two locations: Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort Street or Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, 302 South Maryland Street. Campers will make a mess with crafts, hulk out in outdoor sports, or explore aerodynamics. Register at www.plantcitygov.com/parksrec/page/ summer-offerings.

Summer Camp at the Y offers activities that allow campers to take a break from school, but not from learning. This ten-week program runs June 1 through August 6 at 1507 YMCA Place for ages 6 to 12. The YMCA summer program includes STEM-based activities, sports, field trips and fun-filled playtime. Learn more at https://www.tampaymca.org/ programs/camp/summer-camp/sign-up and select “Plant City Family Y (Plant City)” to register.

Lots of Hugs is centered all around reading to prevent students from the “summer learning loss.” Hosted by Plant City Black Heritage, Lots of Hugs will be head at Hope Luthern Church, 2001 N. Park Road for a nine week session from May 31 to July 30. The camp is open to ages 6 to 14. Campers will be engaged in the “Just Read” literacy program, writing exercises, and water safety lessons, go on educational field trips, eat healthy snacks and meals, and play. To register, visit celebration2. homestead.com or contact Sharon Moody at sharonmoody91@yahoo. com or call 813.453.7134.

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For Athletes

PC Hoops Camp is led by PCHS Basketball Coach Billy Teeden.

Hoopers, ages kindergarten through grade 5 will train from 9:00 a.m. to noon and grades 6-12 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with two sessions: June 14 to June 18 and July 12 to July 16. This year’s camp will be held at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, 302 South Maryland Street.

Registration is $100 per camper per weekly session. Contact Coach Teeden at 813-967-7551 or email recinfo@plantcitygov.com to register or get more information.

Cheerleading Camp is held by PCHS Cheer Coach Karen Snapp, will be held 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on July 20 and 21 in the school gymnasium, 1 Raider Place, and campers are divided into three age groups: ages 4-6, ages 7-10 and ages 11-13. All campers are asked to bring their own lunch in a Ziplock bag and their own bottled water. Required attire includes a t-shirt, shorts, sneakers and a hair tie to keep long hair out of the face. No jewelry allowed. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place and campers are asked to bring a mask.

The cost is $100 per camper and there will be no on-site registration this year. Contact Snapp at 813-757-9370 or kfsnapp@aol.com, or the Plant City Parks and Recreation Department at recinfo@plantcitygov. com, to register or get more information.

Carlson Gracie Jiu-JItsu hosts an annual summer camp from 7:00 AM 6:30 PM at its studio at 109 E. Reynolds Street in downtown Plant City.

Not only will campers develop their martial arts skills, but also take field trips to local museums, parks, and more. Parents can register and learn more about the program by stopping in at the address above.

For Techies

Camp Invention is coming back to the Arthur Boring Building for its seventh consecutive year from June 7 to June 11. Campers ages Kindergarten through sixth grade will engage in science, technology, engineering and math concepts. A nationally-acclaimed summer program led by certified local educators, the Plant City camp is the #1 Camp Invention in the state of Florida. For more information about registration and how to prepare your student for camp or questions regarding COVID-19 protocols, please contact Camp Director Paul Coletti at pacman1988@hotmail.com.

For Creatives

LEGO Summer Camp at Brick City Bricks is for the little builder in your life. Opt for all-day camp, mornings only or afternoon only camp, in this creative camp in partnership with Bricks4Kidz Tampa. Choose from four separate camp weeks: Mashup Camp, May 31 to June 4; Magic Camp, June 28 to July 2; City Camp, July 19 to July 23; Game On Camp, August 2 to August 6. LEGO Summer Camp is for ages 4.5 to 12 and open to individuals with disabilities. Register online at www.bricks4kidz. com/.../plantcity-area-summer-camps/.

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Community

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Walden Lake Review

BY NATALIE SWEET

W

alden Lake Community Association Board Meetings are held virtually the third Monday of each month. You can Livestream or Teleconference the conference by signing in to www.WaldenLake.org. The next meeting is scheduled for June 21st at 7:00 PM. Watch the boards at the entries for any special meeting announcements and the times for those meetings. You should also be registered on www.WaldenLake.org to get the agenda and minutes of meetings.

The WLCA Board of Directors had their organizational meeting on Monday, April 19th. The following Directors were elected as officers: • Larry Britt – President • Alicia Powell – Vice President • Ellen Sisco – Treasurer • Sharon Philbin - Secretary Having food trucks on the 2nd Fridays and last Sundays of each month in Walden Lake at the HOA office/sports complex has been a big hit with many residents. Charm City Eats will here on Sunday, May 23rd from 11:00 to 8:00. Please note the change from the last Sunday due to Memorial Day weekend.

Walden Lake LLC recently submitted a revision of their plans to the City of Plant City. To see this and past information on what is happening with the development of the Walden Lake golf course, you can visit www.WaldenLake.org under the “News” tab. The latest information can also be found at the City’s website www.PlantCityGov.com.

During the month of April, there were 25 sales in Walden Lake and 2 sales in Walden Lake East. The average sale price was $324,691 with an average of 17 days on the market.

PCHS, Walden Lake Receive Appreciation Gifts from T-Mobile

By Jennifer Jordan On May 5 and May 6, T-Mobile wanted to gift the teachers and staff of Plant City High School and Walden Lake Elementary with appliances, drinks, and snacks as part of their Small-Town Initiative for Teacher Appreciation Week. T-Mobile donated Keurigs, air fryers, microwaves, and varieties of coffee, beverages, and goodies. In addition, they also decorated the teacher’s lounges with pink T-Mobile décor to show the faculties of both schools their gratitude and how important they are to Plant City.

The Plant City T-Mobile team decided to update the break rooms since that’s where the faculty spend their free time during school hours and deserve to have the latest appliances for doing a job that is hardworking and selfless. Retail Development Manager at T-Mobile Ray McNab said about the Small-Town Initiative, “I’ve lived in Plant City my whole life, so it’s important to me to be able to show our teachers of the community that they matter, and T-Mobile created the Small-Town Initiative to show small towns that they are just as important as large cities.”

With Teacher Appreciation Week only happening once a year, McNab stated, “This is our first year doing this for the teachers of our community; I’m hoping we do this again next year and add more schools in Plant City to our list.” For any questions pertaining to internet access, phone service, and the Small-Town Initiative, the Plant City T-Mobile store is located at 2402 James L Redman Pkwy and can be reached at 813-756-5924.

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The April sales are as follows: Address / Sales Price / Living Area / Pool / Garage 101 Granada Court North / $206,500 / 1989 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 2653 Eagle Greens Drive / $207,500 / 1260 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 1429 Walden Oaks Place / $210,000 / 1310 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 3119 Emerson Way / $219,000 / 1559 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 201 Granada Court North / $225,000 / 1542 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 2205 Preservation Drive / $249,899 / 1810 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 3121 Emerson Place / $250,000 / 2083 Sq’ / Yes / 2 Car 4121 Barret Avenue / $255,000 / 1886 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 3102 Emerson Place / $266,500 / 2314 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2790 Golf Lake Drive / $269,000 / 1723 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 3415 Silver Meadow Way / $271,000 / 1850 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2317 Walden Place North / $274,000 / 1636 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 3407 Silver Meadow Way / $280,000 / 1450 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2306 E Timberlane Drive / $287,000 / 1373 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2906 Hammock Vista Court / $294,000 / 1808 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 3503 Kilmer Drive / $295,000 / 2286 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 1711 Brookstone Way / $310,000 / 1871 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 1101 Sandalwood Drive / $310,000 / 1928 Sq’ / Community / 2 Car 2634 Bridle Drive / $325,000 / 2411 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 3358 Silvermoon Drive / $350,000 / 2231 Sq’ / No / 2 Car 3502 Oak Club Court / $375,000 / 2489 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2915 Forest Hammock Drive / $395,000 / 2206 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 3008 Forest Club Drive / $415,000 / 2611 Sq’ / Private / 3 Car 3903 Executive Circle / $439,000 / 2799 Sq’ / Private / 2 Car 2206 Clubhouse Drive / $450,000 / 3070 Sq’ / Private / 3 Car 2875 Hammock Drive / $580,000 / 5202 Sq’ / Private / 4 Car 1904 Masters Way / $759,900 / 4152 Sq’ / Private / 3 Car There are currently 4 active listings for sale in Walden Lake with an average list price of $731,725 and an average of 94 days on the market. One of these listings is listed at $2,100,000 and if you eliminate this listing, the statistics of the remaining 3 change the averages to $375,633 and 100 days on the market. There are 20 properties Pending Contract with an average list price of $318,748 and average of 40 days on the market.

The real estate market is hot due to a lack of inventory, and interest rates are extremely low, making this not only a great time to sell but also a fantastic time to purchase. When hiring a real estate company and agent, you want to be sure they understand the Walden Lake housing market clearly as the prices are rising quickly. If you are interested in the most current statistics or any questions regarding this article, feel free to reach out to me. NSweet@KW.com or 813-758-9586.

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Take the Stage:

Little Miss Plant City Crowns 2021 Queen

By Jennifer Jordan

O

n Saturday, May 1, the GFWC Plant City Junior Woman’s Club crowned the 2021 Little Miss Plant City Queen. The organization hasn’t crowned a title winner since 2019, opting not to hold the pageant in 2020 due to the pandemic. Typically, girls ages 8-10 are only able to compete; however, girls who turned 10 last year were able to compete this year at 11 with a special voucher due to the lack of a 2020 Little Miss Plant City pageant. 29 girls participated and were judged on personality, appearance, and

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stage presence in a pageant that has been a Plant City tradition for over half a century.

The Little Miss Plant City Queen and court represent not only the GFWC Plant City Junior Woman’s Club, but the community at various annual events such as Empty Bowls, Relay for Life, the Christmas Parade, and the Florida Strawberry Festival Parade. The 2021 event’s theme was “There’s No Place like Home”, with many girls referencing The Wizard of Oz and Plant City with their own catchy and creative poems

and songs to impress the judges with their unique personalities. Each girl wore dresses that showed off their personality and style, with Contestant 20 -Annslea Woody- opting instead to wear a gray plaid short-suit that gave her a professional and polished look. Contestant 24, Brylnn Newsome, wore a dress that had a black sequined top with a pink satin waistband and poofy white skirt with black polka dots and black converse to show off her quirky and fun style.

The night began with each contestant

introducing themselves, then emcees Eric Randall and Kori Wyatt read each contestant’s bio as they walked the stage in front of the judges. Many of the contestants shared their favorite food, hobbies, and fun facts about themselves, with contestant 13, Addisyn Wise, sharing how country music singer Thomas Rhett sang her happy birthday from the stage of a concert.

In addition to personality, appearance, and stage presence, the girls were also judged on poise, appropriate dress, and grooming. The contest includes an interview, pageant walk, final look, and for the Top Ten, and on-stage question. The girls were asked if they were crowned Little Miss Plant City, what would they most look forward to and why. Many said they looked forward to helping with the Annual Shoe Project, building close friendships, and serving the community.

The Top Ten Semifinalists were named: Anaylse Garcia, Rylee Nichole Smith, Jacqueline Pineda, Giselle McDowell, Rylie Morris, Callie Lagunes, Brylee Martinez, Aubrey Duncan, Kennedy Duncan, and Teagan Brake.

Anaylse Garcia was named Miss Congeniality and Autumn Brazil was recognized for selling the most advertisements in the event program, raising $2,125.

Kennedy Duncan was named 2021 Little Miss Plant City Queen. Her court comprises of First Maid Callie Lagunes, Court Member Anaylse Garcia, Court Member Giselle McDowell, and Court Member Aubrey Duncan. Queen Kennedy Duncan and Court Member Aubrey Duncan are sisters and hugged each other on stage in tears over the excitement of them both making the Top Five.

Little Miss Plant City Chair Betty Medina said of the event, “A very special bond is created when you spend so much time getting to know the girls. I’m extremely honored to be the Chair of Little Miss Plant City and to help give back to the community through the GFWC Plant City Junior’s Club Annual Shoe Project.”

Queen Kennedy and her court will attend various community events including Relay for Life, the community parades, and assist in fundraising efforts for the Plant City Junior’s largest community give-back event: The Annual Shoe Project, which gives shoes and socks to elementary school children in need at 16 different schools.

For information about the 2022 competition or the Annual Shoe Project, contact event chair Betty Medina at plantcitylmpc@gmail.com.

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Bariatric Surgery at South Florida Baptist Hospital South Florida Baptist Hospital has performed weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, since 2011. The hospital and its surgeons have performed 652 surgeries since then, an average of approximately one per week over the last 10 years.

Excess weight can lead to serious health complications and decreased quality of life. For many, bariatric surgery could be a solution.

Dr. Stephen Butler, also South Florida Baptist Hospital’s chief medical officer, and Dr. Anthony Rossi perform the surgeries. Dr. Butler has been doing bariatric surgery for 10 years while Dr. Rossi has eight years of experience.

“The surgery can be one of the greatest single gifts you can give yourself in terms of your future health,” Dr. Butler said.

“Bariatric surgery is the best evidence-based medical ‘tool’ you can give yourself to help transform your health in a positive and lifelong way,” Dr. Rossi said.

The surgery is only part of the equation. Diet, exercise and lifestyle changes are important in maintaining the weight loss following surgery.

“The surgery is not magical,” said Lisa Musician, a registered dietitian, a Florida-licensed dietitian/ nutritionist and South Florida Baptist Hospital’s bariatric program manager. “Patients need to apply lifestyle changes to obtain a healthier way of living. We’re not asking them to be perfect.

There are times when they are going to stumble and fall. We are there to help them keep moving forward. The goal is progress, not perfection.”

South Florida Baptist Hospital Bariatric Surgery Fast Facts •

• • • • PAGE

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Accredited as a Comprehensive Center of Excellence by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Our team will help with the process of verifying insurance benefits for bariatric surgery coverage Presurgical evaluation, education and clearances Postoperative planning classes Comprehensive continuous services with

•

•

our team including behavioral health assessments, fitness consultation and nutrition Support staff assisting patients includes Andrea Birge, program dietitian, Erica Crenshaw, patient access services representative and surgeons’ office staff Ability to participate in weight loss support groups and BayCare Bariatrics Facebook Group with other patients

To learn more: Call (855) 245-3278 or (813) 7072152 or register for an online information session at BayCareWeightLoss.org

From left, Bariatric manager Lisa Musician, surgeons Stephen Butler, MD and Anthony Rossi, DO PAGE

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Patient Success Story:

Christopher Stokes Lakeland, FL

On St. Patrick’s Day 2021, Lakeland’s Christopher Stokes celebrated exactly one year since his weight loss surgery at South Florida Baptist Hospital. With assistance from the bariatric surgery performed by Dr. Rossi, Christopher went from 350 pounds and a 46-inch waist to his current 194 pounds and 34-inch waist.

Christopher, 53, a duty officer with the Florida Forest Service, has a great sense of humor about his decision to use bariatric surgery to help lose weight.

“There are a lot of people I irritate,” Christopher joked. “I wanted to prolong my life so I can irritate them longer. I’ve also got a wife (Sarah) who I think likes me, I wanted to do something to hang around for her too.”

BEFORE

In addition to Christopher’s transformed body and appearance through the surgery, the weight loss has helped to improve his health.

Christopher no longer has diabetes or hypertension or takes medication for both. He also felt the difference in his wallet.

“He’s gone above and beyond everything we’ve asked him to do,” Dr. Rossi said. “We gave him the education and the tools. After that the ball is in his court and he has the motivation to put the education and tools into practice. He’s active, he feels good. I’m proud and happy for him.”

“I’ve saved a lot of money because I don’t have to spend as much money for prescriptions,” he said.

Christopher had his surgery in March 2020 shortly before BayCare postponed elective surgeries. Many of his follow-up appointments with our bariatric team had to be done through remote video conferences.

“Christopher is the model patient,” said Dr. Rossi. “He has a great outlook, great attitude and a great sense of humor. He is the reason we do this surgery. We do this surgery to help people change their lives and get healthy.”

Dr. Rossi said Christopher has adhered closely to a post-surgery protocol of a healthy diet and exercise to maintain the weight loss.

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“Christopher did all of this in the midst of a pandemic,” Dr. Rossi said.

“That’s to his credit, also. He had tremendous accountability despite not being able to come in to see us.”

“What this experience has done for me, how it’s helped me, I know it can do the same for other people,” Christopher said.

After

AFTER Dr. Anthony Rossi

Before

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Patient Success Story:

Rebecca Johnson-DeHart Spring Hill, FL

Rebecca Johnson-DeHart’s decision to do weight loss bariatric surgery at South Florida Baptist Hospital was two-fold – serious health concerns and a desire to enjoy her Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Before her surgery, she weighed 318 pounds. Her weight caused her to have thyroid, kidney, liver, heart and diabetes problems. She also had sleep apnea which required her to need oxygen to sleep at night. She was taking 32 medications for her health.

“I was waking up at night gasping for air, I couldn’t breathe” said Rebecca, 54, a Spring Hill resident. “My oxygen levels were low. I was using an oxygen tank. At the time, I was 50 years old, this was my wakeup call. I was not getting any younger. Something had to give, I had to do something.”

“At her weight, Rebecca was at high risk for cardiac sudden death because of her sleep apnea,” said Dr. Stephen Butler, her bariatric surgeon at South Florida Baptist Hospital.

Of lesser importance but still significant, Rebecca could not fully enjoy riding her motorcycle.

“I was scared to ride it,” she said. “I was too big, I could not stabilize or balance the bike properly at my size.”

On March 31, 2017, Rebecca had bariatric surgery performed by Dr. Butler. Today, she is 125 pounds. Doing the math, she is down nearly an astounding 200 pounds. She now takes only seven medications for her health.

The weight loss surgery more than four years ago is only the beginning of the story. It’s what Rebecca has done since then that is equally astounding. She’s completely revamped her lifestyle to keep the weight off. She used to drink five 2-liter bottles of caffeine beverages a day.

She’s disciplined herself to have little to no desire to drink caffeine.

She faithfully has followed the post-surgery protocol of following the healthy meal preparation and exercise guidelines set up by South Florida Baptist Hospital’s bariatric team of Dr. Butler, dietitians and PAGE

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BEFORE fitness experts. She works out with weights in her home gym and uses a stabilization exercise ball to strengthen her core muscles. She is loyal to attending the follow-up sessions with hospital bariatric staff that helps keep her accountable and on track.

“Dr. Butler sets up everything for you, he gives you the tools, he boosts you,” Rebecca said. “It (keeping the weight off) doesn’t happen overnight, you have to keep working at it. You have to be mentally right to do this.

You have to do it for yourself. It is a gift you give yourself.”

“Becky really is an ideal and exceptional patient,” Dr. Butler said. “I wish I could clone her for all my patients. She has succeeded because she made permanent lifestyle changes. I have little fear that she’ll revert or regress.

She’s completely invested in what she’s done.”

Besides her huge improvement in health and appearance from the surgery and lifestyle changes, she’s back to regularly enjoying her Harley.

Happy trails, Rebecca!

After

AFTER Dr. Stephen Butler

Before

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MEDICAL PROFILE

Berry Patch Animal Clinic When our four legged friends are injured or experiencing an illness, Plant City’s pet parents turn to Berry Patch Animal Clinic for their veterinary needs. Formally known as Animal Clinic at Southside, Berry Patch Animal Clinic is located at 3012 James L. Redman Parkway.

Dr. Derek Stansberry

3012 James L Redman Pkwy, Plant City, FL 33566 (813) 707-0520 berrypatchanimalclinic.com Facebook & Instagram: @berrypatchanimalclinic Monday & Friday: 8AM to 6PM Tuesday- Thursday: 8AM to 5PM Saturday: 8AM to 2PM Sunday: Closed PAGE

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The office is owned by and operated by Derek Stansberry. Dr. Derek Stansberry graduated from Purdue University in 2007. Having grown up on a farm, he has always had an affinity for animals. He has participated in rodeos since he was young doing saddle broncos, roping, and steer wrestling. He has called North Lakeland home since 2008. Stansberry is joined

by Dr. Douglas Bandkau who has been practicing veterinarian medicine for over four decades. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1979 and enjoys spending time with his two Shih Tzus.

Berry Patch Animal Clinic specializes in wellness care, surgery, internal medicine, and emergencies for small animals. Berry Patch also offers Spay/Neuter Surgery, Dental cleaning, and dental surgery, Growth/tumor removals, Digital x-ray, Hospitalization, and Boarding.

Berry Patch partners with the vet technician program at Plant City High School, allowing students to gain real-world experience, and the veterinarian office partners with Plant City Police Department in caring for its K9 unit.

The costs of veterinary care can be uneasy and unexpected, but Berry Patch accepts cash, all major credit cards, checks, and offers two payment services: Care Credit and Scratch Pay. Both options allow you to set up payment plans that fit your budget.

Berry Patch is a member of the Florida Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Medical Association. The vet clinic was named the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce February 2019 Member of the Month and received the FOCUS Magazine Readers’ Choice Award for Best Veterinary Practice in 2020 and 2021.

Pet parents rave about Berry Patch Animal Clinic in online reviews: “I love coming to Berry Patch Animal Clinic. Everyone is so friendly. Valerie is always so helpful and very friendly at the front desk. The vet is great, they treat every dog with care as if it were their own. Great customer service!”

- Blanca G. “First time there with our new fur baby and the experience was fabulous. The staff was very kind and respectful and the doctor was very detailed and took her time with my questions and concerns. So glad we found this place.” Robin K.

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MEDICAL PROFILE

Dental Associates at Walden Woods A comprehensive, personalized approach to dentistry is the standard at Dental Associates at Walden Woods. With Dr. Ray Gutierrez heading up the practice, the Dental Associates team shares a collective vision for providing excellence in multispeciality dental care. Dental Associates at Walden Woods is a patient-centered practice; “Dr. Ray” and his hygienists, technicians, and office personnel will make sure your experience is as effective, affordable, and pleasant as possible. By employing the latest technologies and through continuing education, the entire staff provides patients with the professional attention they deserve.

Dr. Ray is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Dentistry and a member of the American Dental Association and Florida Dental Association.

Dr. Ray is also an esteemed member of the Doctor Mastery Program, a five-year clinical training program presented by world-renowned clinicians.

512 E. Alexander Street, Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 752-3030 dentalassociateswaldenwoods.com Mon-Thurs 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM Fri 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM PAGE

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"Improving the health and well being of our patients is a top priority to my team and I,” said Dr. Ray. “Building relationships with each of our patients is also very important to us; getting to know our patients greatly helps us better understand their dental needs so that we can provide top dental care that surpasses their expectations."

"Practicing dentistry with excellence and professionalism is tremendously important to me,” Dr. Ray explained. “My goal is that every patient feels very comfortable and confident with us. We try to provide value to them and ensure high level care at an affordable price in a compassionate and comfortable atmosphere.”

Dental Associates at Walden Woods provides Emergency Dental Care, Endodontics, Cosmetic Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Invisalign, among many other services. From complicated extractions to a biannual teeth cleaning, regardless of your current oral health, your smile is always in good hands at Dental Associates at Walden Woods.

“I’ve never been to a dentist's office that had made me feel so comfortable and relaxed as much as this location did… Dr. Ray is also very awesome and down to earth compared to a lot of dentists out there!”

- Cheyenne M.

The Dental Associates team knows that a trip to the dentist can cause patients to feel anxiety-stricken, fearful of long or painful procedures. Dr. Ray is certified in IV Sedation, allowing him to perform multiple procedures in one visit. This means that patients who need extensive dental care can receive treatments in fewer visits. This not only reduces the fear and apprehension associated with dental visits but also cuts down on dental care costs. If dental anxiety is holding you back, ask about their patient amenities and sedation options. Their goal is to give every patient the smile they deserve.

“Great Doctor, who was very patient along with his whole staff. Although I was not the easiest patient, they still made me laugh and cared. Thank you Dr. Ray and your whole staff. I love my brand new smile.”

- Kendall P. “After years of being absolutely terrified of the dentist I came to Dental Associates of Walden Wood and found a family!!! Extremely caring and gentle. I would a million percent recommend them to anyone needing dental help. Dr.Ray is the best, and the staff is amazing!!!” - Theresa M.

CELEBRATE DAD WITH US ON SUNDAY, JUNE 20!

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MEDICAL PROFILE

Gaffney Eye Clinic

Florida Eye Specialists & Cataract Institute When Tampa native Dr. Barry Gaffney graduated from the University of Alabama School of Optometry, he brought his devotion for visual and ocular health to the community of Plant City. Founding the Gaffney Eye Clinic in 1978, his practice has outgrown two prior locations off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and is now located at 2002 South Alexander Street. Joined by his sons Dr. Jeremy Gaffney and Dr. Daniel Gaffney, this family owned and operated business is making big changes in order to provide the best eye care possible.

level of eye care to Plant City. Our patients can now consult with specialists in our office for a variety of services including cataract surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, and retinal surgery. We will continue to offer our optical services and remain committed to personalized service for our patients.”

In February 2021, Gaffney Eye Clinic joined Florida Eye Specialist & Cataract Institute. Together, the two practices provide the same personalized eye care Gaffney patients have received over the past four decades, but have expanded their services to provide patients with in-office specialist consultations. A new building addition will provide space for the latest in diagnostic testing.

Gaffney Eye Clinic and Florida Eye Specialist & Cataract Institute provide the following services: • Comprehensive Eye Health and Vision Evaluation • Contact Lens Evaluation and Fitting • Emergency and Urgent Eye Care • Cataract, Cornea, and External Disease Management • Diabetic Examinations • Dry Eye Management in the Dry Eye Center of Florida • Red Eye Examinations • Glaucoma Management • Macular Degeneration and Retinal Examinations • LASIK Evaluations • Pediatric Eye Examinations • Adult and Geriatric Examinations • Keratoconus Management • Surgical Perioperative Care

“Plant City is growing and we recognize there is a need for more specialized eye care in our area,” said Dr. Jeremy Gaffney. “This merger [with Florida Eye Specialists and Cataract Institute] brings a higher

2002 South Alexander Street, Plant City, Florida 813-754-3593 drbgaffney.com Mon, Wed, Fri: 8AM to 5PM Tues: 8AM to 5:30PM Thurs: 8AM to 6PM Sat & Sun: Closed PAGE

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When patients visit the office, located on the curve of Alexander Street, they will see the same physicians and staff- plus some new faces- all dedicated to caring for one of the body’s highly developed sensory organs.

Gaffney Eye Clinic offers a large selection of eyeglasses, designer frames and sunglasses. The optical center carries the latest European and

American designer eyewear collections in a variety of styles, colors and materials including titanium, stainless steel and plastic.

Patients can shop designer frames including Tom Ford, Gucci, Kate Spade, Coach, Oakley, and Costa del Mar, among many others, to find the latest style in prescription sunglasses and eyeglasses. Options for Transition lenses, contact lenses and special eyewear for sports, swimming and shooting are also available.

For more information, visit DrBGaffney.com or FloridaEye.org and follow Gaffney Eye Clinic on Facebook and Instagram.

Patient Testimonials “Gaffney Eye Clinic is the absolute best!! The entire personnel are extremely friendly and professional.

And they truly care for your eye health and you as a person. I definitely recommend them!!”

Ronda H. “Kind, courteous, friendly...... treat you like family.”

Linda C. “The practice he shares with his father and brother just joined a larger group of doctors, thus widening the field of expertise they can draw on. I recommend to anyone needing special care for your eyes!”

Cindy L. “I've been seeing Dr. Barry Gaffney for 39 years. I drive back to Plant City because I've always been treated amazing and wouldn't consider anywhere else.”

Clare C.

Experience the difference 405 S. Kings Ave, Brandon, FL 33511

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·

813 820 3138 www.re-definebeauty.com

At Redefine Beauty Aesthetics we believe all patients deserve to be treated with honesty and respect and will come to know that our knowledge and expertise will bring the best results. We pride ourselves in making realistic goals and results for our patients to have the best non-surgical outcomes.

Our services include: Injectables (Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, Jeuveau) Fillers (Versa, Voluma, Volbella) Laser Treatements (IPL, Laser Hair Removal, Yag, Skin Resurfacing) Facials Medical Grade Skin Care And more. visit our website for monthly specials

Actual patient.

Before and after

MEET CAROLYN AGNEW, ARNP-C, MSN

At Redefine Beauty Aesthetics we combine education and experience for superior outcomes. We make each and every person feel and see the difference inside and outside.

Come and experience why patients have been trusting Carolyn Agnew ARNP-C, MSN for over 10+ years. She has been a mentor and trainer for her peers, students and other professionals in the industry.

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MEDICAL PROFILE

Plant City Pediatrics Plant City parents put their trust in Dr. Timothy Williams, who opened Plant City Pediatrics in October 2002. Since then, the practice has grown to a 22-member staff. The professionals at Plant City Pediatrics believe “children are a gift from the Lord” and view patient care as an investment in our future. With a goal to provide the finest pediatric medical care available, the practice places priority emphasis on excellence, compassion, and creating a space where parents and patients are comfortable from start to finish.

Dr. Williams is joined by Chandra Williams, M.D., F.A.A.P; Emily Buchholz, PA-C; Emily Zink, APRN; and Brandy Garcia, APRN. This team of highly

2370 Walden Woods Drive Ste A, Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 659-9800 plantcitypediatrics.com Mon-Thurs 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM Fri 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM PAGE

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qualified, board-certified providers have a combined experience of over 40 years in pediatric care. Dr. Timothy Williams and Dr. Chandra Williams are both affiliated with South Florida Baptist Hospital.

From, the front office, to the nursing staff, to the providers, the team at Plant City Pediatrics wants to help Plant City parents raise a healthy and happy child.

Plant City Pediatrics sees children ages birth to 18 years old for all their healthcare needs. Children experience rapid growth that requires a specialized approach to their care. The providers have watched their patients grow and to see them succeed, and some return with their own children, is rewarding for the medical staff. The Plant City Pediatrics team is equipped to help their young patients navigate infancy, childhood, and adolescent health needs and can connect parents with pediatrics specialists as needed.

Parents know it's wise to have a highly regarded pediatrician’s number handy in the case of an accident. Plant City Pediatrics advises: “Call us first.

We may be able to save you a trip to the ER.”

The practice accepts most Commercial & Medicaid insurance plans. For great advice about the immunizations and medical assessments your child needs at specific ages, or to access necessary forms before your child’s first visit, view their helpful website tabs.

Parents interested a first-time appointment can visit plantcitypediatrics.com to register and complete the new patient portal information.

Then, they will be contacted by a friendly member of the staff to book their first appointment. For information on Plant City Pediatrics COVID-19 policies and procedures, visit plantcitypediatrics. com.

Dr. Williams’ love for children inspired him to become a Pediatrician. He not only meets the needs of children in our community he has built an orphanage in Mwanza,Tanzania and gives hope to poverty-stricken children who have been orphaned.

His integrity and love for children is shared by the providers and staff at Plant City Pediatrics and they consider it an honor to be trusted with the healthcare of your children.

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MEDICAL PROFILE

favorite for her expertise and warm and welcoming demeanor.

Watson Clinic Plant City The Physicians You Trust Most For well over a decade, residents have come to rely on Watson Clinic Plant City to serve the healthcare needs of every generation in their family. In the process, the facility’s expert physicians and providers have come to regard their patients like members of their own extended family.

The bond between a patient and their physician can be a special one. Their collaboration has the power to enhance quality of life, ease discomfort, and instill a lifetime of healthy habits. That bond begins by building a sense of trust.

Watson Clinic has devoted the last eight decades to building that trust. We’ve continued to focus

615 E. Alexander Street Plant City, FL 33563 813-719-2500 www.watsonclinic.com Mon- Fri 8AM to 5PM PAGE

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on fulfilling the healthcare needs of each sector of our patient community. Our patients know that any ailment they experience can likely be treated at a Watson Clinic facility close to their home. Our commitment to offering the most accomplished physicians and the latest medical technologies also provides peace of mind.

Watson Clinic Plant City was conceived as a continuation of this legacy. The facility offers all-encompassing care in a comfortable and compassionate hometown setting. Family members of all ages can benefit from the popular specialties housed in this location.

The key to a lifetime of good health is prevention.

That’s the main focus for our team of Internal Medicine specialists. In addition to providing the care you need when you’re suffering from a minor illness or injury, the department keeps each patient current on their recommended screenings, routine examinations, and the ongoing management of chronic conditions.

The healthcare needs of our community’s precious children are catered to our Pediatrics department.

Dr. Leslie Coello Echeverry, a highly accomplished physician who is board-certified in both Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, has become a community

As Plant City has grown, so have we. Recently, the location has welcomed yet another specialty into the fold: nephrology. Led by board-certified specialists Dr. Michael Achinger and Dr. Steven Achinger, the nephrology department provides screenings, diagnosis and treatments for kidney disorders, including Chronic Kidney Disease and high blood pressure, which is a leading risk factor for heart attack, stroke and kidney failure when not controlled.

An on-site laboratory makes patient visits more time-efficient. Appointments can be scheduled in a manner that best fit your particular wellness needs, even within 24-48 hours.

Watson Clinic Plant City is conveniently located in the heart of the city at 615 E. Alexander Street.

The facility is open every Monday – Friday from 8 am – 5 pm. Appointments for all departments may be scheduled by calling 813-719-2500.

Meet the Team at Watson Clinic Plant City Internal Medicine Leslie Coello Echeverry, MD Cindy Kelly, DO Manish Parekh, MD Kristin Riley, PA Lindsey N. Wells, PA Nephrology Michael J. Achinger, MD Steven G. Achinger, MD Pediatrics Leslie Coello Echeverry, MD

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MEDICAL PROFILE

Dr. Ritika Bhandari & Licensed Medical Esthetician Jaime Crotwell

Plant City Dermatology Despite being only a few millimeters thick, skin makes up about one-seventh of our body weight. Taking care of all 22 square feet of our skin not only contributes to our cosmetic appearance, but is essential to our overall health. Plant City Dermatology treats not only skin cancer, but also psoriasis, eczema, and other conditions of the skin, hair and nails.

American College of Mohs Surgery, and Women’s Dermatologic Society.

The practice is led by Dr. Andres Tobon and Dr. Ricardo Berrios, and they’re joined by the latest addition to the Plant City Dermatology’s team of doctors: Ritika Bhandari M.D., F.A.A.D. Dr. Ritika Bhandari is a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon. Mohs surgery is considered the most effective technique for treating the two most common types of skin cancer. The procedure allows the removal of all cancerous cells for the highest cure rate while sparing healthy tissue and leaving the smallest possible scar.

Another new addition to the Plant City Dermatology team is Licensed Medical Esthetician Jaime Crotwell. Jaime is originally from the MD/DC/VA area and wanted to make her passion for skincare a reality when she moved to the Tampa area in 2015. She holds a State Board Licensure for Medical Aesthetics and Lasers. She specializes in Hydrafacials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, microneedling, dermaplaning, laser hair removal, Trusculpting, and coming up with the perfect product regimen for your skincare needs.

Dr. Bhandari was born and raised in Louisiana and grew up in Philadelphia, PA. She received her undergraduate degree at Drexel University, majoring in Biomedical Engineering. She attended medical school at Chicago Medical School where she graduated magna cum laude. Dr. Bhandari completed both her Dermatology residency and combined Mohs Surgery and cosmetic dermatology fellowship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Though she specializes in Mohs surgery and cosmetic dermatology, she sees a variety of other surgical and medical dermatology patients.

Dr. Bhandari is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, PAGE

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“I’m so honored to be given the opportunity to help and care for the residents of Plant City” said Dr. Bhandari. “It is a close knit community that feels like family, and I’m grateful to be a part of keeping its residents healthy and happy.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bhandari, Jamie Crotwell, or any member of the Plant City Dermatology staff, call (813) 498-1983.

502 N. Mobley Street Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 498-1983 plantcitydermatology.com Mon-Thurs 8AM to 5PM Fri 8AM to 12PM Sat & Sun Closed

BRANDON LEGAL GROUP Attorneys at Law

A FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM & FAMILY MEDIATION CENTER

*Family Law *Mediation *Divorce *Business Law *Real Estate Law *Bankruptcy *Wills and Trusts *Criminal Defense INGRID M. HOOGLANDER

OFFICE IN BRANDON SUN CITY CENTER, WESLEY CHAPEL, LAKELAND & TAMPA BY APPOINTMENT

844-4BLG4ME WWW.BRANDONLEGALGROUP.COM

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Commercial Insurances: Aetna • Avmed • Blue Cross Blue Shield Cigna • Humana • MultiPlan • United Health Care Medicaid: Humana Medicaid • Simply Healthcare • Staywell United Health Care Medicaid • Sunshine Health

CRUMBLES & CREAM KAFFEEHAUS

ER INN

1W 202

113 S Evers street, Plant City, FL 33563 (opposite from the Plant City Photo Archives)

TRICIAN ST PEDIA

BE

THANK YOU PLANT CITY FOR VOTING US BEST PEDIATRICIAN FOR 2021!

Timothy B. Williams, D.O., M.Ed., F.A.A.P. • Emily Buchholz, P.A.-C Brandy Garcia, A.P.R.N. • Chandra R. Williams, M.D., F.A.A.P. Emily S. Zink, A.P.R.N.

Plant City Pediatrics believes that “children are a gift from the Lord”. We view patient care as an investment in the future of each child and take our mission very seriously. Our providers provide gentle, compassionate care to each patient, offering quality healthcare.

www.plantcitypediatrics.com PAGE

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813-441-4635 Business hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 7:30AM - 3PM Offering seasonal German & European baked goods and specialty cakes.

Also available European coffee & tea.

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NOW HIRING PLANT CITY:

COMPANIES CAN’T GET ENOUGH HELP AS ECONOMY REBOUNDS

BY CIERRA CRAFT

From restaurants to retail, Plant City businesses have “help wanted,” “now hiring,” “join our team” signs posted in every window. Job openings seem to be posted daily on social media.

As the economy rebounds, businesses are finding it challenging to hire people to work right now. Some are boosting pay and adding benefits just to encourage job applications to pour in. During the peak of the pandemic, many small businesses- particularly restaurants and bars- had to let workers go and those workers have now moved on to other jobs.

According to the National Restaurant Association, there are three elements worsening this labor shortage: • Many people are still afraid to work in a close environment, such as a kitchen. Some experts say that as immunizations increase, so will the level of unemployment.

• Some workers have switched industries for jobs that give them more flexibility in scheduling or work-from-home positions to take care of their children who are taking online classes.

• Extended unemployment benefits exceed pay for some jobs and at the time of publication, federal unemployment benefits are scheduled to end September 2021 However, those that are seeking employment have an abundance of opportunity in the greater Plant City area and beyond. Whether you’re looking to level up your career or try a new industry all together, there is something for every jobseeker. The U.S. Labor Department in March added 916,000 jobs, which economists said was a sign that a recovery from the coronavirus pandemic is actually happening.

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Warehouse Position: Labeling QA Company: Sysco International Food Group, 2401 Police Center Dr # 240, Plant City Employment Type: Full Time Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; 1 year of experience; Must be able to lift 50 to 80 lbs and be able to read and write English.

How to Apply: Online at careers.sysco.com and enter Job ID R21659 Position: Warehouse Support, Warehouse Associate Company: Home Depot, 1911 S. Wiggins Rd, Plant City Employment Type: Hourly Benefits: Healthcare Options, Profit-Sharing Bonuses, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Parental Leave and more.

Job Description: Associates in a Warehouse Support role may perform activities related to scheduling inbound and/or outbound activities in the Distribution Center; ensure inventory accuracy within the processing areas, system and process quality as well as vendor compliance and/ or outbound shipment to our stores.

Warehouse Associates are an essential part of The Home Depots distribution network. They load and unload trucks, move material within the facility and from the loading platform by carrying, pushing, rolling or operating hand trucks, forklifts, hoists, motorized conveyors, or other material handling equipment.

How to Apply: Online at careers.homedepot. com/

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Paid Vacation & Paid Holiday Requirements: Must have 2+ Years of Experience; Valid drivers license & clean driving record.

Job Description: Maintain and repair indoor air quality systems. This may include performing warranty services and emergency repairs. This may also include assisting with customers' queries.

How to Apply: Apply within at 712 E. Alsobrook St Ste 6 & 7 Position: A/C Service Company: Gould’s Air & Heating Employment Type: Full Time Benefits: Paid vacation & holidays, vision; dental, and health insurance Requirements: Experience preferred, but willing to train. Create sales proposals that are accurate and complete, that can be easily transferred to the installation team.

How to Apply: Send resume at office@gouldsac.com

Home Improvement

Position: Construction Laborer Company: Palm Harbor Homes Employment Type: Full Time Benefits: PTO; Medical, Dental, Vision benefits; 401k; Requirements: Prior construction experience preferred but we will train the right person; Current Driver’s License; 18 years or older.

How to Apply: Online at www.facebook.com at Palm Harbor Homes Manufacturing Division, Plant City

Position: A/C Service Technician Company: First Response Heating & Cooling, 712 E. Alsobrook St Ste 6&7 Employment Type: Full Time Benefits: Vision, Dental, and Health Insurance,

Position: Interior & Exterior Painters Company: Buck’s Professional Painting Employment Type: Full Time Requirements: 2+ years experience

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"Whether you’re looking to level up your career or try a new industry all together, there is something for every jobseeker" PAGE

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Restaurant & Food Service Position: Server Company: Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd Employment Type: Part Time Requirements: Looking for an enthusiastic bartender/server to provide an excellent guest drinking experience. Good bartenders will be able to create a casual experience with our own beer, wine, and cider made at the on-site Brewery and Winery.

How to Apply: Apply in-person Monday through Thursday 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM only.

Position: Line Cook Company: Outback Steakhouse, 1203 Townsgate Ct Employment Type: Part Time Benefits: Employee discounts; Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision benefits; paid time off (when eligible) How to Apply: Online at outback.com/careers Position: Team Member Company: Strawberry Hut, 1505 North Wheeler St Employment Type: Full Time Requirements: Food prep and clean up, phone orders, serving customers etc.

How to Apply: Online at www.facebook.com/ StrawberryHutPlantCity/

Healthcare Position Registar I Company: BayCare/South Florida Baptist Hospital, 301 N Alexander St Employment Type: Shift hours vary Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; Computer Skills Required; One year of experience preferred.

How to Apply: baycare.org/career, click Search Jobs, and enter Job number 214354

Administrative/Customer Service Position: Car Wash Attendant & Detailer Company: Walden Lake Car Wash, 1414 S Alexander St Employment Type: Full Time & Part Time Benefits: $100 Sign On Bonus after 60 days; Medical Benefits; Vacation Pay; On the Job Training; Uniforms provided How to Apply: Apply within at 1414 S. Alexander St Position: Clerk Company: Dinosaur World, 5145 Harvey Tew Rd Employment Type: Full Time Requirements: Job duties include cleaning, running a register, assisting guests, stocking, informing guests of our policies, etc.; Must be able to work on weekends.

Benefits: Health, dental and vision insurance available How to Apply: Apply within at the address above Position: Customer Service- Utility Billing Company: City of Plant City Requirements: Knowledge of daily operations and activities of customer service; Knowledge of rates, ordinances and billing policies; Skill in the operation of a computer, calculator and common office equipment; 3+ years of experience required; High school diploma or equivalent.

How to Apply: Apply online at plantcity.gov and select careers

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Most people recognize you as a friendly face at Krazy Kup! What’s the best part of your job?

Hands down, the people. Both the customers and my coworkers. Because it’s a coffee shop, you touch a cross section of society that a lot of times don’t usually come together. Everyone loves coffee, so I love the fact that I have gotten to know and become friends with so many great people of all walks of life. While it may seem small, getting to serve someone something as simple as a great latte and a smile is icing on the cake for me. It feels good to know you had something to do with starting someone else’s day off on the right foot.

What is a business or event you would like to see Plant City have in the future?

More events happening downtown. We are already headed in that direction with all of the new businesses opening up and events like the Last Friday Food Truck Rallies. It is such a walkable district with lots of character, and I’m excited to see more entertainment options and events take advantage of this. A farmer’s/artisan market would be a great addition.

People of Plant City

Vanessa Borges

By Emily Topper

C

offee and tea lovers in Plant City have likely seen Vanessa Borges working behind the counter at Krazy Kup in Historic Downtown. But when she’s not making coffee or keeping up the coffee shop’s social media page, she makes time for her faith and her creative side.

Are you a Plant City native? If not, where were you born and when did you move here?

I was born and raised in New York, and landed in Plant City in 2010 after first living in North Carolina for about 9 years.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

My very eclectic musical taste. Growing up in NYC, people are often shocked to learn that I LOVE country music, especially classic country.

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You recently launched a new business! Tell us about it and the inspiration behind it.

I recently launched an Etsy shop featuring my beaded jewelry. I have always found my happy place in making things. For many years, I’ve crocheted and made my own jewelry for the pure joy of it. Friends and family have always encouraged me to sell my items, but it wasn’t until recently that I felt the calling to turn my passion into a business. It’s called ITAV & Co, which stands for “It Takes A Village” because it truly is my village that both inspires most of my creations and supported my decision to turn a hobby into a business. While I use different techniques to create my pieces, my true passion is making knotted jewelry. It creates strength and dimension to what would otherwise be just an ordinary strand of beads. I’ve even been able to extend this skill to making rosary beads, which is quickly becoming my favorite piece to make. If someone is interested in learning more about my jewelry, they can visit www.itavco.etsy. com.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time when you aren’t at work or creating jewelry?

I am really a homebody. Anything that involves relaxing at home with my family is how I spend most of my spare time. I start my day reading the Bible, and enjoy spending time in the yard (when it’s not too hot). The simpler life is, the better!

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1 2 0 2 IANS L O O H C S H

I R O T C I D E L VA HIG

STON

N RYL JOH

BY CHE

ns from ia r o t ic d vale ur area Crest o f y r e r h e t b e w r a u t tr s we fea st and S a e r r talent C a e y d y r n r a e h b c t a c w E e City, Stra the intell r t t a n la d P e z , t a hool yea c m s a lt e Duran r u a c fi e dif espite a chools, w s d d h n ig A h . y .

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VALERIA CORTES

Durant High School The daughter of Refugio Cortes and Leticia Calderon describes herself and her personality as ambitious, intelligent, and weird. She has one older sister, Vanessa, and an older brother, Luis. Her education includes time at Jackson Elementary and Turkey Creek Middle schools before attending Durant High School.

Valeria plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Florida. Within five years, she hopes to be in her first or second year of medical school and within ten years expects to be a medical resident working towards her goal of becoming a psychiatrist.

Even though she desires one day to move out of Florida, as to life here in Plant City, she loves “all the places and traditions unique to our small little area. Specifically,” she added, “I love Parkesdale Farms and the Strawberry Festival. You can’t find that anywhere else.”

List some of your favorite classes at DHS. In the order taken, they were Algebra II Honors, Chemistry I Honors, AP Capstone Research, AP Calculus AB, AP Lang, and AP Statistics.

Who do you credit for your success?

“The main people I credit for accomplishing my goal of becoming valedictorian would be my dad and my best friends, Shivani, Fernando, and Anastasia. My dad always encouraged me to be the best I could be, taught me the value of hard work, and reminded me never to give up. My best friend Shivani is graduating right beside me as salutatorian, and there is nothing that compares to the feeling of being successful with your closest friend. She was my greatest support system throughout all four years of high school and understood the enduring stress and struggle to get to this position.

As for Fernando, he is the most optimistic person I know.

Even when I was struggling, he reminded me there was no obstacle I could not overcome and that there was always a light at the end of the tunnel. Anastasia always knows how to make me laugh and smile, and she never fails to talk me up when I need it.”

What is one surprising thing our readers would be interested in knowing about you?

“I’m a television addict. I love finding new shows to binge watch and enjoy. Currently, I’m obsessing over Criminal Minds, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, and Grey’s Anatomy.”

What advice would you offer other students who might aspire to be valedictorians?

“I cannot stress this enough, START EARLY! Most people do not begin to take dual enrollment courses their freshman year and only take one AP course. If you take an easy dual enrollment course and two AP courses your freshman year, not only will you rank high in your class, but you can also work towards your AA degree and finish that before high school graduation. You can gradually build from that and take more dual enrollment and AP courses going forward. Additionally, when everybody else is scrambling to bring up their rank and GPA during the junior and senior years, you can relax a bit because you would already have a considerable lead over your classmates.“

GPA UNWEIGHTED: 3.98 GPA WEIGHTED: 9.58 AP COURSES: 16 DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES: 21

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DUA BATOOL BANGASH Strawberry Crest High School Born in Pakistan, Dua Batool Bangash moved to America with her family at age three, where she has lived in numerous places, such as Chicago and Miramar (but mainly in the Plant City area). She was raised with two brothers, Zain and Ali, and “random cats we found on the streets.” The valedictorian who describes herself as bold, honest, and brave attended Plant City High School for her freshman and sophomore years before finishing the final two at Strawberry Crest.

Dua has enjoyed life in eastern Hillsborough County because the community here supports one another and people in need.

Her interests include drawing/painting, public speaking and video games. Together, the family enjoys annual vacations with the last three being in the Smoky Mountains.

Within five years, Dua hopes to be working with her dad or for another company as an accountant while attending law school. By then, she would like to have visited Japan and South Korea. She adds, “Or I might have majored in something completely different and moved to another country like New Zealand.” Several goals for her life include expanding her dad's business, starting her own nonprofit organizations, and traveling the world.

Describe your continuing academic plans.

“I plan on majoring in accounting so I can help my dad with his business and one day assume the leadership role. I might also attend law school. Ultimately, I’d like to travel the world and start my own nonprofit organizations that help foster children find their way and then support them in establishing their goals.”

Name some favorite classes at SCHS. “I’ve enjoyed taking Digital Info Tech (DIT) and Forensics. DIT was fun because it was all on the computer and I learned to better use programs such as Word and PowerPoint.

In Forensics, we were always doing something cool like examining crime scenes and bullet trajectory.”

Who do you credit for your high school success?

“First, I want to thank God for helping my family get through everything and giving us a good life. Next, I want to thank my family. Without my parents I wouldn't even be in America. Due to their continuous sacrifices, I am able to live out my dreams.

My brothers, too, for pushing me. They were the blueprint, I just did it better. No hate, all facts.”

“I also want to thank myself. After transferring from Plant City High School to Strawberry Crest, I overcame a lot mentally. My personality has changed, but I have learned to appreciate my friends and find things that make me happy.”

What would you like our readers to know about your accomplishment?

“I'm actually not that smart. I can name several people more academically gifted, but I ended up with this title. I think people praise this position too much. Anyone can do it; anyone can have it; you just have to work hard and push yourself on days you want to give up.”

“To be honest, I didn't really try to become valedictorian, it just happened. But I would say to other students, take advantage of dual enrollment and AP classes. They not only boost your GPA, but they also count as college credit, so you save time and money. I also want to say not to sacrifice too much for this position. At the end of the day, it really is just a title that’s glorified. Enjoy high school and go out with your friends. It's important to have goals and try your best, but you shouldn't kill yourself for it.”

Dua’s parents had this to say: Dad: “Dua becoming valedictorian is a pleasant surprise for us.

She achieved something unexpected and unusual. However, looking back at her continuous efforts, extreme seriousness in her studies and sleepless nights translated into this unique distinction. We feel pride and honor to be her parents. She is the first in our family to achieve this excellence. She has immense potential and unmatched talent. We are sure she can achieve whatever she sets out to do. Our best wishes and sincere prayers for her continued success with her future challenges.”

Mom: “She has made me extremely proud, and she is the first valedictorian in our family. I can say and believe, she can achieve the unachievable.”

GPA UNWEIGHTED: 3.96 GPA WEIGHTED: 8.01.

AP CLASSES: 9 (FAVORITES WERE STATISTICS AND APES) DUAL ENROLLMENT CLASSES: 20+ AND COMPLETING AA REQUIREMENTS SCHOLARSHIPS: BRIGHT FUTURES AND FUNDS FROM USF

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SAGNIK YARLAGADDA Strawberry Crest IB

Born in South Bend, Indiana, Sagnik and his parents, Ashok and Prathima Yarlagadda, moved to Florida when he was one year-old. He has one younger sister, Sahiti. Prior to Strawberry Crest High School IB, he was educated in the IB programs at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School and Williams Middle Magnet School, as well.

The 6’2” tall valedictorian who enjoys reading fiction, basketball and chess considers himself to be a conscientious leader and visionary. He plans to pursue a pre-med track at Vanderbilt University and serve his community as a physician.

List a few of your favorite classes at SCHS IB? “I really enjoy Higher Level Math because much of the math we learn in class has practical applications in the realm of technology and science, which as a STEMfocused student I’m very interested in. HL Biology is also a favorite subject, as I enjoy learning about life on Earth, how it functions, and how we can work to preserve it.“ With which clubs have you been involved?

“I’ve served as president of Mu Alpha Theta, copresident of HOSA, president/founder of Reading Club, VP of Science Competitors, and historian of Speech and Debate. I’m also involved with FBLA, United Relief, ASSIST, Interact, National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society.”

Identify some goals for your life.

“I hope to be able to help people as a doctor. I also want to make great strides in medicine through research.“ Who do you credit for your success in achieving this top honor?

“I would thank my parents and family, especially my mom, for always supporting me in all my endeavors. I’d also like to thank all my teachers for their dedication and everything they’ve taught me.”

What advice would you have to other students who aspire to be valedictorians?

“At the end of the day, I think it’s not about what title or

honor you received, but rather what you learned from the process and what you achieved along the way. So, I would tell aspiring valedictorians to take the courses you’re interested in, even if they’re challenging, and make sure you learn from everything you do.“ What have you loved most about life in Eastern Hillsborough County?

“The quality of our education and the incredible access to so many resources and opportunities, both through the school district and through our numerous community organizations, have been amazing.”

Ashok and Prathima Yarlagadda offered these words of encouragement to their son.

“Sagnik is a bright, humble kid with a positive attitude.

Our heartfelt love, prayers, and blessings for his welldeserved success. We are extremely proud of him and all his tremendous achievements. We love him so much and wish him all the best as he follows his dreams.

Congratulations on all of your accomplishments, Sagnik!!!”

GPA WEIGHTED: 9.35 AP & DUAL ENROLLMENT CLASSES: 20+ COMMUNITY SERVICE: 200+ HOURS

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ANKIT PATEL

Plant City High School Ankit Patel credits his parents, Chandrakant and Rupal Patel, and brother Akshay Patel for his educational success and desire to serve his community. Since his parents moved to Plant City from India many years ago, the Plant City native attended Wilson Elementary and Tomlin Middle schools prior to PCHS. He plans to earn a Biomedical Sciences degree from the University of South Florida and eventually to become a physician.

Today the avid reader who describes himself as free-spirited, forward-thinking, and levelheaded is thankful for the “privilege of meeting a lot of great people in our community.” He also cherishes “any experience I have with my family, from taking occasional trips to simply being together and talking,” as well as time with friends.

When did you begin to pursue valedictorian status?

“People are somewhat surprised to hear that being Valedictorian and reaching my current GPA only truly became a goal during my junior year. It is never too late to set a goal!”

List several favorite classes at PCHS. “I am definitely a huge STEM person, so several favorites included AP Physics, AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus; I also really loved AP Spanish.”

In which clubs were you active?

“I served in leadership roles with the Science/Engineering Club, Boys Interact, and National Honor Society. Additionally, I participated with HOSA- Future Health Professionals, Robotics, and PCHS Math Team.”

Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?

“In five years, I will probably be in medical school. In ten years, I’ll hopefully be in my residency training. However, in any case, I see myself continuing to be involved in my community through volunteerism and eventually helping my patients live their healthiest lives.”

Do you have any specific future goals?

“Besides my career/academic goals, I think my future goals are somewhat broad. I just want to always live in the moment and enjoy every experience for what it’s worth. I want to reflect on my life and know that I did things that were meaningful to me above all else.”

Who do you credit for your success thus far?

“My family has always been at the center of my success and

my greatest contributor. My parents have always given me the necessary motivation, while also allowing me to be independent in my own decisions. My brother has also been an amazing role model and has largely paved the path for me to follow. Besides my family, everyone at my school, from counselors to teachers to classmates, have also made my accomplishments possible.

Their mere presence has forced me to think critically and bring my best every day, which has definitely led to my growth.”

What suggestions would you offer to others aspiring to be valedictorians?

“Continue the paths you are already on. Take the hard classes and never think they will be too challenging for you. I am amazed by the talent and intelligence of students I see in grades below. I fully expect and hope their accomplishments will far eclipse mine and those of my peers.”

What have you enjoyed about life in Plant City?

“I love how tight knit the community is. I feel like people are really invested in each other’s success. I’ve built some really strong friendships and bonds with a lot of people from here.”

GPA UNWEIGHTED: 4.0 GPA WEIGHTED: 10.08 (A PCHS RECORD) AP COURSES: 16 DUAL ENROLLMENT CLASSES: 30 SCHOLARSHIPS & RECOGNITIONS: TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN SCHOLAR; NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLAR; NATIONAL AP SCHOLAR; PERFECT PSAT AND SAT SCORES

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Did You Know?

Parks Road, Park Road and the Park Family

By Dr. Scotty and Hsiu Huang History Center Plant City Photo Archives, Inc.

W

hen driving down a city street many drivers often wonder – how did this road get that name? Would you believe that Alsobrook Street, named after Dr. John Walter Alsobrook, was once the city limit to the south? And that Alsobrook Street was earlier considered a perimeter street to ease traffic flow in the City of Plant City?

Another of the perimeter streets planned to alleviate traffic backups was Parks Road, which played an important role in connecting the new superhighway, Interstate 4, with U.S. Highway 92. Is it Parks Road or Park Road? And where does that name come from?

Yes, it’s a family name. William Park, born in 1845, and a widower sometime prior to the Census of 1900, moved from Walton County, Georgia, to the Hillsborough County area known as Youmans, not far from the lands of Mt. Enon pioneer A. A. Ellis, around 1889. Park was a farmer and established himself as a successful farmer, along with his family consisting of two sons, William Franklin Park, and James Pearce Park, and daughters Mamie Park and Lizzie Park.

William Park, Sr., died in 1908, leaving William Franklin Park, Jr., 27, and James Pearce Park, 21, to run the farm. They began to add more land over the years and their farm became more successful. The road leading to highway 92 and from there into town, became known as Parks Road. World War I drew away William Franklin Park, who became a pipe fitter on the Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia, and James Pearce Park continued to build the farm and the business. William Franklin Park and his younger sister, Fannie Park, later moved nearby and settled in Polk County.

James Pearce Park became the progenitor of the Park family that followed. He married Annie May Castleberry and they had three sons, William J. Park, John H. Park, and Robert F. Park, all of whom went initially into farming the land. By 1930 William J. Park had married and settled adjacent to his father’s land, and by 1940 John H. Park had married and settled there on Parks Road, establishing a row of Park family farms. James Pearce Park was widely known and participated in city, county, and farm organizations.

James Pearce Park died in 1960, at the age of 73 and having lived in Plant City for the past 70 years. At this time much discussion had been going on about establishing the perimeter around Plant City and focusing on Parks Road, which some maps began to show as Park Road. Park’s funeral was held at the First Methodist Church, with active pallbearers Robert S. Edwards, T. B. Ellis, J. C. Linton, Wesley

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6978.1r. Parks Road and Plant City Steel (aerial view) Circa 1960s

Roe, C. A. Roberts and W. R. Martin. Among the Honorary pallbearers were Dr. A. J. Peacock, Dr. W. G. Meriwether, Dr. J. M. Edmiston, Dr. James Sinnett, Dr. Ralph R. Glick, Reverend Paul Fletcher, Joe Haney, Russell Fulford, Joe McIntosh, Ivan Ackerman, LeRoy Williams, George Linton, Mack Griffin, George Cannon, Frank Moody, Jim Redman, and Dr. H. C. Hardin.

By the 1950s William J. Park had set up a service center on Parks Road and by 1959 William and his wife Pauline had entered into a sale of land west of Parks Road for the Terry Park Extension including Nancy Terrace up to Cherry Street. Some maps continued to carry the name Parks Road and others showed Park Road. By the time 80 acres of land was purchased from the A. A. Ellis family for what would become Mike Sansone Park, it was settled that the road would be named Park Road.

Today, the narrow dirt road on which James Pearce Park would truck his produce to the State Farmers Market has become a six-lane major highway connecting the southern extension of Park Road to and beyond the Interstate Highway known as I-4.

Sources: Quintilla Geer Bruton and David E. Bailey, Jr. Plant City: Its Origin and History; City of Plant City, Engineering Department; newspapers.com; ancestry.com; Plant City Photo Archives & History Center Collections.

P.C. Steel, Parks Rd., Cliff Hardee aerial-junk yard circa 1950

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CONGRATULATIONS, Christian Atkins!

Dear Christian, We wish you the strength to face challenges with confidence; along with the wisdom to choose your battles carefully. We wish you adventure on your journey and may you always stop and help someone along the way. Listen to your heart and take risks carefully, and always remember how much you are loved. We cannot be prouder of all you have accomplished. Congratulations, and keep making us proud at Beacon College!

Love, Mom, Dad, Granny, Gi Gi, and the Wiggins Family

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Replay:

Upscale Resale

By Cierra Craft

W

hen shopping for children’s clothes, parents are looking for unique, long lasting quality pieces from brands such as Carter’s, Nike, and Justice. But it's inevitable that kids grow up quickly and those pricey clothes won’t last. But Lakeland resident Tiffany Taylor saw an opportunity to help mamas like her shop for clothes on a budget. She was traveling to St. Petersburg to shop children’s consignment stores and knew our area needed a similar concept. She created her brand Replay: Upscale Resale, a consignment boutique specializing in women and children’s clothing, accessories, and shoes. Children’s clothing ranges from preemie to 10/12 and she carries all sizes of women’s clothing, including plus size.

She opened her first brick and mortar on Lakeland’s Florida Avenue in 2018 and opened a downtown Plant City location in January 2021.

“With a traditional consignment shop, you have to wait 30 days to get paid once the item has sold,” said Taylor. “At Replay, you bring your clothes in any structured container- a laundry basket, a plastic bin, etc- and we will go through it immediately and make customers an offer on the spot. We make a cash offer and a store credit offer, so it's up to the customer which option they choose. Not only do they get to resell their items but they get to change their wardrobe.”

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Taylor says the most rewarding part of her business is to watch her customers’ families grow. She has seen some women come in for maternity clothing and now they have two kids or they bring their sisters and cousins to shop.

“I also feel like I’m a part of the family,” said Taylor. “I will gladly hold babies while moms shop in the store and I’m watching those babies grow up with each visit.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American disgards 81 pounds of clothes per year. By reselling customer’s gently used or new clothing, Taylor says she feels as if she is doing her part in keeping clothes out of landfills. At Replay, moms are able to bring in their unwanted clothes, which gives these items new life at a new affordable price.

In the children’s clothing, the clothing is organized by color, size, etc. with an offering of shoes, hair accessories from brands like Levi’s, Disney, and Children’s Place. Parents can shop diaper bags, strollers, and toys, when they’re in stock.

In the women’s clothing, everything from long sleeve and short sleeve casual tops to shorts and even active wear is available for purchase. At Replay, it’s not uncommon to see apparel from brands like LOFT, priced at $14, which would typically retail for $50 or more.

“When moms shop at Replay, they don’t have to feel guilty about buying themselves brand name or designer clothing or a handbag,” said Taylor. “I was shopping brand name for my son, Logan, and was jealous!

I realized there was a gap in the demographics for consignment shops, they’re either exclusively for kids or for middle age and up. There aren’t many for young women and moms to resell their items and change their wardrobe.”

One positive aspect to come out of the pandemic was the awareness to support local businesses. Taylor said the warm welcome she and her Replay team have received from the Plant City community has been overwhelming.

“We are proud to be apart of this community,” said Taylor. “Stop by and shop with us, we’d love to have you visit.”

Plant City Hits Replay

Replay: Upscale Resale is already making a big splash in downtown Plant City, with moms becoming regulars in the Reynolds Street boutique. Customers rave about the cleanliness of the store, the friendly customer service and the quality of the clothing, toys, and accessories: “I love Replay: Plant City!! I came in to purchase shorts for my son and ended up finding several cute things for myself! The store was clean, the staff was amazing, and the prices were great! The shorts I bought for my son are adorable and I have received so many compliments on the items I bought for myself! I can’t wait to shop here again.” -Ashley B. "So glad I saw this store windows this morning. Clean and neat and good variety and great prices. The ladies were the most friendly.

I’ll be a regular customer. Highly recommend. Great prices and variety.”

-Sylvia M. “Had a great experience selling to the Plant City location! Super easy process and friendly staff. Plus I made some extra $$ on clothes and shoes just sitting in my closet. Will definitely be back!” -Cathy B.

113 W. Reynolds Street | Plant City, FL 33563 | (813) 704-5296 | Justhitreplay.com Facebook + Instagram @replayupscaleresale | Mon-Thurs 10AM to 6PM | Sat 10AM to 4PM PAGE

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RISING STAR

Ryan

Robinson

By Katie Hamilton

Ryan Robinson is a senior at Plant City High School who has made an impressionable impact on the school’s Raider varsity baseball team. Robinson has been playing on the field for as long as he can remember, and he is currently playing center field allowing him to make many accomplishments along the way.

This year, Robinson has achieved a stronger hitting power, 3 homeruns, a greater speed, and a grand slam homerun.

Motivation can be tricky for any athlete to achieve; however, Robinson states, “My motivation is to be better than everyone. It sounds arrogant, but it’s not meant to be, I just want to be the best!”

While his motivation is to be better than others, Robinson also points out that his biggest weakness is himself, and overthinking things does not help him improve, so keeping a strong environment of positivity is key. Robinson has a strong work ethic both on and off the field. The amount of effort Robinson has put into his future has landed his opportunity to sign with Saint Leo University to continue his passion. The overall vision Robinson holds for his future is to go as far as he can, explaining, “If the furthest I go is college, that’s great; that’s a huge achievement of mine, and if I go to the pros, that’s a bonus!”

As he has flourished in his love for baseball, the support he has gained has remained constant and true from his adoring friends and family. Robinson states, “At every game, I always have parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts or cousins.”

As we come to the end of this school year, Robinson remarks that he has made plenty of memories alongside his team, but nothing beats his senior night when he made 3 homeruns. Robinson described the moment saying, “It was an amazing feeling to do that in front of a huge crowd of people I grew up with.”

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Team of the Month

Plant City High School Girls tennis team

By Katie Hamilton

T

he Plant City High School Girls tennis team has had much success this season.

Some of the girls have been on the team beginning in their first year and have even been playing on the courts from an early age.

Emerson Nedurian is a sophomore this year and states, “I have been playing the sport since I was 5 years old, and even though I have been playing on and off because of other sports, I keep playing because it is fun and is great exercise.” Lots of hours and commitment are funneled into this sport; more than three days a week these girls practice and some even choose to take private lessons to better their performance on the courts.

Nedurian notes her favorite memories stating, “My favorite memory is hard to choose

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because there are always funny moments between the boys and girls’ teams, like when Ryan and Andrew Smith yelled ‘RAIDERBALL,’ or even Vlada Pike being the DJ and choosing the perfect music in the car!” One of the best parts about this sport is that there is no divide between the boys and girls and that they can work, practice, and play together.

Kelli McAvoy is a senior this year and has participated in several sports year-round, making tons of life-long memories. McAvoy recounted her favorite memory, stating, “I loved when the boys needed another player for doubles, so I jumped in and played with them, it was a ton of fun.”

This year has been extremely challenging for all students, sports especially due to the pandemic;

however, these girls have made the most of their season. From jamming in the car, after match meals, and cheering on the courts, this team has a golden bond. While the team of girls receives advice, support, laughs, and high fives from each other, they have the amazing Coaches Edison and Rollyson to keep them powered.

Mallory Houston is a sophomore this year, and wanted to thank her parents for how much they support her stating, “They push me to strive for my best.” The girls have made amazing gains this year going as far as winning Districts and are truly a strong team together.

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Meet the

Maker: Mathew Boddiford, ELC Creations

By Heather Davis

T

here is a saying that every grey cloud has a silver lining. Such may have been the experience for many during the recent pandemic. With uncertainty and possibly extra time on our hands, some of us may have picked up new hobbies or projects to help keep us busy. For Durant High School, AP English Lit. teacher, Mathew Boddiford this was the opportunity he needed to begin a hobby which has since blossomed into a side business and fun creative outlet.

Boddiford has been an English teacher at Durant for the last sixteen years and is also a father of three. He purchased last year an industrial laser engraving machine and began playing and experimenting with it during his extra time away from school. Within a short period of time he was designing, creating and producing many different types of products. ELC Creations, a laser engraving and laser cutting business was born and he has not looked back since. ELC stands for the names of his three children, Evelyn, Levi and Cade and also has a close connotation to the words laser engraving and laser cutting which is his craft.

Since returning back to school full time to teach, Boddiford still finds time into the late evening hours to create and fulfill custom orders for people who have discovered his talent and skill mostly through word of mouth. The sky is almost the limit when it comes to what types of items and materials Boddiford can engrave upon. He has engraved upon everything from leather, wood, metal cups, cutting boards, keychains, purses, wallets, footballs, portfolios, knives and even whiskey barrels. Using custom fonts of any type Boddiford creates custom one of a kind wall decor, decorative items, and gifts such as cutting boards and leather journals. Each piece of work he does is custom, one of a kind and made to order to fit the needs or desires of the customer.

During a time of uncertainty, Boddiford has found for himself a whole new creative endeavor which has turned into something more then he imagined and has also brought happiness to others who enjoy the fruit of his labors.

ELC Creations http://www.elccreations.com Facebook: @elccreationspc Matt@elccreations 813-781-1481

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Leaders in

Faith Richard and Martha Sue Skinner Bible Teachers

By Cheryl Johnston

R

ichard and Martha Sue Skinner have been teaching Bible classes as a couple since 1978. Presently, they love leading (and invite you to attend) the Grace Givers class each Sunday in room 1 at 9:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Plant City.

And after 14 years of leading a community Bible study open to all, Martha has recently passed the mantle to Laurie Morris. Both agree, “Preparing the weekly lessons are as much a blessing to the teacher as we hope they are to the class members.”

For relaxation in the town they cherish, Martha enjoys reading and studying, while Richard enjoys continually learning more about agriculture, specifically fruit. “It’s fascinating,” he shared, “how much we see similarities in a fruit tree’s anatomy and human anatomy. To understand God’s perfect provision clarifies why we should apply His truths to our lives.”

Share a little personal background with us.

Richard: I moved from Douglasville, Georgia to Plant City in 1981 where Martha’s roots have always been. I’ve worked in the fine jewelry sales industry and in selling fruit trees, fruit, and storage sheds from our Hawkins Corner property.

Martha Sue: I’m a 5th generation Plant City native and 7th generation Floridian. Our land was owned by my Hawkins grandparents since 1902. My career involved training and encouraging others as a director for the Mary Kay and House of Lloyd companies. Two of our five children have been in heaven since childhood, and we have two grandchildren.

How did you two come to faith in Jesus?

Richard: At age 13 while my brother, friend Jerry, and I were walking home from a revival service, Jerry asked, “So, what are we going to do about Jesus?” That evening we all went to the altar to receive Christ. After Jerry, an Air Force pilot, was shot down in Vietnam, it was a comfort to know I’ll see him again in heaven.

Martha Sue: I accepted Christ at age nine at First Baptist Church of Plant City. I realized later that Jesus had all of me, but I didn’t surrender all to Him until I was 33. He kept me safe all those years.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Loving people and sharing God’s goodness through our teaching and daily life in the community. For 33 years at our Hawkins Corner, we’ve

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witnessed to customers and heard their stories, too. It’s so encouraging to see how the Holy Spirit is always at work in our lives.

Share a favorite Scripture, please.

Richard: I encourage folks to internalize the seven attributes of God revealed in 2 Peter 1:1-7 and do their part to raise their life to the 7th power with His help.

Martha Sue: “Be still and know that I AM God.” Cherish those quiet times you spend with Jesus.

Martha Sue, is everyone invited to the community Bible study?

Yes! And we are so thankful to the City of Plant City for allowing us to meet weekly at the Planteen on Dort Street. Folks from various denominations attend because no matter where we worship, it’s all about Jesus.

How would you suggest Christ-followers could deepen their faith-walk?

Richard: Try every week to get something new and fresh from God’s word and apply it to your life. He has never failed me.

Martha: Never, ever get away from your quiet time with the Lord. Every day He will speak to you with a personal and meaningful application for your life.

Has there been a defining moment in your spiritual journey?

Richard: Fifteen months after training with Dr. Paul Walker at Mt. Paran Church in Atlanta, I pulled over in my car, tears streaming down my face, and asked God to show me how to live for Him in a greater way. When the tears dried, I opened my eyes and found I’d unknowingly parked at a little country church.

Martha: At age 33 when I called out for God’s help, I determined to totally surrender control of my life to Jesus. Even though I had received Him at age nine, I realized I’d not fully surrendered myself to His will.

What are you enjoying most about FBCPC these days?

Richard/Martha: Overall, it’s the camaraderie. We have always desired to see younger people step up and take the reins in spiritual leadership, and it’s happening here – such a wonderful thing to see!

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COME TO FLORIDA THIS SUMMER! “It’s summer in Florida. Long lazy days filled with sunshine, star studded tropical nights, and unsurpassed variety of vacation activities for everyone. Best of all, it’s yours to enjoy, so come soak up some sunshine during your Florida Vacation this year”. …Hayden BurnsGovernor of Florida 1965-1967.

W

hen I was a young girl back in the 1960’s and our family was planning our summer vacation days, my sister and I squealed with excitement as we looked at colorful brochures of the different choices for fun-filled and exciting attractions to visit here in our beautiful state. We looked at: The Miami Seaquarium, Busch Gardens in Tampa, The Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, Rainbow Springs, Six-Gun Territory in Ocala for the gun fights, Lowry Park in Tampa, Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven for the Belles and gardens, Tiki Gardens at Indian Rocks Beach, Silver Springs for the glass bottom boats, Weeki Wachee for the underwater Mermaid shows, Sunken Gardens for the beautiful landscapes, and the beaches of Pinellas County. There was not even a notion of: Legoland, Universal Studios, or Walt Disney World. We never dreamed that mile after mile of our Florida swamp land would someday be the home of “The Magic Kingdom”.

Our family would usually select four to five tourist attractions to visit during summer. Two of my favorites were: Six-Gun Territory and Sea World. Back in the 1960’s TV shows like: Bonanza, Rawhide, Branded, Daniel Boone, Gunsmoke, and The High Chaparral were a favorite on television sets across the country. The Owners/Creators of: Six-Gun Territory hoped to capitalize on the popularity of the Western genre...and it worked!!!

They purchased land across the street from Silver Springs in hopes of snagging business from their fellow competitors and boy they did by opening their own theme park based on Disneyland’s FrontierLand. At its peak, 10,000 to 20,000 visitors a day crowded Six-Gun’s Hollywood setlike streets and building for a full day and evening of family fun at this 1880’s Western town “FunTier”.

Six-Gun was a G-rated attraction. The only beverage served in a frosty mug was root beer from the Palace Saloon. The Can-Can dancers

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would pose for snap shots with visitors. So would the deputies, cowpokes, Indians, stage coach drivers, and “Digger the Undertaker”. You could be in a shop looking at plastic Sheriff ’s badges, decorated cups and saucers, postcards, posters, record albums, dolls, hats, t-shirts, playing cards, view master slides, and giant pencils, and all of the sudden you’d hear something going on outside.

You’d run out and watch as the deputies ran after bank robbers, then there was a gun fight. It happened several times a day in different places, and it was always a surprise because you didn’t know when to expect it. There were cowboys, and real Indians. There were saloons serving refreshments and entertainment like: singers, piano players, and dancing can-can girls. There was a livery stable, a bank, a jail, a stage coach, and an old-fashioned steam train which took you from the parking lot into the town itself. If you preferred, a sky-ride carried you to the town instead of the train.

I can remember walking through the town at about 5 years old with my parents and sister when all of the sudden a shoot-out took place, the Sheriff shot at a bad guy who was up on the roof of the saloon and everyone watched in amazement as the “bad-guy” dropped to his knees clinching his chest and rolled off the roof hitting the ground.

Then the Undertaker named: “Digger” ran over and pronounced the “bad-guy” dead. The cowboys carried him away while some of the “Saloon-Girls” followed behind wiping their tears. WOW!!! That scared the tarnations out- of-me! As-far-as I was concerned, it was time to get out of there, or at least hid behind my Daddy!!!

SeaWorld was another up-and-coming tourist spot that our family loved to visit. SeaWorld was billed as: The World’s Largest and Finest Marine Life Park and was just 1 hour from Tampa, was open every day from 9 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. , and one admission price covered all shows and exhibits and had free parking. There was so much to see and do at SeaWorld that it was had to choose which way to go first. There was the Whale and Dolphin Stadium where Shamu the two-ton killer whale performed spectacular feats along with Dolphins that trainers rode bareback. There was the World of the Sea Aquarium which was a 150,000 gallon tank that housed the most exotic fish from around the world. This show offered a special narration

by Lloyd Bridges explaning the creation of the Reef. There was the Fountain Fantasy Theatre that took your breath away with a synchronized

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music, water, and light show. A 400 foot Sky Tower, a Seal and Penguin Stadium, a Dolphin Feeding Pool, a deer park, and my very favorite was the Japanese Village which was a peaceful oriental park-like environment where you could watch pearl diving demonstrations, feed duck and Koi fish, or stroll through beautiful gardens while listening to classical Japanese Koto music. They had wonderful a wonderful gift shop with the most beautiful dolls, jade and pearl jewelry, tea sets, and authentic kimonos.

SeaWorld also had several great restaurants such as: Good Time Charlie’s for Fish-N-Chips, The Captain’s Table for Burgers, Hot Dogs, and Salads, The Japanese Patio Restaurant for Beef Sukiyaki and Sweet and Sour Shrimp, and my favorite: The Hawaiian Punch Pavilion, which was nestled in the back of SeaWorld where you could have a sandwich, a banana split, or sip on an ice-cold Hawaiian Punch drink while watching an animatronic show that Punchy the famous Hawaiian Punch cartoon character along with his friends put on. Some of the delicious familyfriendly drinks on the menu were: Hawaiian Punch Fruit Juicy Red, Hawaiian Punch Cherry Royal, Sunshine Orange, Great Grape, Cool Citrus, and Great Grape, all for just 30 cents a glass. If you wanted to really go first class then you ordered an Orange Hawaiian for 55 cents which was a mixture of: Sunshine Orange Punch, bananas, and cream which made this freezing cool drink the most popular and luscious drink offered at SeaWorld. SeaWorld accepted: Master Card, Bank Americard, American Express, and Carte Blanche charge cards throughout the park.

Back then we had no idea what the future held for tourism in Florida, we had never seen or heard of a theme park that had over 50 million Lego blocks like Legoland, been transported via a “magic” elevator to an indoor interactive theme park housed in a five-story windowless building like Disney Quest, or been swept into the adventures of Harry Potter and his global phenomenon. What we did know and what we did feel back then was the thrill of watching Shamu the Killer Whale jump 12 feet in the air to ring a bell, the thrust quenching taste of an ice-cold root beer served to you in a frosty mug in the all new air-conditioned Palace Saloon, and the proud moment that no kid would ever forget when the town Sheriff walked up to you and pinned you with an official “Deputy of the Day” badge at SixGun Territory.

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June 02

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Happenings May 15

RVR Horse Rescue: Forever Home

May 26

May Mobile Pantry 8:00AM First-Come, First-Serve | Mobile Food Distribution | Do not have to be a Client to Receive Food United Food Bank @ 702 E. Alsobrook St Cost: Free Info: 813-764-0625

10:00AM-5:00PM Meet the Horses | Shopping & Food | Games & Music | Fundraiser | Raffles RVR Horse Rescue @ 1710 W. State Rd 60 Cost: Free Admission & Parking Info: 813-280-9299 or rvrhorserescue.org

June 05

Bluegrass Jam

May 27

Drink ‘n’ Doodle

May 15

10:30AM Topic: Cash Flow Connection Understand Finances Better United Food Bank @ 702 E. Alsobrook St Cost: Free Info: 813-764-0625

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Strawberry Classic Cruise-In 3:00PM-6:30PM Classic Cars & Trucks | Food | Vendors Downtown Plant City @ 102 N. Palmer St Cost: Free & Free Car Registration Info: 813-754-3707

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May 28

6:30PM-9:00PM Trivia | Teams with 2 or More Craft Beer, Wine & Food Keel & Curley Winery @ 5202 Thonotosassa Rd Cost: Free Info: 813-752-9100

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Movie Trivia Night 7:00PM-8:30PM Family Friendly | Food & Drinks | Prizes Krazy Kup @ 101 E. J Arden Mays Blvd Cost: Free Info: 813-752-1220

Last Friday in Downtown

May 22

UnWined Yoga 9:00AM-10:00AM All Levels Welcome | Bring Water & a Mat| Wine & Dine Keel & Curley Winery @5202 Thonotosassa Rd Cost: $10 Cash Drop In or Preregister Online Info: 813-752-9100

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5:00PM-9:00PM Live Music | Market Vendors Family & Pet Friendly McCall Park @ 100 N. Collins St Cost: Free Info: 813-764-9516

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Gallery

a

of Plant City

Blues BBQ & Berries The Improvement League of Plant City helds its first Blues, BBQ and Berries event on Evers Street in late April. The event drew interest in the new businesses open on Evers Street including The Tipsy Bookworm, Three Hands Mead, and Crumbles and Cream. The Plant City Photo Archives offered strawberry shortcake and Dark Horse Music’s Jacob Davies was among the artists to perform live.

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d

a. Samantha and Matthew Roberts, as well as Robert, Melissa, and Hoss Shepherd, enjoyed the petfriendly event. b. Jacob Davies with Dark Horse Music provided the live blues entertainment on a stage set up at the intersection of Evers and J. Arden Mays Boulevard. c. Families enjoyed the Florida weather together as they chowed down on Falling Off the Bone BBQ and listening to live blues music. d. The Plant City Photo Archives served up strawberry shortcake and gave visitors a blast from the past with endless Plant City history.

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24-Hour Emergency Service: 813.547.6674

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b Gallery of Plant City

Keel Farms Blueberry U-Pick On select weekdays throughout April, families from across Central Florida visited Keel Farms to participate in their annual Blueberry U-Pick. Staff Reporter Jennifer Jordan visited the farm one afternoon to check out the action. Families were able to pick from Keel Farms’ dozens of acreage, paying for the berries per pound. Dishes serves and wines, ciders, and ales sold on the property all contain Keel Farms’ blueberries.

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a. Families enjoyed the beautiful spring day and taking blueberries home to eat. b. With so many blueberries, these ladies are going to have fun making creative recipes at home. c. Families from across Central Florida travel to Keel Farms for their annual Blueberry Festival.

The event was canceled due to the pandemic, but families can still immerse themselves in Florida agriculture in the U-pick fields. d. A father and son enjoyed picking blueberries together. Educating our youth on agriculture and on the farm-to-table concept is a passion close to Clay Keel’s heart. Clay is the President of the Keel Farms group. e. Keel Farms has plenty of blueberries to pick from with over 10 acres.

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24-Hour Emergency Service: 813.547.6674

KINDERGARTEN READINESS:

WHAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO KNOW

By Mike Ham, Director of A+ Learning Center

•

•

Kindergarten is an exciting time of exploration for children and as a parent, you want your child to have the best possible experience- that comes from being prepared.

•

Here is a checklist of the basic skills your child should have to ensure a smooth transition: • Children should be able to dress themselves, tie their shoes, and put on a jacket. Children will need to be able to take care of their basic bathroom needs. Children should be taught that they are responsible for picking up after themselves, putting away their

•

backpacks, and keeping track of what they will need for school.

Children going into Kindergarten should be able to recognize and spell their first and last names.

They should know their address and a parent’s phone number.

They should be able to properly hold a pencil and draw some realistic pictures.

Kindergarteners should be able to recognize some letters of the alphabet and numbers from zero to ten and count to 30. Children should also be able to classify objects by shape, size, and/or color. They should also be able to sit and listen well to short stories (5-10 minutes) and be able to retell information from the story.

Children need a routine such as a set bedtime and a morning schedule they can follow such as, wake up, use the bathroom, dress for school, eat breakfast, brush their teeth, get their belongings together for school then out the door to either the bus stop or get into the car. When you have a schedule and follow it, the children are learning what is going to happen next and it makes things easier for the transition.

If at all possible, plan a trip to explore the school. Find your child’s classroom, the lunchroom,

library and the area where your child will catch the bus or the car rider line.

• Get them excited with you by taking them with you shopping for new school clothes and let them pick out their own shoes and backpack. If your child will bring their own lunch, let them help with packing their lunch. This is such a big milestone for them — they will enjoy doing things on their own and their confidence will grow.

• On the first day of Kindergarten, talk with your child about the things that will happen or might happen. Let them know what will happen after school, such as who will be picking them up or if they will ride a bus. If your child goes to an afterschool program, talk about what to expect.

• Your young scholar should be encouraged to talk with parents or caregivers about their needs, fears, and feel comfortable in doing so. Kindergarten is such a big stepping stone for children and needs the reassurance of their parents or caregivers that they will be there for them to show support and guidance.

When your child gets home from school, talk with them about their day: “What did you do today?”

“How was your lunch?” “Did you make any new friends or what did you do outside today?” Talk with your child about school and other things happening in their life and always be their supporter, the cheerleader, the one they come to for guidance and love.

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a Gallery of Plant City

Last Friday in Downtown Downtown Plant City looked like a scene from Star Wars, as storm troopers, Jedi Knights, and Bounty Hunters marched through McCall Park.

The April Last Friday in Downtown was themed after the film saga, with downtown merchants offering Star Wars merchandise. Food trucks, vendors, and crafters offered their goods and services including Southern Roze, Brick City Bricks, and more.

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d a. Members of the 501st Legion, a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans, made an appearance at the April 30 event. The screen-accurate replicas of Imperial Armor, Sith Lords, and Clone Troopers excited fans and the group took photos with fans big and small. b. At Brick City Bricks, families could shop the store’s Star Wars merchandise, including LEGO sets, minifigures, and polybags. The shop streamed the films in store and filled their window display with a 7,500 piece replica of Han Solo’s iconic Millennium Falcon. c. Plant City’s TubTreats got in on the fun, selling goat milk soap, candles, and bath bombs made with Star Wars molds. Character selections included BB-8, Baby Yoda, R2D2, Darth Vader, and more. The shop sold the items through May 4th, in observance of Star Wars Day. d. At the Last Friday in Downtown event, Engine 53 Pizza was a popular food truck option. The group sells wood fired pizzas from their pizza truck. Engine 53 Pizza is based in Seminole, Florida and travels throughout the local area catering events.

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Your heart comes with a warning system called angina, which happens when part of the heart doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen. Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), a type of heart disease that occurs when arteries that carry blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. Although angina often feels like a pinching sensation in the chest, it can also be accompanied by sluggishness, fatigue and chest tightness. If you experience any of these symptoms, the heart experts at BayCare’s South Florida Baptist Hospital can quickly get to the cause and treat it with a procedure that’s right for you.

Diagnosing and treating CAD is just one area of our expertise in heart care. Using state-of-the-art technology, our compassionate and multidisciplinary team of experts provides a suite of other advanced heart care services.

From treatment options for rhythm disorders like AFib and heart attacks, care for advanced heart failure through our Heart Function Clinic, to helping you recover with cardiac rehab, South Florida Baptist Hospital is here when you and your heart need us. And we have enhanced safety measures to help keep you protected, so you can feel secure getting the care you need. Learn more and get a cardiology referral: SouthFloridaBaptistHeart.org

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agrarian /əˈɡrerēən/ adjective

of the land Born of a love for handcrafted beer and driven by the limitless taste combinations p r o v i d e d b y f a r m - fr e s h i n g r e d i e n t s , K e e l Farms Agrarian Ale & Cider creates modern and traditional beer styles in small batches. Because local and small is just better.

Come by and enjoy a farm fresh brew right in your neighborhood.

FREE ALE OR CIDER *Present this coupon to your waiter to receive a free Keel Farms Agrarian Ale or Cider with a purchase of any food item.

Coupon Expires: June 30, 2021. Only one coupon per person per visit. Coupons are void if copied, scanned, or reproduced.

KEEL FARMS | WINERY | BREWERY | RESTAURANT Trivia every Tuesday at 6:30 PM | Live Music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Tastings Daily | Winery & Brewery Tours every Saturday & Sunday

5210 Thonotosassa Road | Plant City, FL 33565 813-752-9100 | www.keelfarms.com