It was a memory Thích Giác Ngo could not get out of his head, a memory that changed his life. It caused him to leave his Southern Baptist roots and embrace Buddhism, not only as a believer but also as an ordained monk. “I came to know the memories of reincarnation,” Thích Giác Ngo said. […]
Continue ReadingObserver names Love Story winners
There’s nothing quite like a good love-at-first-sight story. It was 1997, and Kelli Lott, then just 15 years old, had gone to the Florida Strawberry Festival with a group of friends. They were seeking good food and fun. Little did she know she’d also find the love of her life. That same day, Thomas Smith, […]
Continue ReadingStrawberry fields cultivate lessons at Turkey Creek Middle School
It takes one look at Turkey Creek Middle School to know that they are serious about their agriculture department. The school has a beautiful view of a strawberry field, which the students have been tending to for decades. Behind the school are four commercial heifers and a flock of sheep. In Allison Sparkman’s classroom, a […]
Continue ReadingRoad renamed to honor educator
Leslie Morris’ passion always had been education, but she took a special liking to ESE students. Her passion led her to become the first principal of Simmons Career and Exceptional Center in 2004. After she died suddenly at age 69 last August, the center decided to name the access road in front of the school […]
Continue ReadingGroup plugs in with new Facebook presence
When Plant City Connections member Marina Baker saw the Lakeland Business Leaders’ Facebook Page, she knew she wanted to start one like it for Plant City Connections. Lakeland Business Leaders group page has 1,382 members with an active community posting on the page daily. Baker was impressed and knew Plant City Connections, a networking group […]
Continue ReadingSedita named 2013 Citizen of the Year
The secret is out: Plant City’s 2013 Citizen of the Year is Joseph E. Sedita. And he almost missed his own ceremony. Sedita had planned to go out of town for a short vacation in Tennessee the day of the ceremony. His partner, Nate Kilton, at Sedita Kilton & Co. told him he had to […]
Continue ReadingPlant City Chamber names new chairman
The passing of the gavel is a 31-year tradition. Jim Scott became part of that tradition Jan. 31, when the gavel passed from former chamber Chairman Matt Buzza’s hands to his, at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s Chairman’s Banquet.
Continue ReadingCelebrity Chef to cook for United Food Bank fundraiser’¨
First United Food Bank Board Member, Brian West, has been a fan of FOX’s MasterChef cooking competition show since it premiered in 2010. When he picked his favorite contestant for the first season, Whitney Miller, he didn’t know that she would go on to take first prize despite being the youngest person on the show. […]
Continue ReadingCharity golf tournament needs teams, sponsors’¨
Get ready to tee off. On April 6, the Junior Woman’s Club is hosting a charity golf tournament to help fund its Plant City Shoe Project. This year, the club was able to give shoes and socks to 500 children, at 14 different schools in the Plant City area. Working with Payless ShoeSource, the budget […]
Continue ReadingBlueberry Pageant set for April 13
Move over strawberries, there’s a new fruit in town — the blueberry. As part of Keel and Curley Winery’s Blueberry Festival, the first annual Blueberry Festival Pageant will be hosted April 13. The next live sign ups will be at the winery, Feb. 23.
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