Perhaps the most accurate way to describe Hopewell Baptist Church’s 144th Homecoming plans is this phrase: “Hallelujah Homecoming Hoedown.” That’s what Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks, Hopewell’s senior pastor, is calling it. This two-day celebration will be held at the church this weekend and will highlight the church’s recent growth. “The church continues to grow,” Middlebrooks says. […]
Continue ReadingSWING KING: Cody Colding
Cody Colding would live in the Mike E. Sansone Park batting cage, if his parents let him. Colding, 17, says his entire world has revolved around the game of baseball from a young age, and his fifteen years of dedication are paying off. The Plant City High School junior was named to the Baseball Factory’s […]
Continue ReadingDurant flag football sets sights on perfect season
At the end of overtime April 17, coach Brad Brunson and the Lady Cougars knew they had something special. Durant’s flag football team had just come out on top of a clash of the titans, beating Bloomingdale by one point — 21-20. After the Lady Bulls whiffed on a two-point conversion, the pass sailing over […]
Continue ReadingSIDELINES
SOFTBALL + Lady Cougars claim district title The fans at Brandon High almost saw both high seeds get knocked out in a pair of softball district semifinal games, but Plant City scraped its way into the championship game. Strawberry Crest, on the other hand, was shocked by Durant. The Lady Raiders held a 1-0 lead for […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Ryan Robinson
Plant City Little League’s Akin & Porter Produce team is having a good year, with a 7-2 record. One of the reasons for this solid season, according to coach Steven Hill, has been versatile leadoff hitter Ryan Robinson. The lefty leadoff hitter has had little trouble getting on base lately, and is picking up playing […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? Winning is sweeter for underdogs
Who was expecting Durant softball to do what it did last weekend? The third-seeded team in the Class 7A-District 7 tournament played like a top seed all week, trampling both Strawberry Crest and Plant City in the process. The Lady Cougars and Lady Raiders were previously the only two teams in the district that had […]
Continue ReadingWalk With a Doc event moseys into Walden Lake
This weekend, Plant City residents will have the chance to Walk With a Doc once again. This time, though, there are a few changes. The internationally recognized program, formerly led in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World by cardiologist Dr. Max Rattes, is now being organized by Oracle Home Health Agency. Also, the venue […]
Continue ReadingSOFTBALL: Durant Stuns Plant City in Five for District Crown
Another day, another great underdog story at Brandon High School. But, last night, the Durant Lady Cougars didn’t play like they were seeded lower than Plant City. They stunned the Lady Raiders, 11-0, in five innings to win the 7A-District 7 title. Although the Lady Raiders’ offense was able to come through late in their […]
Continue ReadingBAND PROFILE: Double Barrel Band
PERFORMANCE TIME: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27 Another Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival newcomer is Plant City’s own Double Barrel Band, but they’re no strangers to the venue. The party band, which mainly brings flavors of Southern rock, blues and country to its performances, has played its share of shows on weekends at Keel and Curley. […]
Continue ReadingBAND PROFILE: Southern Legacy Band
PERFORMANCE TIME: 11 a.m. Sunday, April 27 Charlie Olson, better known as “Charlie O.,” has performed with many bands in the last 40 years. Plant City-area fans most likely know him from his current outfit, previously known as Charlie O. and the Houserockers. Olson’s pleased with the current lineup. So pleased, in fact, that he’s […]
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