Silence is golden — until you have children. Then, silence means trouble is lurking. As a stay-at-home mom, I always am looking for inexpensive activities to engage my children, and, of course, keep them from tearing the walls of our home down to the studs. A few weeks ago, I was scouring the aisles of […]
Continue ReadingLETTER TO THE EDITOR: Thonotosassa Road renamed after a hero?
Dear Editor: I am emailing you in reference to the renaming of a segment of Thonotosassa Road. My son, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Dep. David Anthony Abella, died in the line of duty April 21, 2004. He graduated from Plant City High School. He played football and was on the wrestling team. After graduating, he served in the […]
Continue ReadingLETTER TO THE EDITOR: Walden Lake East fence a city eyesore
Dear Editor: I have lived in Plant City since 1967, and I love and am proud of living here. I also was a teacher in one of our schools here. I was here during the creation of Walden Lake. There is one thing that embarrasses me as I travel Alexander Street: the old, rickety, ugly […]
Continue ReadingLETTER TO THE EDITOR: Story captures son’s service
Dear Editor: I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for a beautifully written article about my son, Daniel Taylor. I appreciate the time and effort you put into the article. It was quite comprehensive, and I can tell you spent a lot of time doing your homework. The Plant City Observer […]
Continue ReadingPAST AND PRESENCE: Mary Jane Jackson Parolini: A real queen
Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series about Mary Jane Jackson Parolini. Looking back to 1956, Mary Jane Jackson Parolini said it was an incredible year. It was her senior year at Plant City High School, and she was busy that year being a class officer, homeroom officer, a thespian, a Kiwanette, […]
Continue ReadingJOSHING AROUND: God’s love is the ultimate academy award
Several years ago, I played a small part in the movie, “Why I Got Married, Too,” directed by Tyler Perry. Although it has been a while, I am still not 100% sure how to describe the experience. In my past, I had been an extra in a few films and knew how to blend in […]
Continue ReadingPAJAMA MAMA: You can keep your fork
New Year’s resolutions tend to go in one year and out the other. Or at least for me they do. My never-ending resolution since having my two children is to return to my pre-baby size. I have done it once or twice in the last six years, but I always find my way back to […]
Continue ReadingPAJAMA MAMA: Six going on 16
By Emilie Plants | Contributing Writer At exactly 5:53 p.m. Dec. 13, 2006, I witnessed a miracle — the birth of my daughter, Scarlett Joy Plants. I remember holding her for the first time, wrapped like a burrito, and gazing at the sweetest face I had ever seen. Little by little, I’ve been loosening my […]
Continue ReadingPAST & PRESENCE: Wilbur Fisk Burts’ impact remains (Part 2)
By Gil Gott | Plant City Photo Archives & History Center Editor’s note: This is the second part of our series chronicling the life of early settler Wilbur Fisk Burts. Click here to read Part One. In Part One, we wrote about Wilbur Fisk Burts and his various activities, closing with some of his business […]
Continue ReadingOWNER’S NOTE: Watch those signs, know your fines
By Felix Haynes | Founding Publisher What’s the biggest safety risk you take when you drive a motor vehicle? Texting or talking on your cell phone while driving? Could be, especially if you’re like me. Before I bought a car with a hands-free calling feature, I used to dial and talk on my cell phone while […]
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