Following the retirement of Executive Director Ted Campbell, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association selected a new leader, Kenneth Parker. His background is as local as the berries that come from the fields of Plant City. Campbell held the position for six years. He lived in Naples but commuted weekly between the two cities. “That wasn’t […]
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Kauffman Tire to open by Christmas in Plant City
A new business, Kauffman Tire, is expected to open on James L. Redman Parkway this winter. The site is at the intersection of Maki Road, between McDonald’s and GTE Financial Credit Union, on the west side of the road. Don Stine Construction Inc., began the building project began Aug. 18, and is expected to be […]
Continue ReadingPlant City student selected for medical congress
Ryan DeMello, a Plant City resident and junior at Seffner Christian Academy, has been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders from Nov. 14 to 16, in Washington, D.C. The congress is an honors-only program for high school students. DeMello was nominated by Dr. Connie Mariano, medical director of the National Academy of […]
Continue ReadingPlant City couple celebrates 73 years
David and Rubye Mae Abbott celebrated Aug. 27, their 73rd anniversary. They took their honeymoon in 1941, in Ybor City. David is a U.S. Army veteran, who served in World War II, and Rubye is the last surviving sibling in her family. They are both 92 years old and have lived in their home on North Whitehall Street […]
Continue ReadingPhoto archives receives D.E. Bailey Papers
The Plant City Photo Archives and History Center received Aug. 20, the first shipment of papers from David E. Bailey Jr. They were delivered by David Merrill Bailey, son of the author. Bailey, along with Quintilla Geer Bruton, authored the book “Plant City: Its Origin and History.” The younger Bailey and his sister, Randi Sue […]
Continue ReadingCity Commission approves funds for violence prevention
Plant City commissioners approved Aug. 25, participation in the Violence Prevention Collaborative, an anti-violence initiative among Hillsborough County offices and municipalities. Plant City will contribute $4,750 annually to this project for the next five years. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners began developing the Violence Prevention Collaborative after the 2013 school shootings in Newtown, […]
Continue ReadingRollyson ready to lead as festival associate director
For Rhett Rollyson, the Florida Strawberry Festival brings up a lot of good memories. There was that time Winona Judd pulled him up on stage to dance with him. She had to stop singing from laughter because of his dance moves — or lack thereof. When the then University of Florida senior returned to campus, […]
Continue ReadingPlant City Cub Scout packs seek new members
Cub Scout packs of Plant City are starting up again for the new school year, and their leaders are recruiting boys in first through fifth grades who are looking for fun, education and adventure. “You can sign up anytime, but it’s best to sign up at the beginning of the school year,” said Claude Carson, […]
Continue ReadingPlant City teen wins Florida pageant
At the National American Miss competition for Florida, Faith Behanna, 15, was crowned Miss Florida for her age group. This November, she will compete in the national competition in Anaheim, Calif. Behanna is a sophomore at Strawberry Crest High School. She started entering local Plant City pageants when she was 9, but, since then, she […]
Continue ReadingCharleene Closshey returns to Plant City from Broadway
Although she was cast in a Broadway musical whose most famous song is titled, “Falling Slowly,” Plant City native Charleene Closshey is rising quickly in the success and status of her performing arts career. “Once,” based on a 2007 film, premiered as a new musical on Broadway and on tour last year. It is the […]
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