As we have entered into the summer months of vacations, traveling and other activities, it is important to remember that our witness for our Lord never takes a hiatus. Although I could not find the original author, I was struck by a story I heard many years ago and its pinpointed message in the form […]
Continue ReadingMy View
The plight of the bumblebee
We were sitting on the porch when the bee zipped by, buzzing loudly. It first passed me then circled to inspect the young girl beside me. “Eeeeeek!” She screamed as she catapulted herself off the rocker and ran around wildly. “It’s just a bee checking you out,” I said. But she wasn’t hearing any of […]
Continue ReadingMy View: Change the way you see
The development of technology was supposed to reduce stress in our lives by allowing machines to do the work that people had to do by hand for thousands of years. Instead it seems that life has become less carefree than it used to be. Cell phones allow us to be reached at more times and […]
Continue ReadingTeen Take: Graduation is first taste of the real world
From the time we are aware of our graduation date, our view on walking the stage is framed with shimmering high school gowns and the iconic, synchronized tossing of caps. In reality, cap tossing is not allowed, in fear that a corner of the sharply cut headwear will poke a graduate in the eye. And […]
Continue ReadingFriends in the Park getting help
There are some exciting changes happening with the Friends in the Park program to combat homelessness in Plant City. The Friends in the Park program will be transitioning to the Winter Visitor’s Center on Dort Street starting in June. This new facility will provide a more comfortable environment with climate control, bathrooms, and ample seating […]
Continue ReadingRoadside Wildflowers
By Devon Higginbotham | Florida Native Plant Society Ordinarily, the drive from Plant City to Tallahassee is too long and boring to handle without substantial amounts of coffee. But this spring, I was delighted to find the roadside ablaze in wildflowers — enough to skip Starbucks. For years FDOT has mowed the right-of-ways along its […]
Continue ReadingMy View: Helping the Homeless
Since I last wrote a column in December addressing homeless issues in Plant City, there have been many new developments. Meetings The Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative, formerly known as the Homeless Coalition, recently met in Plant City with representatives from the following organizations: Plant City Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Plant City homeless advocates, […]
Continue ReadingAttracting Wildlife with Florida Native Plants
by Cammie Donaldson and Deven Higginbotham | Florida Native Plant Society Do you want to attract birds and butterflies to your yard? Wildlife needs food, water and cover, and can only live where these needs are met. Florida’s plants and animals, from bobcats and deer to the tiniest insects, have co-evolved over thousands of years, […]
Continue ReadingQueena still serving as a beacon of courage
By Ernest Hooper | Times Columnist Queena Vuong, known for surviving a brutal attack at the Bloomingdale Library, was filled with nerves as she waited in line to meet one of her idols. Her sister, Anna, said Queena didn’t know what to expect from the star. But really, she had no reason to worry. After […]
Continue ReadingBizarre Foods with the Times Observer Staff
I knew we had a good Florida Strawberry Festival Guide when the I — the editor — was using it as reference to find out where all the bizarre food booths were on the grounds yesterday. For me, I just had to try the strawberry burger — a juicy patty topped with a deep-fried graham cracker strawberry cookie and drizzled with […]
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