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 […]
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Friends 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 […]
Continue ReadingFormer resident shares memories of 1930 Strawberry Festival
Former Plant City resident Bill Adams has some treasured gems from the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World’s most cherished traditions. Adams found photographs and a program booklet in his mother’s things and has preserved them and their memories. And he wants to share them with the town of his roots: Looking through some of […]
Continue ReadingLiving for the Strawberry Festival
Living for the Strawberry Festival Something was a little fruity at our office in Historic Downtown last week. The fragrance of Plant City’s blooming fields was brought in a delivery of newspaper bundles — not flats. And it’s because our 2015 Florida Strawberry Festival Guide has a juicy strawberry on the front that smells just […]
Continue ReadingReaders respond
Observer Media Group CEO Matt Walsh asked last week on this page: ‘Never again?’ It was referring to the Holocaust and implied that Islamic terrorists’ atrocities resembled those of the Nazis. We said it was time for the U.S. to act forcefully. OMG readers responded — forcefully. + We need to wake up Dear Editor: Well, […]
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