Don’t Forget to Vote
If you’re a registered voter who lives within the City of Plant City, don’t forget to vote in the upcoming election for City Commissioner, Group 4. Candidates include Jeremy Griner and Michael S. Sparkman. Vote in person on March 31, April 1 or April 4 at City Hall.
Download the My Plant City App
The new MyPlant City App connects citizens to many city services, resources and information. Whether its issue reporting, staying informed about the latest city news, checking out the event calendar or making utility payments, the user-friendly app is an engaging tool to put your government in the palm of your hand. Download the app today on Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Local Businesses Host Veterans
Area active-duty, veterans and their spouses were treated to a tour of several local agriculture businesses last week as part of Hillsborough County’s Eighth Annual Military Agriculture Tour. Hosted by Hillsborough County Extension Service, attendees got a first-hand look at jobs available in the agriculture industry and heard stories from former veterans-turned-agribusiness professionals about how they utilized their skills to transition from the military to careers in agriculture. Plant City tour stops included Oak Ridge Fish Hatchery, Fancy Farms and Harrell’s Nursery.
Strawberry Crest Student Advances In Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Competition
Tenth grade student Erison Vail has advanced to the national level of the Scholastic Art anWriting Awards for her drawing titled “A Child’s Eye”. “It’s rare for a tenth grader to receive this honor,” said School District spokesperson Laura Hobby. The Strawberry Crest sophomore’s work will be recognized at the 2023 National Ceremony that will take place in June at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
City Commission Bestows Proclamation on 2022 Little Miss Plant City Queen and Court
There was a certain sparkle to this week’s commission meeting, where the 2022 Little Miss Plant City Queen and her Court were recognized by a proclamation. The girls recognized include: Queen Shyla Stanaland, First Maid Rylie Morris and court members Georgia Sue-Ann Hunter, Rylan Ham and Sutton Duncan. Commissioner Mary Mathis encouraged the girls in their academic studies. “You’re getting to the end of the school year so do well,” said Mathis.
United Food Bank Hosts VIP Sneak Peak
The United Food Bank of Plant City hosted a VIP Sneak Peak last weekend at its site on Alsobrook Street to share its growing pains with local and civic leaders in the community and seek their help in raising $5 million to raze the building and construct a larger facility. “We hosted the event on-site to show people how badly we need more space,” said director Mary Heysek. Last year, the food bank distributed more than three million pounds of food supplies and those numbers are expected to increase this year as more families rely on these types of resources to survive. “The need is just not going to go away,” said Heysek.
At the top of its wish list is an 8,000 square-foot space that can be used as a temporary facility during the construction of the new building, which is expected to begin by the end of this summer. For more information about the United Food Bank of Plant City or to make a donation visit www.ufbpc.org.
Volunteer Opportunity
The Florida Long-Term Ombudsman Program is seeking volunteers from diverse backgrounds to be advocates for some of Florida’s seniors living in long-term care facilities. If you want to share your compassion, tenacity and desire to make a difference, consider volunteering as a long-term care ombudsman. Fore more information visit www.ombudsman.elderaffairs.org or call 888-831-0404.
Local Oratorical Contest Winners Advance To Regional
Competition
After placing first and second locally in the Plant City Optimist Club Oratorical Competition on February 20, both orators also came out on top at the Zone 6 Competition on March 27, at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center.
Kenley Connell and Kyleigh Elliott placed first and second, respectively, in the local competition. After competing against the top two orators from Winter Haven Optimist Club’s ocal competition, the three judges scored Kyleigh first and Kenley second in the Zone Competition, finishing just one point apart in the scoring. The theme of this year’s contest is “Discovering the Optimism within Me”.
“We are very proud of the improvement our students showed,” said Plant City Oratorical Contest Chairman Doris Robbins. “They represented Plant City very well and we have high hopes that they will advance beyond the upcoming Regional competition.”
Connell and Elliott now advance to the Southwest Region Contest at the Plant City Parks & Recreation administration conference room, 1904 South Park Road, on Saturday April 15 at 2:00 p.m., where they will compete against the representatives from other Tampa Bay area Zone competitions. Good luck ladies!