Optimist Club annual Youth Appreciation Ceremony
The Plant City Optimist Club held its annual Youth Appreciation Ceremony to recognize eight Plant City High School students for their “outstanding accomplishments.” The banquet was held on Nov. 6 at the Recreation & Parks Department administrative office conference room and more than 50 people attended.
Cody Cribbs, MacKenzie Steele, Jordan Waters, Flor Ramirez, R.J. Robinson, Jesus Garcia, Caroline Brummer and Jordin Vance were chosen because of their efforts in academics, athletics and community service work. They were each given an award for their deeds.
Salute to Veterans exhibit open
The Plant City Photo Archives & History Center’s annual “Salute to Veterans” exhibit opened on Veterans Day and will remain on display until Jan. 4. The exhibit features nearly 750 photos of local veterans on display on a slide show, enlargements up to 36” x 48” and 10’ banners.
Veterans from the early 1900s up to modern time are highlighted. The exhibit has run since 2005, during which it honored the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII.
Betty Barker Watkins gathered over 400 photographs and stories from local veterans to start the exhibit. Copies of the photos on display are available for those interested and veterans who wish to be added to the collection may bring them in during regular business hours, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The archive is located at 106 S. Evers St.
Plant City Police Department receives grant
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grant has awarded PCPD with 25 Automated External Defibrillator (AED) batteries, which will be used to replace existing batteries of AED’s in the Uniformed Patrol Division.
AED units allow for a quick and easy response to cardiac issues. On duty patrol officers use them to increase the radius of coverage for the Plant City area.
Free Christmas Orchestral Extravaganza
The Florida Philharmonia Orchastra, which is comprised of members from across Polk and Hillsborough County, is putting on a free holiday concert on Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The event will have a guest appearance from the Florida Southern College “Mocappellas” singers and will include favorites like “Sleigh Ride,” “Carol of the Drum,” Christmas Eve/Sarajevo,” “White Christmas” and more.
This is the second year performing for the group and it is the area’s only all-volunteer orchestra, comprised of 45 musicians. Concerts are held at College Heights United Methodist Church, 942 South Blvd., Lakeland.