James E. “Gene” Mindedahl Jr., 58, of Plant City, died May 1, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Carol; children, Cara “C.J.” Balliett (Aaron) and Caty Mindedahl; grandson, Liam James Balliett; mother, Mavis Mindedahl; brother, Johnny Mindedahl; and many loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his […]
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Obituary: Jose Ponce
Jose Ponce, 57, of Dover, died April 28, 2014. He is survived by his mother, Socorro Ponce; siblings, Emerita (Antonio), Salvador (Lidia), Roberto, Delia (Eliseo), Juan (Elvia), Guadalupe (Alma), Martha (Agustin), Israel (Lucy) and Veronica (Hector); and many nieces, nephews and loving family. He was preceded in death by his father, Lorenzo Ponce. A Funeral […]
Continue ReadingObituary: Karen Ponce
Karen Ponce, 58, of Plant City, died April 28, 2014. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Roberto; children, Robert, Patrick (Carrie), Joseph and David (Beth); grandchildren, Maddison, BeaAnna, Blake, Logan and Loraina; and siblings, Patricia and Kenny. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Edna Stevens. A Funeral Mass […]
Continue ReadingObituary: John Bauer
John “Jack” Bauer, 78, of Mulberry, died April 30, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Allison Bauer; children Annelisa, Marianne, John Jr. (Kelly) and William; grandchildren, Cassandra, Shannara, Jessie Jr., and Michael; and many cousins and friends. A Celebration of Life took place May 5, at Hopewell Funeral Home, Plant City. […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Weaver Believer Survival Revival
Hopewell Baptist Church began the festivities for its 144th Homecoming with a bluegrass concert May 3, at the church. The Georgia-based Weaver Believer Survival Revival, a bluegrass band featuring the Weaver family, performed a variety of famous bluegrass tunes, Christian hymns and even original material. Although the matriarch of the group, Chris Weaver, did not […]
Continue ReadingWEEKEND BEST BET: East Hillsborough Historical Society Spring Tour of Homes
East Hillsborough Historical Society Spring Tour of Homes — The 2014 Spring Tour of Homes, presented by the East Hillsborough Historical Society, will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 3. The tour will begin at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St. Homes include 805 N. […]
Continue ReadingPlant City 5-year-old beats cancer
If one thing is true about Ava Raab, she’s certainly not shy. Sitting at a picnic table at the Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival, the vivacious 5-year-old munches on some chicken and recounts the amazing story of how she broke her arm over spring break. “A bear came up, so I kicked him, and he flew […]
Continue ReadingPlant City churches welcome new leaders
THE REV. COLE DODD FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MIDWAY It takes a few minutes for the Rev. Cole Dodd to rattle off all the places he lived growing up as a child. With an insurance claims adjuster for a mother, Dodd always seemed to find himself in the middle of tragedy. In 1992, when everyone […]
Continue ReadingPlant City Garden Club wins awards
Bess Treadwell was presented with the Crystal Award from the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs for her floral design “ Hats off for the Army.” The inspiration for Treadwell’s design was her husband’s 30 years in the U.S. Army and serves as a tribute to him. The design featured an Army infantry officer’s hat, a […]
Continue ReadingSinging group unveils new name
The Plant City Community Choir has changed its name to The Plant City Community Chorale. After the election of a new board of directors and the installation of its new artistic director, the membership selected a name that signaled its secular origins and perspectives, without altering radically the community’s perception of the organization. For more […]
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