TWIRLERS TO COMPETE NATIONALLY
The members of the Patrick’s Patriots Twirling Corps, from the Plant City area, will take their talents to national competitions this summer. In July, members will travel to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN, to compete in the America’s Youth on Parade. This event is sponsored by the National Baton Twirling Association.
Recently, the Corps has been traveling around the state competing, and will go to a regional event in May. Two of the twirlers represented Plant City at the Florida State Solo Championship where they received several titles and awards. Millie Rigdon, a student at Seffner Christian, won the Intermediate Solo Champion, the Intermediate 2-Baton Champions, the Beginner 3-Baton Champions, and was awarded the Over-All Intermediate Twirl-Off Champion. Millie also won the Triple Crown Twirler—which combines three events: x-strut; solo; and 2-baton. Lorelai Benfield, a student at Strawberry Crest High School, won first place in the Open Novice X-Strut and placed fifth in the Beginner Young American Majorette Pageant.
These twirlers are working hard and can’t wait to represent Florida and their hometown at this prestigious national competition. Patrick’s Patriots is taught by Barbara Patrick, Lynann Patrick-Hudson and Raelyn Hudson. Classes are held at Sadye Gibbs Martin Recreation Center in Plant City. Summer classes will begin in June.
Hope Lutheran Welcomes Mobile Food Pantry
On Tuesday, April 15, Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 North Park Road, will host their mobile food pantry in the church parking lot. This pantry, in association with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Lakeland, will begin distributing food to those in need beginning at 6:00 p.m. until supplies are distributed. Anyone in need of grocery assistance is encouraged to come because the church is working to eliminate food insecurities in Plant City. Normally, the “Moving Hope” pantry takes place on the third Thrusday of the month. Due to Holy Week, it has been changed to Toesday for April only. No ID is required. For additional information contact the church office at 813-752-4622.
Wish Farms “Runs For Sweetness” with Berry Bolt 5k Charity Event
Plant City based, international grower and year-round marketer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and pineberries, Wish Farms, is pleased to share that it opened its headquarters for the first ever Berry Bolt 5k Run For Sweetness. The company welcomed runners, sponsors, and the public to their blueberry farm to raise money for its philanthropic efforts and the United Food Bank of Plant City.
The event kicked off the local blueberry season in central Florida and raised over $169,000 for the Wish Farms Family Foundation.
“This was a great way for us to give back, while featuring our local Florida blueberry crop”, said Public Relations Director Nick Wishnatzki, “It was the ultimate feel-good, full-circle event. It achieved our give back objectives while highlighting the health benefits of blueberries and a fun, athletic activity.”
Forty-six companies and individuals contributed to the event, with top sponsors including Jerue, Farm Credit, Sweet Life Farms, and Patterson Companies. An army of volunteers from the Food Bank and the Kiwanis Club of Plant City were on hand to support and make the event a success.
150 runners partook in the 5k race, which featured a cross-country trek around the blueberry farm, lake, office, and treehouse of the scenic Plant City property. Families enjoyed the festive atmosphere of the race, face painters, and inflatable bounce houses, while having the opportunity to u-pick fresh blueberries.
One-third of the money raised will be granted to the United Food Bank and Services in Plant City. “We plan to use the generous funds raised to directly support the Kids’ Food Break Bags program this summer,” said Mary Heysek, President and CEO of the Food Bank, “It will help provide nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals for children during the summer break, ensuring they have access to healthy food. We are very grateful for Wish Farms’ support and commitment to helping children thrive.”
Book SALE AT THE LIBRARY
Friends of the Bruton Memorial Library invite the public to a book sale on Saturday, April 12, from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the library at 302 W. McLendon St. There will be a wide selection of gently used fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, collectible DVDs and CDs, and audiobooks for sale. Hardcover books are priced at $2 and paperbacks will be two for $1. Audiobooks, DVDs and CDs will also be $1. It’s a cash-only sale with all proceeds benefiting the library’s programs, resources and services. Friends of the Bruton Memorial Library, sponsors of the event, is a nonprofit organization made up of volunteers and advocates who see libraries as the heart of any thriving community, the place where learning begins. Friends of the Library also sponsors a small book store within the library that is open every day that the library is open. The book store accepts donations of books in good condition.