HOPE LUTHERAN WELCOMES MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
On Thursday, September 17, 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 the supplies are distributed. Anyone in need of grocery assistance is encouraged to join us as we work to eliminate food insecurity in our community. Various goods are available, from vegetables to meats to dairy and bakery goods. As a rule, the pantry, “Moving Hope,” takes place at Hope Lutheran on the third Thursday of each month. No identification is required, and the pantry is open to anyone in our Plant City community needing that extra hand.
For additional information, contact the church office at 813-752-4622.
Florida Humanities and Friends of Bruton Library Present A Florida Talks Program
Craig Pittman will join Friends of Bruton Library for a presentation on his book Oh, Florida!: How America’s Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country. The program takes place on September 28 at 11:00 a.m. at Bruton Memorial Library. It is a partnership between Florida Humanities and Friends of Bruton Memorial Library as part of Florida Humanities’ America 250 Florida Talks programming.
Craig Pittman is a native Floridian. Born in Pensacola, he graduated from Troy State University in Alabama, where his muckraking work for the student paper prompted an agitated dean to label him “the most destructive force on campus.” After 31 years at the Tampa Bay Times, he now writes a weekly column on environmental issues for the Florida Phoenix and co-hosts the podcast “Welcome to Florida.” He has written six non-fiction books about Florida and lives in St. Petersburg.
Some people regard Florida as nothing but the Punchline State because so many weird things happen here. Craig Pittman argues that it is also the greatest state with the greatest impact on other states. In this presentation, based on his hilarious and thought-provoking New York Times bestselling book Oh, Florida!, Mr. Pittman explains how what he calls “The Most Interesting State” got to be the way it is.
Florida Talks is one of Florida Humanities’ longest-running public programs. The organization’s speakers’ bureau features more than 30 exceptional scholars, journalists, authors, and humanities experts and over 60 brand new and returning programs. Florida Talks offers nonprofit organizations across the state an accessible way to host engaging speakers who present Florida’s history, heritage, and culture through historical and contemporary lenses.
Throughout 2026, Florida Humanities is offering Florida Talks programs under its America 250: Everlasting Florida initiative. Programs will cover the enduring spirit of Florida in the larger context of our nation’s history. From speaker series, virtual programs, and traveling exhibits, each program will show that few states encapsulate the American experiment so vividly as the Sunshine State. Learn more about Florida Humanities America 250 programming at floridahumanities.org/america250.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is appreciated but not required.
https://attend.hcplc.org/event/17283976. The program will include the Friends annual recognition of members and volunteers.
WHO: Oh, Florida!: How America’s Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country
WHEN: Monday, September 28, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Bruton Memorial Library, Plant City, FL
Writers Program Hosts One of Plant City’s Outstanding Civic Leaders
With its focus on researching and writing Plant City’s history, the Writers Program members sat down with Carl L. Carpenter, Jr. for a person-to-person discussion of some of the many programs and projects that Carpenter has had a senior role in. The discussion included Carpenter’s years on Hillsborough County School Board, County Commission, and the State Legislature.
Born in 1935 Carpenter attended local schools and is a 1953 graduate of Plant City High School, where he was known as “notable” and “wittiest” in addition to his role in Key Club, Spokesman and Kanyuksaw sports editor, track team, football sponsor, Key Club Quartet, and more. After completing his studies at the University of Florida with a BSP, Carpenter worked as a pharmacist and in 1966 partnered with Manuel Glaros, establishing the Glaros – Carpenter Drug Store.
With a continuing interest in education, Carpenter ran for a position on the Hillsborough County School Board and served from 1966 to 1972 both as vice-chairman and chairman; he was elected to the County Commission and served from 1972 to 1974 and returned to the School Board 1976-1978 when he was elected to the State House of Representatives, where he served from 1978 until 1991. In those years, Carpenter addressed many issues including school consolidation, integration, teachers’ strike, bond issuance, community college establishment and locations, and many more.
The Writers Program works on many diverse topics in its role in research and writing of Plant City’s history. There are over 100 published articles which include the Plant City National Guard; Cliff Hardee and Plant City Steel; Rowena Evers Mays; Quintilla Geer Bruton; Plant City Swim Club and the YMCA; New Year’s Eve in Plant City; Hillsborough Community College Origin and Future Growth; and Plant City and The Strawberry Schools.
The Writers Program is under the auspices of the Dr. Scotty & Hsiu Huang History Center, Plant City History & Photo Archives, and welcomes requests for information and suggestions for future research projects. Writers and history buffs who are interested in assisting in this program may contact Archives Director Libby Hopkins at libby@plantcityphotoarchives.org, or gvgott@gmail.com.
