WREATHS FOR VETERANS
On Saturday, December 13, Wreaths Across America will hold its annual wreath laying in Plant City. Powered by Plant City’s Generations Renewed, the event will commence at 10 a.m. with a ceremony at Courier Field next to the Veterans Monument. Then wreaths will be laid on veterans’ graves in local cemeteries. This year’s program will add a new feature by honoring 10 Vietnam Veterans who live in Plant City.
MARKET AND ICE SKATING
On Friday, December 12, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., Historic Plant City Main Street is celebrating Christmas with its Jingle Jangle Market. At McCall Park in downtown, Frosty’s Ice Rink will be set up for free ice skating. The event also offers snow, hot chocolate, food trucks, and local vendors. This community happening is sponsored by the Plant City Rotary Club.
LIBRARY GIFT STORE
The Friends of Bruton Memorial Library is having a Pop-Up Gift Store event on Saturday, December 13, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Monday, December 15, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the library. The event will offer gifts for the book lover, Blind Date With A Book, jigsaw puzzles, journals, bookmarks, stickers, journals, and notebooks. Items may be purchased only with cash. All proceeds will benefit Bruton Memorial Library programs and services.
PELICAN’s SNOBALLS AWARDED SIGN GRANT
Historic Plant City Main Street awarded a $1,000 sign grant to Pelican’s SnoBalls, located at 610 S Collins St. “Especially this time of year, the sign grant is going to help us tremendously,” Pelican’s SnoBalls owner, Greg Davis, said. “We put up the new sign four weeks ago, and it’s going to help with the cost of that. But anytime you can have some extra income that helps your small business function, that’s always appreciated. I so appreciate working with Historic Plant City Main Street and all of the wonderful people there. They are nice, and kind, and run a well-oiled machine there.”
In addition to their 100 flavors of shaved ice, 24 flavors of ice cream, and Dole pineapple whip, Pelican’s has added seven variations of gourmet hot chocolate to their menu to warm customers on cold days.
“Pelican’s SnoBalls has been a beloved family favorite for many years,” Dawn Hyatt, Historic Plant City Main Street Executive Director, said. “Their ongoing commitment to giving back to our community is truly remarkable, and they more than deserve our support in return.”
HOPE LUTHERAN WELCOMES MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
On Thursday, December 18, 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 the church as they work to eliminate food insecurities in the community. Various goods are available from vegetables to meats to dairy and bakery goods. 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 the Plant City community needing that extra hand. For additional information, contact the church office at 813-752-4622.
ANNUAL ELKS HOOP SHOOT
Plant City Elks Lodge number 1727 held its local Lodge Hoop Shoot on Saturday morning at the Sadye Gibbs Martin community center. From left to right are Baylor Mueller, girls 10 to 11-year-old Winner; Charlotte Kenney, girls 12 to 13-year-old Winner; George Domedion, Southwest Central Florida District Hoop Shoot Director; Jaylen Gaddis, boys 12 to 13-year-old Winner; Kyus Gaddis, boys 10 to 11-year-old Winner; and Benjamin Beverly, boys eight to nine-year-old Winner. They will all be moving on to the Elks District competition to be held on January 3 at 9:30 a.m. at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center.
