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Library, Support Group Receive Grants

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2007

Updated: 12/06/2007 06:13 pm

PLANT CITY - Bruton Memorial Library and its support group, Friends of the Library, have received two grants, one from the Florida Humanities Council and one from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The library is one of 18 nationwide selected to host the Prime Time Family Reading Time series offered by Prime Time, an affiliate of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities in partnership with the American Library Association Public Programs Office.

The project, which will take place next fall, is funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

"We are delighted to be part of the national expansion of a project that is designed specifically for underserved families to help children bond with parents by reading and learning together," Bruton Library Director Anne Haywood said.

Prime Time, based on illustrated children's books, is designed to teach parents and children to read and discuss humanities topics and aids them in book selection and becoming active library users.

It is based on a successful series of the same name that began in 1991 at the Baton Rouge Parish Library in Louisiana and spread to surrounding states with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. More than 24,000 people have participated in more than 750 Prime Time sessions in 36 states and the Virgin Islands.

The other grant to the Friends of the Library was a minigrant from the Florida Humanities Council for an adult film discussion series, Florida on Film, beginning in January.

The four-part series will open with the program "Sunshine in the Dark: Florida in the Movies," led by Susan Fernandez and Robert Ingalls, University of South Florida professors and authors of a recent book of the same title. The series will continue one evening a month through April, with a viewing of a feature film and a discussion led by the scholars at each session.

Both of these programs are free.

For information, call the library, 302 McLendon St., at (813) 757-9215.

Durant Teacher Receives State Award

PLANT CITY - Gail Jayson, Durant High School's communication technology teacher, was named a Florida Technology High School Teacher of Excellence.

The selection was made recently by the Florida Technology Education Association.

Jayson and teachers from Young Middle Magnet School, which was named the Middle School Program of Excellence, will be recognized at the association's 70th annual conference Feb. 21-23 in Salt Lake City. They also will be recognized at the association conference in October.

The association selects a program of excellence and a teacher of excellence from two middle schools and two high schools each year.

Theater Recognizes 'Mouse' Cast

PLANT CITY - Plant City Entertainment, the area's community theater, presented awards for outstanding work in its recent production of "The Mouse That Roared."

John Harrer received the People's Choice Award, which is determined by votes cast by audience members.

Joe Pacquin was named Best Actor and Brittnie Anderson, Best Actress.

Betty Roney and Lou Baird tied for the Cast Choice Female Award and each received an award. Tom Guerre was Cast Choice Male winner and also received the Beverley Harrison Award.

The Cast Choice awards go to the people the cast and crew feel have contributed the most to the production, while the Harrison award goes to the person who has gone above and beyond to ensure the play's success.

Phil Wortz received the Director's Choice Award from the play's director, Tyler Hollis.

The awards were presented at a party for cast and crew at the home of Frank and Shirley Outen.

Meeting Called For Baseball, Softball Groups

PLANT CITY - An organizational meeting for softball and baseball groups will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Plant City Recreation and Parks office, 1904 S. Park Road.

For information, contact Larry Langston at (813) 659-4200, Ext. 4302, or e-mail LLangston@plantcitygov.com.

'Alas, Babylon' Set As Topic Of Book Discussion

PLANT CITY - Anyone wanting to take a break from holiday preparations might want to go to Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., and check out the book for the January book discussion.

The book, "Alas, Babylon" by Pat Frank, will be discussed at 11 a.m. Jan. 8. The event is free and open to the public. Copies of the book are available at the library.

For information, call the library, (813) 757-9215.

Youth Club To Visit Berry Patch Pediatrics

PLANT CITY - A new Modern Woodmen of America Youth Service Club is starting in Lakeland, and its first activity will be a trip at 10 a.m. Dec. 15 to Berry Patch Pediatrics, 1601 W. Reynolds St., Suite 203.

Children up to age 11 are invited to find out more about the club.

Gloria Ribas-Schultz of Lakeland will lead the club, and Stephen P. Schultz of Lakeland, a local Modern Woodmen representative, will sponsor the club's monthly activities.

"Since 1942 Modern Woodmen Youth Service Clubs have focused on volunteering, patriotism, education and fun. Currently 750 clubs across the country serve thousands of children," Shultz said in a statement.

For information about the club, call Schultz at (863) 370-9502.

Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal life insurance organization based in Rock Island, Ill.

Senior Outings Planned To Theaters

PLANT CITY - The Plant City Recreation and Parks Department has two trips planned for senior residents and visitors.

On Dec. 20, a group will go to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center for the matinee showing of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes.

The group will leave Plant City at 1 p.m. and return at 6 p.m. Cost is $88, which must be prepaid. Tickets are limited to 28 on a first-come, first-served basis. Only two reservations are available per person. Registration may be made in person between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St.

On Jan. 24, the trip will be to Fort Myers and the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater to see "Guys and Dolls." The cost of $60 includes lunch, gratuity and transportation. The group will leave at 8:30 a.m. and return at 6 p.m. Only 48 tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and only two reservations per person may be made.

Reservations along with payment can be made at the Planteen.

For information, call (813) 659-4200, Ext. 4343.

Library Offers Puppet Show, Card Making

PLANT CITY - Special programs for youngsters are coming up at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St.

A puppet show, "The Shoemaker and the Elves," will be presented for children ages 3 to 12 at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Groups must register in advance.

An after-school workshop, Holiday Cards, for children 6 to 14, will be at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 19. This workshop is limited to 20 children and registration must be made 30 minutes before the workshop.

For information, call the library at (813) 757-9215.

Woman's Club To Host Party For Robinson Class

PLANT CITY - Members of the Woman's Club of Plant City are busy this time of year.

The club was to have a unit in Friday's Plant City Christmas Parade, and the club is hosting a Christmas party for a class at Robinson Elementary School. The children will be given candy and refreshments and dresses and shirts made by a member of the club.

The club's Christmas party is at 6 p.m. Dec. 18 at the clubhouse. Dinner will be catered. Curt Weaver will be singing accompanied by Marilyn Day.

Columnist Barbara Kent reports on community news. Items submitted must include a telephone number. Send a fax to (813) 865-4441 or mail to Neighbors, 101 N. Wheeler St., Plant City FL 33563.

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