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Woman With Local Ties Meets Backstreet Boys

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2007

PLANT CITY - A wish came true for Sarah Cribbs of Tennessee, granddaughter of James and Dinky Cribbs of Plant City. Thanks to Kids Wish Network, she met her favorite band, the Backstreet Boys.

The network, a Pasco County-based nonprofit organization, grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Cribbs, 20, was born with spina bifida, a neural tube defect that occurs when the spinal column fails to close completely, resulting in spinal cord nerve damage. The condition has left her confined to a wheelchair.

Kathy Cribbs, Sarah's mom, learned about Kids Wish on the Internet. After filling out an application, the family was thrilled to learn that it was approved, and arrangements were made for Kathy Cribbs, Sarah and sister, Anna, to fly to Los Angeles. Brother James stayed home with dad, Keith Cribbs, who works for Vanderbilt University in Nashville. "We decided to make it a girl vacation," Kathy Cribbs said.

They were given airline tickets and spending money. The highlight of the trip was being taken by limousine to the studio where the Backstreet Boys was rehearsing. The band members gave her a copy of their new CD, some autographed items and hugs.

"Sarah was overjoyed," her mother said.

Maternal grandparents, Randy and Nancy Hogue, lived in Plant City many years before moving to Nashville. More news in the Cribbs family - granddad James Cribbs turns 82 this month, and Anna Cribbs, 16, who was recently in her school's talent contest, has a country music demo coming out.

Dicks' Son's Career In Military Soaring

PLANT CITY - Jarod Dicks, a senior at the U.S. Naval Academy and son of Sharon and John Dicks of Plant City, was selected for a program that calls for him to go to area high schools to talk to students about applying to the academy.

He holds the third-highest rank at the academy, and is officer in charge of antiterrorism force protection.

He is consistently on the superintendent's and commandant's list for academic progress and has been chosen for exchange programs at West Point and the Air Force Academy.
John Dicks is the former Plant City mayor and longtime city commissioner.

Hospital Fundraiser Well Attended

PLANT CITY - South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation held their its sixth annual Fall Fancy at the home of Kim and Judy Blok-Andersen in Walden Lake. Judy Martin, foundation executive director, said 200 women took part in the event, which included a self-guided tour of the featured home, buffet luncheon and table-top shopping provided by nine vendors.

Traditionally, the event raises about $7,000 and benefit's the hospital's pediatric department.

Volunteers served as hostesses, and Plant City High School students helped set up and direct traffic to earn community service hours.

St. Clement Honors Priests At Picnic

PLANT CITY - The Rev. Tom Anastasia and the Rev. Carlos Rojas of St. Clement Catholic Church were honored by members of their congregation at the recent Priesthood Sunday picnic. Parishioners each cut out a handprint and created the unique wreath.

The special day honors the priesthood in the United States. Rojas has been at St. Clement for a year and a half, and Anastasia has been there four months.

Have an event you would like to see in this column? Send items to gabylee@tampabay.rr.com or mail to The Tampa Tribune, 101 N. Wheeler St., Plant City FL 33563 or fax to (813) 865-4441.

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