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Daughters Eagerly Participate In Mom's House Work

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By BETTY BRIGGS

Tribune correspondent

Published: August 13, 2008

PLANT CITY - A family art affair is cooking at the Kitchens. RhondaK Kitchens, sister Sherrie St. James-Bastien and their mom, Shirley Kitchens, have a cottage industry of native folk art under way at Shirley's house in Plant City.

RhondaK Kitchens began stirring the pot when she lived on the West Coast on a boat, making signs from recycled wood and fashioned after the old drinking signs in beach bars and restaurants. She came to Plant City when her father got sick and inspired her mom and sister.

They call their work "tribute art" in memory of their dad. James-Bastien paints mostly underwater and beach scenes and works with photography and metal sculpture, and Shirley Kitchens likes garden themes.

Shirley Kitchens was born and raised in Plant City and is Mayor Rick Lott's aunt.

"Often people see it as entertainment, and we want them to have a good time looking at our work," RhondaK Kitchens said.

They've had shows individually and together, and although RhondaK Kitchens, a part-time librarian, lives in Siesta Key, she often returns to the garage studio in her mom's backyard to work.

RhondaK Kitchens' work is part of a traveling show that is on display at Harrah's casino in Mississippi.

All three are currently exhibiting at the Creative Native Gallery, 5307 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa.

When asked where they got their talent, James-Bastien said she isn't sure, but her mom was an assistant teacher at Robinson Elementary School for 30 years and was always using artwork to teach kids the alphabet, and her dad, who died last year, was very creative.

Mother and daughters will be exhibiting at the monthly arts and crafts shows sponsored by the Historic Downtown Plant City Merchants and Business Association.

The shows are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. the second Saturday monthly through March at the municipal parking lot at Reynolds and Palmer streets.

Plant City Resident Earns Bachelor's Degree

Nou Her of Plant City received her bachelor's degree in psychology June 14 from Carleton College. She is the daughter of Pao Nou and Chue Yang.

Carleton is a private, co-educational college near Minneapolis.

Plant City Entertainment Presents Awards

Plant City Entertainment's recent production of "Brigadoon" enjoyed sold-out audiences and rave reviews.

The theater group presented the following awards at a party for cast and crew at Kazbor's Grille: April Smith, best actress and people's choice; Justin Batten, best actor; Courtney Kyle, cast choice female; Van Frost, cast choice male and director's choice; Greg Nicolosi, musical director's choice; and Sarah Pease, Beverley Harrison Award.

Quilt Guild Always Can Use More Hands

There are no idle hands at the Berry Patch Quilt Guild, club member Michaele Daramus said.

The group meets for a business meeting at 7:15 p.m. the second Thursday monthly at the Winter Visitor's Center, 304 Dort St.

The club's weekly sit-n-sew is from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, also at the visitor's center.

Call (813) 752-0679 for information.

Hometown Pageant Seeks Contestants

Local contestants are welcome to participate in the 22nd annual Florida's Hometown USA Pageant, an annual fundraiser Florida's Hometown USA Program.

The purpose of the program is to educate youth on the values of volunteer work and inspire them to make a difference in the lives of others.

There are five age divisions for contestants 4 to 19. There will also be an open talent competition for girls and boys.

Deadline to enter is in October.

The pageant is held each year in Orlando. Call (352) 326-4217 or go to www

.FLHometownUSA.com.

Children's Chorus To Hold Auditions

The Tampa Bay Children's Chorus is holding auditions for the 2008-09 season.

The chorus is for children in third through 12th grades. Children of any singing ability are welcome

Auditions will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Patel Conservatory at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, and from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at St. Catherine's Episcopal Church, 502 Druid Hills Road, Temple Terrace.

Go to www.tbcchorus.org or call (813) 977-5558.

E-mail items to Betty Briggs at gaby lee@tampabay.rr.com; mail to The Tampa Tribune, 101 N. Wheeler St., Plant City FL 33563; or fax to (813) 865-4441.

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