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Civitan Club's 55th Year Full Of Plans, Parade

Tribune photo by George H. Newman

Plant City Civitan Club honored its sole surviving charter member, Harold Boswell, at a November meeting. From left are club member Bill Huntsman, Florida District Governor Lori Clapp, club President Pat Pogue, Sonny Jones, Boswell, Mayor Rick Lott and 2008 Florida Strawberry Festival queen Kristen Smith.

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

gnewman@tampatrib.com

Published: February 11, 2009

PLANT CITY - The Plant City Civitan Club is heading into its 55th year with a legacy of community service.

Often concentrating its efforts on helping those with developmental disabilities, Civitan also sponsors the annual Youth Parade during the Florida Strawberry Festival, scholarships for Durant and Plant City high school students and other programs.

During a club meeting in November celebrating its 54th anniversary, Harold Boswell, the only surviving charter member, was recognized by the club for his dedication and participation in the civic organization.

"Harold is a former club president and secretary," club President Pat Pogue said. "He was the longtime chairman of the club's candy box project, which raises money for special education classes. Harold served as lieutenant governor on the club's district level. He also worked for years in the club's food booth at the Florida Strawberry Festival."

The club's appreciation of Boswell's efforts was seconded by Mayor Rick Lott, the club's guest speaker for the occasion.

"Many of the people that I meet mention your name to me and remember you fondly," Lott said to Boswell during his presentation. "Over the years, you and members of the Civitan Club have helped Plant City meet the challenge. You and the club have supported many events and projects that build character within the community. It is our challenge on the city commission to continue that effort."

A native of Nebraska, Boswell came to Plant City in 1946 following a tour of duty with the Army Air Corps and married the former Faye Robinson.

He has three sons, Benny, John and Don, six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Boswell worked for Kilgore Seed and various auto dealerships, including Powell Buick Pontiac, where he was general manager from 1958 to 1981.

He was also a deacon for more than 40 years, a Sunday school teacher and Sunday school director at First Baptist Church of Plant City.

Civitan International was founded in 1917, and the Plant City chapter was chartered Nov. 16, 1954.

Lott mentioned projects that the club has supported through the years, including the Florida Baptist Children's Home, Bread of Life Mission, Steppin' Stone Farm, the United Food Bank, programs at Tomlin Middle School and J. S. Robinson Elementary School, Junior Civitan programs at Durant and Plant City high schools and others.

"Groups like the Civitan Club help Plant City retain its positive image and character as the community grows," Lott said.

CIVITAN YOUTH PARADE

One of the Civitan Club's biggest annual events is the Youth Parade, which this year is at 11 a.m. Feb. 28.

"The Plant City Civitan Club has coordinated the Youth Parade in Plant City for the past 36 years, and this year is no exception," club President Pat Pogue said. "I have been visiting local schools as well as schools in Riverview, Tampa and Brandon to encourage participation in the local parade."

The parade starts at the State Farmers Market at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Alexander Street and moves north on Alexander, then west on Reynolds Street.

The parade is not sponsored by the Florida Strawberry Festival, but applications can be accessed from the festival's Web site, www .flstrawberryfestival.com.

Click on contest rules and scroll down to 2009 Youth Parade.

TO JOIN

The Plant City Civitan Club meets at 7 a.m. the first and third Thursday monthly at BuddyFreddys restaurant, 1101 Goldfinch Drive, Plant City.

For information, call club President Pat Pogue at (813) 754-4680.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451.

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