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An Honor And A Surprise

Tribune photo by GEORGE WILKENS

“There was no way he knew this,” said Margaret Rodwell, who kept the award a secret from her husband, Bruce.

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By GEORGE WILKENS

gwilkens@tampatrib.com

Published: February 25, 2009

PLANT CITY - Bruce Rodwell, a retired produce buyer who came here to establish a strawberry operation - and never left - is Plant City's Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

In keeping with tradition surrounding the award, the honoree was kept in the dark until the announcement was made before the Feb. 18 luncheon crowd of about 200 at the Red Rose Inn and Suites' Red Rose Ballroom.

"There was no way he knew this," said his confident wife, Margaret, who was in charge of discretely phoning friends and relatives about the honor. "This was complete shock."

"Holy mackerel, I was overwhelmed," said her husband, recognized for his volunteer work for everything from area hospitals to the Florida Strawberry Festival to the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.

The Rodwells came here in 1996 from Pennsylvania, where, for three decades, Bruce was a produce buyer for Agway. "I came down here to set up a strawberry operation," which he did for seven years.

Not only was the honor a surprise to Rodwell, so were many of the guests. The Rodwells' daughters, Brenda LaCrosse of Rochester, N.Y., and Linda Hackler of Myrtle Beach, S.C., were in the crowd.

Their father was curious where they had been hiding out, and he inquired after the luncheon.

"We were at the Holiday Inn last night," said Linda, who had flown to Tampa three days earlier.

At a stoplight en route to the luncheon, the daughters found themselves in dad's sight but responded quickly, ducking and avoiding detection.

Another unexpected reunion was with Bruce's former protege in Clarks Summit, the small northeastern Pennsylvania borough where the Rodwells lived before.

"Bruce was one of my teachers; he taught me the business," said Harris Cutler, a produce dealer who flew down for the luncheon. "Bruce is a great personality, and anyone who ever met him loves him," Cutler said as Rodwell was encouraged to pose for photos with friends, relatives and the Florida Strawberry Festival queen and court.

"I didn't know I was so important," Rodwell said of the outpouring of attention.

"Ever since we landed here, he's been involved completely with Plant City," Margaret Rodwell said.

Area civic clubs and the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce nominate candidates for the event organized by the Kiwanis Club of Plant City. A committee of representatives from each of the organizations selects the winner.

Last year's winner was Fred Johnson, owner-operator of Fred's Market Restaurant and Grandpa Johnson's Barbeque in Plant City, plus Fred's Southern Kitchen in Lakeland.

Previous winners of the award, established in 1960, include the late City Manager Nettie Draughon; the late James L. Redman, former state representative; and the late Paul Buchman, a longtime city attorney.

AT A GLANCE

OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

The award was established in 1960 by the First National Bank of Plant City, later assumed by the Kiwanis Club. The first recipient was Arthur Boring, a prominent local bank president. The program has grown through the years, with additional civic organizations joining to support the program, which is not a fundraiser. The sole purpose is to recognize and honor an outstanding Plant City citizen.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS: American Business Women's Association, Civitan Club, GFWC Woman's Club, GFWC Junior Woman's Club, Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Optimist Club, Pilot Club and Rotary Club

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2008: Fred Johnson

2007: Jack Gibbs

2006: Felton Williams

2005: Coleman Davis

2004: Judy Barta

2003: The Rev. H. Richard Bills

2002: Betty Chambers

2001: Myrle Henry

2000: Ray "Rolly" Rollyson

1999: Bill Herold

1998: Al Berry

1997: Sadye Martin

1996: Mike Sparkman

1995: Judy D. Martin

1994: Bob Edwards

1993: Floyd Hall

1992: Ercelle Smith

1991: Ruth Lyle

1990: James Jones

1989: William Bradbury

1988: Ron Baker

1987: David Byars

1986: Richard Elston

1985: Mary Gardner

1984: B.M. "Mac" Smith Jr.

1983: Betty Barker Watkins

1982: Paul Buchman

1981: Reece Smith Sr.

1980: William Vernon

1979: Hillman F. Bowden

1978: D.E. Bailey

1977: Mac Hooper

1976: James L. Redman

1975: Coach L.H. Duyck

1974: Nettie Draughon

1973: Otis Andrews

1972: Henry Moody

1971: Roy Thacker

1970: Hal Brewer

1969: Horace Hancock

1968: Ben Rawlins

1967: Bill Rickert

1966: Robert S. Trinkle

1965: Alex Hull

1964: Willard McGinnes

1963: Edgar Hull

1962: Frank H. Moody

1961: Quintilla Geer Bruton

1960: Arthur Boring

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433.

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