FOCUS Lakeland 08-01

FOCUS MAGAZINE LAKELAND FEBRUARY 2012

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FOCUS MAGAZINE LAKELAND FEBRUARY 2012 3

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FEBRUARY 2012 focuslakeland.com4 FOCUS MAGAZINE LAKELAND FEBRUARY 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTSVolume 8 Issue 1 • February 2012

focuslakeland.com

LICENSING OPPORTUNITYLicensed territories are available. We are looking to expand the family and are looking for motivated individuals to join our award winning team. If you are interested in owning your own Focus Magazine contact Mike Floyd at 813.707.8783 ext 26.

6-8 LOCALLearn about some Lakeland firsts this month: The Lakeland Derby Dames, Polk’s first ever roller derby team, along with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, also a first for Polk.

10 SPOTLIGHTThe January Spotlight shines on Michael Mink, owner and coach of the Lakeland Raiders Indoor Football Team. Mink’s decision to honor his mother’s suggestion has turned out to be a very good thing for the players and loyal following the team is developing.

13 SPECIAL STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL FEATUREWe’re excited this month to present what’s new for the Strawberry Festival: Ron Gainey, the new president and the new Evelyn and Bautista Madonia, Sr. Agriculture Building. Also new is a queen with a pageant first: two grandmothers who also wore the crown. Meet the newly crowned Strawberry Festival Queen, Chelsea Bowden, along with her Court. Upbeat, cheerful, and ready to go - these young women are so excited to represent the industry and the community.

44 BUSINESS PROFILEDoggie Styles Mobile Grooming makes house calls to keep your canine looking good. In addition to great service, you’ll read about owner Joel Hunter and his other talent for rescuing animals and placing them in good homes.

FOCUSLAKELAND.COMFull digital version of the current and past magazines

Extended features, interviews, dining profiles and business profiles with extra content

Community news updates

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Michael Mink ON THE COVER

46 DINING PROFILETreat your family and friends to great meals at Fresco’s Downtown Bakery & Bistro in the historic SoKen district. The modern feel, fresh look and delicious


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Standards of accuracy: The goal of the writers at FOCUS Magazine is to provide heart-warming stories that are accurate from the start. Being human, however, we sometimes make mistakes. Please forgive us.

So if you notice anything that is incorrect, then please do not hesitate to contact the editorial department and inform it about the fact error. To do so, call (813) 707-8783 or e-mail [email protected]. The staff will fix the error in a timely manner.

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Advertisers warrant and represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. Focus Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All letters and their contents sent to Focus Magazine become the sole property of Floyd Publications, Inc and may be reproduced thereof. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Floyd Publications, Inc. Use or duplication of material used in this publication is prohibited without approved written consent from Floyd Publications, Inc.

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Distribution Byron SpradlinBelva DeVane

Photographers Billy FriendLori Blaser | Stephanie Humphrey

Staff Writers Cheryl JohnstonBrian West | Joe BowlesDerek Maul | Kelleigh Klein Heather Davis | Laura Estes | Dan Conrod | Kristi Lin-baugh | Heather Davis Megan Braglin | Brittany Cerny

Contributors Al Ruechel | Gil Gott Bruce Rodwell | Jo-An Lusk | Nate Davis

February is the month friends and lovers show tender expressions of their appreciation for those special relationships in their lives.

It’s also the month when fairs and festivals are ramping up to welcome crowds.

Such is the case especially in eastern Hillsborough County and western Polk where we, and visitors from around the country, will soon be enjoying the annual Florida State Fair and Florida Strawberry Festival. Since 1930 our farmers, area businesses, and local civic organizations have celebrated the farming/ranching industries and the bountiful berry harvest.

We celebrate with food, great entertainment, pageants, artwork, crafts, horticulture, animal shows, vendors and more. And almost a million people come to party with us. Is Central Florida a great place to live or what? We hope you’ll enjoy our Strawberry Festival insert.

Speaking of special blessings in this month of love, don’t miss the Spotlight interview with Michael Mink, owner of the Lakeland Raiders Arena Football team. Anyone who’s ever taken mom’s advice will love this story.

Other sports news includes a team on wheels. The Lakeland Derby Dames and Rockabilly Rebels are the first ever and only all women’s roller derby team in Polk County.

Read also the to meet local business people who appreciate their customer relationships. To extend the celebration of love until month’s end, we hope you’ll visit the local dining establishments that serve up those hometown specials for your eating pleasure.

Happy Valentine’s Month!

Mike and DeDe Floyd

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EMERGE LAKELAND

LOCAL » FOCUS

When Jessica Gutowski, a Michigan native, graduated from Florida Southern in 2009 with a degree in

Communication, she wasn’t sure what her next step would be.

She volunteered to support Gow Fields Mayoral Campaign and ended up falling into a position at a staffing agency. “I was looking for ways to meet people my age,” says Jessica. “Someone suggested that I join [EMERGE], and I ended up going to one of their meetings where a couple of people took me under their wing.”

EMERGE Lakeland is an organization established in 2003 by a partnership between the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Central Florida, and it

was through this organization that Jessica was able to find the connection she was look-ing for. EMERGE has created a network for young professionals (ages 21-42), integrating members into the fabric of the professional, political and charitable aspects of community by encouraging them to build relationships here in Lakeland.

Members of EMERGE enjoy many benefits professionally and socially through meet-ings and events hosted by the organization. Not only are you able to interact with other professionals that may help to enhance your career and expand your social network, but you are also provided volunteer opportuni-ties. “I was raised that you give back always to the community, and I just wanted to get involved,” Jessica shares.

She serves as well as with EMERGE’s Steer-ing committee and in that role encourages other young talent here in Lakeland to stay in Lakeland. “A lot of people who graduate or are from here go away and don’t come back. Lakeland is trying hard to keep that talent here.”

One of the goals Jessica is working to achieve with the help of EMERGE is encouraging young professionals to not so easily dismiss Lakeland as a place to take root and grow. “There are so many great things to do and I think if people knew about EMERGE, they could meet other young people and that would be another reason they would enjoy it here.” It’s through building relationships that one can develop a better appreciation for community; the more connections an individual makes, the greater opportunities

one can have to enhance the lives of those around them.

On the group’s website, http://www.emergelakeland.com, the organization lists upcoming events, as well as a blog that identifies local job opportunities. Potential members can also apply and find out more about what EMERGE has to offer. Keep an eye out for their “Casino Night” Member-ship Drive, March 22, at Preservation Hall in downtown Lakeland. It’s a free event geared towards informing all those interested about EMERGE.

For more information, visit www.emergelakeland.com, visit the group’s Face-book page, or phone 863.688.8551, extension 228.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CONNECTSTORY BY: SARA ROBILLARD


LAKELAND HOSTS

LOCAL » FOCUS

ITS FIRST-EVER SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURESTORY BY: DEANA GARRISON | PHOTOS BY:KEN BUNDY

Everyone cheered and clapped as the activities began at Lakeland’s first ever Susan G. Komen race, held at the Joker

Marchant Stadium on Saturday, January 14th, 2012.

The presenting sponsors were Watson Clinic, Hall Communications, and Tiger Town.

Love and fun filled the air as many teams showed their support for the battle against breast cancer in various ways. Many wore unique items as well as themed t-shirts. Despite the drop in temperature, one partici-pant showed his support by wearing a pink bikini.

Guest speaker Linda Hurtado, ABC Action News anchor, had an inspiring story to share. As she told the devastating story of having to watch her mother battle breast cancer and not surviving, participants listened in silence. From watching her mother fight through the terror of the disease, she decided to take action on her own health. Luckily enough, Hurtado’s doctor was able to catch the dis-ease in her own body in its early stages. She couldn’t express enough how a mammogram is one of the most important medical check-ups for a woman to have. ABC Action News sponsored a team in Hurtado’s honor to show their support for her.

A team from Bernie Little Distributors, Inc. decided to join the race when a co-worker’s

friend didn’t survive her battle. The company then decided to race for the cure together. Their huge group rallied and showed just what they thought about breast cancer and the need for a cure.

Before and during the race, a survivor tent was the happening spot. Many survivors and their caregivers enjoyed the luxury of pam-pered treatment. Many tables filled the area with festive decorations and ample refresh-ments were available for their enjoyment. “Pampered Treatment” chairs were set up so they could receive special beauty care. “They can get a style, spray color, glitter, or anything they want for their pampered treatment,” said Suzy Composky, a volunteer for the cause. Raffles, coffee, breakfast items, and goody bags added to the excitement in the tent. The survivors could also have their pictures taken with their families and could pick up their photo in a beautiful framed keepsake.

Many sponsor tents lined the side of the starting are and runners organized them-selves with their groups under a huge balloon arch. On each runner’s face was the determi-

nation to not only run the race but run for the cure. The finish line was located inside the stadium at third base.

In between races, ongoing exercise warm-up sessions created extra excitement, laughter, and fun.

Winners for the 10k race were Scott Mackley (men’s race) and Kristen Tenaglia (women’s race). The 5k winners were Vince Tenaglia (men’s race) and Rosalinda Mills (women’s race).

This first-ever race was a huge success and brought a lot of information and good company to Lakeland. Through smiles and tears the racers and volunteers bonded and appreciated in deep awareness the many who have not yet taken the steps necessary to protect their own health.

The Susan G. Komen Race touched many lives here in Polk and is certain to be an event that grows bigger in the years to come.

FOCUS MAGAZINE LAKELAND FEBRUARY 2012FEBRUARY 2012 focuslakeland.com8 FOCUS MAGAZINE LAKELAND FEBRUARY 2012

LAKELAND DERBY DAMES

LOCAL » FOCUS

It’s been almost two years since Lakeland became home to the world’s fastest growing women’s sport: roller derby.

Tiffany Guerrieri, known by fellow skaters as Cam Ram Chaos, founded the Lakeland Derby Dames with a few friends in March of 2010. They were inspired by the 1950s pin-up style, so the name “Dames” seemed fitting. Jessica Jemec a.k.a. Bo Deckher, president of the league, and her husband “Smack Brown” now own the Lakeland Derby Dames.

“Derby is all about empowering women of every shape, size, color and background to make a difference in the world today and in the communities where we live,” Jemec said.

The Lakeland Derby Dames didn’t have enough players in the beginning to have two home teams that could play each other. The only way the ladies could gain experience was to enter “bouts” with other women’s roller derby leagues in Florida, so the Lakeland Derby Dames’ travel team, the Rockabilly Rebels, was formed.

The team is now made up of 20 ladies ranging in age from 21 to 45. They practice three times a week and recruit nights are held once a week. The Dames are willing to teach new recruits both how to skate as well as how to play roller derby. Referees and non-skating officials

are welcome, too. They are currently in the process of selecting a new team captain for the 2012 season.

The Rockabilly Rebels’ 2012 season began January 22 with “The Dog Pound vs. The Alley Cats,” an open scrimmage bout to benefit the Lakeland SPCA. All home bouts are held at Sun

‘n Fun Hanger E. Anyone is welcome to watch the Rockabilly Rebels battle it out. “We would like to see everyone in Polk County out at a bout,” Jemec said.

The Lakeland Derby Dames hope to survive the 2012 season with little to no injuries and increase team membership so as to have two home teams by the end of the year. They also hope to someday hold skating camps for kids and young women who want to get involved with roller derby.

“This upcoming season…is going to be great and I think that we, as a league and skaters, will continue to learn from each bout we play. I look at this season as a growing time for the league and team. I also think it will be a lot of fun since we have our own place and we will be playing a few different

AND THE ROCKABILLY REBELSWRITTEN BY: TAYLOR FLUMERFELT

leagues than last season,” Jemec said.

The Dames are currently sponsored by Sun ‘n Fun and TIC Skate Gear. In the past, they have helped build homes for

Habitat for Humanity and participated

in the Susan G. Komen Race

for the Cure. Another goal for the team this year is to host a themed bout

centered around a nonprofit

organization in order to raise funds and awareness for the organization’s cause. To view the Rockabilly Rebels’

2012 schedule or learn more about the Lakeland Derby Dames,

visit www.lakelandrollerderby.com

FOCUS MAGAZINE LAKELAND FEBRUARY 2012 9FOCUS MAGAZINE LAKELAND FEBRUARY 2012

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It’s not NEWS, It’s LIFE. It’s about you.

Have a Story to tell? We are always looking for a good story on people or organizations making a

positive difference in the community - email us at:

[email protected]


People get involved in all sorts of things for

all sorts of reasons. But Michael Mink’s

journey into football, as a coach and owner,

were inspired by the thoughts and visions of his

mother. Sure, parents can be the inspirations for many

great things, but you’ll fi nd Mink’s story a little more

compelling. I recently had an opportunity to speak with

Mink and hear about the journey to his most recent

destination.

September 11th, and I was calling her, but she wasn’t answering the phone. So I met my sister at my mother’s condo and we found her murdered. Someone had broken in late the night before, to rob her. She resisted and fought them, and that’s how we found her. So this is why I got involved in football. A couple of years went by and I was just trying to fi nd her killer. I hired private investigators and attorneys. In the meantime, I got a check for about $60,000 for an insurance policy on my mom. I decided not to spend the money on me, and to use it to start a football team. In 2005, I formed the Gulf Coast Raiders of the SSFL – a semi-pro team.

Focus: � at’s quite an endeavor.Mink: Yes. I did everything for free. � ere were no trial fees. I basically put all the money into the team and assigned myself to the Head Coach position. I also had some great staff . I had James Jones who played for the University of Florida as a fullback. I had Steve Hawks as the Off ensive Coordinator. BJ Cox, a former Tampa Storm player, was the Defensive Coordinator. So I had a good staff and some good talent around me. And we had some good kids around. We got kids from all over Tampa and St. Pete. We did well. We went 9-1 and won the regular season championship. It was a success. More importantly, we were able to got guys like � eo Wilson, Octavious Day and Ced-ric Evans that all made it to the pro arena league. So the team overall was successful.

Focus: I understand you spent some time with the AIFA?Mink: � en I got a call from a guy on the Bucs staff that said the NIFL, which is the league the � underbolts were in, needed a replacement team in Osceola – the Osceola Ghost Riders. It was about 3:30 p.m. on a Friday and the game was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. I had to get our equipment out of storage and call some people and get everything organized. So even though our season was over, it was a chance to get everyone together and show what we could do. � e next thing we know, we had about 20 guys meet at the International Mall to drive to the game in Orlando. We arrived at about 7:15 p.m. It was a nice introduction to Arena football, a classic butt whipping. But our guys did well in the second half. We outscored them in the second half and started to make adjust-ments. We were an outdoor team playing in-door. It’s a much diff erent game. It’s much quicker and the rules are diff erent. � e next thing I know, the league President asked if I was interested in purchasing the Montgomery team. So a business partner and I purchased the team. I coached the team and we went 1-5. We had a press conference and I made the bold statement that I was going to bounce the team back and make the playoff s. We won the next 6 of 8 to fi nish 7-7 and made the playoff s. Unfortunately, our run in the playoff s started here and we had to play the � underbolts. � ey beat us 72-66. � at was my introduction to football. I didn’t agree with some of the policies and the way things were done, so my business partner and I decided to form the AIFA. I managed the AIFA and coached in the AIFA for 5 years before I resigned in Novem-ber 2010. During that time I went 37-22 as a head coach.

Focus: What brought you back to the game?Mink: I was out of football for a while. � ey caught my mother’s killer and the trial was scheduled for January of 2011. I was focused on that. I’d also torn my Achilles tendon trying to save a dog on the interstate. So I was focused on trying to rehab and seeing the trial through. � e killer was con-victed and we were fi nally able to see justice for my mother. And during this time, I was at a game and ran into one of my former players who saw me on the sideline and came over to give me a hug. He was telling everyone that I was the one who gave him a chance. “After the game, my 9-year-old daughter said, ‘Daddy, those people really care about you, and now I understand what you were doing.’ “ It made me feel good. � at’s when I realized how much I missed being around all these great kids and realized the infl uence I was hav-ing on them. My mother was right.

Focus: So what’s on the horizon?Mink: Well, we’re trying to start a Kids league. � e plan is for them to play at 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. on the same day, but in the morning before us. It would be for 8-12 year olds and 4-12 teams. � ey would play on our fi eld and our turf. I’m hoping to get 160 kids in here. We’ll have a lot of theme nights for our games. Our fi rst game is going to be Heroes night. Sheriff Grady Judd is going to be doing a coin toss and we’re going to auction and honor our fi refi ghters and police offi cers, and their families. � e next game will be ‘Go Team Go Green.’ It’s about greenwise products. We’ll do a lot of promotions with a lot of products and it should be a great time for everyone.

Focus: How did you become a� liated with Indoor Football?Mink: I guess it’s a long story. I grew up in Tampa. I was a baseball player. I played for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I graduated in 1988. My mom and dad were married for 58 years, and then my father passed away. I was picking my mom up a couple of times a week, just to get her out of the house. She was a big Bucs fan and a big John Gruden fan. She said to me, “You know, you would do well coaching football. You’ve got the emotion, the drive and fi re. You should get into coaching football.”

But I told her I was too busy running my company and I had a 1-year old at the time. � ere just wasn’t time to be coaching football. My days in sports were done. So we went out another time. We went to the Palm in September of 2003, and she told me that she had a vision of me helping a lot of guys. � en she said it again, “You should get into coaching football.” I told her I didn’t have a resume to coach football, and didn’t even know where to begin. � en we were supposed to go out to dinner again on

Focus: So what is your biggest opportunity this season?Mink: People getting to know us, and spreading the word about us. We’re not going to be like a lot of others teams here in the past and just come and go away. People want to see stability. Companies want to see stability. � at’s what we’re trying to create is a program. I want to have a program here where guys come out of here and go to the NFL. We have some guys that have a shot right now with proper training and getting the right work in.

Focus: Who is your biggest competition in the league?Mink: � e Florida Tarpons are our rivals because they’re in our state. But the Eastern Kentucky Drillers and the Cincinnati Commandos are probably the most competitive. Easter Kentucky hasn’t had a home loss.

Focus: Tell me something memorable that’s occurred that you’re able to laugh about. Mink: I was in Utah playing a game against New Mexico. Our off ense wasn’t able to move the ball. I was tearing these guys a new one. All of the sudden I feel a tug at my leg. My daughter, Sierra, jumped the wall and was tugging on my leg. I looked down and she said, “Daddy, can I have two more dollars for candy and a Coke?” I had to switch to my “father voice.” I said, “OK” and gave her some money. � en I turned around and all the players were like, “Daddy, would you stop yelling at us?”

Mink is a determined man. He’s invested a lot of time, money and sacrifi ce into this endeavor. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain. And with his will to win, he’s going to see continued success. We would like to wish you and the team the best of luck this season. � e season opens March 10th at 7:15 p.m. at the Lakeland Center as the Raiders take on the Rome Rampage. You can fi nd more information at www.lakelandraiders.com

“I did everything for free. There were no trial fees. I basically put all the money into the team and assigned myself to the Head Coach position.”

Photos by Anthony SassanoInterview by Brian West



People get involved in all sorts of things for

all sorts of reasons. But Michael Mink’s

journey into football, as a coach and owner,

were inspired by the thoughts and visions of his

mother. Sure, parents can be the inspirations for many

great things, but you’ll fi nd Mink’s story a little more

compelling. I recently had an opportunity to speak with

Mink and hear about the journey to his most recent

destination.

September 11th, and I was calling her, but she wasn’t answering the phone. So I met my sister at my mother’s condo and we found her murdered. Someone had broken in late the night before, to rob her. She resisted and fought them, and that’s how we found her. So this is why I got involved in football. A couple of years went by and I was just trying to fi nd her killer. I hired private investigators and attorneys. In the meantime, I got a check for about $60,000 for an insurance policy on my mom. I decided not to spend the money on me, and to use it to start a football team. In 2005, I formed the Gulf Coast Raiders of the SSFL – a semi-pro team.

Focus: � at’s quite an endeavor.Mink: Yes. I did everything for free. � ere were no trial fees. I basically put all the money into the team and assigned myself to the Head Coach position. I also had some great staff . I had James Jones who played for the University of Florida as a fullback. I had Steve Hawks as the Off ensive Coordinator. BJ Cox, a former Tampa Storm player, was the Defensive Coordinator. So I had a good staff and some good talent around me. And we had some good kids around. We got kids from all over Tampa and St. Pete. We did well. We went 9-1 and won the regular season championship. It was a success. More importantly, we were able to got guys like � eo Wilson, Octavious Day and Ced-ric Evans that all made it to the pro arena league. So the team overall was successful.

Focus: I understand you spent some time with the AIFA?Mink: � en I got a call from a guy on the Bucs staff that said the NIFL, which is the league the � underbolts were in, needed a replacement team in Osceola – the Osceola Ghost Riders. It was about 3:30 p.m. on a Friday and the game was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. I had to get our equipment out of storage and call some people and get everything organized. So even though our season was over, it was a chance to get everyone together and show what we could do. � e next thing we know, we had about 20 guys meet at the International Mall to drive to the game in Orlando. We arrived at about 7:15 p.m. It was a nice introduction to Arena football, a classic butt whipping. But our guys did well in the second half. We outscored them in the second half and started to make adjust-ments. We were an outdoor team playing in-door. It’s a much diff erent game. It’s much quicker and the rules are diff erent. � e next thing I know, the league President asked if I was interested in purchasing the Montgomery team. So a business partner and I purchased the team. I coached the team and we went 1-5. We had a press conference and I made the bold statement that I was going to bounce the team back and make the playoff s. We won the next 6 of 8 to fi nish 7-7 and made the playoff s. Unfortunately, our run in the playoff s started here and we had to play the � underbolts. � ey beat us 72-66. � at was my introduction to football. I didn’t agree with some of the policies and the way things were done, so my business partner and I decided to form the AIFA. I managed the AIFA and coached in the AIFA for 5 years before I resigned in Novem-ber 2010. During that time I went 37-22 as a head coach.

Focus: What brought you back to the game?Mink: I was out of football for a while. � ey caught my mother’s killer and the trial was scheduled for January of 2011. I was focused on that. I’d also torn my Achilles tendon trying to save a dog on the interstate. So I was focused on trying to rehab and seeing the trial through. � e killer was con-victed and we were fi nally able to see justice for my mother. And during this time, I was at a game and ran into one of my former players who saw me on the sideline and came over to give me a hug. He was telling everyone that I was the one who gave him a chance. “After the game, my 9-year-old daughter said, ‘Daddy, those people really care about you, and now I understand what you were doing.’ “ It made me feel good. � at’s when I realized how much I missed being around all these great kids and realized the infl uence I was hav-ing on them. My mother was right.

Focus: So what’s on the horizon?Mink: Well, we’re trying to start a Kids league. � e plan is for them to play at 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. on the same day, but in the morning before us. It would be for 8-12 year olds and 4-12 teams. � ey would play on our fi eld and our turf. I’m hoping to get 160 kids in here. We’ll have a lot of theme nights for our games. Our fi rst game is going to be Heroes night. Sheriff Grady Judd is going to be doing a coin toss and we’re going to auction and honor our fi refi ghters and police offi cers, and their families. � e next game will be ‘Go Team Go Green.’ It’s about greenwise products. We’ll do a lot of promotions with a lot of products and it should be a great time for everyone.

Focus: How did you become a� liated with Indoor Football?Mink: I guess it’s a long story. I grew up in Tampa. I was a baseball player. I played for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I graduated in 1988. My mom and dad were married for 58 years, and then my father passed away. I was picking my mom up a couple of times a week, just to get her out of the house. She was a big Bucs fan and a big John Gruden fan. She said to me, “You know, you would do well coaching football. You’ve got the emotion, the drive and fi re. You should get into coaching football.”

But I told her I was too busy running my company and I had a 1-year old at the time. � ere just wasn’t time to be coaching football. My days in sports were done. So we went out another time. We went to the Palm in September of 2003, and she told me that she had a vision of me helping a lot of guys. � en she said it again, “You should get into coaching football.” I told her I didn’t have a resume to coach football, and didn’t even know where to begin. � en we were supposed to go out to dinner again on

Focus: So what is your biggest opportunity this season?Mink: People getting to know us, and spreading the word about us. We’re not going to be like a lot of others teams here in the past and just come and go away. People want to see stability. Companies want to see stability. � at’s what we’re trying to create is a program. I want to have a program here where guys come out of here and go to the NFL. We have some guys that have a shot right now with proper training and getting the right work in.

Focus: Who is your biggest competition in the league?Mink: � e Florida Tarpons are our rivals because they’re in our state. But the Eastern Kentucky Drillers and the Cincinnati Commandos are probably the most competitive. Easter Kentucky hasn’t had a home loss.

Focus: Tell me something memorable that’s occurred that you’re able to laugh about. Mink: I was in Utah playing a game against New Mexico. Our off ense wasn’t able to move the ball. I was tearing these guys a new one. All of the sudden I feel a tug at my leg. My daughter, Sierra, jumped the wall and was tugging on my leg. I looked down and she said, “Daddy, can I have two more dollars for candy and a Coke?” I had to switch to my “father voice.” I said, “OK” and gave her some money. � en I turned around and all the players were like, “Daddy, would you stop yelling at us?”

Mink is a determined man. He’s invested a lot of time, money and sacrifi ce into this endeavor. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain. And with his will to win, he’s going to see continued success. We would like to wish you and the team the best of luck this season. � e season opens March 10th at 7:15 p.m. at the Lakeland Center as the Raiders take on the Rome Rampage. You can fi nd more information at www.lakelandraiders.com


Photos by Anthony SassanoInterview by Brian West




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Rain, cold or heat won’t be a major concern this year for such Florida Strawberry Festival favorites as the steer show and lamb costume contest.

Thanks to the new Evelyn & Batista Madonia Sr. Agriculture Show Center, festival livestock shows have a permanent home, complete with bleacher style seating, heating and air conditioning.

“We won’t have to worry about the weather,” festival General Manager Paul Davis said.

The center won’t be hard for festival guests to find.

At 33,000 square feet, the Madonia center is by far the largest building on the festival grounds – nearly twice the size of the TECO Expo Hall. The center, named for the well-known owners of the Red Rose Inn and Suites and a large farming operation, was constructed at a total cost of about $3.6 million.

The building is a centerpiece of the festival and will be “center stage,” when the gates open March 1, Davis said.The building sits on nearly 4 acres on Oak Avenue in the northwest corner of the festival grounds, near the Tomlin Middle School gymnasium. The center replaces rented live-stock tents.

The building has gotten rave reviews since it was completed early this year. It has already housed such festival events as the Strawberry Ball, festival queen’s pageant and fashion show.

For the festival, it will be converted to a livestock area with gates and fencing anchored in the concrete and indoor-outdoor carpeting.

Spectators shouldn’t have trouble finding a place to sit during livestock shows, sales and contests. The bleachers can seat 1,700 to 1,800, far beyond the capacity at the tents that used to house the events.

The center will only be open during festival livestock events; at other times it won’t be accessible to the general public. Competitors in the livestock shows will have access for practices and the like.

The festival is all about agriculture and a permanent home for livestock shows has been in the works for many years.Davis said festival President Ron Gainey deserves credit for his extensive work on devel-oping a versatile design for the center. City Commissioner Mike Sparkman, who previ-ously served as president, said Gainey played a key role in shaping the center, including making trips to the Georgia National Fair in Perry to view a similar building.

“Ron Gainey poured a lot of time and effort into making this a reality,” Sparkman said.

Gainey gave credit to other members of his committee. “It wasn’t just Ron Gainey, it was everyone working together to make this all happen,” he said.

The Madonia center is the first phase of a plan to improve festival facilities for livestock events, Gainey added. He hopes the festival can complete the vision by adding two pa-vilions to house livestock adjacent to the center in time for the 2013 celebration of King Strawberry.

Gainey said city commissioner and Festival Director Rick Lott, with the Visions and Innovations committee, is heading up the efforts to sell naming rights to the pavilions to help pay for construction costs. He added that the relatively new committee is exploring other ways to improve the festival in years to come.

“We are looking ahead not just to the next festival. We are looking 10 to 20 years down the road,” he said.

AGRICULTURAL CENTERA VERSATILE ADDITION TO STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL GROUNDS

BY DAVE NICHOLSON

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MEET THE2012 FL STRAWBERRY FESTIVALQueen & Court


Each year since 1930, the City of Plant

City and the Florida Strawberry Festival

kick off the season with the selection of

a new Queen and Court. And each year,

a lot of work goes on behind the scenes

with the Plant City Lions Club and the

Lions Auxiliary to present a pageant that

to make everyone proud and to deliver

five young ladies who can represent the

Festival and our city.

And each year, we do just that. Still, we

find ourselves asking, “How can we get

another five girls as good as those we

had the year prior?” Thankfully, year

in and year out, the young ladies in our

area step up to the challenge. This year

is no different as the 2012 Queen and

Court were named just a few weeks

ago. I had a moment to speak with

First Maid- Calli Jo Parker and Court

Members Olivia Higgins, Erica Kelley

and Chelsea Talavera.

Queen & CourtINTERVIEW BY BRIAN WEST | PHOTOS BY ANTHONY SASSANO


Chelsea Bowden

2012 FL STRAWBERRY FESTIVALQueenThe past several years have seen several milestones in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Scholarship Pageant. Lauren and Erica Der became the first sisters to wear the crown. Then the feat was repeated last year as Victoria Watkins, younger sister to Ashlee, be-came the second pair of sisters to wear the crown. This year, Chelsea Bowden becomes the first Queen to have grandmothers who wore the crown.

That’s right, grandmothers. Both of Bowden’s grandmothers, Bar-bara Alley Bowden – 1948 and Ruby Jean Barker Redman – 1953 were Strawberry Queens. And as you might imagine, they’re both pretty excited for their granddaughter. Chelsea and I had a chance to speak a couple of weeks ago, immediately following her first official appearance as the 2012 Queen at lunch with the Plant City Lions Club – sponsors of the pageant.

FOCUS: TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.Bowden: I am one of three children. Both of my parents are educa-tors. I come from a large family. I have 9 cousins on one side and 2 on the other. I’m really family-oriented. We spend Sundays together after church, eating dinner. We’re together for holidays and birthdays. We have a lake house where we like to spend time. When we are there, there’s usually about 20 of us, so it’s a pretty packed house and a lot of fun. Family is what’s most important to me.

FOCUS: WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK ABOUT ALL THIS?Bowden: My family is still overwhelmed and still just taking it all in. They’re all still kind of in shock. I’m just so blessed to have this opportunity. Both of my grandmothers were Strawberry Queens, and they are so excited. My grandmother’s friends call them all day. They come over to my house and talk about how their friends are coming over and writing them. It’s really exciting.

FOCUS: PRIOR TO THIS YEAR, WHAT DID THE ROLE OF STRAWBERRY QUEEN MEAN TO YOU?Bowden: I think it was someone that was the face of the Festival and the agriculture industry. The Strawberry Queen is also a role model to the young girls who look up to her. I know I always looked up to the role. The Queen is also someone that can get along with anyone. It was always something really special to me.

FOCUS: WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT FROM THE PAGEANT?Bowden: The crowning moment was probably my most memo-rable. I’d have to say that was the number one moment for me. The interview was great. I felt like the judges really liked me. They gave


me such great compliments that I was really kind of taken back. There were just so many great moments. Meeting all the girls, even the ones that didn’t make it to the top five, they were all just so nice. I realize that I’m fortunate to have this opportunity.

FOCUS: WHAT DID IT TAKE FOR YOU TO PREPARE FOR THE PAGEANT?Bowden: Oh my goodness. It took so much. I’m sure you probably know that a lot of the girls get coaches now. I had a coach, mostly for the interview portion because I was so nervous about it. And getting the hair and makeup, and the clothes - it was a lot of preparation. And I couldn’t have done any of it without the support of my parents.

FOCUS: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST?Bowden: Getting to know all of the girls has been so much fun. And I’m really looking forward to getting to the Festival and meeting all the entertainers. That’s just going to be so much fun, and each of us have someone that we’re really excited about. I’m also looking forward to spending time at the Palace, which is where we’ll stay during the day, and it’s amazing. We went last night to check it out and we all picked our seats. It’s amazing.

FOCUS: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE INTERACTIONS YOU HAD WITH THE FIRST MAIDAND COURT?Bowden: I think we’re going to get along great. We all have different personalities but they blend really well. We’re just all so excited about everything that’s ahead of us.

FOCUS: YOU’RE A SENIOR THIS YEAR. WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO AFTER YOU GRADUATE?Bowden: Yes, I’m a senior this year at Durant High School. I’m planning to go to HCC and study Nursing. I would like to go to the University of Florida for my second two years, but I’ll have to wait and see how the first couple of years go.

FOCUS: WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR INTEREST IN NURSING?Bowden: I really like Science, Biology and Chemistry. I’ve always had great teachers at Durant. I want to do something in the mission field overseas. I want to make an impact on children. That’s my biggest goal.

FOCUS: I ALSO UNDERSTAND YOU’RE INVOLVED IN THE DURANT HIGH SCHOOL LEON CLUB. HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE LEOS?Bowden: I got involved through Student Government. I’m a member and Mrs. Single-tary sponsors Student Government and the Leo Club. So from Student Government, a lot of students will get involved in the Leo Club. Leo Club is the number one commu-nity service club to be involved in at Durant. Everyone is in it. We have a blast. We’ve volunteered at Pig Jam and the United Food Bank. And I have so many friends in it and that just makes it a lot of fun. Mrs. Singletary is just an amazing woman. I talk to her all the time. I spoke with her all the time leading up to the pageant and she was someone who gave me great advice. I really look up to her.

FOCUS: IT’S ONLY BEEN A COUPLE OF DAYS SINCE YOU WERE CROWNED QUEEN, BUT I KNOW YOU’VE ALREADY BEEN BUSY.Bowden: Yes. We’ve already ordered our evening gowns and cocktail dresses. They’re beautiful. We’ve gotten our outfits together; clothes and shoes. We’ve also been to another luncheon.

FOCUS: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?Bowden: I really enjoy going to the movies or renting from Red Box. I like to be with my family of friends on a Friday or Saturday night. I’m an outdoorsy person, which a lot of people don’t know. I have 2 dogs and I really love going to Medard Park with them. I’m really athletic and love anything outside. I also love shopping, especially bargain shopping.

FOCUS: TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT NOT EVERYONE KNOWS.Bowden: I danced for about 8 years, competitively, before I became a volleyball player. I used to do tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, hip hop. Not many people know that because I stopped competing when I got to the eighth grade because there isn’t much you can do with dance in high school, except cheering, and I’d never really done any of the jumps and flips. We have a color guard, but it’s not the same thing, so I had to branch out a little to something else.

FOCUS: WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO GAIN FROM BEING QUEEN?Bowden: I think I’ll gain more knowledge about Plant City’s history. I already know a lot, but there are a lot of things I don’t know. I also expect to gain better speaking skills, because a lot of what I have to do is talk with others. I’m sure I’ll be meeting a lot of people; a lot of influential people, and hopefully they’ll make an impact on me and each one of the court members.

FOCUS: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU LIKE TO SAY TO CLOSE THE INTERVIEW?Bowden: God has blessed me with such a great opportunity and I really want to thank Him and my family and friends. I’m just really looking forward to the year and getting to know the girls better.

Chelsea Bowden is going to make a great Queen for the Florida Strawberry Festival. I have no doubts she will do an excellent job in representing the Festival and Plant City well. At 5’11”, Chelsea is the tallest Queen we’ve had since Beckie Brown (5’11¾”) in 1987. Interestingly, Brown and her mother Ruth, the first mother daughter Queens, were the emcees for this year’s pageant. If you find yourself out and about and happen upon Chelsea, introduce yourself. You’ll be glad you did. She’s a very sweet young lady and will make us all proud to have her as this year’s Queen. Congratulations, Chelsea! Enjoy your year and make the most of every opportunity.


FOCUS: CALLI JO AND ERICA, THIS WAS YOUR SECOND YEAR COMPETING, CORRECT?

Parker: Yes. It was definitely easier than my first year competing, because I knew what to expect and what was coming. This year I just kinda had it in my mind that God has a plan, and whatever it is, I’m just going to let Him use me. When He placed me in the position I’m in now, it just felt so comfortable. You get placed where you know it’s right and you just know that it’s going to work out perfectly. So that was the state of mind I held throughout the entire pageant. It definitely helped keep me calm and collected.

Kelley: I made the top ten last year but I had no idea what to expect. I think I messed up on the on-stage question last year, so that’s what I worked on most this year. I didn’t take it too seriously. My dad and my brother were at all of my dress fittings. They could probably do the pageant with me and do just as well. It even got to the point where my dad, whose the most country guy you could ever meet, was giving me pointers when I practiced my walk.

FOCUS: IT’S ONLY BEEN A FEW DAYS, BUT WHAT’S BEEN MOST MEMORABLE FOR YOU?

Parker: That’s difficult. The whole night was just amazing. But I think when I was answering the impromptu question was probably the most memorable for me. I’ve told everyone, it’s so crazy how fast your brain moves when you’re on stage like that, but I did not realize how funny my answer was until I saw the judge’s faces. They were all just laughing. It was a very memorable moment for me.

Higgins: It’s kind of funny. Just as Amber Carapezza was coming off the stage from delivering her commercial, there was fire in the building. We heard the commotion, but didn’t know what was going on. Then she came into the dressing room and told us what happened. That was pretty memorable. And we could hear Mr. Davis say, “We just want everyone to know that we rented these lights.”

Kelley: When they called my name for the top five. I was the last one called, so I was a nervous wreck. It didn’t matter whether or not I was crowned Queen, just knowing that I made the Court meant everything. I was so happy. Talavera: The day after the pageant, we got to meet the Queen and Court from last year. I’ve never really talked with them, so it was really nice to see how close they are now after a year together. They’re all very close. So I’m really looking forward to having four new best friends.

FOCUS: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST THIS YEAR?

Parker: Honestly, visiting with all of the Directors’ wives. There are so many people that work the festival, and the Red Coats get a lot of recognition, but their wives and the women who work behind the scenes do just as much work as everyone else. I’m really excited to get to know them and thank them for everything they do.

Higgins: Obviously the entertainers and the food, but one of the things I’m really looking forward to is getting to know the other girls. After seeing last year’s Queen and Court, and seeing how close they are and the relationships they have and knowing they’re relationships that will last a lifetime, that’s what I’m really looking forward to.

Kelley: I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone. Today with the Lions Club was just a glimpse of what the year will be like. Everyone is so sweet and nice.

Calli Jo Parker

Olivia Higgins

First Maid

Court2012 FL STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL


Talavera: I’m really looking forward to meeting the entertainers and lots of great food.

FOCUS: TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CAREER PLANS.

Parker: I’m currently a freshman at HCC studying Agriculture Communications. I told my mom the other day, when I’m standing on the stage with a microphone, I just feel like I was meant to do that. That’s what I was born to do. Most of the girls were really anxious about that moment, but I couldn’t wait for that moment. I have no idea where I could do that [as a job] but to be somewhere speaking about agriculture, my faith, about anything in front of thousands of people - that is home to me. Hopefully Agriculture Communications will lead me to something like that.

Kelley: I’m attending HCC. I’m studying Business Management and I want to open my own pageant gown store in Plant City. I want the dresses to be unique and custom designed. When you put on a dress, you have to feel beautiful on the inside. I want to share that with other girls. You can’t go to Prom or compete in a pageant and have a great time if you don’t feel beautiful and I want to help other girls have that experience.

Higgins: I’ve been homeschooled since I was in Kindergarten. I’m a senior this year and started dual enrollment at HCC my junior year. The state pays for that, so I’ll graduate from high school this spring and then from HCC in December. Then I’ll go on to USF to finish my Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in English. I’d like to be able to teach at the college level.

Talavera: I’m currently attending Plant City High School. After high school, I’m thinking about attending Southeastern College. It’s so pretty. I went to their Christ-mas musical and it was just so amazing. I just like that atmosphere and I’ve just had so many people say great things about it. So I’d like to go there, or maybe USF. I’d like to major in English and become a high school English teacher.

FOCUS: OLIVIA AND CHELSEA, WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR INTEREST IN TEACHING ENGLISH?

Higgins: I enjoy English and I’m good at it. I like to write, and I want to be able to get married and have a family. I had a great teacher at HCC, Mrs. Galloway, and she inspired me to go for it. Talavera: Mrs. Jo Beth Newsome was my 9th grade teacher. She was just so amazing. I

just knew that I had to be just like her.

FOCUS: CALLI JO, I KNOW YOU’RE A CHRISTIAN. WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NUMBER OF CONTESTANTS SHARING THEIR BELIEF IN GOD?

Parker: The support was overwhelming. The sisterhood backstage was wonderful. Most of the girls were believers, which made it so much better. Last year I didn’t get the same feeling. This year, everyone was in the pageant to serve God, and it just made everything so much more enjoyable. We all look for the same things out of life, and especially these five girls that made the court. We all have one heartbeat. And I think it’s something that has already brought us closer together, quicker than any court I’ve seen, personally.

FOCUS: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY?

Parker: I really want to say thanks to my family.

Kelley: I would really like to thank everyone that helped me. My coach, Crystal, was a blessing. She’s such a sweetheart. And I’m so thankful for the support I got from my family and friends.

Higgins: I really want to say thanks to my family. Thanks so much to Lynn and Con-nie at Tip to Toe for being my sponsor, and everyone in the community that was giving me such good advice. Thanks so much for the opportunities we’ll have this year.

Talavera: I just want to say thanks to everyone in my family and my friends for all their support.

These are 4 great young ladies. They’re all very grounded and come from good families in our community. They will do a great job in representing our city and the Florida Strawberry Festival in 2012. Congratulations to each of you. Enjoy every moment.Erica Kelley

Chelsea Talavera




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When Chelsea Bowden was crowned 2012 Strawberry Festival Queen recently, both grandmothers could so relate. That’s because they have each worn that symbol of royalty in earlier pageants.

Chelsea, a 17-year-old Durant High School senior, is now a Queen notable as the first to have two grandmothers who had also reigned. Additionally, the three also share deep Plant City roots, strong connections through family service to the Festival, and lifelong memberships at Plant City’s First Baptist Church.

Ruby Jean Barker Redman and Barbara Alley Bowden both described their response to Chelsea’s new title as “elated.”

Ruby Jean Redman, the 1953 Queen, entered the competition with several friends, she said, “as a joke, thinking I had no chance. Like today, there were so many pretty girls.”

Her experience, she recalled, was “quite different from Chelsea’s.” In that year’s two-night affair, the court named Monday was “fitted with matching gowns for the an-nouncement of the Queen” crowned three evenings later on Thursday.

Redman also noted a difference in pageant prizes. Today’s Queen and Court receive a New York shopping trip and scholarships. “Our prizes,” she said, “included money for a 6-week modeling course and kitchen appliances like toasters and coffeepots.”

Redman, who later served numerous years with the Lions Club pageant committee, of-fered helpful advice to future contestants. “Don’t take the competition too seriously. If

you’re eliminated, it’s not the end of the world. It’s fun and an honor to represent Plant City. Just make the best of it.”

As for advice for her “tall and stately granddaughter with tremendous stage presence,” Redman has none. She laughed, “Mine would be so out of date. She’ll be just fine be-cause she’s excited to do a good job.”

Barbara Alley Bowden reigned in 1948, the first year the pageant established in 1930 resumed after a seven-year pause for World War II.

Bowden’s pageant experience differed, too. She said, “We wore formal dresses only and mine was one I’d worn to a prior prom. Today it costs quite a bit for girls to compete with three outfits and time spent in practice. Now it’s very important to have lots of sup-port from family and friends.”

Bowden complimented the 2012 contestants. “All of the girls did a great job and anyone of them would have made a lovely Queen.” Then she added, “Obviously, though, we’re thrilled for Chelsea.”

When first time entrant Chelsea’s name was announced as 2012 Queen, her surprised look was priceless. Had the cameras zoomed in on the more than a dozen cheering fam-ily members, they also would have captured a perfectly priceless picture of hometown family love and support.

And because of that love, our new Queen says she wants nothing more than “to carry on a legacy.”

A FAMILY LEGACY OF FESTIVAL QUEENSCHELSEA BOWDEN AND TWO GRANDMOTHERS SHARE PAGEANT HISTORY

BY CHERYL JOHNSTON


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Platinum Bank welcomes you to the 2012 Florida Strawberry Festival




STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL PRESIDENT RON GAINEY LOOKS FORWARD TO OPENING DAYBY DAVE NICHOLSON

Ron Gainey’s service at the Florida Strawberry Festival has literally taken him from the pigpen to the presidency.

Gainey is in his first year in the top job but he’s a veteran festival volunteer whose early roles included heading up the swine show.

He promises a bumper crop of fun for guests when the fest opens its 11-day run on March 1. “We look forward to a great year at the festival,” said Gainey, who was elected to the position in April by his fellow directors.

Festival General Manager Paul Davis said the choice of Gainey was a good one as the celebration stays true to its hometown roots. “Ron Gainey has a passion for the festival and he has a passion for this community,” Davis said. “He really works hard to make sure every event is better than the last.”

Gainey said visitors to the festival will notice changes that include competitive livestock shows in the new Evelyn & Batista Madonia Sr. Agriculture Show Center and volunteers who will roam the grounds offering assistance.

He wants to make sure that the celebration of the area’s top crop offers a great entertain-ment value, including a lot of free shows. “We are the third largest fair in the state of Florida” and one of the largest in the nation, said Gainey, a 68-year-old agent at Poppell Insurance.

With the help of strong ticket sales for such headline acts as Reba, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan and Hank Williams Jr., and a larger than ever tribute to veterans, police and other first responders on the March 7 American Heroes Day, he’s hoping crowds will top last year’s record 545,000.

Gainey, a native of South Carolina, moved to Plant City in 1966 after serving in the Navy for four years. He started working at Plant City Steel but soon decided on a career switch to insurance.

Colleagues in his new line of work, including Billy Vernon and Ray “Rolly” Rollyson Jr., encouraged him to help out at the festival. He and his wife Vonda soon were busy volunteering – and loving every minute of it. Over the years, his roles have included heading up the festival’s switch to electronic ticketing and leading the committee on the $3.6 million Madonia center.

Gainey said the groundwork for the Madonia center goes back to the early 1980s when attorney and former state lawmaker James L. Redman and rancher and citrus grower Harry Carlton first dreamed of such a facility.

He hopes the festival can complete the vision by adding two livestock pavilions on the grounds by the end of the year, thanks in no small way to an anticipated $1 million generated by naming rights.

Gainey credits his wife with the idea for what he calls Berry Ambassadors, a new set of volunteers who starting this year will help guests find their way around the festival grounds. The volunteers will wear identifying vests and “give directions or whatever help is needed,” actively seeking out guests who appear to be lost.

Gainey notes that the festival runs on its 2,000 volunteers. He is enlisting the help of associate directors to expand the pool of volunteers.

“When you get new people you get new ideas and you get new volunteers,” he said.


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THURSDAY, MARCH 1STSenior Citizen’s Day | Ride-A-Thon Day

Patrons 60 years of age or older get $2.00 off the gate admission of $10.00 all day. Senior Day is Sponsored By: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. Ride-A-Thon from 3:00 pm until 11:00 pm. A wristband purchased at the Midway for $19.00 will entitle the wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price.

10:00 am ................. Gates Open .............................Midway Opens at 12:00 noon10:00 am – Close ... Poultry & Rabbit Shows ........................ CF Industries Ag Tent10:30 am – Noon .... Jimmy Sturr & Orchestra• ................ Wish Farms SoundstageNoon ....................... Senior Citizens’ Drawing• ............... Wish Farms Soundstage

(One drawing only-MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN)3:30 pm ................... The Oak Ridge Boys ...................... Wish Farms Soundstage7:00 pm ................... Youth Swine Show ..............................................Patterson Co.

Livestock Arena7:00 pm ................... Karaoke Contest .................................Sweetbay Supermarket

Showcase Tent7:30 pm ................... Gretchen Wilson ............................ Wish Farms Soundstage

FRIDAY, MARCH 2NDSweetbay Supermarket Day on the Midway

Moonlight Magic Night

Sweetbay Supermarket Day on the Midway 12:00 Noon to 10:00 pm - Present any “My Essentials” non-perishable item at entry gate & receive $2.00 off the regular price of $20.00 Fun Pack Ride Coupon Book. Moonlight Magic – Ride most mechanical rides for one special price of $20.00 per person. All patrons entering the Midway for this event will be required to purchase a $20.00 wristband, 11:00 pm until 3:00 am. All patrons entering the grounds are subject to search.

10:00 am ................. Gates Open ..............................Midway opens at 12:00 noon10:00 am – Close ... Poultry & Rabbit Shows • ..................... CF Industries Ag Tent1:00 pm ................... Dairy Contestant Judging ...... Patterson Co. Livestock Arena3:30 pm ................... The Gatlin Brothers/Crystal Gayle ......................................... ........................................................................................... Wish Farms Soundstage7:00 pm ................... Youth Swine Sale ................... Patterson Co. Livestock Arena

2012 FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTSDirect Auto Insurance Free Grandstand: Limited stadium seats “FREE” for all shows with general admission. Seating is on a first-come, first seated basis. Stadium shows are at 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm daily. Stadium cleared after each 3:30 pm show.

Reserved seat tickets available at the Amscot Main Ticket Gate located at 2209 W. Oak Ave., Plant City, FL 33563. An additional ticket office adjacent to east side bleachers open during Festival to sell any remaining reserved seat tickets. Reserved concert seat tickets DO NOT include gate admission. Ages 3 & up require a ticket for shows.

You can purchase reserved seat Tickets online at www.flstrawberryfestival.com.

Gates open at 10:00 am & close at 10:00 pm daily. Children 5 & under are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. Children 6 to 12 require a youth ticket purchase of $5.00. General admission is $10.00 for patrons 13+. Dogs and/or other animals are not allowed on the Festival grounds unless they are a service or guide dog, non-human primate or animals in a show or contest. Certified trainers (with ID stating same) of companion dogs/animals will be allowed. All animals in shows or contests are to be removed immediately after the close of the event.

No illegal drugs, firearms, alcoholic beverages, or pets are allowed on the Festival grounds.

Because of the early printing of this events schedule, changes, errors, deletions, or omissions may occur, in which case the Florida Strawberry Festival® reserves the right to construe its own rules and regulations and to decide all matters and differences in regard thereto.


7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Bell Shoals Baptist .....................................................................................................................................Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent7:30 pm ................... Demi Lovato ................................... Wish Farms Soundstage11:00 pm – 3:00 am Moonlight Magic .......................................................... Midway

SATURDAY, MARCH 3RDKids’ Day | Youth Parade Day

Kids through high school age admitted free all day. Youth Stemming Contest Sponsored By: SunnyRidge Farm. Kids Day is Sponsored By: Wells Fargo. Suite Caroline Sponsored By: Fantastic Sams.

10:00 am ................. Gates Open .................................Midway Opens at 10:00 am10:00 am – Close ... Poultry & Rabbit Shows ........................ CF Industries Ag Tent 11:00 am ................. Youth Parade ...........................................State Farmers MarketNoon. ...................... Dairy Show Showmanship ..................................Patterson Co.

Livestock Arena1:00 pm ................... Suite Caroline ................................ Wish Farms Soundstage2:00 pm ................... Youth Strawberry Stemming ..........................................................................................................................Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent2:00 pm ................... Dairy Show ............................ Patterson Co. Livestock Arena3:30 pm ................... The JaneDear Girls ........................ Wish Farms Soundstage7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Hola Plant City .......Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent7:30 pm ................... Air Supply ....................................... Wish Farms Soundstage

SUNDAY, MARCH 4THMountain Dew Family Day

Bring a Mountain Dew can to the Festival and receive a voucher for $5.00 off the $25.00 wristband and ride all day for only $20.00. Mountain Dew can is not valid for gate admission. Dairy Shows Sponsored By: Tractor Supply Company.

10:00 am ................. Gates Open .................................Midway Opens at 10:00 am10:00 am – Close ... Poultry & Rabbit Shows ........................ CF Industries Ag Tent11:00 am ................. Adult Showmanship (Dairy) ... Patterson Co. Livestock Arena11:30 am ................. Pee Wee Showmanship (Dairy).................................................................................................................................. Patterson Co. Livestock Arena12:30 pm ................. Dairy Costume Ball ................ Patterson Co. Livestock Arena 2:00 pm ................... Youth Plant Sale ................................... CF Industries Ag Tent3:30 pm ................... Jake Owen ...................................... Wish Farms Soundstage3:45 pm - 4:45 pm .. Registration for Baby Contest ............Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent (Hillsborough County Babies Only)5:00 pm – 7:00 pm . Baby Contest: Decorated Diaper Contest; Baby Features Contest; Diaper Derby (Hillsborough County Babies Only)7:30 pm ................... Hank Williams Jr. ........................... Wish Farms Soundstage

“Taking Back The Country Tour”

MONDAY, MARCH 5THGrand Parade Day | Ride-A-Thon Day

Ride-A-Thon from 10:00 am until 11:00 pm. A wristband purchased at the Midway for $19.00 will entitle the wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price. Grand Parade Day Sponsored By: United States Marine Corps. Lamb Contests Sponsored By: Sunbelt Rentals

7:30 am ................... Farm Credit Strawberry Salute Breakfast .................................. Invitational

10:00 am ................. Gates Open ................................. Midway opens at 10:00 am10:00 am – Close ... Poultry & Rabbit Shows ........................ CF Industries Ag Tent10:30 am ................. Invitational Parade Luncheon ...................................Sponsored by: ...........................

2012FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS




2012 FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTSRegions Bank

1:00 pm ................... Grand Parade Begins ............................... Downtown Plant City2:00 pm ................... Grand Parade Passes by the Festival3:30 pm ................... Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals .............. Wish Farms Soundstage5:00 pm ................... Lamb Jumping Contest ......................... CF Industries Ag Tent6:00 pm ................... Lamb Show ........................................... CF Industries Ag Tent7:30 pm ................... Josh Turner .................................... Wish Farms Soundstage

TUESDAY, MARCH 6THRed Hat Day | Ride-A-Thon Day

Ride-A-Thon From 3:00 pm until 11:00 pm. A wristband purchased at the Midway for $19.00 will entitle the wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price. Red Hatters get $2.00 off the gate admission of $10.00 all day. Red Hat Day Sponsored By: Red Rose Inn & Suites. Adult Stemming Contest Sponsored By: SunnyRidge Farm.

10:00 am ................. Gates Open .............................Midway Opens at 12:00 noon10:00 am – Close ... Poultry & Rabbit Shows .........................CF Industries Ag Tent10:30 am ................. Red Hatters Welcome............................................ Grandstand2:00 pm ................... Adult Strawberry Stemming Contest .............................................................................................................Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent3:30 pm ................... Brenda Lee ..................................... Wish Farms Soundstage7:00 pm ................... Lamb Costume Contest ........................ CF Industries Ag Tent7:30 pm ................... Vince Gill ........................................ Wish Farms Soundstage

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7THAmerican Heroes Day | Ride-A-Thon Day

Ride-A-Thon from 3:00 pm until 11:00 pm. A wristband purchased at the Midway for $19.00 will entitle wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price. All active, reserve, retired military, veterans, law enforcement & first responders are admitted free with valid ID. American Heroes Day Sponsored By: FOX 13 CARE*FORCE

10:00 am ................. Gates Open .............................Midway Opens at 12:00 noon10:00 am – 3:00 pm Poultry & Rabbit Shows ........................ CF Industries Ag Tent1:00 pm ................... Superdog Corndog Eating Contest ................................................................................................................Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent3:15 pm ................... Honor American Heroes ................ Wish Farms Soundstage3:30 pm ................... Lee Greenwood/Louise Mandrell . Wish Farms Soundstage6:00 pm ................... Youth Steer Show .................. Patterson Co. Livestock Arena7:30 pm ................... The Band Perry .............................. Wish Farms Soundstage

THURSDAY, MARCH 8THSenior Citizen’s Day | Ride-A-Thon Day

Patrons 60 years and older get $2.00 off the gate admission of $10.00 all day. Senior Day is Sponsored By: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. Ride-A-Thon from 3:00 pm until 11:00 pm. A wristband purchased at the Midway for $19.00 will entitle the wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price.

10:00 am ................. Gates Open .............................Midway Opens at 12:00 noon10:30 am – Noon .... Ronnie McDowell ........................... Wish Farms SoundstageNoon ....................... Senior Citizens’ Drawing Wish Farms Soundstage

(One drawing only – MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN)3:00 pm ................... Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest ...........................................................................................................Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent3:30 pm ................... The Charlie Daniels Band ............. Wish Farms Soundstage7:30 pm ................... Luke Bryan ..................................... Wish Farms Soundstage


FRIDAY, MARCH 9THThe Tampa Tribune Day on the Midway

Moonlight Magic Night

The Tampa Tribune Day on the Midway Noon to 10:00 pm - $2.00 off the regular price of $20.00 Fun Pack Ride Coupon Book. Sponsored by: The Tampa Tribune. Moonlight Magic – Ride most mechanical rides for one special price of $20.00 per person. All patrons entering the Midway for this event will be required to purchase a $20.00 wristband, 11:00 pm until 3:00 am. All patrons entering grounds are subject to search.

10:00 am ................. Gates Open .............................Midway Opens at 12:00 noon3:00 pm – 5:00 pm . Livestock Contestant Judging ..................................................................................................................................... Patterson Co. Livestock Arena3:30 pm ................... Cornell Gunter’s Coasters

Bobby Hendrick’s DriftersThe Platters .................................... Wish Farms Soundstage

6:00 pm ................... Showmanship Judging-Beef Breed ........................................... CF Industries Ag Tent

7:30 pm ................... TobyMac ......................................... Wish Farms Soundstage7:30 pm - 9:30 pm .. Makenzie Raye ...................................Sweetbay Supermarket

Showcase Tent11:00 pm – 3:00 am Moonlight Magic .......................................................... Midway

SATURDAY, MARCH 10THFarm Worker Appreciation Day

Farm Worker Appreciation Day Sponsored By: Wish Farms.

10:00 am ................. Gates Open .................................Midway Opens at 10:00 am10:15 am ................. Baby Parade ................................................................ Stadium3:30 pm ................... Allstar Weekend ............................ Wish Farms Soundstage7:00 pm .................. Youth Steer Sale .................... Patterson Co. Livestock Arena7:30 pm – 10:00 pm. Rev. Art Jones and the Bible Based Fellowship Church Cathedral Choir .........................................Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent7:30 pm ................... Rodney Atkins ................................ Wish Farms Soundstage

SUNDAY, MARCH 11THMountain Dew Family Day

Bring a Mountain Dew can to the Festival and receive a voucher for $5.00 off the $25.00 wristband & ride all day for only $20.00. Mountain Dew can is not valid for gate admission. Beef Breed contest Sponsored By: Purina Mills®

10:00 am ................. Gates Open .................................Midway Opens at 10:00 am11:00 am ................. Youth Beef Breed Show .........................CF Industries Ag Tent3:30 pm ................... Easton Corbin ................................ Wish Farms Soundstage7:30 pm ................... Reba ................................................ Wish Farms Soundstage

2012FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS


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Call to Make an Appointment Today! (813) 708-0164www.JSAMedicalGroup.com

JSA MEDICAL GROUP - PLANT CITY1001 East Baker Street, Suite 400, Plant City, FL 33567

We offer many services in-office for your convenience!

Accepting New Patients Including Humana andCarePlus Medicare Advantage Plan Members

ATTENTION STRAwBERRY FESTIvAL EvENT-GOERS!

NEw ADULT PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN IN YOUR AREA!JSA Medical Group has opened a NEW

Adult Primary Care Center in your community!

Call to Make an Appointment Today! (813) 708-0164www.JSAMedicalGroup.com

JSA MEDICAL GROUP - PLANT CITY1001 East Baker Street, Suite 400, Plant City, FL 33567

We offer many services in-office for your convenience!

Se Habla Español

ATTENTION STRAwBERRY FESTIvAL EvENT-GOERS!Meet Dr. Ruben Perez & his team in person!Visit the JSA MEDICAL GROUP table onThe Midway grounds on March 1st, 6th and 8th

between 10 am and 2 pm!

Accepting New Patients Including Humana andCarePlus Medicare Advantage Plan Members

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DOGGIE STYLES GROOMING

BUSINESS » BUSINESS PROFILE

DOGGIE STYLES GROOMING

863.535.5169WWW.JOELSDOGGIESTYLES.COM

A MOBILE GROOMING BUSINESS

For busy pet owners, Doggie Styles Mobile Grooming is the right choice.

With the convenience of someone coming out to groom your pet right in your own front yard, this company has a fully equipped van with professionally trained staff to pamper your pet.

Your dog will be bathed in a hydro massage bathing system to remove loose hair and dead skin. Through this system, the animal will enjoy a therapeutic massage with the use of organic products and warm water. Your pet will get the royal treatment.

If you are looking for a full service bath for your pet, these start at $20 for small dogs, which includes trimming, nail trim, bath,

fluff-dry, and a little extra pampering with colognes, bandanas, or bows. For your pet to receive all of that plus a full body groom you will pay the low starting cost of $40 for small dogs (large dogs start at $60).

Owner/Operator Joel Hunter never rushes an animal to get to the next appointment. Each appointment is an approximate time as he takes his time and tends to the needs of each animal. However, if he is running behind due to traffic or a difficult pet, he will call you to let you know.

By using this mobile service pet owners will cut out on the stress level of traveling and getting their pets to a different destination without the hassle of fur and fleas leaving a trail in the vehicle. Instead, let Joel Hunter do all the work for you.

Hunter is well versed when it comes to handling animals. He has rescued many animals in the last 20 years and just opened this mobile grooming business eight months ago. An animal lover, Hunter says, “This business helps me pay for my dog rescue.”

Many dogs have Hunter to thank. In fact, he was one of the first responders who quickly came to the rescue during Hurricane Katrina. Well known in the community for his animal services, Hunter is called many times to come and help a dog in need. With his unselfishness, Hunter has been able to help animals for many years and enjoys every minute of it.

Hunter will also help owners with advice on care for their animals. He has many times handed out samples of dog food that will benefit your dog from a store called The Doggie Bag.

When he adopts out the animals he has rescued, he takes plenty of time making sure the new home is right for that dog. He asks new owners to promise that if they decide the animal is no longer right for their situation that they would bring it back to him.

This love he has for animals shows, which is why when he makes those home visits for grooming, the animals sense it and are calm.

If you are interested in using this convenient business, you will need to call two weeks ahead of your schedule. To make an appointment, phone 863-535-5169 or visit the company’s website at joelsdoggiestyles.com.

Go ahead. Give Doggies Styles Grooming a try. It will make your life easier and your animal will appreciate it, too.

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JOIN US IN WELCOMING BACK OUR DETROITTIGERS TO LAKELAND FOR SPRING TRAINING 2012!

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E-MAIL: [email protected]: 863-683-5267FAX: 863-683-5167ADDRESS: 132 S. KENTUCKY AVE. LAKELAND FL 33801WEB PAGE: HTTP://WWW.FRESCOSBAKERY.COM

FRESCO’S DOWNTOWN BAKERY & BISTRO

FRESCO’STina and Tim Calhoon opened their

Fresco’s Downtown Bakery & Bistro in May 2009 with the intention of service

a quick breakfast and lunch for downtown employees, shoppers, and tourists. Tina brings more than 20 years of restaurant/hospitality experience to her fourth restaurant.

Later that summer the opportunity to double the restaurant’s size presented itself when the shop next door closed. They knew in their heart that this would be a great chance for broadening their level of service.

Now Fresco’s serves a complete breakfast menu from breakfast sandwiches, French

toast, pancakes, four different versions of Eggs Benedict, or homemade granola-yogurt parfaits. Guests can also enjoy scones, turnovers, cookies, and delicious cakes at any time of day.

Lunch items include salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups stuffed potatoes, quesadillas, and specialties such as the Crab Cake Sandwiches, Buffalo Meat Burgers and Fresco’s signature Knuckle Sandwich. Weekdays, choices also include a daily Blue Plate Special, Homemade Soups and Fresh Quiche.

Among the full service dinner choices for the Friday Night Wine & Dine are two of Fresco’s signature dishes: the French

Onion Filet and the Marinated Pork Loins. Music enhances the festive atmosphere, too. Reservations are suggested, as this has become a popular Friday night venue.

Diners can also enjoy a variety of wines (more than 50) and craft beers (36) to enhance the experience.

Recently, the Calhoons added a private dining/meeting space and will offer Little Chefs Children’s Cooking Birthday Parties.

For group gatherings, parties, and other celebrations, Fresco’s also offers full service catering. “From small office lunches to elegant full service weddings, including the cake, and everything in between,” Tim said, “Its safe to say Fresco’s can handle it.”

Visit Fresco’s in the heart of downtown Lakeland at 132 S. Kentucky Avenue. The modern feel and fresh look of Fresco’s Bistro and Bakery entices first timers to add

Fresco’s to their list of “places to visit often and regularly.”

The friendly and talented staff looks forward to helping each customer feel at ease and to see that their dining experience is an extremely pleasant one.

View the menu and hours of operation online at www.frescosbakery.com or phone 863-683-5257.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT » DINING PROFILE

DOWNTOWN BAKERY & BISTROSTORY AND PHOTOS: ALDO TREVINO


ENTERTAINMENT » EVENT CALENDAR

LAKELAND CALENDAROF EVENTS

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to add it to our calendar of events, please email the information to:

[email protected]

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3» Have a Heart for the Homeless Concert7 pmA concert event filled with a variety of music: folk, classical, and gospel. All proceeds go to the Talbot House MinistriesFirst Presbyterian ChurchTickets $15For more information call 863-687-8475 or visit www.talbothouse.org

» Heart and Soul Blast From the Past Concert7 pm to 10 pmCome out and honor Lakeland’s police officer Arnulfo Crispin.3405 S. Florida AveTickets $20For more information call 863-646-5731

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4» Roll Out the Red Carpet for Harrison6 pm to 10 pmHarrison Center’s 2012 fundraiser to help showcase some of Harrison’s finest talents. There will be performances, hors d’oveuvres, and a silent auction.750 Hollingsworth RoadFor more information call 863-499-2855

» Chalk for Charity-Chalk Art Festival11 am to 8 pmLakeland’s 1st annual Chalk for Charity Festival. Come out and chalk your best artwork. All proceeds will help fund Knights of Columbus Global Wheelchair Mission and Lakeland Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association.Lemon Street, Downtown LakelandFor more information call 863-688-8787

» The Monarch School 1st annual Chili Cookoff11 am to 2 pmCome taste the many varieties of Chili from fellow Lakeland neighbors.1736 New Jersey RdStudents and kids 8 and under FREEMonarch Parents $5General Public $6For more information call 863-680-1290

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7» Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.2:30 pm to 4:30 pm; and 7:30Fantastic night of music from the vocalists of The 5th Dimension701 W Lime StreetTickets $42. Parking $7For more information call 863-834-8111

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8» Forever Tango Featuring Anna Trebunskaya2:30 pm and 4:30 pm

Enjoy the night watching FOREVER TANGO, a captivating musical highlighting the sensuous and sophistication of the beloved tango dance.701 W Lime StreetTickets $42. Parking $7For more information call 863-834-8111

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9» CATS on Tour7:30 pmLive theatre, wonderful music, magic, and mystery! Introduce your younger generation children to the wonderful classic musical CATS.701 W Lime StreetTickets $42. Parking $7For more information call 863-834-8111

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11» Polk County Parks & Recreation Scales &Tails Pet Festival12 pm to 4 pmA fun-filled afternoon of pet presentations and live entertainment.Loyce E. Harpe Park 500 West Carter RoadFREEFor more information call 863-534-6911

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18» Polk County Parks and Recreations 6th Annual Black Heritage Festival12 pm to 5 pmJoin the Lakeland Community as we celebrate black history month. Live music, dancing, crafts, it’s fun for the whole familyMedulla Resource CenterFREEFor more information call 863-647-4035

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25» Strawberry Stampeded 5k8 am to 9:30 amExercise around Lake Hollingsworth by either walking or running. All proceeds help benefit St. Joseph’s AcademyFor more information call 863-683-8780

» Dr. Seuss Celebration10 am Hands-on “Seussical” activities, stories, snacks, art, and so much more.109 N. Kentucky AveTickets $7For more information call 863-687-3869

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26 THROUGH MONDAY, MARCH 12» 2012 Polk Senior GamesTwo week series of 37 athletic and recreational Olympic-style events for men and women 50 years and over. Variety of fun events.Location and Times vary through Polk CountyFor more information call 863-533-0055 or email [email protected]

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28» 66th Annual Tiger BBQ6 pm to 8 pmWelcome back the Detroit Tigers for their spring training.2301 Lakeland Hills BlvdTickets $50 per person, $25 for children 12 and underFor more information call 863-688-8551

SATURDAY, MARCH 3» The Imperial Polk Genealogical Society9 am to 4 pmThe Imperial Polk Genealogical Society is pleased to introduce George K. Schweitzer for their 2012 Seminar.Alumni Room at Florida Southern CollegeColumbia WayFor more information call Kay Stone at 863-858-2738

SATURDAY, MARCH 10» Mid Florida Walk MS8 am to 12 pmJoin Mid Florida Chapter for their annual Walk MS for charity. It’s fun for the whole family.910 E Granada Street$20 donationFor more information contact Cody Yerian at 813-889-8363

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