In its first year of operation, the nonprofit Plant City Support Our Soldiers, with the help of the community, sent more than 2,000 pounds of items to deployed soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. ...more

January 6, 2010

In its first year of operation, the nonprofit Plant City Support Our Soldiers – with the help of the community - sent more than 2,000 pounds of items to deployed soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. ...more

January 3, 2010

Santa has come and gone; there's dinner to cook and lots to clean up. Although historians disagree on the actual day Jesus was born, Christians celebrate today. But how many people remember the reason for the season in the midst of all the holiday revelry? ...more

December 25, 2009

To those who are so offended by the expression, "happy holidays": Why are you so terrbly afraid? Christmas is alive and well in the USA. ...more

December 23, 2009

Floridians have an extra gift at Christmas time and all winter long as our gardens still bloom and grow. You might not get a chance to enjoy it on Christmas Eve if you are still busy getting ready but take time tomorrow or as soon as you can to walk in the garden and soak up some of that "peace on earth." ...more

December 23, 2009

Church Street Christmas, a Dade City tradition that began 31 years ago, will continue this year for three evenings beginning Monday, Dec. 21. "Church Street Christmas" will be held on Dec. 21-23 from 6 to 9 p.m. along historic Church Avenue in Dade City. ...more

December 20, 2009

The Christmas season is when I reach out to all the people who have been special in my life. Whether by writing Christmas cards, sending e-mail greetings, or sharing hugs, I'm always reminded of how blessed I am to have my wonderful friends. Henry Adams said, "One true friendship in a lifetime is much; two are many; three are hardly possible." If true friendship is that rare, just what makes people "friends?" ...more

December 13, 2009

Nazdar, The deadline is getting close for two positions on the Masaryktown council. A vice president and one director are needed. The election will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, at the annual community meeting at the Masaryktown Community Hall on Lincoln Avenue. ...more

December 13, 2009

In response to the column by Raleigh Whiteman dated Dec. 3, I'll take the bait. The fact that your children (spouses and grandchildren) are unable to spend Christmas with you is a good sign. They are setting up their own family traditions. It is a tribute to you and their mother. Feel blessed. Forget shopping. You will be wasting a lot of time and money trying to find things they don't need or want. They will also be doing the same for you. As the patriarch of the family, you have an opportunity to change things. Return the real meaning of Christmas; it will be the greatest gift of all. Here are some suggestions: Rather than gift cards, make a donation to a cause they believe in, in their name. Do they love animals? Cancer, diabetes, heart association and Alzheimer's associations are donations well spent (let them know ahead of time that this is your plan this year so they don't waste all their time and money on you.) ...more

December 8, 2009

With a gift package to be sent to her grandchildren in Ontario, Canada, Sandra Mason looked for the right size shipping box Friday at the Lake Jackson branch of the U.S. Postal Service. ...more

December 7, 2009