PLANT CITY PHOTO ARCHIVES & HISTORY CENTER BOOK SIGNING!
Meet local authors Felix Haynes, Nick Brown, Gil Gott, and Dick Elston.
These four local authors will talk about their books, answer questions, and autograph your book. It’ll be a fun event and you’ll want to hang around awhile and enjoy the camaraderie, the refreshments, and the discussions.
Information: 813.754.1578
www.plantcityphotoarchives.org
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By Dave Nicholson | Tribune Staff
Published: March 16, 2013PLANT CITY -
For years, Gil Gott has visited the chamber of commerce to view copies of a book that can yield a treasure trove of information for historical research.
Now Gott, executive director of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, has the books at his fingertips.
The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce recently donated its 26 volumes of the local edition of the R.L. Polk City Directory. The volumes date from 1956 to 2001, with 20 volumes missing.
The R.L. Polk City Directories are known for the voluminous data collected and contain listings for businesses and residents, telephone numbers, addresses, occupations, business advertisements, and cross references. The books have been used by businesses, genealogists and historians for many years, and for more than 40 years the Polk City Directory was provided free to chambers of commerce.
“We’ve used them for all kinds of things,” in historical research, he said.
Archives founder Ed Verner and Gott donated several boxes of business books to the chamber for its library in return for the city directories.
The Photo Archives and History Center also has requested that local residents donate their old and used city directories to the nonprofit. For information, call the center’s office at (813) 754-1578.
Source: TBO
PLANT CITY – Plant City Photo Archives and History Center President Ed Verner announced the selection of J. Myrle Henry to receive the coveted Heritage Award, the organization’s highest award. Henry has been affiliated with local historical organizations for many years and has served as director and president of the East Hillsborough Historical Society.
Henry is a 1956 honor graduate of Plant City High School, where he received the American Legion Award. He received a Food Fair Stores Foundation Scholarship and a Hillsborough County Pharmaceutical Auxiliary scholarship and attended the University of Florida, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science, Pharmacy degree in 1961.
Active on campus, Henry served as an Honor Court Justice and an Executive Council Representative and was president of the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. He also was a member of Gamma Sigma Epsilon Honorary Earth Sciences Society, and Rho Chi, the Academic Honor Society in Pharmacy. In addition, he was awarded the J.K. Attwood Leadership Award at the College of Pharmacy annual senior banquet.
An active member of the Plant City community, Henry is a trustee of South Florida Baptist Hospital, a deacon of Plant City First Baptist Church, and a trustee of Evangelical University and Seminary. He is also the founder and past president of Baptist Towers of Plant City and the Plant City Living Center.
Henry is the founder of the Florida Opry and of the Strawberry Classic Car Show. He has also served as president of the Plant City Downtown Business and Merchants Association, director and treasurer of the East Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Chamber’s Economic Development Council, a member of the Hillsborough County Citizen Advisory Committee, a longtime member of the East Hillsborough Historical Society, president of the Lions Club, Grand Lion of Florida Lions Foundation for the Blind, Melvin Jones Fellow of Lions International, past chairman of the Plant City branch American Cancer Society, past president of the Hillsborough County Pharmacy Association, and is a member of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy National Advisory Board.
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Myrle Henry Heritage Award, add one
Henry was named Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Religious Leader, and in 2001 he was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the combined civic clubs of greater Plant City. In 2007 Henry received the Florida Bowl of Hygeia Award presented by the Florida Pharmacy Association in honor of his civic leadership and his community service. He has also received the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce “Good Egg” award.
Henry met Tommie C. Williams in Latin Class at Plant City High School in 1954. They were married in 1959. They have two daughters, Cheri Kim Henry Ennis and Dr. Kathy Lynn Henry.
THE HERITAGE AWARD
The Heritage Award was established in 2004 to honor a citizen for his or her efforts to preserve the history and heritage of the greater Plant City community. Previous recipients are D.E. Bailey, Jr., James Redman, Robert Trinkle, B.M. “Mac” Smith, Betty Barker Watkins, Dr. Hal Brewer, Gladys Jeffcoat, James “Sonny” Jones, Bob Edwards, and Dr. Maribeth Mobley.
PAROLINI AWARD
The Parolini Award was established in 2009 to honor volunteers for their outstanding and meritorious service and was named for Bill Parolini, a long-time assistant in the Photo Archives operations. The award was presented posthumously to Parolini and accepted by Mrs. Mary Jane Parolini. Other Parolini Award recipients include Linda Smith, Tim Martin, Bill Thomas, Betty Patton, Lou Baird, Anne Haywood, and David Patton.
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The Photo Archives and History Center office, library, and gallery are located at 106 South Evers Street in downtown Plant City. The hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Plant City Photo Archives & History Center received praise Monday evening, Nov. 26, at the Plant City City Commission meeting; City Manager Greg Horwedel commended the Photo Archives for its leadership role in presenting the Plant City Sculptures Exhibit in historic downtown Plant City on display May through August this summer. City Commissioners unanimously joined in the congratulations and commendations for the successful event.
By DAVE NICHOLSON | The Tampa Tribune
Published: November 06, 2012
Updated: November 06, 2012 – 10:32 PM
Brewer died about 3 p.m. at his Plant City home, surrounded by the family he loved so much.
Known affectionately as “Dr. Hal,” Brewer hung up his stethoscope in 1995 but kept on giving back through public service. He was active in organizations that ranged from First United Methodist Church of Plant City to the Boy Scouts to Plant City Entertainment community theater.
Brewer, who was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, left a legacy that touched thousands beyond his medical practice.
“When he retired, I worried that he wouldn’t find enough to do, but he was busier than ever,” said his daughter, Cindy Gutowski. “He loved Plant City, and he kept giving and giving.”
Aside from being a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Brewer taught his children to give back.
“The biggest gift he gave us was the idea that you always needed to help others,” said his son, Rodney.
“He taught us to put people first,” his son Les said.
Brewer endeared himself to generations with his humor, grace and charm. His accolades included the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center’s Heritage Award and the Plant City Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
“He was a Godsend to this community,” said Marsha Passmore, a longtime friend and former city commissioner. “We all loved him, and we’ll all miss him.”
Brewer grew up in Mississippi, served in World War II and received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi in the late-1950s. He did his residency at Tampa General Hospital and started practicing in Plant City in 1960.
Brewer is also survived by his wife, Lynn; son, Daniel; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
There will be a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wells Memorial and Event Center, 1903 W. Reynolds St. in Plant City. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist, 303 N. Evers St.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Bruton Memorial Library, Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, Plant City Entertainment, South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation and Madison’s Mission.
Source: TBO.com