By E.F. Israel
Miki Ostendorf never misses a Plantation parade. The city’s children’s librarian at the Helen B. Hoffman Library, she says, seeing Plantation’s community on display puts a smile on her face.
But on July 4, Ostendorf will have a different view: She’ll be at the front of the parade, as the grand marshal.
“She is so, so Plantation,” Mayor Nick Sortal said. “Everybody who walks into her portion of the library loves how friendly and helpful she is.
“You just can’t help but be in a good mood when you are talking to her.”
The Broward County Historical Preservation Board recognized Miki (her given name is Michaele) in 2017 during its annual Pioneer Days.
Her job at the library is just one stop in the Plantation journey for Ostendorf, 80. She taught at Parkway Christian Preschool (now closed) from 1978-2000 and was a community volunteer for various organizations, such as the PTA, booster clubs and the Plantation United Methodist Church. She also served as an officer for the Plantation Athletic League and the Plantation Athletic League Moms.
She began working at the library in 1994, part-time until moving on to full-time and she has volunteered at the Plantation Historical Museum.
Sortal suggested the city add a grand marshal to its parades shortly after he was elected mayor in 2018.
“It’s a chance to give someone their day and tell their story when it otherwise might not be told,” he said. “There are so many people who have served Plantation well, be it through their job, their volunteerism or some other method. People should know who they are.”
Plantation’s July 4 parade begins at 9 a.m. near State Road 7 and travels west to City Hall. At 7 p.m., American Elton, an Elton John tribute band, will perform at Plantation Central Park, with fireworks slated for 9 p.m. Call 954-452-2510.
