01.29.16 PCTO

Plant City Times &

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

FREE

BATTER UP

MAJOR TOM

#PLANTCITY

Softball season about to swing in Plant City.

Residents look to the sky at library program.

Instagrammers descend on Winter Strawberry Capital.

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Blossoming Rose

OUR TOWN

+ Tea Party tickets discounted

WINGIN’ IT

by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

Wing fest to flap into town The chamber hopes that the inaugural, family-friendly event will grow into an annual tradition.

Relay for Life of Plant City’s second annual Tea Party tickets are on sale and currently discounted.

Tickets are $10 per seat or $100 for a table, which sits 10. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the First Baptist Church of Plant City, 503 N. Palmer St. Ticket sales can go to the Relay for Life team of your choice. Guests can decorate their own table to the theme: holidays.

There will be a prize for the best decorated table.

Food and tea will be provided. Besides decor, you must supply your tea pot and tea cups.

For questions or to reserve your ticket or table contact Janice Perkins at (813) 7637976 or jani.Perk@gmail. com.

Fall in 2016 will mean more than the onset of cool weather.

The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce is organizing the first-ever chicken wing and craft beer festival, to take place during the first week of October.

“Everybody likes to eat,” Michael Cameron, chamber chairman, said. “We want to emulate the success from Pig Jam. We thought fall would be a good time. We’ve been looking for another event for a while.”

The chamber wanted to organize a family-friendly event for foodies from around the Tampa Bay area but didn’t want to focus exclusively on barbecue, since Pig Jam in No-

SEE WINGS / PAGE 5

+ Church to celebrate heritage First Presbyterian Church of Plant City will hold its 18th Annual Kirkin O’ the Tartan during the 10:45 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Jan. 31, at 404 W. Reynolds St. This service celebrates the church’s Scottish heritage.

The St. Andrews Pipes & Drums of Tampa Bay will be a big part of the celebration.

The history of the Kirkin dates to when the Scottish Highlanders, Presbyterians, wore a woolen material of colorful plaids representing different clans. English rule in 1745 banned the wearing of the tartan, and any Highland ways were forbidden.

But the royal Scottish still wanted their clans blessed so they would bring a small swatch of tartan cloth into worship.

Then, at a secret time during worship, the minister would offer the blessing while the Scottish held their tartan in their pockets, thus, rededicating themselves to God and their heritage.

In 1762, the Proscription Act was lifted and once again Highland dress was allowed.

In the early 1940s, Peter Marshall, a United States Senate chaplain and Scottish-born pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C., introduced the Kirkin service to his congregation. The tradition quickly spread to other churches.

Emily Topper

Michael Cameron, Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce chairman, has spearheaded efforts for the event, which is focused on chicken wings and craft beer.

GOVERNANCE

by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

Florida Strawberry Festival

2016 Florida Strawberry Festival QUEEN HALEY RILEY The Durant High School junior is active with FFA and plans to attend the University of Florida to obtain a residency in pediatric anesthesiology.

First maid is Morgan Gaudens. Court members are Alex Aponte, Ashlyn Yarbrough and Ashtyn Steele. Miss Congeniality is Ariel Navarrete.

For more pictures from the Queen’s pageant, go to page 11.

See our interview with the 2016 court at PlantCityObserver.com

Ellis-Methvin, Snowden parks near completion Recreation and Parks Department Director Jack Holland gave an update on both projects to the City Commission.

By the time warm weather returns, Plant City residents will have two completed parks to enjoy in spring.

At the City Commission meeting Monday, Jan. 25, Recreation and Parks Department Director Jack Holland told commissioners that EllisMethvin Park and Snowden Park would both be completed

by March.

Currently, residents are able

SEE PARKS / PAGE 5

INDEX Calendar........................2

Crossword....................19

Obituaries....................16

Sports..........................17

Weather.......................19

Vol. 3, No. 25 | One section PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

COMMUNITYCALENDAR FRIDAY, JAN. 29

SATURDAY, JAN. 30 Relay for Life Yard Sale — takes place beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Southern Hospitality parking lot, 1709 James L. Redman Parkway. Kids and adult

TUESDAY, FEB. 2

Photo by Nicole Issa-Warren

BEST BET Chef Mark Anthony Free Dinner and Clean Eating Seminar — takes place beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Plant City SDA Church, 2203 Strawberry Drive. Hear about weight loss, lowering cholesterol and increasing energy. Chef Mark Anthony has made TV appearances and travels the United States to spread his nutritional message. Seating is limited. RSVP by calling (813) 856-6120 or (813) 7524694. ChefMarkAnthony.com. clothing, shoes, books, household items and more will be sold. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

SUNDAY, JAN. 31

MONDAY, FEB. 1

City Pointe Church Launch Day — takes place beginning at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, at the Hillsborough

Art Demonstration — takes place beginning at 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 1, at the

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Festival Volunteer Breakfast — takes place beginning at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Director’s Lounge, upstairs in the Expo Building, 2301 W. Oak Ave. Florida State Fair — takes place beginning at 10 a.m.

Thursday, Feb. 4, to Monday, Feb. 15, at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. Highway 301 N., Tampa.

FloridaStateFair.com.

Fresh from Florida Breakfast — takes place from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Florida State Fairgrounds Ag Hall of Fame building, 4800 N. U.S. Highway 301, Tampa.

Enjoy a breakfast of items grown locally. RSVP by Friday, Jan. 29, to attend by contactin Denise Kantak at (813) 744-5519 ext. 54141 or email kantakd@hillsboroughcounty.org.

Small Business Development Center Consultant at Chamber of Commerce — takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St.

In accordance with the provisions of State Law there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy and owner and/or manager’s lien of goods hereinafter described and stored at: Rentlok Self Storage located at 1205 S Alexander St., Plant City, FL 33563, 813-759-2800. And due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties know to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the above stated locations to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 @ 9:30 AM. OR ANY DATE THERE IN AFTER. Tina Hall - Household Talishia Larry - Household Michelle Miller - Household Melissa Vega - Household Debra Mozeley - Household

Schedule an appointment by calling Dottie at (813) 2049267.

SATURDAY, FEB. 6

THURSDAY, FEB. 4

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Community College Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road. A new, contemporary church will be launching. Facebook.com/ CityPointePC/.

Central Florida Flute Circle — takes place from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St. Bring a snack to share. Come to play, learn, socialize and listen.

The public is welcome. Dock Green, (813) 754-8990.

Sculpture Exhibit — takes place beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, 106 S. Evers St. This is a walking tour of the Man on the Street sculptures in downtown Plant City.

The event is free and open to the public. There will be refreshments. Call Dodie White at (813) 927-0595 or Marsha Passmore at (813) 245-2244 with questions.

VA Aid and Attendance Benefits Seminar — takes place beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Stone Ledge Manor Assisted Living, 12006 McIntosh

Road. Veterans and surviving spouses could qualify for up to $1,700 per month. (813) 986-7900.

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Rex’s Exes — takes place beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, to Saturday, Jan. 30; 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31; 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, and Saturday, Feb. 6; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at Plant City Entertainment, 101 N. Thomas St. Southern belle Gaynelle gets a suprise party thrown for her cousin, Peaches, for her 50th birthday. But party plans change to a hastily-thrown family funeral instead. The comedy is a sequel to “Red Velvet Cake War.� Tickets are $16 for adults; $14 for students and seniors; $12 for groups of 10 or more. PCEShows.com.

Robinson Elementary Kindergarten Roundup — takes place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, and 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at Robinson Elementary School, 4801 Turkey Creek Road. For more information call Robinson Elementary at (813) 757-9424.

Woman’s Club of Plant City, 1110 N. Wheeler St. The demonstration is presented by the East Hillsborough Art Guild. Sue Allen will present the program, “Alluring Spontaneity of Water Media.�

To publicize your event in our Community Calendar, please send by mail: 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563; or by email: ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com. Photos are welcome. Deadline is noon Thursday.

Celebrity Chef Dinner — takes place beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at the John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road. The dinner will host chefs and siblings Matt and Ted Lee. They grew up and learned to cook in Charleston, South Carolina, in a townhouse on the city’s fabled Rainbow Row. When they left to attend colleges in the Northeast, they missed the foods of their hometown, so they founded The Lee Bros. Boiled Peanuts Catalogue, a mail-order catalogue for southern staples like grits, pickled okra, and, of course, boiled peanuts.

The dinner, which includes a cooking demonstration, will benefit the United Food Bank of Plant City. Tickets are $100. (813) 764-0625.

ONGOING Acoustic Happy Hour — takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Fridays, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 7648818.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

@storyandmyth

@photoopmel

@em_stagram78 EXPLORE THE DAY

Did you miss Plant City’s first InstaMeet? Check out these hashtags to get a recap of the day in the field: #ABerrySweetMeet #TheSweetBeat #FlStrawberries #PlantCity

ACROSS THE BAY

@heather978

From Plant City to Tampa to St. Petersburg, follow these Instagram accounts to see all the bay area has to offer: @TheSweetBeat @FlaStrawberries @IgersStPete @Igers_Tampa

@amberjurg

MEET THE ‘GRAMMERS

Stephanie Schulte, @stephanielschulte Bio: One of the moderators of @igers_tampa, Schulte is a Plant City resident who enjoys snapping the State Theater, The Corner Store and Historic Downtown.

Favorite Filter: Lark and VSCOCam filters Jimmy Fashner, @ayce09 Bio: Fashner, who consistently promotes St. Petersburg through @igersstpete, helped organize the InstaMeet in Plant City. On his personal account, he enjoys posting beach scenes, city life and textured photos.

Favorite filter: Toss up between Juno and Ludwig

#THESWEETBEAT Instagrammers from around Tampa Bay explored a strawberry farm as part of Plant City’s first-ever InstaMeet.

SOCIAL MEDIA by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

@maxgarcia INSTAGROWTH

Schulte has one major goal at the forefront of her mind: to get Plant City some exposure through Instagram.

She has seen people come through the city and explore it, but not put their money in it.

“I want to get more people to branch out, especially businesses,” Schulte said. “It’s free, beautiful exposure. It’s a free tool. Why not use it and see what you can do?”

With the right exposure on Instagram, Schulte said, local businesses can bring in customers from across Central Florida. “(Plant City) is a little picture haven that nobody really knows about,” she said. “It’s just a matter of putting the right person on it.”

Stephanie Schulte Schulte encourages businesses to post their merchandise and use appropriate hashtags to promote their products.

“It’s bridging that gap between the consumer and the business,” Schulte said. “I want it to be a trend throughout the community.”

@emilytopper

Stephanie Schulte stood at the edge of Futch Farms Saturday, Jan. 23, looking out at the endless rows of strawberry plants in front of her. She held up one of the reddest, juiciest berries she could find and snapped a picture, capturing the picturesque essence of the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.

Around her, dozens of other Tampa, St. Petersburg and Central Florida residents were doing the same thing. Some sifted carefully through the rows of strawberry plants, searching for the perfect berry. Others flew drones, scanning the fields for a wider shot.

The berry-filled day was the main event of Plant City’s firstever InstaMeet, organized by popular Instagram accounts and the Florida Strawberry Growers Association.

Despite the harsh wind and cold winter weather, over 40 Instagram users — some strangers, some friends — descended into the fields. With the click of a button, users promoted strawberries, farmers and Plant City across an app that has 400 million users across the globe.

BERRY BIG IDEAS

About three years ago, Jimmy Fashner founded a St. Petersburg-based Instagram account, @IgersStPete, which now has nearly 15,000 followers. Fashner, who runs the account with friend Stephanie Davis, features restaurants, cafes, art and hot spots from across St. Petersburg on his popular account, garnering hundreds of likes for each photo and promoting the city to his followers.

“I didn’t know what was going to transpire,” Fashner said.

“It’s really grown into something special, and that’s just from staying consistent with it.”

Isabel Reis Laessig, who works for the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, follows Fashner on Instagram and was impressed with his account.

“I thought it was amazing,” Laessig said.

Laessig reached out to Fashner and invited him to Futch Farms. On his Instagram account, Fashner promoted the

event and the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, putting both the organization and Plant City on the map.

For Laessig, Instagram promotion is the easiest, quickest way to garner interest.

“Is there anything better?

I think people love visuals,” she said. “I think it’s the fastest growing network right now. A lot of people don’t come over to Plant City and realize the agriculture and the industry and the business that’s here.”

Fashner was excited for the

@arounddq

“I didn’t know what was going to transpire.

It’s really grown into something special, and that’s just from staying consistent with it.”

Jimmy Fashner, founder of St. Petersburg-based account, @IgersStPete opportunity to explore and promote Plant City.

“I jumped on it,” Fashner said. “I’ve always wanted to do a shoot in a strawberry field.

It’s good exposure for the area and the industry. Any time I get a chance to work with locals, I love jumping on that stuff. It brings great exposure. It’s like a win-win.”

Fashner wasn’t the only one who promoted the meet on his account. Schulte, who runs a Tampa-based Instagram account, @Igers_Tampa, also reached out to her 6,000 followers. She runs the account with two other users.

“I’ve wanted to do it in Plant City,” Schulte, who lives in the area, said. “I just haven’t known how to go about it.”

Once the InstaMeet was scheduled, the rest came easy.

Fashner and Schulte featured pictures, hashtagged ABerrySweetMeet, on @IgersStPete and @Igers_Tampa. The Plant City Times & Observer’s Instagram, @TheSweetBeat, also featured photos.

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.

@garettacox IG TIPS FOR BUSINESSES 1. Use industry-specific hashtags.

2. Post pictures of employees.

3. Reward followers with promotions, giveaways and reposts.

4. Don’t post too many pictures at one time, as it will over saturate your followers’ feeds.

5. Follow your followers back.

6. Gain a following by liking other users’ pictures or following them.

PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM //

See our photos from the Plant City InstaMeet online.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

Give Your Heart Some Love

Join Us at a Free Heart-Healthy Screening

Choose from Convenient Dates and Locations All Events Are 8am–2pm Wednesday, February 3

Morton Plant North Bay Hospital (New Port Richey)

Thursday, February 4

South Florida Baptist Hospital (Plant City)

Saturday, February 6

BayCare Health Center (Largo)

Wednesday, February 10

St. Anthony’s Hospital (St. Petersburg)

Saturday, February 13

Winter Haven Hospital (Winter Haven)

Tuesday, February 16

Morton Plant Hospital (Clearwater)

Thursday, February 18

St. Joseph’s Hospital-South (Riverview)

■ Cholesterol

Wednesday, February 24

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North (Lutz)

■ Screening to assess risk for diabetes*

Friday, February 26

Bartow Regional Medical Center (Bartow)

Wednesday, March 2

BayCare Outpatient Center (Carillon)

Friday, March 4

Mease Countryside Hospital (Safety Harbor)

Monday, March 7

St. Joseph’s Hospital (Tampa)

Saturday, March 12

BayCare Health Center (Trinity)

The most important thing you have is your health, and healthy living starts with good heart health.

BayCare is offering these free screenings at our heart-healthy events: ■ Blood pressure ■ Body mass index (BMI)

Plus, there will be a nutrition specialist on hand to answer your questions. *If the assessment suggests your risk is high, an A1c test will be offered.

BC1600008-0116

Registration required: (855) 546-6304 193680

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BayCareHeartHealth.org

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

PARKS / PAGE 1 to use the east side of EllisMethvin Park, off Cherry Street, which was purchased in 2002. Construction on the west side of the park began in 2012. Individual fields were added on the west side of the park in 2014.

IN OTHER NEWS • Commissioners approved changing the title of finance director to chief financial officer.

This was done to update provisions of the Plant City Code. • The City Commission approved amendments made to procurements and contracts. The amendments authorize the city manager to reject bids and proposals. As long as the city manager reports the rejection to the City Commission, a formal rejection does not have to be sent out by the City Commission. A formal protest procedure was also put in place, which will allow issues to be addressed before a contract is awarded to a bidder.

Last year, improvements were made to Ellis-Methvin at a rapid pace, including irrigation, electric, sidewalks, force main repair and sanitary and stormwater lift station installations.

The quick additions enabled the City of Plant City to host the United States Flag & Touch Football League National Championships at Ellis-Methvin Park and the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex from Friday, Jan. 15, through Sunday, Jan. 17. The tournament had 413 teams and 15,000 participants, and it has committed to return to Plant City for the next two years. “It was phenomenal,� City Commissioner Mary Thomas Mathis said. “Kudos to you and your staff for what you’ve done at Ellis-Methvin.�

The main projects that still need to be completed at Ellis-Methvin include adding bleacher pads and creating parking areas and driveways.

Once the area is constructed, irrigation and lighting will be added to the parking lot.

Improvements at Snowden Park, south of Historic Downtown, also have been on the fast track. Roofs will be added to the park’s restrooms this month, and a playground is scheduled for installation

ELLIS-METHVIN IMPROVEMENTS February 2015: irrigation testing April 2015: electrical units July 2015: sidewalks added around the west fields End of 2015: force main repaired; sanitary, stormwater lift stations added January 2016: construction began on a retaining wall; restrooms and bleachers added to west side prior to the park’s completion.

The park still needs ball field fencing, dugouts, an electrical system and an irrigation system but will be ready for use in March. “I know the community is looking forward to this being completed,� Mayor Rick Lott said. “Our employees are the ones who are making this happen for the citizens,� City Manager Mike Herr added. “It takes a complete team to support community events.�

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver. com.

the chamber is searching for title sponsors and individual competitors. Those interested in competing in the event or becoming a sponsor are encouraged to contact the chamber at (813) 754-3707.

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.

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Emily Topper

Ellis-Methvin Park, along with Snowden Park, will be completed in March. Ellis-Methvin still lacks parking areas, but was able to host a three-day tournament this month.

vember attracted many barbecue fans and competition teams. The chamber looked for a food that had a broad appeal but wasn’t overdone at events. “You can find wings on the menu at just about any American bistro-style pub,� Cameron said. “We just think it’s going to be fun. We don’t have anything wing-based. It’s an excuse for the locals to have fun, but also for people to come to Plant City.�

The chicken wing and craft beer festival, which does not yet have an official name, is slated for Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Randy L. Larson Softball FourPlex.

As of now, attendees will only need to pay for parking.

Money to purchase food and beverages will be bought with “chicken bucks,� similar to Pig Jam’s “pig bucks.� “We’re trying to make it family affordable,� Cameron said. “I want it to be available to everybody. We’re excited. I think there will be a lot of different types of food out there.�

Like the Plant City Pig Jam, locals are encouraged to enter the chicken wing competition. The contest will be divided into categories including pro, amateur, restaurant and people’s choice. The festival committee is in the process of recruiting restaurants to come to the event.

To differ from the Pig Jam, the chamber put together a committee of 14 individuals. “We’re trying to not use the exact same committee that we’re using for Pig Jam,� Cameron said. “We want it to be a new committee with fresh ideas.�

Though it’s only the trial

year, Cameron hopes that the event will grow into an annual tradition and that it will equal the continued success of Pig Jam. “As it grows, we may expand it,� Cameron said. “We certainly would be open to the idea.�

In addition to restaurants,

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WINGS / PAGE 1

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

AroundTOWN

FAITH by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

Reporters from the Plant City Times & Observer hit the streets of Plant City to ask residents a little about themselves. Will we spot you around town next?

We asked: Where is your go-to dinner spot?

Billy Bender, 19 “Taco Bell because it’s good, cheap Mexican food.”

Darien Walker, 16 “Zaxby’s. I love chicken.”

Emily Topper

The Fifth Sunday Fellowship team includes pastors Carl McKay, Reggie Rivers, Don Myles, Lloyd McDonald and Ricky Coronado, and Dr. Jimmy Webster.

Fifth Sunday begins men’s seminar The event was organized by six men of faith in the Plant City community.

Jessica Hernandez, 9 “Golden Corral because there is good food there.”

Morgan Napper, 18 “Subway. I love all the options, and I always could go for a sub.”

Mary Vaugn, 10 “Sonny’s. I like the food there.”

Samuel Saucedo, 9 “I like Chinese food a lot.

There is all different stuff to eat.”

HOPEWELL FUNERAL HOME & MEMORIAL GARDENS HAS PARTNERED TO SPONSOR AROUND TOWN.

Over 160 men packed into the John R. Trinkle Center on the Hillsborough Community College Campus Saturday, Jan. 16, to worship as part of a seminar.

The men gathered from various churches across Plant City to be part of the Fifth Sunday Fellowship’s Men’s Breakfast and Mass Choir.

The theme of the seminar was “Time to Man Up.” Pastor Carl McKay, of St. Luke’s Independent Church, spearheaded the event. He was involved in a similar seminar in 2010 and still keeps in touch with some of the people that he met. Since then, McKay has wanted to bring a similar event to Plant City and to revive it once every quarter.

“I got to meet other men from different cities in Florida from faith,” McKay said. “The great thing I got out of that was men loving God. And not only talking it, but living it.”

The goal of this past seminar and upcoming seminars

are to encourage men to live the word of God in everything they do.

“It’s not just preach and teach, but live the Gospel,” McKay said. “What that means is each man must be accountable for his own actions.”

St. Luke’s Independent Church has a small congregation of about 25 members.

McKay has noticed that at his church and others, women typically outnumber men. He hopes that the seminars will encourage more men to follow their faith and get involved in their church community.

To garner support from the community, McKay reached out to other pastors of small congregations in the area.

Eventually, McKay teamed up with four pastors: Reggie Rivers, of Plant City Christian Center, Don Myles, of Hope 2 U Ministry, Lloyd McDonald, of Anointed Life Ministry and Ricky Coronado, of La Red Ministries.

“We are a very strong, close

IF YOU GO

The dates for the next men’s fellowship seminar has not yet been determined, but will be held in the next quarter. For questions, call Pastor Carl McKay, St. Luke’s Independent Church at (813) 546-8501.

group,” McKay said. “There is so much love in that group.”

The decision to host a seminar grew out of the bonds the churches made with one another. On months that had a fifth Sunday, a congregation would host one of the pastors within the group, allowing members of the congregation to worship together. “(It’s) not preaching as a denomination,” McKay said.

“It’s reaching out to people, all races and denominations.”

The Jan. 16 seminar had all five pastors from Fifth Sun-

day Fellowship present, along with Dr. Jimmy Webster, who is in charge of the Fifth Sunday Male Choir.

“He really inspired us,” McKay said. “There’s something special about Dr. Webster. He’s full of ideas. We were grateful to have him come aboard with us.”

For $20, seminar attendees enjoyed a sermon by Coronado, a performance by the men’s mass choir and a buffet breakfast provided by Lakeland’s Hallback’s Bar and Grill.

At the next seminar, McKay hopes to have attendees from other churches throughout the Tampa Bay area.

“I believe after this, we’ll have people coming from those different directions,” he said.

The next seminar will be held in the year’s next quarter.

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver. com.

The goal of this past seminar and the upcoming seminars are to encourage men to live the word of God in everything they do.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

STARGAZERS by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor St. Andrew’s Pipes & Drums Of Tampa Bay Sunday, January 31, 2016 10:45 Worship Service Concert on the Lawn and free Luncheon following the Service ~ You And Your Family Are Invited ~

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Friday, Jan. 29 8:27 to 8:30 p.m.

Brightness: -3.4 Saturday, Jan. 30 6:34 to 6:40 p.m.

Brightness: -2.0 8:11 to 8:12 p.m.

Brightness: -0.4 Sunday, Jan. 31 7:17 to 7:22 p.m.

Brightness: -2.1 Tuesday, Feb. 2 7:10 to 7:13 p.m.

Brightness: -0.7

1) Dichotomy, 2) Truth, 3) Will 4) Power, 5) Return Friedrich Nietzsche

Jan 28 (Medium, 0.46) This week’s difficulty Sudokurating answers

2 5

4 7

9 8 1

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3 6 2 5

7

6 3 4 1

5

4 7

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3 6 8 9 2 2 7

4 1

2 6 8 4 9 7

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1

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6

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Residents who visited Bruton Memorial Library Tuesday, Jan. 19, got a chance to explore the night skies. Astronomy enthusiast Craig MacDougal presented a program and then took guests outside for a closer look at the moon and the Pleiades star cluster.

MacDougal has been interested in space since 1968, when he bought his first subscription to Sky & Telescope magazine with his allowance.

He has worked at the Museum of Science and Industry’s planetarium.

Wyatt O’Bryan, 6, and his mother, JoAnna O’Bryan. Wyatt loves “Star Wars” and has aspirations to discover a new galaxy.

PLEIADES STAR CLUSTER

The Pleiades Star Cluster is also known as the Seven Sisters. There are hundreds of stars in this cluster, but only a handful are visible to the unaided eye. They are fairly young stars, only about 100 million years old.

“They still live at home, their mother still does their laundry,” MacDougal said.

They are 130 parsecs, or 425 light-years, away.

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And, due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties known to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the below stated location(s) to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on Wednesday, 9:00 am, February 10th 2016 at 1005 South Alexander Street, Plant City, FL 33563, 813759-9526.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

9

BIRTHDAY BASH by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

P.C. woman celebrates 100 years Ellen Ethel Cannon was presented with proclamations from Mayor Rick Lott and Rep. Dan Raulerson.

A woman of faith, Ellen Cannon only has one secret to making it to the triple digits.

“Just God,” she said.

GOOD EATS

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL

Cannon was born in 1916 to Bert and Clarice Knight Clendening in Champaign, Illinois.

The eldest of 12 children, Cannon enjoyed picking flowers, planting and gardening, and embroidering and sewing her own clothes.

She married her late husband, Shelly Alonzo Cannon, on Aug. 20, 1939, in Plant City.

Four years after having their first child, they bought a home on 13 acres of land near Cork Road.

The couple went on to have five children, and Cannon took care of her children and worked in the fields of the family’s home.

In 1947, Cannon turned to faith. She became a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Cork and became active in her congregation. Until 1980, she worked in the church’s nursery and taught children in Sunday school. As her children grew older and got married, Cannon enjoyed celebrating birthdays, holidays and family reunions with them and their larger broods.

Now, Cannon is a grandmother to nine and a great-

Emily Topper

Ellen Cannon with her daughter, Janet Balistreri, and greatgranddaughter, Brianna Balistreri

COME LEARN SOMETHING MORE FROM THE BIBLE!

by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

Lee brothers chosen as celebrity chefs for United Food Bank fundraiser

Christ, Biblical Truth, Integrity, Accountability, Discipleship, Love, Witness, and Faithfulness

Ben Fink

ton ingredients.”

Southern food aficionados will go wild over the menu: everything from dibb lettuce and charred okra to sweet potatoes with sorghum marshmallows. Also on the menu is smothered bone-in pork loin with gravy and Brussel sprouts with benne and bacon.

“It’s really some of our most fun and vibrant recipes,” Ted Lee said. “We’re just really looking forward to it.”

Tickets for the event are

Dr. Dan Morris Sr., President

The United Food Bank serves 600,000 pounds of food to 30,000 people in one year, including students who miss out on meals during fall, winter and summer breaks from school.

“We only service 11 zip codes,” spokesperson Leigh Scott said. “Our community is who we are serving.”

The food bank also serves food baskets during the holidays and sponsors a monthly Feeding America event.

Additionally, the food bank provides grief counseling and free haircuts on a need basis. The organization would like to offer more services, such as a “Mommy and Me” program, if funding continues to grow.

“If funding continues, we can implement new programs,” Scott said. “We’re getting there, we’re close.”

Scott said that the food bank is grateful to the Plant City community for the continued support. Major sponsors this year include Star Distribution, Gordon Food Service and Unity in the Community.

“Those companies are very giving to us ... in food donations, monetary donations and volunteering,” Scott said. $100 per person. The deadline to register for the Eighth Annual Celebrity Chef dinner is Monday, Feb. 1.

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By Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten January 29 and 30 at 8:00 pm February 5 and 6 at 8:00 pm January 31 & February 7 at 2:00 pm (Matinee)

IF YOU GO EIGHTH ANNUAL CELEBRITY CHEF DINNER FEATURING MATT AND TED LEE RSVP Deadline: Monday, Feb. 1.

Tickets: $100 per person; sponsorships and VIP packages available, including a meet & greet with the Lee Brothers.

When: Saturday, Feb. 6; dinner at 7:30 p.m.; cooking demonstration at 8:15 p.m.

Where: John R. Trinkle Center on the HCC campus, 1206 N. Park Road, Plant City.

Visit PlantCityObsever.com for a preview of the evening’s menu.

Our Core Values:

FIGHTING HUNGER

Matt and Ted Lee, who started The Lee Bros., will be this year’s celebrity chefs. focusing on the chefs’ tantalizing creations. At the Feb. 6 dinner, the brothers will do a cooking demonstration following the dinner. It will feature recipes from their latest cookbook, “Charleston Kitchen Cookbook.” Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of the book.

“People think of Florida as the south,” Ted Lee said.

“We’ve designed the event to specifically highlight Charles-

We are Christ centered, church connected, and community minded as we equip the body of Christ.

190564

The annual dinner will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6.

Plant City residents can enjoy a mouthwatering meal and meet famous chefs next month — all for a good cause.

On Saturday, Feb. 6, food journalists and brothers Matt and Ted Lee will head to the John R. Trinkle Center on the Hillsborough Community College campus for the Celebrity Chef Dinner. All proceeds from the dinner, which is catered by South Florida Baptist Hospital’s 911 Catering, will benefit the United Food Bank of Plant City. Last year, the event raised $50,000, which the organization hopes to top in 2016. The event is its largest fundraiser of the year.

“I think it’s such a cool event that we get different celebrities in the food world to come and showcase their talent,” United Food Bank spokesperson Leigh Scott said.

The Lee brothers are Charleston, South Carolina natives and the founders of The Lee Bros. Boiled Peanut Catalogue. They have written for The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living and Southern Living, among others.

They also appeared as commentators on “Unique Eats,” a popular show on The Cooking Channel, and currently host “Southern Uncovered with the Lee Bros.”

Brian West, who serves as a committee member for the United Food Bank of Plant City, suggested the brothers after watching their show and learning that they have led a demonstration class for Publix’s Apron’s Cooking School.

Once offered the opportunity, the brothers jumped on board.

“We’re excited,” Ted Lee said. “We love taking our show on the road. We love having the opportunity to bring the flavors of Charleston to Plant City.”

The United Food Bank has decided not do an appetizer throw down this year, instead

Our Vision:

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HOW SHE DID IT

children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After becoming ill before Christmas, Cannon was able to celebrate her milestone in good health. To mark the occasion, she was presented with proclamations from Mayor Rick Lott and Rep. Dan Raulerson, of the Florida House of Representatives.

Your local community theater Presents

All performances at PLANT CITY ENTERTAINMENT THEATRE located at: 101 N. Thomas St, Plant City, FL

Ticket Prices:* 16 Seniors 60+/ Students..........................................................................................................................$14 Members & Advance Groups of 10+............................................................................................. $12 Adults..............................................................................................................................................................$

Advance Tickets at: Hardees Fashions, 1501 N Wheeler St, Plant City, FL 33563 Online at www.pceshows.com At the door on performance dates (if available) *SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. Your group will receive a number for your party when you arrive, and will be called for seating based on that number. THERE ARE NO RESERVED SEATS.

More Info: www.pceshows.com

Doors open at 6:30 and seating begins inside the theater at 7:30 for 8:00 pm performances.

Doors open at 12:30 and seating begins inside the theater at 1:30 pm for 2:00 pm performances.

Rex’s Exes is presented through special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service, Inc.

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One Plant City resident had a major centennial celebration Saturday, Jan. 16.

Ellen Ethel Cannon, who has lived in Plant City since she was 14, turned 100 Friday, Jan. 15. The following day she celebrated with a birthday bash at the Health Center of Plant City, where she has lived since 2014.

“It was a day I’ll never forget,” Cannon said. “It was really a turnout.”

Cannon’s party had over 100 guests, including her

grandmother to 12. Her faith is something that she hopes to pass on to the younger generations.

“Be a child of God,” Cannon said. “That is the most important thing.”

She’s taught them to have fun too. Cannon has rescued three dogs — Becky, Annie and Sammy — who have been her companions later in life.

In 1989, Cannon traveled to Germany where she visited family and enjoyed the scenic countryside.

Her spirit has carried on with her age. At 80, she hopped on the back of a motorcycle.

To this day, Cannon is a bit of a jokester. She wasn’t able to determine the single craziest thing she’s ever done, but she was able to name her greatest accomplishment.

“Just trying to behave,” she said.

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

Congratulations Haley Riley 2016 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

Carley Smith

Samantha Sun and her court said a teary goodbye.

Kassandra Figueroa

The 2016 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court: Ashlyn Yarbrough, First Maid Morgan Gaudens, Queen Haley Riley, Alex Aponte and Ashtyn Steele.

Taking the Throne ROYAL FUN by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor The Florida Strawberry Festival celebrated its new court at the Saturday, Jan. 23, pageant at the festival grounds. There were 23 girls who participated in the competition, which included a 30-second commercial, casual wear and evening wear. Before the pageant, the girls interviewed with judges.

Past queens came on stage for a dance.

Abigail Miller

SEE MORE PHOTOS AT PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM Ariel Navarrete

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

Proud Sponsor of

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

VOLUME 11, NO. 13

YOUR TOWN CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT

REVVED UP: PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOS MAKE FOR A FLY DAY PAGES 5A

Walden Lake golf course files plans Visions Golf has submitted plans to develop The Hills course and sell the golf course to a developer.

AMBER JURGENSEN BYLINE SOURCE

Visions Golf LLC, owner of Walden Lake Golf & Country Club and its two 18-hole courses, has submitted plans for constructing more than 300 homes on the site of The Hills course in Walden Lake.

Last winter, Visions Golf submitted an application to the City of Plant City for a rezoning of The Hills, in preparation for its development. Visions Golf submitted a revised proposal earlier this month that specified development plans, including 154 SEE GOLF PAGE 4

STRAWBERRY

short takes

Morgan Davis hopes to raise money for a cross-country trip by selling his illustrated calendar at the Straberry Festival

W

riter, illustrator and musician Morgan Davis formed hiscreativity into the shape of a strawberry for his newest project, and he’s dishing it out just in time celebrate the Florida Strawberry Festival.

Davis illustrated 12 strawberry-themed comics for an original calendar, Strawberry Short Stories,” inspired by the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World’s cash crop. a farmer with a flat and wrestling shortcakes, to powdered-sugar berries at the Queen Competition and a hilarious scene at the festival, the comics serve as a loving tribute and commentary on his

TO GET YOUR COPY: VISIT MORGAN DAVIS’ BOOTH

STRAWBERRY PICKING CHALLENGE

Princess Contest, in which students were asked to compete by collecting money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, as well as the PCHS Scholarship Fund.

The male student who collected the most money was crowned Prince and the girl who collected the most money was crowned Princess. School records were set in both the Prince and Princess competitions. Caleb Myers, a senior, was crowned Prince. Ashlyn Yarbrough, a sophomore, iwas crowned Princess.

Where and when: outside the festival gates at the corner of Lemon and Reynolds streets near Taco Loco, Feb. 28, and March 2, after the Grand Parade.

Or visit Blue Thumb Computers, 116 W. Reynolds St., March 2 before or during the parade. It’s also available at some Historic Downtown stores.

SCHOLARSHIP ALERT The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners wants to recognize the many positive contributions made by young people in the community through the Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards. Nominations are being accepted now through March 13.

The nomination form can be submitted online at HillsboroughCounty. org/YEA, or applications can be mailed to Hillsborough County Communications & Digital Media, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 21st Floor, Tampa, FL 33602.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

TRIBUTE by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

YOUR HOME COMMUNITY

Students remember teacher Cheryl Bates

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The beloved Strawberry Crest High School teacher was known for both her incredible math skills and sense of humor.

Courtesy photo

Cheryl Bates’ students remembered her as caring, funny and supportive.

one Memorial Day weekend, Mrs. Bates insisted on driving to Key West after a full day of teaching. She drove all night with Switch in the passenger seat, and they finally arrived at 7 a.m. They waited three hours for a room to open up.

“That was a good one,” Switch said.

She enjoyed geocaching.

She and Switch once found a coin from Luxembourg at Daytona Beach Shores. They also found one travel bug, a dog tag with a tracking number used in geocaching.

But even Mrs. Bates had her limits when it came to adventure. She was terrified of snakes and would insist that Switch enter forest-filled areas first.

Once, she wasn’t so lucky.

She stepped outside and saw a black snake in the lawn. She fainted.

“She screamed and passed out,” Switch said. “I thought it was funny.”

Most recently, Mrs. Bates was a teacher at Strawberry Crest High School.

“She came to us from Plant City High School when the

school opened in 2009,” Crest’s principal, David Brown, said.

“The math department is very tight. She touched a lot of kids.”

Her lasting impression on her students is evident. Many penned tributes to her, mentioning her helpful nature and endless wit.

“I loved Mrs. Bates. She was kind of like my mentor in my senior year,” Genesis Cancio wrote. “I was struggling a lot.

Her just listening helped and her randomly getting me food or clothes had made me felt like somebody actually cares.

She was such a wonderful woman ... she will have a place in my heart.”

Other students mentioned how proud Mrs. Bates was of their continued success.

“Mrs. Bates was not only a wonderful teacher, but a great person as well,” Elizabeth Aguilera wrote. “She always wanted the best for her students and wanted them to succeed.

At my high school graduation she cried and hugged me.”

Mrs. Bates is survived by her husband, John Switch; daughter, Jennifer Moores (Scott), of Riverview; parents, Richard and Donna Kincade; sister, Tina Johnson (Mike), of Lakeland; grandchildren, Henley and Alden Moores; nephews, Zachary, Tyler and Mason; and dachshunds, Dottie and Bailey.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Heather Hall.

A celebration of life for Mrs. Bates was held Saturday, Jan. 16. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for plants as a lasting tribute.

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When Cheryl Bates started teaching math at Tomlin Middle School, her fellow teacher John Switch noticed her intelligence immediately.

“She was a whiz at math,” Switch said. “She liked oneupping her students.”

Switch and Mrs. Bates taught at Tomlin together before Switch retired in 2005.

They grew from coworkers to friends and eventually married Feb. 29, 2008 — a leap year.

“We wanted to make it special,” Switch said.

He joked with his wife that they would only have to celebrate every few years, but she wouldn’t have it.

“She’d say we would celebrate it on two days: Feb. 28 and the first of March,” Switch said.

Mrs. Bates, 53, died Jan. 12.

An alumna of Plant City High School where she was a Mathlete, she went on to graduate from the University of South Florida and become an educator. She passed on her love of numbers to her students at Tomlin Middle School, Plant City High School and Strawberry Crest High School. She also taught for one year in North Carolina.

“She loved to teach, she loved her job,” Switch said.

“When she’d teach a lesson and students would grasp the ideas, she knew she reached some of them.”

Beyond the walls of a classroom, she was adventurous.

She loved attending rock concerts, especially KISS. “We saw a lot of groups together,” Switch said. “We saw The Who twice together.”

The pair also enjoyed traveling and going on cruises. On

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Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver. com.

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CUTESTCRITTER

Bring a Friend Free

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Save up to $5.00 Available thru Sunday, February 14, 2016

Tuesday, Feb. 16th On Tuesday, present your Walgreens Presale Ticket and receive a FREE Admission Adult Tickets can be used for free admission for either one adult or one child. A child admission ticket will only allow one admission for another child.

Admission to Fair only.

Rides are not included.

Free Child Admission

Tuesday, Feb. 16th On Sunday, present your Walgreens Presale Adult Ticket or purchase an Adult Ticket at the gate and receive a FREE Child Admission One Free Child Admission per Adult ticket purchased at either Walgreens or at the Fair Gate.

Admission is for children under 13 years old. Admission to Fair only.

Rides are not included.

Admission: Admi Ad missio ion: $ $8 8 fo for Ad Adul Adults ults ts $5 for Children ages 6-12 For more information visit:

The Pasco County Fair Association, Inc. does not discriminate against any person on the basis of age, race, color, sex, disability, religion or national origin.

T

his is June Bug when she was a 5-month-old beagle pup. Her favorite things to do are running, barking and chewing — especially chewing.

Congratulations ASHLYN YARBROUGH

Enter our weekly Cutest Critter Contest. It’s simple: Just submit a high-resolution photo (200 dpi or better) and a sentence or two about why your pet is the cutest. Include your name and contact information.

Winners will be showcased in the Plant City Times & Observer. Submit your entries to Managing Editor Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com; subject line: Cutest Critter Contest. Good luck!

Member of the

2016

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Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Court

813-659-2501

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

Observer

Obituaries James R. “Bobby” Barnett Jr.

James R. “Bobby” Barnett Jr., 63, of Plant City, died Jan. 18, 2016.

Mr. Barnett loved life and his family. He was a true hobbyist and outdoorsman and loved everything from mechanics, building things, drag racing, cars, fishing and airboats to ham radio and RC planes.

He is survived by his mother, Betty L. Powell; son, James Robert Barnett III (Jamie); daughter, Shannon Shelton (Randy); brothers, Darryl R. Barnett (LaCresha) and Mike Barnett (Linda); stepsisters, Teresa Benitez and Debbie Powell (Melissa); stepbrother, Walter H. Powell II (Delores); and grandchildren, Tyler Barnett, Dylan Barnett, Lexie Barnett and Tucker Harvill.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Robert Barnett; stepfather, Walter H. Powell; and stepsister, Susan Jiles.

A funeral service was held Friday, Jan. 22, at Wells Memorial and Event Center.

Burial followed at Memorial Park Cemetery in Plant City.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

James Edward “Ed” Hewitt

James Edward “Ed” Hewitt, 89, of Plant City, died Jan. 3, 2016.

A native of Mayo, Florida, Mr. Hewitt was the son of Benjamin and Maggie Lee Kirby Hewitt. He was a charter member of the Springhead Church of Christ in 1953, former deacon and served as treasurer for over 40 years. He worked for GM for 47 years, retiring as a parts manager.

He is survived by his wife

of 62 years, Mable Coleman Hewitt; son, Eddy Hewitt (Joni); daughter, Malinda Pridgen (Ken); sister, Gladys Lefler; grandchildren, Michelle Townley, Jim and Jason Hewitt, Melissa Parsons and Brad McGriff; and 15 greatgrandchildren.

A memorial service was held Jan. 9 at Haught Funeral Home.

If desired, donations may be made in Mr. Hewitt’s name to the Mt. Dora Children’s Home, 301 W. 13th Ave., Mt. Dora, Florida 32757.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

Alison Keene

Alison Keene, 5 months, of Plant City, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016.

She was the daughter of Nathan and Jessica Shamblen Keene.

She is survived by her parents; brother, Bentley Keene; and grandparents, Vickie Keene, Fletcher and Rhonda Keene, Tammy Shamblen and Gary Dutcher.

A funeral service will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at Calvary Fellowship Assembly of God, 1110 N. Gordon St., Plant City.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

Lorraine E. LeGrand

Lorraine E. LeGrand, 82, of Plant City, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, at her home.

Mrs. LeGrand was born in Manhattan and owned homes in Flushing, Queens, Livingston, New Jersey and Plant City. She had a thriving career with PNC Bank, loved music and dancing and was very active in her church

and in the AARP. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, George J. LeGrand; children, George K., David and Francesca LeGrand; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her son, Richard L. LeGrand.

A funeral mass was held Jan. 22 at St. Clement Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

Lois Beier McCarthy

Lois Beier McCarthy, 97, of Plant City, and formerly of Pompano Beach, died Dec. 12, 2015.

Mrs. McCarthy was born in Sterling, Illinois and grew up in her family’s bakery business, learning to drive a delivery truck at 12 years old. She graduated from Sterling High School and Bradley University, earning a bachelor’s degree in home economics. In 1940, she married Robert H. McCarthy of Peoria, Illinois.

During World War II, she frequently traveled by train with her baby daughter to California to meet her husband’s ship returning from the Pacific. As a naval officer’s wife, she established new homes for her family seven times over the years, including in Italy and Hawaii. After retirement, she and her husband settled in Pompano Beach.

Her warmth and optimism, her talents as a cook, hostess and seamstress and her many years of volunteering as a room mother, scout leader, swim team supporter, Navy relief coordinator and helper to elderly neighbors endeared her to her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughters, Karen McCarthy Blake, of Honolulu, and Susan McCarthy Mitchel, of Plant City; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A private service was held Dec. 21. Interment was held at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral. com.

Fred William Murphy

Fred William Murphy, 69, of Plant City, died Jan. 3, 2016.

A native of Plant City, Mr. Murphy was the son of Louis and Audrey Coleman Long.

He loved to spend time with his grandkids.

He is survived by his sons, Leslie (Kristina) and Tommy Murphy; daughters, Patricia Murphy, Samantha Martin and Tracy Goins; siblings, Larry Murphy, Wayne Long, Arlene Southall and Jeannie Jones; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Nina Faye Murphy; and siblings, Robert Long, Patricia Collins and Hilda Murphy.

A memorial service was held Jan. 8 at Haught Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

Sylvia Hall Noel

Sylvia Hall Noel, 60, of Plant City, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, at her home.

A native of Plant City, Mrs. Noel was the daughter of Audrey Hall and Marcella HallJones. She attended Shiloh Baptist Church and loved gardening, the beach and cooking. Her favorite room in the house was the kitchen. She cherished her daughters and grandchildren.

She is survived by her mother; daughters, Heather Howell, Kristina and Tracey Woodley; sisters, Susan Hall Smith (Jeff), Sharon Hall Thompson and Shelia St. Clair (Bill); grandchildren, Joseph Wilkins Jr. and Briyanna and Lamiya Evans.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Sandra Hall Webb and Shirley Hall Logue.

A funeral service was held Jan. 11 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Plant City.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

Hayward Norris

Hayward Norris, 68, of Plant City, died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, at his home.

A native of Opp, Alabama, Mr. Norris was the son of Clintford and Juanita Norris.

He retired from the Hillsborough County School System, where he was a janitor working at Wilson and Springhead Elementary schools. He was a member of New Hope Freewill Baptist Church.

Mr. Norris is survived by his wife, Carolyn Blanton Norris; daughters, Wanda Wasden, Terry Ward (Rick), Michelle Moore (Jason) and Tracy Gonzales (Jose); brothers, Max, Jerry and Hinnon Norris; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by daughter, Regina Hamilton.

A funeral service was held Jan. 14 at Haught Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

Sadie M. Ouzts

Sadie M. Ouzts, 81, of Ninety Six, South Carolina, died Jan. 12, 2016, in Plant City.

Mrs. Ouzts moved to Florida in 1943. She was a machine operator at Kraft Foods and a member of Northside Baptist Church in Plant City.

She is survived by her daughter, Angela Smith (Wayne); sons, Boyd Ouzts (Linda); Glenn Ouzts (Debbie) and Wade Ouzts (Pam); brother, Roger Hasting (Margaret); seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Cecil Ouzts; sister, Myrtle Watkins; and brother, David Hasting.

A funeral service was held on Jan. 16 at Wells Memorial

and Event Center. Burial will be held at Florida National Cemetery at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Randy Platt

Randy Platt, 58, of Plant City, died Jan. 20, 2016.

Mr. Platt was a 1976 graduate of Santa Fe Catholic High School in Lakeland, and a 1980 graduate of the University of Florida. He was a member of Chi Phi Fraternity, Gators Booster Club, Lone Palm Country Club, the Plant City Elk’s Club, Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and Board of Adjustment. He was a CPA and owner of Edwards Platt Meyer, PA. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lesli Edwards Platt; children, Mackensi Platt Beers (Matthew), of Plant City, and Randell “R2” LeRoy Platt II, of Plant City; grandson, Eason Randell Beers; siblings, Riley Platt, of Plant City, and Rachel Platt, of South Carolina; and many family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy Platt and Carol McQuaig Platt.

A celebration of life was held Jan. 26 at First United Methodist Church of Plant City. Friends and family came in their best Gator gear.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral. com.

Emerida Ramos

Emerida Ramos, 84, of Plant City, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, at Brandon Hospital.

A native of Utuado, Puerto Rico, Mrs. Ramos was the daughter of Juan Candelaria and Leonor Ramos. She was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church.

She is survived by her children, Jose Heredia, Jorge Ramos, Ramon Heredia, Elba Oqundo, Carmen Rivera, Luz Gonzalez and Daisy Heredia; 17 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held Jan. 9 at Haught Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

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Sports

YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | COMMUNITY

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Wyatt Rogers scored the most points in Tomlin’s basketball competition. 18 SPONSORED BY JEFF SUMMER | FARM BUREAU

PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM

MAKING MOVES by Justin Kline | Sports Editor

PCHS baseball, football add Eldridge to roster Crest’s top tight end became eligible for Plant City athletics Friday, Jan. 22.

File photo

Austin Eldridge played a key role in Strawberry Crest’s offense in 2015.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

Austin Eldridge spent the 2015 football season catching passes from Tate Whatley. This year, he’ll be catching Corey King’s.

Eldridge, a sophomore, officially transferred from Strawberry Crest to Plant City this month and was cleared for athletics Friday, Jan. 22. He had been attending Crest by choice, going through its firefighter/EMR program, but has decided to switch his career goal to sports medicine.

“I’m excited to get involved and meet new friends, play as

many sports as possible, be active in the school, keep my grades up and, hopefully, do well in sports,” Eldridge says.

He has already begun practicing with the baseball team, in preparation for the upcoming season, and has been working out with the football team.

ON THE GRIDIRON

Eldridge was a two-way player at Crest, lining up at tight end and on the defensive line.

He made the biggest impact

at tight end, totaling 456 yards and two touchdowns in his career, with an average of 12.7 yards per catch.

Last season, he hauled in 26 receptions for 328 yards and a score — second only to wideout Tyler Hood in each category. At 6-foot-3, Eldridge was one of Whatley’s favorite targets in the Chargers’ 0-10 season.

Plant City head coach Greg Meyer hasn’t revealed any plans for Eldridge yet but, with several of the Raiders’ most dynamic pass-catchers set to graduate, fans will likely see Eldridge lining up at tight end.

SEE ELDRIDGE / PAGE 18

SOFTBALL by Justin Kline | Sports Editor

Don’t waste your money on fitness fallacies We’ve all seen promoters pushing the skinny wraps and miracle diets on Facebook, plastering their vehicles with the ads or hitting us up to gauge interest.

Surely, some of you readers have tried or thought of trying these things in an effort to get fit (while, hopefully, also following fitness columnist Jennifer Closshey’s JUSTIN tips).

KLINE I’m here today to tell you why you’re better off putting that money toward a gym membership or toward dietary purchases that are scientifically proven to work.

And the reason I’m doing this now is because a new product has found its way into both my social circle and my iMessage inbox.

After spending part of my last summer in college convincing a roommate that his Vemma energy drinks were part of an illegal pyramid scheme (which was actually proven to be true last year), I thought I was in the clear. But on Friday, a good friend hit me up about some energy patches.

“Mom and Dad are on this new exercise patch to give them energy,” he told me. “They said it’s really working.”

A quick Google search will tell you that these patches are part of the THRIVE eight-week fitness system, an initiative of the Le-Vel company. And a quick look at the Le-Vel website shows that it’s a similar kind of multi-level marketing company that Vemma was sold through.

Without going into too much detail: these fancy packages are designed to make you think you can make good money hustling this stuff on the side, perhaps even full time, but your cut (and that of everyone selling underneath you) is pennies on the dol-

SEE KLINE / PAGE 17

SIDELINES Do you have a good Sports scoop for us?

Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver. com, or Tweet us at @ PCTOSports.

PARKS AND REC

+ Youth soccer sign ups ongoing The 40th annual PCRPD/Optimist youth soccer season will start soon, but there’s still time to register for the program.

All youths ages 4 to 18 are eligible to participate, with age being determined as of June 1, 2016. The league will be divided into 11 age groups: co-ed 4, co-ed 5, co-ed 6, co-ed 7, boys 8 to 9, girls 8 to 9, boys 10 to 11, girls 10 to 11, boys 12 to 14, girls 12 to 14 and co-ed 15 to 19. Last season, 1,200 youths played on 100 teams.

Games are almost always played Saturday mornings (ages 4 to 11) and Tuesday nights (ages 12 to 18) at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, 2602 E. Cherry St. The season runs from late March through the end of May. Sign ups are being held through 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 10. The registration fee is $35 per child, which covers jersey costs and supplemental accident insurance. Birth certificates are required to show proof of age. Registration may be completed by mail or in person at the Plant City Recreation and Parks administration office, 1904 S. Park Road.

For more info, call (813) 659-4255 or email RecInfo@PlantCityGov. com.

FLAG FOOTBALL

+ YMCA to host football, fitness day File photos

The Lady Raiders took home the district title last season.

Diamond Queens The Plant City-area softball scene is one of the most competitive around, and this season looks like no exception.

S

ome of the best sports action in eastern Hillsborough County can be found at a nearby softball diamond.

The 2016 high school season is set to start shortly, and Plant City-area teams are looking to shake things up around the scene — as usual. This year, Durant and Strawberry Crest will look to take the district crown away from Plant City, the 2015 champion.

DURANT

Last year wasn’t much for the Lady Cougars to write home about.

Durant posted a 7-17 record (5-5 district), which included a streak of eight consecutive losses from March 26 to April 7 — four of them in Bartow High’s two-day tournament.

A win during the district tournament — a 10-0 thrashing of Tampa Bay Tech on April 14 — set up a date with Plant City in the semifinals. Although the Lady Cougars were not able to beat Strawberry

OPENING DAY

All games listed start at 7 p.m.

Feb. 4: Hillsborough at Plant City, 1 Raider Place Feb. 9: Spoto at Durant, 4748 Cougar Path; Chamberlain at Strawberry Crest, 4691 Gallagher Road, Dover.

Crest, they were able to get a 5-4 win in eight innings over the Lady Raiders on March 3.

That gave area fans hope.

Facing a 9-2 deficit in the sixth inning, Durant was able to score three runs in the final two frames. It wasn’t enough to get past the Lady Raiders, who rode momentum from that 9-5 win to the district title, but Durant could say it didn’t go down without a fight.

The good news for Durant is that the majority of its offensive production will return this year.

That includes seniors Madison Farrell and Selena Bezares, two of the area’s best players in the 2015 season.

Farrell was the team’s leader in just about every offensive category: she boasted a .506 batting average, 40 hits, 28 runs batted in, 26 runs scored, 11 doubles, six home runs and one triple. Bezares was right behind her, batting .420 with 34 hits, 27 RBI, 21 runs scored, eight doubles, six homers and a triple. Also returning are .379 hitter Traile Robbins and .321 hitter Bayli Johns.

Durant’s biggest area for improvement will rest with its pitching staff. None of the Lady Cougars’ starters posted a winning record in 2015 and none had more than Sloan Hammons’ 45 strikeouts.

Hammons and fellow junior Amanda Lasky will look to break free from their sophomore slumps and, at least in Hammons’ case, recapture that 2014 mojo that helped

SEE SOFTBALL / PAGE 18

The Plant City Family YMCA and City Pointe Church are teaming up for a day of food, fun and football.

From 2 to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 7, the Y will host Game Plan Sunday at 1507 YMCA Place. In addition to flag football, there will be arts and crafts, balloon animals, face painting and a fitness challenge. Food will be provided at the event.

For more information, call (813) 757-6677 or visit TampaYMCA.org.

BASKETBALL

+ Crest girls move up in state ranking

Durant pitcher Sloan Hammons looks to bounce back in 2016.

According to the latest Florida Association of Basketball Coaches/ Source Hoops poll, the Lady Chargers are moving on up.

Crest moved from the No. 7 team in Class 7A to No. 6. The Lady Chargers are undefeated. The only other undefeated team is Trenton — the No. 1 school in Class 1A. Results from Thursday night’s district title game were not available at press time, but can be found online at PlantCityObserver.com.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY JEFF SUMMER | FARM BUREAU

PUTTING IT TOGETHER

WYATT ROGERS Wyatt Rogers hasn’t been playing basketball for very long, but one could say that he’s getting pretty good at it. On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Tomlin Middle student’s 148 points were the most for any competitor in the Tri-Star Basketball Skills Competition.

How many times have you done this event?

Just twice. This is my second time.

When was the last time, last year?

Yes, sir.

Did you win then, too?

No, sir. I didn’t place.

Then you’ve definitely worked hard since then. What did you do to change that this year?

Just practiced outdoors, in my yard, on cold and hot days. No days off, I guess. I got a hoop for Christmas.

What was the thing that you had to work on the most?

Shooting and dribbling.

Do you plan to play for middle school or high school when you get older?

I did play for middle school, for Tomlin, this year, and I plan to play for Plant City High School.

The Raiders have made some cosmetic improvements to the field and designed new uniforms for the long haul.

The modern, black-accented jerseys are gone, and the team is going for a traditional look with teal, orange and white. Head coach Mike Fryrear says that he’s going for the same thing Alabama football goes for: when athletes come to Plant City, they’ll already know what they’re going to be wearing

What’s your favorite position to play?

Point guard. You get the ball most of the time, I think, and that’s just what I’m best at.

You like to be the guy that runs the offense?

Yes, sir.

Is there any sport you’ve never tried, but have always wanted to?

Soccer. I would play midfield.

How long have you been playing basketball?

About three years. I’m 13 now.

What made you want to start playing?

Just watching the big NBA players. I got interested in it.

Is basketball your favorite sport?

It is now.

You can have any superpower you want. What do you pick?

Super speed. I would have good handles.

ELDRIDGE / PAGE 17

You get $1 billion one day.

What’s the first thing you buy?

I’d buy the Golden State Warriors.

“He has shown a great work ethic in the weight room so far, and we are excited to have him at practice for spring football,” Meyer says.

Eldridge is the second Crest football transfer in as many school years; Austin Carswell, who nearly led Crest football to the playoffs in his junior season, joined Plant City during the 2014-15 school year.

You can meet any famous person. Who do you pick?

Stephen Curry.

If you could hang out with Steph for a day, what would you do?

Shoot around, hang out with him, whatever.

Who’s your favorite athlete?

Stephen Curry.

Are the Warriors your favorite team too?

Yes, sir.

ON THE DIAMOND

He is not the only baseball

Some kid comes up to you and asks for advice on how to get better at basketball. What do you tell him?

Hard work and dedication. No days off.

You can play for any NBA team you want. Do you pick the Warriors, or somebody else?

Probably the Warriors.

Do you play on a team?

I just play for the rec league.

KLINE / PAGE 17 lar compared to what portion goes straight to the top.

Add in the fact that you’re buying product for yourself, as well as to sell to others, and that these companies often ask you to travel and buy tickets to conferences, and you could easily end up losing more money than you make.

But, this isn’t a business column. The other reason I can’t stand things like this is because the science behind them often disproves them.

A 2011 study conducted by researchers at Eastern Washington and Whitworth universities sought to determine whether caffeinated energy patches actually affect one’s workout (in this case, cycling, resistance training, a light workout with weights and a sprint). Participants applied the patch as directed, and waited the allotted hour for the chemicals to absorb into their skin while refraining from drinking or eating.

What’s your favorite subject in school?

Math.

What’s your favorite TV show?

“One Tree Hill.”

What do you think is the coolest thing you’ve ever done on a basketball court?

Break somebody’s ankles. I just found them playing defense a certain way and decided that if I did a crossover to the side their back was facing, I would make them stumble. It was in rec league.

Isn’t that the one with the basketball in it?

Yes, sir.

What’s your favorite sports movie?

“42.”

What do you hope to get better at, between now and the next Tri-Star competition?

To be more consistent at the three-point line.

They’re making a movie about your life. Who is playing you?

My brother.

— Justin Kline

SOFTBALL / PAGE 17 that 2014 mojo that helped Durant win the district.

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Throughout 2015, Plant City’s program got pretty much everything it could have asked for.

Solid team chemistry?

Check. Impact player development? Check. New coach?

Check. District championship? Check. The Lady Raiders’ regular-season record might have been just a shade over .500, at 14-11, but their play at the end of the season showed that this team could be primed for big things.

Ashley Bullion — the team’s fourth head coach in as many years — guided Plant City to six wins in its final seven regular-season games, outscoring opponents 69-13. The Lady Raiders then dominated the district tournament, ending with a 7-1 rout of East Bay in the championship game.

A 6-4 win over Wiregrass Ranch took the team to the regional semifinals, where it fell to Steinbrenner in a 3-1 loss.

Perhaps most importantly, Bullion is back. That gives Plant City the consistent leadership it’s lacked for as long as some of her players had been in school.

Plant City’s also getting its breakout star back. Junior catcher Edmilly Molina had

for their career.

These new-look Raiders are what Fryrear calls his “best team ever” and will get a chance to break in the new uniforms at the Feb. 5 to Feb. 6 Trinity Christian Academy tournament.

“It’s gonna be freezing cold, and we’re gonna go up against all of their top arms,” Fryrear says.

Trinity Christian, the No. 20 team in the country, is also hosting Faith Baptist

Christian Academy and Columbia High. Fryrear says that the tournament will not only help the team prepare for tough competition but also to show the boys what it’s like to play in a state tournament.

“It’s more of a mental thing,” Fryrear says. “When you play in states, you stay overnight. If we can get out of the district, and if we can go to states, this is what we’ll have to do.”

player to transfer from Crest for this season, however.

Joining Eldridge on the team is senior Matt Moclair, who had transferred to Plant City in August.

Eldridge and Moclair didn’t see much action last baseball season. Eldridge appeared in five games, struck out four times and reached base once, on an error. Moclair appeared in nine games, batting .154 with two hits and a run scored in 15 plate appearances.

Moclair will be the Raiders’ new starting catcher. Eldridge

will play “everywhere,” according to head coach Mike Fryrear, and appears to be ready to go for the team’s preseason trip to Trinity Christian Academy Feb. 5.

“I want to thank Strawberry Crest for everything they’ve done for me,” Eldridge says.

“I’m excited to get ready for the season and get it going with Trinity Christian ... We’re ready to go get a district title and go win the ‘ship.”

They were also given placebo patches in other instances of the tests.

The results found that, in all exercises but the cycling portion, there was no difference between using the caffeine patch and the placebo. In the cycling workout, the researchers believed that issues with sample sizing may have influenced the results.

While it is possible for caffeinated energy patches to work, the chemical amounts one patch would need to be effective are likely higher than what’s in patches you can go buy right now. Iwould be willing to spend.

Essentially, there’s a chance that you’re losing money on simple bandage patches, glorified Saran wrap and

smoothies you could make from the grass in your back yard.

My view? Although drinking coffee before a workout isn’t the best thing for your stomach, and pre-workout shakes may be horrible for you, they’re the things that actually do what you want them to do: load you up with energy so that you may crush your workout.

So, as good as good as any of those “miracle” products sound, I advise you to stay away from them and get your energy from natural foods and drinks that are proven effective by scientists, not guerrilla marketers.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

INFORMATION The full study about energy patches is available at DigitalCommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent. cgi?article=1295&context=ijes.

arguably the best season of any player in Plant City, if not East Hillsborough. She posted a .512 batting average with 44 hits, 33 RBI, 31 runs scored, nine stolen bases, seven doubles, six triples and two homers.

Of the batters with more than 15 games played, four of the six that batted over .300 are coming back.

As with Durant, the Lady Raiders’ question mark is with its pitching. Noelle Dietrich pitched more than twice as many innings as second option Alexis Williams. Although she was never a strikeout machine, she went 12-8 in her 22 starts and pitched 13 complete games.

Williams, now a senior, appears to be the one to take over Dietrich’s workload. Although Williams’ 2015 sample size is smaller than Dietrich’s, the two posted similar averages, and Williams only had four fewer strikeouts (55, to Dietrich’s 59).

STRAWBERRY CREST

Crest finished with the best win percentage.

The Lady Chargers went 15-7 (8-2 district) in the regular season and was the only team to not lose double-digit games. Like Plant City, they also ended the season on a hot streak: Crest outscored opponents, 77-13, while winning the final nine games of the

regular season. The team also got aggressive on the basepaths, adding 52 total steals to its .434 on-base percentage.

So many area fans were surprised when, in the first round of districts, Crest was on the losing end of a 7-4 score against runner-up East Bay. Just when it looked like Crest was mounting a comeback — it had scored three runs in the fifth inning and held East Bay scoreless after the fourth — luck just wasn’t on its side.

This year, Scottie Todd, now a senior, is coming off of a solid junior season that saw her post a 1.79 ERA with a 13-8 record, plus a team-high 94 strikeouts. She also wasn’t half-bad at the plate, batting .311 in 52 plate appearances.

Senior Kaylan Kelly batted .373 last season, with a teamhigh 22 hits and 13 RBI, and looks to be one of the leaders on offense in 2016. Sophomore Kiersten Salley is also one to watch, as she made the most out of her limited time at the plate: Salley hit .476 with 13 runs, 10 hits, nine RBI and the team’s only home run of the year in 21 at-bats.

And senior Rebecca Roberts, who only got to play in seven games last season, will look to get back to form: she hit .562 with 11 RBI (second-most on the team) in her 16 at-bats.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

PLANT CITY

Jan. 21

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TEMPERATURES

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SAT.

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HIGH 67 70 76 79 83 77 71

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SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

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Friday, Jan. 29 Saturday, Jan. 30 Sunday, Jan. 31 Monday, Feb. 1 Tuesday, Feb. 2 Wednesday, Feb. 3 Thursday, Feb. 4

0.00

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3.51 (2015: 0.55)

SUNRISE 7:18 a.m.

7:17 a.m.

7:17 a.m.

7:16 a.m.

7:15 a.m.

7:14 a.m.

7:14 a.m.

SUNSET 6:05 p.m.

6:06 p.m.

6:07 p.m.

6:08 p.m.

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STRAWBERRIES

ANNA ALEPIN said she loves the view from the train platform in Plant City.

“I was literally stopped in my tracks at this breathtaking view looking east … I took this photo this fall, early Saturday morning, after my walk. I love the peacefulness here. Mist made this view majestic.”

MOON PHASES

Anna wins a free car wash from Octopus Car Wash. She can claim the wash with an ID at Octopus Car Wash, 1503 S. Collins St.

Jan. 31

Do you have a picture that speaks to the personality of Plant City? To enter the I Love Plant City photo contest, email that photo and a caption to Managing Editor AMBER JURGENSEN at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com. Winners will have their picture featured and receive a special gift.

SHIPPING POINT: Orlando $22 to $26.90 Feb. 15 Courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture

Congratulations to this week’s I Love PC Winner.

Stop in for your FREE Car Wash.

Feb. 22

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7 $1

CROSSWORD

Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of an esteemed philosopher. Using the hints I=O and H=T, decipher the clues to name the philosopher.

1. P A K D I H I N C 2. H F E H D 3. Q A J J 4. Z I Q M F 5. F M H E F S

This philosopher brought many new ideas to the table, including life-affirmation:

SUDOKU

Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 through 9 in each row, column and box.

Jan 28 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.46)

2

9 8

3

7

8

6

4

5 5

4

2

6 9

4

1

8 1

3

6 8

3 7

9

CAR C AR W WASH ASH

813-754-0777

CRYPTOQUIZ

3

LOW 44 47 58 61 66 55 49

Feb. 8

YEAR

TO DATE 3.51 (2015: 0.55)

I PC

WEATHER

THURS.

9

1

5

5

3 Jan 28 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.46)

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ACROSS 1 Withdraws (with “out”) 5 Eva or Zsa Zsa 10 Full and then some 15 Columbus ship 19 Slimy goo 20 “___ Mio” (Enrico Caruso hit) 21 Ancient manuscript dagger signs 22 Mideast prince 23 How rivals often go?

25 One after the other 27 Chef’s device 28 Gum attachments 30 Collections of minute bubbles 31 Speaker of baseball fame 32 Wilkes-___, Pa. 33 Bygone telephone device 34 Drive-in feature 37 India’s monetary unit 38 Place for mascara 41 “The Little Engine That ___” 42 Cause for alarm?

43 Guilty of neglect 45 One of two hardy followers?

47 In a skillful manner 48 Gets hitched to 49 Unload stress 50 Ice block 51 Fix start?

52 Small Jewish village of yore 54 North Atlantic floater 55 ___ motion (begin) 56 Like some grins 58 Illegal lending practice 60 Italian frozen dessert 61 Vaccine type 62 Gooseflesh-inducing 63 Lunch or dinner 64 Queen Anne’s last name 67 Ritzy 68 One way to see 72 Showy and pretentious 73 Famous or Tori 74 Word puzzle heading 76 Cribbage board accessory 77 Tallow ingredient 78 Affirm confidently 79 Run with a long, easy stride 80 Where the heart is, proverbially 81 Yon maiden fair 82 Easily swayed 84 Walk through water 85 Surrenders, formally 86 Not quite identical 88 Notched and jagged 90 Having a rhythmical fall 91 On the level?

92 Outpost group 93 Attach pictures to the wall 94 Having hands, as a clock 97 Pondered 98 Fragrant flower 102 In-person, as an interview 104 Type of combat 106 Like some bird species 107 Skating sites 108 Clean off a chalkboard 109 ___ and for all 110 Ten equal a sawbuck

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111 Dough raiser 112 Certain salamanders 113 Guys’ counterparts DOWN 1 Daredevils induce them 2 Rhyme writer 3 Former Russian ruler (var.)

4 Without getting excited 5 Encouragement to enter 6 Burning leftovers 7 South African colonist 8 Motor or schnozz ender 9 Bureaucratic stuff 10 Less drunk 11 Lessen, as a storm 12 Electronics, for short 13 Wapiti 14 Most scatterbrained 15 Interstellar gas cloud 16 Islamic religious leader 17 Easy’s partner 18 Boats of refuge 24 Exhausted 26 Opaque gems 29 Bard’s “before” 32 Popped, as a balloon 33 Passing away

34 Land extension?

35 Charmer’s snake 36 Pencil-box accessory 37 Bill addendum 38 Board of manicurists 39 ___ door (closed an entranceway) 40 Garb for an abbess 42 Kind of monitor or position 44 Each partner 46 Nevada town 48 Major U.S. farm export 50 String quartet member 52 Apologetic word 53 “Star Wars” creator George 54 Muslim woman’s garment 55 Theater capacity 57 Wedding reception event 59 ___ Pedro Bay 60 V-formation flock 62 Like court testimony 63 Shortsighted one?

64 Part of Miss America’s attire 65 Puts into alignment 66 Gestation locations 67 Ugly kind of campaign 68 Wear away 69 Greek lyric poem

70 Arab nation 71 Discharge through the pores 73 Concerning birds 75 Manila envelope fastener 78 Symbolic representation 80 Spiny-haired mammal 82 Swivel 83 Minimally worded 84 Flightless New Zealand rail 85 Positive attitude 87 Free-for-alls 89 Fish spawn 90 Bills of fare 92 Tummy operations 93 Possessed, to King James 94 Round hairdo 95 Indian flatbread 96 Grassland unit 97 “Give that ___ cigar!”

98 Emulate a beaver 99 “Peter Pan” dog 100 Not omitted (Abbr.)

101 Drinks at sidewalk stands 103 “Fee, ___, foe, fum” 105 “How ___ you?”

158000-1 192650

RAIN

(INCHES)

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PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

Joint Pain Relief

Community Education Seminar

Total Joint Replacement Options An orthopedic surgeon discusses advanced treatment options such as robotic surgery for common hip and knee injuries.

Thursday, February 11 | 6–8pm Courtyard by Marriott Blumberg Room 3725 Harden Blvd.

Lakeland

Scott E. Goldsmith, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

To register: (813) 644-4302 BayCareEvents.org 193682

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BC1600170-0116