01.31.13 Plant City Observer

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PLANT CITY

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FREE • thursday, JANUARY 31, 2013

inside

SPORTS

upcoming

Strawberry Crest Latest trends cheerleaders prep take runway for run at states. at fashion show.

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Annual train show chugs into Plant City.

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PAGE 5

Crowning Glory

OUR TOWN

2013 Queen Kelsey Fry

+ Happy 60th anniversary!

by Michael Eng | Managing Editor

Residents launch Sweetbay petition Residents at Plant City Towers, a senior community downtown, say the store’s closing will make it hard for them to get necessities.

William and Elisa Carr celebrated recently their 60th wedding anniversary.

Childhood sweethearts married Jan. 15, 1953, in Union, S.C., they are retired and have been living in Walden Lake since 1982. A former owner of Crystals International, now owned by Kerry Group, the Carrs came to Florida in 1970, from Houston in 1970. Elisa is a former president of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City.

The couple celebrated the milestone with dinner and champagne with family members Cathy, Paul and Nancy Carr.

+ Got a love story fit for Hollywood?

Was it love at first sight?

Did you overcome some awesome obstacle to be with your spouse? Maybe your parents or grandparents have a love story that rivals Hollywood’s best romantic flicks.

If so, we want to hear from you! Contact General Manager Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com.

+ Attention bargain shoppers!

The PCHS Raiderette Color Guard will host a fundraiser yard sale from 7 a.m. to noon, Feb. 2, at the Hay Depot, 1001 S. Alexander St.

See page 8 for more pageant photos

+ Garden club sets sail for flower show Ahoy, mateys! The Plant City Garden Club will host its annual Flower Show from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7, at Walden Lake Golf and Country Club, 2001 Clubhouse Drive.

Themed “The Pirates Adventure,” guests of this year’s show also can enjoy a buffet dinner, live entertainment by local favorites Ace Jackson and the Jump Kings and much more. The show is free. For dinner reservations, call 752-1171, Ext. 227.

never say never

More coverage on PlantCityObserver.com Video interviews with the 2013 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court and pageant footage

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES Gallery of all 25 2013 pageant contestants

Gallery of the 2013 Strawberry Festival Queen and Court

Gallery of the outgoing Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court

INDEX Briefs....................6

Barbara Lewis moved to Plant City five months ago from the Lithia area. She settled in Plant City Towers, a retirement community off West Mahoney Street.

For Lewis, it was the perfect spot. She was diagnosed with epilepsy and no longer was able to drive. But with a home in Historic Downtown Plant City, she was able to walk everywhere she needed to go — doctors’ offices, the post office and especially Sweetbay Supermarket.

But, that will change Feb. 13 — the day the supermarket chain will close its Wheeler Street location, along with 32 others throughout the state.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Lewis said. “There are a lot of residents like me — and worse.

I’m really at a loss of where to get my medications.”

Lewis, along with VerGena Jordan, service coordinator for residents at Plant City Towers, and several other towers residents, approached the Plant City Commission Jan. 28, to introduce a petition they hope will persuade Sweetbay to keep the store open.

Jordan said the supermarket is integral in allowing tower residents to maintain the independent lifestyle they enjoy.

“There’s going to be hardship,” Jordan said. “But, I spoke with

SEE PETITION / PAGE 4

SIGN THE PETITION

Those who would like to sign the petition to keep Sweetbay open can do so at Plant City Towers, 103 W. Mahoney St., Plant City. The lobby is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Vol. 1, No. 30 | One section

Crossword.......... 15

Obituaries.......... 11

Sports................ 12

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

3

CRIME

upcoming by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Plant City preps for annual Sex sting Citizen of the Year luncheon nets 14 The 54th annual award luncheon will be Feb. 13, at the HCC John R. Trinkle Center.

It’s one of the most heavily guarded secrets in Plant City — the recipient for the Citizen of the Year Award.

In fact, at this time, only three people know. And they’re not talking.

But, the recipient will be revealed at the 54th annual Citizen of the Year Award Luncheon Feb. 13, at the HCC John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 North Park Road.

“The moment that that secret name is announced — that is the most exciting part of the event,” organizer Anna Reitz said.

Last year, 149 people attended the event, which not only recognizes the Citizen of the Year but also past recipients, an outstanding youth of the year, the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and

Court and the Florida Strawberry Festival directors. Last year, the luncheon honored recipient Donald Humphrey, an eye doctor who has been involved with the East Hillsborough Historical Society and the Plant City Lions Club, among other notable accomplishments.

“It was a shock and a surprise,” Humphrey said. “It’s hard to keep a secret in this town, but they did a good job with it.”

About the same amount of people are expected to attend this year.

“It’s a little bit of hard work and fun to put it together,” Reitz said. “You deal with the civic clubs whose members have jobs. I’m retired, so I come and go as I please, but I have to coordinate all of them together, which is fun.”

IF YOU GO

Citizen of the Year WHEN: Noon, Feb. 13.

Doors at 11:30 a.m.

Where: HCC John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 North Park Road COST: $25 per person INFORMATION: RSVP

by Feb. 6 to Ken Gibbs, gibbsrealtor@aol.com or (813) 752-6171, or to Sharon Moody, sharonmoody91@yahoo.com or (813) 453-7134 Each participating club sent in nominations for this year’s recipient. Nominees then were considered based on his or her local community contributions above and beyond the functions of his or her job. Candidates do not have to be a member of the nominating club.

Chugga-Chugga Plenty of fun, history and goods will be available Feb. 9, at the 23rd annual Train Show and Swap Meet.

The H.B. Plant Railroad Historical Society will host the 23rd annual Train Show and Swap Meet Feb. 9, at the HCC John R. Trinkle Center.

The show will feature more than 150 tables of merchandise, 70 vendors, hourly drawings for prizes, and five different modules. Keith Marr, of Operation Life Saver, will speak about train safety. And for the kids, LEGO trains will travel the tracks.

“When you hear the kids crying around the LEGOs, you know they’re being taken home,” Gilbert Thomas, chair of the event, said.

The Florida Chapter of Morse Code Operators also will host demonstrations of the telegraph.

“It’s important to show the progression of technology,” Thomas said. “Some kids have probably never even heard of a telegraph.”

The society was founded in 1980, in Lakeland. It moved in 1985, to the 1914 Plant City High School Community Building on North Collins Street. The show used to take place at the 1914 building, but it outgrew the space.

The society’s headquarters are still at the 1914 Building, and it has worked hard to create a world of trains inside. In fact, it is a destination for many visitors. The society holds a swap meet the third Saturday in March, an open house during Pioneer Day and hosts a number of tours.

The club also has developed the Carwin A. Baxter Museum, which boasts more than 1,500 memorabilia and artifacts that reminds visitors that Plant City has roots in railroads since 1883.

The library has more than 4,800 pieces of reference material, including copies of maga-

On Jan. 8, 10 participating civic clubs gathered at Hillsboro Bank to hold a blind vote on this year’s recipient.

“It’s a great event, and I’m glad that people are picking up those who have done good things for the community,” Humphrey said. “It’s very special, because you get to walk in front of all of your friends and be singled out.”

The First National Bank of Plant City started the program in 1960. The first recipient was Arthur Boring, a prominent bank president. Later, the Kiwanis Club of Plant City took the reins.

“I really enjoy it, because we are honoring someone in the community who really deserves it,” Reitz said. “People tell me afterward, ‘If I had only known who it was, I would have gone.’

But that’s the fun part. So, get your tickets and come.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

all aboard!

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Choo-Choo!

arrests

Operation Last Minute used fictitious online ads to lure suspects.

Plant City Police Department detectives arrested 14 suspects Jan. 25 to 27, during an undercover sex sting.

Detectives posed as 14- and 15-year-old girls and boys online during Operation Last Minute, a three-day undercover operation.

Undercover detectives posted fictitious ads or profiles on various websites posing as children, or parents of children. Numerous men responded to the ads interacting with undercover detectives, who posed as children online through texts, emails and phone conversations.

Throughout the sting, 14 individuals traveled to a house in Plant City to meet who they thought were 14- and 15-year-old children.

Instead, detectives were waiting for the suspects.

One suspect, David B. Bigelow, 43, lives in Massachusetts. He was in Florida for business and contacted one of the undercover detectives.

“He was looking for some excitement, and we gave it to him,” said department spokesman Sgt. Tray Towles.

This is the second and most successful internet crimes operation conducted by the department in recent years. The sting was a joint operation conducted under the umbrella of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and included detectives and agents from the Plant City Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, working in conjunction with prosecutors from the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.

The suspects solicited for sex, sent nude photos and asked for nude photos of the children.

THE SUSPECTS

Amber Jurgensen

1914 Plant City High School Community Building is open from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. zines, periodicals, books, manuscripts and other railroad related material. Membership is the only requirement for checking out material.

In addition to restoring several classrooms, the society also has built five operating layouts in some rooms. The layouts in the 1914 Building include G, O-27, N and two HO. The HO layout is of the Mineral Valley, which includes a 1900-era replica of Plant City, constructed after analyzing old photographs from the East Hillsborough Historical Societies Archives. The O-27 layout is 60 square feet and designed to be operated by young visitors.

The society also maintains the Raymond R. Myers museum at

IF YOU GO

23rd annual Train Show and Swap Meet WHEN: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 9 WHERE: HCC John R. Trinkle Center,1206 N. Park Road, Plant City COST: $6; children under 17 are free the Historical Depot Visitors Center. Opened in 1997, the museum is full of railroad history, both presented in words and pictures, along with a replica telegraph and ticket office from the 1900 era and an HO layout depicting Plant City at that type.

The society has 50 members.

Thomas first fell in love with trains as a child. Thomas lost interest in the hobby during college, but after his kids were born, his love resurfaced.

“We always tend to model what we remember,” Thomas said.

“We can create and control it. We can pick our favorite railroad, favorite town, and set it up the way we remember.”

Thomas is looking forward to the show.

“I like to see the merchandise the vendors bring,” he said.

“Sometimes, you haven’t seen a piece of equipment for years.

And it reminds you of childhood.

That’s what it’s about.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

Nathan Donald Warren, 23, of New Port Richey Pedro Manuel Leon, 18, of Plant City Vincent Lamar Lewis Jr., 19, of Wesley Chapel Spyros Kouvaras, 18, of Spring Hill Donald Joseph Langford, 56, of Alturas Chuck Elof Lindeen, 53, of St. Petersburg David James Letchworth, 22, of Tampa Peter Joseph Ciaverelli, 30, of Tampa Toby Paul Hebert, 41, of Holiday James Douglas McGinnis, 46, of Dover Joseph Frank Malventano, 23, of Odessa David B. Bigelow, 43, of Massachusetts Brian Daniel Dahlberg, 26, of Tampa Shannon Paul Beasley, 35, of Valrico

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KNIGHTS ELEM SCHOOL

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

Northeast Quadrant

Northwest Quadrant

the final piece by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Road project will create loop around Plant City PAUL

The Hillsborough MPO secured recently $40 million in federal dollars to complete the widening of Sam Allen Road.

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we need Midtown to be successful,” he said. “We need to build up the residential, commercial and retail efforts in that community.

“Midtown would give us the ability to market (that property) to some other chain,” Lott said.

Nicole LeBeau, a spokeswoman for Sweetbay Supermarket, said it is unlikely a petition would change the chain’s plans.

“Right now, we’re slated to close (all 33 stores) Feb. 13,” she said.

Each store employed about 50 to 60 employees. Sweetbay also

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The proposed loop connects Alexander and Park streets on the north side by Sam Allen Road.

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reduced its workforce in its Plant City distribution center, but LeBeau said most of the employees were relocated to other positions within the company.

“It’s a small number (who will lose jobs at the distribution facility),” she said. “Maybe 10 to 20 people. Any job loss is significant to us.”

LeBeau said the company does not have any plans to shut down more stores at this time.

Still, Jordan said she remains dedicated to doing her part in TRAPNELL ELEM SCHOOL

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helping the residents. If the store closes, she plans to seek other options — such as a bus or delivery service.

“We have 116 residents,” Jordan said. “They’ve come from everywhere — as far away as Romania ... to relocate to Plant City. They like the friendliness and the ability to walk to get what they need.

“My heart is to help them,” she said. “I’m still praying. I’m not giving up.”

Contact Michael Eng at meng@ plantcityobserver.com.

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“It’s a very good store,” she said of the Wheeler Street Sweetbay. “I just walk to the store to buy whatever I need.”

Mayor Mike Sparkman sympathized with towers residents and applauded them for their efforts.

Commissioner Rick Lott said he is hopeful the Midtown project, once a vision is realized, will attract another grocer.

Lott said Sweetbay had just signed a five-year lease for the location last year.

“This is another example why

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someone at Sweetbay, and she told me, ‘Nothing is impossible.’

She was willing to present anything we had to the owner.”

Gloria McCarthy has lived at Plant City Towers since 2001.

Originally, residents had access to a van and later, a bus. But, both of those conveniences shut down years ago. McCarthy suffers from a ruptured disc in her spine, and pain worsens when she sits in a car.

worked with Florida Department of Transportation on the project.

“FDOT has been very, very good to work with,” Lott said. “We’ve built a strong relationship with FDOT.” The MPO is a state-mandated organization for counties with more than 200,000 people. The Hillsborough County MPO involves Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, the City of Plant City, the City of Temple Terrace, HART, the Aviation, Port and Expressway Authority, FDOT and the Hillsborough County-City County Planning Commission. Its members meet monthly to discuss transportation issues with roads, bridges, railroads and busses.

Roads have about a 25- to 35year lifespan. In the past decade, the MPO has helped to refurbish Turkey Creek Road and resurface U.S. 92 with interchange enhancements, among other projects.

“The city has a large focus on taking care of the city’s roads,” Lott said. “When the roads aren’t taken care of, they affect the neighborhood. The citizens really appreciate it when the roads are well maintained.

“Our goal is to get ahead of the curve, so that we don’t allow them to deteriorate,” he said.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

RK TU

PETITION/PAGE 1

Alexander Street continues to be widened to four lanes past the Interstate 4 interchange. Alexander Street was widened to four lanes in two segments. The first segment began in 2005. The Alexander Street segments have cost $80 million so far.

The $10 million Park Road expansions began about seven years ago and now are complete. Park Road is the smallest segment of the road project, but it is located in the middle of the northeast portion of the city and one of the most strategic enhancements.

“We’re anticipating that part of the city to be built out,” Lott said.

“We’re trying to fix a problem before it becomes a problem.”

All the money used for the project has been federal or state money.

“The challenge is not building but getting it funded and buying the right-of-ways,” Lott said.

Lott said there has been a push for this project for a long time. As a nine-year veteran of the MPO, Lott is currently the longest serving member. Known jokingly as the “historian,” Lott took the reins from former state Rep. Rich Glorioso. Before that, Randy Larson served on the organization.

A project such as this takes about 10 years from the planning stage to the finished project. Plant City

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The tight, often congested roads in Historic Downtown Plant City are among the main reasons why the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization decided to undertake a long-term road project to create a four-lane loop around Plant City.

Last month, a flatbed semi-truck hauling rebar scraped against the rear of a car parallel-parked on Collins Street as it struggled to make a turn on the corner of Reynolds and Collins streets. Merchants in the downtown area say accidents occur frequently, because the official truck route directs trucks through downtown.

But the loop, when completed in 2014, will offer a new, spacier route.

“The big trucks will bypass downtown, which is something the merchants have been looking for for many years,” said Rick Lott, Plant City commissioner and MPO member.

The proposed loop connects Alexander and Park streets on the north side by Sam Allen Road. Earlier this month, the MPO secured government stimulus dollars to fund the widening of Sam Allen Road, the loop’s final, $40 million piece.

“We got lucky, because other projects around the state got pushed around, but we were ready to go with a plan already in place,” Lott said.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

hot topic

5

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Middle-schooler takes on Tallahassee Arie Fry’s FFA competition subject changed after he discovered that most farmers no longer use fireworks as an agricultural practice. Now, he’s fighting to get a law that states that fireworks only can be used for agricultural purposes rewritten.

Arie Fry begins his speech not with fiery daggers of debate but rather in song. Although he may take some by surprise with his unique approach, the one line he sings is the first line of a song universally known by Americans: the national anthem.

“Those words always make me think of freedom, the flag and my favorite holiday, Independence Day, on the fourth of July,” Arie says next. “I love this holiday, because it celebrates the greatest nation in the world but also because I get to light fireworks.”

Local politicians and even the Hillsborough Legislative Delegation meeting have heard the speech, but it all started out as a topic for Arie’s competition at the FFA subdistricts.

Because of a state statute that declares fireworks only can be used in agricultural purposes for scaring birds away, the Tomlin Middle School student wanted to conduct experiments on the practice and then report his findings in his FFA speech and at the science fair.

However, when Arie began talking with farmers about the practice, many of them told him using fireworks is an outdated and ineffective practice. So, he converted his project into a survey, asking a sample of 100 people if they agreed or disagreed

with the Florida statute after learning that most farmers don’t use fireworks as a practice.

He found that 80% disagreed with the law.

That’s when Arie decided to take his project further than just his competition, presenting it to anyone who could help change it on the books. His audiences have included Sen. Tom Lee, state Rep. Dan Raulerson and more than 100 people at the annual Hillsborough Legislative Delegation meeting a couple of months ago.

“It was awesome,” Arie says.

“I got to speak in front of everybody. I was nervous before I started talking, and then, it started to feel better.”

“This isn’t about whether or not you like fireworks,” Arie’s mother, Yvonne Fry, says. “This is about having laws that are meaningful and enforceable. We’re not looking to fight about fireworks.”

“It makes me feel empowered, because I could actually change the community,” Arie says.

ship or corporation to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks. ... Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the importation, purchase, sale or use of fireworks used or to be used solely and exclusively in frightening birds from agricultural works and fish hatcheries.”

Not included among the barred fireworks are sparklers, party poppers, trick noisemakers and other novelties.

It’s not a crime to possess illegal fireworks, although they can be confiscated. But it is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Firework vendors have customers sign a form that states the customers are using the fireworks for agricultural practices.

In his speech, Arie admits his mother has signed the form, but she is not using the fireworks to

scare birds away from her nonexistent fields.

The family has had the debate on whether to sign the form every Fourth of July since Arie could talk. He always has loved the holiday and has a special passion for the glittering light displays. Watching local firework displays, Arie always wanted to be back there lighting them off.

His favorite firecrackers are M80s and another type that spins in the air like a UFO. “I always just wanted her to sign, because I didn’t understand, and it wasn’t affecting me,” Arie says.

“It’s kind of scary to say, ‘Hello, I’m breaking the law,’ but it’s more effective than using a hypothetical family,” Yvonne says.

The crime can be hard to enforce. For law enforcement to cite someone for using illegal fireworks, there must be a witness.

The person complaining may have only heard the fireworks.

After talking with firework

opponents, Arie learned many people who complain about fireworks say the noise is the biggest issue. For those who have horses, the noise scares the animals.

WHERE IT STANDS

After speaking at the delegation, Arie was approached by state Rep. Mark Danish, who was interested in his cause. The two have been working together to finalize the language for a new bill.

“I do hope it changes,” Arie says. “I know all my friends, it’ll be pretty cool, to show them I don’t have to sign an affidavit to buy fireworks and be able to say I did that.”

“We don’t know that it’s going to get anywhere this year,” Yvonne Fry says. “But it’s about his newfound passion and how government needs to be straightforward.”

Despite the future, Arie is happy with all he has accomplished so far. Many of his friends and audience members at the FFA competition didn’t know fireworks were illegal.

“I didn’t really know anything about government before, but once I got involved, I really took an interest in it,” Arie says. “Anybody can do it. Anybody can voice their opinion anytime.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

THE STATUTE

Florida Statute Chapter 791 was the result of a Department of Agriculture committee trying to find middle ground between firework lovers and haters, according to Arie’s research.

The law states: “It is unlawful for any person, firm, copartner-

“I didn’t really know anything about government before, but once I got involved, I really took an interest in it. Anybody can do it. Anybody can voice their opinion anytime.” — Arie Fry

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6

+ Tree planted to honor Felton Williams A tree was planted Jan. 18, at Eastside Baptist Church, in honor of the late Felton Williams, owner and founder of Felton’s Meat and Produce. Representatives from Felton’s contacted Darcy Stottlemyer, at All-A-Bloom Florist, wanting to do something to honor him.

Stottlemyer’s husband, Patrick, suggested plant a holly tree in his honor.

Williams was a longtime member, former treasurer and deacon of Eastside Baptist Church.

“We chose a holly tree, because we wanted something that would bloom all year,” Stottlemyer said.

+ Nominations open for YEA! Awards The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners is accepting nominations for its annual Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards.

The awards recognize the positive

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

contributions made by young people in the community. Nominations are being accepted through Feb. 28.

YEA! Awards nominations can be submitted for both middle and high school students in each of the following categories: Leadership. Demonstrating impact in an ongoing endeavor, such as sports, academics or the arts.

Success Despite Difficult Odds.

Overcoming tremendous personal difficulty to attain success and a positive impact on others.

Volunteer or Community Service.

Allocating their discretionary time to helping others or completing a project that has added to the betterment of our community The YEA! Awards nomination form can be completed and submitted online at hillsboroughcounty.org/index.aspx?NID=1775, or it can be printed and submitted to the Hillsborough County Communications Department, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 16th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602.

Schools hosting kindergarten round-ups

The schedule is as follows: Bryan: 4:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 6 Burney: Feb. 6 Elementary schools throughout Greater Plant Cork: 6 p.m. Feb. 7 City will be hosting their annual kindergarten Dover: 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 31, round-ups through Feb. 8.

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, Families interested in enrolling their child in and 4 to 7 p.m. April 11 their assigned, attendance area school should Jackson: 9 to 10 a.m. Feb. 7 attend the event scheduled for that school. The Knights: 5 to 6 p.m. Feb. 7 event allows parents to learn about the school Lincoln Magnet: 10 a.m. and become acquainted with the campus and Feb. 8 offers the student a firsthand look at kindergarNelson: 8:30 a.m. Feb. 7 ten life.

Children who are 5 years old on or before Sept. Robinson: 8:30 a.m. Jan. 31 Springhead: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 1, 2013, may register for kindergarten. Birth certificate, immunization record, recent physical 31 Trapnell: 5 p.m. Feb. 4 (within a year of the first day of school), Social Walden Lake: 6 p.m. Feb. 7 Security number and proof of residency are Wilson: 8:30 a.m. Feb. 7 required. An electric bill, current lease or curFor more information, visit sdhc.k12.fl.us. rent tax receipt are acceptable forms for proof of residency.

GIVE IT GAS

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Employees were introduced to the crowd as they ran down the red carpet and highfived the bear mascot.

Plant City marching band, NRG perform at RaceTrac opening It was the quite the ribbon cutting Jan. 25, at Plant City’s new RaceTrac

gas station off James L. Redman Parkway.

Not only was it a sunny, mild day, but also guests enjoyed plenty of entertainment before the official cutting and presentation. Two Budweiser Clydesdale horses served as perfect liaisons between the company and animal-loving Plant City.

Youth pop group NRG performed, as well as the Plant City High School marching band. The presentation of colors and the national anthem were performed to bless the

Bryson Keel and NRG performed at the opening. opening. Mayor Mike Sparkman was one of the guest speakers.

The new employees ran down a red carpet, highfiving the bear mascot as they were introduced to the crowd.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

high tide

7

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Shiloh Charter students ‘sea porpoise’ in fundraising A dinner and art auction will be held Feb. 1. Proceeds will be used to send Shiloh middle-schoolers to Seacamp.

Melanie Weitz always has had an appreciation for the ocean, but she really fell in love with its mystery when she went to Seacamp at Big Pine Key in the seventh grade. In May, she will return to that same camp — but this time as a Shiloh Charter School language arts and reading teacher — with 32 of her middle-school students.

“Students can learn better when they can be hands-on and actually learn more than just reading it in a book,” Weitz said. “It’s like nature’s classroom.”

But the camp is a hefty $619 per student.

So Weitz, teachers Jon Bull and Donelle Casselman and her students started brainstorming fundraising ideas. So far, they have raised $8,000 by asking businesses to buy a T-shirt sponsorship, through which their logo will be placed on trip T-shirts.

With $12,000 still to raise, Weitz hopes a Feb. 1 spaghetti dinner and art auction will help them reach their goal.

The 340 art pieces in the auction were made by Shiloh students. The elementary grades created class projects, decorating canvases with handprints and stars. Middle-schoolers who wanted to create an art piece also were invited to contribute. The individual paintings will be sold for $15, and the classroom paintings will be put in a silent auction. Some of the students were asked to paint art based on a theme. For Martin Luther King Jr. Day, they painted dreams inspired by King’s famous speech.

“This is the first time we’ve done something like this,” Weitz said. “We thought this would be a really good way to teach the students about artwork and fundraise at the same time. They don’t really get a big opportunity to do a lot of art.”

Tickets for the spaghetti dinner are $5.

Most of the food has been donated by local restaurants, including Jess’s Gourmet Pies, Outback Steakhouse, O’Brien’s Irish Pub, Sweetbay Supermarket, Johnson’s Barbecue and Parkesdale Farm Market.

“We couldn’t do it without the support of our community,” Weitz said. “We are so blessed to live in such a great community.”

All 120 middle-school students were invited to go to Seacamp. Weitz expects the number of students who sign up to increase next year.

if you go

Spaghetti Dinner and Art Auction WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1 WHERE: 905 W. Terrace Drive, Plant City TICKETS: $5 CONTACT: Shiloh Charter School, (813) 7071060, or Melanie Weitz, Melanie.

Weitz@sdhc. k12.fl.us “Once the kids hear about it from other students, they’ll want to go and have that experience too,” Weitz said.

The students will arrive at camp May 3 and stay through May 6. During their time, they will participate in hands-on labs, such as collecting sea creatures and observing them, studying the mangrove trees on site and even snorkeling.

“The kids are actively learning the whole time they’re there,” Weitz said.

Weitz remembers her time at the camp.

She went in January, when it was “brutally cold.” She had to go in the water and collect cassiopeia jellyfish for a lab in which the students counted the number of times the squishy invertebrate responded to outside stresses, such as adding sand to their tanks. Weitz uses her memories to inspire her students.

“They are so excited,” she said. “It’s fun to watch their relationships grow with each other. They are already sea campers.

Seacamp is just the destination, but the journey is important. They’ve worked hard to fundraise together, and none of the parents could sit down and write a check for $615.”

The learning continues even after camp.

The students will be able to write about their experiences through the many descriptive writing exercises in Weitz’s classes.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@ plantcityobserver.com.

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE!

TIMES SQUARE. Ryan and Angie Rollyson and Chris and Angela Sparkman brought the Plant City Observer to Times Square for Angela’s birthday.

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If you want to be featured in It’s Read Everywhere, snap a photo of you with the paper at your destination of choice and email it to Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com. Make sure you include your full name and where the photo was taken.

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PLANT CITY

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

spotlight by Michael Eng | Managing Editor

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Founding Publisher / Felix Haynes Managing Editor / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.com Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editors / (Community) Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@ PlantCityObserver.com; (Sports) Matt Mauney, mmauney@PlantCityObserver. com Advertising Executives / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@PlantCityObserver. com; Ronda Kyler, rkyler@ PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Coordinator / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com Accounting Manager / Petra Kirkland, pkirkland@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising-Production Operations Manager / Kathy Payne, kpayne@ yourobserver.com Advertising-Production Coordinator / Brooke Schultheis, bschultheis@ yourobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Peter Carlson, pcarlson@yourobserver. com; Monica DiMattei, mdimattei@ yourobserver.com; Marjorie Holloway, mholloway@yourobserver.com; Luis Trujillo, ltrujillo@yourobserver.com; Chris Stolz, cstolz@yourobserver.com

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The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A.

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Sara Brummer and the other 24 contestants were impressive before the judges and under the spotlight.

2012 Queen and Court members Erica Kelley, First Maid Calli Jo Parker, Queen Chelsea Bowden, Chelsea Talavera and Olivia Higgins received a standing ovation on their final night.

Plant City crowned its newest Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court Jan. 26, during the 2013 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen Scholarship Program.

Kelsey Morgan Fry, a Plant City native, was crowned the 2013 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen. She is joined by First Maid Ericka Lott and court members Madison Astin, Maddy Keene and Jamee Townsend.

Fry, a senior at Plant

City High School, is the daughter of Glenn and Kendra Harrell. She is ranked in the top 5% of her class, with a 5.48 weighted gradepoint average.

She is captain of the varsity swim team, president of the Ronald McDonald Charity House Club and treasurer for the National Hon- Crown Bearer Elijah West or Society.

TO ADVERTISE Call Veronica Prostko or Ronda Kyler at 704-6850.

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To contact us, send your information via: Email: Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100A, Plant City, FL 33563

Kelsey Fry received her crown from 2012 Queen Chelsea Bowden.

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Right: Maddy Keene will serve as a court member this year.

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Florida Strawberry Festival President Ron Gainey congratulated all the participants.

Debra Lentz had a ton of personality while on-stage.

City Commissioner Rick Lott couldn’t wait to congratulate his daughter, Ericka Lott.

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

9

PAST & PRESENCE

Mary Jane Jackson Parolini: A real queen Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series about Mary Jane Jackson Parolini.

Looking back to 1956, Mary Jane Jackson Parolini said it was an incredible year. It was her senior year at Plant City High School, and she was busy that year being a class officer, homeroom officer, a thespian, a Kiwanette, the business manager for the Kanyuksaw, a “notable.”

She also had been voted FFA sweetheart, prettiest girl in the senior class and Plant City High School Queen.

Mary Jane Jackson entered the Strawberry Festival Queen Pageant that February and was runner-up to Queen Virginia Young. Then, when Miss Young married, Mary Jane Jackson was asked to handle the duties of representing the Strawberry Festival for the unexpired year-long term. But that is not all.

The city of Glenwood Springs, Colo., had started a celebration called Strawberry Days in 1898, and in 1955, added the National Strawberry Queen Contest to its schedule of events. That year, the first of this new contests, saw five contestants participate. They were girls GIL from throughout the country who had GOTT won Strawberry Queen contests in their own states. The 1955 Plant City Strawberry Festival Queen, Betty Clements, was one of the queens in the contest. The judging resulted in a tie vote.

Clements was then crowned Strawberry Queen of the Eastern States, and Mary Linda Clapham was crowned Strawberry Queen of the Western States.

Wesley Tenbrook, who owned Tenbrook Garage — Desoto & Plymouth dealership, contacted the Plant City Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) and invited Plant City to come to the Strawberry Days festivities and participate in the Strawberry Queen Contest.

L.M. Buddy Blain, vice president of the Jaycees, jumped at the opportunity and, because contestants had to be single, Mary Jane Jackson was asked to make the trip to Colorado and compete in the contest. With her mother’s consent and encouragement, she agreed.

The Jaycees had attained some help with the expenses, and Blain said the City of Plant City, Hillsborough County, the East Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce, and the Strawberry Festival Association all would help the Jaycees finance the trip for Mary Jane and her mother, Mildred Jackson, who would be the designated chaperone.

The news broke in the local papers July 27 that the Plant City Jaycees were sponsoring Miss Mary Jane Jackson in the second National Strawberry Queen contest Aug. 9 to 11, 1956, in Glenwood Springs, Colo. On Wednesday, Aug. 1, the Tampa Daily Times carried the story and added that Jackson was the guest of Dick Pope (park owner) at Cypress Gardens Monday, July 30, for lunch and a tour, “where publicity shots and TV and film shorts were made.” Accompanying her were Blain and photographer Bill Friend.

The Tampa Morning Tribune ran the full story Thursday, Aug. 2, and included, for the first time, an announcement of a Hollywood trip.

“The winner, to be announced Saturday night as National Strawberry Queen, will receive a trip to Hollywood for TV and personal appearances,” it read.

The Glenwood Post was delighted to cover the story.

Eight Strawberry Queens would be competing in this second annual Strawberry Queen contest. The contestants were Patricia Loraine Kelley, of West Virginia; Penny Marrano, of New York; Miriam Brown, of Oregon; Carole Gruetter, of Ohio; Trudie Lou Smith, of Glen-

wood Springs; Sharon Dearinger, of Washington state; Evelyn Sue Richardson, of Arkansas; and Mary Jane Jackson, of Florida.

The trip began at 6:55 a.m. Aug. 8. Buddy Blain, Mary Jane, and Mildred Jackson headed to Tampa International Airport for an 8:15 a.m. Eastern Airlines flight to Chicago, connecting to a United Airlines flight to Denver. They were met by Tenbrook, chairman of the Strawberry Queen contest, and a delegation from Glenwood Springs and were escorted to dinner and their accommodations.

Thursday morning started with breakfast, followed by publicity photos and the greetings from the Denver officials. Tenbrook, who convinced the Plymouth Motor Company to sponsor the Strawberry Queen contest and the weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip to Hollywood for the queen and her chaperone, led the motorcade to Glenwood Springs in new Plymouth convertibles with the smiling queens and chaperones aboard.

Finally in Glenwood Springs, after the 160-mile trip, the Queens were taken to Hanging Lake for a boat ride and a little rafting on a tributary of the Colorado River.

Watch for the conclusion of this story next month and see how Mary Jane fared in this contest.

Sources include Mary Jane Jackson Parolini, Panky Morgan Snow Papers in the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center Library, Plant City Courier, Tampa Daily Times, Tampa Morning Tribune, Glenwood Post, Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Gil Gott is executive director of the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center.

Mary Jane Jackson, Plant City High School Queen, 1956

Plant City Photo Archives

This week’s Crossword answers

2013

1. A woman was spouting and complaining about her racing driver husband. She said whenever things started to smooth out he would drive her round the bend again.

2. Birthdays can be downright fun, but they are like golf. The less you know about the age or the score the better.

CROSS_ANS_013113

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This week’s Cryptogram answers

10

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

en vogue

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Latest fashion trends take center stage Stacked pearl necklaces, Swarovski-encrusted pageant gowns and even University of Florida-themed boots took center stage Jan. 24, at the Florida Strawberry Festival’s 36th annual Fashion Show and Luncheon.

Sixty-eight models strutted

their stuff in front of an audience of more than 500 guests.

The spectators dined on chicken breast chardonnay and specialty strawberry desserts prepared by Alessi Bakery.

Bealls, Southside Farm and Pet Supply, Cato, Jules Burt and Sis-

ter’s and Company all had looks in the show. The 2012 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court made one of their final appearances, and the 2013 Junior Royalty Court members made one of their first appearances since being crowned.

Mayor Mike Sparkman walked the catwalk with his granddaughter.

Courtney Coton loved walking the runway.

Easton Kicklighter

Kenley, Colt and Ella Connell were some of the cutest models to take the runway.

Left: Mary Blount was beautiful on the runway this year.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

OBSERVEROBITUARIES

Billy Ray Grace

Billy Ray Grace, 82, of Plant City and Lakeland, died Jan. 25.

He was born, Dec. 21, 1930, to the late Ulysses Vernon Grace Sr. and Lassie Lou Duffer Grace. He was the beloved husband of Joanne Salter Grace for 62 years.

Mr. Grace was an engineer with the CSX railroad for 42 years, a member of the Masonic Lodge, Edgewood Baptist Church, in Lakeland, and The United Transportation Union.

Survivors include a son, Norman (Cindy) Grace; daughters, Terri Boback and Sherri (Billy) Taylor; sister, Carolyn Jordan; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by brother, Vernon Grace Jr.; and sisters, Bernice Futch, Bonnie Hazen and Betty Long.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

P werful

Robert Allan Hardman, 64, of Spring Hill, died Jan. 19, at Hospice in Dade City.

Born Jan. 5, 1949, in Brazil, Ind., he was the son of the late Robert Hardman and the late Marie Pearce Hardman. He was the husband of Mary Price Hardman.

Robert was a sales manager with Lowe’s Home Improvement.

Survivors include sons, Douglas and David Hardman; brothers, Walter, Ronald and Pat Hardman; sisters, Mary Hardman and Helen Crawford; and four grandchildren.

The family has not planned any services at this time.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

Nina L. Higley

Nina L. Higley, 86, formerly of Plant City died Jan. 22, in Maine.

Born Feb. 24, 1926, in Manassas, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Walter Jones and the late Gennie Calloway. She was the wife of the late Graham Higley.

Mrs. Higley was a former member of Faith Temple, worked at Paradise Fruit, enjoyed crocheting and reading.

Survivors include sons, Mike and Terry Higley; six grandchildren; and seven greatgrandchildren.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

Lora Maxine Moore

Lora Maxine Moore, 82, of Plant City, died Jan. 16.

Mrs. Moore was born in Marion, Ill., to John Henry and Mary Bertha (Winchester) Stanley.

She was a homemaker and member of Grace United Methodist Church.

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Athelee “Lee” Terrell died Jan. 25.

He was born Sept. 3, 1940, in Pocahontas, Ark. A longtime resident of Plant City who was active in church and community, Mr. Terrell was a member of the Olin S. Wright Masonic Lodge and a member and longtime deacon at Northside Baptist Church. He loved to golf and enjoyed spending working in his yard and tending to his coy pond. He was a sports fan and an even bigger Gators fan. But much more than all of these things, Mr. Terrell cherished his family and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

She is survived by his loving wife, Carol (married 51 years); son, Terry (Sherri); daughters, Dawn Sexton Terrell (Mark) and Nikki Davidson (Scott); sister, Pat Stratton (Jim); two sisters-in-law, Charlotte and Shirley; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and three grand-dogs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, A.C. and Marie Terrell; and an infant daughter, Tami.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to blindness.org in Lee’s memory.

Garland C. Todd

Garland C. Todd, 90, died Jan. 2, at South Florida Baptist Hospital.

Jessica Lynn Warren, 28, of Seffner, died Jan. 23.

Born March 26, 1984, in Tampa, she was the daughter of James Warren and Donna James.

Survivors include a daughter, Jada Genevisia; sister, Lisa Gilbertson; and grandparents, Marylin Blankenship and Mary James.

A funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Jan. 31, at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to services.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

Genevive Wylie

Genevive Wylie, 74, of Plant City, died Jan. 25.

Born Jan. 26, 1938, in Xenia, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Leon Bingham and the late Amanda Wylie.

She is survived by her dear friend Diane Knight.

A graveside service will be 1 p.m. Jan. 31, at Mt. Enon Cemetery, 3624 N. Frontage Road, Plant City.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to noon, prior to the service at the funeral home, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

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She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul E. Moore.

Survivors include her son, Scott Moore (Terri); two daughters, Paula Shields and Connie Koch (George); brother, Buddy Stanley (Darlene); four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was Jan. 19, at Wells Memorial Chapel. Burial was at Florida National Cemetery.

He was a lifelong resident of the area, born Sept. 9, 1922, in Dover, to Jesse and Mabel (Kinard) Todd.

He worked at and retired from TECO as a mechanic.

He is survived by two daughters, Carol West (Earl), and Patricia Cole (Steve); one sister, Pauline Jensen (Walt); three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Todd.

Online condolences may be made at wellsmemorial.com.

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Millard Franklin Brunty, 85, died Jan. 25.

Born May 21, 1927, he was the son of the late Kennie Brunty and the late Catherine Varney Brunty. He was the husband of the late Patsy Brunty.

Mr. Brunty had worked for the Lexington Army Navy Depot, where he was a welder; he had also worked for Fruehauf Trailers. He loved fishing and bingo and was a U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II. Survivors include sons, Millard “Rusty” Franklin Brunty and Rush Duane Brunty; daughter, Barbara Gaines-Anderson, of Brandon; brother, William Brunty; sister, Evalou Hall; 10 grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Duran’s Watford seeks success at states. 13

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show me the mauney

Recruiting brings sports full circle I’ve been covering high school sports for about four years, three of which have been full-time.

And before high school sports were my main focus, I spent three years covering sports at my alma mater, Georgia Southern University, with a large focus on GSU’s Division I FCS (formerly I-AA) powerhouse football program.

I’ve seen dozens of home and away games — both as a diehard fan in the bleachers and as a unbiased reporter in the press box.

Needless to say today, my allegiance remains with the die-hard fan part. Although many MATT people may MAUNEY have never heard of my Eagles and their record six FCS national championships, I follow them just as someone would as a fan of more recognized FBS programs such as Alabama, Florida or Texas.

I follow fan forums, offseason recruiting and read practically any and everything that is ever written about the Eagles. When the season rolls around, while others are tuning into ESPN or CBS to watch their favorite teams on Saturdays, I’m likely hooking my laptop to my TV to stream the GSU games.

It’s not easy being such an avid fan of a school that doesn’t get a lot of media attention, especially now that I live in another state. I like to joke and say that I’m a bigger fan than most, because I have to work at being one.

I set all that up as backing for my next points.

Now that I’ve been covering high school sports, especially football, for a number of years, I’m beginning to see players I’ve covered at the prep level playing on Saturdays.

There’s been a few that went to FBS schools that I’ll see every now and then on TV, but most have gone to FCS and Division II schools.

I can think of about 10 players that signed with FCS schools from my previous coverage area. More than half went to programs in the Southern Conference (SoCon), the conference of my Eagles.

SEE MAUNEY / PAGE 14

bring it on!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

girls soccer

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Cheering Chargers The competitive cheerleading team at Strawberry Crest High School can be considered a family.

Just like a houseful of sisters, they may not always get along or even hang out outside of “home.”

But when they are on the competition mat — this family’s home — each team member respects one another and their abilities.

They also hold each other accountable during practice and competitions.

And within this familial dynamic, the Chargers have found success.

“When you have 20 females together for a sixmonth-long season, they’re not all going to like each other,” said SCHS head coach Samantha Moody. “There’s a lot of estrogen flowing, but we tell them that it’s like family. You’re not always friends, and you don’t always like each other, but you always love each other and are always there for each other.”

The competition cheer team at Strawberry Crest is still a young program, currently in its fourth year, but the Chargers have seen steady success under Moody, finishing seventh, fourth and second at the Western Conference meet the past three seasons before winning it all last week.

Strawberry Crest took first place out of 27 teams from throughout Tampa Bay at the conference meet Jan. 22, at Durant High School. They now will prepare to follow that with the program’s first state title.

After winning its first Western Conference title, the Strawberry Crest High School cheerleading squad is prepping for a run at state.

SEE CHEER / PAGE 14

IF YOU GO

FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championship WHEN: Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 WHERE: Silver Spurs Arena; 1875 Spur Lane, Kissimmee ADMISSION: $10 FAMILIAR FACES: All three local squads will be competing.

Strawberry Crest will perform Jan. 31 in the 2A Small Co-ed division. Plant City and Durant will compete in the 2A Large division Feb. 2.

Matt Mauney

The Strawberry Crest cheerleading squad will compete in the 2A Small Co-ed division at the FHSAA Championship.

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Plant City’s season ends with loss in region finals If one thing can be taken away from Tuesday night’s game, it’s that the Plant City girls soccer program is headed in the right direction.

Plant City (11-4-3) saw its season come to an end Jan. 29, with a 1-0 home loss to Lakewood Ranch in the Region 3 finals. The region finals appearance was a first for the Lady Raiders, after advancing to the semifinals a year ago.

“It was a great experience to get this far, and I’m very proud of the girls,” said first-year head coach Caleb Roberts. “It’s been a great season, and we were able to host this game and the fans were able to come out and support us and get behind us, so we can hold our heads high.”

Lakewood Ranch (19-1-4) controlled the tempo for the majority of the game, leading the way with its stingy defense, which has only allowed 12 goals all season.

The Lady Mustangs broke the scoreless tie in the 35th minute of the first half, when Angelica Rego scored off a deflected shot from Tatum Young. It was Rego’s 13th goal of the season.

“We started putting in two forwards and then went to three, and, finally in the final five minutes, as they would send somebody back to play defense, we would send someone up to play offense,” Roberts said about his team’s effort to pick up an elusive goal. “It was just a chess match all night.”

Plant City’s best chance came with five minutes left in the game, when the Lady Raiders had a corner kick that sailed just high of the cross in front of the net. The Lady Raiders managed only two shots on goal, while the Lady Mustangs tallied 10.

After beating East Bay in an overtime penalty shootout to win its second consecutive Class 4A District 9 title, Plant City picked up a 3-2 home win over Tarpon Springs in the region quarterfinals Jan. 23, followed by a 1-0 road win over Seminole Jan. 26 in the region semifinals.

That semifinal win came without the Lady Raiders’ leading scorer, junior Ericka Lott, who was competing in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen Pageant the same night. Lott finished the season with 24 goals and will return next year for a Plant City team that only loses three seniors — Nidia Castro, Kellee Brown and Nidia Gutierrez.

“We had a great season, and it was our best season thus far, so I’m not ashamed of it — even though we’re not satisfied with

SEE SOCCER / PAGE 14

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by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Keith Watford A senior at Durant High School, Keith Watford is entering this weekend’s district wrestling tournament as a county champion. Watford was the only member of the Durant team to come away with a first-place finish, winning at 182 pounds.

Watford has qualified for the state meet twice but has yet to place. He is hoping to take one step toward that goal at districts this weekend, at Brandon High School.

What was the county tournament like, and what was it like to win?

I feel like I performed pretty well. Of course, I was worried about Brandon (High), and when I would meet up with them, but that match never came, because their wrestler lost before finals.

What has the season been like for you so far?

Losing my head coach that I had for the first three years was tough, but coach (Drake) Millard has done a great job, and I’ve known him my whole life and wrestled for him in club. I’m glad he stepped in and filled the spot.

What are some of the goals you have for the team?

Overall, we just want to get as many guys through as possible to regions.

What are some of your personal goals?

I’ve been to state twice, so I’m looking for my third year of making it there. I haven’t placed yet, and this is my last year to do it, so I’m going to give it everything I’ve got and leave it all on the map.

Have you always wrestled at 182?

SIDELINES WRESTLING + District tourneys set for Saturday With regular season tournaments and duals in the books, area high school wrestling teams will be vying for their postseason fates this weekend in district tournaments.

Plant City and Durant will take part in the Class 3A District 6 tournament Saturday, at Brandon High School.

Brandon dominated last weekend’s Hillsborough County meet and seek another district championship this Saturday.

Brandon has won every county championship since 1972.

Durant had a handful of wrestlers place at county, with Keith Watford winning the 182-pound weight class. As a team, the Cougars finished fourth, with 153 points.

Strawberry Crest will compete in the Class 2A District 9 tournament Saturday, at Blake High School in Tampa.

Both district tournaments are set to begin at 11 a.m.

BASKETBALL + Boys teams prepare for districts With only a few games left in the regular season and the district schedule already in place, area boys basketball teams are gearing up for district tournaments.

Durant will enter the Class 8A District 7 tournament as the No. 6 seed after going

No, I wrestled at 140 as a freshman and 160 my sophomore year. I was at 195 last year before dropping to 170 and 182 this year.

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Style is really different. From the lightweights to 195, style goes from fast movement to slow and powerful movement. Everything is different from technique, to style, speed and even conditioning.

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I didn’t like cutting weight, and I feel like heavier people wrestle more my style.

Outside of the team practice, what is your personal routine?

I do a lot of circuit training and lifting and do a lot of short-paced long runs.

What hobbies do you have outside of wrestling?

I like to hunt, fish and spend time with my girlfriend, friends and family.

Family is very important to me.

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2-8 in district play. The Cougars are 9-11 overall as of Tuesday and are winners of two straight, including a big win over rival Plant City.

The Class 8A District 7 tournament will begin Feb. 5, at Bloomingdale High School.

Plant City will host the Class 7A District 8 tournament, beginning Feb. 5. The Raiders finished district play 2-7 and were 4-14 overall as of Jan. 25. They hold the No. 5 seed.

Strawberry Crest will compete for its first district title in program history as the Chargers will enter the Class 6A District 11 tournament as either the No. 2 or 3 seed after splitting in the regular season with Armwood. Both teams are 8-2 in district play. A tiebreaker will decide the seeding.

The tournament will be held beginning Feb. 4, at Leto High.

+ Winners released for Tri-Star Skills Contest The Optimist Club of Plant City and the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department held the 40th annual TriStar Basketball Skills Contest Jan. 26, at Tomlin Middle School.

The event was open to all area youths ages 8 to 13. Forty-three boys and 17 girls participated this year.

The competition included three skill categories — dribbling, passing and shooting. The top-three participants in each age group received awards.

Girls winners included Gracie Edgemon (8), Jamie Johnson (9), Kassidy Bolling (10), Macayla Phillips (11), Samantha Palestrini (12) and Kinslie Mondoux (13).

Boys winners included Jyrin Eston (8), Tony Milan (9), Gavin Hessler (10), Mike Simpson (11), Matt Simpson (11) and Ethan Vaughan (13).

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CHEER/PAGE 1 The Chargers will compete in the 2A Small Co-ed division at the FHSAA state meet, held today in Kissimmee. The format will be different than what they faced at Western Conference, where there was no division of the 27 competing teams.

Because of their one male member, Sergio Valentin, Strawberry Crest will compete against 20 other co-ed teams at state. This is Valentin’s second year with the team and will be the team’s second year competing in the co-ed division.

“He has brought so much to this team,” Moody said of Valentin.

“He considers all the girls sisters and brings a calming factor to the team.”

The Chargers have six seniors on this year’s squad — Becca Lee, Haley Ercoli, Lauren Riley, Kristen Downey, Sierra Miller and Deanice Cruz.

“It was really stressful and after getting second last year; we were hoping to win this time,” Cruz said of the Western Conference meet.

Cruz, a flyer, likely will be the only member of the senior class to cheer at a major program in college. Currently, the University of Florida is on the top of the list.

According to Riley, the reason for this year’s success comes down to a stronger work ethic.

“We deserved it, because we put in more work than any other high school that I know of,” she said.

“We work every day after school and put in more hours than other teams, so I’m glad we won.”

For Ercoli, who, like the rest of the girls, has been cheering for most of her life, said less drama between the girls has been key.

“There’s been a lot in the past,

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

MAUNEY/PAGE 1

and this year, there’s been none,” she said. “Even though we may not all hang out outside of the team, we all work well together.”

According to Lee, who has been on varsity at SCHS all four years, fewer injuries also have been a large factor in this year’s success.

“Every other year, someone has always gotten hurt, and we’ve had to pull our alternates up, but this year, we’ve been able to stay with the same team the whole time,” Lee said.

Furthermore, a more advanced and difficult routine, choreographed by assistant coach Loveny Rivas, has allowed the team to reach its full potential.

“We have a very detailed and difficult routine,” Rivas said. “I choreographed last year’s routine and this year’s, and we’ve definitely stepped it up when it comes to skill level and choreography.

We’ve set the bar high, and they’ve done a great job of reaching it and surpassing it.”

Strawberry Crest will be the first team to perform in its division at the state meet. It will be the team’s second year competing both in 2A and in the co-ed division, and Moody hopes her team can improve on their fifth-place finish in 2012.

Hillsborough County limits competition squads to 20 members, six fewer than the FHSAA allows. Also, SCHS has just one male member, while some of the competing teams boast up to four.

“We should be a little more prepared this year,” Moody said. “We know we can’t have those six extra members, so we’ve tried to make up for that with our choreography and the difficulty of our stunts, even though we don’t have the same amount of stunts.”

Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.

This is interesting for me to witness as a fan of GSU. I get to see how players, their teammates, friends, family and fans react to the schools they choose.

Here’s a common one: “You’re going where?”

And another: “I’ve never heard of that school.”

And, my personal favorite, “Do they play tackle football there?”

Last week, Strawberry Crest wide receiving standout Karel Hamilton committed to play for Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. The Bulldogs are the most recent members of the SoCon, joining in 2008. I covered the press conference at the SoCon Media Day in Greenville, N.C. Hamilton chose Samford over Chattanooga, another SoCon

just getting this far,” Lott said.

“It’s nothing to get mad about, but I do see us going further next year and getting better and playing more focused as a team.”

In addition to Lott, the Lady Raiders will return rising seniors Diana Corzine and Stephanie Galloway. They also will return goalkeeper Taylor Michael, a sophomore.

Defenseman Deanna Rodriguez and midfielder Kylee Burroughs also will return after starting as just freshmen.

“We’re taking one step at a time,” Roberts said about the program. “We made it one step further this year than we did last year, and we’ll be looking for at least one more game next year, which will put us in

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Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver. com.

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Samford also has a player, Brandon Hayman, from Mill Creek, who reminds me a lot of Hamilton. Hayman was a standout in football (wide receiver) and basketball in high school, just like Hamilton. Hayman chose Samford for basketball and is currently in his sophomore season.

I wish for success for him in the same way, hoping he averages a double-double every game. Just not when taking on my Eagles.

I’ve covered some great prospects over these last few years, and Hamilton is certainly near the top of the list. I wish all of them could go to my alma mater, but I know that’s not realistic.

At this rate, in a few years, I’ll know the story of practically every kid playing in the Southern Conference.

SOCCER/PAGE 1

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team, and Coastal Carolina, a member of the Big South Conference, which is also in the FCS. This puts me with a unique dilemma. Hamilton is a class act.

He is respectful, a great student and a heck of a football player.

Samford is lucky to have him. In my opinion, any school would be.

On the other hand, when it comes to the college football fan in me, he is now a Bulldog.

He’s the enemy. While they share a conference, Samford isn’t considered a rival of GSU, far from the hatred appointed to Furman and Appalachian State, but it’s still an interesting turnof-events.

I guess I want him to succeed, just not if that means contributing to a loss for my Eagles, which ironically have three players from Mill Creek High, one of my former coverage schools.

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

boys soccer

15

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Chargers fall to Hillsborough in district championship A late Hillsborough goal with just six minutes to play was the difference in a 4-3 loss for Strawberry Crest Jan. 25, in the Class 4A District 9 championship.

It was the second consecutive year the Chargers finished as runners-up in the district tournament. Strawberry Crest traveled to St. Petersburg to face Seminole High Wednesday. The game occurred after press time.

Visit PlantCityObserver.com for updates.

Mazeed Aro-Lambo scored two of Strawberry Crest’s goals against Hillsborough. Patrick Mayo scored the third off a header with 12:52 to play in the sec-

ond half, tying the game at 3-3.

SCHS head coach Scott Vomacka hopes the way his team lost in the district finals will fuel his players at regionals.

“I hope they can bounce back from this,” he said. “From here on out, it’s win or go home.”

Mazeed Aro-Lambo had an open shot to tie the game late.

Zach Owens-Smith played hard Friday.

Aldair Moralez-Sanchez and the rest of the Chargers took on Seminole Wednesday,

Mazeed Aro-Lambo leads the Chargers in scoring this season.

O B S E RV E R C RO S S WO R D Edited by Timothy E. Parker

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CRYPTOGRAMS 1. J E P R J A E J H H D P S U G A F J A W Z P R D N J G A G A F J L P S U M B C C J Z G A F W C G Q B C M S H L JAW. H M B H J G W E M B A B Q B C U M G A F H H U J C U B W U P H R P P U M P S U M B E P S N W W C G Q B M B C J C P S AW U M B L B AW JFJGA. 2. H L T R E X W J O I W D H U X S N D T L F E R Q B D . H B R R E U J W T U M L Z U FSMQ. REU MUOO JSB ZDSN WHSBR REU WFU ST REU OISTU R E U H U R RU T.

THIS IS dEFInITELY nOT A GOOd PUZZLE by Sheldon Brecker

ACROSS 1 Bad place for a ship to be driven 7 Recovery setback 14 Accomplish by hook or by crook 20 Oppressively heavy 21 Absinthe flavorer 22 Like a clock that has hands 23 Defeat the incumbent 24 It leads to an “F” in penmanship 26 Russian fighter 27 You’ll sleep through it 29 ___ polloi 30 Sources of inspiration 31 Breakfast dining area 33 A different you 37 Drought-tolerant legumes 39 Apollo’s sister 41 Butler’s uniform 43 Tawdry 46 Silly as a goose 47 Online filter target 48 Metallic rock 50 Role for Keanu in “The Matrix” 51 Sebaceous gland problem 52 “Say what?”

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68 It often comes between partners 69 Conducted 70 Wish the evening

73 76 77 78 80 84 85 86 87 88 90 91 92 93 97 99 102

104 107 109 111 112 114 116 118 119 124 126 127 128 129 130 131

would end sooner “T” in “BTW” Lass Ham’s “Sure thing” Symbolic figure of speech Tall and thin Shows a profit of “___ showtime!”

Aesop animal who snoozes and loses “Peanuts” boy “___, drink and be merry” Gardening supplies Brown truck co.

Wind up Stinging remark “Hee Haw” co-host Buck Lebanon’s capital Possessing magnitude but no direction Antlered beasts Cocoon residents Where rodents enter walls Business abbreviation Tree that provides wickers Tapped-out person’s letters Smidgens of smoke Reproductive cells What NSF checks are?

Like Shakespeare’s feet?

Mistreat Headdress Actor Everett of “Citizen Kane” Fashioned Warming devices Didn’t disregard, as advice

dOwn

1 Barnard graduate, e.g.

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80 Yarn knot 81 Sherlock Holmes prop 82 In a manner lacking taste 83 It’s tender to the Japanese 89 The junk of junk mail 90 ___ talk (pregame speech) 92 LAX landing approximation 93 Sheep bleat 94 Key below Z, on PCs 95 “Go team!” cheer 96 Internet user’s need 97 Has bills 98 Very irritable 100 Expressing regret 101 Ascended 103 Defoe’s Robinson 105 City SE of Los Angeles 106 Spread out 108 Bro, to sis 110 Products of planning 112 Kimono sashes 113 What Lot’s wife turned into 115 “That will leave a mark!”

117 Buy-one-get-one event 120 Word with “cap” or “coat” 121 Tax-deferral vehicle, for short 122 NIMBY part 123 112.5 degrees from S 125 Homer’s barkeep CROSSWORD_013113

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