02.05.16 PCTO

PLANT CITY TIMES &

Observer

Markese Hargrove takes home hardware.

See page 15

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 3, NO. 26

FREE

•

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Searching for your heart of gold?

Learn how to help local families who are battling childhood cancer by attending this special fundraiser. See page 11

EXPLORE YOUR CITY With 10 distinct buildings and districts on the National Register of Historic Places, the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World is an ideal place to explore, photograph and learn from.

P

1

lant City has more than strawberries

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to its name. There

SPORTS EDITOR

The Willis Peters Exceptional Center was finally able to build the handicap-accessible playground it spent years working toward, but there was one problem: the Florida sun.

Thanks to the efforts of Frank Cummings and the Plant City Lions Club, it may not be a problem for much longer.

On Tuesday, Jan. 26, the Lions Club presented the Dover school for special-needs students with a

old homes, unique railroad track formations, southern churches and brick schoolhouses throughout its neighOver the years, many

The students at Willis Peters Exceptional Center may soon be able to safely play and learn outdoors.

BY JUSTIN KLINE

is a variety of century-

borhoods.

Lions Club raising money for playground shade

2

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

of these places have been added to the

YOUR TOWN

National Register of

Picture-perfect opportunity

Historic Places. In all, there are 10: from Glover School to Hillsboro State Bank, residents have plenty to explore without having to leave the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.

See our historic tour guide on pages 8-9 HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR CITY? The photos to the right all have historic designations.

Can you identify these locations or buildings?

4 5

6

Glover School Hillsboro State Bank Bing Rooming House Turkey Creek Middle School Standard Oil Service Station 1914 Plant City High School Community Center

7

Downtown Residential District Downtown Commercial District

The Plant City Photo Archives and History Center contributed to this report.

ONLINE

Are you stuck? For a little help, visit PlantCityObserver.com

8

The Plant City Photo Archives and History Center has initiated a new volunteer staff program open to both clerical and professional volunteers.

Clerical volunteers will be responsible for greeting visitors, answering phones, filing and more. Professional volunteers will research and organize materials.

Relatively regular hours are preferred, however the days and hours are flexible.

All work will be performed at the Photo Archives facility in downtown Plant City.

Executive Director Gil Gott Gott said the benefits of volunteering include on the job training, a good work environment, opportunity to meet and work with the public, improvement of job skills, attendance at certain special events and the satisfaction of providing service for the community. Volunteers must be at least sixteen years old, in good health, and must be able to read and write English. Experienced senior citizens are welcomed and encouraged to inquire.

Knowledge of the local area is helpful.

Orientation sessions are planned for the near future, depending upon the interests of the applicants.

For further information, interested individuals may visit the Photo Archives at 106 S. Evers St., call the office at (813) 754.1578 or email Gott at gil@plantcityphotoarchives.org. Applications for a volunteer staff position may be picked up at the office.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Students get artsy “It’s amazing what a sash can do.”

Ashlyn Yarbrough, on becoming a Strawberry Queen court member.

BY THE NUMBERS

Fashion Queen

3

T

The number of tankers on the scene of a Howell Road house fire Wednesday, Jan. 27. Hydrants are further apart in rural parts of the county, and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue had the three tankers on scene to shuttle water from the hydrant to the engine crews attacking the fire. The house couldn’t be saved.

See more at PlantCityObserver.com.

here was no doubt that Haley Riley stood out from other contestants at the Florida Strawberry Queen’s Pageant to nab the crown Saturday, Jan. 23. Part of what made her unique was her dress.

The rose-printed dress was a far cry from popular pageant styles, which include rhinestones and crystals, organza, lace and sequins.

Riley’s dress was tastefully done, and its empire waist, high neckline, bold, large print and full skirt oozed with a vintage feel.

The Durant High School junior tells us her dress was originally two pieces, had pockets and that only her mother and her liked it out of her family.

“I am very much in to southern elegance. My mom has always told me I have an old soul. The flowers, I think, represent an older time in history … I really think it represents my personality,” Riley said.

Riley wore the dress in the Florida Strawberry Festival Fashion Show Thursday, Jan. 28, and she plans to wear it to prom.

600

The approximate number of people who attended the annual Florida Strawberry Festival Fashion Show Jan. 28.

See more at PlantCityObserver.com.

1,000

The approximate number of students who attended, along with Ann Scott, a Strawberry Crest pep rally encouraging literacy. See more on page 12.

19

The number of books in author Tim Dorsey’s Serge Storms series.

See more on page 12.

$17,000

The amount of dollars Heart of Gold raised for childhood cancer research in 2015. See more on page 11.

FIXIN’ TO SAY We posted a picture of the 2016 Florida Strawberry Queen procession on Facebook after Haley Riley was announced the winner. What did readers comment?

“Beautiful dress on the queen. So bold and different.”

— Janet Bethart Maze

“She is amazing and will represent Plant City very well!” — Lisa Lenore “Love her dress!!!”

— Cecile Reagan Longfellow

“Standout.”

— Maria Rodriguez Aloyo

ONLINE STATS 15,584 people reached 241 Likes 64 Shares

ONLINE

Two Tomlin Middle School students won awards at the Hillsborough County Council PTA Reflections award ceremony, held Jan. 10, 2016.

Cale Bazley earned third place in the music composition category, and Emma Poole earned third place in the film production category.

The Reflections Program is a nationally recognized arts program under PTA. This year’s theme was, “ Let Your Imagination Fly.”

Homeless start fire

A fire broke out at a storage building near Laura Street Friday, Jan. 29, according to Plant City Fire Rescue.

The fire, which was started by pallets burning inside a vacant building, was put out around 1 p.m. According to PCFR, it was believed to have been started by homeless people. No one was in the building upon the firefighters’ arrival.

Possible suspects have not been identified.

P.C. man involved in Polk accident

A Plant City man was driving a semi truck west on State Road 600 when a Jeep crossed the center line and collided head first with the truck at 5:50 a.m.

Sunday, Jan. 24.

The driver of the Jeep, Idania B. Cazarrubis, 28, of Lakeland, died at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. The truck driver, Raymond Harris, 50, was hauling dairy products. They were just east of County Line Road at the time of the accident. The collision caused the saddle fuel tank on the truck to rupture.

Want it? We found the original two-piece dress and other variations on prom dress site SherriHill.com.

R A U L E R S O N ’ S

R E P O R T

HIGHLIGHTS&HAPPENINGS FEBRUARY 2016

LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2016 Session is in full swing and we have had a productive couple of weeks. The Florida House has been busy, and bills are successfully passing through their respective committees. Legislation that has been voted upon favorably includes bills aimed at protecting our Second Amendment rights, lowering the cost of healthcare, increasing school choice, and taking care of our veterans.

MY PROPOSED LEGISLATION FOR SESSION 2016 HB 633 - Public Food Service Establishments CS/HB 817 - Mergers and Acquisitions Brokers HB 881 - Florida Retirement System HB 1179 - Criminal Offenders HM 1191 - Regulation Freedom Amendment HB 1399 - Florida Public Employee Whistleblower’s Act HB 1401 - Public Records/Public Employees’ Whistleblower’s Act HB 1431 - Agency Relationships with Government Health Care Contractors HB 4065 - Duties of Legislative Auditing Committee Learn more about my bills and others at www.myfloridahouse.gov

YOUR INPUT MATTERS

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

DAN RAULERSON

110 W. Reynolds Street, Suite 204 Plant City, FL 33563 District 58 (813) 757-9110/District (850) 717-5058/Tallahassee dan.raulerson@myfloridahouse.gov If you have comments, questions, or would like additional information on the topics included in this up-date, please contact my office.

I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to contact me to share your thoughts during the 2016 Legislative Session. I value your input and take your comments seriously. Many of you have contacted me about a bill that would bring recess back to schools. I am pleased to let you know that I am now a proud co-sponsor of this bill.

HB 833 - Public School Recess This bill would require schools to provide elementary school children with a twenty minute recess each day.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

ALSO ON THE BALLOT

On the ballot

Nate Kilton was the first person to announce his candidacy for City Commissioner Billy Keel’s seat Jan. 11.

Kilton is a businessman in the Plant City community and owns Sedita Kilton Life & Wealth Management LLC and Sedita Kilton & Company, Certified Public Accountants, PL. Kilton is a certified financial planner, a certified public accountant and a co-owner of the Plant City Times & Observer.

He is involved in multiple organizations throughout Plant City, including the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, GracePoint Church and the Economic Development Corp.

To learn more about Nate Kilton, check out “Keel won’t seek re-election; Kilton plans to run” at PlantCityObserver.com.

With election season around the corner, get to know the candidates for the City of Plant City Commission and the Hillsborough County Commission.

F

our Plant City residents are running for available seats in the Hillsborough County Commission and the City of Plant City Commission.

City Commissioner Billy Keel has chosen not to run for re-election. His term ends in June. Keel, who has served for four years, is pursuing endeav-

BIO Occupation: teacher, Simmons Career Center Platform: To create a better city for kids; infrastructure improvements

ors in the real estate business instead. Business owner Nate Kilton, Simmons Career Center educator Hasani Jackson and local pastor Ricky Coronado are in the running for his available seat.

Elections for the available Hillsborough County Commission seats will take place in Novem-

CITY COMMISSION: HASANI JACKSON

Hasani Jackson, a native of Plant City, is vying for the available City Commission seat.

Jackson oversees the Edgenuity Lab at Simmons Career Center, where he is entering his ninth year at the school.

Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of South Florida, but has a long history in the education field. In 2004, he began at Jennings Middle School as an assistant teacher, working hand in hand with the school’s resource officer for crime prevention classes.

Jackson later worked at Robinson Elementary before coming to Simmons Career Center in 2006.

Jackson also has graduated from the police academy and has done volunteer work with the Tampa and Plant City police departments. His father is retired from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department.

If elected to the City Commission seat, Jackson hopes to create a better city for area kids.

“We need to figure out a way for kids to get more active outside,” Jackson said. “We need something to keep kids out of trouble and have more resources set up for them.” In addition to his work at Simmons Career Center, Jackson also is the co-owner of NextLevel Sports Academe, where he helps kids with etiquette, athletic competitions and college applications.

“I hear their concerns,” Jackson said. “I see things around town that I believe I can make a difference in. I bring passion, I bring a caring sense of nature. I work with young people every day. I know their needs.”

Jackson also wants to be more visible to kids. If elected, he plans on visiting local schools and creating a plan of action. He would like to see more maintenance improvements in the city as well, including more sidewalks, better street lighting, bike paths and more summer programs for kids. In the future, he hopes to see Plant City grow.

“I would like to see more technological advances in the city,” Jackson said. “I would like to see more creative things to recognize that Plant City is an idealistic place to live and be.”

Jackson is currently pursuing his master’s degree in educational leadership and has considered going for his doctoral degree. He has four children: Destiny, Hasani Jr., Avery and Amari. He and his wife, Amii, reside in Plant City.

“I hear their concerns. I see things around town that I believe I can make a difference in. I bring passion, I bring a caring sense of nature. I work with young people every day. I know their needs.”

BIO Occupation: pastor, La Red Ministries Platform: Make Commission seat more tangible; serve as role model

ber. Current District 6 Commissioner Kevin Beckner’s term ends this year, allowing Beckner to run for clerk of the Circuit Court and opening the available seat to a number of candidates.

In Plant City, former mayor John Dicks has thrown his hat into the race.

— EMILY TOPPER

CITY COMMISSION: RICKY CORONADO

Miami native Ricky Coronado grew up as a migrant worker. Seven years ago, he devoted his life to Christ and eventually became the pastor of La Red Ministries, a nondenominational church located Alsobrook Street in Plant City.

In December, Plant City Black Heritage Celebration Inc. announced that La Red Ministries would be receiving the organization’s Cornerstone Award for 2016.

Since moving to Plant City and settling in Walden Lake in February 2014, Coronado has grown his church to about 90 members. Now, he’s looking to be a voice for the community from both behind the pulpit and in City Hall.

“I want to become a part of something greater,” Coronado said. “I want to add a little hot sauce to the commissioner seat, in a righteous way.

The city’s been managed well. They’ve done a good job.”

If elected, Coronado said he wants to make the Commission seat more tangible to the community. Through his work as a pastor, he is involved with Marshall Middle School’s Gentleman’s Quest Club and the Everyday Blessings foster home based out of Thonotosassa. This past holiday season, Coronado and his team brought gifts to the children staying at the foster home.

He’s also the 2016 President Elect for the Plant City Kiwanis Club and involved with Fifth Sunday Fellowship, a group that connects local churches with small congregations in Plant City.

“I want to bring something to the table,” Coronado said. “A real, true community is unity and working as a body. I believe it’s very capable of doing (that).”

Coronado added that he would be able to bring a unique viewpoint to the table, both as a former migrant worker and a member of the Hispanic community. He hopes to be a role model to younger members of the community, especially those who have grown up in similar circumstances.

“Times have changed,” Coronado said. “Nobody ever imagined even trying for something like this because of lack of guidance. God expects the best. That’s something I strive for.

Let’s do something different with direction in 2016.”

Coronado and his wife, Vanessa, have four children: Sydney, Joseph, Isaiah and Vida. Coronado is currently pursuing his master’s degree in biblical theology.

“I want to become a part of something greater. I want to add a little hot sauce to the commissioner seat, in a righteous way.

The city’s been managed well. They’ve done a good job.”

BIO Occupation: Of counsel with Trinkle Redman law firm Platform: Encourage local businesses to grow and attract new businesses

HILLSBOROUGH CO. COMMISSION: JOHN DICKS Plant City residents will be familiar with at least one name on the Hillsborough County Commission ballot.

Democrat John Dicks is running for District 6 county commissioner and holds a long history of service in Plant City. Dicks is a former three-term Plant City mayor and served as a city commissioner for nine years.

A native of Plant City, Dicks offers three unique perspectives to the County Commission seat: the viewpoints of a lawyer, a farmer and a former mayor. His grandfather, E.W. Simmons, also was a former Hillsborough County commissioner.

“If there is a need and you have the ability to serve ... then you should do the best to do that,” Dicks said.

Dicks grew up working in his family’s paint and hardware store and later earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Florida. Then, he went on to earn his juris doctorate degree from Florida State University.

Inspiration for his legal career came after working as a legislative aid for James Redman. Today, Dicks is of counsel with Trinkle Redman Law Firm.

“We were very, very close,” Dicks said. “He took me under his wing. I had a lot of exposure to other lawyers.”

If elected to the Hillsborough County Commission, Dicks hopes to encourage younger generations to remain rooted in Hillsborough County through improvements and initiatives in all municipalities. Specifically, Dicks wants to encourage local business owners to grow and bring new businesses to Hillsborough County.

“The county is poised to do great things, or we can remain stagnant,” Dicks said. “Certainly we’re seeing growth coming. I’ll provide leadership in capacities that are not there.”

Dicks has served on the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, the Hillsborough County Council of Governments, the Hillsborough County Tourist Development Council and with both Tampa Bay & Company and the Florida League of Cities. He was appointed in 1994 to the board of trustees for Hillsborough Community College and served for over 20 years on the board of trustees for South Florida Baptist Hospital. Through his volunteer work, Dicks was presented with the President of the United States’ Volunteer Service Award in 2013.

Dicks and his wife, Sharon, have two grown sons, John Dicks II, a Tampa-based attorney, and Jarod, who is serving in the United States Marine Corps.

“If there is a need and you have the ability to serve ... then you should do the best to do that.”

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

PLANT CITY COMMISSION • GROUP 1

CALLED TO SERVE. PREPARED TO LEAD. EARLY ENDORSEMENTS BY Bob & Nicole Adams Daniel & Gladys Alarcon, Sr. Alan & Kelly Andreu Bob Appleyard Jeff & Deanna Arnold Mike & Julie Arndt Matt & Cheryl Audas Jim & Susan Baggett George Banning Ernest G. Barefield Howard & Irene Barnes Thomas & Leigh Ann Barnes Judy Barta Rick & Lesley Bateman Ed Bozeman Wendy Brown Dennis & Carmen Brownlee Greg Buckner Jeremy & Erica Burris Matt & Mary Buzza Johnnie & Melane Byrd Clarence Carr Clint & Cindy Cline Charles & Jennifer Closshey David Colding Darryl & Amanda Cox Alex Crawford Mitchell & Malissa Crawford Mark Cushen David & Jean Ann Davenport Aaron & Leslie Davis Paul & Sheryl Davis Bill & Kathy Davis Coleman & Sue Davis Harry & Marilyn Day Honorable Bill & Silvia Azorin Dodson Rob & Sheri Dusse Diane Fleming Yvonne Fry Richard & Mona Fulmer Ron & Vonda Gainey David & Lisa Galloway Dr. William Garrison Mike Gartz Jack & Liz Gibbs Randy Gordon Rick & Kerri Gould Hugh Gramling Honorable Ken Hagen Floyd & Mary Ann Hall Edwena Haney Winfred & Sue Harrell Wayne Harrell Charles Harris Ali Hasbini Dr. Felix & Susan Haynes Bradley Herremans Honorable Al Higginbotham T.N. & Chappella Hill Steve & Kathy Howell Larry & Cathy Jimenez Larry & Tyger Jimenez Fred & Tammy Johnson Honorable Billy & Donna Keel Drs. Saira Khan & Les Brewer Alan & Dawn Kicklighter Nate & Stephanie Kilton Tim Kip Billy Ray & Claudia Kirby Randy & Chris Larson Reverend Scott & Rachel Lawry Mike & Brittany Lopez T.J. & Brittany Lopez Tim & Pam Lopez Hon. Rick & Di Lott Jeff Lucas Jo-An Lusk Mac McGrath Reverend Don Mason Dr. Tricia & Ray McNab

David Miller Reverend Maxi Miller, Jr. Carol Moody Jamey & Courtney Moody Sharon Moody Matt & Courtney Murrell Rick & Sandi Norman Tony Norris Robert Norton Corey & Melissa Odom Joshua & Marie Paige Jared & Summer Parker Billy & Marsha Passmore Brown & Casey Peterson J.R. & Elizabeth Pierce Gary & Tina Pike J.R. Pitts Paul Pritt Honorable Dan & Shirley Raulerson Jimmie Dan & Karen Robinson Bob Roderick Bruce & Marge Rodwell Rhett & Tara Rollyson Rolly & Janet Rollyson Sherry Scheitler Sara Schibler Jim & Leigh Scott Joe & Paula Sedita Carole Moody Shelton Robert & Ashley Showalter Keith & Jane Smith Marion M. Smith Mac & Cookie Smith Adam & Candace Snyder Steve & Aimee Solomon Chris & Angela Sparkman Steve & Terry Sparkman Honorable Mike & Diane Sparkman Jodi Stevens Don Stine David Sullivan Jim & Shari Sun James Surrency Brian Sweat Hank & Sandee Sytsma Carol Ann Taylor Donald & Sande Thomas Robert & Ann Trinkle Ed & Amanda Verner Don Walden Phil Waldron Scott Walls Michael Watkins Brian & Jennifer West Kimball & Robin Wetherington Charles S. White Dodie White Honorable Stacy White Dr. William Wicker Ed & Judy Wise Art & Mary Wood

Nate’s civic involvement combines servant leadership as Chamber of Commerce Chairman, the Plant City Planning Board, and the Plant City Economic Development Corporation’s Executive Committee.

With a Masters in Business Administration and professional experience in Finance and Accounting, Nate is a downtown business owner invested in securing and growing Plant City’s unique way of life. Nate is a Church elder, Rotarian, and long-time city resident.

Involved and invested in Plant City’s future, please support Nate Kilton for Plant City Commission, Group 1.

196117

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Nathan A. Kilton for Plant City Commission Group 1

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

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AROUND TOWN

We asked: How do you have fun?

Bella, 7 weeks

Jeeter, 5

“To play with her toys. She has a Charlie Brown toy that she just loves.”

“He likes to chase a tennis ball.”

Justin Kline

The Lions Club presented Willis Peters Exceptional Center with a quarter of its $100,000 goal Tuesday, Jan. 26.

Lions make roaring effort CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Mayla, 1

Marty, 4

“She chases lizards.”

“He hides under blankets and under things. He’s a huge baby.”

Penelope, 7 months.

“She steals socks, and I mean she actually pulls them out specifically.”

Nibbler, 8

“He sits in our yard and patrols the house. It’s just that he barks and chases the wrong people.”

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

$25,000 check, to be used to help build a shade structure for the playground and patio. In total, the Lions are hoping to gather $100,000 to complete the project.

“Every school has recess for an hour or two a day,” Cummings, Lions Club president, said. “These kids can only be outside for 10 to 15 minutes before the weather starts really affecting them.”

Willis Peters Exceptional Center works with students, ages 3 to 22, that have intellectual disabilities.

When the playground was built, the need for shade was magnified. And, unfortunately for the school, there was no way the cost for shade would be covered easily.

“They’ve tried to plant trees out there, find ways to get shade, but nothing worked,” Cummings said.

“It’s not in school district’s budget to provide sun shades — the school has to do it itself.”

TO HELP OUT

Cummings said that the project, which started out small, has “snowballed” into an initiative that, when finished, should cover the playground and allow the teachers to hold classes in an outdoor setting.

To get to $25,000, the Lions Club has taken a number of avenues.

It’s allocated money earned from its food booth at the Florida Strawberry Festival and also used money raised at newer events, such as the Lions Club barbecue. At the 2015 Pig Jam, the club worked with Willis Peters students to make and sell desserts, which raked in nearly $1,000. The students and club will be doing that again at this year’s Strawberry Festival food booth.

The school also works with Wells Memorial Funeral Home to sell parking spaces during the Strawberry Festival.

Whatever money is earned from both the 2016 food booth and parking lot ventures will go toward the shade. The club and school will then

The easiest way to help the Willis Peters Exceptional Center and Plant City Lions Club get closer to their $100,000 goal is to go to the Florida Strawberry Festival.

The parking lot at Wells Memorial Funeral Home is managed by Willis Peters staff and students, and all funds raised from parking cars there will go directly to the school’s sun shade fund. The lot is located at 1903 W. Reynolds St. For more information, call the school at (813) 757-9462.

apply for several grants.

“That should cover it,” Cummings said. “We’ll be able to cover (the playground) up and bring these children, who are in need of some fresh air, outside.”

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

Our Promise at

www.HopewellFuneral.com 194772

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CONTACT US The Plant City Times & Observer is published once weekly, on Fridays. It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City.The Plant City Times & Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

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Observer Publisher / Karen Berry, kdberry@inthefieldmagazine.com

To contact us, send your information via: Email: Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@ PlantCityObserver.com.

Managing Editor / Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@PlantCityObserver.com

Mail: The Plant City Times & Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563

Staff Writer / Emily Topper, etopper@PlantCityObserver.com

Sports Editor / Justin Kline, jkline@PlantCityObserver.com

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“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

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

“They always had class plays,” alumna Shelby Bender said.

“They were connected to each other.

The acoustics are really good. You get an overall feel of history.”

1914 PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY CENTER The 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, built in 1914 for $40,000, was Plant City High School from 1914 to 1955 and later became Tomlin Junior High School. The school was deeded to the City of Plant City in 1975. The building’s exterior and interior have not changed much from its original structure, save for necessary repairs and

HILLSBORO STATE BANK The idea for Hillsboro State Bank started with Moreau E. Moody. Moody wasn’t a banker — he was a drugstore owner. In 1981, Moody came to Plant City and opened his business.

Merchants began to deposit money in his large steel safe for security. By the summer 1902, Moody and several others, including its first president, Colonel James L. Young, organized Hillsborough State Bank. But the bank didn’t move to its current location on Collins Street until 1914.

maintenance work and the addition of an elevator in 2000.

“Really, what’s changed is the building’s surroundings,” alumna Shelby Bender said.

Performances in the school weren’t exclusively limited to the building’s auditorium, which seats 250. The 1991 movie “My Girl,” which stars Macaulay Culkin, was filmed at the school.

Added to register: 1981 Address: 605 N. Collins St.; for tour information call (813) 757-9226 Architectural Style: Georgia Revival Architect: Willis R. Biggers

BING ROOMING HOUSE Moreau Estes “M.E.” Moody was Hillsboro State Bank’s first cashier. The building is now the law firm of Trinkle Redman Swanson Coton.

Added to register: 1984 Address: 121 N. Collins St. Architectural Style: Classical Revival, Beaux Arts Architect: G.A. Miller, Francis Kennard “I think the Bing House represents what’s good about Plant City,” William Thomas, of the Improvement League, said. “To have a woman who had the desire to start her own business, I think that says a lot.”

Added to register: 2002 Address: 205 S. Allen St. Visiting Hours: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday Period of significance: 1925 to to 1974

Opened in 1925, the building is named after Janie Wheeler Bing, the hotel’s first owner. It was a place for people to stay during segregation and included a restaurant and 10 bedrooms at the hotel’s peak. Among those who stayed there was Curt Flood, a Major League Baseball player. It closed in 1970. The building was passed to James Washington, Bing’s grandson.

Washington deeded the property to the nonprofit Improvement League, in 1999, and it operates it as a museum.

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STANDARD OIL SERVICE STATION For roughly 80 of its 100 years of existence, the Standard Oil Service building was one of Plant City’s most beloved auto shops. It doubled as a gas station and sold Red Crown gasoline, which was operated by John D.

Rockefeller before being sold to Henry Flagler. Now it is Low-Cost Pet Grooming. Owner Mark Hicks has learned what he can about the building but is looking for anyone with more information.

We’ve gathered untold stories and

Winter Strawberry Capital of the World for

unique photographs from the 10 Plant City

generations to come.

Added to register: 1996 Address: 1111 N. Wheeler St. Owner: Mark Hicks Other name: Daniel’s Standard Oil Service Station

The downtown residential district isn’t only homes. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church sits on Carey Street. In 1908, the current nave was erected on the corner of Mahoney and Wheeler at a cost of $2,500. The church building was moved in 1953 to its current location.

Too small to host a modern-day auto shop, the building has found new life through a pet grooming business. Owner Mark Hicks prides himself on making the building look as close to its original form.

Added to register: 1998 Address: Roads include North Drane, Thomas, West Tever, Franklin and Carey streets and those in between Architectural Style: Wood frame and masonry vernacular, bungalows, Folk Victorian and Colonial Revival Additional: This district also includes St. Peter’s Episcopal Church as well as homes.

DOWNTOWN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT The downtown residential district contains homes from circa 1887 to circa 1948. Bungalows and wood frame vernacular structures comprise 78% of the singlefamily dwellings in the district. Of the 243 buildings in the district, 185 contribute to its historic character, while 56 buildings are noncontributing. Noncontributing buildings include those that were constructed after 1948 and those constructed before 1948 that have been so severely altered as to lose their historic architectural integrity.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

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TURKEY CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL Now Turkey Creek Middle School, the original Turkey Creek High School was built in 1873 as a simple standing structure: a log cabin at the intersection of Turkey Creek and Trapnell Roads.

Through the years, generations of families who live on the outskirts of Plant City have attended the school, including current Turkey Creek Assistant Vice Principal Vicki Kummelman.

Added to register: 2001 Architect: Dudley & Nulter and Frank Winn Address: 5005 S. Turkey Creek Road School Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

The depot has not only been home to trains, but also to other organizations — such as the Downtown Business Merchants Association.

Added to register: 1975 Address: 102 N. Palmer St. Other name: Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum Current function: Museum, open 12 to 4 p.m., Monday to Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday to Saturday.; till 8 p.m. third Saturday of every month; (813) 719-6989

UNION STATION DEPOT Plant City’s railroad history predates the city’s incorporation. The city was established in January 1885, but the first steam engines were rolling through town starting Dec. 10, 1883. The Plant City Union Depot was the heart of the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World and operated steadily until closing in 1971.

One of the school’s older buildings is in disrepair. When the school first opened, it wasn’t unlikely for students to show up to class without shoes on. Turkey Creek was a “strawberry school” until 1956. Students who worked in the fields attended classes during the summertime, leaving them free to pick berries in the winter months.

NORTH RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT The north residential district consists of homes over 100 years old built in revival and romantic styles. Many bungalowstyle homes were also built in the 1920s. The district comprises a total of 90 buildings, of which 74 contribute to the historic character of the neighborhood and 16 are considered noncontributing. Noncontributing buildings include those erected during the period of significance that have been severely altered and those constructed after 1942, according to the register application.

One of the most prestigious houses in the north residential district is the E.T. Roux House at 202 W. Calhoun St. Built for Colonel Edwin T. Roux, this 1904 structure demonstrates a vernacular interpretation of the Greek Revival style.

Added to register: 1993 Address: Roads include Herring, Wheeler, Tever and Palmer streets and those in between Architectural Style: Wood frame vernacular, bungalows, and a number of revival and romantic Additional: This district also includes the 1914 PCHS Community Center and the First Baptist Church.

GLOVER SCHOOL Running a black school during segregated times was no easy task, but the people worked hard together to make it work.

Built in 1933 on land donated

by William Glover, the school educated students through the ninth grade. It was a strawberry school, meaning that students spent strawberry picking season working in the fields and went to school during summer. It closed in 1980.

Added to register: 2001 Owner: Bealsville Inc. Address: 5110 Horton Road Phone: (813) 737-1352

DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

The most prominent building of Glover School housed seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders. Some of the rooms are still set up to appear as they would have when the school was still open. Now the school is used for social and civic events.

ONLINE

Go to PlantCityObserver.com to see a photo essay on each Plant City building or district on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic pictures are included.

Although the downtown area has always been the railroad hub of the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, it hasn’t always been the commercial district that it is today.

Many Plant Citians had standing homes along the streets where SunTrust Bank and other businesses are currently located, and the local drug store was only a short walk away.

The State Theatre was an active movie theater until 1961, after which it changed hands (and professions) numerous times.

Today, it is an antiques emporium.

Added to register: 1993 Address: 100 N. Collins St. Architectural Style: Beaux Arts, others Notable spots: Robert W. Willaford Train Museum, State Theatre Emporium, Hillsboro State Bank

10

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

SAMMIS LAW FIRM Attorneys on call 24/7 | Free consultation Criminal Defense Attorneys for Plant City • Seal and Expunge • DUI • DV Injunction • VOP • Drug Possession • All Misdemeanor and Felony Cases

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“Willie’s”

YMCA has active month

J

anuary was a busy month for the Plant City Family YMCA. It encouraged residents to get fit at an open house Tuesday, Jan. 19, and on Saturday, Jan. 23, it held a bike ride for its LIVESTRONG program.

At the open house, kids were able to play games and enjoy snacks while adults tried fitness activities and learned about YMCA programs and membership opportunities. At Dean’s Ride, athletes could choose from four different courses and braved the rain to raise money for the nonprofit.

The Place For Seafood

Housed in an early 1900’s general store, Willie’s has been turning out fresh seafood dishes for 39 years. Brandon’s oldest and still best seafood restaurant serves a variety of food.

FISH SEAFOOD OTHER DISHES catfish, mahi-mahi, tilapia and golden corvina

shrimp, scallops, oysters, soft shell crabs, clam strips extra large Alaskan crab legs

pastas with seafood and chicken, salads, sirloin steak, mango pie

Everything is prepared to order to insure the highest quality and taste.

— TIMES & OBSERVER STAFF

ALL YOU CAN EAT SPECIALS!

Soft Shell Crabs!

Noah and Luis Perez hung out after the ride with food and music.

TUES - WED - THUR Choice of Catfish Filets, Clam Strips, Mahi Mahi, Tilapia, Shrimp & White Fish!

Mix & Match • DINE-IN ONLY! Private Dining Room for groups of 10-25. Call to reserve.

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This is Mrs. Ruby and Ava. They are going on three weeks, and as you can see they love to chew on everything within their reach. They are sweet, loving and a great addition to the Moore family.

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!

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

GTA: PLANT CITY Noselda Street and Branca Street.

Stolen vehicle recovery. Officers responded to an area following a reported hit and run traffic incident.

It was determined that the crash involved a 2015 Nissan Versa car that had previously been reported stolen.

JAN. 24

DEFLATEGATE 600 block of Northwest Drane Street.

Criminal mischief. Officers responded to a residence in reference to a report of criminal mischief. Complainant stated that unknown suspect(s) vandalized three tires on a GMC Jimmy SUV. The tires were valued together at $600.

JAN. 25

CAN’T YOU HEAR ME KNOCKING 1500 block of West Reynolds Street.

Criminal mischief. Officer responded to a business following a report of criminal mischief. Complainant stated that unknown suspect(s) had damaged the locks on the front door.

JAN. 26

SLASH AND DASH 1500 block of East Ohio Street.

Criminal mischief. Officer responded to a residence following a report of criminal mischief. Complainant stated that unknown suspect(s) slashed three tires on a vehicle. The tires were valued together at $350.

TOOL TIME 900 block of West Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Business burglary. Officer responded to a business in reference to a reported delayed burglary. Complainant stated that unknown suspect(s) had stolen a pole saw, two commercial hedge trimmers and blowers.

JAN. 27

NO TIRES ARE SAFE 1400 block of East Cherry Street.

Criminal mischief. Officers responded to a residence in reference to a report of criminal mischief. Complainant stated that unknown person(s) punctured the tires of his 2006 Chevrolet Impala car.

OUT IN THE OPEN West Baker Street/ North Palmer Street.

Found property. Officers responded to a report of found property and met with complainant, who stated that he had found a .380 Taurus handgun magazine, which contained six live .380 caliber rounds. There was no record of a recently-stolen .380 caliber Taurus handgun, so the magazine and rounds were placed into PCPD evidence for safekeeping.

Gala to raise money for childhood cancer research Want to do something special for Valentine’s? Heart of Gold will have you giving.

EMILY TOPPER STAFF WRITER

For the past two years, Emily Pierce has organized a fundraiser to raise money for families with children battling cancer. For Pierce, it’s a fundraiser that hits close to home.

Her daughter, Morgan, has been fighting cancer for seven years.

Both years, Pierce’s event, called the SweetHearts Gala, was a huge success. It raised $13,000 its first year, and $17,000 last year. On Saturday, Feb. 13, the annual event will be returning to Keel and Curley Winery as the Heart of Gold Gala.

The gala is associated with the nonprofit association Jensen’s Heart of Gold. While Morgan was receiving treatment in New York City, the Pierce family befriended cancer patient Jensen Byrd and his family. Jensen passed away six years ago, but the Byrd and Pierce families remain close. The annual event remains a lasting tribute to his life.

“We just were wanting to let people know who we were and link ourselves more closely with the Jensen foundation,” Pierce said.

For Pierce, the goal of the annual event is to link up people who want to give and families who have a need.

“Because this is strictly for kids, that’s what makes us different,” Pierce said. “I would love to meet or exceed what we made last year.

There’s a lot more excitement surrounding the event. There’s more hands on deck.”

This year’s event will be held in the Keel and Curley warehouse where the wine is produced. The warehouse will be transformed into a ballroom complete with a fairytale theme.

“Every year we add ambience and decor,” Pierce said.

Guests will be able to enjoy wine from Keel and Curley, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. Items up for grabs include everything from gift baskets to concert tickets from

Courtesy photos

This year’s event will feature a fairytale theme, complete with performances from local musicians and dancers.

the upcoming Florida Strawberry Festival. Gala guests also will be able to purchase a key from a key tree for $20 and try their luck at unlocking a bird cage with a jewelry set from RAOK Boutique. Live music will be performed by pianist Benji Padgett and Dock Seven. Ballet dancers from Victoria’s School of Dance also will perform.

The night will end in dancing and speeches from advocates about defeating childhood cancer. Tickets, priced at $75, are still available.

All funds raised from the event will go to families with a child battling cancer in Plant City and surrounding areas in Central Florida.

“I want people to use this as the opportunity to help kids,” Pierce said. “There are kids in our community who are fighting cancer right now. It’s real, and it’s here, and we can help make an impact.”

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.

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Guests will enjoy a night of dancing, wine and hors d’oeuvres.

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 Where: Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road Price: $75 Attire: Black-tie and fairytale attire welcome Website: JensensHeartofGold.com/events

COULDN’T DODGE 2210 block of Village College Court.

Attempted vehicle theft. Overnight, unknown suspect(s) tried and failed to steal a blue 2003 Dodge Ram pickup truck.

Thursday- 3pm Saturday - Noon, Preview 1 Hr. before NO RESERVES

Accepting Consignment

Now AcceptiNg New pAtieNts

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

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The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Plant City Police Department.

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COPS CORNER

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Lisa A. Rhodes Your Residential Specialist throughout Tampa Bay!

Kaitlyn Kubecka and Quinn Hyde

Turn the Page

Right: Ann Scott attended the event as part of Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!

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

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HONEST & PROFESSIONAL LAWN CARE SERVICE

Strawberry Crest has started off 2016 the right way. In addition to its visit from Ann Scott, the school ranked the fourth highest in Hillsborough County for its graduation rate.

The 93% graduation rate is the highest the school has received since it first opened its doors in 2010. What’s the schools secret to success?

Assistant Principal for Curriculum Christina Raburn said it is all about teamwork.

“Every member of this staff whether it’s secretaries, teachers, or custodians, they all play a vital role in supporting, caring and encouraging our students,” Raburn said.

The 2015 graduation rate at Strawberry Crest was about a 3% increase from the previous school year.

“We want to see every student succeed, and a diploma opens the door to a world of opportunity,” Raburn said.

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nn Scott visited Strawberry Crest High School Monday, Jan. 25, as part of the Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! event.

Students from Bailey Elementary, Cork Elementary and Tomlin Middle schools joined her and performed history-based skits. Close to 1,000 students were in attendance at the ceremony. The event was set up like a pep rally and Crest’s band and cheerleaders also performed.

— JOSE LOZOYA

The students performed history skits.

See more photos from the event at PlantCityObserver.com

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Novelist visits library TIM DORSEY FAST FACTS n He writes a book a year. n He attended Auburn University. n He worked as a journalist and wrote his first book, “Florida Roadkill,” on the night desk. n He lives in Tampa.

I

t was easy to tell best-selling novelist Tim Dorsey was at the Bruton Memorial Library Saturday, Jan. 23 — there was a Hawaiian shirt hanging in the back seat of his white car in front.

Dorsey is known for writing tropical antics in his Floridabased book series about loosecannon vigilante Serge Storms.

His newest book in the series, “Coconut Cowboy,” debuted in January. There is also talk of TV show negotiations, in which the show will be based off his books.

— AMBER JURGENSEN

Guests had a chance to ask the best-selling author questions.

ONLINE

See more photos at

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

FRIDAY, FEB. 5

TUESDAY, FEB. 9

SATURDAY, FEB. 6

NIGHT OF BLUES takes place beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. In celebration of Black History Month, the Suncoast Blues Society welcomes Josh Lamkin and Nalani Rothrock Duo.

REX’S EXES takes place beginning at 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.

STRAWBERRY DISTANCE CHALLENGE takes place beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Walden Lake Polo Fields, 3035 Griffin Blvd. There is a 1-mile, 5K and 10K run. All need to be in the parking lot by 7:15 a.m. because of the closing of roads and the timing devices. The 10K starts at 7:30 a.m.; the 5K will follow at 7:45 a.m. The course will close at 9 a.m. to open traffic for the neighborhood. Awards will begin at 9 a.m.

The run is fundraiser for The Youth Alliance. StrawberryDistanceChallenge.com.

MONDAY, FEB. 8

MASTER GARDENERS: ORGANIC VEGETABLE GARDENING takes place beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Don’t forget to bring a plant for the plant exchange afterward.

PLANT CITY GARDEN CLUB MEETING takes place beginning at 10:15 a.m.

Monday, Feb. 8, at the Walden Lake East Community Center, 1304 Teakwood Drive. Coffee will be served at 10:15 a.m., and the program begins at 10:30 a.m. The speaker will be Michael Goldman with the Audubon of Florida Center for Birds of Prey.

He will be bringing an eagle, owl and red tail hawk as well as speaking on the FFGC Audubon Birds of Prey stamp program. This is open to the public. For further info contact Jan Griffin at (813) 754-8685.

CONTACT BREAKFAST takes place beginning at 7:15 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the John R. Trinkle Center, 2206 E. Cherry St. The buffet breakfast begins at 7:15 a.m., and the program begins at 7:30 a.m. This month’s breakfast is sponsored by Poppell Insurance, and the speaker is John Fontana, president of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

FAREWELL DROP-IN FOR CHAMBER VICE PRESIDENT AMY NIZAMOFF takes place from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St. FRIENDS OF SCOUTING BANQUET HONORING STEVE HURLEY takes place beginning at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 11, at the John R. Trinkle Center, 2206 E. Cherry St. The reception will begin at 6 p.m., and the dinner and program will follow at 6:30 p.m. For more information call Nina Wolfson at (813) 872-2691 ext. 109.

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THE FLORIDA OPRY takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St. On stage will be a Patsy Cline tribute by Carolyn Cline and new country artisit Chris Poindexter, along with Master of Ceremonies, Randy Scott, Tickets for The Florida Opry are $12 for adults; $5 for students. For information please contact EHHS at (813) 757-9226.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10

THURSDAY, FEB. 11

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

SPRING GARDENING WORKSHOP takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Plant City Commons Community Garden, 2001 E. Cherry St. Learn how to successfully start your own seedlings and prepare a simple, nutrient-rich bed for transplanting. A $12 fee includes a seed tray, soil, flower and vegetable seeds and a demonstration of sheet mulch garden bed preparation. RSVP before Feb. 10.

MORNING BOOK CLUB takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. The discussion will be on Liane Moriarty’s “What Alice Forgot.” Pick up copies of March’s club pick at this discussion.

HILLSBOROUGH DAY takes place beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Tallahassee Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee. Lunch will be served. Walk the halls of the Capitol and meet members from the local delegation, sit in on a committee meeting or, if the Legislature is in session, go to the fifth floor and watch from the gallery of the Florida House or Senate. A reception will be held at the Governors Club. For more information contact Evelyn at evelyn@ plantcity.org (813-754-3707).

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BEST BET SATURDAY, FEB. 6

FRIDAY, FEB. 12

13TH ANNUAL BLACK HERITAGE BANQUET takes place beginning at 6 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 12, at the John R. Trinkle Center, 2206 E. Cherry St. For more information contact Sharon Moody, (813) 453-7134.

GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT takes place from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at McCall Park, 100 N. Collins St. Enjoy sales and raffles.

SATURDAY, FEB. 13

13TH ANNUAL BLACK HERITAGE JAZZ FESTIVAL takes place after the Black Heritage Festival around 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at to the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

BLACK HERITAGE PARADE takes place beginning at 1 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 13, at Lake St. and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

CELEBRITY CHEF DINNER takes place beginning at 6 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.

HEART OF GOLD GALA takes place beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road.

The price per ticket is $75. The attire is black tie and fairytale. The evening includes dancing, raffles and more to benefit childhood cancer research. JensensHeartofGold. com/events.

YOUTH SUMMIT takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

SUNDAY, FEB. 14

GOSPEL CONCERT takes place beginning at 4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 14, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 W. Ball St. SQUIRE PARSONS GOSPEL CONCERT takes place beginning at 6 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 14, at Harmony Baptist Church, 6008 W. Knights Griffin Road. The concert is free but a love offering will be received. (813) 986-7165.

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) 764-8818.

BLUES NIGHT takes place from 7 to 10 p.m.

Fridays, at Top Shelf Bar & Grill, 110 E. Reynolds St. Blues veteran Don Lehman brings sophisticated, contemporary blues, soul, funk and jazz to Historic Downtown. No cover. (813) 704-6994.

FREE! OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Game Plan Sunday | Sunday, Feb. 7 Ready for some football? Join us for fun and to learn more about the Plant City Y and City Pointe Church! This family-friendly event will feature several fun activities: Flag Football // Face Painting // Fitness Challenge // Arts & Crafts // Balloon Animals // Free Food TIME: 2-5 p.m.

LOCATION: PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Place, Plant City 813 757 6677 tampaymca.org

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YOUR CALENDAR

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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Ruthie G. Ayscue

OBITUARIES

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Ruthie G. Ayscue, 96, of Plant City, died Jan. 28, 2016.

A native of Culman, Alabama, Mrs. Ayscue was the daughter of Adolphus Monroe W. Jr. and Bessie Viola Hightower Gilbreath.

She worked for the second Publix store with Charlie Jenkins and also worked for Citrus World for over 20 years. In her senior years, she did home healthcare, serving the elderly. She was active for many years in clogging and square dancing.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Hartsfield; stepchildren, Patricia Goff, Shirley Winn, Barbara Kicklighter, J.D. and James Ayscue; sister, Reval Herndon; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, William Hartsfield and Virgil Ayscue; son, Jimmy Hartsfield; siblings, Pearlie Segers, Myrtie Simmons, Jesse, Amos, Willie, Julius and James Gilbreath; and great-granddaughter, Heather Marie Deal.

A funeral service was held Jan. 30, at Haught Funeral Home. A burial service was held in Lake Wales Cemetery Feb. 1.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

James G. Baker James G. Baker, 86, of Plant City, died Jan. 24, 2016.

Formerly of Des Moines, Iowa, Mr. Baker graduated from the University of Idaho and was a career naval officer, serving in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. He was a retired United States Navy captain.

His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation and numerous campaign medals. After retiring from the Navy, he worked for the Armed Services YMCA for 12 years and H&R Block for 14 years.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; sons, David and Scott, of Virginia, and Steve, of West Virginia; daughter, Elizabeth Comstock, of California; five grandchildren; stepchildren, Jill Fresh, James Rooker and Jeff Rooker; step-grandchildren; and step-great-grandchildren.

Inurnment and military honors

took place Feb. 4 at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Clifford Brown Jr. Clifford Brown Jr., 65, of Plant City, died Jan. 24, 2016.

A native of New Jersey, Mr. Brown worked for Wal-Mart in Plant City and attended Church on the Rock.

He also worked for Covan Moving Company. He loved to fish and go on cruises.

He is survived by his wife, Melissa Swinson Brown; children, Cliffondra Brown, Natyra Blount, Cynthia Barnum and Chanta Brown; sister, Kathy Fullwood; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Brenda Alcius.

A service was held Feb. 1 at Haught Funeral Home in Plant City.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

Walter “Rick” Brown Jr. Walter “Rick” Brown Jr., 55, of Plant City, died Jan. 18, 2016.

A native of Plant City, Mr. Brown was the son of Walter and Betty Boyett Brown. He retired from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and served in the United States Air Force.

He is survived by his daughter, Amanda (Evan) Bair; sisters, Polly Brown Fox, Jennifer (Frank) Damron; and beloved dog, Baxter.

A service was held Jan. 29 at Clay Sink Baptist Church in Webster.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

Otis “Tennel” Buchan Otis “Tennel” Buchan died Jan. 26, 2016, in Lakeland, surrounded by his family.

Mr. Buchan was born Nov. 14, 1916, in a farming area, Broxton, Georgia, in Coffee County, to Daniel Otis Buchan and Minnie Lee (Caves) Buchan. He grew up in the south Georgia area. His early years were spent in between Broxton, Georgia, where his family lived on a shared farm; Plant City, Florida,

where his family worked as migrant workers; and in the Miami area, where some of the family briefly worked and lived.

His early education showed promise as he was advanced from first to second grade early, but his education faltered when the demands of helping the family harvest crops curtailed his formal education in third grade.

Later, he taught himself to read using the King James Version of the Bible, which he loved and read daily even until his death.

He married Hazel (Higgs) Buchan.

They had three children, Peter Larry (Jimmy) Buchan, of Jacksonville, Nell (Buchan) Dominick, of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and Donald “Wayne” Buchan, of Cardova, of Tennessee.

He took work where he could find it. As a ship fitter, he welded the inside of the hulls of ships for the war effort in World War II and was deferred from the draft by his companies’ management, which was unknown to him at the time.

He was later drafted into the United States military, where he briefly served in the Armored Tank Division of the U.S. Army as a tank operator. He was discharged early to return to his large family after completing basic and assigned skill trainings.

After he returned home, his wife became ill and died from double pneumonia, forcing him to move to follow what he called “public” work. It provided him a means to send money to support his growing kids as family.

He later met Mavis (Wiley) Buchan, of Sylvester, Georgia, and married her. He moved his new family to Augusta, Georgia, and began working for a neighbor who was assisting in the building of a major U.S. military facility, the “H” Bomb Plant, across the border in South Carolina.

He then moved the family to the Wicker Park area of Chicago in the early 1950s.

He gathered his family together again in Augusta, as he was able to find work there. Over the years, his family grew to seven children. He raised them in a shell home he was able to buy and complete in Melrose Park.

After moving to Chicago, he began working as a union carpenter, a skilled trade from which he eventually retired. On his break time, he could always be found sitting in his pickup truck, reading a small New

Testament Bible. He would often lead coworkers in prayer, witness to them about the redeeming love of God and even bring them home and to church.

In the early to mid 1970s, after most of his children left the home, he and his wife moved the remaining members of the family to the Lake Alfred area of Florida in his first retirement. The Assemblies of God asked them to take over caretaker functions at Camp Alafia, a youth camp.

They returned briefly to Melrose Park in the mid to late 1970s where he earned additional retirement credits.

He retired again in the 1980s and moved to Lakeland, where he and his wife taught Sunday school “for the old folks” out of an Auburndale, Florida church. They went to work again for the AG as caretakers of the newest AG family camp in Lake Wales, Masterpiece Gardens.

Together, he and his family built three homes: one in Lake Wales and two in Lakeland. They began acquiring properties in need of repair. They were longtime members of the Assemblies of God and active members of Victory Church in Lakeland.

He is survived by his children; Nell Dominick, Jimmy Buchan, Wayne Buchan, Junior Buchan, Debbie Griffin, Greg Buchan and John Paul Buchan; 12 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; sisters, Evelyn Oletta “Letta” (Buchan) Cliett and Minnie Lee “Bill” (Buchan) Cliett; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Otis and Minnie Lee Buchan; sister, Corrine “Jean” (Buchan) Solomon; brothers, Caroll Kenneth “Billy Boy” Buchan and Alfred Buchan; first wife, Hazel Buchan; and late wife, Mavis Buchan.

A celebration of life was held Jan. 29 at Victory Church in Lakeland, officiated by Pastor Otis T. Buchan Jr. A burial service with military honors was held Feb. 2 at Bushnell National Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Gene Swindle Gene Swindle, 76, of Plant City, died Jan. 13, 2016, of complications from heart disease and asbestos exposure to his lungs.

Mr. Swindle loved just about

everything about farming and the outdoors, especially riding his tractors. He grew up hunting, fishing and farming, and in later years started investing in properties all over the South.

He planted many acres of land over his lifetime, from peppers to corn, and was always happy to share. He had a 550-acre pecan farm in Georgia, which he harvested, and also raised cattle.

He loved catching catfish in his many ponds he had on his farm. One of his hobbies was digging up old arrowheads around central Florida.

He and his wife, Marion, also loved to travel and have traveled many places in the United States and abroad, as well as the occasional cruise.

He was born in Dover, not far from where he was living at the time of his death. He loved to tell everyone around him, “I was born right over there.” He had many friends from his childhood that are still his friends to this day. When he finally would take a break from his countless projects, he enjoyed playing cards and watching NASCAR races with his wife. He was also a snazzy dancer and could cut a rug on the dance floor from the sounds of country music.

He loved his large family and enjoyed everyone to be around him in celebration. He worked for his brother his entire career and later became part owner of the company his brother founded. He loved his wife very much, and there was nothing they couldn’t do or achieve.

Together they were inseparable and unstoppable: a match made in heaven.

He is survived by his wife, Marion Swindle; sons, Richard and James Swindle; stepson, John Pearce; daughter, Melissa Pratt; stepdaughter, Jan Fogarty; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and brother, Edward Swindle, who he had a deep love and respect for throughout his life. Later in life, he was blessed with an additional extended family which gave him three more grandchildren and nine more great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Willard Swindle; and sister, Adele Hodges.

A celebration of life was held Jan. 16 at Hopewell Funeral Home in Plant City. Committal followed at Dover Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

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FEBRUARY 4, 2016

SIDELINES

SPORTS Ulcena, Johns place at tourney Durant wrestlers Jashley Ulcena and Cody Johns both recorded top-eight finishes at Saturday’s George Jenkins invitational tournament.

Ulcena (25-8), wrestling at 182 pounds, placed fifth in his division. Ulcena won his first two matches by fall, beating Wesley Chapel’s Jack Ward at 3:16 and Ridge Community’s David Damelus at 5:34. He was bested by Freedom’s Darrell Wallace in the quarterfinal, by a 3-1 decision. After winning two rounds in the consolation bracket, he lost by fall to Forest Hill’s Eric Jones in the semifinal. Bloomingdale forfeited the fifthplace game, locking it up for Ulcena.

Johns (23-11), wrestling at 195, got a first-round bye and then beat Southeast’s Darrien Grant by 4-0 decision. He was beaten by Dr. Phillips’ Rakiem Eddy in the quarterfinal, in a 6-4 decision, and picked up one more win by fall over Haines City’s Stephen Bedwell at 2:07 in the first consolation round. Johns lost in the next two consolation rounds, though the second round went to double overtime.

Jashley Ulcena is captain of the Durant wrestling team. Page 17

Surprise Party

SPORTS EDITOR

SCOTT PURKS TAMPA BAY TIMES

A

went out and bought a brand new outfit for her

son, Markese Hargrove.

A suit.

Markese Hargrove was surprised when he got to a sports banquet Jan. 28. His mother hadn’t told him he had won a big award.

Hmmm. What could this be for?

ABOUT THE AWARD

“I had no idea,” said Hargrove, a senior at Plant City High School. “I figured it was for some banquets and maybe some graduation things coming up. But then mom buys all my clothes, so I didn’t think much more about it.”

SEE PAGE 17

Believed to be the oldest continuous high school sports award in the country and often described as Hillsborough County’s equivalent to college football’s Heisman Trophy, the Guy Toph Award has been presented since 1939 to football players who excel on the field and in the classroom. Guy Toph, the second orthodontist to open a practice in Tampa, was 29 when he created the football award and named it after himself.

The news on the SB 684 bill has been out for over a week. For those who missed it, the bill was approved by the Florida Senate after our last issue had went to press.

The “choice in sports” bill was approved unanimously and with little discussion. It allows parents to enroll their children in any school in Florida — as long as there’s room — regardless of where they live, so long as they’re involved in a sport or other extracurricular activity. And it wouldn’t be called the “choice in sports” bill if not for the fact that it gives great power to the programs.

Sure, there are some benefits from the passing of this bill. It allows students that can maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to switch athletic programs as they wish, and I’d be naïve to suggest that athletes all over Florida haven’t been stuck in situations they wished they could leave. This will allow the state’s most talented athletes to easily join programs that will give them the most exposure, leading to better collegiate opportunities.

Perhaps there are parents out there that truly want their kids to get a better education at another school, even if it means going to school in another zone, without having to jump through too many hoops. And the bill also accommodates homeschooled students, allowing them to play for whichever FHSAA-governed school’s teams they wish.

But there are plenty of reasons why athletic directors hate this bill, as I learned when the bill was brought up last summer, and I spoke at length with Durant’s Todd Long.

It does make the process of recruiting athletes from other schools easier. It doesn’t necessarily make it legal, but there’s now little to stop the coaches that are only concerned about whether or not they get caught.

“A student who transfers to a school during the school year may seek to immediately join an existing team if the roster for the specific interscholastic or intrascholastic extracurricular activity has not reached the activity’s identified maximum size and if the coach for the activity determines that the student has the requisite skill and ability to participate,” the bill says. “The FHSAA and school SEE KLINE PAGE 16

Batter Up In three days, Plant City’s favorite (non-football) pastime will be in season.

Each of the three area teams will face new challenges in 2016, whether it’s replacing personnel, dealing with new assignments or both. In fact, area fans could potentially see two district winners come from the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.

Because the districts have realigned for 2016, all three schools have been bumped up to FHSAA Class 8A status. And the reason there could be two district winners is because Strawberry Crest has been moved to another region.

Scott Purks

week ago, Kenyatta Shaw

It appears that the Strawberry Crest cheerleading program has reached one of its loftiest goals: becoming a state powerhouse.

The Chargers won their second consecutive FHSAA state championship last weekend, setting a new record in the Small Co-Ed division with a score of 91.4. The championship is the third in school history at the state level.

To recap this team’s season: the Chargers once again swept districts, regionals and states. It won Western Conference districts by 26.25 points, FHSAA regionals by 10.95 points and states by 15.55 points. It was the first undefeated season for both the Co-Ed team and the junior varsity squad.

The program now has two state titles, two state runner-up awards, four FHSAA regional titles and four Western Conference titles.

SPORTS EDITOR

What SB 684 could mean for prep sports

JUSTIN KLINE

Crest repeats as state champ

JUSTIN KLINE

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

Prep baseball season is a few days away. How do area teams look?

OPENING DAY

All three teams will play at 7 p.m. at home Tuesday, Feb. 9.

Spoto at Durant, 4748 Cougar Path Tampa Bay Tech at Plant City, 1 Raider Place Chamberlain at Strawberry Crest, 4691 Gallagher Road

The Chargers are now considered an 8A-District 4 team, seated at the end of Region 1. Durant and Plant City have stuck together in 8A-District 6, holding down Region 2. East Bay has also rejoined the Cougars and Raid-

ers in that district, but the rest of the faces are new.

If anything, the move could actually work in Crest’s favor: of the 2016 8A-4 teams, only the Chargers finished 2015 with a winning record (1611; 6-4 district). Durant and Plant City will once again have to deal with a quality team from outside the area, now Riverview instead of Brandon.

DURANT

It almost seems futile to pick at any potential Durant weaknesses before the season begins: few teams in the state have the Cougars’ habit of getting the most out of a roster, year in SEE BASEBALL PAGE 16

File photo

Durant is looking to win another district title in 2016.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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New Year’s resolutions bring focus to areas in our lives that we want to change or improve. But, just a few weeks into the new year, many of us find that this focus has gotten lost in the “I’m too busy” department.

Unfortunately, in the hustle and bustle of daily life, self-improvement plans are usually the first to go.

Why should they?

The many benefits of exercise, including stress reduction, are reason enough to keep up with your original plan. When your schedule is too full for a longer exercise period, you should simply find ways for more frequent, but shorter, periods of physical activity. A simple 10 minutes, two to three times a day, can work wonders.

Some of these ideas might help.

or block when waiting on your children. Power walk when shopping.

Zoom around the grocery store or mall, while being careful of others.

PICK AND CHOOSE

Use time more effectively. Reduce TV and idle computer time — go for a walk instead. The YMCA offers TVs at the treadmills, bikes, stair steppers and elliptical machines. Slip in some sit ups and push ups when listening to the evening news. I do toe raises and squats when watching the local weather report, as it takes just the right amount of time. These types of exercises quickly bring benefits, making us want to be more active GET ‘ER DONE

Do more projects around the house.

Burn calories while scrubbing, mopping and vacuuming. Washing the car, the dog or the lanai can be added to your daily exercise quota. Wash your windows: you’ve got Florida sunshine, fresh air and a water hose. Have fun. Laughter reduces stress and creates positive body chemistry.

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Plant City’s pitching has the coaches feeling optimistic.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

1) Statesman, 2) Ghent, 3) Abolition, 4) Alligator, 5) President.

John Quincy Adams Feb 4 (Medium, 0.56) This week’sdifficulty Sudokurating answers

1

8 3 5

4 7

9 2 7

2 3 6 8 1

4 6 5

9

5

6 9 7

4 1

7

2 5

3 9 6 8 4

1

3 4 8 6 5 9 1

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8 2 3 9 1

6 8 2 4 5

3 7

2 9 1

4 7

6 5

2 8 3 4 9 1

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This week’s Crossword answers

and year out.

But the Cougars have lost a big, important senior class to graduation.

The team will undoubtedly miss having players such as Cade Kelley, Brandon Wheat and Justin Nardello at the plate and arms like Bryce Gainer’s on the mound. All of these athletes came up big in the postseason.

On the bright side, Cougar fans have to be pleased with those coming back.

Chief among them is the versatile Jonah Scolaro, whose prowess at the plate and on the mound earned him the No. 4 spot on the Plant City Times & Observer’s top five athletes of 2015.

There’s also Zach Barfield, who helped lock up the district title with a clutch triple, multi-sport athlete Steven Witchoskey and .289 hitter Harrison Theocharakis.

Make the most of family time. Walk or hike with loved ones or friends. Play tag with the kids. Kick a soccer ball or shoot a few hoops. The fresh outdoors is free and inviting.

JENNIFER E. CLOSSHEY, PH.D., IS A DOCTOR OF INTEGRATIVE HOLISTIC HEALTH BASED OUT OF PLANT CITY. SHE TEACHES RESTORATIVE YOGA CLASSES AT THE PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA ON THURSDAYS.

Head coach Mike Fryrear is more excited for this team than any before it, and it’s not hard to see why. Although the Raiders didn’t play as well in 2015 as they had hoped to, posting a 13-11 (4-6 district) record, several players developed into studs.

There’s University of Florida commit Billy McKay, who posted a 1.14 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 61.1 innings of work as a starter and a reliever. He also hit .333 at the plate. Jarrett Joyner, who posted a 2.30 ERA, will also be back on the mound and is expected to make a big impact.

Three of the team’s top hitters — Connor Slagill, Miguel Martinez and Sawyer Dawson — have graduated.

Taking their place will be Dalton Wingo, who batted .260 last season and has since drawn the interest of programs like South Carolina, and twosport star Peyton Collins, returning from a football injury for his senior season and hoping to improve upon last year’s .308 average.

The program has also added Strawberry Crest transfers Matt Moclair and Austin Eldridge. Moclair will replace defensive stud Trey Matthews as starting catcher, and Eldridge will be asked to both play nearly every position on the field and bring a solid bat into the lineup.

Could this be the year that Plant City turns the corner and scores an upset in the district tournament?

district, and the team is hoping for that kind of outcome in 2016. They’ll have to do it without Mark Moclair, who graduated after turning in a great season as the team’s ace and a .312 hitter.

The team has some solid pitching options in Matt Trzeciak and Damien Torres to make up for part of Moclair’s absence. Torres, a sophomore, had the lowest ERA on the team at 0.79, over 26.2 innings, and won four games while striking out 25 batters. Trzeciak, a senior, posted a 1.93 ERA over 32.2 innings — second-most on the team.

Both players also batted .333.

Leading hitter Alex Kachler will be back, coming off of a season where he led the Chargers with a .357 average and 25 hits. Logan Fernandez, who batted .302 and led the team with 13 runs scored, will be back.

Crest’s new rivals posted a combined record of 6-21 in district play last year. Should those woes continue, the Chargers have a good chance to prosper in their new home.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

STRAWBERRY CREST

The 8A-4 district is one of the smaller ones in the class, consisting of Crest, Wiregrass Ranch, Freedom and Wharton.

Crest’s 16-11 (6-4 district) season in 2015 would have been enough to give the Chargers the top seed in this

Strawberry Crest hopes to shake things up.

Kline’s Mind: ‘choice in sports’ SEE IT FOR YOURSELF The entire text of SB 684, which runs 25 pages, can be viewed online at the following link: FlSenate.gov/Session/ Bill/2016/0684/BillText/Filed/PDF.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

2016

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Climb the stairs at home, if you have stairs, more often. Take items up or down stairs one at a time to maximize exercise time and benefits. Getting up 30 minutes earlier to tackle an extra project, or to take a walk, adds up.

Although Riverview is coming off of a great 2015, it’s likely that Durant will get to defend its district crown in the championship game.

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Walk when you can. Walk the dog twice a day — you both deserve it. A brisk walk before eating lunch helps boost metabolism while reducing hunger. Park the car in the furthest parking spot. Skip the elevator, and take the stairs. Walk around the field

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district may not declare such a student ineligible because the student did not have the opportunity to comply with qualifying requirements.”

You’re stripping the FHSAA and school administrators of roughly all of their power with this move, transferring it to the coaches. There is no way that this power will not be abused by someone, somewhere.

Likewise, giving students the opportunity to jump to another school on a whim can hurt the students that are suddenly out of playing time, or even a roster spot, because of it. The obvious answer is for those students to switch schools and join another team, but that’s

not always a realistic option for the families.

A Hernando County colleague of mine recently touched on the fact that, should too many of a school’s best athletes go to one school while much of the rest go to another, you could be looking at underfunding and understaffing. I’m not sure this is something that would happen right away, or at a large enough scale to wreck an entire school, but it could spell doom for many athletic programs around the county. We already see golf, wrestling and other programs struggling for participation, and this is not going to help.

In fact, the way the bill is currently worded, students can join programs “immediately.” So, a student could play football at Plant City, basketball at Strawberry Crest and baseball at Durant in one year, and then start over again for the following year. Did the Senate just create another AAU system?

While it’s likely that no student will actually do that, the fact that loophole language like this was approved with no Senate discussion

is mystifying.

Many homeschooled students participate in athletic leagues specifically created for the purpose of giving them an organized sports experience, such as F.I.S.H. Now that they’re able to join public schools’ programs, I wouldn’t be surprised if some Florida-based homeschool leagues eventually have to fold.

An optimistic acquaintance of mine, with no connection to prep sports, said that he’d like to see the bill drive schools to compete academically to attract students and parents. Maybe I’m just pessimistic about it, but the chances of that both happening and actually working on a large scale are about as good as Wile E. Coyote’s chances of catching the Roadrunner.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the FHSAA needs to make a lot of changes, but murdering it with this bill is not the right solution.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

Jashley Ulcena Wrestling at 182 pounds, Durant senior Jashley Ulcena placed fifth at last week’s George Jenkins invitational tournament and hopes to keep improving throughout the rest of the regular season. Ulcena is a captain of the team, and head coach Drake Millard raves about his skills both on the mat and in the classroom.

How are you feeling about this season, thus far?

I’m feeling pretty good about the season. I can’t wait for districts, regionals and states. It’s going to be a fun one, since it’s my last year.

I can’t wait to get there and, hopefully, place at states.

What was the toughest part of the George Jenkins tourney?

I’d have to say wrestling guys that are a lot stronger than I am and a little bit stronger than guys in our room that I usually train with.

They’re a lot stronger, so it’s hard to control them, but you’ve got to deal with it.

How do you deal with it?

Beat them on technique. I try to wrestle around them, instead of bull-rush through them.

Do you have a go-to move?

I’d have to say a high crotch or rushing into a snap single.

How would you say you’ve been performing this season, as well as the team?

I feel like I’m doing OK. I could definitely do better. As a team, we have some work to do if we want to be a little bit better than we are this year.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Hargrove wins Guy Toph

You have to force yourself to stay in it and keep progressing through it.

Some people have talent, because it runs in the family, but the people that don’t have it running in the family have to have dedication.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

On Thursday, Hargrove was told to put on his new suit and hop in the car because he and Shaw were taking a trip to downtown Tampa. No need to worry about school.

But why?

“Still no idea,” Hargrove said. “She said it might be for some academic award or something.”

Hargrove owns a 4.8 grade-point average. But when Hargrove walked into the Hillsborough County School Board building and saw the trophies on the table, including one featuring a large gold football, he started to wonder: “Is this something big?”

Was it ever.

A few minutes later, Hargrove was presented the Guy Toph trophy, given every year since 1939 to Hillsborough County’s top football player. Looking sharp in his new suit, he held the trophy tight, smiled a thousand-watt smile and posed for photos.

“Wow,” Hargrove said. “When they told me what it was, it was overwhelming. There was a rush through my body.”

Before the season, Hargrove said he could have never imagined the Guy Toph award was possible because he said there are so many great players in this county.

In the end, Hargrove had one of the best seasons in county history, rushing for 1,731 yards and 13 touchdowns and

Any other wrestlers in your family?

No, it’s just me.

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

I’ve always wanted to fly. I’d fly all over the world.

You can have a match against any wrestler in the world. Who do you pick?

Definitely Jordan Burroughs.

Who is your favorite athlete of all time?

I could name a couple. I feel like some people are going to hate me for this one but LeBron James.

Definitely Jordan Burroughs and Stephen Curry.

Is there any wrestler that you’ve tried to model your style after?

No, I like to think that I have my own, unique style.

What makes your style unique?

I think when I’m on the mat. I’m not a “bam-bam, do it, do it” wrestler. If he’s giving me this move, then I’m going to take that.

File photo

Markese Hargrove powered Plant City.

leading Plant City to an 11-2 record for the most wins in school history.

“This award caps off the season we had because the award is going to the young man that we built our program around,” first-year Plant City coach Greg Meyer said. “He’s a little undersized (5-foot-9, 170 pounds) so he’s had to fight for everything he’s earned.

His work ethic and determination was contagious. His attitude spread through the team.”

NOT THE ONLY WINNER Markese Hargrove took home the big football trophy, but other fall sports awarded individual honorees. For girls golf, Kendall Johnson, of Plant City High School, also scored. Johnson is a multiple state-tournament qualifier.

She maintains a 6.9 GPA.

ESTATE AUCTION Saturday, February 6, 12:00 PM

What do you think you need to work on the most before districts?

Takedowns and working on my top moves to hold the guy down. Try to collect near-falls and pins.

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How long have you been wrestling?

Four years, nothing but Durant.

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What’s your favorite subject?

My favorite subject is math, and my favorite class right now is calculus. A lot of people don’t like calculus, but I think it’s entertaining.

I hated math, so I’m curious: what’s the appeal of calculus?

I don’t know, just problem-solving, I guess. I like problem-solving.

Any college plans?

I want to be a computer engineer and, hopefully, if I get something in the mail, do wrestling too.

Right now, I’ve sent applications to Florida State, I’m making one for Cal-Berkeley and a prospect school called Lourdes University, in Ohio.

A kid comes up to you and asks for advice on how to be a good wrestler. What do you tell him?

It’s all about dedication. The first few years you’re in the sport, you’re kind of getting beaten up sometimes. You face a hard wall, and you feel like it’s not your sport.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

W EAT HER

I LOVE PLANT CITY

FORECAST Jenn Dittmeier saw this beautiful horse off Park Road in Plant City while driving by.

Jenn wins a Grimes Hardware Strawberry Town Cafe gift card. She can claim the card with an ID at Strawberry Town Cafe, 3161 Paul Buchman Highway.

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ACROSS 1 Slugger Ruth 5 Bulblike plant structure 9 Fort McHenry sight 13 City in Nebraska 18 Super server 19 What Sinatra’s fans did 21 Thing hanging in a gym 22 Less plentiful 23 Quit 26 Authoritative proclamation 27 Choppers 28 Lewis with Lamb Chop 29 Barely on, as lights 31 Caribous’ cousins 32 Places for pigs 34 Doing nothing 36 Hero shop?

38 What a lead actor may take 43 Camera components 47 Tide type 50 Appear imminent 51 Drumming sounds 53 Take back in?

55 Country album?

56 Hindu loincloth 57 Pricey parking 58 Like overly optimistic projections 62 “... happily ___ after” 63 Lacrosse tool 65 Try to slim down 66 Impertinent types 68 Laotian currency unit 70 Article accompanier 74 Half a trumpet’s sound 75 Long steps 79 Store’s attraction 80 What haste makes 84 Its capital is Tehran 85 Join 91 Twosome 92 Chaps 94 Albacore and bluefin 95 Detail to tie up 97 Member of a conspiracy 99 ___ Blanc, highest of the Alps 100 “___ will be done” 101 Stay attached 102 Like atheists?

107 Item in a burrito 109 Word with “grapes” or “cream” 110 Tackle Everest 113 Iridescent gem 116 Mai ___ (rum cocktail) 118 Stuck-up person 121 Really enjoyed 123 Beyond the exurbs 125 Traitor 129 Fanny in “Funny Girl” 130 Measure of farmland 131 Fertilizer chemical 132 Stats for a QB 133 Satisfy, as thirst 134 Duke’s daughter 135 Ice-cream holder 136 Dermatologist’s removal

Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a former First Son or Daughter.

Using the hints U=A and F=T, decipher the clues to name the son or daughter.

1. G F U F X G B U R 2. K W X R F

3. U D I P Q F Q I R

4. U P P Q K U F I Z

5. M Z X G Q N X R F

This child was born on July 11, 1767, the second oldest of six:

SUDOKU

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

Feb 4 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.56)

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CROSSWORD IN THE MIX by Gary Cooper

CRYPTOQUIZ

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1.57 in.

See other winning photos at PlantCityObserver.com

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

SUNRISE / SUNSET

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.

ONLINE

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DOWN 1 Sheet of matted cotton 2 Is sore 3 Artist’s topper 4 Steamy 5 TV procedural set in Vegas 6 Possesses 7 Type of IRA 8 Angora’s coat 9 To’s opposite 10 Not high 11 Caricatured 12 Extremely cold 13 Metal-in-the-raw 14 How the wealthy have it on a hot day?

15 Hard outer covering 16 “Gosh darn!”

17 They might be liberal 20 High school outcasts, stereotypically 24 Roulette and steering 25 Knight fight 30 Sandwich from the oven 33 Be a busybody 35 Fifth-largest planet 37 X-ray vision stopper 39 Daughter of Aaron Spelling

40 Fixes securely 41 “The Wizard of Oz” family name, ironically 42 Pilot’s estimates 44 Range 45 Pizzeria patron 46 Mixes in a recipe 47 Work units 48 What a cop walks 49 “South Pacific” island: ___ Ha’i 52 Seeks some answers 54 Profitable again 55 Certifies 59 “Rocky ___” (film with Mr. T) 60 Homer Simpson’s neighbor 61 Swerve, as a ship 64 Young goat 67 Wood cutter 69 Baseball throw 71 Pooh-___ 72 Pub pint 73 Kingdoms 75 Fraternity letter 76 Part of a step 77 French dressing alternative 78 ___ good example 81 Bird fat?

82 Trig term

83 Canoer’s threat 86 Ballet costume 87 Get ___ the ground floor 88 Deal breakers?

89 Eccentric geezer 90 Cocktail ingredient 93 Address for King Arthur 96 “The Great Escape” setting 98 Without a mixer or chaser 103 Motor attachment 104 Argument 105 Like some satire 106 Type of acid 108 Kind of decongestant 111 Irving’s “A Prayer for Owen ___” 112 Some sculptures 113 Globes and spheres 114 Knitting loop 115 Solo performed in an opera 117 Machu Picchu native 119 “Beetle Bailey” dog 120 “And ___ there were none” 122 “Hey, I’ve got a secret!”

124 Peggy or Spike 126 Suffix for “tank” 127 Lock opener 128 “... ___ he drove out of sight ...”

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

A Life-Saving Addition Steve and Krista Howard Heart and Vascular Center When the Steve and Krista Howard Heart and Vascular Center opened, South Florida Baptist Hospital answered our community’s need for better heart care in Plant City. This heart and vascular center is the first of its kind in Plant City, offering state-of-the-art diagnostic services, including diagnostic heart catheterization and interventional heart and vascular procedures.

For more information or to take a free heart risk assessment: SouthFloridaBaptistHeart.org

Tips for Avoiding Heart Disease Your heart is a vital organ that keeps your body functioning. Unfortunately, many people don’t treat it that way. Daily habits and lifestyle can overwork and damage the heart. Take care of your heart and yourself. Start with these lifestyle changes: n Become smoke-free n Eat heart-friendly foods n Monitor your blood pressure n Reduce stress n Set and pursue exercise goals n Track your weight

Learn more about heart health and heart disease prevention: Baycare.org/Health-Library BC1600557-0116 194564

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