02.17.17 PCTO by Plant City Observer

PLANT CITY TIMES &

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 4, NO. 32

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Educating the future Learn Tampa Bay is seeking funding for the rest of the year. SEE PAGE 3. YOUR TOWN

File photo

A permit for work on the Bing Rooming House was filed Feb. 10.

Flying High Ed Verner, a part-owner of the Plant City Times & Observer and founder of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, was named the 2017 Citizen of the Year.

Bing Rooming House undergoes facelift The historic Bing Rooming House, located at 205 Allen St., is undergoing restoration efforts. This year’s Plant City MLK Festival, held annually in January, served as a fundraiser for the African-American heritage museum with the hopes of addressing drainage issues, foundation work, floor refurbishing and paint work. After an initial $25,000 was raised, Unity in the Community contributed an additional $5,000 to help start the restoration project. On Friday, Feb. 10, a permit was filed to begin work on the museum. “City leadership has been vocally passionate about this as an economic initiative that deserves equal consideration,” William Thomas Jr., president of the Improvement League of Plant City, said. “It’s a beautiful building, and every day someone new is made aware of its presence.”

EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR

Longstanding Faith Members of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate the church’s 131st anniversary at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, and Sunday, Feb. 19, at the church, 804 W. Renfro St. All are invited to join the congregation as they celebrate the anniversary. The guest speaker for Saturday’s event will be the ‘Sons of Bethel’ group. On Feb. 19, the guest speaker will be Lakeland native Dr. Sheridan Nelson, the senior pastor for Abyssinia Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia. Attendees of the event are encouraged to wear purple and gold to celebrate the anniversary.

Emily Topper

s residents know, Ed Verner’s impact in the Plant City community can be seen in every corner of the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World – from the streets of Historic Downtown to his involvement in local civic organizations. His fellow Plant Citians have noticed. On Wednesday, Feb. 15, Verner was announced as the 2017 Citizen of the Year. Verner was presented the award by the 2016 recipient, Sharon Moody. “I’m humbled,” Verner said. “I would not be here today if it were not for my father and my grandfather. Both of them loved Plant City and instilled that in me. I would like to say thank you to my wife, Amanda ... I would not be here today if it wasn’t for my wife. I want to thank her publicly and declare my love for her, and for how she re-engaged me in Plant City. I’m very grateful for her. This is an honor I very much appreciate.”

2016 Citizen of the Year Sharon Moody presented the award to Ed Verner, the 2017 recipient. SEE CITIZEN PAGE 4

Commission approves repairs for Walden Woods Drive Work on the project is expected to begin in midMarch, during which time the road will be closed. DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

Daniel Figueroa IV

Work on Walden Woods Drive is set to begin next month.

At a Monday, Feb. 13 meeting, the City Commission unanimously approved a resolution for a work order to repair a section of Walden Woods Drive, just north of Waldenway Drive.

According to City Manager Mike Herr, a depression in the northbound lane of Walden Woods Drive at the drainage inlet has been patched at least three times since 2015. “A slight depression in the road started back in 2015 and was patched,” Herr said. “In June 2016, the road was patched again, and in November 2016, the drainage pipe was videoed to determine the extent and severity of the problem.” A review of the video showed that about 75% of the drainage inlet’s connections and concrete pipe joints were leaking, according to a report

from Herr’s office. Multiple options were looked at to repair the depression. However, due to wet conditions around the drainage inlet, the report showed that only removing and repairing 183 feet of drainage pipe, two inlets, the sidewalk and the curb proved viable, in addition to repairing the roadway. “Whenever depressions are noticed in a roadway and patching is required, an investigation is started to determine whether the cause is a water main, gravity sewer main or drainage SEE COMMISSION PAGE 6

WHAT’S HAPPENING

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17, 2017

“There’s specific times when you just get stuck. I really always make an effort to get them out of the shelters. It works out, but it never works out on my time table.” —Bill Gray, the founder of Second Chance Boxer Rescue Inc., is seeking donations for a pop-up home for animals in need of a foster home. SEE PAGE 10

#StrawBuddySelfieTour

GFWC Plant City Junior Woman’s Club elects new officers The 2017 GFWC Plant City Junior Woman’s Club has elected its executive board for the 2017 year. This year’s board directors include: President: Ilene Chavez 1st Vice President/Programs: Betty Medina 2nd Vice President/Membership: Jamie Sammons 3rd Vice President/Fundraising: Mackensi Beers Secretary: Samantha Blahnik Treasurer: Racquel Sturgis Historian: Ashley Zarecor

Three injured in crash on State Road 60 Three people are facing serious injuries after a wrong-way crash on State Road 60 Friday, Feb. 10. James Edward Cissell, 75, of Lithia, was driving northbound on Turkey Creek Road. From Turkey Creek Road, Cissell turned left onto State Road 60 in the eastbound lanes, but drove westbound. Cissell traveled into the median and collided with a sign post. Continuing westbound, he sideswiped three other vehicles in his 1999 Dodge Ram. East of Sydney Washer Road, Cissell collided head-on with a 2015 Chevy Camaro, driven by Teresa Ann Flowers, 53, of Plant City. Following the impact, Flowers’ Camaro rotated and came to rest in the median. Cissell’s car overturned and came to a stop outside the eastbound lane. Flowers and her passenger, Conda Gail Griffith, 73, of Plant City, are facing serious injuries and were transported to Lakeland Regional Health. Cissell, also facing serious injuries, was transported to Tampa General Hospital. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Stingray 2017 Raffle Flyer 8.5x11 Office, Print 5000.pdf 1 his crash is believed to be alcoholrelated.

he Plant City Times & Observer’s 2017 Florida Strawberry Festival Guide mascot, StrawBuddy, is excited about everything Plant City and the festival have to offer — and he wants Plant City residents and visitors to join in on the fun. The 2017 StrawBuddy Selfie Tour Challenge will kick off Friday, Feb. 25. Find StrawBuddy at locations on the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds, and at locations all across Plant City. Once StrawBuddy is spotted, take a selfie with him and post it to social media using the hashtags #PlantCityStrawBuddy, #BerryFest17 and #VisitPlantCity for a chance to win tickets to headliner shows, including Little Big Town on Sunday, March 5, and Rascal Flatts on Sunday, March 12. The person with the most selfies at the most locations will win. Little Big Town ticket winners will be announced Friday, March 3, and Rascal Flatts ticket winners will be announced Friday, March 11/21/2016 10:42:08 AM 10.

STRAWBUDDY LOCATIONS StrawBuddy locations include, but are not limited to: n RAOK Boutique n Krazy Kup n Plant City Times &

Observer n Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum n Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce n Dark Horse Music Store n Tani’s for Dessert

All StrawBuddy locations will be listed online at PlantCityObserver. com with contest details beginning Monday, Feb. 20.

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• Power Windows w/Express Up and Down • Remote Vehicle Starter (Automatic Trans Only) • SiriusXM Satellite Radio (3-Month Subscription) • Solar-Ray Tinted Glass • Steering, Power, Sensitive Rack & Pinion Viable Chevrolet and “Unity in the Community” living in the same household are not eligible to win. Raffle tickets will be available at Stingray Chevrolet until 6pm EST Friday, 3/10/17, and at the Florida StrawberrySpeed Festival (March 2-March 12, 2017) during hours of operation up to 4:30pm EDT 3/12/17. Tickets will also be available on-line at stingraychevroletraffle.com until 3pm EST Friday 3/10/17. Limit tickets per person. Winner be promptly • 50 Steering Wheel, 3 will Spoke Leather Wrapped Flat Bottom Ratio Thank you for being a notified of the drawing by phone. If failure to contact winner within 72 hours of the drawing occurs, another winner will be drawn. Winner responsible for any prize related federal taxes (Form 1099 will be provided). Void • Traction Control Raider Champion for where prohibited. Participants agree to release, discharge and hold harmless Stingray Chevrolet, Unity in the Community, Inc, participating radio stations, radio programs, parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies, and Wipers, Front Plant City High School! their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives, against any claim, liability or expense arising from participation in the raffle and/or acceptance•or use of any prize. Must beIntermittent a legal U.S. resident *A raffle for a new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport is being conducted by Unity in the Community, Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Plant City, Florida. Stingray Chevrolet, located in Plant City, Florida, is the source of the prize. The winning ticket will be drawn at 5pm EDT on March 12, 2017 at The Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Florida. Winner need not be present to win. All proceeds from the raffle benefit Unity in the Community, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. A $5 minimum donation per raffle ticket is suggested but not required. No purchase necessary. Winner must be 18 years or older. Employees, members and immediate family members of Stingray Chevrolet and “Unity in the Community” living in the same household are not eligible to win. Raffle tickets will be available at Stingray Chevrolet until 6pm EST Friday, 3/10/17, and at the Florida Strawberry Festival (March 2-March 12, 2017) during hours of operation up to 4:30pm EDT 3/12/17. Tickets will also be available on-line at stingraychevroletraffle.com until 3pm EST Friday 3/10/17. Limit 50 tickets per person. Winner will be promptly notified of the drawing by phone. If failure to contact winner within 72 hours of the drawing occurs, another winner will be drawn. Winner responsible for any prize related federal taxes (Form 1099 will be provided). Void where prohibited. Participants agree to release, discharge and hold harmless Stingray Chevrolet, Unity in the Community, Inc, participating radio stations, radio programs, parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives, against any claim, liability or expense arising from participation in the raffle and/or acceptance or use of any prize. Must be a legal U.S. resident of the Continental U.S. to be eligible to win the car. Winner is responsible for taking local delivery of the Corvette Grand Sport at Stingray Chevrolet.

*A raffle for a new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport is being conducted by Unity in the Community, Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Plant City, Florida. Stingray Chevrolet, located in Plant City, Florida, is the source of the prize. The winning ticket will be drawn at 5pm EDT on March 12, 2017 at The Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Florida. Winner need not be present to win. All proceeds from the raffle benefit Unity in the Community, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. A $5 minimum donation per raffle ticket is suggested but not required. No purchase necessary. Winner must be 18 years or older. Employees, members and immediate family members of Stingray.

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of the Continental U.S. to be eligible to win the car. Winner is responsible for taking local delivery of the Corvette Grand Sport at Stingray Chevrolet.

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Stingray 2017 Raffle Flyer 8.5x11 Print 5000.pdf 1 11/21/2016 10:42:08 AM

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

INVESTING IN THE CHILDREN

Photos by Daniel Figueroa IV

Children take a break from their early childhood classes while their parents continue to learn inside.

The local nonprofit, which provides educational services to the Hispanic community, hopes to remain open through the school year. DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

“I’d like to. I prefer to. I’d rather. I’d like to. I prefer to. I’d rather.” Cathy Stein and her student, Maria Castillo, repeat the phrases in unison. Stein, a teacher at Learn Tampa Bay in Plant City, is trying to help the mother of two understand some of the nuances of the English language. Castillo has been taking adult education courses at Learn Tampa Bay, located at 504 E. Baker St., for nearly two years. The nonprofit organization provides early childhood development courses and tutoring programs for children, as well as adult literacy and parenting classes to the Hispanic community in Plant City and its surrounding areas. “This program helps me (learn) reading and writing and comprehension,” Castillo said. “I come here because I want to learn how to speak and communicate to help my daughter with her homework.” It’s a family affair. While her daughter, Evelyn, is at school, Castillo and her 4-year-old son, Sebastian, take classes at Learn Tampa Bay. When Sebastian started, his reading and vocabulary skills were more than a year below where they should have been. Now, as he prepares to start kindergarten, he’ll be almost two years ahead. But Learn Tampa Bay’s mission — started by founder Angelica Ibarra – needs support. Ibarra said the nonprofit is in dire need of funding. Learn Tampa Bay needs $45,000 to remain open through the school year. With current funds, the nonprofit may only be able to stay open until April. With education as Ibarra’s top priority, she hopes the Plant City community will continue to support her growing mission. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Ibarra, 46, came to the United States with her family from Sinaloa, a coastal state on the Gulf of California in Mexico, in 1977. She was part of a family of farmers, but Sinaloa had no work for them. “We didn’t have anything,” Ibarra said. “It was a struggle just to feed the family.” They sought a better life in Edinburg, a south Texas border town in the lower Rio Grande Valley. There, Ibarra’s mother, father and two older brothers farmed onions and watermelon. Ibarra stayed home to watch her four younger siblings. Life was better there, but not by much.

The family eventually relocated to the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. They’d work until strawberry season was over, and Ibarra joined her family in the fields. In April, the family would head to Georgia and the Carolinas to pick onions for a month or two, and then to Ohio to pick cucumbers. Ibarra repeated the annual cycle until her mid-20s. “When we come here as immigrants, we come thinking we’re going to work,” Ibarra said. “We have to work to survive. Education is not the priority for us.” Once Ibarra became a mother herself, she saw she needed to do more, for both herself and her children. She got her GED, attended Hillsborough Community College and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in international studies. Educating others quickly became her passion. Since 2003, she has been committed to providing educational services to the Hispanic community, first in Tampa, then relocating back to Plant City in 2011. In 2014, Learn Tampa Bay was born. Since then, Ibarra has dedicated herself to helping families through many of the same struggles she faced, all while making education a priority. Migrant families make up about 25% of Learn Tampa Bay’s clientele, but the need for education extends into Plant City’s growing Hispanic population — nearly one third of all residents, according to the United States Census Bureau. “Part of what we do is changing their way of thinking,” Ibarra said. “Education is the door to more opportunities. The heart of what we do is the family, parent involvement. We focus a lot on the little ones (and) getting them ready for kindergarten. The best way to do that is by supporting the parents. If the parents don’t know how to help the kids, if they can’t support them, then how can they help them?” STAYING THE COURSE

Stein thinks the family aspect of Learn Tampa Bay makes it an ideal program and one of Plant City’s invaluable assets. The nonprofit volunteers try to teach parents the importance of going to conferences and volunteering in their children’s schools and setting goals for their children’s future. The goal is to provide support, structure and education. “It’s like the best kept secret in Plant City,” Stein said. “And it shouldn’t be.” The nonprofit is primarily funded through foundations and corporations, including The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, the Barbara

Above: Cathy Stein and Maria Castillo go over passages from “Charlotte’s Web” at Learn Tampa Bay. Left: Enriqueta Santibañez practicing english at Learn Tampa Bay.

IF YOU GO SECOND ANNUAL WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER When: 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 31. Where: John R. Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College, 1206 N. Park Road Tickets: $25 per person Tables and Sponsorships: $250 to $2,500 Call: (813) 752-4010 Email: Angelica@LearnTampaBay.org. Visit: LearnTampaBay.org.

Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the Tampa Bay Rays Foundation and Suncoast Federal Credit Union. The annual operating budget is roughly $170,000, mostly going to staff salary and occupancy costs. Ibarra hates talking about or asking for money — she’d rather focus on educating families. She does, however, reluctantly accept the hard truth that she needs to discuss it. In addition to the necessary $45,000 needed to stay open through the school year, Ibarra hopes that an additional $35,000 can be raised to offer a summer program. For her, keeping the program going is not just a desire, but a necessity. “You have people here that are our participants who are hard working people, but they don’t understand that through education you can really change your life,” Ibarra said. “Sometimes, even, parents don’t think their

kids will make it through high school. It’s not discussed at home. There are no plans.” Ibarra is currently working to get the funding she needs to keep the doors open by applying for grants and organizing fundraising events. Learn Tampa Bay will host a wine tasting at the John R. Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College on Friday, March 31. The nonprofit is also seeking more volunteers for the tutoring programs and fundraisers. “If we don’t help those in our community, what does it say about us?” Ibarra said. “Investing in the children is one of the most important things. We should invest in them. Our program has come together because of the community.” Castillo knows this to be true. She credits much of her son’s progress to the classes he takes at Learn Tampa Bay, as well as the assistance and guidance she gets from Stein.

Stein uses children books in her lessons. Together, she and Castillo read through passages from E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web in a small, dimly lit classroom. “There’s so much vocabulary, a lot of repetition and pictures,” Stein said. “They take these books home to their family, and it creates a cycle of learning. These parents are setting a wonderful example for their children of the importance of education.” For Castillo, she wants to show her own children — and the next generations — that education will pave the way to continued success. “Even though I’d like to stay home,” Castillo said, “I prefer to go to school.” Contact Daniel Figueroa IV at dfigueroa@plantcityobserver.com.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

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Editor’s Note: Ed Verner is a part owner and co-founder of the Plant City Times & Observer. The Citizen of the Year award is kept a secret from the recipient and members of the community until it is announced. Given annually by a committee and the leaders of local civic clubs, the award is presented to a resident who has demonstrated service above self. Potential recipients are nominated and voted upon until a final recipient is chosen for the award. For Ken Gibbs, this year’s award was well-earned. He met Verner through the Kiwanis Club more than 20 years ago, and the two have remained longtime friends. “We’ve been friends for 25 years,” Gibbs said. “He’s a very giving person who doesn’t look for anything in return. He challenges you in your thoughts.” Verner’s wife, Amanda, was honored to see her husband recognized for his contributions to Plant City. “I cried first (when I found out),” Amanda Verner said. “He doesn’t like recognition. I’m happy he’s being honored for the many different things he’s involved in, and for his passion and love of the town.” Verner, a Lakeland native, graduated from Lakeland High School and went on to graduate from Duke University, where he majored in sociology and minored in business and accounting. He currently runs City Properties Company in Historic Downtown, but has had stints as an 18-wheeler driver, DJ, waiter, funeral home attendant, Ford dealership owner and night club manager. Verner’s contributions to Plant City include being a founder and co-owner of the Plant City Times & Observer, creator of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center and the redevelopment of much of Historic Downtown, including the Lee Building. “I’ve seen Ed give selflessly of himself through his commitments to Plant City and his investments of wanting to start the paper,” City Commissioner Nate Kilton, a fellow Observer

“I was just humbled ... It’s easy to stay motivated with my tasks because it was a passion to start with.” —Ed Verner, 201 7 Citizen of the Year

co-owner, said. “There couldn’t be a better person to receive it.” Gil Gott, the executive director at the Plant City Photo Archives, agreed. “I’ve known Ed for some time,” Gott said. “He was focused on revitalizing the old Lee Building, and he brought it back. He put life into the Photo Archives and made the photos and history available to the people.” Verner was joined at the ceremony by much of his family, including his wife, Amanda, parents, Dr. John and Sally Verner and brother, Jamie. His three children, David, Robert and Vaviel, were away at college for the ceremony, but took to social media to share their congratulations. “I cannot express how proud I am of my father for having achieved the honored status of Plant City’s Citizen of the Year award,” David Verner wrote in a Facebook post. “For all of my life, he has been a humble, pious, generous and unquestionably sincere man, and anecdotes like this only serve to expound upon his often anonymous kindheartedness toward the community and all with whom he interacts.” Verner’s daughter, Vaviel, also posted on Facebook. “This man has not only influenced Plant City in so many aspects, but also my own life,” Vaviel Verner wrote. “You are truly a man of honor, integrity, courage, Godliness and intelligence.” Upon accepting the award, Verner thanked his family for their continued support. “I was just humbled,” he said. “I was thinking about my dad and my granddad. It’s easy to stay motivated with my involvements because it was a passion to start with.” Verner’s additional involvements include serving as a past president of the Kiwanis Club, a past chairman for the Greater Plant City Chamber of

Photos by Emily Topper

Top: Amanda English Verner congratulated her husband, Ed Verner, on being named the 2017 Citizen of the Year. Above: 2017 Citizen of the Year Ed Verner with his wife, Amanda English Verner.

Commerce and as a past chair for the East Hillsborough Historical Society. In his spare time, Verner is a singersongwriter, composer and recording artist who has written over 150 songs. A fan of all things in the air and sea, he also is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-rated pilot and a United States Coast Guard certified captain. Verner and his family attend First Baptist Church of Dover, and he has been baptized in the Jordan River twice while visiting Israel. As Plant City grows, Verner hopes that the town will keep its hometown charm. “I hope that she (Plant City) won’t outgrow her roots,” he said. “I have faith. Plant City has an eye on heritage and history.” Contact Emily Topper at etopper@ plantcityobserver.com.

Thank You

These Johnson Road Community Church women prepared meals for the homeless each Wednesday for the past 4½ years. They retired this month and encourage others to begin the ministry.

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The Pastor Dick Griffin and the congregation look forward to a high attendance Sunday, 10:00 a.m., February 19. Johnson Road Communty Church Johnson Road and James Redman Parkway Plant City, FL 33566

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Check in often for daily updates

including pictures of items on this week’s auction!

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

“Marco’s and Papa John’s.” — W.C. Hogland, 68

FEB. 3

LOCK YOUR CARS 1100 block of East Cherry Street. Vehicle burglary: Officers met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) entered his unlocked GMC pickup truck and stole his black leather wallet, which contained cash and credit cards. THAT’S A FAULT 600 block of East Baker Street. Petit theft: Officers met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) had stolen several tennis rackets, valued together at $175, from a donation center. They also found that, on Wednesday, Feb. 1, several boxes containing unknown items were stolen from the center’s drop-off area. BIKE BANDIT 2730 block of Horseshoe Drive. Burglary: Officer met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) stole a pair of Trek brand bicycles from their open garage. The bikes, valued together at $800, had last been seen at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3. RUDE AWAKENING 1700 block of East Baker Street. Possession of drugs: Officers responded to a report of a subject who had been found passed out on the ground. Subject was located and arrested.

“ABC Pizza. They’re the best. You might have to pay a bit more, but it’s worth it.”

FEB. 4

THINGS REMEMBERED 810 block of West Warren Street. Grand theft auto: Officer met with complainant, who stated her Hyundai Sonata had been stolen while

FEB. 7

KINGPIN 1500 block of Smyrna Place. Vehicle burglary: Officer met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) entered his unlocked vehicle overnight and stole a GPS device, three bowling balls, two double bowling ball bags, two wrist braces and two pairs of shoes. The items were valued together at $981. she was visiting friends. Complainant stated that, after falling asleep at night and leaving her keys on a table, she woke up to find the keys and the car gone. Some time after the vehicle was registered as stolen, complainant reported the car had been returned to her by a friend, to whom she had agreed to lend the car for $40. Charges for making a false police report were not filed, due to her special needs, and a waiver of prosecution was signed. OUT OF JUICE 3510 block of Sandburg Loop. Burglary: Officer met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) had removed the battery from their vehicle. PLAYING WITH POWER 610 block of East Langford Street. Burglary: Officer met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) broke into his locked shed and stole an 18-volt DeWalt cordless tool set, valued at $650. The burglary occurred sometime between Saturday, Jan. 28, and Saturday, Feb. 4.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

FEB. 5

FREAKY FAKE 2420 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Counterfeit bill: Officer met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) attempted to buy food from a restaurant with a counterfeit $20 bill.

COPS CORNER

We asked: Where do you get the best slice of pizza in Plant City?

FEB. 6

ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER 700 block of Wiggins Court. Burglary: Officer responded to a report of suspicious subjects, but was unable to locate them. Afterward, he found that a nearby home’s sliding glass door had been broken. It was determined that three television sets, an Xbox 360 video game console and five video games were stolen.

FEB. 7

NICE TRY 3500 block of West Baker Street. Shoplifting: Officer met with complainant, who stated a dollar store employee had rung up items and canceled transactions several times between Monday, Jan. 2, and Wednesday, Jan. 18. The total amount stolen was $500.

— Tama Hommel, 69

“My mom has been very happy at The Bridges for over 2 years. When I pick her up to go out to eat she asks me when she is going home and that is the best recommendation.” - Lynn Dodson, Plant City resident

Our Residents Are On The Move! “ABC Pizza.” — Susie Wolf, 59

— Katrina Hart, 57

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Tourist Center to move into Plant City Chamber building

FROM COMMISSION PAGE 1

Daniel Figueroa IV

pipe,” Herr said. “Due to the number of joints and connections that were leaking in the length of drainage pipe across Walden Woods Drive, the only option was to remove and replace the entire run of drainage pipe.” Repairs are expected to cost about $78,414. The contract for the work was awarded to Florida Safety Contractors Inc., which has an ongoing contract with the City of Plant City for construction and repair of sidewalks, curbs, driveways and drainage pipes. Funding for the project will come from the city’s stormwater fund. The work on the project will take about five weeks to complete. “The repair of the drainage pipe and inlets is anticipated to begin with the notice to proceed issued within the next week,” Herr said. “The inlets, once ordered, will take approximately three weeks to manufacture. Once the inlets are on site, the work will take two weeks to complete.” During the repairs, Walden Woods Drive will be closed to traffic with signs posted for a detour route. Walden Woods Drive is expected to be closed between Monday, March 20, and Friday, April 3. Residents will be notified of the road construction two weeks before construction begins through message boards and door hangers. Contact Daniel Figueroa IV at dfigueroa@plantcityobserver.com

Repairs will soon commence on the northbound stretch of Walden Lake Drive.

Emily Topper

The Tourist Information Center will move into the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s building in Historic Downtown.

The move is set to take place at the end of April, and the center will be re-located into the chamber’s existing lobby. EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR

In just a few months, Plant City’s Tourist Information Center will have a new home. The center’s current location at 1702 N. Park Road will be converted into office space for the city’s new fire station. The station is being built to enhance services and improve response times across the city, including the developing areas of Varrea and North Park Isles. The center will be relocated into the same building as the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, located on North Evers Street in Historic Downtown. For Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce President Christine Miller, the move couldn’t have come at a better time. She hopes that the transition will continue to show visitors all that Plant City has to offer, including restaurants and tourist destinations

in the downtown area. “We want people to know we’re warm and welcoming,” Miller said. “We want them to come in and have that piece of Plant City.” The chamber’s existing lobby will be transformed between now and the end of April, when the existing tourist center must be vacated. Walls that currently close off a small library will be torn down, and the lobby will receive new tile, paint and ceiling work. “They’ll see how neat it is, and hopefully they’ll stay for a bit,” Jason Jones, the 2018 chair-elect for the chamber and the current chair of the building committee, said. “We want it to have an updated, modern feel.” Last month, the chamber was certified as an official Visit Florida travel information center. To become such, the chamber must be open year-round a minimum of five days per week and located in a convenient place for traveler ease – guidelines the tourist center, open 363 days per year, also follows. The part of the building that houses the chamber won’t have any updates made to it. Barn doors will replace a current gate that separates the chamber from the lobby, creating a more welcome and open feel. Bistro tables

and chairs also will be added to the lobby. “It will feel like a natural space,” Miller said. “We’re putting brochures behind the tourist center desk. We hope it gets a conversation going. By cultivating conversation with visitors, we can meet that need. It’s an important component to growth that the city wants. This was our first priority. We want them to see the visitor center and the chamber as a destination.” In addition to educating visitors, Jones and Miller hope that the center will be a resource for Plant City residents new and old. “We want people to come and learn about the community more,” he said. “It’s a whole experience.” The renovations to the chamber are currently in the planning phase, and cost for the project has not yet been determined. Bids are currently being accepted for the renovation. “We will likely have two volunteers every shift,” Miller said. “We’ll be looking for additional volunteers. We’re looking forward to the impact that this one move will have on the community.” Contact Emily Topper at etopper@ plantcityobserver.com.

Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce Presents:

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FEBRUARY 25, 2017 10am - 3pm Displays, Demonstrations and Information: • Planes • Helicopters • Remote Control Planes • Model Trains • Automobiles • K-9 Demos (11am, 12:30 & 2pm)

with Dr. Jim and Lidia Vigil

$25 Registration Fee Per Couple Sign up at the church or online: www.plantcitynewhope.com Contact the office for more information: (813) 757-6123

• Free Flights for Kids (limited) Provided by the EAA Young Eagles (ages 8-17, registration closes at 1pm) • Kids Play Area • Vendors

• Boy Scout Badge Opportunities (Aviation Badge & Railroad Badge) • Cub Scout Activities

Keene Plumbing

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• PC Police & Fire Departments • CSX Safety • “Touch A Truck” Program • Computer Flight Simulators

Other Things to Do:

Opening Ceremonies at 10:30am and Trophy Presentation at 2:30pm

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For More Information: Plant City Chamber of Commerce (813) 754-3707

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE Stephen Harris Owner/Operator

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation and send your pictures to Managing Editor Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

Ph: 813-764-9878 Fx: 813-764-9888 pakmailplantcity@gmail.com

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OBSERVER CIRCLES THE GLOBE!:

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Plant City residents Art and Mary Wood, recently enjoyed a worldwide expedition that took them 33,000 miles around the world, covering six of the seven continents during three and one half weeks in a private charter jet.

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MARVEL AT MARBLE Art and Mary Wood in Angra, India, home of the Taj Mahal.

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SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS: Art and Mary Wood in Angkor, Cambodia.

Truly remarkable soil: Crops & Soil - No pesticides, herbicides, Fungicides or fertilizer of any kind (natural or chemical) is used to produce these crops. No chemicals have ever been applied to the land.

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Sales price includes both ranches/farms and our organically raised grass-fed beef cattle and calves.

SIDE BY SIDE LOTS AT HILLSBORO MEMORIAL GARDENS,

located in one the most desirable places in the entire cemetery. They are immediately west of “the big oak tree.” The original owners of this property reserved that area for their family’s burial. Their section is now fenced off because they have family resting there.

CAMEL CRAZE: Mary and Art Wood in Petra, Jordan.

If purchased from Hillsboro Memorial Gardens lots in this area are selling for ($4,000.00) each.

FOSHEE JEWELERS Jewelry Appraisals WE BUY: Gold • Silver • Coins WE SELL & SERVICE: Jewelry • Watches • Clocks

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER Locally owned by Ed Verner, Karen Berry, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes The Plant City Times & Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC, a jointventure of the Tampa Bay Times and Plant City Observer LLC.

3 ROOMS 65 813-986-1266

The asking price for these two lots:

6,100.00

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, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

TO ADVERTISE

Call Al Berry, Sarah Holt, Danny Crampton or Lisa Donini, at (813) 704-6850.

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SEND US YOUR NEWS We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, send your information via: Email: Emily Topper, etopper@ PlantCityObserver.com. Mail: The Plant City Times & Observer, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103, Plant City, FL 33563

Contact me at: 727-781-1168 leave message if no answer

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Polk County’s Most Trusted Jeweler Since 1953

The lot numbers are 81A and 81B. I have spoken to personnel at the cemetery and if asked to show they will guide you to them.

PLANT CITY TIMES &

Observer

Publisher / Karen Berry, kdberry@inthefieldmagazine.com Interim Managing Editor / Emily Topper, etopper@ PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline, jkline@ PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Daniel Figueroa IV, DFigueroa@ PlantCityObserver.com Editorial Designer / C.J. Major, cmajor@yourobserver.com Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com Managing Editor of In the Field / Sarah Holt, sarah@ inthefieldmagazine.com

“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

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

PlantCityObserver.com

Mosaic proudly invests in programs that help our hometowns thrive. By providing essential crop nutrients to farmers, The Mosaic Company helps the world grow the food it needs. Across Florida, we focus on feeding communities, safeguarding wildlife, protecting natural resources and supporting education. We understand that the strength and vibrancy of our local communities are the seeds of our success. Visit mosaicco.com/florida to learn more about Mosaic’s efforts in your area. Let’s keep our communities growing, together.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

14th Annual Black Heritage Banquet T he Plant City Black Heritage Celebration Inc. held its 14th Annual Black Heritage Banquet Friday, Feb. 10, at the John R. Trinkle Center on the campus of Hillsborough Community College. This year’s theme was "Empowering Black America," and featured performances from Plant City talent, including ‘Almost Christmas’ and ‘Hidden Figures’ star Alkoya Brunson and Berklee College of Music student Karlea Lynné Boswell-Edwards. This year’s celebration was also the first time the event held the LEAD Contest. LEAD stands for learn, empower, advocate and dream. Three winners each from elementary school, middle school and high school were selected. The contest challenged students to create an artistic interpretation of how he or she has been inspired by a local black leader. The nine winners each received a $500 scholarship, computer tablet with accessories, a book collection from Scholastic and memorabilia from the Tampa Yankees. Keynote speaker and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Frank Murphy highlighted the evening's event with an impassioned speech about the importance of personal choice and focus in the face of adversity. "Don't blame anyone else for your failure or success," Murphy said. "Don't blame your circumstance. God will make your enemies your footstool."

LEAD WINNERS

LITERATURE n Hammond Elementary, Kaleb Smith n Tinker Middle, Emily Vershay n Sickles High, Kitan Adenji

PERFORMANCE n Cahoon Elementary, Alexander Wynn III n Orange Grove Middle, James La Fayette Jr. n Durant High, Alexis Esparza VISUAL ARTS n Kingswood Elementary, Izzy Carpenter n Wilson Middle, Kevin Huang n Middleton High, Odette Del Valle

Photos by Daniel Figueroa IV

Above: Lt. Col. John Ingraham, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Whaley and 1st Sgt. LaShawn Lyas, of Strawberry Crest JROTC. Right: Karla King and daughter Karlea Lynnè Boswell-Edwards.

Gerald Wasi and Ricardo Cornado.

—DANIEL FIGUEROA IV

Keynote speaker and ex-NFL player Frank Murphy and Plant City Black Heritage Celebration, Inc. Chair Sharon Moody. LEAD contest winner Kevin Huang.

Odette Del Valle, Dr. Kim Oore and Joseph Gutschmidt.

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1507 W. Reynolds St. #B Plant City, FL 33563 Phone: 813 -752-1053 Fax: 813 -754 - 6739

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Second Chance Boxer Rescue Inc. seeks funding for critter condo The nonprofit has raised about $6,000 for the condo, named Dakota’s Bridge, thus far.

HOW TO HELP Donate: YouCaring.com/SecondChanceBoxerRescueInc Address: Second Chance Boxer Rescue inc., P.O. Box 1233, Thonotosassa, Florida 33592-1233. Online: SaveABoxer.org.

EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR

diately. The estimated 12-foot-by36-foot facility will be located on his property on Knights Griffin Road, and the animals will continue to be cared for by Gray and his team of volunteers. “You can hang out and work with the dogs there,” he said. “You can teach them how to behave in a home. I can do a lot more with a condo like this. I can get to know them.” About $6,000 has been raised for the condo so far through the crowdfunding site YouCaring. According to plans posted on the YouCaring page, the condo will feature kennels, runs for the dogs, a bath area and a living space to work with the dogs. “I want it to be a healthy environment for the dogs,” he said. “I want it to have room to expand if we need to. If we had a hurricane blow through, I could fill it with crates. It’s a good alternative to boarding the dogs.” For Gray, Dakota’s Bridge gives him and his team a chance to say ‘yes’ to more dogs, something that has been his mission since he started Second Chance. CFC037149 On the rescue’s website, the purpose of the rescue is explained as a CFC037149 second chance for humans to provide a safe, healthy environment for dogs after they have been abused or neglected. Dakota’s Bridge, Gray said, helps expand that mission. “It’s just buying time with time,” he said. “It’ll work out, and that kind of helps you sleep better.” Emily Topper

813-643-7173 813-643-7173

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Bill Gray, the founder of Second Chance Boxer Rescue Inc., has had 83 dogs come through his rescue in 15 years.

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The calls don’t stop for Bill Gray. The Plant City resident is the founder of nonprofit Second Chance Boxer Rescue Inc. and its all-breed sister division, Second Chance Friends. He has been rescuing dogs for 15 years. “We rescue boxers,” Gray said. “But we have more pit bulls than boxers. It’s really hard, but I have to have a positive outcome.” In the last 15 years, Gray has had 83 dogs come through the doors of his rescue as either permanent fosters or eventual adoptees. With every call he gets — from dogs spotted on the side of the road to injured strays to shelter pups — he makes it his mission to find the best home possible, even in the foster phase. Now, he’s hoping he’ll be able to save even more. Second Chance and its team of volunteers are seeking funding for a ‘critter condo,’ which will serve as a temporary housing facility for dogs before a foster home is found for the animals. For Gray, the condo – dubbed Dakota’s Bridge – is a solution to continue to help dogs who are running out of time at area shelters. “There’s specific times when you just get stuck,” Gray said. “I really always make an effort to get them out of the shelters. It works out, but it never works out on my time table.” Gray said that he can usually find a foster for a small dog within a week, but that larger dogs can take up to two weeks or a month. In addition, Gray can’t board shelter dogs he saves for two weeks due to kennel cough. The condo, he said, will help take the stress off of finding a foster imme-

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Expanded Heart Care In Plant City

STEMI Care Now Available in Your Community An ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) is one of the most deadly types of heart attacks, occurring when blood supply to the heart is blocked for a prolonged period of time. The best treatment is having specialized cardiac procedure within 90 minutes of first receiving care from emergency medical personnel. A STEMI can be complicated by cardiogenic shock (the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs), so it’s extremely important to get to the closest hospital specializing in heart care as fast as possible. South Florida Baptist Hospital has been providing exceptional heart care for many years, performing procedures such as diagnostic catheterization and stent placement since 2010.. There is now a new choice for expanded cardiac services, thanks to the launch of our STEMI program. We have a specially trained team on hand, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our experienced cardiac and interventional team treats all your heart care needs.

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Sean and Seanna Timken.

Families participated in the u-pick challenge for $5 per quart.

Strawberry Season

Photos by Emily Topper

Zoey Carr, Jennifer Carr, Roxann Hurley and Andrew Carper.

he 4th Annual Strawberry Picking Challenge hosted by Wish Farms and the Florida Strawberry Growers Association was held Saturday, Feb. 11, at Fancy Farms in Plant City. The event was free to the public, with a strawberry U-pick challenge available for $5 per quart. Proceeds from the event benefitted the Redlands Christian Migrant Association. Corporate teams competed for trophies. In addition to performances by Next Radical Generation (NRG), the 2017 Florida Strawberry Festival Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Court also made an appearance.

Next Radical Generation (NRG) performed.

Brandon, Stacy, Colleen and Jolleen Heritage.

Zahara Smolarz, Emily Zinger and Pippin. The U-pick challenge benefitted the Redlands Christian Migrant Association.

ONLINE

See more photos from the event at PlantCityObserver.com

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;EMILY TOPPER

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Honky-Tonks and

Heartaches T

erry Abbott’s ‘The Strawberry Jubilee!’ kicked off at Plant City Entertainment Inc. the weekend of Friday, Feb. 10, through Sunday, Feb. 12. The show, which pays homage to the days of classic television and 1950s country music, features all-original tunes. The show will run again at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19. —EMILY TOPPER

Photos by Emily Topper

Sara Horrocks, Vinnie Natale and Erin Sutherland.

Plant City Entertainment board members and ushers welcomed guests to the show.

Above: Ed Mason, Lisa Westcott and Joe Osborn. Left: Michael Anderson, Missy Allison, Logan Allison and Wesley Carter.

Above: Vince Evangelista and Todd Dupriest. Left: Kayla Galloway, Genevieve Fletcher and Kimo Rothrock.

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

FRIDAY, FEB. 17

GALENTINE’S DAY HAPPY HOUR EVENT Begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at 1916 Irish Pub, 2309 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. Join the GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Plant City for appetizers and drink specials, and learn more about the club. EAST HILLSBOROUGH ART GUILD ‘ART AROUND TOWN’ OPENING RECEPTION

Begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 604 N. Collins St. The featured artist is Eleanore McDade, founder of the East Hillsborough Art Guild. Light refreshments will be served. Contact Betty Jones at LoveTheHat@verizon.net. REVIVAL AT FIRST THONOTOSASSA BAPTIST CHURCH Begins at 7 p.m Friday, Feb. 17, at First Thonotosassa Baptist Church, 10650 McIntosh Road. ‘THE STRAWBERRY JUBILEE!’ AT PLANT CITY ENTERTAINMENT INC. Begins at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at Plant City Entertainment Inc., 101 N. Thomas St. Written and directed by Terry Abbott, the all-new musical pays homage to the classic days of television and country music of the 1950s and the strawberry heritage of Plant City. Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for students and seniors, and $12 for groups of 10. Call (813) 754-4929.

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ACOUSTIC HAPPY HOUR 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

THIRD ANNUAL JENSEN’S HEART OF GOLD GALA Begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, 3900 Don Emerson Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33811. Tickets are $50 in advance and $75 at the door. Email Emily Pierce at Florida@JensensHeartOfGold.com, or visit JensensHeartOfGold.com. Attire is cocktail or superhero-themed.

BINGO 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, at American Legion Post 26, 2207 W. Baker St. There is a full kitchen. CHRISTIAN MUSIC 6:33 to 8:33 p.m. Thursdays, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220.

SATURDAY, FEB. 18

HOLY PROTECTION PARISH PICNIC AND PRAYER SERVICE Begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Mike E. Sansone Community Park, 1702 N. Park Road. The event includes a prayer service for the country, followed by a fellowship of food and activities for people of all ages. The event is hosted by Holy Protection Orthodox Church in Dover. For more information, email FatherHarryL3@yahoo.com. STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CAR SHOW Begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, in Historic Downtown Plant City, 100 N. Collins St. Check out classic cars and stroll the streets of downtown Plant City.

TUESDAY, FEB. 21

MOTION COMMOTION Begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Motion Commotion is a 45-minute program that incorporates music, literacy and fitness.

For children ages 18 months to five years and their caregivers. CONVERSATION CORNER Begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Learning English? Practice beginning English skills with fellow students. The class is presented in conjunction with the Hillsborough Literacy Council.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22

KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP Begins at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Jackson Elementary School, 502 E. Gilchrist St. For more information, contact the school at (813) 757-9341.

SATURDAY, FEB. 25

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES 2017 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Plant City Airport, 4007 Airport Road. See displays of planes, helicopters, model trains and automobiles. Demonstrations from the Plant City Police Department, Plant City Fire Rescue and K-9 demos will be present. Parking is $5, and admission is free. Contact the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce at (813) 754-3707.

ONGOING PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS CLUB #4051 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. Thursdays at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 S. Evers St., Plant

THE CLASSROOM GALLERY 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St. Art is on display by members of the East Hillsborough Art Guild. DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB 1 p.m. Fridays at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 302 Carey St. For more information, call Walt Arnold at (813) 752-1602. KEEL AND CURLEY LIVE MUSIC 6:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-9100. KRAZY KUP LIVE MUSIC 8:33 to 10:33 p.m. Saturdays, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220. O’BRIEN’S LIVE MUSIC 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

DAVID MAXWELL MILLER David Maxwell Miller, 87, of Plant City, died Feb. 5, 2017, at Lakeland Regional Health. He was born June 30, 1929, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, to Max and Maynie Miller. He grew up in Benton, Mississippi, where he graduated from Anding High School in 1947. He married his first wife, Catherine, and began farming. He later worked at Mississippi Chemical for 10 years, and then at CF Industries for 31 years with assignments in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Tampa and Bartow. He retired in 1998. His professional success was accompanied by a remarkable commitment to Plant City’s welfare. His service and generosity to his community improved the quality of life for everyone and will leave a positive imprint for many years to come. He served on several boards and committees with an expertise in fundraising and civic projects, including First Presbyterian Church of Plant City, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Plant City Rotary Club, Greater Tampa YMCA, South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation, Hillsborough Community College and the Florida Strawberry Festival. He was a man of God, serving as deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church of Plant City. His accomplishments were too vast to list, but he was the type of citizen people would turn to if they needed something done successfully. He enjoyed church, helping others, mentoring, working and yard work. He will be missed by many. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Emma Martin Pitts Miller; sister, Elizabeth Drummond, of Plant City; grandchildren, John Lewis Meng Jr. (Jennifer), of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Amanda Adams Kinderman, of Tampa; great-grandsons, John Lewis “Tripp” Meng III and Tucker David Meng, of Baton Rouge; sons-inlaw, John Meng, of Baton Rouge and Leslie Leibenguth, of Fernwood, Mississippi; stepchildren, Jack Paten Pitts, of Apopka and Sheila S. Pitts, of Orlando; and several nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Catherine Miller; children, David M. Miller Jr.,

Elizabeth “Beth” Miller Meng and Catherine “Cathy” Miller Leibenguth; parents; and sister, Harriet Kintner. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at First Presbyterian Church of Plant City, 404 W. Reynolds St., Plant City. The family will receive friends beginning at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Food Bank of Plant City at UFBPC.org/donations. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

ELMER “CHARLES” SMALLWOOD JR. Elmer “Charles” Smallwood Jr., 47, of Plant City, died Jan. 22, 2017. He was born in Gainesville, Georgia, on July 22, 1969. He loved his family and he enjoyed racing, fishing, hunting and working. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Donna Michelle Smallwood; sons, Justin Charles Smallwood (fiancée Ashleigh Garrison) and Jared Hunter Smallwood; father, Elmer Charles Smallwood Sr.; siblings, Conrad Smallwood (Kimberly), Elmeran Smallwood and Angel Rowe (Donnie); grandchildren, Jeremy Lee Smallwood and Ella Jayde Smallwood on the way; and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Judith Carol Smallwood. A memorial service was held Jan. 28, at Hopewell Funeral Home in Plant City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation at SJHFoundation.org. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

ROBERT LEE WEEKS Robert Lee Weeks, 89, died Jan. 26, 2017, in Lakeland under the compassionate care of Good Shepherd Hospice. He was born in Plant City and spent most of his life in the Plant City area until moving to Lakeland 15 years ago. He was a lifelong farmer and also worked as a drag line operator for Conoco Phillips. He always had a garden. The loves of his life were faith, family, fishing and farming. He was of the Baptist faith and attended New Home

Baptist Church in Lakeland. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Clara Weeks; daughter, Sharon Boltjes (Mike); sisters, Mavis Herring and Betty Lou Roach; grandchildren, Mylisa Epps-Prieto (Jerry), Sean Benson (Katie) and Amber Newberry (Joe); and great-grandchildren, Mykaela Shaffer, Britain Newberry, Dalton Newberry, Wyatt Newberry and Ireland Newberry. He was preceded in death by his siblings, A.D. Weeks Jr., Nadine Dukes, Carolyn DeVane and Eunice Holmes. A funeral service was held Feb. 1, at New Home Baptist Church in Lakeland. Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Jeannean C. Adams (Ellis A.) and Susan Carlton Woodard (Robert); grandchildren, Clay Carlton Jr. (Brenda), Clifton Carlton, Rebecca Falter (Matthew) and Sarah Woodard; and great-grandchildren, Rayna Carlton and Colin Falter. He was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Carlton Watkins. A funeral service was held Feb. 7, at Wells Memorial Funeral Home and Event Center in Plant City. Committal followed at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tidewell Hospice at TidewellHospice.org, or to the Salvation Army at SalvationArmyUSA.org. Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

JOHN “JAKE/J.T.” ADAMS

MELISSA ANN HARVEY

John “Jake/J.T.” Adams, 98, of Plant City, and formerly of High Point, North Carolina, died Feb. 5, 2017. He attended First Baptist Church of Plant City and was a longtime member of Fairfield United Methodist Church of High Point. He is survived by his son, Charles R. Adams, of Plant City; daughter-in-law, Linda Adams, of Archdale, North Carolina; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two great-greatgrandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jewell Jones Adams; son, Thomas Harrison Adams; and parents, Will and Ada Adams. A funeral service was held Feb. 14, at Fairfield United Methodist Church in High Point, North Carolina. Committal followed at Guilford Memorial Park, Greensboro. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

WILLIAM “BUCK” HENRY CARLTON JR. William “Buck” Henry Carlton Jr., 89, of Plant City, died Feb. 3, 2017, in Port Charlotte. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served in Japan during World War II. He was also an avid hunter. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ella Geneva Carlton; son, Clay Cowart Carlton; daughters,

Melissa Ann Harvey, 46, died Jan. 27, 2017, after a heroic battle against cancer. She was born Aug. 5, 1970, in Mendenhall, Mississippi. She was raised in Labelle, Florida. A southern belle from a small town, she spent many days on the river skiing and mudding. She loved swamp buggies. She and her sisters spent much of their childhood in the Everglades on the oil rigs. As an adult, she moved to Plant City, where she made lifelong friends and many memories along the way. She enjoyed fishing, four-wheeling, weekends at mud holes, days at the farm, arrowhead hunting, the beach, the camp at River Ranch, flower arranging and adventures with her ‘Sisters.’ She had a crazy love four gourmet cupcakes and the color pink. She was baptized with her ‘Sisters’ on Oct. 23, 2016, which was one of their proudest moments. She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Beitz; son, Tristan Webb; grandson, Jacob; parents,

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Jamie and Patsy Parrish, of Plant City and Janet Harvey, of Labelle; maternal grandmother, Bobbie Lou Russell; paternal grandfather, Mallie Parrish; nieces, Miranda Harvey and Ashlyn Green; nephews, Cody Dispennette and Ryan Braddock; ‘Sisters,’ Penny Lynn Berry and Kimberly Green; one great-nephew; and great-nieces. She was preceded in death by her father, Junior Harvey; and brotherin-law, Jacob ‘Jake’ Berry. The family would like to offer heartfelt thanks to David and Patty Hughes for loving, supporting and caring for her and for their special bond with her. A celebration of life was held Feb. 4, at Hopewell Funeral Home in Plant City. Pallbearers were Stephen Hendon, David Hughes, Cody Dispennette, Darrell Curry, Tristan Webb and Chad Davis. Committal followed at Springhead Cemetery, Lakeland. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

ROBERT ALLEN SCHOFIELD Robert Allen Schofield, 54, of Plant City, died Jan. 16, 2017. He worked for Tampa Bay fisheries for over 20 years. He is survived by many family and friends. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Carlton Arms Clubhouse, 1000 Carlton Arms Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33811.

ONLINE See more Obituaries online at

PlantCityObserver. com.

Florist 116 North Collins Street Plant City, FL 33563 ph: (813) 567-5735 allabloomtampa.com

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PlantCityObserver.com

FEBRUARY 17, 2017

SPORTS

“I think we can go all the way again if we have enough heart, honestly.” — Brandy Ashmore is a leader for Strawberry Crest softball. SEE PAGE 18

Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

Justin Kline

Eric Denson, of Plant City, fought on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016.

Boxing show coming Saturday Plant City Boxing Gym is set to host another USA Boxing amateur showcase Saturday, Feb. 18. The gym has 25 fights on the card, consisting of amateur boxers from in and around the state. Each fight is scheduled for three rounds, and food and drinks will be available for attendees. Tickets cost $20 per person and can be purchased at the door. Plant City Boxing Gym is located at 607 Hitchcock St., Suite 103. To see pictures of the gym’s last showcase, held Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, visit PlantCityObserver.com.

Softball scores FEB. 14

(HOME TEAMS IN BOLD) Chamberlain 5, Durant 4 Strawberry Crest 16, Tampa Bay Tech 1 Plant City 16, Spoto 0

NEXT GAMES:

FEB. 21

Strawberry Crest at Chamberlain, 7 p.m. Plant City at Plant, 7 p.m.

FEB. 23

Durant at Plant City, 7 p.m. Freedom at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m. Baseball season begins Tuesday, Feb. 21. All baseball games and times are the same as softball’s.

SWING INTO SEASON Plant City-area high school baseball and softball teams are looking to make some noise throughout the next few months. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Two things define the month of February in Plant City: the buildup to the Florida Strawberry Festival, and the start of prep baseball and softball season. All six area high school teams will take to the fields with something to prove in early 2017, whether the goal is to get back into the playoffs or to establish a new culture. Softball season began earlier in the week, and area baseball teams will begin play next week. What’s on tap for local teams? DURANT

On the baseball side, the Cougars are expecting 2017 to be business as usual. With its current run of four district championships and back-to-back state championship tournament berths, Durant coaches and players are determined to stay at the top of the 8A region once again. Helping the Cougars’ case is that the tools to make such a run are still there. Though the program lost seven seniors to graduation, including allstar catcher Jake Sullivan, the team’s pitching staff was untouched. That means that ace Jonah Scolaro is back for one last ride before going to Florida State, and that teams have to account for guys such as Bryar Christian — who pitched well and got the 8-1 win in the last district title game. Durant has long had a habit of getting the most out of any roster, but one player to watch in 2017 is senior catcher Alex Molinelli. Molinelli, who waited patiently behind Sullivan for several years, will be tasked with stepping in the shoes of one of Hillsborough County’s top catchers

File photos

and has been getting praise from area coaches. The softball team is looking to rebound from a 2016 campaign that didn’t end as well as the Lady Cougars would have liked. After picking up six of their 11 wins in February, the Lady Cougars dropped 14 of their next 19, ending with a hard-fought 9-8 loss to Riverview in the district tournament opener. The team then lost several key seniors, including Selena Bezares and Madison Farrell, to graduation, and head coach Matt Carter retired. In coach Jessica Howton’s first year at the helm, Durant will look to rebuild a contender. This roster is one of the youngest in the area, with just four seniors and one junior to go with five sophomores and six freshmen. PLANT CITY

Baseball head coach Mike Fryrear is always up for a challenge, and this season’s schedule reflects that.

In addition to facing one of the county’s toughest district gauntlets, Plant City will also be tested with an April matchup against nationallyranked (No. 40) Alonso, and scheduled preseason games against powerhouse Jesuit and another ranked team in No. 25 Trinity Christian. But, the Raiders are set up to fare well. Plant City has what Fryrear calls “the best defense I’ve ever had.” Led by outfielder Dalton Wingo, who signed with the University of Central Florida and could go in Major League Baseball’s draft, the defense also has college-caliber gloves in shortstop J.J. Gonzalez and Cade Shissler, and ace Parker Messick will slide over to first base when not on the mound. The team did lose an ace in Billy McKay to graduation, but Messick is expected to pitch well in the role. As a freshman, he led all regular starters in 2016 with a 1.44 ERA in seven starts,

Above: Durant and Plant City faced off for the district title. Top: Strawberry Crest softball made it to regionals in 2016.

SEE BASEBALL PAGE 17

Durant, Plant City host PCLL coaching clinic Local high school baseball coaches passed their wisdom on to Plant City Little League coaches on Saturday, Feb. 11. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Many Plant City Little Leaguers are about to start practicing more like their high school counterparts, thanks to men who may later be their high school coaches.

On Saturday, Feb. 11, coaches and players from Durant and Plant City high schools teamed up with Plant City Little League to host a coaches’ clinic. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., coaches in attendance picked up tips and tricks from some of the top baseball coaches and players in Hillsborough County. “I just love talking to the coaches, because so many of them are so new at it,” Durant assistant coach Donnie Scolaro says. “But, like I was telling them, too many people get it in their mind that you have to be somebody who’s played to be a good coach, or had experience as a player. I think

there’s so much you can accomplish and do, and get these kids ready to play and enjoy playing, without having played one game of baseball or softball.” The session was led by Durant head coach Butch Valdes, Donnie Scolaro, Plant City head coach Mike Fryrear and PCLL board member and former Durant coach Gary Graham. Durant players who helped out include ace Jonah Scolaro, outfielders Steven Witchoskey and Jared Mejia, shortstop Frankie Martinez and catcher Alex Molinelli. Plant City brought SEE COACH PAGE 17

Justin Kline Durant catcher Alex Molinelli and former Durant head coach Gary Graham demonstrate catching positions behind home plate.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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ike its namesake, Palm Harbor University went to Durant High on Thursday, Feb. 9, and blew past the Lady Cougars in the first round of regionals. Using a relentless fast break, Palm Harbor University picked up a 63-43 win over Durant that was fueled by a huge first half. The Lady Cougars woke up in the third quarter, but the Lady Hurricanes were able to play and score faster throughout the rest of the second half.

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Top: Durant attempted some three-point shots in the second half to try and cut into the deficit. Above: Palm Harbor University played high-speed basketball to throw off the Lady Cougars.

This week’s Cryptoquiz answers 1) Macedon, 2) Aristotle, 3) Undefeated 4) Destiny, 5) Charisma Alexander the Great

This week’s Sudoku answers WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

JUSTIN KLINE

Balancing winning with fun Justin Kline touches on a subject covered at the Saturday, Feb. 11, DurantPlant City coaches’ clinic.

believe that, no matter your profession, there’s always something someone can teach you that you don’t already know. It’s as true for me as it is for the Plant City Little League coaches who attended the Saturday, Feb. 11, clinic hosted by Durant and Plant City coaches and players. The PCLL coaches that attended the clinic got plenty of good advice, and I would encourage all coaches in the program to try and make it out to the next one. Whether you’re a lifelong student of the game or a parent who signed up to coach because of your kid(s), making the on-field product better now could make a big difference in a player’s future. There was one thing mentioned near the end of the clinic that had me thinking afterward: the importance of not only winning, but caring about winning. To paraphrase what Donnie Scolaro told the PCLL coaches, you can’t address a team and parents before the season and say you don’t care whether the team

wins or loses. If you don’t care, then the kids won’t care as much down the road, when competition gets harder, stakes get higher and coaches need players as passionate about the outcomes as they are. And it’s true: even if you know a team’s probably not capable of winning more than three or four games that season, an attitude of, “We’re just going to go out there and have fun, the final score doesn’t matter,” isn’t going to motivate anyone to get better at the game. But I’m not suggesting that Little League coaches build a culture overly focused on winning, nor were the high school coaches. Burnout is a real thing that affects many talented athletes and, in my experience, it almost always comes from a parent or other authority figure pushing way too hard without a sense of fun. As the high school coaches repeatedly said, spicing up drills by adding game elements to them is a great way to keep kids engaged and teach them valuable on-field lessons. The best coaches, like the best schoolteachers, connect with their players as people rather than treat them as several means to an end each year. Of course, you’re going to hit bumps in the road no matter how your coaching style handles the balance. The biggest thing I can think

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p.o. B ox 408 p lanT c iT y, Fl 33564

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

Durant girls fall to Lady Hurricanes

WE BUY GOLD 752.0585

of, as a sportswriter who regularly talks to coaches in many different sports, is the classic “helicopter parent.” I don’t think there’s a youth or prep sports coach alive who hasn’t dealt with someone who says their kid deserves more playing time than another, or someone with little experience who doesn’t think the coaches are doing a good enough job and offers their own advice. But I do know that finding the balance between winning and fun is probably the best way to keep those parents happy. It’s hard to argue against a strong, successful program that the athletes visibly enjoy being a part of, and it’s a lot easier to work with all kids on a roster when the parents feel good about your philosophies and style. You probably won’t win every game you ever coach, and that’s normal. But the first step to building a great program is having the right attitude, and that’s achieved through balance.

Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Times & Observer. Email: jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

This week’s Crossword answers

2017

168342-1

outfielder Dalton Wingo, shortstop J.J. Gonzalez, pitcher Parker Messick, catcher Hunter Emerine and utility man Cade Shissler. “We love coming out into the community, and we love getting our kids out here,” Donnie Scolaro says. Though both schools have taught clinics before, they hadn’t always been able to join forces. But the call to host a clinic together was an easy one to make, due to history between the programs and Graham: Fryrear, a Durant alumnus, was coached by Graham and Donnie Scolaro while in high school, and he and Valdes are among a group of East Hillsborough baseball coaches — including Strawberry Crest head coach Eric Beattie — that are close friends. Many of the drills and concepts taught to the coaches almost mirror what the high school coaches currently use in their programs — the only difference is that the Little League drills are simplified, both to match that level of play and the physical capabilities of pre-teen children. “At the Little League level, they need more fundamental baseball and understanding life lessons,” Fryrear says. “That’s the basis of Little League.” The Little League coaches learned better techniques for everything one could do on the field: offense, defense, pitching, catching, hitting, running, throwing and positioning. The high school coaches also stressed the importance of giving the Little Leaguers life lessons and being good role models. The kids occasionally took breaks from demonstrating drills to offer their own bits of advice. “The longer you do it, obviously, the more you learn,” Donnie Scolaro says. “That’s what we hope to bring to them, the experience … they pick up on the little things and go ahead and implement them in practice. It will make the kids better players, the practice runs better.” Fryrear says that the coaches would like to host camps and more joint clinics in the future, and are hoping to get the next clinic going in the fall. For both programs, it’s a way to give back to the community and help Plant City’s youngest baseball players pick up the right habits on and off the field. “Planning this together, it was an honor to do this with Durant,” he says.

The Chargers had plenty to be happy about in 2016, from a perfect district record in the regular season to a regionals trip that saw the team make it to the second round at home. Much success came from the team’s senior core, which included pitchers Brandon Harris, Wesley Tanner and Matt Trzeciak, and top hitters Alex Kachler and Korey Coffey. This year’s Chargers team will likely be defined by the strength of its junior and sophomore cores, as the roster lists just two seniors and two freshman among five juniors and eight sophomores. One of those juniors, Damien Torres, could give the Chargers a steady presence on the mound.

WE BUY GOLD

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FROM COACH PAGE 16

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

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Justin Kline

Plant City head coach Mike Fryrear explains infield defense concepts to Little League coaches.

and pitched two-hit ball through 3.2 innings in the district title game against Durant. Plant City High’s other sophomore ace, Ashley Blessin, is ready to prove that her freshman year was no fluke. Blessin, who led the team with a 1.13 ERA and 204 strikeouts, helped the softball team earn a 24-3 overall record in 2016, the team’s second under head coach Ashley Bullion. Though the team lost six seniors to graduation — four of whom had batting averages above .300 — the Lady Raiders will get one more year from top infielder Edmilly Molina, who finished 2016 with a .443 batting average, 32 RBI, seven doubles, four triples and two home runs.

In his 10 appearances in 2016, Torres posted a 1.00 ERA, giving up just three earned runs in 21 innings pitched. Crest was the only 8A-4 team with an overall record above .560 last season, and was the only team with a winning record in district play. Should Wharton, Freedom and Wiregrass Ranch not make big leaps of improvement in 2017, the district still appears to be the Chargers’ to lose. The softball team is also going to work with a young roster. The Lady Chargers added another district title to its trophy case in 2016, and also made it back into the state championship tournament with a 6-4 regional championship win over Oakleaf. Crest went to work with plenty of hot bats, most notably that of senior Kasey Locke, who batted .480 with 25 RBI, 11 doubles, three triples and three home runs. Crest lost Locke, ace Scottie Todd, captains Kaylan Kelly and Ashleigh Vogt and first baseman Rebecca Roberts to graduation. This year’s senior leadership comes from Rachel Peak, Stephanie Dwyer and Brandy Ashmore, who will guide four juniors, six sophomores and three freshmen through the season. The girls claim that, despite their young age, the team’s close bond and abundance of heart could lead to big things on the field — perhaps even another district title.

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FROM BASEBALL PAGE 16

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Brandy Ashmore Strawberry Crest’s softball team is young, but isn’t lacking senior leadership. One of the team’s three seniors, Brandy Ashmore, is looking to teach the lessons she learned as an underclassman to her young teammates and, should all go well, help get the Lady Chargers back into the playoffs. On Wednesday, Feb. 1, Ashmore signed with Pasco-Hernando State College, where she will play softball after graduating from high school. Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened since you’ve been on this team? Definitely Stephanie Dwyer laying out for balls at second base whenever I was playing right field last year. We were kind of a team, a mini-team, inside of a team.

What are you looking forward to about this season? Just being with the girls for my final year, more than anything.

What do you want to major in? I want to be a physical therapist and stay in sports medicine.

What’s the most fun part about playing for this team? Definitely the family bond that we have together. We’re all very, very close, and we kid together, which is fun. What’s the most fun you have with this team? We mess with each other quite a bit. We play games like “Pepper,” especially. It’s a game where you bunt, and you have to try to dive and catch it. It’s pretty fun.

What’s your proudest moment as a Lady Charger? It’s hard to pick. Probably just being on the team, just being with the girls. I didn’t really expect to play college ball whenever I came here, so having that on top of what I have here is just awesome.

Pasco-Hernando is a two-year school, so I’m sure you have plans for after that. Yeah, I’m hoping to transfer to St. Leo, hopefully, and continue softball there. If not, I’ll figure it out as I go. What’s your favorite position to play? Outfield. What’s the coolest thing you’ve done on a softball field? Going to states, for sure, with my high school team.

Who’s your favorite athlete? Is there anyone you look up to, or try to model your game after? Samantha Tyler. Crest alum. What made you look up to her? Coming into my freshman year, she kind of took me under her wing. Especially with the dominating team of seven seniors, me coming as a freshman, I was scared to death. It’s her drive for the game, how serious she takes it just really inspired me. What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from a coach or teammate? It’s a team sport. You can’t do it by yourself. Do your job, and your teammates will do their job. Do you play any other sports? Just softball. I played basketball in middle school but, other than that, no. My family, we run bird dogs, so outside of softball, I go from the field to the bird dog field. Is there any sport you’ve never tried, but always wanted to? Tennis. If you could meet any famous person, who would it be and what would you want to do? Kevin Kiermaier, and we can go on a date. How far can this team go, this year? I think we can go all the way again if we have enough heart, honestly.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

I LOVE PLANT CITY

FORECAST

Do you have a photo that speaks to the heart of Plant City? Email it to Managing Editor Emily Topper at etopper@ plantcityobserver.com for a chance to be featured.

High: 78 Low: 51 Chance of rain: 0%

SATURDAY, FEB. 18 High: 80 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 80%

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1. X I Z V M E K 2. I W U G H E H R V 3. Y K M V S V I H V M 4. M V G H U K L 5. Z B I W U G X I

This ruler kept adding to their empire, creating one of the largest ever in ancient history:

SUDOKU

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

7:04a

6:21p

Saturday, Feb. 18

7:03a

6:21p

Sunday, Feb. 19

7:02a

6:22p

Monday, Feb. 20

7:01a

6:23p

Tuesday, Feb. 21

7:00a

6:23p

Wednesday, Feb. 22

6:59a

6:24p

Thursday, Feb. 23

6:58a

6:25p

Feb. 26 New

Feb. 21 Last

Mar. 3 First

Mar. 11 Full

Thursday, Feb. 9

0.00

Friday, Feb. 10

0.00

Saturday, Feb. 11

0.00

Sunday, Feb. 12

0.00

Monday, Feb. 13

0.00

Tuesday, Feb. 14

0.00

Wednesday, Feb. 15

0.00

YEAR TO DATE:

FEB. TO DATE:

2017 4.42 in.

2017

2016 5.87 in.

2016 0.52 in.

1.22 in.

$ 00

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CROSSWORD ACROSS

1 World’s largest country 7 Tolkien’s Baggins 12 Princess Leia’s last name 18 Practicing great self-denial 20 Shaq who played in the middle 21 Voice of Lovejoy, Burns and Flanders 22 Minimalist’s design lesson (Part 1) 25 After dusk, to Shakespeare 26 Space org. 27 Barry Manilow’s club of song 28 One way to avoid a tag 29 Any “That’s My Mama” episode, now 33 Name tag word 35 French avant-garde artist Jean 37 Diesel of action films 38 Singer Clapton 40 Skiing mecca 42 Thaw once more 45 Ticket stub to a historic game, e.g. 48 “Furthermore ...” 49 Containing ashes of the dearly departed 51 Some milky gems 52 Filly’s counterpart 54 Like anyone trying for a rebound 55 Lofgren on guitar 56 Bridge of France 57 Any of the 150 in the Good Book 59 Gray matter output 63 Hairiest cousin ever 64 Gentle horn sound 65 Place that weighs some takeout containers 66 Scatter, as a search team 68 Minimalist’s design lesson (Part 2) 73 They have quarks and antiquarks 74 “There’s no ___ in asking” 75 Lapping joint? 76 Ship, to a sailor 77 Tulip part 78 Whimsically comical 80 Did more than glanced at 81 Turkish currency 82 Like a hit that ties the score 85 Ball of thread or yarn 86 Corporal punisher, of a sort 87 Food bath 89 Candied veggie 90 In the company of 92 Spoke insolently 93 Stallions’ partners 95 Joining device on the farm 96 Its cap. is Albany 97 Word with “look” or “must” 99 “___ Is Born” 102 Attack on all sides 105 Take ___ from (emulate) 108 Cleopatra’s love 110 ___ mater 112 Farmyard female 114 Minimalist’s design lesson (Part 3) 120 Fall-short amounts for containers 121 One avoiding meat 122 Was a sycophant 123 Irish ___ (dog type) 124 Schemes 125 Always wanting more

DOWN

1 Hotel price per night 2 Theater leader?

3 Drama excerpt 4 “So” homophone 5 “How was ___ know?” 6 “We ___ to please!” 7 Haul with tackle (var.) 8 Asthma spray, e.g. 9 The meat eater of the zodiac 10 “Actor” who might elicit a confession 11 Melange 12 Eureka’s cousin 13 Guns, as an engine 14 Man from the Isle of Man 15 Opposite of leaver 16 In an impoverished manner 17 Intensely eager 19 Axe, as from a job 21 Arthroscopy reminder 23 “Nope” relative 24 Droopy-eared canine 30 Staggers 31 Some still-life vessels 32 Picker’s intro? 34 Hallucinatory drug 36 Get ready in advance, as for surgery 39 Caterpillar’s case 41 Bakery offering 43 “Able was I ___ I ...” 44 Dan or San

45 Doctrines suggesting reality is a unitary whole 46 Disparaging nickname 47 “Falcon” of film 48 Certain keyboard key 50 “Platoon” war, briefly 53 Hang ___ (keep) 56 Pea places 57 Gem on a strand 58 Not needing to diet 60 Extinguishing with water 61 Some card games 62 Where many are young 64 Brown on a beach 65 Indian stewed legume dish 66 Mr. Flintstone 67 Unhittable serve 69 Four-baggers 70 Nervous system disorder 71 ___ terrier (Scottish dog breed) 72 Type of street or ticket 78 Pretty persuasive evidence 79 Cuisine for 9-Down 80 Common tree 81 Places to bowl 83 Be competitive 84 Circle’s lack 85 Crusoe, for one

86 Cola brand 87 Springtime dance site 88 Battery go-with 89 Affirmative reply 91 Riot squad? 92 Foul-ups 94 “Friends” character 98 Birds with green eggs 100 Jackson and Arkin 101 Abbr. in real estate ads 103 Like a Koontz novel 104 Woolen coat material 106 No-see-um bug 107 Just beat out 109 Invite request 111 Toward an airplane’s tail 113 Current event? 115 Word before “the land of the free” 116 “I” problem 117 Something for the fire 118 Paddle relative 119 Flowery verse of tribute

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B U L C WacKy

Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a renowned ruler. Using the hints V=E and M=D, decipher the clues to name the ruler.

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SUNRISE / SUNSET

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

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