02.21.13 Plant City Observer

bserver O

PLANT CITY

You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.

FREE • thursday, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

in focus

inside

SPORTS

Daddies take daughters to ‘Wonderland.’

Superheroes slosh through mud run.

Fast foursome leads Chargers track squad.

PAGE 5

PAGE 15

PAGE 12

hometown heroes

OUR TOWN

education

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Three area seniors earn prestigious scholarships

Dave Parkinson, Lowry Park Zoo docent

+ Critters captivate Plant City Chamber Members of the animal kingdom joined the Plant City Chamber of Commerce Feb. 13, during its Contact Breakfast.

Lowry Park Zoo Executive Director Craig Pugh served as the featured speaker. Chamber members enjoyed meeting several of the zoo’s residents, including Agnes, a two-toed sloth; Ivan, a Eurasian eagle owl; Magoo, a hyacinth macaw; and Sharpita, a prehensiletailed porcupine.

This month’s breakfast was sponsored by Poppell Insurance Inc.

+ Photo Archives hires new assistant Plant City Photo Archives and History Center Executive Director Gil Gott announced the appointment of Dawn C. Zaversnik to the position of administrative assistant to the executive director.

Zaversnik is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in journalism and communications. She has worked with Publix Super Markets and Summit Consulting, in Lakeland.

+ Classifieds are coming soon!

One of the requests we receive most frequently is for a Classifieds section in the Plant City Observer.

Well, we heard you, and we are thrilled to announce our Classifieds and Service Directory sections are coming in the next few weeks.

Soon, you’ll be able to advertise your business, yard, sale, real-estate listing and home goods for sale in our newspaper.

Stay tuned!

Thirty-two Hillsborough County students recently were named National Hispanic Scholars. Three are from Plant City.

Courtesy photo

Plant City is the headquarters for the 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery. A subordinate firing artillery, Charlie (shown above), has been dispersed to other subordinate units.

A LONG WAY FROM HOME Florida Army National Guardsmen from the 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery will be departing Saturday, from Plant City, to begin training for a nine-month deployment to Qatar.

For Jacob and Misty Kesler, the National Guard was a compromise.

“He wanted to go into the (U.S.) Army, and I didn’t want him to leave, so we decided the National Guard would be the best option,” Misty says. “That way, he was still in but home at the same time.”

Plant City natives, high school sweethearts and 2008 graduates of Plant City High School, Jacob and Misty married in November 2012, three years after Jacob joined the Guard and was stationed with the Charlie Battery, in Plant City. He recently was transferred to Lake Wales after the Charlie unit dissolved.

This Saturday, Jacob and about 120 of his

SEE DEPLOYMENT / PAGE 2

Jacob and Misty Kesler have been together since high school. When Jacob leaves for Qatar, it will be the beginning of the couple’s longest time apart.

HOMETOWN HEROES

Hometown Heroes is a recurring feature in the Plant City Observer in which we profile veterans from Plant City. If you have a loved one currently serving or who has served in the past, please contact Managing Editor Michael Eng by email at meng@plantcityobserver.com or by phone at (813) 704-6850.

INDEX Cops Corner...........3

Durant High School senior Jose Perez has moved 57 times to different cities, following the growing seasons and helping his family of migrant workers in the fields.

During his sophomore year of high school, his family finally settled in Plant City. But despite all his travels, Perez has been able to succeed academically in school.

His most recent success was being named a National Hispanic Scholar. Perez learned of the title this past summer and thought it was “just another thing.” But during the first pep rally of the school year, he was called up on stage at honored as a scholar. Now, every time colleges send him letters, they congratulate him on his award.

“I realized it really is a big deal,” Perez said.

Only 32 students earned the title in Hillsborough County.

Two students at Strawberry Crest High School, Daniel De Brigard and Christopher Mamuscia, also earned the honor.

The title is part of the National Hispanic Recognition Program which identifies outstanding Hispanic/Latino high school students. Each year, the NHRP honors about 5,000 students from more than 250,000 hispanic juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT. Scholars must have at least a 3.0 grade-point average and score a qualifying score on the PSAT/ NMSQT during their junior year of high school.

De Brigard said his IB classes and AP classes prepared him well for the test.

“I was in the process of applying to different schools when I found out that I was a scholar, so I used it in a lot of my applications,” De Brigard said.

De Brigard applied locally to the University of Florida and the University of South Florida and

SEE SCHOLARS / PAGE 2 Vol. 1, No. 33 | One section

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

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

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

PlantCityObserver.com

2 PlantCityObserver.com DEPLOYMENT/PAGE 1 fellow guardsmen of the Florida Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery will leave their Plant City headquarters for a nine-month deployment to Qatar, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The guardsmen will depart precisely at 6:30 a.m. Feb. 23, from the Plant City Armory, 4004 Airport Road. Their departure will come just two days after the battalion’s departure ceremony at 4 p.m. Feb. 21, at the Highlands County Fair Association Convention Center, 781 Magnolia Ave., Sebring.

Capt. Kyle J. Richardson hopes Plant City residents will line the streets to see them off.

“We hope there is a big crowd in Sebring for the send-off ceremony, and we would love it if the community here in Plant City would line the streets in support before the unit departs Saturday,” he says.

For newlyweds Jacob and Misty, the deployment was something they always knew would be a possibility.

“We just accepted it,” Jacob says. “We knew that if it happened, we would be OK. “It had been rumored for a while,” he says of the deployment. “Around nine months ago, it became pretty certain where we would be going, but we didn’t really know officially until about six months ago.”

There are about 170 guardsmen stationed in Plant City, 16 full-time. According to Richardson, about 120 soldiers from the unit will be deployed, while 50 to 60 will stay.

Three subordinate units throughout Central Florida include Alpha Battery (Arcadia),

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

SHOW OF SUPPORT The National Guard is asking for Plant City residents to line the streets as the battalion departs.

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. Feb. 23 WHERE: The unit will depart from Plant City Armory, 4004 Airport Road.

From there, they will travel to Turkey Creek Road to U.S. 92. They will head west to Branch Forbes Road and, finally, to Interstate 4.

Bravo Battery (Avon Park) and 3116 Forward Support Company (Lake Wales). The battalion’s total strength is 475 soldiers.

Before crossing the ocean, the guardsmen will head to the mobilization site in Camp Shelby, Miss. After training for about 40 days, the battalion will depart for Qatar, a sovereign Arab state, located on the Arabian Peninsula off the border of Saudi Arabia.

Qatar has been a strong ally to the U.S. military since 1992. The non-traditional military mission of the 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery is to serve as military police in an unspecified location.

“When I enlisted in 2009, Iraq was still going on, so I could have gone anywhere,” Jacob says. “I’m pretty lucky to be going where I’m going. A lot of people have it a lot worse than us.”

COPING WITH SEPARATION

Including the training in Mississippi, Jacob and Misty will be apart for nearly a year. It will be the longest stretch the couple has spent apart.

“My family is here, so I have a support system,” Misty said.

Misty added that, given the cir-

cumstances, it was good timing.

She recently graduated with a sales and marketing degree from the University of South Florida and began working for Mayfair Games, located in the Historic District of Plant City.

Mayfair Games, which makes and publishes strategy board and card games for distributors, will be donating a pallet of games with the 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery. Misty plans to work extra and take some possible travel opportunities with her job while Jacob is away.

Misty said knowing Jacob could be going overseas for many months helped with adjusting.

“Knowing that helped me get used to the idea, since it was a gradual information flow,” she says. “I was worried and scared at first that I was going to be without him for a whole year, but I was also excited for him, because, otherwise, he wouldn’t get to travel halfway across the world.”

Misty said knowing some of the wives and girlfriends of the other soldiers will make the adjustment easier. One of the wives, Deann Morasco, started the 3-116 FA BN Family Readiness Group page on Facebook.

“She sends out support numbers and gives us the resources we need,” Misty says. “There was a Christmas party, and she was there and just explained that there was resources if we need them. That was reassuring.”

The couple said they plan to stay in constant contact, utilizing video chat services such as Skype. They will be able to keep in contact much more often than when Jacob was in basic training for four months after enlisting.

When the tour is over, Jacob and Misty plan to take another

big step in their marriage.

“We hope to get a house when he gets back,” Misty said.

EXPECTATIONS ABROAD

Jacob’s role in the Guard has been fire direction with multilaunch-rocket systems. The 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery recently switched from a traditional MLRS to high-mobility artillery rocket systems that allows for more efficiency, Richardson said.

“It has given us the opportunity to have a smaller — but meaner — force,” he says.

Other than basic training and other trainings for the upcoming mission, Jacob has been serving with the Guard once a month, in addition to working at his civilian job of working for a call center.

He plans to make the most out of his deployment.

“I’m looking at it as a time for self-improvement; I’ll have my job over there and nothing else,” he says, noting that Misty will be handling the daily civilian routine of managing finances and paying bills. “I want to make myself a better self and lose a lot of weight. That’s my plan.”

He’ll also have the benefit of going over with several friends, including Justin Brown and Pedro Vega, both PCHS graduates.

Jacob said he expects Qatar’s relentless heat to be a difficult — but nothing compared to the challenges other soldiers face in other locations.

“It’s not going to be as stressful as a deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan,” he says. “They’ll be eight-hour shifts, so we’ll have a lot of down time. Filling that time will be the hardest part.”

Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver. com.

SCHOLARS/PAGE 1 to other colleges, including New York University and the University of Chicago. He plans to major in a science or biological field.

Like most teenagers, De Brigard likes to play sports and read mystery and sci-fi books. His father is Hispanic and grew up speaking Spanish with his family for the first 10 years of his life.

Mamuscia has been accepted to the University of South Florida, but he also has applied to the Rochester Institute of Technology and Champlain College, among others. He plans to get a degree in computer science.

Mamuscia first got into technology when his uncle gave him a Playstation. He began playing video games and then branched out to computers. He also likes to play music on the piano, guitar, harmonica and violin.

“I like Chopin and Beethoven,” Mamuscia said. “They’re my favorite dudes.”

Mamuscia’s mother is from Puerto Rico, and he visits the island every summer.

Perez has applied to many Ivy League schools, including Yale and Harvard. He hopes to be accepted to Harvard but is not sure what he wants to study. He will be the first in his family to go to college.

“My parents always instilled the importance of education in me,” Perez said. “It’s been one of my greatest blessings. I always wanted to go to college, because I want to give back to my parents who have given me so much, and because I want to change this world.

I don’t plan on leaving this world like it is.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

We are here for you and your family.

We are Plant City’s oldest and largest hometown financial institution. We’ve been helping our neighbors since 1954.

We make all decisions locally and offer all the modern banking services you expect.

If you like the idea of doing business close to home, visit us and see how easy and friendly hometown banking can be.

PLANT CITY – Main Office, 102 W. Baker Street, 752-6193 • WALDEN WOODS – 2400 Jim Redman Parkway, 754-1844 Also offices in: BRANDON, RIVERVIEW and ZEPHYRHILLS

104732

“Banking on a First Name Basis”

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

governance

update by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Work continues on Brewer Park

The new park, named after the late Dr. Hal Brewer, will feature an innovative stormwater management system, one-half-mile trail and more.

Residents will be able to enjoy another city park by summertime.

Brewer Park, located off Grant Street, is currently under construction. It is named after the late Dr. Hal Brewer, an active member of the community who died last November.

Excavation of the pond in the center of the park has been completed, and the contractor has ordered the gate valves needed to control the pond elevation.

It will take about three weeks until those valves arrive. The pond will be a fully functioning stormwater management system. City Engineer Brett Gocka said the city is looking at a converting several other locations into parks with the same water management system design.

Eventually, the city hopes to link all 18 of its parks.

“The idea is to create and environment where people

can move from one park to the other, connected by sidewalks,” Gocka said.

Brewer Park will have a onehalf-mile trail around the pond.

The last section of the concrete trail around the pond was finished last week.

A Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant funded the $207,000 trail. Under the grant stipulations, the city had to finish the trail and the ramp to the roadway crossing at Grant Street by Feb. 28.

The rest of the park is funded by $185,000 of city funds.

This month, bench pads, gazebos pads and bike paths will be installed. A monument sign also will be placed in the park, but there is no scheduled date for installation.

“Just like our other parks, we would like to put our sign there,” City Manager Greg Horwedel said. “But it’s something we

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

WLCA denies new RFP policy The policy would have given board members the ability to handle maintenance issues and bidding processes.

Amber Jurgensen

When complete, the park will feature a one-half-mile trail.

Eventually, all of Plant City’s parks will be connected. don’t want to do until our new branding is in place.”

The city wants to rebrand itself with a new logo, colors and motto. It is working on a packet to present to bidders. Horwedel said the Brewer Park sign may be

the first with the new logo and colors.

The city is also awaiting a proposal for the crosswalk flashers.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgense@plantcityobserver. com.

The Walden Lake Community Association will not pursue the idea of a request-for-proposal policy that would outline services and procedures for maintenance-related issues in the deed-restricted community.

Board member Steve Swantek brought up the idea of the RFP policy, saying it would be a useful tool for board members to have when discussing future maintenance issues.

Other board members also said it would serve as a concrete organizational tool in the event that Tom Daramus, the on-site manager of the community who handles day-to-day maintenance issues and complaints as well as the bidding process and selection, no longer could perform his job.

Those against the idea argued it would micromanage the bidding process, which already seems to work well. Opponents also said they would have to create another board to draft and oversee the policy. The extra work would be a waste of manpower and resources.

“This would tie Tom’s hands,” treasurer Karen Olson said.

“Plus, Tom knows what he’s doing. We trust him.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

IN OTHER NEWS

From left: Florida Strawberry Festival directors Paul Davis and Ron Gainey, Maddy Keene, Ericka Lott, Commissioner Al Higginbotham, Madison Astin, Jamee Townsend and Mayor Mike Sparkman.

recognition by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

County Commission honors Florida Strawberry Festival The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners allowed some of Plant City’s sweetness into its chambers Feb. 20, as the commission proclaimed Feb. 28 to March 10 as Florida Strawberry Festival Days.

Commissioner Al Higginbotham led the proclamation, which recognized the City of Plant City, the Florida Strawberry Festival, the 2013 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court,

the Plant City Commission, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau.

Festival directors Paul Davis and Ron Gainey, Mayor Mike Sparkman and members of the 2013 court attended the event. Strawberry Queen Kelsey Fry was unable to attend, but First Maid Ericka Lott spoke in her place.

3

“We’re honored to be able to attend,” Lott said.

“Just to be able to receive the proclamation is a great honor.”

Higginbotham caught up with the group after the proclamation.

“I’m proud to see these young ambassadors,” Higginbotham said. “Along with the honor comes great responsibility, and people aren’t just looking at them, they are looking up at them.”

Commissioner Al Higginbotham led the proclamation.

Ericka Lott spoke in Queen Kelsey Fry’s place, because Fry was unable to attend.

• The WLCA is in the process of obtaining a quote for an electric gate for the entrance to the lake park parking lot. The gate would prevent non-residents from going to the park and using the lot. The park is only for Walden Lake residents.

Daramus said that many days the parking lot is full with non-resident cars.

Residents call the office to complain. If in violation, cars are subject to towing.

The gate would have a keycard or password access, preventing nonresidents from parking in the lot. Once the quote is secured, the WLCA can discuss the matter further.

• The annual meeting, including elections, will take place at 7 p.m. April 11. Ballots will be sent out 30 days prior to the meeting. Board members up for renewal include Marcus Alexich, Robert Hunter and Ray Page. If you are interested in running for the board, contact the office, (813) 754-8999.

• The community garage sale will take place from 8 a.m. to noon April 6.

Residents can set up a sale in their driveways as long as they secure a proper city permit.

4 PlantCityObserver.com

NEWSBRIEFS

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Arrrrr mateys! Pirate-themed race will benefit Project L.I.N.K. Scallywags can shape their booties while hunting for booty at an upcoming pirate-themed race March 2, at Varn Ranch.

The Pirate Booty Hunt, a 3.5mile race, gives runners a chance to find one of 200 treasure chests hidden along the trail. Each box has an undisclosed amount of money inside, ranging from $10 to $1,000.

“Right now, adventure racing is very hot — like mud runs,” Eric Peer, race series president for Erro Events, said. “But this is not just a run, not just an obstacle course.”

Erro Events is coordinating the run. Erro also put on the Beach Beast Race, in which thousands participated. The goal for Pirate Booty Hunt is 700 to 1,000 participants.

“It’s a great twist on the adventure racing that everyone seems to like,” Robert Handy, executive director of Erro Events, said.

The run will benefit Project L.I.N.K., a Tampa-based charity that helps keep students from struggling families with school.

“I hope that it will raise awareness,” Tina Young, executive director of Project L.I.N.K., said.

“We’ve been in the community for more than 20 years, and it surprises me that people don’t know about us.”

Young is part of the Ye Mys-

tic Krewe of the Nautilus, a Gasparilla group. Peer was friends with a board member of L.I.N.K., who was also part of the Krewe.

Through the member, he met Young and pitched the idea of a race. Young loved it.

“It’s going to be a family thing,” Young said. “It’s not competitive.

With this idea, you don’t have to be the winner; everyone is a winner. You can walk and have a chance to win the ultimate prize.”

Young and Peer thought it would be a good idea to tie the race into Tampa’s Gasparilla and hold it at the end of all the festivities.

“The pirate idea just goes hand-in-hand with the scavenger hunt,” Peer said. “It’s transferrable. You could take this idea anywhere, to Central Park even.”

“It’s really genius to have it after Gasparilla,” Handy said. “A lot of people still have their costumes and want to keep celebrating.”

Ever yone has a chance to find one treasure chest.

The chest

Detectives from both Hillsborough and Polk County sheriff’s offices are investigating a series of thefts of U-Haul trucks.

According to sheriff’s office reports, 10 U-Haul trucks have been stolen since Dec. 6, 2012, from the Plant City area. Each truck is a 26-foot box truck model from 2006 to 2010.

The Plant City locations are: • 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6: Jigg’s Junction Auto Repair/U-Haul, 4516 Coronet Road, Plant City • 8:20 a.m. Dec. 7: Jigg’s Junction Auto Repair/U-Haul, 4516 Coronet Road, Plant City • 10 p.m. Jan. 8: S & J Chevron/U-Haul, 930 U.S. 92 W., Seffner

IF YOU GO Pirate Booty Hunt Race WHEN: March 2. Two heats at 8:45 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.; kids ages 7 to 11 at 10:45 a.m.

WHERE: Varn Farms, 5501 Varn Road, Plant City REGISTRATION: $50 from Feb. 16 to March 1; and $60 the day of the race BENEFICIARY: Project L.I.N.K., a Tampa-based charity that helps keep students from struggling families with school WEBSITE: piratebootyhunt.com must be sealed at the time you cross the finish line. To keep the amount inside, participants must cross the finish line in one hour.

More than $3,000 is up for grabs in two heats.

Everyone gets a finishers medal and a T-shirt. There will be live music, food and a free children’s fun heat. Project L.I.N.K. will have a booth offering services and information.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

• 7 a.m. Jan. 9: S & J Chevron/ U-Haul, 930 U.S. 92 W., Seffner • 5:30 p.m. Jan. 9: Jigg’s Junction Auto Repair/U-Haul, 4516 Coronet Road, Plant City • 8:30 a.m. Jan. 10: Jigg’s Junction Auto Repair/U-Haul, 4516 Coronet Road, Plant City • 11 a.m. Jan. 17: P & N Food Mart/U-Haul, 14739 Sydney Road, Dover • 9 p.m. Jan. 17: P & N Food Mart/U-Haul, 14739 Sydney Road, Dover • 9 p.m. Feb. 12: AJ’s Food N Beverages/U-Haul, 9806 Harney Road, Thonotosassa • 7:30 a.m. Feb. 13: AJ’s Food N Beverages/U-Haul, 9806 Harney Road, Thonotosassa Anyone with any information should call the Sheriff’s Office, (813) 247-8200.

Realtors serve up soup showdown

Lunchtime heated up during For the Love of Soup!, a soup cookoff event, Feb. 13, at Keller Williams Realty’s Plant City office.

The competition featured a variety of soups for patrons to enjoy.

The first-place winner was Tres Hall’s chicken tortilla soup, followed

by Nick Ganey’s white chili and finally Natalie Sweet’s pasta e fagioli. For more information about Keller Williams Realty in Plant City, call (813) 503-0999.

EcoWatEr S y s t e m s

®

The EcoLogical Choice We service all makes and models.

No charge if we can’t fix it.

Buy of Salt3 Bags

Get O Freene (50 lbs

Complimentary: ● Water Test ● System Evaluation

. $4 49)

Limit 4

- No D

ealers

Please

ioN

t LoCa New

OldeSt Water treatment COmpany in plant City.

Come visit our new showroom today: 1508 Sammonds Rd. • Plant City, FL 33563

104654

The Pirate Booty Hunt will give every contestant a chance to find treasure.

+ Detectives searching for stolen U-Hail trucks

Softeners ● Iron Filters ● Reverse Osmosis Zero Down Finance ● Lease ● Rental

813.754.2546 www.ecowater.com

104660

walking the plank

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

magical memories

5

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Brooklyn Zajac, 7, and her dad, Ian, attended the event for the first time.

Jacki Manna and Jo Jo Bean entertained guests with their ventriloquism act.

Jaida, 6, and Paitlyn, 3, enjoyed the dance with their dad, Nate Davis, and Uncle Aaron.

Daddy-Daughter Dance whisks little ladies into a ‘Wonderland’ It was a dress-to-impress night for Plant City fathers and their daughters at the fourth annual Daddy-Daughter Dance, held Feb. 16, at the HCC John R. Trinkle Center.

The event, organized by the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department, brought 275 attendees to a magical night that featured a “Mad Hatter Tea Party” theme from the Disney favorite, “Alice in Wonderland.”

“We have a different theme every year, and my wife (Jennifer) came up with this theme,” organizer Jason Hargrove says. “I just thought it was a great idea.”

The event is for dads, grandfathers, uncles or guardians to enjoy a special night out with their daughters, granddaughters or nieces, ages 3 and up. Adult daddy-daughter couples also were welcomed.

An entertainment segment, including appearances from characters from “Alice in Wonderland” and children’s entertainer Jacki Manna preceded a meal of finger foods and the dance.

This was the second Daddy-Daughter Dance for Amber Diehl, 8, and her dad, Bryan.

Kaylin Duncan, 8, and her dad, Tim. It was their first time, but they said they will be back next year.

Gabriella Schoch, 11, came as Alice, while her dad, Jason, looked dapper, as well.

104690

Aaron Livingston enjoyed the dance with his daughters, Emma, 8, and Shelby, 6.

6 PlantCityObserver.com giddy up

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

what’s cooking? by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Plant City rider braves Florida Cracker Trail For Cindy Ryan, the cross-state ride has been on her bucket list for more than 10 years.

ONLINE FRONTIER

For more information, visit crackertrail.org.

Make sure to check out Cindy Ryan’s blog about her first trail experience at rideforwardnow.blogspot. com.

Billie, a 5-year-old Welsh Arabian crossbreed.

“It is an unusual horse to take on a ride like this, but she has great big feet and a great attitude,” Ryan said. “She’ll do well in a crowd.”

Ryan had been preparing Billie for the ride, getting her accustomed to being tied for multiple days. Ryan had also prepared herself, packing clothes for a variety of weather conditions, food and ensuring sure her trailer’s quarters are equipped for the trip.

“It’d be nice to have a rolling Hampton Inn, because I don’t camp well,” Ryan said, laughing.

Still, her trailer has more amenities than a tent. The riders will ride halfway to their daily checkpoint and break for lunch. After lunch, they are bused to their trailers and then drive their trailers to the checkpoint end. They are bused back to their horses at the lunch stop and continue the second half of the ride.

But, Ryan said there is only so much planning a rider can do for a ride such as this.

“No matter how well you plan, you always run into the unexpected,” Ryan said.

Ryan blogs each night from camp and has been wearing a Go Pro camera mounted to her head to document some of the rural roads. One-half of the ride is on well-traveled roads, while the rest whisk riders back in time.

“I’m just really passionate about the past, about the heritage of farming and cattle and the expertise of all the farming families that have been around for so long,” Ryan said.

The ride is limited to members of the FCTA. This year’s trail boss is Jennifer Osterling.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

Auto service just got better!

Must present coupon at time of write up. May not be used with any other coupon or store special. Shop supplies and tax extra.

Expires 3/28/13

Whitney Miller thought these strawberry cupcakes would be a perfect fit for Plant City.

Most cars and light trucks up to 7 quarts.

Must present coupon at time of write up.

May not be used with any other coupon or store special.

Shop supplies and tax extra.

Expires 3/28/13

Service Hours Mon. - Fri. 7am - 7pm Sat. 7am - 3pm

www.jarrettscottford.com

The 2013 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court made an appearance.

• Roach & Ant Control • Bees • Fleas & Ticks • Quarterly & Semi-Annual Service

4995

at Jarrett-Scott Ford

Leslie, Cameron and Susie Poppell

Diane Sparkman and Stephanie Mike and Julie Arndt and Paul Granville Shuff

$

(813) 757-6429 2000 East Baker St. Plant City, FL 33563

Hungry guests dined on one-of-a-kind entrées straight from celebrity chef Whitney Miller’s cookbook during For the Love of Food Feb. 15, at the HCC John R. Trinkle Center.

Miller, America’s first MasterChef, even made an appearance and did a cooking demonstration after the meal.

Items on the menu included buttermilk chicken and strawberry cupcakes.

The event benefited the United Food Bank of Plant City.

Last year, the dinner raised about $53,000. The food bank served 477 people last month and remains a charity staple in the Plant City community.

Full Synthetic Oil change

• German Roaches • Ground Hornets • Rodent Control • Spiders • Silverfish

Family Owned & Operated Since 2006 Steve and Kathy Paul, Owner 104689

Up to $80.00 in rebates on selected tires.

Free alignment check with every tire sale.

Celebrity chef dishes out food, fun at United Food Bank bash

Home Protection Pest control

Life is better in the Quick Lane.

Big tiRe Sale

Celebrity chef Whitney Miller spoke and did a cooking demonstration at the dinner.

16 Years Experience

813.757.6752 (Office) 813.716.0623 (Cell) Lic. # JB 138531

www.homeprotectionpc.com

Hours

8am-5pm M-F • Sat by appt.

104688

Plant City resident Cindy Ryan saddled up Feb. 16, to join more than 120 Florida residents for the 26th annual Florida Cracker Trail.

The ride, designed to keep history alive by educating through demonstrations of the Old Florida Cracker Pioneer ways, is a 110-mile cross-state tour that spans five counties.

Riders departed from East Manatee County this week and will complete the trail Feb. 23, at Fort Pierce.

The ride’s dedication to history attracted Ryan.

“I’m interested in it from a cultural preservation aspect,” Ryan said. “I hope we never lose the ability to raise our own cattle and grow our own crops.”

The trail has been on her bucket list since 2000, when the trail became a Community Millennium Trail. Millennium Trails is a partnership including the White House Millennium Council, the Department of Transportation, Rails-To-Trails Conservancy, the National Endowment for the Arts.

“I realized I really did want to go when it became a Millennium Trail because that is no small feat by the Florida Cracker Trail Association,” she said.

Now 13 years later, Ryan is finally going to ride the trail for the first time. She never had the time before, commuting for her job between Florida and California.

But Ryan has been competing in a variety of equestrian sports since she was a child and particularly loves long-distance riding. She is a frequent distance rider with the American Endurance Ride Conference and participates in a number of 50-mile rides during the winter.

She originally picked a veteran horse to ride with her on the Florida Cracker Trail, but she thought he may be too quick. Instead, she opted for

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

WELCOME HOME

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Comprehensive Chaplaincy Care and Consulting

Trading the Pentagon for Plant City

WHO: Daniel Middlebrooks, president/CEO WHAT: Non-profit chaplain service and consulting for local businesses, their employees and their families.

CONTACT: (813) 767-2082 or email chaplainmiddlebrooks@hotmail.com WEBSITE: comprehensivechaplaincycare.webs.com

After retiring from the U.S. Army, Chaplain Daniel Middlebrooks has returned home to provide chaplaincy services to local businesses and residents in Plant City.

In May 2011, Chaplain Daniel Middlebrooks was driving to his hometown of Plant City to visit his parents on Memorial Day weekend.

The seven-and-one-half hour drive from Fort Jackson, S.C., gave him plenty of time for self-reflection and brought closure to an important chapter in his life.

“It was very clear that as I drove home, God impressed upon me that he was closing this chapter of the military down to begin another chapter at home, where I can really start pouring into ministering to my community,” he said. “I always kind of knew that I would come back; I just didn’t know when.”

Matt Mauney Middlebrooks was in line to be- Chaplain Daniel Middlebrooks says he’s missed the constant train come a lieutenant colonel with sounds that let him know he’s home. the U.S. Army in 2012, after serving active duty from 1987 to 1991 much rather be here in my home- So, he is launching Comprehenand later returning in 1997. Mid- town,” he said. “That was just a sive Chaplaincy Care and Counseling, a non-profit ministry busidlebrooks contacted the Chief neat confirmation for me.”

Middlebrooks returned to Plant ness that focuses on working with of Chaplains’ office that he was considering retiring and that he City last December to begin the companies and helping their emtransition to retirement. He of- ployees and their families. needed to be taken off the list.

Middlebrooks decided to make “They said that we’re not go- ficially retired from the military the business a non-profit; he only ing to argue with God, but we are Feb. 1.

“This city has changed a lot accepts donations for his services. going to argue with you,” he said, “It’s not about making millions since I was last here, but the heart with a smile.

They told Middlebrooks he had of Plant City hasn’t changed,” he ... it is about impacting millions,” he said. “We have to start with a the opportunity to take care of said. few for a few to become many.” chaplains in the Pentagon, but Still in the early stages, Middlehe said that isn’t where he felt he MAKING A DIFFERENCE brooks is doing this by giving local Middlebrooks didn’t want to needed to be.

“I went from being in the Penta- return home without using what businesses access to training and/ gon to being in Plant City, and I’d he had learned while he was away. or consulting. He is also available

• Withstands Winds Up To 150 mph • Many Styles & Colors Available • We Install in 32 States

SOUL SQUEEZER

Middlebrooks knows the effects of war all too well.

“War can either make you better or make you bitter,” he said.

“You’re the one that has to choose that.”

During his time in the military, Middlebrooks has been deployed to Iraq, Egypt, Israel, Kosovo and Macedonia. In Iraq, he served as a chaplain at the Tent Combat Support Hospital in Bagdad.

“We saw death and trauma almost every day,” he said of his experience there. “It taught me as I taught my staff there at the hospital to live life to the fullest — but live it in such a way that we realize how precious it is to us and how precious it is to others.”

Through that experience, Middlebrooks became what he calls a “soul squeezer.”

“All of us, in a sense, is a sponge, absorbing everything around us,” he said. “If we don’t learn to squeeze out a lot of that stuff at certain times, like a sponge that is so saturated, it becomes unusable. And after time, it becomes very sour.”

Middlebrooks learned everyone needs someone to come and squeeze the soul a little bit to keep it fresh and ensure the hard and disturbing things in life don’t permeate us.

One of Middlebrooks’ greatest honors during his service came recently, when he was presented with the Legion of Merit, becoming the first major chaplain to receive that honor.

After 25 years away from his hometown, Middlebrooks is happy to be home. This year, his two daughters, Erica and Allison, will experience the Florida Strawberry Festival for the first time. He and his wife of 24 years, Arienne, are looking forward to creating those memories with their family.

“We’re just so happy to be home,” he said.

Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.

Mention This Ad For

50 OFF

$

“Better Buildings, Better Prices”

104735

to work for the businesses as their chaplain — either on a part-time or full-time basis.

He also helps out churches, including serving as the interim pastor at Hopewell Baptist Church.

Middlebrooks relates his lessons to three areas: resiliency, readiness and relationships.

“I realized if I could take care of soldiers and their families in those three areas, then it allowed them to have a strong enough foundation to withstand anything that happened to them in life,” he said.

7

Using Code: PCO

Now LeasiNg

Licensed and Insured • Free Estimates • Reasonable Rates

Cabeling Cavity Patch Stump Grinding

Fertilization

CE

All Phases Tree Service

Office (863) 816-3607 • Cell (863) 286-1544 • Gerald Langford, Owner

Independent

Retirement

We Get to the Root of the Problem

Auto rates just got lower.

Retirement Living at its Finest nters e Hu e Mak our Hom Y k . e e e Cr t Hom Swee

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CONTACT AN AGENT TODAY.

Model Home Hours M-F 10am-5pm | Sat. by Appt.

784 Hunter Creek Dr. | Plant City, FL 33563 I-4 to S. Alexander St. (Exit 21) Left onto W. Grant St. Go 1/2 mile, Turn Right onto Hunter St. - Community on Left.

Courtney Paat Ins Agcy Inc

1001011.1

813.752.9300

Courtney Paat, Agent 1805 James Redman Pkwy, Suite 101 Plant City, FL 33563 Bus: 813-754-1725 Fax: 813-707-9476 www.paatinsurance.com State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Company Bloomington, IL

www.gracemanorhunterscreek.com Minutes away from our Famous Strawberry Festival 104733

statefarm.com

®

and so much more!

62+ Active Independent Living Community

Stop by a State Farm® agent’s office, or call one of us today to find out how much you can save.

Hablamos Español

Living...

• 2 and 3 Bedroom Villas • Gated Entry • Paved Walking Paths • Fitness Center • Swimming Pool • Spacious Master Suites • Single Car Garage • Covered Courtyard Area • Zero Entry Shower • Roomy Walk-In Closets • Full Appliance Package, Including Washer and Dryer • Wheelchair Accessible • Pets Welcome

Future assisted LiviNg at HuNters Creek ComiNg sooN

104686

N Removal A L Trimming

104698

RD’S TREE SERV O F G I

8 PlantCityObserver.com

Observer

PLANT CITY

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

in focus by Michael Eng | Managing Editor

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

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Durant’s Ricardo Reyes is excited to be participating in this year’s parades.

Founding Publisher / Felix Haynes General Manager and Managing Editor / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver. com Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editors / (Community) Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@ PlantCityObserver.com; (Sports) Matt Mauney, mmauney@PlantCityObserver. com

Lions Club Tail Twister David Vick is a retired clown.

Advertising Executive / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Coordinator / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

Strawberry Crest’s Genesis Cedeño put on clown makeup for the first time.

CLOWNING

Accounting Manager / Petra Kirkland, pkirkland@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising-Production Operations Manager / Kathy Payne, kpayne@ yourobserver.com

AROUND

Advertising-Production Coordinator / Brooke Schultheis, bschultheis@ yourobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Peter Carlson, pcarlson@yourobserver. com; Monica DiMattei, mdimattei@ yourobserver.com; Marjorie Holloway, mholloway@yourobserver.com; Luis Trujillo, ltrujillo@yourobserver.com; Chris Stolz, cstolz@yourobserver.com



CONTACT US

The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A. 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 Veronica Prostko at 704-6850.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

We want to hear from you. Let us know about your community events, celebrations and family member achievements.

To contact us, send your information via: Email: Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com

Nicole Perez helped fellow Durant Leo Betsy Posadas with her makeup.

sizzlin’ soiree

For first-timers, it took about an hour to apply their makeup. Eventually, they’ll be able to do it in 15 minutes.

Below: The Durant Leos Club participated in last year’s parades.

Students from the Leos Clubs at Durant and Strawberry Crest high schools were busy clowning around Feb. 16, in preparation for the upcoming Florida Strawberry Festival parades.

The students, under the leadership of Plant City Lions Club Tail Twister David Vick, a retired clown, are learning the art of clowning. They will participate in both the Civitan Club Youth Parade and the Grand Parade and will offer balloon creations and plenty of laughs along the parade routes.

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Whispering Woods adds N’Awlins spice to Plant City Residents of Whispering Woods got a little taste of Cajun culture Feb. 16, during Pardi Gras, a community

event featuring food, fun and friends. The Plant City neighborhood, located off East Alexander Street, hosts com-

munity events every quarter.

The Pardi Gras event featured authentic dishes such as gumbo and jambalaya.

Joselyn Diaz, 3, loved all the food — especially the chocolate-covered strawberries.

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

The Plant City Observer LLC Locally Owned

Publisher of the Plant City Observer and PlantCityObserver.com

President / Felix Haynes Directors / Nate Kilton, Ed Verner, Matt Walsh

110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100A Plant City, Fla. 813-704-6850 www.PlantCityObserver.com

Clockwise from above: Dave, Missy and Kaylee Thurston and Mackenzie, Kennedy, Shane and Amy Steele

©Copyright Plant City Observer LLC 2012 All Rights Reserved

Brent Meyers, DR Horton Sales Director Paula Meyers and builder Kevin Dindial Milly and Edgar Molina with their nephew, J.J. Gonzalez

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

9

Cops Corner PLANT CITY

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

FEB. 7

QUICK GETAWAY

1900 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Stolen Vehicle. A green 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV was stolen from the parking lot of the store. The victim turned off the SUV, put the keys on the center console and went inside to buy lottery tickets. An unknown male, about 20 to 25 years old, with reddish hair, got in the SUV and drove off. A search was conducted, but the SUV was not located.

SCHOOLYARD FIGHT

1200 block of West Grant Street. Simple Battery/Affray. Officers responded to this school in reference to two students fighting. The students were separated and suspended. No medical attention was required.

TRIPLE THREAT

2100 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Shoplifting/ Warrant Arrest/Drug Possession. Officers responded in reference to detained shoplifters. The store’s lossprevention officers stated the two suspects concealed $745 worth of clothing and exited the business. An FCIC/NCIC check revealed one of the suspects had three Hillsborough County warrants for violation of probation — aggravated battery on a pregnant female, and the other had a warrant for failing to pay child support. A search incident to arrest revealed one suspects had 3.8 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his front right pocket.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Shoplifting. Officers responded in reference to a detained shoplifter. Loss-prevention officers stated the suspect removed a Samsung cell phone, worth $120, from packaging and concealed it on his person. Smith then exited the business without rendering payment.

Visit our website to read more Cops Corner reports. www.PlantCityObserver.com

FEB. 10 CANINE CONUNDRUM

We work to safeguard local water sources.

That’s our promise.

At Mosaic, our 3,000-plus Florida employees place the

4330 block of Barret Avenue.

Noise Ordinance Violation.

A request for prosecution was issued to the victim, who complained of excessive loud and continuous noise from a barking dog at a neighboring residence.

utmost value on the resources we all share. Before we begin phosphate mining operations, we work with regulators to identify key wetlands, streams and floodplains for preservation. In other areas that we mine, we restore water flows through state-of-the-art reclamation. Whether preserved or reclaimed, these

4200 block of Thackery Way. Noise Ordinance Violation. A request for prosecution was issued to the victim, who complained a neighbor blows an extremely loud air horn when any neighborhood dog barks.

waters are monitored to ensure their quality is sustained for future generations.

Join in Mosaic’s promise at www.mosaicco.com/promise.

This week’s Crossword answers Maron Run Headwaters Reclamation Project Active South Fort Meade Mine, Polk County

2013

1. Two plates were discussing the upcoming meal. One told the other, “Lunch is on me!”

2. One day, two cows who were good friends stood calmly in line for milking. One joked with the other— isn’t this deja moo?

CROSS_ANS_022113

95177

This week’s Cryptogram answers

10 PlantCityObserver.com

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

tribute by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Wells Memorial Funeral and Event Center honors veteran

SCOUTS HOnor

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Originally thought to be homeless, Charles D. Rhinehart lived in Tampa, but no family could be reached following his death.

Members of the Marine Corps League Post 148 lined the entryway to Wells Memorial Funeral and Event Center, holding their heads tall and their flags proudly.

The league, along with dozens of others, came to pay their respects to a man they thought was a homeless veteran Feb. 15.

Charles D. Rhinehart served in the U.S. Marines from 1952 to 1954, but he was not homeless.

During the service, a friend of Rhinehart’s, Eric Bielke, politely raised his hand to note Rhinehart paid rent and lived in a “humble abode” in Tampa.

“I don’t want people to think he’s homeless,” Bielke said. “I know he wouldn’t want people to think that. I feel like he’s here with me now.”

Rhinehart, 78, died Jan. 12. He was born May 4, 1934, in Buffalo, N.Y. Part of the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program, Wells Memorial provided the full military honors service. He was buried after the service at the Florida National Cemetery. The Hillsborough County medical examiners

office is responsible for contacting the family of the deceased.

If family members cannot be reached, the office refers veterans to programs such Dignity’s.

The Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program is available in 35 cities across the United States and has provided services for more than 1,000 homeless veterans since the program’s inception in 2000.

A burial such as the one given to Rhinehart costs about $10,000.

Wells Manager Verna McKelvin has organized four homeless veteran services since she has worked at Wells Memorial. Along with the Marine Corps League, members of the patriot guard and other veterans attended the service.

“It’s family,” McKelvin said. “To them, it’s family. And to us here, we’ve made them family.”

The Rev. Jim Brady, of the East Thonotosassa Baptist Church, led the service.

“Today there is no spouse to comfort,” Brady said. “There are no grandchildren to share memories. It seems that Charles has no family here, but I would beg to differ.”

Rhinehart may not have had any

family present, but four friends attended to see him laid to rest, and Bielke said Rhinehart told him he had two children in New York.

“He told me he left and never looked back,” Bielke said.

Bielke met Rhinehart in Tampa more than two years ago, after Rhinehart moved from Key West.

“He looked like this salty, old guy,” Bielke said.

Rhinehart spent years living on and off Bielke’s couch, until he finally ended up in a trailer around 50th Street, calling it home for the past three years. Nicknamed Wild Turkey for his love of the whiskey, Rhinehart liked to watch football, NASCAR and have cookouts.

Short and weighing barely more than 100 pounds, Rhinehart was proud he was a Marine.

“He’s a sweet, old guy and a beautiful person,” Bielke said.

Rhinehart had housing, but as many as 62,619 veterans are homeless on any given night, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Homeless veterans are predominantly male, and the majority are single and can suffer from mental illness, alcohol and/ or substance abuse. About 13% of the adult homeless population are veterans.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

Scouts lined up for the opening ceremony.

Friends of Scouting hosts annual awards dinner Friends of Scouting honored Floyd Hall as its 2013 Distinguished Citizen Feb. 7, at the HCC John R. Trinkle Center.

Active in Plant City for 10 years, Friends of Scouting is an organization that promotes the benefits of scouting to young men and women.

Col. Matt Molineux, com-

Scouts marched in to the sound bagpipes.

mander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, was the featured speaker.

The dinner is a major fundraiser for the Gulf Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America and enables programs and services to be offered in troops throughout its reach.

Carl Duggan and Jonathan Lane chatted before the dinner.

You Read It HeRe FIRST! at the Plant City observer, our award-winning editorial staff is committed to delivering the most comprehensive, timely news source in Plant City.

2013 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court Simmons Career Center renames access road Leslie Morris Lane Plant City Motorsports rumbles into Plant City dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural arts Festival dean’s Ride at the Plant City Family YMCa tampa Hillsborough edC appoints Jake austin as Plant City project manager Highland Packaging Solutions begins move to Plant City Springhead Pta officer arrested for stealing $25,000 from the Pta account

Observer

Plant City 10-11 Little League all-Stars win tournament of State Champions Local athletes qualify for tampa Bay Bucs NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition durant football completes perfect season, preps for playoffs Former PCHS and Bama softball standout Kendall dawson begins coaching career tampa Bay Sentinels hold charity flag football game in Plant City after tampa Bay Storm backs out

You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.

Lv5001

PLANT CITY

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

OBSERVEROBITUARIES Doris Louise Alonso

Doris Louise Alonso, 80, died Feb. 17.

Born Nov. 30, 1932, to the late Harold P. and Louise Ballentine Hargraves, she was the wife of the late Dr. Fernando Alonso.

Mrs. Alonso was a member of The Wahoo Baptist Church, attended Shiloh Baptist Church, after serving as a devoted pastor’s wife for many years. After the death of her husband, she went on to work and retire from Publix Super Markets, where she was a cake decorator. Her main passion in life was her family.

Survivors include sons, Randall (Deborah) Alonso and Paul (Gwen) Alonso; daughters, Nancy (Mark) Willis, and Diana (Tim) Stotler; brothers, Harold Hargraves and Louis Hargraves; and sisters, Ruth Padgett and Carol Thornhill.

A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m.

Feb. 21, at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1104 Cason St., Plant City. Contributions may be made to The Wahoo Baptist Church Building Fund, 4517 C.R. 319, Bushnell, FL 33513.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

Karen Marie Borrelli

Karen Marie Borrelli, 51, of Plant City and formerly of Lowell, Mass., died Feb. 17.

Born Sept. 4, 1961, she was the daughter of Paul Lord and Theresa Vezina Lord.

Mrs. Borrelli had been a patient care technician with Tampa General Hospital.

Survivors include sons, Derek Paul Lord, Tyler Richard Borrelli and Dylan Kevin Borrelli; brother, Keith D. Lord; and sister, Kimberley Lord Curtis.

She was predeceased by brother, Kevin Paul Lord.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

JoNell Dykes

JoNell Dykes, 81, died Feb. 17, at home.

She was born on June 27, 1930, to Phillip and Myra (Howard) Smith in Newborn, Ga. She married Terry Dykes.

Mrs. Dykes worked as an account bookkeeper at Ernst & Young Accounting and was a member of Knights Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Terry Dykes; one son, Terry M. Dykes; three daughters, Billie Strickland,

Peggy Reed and Betty Kofmehl; one sister, Doris Hawthorn; nine grandchildren; and 33 greatgrandchildren.

Visitation for Mrs. Dykes will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 21, at Wells Memorial & Event Center, 1903 W. Reynolds St. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Feb. 22.

Condolences may be made to the family at wellsmemorial.com.

Inez Estelle Jones

Inez Estelle Jones, 85, of Plant City, died Feb. 12, at Palm Terrace of Lakeland.

Born April 22, 1927, in Ducktown, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Arnold Tarpley and the late Edith Curtis Tarpley.

She was the wife of the late Homer Jones.

Survivors include a son, Marvin Jones (Linda); daughter, Carol Hawkins; brothers, Kenneth and David Tarpley; sister, Hazel Beshears; grandchildren, Chad Hawkins, Kristopher and Jonathan Jones; and great-grandchildren, Shawn Hawkins and John Foy. She was predeceased by brother, Warren Tarpley; and sister, Marlene Hall.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

Vonelle “Nan” Miles Robinson

Vonelle “Nan” Miles Robinson, 89, of Plant City, died Feb. 10.

She was born in Jacksonville Beach but grew up in Plant City. Her father owned Smith Brothers Grocery Store and was the founder of WPLA radio station. She was a member of the Plant City’s Woman’s Club, Daughter’s of the American Revolution and Church of Christ.

Vonelle’s sister-in-law, Marion Miles Morgan, was a severe diabetic and eventually died of complications of diabetes. Mrs. Morgan had two children, Michael Miles and Kathy Sue Miles Douglass (Chuck).

When Mrs. Morgan realized she was not going to live to raise them, she allowed Mrs. Robinson and her first husband, J. Albert Miles, to adopt them.

Mrs. Morgan is survived by her son, Dr. John Robert Miles (Audrey); nine grandchildren, Cassie Miles, Mallory Miles, David Miles, Sheila Dial, Jill Douglass, Jon-

NOW OPEN IN PLANT CITY Open 7 days Monday - Sunday 10AM ‘til 9PM

Lee Charles Weber, 81, of Plant City, died Feb. 16.

Mr. Weber was born on Sept. 17, 1931, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Charles and Ruth Weber.

Mr. Weber graduated in 1949, from Wyoming High School and obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy in 1953. He then entered the United States Coast Guard and served until 1955, at Cape May, N.J..

Mr. Weber served on the Wyoming City Council and was elected mayor in 1979, serving until 1983. He spent most of his retirement years in Cape May, N.J., and moved in 2005, to Lakeland.

Survivors include his sister, Jean Schmitt and brother-in-law Stanley; nephews, Steven and David Schmitt; niece, Sally Keene; three grand-nieces, Dr. Holly Schmitt, Bonnie Melson and Sara Collins; and three great-great-nephews, Luke Melson, Grant Melson and Thor Collins.

A private service will be held in Cincinnati this summer. Inurnment will be at Oakhill Cemetery in the family plot. Memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Church of Wyoming, 225 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, OH 45215, or LifePath Hospice, 3010 W. Azeele St., Tampa, FL 33609.

Condolences may be made to the family at wellsmemorial.com.

J.W. “Hosea” Williams, 69 of Plant City, died Feb. 10.

Survivors include his wife, Sherrell; children, Vincent, Shawn, Kenneth, Leander, Kunpesa, J.W., Anthony, Ameia, Shernell, Sherlonda and Shantelle; parents, John and Willie Mae; and other relatives.

Viewing will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 23, at St. Mary’s Independent Community Church, 907 E. Laurel St., Plant City, with service following at 11 a.m.

Condolences may be made to the family at wilson-funeralhome.com.

William Dempsey Wilson II

William Dempsey Wilson II died Feb. 10. He was 70.

Mr. Wilson built a successful business, W.D. Miscellaneous Fabrication, and he also earned his pilot’s license.

His most recent accomplishment was building his wife, Jacqueline Elaine, a beautiful cabin in North Carolina.

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Elaine; children, Dempsey ( Jane), Robin (Don), Paige ( Jon), Christopher (Tiffany) and Carolyn Ann; brother RayDale (Donna); sister Gayle (David); grandchildren, Nelson, Mabry, Brittany, Jordan, Johnny, Jade, Caleb, Jessie, Allie and Haleigh; great-grandchild, Hayden; many nieces and nephews; and hundreds of friends.

Services were held Feb. 16.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mr. Wilson’s name to: “Tampa Bay Tres Dias,” 10908 McMullen Loop, Riverview, FL 33569.

Cookie cutter funerals?

104734

Smoking & Non Smoking Section

3 JackPots Daily Starts March 1st Bolt Bingo Friday and Saturday 9:30PM ‘til ???

Lee Charles Weber

J.W. “Hosea” Williams

Not from us. Our goal is to provide individual attention—not meet our numbers.

We realize that at a time like this, a family is better served with a service that reflects the attributes and wishes that make people unique.

Bring This Ad In For Free Play

Walk In G I B n O

Paul Douglass, Melissa Rubio, Autumn Miles and Bobby Miles; several greatgrandchildren; and best friend, Sarah Copeland.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, J. Albert Miles and Bob Robinson; and her son, David Richard Miles.

Condolences may be made to the family at hopewellfuneral.com.

11

813-752-2525 1846/1848 J.L. Redman Parkway· Plant City, FL 33563 | Located in the Strawberry Plaza

Sales, Service & Repair All Brands • Expert Mobile Home Repairs We Do Warranty On All Brands Wyley (813) 997-3307 Terry (813) 416-3178

CAC1817268

104736

Wyley F. Johnson A/C & Heating Inc.

Christian Business

1 All State Termite & Pest Control

David & Cynthia Wolf, Tim & Jo Haught 104700

OWNERS, HAUGHT FUNERAL HOME

5611 Patterson Road, Riverview, FL 33578 Office: 813.661.7410

FOUNDERS

708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

Plant City, FL 33563 | 813-717-9300

104687

Residential · Commercial Big or Small We do it all

Sports

YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | SENIORS | COMMUNITY | TENNIS

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Slugger Sergio Garcia leads Plant City. 15

PLANTCITYObserver.com

precedent

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

THURSDAY, february 21, 2013

warming up by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

show me the mauney

Humble beginnings fuel Crest foursome

The true meaning of student athletes

Strawberry Crest’s 4x100 team is cementing the building blocks for the Chargers girls track program.

We’ve all heard the stereotypes.

Some popular ones include the derogatory phrases “meatheads” and “dumb jocks.”

Athletes across the globe defy these misconceptions every day, and Plant City area athletes certainly are doing their part of squashing these stereotypes.

The more I cover local high school sports teams, the more I take note of the academic successes of the athletes.

It’s something coaches are quick to point out — MATT and rightly MAUNEY so.

After all, the word “student” comes first in student-athlete, and it’s something that college coaches certainly consider, much more than some may think.

The three Plant City-area high schools have built a strong academic tradition, and some of those school’s best students also shine on the court or playing field.

This is prominent at Strawberry Crest, a school that identifies with academic success with its International Baccalaureate program.

Many of the athletes at SCHS, especially the seniors, came to the school because of academics. After interviewing numerous athletes at the school, their loaded class schedules full of IB, Advanced Placement and honor classes generally come up.

Take soccer player Mazeed Aro-Lambo. He led the Chargers in practically every offensive category this season, and despite having several offers to play in college, he will be attending prestigious Northwestern University outside Chicago on a full academic scholarship. He does hope to walk-on to the team there, once again balancing a rigorous academic schedule with a team sport.

One of the more interesting examples of an entire team unit succeeding academically is Durant football’s 2012 offensive line. The kids may be big and

Seniors Yasmine Gardiner and Brittany Barber remember what it was like.

“When we started off, we were kind of the joke of the school,” Gardiner said of the the inaugural Strawberry Crest girls track team in 2009.

Both young and raw talents as freshmen, the duo flew below everyone’s radar that year.

When current juniors Sequoya Williams and Ambria Keys joined the team in 2010, something special began forming.

But again, few took notice.

“There were a lot of people who didn’t know anything about us, but as soon as we race, we get their attention,” Williams said. “We shocked a whole bunch of people, and now, we hear teams warning each other about us — that we’re coming for them.”

That warning has been heard loud and clear — and for good reason.

The foursome has been a force in Hillsborough County as a 4x100 team. They enter this season — their last together — as back-to-back district and county champions.

They also won regionals in 2011, before finishing third at region last year after the program moved up from 2A to 3A. “We ended up clicking together right off the bat,” Barber said of her relay teammates. “We’ve learned from one another and have been able to adapt to one another’s speed. We’ve made a name for ourselves, and now, we have county titles, district titles, a region title, and we’re a multiple state qualifier. So, for the past two, going on three years, (it) has been a good experience.”

In high school track, few relay teams get to stay in tact for three years. This group is hoping its past experiences together will benefit them in reaching their ultimate goal — a state championship — after finishing 12th last year.

Strawberry Crest is the only school in that top 12 to return all four runners.

“One thing we’ve learned is to trust each other, and even if

FOURSOME / PAGE 15

Courtesy photos

The National Club Baseball Association has brought collegiate club teams to Plant City for eight years, including elite schools such as Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh (above).

training grounds A record 60 collegiate club baseball and softball teams will invade Plant City for a four-week spring training season.

For the eighth consecutive year, college club baseball and softball teams from across the country will call Plant City home for a week throughout March.

The National Club Baseball Association, in partnership with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department, will bring about 56 college club teams to Mike E. Sansone Park for exhibition spring training games, beginning March 2.

The event has grown tremendously since 2006, when the Tampa Bay Sports Commission entered into a partnership with the NCBA, which was looking for a venue in the Tampa area. Plant City was chosen because of the facilities at Mike E. Sansone, a former spring training venue for the Texas Rangers MLB franchise in the 1970s.

“These teams come down here on their spring breaks, so in addition to playing, they also want to go to a location

that’s close to fun things to do,” said Savannah Harp, director of spring training operations. “Plant City has great facilities and is close enough to the beach, Disney and other attractions.”

Teams generally stay for an entire week, Saturday to Saturday, and will compete in a number of games against other club teams in exhibition p l a y.

now because of the weather,” Harp said. “This allows them to prep for conference play and is a good way to get some of the younger and more inexperienced players some playing time.”

Harp also said the event is a great bonding experience for players and coaches.

“You have to think that these teams will be together for long bus or plane trips, staying together in a hotel and spending their free time on their spring breaks together,” she said.

“The coaches love it because it builds team camaraderie.”

PAGE 14 These games don’t count against conference records and don’t affect postseason implications, making the event a great opportunity for teams to fine-tune their skills.

“Many teams coming down are from up n o r t h , where they can’t play right

MAUNEY / PAGE 14

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

hog wild

13

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Runners slosh through mud run Runners got down and dirty during the Hog Wild Mud Run 3 Feb. 16, in Dover.

The trail took participants through more than three miles of woods, obstacles, streams and, of course, mud pits.

The weather started cold but warmed up to make for comfortable adventuring.

The theme was “The Crazy 80s.”

Runners slid into a muddy pit.

Will Zook and Ashley Samples Right: Anny Bido, Alison Galley, Melissa Perrin, Dawn Kossow, Margee Nutting, Athena Reed, Elizabeth Nowacki and Christy Harris

Josh Lackowski and Erin Dankworth

Kevin Tall and Amanda Fitzpatrick

Megan Maxa, Reneé Kovac, Angela Feldman, Sandra Maultask and Andrea Combs

The trail was more than three miles long.

CITY PROPERTIES COMPANY MANAGEMENT • SALES • RENTALS

Compassion. ExCEllEnCE. REliability.

Come see us at our Strawberry Festival Booth located outside near the West Grandstands

March 5, 2013 BAYADA Home Health Care is a trusted leader in providing clinical care and support services at home for children and adults of all ages.

There’s a difference with BAYADA

• Specializing in assistive care and nursing services.

• Rigorous background checks on all employees as well as hands-on skills assessments.

Your Hometown Property Management Company

• Services available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

40 years in Plant City

To arrange care or learn more about home health care services.

Philip Balliet - Manager

813.754.4805

104658

Post Office Box 1118 • Plant City, FL 33584

104659

(813) 752-5262

www.bayada.com

14 PlantCityObserver.com

Your Community Full Service Discount Pharmacy.

TRAINING / 12

Fast & Friendly Pharmacy

In addition to NCBA spring training, four members of the National Club Softball Association — Wyoming, Rutgers, UCF and Baylor — also will be playing in a spring showcase March 21 to 24, at Sansone Park.

“We are very pleased to have the college players in town for their workouts, coming in from a wide variety of states,” Plant City Recreation and Parks Director Jack Holland said.

“The NCBA/NCSA and their staff have been great to work with, and we appreciate their selection of our facilities for the annual spring training.”

According to Jason Aughey, the sales and events manager for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, the club spring training is an economic asset to Greater Plant City, as well as the Tampa Bay area at large.

404 North Alexander Street • Plant City, FL 33563 Phone 813.719.3278 • Fax 813.754.7540

• Prescriptions filled within 15 minutes.

Wait comfortably in our air conditioned store.

• Call us to arrange pickup of your prescriptions.

CLUB VS. NCAA

• Free DeLIVerY of prescriptions and personal and household items from our new $1.00 store.

for only

1

$ .00

• Durable Medical Equipment & Diabetic Supplies.

104681

Household Items, Cleaning Supplies, Personal Care Items, Food, Pet Supplies & Baby Items

• All insurances accepted including Medicare, Medicaid and Workers Compensation.

ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS

This will mark the second in the twoyear agreement between the NCBA and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission to bring the spring training showcase to Plant City.

According to Harp, the organization would love to reach a new agreement to remain in Plant City, but a lack of baseball fields is an issue. Sansone Park features two full-sized baseball fields and an auxiliary practice field, in addition to two NCAA regulation softball fields and four batting tunnels.

“We want NCBA/NCSA to stay, but as Savannah stated, we are limited with the number of adult-size baseball fields we have,” Holland said.

One option would be the conversion of Plant City Stadium and the Randy Larson Four-Plex from a softball facility to

MAUNEY / 12

104655

NOW AVAILABLE

The NCBA and NCSA are divisions of the National Federation of Collegiate Club Sport Leagues, a compilation of governing bodies which oversee collegiate club athletics.

Club sports are separate from sports under the NCAA or NAIA. Seasons usually consist of fewer games, and teams comprise non-scholarship athletes.

CollClubSports holds tournaments and national championships for all four of its leagues, including Division I and Division II classifications for baseball.

Although the teams competing in March won’t be the ones playing in the College World Series this summer, there still will be plenty of talent on display.

Several club teams participating in this year’s spring training include annual contenders for national championships, including Virginia Tech, Penn State, Ohio State Division I and Wisconsin-Madison.

The University of Pittsburgh, a participant in last year’s NCBA Division I World Series tournament, has held its spring training in Plant City for many years, according to Harp.

menacing on the field, but they also are sharp in the classroom, with a cumulative weighted GPA of 5.5. Senior center Alex Wood leads that group and likely will attend an Ivy League school this fall.

Also in football, the group at Plant City cannot be overlooked. The Raiders had a strong year when it comes to college recruiting. Six of the 10 seniors have committed to play at the next level, which means they all have financial help in some capacity to get a college education.

Perhaps even more impressive is that the other four seniors also will attend college, according to PCHS assistant coach Greg Meyer.

In high school sports, especially football, coaches often preach academic success to their players, but it is sometimes more of a formality than a goal of the coaches. But that mentality isn’t seen here in Plant City. After spending substantial time at games, practices and weight-room sessions, you can tell these coaches value education.

Sports are a great way to teach young people life lessons, and for many, it may

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

IF YOU GO 2013 NCBA Spring Training WHEN: March 2 to 28 WHERE: Mike E. Sansone Park, Fields 7, 8 and 9 and the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center field SCHEDULE: Teams usually stay and compete for a week during their college spring break. Schedules can be found by visiting springtraining.clubbaseball.org/schedules.asp.

COST: All games are free for spectators.

PARTICIPATING TEAMS: Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Kentucky, Colorado and many more

2013 NCSA Spring Showcase WHEN: March 21 to 24 WHERE: Mike E. Sansone Park, Fields 5 and 6 SCHEDULE: springtraining.clubbaseball.org/Copy_of_schedules.asp COST: All games are free for spectators.

PARTICIPATING TEAMS: Wyoming, Rutgers, UCF and Baylor baseball. Plant City Stadium originally was built as the spring training home for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1980s, before later being converted to softball after the team left town.

The conversion was an essential part in bringing the International Softball Federation headquarters to Plant City.

The ISF uses the facility to host national and international tournaments.

The city is currently looking at two options to supplement the cost of daily operations and expenses of the stadium and four-plex: An outside management company to step in to take over day-today operations and expenses of the Stadium/Four-Plex facility, or an outright sale of the facility.

The closing date for proposals is April 1. According to Holland, the request for qualifications process helps rank proposals to determine the best outcome for the city. The outcome of the responses received from the RFQ will likely determine whether a new deal can be reached with the NCBA, Holland said.

“We love Plant City and hope we can stay there,” Harp said. “It’s pretty much like our second home, because we’re there for the whole month of March.”

Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@ plantcityobserver.com.

be the only avenue to college. But academics still play an essential part in the process.

There has been a trend in college sports that shows how athletes are being held to a higher academic standard than ever before. Coaches aren’t only satisfied by how well a high school kid can catch a football or dunk a basketball. They want to find athletes who will benefit their programs by being able to stay in those programs by meeting and exceeding academic standards set for them.

There’s no point to heavily recruit a running back if you don’t have faith he will be dedicated to his studies enough to stay in school once he gets to college.

This is why there has been an increase in the amount of signings of local athletes in recent years. Coaches want players who are just as committed in the classroom as they are when wearing a uniform.

If this trend of high academic success continues with area athletes, expect more recruiting to follow.

The best part of all of this? If the sport doesn’t work out, there is viable backup plan.

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

athlete of the week

FOURSOME / 12

rounded team this year, because (the 4x100 relay team) is going out there and you don’t run a good leg, just know that seeking athletic girls on campus,” he said.

Although the 4x100 is their best event, the person behind you has your back,” the Lady Chargers are a young — but talKeys said.

For Gardiner, that trust has been an es- ented group — as a team. Strawberry Crest went undefeated in small dual meets last sential part in the relay team’s success.

“We had that click, so it showed us that season and picked up win at the Jack Rice we belonged together and that we are sis- Invitational, at East Bay. “That was a big one for our program,” ters who have grown together,” she said.

Head coach Ryan Guarisco, who has Guarisco said.

The Lady Chargers finished as district been with the program since it began in 2009, said Barber and Gardiner have be- runner-up in 2012, but Guarisco believes this may be his best team yet, after the recome the faces of the program.

“When anyone talks about Strawberry cruiting efforts of current members helped Crest, they bring up Brittany and Yas- to fill holes that hurt them last year, includmine,” he said. “They started their own ing distance runners and field events.

As for the 4x100 team, in addition to Facebook page, and every kid on the team aiming for a state title, they hope to make strides with individual events. Gardiner and Barber finished first and second, respectively, in the 100- and 200-meter dash at the district meet last year.

Gardiner also does the triple jump, but says the 200 is her favorite event.

“That’s my baby,” she said. “I adore the 200.”

Barber finished third at last year’s district meet in the high Matt Mauney jump. Both seniors Ambria Keys, Yasmine Gardiner, Sequoya Williams and hope to earn Division Brittany Barber are hoping to make their last season together a I track scholarships. memorable one.

Keys owns the is following them. They’ve kind of taken school record for the triple jump with a everyone under their wings and have re- 34.4. She jumped a 34 flat at the season ally helped to get a lot of girls that were in opening tri-meet against Durant and East Bay Tuesday. other sports to come out.”

Williams has qualified for state in the Guarisco said those multi-sport athletes, including freshman volleyball and long jump, with a personal best of 16-4. basketball standout Terra Brooks, have She hopes she can up that to 18 or even 20 been key in filling holes in other spots on feet this year.

Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@ the team.

“We’re starting to become a more well- plantcityobserver.com.

3

CRYPTOGRAMS KSES

M U AT C A A U I Z

LQS

CVTRFUIZ

FSWD.

RIS

LRDM LQS RLQSE, “DCITQ UA RI FS!”

2. H B P X U Z , K C H E H C J C V H C P Q P D H H X W Q S P B X J J K H H X E U F R F Z SB FSBP WHQ RSFTSBD. HBP IHTPX CSKV KVP HKVPQ— SJB’K KVSJ XPIU RHH?

SERGIO GARCIA Plant City senior Sergio Garcia has been a bright spot in the lineup for Plant City baseball in this early stage of the 2013 season. The second baseman is hitting .650, with a triple and two doubles going into Tuesday night’s game with Hillsborough. He has played all four years on varsity for the Raiders. According to new PCHS head coach Mike Fryrear, Garcia is a team leader and hopes to have a breakout senior season.

How long have you been playing baseball?

I started when I was 5, so about 13 years.

What got you interested in playing?

My older brothers played.

to school and play baseball.

Is there anybody that you look up to when it comes to baseball?

I’d probably say my mom, because she always works hard for everything and supports me and my family.

Have you always played infield?

No, I’ve bounced around a lot, but I’ve been playing second this season.

Do you have a favorite Major League team?

The (Tampa Bay) Rays

Is there a position you prefer?

Second base. I just feel like I’m in command.

What about a favorite player?

Ben Zobrist, because he can play any position.

What has made you so successful at the plate this season?

I’ve been staying back with the ball and letting it travel. I’ve tried to be more patient.

What have you worked the most on over the offseason?

I’ve been working on my agility and footwork. I’ve also been working on having quick hands.

Being here for all four years, how have you seen this program progress?

Coach Fryrear really cares about us and pushes us through school and with baseball.

What are some personal goals for you this year?

I want to hopefully get looked at by some colleges and hopefully go

Edited by Timothy E. Parker

VDWLSA

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

SnACK wELL by Oscar Lunford

O B S E RV E R C RO S S WO R D

1. L K R

15

ACROSS

on “Cheers” workers?

131 Pandemonium 74 The first Mr. 1 Where old Greeks 132 Barbecue rods Shirley Temple gathered 75 Besmirch 6 Piece in a place 78 Keep the dOwn setting magazines coming 1 Get in on the deal 11 Bronzes 79 Emulate Columbo 2 Icky or sticky stuff 19 Fifth of the seven 3 Tedious task 82 Bermuda canonical hours 4 Government in surrounder 20 Baton-passing race power 83 Airport posting 21 Bach piece 5 Masonry stones (abbr.)

22 Not the easiest 6 Swedish currency 86 Palms yielding person to rattle 7 “Classical” opening starch 24 Dawdling types 8 Varieties or types 88 Certain style, as of 9 Opposite of 25 Fifth Greek letter furnishings success 26 Pizza serving 10 Checking out 89 Monopoly card 28 Depilatory brand visually 91 Opposite of a 29 Literary bear 11 Baby’s first word, squeaker 30 Lacking guidance perhaps 93 Horse-drawn 32 Baby’s favorite art 12 Land of Blarney carriage movement? and Killarney 94 Wood-shaping tool 13 British art gallery 35 Celestial body 95 Type of auto name 38 Slow, in music collision 14 One of “The 40 “Anytown, ___” 97 They need bottle Avengers” 43 “Yer out!” shouter 15 Bloodline openers?

45 Fraternity letter 16 Due follower 99 “Am ___ believe ...”

46 Ace’s hiding spot?

17 Make public 100 Tell a tall tale 48 “The Lord giveth, 18 “Terrible twos” 101 Attendance fig., and the Lord ___ chorus often away” 23 Attractive 102 Changes one’s 51 Honest prez 24 Director Spike story?

27 Coagulate 52 ___ mater 104 Act as a substitute 31 “The ___ of 54 Body-bending Hazzard” 106 Decked out discipline 33 Intel product 109 Personnel person 55 Populates again, as 34 Orange-yellow 111 Buckwheat’s the Earth shades “Sure!”

57 Company that 35 Squirrel away once offered mail- 112 Not yet final, as a 36 Prefix meaning decree order catalogs “ancient” 115 “And there it is!”

59 “The ___ 37 Contortionist 117 Free from 38 Bean Professor” confinement 39 2009 James 62 Letters on a tire Cameron 121 Sugar in hard 63 PC shortcut blockbuster crystals 64 Chief Japanese 41 Old photo tint 125 Celebration island 42 Partook of noisemaker 66 Normand of early 44 Cancun coins 127 Collection of comedies 47 Many, many excerpts from a 68 Bad way to operate moons literary work 49 Artist Jean your business 50 Paid tribute to 70 Criminal, in police 128 “___ bad moon 53 Weapons cache rising ...” slang 129 Fertilizer from bats 56 Chefs aim to please 71 After-school them 130 Norm’s last name

58 Devotion sites 60 Lake Tahoe lift 61 Some survey responses 65 Brown truck co.

67 Olin of film 69 Son of 51-Across 72 Rue 73 Reacts to a matinee idol, perhaps 75 Register figure 76 Having a low pH 77 Follows the advice of 80 Raccoon relative 81 Check the fit of 84 Pearly whites 85 Ruckus 87 ___ generis (of its own kind) 90 Subside, with “down” 92 Perfume sampler 96 Rex Stout’s sleuth Wolfe 97 Kind of charm 98 Detention sites 103 Godlike 105 Aid for peeperwashing 107 Thing you don’t want to twist 108 Kitchen gizmo 110 Wall-climbing plant 111 Killer whales 113 Black Hawk’s group 114 “... and ___ the fire” 116 Geometric calculation 118 Electronics company 119 Dispatched 120 Love deity 121 Poetic music genre 122 ___ for the books 123 Whiskered pet 124 “Blues Brother” Aykroyd 126 Abbr. in helpwanted ads

CROSSWORD_022113

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

104731

16 PlantCityObserver.com