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Farm accident causes fruit jam. SEE PAGE 2.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017

A pizza their hearts Two Plant City residents have fallen in love over their mutual love of pizza. In May, they’ll attempt to build the world’s largest pizza during their wedding reception. SEE PAGE 2.

YOUR TOWN

MONO MADNESS By this time next year, Plant City will be home to a monorail system that developers hope will help create Florida’s first-ever sky community.

EMILY TOPPER

Courtesy photo

Snack carts will debut this month.

Snack Stop After hearing multiple complaints from residents about time spent stuck behind trains, the City of Plant City is aiming to keep residents happy while they wait.

On Friday, April 7, the City will unveil snack carts and port-apotties at major train stops in town, including Reynolds Street, Park Road and Collins Street.

The port-a-potties will be a permanent fixture at the stops.

Snack carts, which will sell popcorn, lemonade, ice cream cones and chips, will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

MANAGING EDITOR

By April 2018, Plant City’s transportation system will be held to higher standards.

On Monday, March 27, developer Myles Manley announced that his rail company, Rilanomo, will be

building monorail tracks 75 feet above Plant City’s existing train tracks.

The founder and CEO of Rilanomo, Manley chose Plant City for the system — an investment of about $81.3 million — because of its proximity to the neighboring cities of Tampa and Orlando, and

its prime location next to the I-4 corridor.

“I know that revitalization is full steam ahead here in town,” Manley said. “Installing a monorail system will keep Plant City on the right track.”

SEE MONORAIL PAGE 2

Target coming to Plant City Next year, Plant City residents won’t have to go to Lakeland or Brandon to shop at Target.

The retail giant plans to build and open a store in town by next year, working toward a July opening. The store, which will be constructed on Highway 39, is expected to add at least 60 new part-time and full-time jobs to the area.

“With the growth Plant City is expected to have in the next decade, Target felt that the right time to build is now,” regional president Allen Bundy said.

With the addition of the Plant City store and other locations, Target plans to have 2,000 stores operating nationwide by 2020.

Courtesy mock-up photo, Rilanomo.

The monorail system will coast 75 feet above Plant City’s existing train tracks.

Strawberry Crest announces prep horse racing coming in 2017-18 The school will be the first in Hillsborough County to offer the sport, which will begin in Spring 2018.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Move over, equestrian eventers.

Strawberry Crest High School announced Tuesday, March 28, that its growing slate of sports will include horse racing in the 2017-18 school year. Capitalizing on the animal’s local popularity, it will be the first public school in Hillsborough County to offer the sport.

“As one of the county’s newer public high schools, we’re always looking

for new ways to innovate academically and athletically,” athletic director Michael Barbaro says. “We already have a decent number of students that do dressage and other events … we think this is a good opportunity to try something new.”

At the moment, the school says it has seven students already signed up to compete next spring. It is currently promoting the team through flyers around campus and word of mouth, but Barbaro hopes that the naming of the head coach will help convince students that the program is

legitimate, ready to go and, most importantly, not a half-baked April Fool’s prank.

The school tapped local rider Jessica Curlin to run the program. Curlin, who raced competitively from 2007 to 2008, has been associated with the sport for 13 years and is relocating to Dover to join the program.

“It’s exciting to be a part of something new like this,” Curlin says. “I’m looking forward to meeting the kids and hitting the trails as soon as possible.”

Curlin says that, to start the program, practices will be held at the Sydney Dover Trails. Because it is not set up like a race track, riders will SEEE HORSE PAGE 2

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FROM MONORAIL PAGE 1

Manley is a native of Springfield, Oregon. A former salesman, he relocated to Florida and founded Rilanomo in January 1993 after being inspired by the success of the monorail at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Manley cited the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World as the perfect location to build and further develop the company’s latest line of monorail technology, which is solar-powered.

Tracks will travel both ways above Amtrak #91 and #92, following the A-Line and S-Line.

At 75 feet above the tracks, Rilanomo’s rail will be about 50 feet above the top of a freight car, Manley said.

Trains and monorails can run at the same times. Like its locomotive counterpart, the monorail will use horns varying between 10 to 20 seconds long when it comes through town.

Each track will feature a six-car monorail, both of which will be painted to look like a strawberry. Each monorail can hold up to 400 people divided between the six cars, Manley said.

Residents will be able to use the system as a form of public transportation. Due to the cost of solar technology used to operate the rails, the cost of one passenger per year is about $2,500. Per day, riding the monorail once is about $6.85. Roundtrip, the cost is $10 per day.

While the cost isn’t set to decline in the first year or two, Manley said the safety element of the tracks is worth any resident’s investment. An automated conducting system will

FROM HORSE PAGE 1

focus on getting comfortable with their horses and training for endurance. The school plans to expand the track around the football field to accommodate racing situations — the track is currently 400 meters around, and the horses require over a mile around — and help its track and field athletes adjust to competing exclusively on dirt and grass.

“I’m not crazy about this (change to the track),” track athlete Gianna Zenyatta says. “But, I do love horses.”

The addition of the sport initially raised some concern, according to Barbaro, due to the high-stakes gambling often associated with it.

To stop the problem before it hap-

RILANOMO FEATURES n Two railcars with six cars each n Solar-powered cars n Automated conductors n Fifteen roundtrips per railcar,

per day n Charging stations for phones and laptops n Leather seats n Speeds up to 110 miles per hour n Strawberry-themed exterior

Courtesy photo, Rilanomo.

The system features leather seats, solar-powered cars and charging stations.

prevent the cars from sliding off the tracks, even in unfavorable weather.

“We’ve been chugging away at this idea for Plant City for about four years now,” Manley said. “As this expands, we hope to expand tracks through Tampa and Orlando.”

Manley hopes the addition of the

tracks will have the added benefit of bringing more residents to Plant City, from Florida and beyond.

“A monorail town in Florida outside of Disney is the first of its kind,” Manley said. “Imagine the possibilities. Once on the map, this town could grow from 30,000 to 300,000 within

“It’s exciting to be a part of something new like this. I’m looking forward to meeting the kids and hitting the trails as soon as possible.”

— Jessica Curlin, head of SCHS prep horse racing

pens, the school will enforce harsh punishments for any students or staff members caught betting at the races. Although betting would technically be legal — with no other high school teams formed, the Chargers will mostly race at Tampa Bay Downs — the school maintains that anyone associated with the school betting on the team represents a conflict of interest.

“Gambling on the outcomes will

not be tolerated at all,” Barbaro says.

“We’re trying to set a good example here, and that’s not going to encourage anyone to watch high school horse racing the right way.”

Not all parents are convinced that a zero-tolerance policy will be enough, however.

“We can’t help our children avoid getting a gambling addiction if the temptation’s built right in,” August Belmont says. “Stakes are too high.”

seven, 10 years. It opens up a world for development, not just in the ground, but above it. Apartments and restaurants on top of the industrial corridor, a community in the clouds.”

But some residents have concerns.

At a presentation about the rail system to residents Tuesday, March 28,

some spoke against the development, thinking efforts would be better placed into existing infrastructure, especially roads.

“We’ve got to keep people grounded,” Madge Sampson, a Plant City resident, said. “This project is bound to derail. I’m afraid of heights and don’t want to travel 75 feet above the ground. Why can’t we just get a bus system? Or more than three Uber drivers?”

Even so, other residents supported the idea — even Sampson’s husband, Harold Sampson.

“I’ll sell my car tomorrow,” Harold Sampson said. “This is an effort to make our city better. I just hope it’s not some kind of joke.”

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.

Crest’s policy is good enough for Hillsborough County Schools, though. Horse racing will not be named a Florida High School Athletic Association-sanctioned sport just yet, forcing Crest to compete as a club team, but the FHSAA plans to use Crest’s first few seasons as a trial run to determine what action to take down the road.

“We’re hoping to be the standardbearer for high school horse racing, both here and throughout the state,” Barbaro says. “Wouldn’t it be great if the next Triple Crown jockey came from ‘the Crest?’”

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

APRIL FOOL’S! Did we get you? This year’s April Fool’s cover story was based a 1993 episode of “The Simpsons,” and our sports story was just us horsing around. Did you like our jokes, or did you think we were unprofessional? Either way, we want to hear from you. Email your comments to Managing Editor Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.

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Paxia leaves vacancy.

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EMILY TOPPER RailFest 2017 will be held Saturday, April 8.

Ready for RailFest RailFest 2017 will chug into Plant City from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, April 8, at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, 102 N. Palmer St. The event includes free hot dog and popcorn for kids, bounce houses, balloon art, goodie bags, face painting and more. Kids can ride on a miniature train and families can enjoy live music by Dale Johnson, Kings and Culprits and Keith Marr.

The event also will include the presentation of the Third Annual Golden Spike Award. Last year’s recipient was City Commissioner Mike Sparkman.

MANAGING EDITOR

In Plant City, leaders are looking to the future — including vertical horizons.

At the Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Monday, March 27, City Commissioners approved authorizing three companies to receive the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the city’s Midtown redevelopment project, a 15-acre area adjacent to Historic Downtown.

E2L Real Estate Solutions, Green Mills Group and Lefrois Builders and Developers all submitted responses to the city’s request for qualifications for the project in February.

A committee consisting of City Manager Mike Herr, Assistant City Manager Bill McDaniel, Chief Financial Officer Diane Reichard, Plant City Economic Development Corp.

President Jake Austin and Planning and Zoning Director Mark Hudson unanimously approved recommending all three companies to the CRA to receive the proposals.

“Considering that all three firms have a variety of niches, we decided that we recommend all three receive the request for proposal,” City Manager Mike Herr said.

Courtesy photo.

The City’s vision for Midtown includes a walkable community with retail spaces and eateries.

SEE MIDTOWN PAGE 6

A New Calling The Rev. Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks delivered his final sermon at Hopewell Baptist Church in March after four years. Now, he’s stepping into a new role with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

File Photo

The ceremony was held Saturday, March 18.

Shining Stars The Order of the Eastern Star Plant City Chapter #81 held an installation ceremony for new officers Saturday, March 18.

Officers include Norma Pinner, Mary Hicks, Linda McCool, Diane Nourse, Cynthia Holt (Worthy Matron), Louis Mittong II (Worthy Patron), Royce Yancey, Mike McCool, Lena Horton, Susan Ferrell, Corky Findley, Kathy Snider and Diane Wiggins.

EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR

W

hen the Rev. Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks began serving as the pastor at Hopewell Baptist Church, he knew his time was temporary.

He was filling in as a transitional pastor, serving for a season.

Four years ago, he didn’t know how long that season would be.

“When I was still the transitional pastor, I did an interview at a high school to be the senior instructor of the ROTC program,” Middlebrooks said. “But on the way there, I had to drive past Hopewell. I felt like I was driving almost outside of the fingertips of God’s will.”

He turned the high school job down, and Hopewell became his church home.

Then, in December, a position as the chaplain for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office opened up.

While driving to that interview, Middlebrooks didn’t feel like he was driving outside of God’s will.

“I felt like I was driving to the center,” he said.

City repairs Brewer pond An essential wall of the pond was damaged in 2016 and repairs completed at the new year, but the pond needs rain to be refilled.

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

Someone, it seems, did not think the “no vehicles allowed in park” signs posted around Dr. Hal and Lynn Brewer Park applied to them or their boat. They did. And for good reason.

According to Assistant City Manager Bill McDaniel, the 7.5-acre pond is designed to collect and clean rainwater before discharging it into the westside canal. An essential part of that function is the silt wall throughout the pond. The silt wall, McDaniel said, helps slow down the flow of the rainwater as it circulates around the pond, settling unwanted nutrients, like fertilizer and yard runoff, before it’s released.

SEE BREWER PAGE 4

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

Companies authorized for Midtown proposals The companies, all with experience in Florida, will submit proposals by early May.

File Photo

•

SEE MIDDLEBROOKS PAGE 6

Emily Topper

After delivering his last sermon at Hopewell Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks took over as the chaplain at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in March.

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Photos by Daniel Figueroa IV

Above: Rain water is needed to fill the pond again.

Below: The park has signs that prohibit vehicles.

813.752.6822 Look for fresh Florida Strawberries at your local retailers

FROM POND PAGE 1

www.FLASTRAWBERRY.org

been explored to refill the pond.

Drinking water isn’t viable because of the damage it can do to wildlife, and using ground water would require a special permit, which the city has begun the process to obtain.

Rainwater is necessary to fill the pond with the more than five million gallons of water it needs to get to a minimum level.

“We need primarily rain,” McDaniel said. “That’s the number one resource for putting water in that pond.”

Contact Daniel Figueroa IV at dfigueroa@plantcityobserver.com

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According to witnesses and frequent park visitors, someone — who has yet to be found or identified — put a Jon boat into the pond at the park sometime around the beginning of last summer. The boat, a small, flatbottomed vehicle often used for fishing, damaged a portion of the silt wall.

“People may see us using boats to do repairs when the water level is high, but our people know where the infrastructure is,” McDaniel said.

“This is the first time that wall has been damaged like that. It’s really not for boating and swimming and things like that.”

High water levels last summer prevented repairs from taking place sooner. Once water levels were low enough, McDaniel said, the pond was drained, damaged assessed, materials ordered and repairs completed.

The city also repaired the motors in the fountain at the park as part of the repair process. All together, the process took about four weeks and cost about $10,000 for the pond and fountain repairs combined, McDaniel said. Repairs were completed around the end of 2016 and early 2017.

Now, all the pond needs is water — specifically, rainwater.

“What we did, we had to do,” McDaniel said. “We had to fix that wall. All we’re waiting on is Mother Nature to do her thing and give us some rain water.”

McDaniel said other options have

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“Duke’s is the brand we want to focus on. Duke’s is a Plant City original. This is a Plant City brand. ” — Chuck Jamieson, owner

Photos by Daniel Figueroa IV

Duke’s Brewhouse opened its first location in the Walden Woods Plaza in Plant City.

Duke’s Brewhouse plans Lakeland expansion The Plant City eatery will be opening its second location this summer on South Florida Avenue.

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

When Chuck Jamieson and his partners first opened Duke’s Brewhouse in Plant City’s Walden Woods Plaza, he knew it was only the first step. This summer, a Lakeland expansion is the company’s step two.

“We’ve been looking for the right opportunity to branch out and find a second location,” Jamieson said. “The idea wasn’t to get in this business and have one store. The idea was to have ... multiple stores.”

The new Duke’s Brewhouse will take over the former housing of the Rib Crib on South Florida Avenue in Lakeland.

“That was a place that was open for 17 years,” Jamieson said. “We hope to have the same success that they did.”

The new restaurant will offer a sightly different dining experience.

Jamieson said being located in the same plaza as a Publix has helped bring in business, but he always wanted a standalone building to be part of the plan. He also wanted a patio where diners could enjoy the weather and live music outdoors. The new property, he said, allows them to meet those goals with the added bonus of a lakeside view.

Jamieson and his partners also own the 1916 Irish Pub on Thonotosassa Road near Interstate 4. That location is a different concept, focusing more on drinks and lighter fare. It opened in August 2016, and Jamieson said there are no current plans to expand the pub.

“Duke’s is the brand we want to focus on,” he said.

Within six months of opening the original Duke’s on James L. Redman Parkway, the search began for the second location. However, there were a

Waitress Emily Killian takes lunch orders at Duke’s Brewhouse.

few things Jamieson knew he and his team had to get right before expanding beyond Plant City.

“We were fine-tuning the concept

to take it to the next level,” he said.

That included creating a consistent brand from top to bottom, operations to front of house. The menu

was tweaked to make sure it offered diverse options, while staying true to its traditional American bar fare roots. Jamieson also wanted to make sure the restaurant was able to have a large beer selection with plenty of craft brews. To keep up with the industry, a late-night $5 menu was created for an after-10 p.m. happy hour, including pitchers of Duke’s own house brews, Duke’s Blonde, a blonde lager, and Duke’s Brunette, a brown ale.

Additionally, the recipes and portions needed to be tweaked to maintain consistency. Jamieson said he wanted to offer menu items at competitive price points with similar restaurant concepts like Beef O’Brady’s.

Jamieson said his mostly female front-of-house sports bar concept draws comparison to Hooters and Ker’s WingHouse, but that he sees his brand as more family-friendly and accessible. The concept, he said, is more roots America. Filled with cowboy boots and plenty of plaid, it’s a blue-collar, rural vibe based on oldstyle community values.

It’s no gimmick, either. Jamieson is trying to create a brand as much as he is creating a culture. The down-home country vibe extends to the restaurant’s activities within the community. Duke’s is actively involved in the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and supports numerous charities in the area. It also offers internships with local culinary programs and is involved with local sports leagues.

The atmosphere extends to the staff and customer base.

“It’s a fun environment,” Amber Peacock, a Duke’s manager, said. “We work for great people. The environment is wonderful.”

Peacock, who lives on the outskirts of Plant City, started working at Duke’s as a bartender a few months after they opened before becoming a manager. Hiring locally and promoting from within is another important part of the Duke’s culture, Jamieson said, and one of the aspects Peacock thinks makes Duke’s something worth sharing outside of Plant City.

“We have a brand everyone will love,” Peacock said. “By expanding, more people get to see what we do and what Duke’s is all about.”

Most importantly, Jamieson wants people to know his modern brewhouse is all about Plant City.

“Duke’s is a Plant City original,” he said. “This is a Plant City brand.”

Duke’s Brewhouse is currently located at 2212 James L Redman Parkway. The new location is expected to open early summer and will be at 4960 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland.

Contact Daniel Figueroa IV at dfigueroa@plantcityobserver.com

New Reign: Plant City Main Street hires new executive director Karen Thompson brings nearly 15 years of community redevelopment experience to Plant City.

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

For the better part of two decades, Karen Thompson has been involved in the revitalization of downtown neighborhoods.

“She has such an extensive background with a successful main street program,” Yvonne Fry, a Plant City Main Street board member, said. “She thought it was a great fit, and so did we.”

Thompson is the new executive director of Plant City Main Street, a position she’s held since early March.

The married mother of four began working with Main Street Winter Haven in 2003.

She previously owned and operated Baby Carriage in Winter Haven, but decided to be a stay-at-home mom following the birth of her fourth child, Lauren. She quickly realized that home life wasn’t for her.

“I love being a mom,” Thompson said. “But I enjoy being a busy mom.”

Having seen some of the work Winter Haven Main Street was able to accomplish, she knew she wanted to help. Shortly after, she was selected to be the organization’s assistant director, a position she held for seven years

before becoming executive director.

While in Winter Haven, Thompson was able to establish a number of events including Bark in the Park, wine tastings and concerts that brought people and their pocketbooks into the businesses of downtown Winter Haven.

With her home in Winter Haven only 25 minutes away, Thompson is no stranger to Plant City. She visited the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World often, even looking to borrow elements from Plant City’s Bike Fest to start one in Winter Haven.

“I fell in love with the flow, the history, the vibe,” Thompson said. “I saw a lot of potential.”

The idea of revitalization became her passion, and her efforts eventually extended beyond Winter Haven’s downtown. In 2011, she started Chain of Life Winter Haven to apply the strategies she learned about downtown revitalization to the lakes of Winter Haven, known as the “Chain of Lakes City.” She also began consulting for Main Street projects across Florida.

Now, Plant City is her primary focus.

LOCAL EFFORT, BIG PICTURE

Main Street America is a national organization that combines grassroots organization and coordinated programs through all levels of government to aid in preservation and revitalization of historic downtown districts.

Since 1980, the organization has

Daniel Figueroa IV

Karen Thompson is the new executive director of Plant City Main Street.

secured more than $65.6 billion, netted more than 55,000 new jobs and rehabilitated more than 260,000 buildings in about 2,000 communities across the country, according to the organization’s website.

Florida joined the Main Street Program in 1985. Plant City was one of the first to charter with the new organization.

“Main Streets aren’t necessarily meant to go on and on and on,” Fry said. “That original group accomplished what they needed to, but there was not an active charter for a long time.”

According to Fry, City Manager Mike Herr championed the idea of bringing Main Street back to Plant City. He brought in Ronni Wood, the coordinator for Florida Main Street and former executive director of Main Street programs in Winter Haven and Lake Wales to see what might be feasible in Plant City. In 2016, a new charter was formed: Plant City Main Street. The new organization sought to understand the importance of Main Street’s four-point approach of organization, promotion, design and economic vitality.

Having highlighted key areas for

revitalization — including Historic Downtown — Plant City Main Street began encouraging the community to attend newly-organized events, including the monthly food truck rallies on Palmer Street. With Thompson at the helm, the organization hopes to grow even stronger.

Thompson said having a city that supports Main Street is essential.

Financially, the city has done just that. According to Diane Reichard, chief financial officer for Plant City, the city has provided $50,000 to the organization in its inaugural year.

Additional funding comes from fundraisers, memberships and grants.

With Thompson established in her new role, the board will be having a retreat to create its roadmap and calendar for the coming year. Thompson said she has her vision and wish list, but that she first must hear from the board in order to determine how to work with the goals and needs of the city.

She plans to use her experience and the resources provided by the national Main Street network to continue her string of success in Plant City.

“When you’re a Main Street city, you have a small army behind you,” Thompson said. “You can call on the success and the failures of other Main Streets. Plant City is well on their way. This is where it’s at.”

Contact Daniel Figueroa IV at dfigueroa@plantcityobserver.com

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FROM MIDDLEBROOKS PAGE 1

FROM MIDTOWN PAGE 1

On Sunday, March 12, Middlebrooks delivered his final sermon at Hopewell and started with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Thursday, March 16. As the new command chaplain for HCSO, he anticipates that his job will grow from part-time to full time.

“It took time to really pray about it,” he said. “Just because we love doing something doesn’t mean we’re called to do it. But our horizons are wide, and our God is big.”

Middlebrooks replaces Pastor John Garbreana, who left the chaplain role at HCSO to take over as the full-time pastor at Manhattan Baptist Church in Tampa. Garbreana suggested Middlebrooks for the role because of his experience as a military chaplain. He continues to serve as a chaplain for both Plant City Fire Rescue and the Hillsborough County School Board’s security officers.

“I’m stepping into the chaplaincy with both feet,” Middlebrooks said.

“I’m ready to take it to the next level. God’s timing is always just neat. I began sensing last year that God was in a process of transition in my life.

He began to prepare my heart just through volunteering. When the time came, it was a natural transition.”

He anticipates that his first full year serving with HCSO will be similar to his early days at Hopewell. He’ll especially focus on strong marriages and strong families, traveling in his service car to minister to and pray with officers.

“I think this first year will be them getting used to seeing me and knowing me,” he said. “They will build the trust to call on me. Wherever my officers are, that’s where I’ll try to be. I want to establish a relationship with them so that they know me by face, and I can get to know their hearts. Like new beginnings, it will start small but it will grow very quickly. I want the officers to get through with their hearts and families intact.”

While all three interested developers have experience in Florida, their specialities differ.

E2L Real Estate Solutions has paired with Taurus Investments to create a team. While E2L is best known for the $38.5 million NASCAR headquarters in Daytona Beach, Taurus offers global market experience with projects in London, such as the 163,000-square-foot Aldwych House and the 1,800,000-square-foot Technopark, one of the biggest business parks in India.

The design team lead is Baker Barrios Architects, a Tampa-based firm known for 101 Eola, a condominium complex in Orlando, and multiple buildings in the Orlando arts scene including the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Green Mills Group, another company authorized to receive the request, has completed projects as close as Polk County. Known for developing multifamily housing, past projects include Aida Palms in Polk County, Forest Ridge in Citrus County and Burlington Place in Pinellas County.

Typically, the company’s developments range from 40 to 300 residences, according to its website.

The company, which also offers consulting, has experience in affordable housing projects. One of Green Mills’ recent developments, Karis Village, is a Miami-based project featuring 88 residences for veterans and families who were formerly homeless or considered at-risk.

The third company, Lefrois Builders and Developers, is best known to Plant Citians for the County Line Commerce Center. Located just south of Interstate 4 and County Line Road, the property is 28 acres of mixed use development.

The company offers 65 years of experience, and has developed over 30 million square feet in upstate New York in addition to its work in Central Florida.

In New York, a featured project is I-Square, a property that includes an outdoor amphitheater, a community learning center, rooftop gardens and retail and office spaces.

The companies received authorization this week following the CRA’s approval. RFPs are due back by May 4, 2017. The CRA will have the opportunity to ask each potential developer questions about their proposals.

“I’m very happy with the three companies that have stepped forward,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “I’m optimistic, and I want to see the final product. We just took another step forward in Midtown. It’s a good day.”

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The Rev. Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks, who recently published his first book, had a farewell dinner at Hopewell Baptist Church after delivering his final sermon in March.

BiblicalLeadership.Institute • Phone 813-659-1903 Leavell College Certificate Site 105 Baker Street Plant City

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As he steps into his new role, Middlebrooks takes comfort and pride in being able to continue to serve in the same community of the church that welcomed his family back home.

“One of my greatest honors was to serve as the pastor of the church,” he said. “I’m more excited for Hopewell now than ever before, because I know what’s coming. When God begins to bless, watch out. It blows everybody’s minds.”

Throughout his four years at the church, Middlebrooks grew the church from a congregation of about 150 to one that ranges in attendance from 270 to 350. He hopes that num-

“I hope the new pastor learns the cadence of its congregation, and runs with them toward the prize,” Middlebrooks said. “And that prize is to bring the hope of Christ to the community. It may take some time, but it will be worth the wait. Trusting God doesn’t mean I have to have a five-year plan. I just have to have faith today that He will get me to tomorrow, whatever that brings.”

In his new role, Middlebrooks also plans to devote more time to writing.

In February, he published Strategic Methods for a Successful Marriage, available on Amazon. His second book, co-authored with Mike Simmons is set to debut in May. Titled The Blue House, the book follows stories of trials and triumphs designed to strengthen a reader’s walk of faith.

His faith was strengthened too, at the country church he called home.

“What I have been able to do is simply be a conductor of an incredible symphony of players,” he said. “They know the song, and the song is salvation. Even when the conductor steps down, the song keeps playing. That’s a strong church. That’s Hopewell.”

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ber will continue to grow.

“You should join a church because of the presence of God, not because of a pastor,” he said. “If there’s one thing that the church has been able to grow in learning, it’s that God is big enough to take them where He wants to go and provide them all the resources they need. They learned we have a big, big, big God.” Under his leadership, the church has hosted a banquet for first responders and their families, delivered hope bags to local elementary schools and expanded efforts to reach into the community, including an Easter sunrise service.

“Do it with excellence, or don’t do it at all,” Middlebrooks said. “God only deserves our best. But it really hasn’t been me. It’s been the people of the church realizing how God can use them. It’s a movement of God. I’ve learned that an insecure pastor holds a church back because they want to be in control. Confident pastors get out of the way and let God have control.”

His hope for Hopewell’s new pastor is that the pastor will see the compatibility of the church’s leaders. The church is currently developing a pastor search committee. In the meantime, the church will bring in different speakers and guest pastors until a transitional pastor is found.

PLANT CITY TIMES &

Observer

Publisher / Karen Berry, kdberry@inthefieldmagazine.com 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

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FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

WE BUY GOLD WE BUY GOLD 752.0585 1701 S. Alexander St., Suite 102 (813) Plant City, FL 33566 M-F 10am-5:30pm • Sat 10am-12:30pm Village Plaza at Walden Lake

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SENIOR OF THE MONTH: MAC AND COOKIE SMITH

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EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR

Shortly after the Smiths were married, they relocated to Italy, where Mac Smith served part of his career as a Navy pilot.

During the two-year tour, Cookie Smith gave birth to two of the couple’s three children, Kathy Wood and Marion Smith. The youngest, Debbie Petrina, still lives down the road from them in Plant City, and daughter Marion served as a longtime president for the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.

When his time in the service came to a close, the family relocated to Plant City. In the late 1950s, the town’s population sat at a quiet 7,000.

In March 1958, the couple bought their current house and Mac Smith went to work alongside his father in the car dealership industry. His father founded B.M. Smith Motors Inc. during World War II. Mac Smith sold Chryslers, Dodges and Jeeps until his retirement in 2001, later selling the 10-acre property in 2012.

“I was at the dealership for 42 years,” Mac Smith said. “I had 10 years of active duty in the Navy, and then I joined a weekend warrior squadron.

I stayed in the reserves, totaling 24 years of service. I’m glad I stayed in

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Photos by Emily Topper

Top: Marion Cook “Cookie” Smith and B.M. “Mac” Smith Jr. will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary this year.

Above: Last year, the reading room at Bruton Memorial Library was named after Cookie Smith.

because of the benefits.”

While working at the dealership, Mac Smith got involved in the community. By the time all three of their daughters were in school, Cookie Smith also became involved. Mac Smith served as chairman of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority and served with both the Tampa Bay Sports Authority and the Moffitt Cancer Center board. He also has served as a former Florida Strawberry Festival president and board member, and a member of the Plant City Kiwanis Club.

Cookie Smith became an active volunteer at Plant City’s Bruton Memorial Library, which she continues to do after 50 years of dedication. Last year, the library named its new reading and conference room in her honor.

She is also an associate member of the GFWC Plant City Woman’s Club.

“I loved Plant City since the first time I came here,” Cookie Smith said.

“It’s a great place to raise your kids.”

The Smiths attribute both their successful marriage and community involvement to their time spent as a military couple. Besides their three daughters, they are also the proud

grandparents of six.

“When your husband is in the service, you learn to be more independent,” Cookie Smith said. “It’s gone by really fast. It’s compromise, it’s give and take. When you see each other after you’ve been separated, you appreciate each other.”

In their free time, the couple enjoys fly fishing with friends. They’ve traveled to every state together, except North Dakota. During the holidays, they throw a two-day Christmas party and invite their friends and family, with 40 people coming each night.

The parties are thrown in Mac Smith’s game room, a spacious den built as an addition to the couple’s house. A Christmas tree and decorations are kept up year-round.

“We’ve had a really nice life here in Plant City,” Mac Smith said. “We’ve been very fortunate and blessed with good health.”

“We make it a point to get out of the house at least once per day,” Cookie Smith said. “You’ve got to keep moving.”

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@ plantcityobserver.com.

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Marion “Cookie” Cook’s father had several reasons for disliking B.M. “Mac” Smith Jr., the Navy man who met his daughter on a blind date in January 1951.

“I was from the South,” Mac Smith said. “I was in the service, and my dad was a used car dealer.”

But Cookie’s mother prevailed.

The following year, the couple married in New York City. In June, Mac and Cookie Smith will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.

Theirs is a marriage that has taken them through the United States and overseas, but they can’t imagine calling anywhere but Plant City home.

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LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC AUCTION STORAGE SALE In accordance with the provisions of the Florida Self Storage Act (sections 83.801 - 83.809), there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy an owner and/or manager’s lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at the Life Storage (formerly Uncle Bob’s Self Storage) location listed below.

And, due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties known to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the below stated location(s) to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on Wednesday, 9:00 am, April 12, 2017 at 1005 South Alexander Street, Plant City, FL 33563, 813-759-9526.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

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IF YOU GO

CLOGGING CONNECTION CAR WASH FUNDRAISER When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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MANAGING EDITOR

There’s no audience for Dance Connection’s Clogging Competition team Sunday, March 26, but the members are still dressed to impress. With dancers clad in jeans, black shirts and white clogging shoes, rehearsals for Clogging Connection are taken as seriously as any performance.

To the cloggers, the weekly dance rehearsals are invaluable. With members driving as far as Jacksonville and Sarasota to the Plant City dance studio on Wheeler Street, every minute of practice time is made to count — especially over the next few months.

In mid-May, the 24-member competition team will travel to New York City for the first time to participate in the 11th Annual National Dance Parade. The annual parade, designed to showcase multiple styles of dance and celebrate diversity, will feature

over 80 dance styles and thousands of dancers.

The idea to participate in the parade was the brainchild of Kaley Conn, dance instructor and daughter of Dance Connection owner Becky Conn.

“We’re the only cloggers in the parade,” Kaley Conn said. She found the parade online after visiting New York on vacation. “We applied and got in, and we’ve been fundraising since then.”

The team will head to the Big Apple Friday, May 19, and will dance in the parade Saturday, May 20.

Since they were accepted, the team has held multiple fundraisers to cover the costs of airfare and lodging.

“We’ve raised about $10,000 so far,” Kaley Conn said. “We’re about $150 shy per person, so about $3,000 total.”

The team is determined to go together.

“Clogging is really a family,” Jamie Conn, Kaley’s uncle and fellow clogger, said.

He would know — it was his family who started what would become Dance Connection over 30 years ago.

THE CLOGGING COMMUNITY

Today, Jamie Conn’s sister, Becky

GET INVOLVED Interested in joining Dance Connection? The company accepts new members of all abilities: Address: 507 N. Wheeler St. Call: (813) 752-1683 Facebook: Dance Connection by Becky Conn

Conn, is the operator of Dance Connection. The dance company has been located on Wheeler Street for the last six years.

But it was their mother, Debbie, who got the family involved.

“She wanted my sister to dance,” Jamie Conn said. “I was about 12 or 13, and she wanted me to try it, too.

I was awful. But there were about 15 girls my age in the dance class, so I went back. Once I got good, it was a different story.”

Eventually, the competition team was born, with today’s members ranging in age from seven to 57.

Until her passing, Debbie Conn was the heartbeat of the clogging group.

“She passed away last July,” Jamie Conn said. “She did everything. She wrote all the dances in her wheelchair, even when she couldn’t use her feet.”

Three decades later, the group has expanded into an even bigger family.

To raise money for the New York trip, cloggers come together on weekends to wash cars, sell chocolate and host garage sales.

“I’ve washed so many cars that I don’t want to wash my own anymore,” Jamie Conn said. “But everybody helps out. We do everything together.

We dance together, we go out to eat together. We’re one big family and we have fun. That’s our main thing.”

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.

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- Lynn Dodson, Plant City resident

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

“Chick-fil-A.” — Rhiannon Coleman, 26.

MARCH 17

RENEGADE RENTER 210 block of Citrus Landing Drive.

Fraud: Officer met with complainant who stated a rental home listed with his agency was being fraudulently rented out. Complainant stated that the home was supposed to be vacant and available.

MARCH 18

TAKING LIBERTIES 110 block of West Strickland Street.

Grand theft: Officer met with complainant who stated he had evicted a male subject from a residence he had been renting out. The subject had then taken several items belonging to the complainant, including cable equipment. A police report was initiated and a waiver of prosecution was signed.

MAJOR KEY 1420 block of Plantation Court.

Criminal mischief: Officer met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) had keyed the hood and doors of his 2006 Saturn Vue SUV between 11 p.m. Thursday, March 16, and 5 a.m. Friday, March 17. The damage was totaled at $1,000.

MARCH 19

“A new movie theater.”

CASHING OUT 4100 block of Highway 574.

Burglary: Officers responded to a report of a burglarized store. Complainant stated unknown suspect(s) had stolen $400 in cash from the cash registers, as well as a credit card reader tablet that was valued at $350.

WINDOW SHOPPING 1800 block of East Alabama Street.

Vehicle burglary: Officer met with complainant who stated unknown suspect(s) entered her vehicle through its passenger side window, which was open, and stole a purse, $88 in cash, an Apple iPad tablet with an Otter case and a Samsung Mini 4 smartphone with an Otter case.

The gadgets were valued together at $950.

MARCH 20

12-VOLT THIEF 1600 block of Industrial Park Drive.

Vehicle burglary: Officer met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) cut a gate lock and entered industrial property between 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, and 5:50 a.m. Monday, March 20. Complainant reported that two 12-volt fuel container pumps and two 12-volt batteries from bulldozers were stolen.

BEHIND THE TIMES 1800 block of North Lime Street.

Criminal mischief: Officers met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) had spray painted racial slurs onto a nearby cement wall at an unknown date and time.

MARCH 21

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

SNEAKERHEAD 3000 block of Forest Club Drive.

Residential burglary: Officer met with complainant who stated unknown suspect(s) entered his garage overnight and stole five pairs of Nike Free tennis shoes, two pairs of Costa Del mar sunglasses and a Margaritaville beach cruiser bicycle.

MARCH 23

BAD BLOOD 1400 block of Louisiana Street.

Criminal mischief: Officer met with complainant who stated unknown suspect(s) had slashed all four of her vehicle’s tires and placed dirt in her fuel tank overnight.

9

COPS CORNER

What business would you like to see come to Plant City?

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MARCH 21

BATTERY BANDIT 2200 block of James L. Redman Parkway.

Shoplifting: Officer met with complainant, who stated a female subject had attempted to steal $158.30 worth of batteries from a supermarket, but was detained by loss prevention specialists. Subject was released and given a court date.

FACEBOOK AND FISTICUFFS 1900 block of East Alsobrook Street.

Simple battery: Officer met with complainant who stated a known female subject had come to her home and started a fight with her. Complainant stated that the fight was caused by a Facebook post involving a baby, and she requested prosecution.

— Matt Coleman, 32.

UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL Attend an upcoming HCC Open House!

— Bruce Thomas, 30.

“A V.W. shop.”

— Jack Thomas, 55.

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Plant City Campus April 6

SouthShore Campus April 11

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“Nothing. I don’t want it to get any bigger.”

— Don Ammerman, 79.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

FRIDAY, MARCH 31

BEST BET

PLANT CITY MAIN STREET FOOD TRUCK RALLY Begins at 5 p.m. Friday, March 31, at the Union Station Depot, 102 N. Palmer St. The monthly food truck rallies are held the last Friday of every month in Historic Downtown Plant City in partnership with Plant City Main Street and the Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally. The March event, ‘Springtime in Plant City,’ will feature food trucks, a food bank drive challenge with area schools, live bands, children’s activities and sidewalk art sales. Residents can also bring canned goods to be donated to the United Food Bank of Plant City.

LEARN TAMPA BAY WINE TASTING AND SILENT AUCTION Begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 31, at the John R. Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College, 1206 N. Park Road. Enjoy a wine tasting and appetizers as a fundraiser for the Plant City-based nonprofit. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For tickets, visit LearnTampaBay.org.

DARK HORSE MUSIC STORE GRAND OPENING Takes place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday, March 31, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at Dark Horse Music Store, 108 N.E. Drane St. Check out the store’s new location and enjoy live bands, food trucks and giveaways. For more information, call (813) 754-5269.

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

SPRING IN THE PARK Takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 1, in McCall Park, 100 N. Collins St. Enjoy food, art, crafts and fun for the whole family.

For more information, call (813) 754-1567, or email Info@PlantCityMainStreet.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 4

DEAN’S RIDE Begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at Hillsborough Community College, 1206 N. Park Road. In memory of Dean Snyder, the Plant City Family YMCA aims to promote bike riding in the community with an annual bike event.

Proceeds benefit Plant City Family YMCA programs, including LIVESTRONG. Light breakfast snacks will be served at 7 a.m., and lunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance. and can be purchased online at Active.com, or $45 the day of the event.

N. Collins St. Art is on display by members of the East Hillsborough Art Guild. sixth through 12th graders. For more information, call (813) 7579215.

PLANT CITY ROCKS! PAINT PARTY AT UNCLE MIKE’S Takes place from 6 to 9 p.m.

Tuesday, April 4, at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill, 106 State Road 60 E. Bring art supplies to paint rocks, then hide them across town for other residents to find. Paint parties are held the first Tuesday of every month.

THURSDAY, APRIL 6

PRIME TIMERS SENIOR PROGRAM Begins at 12 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at Plant City Church of God, 2103 Mud Lake Road. Enjoy lunch, fun, fellowship, faith-building activities and an Easter parade of homemade hats. Call (813) 752-4591.

PLANT CITY COMMONS COMMUNITY GARDEN AND POTLUCK DINNER Begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at Plant City Commons Community Garden, 1206 N. Park Road. Bring

a dish to share during the potluck dinner and get to know fellow club members. For more information, email Karen Elizabeth at 12Circle8@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 8

MUD TITAN MUD RUN Begins at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at Roberts Ranch, 1500 Prevatt Road. The event, presented by Crunch - Bradenton, features over 40 obstacles in four miles. A part of the proceeds will benefit The Youth Alliance. To register, visit Register.

ChronoTrack.com.

EASTER EGG TREASURE HUNT Takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Saturday, April 8, at Stone Ledge Manor, 12006 McIntosh Road. Enjoy face painting, an Easter egg hunt, prizes and more. For more information, call (813) 986-7900.

RAILFEST 2017 Takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, April 8, at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, 102 N. Palmer St. Enjoy goodie bags for kids, face painting, bounce houses and a live auction as a fundraiser

232813

GAME ON! AT BRUTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY Begins at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Play new tabletop games from Mayfair Games. For

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

for the museum. A BBQ lunch is available for a $10 donation.

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 City. New members welcome.

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.

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.

THE CLASSROOM GALLERY 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605

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.

OPEN MIC NIGHT 8 p.m. Wednesdays, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 7648818.

PLANT CITY LIONS CLUB Noon, Tuesdays at Buddy Freddy’s, 1101 Goldfinch Drive.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Gladys Lynn Gladys Lynn, 90, of Lakeland, died March 26, 2017.

She is survived by her daughters, Peggy Sapp Hammack Quelle (Manuel) and Yvonne “Evie” Costine; grandchildren, Scott L. Hammack (Leslie), Matthew Costine (Kristi) and Erin Costine (Leon Bostic); great-grandchildren, Hunter and Jackie Costine, Katie and Morgan McKinney and Cooper and Ella Hammack; four sisters; five brothers; numerous nieces and nephews; and bonus children, Patricia Osborne (Peter) and Rob Lynn (Mary); five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Alfred L. Sapp Sr; second husband, ret. Lt. Col. George R. Lynn; infant sons, Alfred L. Sapp Jr. and Michael David Sapp; brother, Cecil David Cannon; and sister, Eula Day. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 31, at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 CR 39 S., Plant City. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m.

Committal will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery, Plant City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an Alzheimers and/or cancer charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

Joni Lynn Lewis Joni Lynn Lewis, 42, of Bartow, died March 5, 2017, after a hard fought battle with myasthenia gravis (MG).

She was born in Lakeland to Roger and Mary Jo (Fulwood) Ausburn. She was a loving wife to her husband, David, and a wonderful mother to her three children, Haley, Zachary and Hannah.

She loved being a mom, she loved her family and she loved her MG Sisters Group. She was a strong advocate for MG. She is survived by her husband, David Alexander Lewis; son, Zachary David Lewis; daughters, Haley Lynn Lewis and Hannah Jane Lewis; parents, Roger and Mary Jo Ausburn; brother, Roger Jason Ausburn (Paula); and sister, Jennifer Driskell (Duke).

A funeral service was held March 10, at Wells Memorial Funeral Home and Event Center in Plant

City.

Burial followed at Oak Hill Burial Park, Lakeland.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Myasthenia Gravis (MG) Foundation of America at Myasthenia.org.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Keberle Charlotte “Charlie” Keberle, 82, of Plant City, died March 8, 2017.

She was born Aug. 1, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Charles and Lillian (Dolejs) Keberle. She was a parishioner at St. Clement Catholic Church in Plant City.

She is survived by her son, Michael James Scheall (Maureen); daughters, Robin Scheall, Susie Alderman (Steve), Susan Marie Duncan and Cindy Butler; sister, Doris Duffala; best friend and niece, Peggy Duffala; grandchildren, Stacey, Kelly, Brian, Linda, Stevie, Stacy, Shelly, Davie and Christina; and great-grandchildren, Mikaela, Maddy, Patrick, Levy, Austin, Jace, Shanna, Trista, Stephanie and AJ. She was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Boettner; and brother-in-law, Butch Duffala.

There is no service information available at this time.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Sarah Geraldine Jones Sarah Geraldine Jones, 78, of Plant City/Mulberry, died March 11, 2017.

She was a member of Calvary Fellowship and retired from Speedway Stores. She loved NASCAR, gardening and flowers.

Born in Gaylesville, Alabama, she was the daughter of Arley and Arcie Morgan Maton.

She is survived by her children, Joyce Deering, Terry Schrader, Larry Schrader, Linda Kelly and Joseph Matthews; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held March 15, at Haught Funeral Home in Plant City.

Interment followed at Memorial Park Cemetery, Plant City.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome. com.

Ann Miller Roberts

Donna L. Flynn

Ann Miller Roberts, 75, of Plant City, died March 17, 2017.

She was born in Winnsboro, Lousiana, on Aug. 29, 1941.

She is survived by her children, MaryBess Thompson (Spike), of Auburndale, LeeAnn Roberts, of Plant City and Lance Roberts (Jamie), of Plant City; grandchildren, Devin, Miller and Stella; and brother, John Ward Miller, of Louisiana.

A celebration of life was held March 19, at Hopewell Funeral Home in Plant City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Plant City Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, Attn: Jessica Venitez, 3709 W. Jettison Ave., Tampa, Florida 33689.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

Donna L. Flynn, 59, of Plant City, died March 22, 2017, at her home.

Born in Syracuse, New York, she was the daughter of Bernard and Dorothy Clark Prunner.

She is survived by her mother; husband, Robert L. Flynn; daughter, Dashia Hewitt (Gregory); siblings, Douglas Williams, Carol Pidkaminy, Jeanie Babcock, Shane Prunner and Skip Williams; and grandchildren, Desiree and Nicole Hewitt.

The family will be having private services.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome. com.

Peggy Robichaud Peggy Robichaud, 70, of Dover, died March 11, 2017.

She is survived by her loving husband, Philip; sons, Ken (Lisa) and Bryan (Lisa); daughters, Deanne and Kim; grandchildren, Phillip Robichaud, Ashley Edwards, Bradley Queenan, Kyle Queenan, Jacob Bell, Jeff Robichaud, Aaron Whiting, Brandon Robichaud, Alexa Robichaud and Grace Robichaud; great-grandchildren, Jediah Robichaud and Summer Edwards; and sisters, Angela Kay Pless and Kimberly Wright.

A funeral service was held March 20, at Wells Memorial Funeral Home and Event Center in Plant City.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Andre Sanchez Andre Sanchez, 42, of Lithia, died March 11, 2017.

He was born in Tampa on Oct. 28, 1974.

He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Sims, of Lithia; and brother, Richard Sanchez (Jessica), of Riverview.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Sims.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

Verda R. Knight Verda R. Knight, 71, of Dover, died March 18, 2017.

She was born in Albany, Georgia, to William Owen and Viola (Ricks) Vaughn on Aug. 1, 1945. She loved to fish, dance and cook. She also loved arts and crafts. She was a floral designer for over 34 years and loved flowers. Her most cherished time was with her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Knight.

She is survived by her fiancé, Joe Owens; sons, Franklin N. Knight Jr. (Desirre) and Timothy A. Knight (Sandra); brothers, Darrell and Billy Vaughn; sisters, Gwen Vaughn Willis, Laverne Vaughn Thore and Lynn Vaughn; grandchildren, Dustin Knight (Chelsea), Channing Knight, Trevor Knight and Tayler Knight; and many great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held March 24, at Wells Memorial Funeral Home and Event Center. Pastor Dwayne Sumner officiated.

Burial followed at Memorial Park Cemetery, Plant City.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

11

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Melora A. LaFleur Melora A. LaFleur, 99, of Plant City, died March 21, 2017.

She was born July 17, 1917, in Fulton, New York. She was a retired supervisor with St. Joseph Hospital in Syracuse, New York. She was a member of the Plant City Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

She is survived by her children, Bob (Mary Frances), of Plant City and Jim (Jean) and Melora “Lori,” of Missouri; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was held March 24, at Oaklawn Cemetery in Plant City.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

Magdelene Bailey Langford Magdelene Bailey Langford, 79, of Plant City, died March 20, 2017.

She is survived by her children, Chuck Langford (Diane), of Lakeland and Heather Borum (Randy), of Tampa; grandchildren, Hannah Railey, Chad Langford, Jack Borum and Ryan Borum; great-grandson, Sam Railey; siblings, Grady Bailey and Nancy Brunson; and cat, Esmarelda.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Theresa Wingard.

A celebration of life was held March 25, at Hopewell Funeral Home and Event Center in Plant City.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Plant City

10/13/16 11:03 AM

MARCH 31, 2017

SPORTS

“I’m going for the school record, which is 49 (feet). My consistent throw is a 46, so I should be able to get that before the end of the year.”

— Steven Ogletree finally got to throw the shot put in 2017. PAGE 14

Do you have a good sports scoop for us?

Email Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

Dean’s Ride rides again The annual Dean’s Ride fundraiser is back for the fifth consecutive year.

Starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1, the bike ride will cover 16, 38 and 62-mile road courses, plus a 10-mile spin ride at the Plant City Family YMCA. Riders must be age 14 or older to participate, and helmets are required.

Registration costs $40 in advance, and may be done online at ow.ly/9DnE30akRam. Riders can also register for $45 in person on the day of the event. Proceeds will go to the Plant City Family YMCA’s wellness programs, including its free LiveStrong program for cancer survivors. The fee will also cover the cost of a light breakfast and lunch, as well as a jersey.

For more information, email Zach Hilferding at zach.hilferding@tampaymca. org or call (813) 757-6677.

Baseball scoreboard TUESDAY, MARCH 28

Durant (H) 2, Bloomingdale 0 Plant City (H) 5, Riverview 3 Strawberry Crest 3, East Bay (H) 0

Softball scoreboard TUESDAY, MARCH 28

Bloomingdale 7, Durant (H) 0 Plant City (H) 10, Riverview 0 East Bay (H) 6, Strawberry Crest 0

Garrett Gray.

MR. AND MISS

COUGAR 2017

Upcoming baseball and softball games SATURDAY, APRIL 1 Tampa Bay Tech @ Durant, 10 a.m.

TUESDAY, APRIL 4 Gaither @ Durant, 7 p.m.

Plant City @ Armwood, 7 p.m.

Wiregrass Ranch @ Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

COMPETITORS GIRLS BANTAMWEIGHT 1. Laura Hart 2. Elizabeth Cook 3. Debbie Reinoso 4. Jamie Bernstein 5. Baylee Astin 6. Sophie Robertson

Left: Elizabeth Cook was named Miss Cougar.

Above: Laura Hart.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? JUSTIN KLINE

BOYS LIGHTWEIGHT 19. Stephen Powell 20. Jake Smith 21. Lawrence Vivar 22. Calvin Aleman HEAVYWEIGHT 23. Austin Smallwood 24. Chris Gay 25. Angelo Gherini 26. Garrett Gray Stephen Powell.

Daejah Shiver.

FINALISTS GIRLS Elizabeth Cook Jade Banks Rielea Wearmouth

I

SEE KLINE PAGE 13

LIGHTWEIGHT 7. Jade Banks 8. Jensen Bell 9. Paige Conlyn 10. Skylar Mitchell 11. Daejah Shiver 12. Kayla Galarza MIDDLEWEIGHT 13. Brittney Iniguez 14. Haley Riley 15. Tiffany Wilson 16. Rielea Wearmouth 17. Lily Foley 18. Hanna Gottman

Another ‘Choice in Sports’ bill side effect

f anyone in the Plant City area was wondering exactly what kind of havoc the “Choice in Sports” bill is capable of stirring up, we may now have our first look.

We all already knew that the bill, which allows high school athletes to freely transfer between schools with little to no friction, would drastically alter many rosters after it was implemented — even without changes being made to a staff. But now that the Raiders are without a head football coach for the third time in about as many years, we’re about to see what happens to a program when

O

n Friday, March 24, Chris Gay and Elizabeth Cook's hard work in the gym finally paid off.

The two Durant students won the titles of Mr. and Miss Cougar in the school's annual bodybuilding competition. The 2017 event, which featured 18 girls and eight boys in five weight classes, gave students a chance to show off the results of their fitness goals and, in the "fun" round, show the audience and judges a little bit of their personalities, as well.

— JUSTIN KLINE

Photos by Justin Kline

Sports Editor Justin Kline thinks Plant City High School football fans should brace themselves now.

Durant High School's bodybuilding competition was held Friday, March 24.

BOY Calvin Aleman Chris Gay

WINNERS MISS COUGAR Elizabeth Cook MR. COUGAR Chris Gay Above: Austin Smallwood.

Right: Lily Foley channeled Michael Jackson for her routine.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Paxia steps down from PCHS football

13

Dexter-Household Nieves-Household

Stop giving away your hard-earned money!

File photo

SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Paxia was brought aboard the staff when Greg Meyer was promoted to head coach, following Wayne Ward's departure, and his offense helped the 2015-16 squad record the best season in program history: an 11-2 overall record, highlighted by 11 straight wins, which ended with a regional championship appearance.

After Paxia was promoted in that offseason, he inherited a team that had graduated 25 seniors, many of them key players. He opted to continue using the philosophies he and Meyer installed the previous season, and also led the charge to complete a $20,000 upgrade to the weight room.

Paxia nearly guided the Raiders to another playoff berth. The team

finished 2016 with a 6-3 record in a weather-shortened season, and remained in playoff contention until the Friday, Oct. 14, Redman Cup game.

"I thought we made the best out of a tough situation," Paxia says. "I thought we did pretty well."

According to Paxia, Plant City has a "plan in place" to find his successor before the 2017-18 season. As of press time, the school had not yet named a replacement and calls to the athletics department were not returned.

Dempsey-Household Williams-Household

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NOTICE OF SALE In accordance with the provisions of State Law there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy and owner and/or manager’s lien of goods hereinafter described and stored at: Rentlok Self Storage located at 1205 S Alexander St., Plant City, FL 33563, 813-759-2800. And due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties know to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the above stated locations to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017 @ 9:30 AM. OR ANY DATE THERE IN AFTER.

Robert Paxia was promoted in 2016.

In a Monday, March 27, meeting held during Plant City High School's first period, head coach Robert Paxia broke the news to his players: there will be a new head coach for the 2017-18 season.

Paxia, who was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach in 2016, confirmed his departure to the Plant City Times & Observer shortly afterward. The coach said he plans to take a job outside of Florida, though he did not specify where.

"I was handed an opportunity, and I decided I'm going to take it," Paxia says.

It's the third time in as many offseasons that the Raiders will have to replace a head football coach that stepped down.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

LOCATED AT 1205 S Alexander Street Plant City, FL 33563 813 - 759 - 2800

Head coach Robert Paxia confirmed his departure Monday, March 27.

JUSTIN KLINE

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This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Competition winners (and a few honorable mentions) were given fishing gear.

Puzzle One Solution: “Devastated by the sudden loss of my close friend and one of the finest actors in the business, Bill Paxton.”

– Rob Lowe

Fishing Fun

A

lthough the fish were slow to bite the morning of Saturday, March 25, young Plant City anglers still cleaned up at the Youth Fishing Derby.

The Spring 2017 derby saw 32 kids in two age groups catch 20 total fish, mainly bass, at the pond behind Plant City Stadium.

Puzzle Two Solution: “If you show up in L.A. with your shirt inside out or socks mismatched, people start putting change in your cup.”

– Casey Affleck

This week’s Sudoku answers

— JUSTIN KLINE

WINNERS First overall bass: Austin New (0.6 pounds) First overall catfish: Savannah Hall (0.1 pounds - smallest on record) Biggest fish (age 5-10): Connor Scott (bass, 1.6 pounds) Biggest fish (age 11-15): Mike Mandujuno (perch, 2.4 pounds) Most fish caught (age 5-10): Gehrig Graham (two bass, won combined weight tiebreaker) Most fish caught (age 11-15): Cody Newman (four bass)

Photos by Justin Kline

Above: Kaleb Bullock Above right: Anglers fished from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Right: Connor Scott

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

JUSTIN KLINE ©2017 NEA, Inc.

FROM KLINE PAGE 12

there is a major staff turnover.

In my travels, I’ve seen how important a role the coach plays when athletes have to make decisions. They can swing a kid either way: convincing him or her to stick around through tough times, or to leave for an atmosphere they’d prefer to work in. Sometimes, one coach is actually the only thing keeping an athlete in a program.

When those kids lose their coaches, the programs just might lose them.

I’m not here to criticize Robert Paxia for leaving the job after just one year as head coach. He left on his own terms, and he told me he felt that he found an opportunity that was right for him at this time. If that’s what he wants to do, then so be it — I just hope that no one who took advantage of the new transfer

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www.rollysonfearnow.com

rules for their own kid’s spotlight has a bone to pick there.

But, now that Paxia is out, I have a feeling that Plant City fans are going to be in for a long season.

I’ve been hearing about Raiders leaving the program to transfer elsewhere and, while I haven’t been able to confirm every single transfer rumor yet, the losses could be huge.

Granted, I know for a fact that this hasn’t stopped kids from transferring to Plant City, but the last things you want to lose when you’re trying to hire a new coach are impact players on both sides of the ball.

And, with a tough 2017 schedule already slated — opponents include Armwood, Durant, Hillsborough, Jefferson and Tampa Bay Tech — the Raiders will certainly have their hands full.

Whoever gets the job will be the school’s fourth head coach in four years. I don’t yet know whether

Plant City plans to promote from within the program, as it has done with Paxia and Greg Meyer before him, but my gut feeling is that we could see an outsider hired before the summer. If Meyer or Wayne Ward are unavailable, this is exactly where I would opt for a totally fresh start.

I’m not going to close the door on the possibility that the new hire could get a great effort out of the 2017 roster, whatever it looks like, and exceed expectations. But with yet another coaching turnover and a bill that gives athletes free reign, I’m urging Raider fans to stay patient.

Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Times & Observer.

Email: jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

This week’s Crossword answers

2017

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

Steven Ogletree Plant City Raider fans most likely know senior Steven Ogletree for his play on the football field, which the star linebacker — whom announcer Calvin “Pee Wee” Callins dubbed, “the Cleanup Man” — will continue at Ellsworth Community College. But Ogletree changed his offseason routine in 2017, leaving the basketball team to try throwing the shot put in track and field. His first year is going well, as he recently placed third in the event at a county meet.

Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.

How are you feeling about your move to track and field this spring?

I feel good. I went from not being able to do track in previous years to coming out my senior year and doing what I’ve done. I’m pretty impressed.

Are you glad you chose track over one more year of basketball?

Basketball was fun, but I’ve achieved a bunch of goals in track that I thought I would never do. Throwing, I placed third in the county. I’m going for the school record, which is 49 (feet). My consistent throw is a 46, so I should be able to get that before the end of the year.

You’re not far off from going to college. How excited are you?

I’m really excited, because I’m ready to play with some of the people I’ve been playing with for years and just keep that journey going. Hopefully, I’ll get out of there and go to a D-1 school.

Where would you want to go after Ellsworth? Do you have a dream school in mind?

I’m looking at Pitt, Indiana, power schools like that.

What’s the most fun thing that’s happened in your four years as a Raider?

I would say my sophomore year of playing football. It was one of my best years, and I played with a lot of brothers I’ve been playing with since I was little. That was probably the last time we would all get to play together, so it was special. We all played for the (Plant City) Dolphins.

up with you, and then you’ve got to play catch-up. You don’t want to play catch-up. If there’s anything I could re-do in high school, it would probably be my grades, so I wouldn’t have to go through this route I’m going.

But, God has a plan for me.

Let’s say you make the NFL one day and get your first paycheck.

What’s the first thing you buy?

My niece is disabled, and I just want to get her walking. Get a professional and help her walk. Then I’ll look after my mom and all that.

It seems like everyone at this school calls you Dook (pronounced “Duke-uh”). How did you get the nickname?

To be honest, I don’t know. My brothers and sisters, they used to call me “Duke Nukem” when I was little. Then they just stuck with “Dook.” I always asked them how I got the nickname, but … it just came.

What was your favorite high school football moment?

I would say the East Bay game from my junior year. I had a personal record of 22 tackles that games.

What’s something you’ve learned over the years that you think any freshman athlete should know about playing high school sports?

Your grades are very important. I started slacking and just getting lazy because all the offers were coming in. You can’t do that. It catches

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14

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

I LOVE PLANT CITY

FORECAST FRIDAY, MARCH 31 High: 84 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 90%

SATURDAY, APRIL 1 High: 86 Low: 58 Chance of rain: 10%

SUNDAY, APRIL 2 High: 91 Low: 66 Chance of rain: 10%

MONDAY, APRIL 3 High: 90 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 50%

7:19a

7:45p

Saturday, April 1

7:18a

7:46p

Sunday, April 2

7:17a

7:46p

Monday, April 3

7:16a

7:47p

Tuesday, April 4

7:15a

7:48p

Wednesday, April 5

7:14a

7:48p

Thursday, April 6

7:12a

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MOON PHASES

April 26 New

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$

– YBH TBXA Puzzle One Clue: M equals X

“VT DCW HRCB WZ VG O.P. BVMR DCWL HRVLM VGHVXS CWM CL HCJNH IVHIPMJRSX, ZSCZOS HMPLM ZWMMVGA JRPGAS VG DCWL JWZ.” – JPHSD PTTOSJN Puzzle Two Clue: D equals Y ©2017 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

©2017 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

0.00

Saturday, March 25

0.00

Sunday, March 26

0.00

Monday, March 27

0.00

Tuesday, March 28

0.00

Wednesday, March 29

0.00

2017 0.29 in.

2016

9.47 in.

2016

1.23 in.

DETAILING SERVICES FROM

3999

$

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ACROSS 1 Barely detectable amounts 6 Mischievous type 11 Activist 15 Soon, in old poetry 19 Macbeth was one 20 Hawaiian porch 21 Sword used in sporting events 22 “___ Las Vegas” (Presley film) 23 Oppressed 25 Baby bovine 26 Tablet and PC company 27 On the highest point of 28 “Here’s to you!”

30 Grill or bistro 32 Eyespot of a peacock 35 Take illegally 36 Liver or skin, e.g.

37 Analyzes grammatically 38 Bayou feature 39 Looked like a villain 41 Santa ___ winds 42 Summarized briefly 45 Ryder or Stanley 47 Padlocked fasteners 49 Abbr. in real estate come-ons 50 Eggs that pass through tubes 51 It may be residential 52 Neckpiece of Hawaii 53 Fancy, fluffy neckwear 54 Falsify one’s resume, e.g.

59 Oodles 61 More qualified 62 “Murder on the ___ Express” 63 Thrilled feeling 66 Violin bow movement aid 67 Unit of electrical charge 68 Batted first 69 Police car’s warning 70 Art capable of 71 Persistent, unjustified criticism 73 Commercials 74 Retirement savings vehicle 77 Small piece of land surrounded by water 78 “Hey man, get it?”

79 Poem that could be sung 80 Harsh tasting 82 After-tax amount 83 Fusing apparatus 89 Where “Finding Nemo” takes place 90 Gold watch recipient 92 Blue-dye plants 93 Traveling by horseback 95 Mortgage seeker’s concern 96 Pesky little insect 97 Bewails or bemoans 98 Prisoner-of-war camp 100 Prove to be false 101 Dash of panache 102 Longtime Yugoslav leader 103 Uttar Pradesh city 105 Cemetery sights 111 Garden people were evicted from 112 Time when shadows are the shortest 113 Alberta NHL player 114 Bring back memories of 115 Untidy state 116 Hops dryer

Friday, March 24

MARCH TO DATE:

on any detailing service over $39.99

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117 Like bar snacks, intentionally 118 Transplant recipient DOWN 1 “___ be quite an honor” 2 “Now I get it!”

3 Verb spoken by Tweety 4 Yearly records 5 Earliest colonists, e.g.

6 Is a poor pourer 7 Real heel of a guy 8 “... ___ a bag of chips” 9 Multiple conductors 10 Tickled the most?

11 Iron-on item 12 Semiprecious gem 13 Migratory “electric” fish 14 NBA rule enforcer 15 Blockbuster 2009 film 16 Formal church doctrine adopted in 325 17 Not under 18 Word with “a soul” 24 Stir from sleep 29 Pearl City locale 31 Up there in years 32 An aquarium fish

33 Thing through Panama 34 Backspace through 35 Drains, as of energy 36 How bar beer may be served 38 Type of boy 39 Person of interest?

40 Female chaperone 43 Dental substitute 44 Noted actress Sophia 46 Burger unit 48 Old gold coin of Europe 51 Like some elephants 53 Instruction to go away 54 New Zealand native 55 “An Enemy of the People” playwright 56 Support for an injured arm 57 Horses with brownish coats 58 Isn’t infallible 60 Brit’s elevator 63 Like the North Pole work crew 64 Apartment provider 65 Debases or dilutes 66 The Oak ___ Boys 67 Sound engineer’s knob 69 Maliciously sarcastic 70 Muslim magistrates

72 Runs at a red light 75 Sticky pine oozing 76 “___ you a good boy” 79 Eye with lust 80 Like “The Flintstones” 81 Grocery store staples 83 ___ spell (relax) 84 Pizza sauce herb 85 Guard on the deck 86 Some blue hues 87 African country independent from Britain since 1960 88 Some college exams 91 Falcons’ claws 94 From the beginning 96 Implied 97 Not too trusting 98 Part of the brain 99 Sandcastle crusher 100 Dudes or buds 104 Words before “step further” 106 ___-Star Game 107 Doc for a pooch 108 Smoking alternative?

109 ___ out an existence (barely exist) 110 “Monkey ___, monkey do”

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Sunrise Sunset

Friday, March 31

Shipping point: Orlando $9.90

Courtesy of the United States

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

SUNRISE / SUNSET

STRAWBERRIES

Damien Harrison kept the J. Seward Johnson sculptures in Historic Downtown Plant City looking sharp.

Damien wins this week’s I Love Plant City photo contest and gets a free car wash at Octopus Car Wash, 1503 S. Collins St. Do you have a photo that speaks to the heart of Plant City? Send it to Managing Editor Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com for a chance to be featured.

|

16

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

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