04.21.17 PCTO

PLANT CITY TIMES &

Observer

Aidan Keel hits the track.

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 4, NO. 41

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FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

Sytsma elected festival chair Sandee Parke-Sytsma’s father, Roy Parke, held the same position in 1981 and 1982.

EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR

Emily Topper

Sandee Parke-Sytsma holds a photo of her father, Roy Parke. She is the second in her family to be elected festival chair.

When Sandee Parke-Sytsma’s father, Roy Parke, served as the president of the Florida Strawberry Festival in 1981 and 1982, Sytsma never imagined that she would one day hold the same title.

But on Tuesday, April 11, Sytsma held her father’s gavel as she was elected the newest festival chair, — the new title for the president — a position she will have for the next two years.

While Sytsma makes history as the first female to serve as chair, she’s also the first to carry on a family legacy — it’s the first time two family members have held the same title.

“That’s special,” Sytsma said.

“That is a big deal.”

Years prior to her election, fellow board members attempted to recruit

Sytsma to begin the chair process — to start as an associate director and then to serve as secretary, treasurer and vice-president before her twoyear term.

But Sytsma, full of respect for the fesåtival and all who serve year-round to make the 11-day event a success, needed to think about it.

“It’s a huge responsibility,” she said.

“When Ron Gainey was president, he took me to lunch three times. After the third lunch, it got me thinking. I

Springtime Celebration

SEE SYTSMA PAGE 4

YOUR TOWN

Courtesy Photo

Katelyn Yarbrough and Mackenzie Edgemon both advance to the Southwest Region Contest.

Students advance in oratorical contest

Emily Topper

During Earth Day Fest 2017, the Botanical Treasure Gardens will be open to the public.

Earth Day Fest 2017 will be held Sunday, April 23, at the Plant City Commons Community Garden.

EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR

In celebration of Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, the Plant City Commons Community Garden will be hosting multiple garden events throughout the week, and garden lovers of all ages are encouraged to attend.

Earth Day Fest 2017 will kick off at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 23. The free event will feature local vendors with farm goods and artisan items, as well as live music, children’s activities and food trucks.

While attendees visit with vendors and wander through the Botanical Treasure Gardens, they can also attend four free workshops throughout the day.

The first will kick off at 11 a.m. with

a presentation on native plant landscaping by Donna Bollenbach, president of the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. Additional workshops include a presentation by Florida master beekeeper Nancy Ham, a Water Wise workshop

by City of Plant City Water Conservation Coordinator Mark Woodard and a solar energy presentation by Pat Mahoney and Jon Butts.

Garden founder Karen Elizabeth said the event is one of the first major blowouts for the garden, which is located adjacent to Hillsborough Community College at 2001 E. Cherry St. “We started planning the event in November,” Elizabeth said. “The vendors and food trucks will be located under the tents, and all of the work-

shops are free. This is all inclusive, for everyone.”

The garden has received support from the community for the event.

The Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally — which partners with Plant City Main Street for the food truck rallies held in Historic Downtown the last Friday of every month — have donated trucks for the day.

Elizabeth said attendees are encouraged to bring reusable shopping bags with them while they shop at local vendor stations. The vendors, organized by garden volunteer Laurie McRae, were asked to come to the event by invitation only.

“What’s neat about it is that it’s all Earth Day related,” McRae said. “The

Two Plant City Optimist Oratorical Contest winners are advancing to the Southwest Region Contest after earning first and second place at the Zone Level 6 competition Monday, March 27.

Katelyn Yarbrough and Mackenzie Edgemon took first and second place in the local competition in February. They took top honors again when they competed in the Zone 6 competition last month.

Yarbrough and Edgemon will present their orations again Saturday, April 22, at the John Germain Tampa Public Library Auditorium. They will compete against the representatives from other Tampa Bay area Zone competitions.

The winners from the contest will advance to the North Florida District Finals in late April. A $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to the top male and top female participant. One District winner will be selected to represent North Florida at the World Championship contest.

This year’s theme is ‘What the World Gains from Optimism.’

Criteria include poise, overall effectiveness, delivery and presentation.

“They represented Plant City very well,” Plant City Oratorical Contest Chairman Doris Robbins said. “We have high hopes that they will advance beyond the upcoming Regional competition.”

SEE EARTH PAGE 7

Plant City’s construction guru retires Terry Doolittle, a beloved member of the city’s building department, retired in January.

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

In his nearly 50 years in the construction business, Jesse Carr said, he’s never met someone quite like Terry ‘Doc’ Doolittle, Plant City’s recently retired plan examiner and building

inspector.

Doolittle, 70, a native of the Florida Keys, officially retired at the end of January after 15 years working in the building he built.

“We’ll never be able to find someone like that again,” Carr, director of Plant City’s building department, said. “I still call him for advice and I’ve been doing this all my life. The man is like Google walking.”

Despite a strong will to continue working, Doolittle retired because of kidney failure and the time and strain dialysis treatments have on him.

Doolittle had been working in con-

struction for more than 50 years. But with the calls he still gets from developers and employees, some might say he still is.

“I’ll do whatever I can to help, as long as I am healthy enough to do it,” he said.

He started with the City of Plant City in October 2001, after supervising the construction of the new city hall building while he was working with Matthews Construction. The project finished early and came in under budget.

Doolittle almost found his career in construction accidentally. He was

drafted into the United States Army in his teens where an aptitude test placed him in school for engineering.

He and 35 other engineers headed for a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1966 as combat engineers. Only Doolittle and two others made it back alive.

“I built a small city while I was there,” Doolittle said. “That made me decide if I made it back I’d go into construction.”

During his time in Vietnam, Doolittle was exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical agent used in the war that SEE DOOLITTLE PAGE 6

Daniel Figueroa IV

Terry Doolittle retired in January 2017.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

PlantCityObserver.com

Reflecting Positivity: SCHS students remove bathroom mirrors EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR

There was surprise, confusion and, not long after, lines outside of the girls’ bathrooms at Strawberry Crest High School Monday, April 17.

Students had returned to school following a three-day weekend to find that four bathrooms throughout the school had been revamped and redecorated.

But one thing was missing: mirrors.

It began with sticky notes. At Laguna Hills High School in Laguna Hills, California, students took down the mirrors in the girls’ bathrooms and replaced them with sticky notes full of encouragement: You are loved. You are smart. You are worth it.

After SCHS Principal Dave Brown heard about the project, he approached Danielle Wynn, the founder of Crest’s Girls Learn International program at the school, and student government member Taylor Norrington to see if something similar could be done at Crest.

The girls liked the idea so much, they upped the ante.

“We thought it would have a big impact, we thought it would be helpful,” Wynn, a senior, said.

Both Wynn and Norrington said that they had friends who often flocked to the bathroom between classes or during lunch to touch up their hair or makeup. Like Laguna Hills High, they removed the mirrors from all the bathrooms and replaced

them with phrases meant to boost self-esteem.

They got other students on board, too. After school on Thursday, April 13, the girls and 35 other students split up into teams to redecorate the restrooms. They let their creativity and tastes show: in one bathroom, pictures of maps and destinations decorate the wall. In another, a funky chandelier hangs above the sinks.

On Monday, the rest of the female student body checked out the redone bathrooms. At the time, Norrington said, the reactions to removing the mirrors seemed to be about half for and half against.

For junior Mackenzie Silas, the removal was a weight lifted off of her shoulders.

“Girls sometimes feel like we always have to check how we look,” Silas said.

“I like it. We don’t constantly have to check our appearance this way.”

According to a 2008 study by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund entitled ‘Real Girls, Real Pressure: A National Report on the State of Self-Esteem,’ 78% of girls with low self-esteem admitted that it is hard to feel good in school when they don’t feel good about how they look. The survey was conducted online among 1,029 girls between the ages of 8 and 17 throughout the United States.

Of those surveyed, 62% reported feeling insecure, and 75% with low self-esteem reported engaging in negative activities due to their insecurities, including eating disorders, drinking, smoking and self-harm.

With revamped bathrooms, Brown and his student leaders are hoping to change those statistics.

Photos by Emily Topper

Left: Danielle Wynn and Taylor Norrington, students at Strawberry Crest High School, helped spearhead the project.

Below Left: The mirrors have been replaced with positive, supportive messages.

Below: The doors, walls and mirrors have been decorated, and each bathroom has a different theme.

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@ plantcityobserver.com.

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Following a similar initiative at a high school in California, students have revamped the bathrooms at Strawberry Crest High School.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

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A FUTURE UNWRITTEN: New immigration policies could threaten stability in Plant City As new orders on immigration come from the White House, many fear what might happen to communities and business in Plant City.

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV

are institutionalized substantially lower rates than U.S.-born citizens.”

According to census data used for that report, fewer than 0.5% of immigrants are housed in correctional facilities, while just under 2% of U.S.-born citizens are institutionalized in correctional facilities.

STAFF WRITER

A SUITCASE AND A DREAM

Whenever she drives her car — whether she’s taking her two kids to school or heading to the grocery store — Sandra Masala* makes the sign of the cross and says a prayer. Every time she drives, she fears she will not make it back home.

“I’m illegal,” Masala said. “It’s hard for me — not just for me, for everybody. We think that if a police (officer) stops you, they arrest because you don't have the driver’s license. And then, when you’re in the jail, they take you to your country. They say they are just taking the (violent) criminals, but it’s not true.”

Echoes of fear are reverberating through the immigrant community in Plant City following campaign rhetoric and executive action from the administration of President Donald Trump. In addition to the call for construction of a border wall between the United States and Mexico, Trump has called for stricter immigration policies, including merit-based entry systems, and has often indicated the intention to enact mass deportations.

Masala, whose name has been changed because of fear of being targeted for deportation, is one of many unauthorized immigrants living in Hillsborough County. Her children, who were born in the United States, are citizens.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research group, there are about 41,000 unauthorized immigrants in Hillsborough.

About 10,000 work in agriculture or construction, selling produce or harvesting it on the many farms in and around Plant City and laying the foundation for towns and cities throughout the county.

AGRICULTURAL IMPACT

New immigration policies are not only damaging to the mental stability of Plant City residents, Mayra Calo, a Tampa-based immigration lawyer, said, they can also be detrimental for Plant City, where much of the agricultural prosperity in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the world relies on the work of immigrant workers, both authorized and not.

“It would kill Plant City,” Calo said.

“We need to recognize how culturally diverse we are, how important family unification is, how important it is to have an open-door policy as far as filling our economic labor needs.”

According to a study from Pew Research Center based on analysis of data from the 2014 Census Bureau, 33% of the overall agriculture industry was made of foreign born workers in 2014. More than half, 18%, of those workers were unauthorized immigrants. A recent report from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) found between 50 to 70% of farm workers are unauthorized immigrants.

“It’s a fallacy that they’re taking jobs from Americans,” Calo said.

Area farms including Fancy Farms, Passion Farms and others have already reported crop loss in the last few years due to a lack of immigrant workers.

According to Kristi Boswell, director of congressional relations for labor, immigration and food safety at the AFBF, further reduction of the immigrant labor force could cripple agriculture throughout the country.

“Who is going to work in the fields?”

Masala said. “Us. We make that work.

Who is going to bring the food to your table? They say we come to take jobs.

It’s not true. We make sure the jobs get done.”

THE ECONOMICS OF IMMIGRATION

Masala said she is shocked by the belief that unauthorized immigrants illegally take jobs from American citizens — but that’s only one of them.

She’s also surprised when she hears people complain of unauthorized immigrants reaping the benefits of government assistance programs like Medicaid and welfare without putting anything into the tax system.

According to Calo, the truth is often the opposite. Unauthorized immigrants play a major role in the tax cycle without reaping many, if any, benefits. Since they do not have any documentation, they are ineligible to receive any government assistance.

While some are concerned over fraud within the welfare system, Calo said, fewer than 1% of welfare cases are found to be fraudulent.

“It would kill Plant City. We need to recognize how culturally diverse we are, how important family unification is, how important it is to have an open-door policy as far as filling our economic labor needs.”

— Mayra Calo, Tampa-based immigration lawyer

Calo said unauthorized immigrants are putting money into the tax system. Though they may not pay taxes through wages, the work they provide for employers is taxed. According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, about 12,000 unauthorized immigrants own homes in Hillsborough, as well as vehicles. Taxes are also paid on those properties.

According to a September 2010 study titled ‘Ten Economic Facts About Immigration,’ from the Hamilton Project, an economic policy initiative from the nonprofit policy organization the Brookings Institution, “taxes paid by immigrants and their children — both legal and unauthorized — exceed the costs of the services they use.”

Even the high cost of childcare for immigrants, often seen as a burden on the American taxpayer, are proportional to the children of nativeborn parents. The cost is cancelled out when what those parents and children put back into the system is considered.

“Both the immigrant children and children of U.S.-born citizens are expensive when they are young because of the costs of investing in children’s education and health,” according to the Hamilton Project Study. “Those expenses, however, are paid back through taxes received over a lifetime of work.”

Locally, some believe, the fear among immigrants in the Plant City community has begun to directly affect the city’s economy.

Yira Naza, a community coordinator with the Hispanic Services Council, a Tampa Bay Area outreach organization, said she works with around 70 families in Plant City, most of whom are unauthorized immigrants with natural-born children. Many of

them are usually eager to participate in community events — including the area’s largest, the Florida Strawberry Festival.

This year, however, things were different.

“These are people who are contributing to the economy of the Plant City community,” Naza said. “This year, the festival had fewer participants ... that was because of all of this. Many of the Hispanic population didn’t go this year because they were afraid.”

In March, the Florida Strawberry Festival reported that attendance was down by about 20,000 people from last year over the course of the 11-day festival.

Naza said she knows that wasn’t entirely made up of immigrants, but she believes the fear that many feel played a large role in the number.

“They didn’t assist (in attendance) because of the fear and anxiety of the moment we are living now,” Naza said. “You cannot only say, maybe the attractions were not good or the artists were not that famous. It’s more than that.”

Naza said the families she works with, and many others in the area, are mitigating risks. When faced with the choice of driving kids to school or going to buy groceries for their family or attending an event for leisure, families are deciding to take only the necessary risks and otherwise stay home where they feel safe.

Naza said lack of attendance from the immigrant community this year was not about spite or deciding not to contribute to the economy because of unrest, but because of fear.

“It’s because of the fear that they have,” she said. “They want to contribute. They want to participate.

They want to enjoy it and they want to take their kids. But this year, they didn’t.”

IMMIGRANTS AND CRIME

The fear of driving stems not only from the administration’s rhetoric, but numbers coming from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests.

ICE arrested more than 21,000 immigrants, many with existing criminal records, between January and mid-March of this year, compared to 16,104 during the same period in 2016, according to ICE statistics. Immigrants with no prior criminal records also went up, doubling to 5,441.

Due to lack of reliable public transportation and limited walkability of Plant City, Naza said, immigrants unable to obtain a driver’s licenses see no choice but to drive illegally. It’s a misdemeanor, but leads to arrest.

Even those here with authorization, Naza said, fear that multiple infractions can lead to a felony charge and the revocation of legal status eventually resulting in deportation.

“They just try to get day by day,” she said. “They are normal families that are just looking to get some bread and some roof for their children.”

The stigma of unauthorized immigrants being violent criminals, Calo said, is also misrepresented.

“It’s not disproportionate,” she said. “As a matter of fact, it’s greater on the American side than it is in the immigrant community because immigrants are not stupid. Of course there are people with mental health (issues) like in any group, but immigrants recognize that they’re not in their own country and they have to behave a certain way. They’re more respectful in recognizing the laws than people who are born here and take everything for granted.”

According to the Hamilton Project, census data shows that “immigrants

Just over 14 years ago, Masala was in her late teens, working in the same fields of Guanajuato, in central Mexico, where her father worked. She began working in the fields at age 12, when her family couldn’t afford to send her to school any longer.

Life, she said, was grim, without opportunity for advancement or options. She dreamed of a life in the U.S., a life where she could educate herself and the family she wanted to have, a life with options and hope.

It was, at first, a pipe dream. It’s near impossible for a poor Mexican to gain legal access to the U.S., she said.

According to Calo, potential immigrants have three ways to get to the U.S. legally: for political asylum or as a refugee; with a visa for tourism or skilled labor; or through being petitioned by a family member or business legally operating in the U.S. For some of the families she works with, Naza said, waiting lists to gain legal access can be a decade long.

Masala didn’t have access to legal methods of immigration.

“I would like to be legal,” she said.

“But I didn’t have a way. I could come illegally or not come at all. When you don’t have anyone to help you, you have to take the risk.”

The idea remained nothing more than a thought until one night when her brother, who was living in Florida, called. He was having trouble with his wife and needed help with his children.

His situation was dire and she needed to act fast. Someone would be coming for her that night.

Recognizing it as her only chance, she said, Masala took a bus more than 1,000 miles to northern Sonora, near the U.S. border in Arizona. With a group of about 20 others looking for work in the U.S. where they believed higher wages could be earned and money sent back to family in Mexico, Masala crossed the border into Arizona.

She walked the desert for two days and one night until she was able to get a ride to Florida, where she has lived ever since.

“I didn’t have time to think about it,” she said. “I didn’t bring nothing with me, just a suitcase and my dreams.”

There is an immigration problem, Naza and Calo both said. However, they also said the issue is not an influx of violent criminals entering the country or unauthorized immigrants putting a strain on the economy.

Calo said the issues stem from laws enacted through racism and xenophobia. She believes that putting up walls is not the answer. If you look at history, she said, walls have never worked the way they were supposed to.

The only reasonable way forward, they added, is comprehensive immigration reform, an overhaul of the system that would take into account the realistic economic needs of the U.S. and the cultural and humanitarian principles the country was founded on.

It will not be easy, they said. It will take people coming together as an American community.

“You need everyone in the community, not just Hispanics,” Naza said. “The whole community needs to come together.”

On Wednesday, April 12, a group of nearly 1,500 economists sent a letter to Trump and members of Congress concerning the importance of smart immigration reform and the importance of immigrants in the American economy.

The letter was signed by economists from all areas of the political spectrum, including those from right and left-leaning think tanks and economists from presidential administrations going as far back as Ronald Reagan.

“Some of us favor free markets while others have championed for a larger role for government in the economy,” the letter read. “But on some issues, there is near universal agreement.

One such issue concerns the broad economic benefit that immigrants to this country bring.”

Contact Daniel Figueroa IV at dfigueroaiv@plantcityobserver.com *Sandra Masala’s name has been changed.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

Ringing in Retirement After over 28 years in Plant City, Joe Grimes is retiring from the jewelry business.

EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR

Since 1989, Joe Grimes has been transforming designs on the corners of napkins and the margins of paper to timeless jeweled treasures in Plant City.

The owner of Your Family Jeweler on Alexander Street grew up around the business: his family was in the jewelry manufacturing industry. By the time he was in his 20s, Grimes was creating his own custom pieces. Today, his Plant City shop offers engagement and wedding rings, watches, earrings and repairs.

Through late May, loyal customers and new clients will be able to shop jewelry at a bargain price.

Grimes is retiring. Now, he said, everything must go.

“We’re selling now 40% to 80% off,” Grimes said. “There wasn’t a drastic reason. This is part of a threeyear exit plan. I think the economy is improving, and it’s a good time to sell the business. I think the retail business has changed.”

Grimes opened up shop in Plant City when he had the opportunity to start his business in Historic Downtown. When the first shop caught on fire about 14 years ago, he relocated to his Alexander Street location.

“I lost everything,” he said. “I had to replace it all, from wallpaper to toilet paper.”

But with a loyal following, he was able to rebuild. A photo album on his desk is full of pictures of finished cus-

tom pieces, from parents’ wedding bands molded into one ring to necklaces of family heirlooms.

The look of delight on a customer’s face, Grimes said, never gets old.

“There’s a lot of creativity in that work, which I’ll miss,” Grimes said.

“We fix destroyed rings, we make new rings and designs. I like to work with my hands.”

Among his most well-known pieces are strawberry necklaces, which he makes every year for the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and her court.

Now, Grimes is ready for his next chapter. He’s traveled to five continents with his wife, Yukiko, but plans to do even more traveling after his retirement.

“I ride my bike four to five times per week,” he said. “And I plan to do more fishing when I retire.”

Though he doesn’t live in town, Grimes said he’ll be back in Plant City constantly — his hair salon, doctor, bank and more are all located in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.

“My friends for life are in Plant City,” Grimes said, commenting on the customers who bring him gifts and cookies during the holiday season. “Everything I do is in Plant City.

I’m grateful for the town and the camaraderie. This is like a social club.

I joke that people come to see me and not the jewelry.”

While liquidations and sales will take place through late May, Grimes doesn’t have a set date for when he’ll officially close up shop – just a motto: “When the phone stops ringing and the doors stop swinging.”

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@ plantcityobserver.com.

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love this festival and I love our town.”

In 1995, Roy Parke told Sytsma that she had been nominated to the associate board by Terry Ballard, and had subsequently been elected.

Shortly thereafter, she found her first niche. She began to serve as the chaperone for the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and court, organizing the girls’ appearances, mentoring them throughout their year of service and leading them through the 11-day festival. It was a position she held for 13 years before passing on the reign to current chaperones Di Lott and Donna Keel in 2015, in preparation for her current role as chair.

“When I took on queen and court, that changed my life,” Sytsma said.

Prior to becoming chaperone, Sytsma said, the girls had events but not mentorships. Her goal was to make the queen and court’s role more effective. When she was asked to take over as chaperone, she began making calls to get the girls invited to events.

“It took a while to get there,” Sytsma said. “But we earned the trust.

It made me very knowledgeable in a very small area. But I didn’t know about parking and traffic and the Baby Parade.”

Things she needed to know about, she said, to be an effective leader as chair.

Following her service as an associate director, beginning the festival’s chair process takes six years. The festival has 14 associate directors and 16 directors, four of whom are chosen to serve on the executive board.

She began the chair process in 2011 as treasurer. When the time came to be nominated, Sytsma didn’t promote herself.

“I said that if I was nominated and elected, I would serve,” she said. “And I was genuinely surprised.”

The moment was monumental for both Sytsma and her mother, Helen Parke.

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“She was thrilled,” Sytsma said.

“She was delighted that I would be carrying on the tradition. My husband, Hank, was also happy.”

Like the directors before her, Sytsma served two years each as treasurer, secretary and vice president before being elected chair.

To prepare for what would eventually become her chair role, Sytsma gave up her chaperone position and didn’t serve on any committees for the last two years.

But she attended committee meetings. She asked questions. She observed. And, she said, she shadowed immediate past chair Dan Walden at events.

“He’s such a great mentor,” she said.

“He’s been helpful, he’s brought me to events and that helped immensely. It was smooth.”

Like the committees she’s served on, Sytsma discovered the same sense of pride throughout the festival operations she observed.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “Everyone feels ownership. This is a Plant City festival. That’s why everyone is so passionate about it.”

As chair for the next two years, Sytsma said she will remain focused on continuing to look at ways to improve the festival.

“I hope we never think we’ve arrived,” she said.

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@ plantcityobserver.com.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

|

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

5

WE’RE PUTTING SCIENCE TO WORK FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

To learn more about Mosaic’s leadership in reclamation ecology, visit MosaicCo.com/Florida.

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© 2017 The Mosaic Company

Every day, Mosaic puts science to work right here in our community.

Our reclamation team and ecologists use the latest technology and scientific methods to reclaim formerly mined lands, creating natural corridors for native wildlife and even reviving streams that haven’t existed for over a century. As a global leader in reclamation ecology, Mosaic is pioneering new environmental approaches to create vital habitats and land uses for future generations — both ours and nature’s.

Mosaic ecologists Laura and Michelle work to reclaim land like the perennial stream at Maron Run that provides habitat and food supplies for a diverse group of water-dependent species.

6

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

Opportunity is Here: Students attend 2017 Plant City Future Fair The fair showcased job opportunities within Plant City to graduating students.

EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR

Over 500 students from area schools attended the 2017 fair.

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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, MAY 10, 2017 @ 9:30 AM. OR ANY DATE THERE IN AFTER. Lori Mull -Household

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Some came with résumés, some came with questions and intrigue. All left with knowledge of opportunities for the future in Plant City.

The 2017 Plant City Future Fair was held at the John R. Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College Tuesday, April 18. After an inaugural event for Plant City High School students last year, this year’s expo with over 40 vendors was open to over 500 students from all area high schools.

Organized by the Plant City High School Raider Champions Board, the goal of the event was to show students that there are opportunities for careers and a sustainable future in Plant City, even for those entering the workforce for the first time.

In addition to local vendors that included Hillsborough Title, Stingray Chevrolet, Star Distribution Systems and Hillsborough Community College, students head from keynote speakers and leaders. The expo was attended by Mayor Rick Lott, Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Eakins and Hillsborough County District 4 School Board Member Melissa Snively.

“Plant City saw the need,” Yvonne Fry, who serves on the board of Raider Champions, said. “This is grassroots.

This is our community organizing this and providing opportunities.”

As students walked from vendor to vendor, they were able to learn about the job opportunities available to them and the skills necessary for the workforce.

At Star Distribution Systems, located on Henderson Way, new employees have the opportunity to earn $11 per hour while earning a weekly bonus of $40. Additionally, Star employees have overtime opportunities and paid vacation.

A college degree for some employers isn’t a necessity. For jobs including forklift operators and mechanics, the education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent.

For Plant City Economic Development Corp. President Jake Austin, the goal of the event was to encourage students to continue to push themselves after they cross the stage at their high school graduation.

“Starting this at the high school level is unique to Plant City,” Aus-

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has been acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have led to many serious medical conditions among veterans. An otherwise healthy man, Doolittle credits that exposure with the health problems he has today. In addition to kidney failure, a dermatologist recently discovered skin cancer on his face that will require 15 treatments with radiation.

Despite the health issues, Doolittle hopes he can get a kidney transplant and return to work part time with the city.

It’s more than a job to him. When he and his wife, Dale, moved here 15 years ago, Doolittle said, he fell in love with the city.

In fact, he said he started to fall in love with Plant City when he worked first on city hall and then the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex. He had

Photos by Emily Topper

Above: Blue Thumb Computer Repair owner Randon Trowbridge spoke with students at the 2017 fair.

Below: Star Distribution Systems was one of over 40 employers at the event.

tin said. “Hopefully, this is an eyeopener for students. Hopefully they’ll think, ‘The day I receive my diploma is not a time to relax. It’s time to get a job.’ The opportunities here in Plant City are not to miss.”

Austin commended businesses in the community for choosing to invest in students who were ready to enter the workforce.

“A lot of companies might think it’s tough to get employees involved when they’re entry-level,” he said. “What Plant City businesses have realized is that the person they hire will grow to become the ideal employee down the road.”

Mayor Rick Lott said that he saw both students and employers investing in one another during the 2017 fair.

“What’s nice about this is that before the seniors graduate, they’re getting a leg up on the job market,” Lott said. “I’ve seen people today setting up interviews with employers.

I’m excited to see our students joining the workforce.”

Snively added that she would like to see the fair expand to other Hillsborough County schools in the future.

“I would love for it to expand all over and in different parts of the county,” Snively said. “It’s really a great educational experience for the kids, and hopefully it inspires them. Hopefully they realize they can be anything.”

worked in the private sector since leaving the Army in 1967. Over the course of that career, he oversaw construction projects in 21 states, completing more than $640 million of construction work.

When his wife suffered a brain injury in 1993 that left her with shortterm memory loss, Doolittle decided to go from owning companies to working for them so he could devote more time to caring for Dale. He took a job with Matthews Construction in 1994, which led him to Plant City a few years later.

Carr said there were three companies bidding for the city hall job when he met Doolittle.

“Terry was the deciding factor,” Carr said. “He stuck out to us like a Q-beam. You could tell he just knew his stuff.”

After completing a few projects in Plant City, Carr said Doolittle was the

kind of guy he wished he could have on his team. At one point, Carr said, he told Doolittle he wished he could afford him.

“A few weeks later, Terry came back,” Carr said. “He said to me, ‘It ain’t the money, brother. I’m looking for a home.”

Doolittle said Plant City had heart.

Having grown up in the Keys, he always thought he’d wind up living somewhere on the water. The people of Plant City changed that for him.

“I think it’s the reason my wife has done so well in the last 15 years,” Doolittle said. “It’s neat when doctors, lawyers and Indian chiefs come over and talk to us when we’re out. I think moving here was the smartest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Dignity Memorial Escape School set for April 29 The nationally recognized program will teach children how to prevent attacks from strangers through a free workshop.

It’s an experience no parent ever wants to have — discovering that their child has been abducted.

It’s an experience that Dignity Memorial Escape School hopes to prevent them from having.

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, more than 250,000 children are abducted per year — nearly 700 per day.

“I’ve worked in the funeral industry for 18 years,” Verna McKelvin said.

“Unfortunately, when an abduction has the worst outcome, I have seen that.”

McKelvin is the manger of Wells Memorial Funeral Home and Event Center. She has been a certified instructor with Dignity for the last 10 years. She will be instructing an Escape School class Saturday, April 29, at Mt. Zion Assembly of God, 3005 Thonotosassa Road.

The class will be divided into two sessions and last about 45 minutes each, she said. First, there will be a session for children between the ages of 5 and 11 at 10:30 a.m., followed by

a session for children 12 and older at 1 p.m.

“Dignity Memorial Escape School is offered in an entertaining and nonthreatening manner,” Mt. Zion Pastor Carlos Ramirez said in a statement.

“The program teaches children how to differentiate between good and bad strangers, the common lures abductors use, how to ‘get away, right away,’ and how to find help when needed.”

Dignity Memorial Escape School is a nationally recognized program and has been featured on numerous national television news shows.

McKelvin teaches the program about 20 times per year, she said. Venues range from home-school groups to audiences at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa.

“It doesn’t matter how small or how large (the crowd),” she said. “I’ve done as little as 4 and as many as 300.”

The lessons learned at Escape School can be a lifesaver, McKelvin said. A few seconds can make all the difference.

“We don’t want a child to freeze, we don’t want a child to pull away,” McKelvin said. “We believe if they know it, if they practice, it’ll be automatic.

Hopefully they never have to do it, but

REGISTER DIGNITY MEMORIAL ESCAPE SCHOOL When: 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Saturday, April 29 Where: Mt. Zion Assembly of God, 3005 Thonotosassa Road Website: MtZionFL.com.

if they have to do it, they’ll know what to do.”

Sometimes, she added, parents will drop their children of at an Escape School event and leave. But McKelvin said the instruction can be just as important for parents.

“A lot of times kids get dropped off,” she said. “It is just as important for the adults. They need to know what we’re teaching them and sometimes they learn, too.”

Parents can then take those lessons home and practice with their children to make sure they are prepared for situations, ranging from being grabbed by a stranger to being put in a trunk.

The event is free and open to the public. Those wishing to attend can register online at MtZionFL.com.

vendors are focused on wellness and health, and we tried to find local vendors.”

In addition to Earth Day Fest and a presence at the monthly Plant City Main Street Food Truck Rally Friday, April 28, the garden is also partnering with United Way Suncoast for a Hands on Day of Service Saturday, April 29.

The garden was chosen as one of three Hillsborough County sites to receive 100 volunteers for a morning of work in the garden. Community members are encouraged to join in on the day of service.

The garden is seeking sponsorships and monetary or food donations for the event and future events. Projects on the garden’s horizon include clearing growth from pond areas, weeding, spreading compost and mulch and cutting bamboo.

For both the Earth Day Fest and the Hands On Day of Service, attendees and volunteers are encouraged to wear long pants, close-toed shoes, sunscreen and hats.

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@ plantcityobserver.com.

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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

PLANT CITY, Hillsborough County: Reporting to the Manager of Business and Finance Operations, the hourly Administrative Support Assistant provides general office support to faculty, adjunct instructors, staff, students, and educational programs at the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), in Plant City. The position requires excellent communication skills, working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, computer and data processing skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail. Responsibilities include coordinating and scheduling meeting rooms for Center events, assisting with the annual Asset Management inventory and Space Allocation survey, maintaining and updating equipment and vehicle mileage logs, front desk reception, assisting guests and delivery personnel, and other duties as assigned. To apply, please visit the Careers at UF web page at https://jobs.ufl.edu/.

the goods hereinafter described and stored at the Life 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, May 10, 2017 at 1005 South Alexander Street, Plant City, FL 33563, 813-759-9526.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: High school diploma or equivalent and one year of appropriate experience. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

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When: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Saturday, April 29 Where: Plant City Commons Community Garden, 2001 E. Cherry St. Attire: Long pants, lightweight shirt, close-toed shoes, hat, sunscreen

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UNITED SUNCOAST DAY OF SERVICE

2017 EARTH DAY FEST When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, April 23 Where: Plant City Commons Community Garden, 2001 E. Cherry St. Bring: Reusable shopping bag

Contact Daniel Figueroa IV at dfigueroa@plantcityobserver.com

VENDORS

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STAFF WRITER

FROM EARTH PAGE 1

7

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

235280

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV

|

1005 SOUTH ALEXANDER STREET PLANT CITY, FL 33563 PHONE: (813) 759-9526 FAX: (813) 759-9481

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APRIL 21, 2017

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Photos by Emily Topper and Justin Kline

Left: At City Pointe Church, kids rushed into an open field at the start of an egg hunt.

Above: Kids hunted for eggs, including a golden egg, at First Baptist Church of Dover.

Egg-cellent Easter A

rea churches went all out for Easter Sunday, including egg hunts at City Pointe Church, Hope Lutheran Church, First Baptist Church of Dover and Mt. Zion Assembly of God. Churches weren’t the only ones to celebrate. On Saturday, April 15, egg hunts were also held at Plant City Stadium and the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex.

— EMILY TOPPER

Kids’ buckets overflowed with eggs.

At Mt. Zion Assembly of God, egg hunters got prizes.

Cainan Jewell, Quinn Bean and Addaline Bean.

Bryceton Dixon, Jayden Dixon, Zachary Filpo and Katelyn Jones.

At Plant City Stadium, attendees smiled while waiting for the egg hunt and live concert to begin.

Easter eggs picked up at Hope Lutheran Church included those picked from a cross in the middle of the church’s garden.

ONLINE City Pointe kids wasted no time hunting.

See more photos from the events at PlantCityObserver.com

Kids wasted no time filling egg baskets once the hunt began at Hope Lutheran Church.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

“Work. I’m a dragon boat trainer with Pan Am. I take care of my own home since I lost my husband. I do it all.”

“Summer vacation coming up. I get a week off of work paid for.”

— Brandon Weaver, 23

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a shooting Saturday, April 15, at Rockin V Ranch, 5501 Varn Road.

Deputies discovered deceased brothers Milton Lamar Varn, 62, and Perry Edward Varn, 66, at the ranch, both with gunshot wounds. A third individual, George Terrell Long, suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder and was transported to Tampa General Hospital.

A fourth individual involved in the incident, Joanne Varn, was not injured.

According to HCSO spokesperson Col. Donna Lusczynski, the shooting stemmed from an argument that involved “a dispute over some property.”

On Wednesday, April 19, HCSO said an investigation revealed that Milton Varn shot Perry Varn.

Milton Varn then shot George Long before threatening to shoot Joanne Varn, according to HCSO. In fear of her life, HCSO reported, Joanne Varn then shot Milton Varn in self-defense.

After evidence testing has been completed by the Florida Department

“Just having summer.

Getting done with winter. We’re from Rochester.”

— Lance Seger, 48

— Joyce Fornero, 68

“Ice cream.”

— Julie Biggs, 19

“Sunny days and going to Prince Edward Island.”

“Getting out of the house and being able to go do things.”

— Lee Wanda, 67

of Law Enforcement, HCSO will meet with the State Attorney’s Office for prosecutorial review.

Shootout leaves two brothers dead, one person injured

— Jared Seger, 14

9

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

Registration open for Lots of Hugs Summer Reading Camp

BRIEFS

We asked: What are you most looking forward to about summer?

|

Registration is now open for children between the ages of 5 and 12 for the Lots of Hugs Summer Reading Camp, the annual 10-week program scheduled for Monday, June 5, through Friday, Aug. 4.

The camp will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 911 E. Warren St. The camp focuses on literacy skills and character development, including writing and reading activities, water safety and educational field trips.

The camp is $75 per child for the 10 week period. Cash, checks and money orders are accepted.

An open house about the program will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church.

Breakfast, lunch and a snack will be served to children daily.

For questions or to register, email Sharon Moody at sharonmoody91@ yahoo.com.

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City Commissioners May 3 at NOON

WALDEN LAKE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Saturday, April 22, 2017 8:00am - 2:00pm

April 21, 2017

DATE: JUNE 6, 2017 TIME: 4:00 p.m.

PLACE: Plant City Housing Authority 1306 Larrick Lane Plant City, FL 33563

Hundreds of homes participating in the 30 neighborhood community

The Purpose of the hearing is to obtain input from the city residents in reference to the Capital Fund Five-Year Plan submission to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for grant year beginning 2017 and ended 2021.

Total estimated grant funds are based on the last actual capital fund grant awarded for 2016 in the amount of $254,350. All residents are encouraged to attend this hearing. A copy of the Capital Fund Five-Year Action plan will be available for review from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. prior to public hearing at the address below. Persons can also submit written comments prior to public hearing to:

For more Garage Sale information, email:

betteg@waldenlake.org or call WLCA Office (813) 754-8999

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

1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103 Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 704-6850 www.PlantCityObserver.com ©Copyright Plant City Media LLC 2014 All Rights Reserved

CONTACT US The Plant City Times & Observer is published once weekly, on Fridays. It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City. The Plant City Times & Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103.

If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

TO ADVERTISE

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

237336

For Further information please contact Patricia Dexter, Executive Director at (813) 752-0569.

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Plant City Housing Authority |1306 Larrick Lane, Plant City, FL 33563

SEND US YOUR NEWS We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements.

To contact us, send your information via: Email: Emily Topper, etopper@ PlantCityObserver.com.

Mail: The Plant City Times & Observer, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103, Plant City, FL 33563

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

10

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

BEST BET

10TH ANNUAL BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL AT KEEL AND CURLEY WINERY Takes place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road. Enjoy live entertainment, over 100 food and craft vendors and free admission.

U-pick blueberries are available for a $5 fee. Parking is $10. Call (813) 752-9100. or visit KeelAndCurleyWinery.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

2017 RELAY FOR LIFE OF PLANT CITY Begins at 6 p.m. Friday, April 21, at Plant City High School, 1 Raider Place. The event includes a luminaria ceremony, survival laps, pageants and more. For more information, email Shanna Kennedy at shanna.kennedy@ sdhc.k12.fl.us

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

FEED A BEE Begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at McIntosh Tract, 775 E. Knights Griffin Road. Help volunteers plant more than 20,000 wildflower seeds specifically selected for honey bees and other pollinators. The Plant City Lions Club and high school Leo Clubs have joined the Hillsborough County Conservation Challenge for the project. Call (813) 924-3829.

CHRISTIAN WOMEN CONNECTOR Takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 22, at First Church of God, 601 N. Gordon St. The speaker will be the Rev. Betty J. Bricker, who will speak on overcoming regrets. Music will be provided

by Minister of Music James Crumbly. A $10 fee for attendees includes lunch.

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

EARTH DAY FEST Takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, April 23, at the Plant City Commons Community Garden and Botanical Treasure Gardens, 2001 E.

inspirational music. A reception time will follow with snacks. Call (269) 290-4977.

ONGOING Cherry St. Enjoy local farm goods, children’s activities, garden tours, free workshops and more. Visit PlantCityCommunityGarden.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 24

PLANT CITY AREA DEMOCRATS MEETING Begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 24, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. County Commissioner Pat Kemp will address the club and discuss issues of concern to East Hillsborough.

CITY COMMISSION MEETING Begins at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 24, at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St.

THURSDAY, APRIL 27

INTEGRITY BUSINESS REFERRALS LUNCHEON Begins at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 27, at Buddy Freddy’s, 1101 Goldfinch Drive. The luncheon is geared toward Christians working in the marketplace and their business opportunities. Visit IBR77.com or call Lew Frye at (863) 521-3360, Norm Blanton at (813) 326-0749, or Daryl Hancock at (863) 670-2332.

FRIDAY, APRIL 28

PLANT CITY MAIN STREET FOOD TRUCK RALLY Takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 28, at the corner of Drane and North Palmer streets in Historic Downtown Plant City. Enjoy food from The Twisted Iron, The Poutine Truck, Whatever Pops, Around the

World Burgers, Fritan’Go Food Truck and more. The monthly event is held in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally and Plant City Main Street.

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

PREGNANCY CARE CENTER GRAND RE-OPENING Begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at Pregnancy Care Center, 304 N. Collins St. The grand re-opening will include a ribbon cutting ceremony and the center’s 25-year anniversary celebration. Call (813) 759-0886.

SUNDAY, APRIL 30

5TH SUNDAY HYMNSING Begins at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at First Church of God, 601 N. Gordon St. Hymns will be chosen by attendees, and the evening will include

KRAZY KUP LIVE MUSIC 8:33 to 10:33 p.m. Saturdays, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220.

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

PLANT CITY CONNECTIONS 8 a.m. Tuesdays, at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill, 106 State Road 60 E. This networking group hosts speakers each meeting. Facebook. com/groups/pcityconnections.

PLANT CITY DAYBREAK ROTARY CLUB 7 a.m. Mondays at South Florida Baptist Hospital’s Community Conference Room, 301 N. Alexander St.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Gerald E. Beaty Gerald E. Beaty, 81, of Plant City, died April 6, 2017.

He was born July 28, 1935. He was retired from the Hillsborough County Road Department and was a longtime ambassador for Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens. He was a graduate of Plant City High School, and was a longtime member of Plant City Church of Christ. He loved God and his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, yard work, good food, telling stories and the company of friends. He never met a stranger and will be missed by all who were fortunate to know him.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 60 years, June; children, Keith Beaty (Tonya) and Polly Wiggins (Joey); grandchildren, Stephen Wiggins (Rebecca Watts) and Kayle Donnell (Myles); siblings, Jean Blake, Jimmy Beaty, Martha Canady, and Frances Beaty; stepmother, Louise Beaty; brother-in-law, Don Snellgrove; and many other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Beaty and Elna B. Hudson; stepfather, William O. Hudson; and brother, William “Pete” Hudson.

A celebration of life was held April 8, at Hopewell Funeral Home.

Committal followed at Hopewell Memorial Gardens, Plant City.

Online condolences can be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

Gordon G. Scudder Gordon G. Scudder, 72, of Plant City, died April 6, 2017.

He was born in Patriot, Indiana on Sept. 25, 1944. He was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served in the Vietnam War. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, LaDona Scudder; children, Sheila Davenport (Ron), of Tampa, Herman Scudder, of Plant City, Mary Jewel Scudder (Ken Sumner), of Dover and Aaron Scudder (Jessica), of Lakeland; five sisters; seven grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren.

A service was held April 14, at Hopewell Funeral Home in Plant City.

Burial with military honors followed at Florida National Cem-

Mallory Elizabeth Samuel “Sam” Small

etery, Bushnell.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

Roger Spence Roger Spence, 75, of Plant City, died April 7, 2017.

He was born June 6, 1941, in Logan, West Virginia.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carole Muncy Spence; daughters, Tina Webb (Gregg), of Valrico and Pamela Stacy of Mann, West Virginia; grandchildren, Dylan Webb and Bayli Webb, of Valrico and Candace Stacy of Mann, West Virginia; greatgranddaughter, Sophia Castle, of Mann, West Virginia; siblings, Teddy Spence (Diana), of Ohio, Tracy Spence (Judy), of Ohio, Bill Spence (Amanda) of West Virginia and Wanda Pavich, of Illinois; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A celebration of life was held April 13, at First Baptist Church Dover.

Committal followed at Dover Cemetery, Dover.

Online condolences can be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

Charles E. Crowell Charles E. Crowell, 70, died April 8, 2017.

He is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Areita Crowell; children, Jerry Crowell, of Modesto, California, Janet Crowell of Ohio, Traci Tybring (James) of Brandon, Eric Reynolds (Shanee), of Dade City and Cheyenne Reagan (Ryan); siblings, Evelyn Messer, of Old Fort, Tennessee, Elizabeth Kincaid, of Riverview, Eddie Crowell and Elaine Crain (Skip), of Sun City; grandchildren, Amanda Hooper, Jeremy Crowell, Brianna Rojas, Jordin and Cardin Reynolds and Mason, Mitchell and Mylo Reagan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Melzie Crowell; brother, Eugene Crowell; sister, Ellen Crowell; and daughter, Nikiya Fowler.

A celebration of life was held April 14, at Wells Memorial Funeral Home and Event Center in Plant City.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Mallory Elizabeth Samuel “Sam” Small, 52, of Plant City, died Feb. 5, 2017.

She was born Nov. 9, 1964, in Nashua, New Hampshire. She loved to spend time with her family, play school, watch Disney movies and classic TV reruns, dance and sing karaoke. She also participated in Special Olympics, specializing in soccer skills. She was a friend to everyone she met and touched the lives of so many, like only an angel could do. She was a shadow to her sister, Kim, and was a precious gift to her family. She gave so much love unconditionally. She will be missed and loved through eternity.

She is survived by her loving siblings, Kathy Handley (Arthur), George Long, Linda Munn (Steven), Suzanne Small (Al), Kimberly Terrell (George), Craig Small, Mike Small, Victoria Austin (George), Asbury Small and Matthew Small.

She is also survived by many special loving cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and many devoted caring and loving friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Malcolm and Dorothy Small.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Divita Dialysis Center in Plant City, Sunshine Lines and Dr. Gimness for taking special care of her.

A celebration of life was held Feb. 11, at Hopewell Funeral Home in Plant City.

Internment followed at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

sisters, Jessica Nichols, Paisley Hall, Payton Leske and Mackenzie Hardt; aunt, Laurie Bruce; uncle, Gary Carpenter; cousins, Danny Rae Morris and Skyla Bruce.

A celebration of life will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, April 21, at Wells Memorial Funeral Home, 1903 W. Reynolds St. Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Walter E. ‘Wally’ Moon Walter E. “Wally” Moon, 78, of Durant, died April 8, 2017.

He was born Jan. 12, 1939, in Fitchville, Ohio. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, and retired from commercial construction. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Assembly of God in Durant and Bellefontaine First Family Assembly of God. He loved his church and family. He enjoyed fishing and his volunteer work with RV MAPS. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lenora R. Wacker Moon; sons, Gregory E. Moon (Lucia), of Bellefontaine, Jeffery E. Moon (Paula), of Titusville and Eric W. Moon (Keven), of Bellefontaine; grandchildren, Emily Moon, Aaron Moon, Rebecca Christenson (Chris), Jonathan Moon, Melanie Moon, Heather Moon, and Reuben Moon; and siblings, Mary Lou Coffin, Linda Turner, Clarence Moon and Michael Moon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Moon Sr. and Laura Moon; and sister, Dawn Shinsky.

Online condolences may be left at HopewellFuneral.com.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

11

Milton Varn Milton Varn, 63, of Plant City, died April 15, 2017.

A native of Plant City, he was the son of Lamar and Martha Holbrook Varn. He was a cowboy with the Rockin V Ranch and a member of the local Iron Workers Union.

He is survived by his mother; and son, James L. Varn.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Rockin V Ranch, 5501 Varn Road, Plant City, Florida 33563.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome. com.

Perry Varn Sr. Perry Varn Sr., 66, of Plant City, died April 15, 2017.

A native of Plant City, he was the son of Lamar and Martha Holbrook Varn. He was a member of Faith Temple Assembly of God. He was in the Army National Guard and was a rancher with the Rockin V Ranch. He was a member of the local Iron Workers Union and enjoyed hunting and motorcycles, especially dirt bikes.

He is survived by his mother; children, P.J. Varn Jr. (Leslie), Matthew John Varn (Christina), Krystle Leiann Ross (David), Zeb Earl Varn and Cade Magnum Varn; and five grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at Faith Assembly of God, 4240 North Frontage Road, Plant City.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome. com.

Wayne Larry Hall Wayne Larry Hall, 20, of Plant City, died April 6, 2017.

He enjoyed playing basketball and video games. He also loved being a bartender at Twisted Sisters Bar and Grill in Valrico. The love of his life was his daughter, Arianna.

He is survived by his daughter, Arianna; parents, Jennifer Nichols and Wayne Hall; stepfather, Thomas Nichols; maternal and paternal grandparents; brothers, Kenny Martin, Caleb Alred, Brendan Brown and Ethan Brown;

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APRIL 21, 2017

SPORTS

“It’s been a solid season. I wasn’t really expecting to break my own record at UF, so I was really happy.”

— Cassie Highsmith is a record-setting runner. PAGE 14.

Do you have a good sports scoop for us?

Email Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

Plant City-Alonso game to be televised On Saturday, April 22, the Plant City Raiders will show their stuff on live television.

Spectrum Sports will air the Raiders’ home game against TampaAlonso, which will begin at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on channel 1147, and also can be live-streamed at MySpectrumSports.com.

Baseball scores TUESDAY, APRIL 18

Durant (H) 10, Armwood 0 Plant City (H) 5, Leto 4 (9 innings) Plant (H) 8, Strawberry Crest 0

Softball scores TUESDAY, APRIL 18

Durant (H) 8, Armwood 1 Plant City (H) 8, Leto 0 Plant (H) 3, Strawberry Crest 1

UPCOMING GAMES:

TUESDAY, APRIL 25:

Chamberlain @ Durant, 7 p.m.

Plant City @ Spoto, 7 p.m.

Strawberry Crest @ Tampa Bay Tech, 7 p.m.

DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS

8A-4 softball (Strawberry Crest) @ Wharton, Tuesday, April 25, 5 p.m.

8A-6 softball (Durant, Plant City) @ Bloomingdale, Tuesday, April 25, 6 p.m.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? JUSTIN KLINE

Athletes offer weekly advice Justin Kline discusses one of his favorite questions to ask in Athlete of the Week interviews.

W

hen you encounter someone successful, no matter what field they’re successful in, it never hurts to ask for advice.

As someone who asks people questions for a living, I’m a firm believer in that idea. There’s always something you can learn from someone else, whether it’s what to do or what not to do. But, even though we adults are going to spend a lot of time learning new things in our careers, I’d say there’s no time more important to seek advice than childhood.

That’s why I often like to ask kids — especially high school athletes — for advice. It’s not so much for my benefit, though, as it is a way to show Athlete of the Week readers how these kids work.

I try to make Athlete of the Week as merit-based as possible for two reasons: so that each recipient sees their selection as something to be proud of, and so that readers see the feature as something to take more seriously than just a photo op for a small-town paper. I really want young athletes to read the feature, especially when the recipients have much to say, and aspire to get better at their own sports.

With those younger readers in mind, I like to ask athletes to tell me the best advice they’ve ever gotten from a coach, teacher, parent or family member.

Sometimes, the answers I get concern the sports themselves. I’ve had plenty of kids tell me about technique advice from a coach that helped them take their game to the next level, or about a new way to see what’s happening on the playing field and make better decisions.

There aren’t always memorable

SWITCHING LANES Photos courtesy of Ryan Keel

Aidan Keel is testing Formula Continental cars.

Local race car driver Aidan Keel is hoping to race openwheel cars competitively by the end of the year.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Aidan Keel, who will turn 16 in two weeks, will soon be able to take the Florida Driving Test for his license.

But, a daily driver isn’t the only car Keel is learning about these days.

The Plant City teen is wrapping up an eight-year career of racing minimax go-karts, and is now transitioning to open-wheel cars.

“The speed, just the whole car working … it’s a big jump up from karts,” Keel says.

Keel last competed in the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour, most recently placing fourth in the X30 Junior division race in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday, March 4.

Though he says he may still join the occasional kart race to stay sharp, Keel is committed to making the jump to the next level now that he meets the minimum age requirement.

Last week, Keel traveled to Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina, to get a feel for open wheels.

He rented a Formula Continental car from LTD Motorsports and completed several 10-minute sessions on the track, which Keel described as experiences unlike his karting days.

“It took one or two (sessions) to get fully up to speed and have enough confidence to go as fast as I knew I could,” Keel says.

Mini-max karts, which are lighter and offer the driver more physical freedom with less resistance, top out at 70 to 80 miles per hour. Cars like Keel’s, which had a 150 horsepower, 2000cc engine, top out around 130 miles per hour — nearly twice as fast

as what he was used to.

“The kart was much smaller and you could make it do whatever you wanted it to,” Keel said. “The car is much larger and it takes more strength to control it.”

Due to the larger size of the Continental car, Keel is spending more time running and exercising so that he can meet the new physical demands.

According to Keel, though, the biggest learning curve came with the new transmission. His mini-max go-karts have been single-speed, requiring no extra work, but he has to learn how to get comfortable with a four-speed manual transmission.

Fortunately for him, LTD Motorsports was willing to help him learn.

“The team helped us out a lot and helped me get acquainted with the car,” Keel says. “It was a great experience.”

Keel’s plan is to test more frequent-

ly — not always out of state, though — until he grows comfortable enough to make his next move. His racing schedule is currently wide open, though he says he hopes to be racing cars by the end of this year. As with the karts, Keel’s Continental career could take him around the United States and to other continents.

Keel says he would take an opportunity to try NASCAR-style stock cars if it presented itself, but that his primary goal is to be like the formula car drivers he grew up watching.

“I’ve always grown up watching F1 and IndyCar,” Keel says. “My family, we’ve always followed these series.

It’s just what I enjoy doing more than the other types of cars. I’ve always done it, and it’s what I love.”

Aidan Keel is a longtime go-kart racer.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

Playoff Bound Plant City’s 19-13 win over Bloomingdale secured the team a playoff spot.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Before last week, Bloomingdale’s flag football team was undefeated and Plant City’s was trying to lock up a playoff spot before it was too late.

When the two met at 1 Raider Place on Thursday, April 13, the Raiders pulled it off. Thanks in part to East Bay’s Tuesday, April 11, win over the Bulls, Plant City’s 19-13 overtime win secured the team a playoff spot and a share of second place in the district.

Plant City was in control for much of the game, starting with Lacey Hargrove’s catch-and-run touchdown in Justin Kline

SEE KLINE PAGE 13

SEE FLAG PAGE 13

Plant City’s defense stifled Bloomingdale’s offense.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FOCUS ON FITNESS

DR. JENNIFER CLOSSHEY

|

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

13

Time for New Glasses?

Dr. Jennifer Closshey follows up on Plant Citians’ health goals.

Remember those New Year’s resolutions you either made or thought about back in January? About 40% of people consider making New Year’s resolutions. These aspirations are usually things we know we should do, and that we know would make us better off if tackled.

Research shows over 90% of all resolutions made for the first day of the year are abandoned and forgotten within the first three months. So, here we are in April, and I thought we should look at how some Plant City residents are doing on their 2017 goals. Here are observations based on the sampling of people who responded to my inquiry.

NUMBER ONE GOAL: LOSE WEIGHT

Plant City folks wanted to lose weight. Across the board, this goal was on everyone’s list.

The results are impressive: everyone who set losing weight as their goal lost some. In fact, one woman has lost 40 pounds since New Year’s Day. The average weight loss from this sampling was 11.4 pounds. I compare this to carrying around two large sacks of sugar, plus a pound of butter, all day. Think how bulky this would be. Try shoving two sacks of sugar under your clothes and hiding that butter so it does not stick out.

So, losing 11.4 pounds is great news for your joints — especially the knees and hips.

HOW DID THEY DO IT?

Exercise, combined with a better diet, worked for everyone. No one accomplished their goal with only exercise or dieting.

One woman I know of had increased her exercise the previous

START RIGHT FOR SUCCESS 1. Set achievable goals that are measurable. Do you want to lose 10 pounds or 20?

2. Determine an action plan to make it happen. Do you want to join the local gym or work out with a friend?

3. Write down your goal and action plan to share with a friend. Who will you be most accountable to as you stay on track?

4. Monitor your progress daily and keep your friend updated.

Will you text or call them?

5. Access your progress in three months and let me know how it is going.

year, but did not lose weight. Her doctor recommended staying the course with the exercise, but changing her diet. She minimized carbohydrates while increasing her protein and veggies this year. It’s worked: she lost 15 pounds in about 10 weeks.

Others joined with friends and family in activities they all enjoyed.

One father spends more time with his son at the gym. Both have lost weight and are stronger and trimmer. Plus, they have a greater family connection now, which is especially important for them to have before the son graduates and heads off to college. It won’t be long before they will have to buy new clothes to replace the older, larger items. How many of us would enjoy being able to make this claim?

OBSTACLES BE DARNED

The youngest respondent claimed homework as an obstacle to exer-

cise, but there were plenty of other obstacles, as well. Being tired after long hours at work, business travel, and childcare were mentioned as adding challenges to exercise. One couple joined the YMCA, where their children could stay in the Kid Zone while mom enjoyed her group exercise classes and dad pumped iron. Both added treadmills and elliptical machines into their weight loss programs. These are great plans to work exercise into their day.

Food selection was a bigger problem than cutting back on how much was eaten. One woman wakes at 3:30 a.m. each day for work. If she didn’t prepare her meals the night before work, she got off track and lost focus. Others had to be very selective about restaurant choices when they went out with friends or business associates. It sounds like everyone found a solution to the diet obstacles too.

YOU CAN DO IT

This small survey of Plant City people does not meet scientific validation requirements. But, it does share real life, honest examples of people who took their future into their own hands.

These people worked around their situations to accomplish their goals of losing weight. They all seemed proud of it — and rightfully so. If others here at home can do it, so can the rest of us.

Set your goals today. It’s not January 1, but it’s still the perfect time to set resolutions for your health’s sake.

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the first quarter that helped the team take a 7-0 lead. Though the Raiders wouldn’t score again until the fourth quarter, the offense produced long drives to eat up the clock and the defense kept Bloomingdale’s dangerous offense in check.

The Bulls’ luck turned around at the end of the third quarter, when the offense managed to drive into the red zone and score a rushing touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. Fortunately for the Raiders, Holly Eddins answered back with a long touchdown catch and run of her own, though the extra point attempt failed.

Plant City’s 13-7 lead was erased by a Bloomingdale touchdown pass with 30 seconds left in the quarter, though the Bulls’ attempt to float a pass for the extra point was no good.

In overtime, Bloomingdale got the ball first but blew its chance to win with an end zone interception. On the ensuing drive, Plant City clawed its way to fourth down and short, where quarterback Alicia Zarate iced the game with a plunge into the end zone.

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “We should stop doing those things that are destructive to the environment ... figure out new ways of existing.” – Moby Puzzle Two Solution: “The ... sensation I got looking at the Earth was, ‘My God, that little thing is so fragile out there!’”

– Astronaut Mike Collins

This week’s Sudoku answers Photos by Justin Kline

Above: Lacey Hargrove evaded a defender.

Left: Alicia Zarate led the Raiders to victory.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

©2017 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Crossword answers WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? FROM KLINE PAGE 12

quotes there, as in other areas, but no one should ever turn down good performance advice.

Many athletes also talk about team play, telling me what a coach says about finding the right mentality to play team sports and contribute to something bigger than the individual. Or, they’ll tell me about lessons learned from older classmates that have since graduated and made an impact while on the team. I love when kids tell me about the classmates they looked up to, because every team needs a strong leader on the roster that the kids can relate to.

One comment in particular that

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FROM FLAG PAGE 12

JUSTIN KLINE

stands out to me came back in November 2016, courtesy of Plant City multi-sport athlete Holly Eddins: “Follow your heart. The world’s tough out there, and you’ve got to be you and do what you love.”

I think we would all do well to heed those words.

In my office, I have a small whiteboard mounted on the wall facing my desk. Taking a leaf from Woody Paige, whose chalkboard has long been featured on ESPN’s Around the Horn, I often like to write witty and/ or inspirational quotes on it. Anything to either make whoever walks in here crack a smile or take a second to think. Last week, I ran with one of my favorite quotes ever: sage

advice from Florida State University legend Bobby Bowden, who once said, “Don’t go to the grave with life unused.” As with the advice Eddins was given, I think Bowden’s words can apply to everyone.

We just need to make sure that, like many of our area’s high schoolers, we have someone wise in our corner to help us get through this thing called life.

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

Email: jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

2017

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

Cassie Highsmith

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Plant City High runner Cassie Highsmith, a veteran of the cross country and track and field scenes, is having a solid junior campaign.

Fresh off of breaking her own two-mile school record at the Thursday, March 30, Pepsi Florida Relays, Highsmith qualified for the Saturday, April 29, FHSAA regional competition in both the one and two-mile runs.

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

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How do you feel about your season thus far?

It’s been a solid season. I mean, my main goal is trying to stay healthy, and I was hoping to get some (personal records) toward the end of the season. I wasn’t really expecting to break my own record at UF, so I was really happy.

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How did you think you would do at UF? I thought I was going to do decent, since I ran counties two days before and my legs were kind of sore. There was a lot of good competition, which made me run so much faster.

What’s the best advice someone has given you?

Coach (Drew Martucci) always tells me to strive to be faster. Keep your head up. Even though there’s going to be injuries, or different struggles with drama or anything like that, he always encourages me to stay positive through everything.

And it went well.

Yes, it was very fun. Running the school record was just the cherry on top of everything.

Regionals are coming up pretty soon. What goals do you have set for that event?

My goals are to get another PR, which would be another school record, and if I do make it to states, that would be awesome. But my main goal is just to stay healthy until then and run a good time to finish off the season. Finish strong.

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You’ve got one year left. What are you hoping to accomplish by the end of high school?

I’m hoping to hold the record in the 5K, mile and the two-mile by the end of my high school career, and to finish off my senior year with PRs in all my events.

That’s a pretty big meet. What was the experience like?

It was really exciting. We went to UF for cross country and we didn’t race our best, so I was kind of nervous.

But, it was a fun trip up, and we got to look around the school a little bit when we were driving there. It was nerve-racking, running at a university — especially at a university that I want to go to.

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Which events are you competing in?

I’m running the two-mile. I qualified in the mile and the two-mile, but I’m going to scratch the mile so that I can focus all my energy on the two-mile, since they’re really close together. I enjoy the two-mile a lot more than the mile, anyway, and I think that’s my strong suit.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FORECAST

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

High: 92 Low: 64 Chance of rain: 10%

SATURDAY, APRIL 22 High: 91 Low: 66 Chance of rain: 10%

High: 89 Low: 66 Chance of rain: 20%

Friday, April 21

6:57a

7:57p

Saturday, April 22

6:56a

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Sunday, April 23

6:55a

7:58p

Monday, April 24

6:54a

7:59p

Tuesday, April 25

6:53a

7:59p

Wednesday, April 26

6:52a

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Thursday, April 27

6:51a

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ACROSS 1 Black eye 7 Mighty tree 10 Make a fast getaway 14 Stuck in ___ (going nowhere fast) 18 Back of a saddle seat 19 More prone to join an inner circle 21 Santa ___, Calif.

22 “I coulda been a contender” movie 24 Twin Mary-Kate or Ashley 25 Your competitor 26 Tooth on the rim of a gear wheel 27 Properly space text 28 Formally make a new law 29 Holiday purchase 30 Faithfulness, in wedding vows 33 Room for priestly robes 36 Ebenezer Scrooge’s exclamation 37 Kind of swing or fad ring 39 Put on the payroll 41 Shed tool 42 Name of several Norwegian royals 44 Cooks eggs, in a way 46 Lasting introduction?

47 Deceased 48 Large arm bone 49 Reporter’s jottings 50 Inspired wonder 51 Extremely heavy drinkers 52 Eyelid sores 53 Common transporter 54 “The thing I have in my hands” 55 Good thing to bring to the dinner table 57 Historic introduction 58 Cameron of Hollywood 59 More guileful 60 Beacon the typing instructor 63 Willfully breaking the Commandments 65 Opposite word 67 Ad makers 69 Little boulder 70 Offshore hazards 71 Real endings 73 Chinese “way” 74 Citizen or dweller 76 Tough, heavy responsibility 77 Weightlifter’s maneuver, sometimes 78 Rulers no more 81 Nitwit of a bird?

82 FBI operative in the field 83 “May the ___ be with you” 84 23222Soft or hard suffix 85 Big, clumsy goofballs 86 Musical piece for two 87 Was a wanderer 88 Food morsels 89 “___ Framed Roger Rabbit” (film) 90 Shout of joy in a church?

91 Marine flier 92 “___ Pupil” (Ian McKellen film) 93 Garden hose feature

CXSC SVJ YJACVEMCTNJ CZ CXJ JLNTVZLGJLC ... DTWEVJ ZEC LJP PSBA ZD JRTACTLW.” – GZIB Puzzle One Clue: M equals C

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Les Cole captured this photo in Walden Lake after his dog, Daisy, spooked some nearby birds.

Les wins this week’s I Love Plant City photo contest.

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.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

Maryland Ave.

I LOVE PLANT CITY

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95 Actually get out of bed 97 Beaver’s production 100 Palms yielding starches 102 Stable bits?

104 “___ on a Hot Tin Roof” 105 Third part of a trilogy 106 Easy play for a catcher 107 “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up” movie 112 Twosomes in the news 113 Type of legal hearing 114 High society group 115 Infield protector 116 Common linking words 117 Old-school “Far out!”

118 Most devious DOWN 1 Laugh in a mocking manner 2 Capital city of Vietnam 3 On-again, off-again 4 “To the ___ degree” (mathematics term) 5 Ones with the legal right to vote 6 Puts another way, in writing 7 Mo. that has a scary last day

8 Drink with darts, often 9 Enterprise captain 10 Like minks, famously 11 “Mane” zoo attractions 12 Hallow end 13 What makes Rob so formal?

14 “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night” movie 15 What Elmer tries to call Bugs?

16 A wood finish, with “poly” 17 Neutral color 20 Acute illness resembling influenza 21 Jailed one 23 “Long, long ___ ...”

28 Got a good look at 31 “I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore” movie 32 Busy, insect-infested places 34 “I’ll be back” movie 35 Celebrity slam-fest with jokes 38 Cookie jar denizen, sometimes 40 Cardinal color 43 “___ in victory” (early school lesson) 44 Football center’s responsi-

bilities 45 “The ___ upon us” (time to act) 47 One of Snow White’s seven 50 “Now I see!”

51 Whirls around 52 Male deer 54 Some roofing or flooring pieces 55 High up, floating among the clouds 56 Some mosque officials 58 Beach mounds 59 Dictation expert of old 61 Go-between 62 Very difficult to find 64 “My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates” movie 66 Requirements 68 Like a team of oxen 72 Earth’s brightest light 75 Potato state 76 Alpha’s opposite 77 ___ of Arc 78 Couple’s number 79 Former home of the Circus

Hall of Fame 80 High-quality sketching material 82 Colt .45 or rifle 83 Act the seer 85 Has complete possession of 86 One seeking to lose weight 87 Thrift store deals 90 Uses TNT 94 Divided into precise districts 96 Hosp. section with many IVs 98 Buenos ___ 99 In the ___ of (surrounded by) 101 Saturn’s wife 103 Blend with a spoon 106 Orchestra’s place 107 Whirlpool place 108 Huge coffee server 109 Cote quote 110 Approaching 100 111 Seven on a sundial

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

PlantCityObserver.com

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