05.23.13 Plant City Observer

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SPORTS CONTEST

Thousands get down and dirty at first MudZilla.

Cougars reflect See inside for on historic this week’s photo state run. contest winner.

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education

OUR TOWN

PAGE 13

business

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

by the Observer Staff

Red Rose Inn & Suites, other assets to be sold

+ Daybreak Rotary recognizes Fisher

Assets owned by the Madonia family and East Coast Brokers and Packers Inc. will be sold as part of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

At the Daybreak Rotary Club’s meeting May 20, President Rob Evans presented Leon Fisher with the prestigious Paul Harris Award.

Fisher is a food and nutrition coordinator at South Florida Baptist Hospital, where he has worked for nine years.

“I just love making people happy,” Fisher says. “I treat every function as my own. I give it my all.”

+ Hope laces up for Moffitt walk/run Twenty-one members from Hope Lutheran Church of Plant City pounded the pavement May 11, at the annual Miles for Moffitt benefit walk/run.

While the majority of Team Hope either walked or ran the 5K, some also participated in the five-mile run/ walk. Hope’s team raised just under $900 to benefit cancer research at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center.

+ Seminary to host fish fry The Evangelical University & Seminary will host its third annual Memorial Day Fish Fry from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

May 27, at the Fellowship Hall of Plant City’s First Baptist Church, 503 N. Palmer St. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children under 12. They may be purchased at offices of First Baptist Church and Evangelical Presbyterian Church or onsite.

HEADS OF THE CLASS Amber Jurgensen

Plant City’s valedictorians — Sarah Winters (Plant City High), Jacob Bernier (Durant), Exor SerranoArce, center, and Rahul Patel (both Strawberry Crest) — are all well-rounded students.

Meet the valedictorians of the Class of 2013 from Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest high schools.

It’s a night students will never forget. Dressed in gleaming gowns boasting their school colors, more than 1,500 Plant City students will turn their tassels June 3, 4 and 6.

But four students will stand out from the sea of mortar boards. Representing Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest high schools, four valedictorians will give their commencement speeches and forever be remembered as part of their respective school’s rich history.

DURANT

Jacob Bernier GPA: 6.87 Jacob Bernier had no idea who was going to be this year’s valedictorian at Durant High

School. Along with his girlfriend and a mutual friend, the trio were in the top five and made a guess about the final order.

“I was excited,” Bernier said of learning of his No. 1 status. “We had the order completely backward.”

Throughout his high school career, Bernier took Advanced Placement classes. Even after he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes his sophomore year, Bernier continued to challenge himself academically.

With his favorite subject as science, he plans to major in physics at Florida State University. He was accepted into the honors program, with an academic scholarship. He is considering becoming a professor

but hasn’t set his mind on a career yet.

In addition to academics, Bernier volunteers at Metropolitan Ministries, Relay for Life and tutors students in math.

PLANT CITY

Sarah Renee Winters GPA: 7.77 Who says girls don’t like math and science? For Sarah Renee Winters, math is her favorite subject. Her goal is to become a financial analyst for a major company.

To that end, this fall, Winters will begin classes at University of Florida to study finance and economics.

SEE VALEDICTORIANS / PAGE 2

INDEX Classifieds............14

The Red Rose Inn & Suites is officially for sale.

Murray Wise Associates, the agricultural real estate marketing and financial advisory firm assisting East Coast Brokers and Packers Inc. and the Madonia family with their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, announced May 20, a series of four sealed bid offerings.

Murray Wise, in cooperation with Winter Haven-based Crosby and Associates Inc., is handling the sales.

In addition to the Red Rose, the sales will include farms, packing houses, labor camps, a former Bible college and a number of other properties.

Each group of assets will have a sealed bid submission date, followed by a court-supervised auction for qualified bidders.

“After two years of freezes on its Florida farms, a hurricane on its Virginia farms in 2011 and years of challenges resulting from years of cheap imports, a Chapter 11 filing was needed to provide the Madonia family an opportunity to sell assets in an organized fashion,” said Ken Nofziger, president of Murray Wise Associates. “This process will provide enough liquidity to satisfy creditors and allow the

SEE RED ROSE / PAGE 2

File photo

The Red Rose Inn & Suites soon could have a new owner.

Vol. 1, No. 47 | One section

Crossword.............13

Obituaries...............8

Sports.....................9 PlantCityObserver.com

2 PlantCityObserver.com VALEDICTORIANS/PAGE 1 “I’m happy to have been able to accomplish so much,” Winters said. “I’m excited to go to my dream school.”

Although math is considered a left-brain function, the valedictorian doesn’t let her creative side go unnoticed. Through her highschool career, she’s helped with the theater department’s productions, including “Grease” and “The Wizard of Oz.” Her favorite volunteer activity is spending time with her best buddy, Matthew, through the Best Buddies program. The two have been inseparable since her sophomore year.

“It’s one of those things that I love,” Winters said.

While in school, Winters dualenrolled in Hillsborough Community College and took Advance Placement classes at her high school.

STRAWBERRY CREST

Exor Serrano-Arce GPA: 6.39, traditional Exor Serrano-Arce spent the first two years of his high-school career running from academics.

He was on the cross country team at Armwood High School. Nothing could stop him from hitting the pavement — until he received a life-altering diagnosis.

His sophomore year, SerranoArce was diagnosed with lupus.

He wasn’t allowed to be out in the sun. It ended his running career.

“I thought my world ended, to be honest,” Serrano-Arce said.

“I knew I was mad. I was mad at God. But then, I stopped feeling bad for myself, started getting better, and my grades shot up.”

When he transferred to Strawberry Crest his junior year, the guidance counselor told him he

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, may 23, 2013

PLANT CITY PRIDE

In addition to the valedictorians at Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest, students with Plant City addresses this year also are taking top honors at Armwood, Chamberlain and Newpoint high schools.

Reece Dial GPA: 6.38 Armwood High School One of Reece Dial’s main pursuits is his mission work. He’s been to Costa Rica twice, Honduras and will venture to Uganda this summer with Baylife Church.

“The biggest thing I learned from missions is humility,” Dial said. “While we’re rich materialistically; they’re rich culturally and spiritually. We can look at them and say they’re impoverished, but they can look at us and say the same.”

Armwood’s valedictorian hopes to study missions after he gets a degree in civil engineering.

Dial has been accepted at the University of South Florida.

“I’m really thankful,” Dial said. was ranked No. 1 in his class.

“I didn’t want to go down,” Serrano-Arce said.

For two years, he stayed on top.

Now Serrano-Arce’s hard work has paid off. In the fall, he will attend the University of South Florida, with plans to be a pediatrician.

Rahul Patel GPA: 7.66, IB Rahul Patel always has loved world history. His parents, who are from India and England, instilled that passion through travel.

They have taken trips all over the

“I feel like I was just doing what I was supposed to.”

Rachel Dwyer Chamberlain High School GPA: 7.0 As part of a competitive academic program, Rachel Dwyer was required to take multiple Advanced Placement classes and complete a community-service project. So, the Walden Lake resident attended Chamberlain, where she took 14 Advanced Placement classes.

She also spent weeks gathering presents for U.S. Marines stationed in Afghanistan.

“I know a lot of people in the service, specifically, my softball coach, who has told us how tough it is over there,” Dwyer said.

Dwyer has played softball since she 6 and starred as a pitcher on the Chamberlain team. Last year, she was part of the team that won the state championship.

She will continue using her talents in softball at the University of Virginia. At college, Dwyer will be studying pre-med biology. world — from the Netherlands to Mexico. But this fall, Patel will make one of the biggest moves of his life.

Patel will be attending the University of Florida. The Strawberry Crest valedictorian was accepted to the honors program and hopes to study international relations and finance. From there, he plans to earn a master’s degree in corporate or international law.

“I just want to thank God, my friends, my family, teachers and coaches for my success,” Patel said.

Patel balanced soccer and aca-

Sera Moore Newpoint High School GPA: 5.44 It was Sera Moore’s secondgrade teacher at Central Baptist Christian School that inspired her to pursue a career in education. That dream will come true for Moore this fall.

Moore will be attending Florida Southern College, in Lakeland. As the valedictorian of Newpoint, in Valrico, Moore was accepted into the honors program, where she will study elementary education.

“I’m looking forward to finding out who I really am and exploring the world in a different way,” Moore said.

After taking honors and Advanced Placement classes, Moore will graduate with some college credits.

In addition to academics, Moore plays “almost every sport known to man.”

“This is an amazing school,” Moore said of Newpoint. “I probably wouldn’t be valedictorian without the teachers, school — and especially friends and my family.” demics while in high school. He was captain on the school’s soccer team for three years, playing a total of four.

He also took the IB track.

“It was challenging to balance school, family, religion, athletics and friends,” Patel said.

Patel is ready for the next step.

And spoken like a true Gator, Patel is ready for Gainesville’s favorite pastime.

“I’m pretty excited — especially for the football games.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

RED ROSE/PAGE 1 Madonia family to reorganize and carry on its operations.

“Because of the sheer size and diversity, we will offer these properties in groupings and provide detailed information to interested bidders,” he said.

The packages include: • More than 7,000 acres of Florida farm and development land in Hillsborough, Polk, Martin and Manatee counties; two packing houses; a former Bible college; and several labor camps.

Bids will be due by 5 p.m.

Thursday, June 20.

• Thirteen farms, totaling about 3,000 acres; four packing houses; seven labor camps; and several homes in Accomack and Northampton counties, in Virginia. Bids will be due by 5 p.m. Thursday, June 20.

• The Red Rose Inn and Suites, in Plant City, along with luxury condominiums in Naples and Stuart, as well as other houses and properties not directly related to the tomato business. Bids will be due by 5 p.m. Friday, July 5.

• Commercial and residential buildings in Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, including warehouse and cold-storage facilities, industrial and residential lots, and several luxury homes. Bids will be due by 5 p.m. Friday, July 5.

Individuals interested in additional information about the properties should visit murraywiseassociates. com or call (800) 607-6888.

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THURSDAY, may 23, 2013

memorial day

3

missing person

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Band to plug in for veterans Have you

by Michael Eng | Managing Editor

Ace Jackson and the Jump Kings will perform a special concert for veterans at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital’s Haley’s Cove Community Living Center.

Ace Jackson and the Jump Kings will perform this weekend for an extra-special audience.

The Plant City-based band will bring its unique repertoire of roots swing May 25, to James A. Haley Veterans Hospital’s Haley’s Cove Community Living Center, for a special Memorial Day concert for veterans and residents.

“Giving feels good,” Paul “Woody” Woods said. “What a better way to celebrate Memorial Day? Some people go to the beach or a baseball game. But, we wanted to go out of our way.”

This isn’t the first time the band has used its talent to give back. During a concert at the hospital last fall, they caught the attention of one patient. He was a veteran with dementia. The nurses said he would sit alone for hours without even moving a finger.

But during the concert, he began tapping his hand against the table.

“It’s amazing to see what these guys do when they hear songs from their youth,” Woods said. “It’s really an emotional experience when dealing with these guys. Music really does transcend people and time.”

Veterans who will attend the concert include recently wounded veterans from the

Middle East to World War II veterans.

In addition to the concert, the veterans will be treated to a cookout.

The band has played at numerous venues and events, including the Plant City Greater Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Pig Jam. Lead guitarist and vocalist Jeff “Ace” Jackson started the band with Woods, bassist and vocalist; drummer Keith Buckingham; and keyboardist Carlton Cunningham.

Jackson and Woods were in a country band together previously. When they realized they loved music from the 1940s and 1950s era, they split off to form the current band.

“We figured if the Rolling Stones were influenced by Chuck Berry, who influenced Chuck?” Woods said. “It opened up a big world of music to us.”

Jackson recruited his old college roommate, Cunningham to play. Shortly after, Buckingham joined.

“We’re too old and ugly to be rock ‘n’ roll stars,” Woods said. “So, we play what we love, and we’re thankful people love it.”

With the band members ranging from age 50 to 60, Woods said they were the generation between wars that didn’t get to experience what some of the veterans have.

Misti Whitfield, daughter of Cuzzins Bar owner Sharon Ardelean, has been missing since May 1.

Courtesy photo

Ace Jackson and the Jump Kings perform roots swing.

“The best way to use our gifts that God has given us is to give back to our nation,” Woods said. “It’s the right thing to do.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@ plantcityobserver.com.

ALL DRESSED UP

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

These students were the life of the party.

DANCEFEVER

Tomlin Middle School eighth-graders enjoyed a saccharine sweet evening May 18, at their spring dance.

Guys and gals dressed in their very best, enjoying dancing and food in the deco-

seen this woman?

rated school cafeteria.

The theme of the dance was “Candy Land.” Students entered into the cafeteria through a balloon tunnel, following a colorful trail similar to the classic board game.

Irene Castillo and Efren Amador

As far as Sharon Ardelean knows, her daughter has just vanished.

Misti Whitfield, 35, was last seen at about midnight May 1, at or near Nautical Marine, 5525 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. According to Ardelean, owner of Cuzzins Bar, in Plant City, Whitfield had an altercation with an individual at that address and has not been seen since.

“I went there personally and talked to the last person to see her,” she said. “She came on a bicycle, and the bicycle was still there.”

Ardelean is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads her to her daughter.

Whitfield, who grew up in Plant City, has battled drug addiction for 18 years.

She’s been to rehab multiple times, and her arrest record includes charges such as drug possession, burglary and manufacturing of a controlled substance.

Because of this, Ardelean doesn’t know whether her daughter is missing Misti Whitfield because of foul play or by choice. She is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to finding her daughter. She’s also utilized both her and her daughter’s Facebook pages to connect with friends — and possibly even Whitfield herself.

Ardelean wrote: “Misti, if you can read this, I love you more than my own life. I know you know this, but if not, I’m screaming it to you now! Please come home to me! I will help you — whatever it takes and for ever how long. There is no reason to be ashamed. Your road has been long and hard and ... not fair.

“I am here to take your hand and walk the rest of that road with you,” she wrote. “I will pick you up and bring you home and never let you go again. ... This, I promise. If you can read this, please don’t make me wait too long.”

Ardelean said she knew something was wrong when she didn’t hear from Whitfield. Ardelean has custody of Whitfield’s 12-year-old son, and Whitfield called every one or two days to talk.

“For over a year and a half, she would call, without fail,” Ardelean said.

Tampa Police Department is handling Whitfield’s disappearance as a missing persons case, Andrea Davis, spokeswoman for the police department, said.

“She’s in our systems as a missing person, so if she comes in contact with any law enforcement in the country, she’ll come up as missing from Tampa,” she said.

Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.

ABOUT WHITFIELD

Students dressed in their very best.

Skyla Bruce and Naomi Ash

Misti Whitfield, born July 7, 1977, is 5-foot-7, 140 pounds with red or strawberry blond hair and hazel eyes.

She also has a tattoo of a gecko.

Anyone with information should contact Tampa Police Department Det. Sarah Price, (813) 276-3200.

The family also asks that readers share this information on their social-media accounts.

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THURSDAY, may 23, 2013

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NEWSBRIEFS + Driver dies in school bus crash on Sam Allen Road One Plant City man died after his pickup collided with a school bus carrying three Plant City High School students.

According to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports, James Allen Flint, 65, of Plant City, was driving his 2001 Ford truck at about 4 p.m. May 17, eastbound on Sam Allen Road. He failed to stop at the stop sign at Wilder Road and entered the intersection.

He struck a Hillsborough County school bus traveling south on Wilder Road, causing the bus to overturn.

Flint died at the scene.

In addition to school bus driver Phyllis Meachum, 66, also of Plant City, the bus was carrying three students from Plant City High. Two were transported to South Florida Baptist Hospital with minor injuries and later released to their parents. The driver of the bus sustained minor injuries, was treated at the scene and released.

Blood was taken from Meachum, but there is no indication she was under the influence of any alcohol or drugs. The blood-alcohol content of Flint is pending autopsy.

+ Plant City plaza part of $1.46B acquisition An Ohio-based real-estate investment trust acquired 30 shopping centers nationwide, including three on the Gulf Coast, in a $1.46 billion deal announced last week.

The Beachwood, Ohio-based DDR Corp. had owned parts of the centers in a joint venture agreement with Blackstone Group LP, a New York-based private equity firm. But in what DDR officials call an effort to generate cash flow, the firm acquired Blackstone’s 95% ownership stake in 30 of the centers, spread from Minnesota to Texas. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

The Gulf Coast properties include: • Lake Walden Square, Plant City: Center is 257,000 square feet and includes a Premier Cinemas and a PetSmart, scheduled to open this summer; • Lake Brandon Village, Brandon: Center is 244,000 square feet and includes a Lowe’s, PetSmart and Buybuy Baby; and • Carillon Place, Naples: Center is 283,000 square feet and includes a Walmart Neighborhood Market, Total Wine & More and a Pier 1 Imports.

+ Higgenbotham to host Plant City auction Higgenbotham Auctioneers International will host an absolute auction at 11 a.m. June 6, at 2811 Airport Road, Plant City.

Situated on about seven acres, the 21,914-square-foot refrigeration and drystorage facility includes 9,200 square feet of cooler space, two buildings, dry storage space and furnished office space.

A preview will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 30.

+ Man arrested with gun at Turkey Creek Middle Bruce Hicks, 46, of Plant City, was arrested May 16, for possessing a .32-caliber handgun while on a middle school campus.

According to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports, at about 4 p.m., Turkey Creek Middle School Resource Deputy Patrick Diaz and Principal Dennis Mayo were outside of the school monitoring students in the parent pick-up line. Diaz then spotted Hicks, of Plant City, walking along Connell Road, next to the school. He was pushing a dolly, which had a plastic toy car attached. Diaz spotted what appeared to be small firearm holstered on his left hip.

As Hicks continued walking, Diaz called for Hicks, who turned around, stepping on the grass of the school’s property. Upon initial contact with Hicks, he stated there was a $250 fine for every 15 minutes of unlawful detention. He stated he is a sovereign citizen and is not subject to the laws of the United States or Hillsborough County.

Diaz asked him if he was carrying a firearm, and Hicks stated he was and repeated that he was not subject to laws.

Diaz then seized Hicks’ Davis Industries two-shot handgun. There were two live cartridges in the barrels.

Hicks was transported to a Hillsborough County jail without incident.

Stephen Hegarty, communications officer for Hillsborough County Public Schools, said the district notified parents May 17, through an automated call. Because Hicks “showed no signs that he intended to go to the school,” Turkey Creek was not placed on lockdown, he said. “(Because) there was no disruption to the school, nor any danger to the students and staff, it’s a judgment call,” Hegarty said. “The principal made that judgment call and notified families, basically to thank the deputy for working every day to keep everyone safe.”

Hicks has an extensive criminal history, including lewd or lascivious molestation of victims under 18.

The FBI considers sovereign-citizen extremists as a domestic terrorist movement, which, scattered across the United States, has existed for decades.

Sovereign citizens do not represent an anarchist group, nor are they a militia, although they sometimes use or buy illegal weapons. Rather, they operate as individuals without established leadership and only come together in loosely affiliated groups to train, help each other with paperwork or socialize and talk about their ideology.

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PLANT CITY

“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

Founding Publisher / Felix Haynes General Manager and Managing Editor / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver. com Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editors / (Community) Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@ PlantCityObserver.com; (Sports) Matt Mauney, mmauney@PlantCityObserver. com Advertising Executive / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Coordinator / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com Accounting Manager / Petra Kirkland, pkirkland@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising-Production Operations Manager / Kathy Payne, kpayne@ yourobserver.com Advertising-Production Coordinator / Brooke Schultheis, bschultheis@ yourobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Monica DiMattei, mdimattei@yourobserver. com; Marjorie Holloway, mholloway@ yourobserver.com; Jim Knake, jknake@ yourobserver.com; Luis Trujillo, ltrujillo@ yourobserver.com; Chris Stolz, cstolz@ yourobserver.com

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

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, may 23, 2013

PAST & PRESENCE

Examining Plant City’s black heritage A historical marker was dedi— the Antioch Baptist Church, cated to the Bealsville commuin Bealsville (1868), and the Allen nity May 13, sponsored by the Chapel of the African Methodist Hillsborough County Historical Episcopal Church (1893), in the Advisory Council. Bealsville was Laura Street community. founded by freed slaves in 1865, The next layer of the communiafter the end of the Civil War. Let’s ties’ foundations was the schools. take a look at two signifiBealsville was first named cant black communities in Howell’s Creek, in honor the Plant City area. of the assistance received We have recently come from the Howell family. It across a 2005 thesis writwas later called Antioch. ten by Mark W. Kerlin, a Shortly after the construcgraduate student at the tion of Antioch Baptist University of Central Church in 1868, a school Florida, titled “Plant City, was started inside the Florida, 1885-1940: A church building. In 1875, GIL Study in Southern Urban the community residents GOTT Development.” built a one-room log Following the Civil War, cabin school. Antioch the Reconstruction effort that Baptist Church, its school and sought to repair the damages of cemetery were constructed on war and return governmental land donated by Alfred Beal, and entities, society and the economy in 1923, it became Bealsville. to a state of relative normalcy Following the Allen Chapel began to fade. The end of Reconbuild in 1893, the Laura Street struction began the unraveling of community also opened a school, gains the black population had which was operating as early as achieved since the end of the war 1898. The community school conin 1865. Also with the end of war, tinued in operation until about Florida became the only frontier 1909 to 1914, when the first pubarea east of the Mississippi. lic school for blacks was built in Kerlin wrote: “Because of segPlant City. This school evolved in regation and its marginalizing ef1920, into Midway Academy. The fect, the story of black communischool continued to evolve, and ties, which grew in the shadows of the higher grades became Marthe dominant white community, shall High School in 1949, and were often left unrecorded.” later, the lower grades became It is notable that because of Lincoln Elementary School. segregation, blacks “were relativeBy 1932, Bealsville organized to ly free from white interference, build a new school. They raised where they could develop their more than $1,100 and, with the own communities, economically partnership of the school board, and culturally,” he wrote. “Plant built a three-room school on 10 City’s black community reflects acres donated by William Glover. both the initiative and inventiveThe school was later renamed ness of its citizens and the opGlover School and operated as a pression of segregation.” school for blacks until about 1972.

This is seen both in the agriculBy the mid-1900s, these two tural-based Bealsville community communities had developed their and the economically mixed own characteristics and institucommunity that sprouted around tions. Bealsville was primarily the Laura Street business district. agricultural, and the Laura Street By the late 1800s, there were community had its own comclear signs of the institutional demerce — restaurants, theaters, velopment of separate black com- grocery stores, barbers and hair munities. Their major foundasalons, rooming houses, bars tions were built around churches and night clubs, a black Masonic

lodge, a funeral home, a taxi service, churches and more.

Many residents of these communities attended local schools, developed professional careers and became prominent citizens.

Two examples are Elijah Lutrell Bing Jr. and Dr. Sam Horton Jr. Bing was born in the Laura Street community about 1921 and attended Midway Academy. Because there was no further education available for blacks locally, he attended junior high school in Jacksonville while living with relatives. He returned to Plant City and completed high school in Lakeland. Bing served in the U.S. Army and, upon his return, completed his undergraduate education at Florida A&M University. He received his master’s degree in education at Columbia University, in New York.

Bing returned to Plant City and served as principal from 1949 to 1954, at the Glover School, and then from 1954 to 1967, at the all-black Marshall High School.

Bing was named in 1967 director of federal projects for the Hillsborough district and became an assistant school superintendent.

Bing also was appointed to a vacancy on the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners.

Horton was born in 1929 and grew up in Bealsville. He attended the Glover School then Midway Academy. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University and later completed his doctoral studies at Nova Southeastern University.

Horton taught in local schools from 1949 until 1965, when he became principal at Lincoln. When Bing left Marshall to take the district position, Horton took over as principal at Marshall, where he implemented the integration program. In 1978, Horton was appointed general director for secondary education for Hillsborough. He retired in 1991.

In addition to these two men, the communities of Bealsville and Laura Street are memorial-

dirty deeds

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Photos courtesy of the Plant City Photo Archives

Dr. Sam Horton

Elijah L. Bing ized by two structures: the Glover School, in Bealsville, and the Bing Rooming House at Allen and Laura streets. These two men and two structures are symbolic of the spirit and the culture of the historically significant communities of Bealsville and Laura Street.

Sources: James W. Loewen, Lies My Teacher Told Me; Quintilla Geer Bruton and David E. Bailey, Plant City; Its Origin and History; Mark W. Kerlin, Plant City, Florida, 1885-1940: A Study in Southern Urban Development; U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places; the Tampa Tribune; Tampa Bay Times; Plant City Photo Archives and History Center.

Gil Gott is executive director of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center.

by Michael Eng | Managing Editor

Call Veronica Prostko at 704-6850.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

We want to hear from you. Let us know about your community events, celebrations and family member achievements. To contact us, send your information via: Email: Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com

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

The Plant City Observer LLC Locally Owned

Publisher of the Plant City Observer and PlantCityObserver.com

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

110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100A Plant City, Fla. 813-704-6850 www.PlantCityObserver.com ©Copyright Plant City Observer LLC 2012 All Rights Reserved

Team Dirty Girlz had a blast at this year’s MudZilla.

MudZilla lives up to its name Thrill-seekers from throughout the region flocked to Plant City May 18, for a down and dirty experience at MudZilla.

The self-proclaimed “Godzilla of mud races” took participants through five kilometers of treacherous terrain and 25 obstacles, in-

cluding slides, mud pits and much more.

Funds raised benefited The Youth Alliance, which offers anti-bullying campaigns and other presentations in schools.

For more information, visit mudzillamudrun.com or theyouthalliance.com.

Left: Jordan Villegas gave MudZilla a thumbs up.

Dylan Evensen showed off his guns.

REAL ESTATE

7

ATTENTION Homeowners:

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Alexander Woods wins Parade of Homes award

Have you recently been denied Homeowner’s Insurance?

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!!!

The development sat vacant for years, before the county and Florida Home Partnership brought it back to life.

P werful

also features a cabana and porch area. Residents also will enjoy a playground, along with a maintenance-free contract.

In total, there will be 80 units divided into 15 buildings on the 6-acre property.

The five townhome floorplans range from $85,000 to $105,000.

“We’ve been wanting to work on townhomes for a while,” Pfeiffer said.

The Maple, a two-bedroom, two-andone-half-bath home, and The Cypress, a three-bedroom, two-bath home, are plans from the previous developer. Both feature 19-foot ceilings and big windows in the living room area, as well as a small loft.

The three other plans, which range from two-bedroom, two-and-one-half-bath homes to three-bedroom, two-and-onehalf-bath homes, are more energy efficient.

“One of our major goals was to make the homes have energy affordability,” Pfeiffer said.

Other changes to the newer models include more space. The loft has been extended over the living room to create more room upstairs and decrease window size.

Pfeiffer said the development should be finished in 2014.

“We like to raise the bar a little bit, and it works,” Pfeiffer said. “People are under the illusion that low-income developments look a certain way. But they don’t have to.”

There are already nine units waiting to close. The majority of the clients are single buyers or young families.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@ plantcityobserver.com.

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What was once an abandoned development is now a Parade of Homes award-winning community.

Alexander Woods, situated behind Plant City High School, has won the Grand Award for homes priced less than $151,000 in the Tampa Bay Parade of Homes.

Hillsborough County purchased the community in August 2010, for $1,034,500.

The county then approached the Florida Home Partnership with a request for proposal to develop the community.

FHP is a non-profit homebuilder that offers homeownership opportunities to lowand moderate-income first-time homebuyers through the USDA Mutual Self-Help Housing Program.

“I think it’s great,” FHP Executive Director Earl Pfeiffer said of the award. “To be a non-profit, it’s pretty exciting. We were up against national builders like DR Horton.”

Partnering with the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, FHP took over the townhome development about a year ago.

“The program does two things: helps with buyers down payments and closing costs and also ensures that unfinished developments don’t sit as blight,” Realtor Nancy Griffin said.

There already were two buildings constructed before the previous developer went into foreclosure. FHP is constructing three more buildings, with plans to start a fourth within the next month. FHP also is working to finish the pool and clubhouse by mid-summer. The clubhouse has a catering kitchen and bar area. The pool area

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8 PlantCityObserver.com

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, may 23, 2013

OBSERVEROBITUARIES Curtis E. Brown, 74, of Plant City, died May 16, 2013.

He was born Aug. 20, 1938, in Athens, Ala., to the late Mack and Clora Richardson Brown.

Mr. Brown had been a qualitycontrol inspector with Redman Mobile Homes, was an assistant manager with Eckerd Drug Stores and had worked at A and N Furniture Store. He was an avid reader and enjoyed history and his solitude.

Survivors include his son, Curtis Wayne Brown; daughters, Rhonda Brown, Deborah BrownConde (Rubin); friend Faye Brown; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome. com.

Joel Brand Laseter

Joel Brand Laseter, 95, died May 16, 2013, at the family home, in Plant City.

Mr. Laseter was born on Dec. 5, 1917, in Birmingham, Ala. In 1941, he married his college sweetheart, Martha Moody, of Plant City. They

were married 72 years.

While attending Georgia Tech, Mr. Laseter was a Naval ROTC Cadet and member of the Yellow Jackets football team. In 1939, Brand joined the U.S. Marines and became an aviation pioneer.

He flew Corsairs and commanded a squadron of B-25s in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He recently told his family he had instructed Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle in the skill of night fighting.

He also served in China and the Pacific Theater G-2 Section, in Hawaii.

After the war, he assisted with the repatriation of prisoners of war to China, Japan, Russia and the United States. As a major, he continued to serve in China after the war and assisted with efforts to re-establish China’s presence in world banking. He became a manufacturer’s representative and later founded several businesses in the pipe and pipe-fitting extrusion industry.

Mr. Laseter was an elder and active member of First Presbyterian Church of Plant City. He served on many committees of the Pres-

bytery of Tampa Bay. He made his homes in Plant City and in Highlands, N.C. An avid international traveler, he visited move than 80 countries and all seven continents. At 85, he traveled to Antarctica and is thought to be the oldest person to have visited the United States Research Station at the geographic South Pole.

The following year, he boarded an ice-breaker and visited the North Pole. He celebrated his 90th birthday with his family in Myanmar — formerly Burma — so he could see the bases that sent planes “Over the Hump” to supply him while he served in China.

He frequently visited the game camps in Botswana and other parts of Africa.

The Laseters’ children include Peggy Lee, of Plant City, Betsy and Marc Hehn, of Summerville, S.C., and Jean and John Hehn, of Plant City. Survivors also include nine grandchildren; 11 greatgrandchildren; and son-in-law Bud Lee. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to

Wyley F. Johnson A/C & Heating Inc.

Flag Day Thursday

June 14

CAC1817268

Roberto Lopez, 26, of Plant City died May 17, 2013.

Born June 11, 1986, he was the son of Roman and Laura Campos Lopez. He was the husband of Rosa Linda Guerrero Lopez.

Roberto loved the outdoors, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and attended church at Torres Furrett, in Dover.

Survivors include sons, Joey Robert Lopez and Lyrick Lopez; brother, Gilbert Lopez; and sisters, Dulce Lopez and Anna Garza. He also is survived by many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews, and a host of other loving family members.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome. com.

Harold E. Prine

Harold E. Prine, 54, died May 17, 2013, at home.

He was born Oct. 2, 1958, to Emmett and Hazel (Henry) Prine, in Plant City. He married Jean S. (Wier).

Genevieve A. Whaley

Genevieve A. Whaley, 76, died May 15, 2013, in Zephryhills.

She was born Jan. 28, 1937, in Plant City.

Mrs. Whaley is survived by her husband, C.W. Whaley; sons, Danny Whaley and Troy Lee Whaley; daughters, Wanda Coleman and Robin Orange; brother, Leonard Barfield; sisters, Joyce Clark and Willie Mae Hartford; eight grandchildren; and 12 greatgrandchildren.

Online condolences may be made at wellsmemorial.com.

Christian Business

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14th as Flag Day. This day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States.

In 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.

The United States Army also celebrates its birthday on this day in June.

According to the U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter I Section 8(j) says “The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.”

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Roberto Lopez

Mr. Prine was an honorable veteran of the U.S. Air Force and worked at the Mosaic Company for more than 28 years.

Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Jean; two daughters, Lauren Miller (Mike) and Gina Passarella; a brother, Gerald Prine; two sisters, Rita Henderson (Ken) and Gloria Cowden (Danny); and five grandchildren, Luke, Bocephus, Alicia, Brianna and Travis.

The family asks that memorials be made to Good Shepard Hospice, 1239 E. Main St., Suite 3, Bartow, FL 33830.

Online condolences may be made at wellsmemorial.com.

The City Of Plant City will conduct smoke testing on the mainline sewer system in the Sugarcreek Subdivision starting June 3, 2013 Thru June 13, 2013.

If you have any questions please contact Eddie Lancaster at 813-757-9288 ext. 4725 When the honor guard correctly folds the American Flag (as seen in military funerals) 13 times, there is a reason for each fold.

1st fold 2nd fold 3rd fold 4th fold 5th fold 6th fold 7th fold 8th fold 9th fold 10th fold 11th fold

12th fold 13th fold

Represents a symbol of life Our belief in eternal life Honor and remembrance of vet Our weaker nature and trust in God Tribute to our country Where our hearts lie Tribute to our Armed Forces One who enters into the valley of the shadow of death Tribute to womanhood and Mothers Tribute of father Represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit “In God We Trust”

La ciudad de planta realizará pruebas de humo en el sistema de alcantarillado principal en la subdivisión de Sugarcreek a partir de 03 de junio de 2013 a través de 13 de junio, 2013. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta póngase en contacto con Eddie Lancaster at 813-757-9288 ext. 4725.

112811

Curtis E. Brown

the Wounded Warriors Project at woundedwarriorsproject.org.

Online condolences may be made at hopewellfuneral.com.

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today.

The colors of the American Flag also have meaning …

RED — Valor and Hardiness WHITE — Innocence and Purity BLUE — Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice The FLAG CODE allows any deceased to be allowed to have the flag adorning a coffin.

Veterans are the most common to flag theirs, but anyone is allowed to use the flag in this manner.

Since 1999, Haught Funeral Home has been assisting families during their loss of a loved one with interment in these area cemeteries:

Tim & Jo Haught

Antioch • Bethlehem Hopewell Memorial Gardens Hopewell Church Cemetery Pelote • Oaklawn • Memorial Park Mt. Enon • Springhead • Shiloh

Serving Plant City and East Hillsborough County

708 W. Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd. • Plant City, FL 33563 813-717-9300 www.haughtfuneralhome.com 111122

We will replace worn and tattered flags for proper retirement. No charge for the first 100 guests from 1-4 p.m. on June 14th.

Katherine, David & Cynthia Wolf

Sports

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

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Paxton Sims a two-sport threat for Cougars. 12

PLANTCITYObserver.com

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

SPRING FOOTBALL

Spring football offers early evaluation

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. May 23 WHERE: Armwood High School; 12000 U.S. 92, Seffner DETAILS: Plant City vs.

Durant in the first half, and Strawberry Crest vs.

Armwood in the second

Plant City will face Durant in the first half, and Strawberry Crest will face Armwood in the second, when Armwood hosts the three Plant City-area schools.

File photo

Plant City High School’s team will feature a crop of Division I talent this year.

It may be for only two quarters, but Plant City’s three high school football teams this week will be playing against someone other than themselves for the first time in 2013.

Armwood High will host the 2013 Spring Jamboree, which will feature all three Plant City schools. Rivals Plant City and Durant will face off in the first half, while Strawberry Crest will play host Armwood in the second.

The games come a week removed from the team’s spring scrimmages, after spring practice began at the beginning of May. This year’s jamboree is unique,

SHOW ME THE MAUNEY

because it will allow the three Plant City schools to see each other before they square off this fall in district play. An offseason realignment by the FHSAA put Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest in the same class and district (Class 7A District 8) for the first time.

“We’ve been beating on each other for the last three weeks, so it will be nice to line up and hit someone else for a change,” Durant head coach Mike Gottman said. “Emotions should be high, (because) we’re playing Plant City, even with it being a spring game.”

The Cougars are coming off their best season in program his-

baseball

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

No shame for Durant as runner-up I’ve always hated the term “overachieving” in a sports conversation.

It’s often used to refer to teams that exceeded expectations, whether that may be having an above .500 season or winning a championship.

But, it discredits teams. If a team does something that some view as “overachieving,” I see it as realizing the team’s true potential. If they achieved it, obviously, they MATT were capable MAUNEY of doing so.

This is why I don’t place that derogatory term on the Durant baseball team.

Although I’ve had conversations with those that label the Cougars as such, they lived up to what they were capable of achieving this season — a historic campaign that will go down as one of the most successful Durant teams in program history.

This Durant team proves that baseball isn’t about what team has the most talent but rather what team rises to the occasion and plays as one. Every player on the Cougars played their role to a tee this season — whether it be as a pinch runner or as the ace of the pitching staff — and it got them a few runs away from the program’s first state championship.

The historic postseason run is something these players won’t ever forget — even without bringing home a state title. Al-

SEE MAUNEY / PAGE 11

tory, after finishing the 2012 regular season 10-0 and advancing to the district semifinals, where they lost to Newsome. Durant lost some key players on defense and its offensive line, but its biggest loss was in its backfield with fullback Jamarlon Hamilton. Rising junior tailback Crispian Atkins will carry a lot of the load. Kadarius Griffin is one of the options to replace Hamilton at fullback.

“I want to see if we made progress from the beginning of spring

‘‘

SEE SPRING FOOTBALL / PAGE 11

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Comments after Durant’s state semifinal against American and final with Lake Brantley.

“This season was just a great building season to show that we don’t need 11 or 12 seniors out there to have success.”

— Durant head coach Butch Valdes

“I couldn’t ask for a better school to go to for the last four years.

To be a part of a team that made history is something special. This team will go down in the record books as one of the best teams to ever play at Durant.”

— Senior Tyler Danish

ONE

GAME AWAY

After its most successful season in school history, Durant returned from Fort Myers as the Class 8A state runner-up, after losing to Lake Brantley in the championship.

The Durant baseball team fell short of winning the program’s first state championship May 18, losing to Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs) 8-3 in the Class 8A state championship at jetBlue Park, in Fort Myers.

Lake Brantley out-hit the Cougars 12-7 in the game and built an early four-run lead that Durant couldn’t overcome.

Durant ends the season 25-6 overall, after winning the program’s first region championship and advancing to the state final four for the first time.

“You’re talking about a team that had four seniors, and they scrapped together, obviously, with a big horse behind them, but they got a good taste of getting this far,” Durant head coach Butch Valdes

“Couldn’t be more proud of my team. I’ll carry the memories I’ve made with Durant baseball with me for the rest of my life. I love y’all.”

— Senior Ryan Sullivan, via Twitter

File photo

Tyler Danish, left, ended his prep career with a state-title run.

Top: Corey Hamm was safe on this play.

said of his club. “They got a taste of it and found out that if they work together and pull together, they can get far.”

Durant will lose seniors Jared Donini, Chaz Fowler, Ryan Sullivan and Tyler Danish, a University of Florida commit who had one of the best seasons of any player in the country. Danish pitched a complete-game shutout in the

SEE DURANT / PAGE 10

‘‘

SPRING PREVIEW

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013

“This experience was outstanding. To be a part of a team like this and to be able to accomplish what we did makes me so proud of this team.”

— Junior Luke Heyer “It kind of hurts when people say we’re a oneman show, because we know that everybody plays a part,” — Ryan Sullivan, in a press conference after the American win

“He’s the best I’ve ever seen or faced.”

— American High pitcher Ron Williams, on Tyler Danish

10 PlantCityObserver.com

put a ring on it! by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Turkey Creek JV receives rings for perfect season

“When we got down 4-0, it felt like we were down 10-0.”

—American coach Ricky Gutierrez, after his team lost to Durant 6-0 in the state semifinals with ace Tyler Danish on the mound

After going 17-0 last season, the Turkey Creek Junior Varsity team purchased rings to remind players of its historic season.

DURANT / 9 state semifinals against American High, striking out nine while allowing just one hit.

The ace finished his high school career with 148 strikeouts opposed to just 15 walks and had a 15-1 record with an astonishing 0.00 ERA. He also hit for a .411 average and had 27 RBI and nine home runs, including a homer in his final at-bat at home and one over the Green Monster at jetBlue Park in the state semifinals.

Fowler, a senior left-hander, received the loss on the mound for Durant in the title game, giving up five runs (three earned) on five hits in 2.1 innings pitched. Junior Luke Heyer came in to relieve Fowler, throwing 3.2 innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits.

Durant’s plan was to have Fowler pitch the first four innings and give Danish the ball to close. The early deficit foiled that plan.

“We put Luke in, knowing that if

July4

Celebration

2013

6 to 9:30 p.m. | Plant city stadium | 1810 e. Park road, Plant city

Presented by The City of Plant City Recreation and Parks Department The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce The Florida Strawberry Festival

Free admission 5

$ Parking oPens at 5:45 p.m.

Grand Fireworks show Begins at 9:15 p.m.

we held close enough, he was going to hold on until TD could come in,” Valdes said of the change of strategy.

“We had to supply the runs though, and we weren’t pumping them out like we should have been, but they were making some good plays, and you just have to tip your hat to them.”

Danish did come in to pitch in the seventh with Durant trailing 7-3. Lake Brantley scored a run on a sac fly to extend its lead to five. Danish inherited the runner from Heyer, so the Cougars’ ace ended the season with his 0.00 ERA in tact.

Danish is committed to the Gators, but his plans could change as the MLB draft approaches.

Durant will return a solid group, including Heyer and Paxton Sims, who went 6-for-7 in the state tournament.

Sims had three hits in the championship game. Donini was the only other Durant Cougar with more than one hit in the final game.

Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.

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“It’s hard to be the guy that everyone looks up to and the guy the other team wants to beat, but I think I did an amazing job of keeping focused and just playing the way I always play and play my way.”

— Tyler Danish on the pressures of being a standout.

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 THURSDAY, 13th of JUNE 2013 @ 10:00 AM. OR ANY DATE THERE IN AFTER. Lori Alexander-Hsld gds • Charles Box Jr.-Hsld gds • Rachel Christie-Hsld gds Rene De La Fuenta-Box truck YEAR: 1990 MAKE: GMC VIN: 1GDJ7H1P5LJ604549 Gerald Dicken-Hsld gds Thomas Fouts-Motor vehicle- YEAR: 1986 MAKE: FORD VIN: 1FTEF14N7GNA17570 Geomap- Survey Equip, Company records Geomap- Vessel-YEAR: 1984 MAKE: MAK 2 HIN: MAK228260284 Geomap- Vessel- YEAR: 1995 MAKE: YSI 1 HIN: YSIA0352I495 Wendy Mitchell-Vehicle YEAR: 1992 MAKE: SHAST VIN: 1TS2B1451N9003239

Live music Fun For the kids

“That automatically became one of my most memorable home runs.”

— Tyler Danish, on hitting a two-run homer over the 37foot Green Monster in the state semifinals at jetBlue Park, the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox.

112715

Matt Mauney

The Turkey Creek JV players now has some bling to remind them of their undefeated season.

Matt Mauney

Chaz Fowler is one of four seniors on Durant High School’s baseball squad. The left-hander finished with a 1.87 ERA.

“There’s not a complete district out there that we feel is comparable to the one we play.”

— Durant head coach Butch Valdes on the tough competition in Class 8A District 7

110216

Trojans JV have played at Raymond James and the third consecutive year, but it was their first win in the Gameday of Champions.

Members of the team, coaches and parents gathered at the Trojans home field off Connell Road in Plant City Thursday for the ring presentation. The top of the rings are inscribed with “Superbowl Champions,” and the sides read, “One Team One Goal 17-0” and “Gameday of Champions 2012.”

2000 East Baker St. Plant City, FL 33563

at Jarrett-Scott Ford

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

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One of the most successful youth football teams in the area in 2012 received rings May16, to commemorate its historic season.

The Turkey Creek Trojans Junior Varsity team went a perfect 17-0 last fall, beating the Plant City Dolphins 34-8 in the Super Bowl, before capping the season off with a 24-21 win over the Nuccio Jaguars, in the Gameday of Champions, held annually at Raymond James Stadium.

This was the fourth time the

‘‘ Plant city observer

THURSDAY, may 23, 2013

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, may 23, 2013

11

MAUNEY / 9 though there were tears and disappointment after Durant’s loss to Lake Brantley in the finals, the good memories certainly outweigh the bad.

I wrote last week that the Cougars were more than their star pitcher, Tyler Danish. After spending the weekend covering Durant in Fort Myers, I stand by that statement.

It was reaffirmed for me by Danish himself, when a reporter from the Miami Herald asked him if he ever feels like Durant is a “one-man team” in a press conference after the Cougars’ 6-0 state semifinal win over American High, a Miami-area school.

“Last time I checked, I didn’t have 12 hits today, and I didn’t score six runs,” Danish said.

It’s this kind of modesty you hope for in a talented young prospect. It was the reporter’s first time seeing Danish play and pitch, but with Danish sitting at a table with his head coach and three teammates, it wasn’t the time to ask such a question. Danish was quick to shoot down the “oneman” label, and it struck a chord with the players in the room.

Players such as Danish are rare at the high school level.

Durant has been fortunate to have had one in the past with Ryan Rayburn — now playing with the Cleveland Indians.

After finishing his senior season with a 0.00 ERA and memorable at-bats that include home runs in his final game at Durant and one over the 37-foot Green Monster at jetBlue Park last weekend, Danish will leave quite a legacy at Durant. Still, this season was more than No. 7.

With just four seniors, Durant will return a solid group next season. Not having the pitching dominance and power at the plate from Danish obviously will be missed, but no one should count the Cougars out of the playoff or even the state-championship picture in 2014.

If anything, this experience was beneficial for rising seniors Paxton Sims and Luke Heyer. As head coach Butch Valdes put it, it gave the team a “taste” of what’s possible.

That doesn’t die with Danish’s graduation.

The Cougars didn’t overachieve this season. If anything, they underachieved, given the team chemistry and fight I saw them. Lake Brantley was the better team May 18, but Durant was certainly capable of hoisting a state trophy with the players it had.

And yes, even with everything said, having Danish didn’t hurt, either.

Running back Chris Perez should be a key player for the Chargers.

We’re growing a future for creatures great and small.

That’s our promise.

As Mosaic produces essential phosphate crop nutrients to help the world grow the food it needs, our 3,000-plus Florida employees are

to where we are now,” Gottman said about the jamboree.

“I want to see good execution and high emotions and just play hard-nosed football.”

For Plant City, they will get to evaluate several new names at different positions.

According to head coach Wayne Ward, rising senior Landon Galloway won’t play in the jamboree due to a dislocated shoulder injury. Galloway is expected to start at quarterback this fall after playing wide receiver in 2012.

Rayquan Johnson will get the majority of snaps Thursday.

The Raiders return a lot of talent, including highly recruited players in Montel McBride and Sedrick King.

“This will give us a chance to see some of our young guys in action,” Ward said. “We’re going to run our base offense and defense, but it will be a lot different than what you saw on film last year.”

For Strawberry Crest, which will be moving up a class to join Durant and Plant City, Thursday’s jamboree will be a good measuring tool for how the program has progressed under head coach John Kelly.

“It will be a great test for us against Armwood,” Kelly said.

“Last year was about getting the kids to believe in themselves. Now, we want to continue that confidence level and come out and compete.”

The Chargers will be breaking in several new players on defense, especially its linebacking core, which lost seniors Andrew Zuluaga, Jarrett Gretebeck and Michael Mitchell.

They will return quarterback Tristan Hyde, a rising junior, and rising senior wideout Alex Carswell, who already has several Division I offers, including his latest offer from Middle Tennessee State.

Kelly said there were six DI colleges at the Chargers spring scrimmage May 18 — the most ever in the young history of SCHS. “That’s big for us, because they’ll come to watch one guy and end up getting interested in others,” Kelly said. “It’s great exposure for our program.”

Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver. com.

unwavering in our commitment to wildlife stewardship. Mosaic has pioneered wildlife relocation techniques and created prime habitats, as well as financially supported wildlife rehabilitation and education.

We’ve worked with regulators to develop the largest scrub jay population in Southwest Florida; we’ve reclaimed numerous popular fishing lakes; and we own and help fund an island sanctuary that is home to as many as 18,000 pairs of native water birds. At Mosaic, we are dedicated to the protection of local wildlife, and equally dedicated to the creation of local jobs and economic opportunities.

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

Roseate Spoonbill Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary Hillsborough Bay, Florida

103299

SPRING FOOTBALL / 9

12 PlantCityObserver.com

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, may 23, 2013

battle of the bay by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

athlete of the week

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

PAXTON SIMS Paxton Sims wasted no time bouncing from one sport to another this week. The Durant junior went 6-for-7 at the plate in Durant’s two games of the state tournament last weekend, in Fort Myers. This week, he began football practice, preparing for his senior season as a tight end/slot receiver for the Cougars. He had a successful junior year, being a part of the 10-0 football team and making the state championship for baseball.

How long have you been playing baseball?

Since I was 8.

wanted to win that last game, but just to get to that point for a school that has never even made it to the state semifinals before was just a great feeling and a really good experience.

What about football?

Since I was 3, so 13 or 14 years.

The two Tampa Bay-area soccer clubs played a physical game.

VSI falls to Rowdies The Tampa Bay Rowdies minute, when Shawn laid claim to the Battle of Chin hooked up with JT the Bay as they defeated Noone for a goal.

VSI Tampa Bay FC 2-1 in A score by Georgi Hristhe Lamar Hunt U.S. Open tov late in the first half Cup May 21, at Plant City became the difference Stadium. in the game, though VSI The game was a physical had several chances and one between the two proshots on goal in the secfessional soccer clubs in the ond half.

Tampa Bay area, including a The loss eliminated penalty kick by both teams VSI from the Lamar Hunt in the first 20 minutes of U.S. Open Cup, the oldPhotos by Matt Mauney the first half. The Rowdies Alex Freitas battled hard for est ongoing national socare an established club in VSI Tampa Bay FC. cer competition in the the North American SocUnited States. The singlecer League, while VSI Tampa Bay FC are in elimination tournament is open to United their first professional season, competing States Soccer Federation-affiliated teams. in the United Soccer League, a step below This is the 100th anniversary of the cup. the NASL. VSI will return to USL PRO action against Stuart Campbell scored the first goal of the Wilmington Hammerheads at 7:30 p.m. the game in the 20th minute on the Row- May 26, at Plant City Stadium. Visit vsi-fc. dies’ penalty kick. VSI responded in the 26th com for tickets.

Is there one you prefer?

I used to not, but now that I’m getting older and looking into college, I would probably say baseball. I still love football just as much, but with the opportunities that have risen from both, baseball is a little more appealing.

What was this last baseball season like?

It was definitely special. It was probably the most tight-knit team I’ve ever been on. I have so many memories from this year that I’ll always remember.

We

What has this year been like with both sports?

It’s been really special. Not many people can say they’ve been a part of two teams that were that successful in the same year. After football, I was thinking how it could get any better than 10-0 and going to the playoffs, but baseball just topped it. Hopefully this fall, we can maybe top baseball and go to state and actually win it.

What do you credit to your success batting in the state tournament?

I was just seeing the ball really well.

I don’t know if it was the stadium or what it was, but I saw the ball well and got ahead in counts.

What are some goals for you going into your senior season of football?

I just want to make it memorable.

I want to win, obviously. We’ve won districts two years in a row, so winning again would be nice. My goals are more team oriented. I never go in trying to have a specific number of catches, yards or touchdowns. I’ll just do whatever the team needs me to do to win.

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Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, may 23, 2013

Plant City

RAIN

(inches)

Weather

WED.

May 15

0.00

THURS.

TemperatureS

May 17

0.00

SAT.

May 18

0.00

SUN.

May 19

High Low 90 70 91 68 90 66 82 63 90 64 86 72 88 72

sunrise/sunset times

0.00

MOON

Sunrise Sunset Thurs., May 23 6:35 a.m.

8:15 p.m.

Fri., May 24 6:35 a.m.

8:16 p.m.

Sat., May 25 6:34 a.m.

8:17 p.m.

Sun., May 26 6:34 a.m.

8:17 p.m.

Mon., May 27 6:34 a.m.

8:18 p.m.

Tues., May 28 6:33 a.m.

8:18 p.m.

Wed., May 29 6:33 a.m.

8:19 p.m.

MON.

May 20

0.22

TUES.

May 21

0.00

MAY

TO DATE

1.43 (2012: .67)

PHASES

May 18

I PC

May 25

GRAPE TOMATO PRICES

SHIPPING POINT: CENTRAL AND SOUTH FLORIDA PACKAGES 20-pound cartons loose 12 1-pint containers

YEAR

TO DATE 7.90 (2012: 3.01)

LOW $25.95 $13.95

HIGH $27.95 $14.95

Courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture

Community starts with neighbors who care.

May 31

May 9

PL E

Thurs., May 23 Fri., May 24 Sat., May 25 Sun., May 26 Mon., May 27 Tues., May 28 Wed., May 29

FRI.

Nestor Ruiz sent us this photo of the sun setting behind the treeline.

The Plant City Observer, State Farm Insurance agent Tony Lee and The Corner Store have partnered toTony hostLee the I Love Contest. Weekly winCLU, AgentPlant City Photo That’s what ourtotown ners will have their photo and receive a $10 gift certificate The 1702featured S Alexander Street is made of.

Plantphotos, City, FL with 33563a caption, to Managing Editor Michael Corner Store! Submit your Bus: 813-752-7202 has a long Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com; subject: I Love State Plant Farm® City. www.tonyleeagent.com

M

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May 16

heritage of helping out in the community. That’s why I’m proud to support Event/Charity.

Get to a better State .

Need someone that speaks fluent insurance?

I’m your agent for that.

1702 S Alexander Street Plant City, FL 33563

813-752-7202 www.tonyleeagent.com

O B S E RV E R C RO S S WO R D Edited by Timothy E. Parker

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ACROSS 1 Bit of reality?

5 Mutt’s partner in classic comics 9 Forrest’s friend 14 Johnny with a guitar 18 Hardly ruddy 19 French girl 20 Looked at provocatively 21 Pretentious 22 First prize at a fair 24 Rye alternative 26 “Daily Planet” photographer Jimmy 27 Flowing cravat 29 Chronological order 30 Some Wordsworth works 32 Magic images 34 Retract one’s words 35 Food of the gods 39 Require 40 Stable food?

41 Trunk of a tree 42 Drain blocker 44 Brewery kilns 46 H.S. facility 49 “Put ___ Happy Face” 50 Back at the front?

51 Water or gas carrier 52 German Mrs. 53 Loony one 55 The feminine side, in Chinese circles 56 “Caveman” star Ringo 58 Looks nastily 59 Loses control on ice, e.g.

61 What this puzzle’s theme is about 63 Bank deposit?

65 Dirty political attack 67 Kansas City baseball player 69 Gold Rush setting 70 Big beer glass

73 101, in a course name 75 Some Spanish Surrealist paintings 77 Adolescent years 78 Big name in retail jewelry 80 Treasure hunt aid 82 Drew, of fiction 84 Creme-filled chocolate cookie 85 “Mazes and Monsters” author Jaffe 86 North Carolina’s Fort ___ 88 “Next round’s on me!”

89 Cheerleader quality 90 African language group 91 Francis’ birthplace 93 1/3 of a WWII film title 94 West Wing underling 95 One-word advice 97 Sheet or pillowcase 99 Actress Nita who never made a talkie 101 Anyone’s game?

103 Frigg’s husband, in Norse myth 104 Carpenter’s tool 106 Left Bank “thanks” 108 Surmise 111 Row house genre 113 Like your average American?

116 Summit 117 Reacted with awe 118 Separate the strands of, as rope 119 The beginning of an invention 120 Gen. Lee, in brief 121 Unhip types 122 Jury member 123 Goof off

dOwn

1 Amount of hair

cream 2 Scandinavian seaport 3 Sabbath service site 4 It hurts to look at it 5 Forward sail 6 Exile island for Napoleon 7 Dentist’s advice 8 Parrying with a sword 9 Cummerbund accompanier 10 “That turns my stomach!”

11 Felicity 12 ___ noire 13 Nothing to write home about 14 Loving stroke 15 Big fight site 16 Keach of “Mike Hammer, Private Eye” 17 “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. ___” 19 Diplomacy 23 Change, as the decor 25 Balls fielded by the catcher, perhaps 28 Molding type 31 Alluvial 33 Drug used in treating Parkinsonism 35 Take ___ (accept applause) 36 Actress Freeman and author Simpson 37 Outcast of the family 38 Goldfinger’s first name 40 Bird that feeds mainly on fish 43 Charitable person 45 Snooty attitudes 46 Scallion 47 Ball in a sewing room 48 Is compelled to 50 Cowboy competitions 52 Thighbones (var.)

54 “The Mikado”

costume 56 Tofu beans, to a Brit 57 Syllables that often precede la’s 58 Fondness 60 Intro for Juan?

62 Brain or ear section 64 “Dragnet” theme syllable 66 Change from residential to commercial, say 68 An arm and a leg 70 What to do “in the name of love” 71 Parrot’s mandible covering 72 Go off on a tirade 74 West Indies native 76 Music for a movie 79 Magna cum ___ 81 Bygone Toyota model 83 Chinese currency 85 Big name in hotels 87 In a silly, woozy way 90 Obama’s VP 91 Singer Murray or author Rice 92 Boot holder 93 Cheap hat material?

94 Completely off-base 96 Taking prescribed drugs, informally 98 Flooring choice, for short 99 Prefix meaning “drug-related” 100 Manhattan Project project 101 Like a 120-min. movie 102 Acting assignment 104 Lake Tahoe lift 105 Dip ___ in (test) 107 Run in place 109 Edible root of the taro 110 Act dizzily 112 Flanders on “The Simpsons” 114 Setting for many jokes 115 ___ segno (from the repeat sign, in music)

CROSSWORD_052313

Thursday, May 23, 2013

EARLY DEADLINES for May 30th edition CLASSIFIED ADS - (No change) Deadline Tuesday, May 28th, 12:00pm SERVICE DIRECTORY - (Early deadline) Deadline Thursday, May 23rd, 12:00pm The Observer will be CLOSED Monday, May 27th for the Memorial Day Holiday.

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ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month, 15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising or garage sale advertising Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks.

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RAULERSON & COMPANY, P.A. Certified Public Accountants and Consultants Irene Castillo. Certified Public Accountant 813-752-6604 E-mail: irene@rccpas.biz See our ad in the Service directory

GAFFNEY EYE CLINIC 2002 S. Alexander St., Plant City Barry M. Gaffney, O.D., P.A. Jeremy H. Gaffney, O.D. 813-754-5464

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2013

This week’s Cryptogram answers 1. An after dinner speaker started off his remarks with this bombshell: “I have some bad news. I don’t know who you guys gave your cars to outside, but this place does not have valet parking.”

2. The whole airline industry has been unreliable recently. The local library is now listing their flight schedules under “light fiction.”

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