06.13.13 Plant City Observer

bserver O

PLANT CITY

You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.

ep

your

rsu

Jesse Jordan, a junior at Durant High School, was among 500 attendees at the United States Military Academy at West Point’s prestigious Summer Leaders Experience, which took place June 1 to 7, at the academy.

More than 4,000 juniors nationwide applied to SLE, which offers the opportunity to experience life at West Point. SLE attendees lived in the cadet barracks, ate in the Cadet Mess, and participated in academic, leadership, athletic, and military workshops. All SLE attendees participated in virtual-reality war simulation, and military and physical fitness training.

For more information about West Point, visit usma.edu/admissions.

a line

+ Hero in training

cast

OUR TOWN

es

PAGE 9

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

t

Plant City, Crest seniors celebrate commencement.

fina nc

SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE

rs alen ase al t ple loc ge ort alasupp

inside

date night

pu

evalu ate

FREE • thursday, JUNE 13, 2013

governance by Michael Eng | Managing Editor

Mathis selected as new mayor Mary Thomas Mathis becomes the second female mayor in Plant City’s history.

In her remarks following her appointment to the city’s top political post, Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis referenced a song from her favorite film, “The Lion King.”

It’s the Circle of Life And it moves us all Through despair and hope Through faith and love ‘Til we find our place On the path unwinding In the Circle The Circle of Life

After more than 12 years on the Plant City Commission, Mathis now is seated at the center of the commission dais.

Mathis was selected June 10, by her fellow city commissioners as Plant City’s major for 2013-14.

“This is part of my circle, so to all of you, thank you,” Mathis said of her appointment. “Everything happens for a reason, and everything happens in its due time. It’s

the open road

been 12-and-a-half years, but I’ve made it.”

Mathis served as vice mayor under outgoing Mayor Mike Sparkman in 2012-13. She is just the second female to serve as Plant City’s mayor. The first, Sadye Gibbs Martin, served as mayor for five terms.

“This (Plant City) is a place that has educated me in the school system. This is

SEE MATHIS / PAGE 2

Michael Eng

Mary T. Mathis took the oath of office with her husband, Tony, by her side.

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

+ All aboard!

The Plant City Train Viewing Platform Committee will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the new community amenity at 5:30 p.m. June 19, at 102 N. Palmer St., Historic Downtown Plant City.

Advocates hope to honor Plant City’s rich heritage as a railroad community with the new viewing platform, which they expect will draw more visitors to Plant City.

The committee hopes to have the project competed

by Christmas.

+ Car craze The Strawberry Classic Car Show, sponsored by the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, rolls into Plant City from 4 to 9 p.m. June 15, in Historic Downtown Plant City.

This month’s event will feature Camaros, Firebirds and GTOs. For more information, visit plantcity.org.

The two Plant City couples will take their bikes all the way to Alaska this summer.

ALL REVVED UP Two couples from Plant City will hit the highway on their motorcycles for the road trip of a lifetime.

Editor’s note: At the request of the sources in this story, the last names have been omitted to ensure safety of their homes and property.

Eddie is 74, but he’s not letting his age stop him from checking

off one impressive item from his bucket list.

Eddie, along with his wife, Marlena, nephew Danny and his wife, Kimberly, will be traveling to Alaska and back.

On motorcycles.

The journey measures a grueling 12,000 miles round trip.

But it’s something the seasoned rider has always wanted to try.

He barely had to talk Danny into joining him.

The two have been planning for the trip for about a year.

They’ve bought new tents and sleeping bags, packing their trailer full of food and even pre-

INDEX Classifieds............15

Amber Jurgensen

paring for breakdowns by bringing a tow strap. By the end of the trip, each couple will have spent about $10,000 on supplies, hotel rooms, gas and experiences.

“I just like the freedom of motorcycles,” Eddie says. “You can enjoy things on a motorcycle that you can’t enjoy in a car. When you go by an orange grove, you can smell the flowers.

You get all the senses and smells in the air.”

The riders will leave June 21

SEE TRIP / PAGE 2 Vol. 1, No. 50 | One section

Crossword.............14

Obituaries.............10

Sports...................11 PlantCityObserver.com

2 PlantCityObserver.com IN OTHER NEWS • Commissioner Billy Keel took the oath of office for his first term on the City Commissioner. Previously, he served as an interim commissioner He previously was serving the remainder of former Commissioner Dan Raulerson’s term.

• Commissioner Rick Lott also took the oath for his next term on the commission.

• The commission approved the purchase of one one-andone-half-ton pickup and one

MATHIS/PAGE 1 the place where I married my wonderful husband. This is a place where my parents lived and raised me, and I just want to say thank you, and I am so grateful.”

Mathis also thanked her husband, Tony, her mother, and her late father, Willie Thomas Jr., who used to watch her at City

TRIP/PAGE 1 and take about three months to complete the trip. Traveling through the south during the first three days, the foursome will start their trip early in the morning to escape the burning sun.

But the riders know many tricks to the trade to combat the heat. They’ve bought special jackets that can be put on ice and then worn for hours, still cold.

They’ve also attached wings to their Go Wing 1800 motorcycles.

The wings help deflect heat and

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

half-ton pickup from Bartow Ford. Total cost is $91,736.

• Commissioners approved the purchase of 10 rear-endload refuse trucks from RDK Municipal Truck Center Inc. Total cost is $1,467,410.

• The commission scheduled a public hearing on an ordinance amending the Public Safety Employees Pension Plan. The hearing will be at 7:30 p.m. June 24, at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Auditorium of the Nettie Berry Draughon Municipal Building, 302 W. Reynolds St. Commission meetings from the back of the Sadye Gibbs Martin Auditorium.

“He would have been sitting right there or standing right behind me, and I know he is somewhere, smiling,” she said.

“He was my mentor, he was my dad, he was my friend.”

Mathis’ fellow commissioners had high praise for her selection.

“I know you’ll give it 100%,” said Rick Lott, whom Mathis selected as her vice mayor. “I am looking forward to the next year.”

Commissioner Bill Dodson agreed.

“I congratulate you, and I know as mayor, you will represent us well,” he said. “I know you’ll do a fine job.”

Mathis, 55, is an assistant principal at Marshall Middle School. As a history major with a minor in education, she always harbored a desire to serve her community. In her term, Mathis said she plans to continue her focus on code enforcement throughout the city and work to keep Plant City’s local government moving forward.

“I want to be a strong leader and continue that consistency,” she said. “I look forward to working closely with the city manager and making sure the city runs smoothly on a daily basis.”

Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.

direct the cool air onto the riders.

The first stop is in St. Louis.

Other sites the riders will enjoy include the Black Hills, Glacier National Park and a three-day stay in Yellowstone National Park. They have even made a Plant City sign to leave in Sign Post Forest.

But Alaska is the true destination. They’ve allocated three weeks to enjoy the cool climate.

“I’m most excited for the salmon fishing,” Danny says. “We can kick back and relax.”

Both couples have been to

Alaska before. When the Danny and Kimberly went in 2004, they spent their time on a cruise. They are excited to be able to ride through the foreign terrain this time.

“You’re in the environment (when you ride),” Danny says.

“You’re just so free. Everything you feel.”

Danny drove tractor-trailers for years. The windows were so wide and open. He was hooked on being able to see the country as he traveled, and it was only natural that he fell in love with

WHY WAIT? IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BUY.

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE!

GRAND CANYON. The Chancey and Miller families brought the Plant City Observer with them on their recent trip to the Grand Canyon.

This photo, featuring Jim and Linda Chancey and Emma and David Miller, was taken on a sunny, cold and windy day May 10, at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. “We took a copy of the Observer to make sure you have readers everywhere,” Jim says. “Our photographer, who was hiking, took the photo and was interested in our Plant City Observer!”

Snap a photo of you with the paper and email it to Managing Editor Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com. Make sure you include your full name and where the photo was taken.

motorcycles, which takes the feeling a step further.

Danny bought his first motorcycle in 2006. One of his first trips was a train ride from Sanford to Virginia. Since then, he’s been on around 75 trips. Kimberly goes on many with him, but not all.

“I like to go, but to be gone that long is going to be tough,” Kimberly says about the upcoming Alaska excursion.

Eddie has loved motorcycles since the 1990s. When a friend invited him on a ride, he was hooked instantly. When he talk-

ed Marlena into riding with him, she fell in love with the hobby, too. She’s taking off work as a nurse from South Florida Baptist Hospital for the trip.

“I’m so thankful,” Marlena says.

Eddie meets up with a group every Saturday at Snellgroves to ride around Central Florida.

“You can’t live in a cocoon all your life,” Eddie says. “You have to step out of your comfort zone.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

Walden Reserve in Plant City 813.704.4858 Luxury single-family homes priced from the low $180s • Up to 5 bedrooms and up to 4 baths • 2-Car front-load garages, optional 3-car front-load garages • Small, intimate community lined with sidewalks and street lights • Gated entrance for true peace and quiet • Close to shopping and dining • Highly-rated schools

Walden Pointe in Plant City 813.704.4858 Luxury single-family homes priced from the upper $180s • Up to 6 bedrooms and up to 4 baths • Garages for up to 3 cars • Charming community overlooking Walden Lake • Convenient to shopping and dining • Low HOA fees MODEL HOURS: MON, 1-6; TUE-FRI, 10-6; SAT-SUN, 11-6 BROKERS WARMLY WELCOMED

Receive $8,000 toward options or closing costs for a limited time!*

*Offer valid for a limited time on new sales contracts written and financed through NVR Mortgage. Prior sales and homes under construction excluded. Cannot be combined with other offers. Certain restrictions apply.

Prices, offers and availability subject to change without notice. See a Sales and Marketing Representative for details. Florida Certified Building Contractor License No. CBC1257565

114758

Learn more at RyanHomesPCO.com

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

faith

state of the city by Michael Eng | Managing Editor

FY 2012-13 BUDGET RECAP

City Manager Greg Horwedel said government transparency is key.

Michael Eng

Greg Horwedel: City is ‘stable and improving’ STAFFING CHANGES The city manager delivered June 10, his fourth State of the City address.

IN FY 2012-13

Steven Singletary appointed to chief of the Plant City Police Department.

Former Chief Bill McDaniel promoted to assistant city manager for public safety.

Fire Chief George Shiley retired from Plant City Fire Rescue. Dave Burnett served as interim chief. City is searching for a permanent replacement.

MIDTOWN Stormwater bill passed the Florida Legislature. This will enable potential developers to obtain a single permit for multiple parcels.

Wheeler Street realignment.

The $1.6 million phase one is ready to begin. Phase two is estimated to cost $1 million. Project should be complete by January 2014.

Village Green in design and engineering phase.

Request for proposals for cityowned parcels. The city plans to open the project for developer bids after Labor Day 2013. Leaders expect selection and negotiation to be complete by January 2014.

When City Manager Greg Horwedel took the reins at Plant City Hall four years ago, he vowed to run a transparent government.

To that end, he launched his annual State of the City address, giving Plant City residents and business owners a detailed look not only into how the government spent tax dollars in the previous year but also a look into the year ahead.

City officials, prominent business owners and even state Rep.

Dan Raulerson were among the audience when Horwedel delivered his 2013 State of the City address June 10, at City Hall.

Like last year, Horwedel concluded Plant City “continues to be stable and improving.” He outlined several statistics that hint at a recovering economy, most notably a $2.4 million increase in sales tax revenues and a 146% increase in dollars from commercial expansion/renovation permits.

NEW AND CONTINUING CITY PROJECTS • Train-viewing platform • Dr. Hal and Lynn Brewer Park (phase two) • Ellis-Methvin soccer fields (phase two) • James L. Redman Parkway and Alexander Street turn lanes • Cherry Street traffic calming and pedestrian crossings • Request for proposals for Plant City Stadium. Deadline is 2 p.m.

June 28, with a bid award by October.

• Drainage improvements at Franklin/English streets, Cherry/ Pennsylvania streets, Courier Field/Wheeler Street, Madison Street • Reconstruction of Vermont and Howard streets • Sidewalk improvements in Walden Lake • Sanitary sewer condition assessment and mapping

CONSTRUCTION IN FY 2012-13 Dr. Hal and Lynn Brewer Park. The park’s $173,000 phase one included the trail, benches and bike racks.

Mendonsa Road reconstruction. This $1.4 million project, which includes utilities, stormwater drainage and road reconstruction components, face delays because of weather and utility issues with Verizon. The road should be complete by the end of June.

Eastside Canal retaining wall. This $119,000 cityfunded project between Reynolds and Vermont streets includes a 100-foot-long, 7-foot-tall wall that improves channel flow and reduces flooding.

Ball Street stormwater improvement. This $140,000

CRA-funded project included installing 1,340 feet of stormwater pipe to enclose the drainage ditch between Ever and Howard streets.

Mobley and Palmetto streets stormwater improvement and road widening. This $136,000 cityfunded project included roadway alignment and grade adjustments to facilitate stormwater flow.

Ellis-Methvin soccer fields. Phase one, including underdrain piping, is complete. Bidding for the $760,000 phase two, which will include final grading and sod for six soccer fields, will be open soon.

Street repaving program.

The city spent $2.3 million to

3

Total FY 2012-13 budget: $59.7 million (1% increase over FY 2011-12).

This includes a $2 million increase for vehicle purchases. Without that increase, the budget was down 2.4%.

General fund revenue: $25.4 million (3.6% increase). This includes a $2.4 million increase (7.9%) in sales-tax revenue.

Water utilities revenue: $14.5 million (11.3% decrease).

Decrease is because of a $1.9 million grant in the FY 2011-12 budget.

Sanitation revenue: $6.2 million (no increase) Stormwater revenue: $2.8 million (14.4% increase). The increase was because of a 3% ordinancemandated rate increase.

Property tax millage rate: 4.7157 mills. This is lowest rate in Hillsborough County and has remained the same for the last four budgets.

Undesignated fund balance (rainy-day fund): 34.2% of the budget (commission policy is 15%).

Stabilized Plant City’s contribution to the Public Safety Pension Fund. Baseline contribution is $2.3 million ($1.8 million required)

FY 2013-14 BUDGET PREVIEW

Property valuation: 3.4% increase. This would be the first in five years.

State sales tax estimates: 4.7% increase Water and sewer revenue: 3% increase Development services revenue: 15% increase Stormwater revenue: 3% increase No increase in property millage rate. However, property tax revenue will increase 3% because of valuation increase.

No increase in sanitation fees.

No increase in development fees.

Automative stormwater fee increase.

Water and sewer fee schedule will increase by amount of CPI deflator.

Mendonsa Road reconstruction should be complete by the end of June.

improve 10.1 lane miles throughout the city.

Water fluoridation project. This $464,000 project ($380,000 funded through state and county grants) added fluoride to the city water supply beginning in February 2013.

Sydney Road reclaimed water pipeline. This $4.7

million project ($2.1 million funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and $200,000 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection) extended the pipeline to Walden Lake Golf and Country Club and industrial users on the west side of the city.

Truck wash facility.

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Hope Lutheran intern says good-bye Cary Hoff served as the director of Christian education intern at the Plant City church.

Cary Hoff has become a familiar face at Hope Lutheran Church off Park Road. The “mountain man” from Texas was known for his burly beard, which he has had since he first came to Plant City from Texas to serve as director of Christian education intern a year ago.

But last month, Hoff lost a bet and shaved it off.

He was spearheading a fundraiser to send his youth group to a national conference this summer. He made a comment that if the congregation raised $10,000, he would shave off his signature look.

“It’s one of those statements that you hope doesn’t come true,” Hoff said.

The congregation ended up raising $12,000, and the beard was hacked off. Some of his youth group members didn’t recognize him at first.

“It was a lot of fun,” Hoff said. They enjoyed it very much.”

Hoff’s internship was required by his degree program at Concordia University in Austin, Texas. It was the final step to being certified as a director of Christian education within the Lutheran church. His last day at Hope was May 26.

“I feel great that my school is done,” Hoff said.

As the DCE intern, Hoff worked closely with the youth program. One of his favorite projects working with the youth was a migrant ministry.

The group went out into the camps with food and supplies — all while sharing the Christian faith.

“That was awesome,” Hoff said.

“To see the kids, realizing they could go out and help another world.”

Hoff also loved working with the United Food Bank of Plant City.

“I enjoyed it,” Hoff said. “Not only are you able to help with the physical needs of people, but the spiritual side as well.”

When Hoff first came to Plant City, he was dying to connect with the community. Now looking back on his experience, he knows he did just that.

“I wanted to get to know people, build relationships and understand the congregation,” Hoff said. “The biggest takeaway is the relationships formed. Not only within the church, but out in the community.”

Now, Hoff, 23, has applied for a missionary position in Vietnam through World Missions. The application process is extensive. So far, he has been interviewed six times.

“I’ve always been passionate about missions and going around the world and sharing Jesus,” Hoff said.

Hoff has visited four different countries and participated in at least 18 different missions within the United States.

If Hoff is accepted as a missionary, he will be in Vietnam for two years with an option to extend.

“I have a lot of people that I consider family now,” Hoff said about his church family. “I didn’t foresee that.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

4 PlantCityObserver.com

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

crime by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Gang investigation hits close to home Operation Red Dawn was a joint investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office of the Statewide Prosecutor and the Plant City Police Department.

The graffiti tags are deliberate. Scrawled out in red, the tags found on signs and buildings can read “Norte” or “x4.” They are left by members from the Norteños gang.

But the residents of Plant City should be seeing less of these tags around town. Eleven key members have been pulled off the streets of Plant City, after the conclusion of Operation Red Dawn, a 10-month investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office of the Statewide Prosecutor and the Plant City Police Department.

The 11 suspects face charges of racketeering, narcotics trafficking and criminal mischief involving graffiti.

“Today, our streets are much safer with these subjects off of them,” Col. Donna Lusczynski, of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, said.

The investigation launched after a drive-by shooting during which one gang member shot another. Last summer, the Sheriff’s Office began noticing an upward trend of gang-related crime in Eastern Hillsborough County.

Incidents included aggravated battery, robbery, aggravated assault and homicide.

The gang is loosely based on the Bakersfield, Calif.-based Norteños gang, identified by the color red and the number 14.

There are more than 100 Norteños gang members estimated in the area. The gang members range from 17 to 27 years old, mostly Hispanic.

Det. Jim Tiller, of the Sheriff’s Office’s gang unit, said gang members can spread to rural areas such as Plant City, when their

parents move them away from the cities to try to stop their criminal activity. The gang targets 14to 18-year-olds for recruitment.

“They go out and recruit our innocent kids,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said. “They recruit kids into gang members, especially kids from broken homes because they tell them they’re

going to give them a sense of family, joining a family. And that’s not what joining a gang is all about. It’s about becoming a violent, violent criminal.”

The investigation tracked activity that crossed over county lines to Polk, Pasco and Manatee counties, as well as Hillsborough County.

In Plant City, the Norteños worked in the areas between Plant City and Lakeland, Dover and Seffner. Tiller called their activity and who they targeted as “random.”

“If there was something, they would get their hands on it,” Tiller said. “The random acts, for me, makes them more dangerous.”

But, the Sheriff’s Office hopes the arrests of the gang’s key members will help splinter the gang altogether.

Lusczynski said she saw the same pattern happen following the 2010 arrest of 10 key gang members of the Hot Boys. They were indicted and sentenced to a total of 119 years. Since then, the group has not reorganized because of the phenomenon, “displacement.”

“These are the key members of those groups, so they are the ones that influence the other gang members and direct them

what to do,” Lusczynski said.

“And without them — out of the picture — these groups are not able to function as well.”

Bondi praised Dan Weisman of the statewide prosecutor’s office for his work on the case. She described his office as a “war room,” the walls covered with case material.

“These cases are built not just from the testimony of people, not just the statement of people, but usually a disturbing pattern of violent crime, which has manifested itself overtime to society’s detriment,” Weisman said.

The investigation included looking at the members’ histories, as well as undercover operations. Patrol units increased their presence in specific areas to stop immediate violence. The Sheriff’s Office then called for the assistance of the prosecutor’s office to get longer-term sentences for individuals.

The prosecutor’s office is continuing to work on the case.

Bondi said the individuals are the “worst of the worst” and will face a minimum of 30 years in state prison.

The rivals of the Norteños are the Sureños. Known as the “Surs,” the gang is identified by the color blue and the number 13. There are more than 100 estimated gang members in the area.

Tiller said the two gangs fight for control of the methamphetamine and marijuana trade in the area. He could not comment

SPOTTING GANG ACTIVITY

Jim Tiller, a detective with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office gang unit, shared some tips to identify gang activity.

• Graffiti. Gangs use tags to mark their turf. The Norteños use red and the number 14. The Sureños use blue and the number 13. If you see someone tagging, get a description of them and their car and report it to the police.

• Dress color. If a group of teenagers are walking the neighborhood wearing the same color, it could be a sign of gang activity.

Report both instances to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, (813) 2478200, or the Plant City Police Department, (813) 757-9200.

“The gangs won’t go where police come,” Tiller said. on whether an investigation of the Sureños was under way.

“It’s never going to stop, and we need to keep sending that message that we’re staying on top of these guys,” Lusczynski said.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

We are here for you and your family.

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

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

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

114225

“Banking on a First Name Basis”

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

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

UPCOMING

5

by Michael Eng | Managing Editor

Courtesy photo

Humor 2 Outreach, from left: Johnny Roberts, Bill “Bull” Ohse, Pete O’Shea, Juanita Lolita Williams, Frank Hall (aka SomeguynamedFrank) and Josh Loudermilk.

Christian comedy troupe set to perform in Plant City Humor 2 Outreach troupe, which features Plant City’s own Josh Loudermilk, will perform at Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Josh Loudermilk has a unique claim to fame.

If you can call it that.

The Plant City resident served for 12 years as a Methodist pastor. But during his training, the denomination had one concern with Loudermilk at the pulpit.

“I got written up for using too much humor,” Loudermilk said with pride. “I was put on one-year probation, because there were too many people laughing.”

Eventually, though, denomination leaders concluded that Loudermilk’s knack for comedic relief was a God-given talent and one they should allow to blossom.

After several career changes that involved cameo appearances in films such as “The Blind Side” and Tyler Perry’s “Why I Got Married, Too,” Loudermilk returned recently to his roots as a part of a new Christian troupe, Humor 2 Outreach.

H2O, the brainchild of Pete O’Shea, host of “The Pete O’Shea Show” on WTIS 1110 AM, features six comedians — all delivering clean, Grandma-approved performances.

In addition to Loudermilk and O’Shea, H2O features Juanita Lolita Williams, Johnny Roberts, Frank Hall (aka SomeguynamedFrank) and Bill “Bull” Ohse.

The troupe has enjoyed immediate success since launching in April, including a performance last week at the Tampa Convention Center for the Tampa Bay Christian Counseling Center. H2O will make its Plant City debut June 22, at Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Plant City.

“We use comedy to open hearts to hear the little message of how God is for you, not against you,” Loudermilk said.

As a fundraising organization, H2O donates half of the money raised at every show to the host organization. More than 1,200 attended H2O’s debut April 26, at Calvary Chapel, and the troupe raised $10,000

Humor 2 Outreach WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. June 22. Doors at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Plant City, 1107 Charlie Griffin Road, Plant City TICKETS: $10 in advance; $15 day of show WEBSITE: h2ohumor.com INFORMATION: (813) 759-9383 for the church’s upcoming mission trip to Washington, D.C. Money raised at the group’s Plant City performance will benefit EPC’s upcoming Little Lambs International mission trip to Guatemala where missionaries will help build a new home for orphans.

Loudermilk said attendees can expect a night chock full of laughs and entertainment that should please everyone from children to seniors. Each comedian performs in his or her own style. Ohse, a professional comedian who appeared on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” opens the show, followed by Hall, an up-and-coming comedian whose one-liners recall Steven Wright’s unique style. Williams, a professional comedian and self-proclaimed “Hillbilly Puerto Rican,” take the third spot, followed by Loudermilk, who is charged with delivering the faith message. Roberts closes the evening with his “Duck Dynasty”-esque presence. O’Shea serves as the emcee for the evening.

“These people are hilarious,” Loudermilk said. “And for $10 for two hours of entertainment, where you know half goes to a worthy cause — it’s a great deal.”

Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.

Kimberly’s

& Preschool summer sPeCial

• Tumbling • WaTer Play • arTs & CrafTs • bounCe Houses

75 Per Week

(Ages 5+) aPProved vPk 605 southwest drane street • Plant City, fl 33563 www.kimberlysinfantCare.com • 813.757.0546

Florida Sealed Bid Opportunity Bids Due by July 5 • 5PM ET

114692

$

Residential Home & Lots • Luxury Hotel Condominiums • Commercial Property

Lakeland, Naples, Plant City and Stuart, Florida INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OPEN HOUSE DATES :

Lake Point Terrace House June 16 • 2 - 4PM 1210 Lake Point Terrace Lakeland, FL 33813

PROPERTY OFFERING INFORMATION DATE: Courtyard by Marriott June 17 • 10AM - Noon 3725 Harden Blvd Lakeland, FL 33803

800.607.6888 | MurrayWiseAssociates.com

In Cooperation with 114678

Naples Condo June 15 • 2 - 3PM 6000 Pelican Bay Blvd., Unit C-1402, Naples, FL 34108

114741

Hutchinson Island Condo June 14 • 2 - 4PM 3001 SE Island Point Ln., Unit 34B Stuart, FL 34996

6 PlantCityObserver.com friendly faces

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

business by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Future of Sweetbay’s distribution center unclear following sale Bi-Lo Holdings is the parent company of Winn-Dixie and BI-LO grocery stores. The company purchased last month 165 Sweetbay, Harveys Supermarket and Reid’s locations.

Meet the Uncle Mike’s family Mike and Simone Tolley hope their second restaurant will have the same family friendly reputation as their first.

The owners of Uncle Mike’s Steakhouse Grill of Brandon have worked for two years to earn that reputation, and they will bring it closer to home when they open Uncle Mike’s in Plant City.

Mike has 11 brothers and sisters — translating to 49 nieces and nephews — earning the restaurant its name. But it’s not just the name that gives off a wholesome vibe.

Children flock to the fish tanks inside and birds outside for a look. The monthly entertainment is also quite a draw.

“Our restaurant is family driven and family oriented,” Mike said.

“In Brandon, it was easy, because it was missing that homegrown atmosphere. In Plant City, we want to continue that.”

The new restaurant will open in the old Cowboys location, 106 S.R. 60 E. With plenty of space for activities, the owners plan to use the arena for outdoor concerts, quarterly events and arena events. The store is slated to open

Aug. 8 and will employ 45 people.

The Tolleys are making some changes to the way the restaurant will operate in Plant City. They are planning a bigger menu, made possible by a larger kitchen.

They also are renovating the building, adjusting the outdoor pavilion for events and cutting out the stage to add a buffet line and more dining space.

But the dance floor is remaining. Simone, who is originally from California, plans to teach line dancing and has danced professionally. For years, she taught line dancing with a city program. In college, she was even a Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader.

Mike has had more than 10 years of experience with the restaurant industry. He moved in 1980, from Illinois to Florida.

After graduating from Hillsborough High School, he joined the U.S. Marines and traveled all over Asia. His favorite stop was South Korea, because of its food and culture.

After the service, Mike returned to Tampa and started his career in restaurants. He met Simone after

she graduated with a degree in marketing, from the University of Tampa.

Together, the Tolleys were involved with several different hospitality projects throughout the Tampa Bay Area, including The Venue, a St. Petersburg sushi and steakhouse eatery, a couple of smaller restaurants in Ybor City and a martini bar, in Ruskin.

The couple moved to Plant City about three years ago. At the time, the couple had been buying and remodeling homes. When they visited their friends in Plant City, they fell in love with the community and knew they wanted to make their home here.

“It’s a lot like where I come from — small town in Illinois,” Mike said.

Starting their Brandon location two-and-one-half years ago, the Tolleys wanted to expand into Plant City, because it was closer to their home.

They are expecting their first child in September. But they’re keeping the gender a secret from their friends, family, customers and employees.

“There’s a pool going on,” Mike said.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

Life is better in the Quick Lane.

Auto service just got better!

29

Oil Change, 4 tire rotation, battery inspection, multipoint inspection, check and top off all fluids, and brake inspection.

Shop supplies and tax extra. Most cars and light trucks.

Expires 7/16/13

WILD CARD COUPON sAves UP tO

100

$

2000 East Baker St. Plant City, FL 33563

at Jarrett-Scott Ford

BAYADA Home Health Care can make improvements to the hospital discharge plan that will improve the transition to a rehabilitation facility, nursing home or your home.

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

www.jarrettscottford.com

Compassion.

ExCEllEnCE. REliability.

Healthcare providers, family caregivers and the patient all play an important role in maintaining a patient’s good health after a medical discharge.

Not to exceed 10% parts & labor Expires 7/16/13

(813) 757-6429

Delhaize Group CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers

BAYADA Home Health Care is a trusted leader in providing clinical care and support services at home for adults of all ages. There’s a difference with BAYADA

• Specializing in assistive care and nursing services.

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

• Services available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

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

111901

the Works Package $ 95

“

We believe this transaction represents a significant move towards simplifying our business and will allow for even greater focus at Delhaize America.

www.bayada.com • 813.754.4805

111895

Mike and Simone Tolley will open in August Plant City’s newest barbecue restaurant.

negotiation of the sale.

Bi-Lo representatives would not confirm whether the center was part of the sale.

“The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including expiration of the applicable waiting period under the HartScott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,” Brian Wright, Bi-Lo’s senior director of communications, said. “In addition, we have only just announced this agreement, and there are still many details to work through. We will provide updates, including decisions related to each of the banners, as we move closer to completing this transaction.”

The sale is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2013. Until the transaction is complete, Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid’s will continue to operate independently from Bi-Lo Holdings and its subsidiaries.

“We would like to thank the associates of Sweetbay, Harveys, and Reid’s for their ongoing commitment and accomplishments throughout the years,” said Delhaize Group CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers, in a written statement. “We believe this transaction represents a significant move towards simplifying our business and will allow for even greater focus at Delhaize America. The transaction will further increase the financial flexibility required to execute our strategic priorities.”

Delhaize Group is a Belgian international food retailer present in 10 countries on three continents.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

“

Courtesy photo

Mike and Simone Tolley hope Plant City embraces their restaurant’s family friendly atmosphere and packed menu.

Bi-Lo Holdings’ recent acquisition of more than 70 Sweetbay stores includes the Plant City location on Alexander Street.

But as of press time, it does not include the local distribution facility.

The company, which owns and operates both the BI-LO and Winn-Dixie franchises, announced May 28, its purchase of all Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid’s supermarket chains from Belgium-based Delhaize Group.

Bi-Lo plans to pay $265 million for the stores.

Plant City’s Sweetbay is one of 72 Sweetbay stores in the sale.

The deal also includes 10 leases for 10 prior locations, 72 Harveys Supermarket locations and 11 Reid’s stores. The total comes to 165 stores, with about 10,000 employees throughout the Southeast. The stores generated about $1.8 billion of revenues last year.

“We are pleased to announce this transaction, which will build on the strength of our BILO and Winn-Dixie stores and allow us to extend our great products at great value to a broader customer base,” said Randall Onstead, president and CEO of Bi-Lo Holdings, in a written statement. “Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid’s are wellrecognized and trusted businesses that share our passion for exceptional service. We look forward to welcoming the outstanding associates of all three chains to the BI-LO Winn-Dixie family.”

The announcement did not address the Sweetbay’s Plant City distribution center, and a representative from Sweetbay did not know whether the center had been included in the

Plant city observer

7

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

PlantCityObserver.com

STORE AROUND THE CORNER

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Wyley F. Johnson A/C & Heating Inc. Wyley (813) 997-3307 Terry (813) 416-3178

CAC1817268

111395

Sales, Service & Repair All Brands • Expert Mobile Home Repairs We Do Warranty On All Brands Christian Business

NOTICE OF SALE

Kindred Spirit

Auto rates just got lower.

Stacy Carpenter celebrated her grand opening in May.

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

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

Courtney Paat Ins Agcy Inc Courtney Paat, Agent 1805 James Redman Pkwy, Suite 101 Plant City, FL 33563 Bus: 813-754-1725 Fax: 813-707-9476 www.paatinsurance.com

Hablamos Español statefarm.com®

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Company Bloomington, IL

1001011.1

111195

As a vendor at Lucky Day With a clever name, Junk Emporium, in Valrico, for aland Disorderly is all about THE FACTS most a year, Stacy Carpenter the antiques.

ADDRESS: 4288 learned all about the antique Melanie from Bentley has U.S. 92 W., Suite 6 business. So, when Lucky refurbished and handmade PHONE: (813) 644Day closed and was demolmerchandise. She also spe0920 ished to make room for a gas cializes in interior design and station, Carpenter thought restaging.

HOURS: 10 a.m. to about starting her own busiLynne Gillies works on tat6 p.m. Thursdays ness. Plant City proved to be a ted jewelry. Her crocheted through Saturdays prime spot for her new store, designs are inspired from Kindred Spirit. vintage eras.

Located at 4288 U.S. 92 W., Suite 6, KinThe booth, Write Turnz, is aptly named. dred Spirit sells everything from antiques to Here, shoppers can buy unique pens made vintage collectibles to even modern re-pur- from different materials, such as driftwood. posed furniture. A shopper can find anyCarpenter’s own space is in the front of thing, from low-cost trinkets to higher-end, the 800-square-foot retail floor. She has a lot one-of-a-kind pieces. of refurbished and re-purposed furniture as “It was kind of a cloud when the empo- well as other vintage merchandise. rium closed, but it was wonderful, because “I really feel empowered,” Carpenter said a space opened up next to my dad’s busi- about opening her own store. “When this ness,” Carpenter said. “I’m just so excited. I opportunity came up, I feel like it gave me want everyone to be a big family and have life again.” everyone come out.”

Carpenter and her vendors held a grand Carpenter has six large vendors in her opening May 18. Parkesdale Farm Market store and two smaller ones — all Lucky Day donated some fresh fruit, and Keel and transplants. After the emporium closed, she Curley Winery donated two bottles of bluecalled its vendors to gage their interest in a berry wine for shoppers to taste while they new store. They were supportive of Carpen- browsed. ter’s endeavor.

Carpenter, who grew up in Seffner, is Pish Posh Boutique specializes in re- moving to Plant City to be close to her store. freshed furniture, giving old and modern “People here have just been wonderful,” furniture a new life and look.

Carpenter said. “They are just really supLin Trimble’s booth is full of mid-century portive here.” trinkets. She has a special interest in merContact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@ chandise from the 1950s to the 1970s. plantcityobserver.com.

public auction at the above stated location(s) to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 @ 9:00 A.M. Amanda Beveard - Hsld gds, Furn Scotty Carpenter - Hsld gds, Boxes Robert Gayler - Hsld gds, Furn, Boxes Rochele Hall - Hsld gds, Furn, Boxes,TV/Stereo Equip Lisa Lane - Hsld gds, Furn, Boxes,Tools, Applnces,TV/ Stereo Equip EdgarThompson - Hsld gds, Furn, Boxes,Tools,TV/Stereo Equip

114251

In accordance with the provisions of State law, there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy an owner and/or manager’s lein of the goods herinafter described and stored at: Uncle Bob’s Self Storage located at: 1005 S. Alexander St., Plant City, FL 33563. 813-7599526. 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

Your Community Full Service Discount Pharmacy.

Fast & Friendly Pharmacy 404 North Alexander Street • Plant City, FL 33563 Phone 813.719.3278 • Fax 813.754.7540

• Prescriptions filled within 15 minutes.

Wait comfortably in our air conditioned store.

learning through literacy by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

• Call us to arrange pickup of your prescriptions.

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

Marla Banta came to Knights Elementary bearing gifts.

The bookmaker visited June 5, three classes at the Plant City school as part of a program designed to encourage reading.

She handed each student a book, which featured their names, as well as those of

their teachers, relatives and school.

CF Industries sponsored the book giveaway. This is the fourth year students have received personalized books.

If you know a school or day care that could benefit from the program, call Banta, (828) 367-5351.

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

1

$ .00

• Durable Medical Equipment & Diabetic Supplies.

111116

Knights Elementary students receive personalized books

NOW AVAILABLE

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

8 PlantCityObserver.com

Observer

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

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

OWNER’S REPORT

Remember: They work for us One of the many rights that expansion of government in America recognizes and proWashington, our Florida Legtects for its citizens is the right islature is making good efforts to elect those who govern us. to significantly downsize our As we speak, Ameristate government. Our cans have chosen a Legislature has limited government in Washingthe number of new bills ton, D.C., that believes in a single legislator can the great importance of propose. Not so many government and governyears ago, state legislament programs in our tors would propose up daily lives; in using the to 5,000 new bills in a power of government to single session and pass make life fairer; and in 500 of those. In this FELIX growing the power of the year’s session, 1,600 bills HAYNES federal government and were proposed, and 284 the number of programs passed. Using a targeted it administers to achieve these approach, Raulerson proposed ends.

16 new bills, of which seven Compare that picture to the were enacted into law. one that has emerged in our One of the most important Florida state government. With principles of our American this year’s session of Florida’s system is limited government. legislature adjourned, Plant Americans fought and won the City’s state Rep. Dan Raulerson American Revolution, because has returned from Tallahassee we saw the English government and reported on the session at sitting in London, many thouthe Downtown Luncheon Club sands of miles across the Atlanmeeting last week. tic Ocean, passing laws and takIn comparison with the ing actions with no input from

this side. These decisions taken by the English government intruded more and more on the private lives of Americans. After the Revolution, we enshrined in our system of government the concept that government should not try to be all things to all people by passing more and more and more laws.

Perhaps the biggest reason to limit the size of government is our capacity to pay for it. The budget passed by the Florida Legislature for next fiscal year, $74.5 billion, is a lot of money.

Taxpayers should expect state government to be able to do its job within that limit.

Another way our Florida Legislature has worked to downsize government is by placing no limit on individual legislators who wish to file bills that repeal obsolete and out-of-date laws.

Florida became a state in 1845, and since then, many laws have been enacted. Some of these are still good and should remain. However, many are no

politically speaking by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

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

longer appropriate or effective, because of the great changes in our society over the past 168 years. In my lifetime, Florida has grown from a population of two million to nearly 19 million. Repealing laws that are no longer current is another good way to reduce the size of government.

The difference in perspective on government and its size between the governments Americans have elected in Washington and Floridians have elected in Tallahassee is obvious. These differences were indeed built into our multilevel system by the Founding Fathers, who rightly placed the ultimate power to choose those who govern us in the hands of the people.

Americans and Floridians are watching how those they have elected are using their power, and in 2014 and 2016, Americans and Floridians will make decisions at the polls based on their evaluation of the actions of their elected officials in Washington and Tallahassee.

Felix Haynes is the founding publisher and co-owner of the Plant City Observer.

LETTER TO THE

EDITOR + Flat tax would restore prosperity

(

CONTACT US

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

TO ADVERTISE Call Veronica Prostko at 704-6850.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

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

State Rep. Dan Raulerson invited a student to help him with a demonstration.

Florida State Rep. Dan Raulerson discusses government at Wilson State Rep. Dan Raulerson visited June 5, Wilson Elementary School to speak with fifth-graders about his work and government.

Last year, the same classes visited City Hall to learn about government from As-

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

sistant City Manager Mike Karr and Raulerson, who was Plant City’s mayor at the time.

Raulerson also shared the differences and similarities between serving as mayor and as a state representative.

The Plant City Observer LLC Locally Owned

Publisher of the Plant City Observer and PlantCityObserver.com

The students were eager to learn from state Rep. Dan Raulerson.

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

The students enjoyed an interactive presentation about politics and government.

As part of the presentation, students had to create their own law.

Dear Editor: One of the latest scandals of the present administration is the IRS targeting law-abiding conservatives and Christians.

And remember everyone: This is the same organization that is going to control your health care!

There is no doubt this is deplorable behavior and should have dire consequences for all of those involved. But in this day’s politics, no one is held accountable.

No one is punished. They are allowed, by we, the people, to lie, distort and create smokescreens, with the help of our pathetically delusional, so-called media as willing accomplices to this carnival act and destruction of our Constitution and its laws.

I say that this is the most opportune time for us to install a totally new flat-tax system and rid ourselves of this organization that has been corrupt since its inception. We need a system of user fees and a national sales tax.

A flat tax would truly stimulate economic growth and employment, and the people then would know what government was costing them, and everyone would pay something toward funding it.

We would no longer punish working people and those who save and invest, providing the money for economic growth.

The United States and international companies would bring a lot of their foreign production and money into this country, stimulating economic growth, job growth and sorely needed wage growth.

Couple this with a tariff tax on those who have a need to sell their goods here, such as China, Russia, Japan and others, and we would see our manufacturing jobs, as well as our pride, return to this great nation.

Gary Keeler Plant City

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

Ashley Chesser, Ashlyn Christie and Joshua Cockream were among the top 5% of the SCHS Class of 2013.

Students held hands over their hearts during the singing of the National Anthem.

graduation 2013

9

The graduates received their diplomas in front of family members and friends.

by Amber Jurgensen and Matt Mauney

Plant City valedictorian Sarah Winter addressed the crowd and her fellow graduates.

Of course, the graduates took a few pictures of their own.

Katrina and Erika Grosskopf

TASSELS TURNED Seniors from Plant City and Strawberry Crest high schools celebrated the end of their high school careers during their respective graduation celebrations last week, at the Florida State Fairgrounds Exposition Hall.

Plant City’s Commencement Program

was held June 5, and Strawberry Crest followed June 6.

Speakers for Plant City included Principal Colleen Richardson, valedictorian Sarah Renee Winter and salutatorian: Molly Irene Coovert.

Speakers for Strawberry Crest in-

cluded Principal Dave Brown, valedictorians Exor Serrano-Arce (traditional) and Rahul Patel (IB), and salutatorian Brenda “Deanne” Sydnor (traditional) and Adam Reynolds (IB).

For a complete list of graduates, visit PlantCityObserver.com.

Clark Futch, Justin Gajewski, Kelsey Fry, Jacob Goad and Sergio Garcia Left: Graduates smiled ear to ear as after receiving their diplomas.

10 PlantCityObserver.com ten pin ALLEY

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

OBSERVEROBITUARIES Lora Mae (Arendell) Cummings

The Gordon Food Service team of Jim Manthe, Bill Walker, Lemonde Rush and Gary Briguglio won the award for best team score in the first round. They defeated — handily — the Plant City Observer team of Michael Eng, Matt Mauney and Petra Kirkland.

Plant City Chamber rolls with annual bowling tourney Members of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce showed perfect form at the chamber’s annual Charity Bowling Tournament June 6, at Family Bowl.

Twenty-one teams representing local businesses took part in the event, which raised about $2,000 for the chamber’s scholarship fund. The chamber awards six scholarships each year.

Suncoast Community Health Center won the competition, while Deese Scrubs took runner-up honors.

Piero Morselli

The “Well Equipped Framers” team from KP Construction won the award for best-dressed team.

From left: Annie Carapezza, owner Karen Bozeman, Lisa Tucker and Jennifer O’Neil.

Flag Day Thursday

Lora Mae (Arendell) Cummings, 72, of Plant City, died June 3, 2013.

Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she grew up in the Chicago area and graduated in 1963, from Knox College, in Galesburg, Ill. After pursuing her master’s degree in history, Mrs. Cummings served as a college instructor of American history.

In her later years, she developed a passion for travel and toured with her husband, Richard, trekking to Nova Scotia, Iceland, Ireland, Russia and more.

All who knew and loved her will remember her indomitable spirit and valuable insight. She will be fondly remembered for her honesty and directness, as well as the great love, support and encouragement she bestowed upon her family.

Survivors include her loving husband of 52 years, Richard; her two sons, Brian Cummings (Sarah), of Tampa, and Timothy Cummings (Libby) of Waukesha, Wis.; four grandchildren, Nicholas, Emily, Ian and Samuel; brother, Daniel Arendell (Betty), of Coulterville, Ill.; nephews Jeffrey Arendell (Brandi), M.D., of Columbia, Ill., and John Arendell (Denise) of Edwardsville, Ill.; and friends, Paolo Ranaldi, of Eau Claire, Wis., and Lynn and Barat Shah, of Plant City.

Wells Memorial and Event Center is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.wellsmemorial.com.

June 14

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.”

Piero Morselli, 71, died June 4, 2013.

Born in Florence, Italy, he was an art historian, author and, later in life, an antiquarian. No matter where he went, he remained a true Florentine at heart.

After earning his doctoral degree from the University of Pittsburgh, he was an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, professor at Syracuse University and Bryn Mawr College at the University of Pennsylvania, 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”

and a fellow at Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies.

Mr. Morselli immigrated to Florida in 1967, where he attended Stetson University and Florida State University. He met his future wife, Cynthia Acree, in 1974, at FSU. His son’s birth was one of the reasons the couple decided to return in 1981, to Florence.

Survivors include his wife, Cynthia; son, Lorenzo; brother-in-law, Wally Acree; mother-in-law, Peggy; and cousins.

A memorial service was held June 10, 2013, at St. Clement Catholic Church, Plant City. Donations may be made to Tampa General Hospital or South Florida Baptist Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.wellsmemorial.com.

Freddie Marshall Roach

Freddie Marshall Roach, 68, of Plant City, died June 2, 2013.

Mr. Roach was a veteran of the National Guard, the owner of Fred Roach Construction, Red Fred’s and several other businesses. He was a longtime member of the Elk’s Lodge. He loved his family, Harleys, Corvettes and old cars.

Survivors include his wife, Pam Roach; his two daughters, Lisa Ercoli (Richard) and Kala Gillman (Steve); his son, Christopher Roach; and grandchildren, Cameron Roach, Haley and Carson Ercoli, and Brady Gillman.

Funeral services were held June 7, 2013, at Plant City’s First Baptist Church. Interment followed in West Oaklawn Cemetery.

If desired, donations may be made in his memory to either LifePath Hospice or the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.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

team OF THE WEEK Tiger Sharks cruise to 26-0 spring record. 12

PLANTCITYObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013

soccer by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Future for VSI in Plant City uncertain Plant City Stadium wasn’t in the original plans for VisionPro Sports Institute. VSI has a lease on the stadium through August, but with poor attendance, no proposal plan submitted and other properties identified, the future of VSI in Plant City is unclear.

Although Plant City is considered the home of VSI Tampa Bay FC PRO and three other affiliate United Soccer League teams, the future of professional soccer and VSI’s presence in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World is unknown.

VisionPro Sports Institute, an international soccer business, secured a lease of Plant City Stadium in March, just a few weeks before

the home opener of VSI’s inaugural USL PRO team. The team has held nine USL PRO matches at Plant City Stadium, along with home matches for three affiliate teams — PDL, W-League (women) and Super 20s.

The current $10,000 per month lease runs through August, with a possibility of extending through September. The stadium costs the city about $387,000 annually.

Plant City wasn’t in the original plans for VisionPro, but when plans with other sites fell through, the organization was left with little time to secure a facility to host USL PRO and affiliate franchise matches.

As detailed on vsi-stadium. com, the company hopes to construct a 20-plus playing field residential training academy in the Tampa Bay area, along with

a world-class sports medicine facility and a 28,000-seat main stadium. Along with its current partnership/affiliation with the VSI West Florida Flames and VSI Pinellas Flames, VSI also operates a youth academy in Europe in Rio Maior, Portugal.

Since adding an operation in Tampa, VSI’s goal has been to establish itself as the premier soccer development entity in the United

SHOW ME THE MAUNEY

States, along with bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to the Tampa Bay area. MLS is the highest level of professional soccer in the U.S. and Canada. USL is the third tier, while the North American Soccer League is the second tier, similar to Major League Baseball’s AA and AAA leagues.

According to Director of Soccer Clay Roberts, a Plant City High School alumnus, Plant City Stadium and the adjacent Randy L. Larson Four-Plex does not fit into VSI’s four-phase development plan, but the company is keeping

SEE VSI / PAGE 13

future stars

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Pro ball, White Sox a good fit for Danish

Let’s all daydream for moment.

Imagine you are an 18-year-old gifted athlete from a rural town.

For the past two years, you have had professional scouts at your practices, your games and even in your home.

Last week, five-time All-Star Frank Thomas called out your name and high school on national TV. You come to a decision that few 18-yearMATT olds have to MAUNEY make — uphold your two-year commitment to the University of Florida and attend the school for free; or take a big payday and become a professional baseball player before you’re old enough to buy a six pack or rent a car.

For one Plant City resident, this is no daydream.

Tyler Danish, a right-handed pitcher, graduated June 3, from Durant High School. Three days later, he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox, in the second round (55th overall) of the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft.

He will forgo playing for the Gators and begin his professional career, pending passing a physical in Chicago today.

It’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, even at 18 years young, and Danish didn’t take it as such. Playing professionally has been a lifelong dream for the hard-throwing right-hander, and although he already had a piece

SEE MAUNEY / PAGE 12

Offensive line coach Wesley Wyatt spoke with his group at the end of a session, telling them that the offensive line is the most important part of a football team.

BACK TO BASICS Durant High School continued its annual summer tradition of developing young athletes, as head coach Mike Gottman and his staff and players conducted this week the 2013 Cougars Youth Football Camp.

The Cougars coaching staff has more than 100 years of combined coaching experience. Durant is coming off an undefeated regular season and a second-consecutive district championship.

The camp includes individual- and team-development work, as well as fundamental drills.

Justin Bauman has played quarterback, running back and wide receiver in the past.

This group learned the fundamentals of a three-point stance.

Tyler Hood used his speed and agility for this drill.

12 PlantCityObserver.com

CITY PROPERTIES COMPANY

TEAM of the week

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

MANAGEMENT • SALES • RENTALS

POOL MASTER TIGER SHARKS Editor’s note: Instead of spotlighting one player, we have decided to honor the entire roster of the Plant City Little League machine pitch Pool Master Tiger Sharks.

The Tiger Sharks went 26-0 this spring and won their league tournament, as well as the Tournament of Champions, in Haines City, going undefeated in both. The team, comprising 6- to 8-year-olds, will celebrate their undefeated season June 14, with a team party. We spoke with Kelvin Lugo, head coach of the Tiger Sharks.

Going into the season, did you think going 26-0 was possible?

Your Hometown Property Management Company

Absolutely not. We just wanted to go out there and play hard and make sure we had fun and did the best we could.

How did this team come together?

40 years in Plant City

(813) 752-5262

Post Office Box 1118 • Plant City, FL 33584

110967

Philip Balliet - Manager

Bothered By Overactive Bladder?

Going into the draft, I was looking more for athletes than just baseball players. During tryouts, it’s hard to judge the boy by just a couple of pitches and a couple of ground balls.

I was just looking for speed and handeye coordination. The way I look at it, you can teach a boy how to hit, catch and throw a baseball, but having that coordination is important more than anything.

Tell me about the individuals on this team.

We had a couple boys that came in with solid experience and they helped carry us at times, but the great thing was that some days when they would struggle, the other boys would pick them up. We would have times where the bottom of the lineup hit better than the top of the lineup.

Call about our research study:

What were some strong suits of the team?

The main thing for us was that we

MAUNEY / 11

• Study participants may receive compensation • All studies administered by a board certified medical doctor • No medical insurance is necessary

863-940-2087

st. petersburg • tampa • brooksville • bradenton • lakeland

114709

3133 Lakeland Hills Blvd.

33805 James Anderson, MD Family Medicine

of his heart at UF, the opportunity was too good to pass up.

With all things considered, everything played out perfectly for Danish. Scouting reports going into the draft had him going in the third round or later.

Some reports have said the White Sox took a “risk” or made a “stretch” by drafting Danish, who has been criticized by some scouts for his unorthodox low 3/4 delivery, which some fear could lead to injuries in the future.

A lot of pitchers employ unique aspects in their deliveries, but Danish’s is truly oneof-a-kind.

Comparisons have been drawn to Oakland relief pitcher Pat Neshek and fellow White Sox Jake Peavy, but Danish’s stuff is unique.

White Sox Director of Amateur Scouting Doug Laumann commented on this uniqueness in an article on MLB.com: “I can honestly say that after — this is my 32nd year total — I don’t know that I’ve ever been as intrigued by a player since I’ve been scouting,.”

With a low 90s fastball matched with a slider, Danish provides a good contrast to hitters along with deception added by his delivery, especially to right-handed hitters.

If he continues to develop the changeup he added to his repertoire this year, he will have three solid pitches that could make

hit the ball really well. There was some times (during which) some of the other coaches would say that there wasn’t a play they could make out there as well as we hit the ball. It was fun. Every boy got a lot better as the season went on.

What was the practice schedule like?

We definitely pushed the kids.

There was a lot of running and lots and lots of fundamental work. We did a lot of bare-handed drills, which I think are important, because it teaches them to use two hands. Normally, you throw a baseball at a boy or any person, and they’re going to use two hands and then you put a baseball glove on a kid and they forget about the other hand, so we did a lot of barehand drills, and it helped out.

Are any of your players playing AllStars?

We have five. Gavin Dean, Seth Hogan and Chase Mobley are all playing for the Warriors, while my son, Anthony Lugo, and Alex Machado are playing for the Bulldogs. I’m one of the coaches, and Michael Palestrini is the manager for the Bulldogs.

him a viable bullpen option, a closer or a possible middle of the rotation starter.

Sure, there will be a learning curve, and it’s safe to say he will never have another 0.00 ERA season, but moving into the minor leagues now will let him develop and progress as a pitcher and determine his path for the future — whether that’s in the bullpen or in the starting rotation.

Even if some of the scouts are correct, and Danish’s throwing motion leads to injuries down the road, getting into the thick of things now — opposed to spending at least three years playing in college — will give him a leg up, and he already could have an established career in MLB by that point.

Safe or not, there is no denying that Danish will be a fun prospect to follow for baseball fans.

Although stats, especially in high school, only carry so much weight when evaluating a player’s pro potential, there is one stat that no one can deny — Danish’s 0.00 ERA. This virtually speaks for itself, but to put it into perspective, Danish’s numbers this year trumped high school seasons by other former Hillsborough County standouts, including Dwight Gooden, Danny Graves and Plant City’s own Kenny Rogers.

All three played in the Major Leagues and were All-Stars, but none of them ever had a 0.00 ERA in high school.

You literally cannot get any better than that.

Plant city observer

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

13

inspiration by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Hoop dreams come true for Crest student Kevin Garcia, a special-needs student at Strawberry Crest, had his playing dreams come true, but it was what came after that he will never forget.

Commission’s annual banquet.

To make the night even more memorable, Garcia was called up on stage later in the ceremony

by Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon and was presented with an award for David Price to commemorate his Cy Young Award win as the “Rays Most Memorable Moment.”

Price wasn’t in attendance to accept the award, so Maddon — after being touched by a YouTube video shown during the Freddie Solomon Award presentation — invited Garcia to the Rays-Yankees game the following night at Tropicana Field, to present the award to Price.

It was just another reward and memorable experience for a courageous young man that overcame odds to make his playing dreams a reality.

Garcia has a learning disability that also affects his speech. When he was in middle school at Turkey Creek, Garcia was diagnosed with scoliosis during a screening.

It was recommended that he have surgery, so in the summer of 2010, he had 22 bolts put into his back.

A fan of baseball and basketball since he was a young boy, Garcia

expressed an interest in playing a sport in high school.

“He’s always loved sports, so I wanted to find one that he would enjoy playing but would still be safe for him where he wouldn’t get injured,” Kevin’s mother, Francis, said.

Two years ago, SCHS head basketball coach Andre Lewis heard about Garcia and his interest in playing, so he welcomed Kevin to practice and had him run through drills with the team.

“I didn’t treat him any differently than any other kid going out for the team,” Lewis said.

Kevin ended up on junior varsity and played for two seasons under head coach Steve Channer.

“Every game, he was able to come to he played in,” Channer said. “He was a great example of a team player.”

While he enjoyed his time on JV, playing on varsity was the goal for Garcia.

“I just wanted to keep training hard and working because I wanted to play varsity,” he said.

Leading into Strawberry Crest’s Senior Night in January, Lewis discovered that this would be Garcia’s last season of being varsity eligible. Garcia turns 19 this month, and although he could stay in high school until he is 21,

VSI / 11

a completion date of the 28,000seat main stadium in 2016, leaving VSI to find home venue options in the meantime after its lease expires with Plant City.

Plant City Stadium is currently looking for a long-term tenant or outright new owner. The Plant City Commission rejected April 22, a proposal from Big League Dreams Inc. The company, which specializes in creating smaller replicas of famous Major League ballparks and leasing them to the public, made the only proposal by the original 2 p.m. April 1, deadline. Big League Dreams has had interest in bringing one of its replica stadiums to Plant City for several years.

City Manager Greg Horwedel said the proposal lacked key information regarding potential costs and the benefits of the proposal to the city.

The proposal process was reopened May 29, with the new deadline set for 2 p.m. Friday, June 28.

Roberts said VSI had a proposal they planned to submit for the original RFQ but had a misunderstanding with the deadline. He said VSI is interested in submitting a proposal for the upcoming RFQ. “We really won’t know who is interested or how many responses we will receive until the deadline arrives,” Horwedel said. “Most respondents keep their level of interest pretty close to the vest.”

City Commissioner Rick Lott is a soccer advocate and an assistant coach for the Plant City High School girls team, for which his daughter, Ericka, is a standout player. Lott believes VSI can grow a fan base in Plant City and that the franchise will be successful, whether it stays in Plant City or ends up playing in Tampa. Lott added he is looking forward to the upcoming proposals and that the commission will do what’s best for the city.

“Plant City is a sports town, whether you’re talking about

Plant City as an additional option for its overall vision of “youth to pro” development.

“There isn’t enough land available for the residential training academy, but the stadium and other options could potentially be used for international tournaments and matches in the future as well as a satellite facility,” Roberts said.

THE RIGHT SITE

Roberts said VSI has identified four to five properties in the Tampa Bay area to potentially house the residential academy and main stadium, along with other projects.

He would not elaborate on which properties were currently being considered.

“From what I’ve been told, we are on track with the scheduling plan we put forth from the beginning,” he said.

The VSI stadium website notes

LOVE OF THE GAME

STAR TREATMENT

Matt Mauney

Kevin Garcia enjoyed hist time on the court with the varsity team.

19 is the cut-off for FHSAA sports.

“Coach came to me with the idea of giving up my jersey for Kevin for Senior Night,” Channer’s son, sophomore guard Isaiah Channer, said. “I was just a sophomore and knew that I would have my moments and that this would be one of the last opportunities for Kevin, so I was happy to do it.” soccer, baseball or football,” Lott said. “If you go up to any of the Plant City parks on the weekend, you’ll see all ages from small kids to adults playing soccer and the adult leagues bring out 2,000 to 3,000 fans, so soccer is definitely popular here.”

ESTABLISHING A FAN BASE

One factor that could come into play about VSI’s future in Plant City is the lack of support the VSI teams have received since March.

According to Roberts, the USL PRO matches attract 500 to 600 fans per game. Those numbers are drastically lower than those of the nearby USL franchise Orlando City, which is averaging more than 7,600 per game this season.

Orlando City is more established, founded in 2010.

“It has been a little frustrating, but we realize that we are a new franchise that is trying to find our feet,” Roberts said. “We’re hoping to get more support from Plant City and the surrounding areas.”

After being picked up by a limo at his house and getting VIP treatment at the Rays game — including spending about two hours on the field with Maddon and taking a private tour of the stadium — Garcia got to present the Best Rays Moment Award to Price.

He went home with many keepsakes, including a signed bat, Ben Zobrist’s batting gloves and his own No. 15 Rays jersey.

“It was really cool meeting all the Rays players,” he said. “I liked meeting coach Maddon, too.”

Garcia now will take culinary classes at Brewster Technical Center, in Tampa.

“He’s always loved to cook, and I have him help me in the kitchen with food prep a lot,” Francis said.

As for his future playing career, Garcia has even bigger dreams.

“I’d like to play in the NBA,” he said. “Maybe for the Miami Heat, when I get taller.”

Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver. com.

The on-field product has been successful. VSI’s USL PRO team currently sits in fourth place and one point out of third in the 13team league. The team has been most impressive at Plant City Stadium, compiling a 6-1-1 record including two wins over Antigua and Phoenix last weekend.

“Once people get out here and see us play, they will be impressed,” Roberts said. “We want this city to take pride in the team.

Once they get out here, they will be fans, for sure.”

The first phase of VSI’s development plan was a temporary modular stadium (5,000 to 6,000 seats). VSI currently owns the modular stadium. After not securing a site to erect it prior to the USL PRO season, VSI planned to build part of it to add to the far sideline at Plant City Stadium, but with low attendance numbers, that hasn’t been necessary.

Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver. com.

113224

It was Jan. 25, at Strawberry Crest High School, and the Chargers boys’ basketball team was celebrating Senior Night.

The Chargers had amassed a double-digit lead over Spoto and were playing under a running clock.

Then, what seemed like an ordinary Senior Night became a moment to remember for one senior — and everyone else in attendance that night.

Kevin Garcia was called into the game, marking his first varsity experience.

His teammates did everything they could to set up shots for him.

Five 3-point attempts went up, but none went through the net.

Then, as time was ticking down, Garcia was fouled when bringing the ball up the court off an inbound.

Two foul shots went up. Both went in, each followed by loud cheers from the crowd.

The buckets were Garcia’s first and only points in a varsity game and fulfilled a longtime dream of his — dressing for and scoring in a varsity high school basketball game.

On May 23, Garcia, a specialneeds student, received the Freddie Solomon Moral Courage Award at the Tampa Bay Sports

So on Jan. 25, Garcia dressed in Channer’s No. 15 jersey. Whether his team had a sizable lead or not, Lewis said he planned to get Garcia playing time.

“It was really heart-warming,” Lewis said. “Having him dress out was one thing, but seeing him play and score brought it to another level.”

14 PlantCityObserver.com

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

Plant City

RAIN

(inches)

I PC

Weather

WED.

June 5

0.07

THURS.

TemperatureS

Thurs., June 13 Fri., June 14 Sat., June 15 Sun., June 16 Mon., June 17 Tues., June 18 Wed., June 19

FRI.

June 7

0.12

SAT.

June 8

0.07

June 9

sunrise/sunset times

MON.

Sunrise Sunset Thurs., June 13 6:32 a.m.

8:25 p.m.

Fri., June 14 6:32 a.m.

8:26 p.m.

Sat., June 15 6:32 a.m.

8:26 p.m.

Sun., June 16 6:32 a.m.

8:26 p.m.

Mon., June 17 6:32 a.m.

8:27 p.m.

Tues., June 18 6:32 a.m.

8:27 p.m.

Wed., June 19 6:32 a.m.

8:27 p.m.

June 10

0.07

TUES.

June 11

0.04

JUNE

TO DATE

3.18 (2012: 5.12)

YEAR

TO DATE 11.99 (2012: 8.53)

MOON

PHASES

Community starts with neighbors who care.

June 16

June 23

GRAPE TOMATO PRICES

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

LOW $28.95 $14.95

HIGH $30.95 $16.95

June 29

Courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture

Tony Lee CLU, Agent 1702 S Alexander Street Plant City, FL 33563 Bus: 813-752-7202 www.tonyleeagent.com

State Farm® has a long heritage of helping out in the community. That’s why I’m proud to support Event/Charity.

Get to a better State .

M

0.05

Elisa Denton sent us this photo of Plant City High School senior Connor Philips enjoying his last day at school zooming down this water slide on Senior Water Day. The Plant City Observer, State Farm Insurance agent Tony Lee and The Corner Store have partnered to host the I Love Plant City Photo Contest. Weekly winners will have their photo featured and receive a $10 gift certificate to The Corner Store! To enter, submit your photos to Managing Editor Michael Eng, meng@ plantcityobserver.com; That’s what our town is made of. subject: I Love Plant City.

June 8

SA

SUN.

High Low 93 73 93 75 93 75 93 75 93 75 93 75 90 77

E

0.95

PL

June 6

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

3

CRYPTOGRAMS 1. E J E A O C E S M N M K Z G Y I M R N H L S Y C S M J N U D S A G M J ICM

OMRNH

CEDDZNU

KEL

E L M RY

CZG

OEASSA

LSZJK ZJ ARZJG. 2. Z K M K B G N A J K I I L , F G D R F RY X

XQKX

F AYA F K I A H F BRFKYBH

AH

XQR

XQR

KMXAHXAJ

DRML

IGSXARHX

I R D R I G S B R H J M A Z X A G Y K Y B R N Z I K Y K X A G Y.

114698

Tony Lee CLU, Agent

®

1201196

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

SOUnd OFF by Oscar Lunford

ACROSS 1 Brother of Cain 5 She created Hercule 11 Listening devices 15 Coffee nickname 19 “A ___ bagatelle ...”

20 Twelfth-grader 21 Instruction to a cabbie: “___ on it!”

22 Asgard god 23 1973 baseball film: “___ Slowly” 25 Warhol or Prince 27 More likely to cause a skid 28 Green lights 30 Nursery outfits 31 Maria ___ (mother of Marie Antoinette) 34 “Not guilty” pleas, e.g.

36 Wimp 37 Cobain or Russell 39 “Well, ___ be!”

40 Washer cycle 42 Chromosome material 45 Without taking a side 49 “Somewhere Out There” singer James 53 Love archer 54 Wood shaping machine 55 Long, drawn-out attack 57 The place of one’s fodder?

58 Tamsui River capital 60 Hot drink dispensers 62 Drug-related prefix 64 “... ___ gloom of night ...”

65 Withdraws (oneself) 67 Pickled delicacy 68 He discovered

X-rays 70 Put a stop to 71 Conferring 75 “___ with Mussolini” (1999 film) 76 Hands-on treatments 79 Sunbather’s desire 80 Walk by dragging one’s feet 84 Worldwide workers’ grp.

85 After-bath powders 87 Animal skin 89 Attractive quality 90 Wedding-band hand 92 Land maps 94 A delicious dish 96 Cutlass maker, for short 97 Mar, as with graffiti 99 One appearing in a reenactment, e.g.

101 Underhanded 102 Supreme Diana 104 “___ we having fun yet?”

105 Procrastinator’s promise 107 Stingers with narrow waists 110 Wrapped dishes 114 Genuflected 119 Reddish-yellow dyes 121 Depiction of Mary and Jesus 123 Work one’s fingers to the bone 124 Vacation mementos 126 High-pressure situations 129 Went in a hurry 130 “A Death in the Family” Pulitzerwinner James 131 Move stealthily

132 “Old MacDonald” sound 133 Person ogling, e.g.

134 “___ number one!”

135 Add salt and pepper to 136 Body art, slangily

dOwn

1 Sphere of influence 2 Lifeguard’s workplace 3 “Sesame Street” Muppet 4 “The Smokers” artist Fernand 5 Volcanic leftover 6 “___ whiz!”

7 Taylor of Mayberry 8 Ran out of steam 9 Senate counterpart 10 Neighbor of Georgia 11 Mentalist’s claim 12 Ring-shaped island 13 Ratify anew 14 Ensure kittenlessness 15 Simple notes or drawings 16 Mine entries 17 Workbench clamps 18 Anxiously impatient 24 Trip of much travail 26 Pine secretion 29 Operatic Beverly 32 Like an atrium 33 Width X length calculation 35 Committed, so to speak 38 Bishop Desmond 41 Fragment 42 Boring, colorwise 43 Caine/Ritter film 44 Fluttery poplars 46 Tossed 47 Avoid a magazine cancellation 48 Be wistful 50 Jog one’s memory 51 Additive in skin lotions 52 Early hours, to a poet

53 Posting at SFO or LAX 56 Pirates’ potables 59 “This foolishness must ___ once!”

61 Three-toed creature 63 Ready to be drafted?

66 Be busy in a bee 69 Musical beats 72 “Sesame Street” curmudgeon 73 Give up, as a right 74 Neighbor of Pakistan 76 Not too spicy 77 On the protected side 78 Stares with open mouth 81 Subatomic particle in a collider 82 ___-in-waiting 83 Windy City trains 86 Prepare vegetables 88 Consumes 91 Roofing base 93 Type of metal 95 Breakfast corner 98 Charges 100 Remnants of a species 103 Moe, Larry or Curly 106 It may be out on a limb 107 Be uneconomical 108 Drive bonkers 109 Catch in a trap 111 Autumn bloomer 112 Halloweenish 113 Buddhist monument 115 “Adam Bede” author George 116 Vampirelike female 117 It may be blessed 118 Classroom items 120 Become less hostile 122 Sugar bowl marchers?

125 “Monkey ___, monkey do” 127 Dove call 128 Brooding female CROSSWORD_061313

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Items Under $200 For Sale

CAPTAIN JOE’S Gourmet Catering Delivery - 813-759-8862 Catering Mobile - 813-843-2825 See our ad in the Service Directory CAPTAIN JOE’S Gourmet Catering Delivery - 813-759-8862 Driveways Mobile - 813-843-2825 See our ad in the Service Directory THE BRICK PAVER MAN Custom Paving & Sealing Bruce Frei Driveways 813-546-8694 brickpaverman@verizon.net MAN THE BRICK PAVERLic./Insured Commercial/Residential Custom Paving & Sealing Frei See our ad inBruce the Service Directory 813-546-8694 brickpaverman@verizon.net Commercial/Residential Lic./Insured

HOMESTARS www.Homestarsins.com Insurance INSURANCE www.Homestarsre.com HOMESTARS REALTY www.Homestarsins.com Bob Adams, President/CEO INSURANCE Bob@homestars.com www.Homestarsre.com 813-759-1044 See our ad in REALTY the Service Directory

Professional Services

Painting/Wallpapering

HARRINGTON PAINTING COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL CHUCK HARRINGTON Painting/Wallpapering 813-453-0507 LIC./INS. HARRINGTON Please see our ad in thePAINTING Service Directory COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL CHUCK HARRINGTON 813-453-0507 LIC./INS. Please see our ad in the Service Directory

KALEIDOSCOPE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Tutoring K-12 & Adults Flexible Schedule & Location Tutoring www.kklc.us 813-804-6908 KALEIDOSCOPE Mary R.EDUCATIONAL David, Director SERVICES Adults Directory Please seeTutoring our ad K-12 in the&Service Flexible Schedule & Location www.kklc.us 813-804-6908 Mary R. David, Director Please see our ad in the Service Directory

See our ad in the Service Directory

INSURANCE

Bob@homestarsins.com INSURANCE

114921

HPAINTING ARRINGTON PAINTING / Residential HCommercial ARRINGTON AINTING ChuckP Harrington

DELIVERY CATERING

813.759.8862 DELIVERY

Chuck Harrington

CONSTRUCTION www.gregoryorganization.com GregoryOrganization@gmail.com

813-763-3967 Pennie Gregory

The to 813-763-3967 company for your Pennie Gregory construction needs.

(ILLS ,IC 0! s 0ASCO ,IC ,0

Redneck RETAIL Steak Premium Oak Wood Smoked Redneck Steak Beef Jerky

Premium Oak Wood Smoked www.rednecksteak.com 727-638-2324

Beef Jerky

DRIVEWAYS The

to company for your construction needs.

www.rednecksteak.com 727-638-2324 Premium Jerky, Sauces Premium &Jerky, Rubs

114920

brickpaverman@verizon.net

Licensed Insured

114915

s k c o R y k r e s J k c o R y s k r e J www.jerkyrocks.com sales@jerkyrocks.com

s 15

114920

DRIVEWAYS )NTERLOCKING 0AVER )NSTALLATION s #USTOM 3EALING 3YSTEMS $RIVEWAYS s 0OOL $ECKS 3IDEWALKS s 2ETAINING 7ALLS %NTRANCE 7AYS s 3TREETS )NTERLOCKING 0AVER )NSTALLATION s #USTOM 3EALING 3YSTEMS "RUCE &REI s $RIVEWAYS s 0OOL $ECKS brickpaverman@verizon.net 3IDEWALKS s 2ETAINING 7ALLS Commercial Licensed Residential %NTRANCE 7AYS s 3TREETS Insured 4026 Highgate Dr., Valrico, FL 33594 "RUCE &REI s

114919

RETAIL

114912

Gourmet Catering 813.843.2825 mobile GregoryOrganization@gmail.com

www.jerkyrocks.com

114918 114918

TUTORING Make Your Phone Ring Team Up With Classifieds

-OBILE s 0HONE &AX

114916

www.gregoryorganization.com

114919

114912

Captain Joes

(ILLS ,IC 0! s 0ASCO ,IC ,0

CONSTRUCTION

Commercial Residential

LP Missing: # 114911

Commercial / Residential -OBILE s 0HONE &AX

Gourmet Catering 813.843.2825 mobile

CGC 1511143

LP Missing: # 114911

114911

813.759.1044

ĂœĂœĂœÂ° œ“iĂƒĂŒ>Ă€ĂƒÂˆÂ˜ĂƒÂ°VÂœÂ“ĂŠĂŠUĂŠĂŠĂœĂœĂœÂ° œ“iĂƒĂŒ>Ă€ĂƒĂ€i°Vœ“ PAINTING INSURANCE REALTY

813.759.8862

Captain Joes

113088

ÂŁxÂŁ{ĂŠ-°Ê Â?iĂ?>˜`iÀÊ-ĂŒÂ°]ĂŠ-Ă•ÂˆĂŒiÊ£äÓÊUĂŠ*Â?>Â˜ĂŒĂŠ ÂˆĂŒĂž]ĂŠ ĂŠĂŽĂŽxĂˆĂŽ

113088

114921

813.759.1044

ĂœĂœĂœÂ° œ“iĂƒĂŒ>Ă€ĂƒÂˆÂ˜ĂƒÂ°VÂœÂ“ĂŠĂŠUĂŠĂŠĂœĂœĂœÂ° œ“iĂƒĂŒ>Ă€ĂƒĂ€i°Vœ“ INSURANCE REALTY

600 West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563 CATERING ¨Â&#x2026;~Â&#x20AC;ŠĂ&#x203A;Â&#x201E;Â&#x201A; ¤Â&#x192;Â&#x192;Â&#x2021; Ă&#x203A;]plÂ?Ă&#x203A;~~ Ă&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x203A;=YpĂ&#x203A;¨Â&#x2026;~Â&#x20AC;ŠĂ&#x203A;Â&#x201E;Â&#x201A; ¤Â&#x2026;Â&#x201E; Â&#x201A;Ă&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x203A;oooÂ?j[[hYkÂ?Zar <DYadÂ&#x2018;Ă&#x203A;aj]f]Âłj[[hYkÂ?Zar

and Insured

RETAIL

ÂŁxÂŁ{Ă&#x160;-°Ă&#x160; Â?iĂ?>Â&#x2DC;`iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;-Ă&#x152;°]Ă&#x160;-Ă&#x2022;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x152;iĂ&#x160;£äĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*Â?>Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160; Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x17E;]Ă&#x160; Ă&#x160;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x17D;xĂ&#x2C6;Ă&#x17D;

600 West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563 BUSINESS NAVIGATION ¨Â&#x2026;~Â&#x20AC;ŠĂ&#x203A;Â&#x201E;Â&#x201A; ¤Â&#x192;Â&#x192;Â&#x2021; Ă&#x203A;]plÂ?Ă&#x203A;~~ Ă&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x203A;=YpĂ&#x203A;¨Â&#x2026;~Â&#x20AC;ŠĂ&#x203A;Â&#x201E;Â&#x201A; ¤Â&#x2026;Â&#x201E; Â&#x201A;Ă&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x203A;oooÂ?j[[hYkÂ?Zar Irene Castillo <DYadÂ&#x2018;Ă&#x203A;aj]f]Âłj[[hYkÂ?Zar CertiďŹ ed Public Accountant

Licensed

CROSSWORD_ANS_061313

President/CEO Bob@homestarsins.com

CertiďŹ ed Public Accountants Irene Castillo CertiďŹ ed Public Accountant and Consultants

CGC 1511143

This weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cryptogram answers 1. An archaeologist would be the only person who could happily gab about his career being in ruins.

2. Paradoxically, minimalism is the artistic movement that demands the very loftiest level of description and explanation.

Bob Adams

RAULERSONBUSINESS & COMPANY, P.A. NAVIGATION

and 813-763-3903 Insured Greg Gregory

2013

RETAIL President/CEO

CertiďŹ ed Public Accountants ACCOUNTING and Consultants

Licensed

HOUSE CLASSIFIEDS LP # 108051

Bob Adams

RAULERSON & COMPANY, P.A.

Greg Gregory

HOUSE CLASSIFIEDS LP # 108051

Bob Adams, President/CEO Professional Services Bob@homestars.com 813-759-1044 QUALITY READY-MADE picture frames. Variety See our ad in the Service Directory of sizes and colors. Starting at $7. Walden Lake Art & Frame, 813-752-7460.

QUALITY READY-MADE picture frames. Variety Tutoring of sizes and colors.

Starting at $7. Walden Lake Art & Frame, 813-752-7460.

ACCOUNTING

813-763-3903

This weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossword answers

Kaleidoscope Educational Services 877-308-5642 Mary R. Davis, Director

Tutoring K-12 & Adults TUTORING

Flexible Schedule & Location

Kaleidoscope WWW KKLC US s Educational Services 7 2EYNOLDS 3T 3UITE s 0LANT #ITY Mary R. Davis, Director

Tutoring K-12 & Adults Flexible Schedule & Location WWW KKLC US s 7 2EYNOLDS 3T 3UITE s 0LANT #ITY

Grow your business in the Service Directory

114916

ADVERTISE YOUR LINOLEUM FLOORING rollMERCHANDISE 19 1/2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, 2 etagere with thetwin total value of all items $200 less all. in wicker, bedspread, sham/skirt set.or$200 this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month, 813-650-8189 15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising ADVERTISE YOUR or garage sale MERCHANDISE advertising with the total value of all itemsweeks. $200 or less in Ad runs 2 consecutive this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month, Call less.

15 words orToll Price must be included next to Free: 1-877-308-5642 each item. No commercial ad to: advertising Email or garage sale advertising classified@yourobserver.com Ad include runs 2 consecutive weeks.

(Please your name and address) Call to: Or mail TollThe Free: 1-877-308-5642 Observer Group to: Email P.O. Boxad3169 classified@yourobserver.com Sarasota, Fl 34230 (Please include your name and address) Or mail to: The Observer Group Accounting P.O. Box 3169 Sarasota, Fl 34230 RAULERSON & COMPANY, P.A. Certified Public Accountants and Consultants Irene Castillo.

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

Insurance

113619

Items Under $200 For Sale

Catering

113619

LINOLEUM FLOORING roll 19 1/2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, 2 etagere wicker, twin bedspread, sham/skirt set. $200 all.

813-650-8189

Sauces Established & Rubs

Established

Call today to reserve your space 877-308-5642

PlantCityObserver.com

Plant city observer

THURSDAY, June 13, 2013

114703

16