06.19.15 PCTO

Plant City Times &

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

A PARTNERSHIP WITH

SUMMERTIME

The YMCA kicked off its summer camps.

NEVER FORGET

HOMERUNHITTER

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PAGE 12

Chase Mobley’s home run collection is up to 30 balls.

Student Jenna Glass remembers her aunt by giving back.

PAGE 10

FREE • FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2015

OUR TOWN changes by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

+ Win tickets to July 4th fireworks

The Plant City Times & Observer has partnered with the City of Plant City Recreation and Parks Department to giveaway six pairs of VIP tickets to the annual Fourth of July celebration at the Plant City Stadium, 1810 E. Park Road.

The celebration will take place beginning at 6 p.m.

Saturday, July 4, at Plant City Stadium, 1810 E. Park Road. The free celebration will feature inflatables, face painting, balloon art, corn hole, bean-bag toss, rockclimbing wall and Bungee jumping. The 20-minute fireworks show will begin at 9:15 p.m.

To enter our contest, email Managing Editor Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@ plantcityobserver.com, and tell us what the Fourth of July means to you! The deadline is Monday, June 29.

We will contact the winners July 2. Good luck!

TRIBUTE

by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor

Golf and country club under new management

The Lakes will be managed by Lynn Archibald, of Professional Golf Global. Visions Golf is still the owner of The Lakes.

One of the 18-hole golf courses in the Walden Lake community is under new management.

Lynn Archibald is the owner of Professional Golf Global Group and the new manager of The Lakes golf course at Walden Lake Golf & Country

Club. As the new manager, Archibald hopes to restore the quality of life to Walden Lake homeowners.

“I know what it’s expected to be,” Archibald said. “I want to do the right thing.”

After filing bankruptcy in 2011, Walden Lake Golf &

Country Club could not keep both of its courses in top condition. It closed The Hills Course in 2013. Combined with its aging clubhouse and pool, membership sank further.

One of Archibald’s priorities is to bring back member-

ship to The Lakes.

He is also the new manager of the swimming pool at the country club, which has since reopened.

This is the first golf course that Archibald has managed.

He graduated from a golf management school in August 2014.

Although the course is un-

Courtesy photo

Bud Lee founded the Artists and Writers Ball in Tampa.

SEE GOLF / PAGE 4

SMART STUFF by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

Family, friends remember Bud Lee

Those close to him considered the renowned photographer one of a kind.

It was 3 a.m. The lights in the kitchen were on at the Lee house. Magazine clippings were strewn on the table. Photographer Bud Lee was making one of his collage books.

In his bedroom, son Parker Lee could hear his father banging around in their home looking at slides and dizzying himself in the creative process.

Mr. Lee was a night owl. This late-night expressive session

SEE LEE / PAGE 4

+ PCHS student wins award

Deanna Rodriguez was selected as a recipient of the Anne Frank Humanitarian Award.

The Florida Holocaust Museum sponsors the award to recognize the “goodness of today’s youth.”

Deanna was selected based on her service to others. She is active in the Be the Match Foundation, which partners with the National Bone Marrow Registry to find donors.

Currently her group, Team ToMarrow, has registered over 200 new, potential donors. She is the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life team captain. The team participates each year at the local Relay event at PCHS and has raised over $6,500.

Deanna was recognized at a dessert reception at the Florida Holocaust Museum.

, 3&

This week’s winner is

Gonzalo Carrizales See the photo on PAGE 15.

ALL ABOUT THE HUNT

by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

Emily Topper

Logan Libretti achieved his dream of becoming a published writer just five days before the end of eighth grade. He was published in Young Mensan Magazine.

YOUNG MENSAN

Logan Libretti became a member of Mensa International in 2009.

Now, he is a staff writer and editor for Young Mensan Magazine.

L

ogan Libretti gave himself quite the goal to reach when he started sixth grade three years ago: He was going to be a published writer by the time he finished middle school. Just five days before he graduated from eighth grade this year, he met that goal by having his first article featured in Young Mensan Magazine, a publication written for and by the younger members of Mensa International.

Mensa is a non-profit, international society for high intellect individuals; specifically, individuals who have scored in the 98th percentile on an approved intelligence test.

Logan became a member of Mensa International in 2009, when he was in the first grade.

Not only did he get his article, “Where Authors Get Their Ideas,” published, he also earned one of three available editor spots.

“I was very excited,” Logan said. “I read a lot, but I like writing more.”

Logan’s article is about how authors — from Stephen King to Suzanne Collins — get their ideas and inspiration. It can be found on page 13 in the June edition of Young Mensan Magazine.

The article was personal to Logan, who also enjoys writing stories of his own.

“I like to write stories like fantasies,” he said. “I like to cover all genres and characters. I have a few stories finished, from class projects and creative writing.”

His friends, he said, have been supportive of his goals and success.

“They knew that I like writing a lot,” he said. “I told them, and they were extremely excited and happy for me.”

Logan attributes much of his interest in writing to his elementary school language arts teachers and coaches, who encouraged him to pursue his interest.

SEE MENSA / PAGE 4

“I like to write stories like fantasies. I like to cover all genres and characters.

I have a few stories finished, from class projects and creative writing.”

LOGAN’S FUN FACTS Favorite Food: Homemade Mac n’ Cheese Favorite Color: Red Favorite Subject in School: History Favorite Authors: Stephen King and James Patterson Currently Reading: “On Writing” by Stephen King Other Hobbies: Cooking and swimming

INDEX Calendar.......................2

Emily Topper

The markets sells a variety of handmade and vintage items, including soap.

Picker Place opens Father’s Day weekend The new Plant City business is open the third weekend of each month.

On Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, a new vintage market will host its second monthly opening featuring vendors with one-of-a-kind items.

Picker Place Vintage Market opened in May on Park Road just off of Interstate 4. Unlike other shops in the area that sell vintage and antique items, Picker Place Vintage Market is

SEE PICKER / PAGE 4 Vol.2,No.39 | Onesection

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

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

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

Weather......................15

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COMMUNITYCALENDAR

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

Acoustic Happy Hour — music takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 19, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 7648818.

Christian Contemporary Music — takes place from 6:33 to 8:13 p.m. Friday, June 19, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220.

Skip Frye Live! — takes place beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 19, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-9100.

(813) 719-2273.

Plant City Area Democrats Meeting — takes place beginning at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 22, at Bruton Memorial Library, 301 McLendon St. Anitantrb@gmail.com.

Plant City’s First Baptist VBS — takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, June 22, to Friday, June 26, at Plant City’s First Baptist Church, 503 N. Palmer St. Plant City’s First Baptist VBS — takes place beginning at 6 p.m. Monday, June 22, to Friday, June 26, at 503 N. Palmer St.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

TUESDAY, JUNE 23

Michael LuBeck Live! — takes place beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 20, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-9100.

Strawberry Classic Car Show — takes place from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 20, in Historic Downtown Plant City.

Young Adult Nite — takes place from 7:33 to 10:33 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Enjoy live music from local artists. (813) 7521220.

SUNDAY, JUNE 21 Shiloh VBS & Youth Wild Week — takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 21, to Thursday, June 25, at Shiloh Baptist Church Worship Center, 905 W. Terrace Drive.

Shiloh Adult VBS — takes place from 6 to 9 p.m.

Sunday, June 21, to Thursday, June 25, at Shiloh Baptist Church Worship Center, 905 W. Terrace Drive.

MONDAY, JUNE 22 Dover’s First Baptist Centrikid Camp — takes place from Monday, June 22, to Friday, June 26, at Eckerd College.

For more information contact

The Recovery for Life — takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, June 23, at the Lorena Jaeb Rainbow House, 504 N. Palm Drive. It is a 12-step Bible-based program to help free individuals from all forms of addiction. Debbie Ray, (813) 763-1562.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24 Carefest Planning Meeting — takes place beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the City Hall auditorium conference room, 302 W. Reynolds St. Lunch provided. RSVP to Norm Blanton at norm@sctb.org or (813) 326-0749.

Open Mic Night — takes place beginning at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, June 24, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 7648818.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25 Network Professionals Inc. — meeting takes place beginning at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, June 25, at IHOP, 805 S. Collins Street. For more information call Guy Howerton at (813) 310-2860.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26 Church of Nazarene VBS — takes place from 6 to 8:30

To publicize your event in our Community Calendar, please send by mail: 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563; or by email: ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com. Photos are welcome. Deadline is noon Thursday.

BEST BET Pet Therapy Dog Open House — takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, June 22, at South Florida Baptist Hospital’s Community Conference Room, 301 N. Alexander St. After being trained, pet therapy dogs interact with patients at the hospital and can help reduce anxiety, depression and fatigue. The dogs provide comfort, entertainment and a positive distraction, not just to the patient but to friends and family that are visiting. A prospective therapy dog must love people and other dogs, be at least one year old and have basic obedience skills. The open house is for pet owners only, not their dogs; potential therapy dogs will be evaluated at another time. For more information, contact Cassandra Banning at (813) 716-0950; Tracy Sanderson at (813) 714-6430; or Mary Post at (727) 255-4469. p.m. Friday, June 26, to Sunday, June 28, at Plant City Community Church of the Nazarene, 1301 Mud Lake Road. On Friday, there will be a giant waterslide and Joseph with a “Coat of Many Colors.” On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be horses and other animals.

On Sunday, it will close with a potluck dinner. The church will provide hot dogs, apple pies and soda. Bring your favorite dish to celebrate Independence Day. (813) 716-4899.

SATURDAY, JUNE 27 Fall Show Series — takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, June 27, at Black Dog Farm, 6306 Barton Road.

There will be schooling shows

for dressage and jumping, from beginners to advanced.

The public is invited to watch for free. BlackDogConnemara. com.

Men of Courage Seminar — takes place beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at Plant City Christian Center, 1214 W. Reynolds St. Suite 2. Plant City Christian Center Inc. in partnership with Building Strong Families Inc., will host the second “Men of Courage Seminar.” The topics to be discussed include: And the Greatest is Love: Love First, Love Fully; Lead with the Heart: Kindness Is Not Weakness; Keeping Up Your Temple: Physical Fitness; Leaving a Legacy: Financial Fitness; and Just Do It: Creating An Action Plan

for Success. The speakers include: Dewaine Godfrey, youth pastor at Faith Family Outreach Church of Clearwater; John Miller Jr., an organization development consultant and retired U.S. Navy Master Chief; Flexx Pearcey and Elijah Holloway, of Workout Time LLC, a Tampa-based gym; Derek Ingraham, pastor of Mt. Moriah Ministries; and Reggie Rivers, senior pastor at Plant City Christian Center Inc. Music will be provided by the male chorus of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church. There is no cost to attend the seminar, but pre-registration is required. For more information and to pre-register, contact Dr. Pauline Rivers, president of Building Strong Families

Inc., at (813) 759-0260 or by email at pmrivers@aol.com.

P.C. Entertainment Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser — takes place from 4 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 27, at St. Peters Episcopal Church, 302 Carey St. The dinner will cost $10 for adults and $5 for children. The meal includes spaghetti with a choice of meat or plain tomato sauce, salad, bread, dessert, and tea, coffee or fruit drink. Tickets will be sold at the door. Take out will be available. Live entertainment will be provided by singers, actors and musicians from the show “Music Man.” The dinner is a fundraiser for the musical. For more information call (813) 752-0728.

Sing! America! Concert — takes place beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 402 English St. Some of the works to be performed are “From Sea to Shining Sea,” Aaron Copeland’s “At the River,” and Irving Berlin’s God “Bless America,” a stirring arrangement of the traditional American folksong “Shenandoah,” and John Phillip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” in an arrangement created exclusively for the Plant City Community Chorale. Trinity United Methodist has limited seating, and PCCC is anticipating a standing-room-only crowd, as has happened at previous patriotic concerts. Advance admission tickets are available from any chorale member, online at pccchorale.org or by calling the PCCC Ticket Line at (813) 757-0212.

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update by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor

WLCA by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

Parking issues come to light at meeting

Amid the rezoning concerns and election disputes, the WLCA board heard from one resident who says school parking is out of control.

Photos by Amber Jurgensen

Many residents like to watch the sun go down over the pasture, including Clayton Jenkins, who lives on Midway Road.

Varrea development gets closer to reality

Developers have been working on plans for a community since they bought Cone Farms in 2013. Dirt could be turned as early as 2016.

Cone Farms is inching closer and closer to becoming the master-planned community, Varrea.

Representatives from Stantec, on behalf of the landowner Walton International Group, made a presentation to the City of Plant City Planning Board Thursday, June 11, revealing more plans for the development that will resemble neighborhoods such as Walden Lake, FishHawk and Lakewood Ranch, in Manatee County.

“We are excited to be part of the community,” Mark Jacobson, senior planning and development manager for Walton’s Southeast district, said. “Our goal is to build a community that will stand the test of time.”

The 1,008 acres of pastureland north of Knights Griffin Road and west of Charlie Taylor Road was once owned

by Bob Graham. The Robert G. Graham Family LP and the David J. Tozlosky Family LP sold the land in October 2013 for $18.1 million to Calgarybased Walton in what was one of the largest land deals in Plant City’s history.

At the Planning Board meeting, a modification was proposed to change Cone Farms Community Unit to the Varrea Planned Development District to better fall in line with the traditional neighborhood development designation.

The modification would ensure that the traditional neighborhood designation would reflect a walkable, compact design between the homes and businesses that are built as part of Varrea. The community is approved for 2,640 single- and multi-family dwelling units, 345,000 square feet of commercial and 50,000 square feet of office uses.

There will be nine neighborhoods connected by trails, waterways and sidewalks.

“The site is gorgeous,” Katie LaBarr, a project planner with Stance said. “It’s surrounded primarily by agriculture … with a creek, wetlands, meadow. … It has that unique old Florida feel we all know and have certainly come to love.”

THE DETAILS

Midway Road almost cuts the development in half. A “Village Center” is planned to be located in the central areas of Midway Road, and will contain 229,785 square feet of commercial development and 535 multi-family dwelling units.

Another area on the eastern half of Knights Griffin Road has also been designated for mixed uses, including 115,251 square feet of com-

mercial development and 165 multi-family units.

A maximum of 50,000 square feet of office uses may be developed within these two areas.

Planners said a these commercial and office spaces can range from cafes to churches, schools to shops.

There has been 322 acres planned for open space, such as the integrated park system and trails with wetland buffers.

Development is not allowed to occur in areas designated as natural preservation.

The remaining 772 acres are residential villages. There will be about 2.6 dwellings per acre with nine deed-restricted neighborhoods. Garage entrances will be located in the back of the homes with access to the driveways through back alleyways.

This proposed development pattern is consistent with the adopted build-out scenario of the Plant City Area Northeast Master Plant. The population in Hillsborough County is projected to grow to 600,000 more people and add 400,000 new jobs by 2040. The Northeast Master Plan is designed in anticipation of that growth.

TRANSPORTATION REPORT

A transportation analysis was performed in March 2015

by Stantec, and a peer review by the city was conducted by Kimley-Horn Engineering.

The analysis identified seven intersection improvements that will be needed from projected traffic.

The improvements will be phased over time as the development occurs, after the PM peak hour threshold is met for each intersection.

The intersection projects include: the addition of a northbound left turn lane at Knights Griffin and Wilder roads; addition of a left turn lane at Knights Griffin and Charlie Taylor roads; signal installation and addition of a

southbound right turn lane at Sam Allen and Wilder roads; signal installation at Wilder and Midway roads; signal installation at Wilder and Lampp roads; addition of an eastbound turn lane at Charlie Taylor and South Frontage roads.

Walton would be responsible for paying a proportionate share of the cost of improvements. The excess would be paid by Plant City, Hillsborough County or the state, whichever is the governing entity of each road.

It’s too early to project when, or if, Knights Griffin Road will need to be widened, according to Plant City Principal Planner Phillip Scearce.

The funding to widen it will come from mobility fees collected as development occurs.

Walton will most likely be required by Hillsborough County to make improvements at Varrea’s entrance points along Knights Griffin Road, as well as dedicate the necessary right-of-way to accommodate the possible widening.

“In most cases where a road widening is proposed there is a process of right-of-way acquisition or purchasing the necessary right-of-way from adjacent landowners,” Scearce said. “The costs are based on fair market value, but if the owner does not agree with the acquisition costs then it usually goes through remediation (e.g. the court system).”

Charlie Taylor Road is not proposed to be widened in the future but will need enhancements, such as wider shoulders, bike lanes and sidewalks.

As for Midway Road: “Midway Road was projected to need widening by the Northeast Master Plan, but its need for widening is so far out in the future that it was put in a “Phase II” list of projects,” Scearce said. “Therefore, it was not identified as a project

in the mobility fee analysis, and will not be funded under the current mobility fee ordinance.”

With a long schedule of construction ahead, residents like Robert Bush are curious how traffic will be affected on these roads.

“Traffic on Midway Road is very minimal,” Bush, who lives on Midway, said to the Planning Board. “Sunday morning (from Midway Baptist Church) is the big traffic day.”

Jacobson said it was too early in the process to forecast how construction traffic will affect residents, but he said it will be taken into consideration with the neighboring homeowners in mind.

GROWING PAINS

The new development is consistent with the city’s vision, and others hope to capitalize on the opportunity.

Clayton Jenkins, of Jenkins Construction, lives on Midway, and he said he welcomes the development.

“I hope you use the residents of Plant City that have professional capabilities (when building),” he said.

But not everyone sees the coming development as a positive.

Marsha Spivey lives on Fraiser Lane. She said the development will destroy the country feel of the surrounding area.

“It’s beautiful out there where I live,” Spivey said.

“That’s why I bought my home there because I love the country. Now instead of opening my front door and seeing a beautiful pasture, I’m going to see a concrete city.”

She has concerns about the wildlife and aquifer. Walton will be responsible for extending water, sanitary sewer and reclaimed lines to the site. Potable water facilities will be operated by the City of Plant City.

In anticipation of growth in the northeast quadrant of Plant City, the city has been working on a water main, a wastewater force main and reclaimed water main to run east along South Frontage Road.

“In the comprehensive plan it says, ‘preserving the past’ … but how can you preserve it by building it up,” Spivey said.

The use of the land was originally approved in 2007 and modified in 2011.

“At this point, it looks like it is moving forward with development in regards to consideration of the residents,” Bonnie Carr, Planning Board chair, said.

School may be out, but one resident wants to open the book about parking concerns during the school year. A Walden Lake resident who lives in Westwood spoke at the June 15 meeting about the poor traffic flow at the intersection of Emerson Place and Barrett Avenue.

According to the resident, who asked to remain unnamed, parents of students who attend Walden Lake Elementary School frequently park on those two streets and block mailboxes and driveways. Some drivers also park on the lawns of residents and remain parked illegally for up to 45 minutes at a time.

Both Emerson Place and Barrett Avenue have narrow streets, and parking on both sides restricts fire and EMS vehicles from getting down the streets. The fire hydrant on Emerson has also been blocked by parked cars.

Drivers have frequently ignored the “no parking” signs on Barrett Avenue, and Emerson Place is a thru street with no outlet.

Students have also cut through the streets and neighboring houses to get to Walden Lake Elementary, and some residents have found snack bags and soda cans littered in their lawns or stuffed in the hedges.

Because of the parking, the view is obstructed when turning left from Emerson and onto Barrett, and drivers must swing wide in order to turn from Barrett onto Emerson.

WLCA President Bob Hunter drove out to the location Tuesday, June 16, after hearing the resident’s complaints.

“This is an extremely serious situation,” Hunter said.

In addition to impacting the value of their homes, both Hunter and Walden Lake residents have other concerns. If nothing is done about the parking issue, there is the possibility that a detrimental accident could occur in the future. The intersection has no crossing guards, and there is a lack of parental supervision in the flurry of drop-offs and pick-ups.

Mail carriers have had to deal with the parking issue, as well. The resident who reported the problem failed to have her mail delivered for three days because her mailbox was blocked. Additionally, there have been two collisions with mail trucks and drivers on Barrett Avenue.

Administrators at Walden Lake Elementary School reported that the traffic issue was out of their jurisdiction.

The administration believes that many parents choose to park in the Walden Lake community because of the long line on

DATES TO KNOW BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT WHEN: 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 11 WHERE: Walden Lake Park

REZONING MEETING WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug 13 WHERE: John R. Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College Turkey Creek Road.

Hunter believes that something needs to be done about the situation immediately.

“It’s everyone’s problem, and we can solve it,” Hunter said. “We just have to get everybody together.”

Hunter is planning for a meeting about the issue to be held before the end of the month.

ELECTION CONCERNS

Many Walden Lake residents expressed their displeasure regarding the last election for the WLCA’s Board of Directors at the June 15 meeting.

The April election was a close race between incumbent Jan Griffin and candidate Lynn Buehler. When Buehler did two separate recounts, each total was different. Buehler wanted to file for arbitration, but he could not take the financial risk and didn’t want to entrench the WLCA in lawyers’ fees because it would take away from community improvements that could be made with homeowners’ dues instead.

Jim Hall, a Walden Lake resident for nearly 15 years, was one of the volunteers that counted the votes.

“Three different counts came up with three different totals,” Hall said. “It’s embarrassing to say the least.”

In a letter that he read aloud to the board members and those that attended the meeting, Hall said he was unhappy with one board member who he believes put the community in a situation where they would have to spend thousands of dollars in arbitration. In his letter, he asked for Jan Griffin to step down, but said that her work for the community in the past did not go unnoticed.

Buehler also spoke at the meeting. He said he does not want a similar situation to occur in the future, and told the board that he would strongly recommend a new law firm based on how the previous election was handled. The WLCA’s attorney served as the supervisor of the election.

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver. com.

REVIEWS AND RESERVES At the June 15 meeting, Adam Lopatin from Wells Fargo discussed crime insurance, property coverage and liability coverage with the WLCA board members.

According to President Bob Hunter, the insurance policy had not been recently reviewed.

Board members voted unanimously to increase their bond coverage from $100,000 to $600,000 to be consistent with Florida statutes.

The board also heard from a representative from GAB Robins about a reserve study.

“The reserve study looks at capital improvements we need to plan and budget for over the next few years,” Hunter said.

Starting next year, increased funds will be put aside for repairs and updates.

After recent improvements to the community, Hunter believes that the neighborhood is starting to look better.

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PICKER / PAGE 1

LEE / PAGE 1

only open on the third weekend of every month.

Owners Gavin Anderson and Stacy Carpenter believe that the market’s limited hours allow for them and their vendors to pursue other projects.

“They don’t have to constantly be here,” Anderson said. “They can sell their vintage stuff without having to work full time.”

The weekend hours have also allowed for Anderson and Emily Topper Carpenter to promote their Stacy Carpenter and Gavin Anderson have 17 vendors so far. market as an event to vintage and antique lovers in Plant they want to purchase as they City, Tampa and Orlando. continue to shop.

IF YOU GO “The response to this has Although items are occaWHERE: 709 N. Park been pretty cool,” Anderson sionally featured on the store’s Road said. website or on Facebook, items CALL: (813) 699-3501 The market currently has cannot be reserved ahead 17 vendors. Although they are of time. Purchases are first WEBSITE: PickerPlace. seeking more, Anderson and come, first serve. Carpenter com Carpenter don’t want to ex- and Anderson believe that by HOURS: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ceed 40 vendors. They accept not letting people purchase Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 vendors who sell shabby chic until the day of the market, p.m. Sunday items, as well as painted fur- they are being fair to everyniture and project pieces. one.

FUTURE DATES Vendors are in charge of As an added bonus, those July 18 & 19 pricing their own items, but who see an item they might August 15 & 16 Anderson and Carpenter want online won’t forget to encourage them to price to check out the market when September 19 & 20 sell — there is no price nego- the booths are finally open.

October 17 & 18 tiation between shoppers and The owners believe that the November 21 & 22 vendors at Picker Place. items featured are ones that December 19 & 20 “We’re not a flea market,” can’t be found anywhere else.

Carpenter added. “If some“We live in a disposable thing is special enough to world,” Anderson said. “This you, it’s fair.” keeps funds in the Plant City stuff is made to last.”

The decision to sell items Although they’ve been area, making it a better city. at a fixed price was done to spreading the word about Both owners also noted that protect vendors and has got- their new business for over a they have received support ten positive feedback thus month, Anderson and Car- and encouragement from felfar. Anderson and Carpenter penter are currently working low local shop owners. have received great responses on attracting customers from “We’re just excited because from vendors, customers and other nearby cities. it’s something new in the friends.

After customers visit the area,” Carpenter said. “We “It’s just something we want market, the owners send have a great mix of items from to do for our vendors,” Car- them to other local business- antiques to handcrafted to penter, who formerly owned es in the area, including an- vintage.”

Kindred Spirit Vintage, said.

Some of the items that will tique stores and restaurants.

The perks aren’t just for “We don’t see the other be available next weekend vendors. Market customers shops as competition,” An- can be found on the market’s can enjoy shopping at the dif- derson said. “The (local) plac- Facebook page, Picker Place ferent booths in a spacious, es are the ones that help the Vintage Market, or at Pickerair-conditioned facility. Pick- area.”

Place.com. er Place Vintage Market also Contact Emily Topper at The owners are firm believoffers a holding area, where ers that promoting other lo- etopper@plantcityobserver. customers can set aside items cal businesses and local sales com.

had happened many times before. And many times since.

It’s one of the things Parker Lee remembers about his father.

“He was unlike anyone you ever met,” Parker Lee said. “He really was a creative force.”

Until his last days, Mr. Lee, a Life magazine Photographer of the Year winner, was creating. He died Thursday, June 11, at 74.

He freelanced for Vogue, Esquire, New York Times, and on and on. He was the Military Photographer of the Year by the National Press Photographers Association. He was an artist.

“He was kind of a bizarre guy in a lot of ways,” John Briggs, his friend of 40 years, said. “But that’s an artist. He was more of an artist than a photographer.”

Mr. Lee’s photographs of Clint Eastwood, Norman Rockwell and Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger solidified his reputation as a talented creative.

His first professional work was for the United States Army, where he worked at Stars & Stripes in the 1960s.

From there he captured raw shots of the first legally aborted fetus. He documented Newark, New Jersey riots looter Billy Furr seconds before Furr was shot and killed by police.

All those moments became part of history because of his skillful eye.

Who knew he had wanted to start out being a filmmaker and not a photographer?

He loved Turner Classic Movies. Musicals were his favorite, especially “My Fair Lady.”

He passed the passion for film and the arts to his family.

“I have a lot of paints in my house, just like we had,” his daughter, Steckley Lee, said. “I really like to let (my children) create art.”

Her youngest daughter, Eleanor, 1, is just starting to color. Her oldest, Ryah, 7, makes costumes for her cousins and is drawing constantly, just like her grandpa. Iba, 4, also has her own creative tendencies.

Steckley Lee, Parker Lee and their siblings, Thomas Lee and Charlotte Lee, grew up under their father’s influence. They were always around artists, including Briggs. When other families had Bugs Bunny on the TV, they were watching “To Kill a Mockingbird.” He encouraged them to paint carpets in the backyard and disassemble anything in the house to make it into something new.

“It did seem special,” Steckley Lee said. “We knew we were different, our experiences were different. And I was really proud.”

But he didn’t force his views or lifestyle on his children. “(Photography) was his thing,” Parker Lee said. “We all had our own thing.”

His children went into creative fields. Charlotte Lee is a set decoration buyer for films.

Thomas Lee went into filmmaking because of his father.

Parker Lee is an architect.

Steckley Lee was an attorney but didn’t lose her creative spirit.

Maybe it’s because of all the times Mr. Lee took the family

NEWS BRIEFS + Boy drowns at wedding

A 4-year-old boy drowned in a pond while attended a wedding with his parents in Plant City.

According to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, during the early evening hours of June 12, the victim, Nathan McGee, of Ocoee, was with his parents at a wedding and reception party at Kathleen’s Garden and Grandpa’s Event Barn, at 5701 Pless Road in Plant City.

At about 6:50 p.m., the boy was on the dance floor when he walked away without his parent’s knowledge. A couple of minutes later, the parents noticed their son missing and began searching for him.

At 7:05 p.m., the father spotted his son in a small pond on the property and pulled him out of the water.

An off-duty Pasco County firefighter who was attending the wedding began CPR on the unconscious boy, and 911 was called. Paramedics with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived and took over life-saving efforts while rushing Nathan to Florida Hospital.

He died a short time later at the hospital.

Sheriff’s Office detectives along with investigators with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Child Protective Investigation Division are conducting an investigation. Upon conclusion of the investigation, a decision will be made to determine if any criminal neglect was involved in this incident.

+ Former agent charged with fraud

A former Plant City and Bartow insurance agent has been charged with fraud.

Heidi Y. Colonge, 34, worked as the lead agent and manager of Express Insurance of Plant City. According to the indictment, she planned to defraud the owners out of bonus and commission checks from various insurance companies

Express did business with. She posed as Express’ owner by opening a post office box in a similar corporate name, filing corporate paperwork, registering a similar fictitious name and opening a personal bank account in the fictitious name to deposit checks belonging to Express.

The indictment further alleges that Colonge spent the fraud proceeds on personal items that benefitted herself and her family, and to open another competing insurance agency.

If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on the bank fraud charges, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on each wire and mail fraud charge. The indictment also notifies her that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of the proceeds of the fraud.

Colonge was arrested and had her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Pizzo Monday, June 15. She was released on bond.

+ Four people arrested in armed robbery

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested four people, Wednesday, June 10, for the armed robbery of a Marathon convenience store in Lakeland.

Three of the four are Plant City residents: Cedric Griffin, 27; Curtnisha Young, 19; and Ajaysia Smith, 18.

Griffin, of 117 W. Warren St., is charged with robbery with a firearm, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed burglary with assault/battery, attempted first degree murder, grand theft (firearm), possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of ammunition by convicted felon and carrying concealed firearm by convicted felon.

Young, of 609 S. Gordon St., is charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Smith, of 20 S. Warnell St., is charged with robbery with a firearm, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and armed burglary with assault/ battery.

Dominique Robinson, 27, of Lakeland, is charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Polk County Sheriff’s deputies said the firearm used during the robbery was stolen in

FESTIVAL ELECTS BOARD MEMBER

The Florida Strawberry Festival board of directors voted June 9 to elect its newest member.

Pam Warnock, who has served as an associate director for 14 years, was elected from a field of 15 fellow associate directors.

“I feel honored I was chosen out of a group of people who are all very well qualified,” Warnock said.

In addition to serving as senior vice president of Hillsboro Bank, Warnock currently serves on the festival’s swine committee and is chairman of the information services committee. She served as a festival volunteer for many years before becoming an associate director in May of 2001.

“She has been a great ambassador for the Florida Strawberry Festival,” Festival President Dan Walden said.

“I’m very excited to see her elected to director and look forward to working with her.”

A position on the board of directors became vacant last month with the death of longtime director Hilman Bowden.

“I feel like it’s a privilege to be following in Mr. Bowden’s footsteps who served well for so many years,” Warnock said.

With Warnock’s election comes a vacancy in the 16-seat group of associate directors. The board of directors plans to elect a new associate director sometime this fall.

April during a residential burglary in Mulberry.

All four suspects are currently in the Polk County Jail.

The gas station is located at 2045 Ariana St. in unincorporated Lakeland.

+ Accident closes Trapnell Road

Trapnell Road at Sam Astin Road was closed at about 10:40 a.m. Thursday, June 11, because an 18 wheeler rolled and spilled lumber onto the road. Motorists were advised to avoid the area for about an hour while the roadway was cleared.

MENSA / PAGE 1 He is especially grateful to his fourth-grade teacher, April Langston, who is now a guidance counselor at Strawberry Crest High School — the same high school where Logan will start as a freshman in the International Baccalaureate program this fall.

“It’s gonna be a big difference,” Logan said of starting high school. “I’m just excited to learn more. If I do well and I work hard, I could get college credits and get closer to what I want to do in the future.”

Although he doesn’t have another specific goal set in place just yet, Logan thinks he might be interested in writing for a local publication.

“I like finding out other people’s stories and telling other people’s stories,” Logan said.

His mother, Libby, has high hopes for her son as he enters this next stage of his education.

Courtesy photo

Bud Lee freelanced for Life, New York Times, Vogue, Equire, Rolling Stone, Town and Country, and more. along with him on his projects or on cross-country road trips.

He would sit in the passenger seat and make his children’s dolls dance to entertain them.

“He always tried to include us in his work,” Steckley Lee said.

Once, he took her and her friend Julie on a photoshoot at Disney World. He was shooting promotional materials for Disney’s new hotels.

When she wasn’t invited to prom, he gave her a pep talk.

“He said, ‘Right now, people can’t see the beauty, and one day they will,’” she said. “He always saw the beauty in everything and tried to bring it out.”

Like the time he was photographing a Haitian artist who made sequins flags in Miami. He asked if he could move some of the furniture in the artist’s house around. Mr. Lee thought the 2-foot-tall ceramic vase in the living room was pretty. He wanted it in the shot.

He moved it.

“Just not that vase,” the Haitian artist said.

Panic. He moved it back.

It had a spirit in it — according to the Haitian artist.

“He looked at things completely different than a lot of people,” Briggs said.

Briggs and Mr. Lee went on many road trips together as part of their National Endowment for the Arts assignments.

“He always took the back roads,” Briggs said. “He was never in a hurry to go anywhere.”

As chaotic and enlivening as Mr. Lee was, he had an enticing duality. He was an organizer, a connector. He founded the Artists and Writers Ball in Tampa to bring the art community together.

“There’s not really anyone who has stepped up to the plate and has done what he’s done,” Briggs said. “He was good at orchestration and at bringing together a diverse group of people.”

It took a stroke to slow Mr. Lee down. He moved into a Plant City nursing home after the stroke 12 years ago. But that wasn’t the end of him.

“The biggest [goal] would be for him to graduate top of the class in IB and get into a good college,” she said. “If he has a good education, we feel like whatever goals he sets he’ll be able to achieve.”

For now, Logan will continue to enjoy the perks of his new title. He will write and edit for Young Mensan Magazine for the September, December and March issues, before re-applying for the same position.

Logan enjoys the same things most other 13-yearolds enjoy, including playing video games, hanging out with friends and spending time with his family. But writing will remain in the forefront.

“I’m already preparing for the September issue,” Logan said. “And I’m considering ideas I would want to do for magazines and newspapers. If it’s a challenge to me, it makes me want to do it more.”

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver. com.

He continued to paint, draw and write.

“Even after his stroke, he was still growing and creating and was still a very vibrant person,” Steckley Lee said. “I think a lot of people missed out on that part of his life.”

Abstracts were his thing during this time; nudes and nature were the subjects. He continued watching Turner Classic Movies. He also liked the spiritual leaders who were interviewed on “Oprah.”

He would use the quotes he found inspirational in his artwork.

In the last few years he focused on writing.

His children have his photographs hanging in their homes. They trade and share.

Parker Lee has a lot of his Stars & Stripes shots. Steckley Lee’s favorite is the picture of a couple in a truck bed on a San Francisco bridge. All his work is familiar. They grew up around it. But his recent writing is something new to them.

Steckley Lee is looking forward to going through his things to read his thoughts and dreams.

Because no one ever stops dreaming. No artist ever stops creating.

And although his art was his legacy, those who knew Mr. Lee would agree he left something else behind much more precious.

“He said family was his greatest work of art,” Steckley Lee said.

Mr. Lee is survived by his wife, Peggy; children, Charlotte, Steckley, Parker and Thomas; and grandchildren, Ryah, Iba, Eleanor, Madoc and Jack.

A service will be held July 11 at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 400 N. Ashley Drive. Family visitation will be at 5 p.m. The service will be at 6 p.m.

Donations are being accepted by his family to preserve his archives and can be made to the Artist and Writers Group, earmarked Bud Lee, and mailed to Steckley Lee, 1001 Pinedale Dr., Plant City, FL 33563. A Paypal account is pending and will be linked to his Facebook page.

GOLF / PAGE 1 der new management, ownership has not changed. The golf course is still owned by Visions Golf LLC. Visions Golf has plans to ask the city for a rezone of its property to build more than 300 homes on the site of The Hills course in Walden Lake.

Development plans include 154 single-family lots, 156 four-plex units, a 7-acre park and a 100-unit assisted living facility.

Despite the positive plans from Archibald to turn The Lakes course around, many residents are still concerned about The Hills course’s rezoning. Some have even banded together to form Walden Lake Community Preservation Inc. to stop the rezoning with a lawsuit.

The WLCA board voted against the rezoning at its monthly meeting in May. The city’s Planning Board will hear about rezoning The Hills course Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College.

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LASTING LEGACY by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor

Courtesy photo

Jenna Glass, teacher sponsor Mary Davis and Savanah Wyatt presented backpacks and a check to Shirley Chamberlain in the middle of the students’ eighth-grade dance June 5.

Student remembers aunt by volunteering

It’s been one year since Stacey Parkerson was hit and killed walking to the store.

Her niece is carrying on her giving legacy.

Jenna Glass sat in the kneehigh grass and watched her metallic silver balloon float into the sunset Monday, June 15. It has been a year since her big-hearted aunt, Stacey Parkerson, was hit and killed by a vehicle while walking alongside Sydney Road.

The family gathered at the accident site just several houses down the road from their home to release balloons near an overgrown strawberry field.

As the family and Parkerson’s friends gathered in a circle to hold hands, they remembered the best things about her. She loved kids, dressing up in funny costumes and giving back to her community. She volunteered at Metropolitan Ministries.

It is this history of service that has stuck in the mind of Jenna. Just in time for the one-year anniversary of Parkerson’s death, Jenna has completed her own service project

at her school, Turkey Creek Middle.

Jenna spearheaded a fundraising effort to raise money for backpacks for foster care children for the Luggage for Love program. When the children are taken away from their homes, they are only given a trash bag to collect their belongings in. When Jenna heard this, she wanted to help.

“I want to be a foster family,” Jenna said. “I feel bad for people who don’t have a home. Some stories are really sad.”

Jenna went to her principal a month before school let out to see if she could collect money on campus. She found a teacher sponsor, Mary Davis, and then recruited her friends and classmates to help.

One of those friends was Savanah Wyatt. She stayed after school with Jenna and the others to make special mason jars covered in burlap ribbon and inspirational quotes for ev-

Photos by Amber Jurgensen

Stacey Parkerson’s mother, Kathy Gamble, released her group of balloons into the air at the accident site off Sydney Road as part of a one-year anniversary memorial service. ery classroom for students to drop donations in. They also made posters for every home room door.

“It was fun,” Savanah said.

“The outcome of it was for good cause.”

The team didn’t think they would raise more than $100 for the backpacks. The students ended up raising $300 in two weeks.

Jenna and Savanah left their eighth-grade dance Friday, June 5, to give the check and five backpacks donated from front office staff to family friend Shirley Chamberlain.

Chamberlain works with the Friends in the Park homeless dinner feeding program at Veterans’ Monument Memorial Park. She was the one to tell the Glass family about the Luggage for Love.

“Over the years, I have seen foster children ripped from their families, sent to a strange home totally bewildered and

This wasn’t the first time friend Scott Grace made a latern in honor of Stacey Parkerson. showing up on those front steps with a black garbage bag holding their few belongings, probably feeling like the garbage those bags must represent,” Chamberlain said.

“We adults know that they’re not, but a child can only try piecing together in their own

mind, and more often than not anything that happens to them they will blame themselves. Those black garbage bags must be the ultimate humiliation for them.”

Chamberlain also worked with Parkerson at Metropolitan Ministries.

“It comes full circle for Jenna that she can give back, and it’s also the year anniversary of Stacey’s death,” Chamberlain said.

Like Parkerson, Jenna has a passion for volunteering. She averaged 400 community service hours every year she was in middle school. One of her other major projects is volunteering at Christmas Lane.

As she squinted at the last glimpse of the balloon before it floated over the trees, she knows she will continue her service at the high school level and leave a legacy much like Parkerson’s.

“I just think about the idea of helping,” Jenna said.

“There’s a lot of people who don’t have anything. It makes you feel like a great person because you’re giving to someone who has nothing.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

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This week’s Cryptoquiz answers

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2015

OWNER’S REPORT

The Big Job of Plant City High School Principal: Hail, Farewell and Thanks If you ask any of the readlenge learning. Thank you ers of the Plant City Times for enriching the educational & Observer or the citizens of journey of all those students Plant City to name the hardby providing many choices est job in Plant City, I suspect in 21 athletic teams and 25 that many will overstudent clubs. Thank look an obvious one. you for making sure This job is responthat PCHS school is sible for providing a maintained so the service that many conmyriad of curricular sider one of the most and co-curricular acimportant in terms of tivities that the school impact on society. provides can take When there are no place. Thank you for problems, the person hiring and supervisFELIX in this job functions as ing a faculty and staff HAYNES a leader and cheerof 250 employees. leader, putting the If the job was not spotlight on the accomplish- big enough, PCHS has to ments of others. When there operate while interfacing is a problem, it lands square- with a county-wide school ly on this person’s desk. district that ranks among The job is the principal of the ten largest in the United Plant City High School.

States, and with the people This summer, Plant City and other organizations of and PCHS are saying goodPlant City. bye to the school’s immediRead that last paragraph ate past principal, Colleen again, because it multiplies Richardson, as she celebrates the challenge of being PCHS’ her retirement. She has led principal. for eight years.

You try to please all the Thank you, Colleen, for constituencies that our PCHS providing a complex curprincipal has to satisfy. riculum to 2,125 students Good evidence for the in the 2014-15 school year. complexity of the job comes Thank you for helping those from the committee that the students be successful in Hillsborough County School overcoming the many indiDistrict put together to help vidual problems which chalhire Colleen’s successor. Of

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CONTACT US The Plant City Times & Observer is published once weekly, on Fridays.

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the eight members of the interview committee, three were PCHS teachers. However, five represented various important constituencies with which the new principal will need to work: a pastor and an assistant basketball coach, a PCHS alumna and parent, a PCHS alumni and president of the Florida Strawberry Festival, a president of the Parent Teacher Student Association, and a migrant advocate.

Pleasing all those constituencies has been a task that Colleen has done so well.

That will now be the task of Susan Sullivan, who has recently been named PCHS’ next principal.

Susan will need to draw upon everything in her background, including being a PCHS alumna herself, a former PCHS teacher and a principal of two of PCHS’ primary feeder schools, Tomlin Middle and Marshall Middle schools. Being married to Plant City banker David Sullivan will help, too.

If you see Colleen this summer, be sure to thank her for the fine job she has done over the past eight years as PCHS’ principal and in meeting the challenges of one of

File photo

Colleen Richardson retired from Plant City High School after eight years. the most complex jobs in Plant City.

If you see Susan, give her your congratulations. Wish her good luck as she assumes the big job of shepherding our high school and its students, faculty, and staff.

Felix Haynes is an owner of the Plant City Times & Observer.

Plant City Times &

Observer

General Manager/Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.com General Manager/Advertising / Stacey Hudson, shudson@tampabay.com Managing Editor / Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@PlantCityObserver.com Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writers / Justin Kline, jkline@PlantCityObserver.com; Emily Topper, etopper@ PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Executive / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@PlantCityObserver.com; Circulation/Office Manager / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” — Friedrich Hayek, “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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CELEBRATING COMMUNITY by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

HAPPY 150TH

The community of Bealsville is getting ready for its sesquicentennial celebration, to be held from June 25 to 28.

Over 150 years ago, the founders of what was then called Howell’s Creek were hoping to build a community with staying power. Though many things have changed — including the name, which eventually became Bealsville — the core values have stayed the same.

Asking around the community, those core values are why Bealsville has made it far enough to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

As the community prepares for its four-day sesquicentennial celebration, its residents have taken the time to reflect on the past: how the small town came to be, what life was like and how things have progressed over time.

For the uninitiated, there’s more to Bealsville’s history than meets the eye.

A NEW HOPE

Bealsville itself pre-dates Plant City.

In 1865, at the close of the Civil War, the Hancock, Berry, Hamilton, Branch, Wilder and Howell plantations freed their slaves. But many of the families from the Howell plantation remained on the lands, as they had a vision in mind.

Led by surveyor Peter Dexter and his family, the families of Bryant Horton, Roger Smith, Robert Story, Isaac Berry, Mills Holloman, Samuel McKinney, Mary Reddick, Jerry Stephens, Neptune Henry, Steven Allen and Abe Segenger wanted a place to live where other freed slaves could also come and feel welcome.

The Southern Homestead Act of 1866 enabled families to homestead 40 to 60 acres of property, which made settling down in Howell’s Creek a possibility for anyone. In 1868, Antioch Baptist Church and the town’s first school, located within the church, were established.

In 1873, the first schoolhouse was built. Eventually, the name

IF YOU GO From Thursday, June 25, to Sunday, June 28, Bealsville is celebrating its heritage and you’re welcome to join the party. Most events will be held at the Glover School, 5104 Horton Road, or the Bealsville Recreation Center, 5009 Nesmith Road. For a complete list visit PlantCityObserver. com.

The Bealsville Sesquicentennial Gala will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Strawberry Festival Expo Hall, 2301 W. Oak Ave. The gala will include presentations from State Senator Tom Lee, State Representative Dan Raulerson, Hillsborough County commissioners Al Higginbotham and Stacy White, and more. Tickets cost $35 per person.

Justin Kline

Bealsville residents and natives are working hard to honor the small community’s rich history later this month. was changed from Howell’s Creek to Alafia.

Alfred Beal, for whom the town is currently named, came into the picture around 1884.

Born to Reddick in 1859, Beal married Esther Horton in 1879 and claimed a homestead in 1884. His farming skills enabled him to keep his land while many people had their property foreclosed, and he was later able to make enough to buy back some of the properties. He became known for helping his neighbors in times of need, and also for donating land for the church, school and cemetery.

The town was renamed in his honor in 1923.

LIFE IN BEALSVILLE

Bealsville residents agree that the three pillars of the community have been the churches, education and farming.

These days, all of the churches come together to host vacation bible school. They hold a VBS kick-off celebration right before the schooling is scheduled to start, and each church hosts the kids for a week before passing them over to the next one. Antioch and Mt. Olive AME are located in the heart of Bealsville, near the historic Glover School, where the kick off is held.

When the community was unable to get the school district to build a new schoolhouse in 1932, Bealsville residents came together to raise $1,000 for a new building. William Glover, for whom the Glover School is named, donated the land,

and the school district finally agreed to start construction in 1933. The building was expanded in 1945 and 1949.

People in town were always friendly with one another. If anyone needed food, there were always some extra crops on a neighbor’s farm for the taking. If anyone needed a ride, they could just hop in the first truck they saw and go wherever the driver would take them.

“Everybody just loved everybody, because everybody was related,” Bealsville native Esther Zeigler said.

Zeigler recalls that being a kid in Bealsville required a sense of imagination, but was a fun time for all.

“You didn’t have a playground — you made your own playground,” Zeigler said.

“Horton Road was your playground, and that’s because it wasn’t paved. All the roads were dirt roads.”

As many up-to-date resources weren’t always available, Bealsville educators and students had to make do with what they did have. According to educator Beatrice Crowell, who taught in the area for over 40 years, the focus of education was at first more oriented toward free thinking and creativity than learning by the book.

“It wasn’t a formal, rigid atmosphere,” Crowell said. “We talked to each other and the children. It wasn’t tests all the time. We did plays, operettas — that kind of thing.”

The Glover School was also a “strawberry school” until 1962.

During the picking season, students would spend their time in the fields. They got an education on the farmlands and learned about agriculture. Residents like Henry Davis remember working in the fields.

“I came in the 1950s, when you were transitioning from the mule for plowing to the tractor,” Davis said. “I was about 14.

We learned young and fast. …

My dad was trying to teach me how to plow a mule, and I guess your left and right was ‘hee’ and ‘haw.’ When you’re young, you’ve got this keen voice, and the mule ignored me. But I got on a tractor and thought, ‘I can handle this.’”

It closed in 1980, when the old school became obsolete, but was donated back to the community the following year when residents formed Bealsville Inc., a non-profit organization, and won the property in a lawsuit. Among those leading the charge was Davis, then the CEO of Bealsville Inc. The building was renovated to meet county standards. On Novem-

ber 29, 2001, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Life in Bealsville in 2015 isn’t the same as it was over 50 years ago, but it still maintains a lot of its traditions. Many things have changed, but some of the most important things have stayed the same. That’s why people are still happy to live there, and why the buzz around town for the sesquicentennial is everywhere.

Visitors to Glover School are shown a demonstration from the home economics, culinary arts and canning courses.

Below: Glover School in the 1960s.

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CUTESTCRITTER

SEAFOOD SAFARI by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

L

insey Hay and her family adopted Georgia from the county shelter at just 3 months old.

“We are pretty biased but think she is the most adorable cat ever and has the personality to back it up,” Linsey says. “She follows her ‘people’ everywhere, even her three human siblings. She has since driven us to also adopt two other shelter cats, and they are truly grateful, but we are the lucky ones!”

Turkey Creek Animal Hospital and Animal Wellness Center have partnered to present a weekly Cutest Critter Contest. Entering is simple: Just submit a high-resolution photo (200 dpi or better) and a sentence or two about why your pet is the cutest. Include your name and contact information. Winners will be showcased in the Plant City Times & Observer and will receive a free bag of dental chews to be picked up at Turkey Creek Animal Hospital and Animal Wellness Center.

Submit your entries to Managing Editor Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@ plantcityobserver.com; subject line: Cutest Critter Contest. Good luck!

Harry Drew and Rebecca Drew

Kathy Christensen and Brooks Toole

O’Brien’s Irish Pub guests come out of their shells

O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill was packed Saturday, June 6.

The popular Plant City eatery started its third annual craw-

Ruben and Megan Perez Right: Vickie Curry, Buddy Gordon and Mo Lawrence

fish boil at 2 p.m.

Residents from all over the Tampa Bay area enjoyed Louisiana crawfish and live music

before watching the Tampa Bay Lightning game. The bluegrass group Cotton Eye Does also performed.

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SUMMER POWER by Emily Topper | Staff Writer

Campers are superheroes at the Plant City YMCA Plant City Family YMCA campers enjoyed running around outside Tuesday, June 9, before heading off to their daily activities as part of the Y’s summer camp series.

The camp focuses on active kids being healthy and happy while enjoying both indoor and outdoor sports. The theme is superheros. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Right: Sabian and Ariyal Gray

Counselor Maddie with Rylee, Lillie, Emma and Makayla

YMCA campers spent part of the morning playing “Toilet Tag.”

The best way to avoid getting tagged is to use your buddy as a defense.

Campers enjoyed the lazy days of summer.

Left: Campers lined up for the rest of their activities after their outdoor time.

Dodgeball was popular.

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OBSERVER

OBITUARIES Jean Anton

Jean Anton, 89, of Lithia, died May 13, 2015.

Mrs. Anton was born in California in 1925. She was a secretary in the air craft industry and government.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Si Anton. She is survived by her children Gary Anton (Cindy), of Idaho, Rick Anton (Virginia), of Idaho, Linda Schauer (Dale), of Colorado and Trisha Rackley (Duane), of Lithia; and many grandchildren and family.

The family expresses special thanks to the Sapphire Team of LifePath Hospice for their compassionate care. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneralHome.com.

Robert Dwight Crum

Robert Dwight Crum, 81, died June 9, 2015 at home.

Mr. Crum was born and raised in Plant City, where he graduated from Plant City High School in 1951. He attended the University of Florida from 1951 to 1952 and became a lifelong Gator. He served in the United States Army for two years, and then the U.S. Army Reserves. Mr. Crum worked for his father and uncles on their cattle ranch and also worked for the railroad.

He graduated from Tampa Technical Institute and was employed by the Federal Aviation Administration as an electronics computer technician. He worked for the FAA for 37 years before he retired.

He was a member of Sanlando United Methodist Church in Longwood. Mr. Crum loved to hunt, fish and waterski. He was a patient waterski instructor on Lake Louisa and enjoyed snow skiing with his two sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sandra Louise (Gentry) Crum; two sisters Mary Jo Campbell and Lynda Maureen Crum; daughters, Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Crum Cary, Robin Maurese Crum Kapur (Rajiv Kapur); son, Robert Dwight Crum II (Xiao Chun Ye “Spring” Crum); grandchildren, Anita Christine Kapur, Anjali Elizabeth Kapur, Samantha Maureen Cary, Hunter William Cary, Michael Li Crum, Daniel Howard Crum; two nieces; two nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Mr. Crum is preceded in death by his parents, Maurice Gordon “Pete” Crum and Helen Elizabeth (Moore) Crum.

A visitation will be held Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Wells Memorial and Event Center. A funeral service 11 a.m., and a burial with military honors at Memorial Park Cemetery in Plant City will follow at. Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial. com.

Herbert Clifton “Cliff” Edwards Jr.

Herbert Clifton “Cliff” Edwards Jr., 48, of Plant City, died June 1, 2015.

Mr. Edwards loved fishing, old movies, collecting knives and everything pertaining to the military. He was in ROTC and served in the United States Air Force.

Mr. Edwards was preceded in death by his grandparents Clarence Edwards and Geneva Edwards, and Samuel and Betsy Cannon.

He is survived by his sons, Kenneth Wayne Edwards (Chelsea), Samuel Edwards, and Warren Baker (Julie); grandsons, Curtis Baker and Brycen Lewis;

parents, Herbert Edwards Sr. (JoAnn) and Marie Hudson (Don); step-sister Terri Collins (Tommy); nephews Ethan Ham and Seth Collins; and numerous loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of life was held Saturday, June 13, at Hopewell Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneralHome.com.

Clinton F. Going Jr.

Clinton F. Going Jr., 89, of Plant City, died June 12, 2015.

Mr. Going was a veteran of the United States Navy and Army, having served in WWII. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris English Going; sons, Clinton F. Going III (Jerry), of Lakeland, and Tim Going (Patty), of Midway; siblings, Clennie Taylor, Wendell Cason and Jack Going; grandchildren, Ashley Going and Timothy Going; and greatgranddaughter, Kaylin Going.

A celebration of life was held Tuesday, June 16, at Hopewell Funeral Home.

The family received friends beginning at 10 a.m. Interment was held at Springhead Cemetery, Lakeland.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneralHome.com.

Betty Lucinda Grogg

Betty Lucinda Grogg, 58, of Auburndale, died June 14, 2015.

Ms. Grogg was born in Marietta, Georgia.

She is survived by her daughter, Tonya Grogg, of Plant City; father, William G. Henley, of Danville, Georgia; brother, William R. Henley (Debbie), of Lakeland; step-father, Vince McLendon; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty McLendon.

A graveside service was held Thursday, June 18, at Alderman Pelote Cemetery in Plant City. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneralHome. com.

Bud Lee

Bud Lee, 74, of Plant City, died June 11, 2015.

Mr. Lee was born in White Plains and raised in S c a r s d a l e, New York.

He was a veteran of the United States Army, having distinguished himself as the 1966 United States Military Photographer of the Year.

He was a career photojournalist, where he distinguished himself as the 1967 Life Magazine Photographer of the Year. He was a staff photographer with Life and Esquire magazines, a guest lecturer at the University of Iowa, and the Founder of the Artists and Writers Group.

He loved his family and enjoyed his life.

Mr. Lee is survived by his wife of 38 years, Peggy Lee; children, Thomas Lee (Caroline Irick), of Carrboro, North Carolina, Steckley Lee (Ali-Dashti), of Plant City, Parker Lee (Sarah Coffin), of New Haven, Connecticut, and Charlotte Lee, of Atlanta, Georgia; sisters, Elsie Lee and Linda Lee, of Scarsdale, New York; grandchildren, Madoc, Jack, Ryah, Ida, and Eleanor; and many other family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, in Tampa, where the family will receive friends beginning at 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Lee’s family requests donations be made to The Artist

and Writers Group to help fund his archive and the effort to promote his work.

Checks should be written to the Artist and Writers Group, earmarked Bud Lee, and mailed to Steckley Lee 1001 Pinedale Dr., Plant City, FL 33563. A Paypal account is pending and will be linked to his Facebook page and webpage. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneralHome. com.

Betty Faye Mattair

Betty Faye Mattair, 65, of Plant City, died June 11, 2015.

She was born November 2, 1949.

Mrs. Mattair is survived by her husband, Wayne Mattair; son, Jamie Lawson; daughter, Heather Sanders; brothers, Earl Lawson, James Lawson and Jimmy Lawson; and 12 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Mary Barber, Doris Saranko and Kenneth Lawson.

Carol Jean Miner

Carol Jean Miner, 73, of Plant City, died June 11, 2015.

Mrs. Miner was born in Illinois and was of the Jehovah’s Witness faith.

She is survived by her children, Kerri Miller (Tim), of Durant, Jennifer Claville (Matt), of Lakeland, and Pete Miner (Jenn), of Maine; sisters, Beverly Vazquez (Willie) and Barb Becker, of Illinois; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earlon Miner.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneralHome.com.

Billie Owen Page

Billie Owen Page, 82, of Plant City, died June 14, 2015.

Mr. Page served his country proudly and retired from the United States Air Force as a master sergeant. He also retired from GTE/Verizon as a repairman/installer. He was a member of First Assembly of God Plant City.

Loving family who survive are his wife of 62 years, Merleen Page; sons, Timothy O. Page (Tessie), Bruce A. Page (Joy) and Kenneth W. Page (Sabrina); brother, Johnny Dean Page (Reba); sister, Dorothy Ann “Dottie” Winslow (James); grandchildren, Micah, Stephanie, Austin, Sarah, Savannah, Sasha, Rhiannon and Delaney; and great-grandchildren, Carter and Willow.

A visitation was held June 17 at First Assembly of God Plant City. A funeral service followed. A burial service with military honors was conducted at Memorial Park Cemetery in Plant City. Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Deborah Sue Waters

Deborah Sue Waters, 63, of Plant City, died June 12, 2015.

Ms. Waters was a member of Turkey Creek Church of God. She is survived by her mother, Grace Waters; siblings, Darrell Waters (Jackie), Doyle Waters (Marguerite), Rose Goodall (Dale) and Tim Waters; and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ed Waters.

A celebration of life was held Monday, June 15, at Hopewell Funeral Home, where the family received friends. Interment was held at Hopewell Memorial Gardens, Plant City. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneralHome. com.

Sports

YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | COMMUNITY

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Savannah Kummelman has three top-3 finishes in golf tourneys. 14 SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2015

PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM

SIDELINES

Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com, or Tweet us at @ PCTOSports.

FOOTBALL

+ Chase makes mark this summer

Plant City native T.J. Chase is still getting after his dream of playing professional football, and things are looking brighter than ever for the incoming senior.

After tearing it up in the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge earlier this month by catching three touchdown passes in exhibition play, Chase now finds himself ranked No. 84 among all high school football players in the nation. He’s amassed a total of 28 offers but is still firm in his verbal commitment to play for Clemson next fall.

Things will be different for Chase in the upcoming football season, as former IMG Academy head coach Chris Weinke left to join the St. Louis Rams’ coaching staff and former Carmel (Indiana) coach Kevin Wright took his place.

Chase’s receivers coach, former Florida State standout E.G. Green, has been promoted to assistant head coach. Wright will shift the Ascenders from Weinke’s pro-style offense to his quick spread attack, a system that’s more common in high school football and compatible with Chase’s skillset.

flag football by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

USFTL bringing national championship to P.C. The United States Flag and Touch Football League, America’s biggest adult flag football organization, announced it will bring its tournaments to Plant City in January.

When it comes to flag football, there’s nothing bigger than the United States Flag and Touch Football League. America’s biggest league recently announced that the stage for its national championship tournaments has been set, right in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.

The USFTL has teamed up with the Plant City Recreation & Parks Department to bring the 45th annual National Flag Football Championships to the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, which will keep the area busy from Jan. 15 to 17 of next year.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission in bringing the USFTL to Plant City,” Recreation & Parks director Jack Holland said in a release. “A tour-

nament of this magnitude will bring thousands of dollars of economic development to our city through area hotels, restaurants, grocers, pharmacies, convenience stores and other businesses that will see an increase in foot traffic during the tournament.”

HISTORY Although the tournament itself is going on its 45th year, the USFTL itself has only been around since 1988. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, the league gave the sport of flag football something it didn’t previously have: a large, organized structure with clearly-defined, universal rules.

The USFTL spent five years forming a rulebook and separating the game into four distinct types: flag football, touch

The USFTL plans to bring 400 teams and 9,000 players to Plant City next year. football, screen flag football and ineligible lineman flag football. The league has had enough staying power to create its own Hall of Fame, for which anyone with at least 10

years of USFTL involvement is eligible, and has sections listed on its website for Cleveland, Ohio and nationally-based inductees.

Plant City isn’t the first new

+ PCHS’ Johnson commits to college

Plant City High girls golf captain Kendall Johnson announced her commitment to Daytona State University this week, kicking off what should be a busy summer.

Johnson, who will be a senior in the fall, led the Lady Raiders to the FHSAA state championship tournament in 2014 and, like many of her teammates, has loaded her summer schedule with tournaments.

At the top of her list is the qualifier for the Oklahomabased U.S. Junior Girls Tournament, which will be held Tuesday, June 23, in Sarasota. In a field of 30-50 golfers, Johnson aims to be one of the three girls selected to play out west.

“I’m looking forward to showing everyone how well I can do, and showing myself,” Johnson says.

SEE USFTL / PAGE 13

Don’t forget Father’s Day

+ Sign up for Senshi Do Kai camp

GOLF

destination for the tournament, which was previously held in Kissimmee for the last 19 years. But the league’s goal

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

BASEBALL by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

MARTIAL ARTS

While Senshi Do Kai’s summer camp is inspired by the “Street Fighter” video games, the focus of the summer-long event is to make kids “bully-proof.”

From now until August 21, parents can sign their children up for $55 per session, with each session lasting one week. The bulk of the camp’s activities will consist of self-defense education and exercises, as well as bullying prevention education, but the kids will also get to leave the school and have fun at LEGOLAND, Dinosaur World, SeaWorld and more.

The school is located at 2909 James L. Redman Parkway.

For more information, call (813) 754-4128 or visit SenshiDoKaiMMA.com.

Courtesy photo

Chase Mobley has collected and marked every home run ball he ever hit in a game.

DINGERS FOR DAYS

The Plant City area is loaded with young baseball talent. One such player, Chase Mobley, is a top hitter in Little League play.

There’s nothing quite like stepping out onto the freshlycut baseball field, digging in and hitting the first meatball to cross the plate.

Many of Plant City’s finest young boys and girls will get to do this soon, if they haven’t already, as Plant City Little League All-Star events and other Florida tournaments draw near. Some are going to hit those balls clear out of the park, perhaps even into the road.

And there are some local players, like Chase Mobley, who will do this often.

Mobley, 9, is one of several

local ballplayers making a name for himself at the plate.

His business is hitting dingers, and business has been good over the last two seasons: his home run ball collection sits at 30 right now, and each one is marked with the day, park and event when it was sent over a fence.

Most recently, he went to Lakeland Highlands for the Bulldogs All-Star Tournament and hit four — three in one semifinal game. His approach at the plate is what many might expect.

“I’m looking for a home run,” Mobley says. “Not every

single time, but I’m looking for home runs.”

Mobley says his favorite pitch to hit is a fastball up the middle, but also enjoys going for anything belt-high to the inside.

An Anaheim Angels fan, Mobley says Mike Trout and Albert Pujols are two of his favorite players and that he learned a lot from watching them.

Especially Trout, whom Mobley considers to be the best player in

MOBLEY / PAGE 13

Justin Kline

REMEMBER THOSE RUNS?

Each of Chase Mobley’s home run balls tell the story of when and where they were hit. His first came at age 6, when he played in an All-Star tournament with the Plant City Warriors.

But his favorite dinger came more recently, at a tournament in April in Sarasota. With the opposing team in control of the game, Mobley knocked a pitch over the fence — and accidentally added a little insult to the team’s injury.

“I hit the Rockets’ truck,” Mobley says.

“This truck was pretty jacked up, and I hit it.”

The best part?

It was a grand slam, and it helped make sure the Rockets went home with a loss.

Everyone who plays and follows sports had to get their start, their spark of interest, somewhere. For many of us, it came from Dad. I may credit some friends and other outside influences for making me the sports fanatic I am today, but without my father the foundation wouldn’t be there. We haven’t always seen eye-toeye on everyJUSTIN thing, but he KLINE always supported whatever I wanted to do athletically and always tried to help me up my game.

As far as I can remember, it started with baseball. Seriously, one of the first toys I can remember having around preschool is a baseball glove.

It was a blue-and-red outfielder’s glove marked with the Toronto Blue Jays’ logo.

(We lived close to the Canadian border, and this was well before I started rooting for Orioles.)

My dad taught me how to play catch when I had that glove, and when I got older he passed his gloves on to me. One was properly broken in and cared for to the point where the leather was buttery soft and perfect for my hand. The other one felt like a deathtrap, and I can’t recall a time when I ever saw him use it, but I still have it.

My dad was the one who signed our whole family up for tennis lessons, on at least two occasions. I enjoyed it, and still do but just never really got around to playing much. It’s one thing I do regret not exploring further, now that I look back on it.

When I wanted to try my hand at wrestling, thinking I’d maybe make it in WWE one day (I was in fourth grade,

SEE KLINE / PAGE 13

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Major League Baseball.

But the biggest influence on his game didn’t come from a pro player. He credits his cousin, Plant City High outfielder Peyton Collins, for teaching him much of what he knows about baseball.

“He really taught me everything,” Mobley says. “He didn’t teach me how to pitch a curveball, or anything like that, but he taught me how to hit, how to step into the ball.

And, when someone pitches it to you, you step into them.

He taught me how to throw a changeup.”

Collins, a solid hitter who batted .308 for the Raiders in 2015, must have done something right. Freddy Baxter, Mobley’s coach with the Plant City Raiders 8U machine pitch team, says the boy’s average is much better than that of most power hitters.

“I’ve been coaching him and my son since he was about four years old,” Baxter says. “I think I may have seen him strike out twice the whole time I’ve coached him.”

Mobley prefers playing at first base, but has played most positions on the field at some point. That, he says, also came with a lot of help from Collins.

“I normally just ran to first base every single time when I was a little kid,” Mobley says.

“Then, as I got older, I started playing other positions.

He (Collins) taught me how to field. He actually taught me how to throw from long range.”

Although Mobley enjoys playing basketball in the offseason, baseball is number one in his life. In addition to Plant City Little League play, he’s spent time with the Raiders, Plant City Bulldogs, Plant City Warriors, Plant City Wildcats and the Riverview Smashers. He’s a PCLL All-Star this season and is anxious to be able to get out on the field and play again.

As proficient as Mobley is at the plate, he’s quick to point out that he’s not the best hitter in the area right now. His choice is Kelein “K.J.” Johnson, a recent Plant City Times & Observer Athlete of the Week whose bat also draws raves from coaches.

“He is probably the best hitter out here,” Mobley says.

“It’s no joke. Every single fastball that goes down the middle, he hits it out.”

Players like Mobley and Johnson are living, breathing proof that the Plant City area is a baseball hotbed that, because of the attention drawn to nearby Tampa, Brandon and Lakeland, may be hiding in plain sight. But if they’re going to keep hitting dingers at this rate, they could put the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World on the map.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver. com.

was to help the tournament grow into an even bigger event, and the Otis M. Andrews complex just happened to be the ideal venue to do that.

BIGGER AND BETTER

Plant City may not be as big or well-known as Kissimmee, hence the league using Tampa in most of its promotional materials, but what it lacks in familiarity, it makes up for in potential.

“We were looking for a change of pace,” marketing head Mario Durastante says.

The organization is looking for bigger numbers. Playing in Plant City, the USFTL estimates it will be able to bring around 9,000 players on 400 teams into town for that three-day span. Durastante also expects attendance to go up from the usual 2,000 to 3,000, especially with everything else the league is bringing.

Yes, there will be far more than just football at the com-

“

plex. Durastante says that the tournament will feature live music, food trucks, vendors, team meet-and-greets, an athletes’ village and four showcase fields, in addition to holding its Hall of Fame induction ceremony on-site.

The USFTL wants to have a family-friendly event with something for everyone to do on all three days.

The USFTL signed a threeyear deal to stay in Plant City for the tournament, with some clauses in the language just in case something doesn’t work out. But the league and the city aren’t planning to split up anytime soon.

“We don’t anticipate separating, but the point behind that was to continue the relationship as it goes,” Durastante says.

Local football fans can expect to see top-notch competition in men’s, women’s, co-ed and youth non-contact divisions, featuring some of the top talent from all over the country. In particular, the league is promoting its adult divisions as the cream of its

IF YOU GO

USFTL NATIONAL FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS WHERE: Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, 2602 E. Cherry St. WHEN: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Jan. 15 to 17, 2016 COST: $5 parking per day; free admission For more information, visit usftl.com/nationals.

crop. These are the competitions that no one should miss out on. Going into his second year working for the organization, Durastante believes the adult divisions could be the top draw of the tournament.

“One of the things I enjoy is the competitiveness of the top-tier teams,” he says. “It’s fun to get that atmosphere, a high-energy, very fun event.

With some of the changes we’re making this year, we think it’s really going to elevate the profile of our event.”

“

MOBLEY / PAGE 12

I ended up being better writing about sports than playing them, but it doesn’t matter: My dad still laid the groundwork for this, even if he didn’t know that I was destined to write back when I was catching underhand tosses with my little Blue Jays glove.

KLINE / PAGE 12 don’t judge me), he immediately volunteered to be an assistant coach and helped me work on my techniques. And at my first-ever scrimmage, when I was football tackled by an older kid who led with his head and knocked the wind out of me to start my first match, he talked me up and made me feel good enough to brush it off and start fresh on the mat.

I didn’t play football like he did. I had always heard stories about how good he was for his high school despite being undersized.

The most common comparison I heard for him was to former New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel, and I always thought that was

cool. He gave me a replica of his old jersey when I was in high school, which I hung in every dorm room I lived in throughout college and have since hung in my house.

I ended up being better writing about sports than playing them, but it doesn’t matter: My dad still laid the groundwork for this, even if he didn’t know that I was destined to write back when I was catching underhand tosses with my little Blue Jays glove.

Some of my friends have kids and seeing them teach their young ones how to play sports over the years has been awesome. One of my best friends has a 4-year-old son who, for some reason, likes to ask me to pull out my iPhone and time him with

the stopwatch while he runs from A to B. I think he must have seen the NFL Combine and watched his dad freak out about UCF speedster Breshad Perriman, but it’s so cool that he’s already picked up on that. I’ve already called dibs on helping to teach him basketball when he’s a little older.

So Father’s Day is this Sunday, and hopefully you’ve got some family plans or a nice gift already in mind.

Whatever you do, whether it’s a round of golf, catching a sports game in person or even tossing the ball around in the yard, make it count.

And if you have a kid, take some extra time to teach them sports in the yard. You never know where that will take them one day.

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

SAVANNAH KUMMELMAN Plant City High School golfers are competing in as many summer tournaments as possible, and several have been doing well. One example is incoming junior Savannah Kummelman, who’s recorded three top-3 finishes and will be one of 96 golfers from around the country attending a Minnesota leadership academy in July.

You’ve been doing well in the tournament circuit this summer, and I know you just finished one on Monday. How did you do there?

I finished in second place, with a 96.

goal again?

Yes, we are going to dominate as well this year. I’m excited. I think everyone’s really excited. I think the girls and boys teams are going to be really good this year.

And I hear you recently won a tournament, too.

I got first place at Grasslands, with an 89, and then I got second place at Schalamar Creek with an 87.

Do you play any other sports?

Just golf. I’ve probably done everything, all of the basics: karate, basketball, soccer, softball.

I think I finally found something I love, and I’ve been doing it for al-

And you’re doing some more big things this summer?

I’m really happy about this whole summer. I got accepted for a leadership convention in July to go to Minnesota.

I’m one out of just 96 people in the United States going. Big shoutout to the First Tee of Lakeland for helping me out with that. And John Copeland, especially, because he’s my swing coach and got me where I am today.

How did you get that opportunity?

I’m a junior coach at the First Tee of Lakeland, so on Tuesdays and Thursdays I’ll go there and assist with teaching the kids. They nominated me, I applied, and I got selected.

How many tournaments are you looking at this summer?

A lot. I think I’m only missing one, and that’s a two-day tournament, but that’s when I’m gone for Minnesota. I have a lot — usually every Monday, I have a tournament.

So you won’t be rusty at all going into the high school season.

What are your goals for junior year?

I hope to be in the 70s, for 18 holes, and 30s for nine. I hope to be up in the top five at districts.

And last year, when I talked you for a different story, you said the team “dominated” there. Is that the

most six years now. I’m gonna stick with it.

What was it about golf that made you want to stop everything else and focus on this alone?

I think, once I got really close with my swing coach, I finally found it.

It’s a one-person sport: You don’t have to rely on anyone, it’s just you. It’s not you against someone else, it’s you against the course. Thaat’s a really big thing for me. I’m independent, I like to be alone and I’m quiet, so it’s definitely something that just caught my eye.

Once I got good at it, I thought, “This is something that would be fun.”

Is there any sport you’ve wanted to try, but never got around to?

I’m kind of addicted to hockey right now, so I would love to try hockey.

I don’t know how I’d do on the ice. I’m not the most graceful person.

When you’re not on the course, teaching or playing, what do you like to do for fun?

Really, just hanging out with friends, listening to music. Oh, and scuba diving.

I love to scuba dive.

How long have you been diving?

I got certified last summer, and I went scuba diving in September.

Where’s your favorite place to go?

We usually go to Key Largo, and last time we went, we did a deep dive at a really cool ship. I’d love to go back, because we didn’t get a lot of time underwater. I’d love to go back and finish the whole dive tour.

If you could play any golf course in the world, what would it be?

Augusta, in Georgia.

The Masters course.

What do you think is the coolest thing you’ve done on a golf course?

Well, yesterday (Monday, June 16) I almost had a chip-in for birdie.

And I almost made a hole-in-one at Grasslands. It was hole 10, a par 3.

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RAIN

(INCHES)

THURS. June 11

0.16

FRI.

June 12

0.00

SAT.

June 13

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SUN.

June 14

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Gonzalo Carrizales spent family day the Plant City way.

MON.

June 15

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PLANT CITY WEATHER

WED.

June 17

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June

TEMPERATURES

TO DATE

0.60 (2014: 2.64)

Friday, June 19 Saturday, June 20 Sunday, June 21 Monday, June 22 Tuesday, June 23 Wednesday, June 24 Thursday, June 25

YEAR

TO DATE 13.74 (2014: 12.12)

HIGH 94 95 95 96 96 95 97

Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a Tony award winner. Using the hints X=E and H=N, decipher the clues to name the entertainer.

1. J U H F U H 2. Y I Y X 3. V R X X H X D L U F F 4. P X V V A B I W J X L B G X S 5. S U V X

This entertainer won a Tony multiple times, including one for their work in Blithe Spirit:

SUDOKU

Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 through 9 in each row, column and box.

1

2

5

9

1 8

4

3

1 5

5

4

3

8

7 6

2

7

6

3

5 9

3

5

8

2

SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES Friday, June 19 Saturday, June 20 Sunday, June 21 Monday, June 22 Tuesday, June 23 Wednesday, June 24 Thursday, June 25

SUNRISE 6:32 a.m.

6:32 a.m.

6:33 a.m.

6:33 a.m.

6:33 a.m.

6:33 a.m.

6:34 a.m.

SUNSET 8:27 p.m.

8:27 p.m.

8:28 p.m.

8:28 p.m.

8:28 p.m.

8:28 p.m.

8:28 p.m.

MOON PHASES June 24

July 1

July 8

July 16

CROSSWORD HAVE A DRINK by Wesley Holman

CRYPTOQUIZ

4

LOW 75 75 75 75 75 75 75

, 3&

This week’s winner, Gonzalo Carrizales, will receive a $15 gift certificate from Linda’s Crab Shack in Historic Downtown Plant City for his winning photograph. From deviled crab cakes to grouper sandwiches, Linda’s Crab Shack offers a variety of seafood platters to whet anybody’s appetite. Carrizales can pick the gift certificate up at the Plant City Times & Observer office, 110 E. Reynolds St. Suite 100A.

6

ACROSS 1 Kind of training 6 Broods 11 Approached hostilely 19 Model wood 20 Put a coat on the house 21 Artistic honoree 22 Many an early aviator 24 Uncivilized 25 Single, e.g.

26 “___ say more?”

28 “___ Ha’i” 29 Air Force heroes 30 The “Evita of Evita” 32 Barber’s motion 35 Sacred beetle of ancient Egypt 38 Slacken up 40 Snake that bit Cleopatra 43 Valueless 45 Has the power to 46 Like some fence wire 48 One taking orders 51 Oolong, for one 52 “Fidelio” solo 54 Medical advice, often 55 Trade association?

57 Part-time employees, for short 59 Italian lawn bowling 62 “Much ___ About Nothing” 63 Explorer ___ de Leon 64 Gawks 66 Flightless birds 68 Book of biblical songs 70 It clinks in drinks 71 Infertile stretches of land 74 Feel feverish, e.g.

75 Manual worker 79 Gooseflesh-raising 80 Established the validity of 84 Sky blue 85 Relative of 66-Across 88 Move to the music 90 Derogatory, as remarks 91 Male opera roles 93 Yanks 95 In the earth, now 96 Computer keyboard key 97 Sheltered from the sun 99 Like some auto trim 101 Fleur-de-___ (symbol on Quebec’s flag) 102 Prefix meaning “new” 103 1,051, once 104 Lower in esteem 106 Ready for a commitment?

108 Cookout intruders 111 Unit of weight for gems 113 Full of hackberry trees 114 Freight-train stowaway 117 Third canonical hour 119 Type of collision 123 Baton wielder 127 Brittle, transparent candy 129 Little cupid 130 It starts with “sacro” 131 Hedgehog feature 132 It doesn’t require union membership 133 Bumper sticker word

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134 English exam finale, perhaps DOWN 1 Good grades 2 Great grades 3 Camera shop products, briefly 4 “The end ___!”

5 Game show with a host that drove 6 They may be before your eyes 7 Egypt and Syria, once (Abbr.)

8 Depict by drawing 9 Bit of football gear 10 What a driveway leads to 11 Pie ___ mode 12 Low-___ diet 13 Havana’s home 14 Certain exams 15 Small finch 16 ___ chi (martial art) 17 Pilot’s announcement, briefly 18 Cub-scout unit 23 Clasp worn by men 24 High school class, for short 27 Attracted 31 Water nymph, in mythology 33 Criminal trial concern 34 President Franklin

35 Does some jazzy improvisations 36 Proofreader’s inverted “v” mark 37 The Jungian inner self 38 What sponges do 39 “You ___!” (“Absolutely!”)

41 Razor-sharpening leather 42 Resident animal 44 Word with “pointer” or “printer” 47 Civil War soldier, briefly 49 Grp. of lawyers 50 Patches 53 Not supported by experience 56 Spray alternatives 58 Confidential matters 60 Parrot’s beak part 61 Dog-___ (like some book pages) 65 “Understand?”

67 “Buona ___” (Italian greeting) 69 Tree product 72 There are three in a third 73 Comfortable in one’s own skin 75 Father-in-law of Jacob 76 Plant with fragrant flowers 77 Levar or Richard 78 Kidney-related 81 String quartet instrument

82 Astronomer Hubble 83 Slow on the uptake 86 Battlefield doc 87 “___ it or lose it” 89 It’s a matter of pride 92 Electrical unit 94 :-) 98 Call one’s bluff 99 Jeer 100 All together 105 Best-selling doll 107 Pancake toppers 109 Bush protector 110 Achy areas 112 Did dinner 113 At attention 115 “Little Women” woman 116 “Beetle Bailey” dog 118 Lake, city or canal 120 Armor plate that protects the chest (var.)

121 “Peter Pan” pet 122 Squirrel’s nest 123 Longtime Chinese chairman 124 Volume-boosting equipment 125 Football great Namath 126 “Opt” anagram 128 Resinous secretion

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