07.03.14 Plant City Times & Observer

Plant City Times &

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

A PARTNERSHIP WITH

NEWS YMCA hires new director for camp.

PAGE 3

OUR TOWN + And the winners are...

The Plant City Times & Observer and Plant City Recreation & Parks asked residents what the Fourth of July means to them for a chance to win VIP tickets to the 2014 Fourth of July Celebration.

We received a ton of red-hot answers but only six winners will get to sit front and center to see the fireworks show at the Plant City Stadium, 1810 E. Park Road. They are: • Glenn Long • Fernand T. Russell • Kathleen Hill • Pat Sprouse • Larry Turner • Cody Lenz Thanks to everyone who entered.

The Fourth of July Celebration begins at 6 p.m. with games, a rock climbing wall, bungee jumping, balloon art, face painting and more.

The 20-minute firework show will begin at 9:15 p.m. It is coordinated by the Recreation & Parks Department, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Strawberry Festival.

Courtesy photo

+ 50th wedding anniversary Billy and Doris Johnson are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Their daughters wish them well: “Mom and Dad, as you look back and cherish the past 50 years together, you have been there side by side for each other. You have shared many memories and dreams to be proud of. You have given your time and talents, touching the hearts of not only the people around you but to your daughters and family as well. We are very proud to call you our parents. Happy 50th Anniversary Mom and Dad. We love you.”

, 3&

This week’s winner is

Debbie Gillespie See her photo on PAGE 15.

foot frenzy

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

SPORTS Twirlers prepare for national competition PAGE 12

PHOTO ESSAY / SEE PAGES 7-8

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Soccer field project needs millions more in funding

CELEBRATION

by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

The commission will have to decide where to get funds for a project that will add six new soccer fields to Ellis Methvin Park off East Cherry Street.

Although the World Cup is in progress, soccer dreams in Plant City have been put on hold. An ongoing project to add six new playing fields at Ellis Methvin Park has stalled because of a lack of funding.

The city needs another $970,981.14 to complete the minimum requirements for the soccer fields and fourplex, and it needs $2,792,929.14 to finish all three stages of the project.

So far, the city has committed $7,742,430 and has another $918,440 available. The available funds come from county monies and grants and excess money from a roofing project for the police station.

Since the project began, a little more than 42% of funding has come from county grants and four state grants.

City Manager Dave Sollenberger proposed two

TO THE RESCUE

ways to pay for the project at the commission meeting last week; one was borrowing Community Investment Tax revenues. But because a large majority of CIT funds are used for street maintenance, the commission asked Sollenberger to come up with another proposal.

“Surface repaving doesn’t need to be downgraded,” Vice Mayor Bill Dodson said.

Annual revenue from the

File photo

THE SCORE Total cost............. $3,711,369 Available funding ....$918,440 Funding needed............... $2,792,929

CIT is $1.5 million. Of that amount, $832,000 goes to debt service on City Hall

SEE FIELDS / 4

by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

Fire Rescue holds training Looking to sharpen their skills, members of the Plant City Fire Rescue team spent the week reacting to staged crashes and treating faux victims trapped in cars.

This hasn’t been a good week for some drivers traveling on Calhoun Street.

A 40-year-old man, for example, was driving near Brewington’s Towing & Recovery Monday morning when he lost control. He veered off of the main road, went through the grass and slammed — sideways — into a big tree near the towing company’s main office. In shock, with a badly fractured ankle, he called for help.

Plant City Fire Rescue was on the scene, easing the man’s pain with morphine and working in the hot sun to slice the car open. It was the only way to get the man out, for the driver’s side door was pinned to the ground and the roof was pinned to the tree.

Once the man was safely removed from the vehicle, and placed on a stretcher, he was ready to go to the hospital.

But, then:

SEE TRAINING / 4

scouts’ honor

There’s no birthday celebration quite like America’s.

The sound of our national anthem pumping through speakers, the smell of freshly grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, and the sight of big, brilliant fireworks in the night sky can get anybody excited.

With that in mind, Plant City’s third annual Fourth of July celebration should be a blast.

Last year’s event was such a success that, for the most part, the 2014 edition will look similar from the food and fun to the musical entertainment — the Double Barrel Band, a Plant City favorite, will be back to play on the stage.

After parking opens at 5:45

IF YOU GO WHEN: July 4. Gates open at 6 p.m. A 20-minute firework display begins at 9:15 p.m.

Photos by Justin Kline

Shane Garvey, Nate Miller, Jim Burdett, Capt.

Vince Probst and Bill Saunders passed Monday morning’s test. Right: This gnarled sedan was what was left of Wednesday’s session.

WHERE: Plant City Stadium; 1810 E. Park Road DETAILS: Various activities will be available, along with live music and food vendors.

COST: Free; $5 parking

Girl Scouts hit Washington, D.C. As part of a summer trip tradition, Troop 499 visited the nation’s capital.

908 miles to East Falls Church outside of Arlington, Va. Only one of the eight girls had been to Washinton, D.C., before.

“It’s cool to do something a little bit different that they wouldn’t get to do with their families,” troop leader Kimberly Harwood said.

The girls visited all the major monuments, took a tour of Congressman Dennis Ross’ office at the Capitol and also explored the White House thanks to Ross. They went

SEE GIRL SCOUTS / 5

Troop 499 saw a lot of sights in four days.

Courtesy photo

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

Plant City Stadium offers up the best of Independence Day celebrations.

SEE FIREWORKS / 4

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Countless monuments, the Smithsonian Museum and one double-decker bus later, the Girl Scouts in Troop 499 had seen almost all of Washington, D.C. Eight out of the 11 members took the summer trip to the nation’s capital to earn four fun badges earlier this month.

“They were excited about things you wouldn’t think teenagers would like,” Kadien Harwood said about her troop. “But they were.”

The troop loaded into a 12-passenger van and drove

Plant City ready for Fourth of July

SPONSORS: Florida Strawberry Festival, Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, city of Plant City, Plant City Times & Observer, Mayfair Games, Walmart, Mosaic, Stingray Chevrolet, Haught Funeral Home, Jarrett-Scott Ford, Plant City Noon Rotary, Happy Kids Inflatables, Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinics, Nick’s Pizzeria & Wings, Toufayan Bakeries, American Legion, O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill, Global Sports Alliance, Parkesdale Farms, Deese Scrubs, Miller Pro Sound, Culligan Water, Gordon Food Service, Seafood Dive Restaurant, Railroad Industrial Federal Credit Union and Brewington’s Towing Service

Vol. 1, No. 48 | One section Crossword...................15

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

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

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

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

PlantCityObserver.com

COMMUNITYCALENDAR THURSDAY, JULY 3 Arts and Crafts — takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Thursday, July 3, at the Children’s Board Family Resource Centers in East County, 639 E. Alexander St., Plant City.

(813) 752-8700.

Craft Program — takes place at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 3, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. (813) 757-9215.

FRIDAY, JULY 4 Live Entertainment — performance takes place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, July 4, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

Uncork Your Weekend with Little Big Show — live music from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 4, at Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City.

(813) 752-9100.

SATURDAY, JULY 5 Uncork Your Weekend with Project Voyager — live music from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 5, at Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. (813) 752-9100.

Live Entertainment — performance takes place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, July 5, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

SUNDAY, JULY 6 DivorceCare — Twelve-week class continues at 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 6, at Plant City Church of God, 2103 Mud Lake Road, Plant City. Visit divorcecare.org, and search “Find A Group� for location, dates, times and registration. Child care is provided with reservations.

MONDAY, JULY 7 Fire Safety for Kids — takes place from 12:30 to 1 p.m.

Monday, July 7, at the Children’s Board Family Resource Centers in East County, 639 E. Alexander St., Plant City. (813) 752-8700.

Grossology 101 — takes place from 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, July 7, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. (813) 757-9215.

CPR and Basic Life Support Re-certification — takes place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, July 7, at the South Florida Baptist Hospital Community

Conference Room, 301 N. Alexander St., Plant City. This course provides CPR basic life support (BLS) recertification for health care workers. Your CPR card must be current (no expired cards). Registration and pre-payment required ($40); includes book and card. (813) 644-6720.

Peace By Piece — meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, July 7, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. Arlene Bailey, (863) 644-3600.

Manage Your Diabetes — takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Monday, July 7, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City.

Glenda Williams. (813) 3078015, Ext. 7111.

TUESDAY, JULY 8 Morning Book Discussion — meets from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 8, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. This month’s book is “Defending Jacob� by William Landay. (813) 757-9215.

Ribbon Cutting: Barbara TwineThomas, PA for Circuit Court Judge, Group 8 — takes place from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday,

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: meng@plantcityobserver.com. Photos are welcome. Deadline is noon Thursday.

July 8, at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St., Plant City. For more, visit plantcity.org.

Summer Movie — takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. (813) 757-9215.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9 OneBlood Blood Drive — takes place from 10:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. All donors receive a free wellness screening, as well as incentives such as free T-shirts, movie tickets and Outback Steakhouse coupons. (813) 757-9215.

Knit 1, Purl 2 — takes place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. Beginners as well as experienced knitters are welcome to attend, and participants may use a limited supply of knitting needles and yarn during the class. (813) 757-9215.

Open Mic Night — begins at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

BEST BET Fourth of July Celebration — takes place beginning at 6 p.m.

Friday, July 4, at Plant City Stadium, 1810 E. Park Road.

Plant City once again will illuminate the skies with patriotic pride at its annual July 4 celebration. Coordinated by the city of Plant City Recreation & Parks Department, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Strawberry Festival, the celebration wil feature inflatables, face painting, balloon art, corn hole, bean-bag toss, a rock-climbing wall and bungee jumping. The 20-minute fireworks show will begin at 9:15 p.m. Admission to the event is free; parking costs $5 per car. (813) 659-4255

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economy

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by Michael Eng | Editor

City leaders pleased with EDC partnership Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. Project Manager Jake Austin helped bring 67 new jobs and $11.6 million in capital investment to Plant City in fiscal year 2013.

When Plant City partnered with the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. and TECO to hire a new project manager for Greater Plant City, the goals were simple: job creation and capital investment.

The partnership seems to be working.

In his first fiscal year, Plant Citybased EDC Project Manager Jake Austin has helped bring 67 new jobs and $11.6 million in capital investment to Plant City and Eastern Hillsborough County. Now, in fiscal year 2014, his work has yielded 382 new jobs and $122.2 million in investment.

The businesses responsible for much of that growth are Toufayan Bakeries, which is planning an $8.9 million expansion at its Plant City facilities, and James Hardie, which is planning an expansion that will bring 130 jobs and $80 million in capital investment.

Other businesses that have committed to local expansion include

splish splash

FY2014 PLANT CITY PROJECTS COMPANY TYPE Toufayan Bakeries Expansion Sunshine State Dairy Expansion James Hardie Expansion Dart Container Expansion Palm Harbor Homes Expansion

INDUSTRY Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Distribution and Logistics Manufacturing

Sunshine State Dairy, Dart Container, Palm Harbor Homes, Project Tartan, M&N Plastics, Armor Manufacturing and Evergreen Packaging.

“All of us in the business world — we like immediate results,” Mayor Rick Lott told Austin, EDC President and CEO Rick Homans and Vice President of Business Development Jeff Lucas. “When this first started, I was thinking it might take a few years to get things rolling. I’d just like to thank you all for coming out with good results in year one and year two

JOBS 180 35 130

CAPITAL INVESTMENT $27.4M $772,000 $80M

24 13

$14M N/A

— even better. I think we’re just going to get better and better from here on out.”

Homans said he has been pleased with Austin’s results so far.

“When we created this position back in November 2012, the thinking was that Plant City had its own distinct assets, its own distinct opportunities,” said Homans. “We wanted to make sure we were marketing those, we were representing those, we were working to take the fullest advantage of Plant City. To do that, we de-

termined we needed boots on the ground. We need someone in the organization who was always advocating for the community, always looking at projects through the prism of Plant City.”

In his first year, Austin said his priority was to identify key businesses, leaders and assets within the Plant City business community.

“Recruiting new business to this area is a top priority for the city, and we understand that,” he said. “My job is to understand what the assets are and properly position Plant City when we do get those opportunities.

I can’t do that without first learning who is here, why they located here, what their supply chains look like …

Why did they choose to work here?

“The first year was really learning the lay of the land and understanding existing industry and what makes Plant City and Eastern Hillsborough County a place to locate,” he said.

Austin said key industries in Plant City include manufacturing, distri-

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

YMCA hires new camp and aquatics director Steven Schwamman swims into his new position working with children.

The Zeno Zone was crawling with rambunctious summer campers at Plant City’s YMCA last week. When Steven Schwamman called the children over from their imaginative games in the two-story playground, they climbed down to the sound of his booming voice. The more than 6-foot-tall athlete commands attention in any room, even one with enticing pingpong tables and computer stations.

The new camp and aquatics director was hired about a month ago, and already the children love him.

“It’s been really busy,” Schwamman said. “I got here a week before camp started and hit the ground running.”

Schwamman is responsible for planning and running the summer camps. He’s also in charge of teaching swim lessons at the Y’s popular pool.

A swimmer himself, Schwamman’s goal is to teach as many lessons as he can.

His mother’s side of the family enjoyed swimming. But the Kansas native was the only one out of his immediate family who swam competitively in school.

SHOW OF SUPPORT

by Michael Eng | Editor

Lions Club, car wash partner for fundraiser The Plant City club will host a benefit car wash for 15-year-old Taylor Goethals, who is battling cancer for the second time.

Steven Schwamman (top right) leads kids of all ages in his new role as the YMCA’s camp and aquatics director.

“It’s something I always liked,” Schwamman said.

The kids are Schwamman’s even bigger passion.

He arrives at the Y at 6 a.m. to greet the earliest campers. He knows almost all by first name, if not last, too. This year, he’s splitting his time between the three “villages.” The campers are divided by age; 5 to 7, 8 to 10, and 11 and up.

This isn’t Schwamman’s first lap with the Y. He started volunteering at 17 to teach swim

stomp the competition

lessons and lifeguard. After graduating high school, he went on to receive his bachelor’s in nursing from Pittsburg State University in Kansas.

Schwamman briefly worked in the nursing field before getting back to his roots.

“I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do forever,” Schwamman said. “There was always a draw (to the Y).”

When his first boss at the Y told him about the Plant City opening, he jumped at the op-

portunity. Making the move from Kansas, Schwamman is adjusting but not finding it hard.

“I really like it so far,” Schwamman said. “I’ve never lived so close to the beach before.”

Executive Director Rick Gould has already taken notice of Schwamman’s dedication.

“He’s been wonderful,” Gould said. “He’s been a lifesaver for me.”

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Clogging Connection takes competition The dance team won 15 awards at a recent competition in Georgia.

Whether it’s The Florida Opry or Pioneer Days in Plant City, the thunderous sound of rhythmic footwork can be heard on the main stage from the popular Clogging Connection act. The local dance team is also a familiar sight in the competition ring. It won 15 awards June 7 at the Power All Star Challenge in Woodstock, Ga. From five first-place awards to three grand champion awards, the team has a lot for which to be excited.

“One that we are especially proud of is our sportsmanship trophy,” Kelsey Bridges said.

Her daughter, Hannah Holm, has been part of Clogging Connection for less than a year but has collected a corner full of trophies and a lifetime of memories.

“This team brings our hometown’s welcome wherever we go, and it shows,” Bridges said.

bution and logistics, agribusiness and more.

In addition to the announced projects in 2013 and 2014, Austin said his project pipeline includes 13 active projects with the potential of adding nearly 900 new jobs and $90 million in capital investment. That pipeline includes C&S Wholesale Grocers’ recent purchase of the Sweetbay distribution facility.

“A lot of times, these companies don’t have to (be located) here,” Austin said. “They have operations all over the U.S. and, sometimes, the world. We have to resell, sometimes, why they (are) located here.”

Austin also has begun working with Hillsborough Community College Plant City Campus President Dr. Martyn Clay to help create a local CPL driver course.

To date, Plant City has spent $100,000 ($50,000 in 2013 and another $50,000 in 2014) to launch and continue its partnership with the EDC and TECO. These monies will be used to fund the partnership through Sept. 30.

Contact Michael Eng at meng@ plantcityobserver.com.

MORE INFO If you’re interested in joining Clogging Connection, call Debbie Conn at (813) 455-6914.

If you’re interested in seeing a Clogging Connection performance, the team performs at The Florida Opry.

Visit thefloridaopry.com for a complete schedule and to keep up with appearances.

“There is a ton of feel good to this studio and team. Inside we have all become family and work extremely hard to perfect the talents of the students.”

Clogging Connection has been working hard for 24 years. The group started as an offshoot of Dance Connection, formerly Jackie’s Dance.

Co-Director Debbie Conn wasn’t a dancer but loved

Clogging Connection dancers range in age and experience, but they always have a good time performing. watching her son and daughter perform. When they got older, they left their first studio to form Clogging Connection in the late 1980s.

For about two years, Clogging Connection only performed at local events and venues. In 1990, the team started competing. Conn never expected the team to flourish.

There are 15 dancers on the team; the oldest is 45, and the youngest is 5. One dancer has

been with the team since she was 4. Now she’s 25.

“We have a really good team,” Conn said. “It’s a family team. We have brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, grandchildren. It’s going strong.”

The team performs in about three competitions per year.

She’s also added a junior team of younger children. The younger team has competed twice, winning Overall Rookie Team at both shows.

Typically, Walden Lake Car Wash and Service Center is open six days per week — giving owner Frank Cummings and his staff just one day off — Sunday — for the weekend. It’s a day with which they can do as they please — relax at home, enjoy the outdoors or have dinner with friends.

Later this month, they’ll spend that precious day off at work — voluntarily.

The car wash has teamed up with the Plant City Lions Club to host a benefit car wash for 15-year-old Taylor Goethals, a Plant City teen who is battling cancer for the second time. The fundraiser will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at the car wash, 1414 S. Alexander St., Plant City.

Cummings’ staff will control the business’ larger equipment, while Lions Club members and other volunteers will vacuum and wash the windows. All washes will be done by donation only.

“Two-thirds of the staff are volunteering,” Cummings said. “They’re all from Plant City, and they know the family fairly well. My guys are definitely stepping up, and they’re happy to do it.”

In addition to the car washes, guests also can enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs, and a bounce house will be available for children.

Cummings knows firsthand the power of a loving community. While living in his native New York, his business suffered a fire during the Christmas season.

Members of that community assisted him in that time of need, and now, he wants to give back.

“I have a heart for this kind of work,” he said. “I am a big believer in giving back.”

Cummings’ wife, Dolly, runs Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center, in Ruskin.

The nonprofit organization provides environmental education and hands-on learning opportunities in cooperation with Hillsborough County.

Before owning the Plant City car wash, Cummings worked in pharmaceuticals.

Particularly in the assistedliving and nursing-home industry, he saw members of the middle class in particular need. They did not have enough money to pay for adequate care — yet they

Courtesy photo

Taylor Goethals, 15, recently started chemotherapy treatments.

IF YOU GO WHEN: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, July 26 WHERE: Walden Lake Car Wash and Service Center, 1414 S. Alexander St., Plant City INFORMATION: Frank Cummings, (813) 7527226

WANT TO HELP? Walden Lake Car Wash and Service Center owner Frank Cummings said he welcomes any and all volunteers. For more information, call (813) 752-7226.

Donations also are being accepted through Taylor Goethals’ GoFundMe campaign, gofundme. com/9yen9c. had too much to qualify for government assistance.

“It’s the working poor,” he said. “They fall through the cracks. And this is just my way of helping these people who really need the help.”

Earlier this year, Cummings, through the Lions Club, helped spearhead a campaign to raise funds for Gabriel Brannan-Buehl, a 3-year-old who has lost one eye to retinoblastoma.

Taylor was diagnosed four years ago with fibrosarcoma.

She had been cancer-free for almost three years, but that changed about a month ago, when doctors discovered the cancer has spread to her lungs. She recently completed her first round of chemotherapy.

Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver. com.

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FIELDS / PAGE 1 and the police complex, leaving a balance of $682,000 for other uses. Of that amount, $650,000 is used for street resurfacing, something the commission holds as a high priority.

The other option proposed was to pay as the project is completed. Once again, the commission would have to use funds ordinarily budgeted for street resurfacing.

“The best thing to do right

now is to present this to you and let you mull it around,” Sollenberger said. “It’s the first time you’ve seen these numbers.”

The commission did not make a decision but will wait for a new proposal from Sollenberger at the next commission meeting.

“I’m guessing we will want some more details,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “It’s a lot to digest.” Lott, a soccer coach himself, is determined to build a better park.

“We have to come up with some way to complete this project,” Lott said.

The 46-acre park is also home to the Plant City Tennis Center, four youth baseball/ softball fields, three picnic shelters, a playground the Optimist Club partially funds, a .42-mile walking trail around the pond and a .47-mile walking trail around the perimeter.

The park is located off of East Cherry Street, and about half of its users lives outside of the city limits.

THE BREAKDOWN Below are the minimum requirements for completing the soccer fields and fourplex.

FIRST PRIORITY

SECOND PRIORITY

Total cost ..................$1,889,421 Available funding .........$918,440 Funding needed...........$970,981

Total cost .......................................................$759,538 Available funding .......................................................$0 Funding needed.............................................$759,538

• Retaining wall along north side of the property on East Cherry Street • Bathroom • Wheel stops • Six new concrete bleacher pads • Electrical allowance • Auxiliary controls for future concession building • Lighting for six new soccer fields • Lighting the existing two soccer fields • Lighting for the fourplex • Sanitary lift station • Fencing • Stormwater lift station

• Parking lights, 100 feet apart • Asphalt parking lot • Sidewalk • Swing gates

• Walkway lights around pond, 150 feet apart • Landscaping along northwest corner of the property

THIRD PRIORITY Total cost ....................................................$1,062,410 Available funding .......................................................$0 Funding needed..........................................$1,062,410 • Play area • Picnic area • Sanitary sewer lift station

• Concession/restroom two-story building • Concession equipment, icemaker

PARK HISTORY The Ashley Arthur (A.A.) Ellis family owned the Ellis Methvin Park property since 1880. His grandson, Dr. Roy Ellis, and wife, Bonnie Methvin Ellis, sold the 46-acre parcel to the city in 2002 and also donated a large sum toward the park’s development. The park is named in honor of Dr. Ellis and his wife.

With approximately half of the city recreation program participants living outside city limits, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners agreed to fund nearly 50% of the land-acquisition cost.

In the years since, matching grant funding of $535,611 was acquired from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund earmarked $200,000, and Hillsborough County contributed $600,000.

These grant funds helped leverage the city’s contributions by doubling the amount of funds available for park development.

SOURCE: City of Plant City

The “victim” is moved from his car after having his neck stabilized.

TRAINING / PAGE 1 “That’s all we need,” EMS Chief Jim Wilson yells. “Great job!”

Relieved, the firemen remove their coats and helmets and walk away from the man.

It’s a training exercise for them, part of a series of drills that have been taking place in the Brewington’s parking lot since Wednesday morning.

“It gets the guys working as a team,” Wilson says. “Practice makes perfect.”

Really, the crash victim is a mannequin, clad in torn sweatpants and a dirty Brewington’s T-shirt. It doesn’t go to the ambulance nearby, but one of its arms is lying on the ground, about 8 feet away, with intravenous lines hooked up to it. The full mannequin has clearly been through a lot over the last few days, because its “fractured” ankle didn’t look nearly as painful as its bent femur.

FIREWORKS / PAGE 1 p.m., the fun will begin at 6 p.m.

There will be plenty for the kids to do: face painting, balloon art booths, tailgate toss, inflatable slides, a rock wall and a bungee jump will keep them busy for hours. Concession stands and food vendors at the stadium will also open at 6 p.m.

At 7 p.m., the Double Barrel Band will take the stage and perform as only they can, mixing classic rock, Southern

But, according to the PCFR leaders taking notes during the exercise, these people would have been rescued and brought to the hospital in a swift, proper manner.

The exercise served to examine and sharpen the firemen’s skills with extrication and on-scene medical procedures.

“We come out here and get the guys used to training, so it becomes second nature to them,” Battalion Chief James Wingo says. “It centers on terrible accidents with someone who’s trapped. We’re also training paramedics on medical knowledge.”

Cutters, spreaders, collars, IV drips — PCFR brought a variety of tools for the firefighters to test their skills during the training. Plenty of old, otherwise useless cars were smashed up against the tree, with the mannequins inside, and the vehicles were opened with the same speed and

rock and comedy in an entertaining, family-friendly show.

Led by frontman “Trailer Park” Mark Sprouse, the Plant City-based party band aspires to be the best of its kind in the Tampa Bay area.

All of the activities will close at 8:30 p.m., and the field will be cleared to make way for the big show. At 9:15 p.m., after the ROTC Presentation of Colors, the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem, the fireworks will be ready to go.

Put on by Zambelli Fire-

Reggie Smith poses with a severed mannequin arm. sense of urgency as a real procedure. Paramedics even held “conversations” with the mannequins (sometimes voiced by Wilson, standing several feet away), and the men with the clipboards operated the radio system on an unused channel to add an extra layer of immersion.

Wilson said the department’s good relationship with the towing company helped it secure a site large enough to fit fire trucks, police cars, ambulances and more, all in one space.

“We couldn’t do it without Mr. Brewington’s service,” Wilson says.

works, this display looks to be as grand as the flyers suggest.

Last year’s firework finale came with a $20,000 price tag, which was one of the primary costs covered by the event’s many sponsors and community donors.

The Recreation and Parks Department will not allow vehicles to park on Park Road, from Alsobrook Street/Coronet Road south to Jim Johnson Road, for pedestrian safety purposes. That also means no parking northbound on

Jim Johnson, from Alexander Street to Park, and no parking along Gordon Food Service Drive.

Per city ordinance, no alcohol is allowed at the stadium.

Coolers, glass and open containers, and fireworks are also not allowed. Bags and backpacks will be searched upon entry. People are asked to leave their pets at home.

Weather permitting, it looks like the Winter Strawberry Capital will be treated to a great show tomorrow night.

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The Girl Scouts visited several U.S. monuments during their visit.

GIRL SCOUTS / PAGE 1 through so many metal detectors, they had to exchange their room keys every night.

Georgetown was another big hit with the troop.

“We liked walking around the row houses,” Harwood said. “They were all unique because they were all owned by different people. They all had different character.”

Kadien liked the architec-

THE TRAVELERS • Kadien Harwood • AJ (Adrianna) Harden • Holly Maxey • Morgan Maxey • Shelby Gerlt • Sydney Palm • Chanel Wade • Ling Xiong • Kimberly Harwood — Leader • Cindy and Stephen Maxey — co-leaders

COPS

ture of many other historic buildings, as well.

“There were so many different styles,” Kadien said.

Double-decker buses were the best way to see the city, including all the monuments, the girls said.

And, although everything went smoothly, they did see some action at the United States Capitol. A suspicious package had been found, and security vacated the premise while the girls were inside.

They had to rush to get out of the building before they were locked in while the package was cleared.

“It was a different world,” Harwood said.

Harwood has been a troop leader for nine years. She takes her troops on different summer trips every other year. Once, they went to St Augustine, and another time they visited Savannah, Ga. She doesn’t have any plans to stop.

Her daughter still has four more years before she turns 18. And, even after, Harwood is only planning to take a short

PLANT CITY

MAY 16 QUICK CASH 1900 block of West Palmetto Avenue. Vehicle Burglary. Overnight unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked 2008 Kia SUV and stole two debit cards and $250 cash.

JUST BROWSING

THE ITINERARY TUESDAY, JUNE 10 The National Archives United States Capitol WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 Double-decker bus monument tour White House Monument sightseeing Arlington National Cemetery THURSDAY, JUNE 12 Double-decker bus monument night tour Georgetown FRIDAY, JUNE 13 National Museum of American History

break.

“It’s good to spend time with her,” Harwood said. “The skills she has learned are just amazing. All the girls. Some are very shy. It’s amazing to see how much change and growth they make.”

CORNER MAY 22 PENNY PINCHER 600 block of Brown Street. Vehicle Burglary. Overnight, unknown suspect(s) broke the window out of a 2011 Toyota Corolla and stole about $5 in coins from the console.

1600 block of Turkey Creek Road. Criminal Mischief. Overnight, an unknown suspect(s) cut the door lock off an office trailer parked at this location. The trailer belonged to a contractor. According to the victim, nothing was taken from the trailer.

CAUGHT RED-HANDED 2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway.

Retail Theft. Officers responded to the store in reference to a suspect stealing but not in custody. When the officer arrived, he was able to detain the suspect.

SAWS STOLEN 300 block of West Mclendon Street. Delayed Theft. The victim flagged down officers and stated that on May 13, while at the library, unknown suspect(s) someone stole three grinders and two saws from his truck bed. The tools are valued at $100.

MAY 17 BAD CHECK 900 block of Monroe Street. Petit Theft. The reporting victim had a party at his house. The next day, he learned a suspect stole a check from his checkbook and gave it to another person. Today, that person tried to cash the check in Tampa and was arrested for forgery.

MISSING WHEELS 2600 block of Waver Street. Grand Theft of a Four- Wheeler. Officers responded to the area in reference to an unknown suspect stealing a white and green utility-style four-wheeler from the yard. The ATV was loaded onto an orange trailer attached to a white truck.

THREATENING MESSAGE 4400 block of Tina Lane. Criminal Mischief.

The victim heard someone outside her residence at about 11:35 p.m. and called the Plant City Police Department. It was discovered someone paint the words, “I’m going to get you for what your son did,” in Spanish on the garage door.

MAY 19 COPPER CRIMINAL 1600 block of Turkey Creek Road. Burglary/ Theft. Unknown suspect(s) broke into the construction trailer and stole a Verizon jet pack and copper pipe from the sink.

WINDOW WOES 600 block of North Dort Street. Criminal Mischief. The victim reported unknown suspect(s) broke his vehicle windows.

SUDDEN SNATCHING 410 block of Walter Drive. Robbery by Sudden Snatch. The victim reported a suspect watched her count her money and snatched the $2,800 in cash and ran away. Through the course of the investigation, the victim was arrested for drug possession and violation of her probation.

CRIME OF OPPORTUNITY 500 block of North Wilder Road. Vehicle Burglary. The officer responded to the middle school in reference to vehicle burglary. He met with the victim, who stated he was attending a school function. When he walked out to the car, he discovered both passenger-side windows of his truck had been broken. A purse belonging to his girlfriend was taken. The purse contained $40 cash and about $400 in gift cards.

TWO TIMES THE TROUBLE 120 block of North Wilder Road. Vehicle Burglary. The officer responded to the tennis center in reference to two burglarized vehicles. Once on scene, he met with the victims, who returned to their vehicles after a walk in the park to find their vehicles had been burglarized. The passenger-side window was broken out of both vehicles. Cash and Social Security cards were taken from purses left in the vehicles.

MAY 20 LITTLE BLACK BAG 2610 block of U.S. 92 East. Vehicle Burglary.

The victims reported unknown suspect(s) stole a black backpack with wallet, credit cards, identification and $25 cash from inside the truck.

STAIRS STOLEN 1600 block of Turkey Creek Road. Theft. The victim reported unknown suspect(s) stole the aluminum steps from the construction trailer (office).

COUNTERTOP CRIMINAL 3020 block of Via Siena Street. Burglary/ Theft. Unknown suspect(s) entered the open garage and stole five pieces of unknown shape or size, Formica counter top, valued at $1,000.

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little margarine for error

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Chef wins ‘Chopped’ scholarship competition Eighteen-year-old Devin Davis took home the winning title and a $40,000 scholarship to The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Tampa.

What would you make with collard greens, Asian rice noodles, queso blanco cheese and a veal T-bone? The seemingly inharmonious items were the ingredients in the recent Food Network’s “Chopped” scholarship competition in New York City.

But one of Plant City’s own knew exactly what he wanted to create with the hodgepodge menu. Devin Davis won the heated face-off and received $40,000 to attend The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Tampa.

The 18-year-old recent high school graduate beat out three other chefs during the New York competition in May. “They really don’t match,” Davis said about the diverse ingredients. “You have a Mexican cheese, Asian noodles, a Southern vegetable, and the veal chop could be Italian. Especially the collards — they have such a strong flavor.”

He decided to steer clear of a stir-fry and went with a Tuscan-themed meal instead.

With just an hour to cook, Davis blanched the collards and sautéed them with red onion and garlic to create a pesto

petition, Davis submitted an essay before entering the cooking competition. In round one of the competition, he showed off his knife skills. Round two required the 16 contestants to create a chicken breast, broccoli and rice meal. They also had to make their own original sauce. He made a white wine Dijon sauce.

The meal captivated the judges’ taste buds. Davis won the teen division and $4,000. A final panel selected four of the national competitors to compete on “Chopped” — including Davis.

Amber Jurgensen

Devin Davis’ recipe for success was a creative noodle dish featuring a collard green pesto. to put on the noodles. He marinated the veal in olive oil and rosemary and placed the finished chop on top of the pasta, creating a unique dish.

“If you start changing in that timeframe, there is no room for error,” Davis said. “You have to pick a direction and go with it.”

The appetizer

Davis landed himself on the TV show after he qualified in

Plant City Times & Observer Locally Owned by Ed Verner, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes The Plant City Times & Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC, a joint-venture of the Tampa Bay Times and Plant City Observer LLC.

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the Art Institute’s competition.

Each of the 40 schools nationwide held a local competition and selected the top two competitors from each.

His grandmother saw an advertisement for the competition and encouraged Davis to enter.

“I wasn’t even going to do it at first,” Davis said. “But it happened, and here I am now.”

During Tampa’s local com-

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The main course

Not only did Davis win the “Chopped” scholarship competition, he also learned about the studio production of one of his favorite shows. The shooting took place in an old warehouse near the contestants’ hotel.

“You walked in and wardrobe is over here and makeup is over there,” Davis said. “It opens up when you get on set. There was this beautiful set inside this ugly building.”

There was a lot of downtime, according to Davis, but the ac-

CONTACT US The Plant City Times & Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City.

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tual cooking segments were finished in a flash.

There were a lot of reshoots to make sure the camera angles and sound were clear. Davis opened his basket to reveal his ingredients four times. They also reshot the finale during which the judges revealed the winner multiple times. He had to act surprised each time.

It took about 10 hours to shoot the hour-long competition. In the end, only 60 seconds aired in a promotion, but the ad appears often on Food Network.

“The whole day was really surreal,” Davis said. “I had felt like I already won. Then actually winning it was validation to me. It was telling me, ‘You got this far, and this is what you need to do.’”

Home-cooked

Davis learned to love cooking by watching his mother, Tina. Every night dinner was on the table by the time his father arrived home. His mother learned how to cook from her 5-foot-tall Italian grandmother, Angie Valenti. Although he likes to eat, it was the family’s appreciation that kept Davis interested in cooking.

“Cooking is a way to express yourself, but it also brings the family to the table,” Davis said.

“You can share with family and friends. When I make something they like, it puts a smile on my face.”

In fact, one of Davis’ friends asked him to make his eggless vanilla bean Italian pudding for his birthday rather than receive a present. In the competition circuit, he’s known as the “pie person.”

There’s nothing he won’t try.

Well, except for wearing an apron and chef hat.

“You think baseball hat hair is bad … ” Davis said.

Dessert

In two weeks, Davis will begin studying at The Art Institute of Tampa. He wants to graduate early, in three years instead of four. Davis will be studying restaurant management to earn his bachelor’s.

“Not only will it teach me more about cooking, but it will teach me how to own a restaurant or manage one,” Davis said.

Davis hopes to start a local franchise of a modern American restaurant. Eventually, he wants to start a fine-dining restaurant, also in the Tampa Bay area.

“My other goal is that I want to have my own cooking show,” Davis said. “That would be the most awesome thing ever.”

Plant City Times &

Observer

General Manager/Editorial / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.com General Manager/Advertising / Stacey Hudson, shudson@tampabay.com Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.com

Associate Editor / (Community) Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Justin Kline, jkline@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Executives / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@PlantCityObserver.com; Joanna Verga, jverga@tampabay.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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CLUB HUBBUB If your club would like to post announcements, email them to Associate Editor Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

+ Plant City Entertainment Inc. Plant City Entertainment Inc. community theater will hold a spaghetti supper fundraiser to benefit the community theater’s upcoming blockbuster summer musical comedy, “Legally Blonde.”

The musical is being directed by Jennifer Fenner.

The supper will take place Saturday, July 12, at St. Peters Episcopal Church’s activity hall at 302 Carey St. The menu will include spaghetti and choice of meat or plain tomato sauce, salad, bread, dessert and tea, coffee or fruit drink. The price per dinner is $10 for adults and $6 for children.

Tickets are available at the door or from “Legally Blonde” cast members.

Take-out will be available.

Live entertainment will be provided by singers, dancers, musicians and actors from the show.

Food service will begin at 4 p.m. and will continue until 7 p.m.

For more information call (813) 752-0728.

+ Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce The Small Business Development Center is available for consultations at the Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 2014 Business of the Year award nominations are open. You may nominate more than one business, each on a separate form.

The categories include small business, mid-sized business, large business, special business and growing business. Businesses must be in continuous operation for two years and must have been a chamber member for two consecutive years. Judges will look at operational management, leadership, community contributions, history, philosophy and management.

Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m., Aug. 15. The winners will be honored at the annual Business Awards Banquet Nov. 6.

For nominations call the chamber at (813) 7528793 or email amy@plantcity.org.

+ Plant City Noon Rotary The Plant City Noon Rotary’s inducted a new president June 27.

Immediate Past President Aaron Davis inducted Brian Griffin as his replacement.

Raylynn Thompson watches her mom and nana from the second floor of Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse as they line dance.

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

It’s time again to celebrate the birth of our nation with smokin’ barbecues and glittering firecrackers that ignite the sky. The Plant City Times & Observer wants to celebrate the Fourth of July in our own way — by bringing you unique pictures of your beloved hometown. From line dancing at Uncle Mike’s to the delicate trinkets in antique stores, each image in our Spirit of America photo essay oozes with that small-town Americana feel.

Hopewell Baptist Church has been a Plant City fixture for 144 years. Its pastor, retired Army Chaplain Maj. Dan Middlebrooks, hopes to lead the church and its congregation to new heights over the next year.

Photos by Amber Jurgensen and Justin Kline

A dusty Victrola sits on display in Antiques By Rachel, owned by Rachel Troxell. The historic downtown store was started by the 25-year resident to combine her “love of the hunt and creative side.”

// SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 8 //

Gil Gott, the executive director of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, might know all there is to know about Plant City. He works with an extensive collection of old photographs and memorabilia brought in from the attics and tucked away corners of residents’ homes.

Haught Funeral home owner David Wolf accepts old, tattered American flags year-round and gives out brand new ones. Local boy scout troops pick up the old flags and learn how to dispose of them properly.

+ City of Plant City Effective July 1, the Plant City Food Truck Round Up will no longer be held by the city of Plant City in McCall Park. For questions regarding the cancellation, please contact Bill McDaniel, assistant city manager, at (813) 659-4200, Ext. 4157.

+ Dart Foundation The Dart Foundation gave a grant to Robinson Elementary to bolster its science, technology, engineering and math programs. With school budgets decreasing and the need for workers in STEM jobs increasing, Dart uses the grants to support kids and the economy. Employees at the Dart Container Corp. facility in Plant City assisted the Dart Foundation in recommending and awarding the grant.

Once each year, schools are invited to apply for grants of $5,000 or less as part of the Dart Foundation’s efforts to support STEM education.

The names of hundreds of American military veterans adorn the bricks at Veterans Memorial Park, where Plant City residents can go to honor those who have served our country.

Lennard the donkey is quite a celebrity around town. He’s known as Doritos to his neighbors off Chitty Road. Owner Dennis Derr always has a bag for him.

Countless fields line the sides of Plant City’s rural roads, with tractors in tow.

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THIS WEEK’S CROSSWORD ANSWERS SPIRIT OF AMERICA / FROM PAGE 7

2013

THIS WEEK’S CRYPTOGRAM ANSWERS 1. Two miners were discussing some of the ores they shoveled. One commented in a gravelly voice: “Every hour we load a load from a lode.”

2. An employer was feeling big-hearted and jovial. He announced to his employees: “I don’t want any yes men here, even if it costs you your jobs.”

Clockwise from top left: Dale Johnston plays at open mic nights around Plant City, including at the Ril Ale Pub; The image of a cowboy atop his horse is one of the most iconically American in history. The CowBros, a Plant City-based group of passionate horse riders, looks to keep that image alive and introduce it to a younger generation; Benny Lubrano was instrumental in organizing the new train viewing platform.

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young einsteins

by Michael Eng | Editor

Camp Invention inspires geniuses in the making Plant City’s top young minds came together for a week of fun-filled research and problemsolving during the community’s first Camp Invention, held June 23 to 27, at Plant City’s First Baptist Church.

The campers used a plethora of parts — including paper towel tubes, cardboard boxes and even the innards from computers and radios — to construct a variety of working vehicles, pinball games and cars.

The camp ended with a showcase June 27, for parents, family members and friends.

Rachel Timberlake, 8, worked hard all week on her inventions.

Kellen McDowell, 9, was excited to try out his group’s invention.

Oliver Conley created a blow dart-type device to play a game at the end of camp.

Photos by Michael Eng

Allie Coletti, 8, was all smiles during this year’s Camp Invention.

APPOINTMENTS

Zachary Shinneman, 10, loved participating in this year’s Camp Invention.

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

The new board was inducted Monday.

Photos by Amber Jurgensen

Plant City Daybreak Rotary inducts its new officers

Shelly and Dan Orrico

The club members enjoyed dinner and drinks.

Outgoing President George Banning inducted the new officers of the Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club during a dinner June 30, at his Walden Lake home. Allen Gray was selected as the new president. He introduced his new board: Sharon Collins as secretary; Carole Wright as treasurer; and Amber Jurgensen as sergeant at arms. Plant City Rotary meets Mondays, at South Florida Baptist Hospital’s community room.

For more information, contact George Banning at wenlake@aol.com.

George Banning inducted Allen Gray as president.

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OBSERVEROBITUARIES Cynthia Marie Floyd

Cynthia Marie Floyd, 64, of Plant City, died March 19, at HPH Hospice, in Dade City.

Born July 3, 1949, in Modesto, Calif., she was the daughter of the late Hayden and Norma Peach Miller. She was married to Charles Floyd for 45 years.

Mrs. Floyd was an avid gardener and was a past officer with the Plant City Garden Club, a member of the Temple Terrace Garden Club and was an FCHP. She was the owner of Three Palms Nursery.

She is survived by her husband, Charles; sons, Chuck (Stephanie), Ernie and Andrew; daughter, Dawn Walker; brother, Leonard Miller; sister, Laura Epperson; and four grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her sister, Jeanette Goff.

Celebration of life services were held May 17, at Church on the Rock. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations be made to HPH Hospice, 37439 Clinton Ave., Dade City, FL 33525, hphhospice.org/donations-2. Online condolences may be made to the family at haughtfuneralhome.com.

James R. ‘Jim’ Godwin

James R. “Jim” Godwin, 81, died June 8, in Brandon.

Mr. Godwin was a lifelong

resident of Plant City. After 38 years at Tampa Electric, he retired as general manager of Gannon Station Power Plant.

He served for 33 years in the U.S. Army National Guard and retired as a full bird colonel.

He was preceded in death by his son, Larry, and father, John.

Mr. Godwin is survived by his mother, Cecil Ruth Godwin; wife of 62 years, Betty; daughter, Lisa Godwin Harris (Jay); brother, Jack (Shirley); one grandson, Emmanuel Houvardas; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held June 14, at Turkey Creek Baptist Cemetery, in Plant City.

Gary Wayne Roberts

Gary Wayne Roberts, 58, of Inglis, died June 19, at Health Center of Brentwood, in Lecanto.

Born May 11, 1956, in Plant City, he was the son of the late William Roberts and Barbara Roberts Kibler (Glenn). He was married to Patricia Mabe Roberts.

Mr. Roberts was a member of Freedom Baptist Church. He retired from Coca-Cola after 20

years service and was a Florida Gators fan. He held a Bible certificate, was a devoted song leader and choir director and loved Southern gospel, especially the Kingdom Heirs and the Gaithers.

Mr. Roberts is survived by his mother, Barbara Roberts Kibler; wife, Patricia Mabe Roberts; sons, Mark Roberts (Ashley) and Jamie Beddingfield; daughter, Cheryl Lyons; brothers, Kenny and Danny Roberts; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A funeral service was held June 26, at Freedom Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made to the family at haughtfuneralhome.com

April Lynn Varnadoe Boyett

April Lynn Varnadoe Boyett, 52, of Tampa, died June 22.

Mrs. Boyett was born in Plant City and graduated from Plant City High School in 1980.

She went on to earn her degree from Hillsborough Community College. She was a dedicated and devoted employee of the Tampa Police Department for more than 30 years. She especially enjoyed working with the children’s program through the Tampa Police Department.

Mrs. Boyett was preceded in death by her younger brother, Jon Darren Varnadoe.

She is survived by her parents, Hubert E. (Gene) and Nanette Hewitt Varnadoe, of Faber, Va., and Barbara Lee Reed, Maryville, Tenn.; brother, Troy D. Varnadoe, of Seaboard, N.C.; uncle, Glen Varnadoe (Janice), of Lakeland; aunts, Annette Iverson (Bill), of Faber, Va., and Nancy Nielsen (Jim), of Live Oak; and cousins, Tammi, Heather, Janay, Sally Ann and Erin.

A memorial service was held June 30, at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, in Tampa. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to C.O.P.S. — Concerns of Police Survivors, wcfcops.org.

Elena Belle Veltheim

Elena Belle Veltheim, 78, of Plant City died June 24. Mrs. Veltheim was born Oct. 26, 1935, in Lake Butler.

Mrs. Veltheim loved her grandchildren and cooking.

She was predeceased by her son, Bill Veltheim.

She is survived by son, David Veltheim (Gerri); daughter, Linda Veltheim; sisters, Bea Norman and Barbara Parrish; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at Cork United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made to the family at haughtfuneralhome.com.

PlantCityObserver.com

O

Sports

YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | COMMUNITY

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Eduardo Lucas takes the mound to help his team.

PAGE 14 SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM

SIDELINES Do you have a good sports scoop for us?

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baton twirling

THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

kickball

by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

Rec center teams ready for annual kickball game

Morgan Boykin is determined to make a top 10 finish.

RECREATION & PARKS

For the third year in a row, the Planteen and Martin Luther King Jr. recreation centers will battle for kickball supremacy.

+ Volleyball camp rescheduled The Plant City High School Summer Volleyball Camp was recently moved to a later date.

According to the Recreation & Parks Department, the camp is now slated to be held from July 28-31 at the PCHS gymnasium.

Other than that, though, much is the same. Registration is still $130 per camp, which includes a t-shirt. Anyone aged 10-15 can sign up at the Rec & Parks Administration offices at 1904 S. Park Road, from Monday to Friday.

Campers are asked to wear knee pads, sneakers, a t-shirt and shorts, to bring a water bottle, and to leave any jewelry at home.

For more information about the program, contact Lady Raiders head coach Jessica Thornton at jessica.thornton@sdhc. k12.fl.us.

CHEERLEADING

+ Fierce Athletics tryout dates Ever want to join a cheer team? If you’re an aspiring athlete aged 4-17, then you’re in luck.

Coach Lindsey Hoover, with Plant City-based Fierce Athletics, is holding tryouts next week for anyone looking to join up.

Skill levels don’t matter - anyone is welcome to try out and work on their cheering and tumbling skills.

The tryout dates are July 8-9, and they will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Fierce Athletics gym, 607 Hitchcock Street, Suite 102.

For more information about the tryouts, or the program itself, contact Hoover at (813) 5252503, or by email at Fierceathletics1@gmail. com.

LITTLE LEAGUE

+ Softball tourney results decided After the first week of tournament play, many of the district results have been decided. As of press time, the boys and girls of the Winter Strawberry Capital are District 4 champions in 9-10 Baseball (A team) and 10-11 Softball. The 10-11 Baseball and 9-10 Softball teams finished as runners-up to Lake Wales Little League. The Senior Softball team, along with Lake Wales and Polk City Little League, will advance to the Section 4 tournament without district play.

That leaves the 11-12 Baseball team - which, as of press time, had two games left in its bracket.

by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

STRUTTING IN

SOUTH BEND

Though it may not be obvious at first, there’s a friendly rivalry between two of Plant City’s recreation centers — Planteen and Martin Luther King Jr. And every year, boys and girls from the two rec centers come together to see which one is the best — at kickball.

It’s a fairly young series, having started in 2012, but an entertaining one.

All of the kids couldn’t be more excited for the 2014 contest, held July 11, to try to lock up 365 days of bragging rights for their rec center.

That also means a member of the losing team — either Jason Hargrove, of Planteen, or Lillie Brown, of MLK — will be pied in the face at the end. A reward that’s almost as sweet as the

win itself, no doubt.

Perhaps one of the most fun things about this series will be rooting for one of these teams. The differences between them are stark, which makes it a fun competition to watch.

PLANTEEN CENTER

Although the series is currently locked in a 1-1 tie, the Planteen Center can always claim that it won the first game. Coached

by Shawn Lake, that team grinded its way to a 1-0 victory.

“We didn’t commit any errors,” Lake says.

In 2013, though, it was a different story: Lake and the Planteen team lost by one run, but that game was an 11-10 shootout.

SEE KICKBALL / 13

Ten members of the Plant City-based Patriots Twirling Corps are getting ready to strut, toss and twirl in the biggest competition in America.

What do people think of when they hear about baton twirling in the sporting world?

Maybe it’s a parade, which makes sense: There always seems to be a group of baton twirlers marching in any given Plant City-area parade. Or, maybe it’s football, where the twirlers provide the halftime entertainment.

But, do people know that all of this can lead to a huge national competition? If not, then it’s time to become familiar with Plant City’s own Patriots Twirling Corps.

An outfit that spreads around the Tampa Bay area, the Patriots, formerly known as Patrick’s Patriots, is a group of 75 girls affiliated with longtime twirling coach Barbara Patrick and her daughter, Lynann Hudson. Although the team holds workouts in Lakeland, Brandon and Tampa, the lure of Plant City was strong enough for Patrick to make her “home base” at Eastside Baptist Church.

“Plant City’s been good to us,” Patrick says.

And, one can find the girls working hard at Eastside over the next few weeks as 10 of its members get ready to twirl on the biggest stage in the country — America’s Youth on Parade, held at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., There, the girls will be tested in virtually every way.

PUTTING IN WORK

Cheerleading might be the closest comparison one can make to baton twirling as a competition, but it’s not entirely accurate. Twirling is much more focused on the individual’s performance, the ability to move gracefully and pull off baton tricks simultaneously. Walk into the church’s gymnasium on a practice night, and there will be girls working on some impressive moves — twirling and juggling two or three batons at once, rolling on the ground while keeping one baton airborne, or even throwing while spinning 360 degrees as many times as possible. These Patriots put in some hard work.

“It’s such a unique sport,” Morgan Boykin says. “Cheerleading and basketball, you know, that’s so common. Baton twirling is an older generation’s sport — people our age don’t do it. People our age are like, ‘Oh, you’re a baton

Most of the Planteen team is new to this competition.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? Madison Weiss juggles three batons at once.

THE GIRLS From July 22-26, the Patriots Twirling Corps will compete in America’s Youth on Parade, the biggest baton twirling competition in the country. The girls are: Natalie Bolet Amber Boykin Morgan Boykin Sarah Cameron Montia Heatherly Kaylee Hudson Raelyn Hudson Brittany Nesbitt Jackie Swartz Madison Weiss Coaches: Barbara Patrick, Lynann Hudson twirler? People in the older generation are like, ‘Oh, I used to do majorettes in high school!’ Our generation’s not really exposed to it.”

Boykin, a sophomore at the University of South Florida, will compete in the Advanced division. She’s one of the girls most likely to be throwing from the ground, exhausted and drenched in sweat by the end of practice, and looks to face some of the stiffest competition in the college division. All of that hard work is necessary to place.

The travel schedules can be grueling, too. For Patrick and Hudson, coaching these 75 girls means traveling to a different city every day, one or two rec centers at a time.

With twirlers hailing from as far out as Tampa, Lakeland and Fishhawk, it’s easier for the mother-daughter team to go to the girls instead of cor-

ralling everyone in one place on one night.

CATCHING THE BUG

Patrick’s constant traveling means she’s come a long way since she first began coaching. About 55 years ago, under a big oak tree at Courier Field, she began teaching young girls how to twirl on Saturday mornings. She was eventually able to move her operation into rec centers, after the Recreation and Parks Department got on board. It wasn’t long before she was able to get her girls some national recognition, either.

“We’ve had twirling teams and national champions since before (Hudson) was born,” Patrick says.

Hudson, now in her forties, got her start in twirling when she was 3 years old. In addition to this coaching job, she’s also the coordinator for the University of Central Florida’s twirl team, which has her driving out to her alma mater during football season to coach.

Passing on their love of twirling to other girls hasn’t been tough. Boykin caught on in very much the same way that Hudson did — copying older girls, sticking with it throughout her life, and continuing in college. Brittany Nesbitt, a Plant City High School senior and advanced competitor, is one of the girls who started out on a whim at a rec center.

“Miss Barbara actually passed out papers to my school an end-of-the-day

SEE TWIRLING / 14

Sticking to your guns can be a good thing Even if a person I’m inter- mindset, and who knows viewing doesn’t say anywhere that could have taken thing about it, I can always us? tell when someone is 100% When I was young, I committed to playing his or wanted to be Spider-Man her dream sport. and save downtown BufThat counts for sports as falo, N.Y., from evil. I soon popular as football, and as realized that that’s imposniche as baton twirlsible, so I moved on. ing. I had an experiWhen I got to first ence with the latter grade, my friend and last week, when I I discovered prointerviewed several fessional wrestling people involved with and got really into the Patriots Twirlit. When I moved ing Corps team. The away, in third grade, I women in charge, moved to a neighborJUSTIN Barbara Patrick and hood with four other KLINE her daughter, Lynann kids who loved what Hudson, have spent was then the WWF — almost all of their lives twirl- and whose parents owned ing and teaching the art of trampolines. twirling. The young comWe would watch RAW on petitors I talked to, Morgan Monday nights, then run Boykin and Brittany Nesbitt, to the nearest trampoline were quick to tell me how after school on Tuesday and much they love twirling. make up our own “shows.”

The sport has even taken In the winter, when someBoykin to college, where she thing called lake effect snow now competes as a member would make trampolines of the University of South unusable, we would lay Florida’s team. down old gym mats in the “It’s what I’ve always basement and jump off of wanted to do, my whole an old nightstand — the life,” she says. best turnbuckle we could Personally, I applaud find. We had all of the action anyone who’s set a goal for figures and toy rings, but it themselves early in life, and was just way more fun that never hesitates to make it way. happen. I think — and I’m In fifth grade, though, my not complaining — that best friend and I decided many of us wouldn’t be dothat we were ready to learn ing what we’re doing right SEE KLINE / 14 now if we had had such a

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KICKBALL / PAGE 12 “Last year, we had one inning where we allowed five or six runs,” Lake says. “That ended up costing us. But if we don’t allow any errors, and we do our job, we will win. I’m confident in our abilities.”

Though there are only two boys on the team with prior experience, one from each game, the Planteen crew is quiet, but very much driven to make up for that game, even that shaky inning.

“Hopefully, the team will be able to play harder and be able to give 100%,” returning second baseman Jonathan Vaughan says.

The kids have been practicing together for a few weeks now, building chemistry, and getting in the right frame of mind. All of the kids who were willing to talk spoke of giving it “100%.”

The Walden Lake Elementary School kickball tournament is a big inspiration for kids from both teams, though it appears to have brought more new players to Planteen’s side than MLK’s.

“That made me think that, when they do kickball here, I wanted to play here,” Jared Dudzinski says. “They brought up the kickball game with MLK, and I decided I wanted to play. I’m really good at kickball, at my school.”

While no one was willing to make a prediction, maybe at risk of jinxing the outcome, it’s clear that these kids are itching to suit up and take the field. Though everyone’s main goal is to go out there and have fun, winning would be really nice. Especially for Hargrove, who would take one of those pies to the face in a loss.

“Sometimes, with those whipped cream pies, they leave them out in the sun all day, during the game,” Hargrove says. “When you’ve got a pie that’s been out in the sun all day, and they put it in your face, it does not smell good.”

MLK CENTER

Now, if the Planteen team is like the St. Louis Cardinals — quiet and unassuming, yet driven — then the MLK kids are like the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Loud, energetic and talented, this team, made up almost entirely of returning players, has no problem tell-

TIPS AND TRICKS They say that baseball is a thinking man’s game.

Kickball, though suited for younger kids and adults with a passion for beer league sports, isn’t too different. And, the beauty of it is that anyone can step right in and play.

So, how do you make the most of your time on the field?

• If you’re waiting on your turn to kick, pay attention to the defense. How far and fast can they throw?

Can they catch a fly ball?

These are things you need to know before you place your kick.

• If the bases are empty, kick to your left. This gives you much more time to run to first base.

Kicking to your right is almost only a good idea when you have a runner on third, because he has a better chance to score — even if you’re the second out.

• Don’t play defense too close to the ball — stand a little farther back than where you’d expect it to land. You’ll want to be in front of the ball when it bounces, not behind it.

• Are you holding the ball on defense? If you’re not the pitcher, get rid of it!

Runners can advance as long as the pitcher doesn’t have it.

3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP ing you how good the sum of its parts are.

“We’ve got to show Plant City who’s the boss,” Jordan Broadnax says.

Coming off of that stressful 2013 win, coach Javae Ingram and his team hope to really make a splash this year in front of the home crowd at the MLK Center’s baseball field.

“It was a very close game,” Ingram says. “Right at the end, they came back at us, but we held them off.

Excellent defense, a couple

of great catches at the end sealed it for us.”

Ingram, and the rest of his players, stressed solid allaround team play as the key to winning next week.

“I’m ready,” Broadnax says. “My team is ready. As long as we work as a team, we’re going to do really great.

Every time they scored a point, somebody would get mad at somebody else. But, this year, that’s not going to happen.”

In fact, this team is so confident in its speed, power

and hands taking it to victory that the boys and girls have already planned the postgame celebration.

“If we win,” Christian Bisono says, “well, here’s what’s going to happen: right now, we have a little dance party that goes on every Friday.

So, what we’re going to do is, most likely, Miss Lillie goes crazy if we win. Like last year. We all went crazy, we had a good time partying. We all just dance; it’s our thing.”

“We’re going to turn up,” Broadnax adds.

The MLK team couldn’t be more confident about this game.

ª 3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP KLINE / PAGE 12 how to wrestle “for real,” which would start us on a career path leading straight to the top of the WWE. I loved “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, he loved Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and we both probably felt that we were some of the best workers on the neighborhood trampoline circuit.

So, we signed up for the city’s wrestling club team, which at least one of my classmates was a member of. We had no idea what we were in for, even when we had to go buy singlets and traditional gear. After all, Kurt Angle always dressed like that, and he was a main eventer.

We immediately realized that Greco-Roman wrestling looks nothing like the rasslin’ that’s done on television two or three nights a week,

and that we wouldn’t ever learn proper chair-swinging form. Still, we figured that even the big stars had to start somewhere, and we trained enthusiastically for a month.

At our first big scrimmage — which the two of us were late for, thanks to a snowstorm —we finally got to put our skills to the test.

The moment we had been waiting for.

We got our butts kicked.

I had made up my mind after the first match, when I took a cheap shot to the diaphragm and had the wind knocked out of me, that this was not what I had signed up for. I wanted to do what I was watching on TV every week, to take what I could already do on a trampoline and apply that in the ring —not roll around on the ground for a few minutes and hope that someone

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 4(523$!9 ª*5,9ª ª

gives me more points than the other guy to win.

As for my best friend, he fared a little better than I did. But, at the end of the scrimmage, we looked at each other and knew that we were on the same page. We never went to another practice or scrimmage again, but still got invited to the endof-season banquet. I won a rolling cooler in a raffle that night, which is still the only thing I’ve ever won in a contest.

Do I wish I would have stuck with traditional wrestling? Kind of, even though I’m about as uncoordinated as all get-out and probably wouldn’t have made it in the WWE. I’m glad I chose to explore a different career path later in my life, but my story really makes me appreciate anyone with the drive to grind it out from the beginning.

TWIRLING / PAGE 12 packet, and it was for recreational classes,” Nesbitt says.

“I started from there and just fell in love with it.”

These two, like most of their teammates, are veterans of America’s Youth on Parade.

This year, though, they’re gunning for first place.

GRUELING COMPETITION

“It’s a long, grueling week,” Patrick says. “Everybody thinks, ‘Oh, you’re gone!’ It’s not much of a vacation, because the contests start at 8 o’clock in the morning and, sometimes, last until 10, 11 at night.”

And, at 7 a.m., the girls are back in the gym, working on routines. There are roughly 4,000 twirlers from all over the country — and sometimes, Canada — to compete against, so every routine in

every event has to be perfect.

There are several events throughout the week. Individual events, which make up the bulk of the competition, include solo routines, struts (similar to a march, with no throwing), multiple-baton routines, flag routines, and a show twirl, which allows each twirler to pick her own music and use props. Group events are the one-baton dance twirl, and a halftime routine like what one would see at a football game.

There are also pageant events, in which Boykin and Nesbitt will compete. These are three-pronged events, combining the solo, the strut, and a modeling event that includes a brief interview with the judges.

Boykin will represent Florida on her collegiate level, and Nesbitt will represent the Southeast region of the coun-

try in hers. Both have prior experience in the pageant, but Nesbitt got started by surprise.

“My very first year that I went to Nationals, I had placed third in a pageant,” she says. “But, I was on the way up there and got an unexpected call saying that the girl who won was going to a wedding, and the girl who won second won a regional contest, and I would have to represent Florida. This was three years ago. I was asleep; I was like, ‘What are you talking about? I’m trying to sleep!’”

This year, she’s more than ready to go, as are the rest of her teammates. Her coaches are convinced that this year’s team has the skill to go far in 2014.

“They have the ability to win, if they do the job that they’re capable of doing,” Patrick says.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

EDUARDO LUCAS Normally a first baseman on the Plant City Little League Junior All-Stars, Eduardo Lucas was called up to pitch against Auburndale on Monday night. After getting out of a jam near the middle of the game, Lucas remained composed and helped the Juniors win, 16-6. He did it on just 74 pitches in six innings, and also went two-forthree at the plate.

On Monday, you guys came out here and beat Auburndale pretty good. You’re usually this team’s first baseman, so what brought you to the mound that night?

I just wanted to pitch and help my team win.

I usually pitch for my other teams.

What were you feeling, out on the mound?

I just stayed focused the whole time during the game.

I just focused on the batters.

Made sure nothing got on my mind.

What pitches were working for you?

I was throwing a fastball, a curveball and a knuckleball.

I think my curveball was working the best for me.

You also went two-forthree with some pretty big hits. What was your approach at the plate?

I just look for a fastball and, if I see one, I just hit it to the outfield.

When did you start playing baseball?

When I was around 4 or 3 years old.

I’m 15 now. I’ve played for Plant City Little League the whole time. I go to Durant High School. I tried out for the baseball team there, but didn’t make it.

I’m going to try out again, in August, to try and make the fall ball team.

Do you play any other sports?

I usually play basketball at the park, just to have fun.

What other hobbies do you have?

I play the drums in the school band. I play the snare drum and the bass drum.

The snare drum is my favorite — it’s just a faster tempo, and with the bass drum, you play really slowly. But, with the snare drum, you can do a lot of movement with your hands. I also like to focus on school.

What’s your favorite subject?

Science. I like anatomy. I want to be a doctor when I grow up — a surgeon. I want to be a cardiothoracic surgeon.

What’s your favorite movie?

“22 Jump Street.”

It was more hilarious than the first one; it had more jokes in it.

What about TV? I usually watch “Scrubs” or “Grey’s Anatomy.” Doctor shows.

Any favorite books?

Sometimes, I read Harry Potter books.

How about video games?

2K Sports, like baseball and basketball. And, I like FIFA. 2K Baseball is my favorite, though.

Favorite food?

Sausage pizza.

Favorite music?

I usually listen to Spanish music. I don’t have a favorite artist; I just listen to whatever’s on the radio. It’s a lot of the same thing.

What’s your favorite baseball memory?

It was when I hit my first home run.

I was playing here [Sansone Park], and we were down by two runs. We had two men on base, and I hit it, and I got the game-winning home run. That was probably a year ago.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?

X-ray vision, so that I could see through anything. Like, if I’m going to help somebody, I could see what’s happening with the body part I’m focusing on.

— Justin Kline

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PLANT CITY

RAIN

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3.18 (2013: 8.62)

HIGH 90 92 92 92 90 90 92

Thurs., July 3 Fri., July 4 Sat., July 5 Sun., July 6 Mon., July 7 Tues., July 8 Wed., July 9

June 27

June 29

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SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES Thurs., July 3 Fri., July 4 Sat., July 5 Sun., July 6 Mon., July 7 Tues., July 8 Wed., July 9

SUNRISE 6:36 a.m.

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SUNSET 8:29 p.m.

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LOW 76 75 74 74 72 72 71

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SEEDLESS WATERMELON SHIPPING POINT: CENTRAL AND NORTH FLORIDA SIZES 36s and 45s 60s

YEAR

TO DATE 10.38 (2013: 18.54)

LOW $.13 $.15

July 18

HIGH $.18 $.16

July 26

Courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture

, 3&

Debbie Gillespie sent us this photo of children of her former Japanese exchange student’s children, along with her own grandchildren. “We call them ‘cousins,’ because their mom and my daughter were like sisters when she stayed with us for a school year some 20 years ago,” she says. “She waited 20 years to return here and bring her three daughters to meet us.”

The Plant City Times & Observer and Grimes Hardware have partnered to host the I Love Plant City Photo Contest. Winners will have their photo featured and receive a $15 gift certificate to Grimes Hardware’s Strawberry Town Cafe! To enter, email your photo, along with a caption, to Editor Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com; subject line: I Love Plant City.

Winners can pick up their prize at Grimes Hardware.

GREETINGS!

By George Pompey | Edited by Timothy E. Parker ACROSS 1 Arboreal apes 7 Relating to heat 14 Caressed, in a way 20 Shark clinger 21 Jet-set destination, sometimes 22 Having a worse case of the flu 23 Casual wear 24 Made true, as tires 25 Off the wall (var.)

26 ___ Diego 27 Excites 29 “Otherwise ...”

31 Constrictor 33 Didn’t fast 34 Eli’s school 36 Doctrines 40 Neptune, e.g.

43 In an ill manner 44 Character set for computers 45 Major predecessor 48 Alabama march site 49 Was offensive, in a way 50 Spread, as gossip 51 “___ Pizza” (1988 film) 52 Burn 53 Old-style call to arms 54 Card game also called sevens 55 Obeys the dentist, in a way 56 Barker and Rainey 57 Miscellanies 58 Flora and fauna 59 Surreptitious sound 61 Storm noise 64 Slow-paced exercise 68 Cold War concern 70 Maximum bet 71 ___ capita

72 75 77 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 95 98 102 104 107 110 112 113 114 115 116 117

D and C, in D.C. Horse’s gait Via ___ (Rome’s “Rodeo Drive”) Pageant toppers Lustrous fabric Ladies in Spain Milk dispenser Dams Call up, as reservists Water nymph, in mythology Topples Walked triumphantly Shapeless hunk Most suitable Bake sale sponsor, often Assumed command Circumnavigate from above Idea Remove, as branches Real Shackle Intellectually lacking Isle of Capri attraction Alarm Place to store food Initial start Pointed lunges Most arid

DOWN 1 Tolkien creatures 2 Betty Ford Center program, e.g.

3 Acids of proteins 4 “Smoking or ___?”

5 Poetic spelling of 112-Across 6 Window part 7 Judas, for one

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

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 28 30 32 34 35 37 38 39 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 51 52 54 55 57 58 60 61 62

Like the sides of many valleys The dark side Fixes, as fights Restroom door sign Hot temper Detroit’s founder Unwitting tool Bounce back, as sound “What I meant was ...” ___-tac-toe Scream at a mouse sighting Put in a kiln Spoke with fury Tina of “30 Rock” Mary of “The Maltese Falcon” WWII conference site Type of asst.

Accident mementos Chop finely Many Punjabis Brown shade “Beg pardon!”

Listed books?

English race place Charlie Chaplin character Storytelling dances Gather up Assembly of church officials Large pipe Hog food Blunder Decree Electrical resistance units Radar image Near that place Little ones Makes angry

© 2013 Universal Uclick

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“Follow me!”

Puccini genre Insinuate Middle of Stein’s line Santa Claus feature Attacked by a wasp Kind of wave AM/FM device Highlanders, e.g.

Slightly angled Say no to

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Children’s author Blyton Not old Most sugary Scrawny one Brings into sync “Most Wanted” org.

Like bad milk, in London Artfully dodge Radiation quantities Assess Rorschach test image

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“No ___ traffic” They go over your part Business phone button A winter lift Smart-mouthed “Long, Long ___” Grand ___ (vintage) Just one 61-Down To the ___ degree Auto Prefix with “cycle”

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TA P LT N N PA D P R G A Q K Z Q X P U U M X T G L P : “ P X P Z M F T I Z Y P U T Q R Q U T Q R O Z T N Q U T R P.” 2 . F P H U X T V Z H I O F D L H H T R P Y J RY- N H F I E H B F P B G V S R F T. N H F P P V K P M H B EV NRD HUXTVZHHD: “R BVP’E OFPE FPZ ZHD UHP NHIH, HSHP RL RE M V D E D Z V K Z V K I G V J D .”

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