07.22.16 PCTO

PLANT CITY TIMES &

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 4, NO. 3

Plant City High hosts cheer camp.

PAGE 13 FREE

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FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

Gotta Catch ‘Em All

You will be surprised to see where Pokémon have shown up around Plant City. PAGE 8

NEW DIRECTION

YOUR TOWN Art About Town

United Food Bank Executive Director Christine Miller will take over as the president of the chamber in August.

EMILY TOPPER STAFF WRITER

A

fter a nationwide hunt, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce found its new president within a 10-

mile radius.

The Classroom Gallery is a new partnership venture for the East Hillsborough Historical Society and the East Hillsborough Art Guild, featuring the “Art about Town” showcase.

Artists in the community are coming together to show their work at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center.

An opening reception is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, July 28. The reception is open to the public and light refreshments will be served.

Continuing shows will rotate every 60 to 90 days.

For information please contact the East Hillsborough Art Guild at (813) 757-9226 or email qcenter@tampabay.rr.com.

Christine Miller, who most recently served as the executive director of the United Food Bank of Plant City, is set to start as the new chamber president Monday, Aug. 15. She’ll be taking the reigns from Marion Smith, who has served as the president since 2001. Smith retired in May. “I am so thrilled,” Miller said. “I have loved my time here at the Food Bank, but I’m so excited to lead and serve my community in a different capacity. This city is poised for such

Strong Leader

tremendous growth ... to be a part of this is so exciting.”

As president, Miller hopes to continue the chamber’s existing legacy by enhancing the

South Florida Hospital President Karen Kerr has been announced as the 14th annual Strong Leader by the Plant City Family YMCA. The Strong Leader dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at the John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road.

Kerr is membership chair of the Plant City Economic Development Executive Corp. She is also a board member of the Plant City Chamber of Commerce and South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation. Kerr has served as past chair of the Plant City Family YMCA. Kerr lives in Plant City with her husband, Wade, and daughter, Ashley. She has been a resident of Plant City for 20 years.

Table sponsorships, which will benefit the YMCA, are available. Contact Natalie Sweet at nsweet@kw.com or (813) 7589586.

HELLO KITTY

Hillsborough Community College Vet Tech Program helps feral cats. PAGE 9

quality and value of membership and bringing in new members.

SEE MILLER PAGE 7 Emily Topper

Christine Miller is set to take over as president of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce in August.

New police substation to open The substation is part of the Plant City Housing Authority on Maryland Avenue.

EMILY TOPPER STAFF WRITER

The last time there was a police sub station near the Plant City Housing Authority district was in 2006. It was located on Alabama Street.

Ten years later, Pat Dexter is bringing it back. The executive director of the Plant City Housing Authority took over earlier this year, and the sub station is one of her first efforts in working to keep the community safe.

A grand opening for the substation, located at 513 S. Maryland Ave., will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 27. Refreshments, face painting and an inflatable bounce house all will be available for attendees in the open field area next to the substation.

“It’s been in the works for a while now,” Dexter said. “It’s an ongoing effort of keeping the community safe ... for our citizens.”

The substation will be manned by officers from the Plant City Police Department, including Officer Priscilla Clark, who works in the nearby downtown district. She will serve as the main point of contact for the substation.

Though hours for the substation have not yet been finalized, more SEE POLICE PAGE 7

Emily Topper

Public Housing Manager Omayra Vanderpool and Public Housing Authority Executive Director Pat Dexter have planned the grand opening of the police substation.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

“I am pleased to see Donald Trump select Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate. … I firmly believe a Trump-Pence administration will be filled with leaders who share my conservative values to defend our Constitution and to accurately represent the voice of the American people.”

WEEK OF JULY 22, 2016

— Rep. Dennis Ross, on the announcement of Donald Trump’s running mate

I WISH I WERE AN OSCAR MAYER WEINER

W

ho doesn’t love a good hot dog during a summer picnic? Plant Citians can get two for $5 at

Wayback Burgers in celebration of National Hot Dog Day Saturday, July 23.

The day is designated through the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. Although this year it was officially on Thursday, July 14, it has historically been held on July 23. As such, many restaurants are celebrating it on July 23. It is also National Hot Dog Month.

Take this quiz to see how much you know about one of America’s favorite foods:

In the Future IF YOU GO

HOT DOG SPECIAL Where: Wayback Burgers, 200 W. Alexander St. When: Saturday, July 23 Details: Get two hot dogs for $5

1 What city consumed the most hot dogs in 2015? (Fun fact: Tampa ranked no. 10.)

A. New York B. Chicago C. Washington D.C. D. Los Angeles

4 When is hot dog season?

A. Memorial Day to Labor Day B. Fourth of July to Labor Day C. First day of summer to first day of fall D. Memorial Day to Fourth of July

2 How many hot dogs do Americans eat on Fourth of July?

A. 150 million B. 500 million C. 50 million D. 1 million

5 Which city spent more money on hot dogs in retail stores in 2015?

A. Los Angeles B. Tampa C. New York D. Phoenix

3 Major league ballparks in the United States are expected to sell how many hot dogs this season?

A. 2 million B. 11.5 million C. 18.5 million D. 53 million

6 What percent of hot dog sales are made in July?

A. 5% B. 10% C. 20% D. 30% SOURCE: Nielson, National Hot Dog and Sausage Council

Answers: 1) D; 2) A; 3) C; 4) A; 5) C; 6) B

Kwest Fluitt, of Plant City, has been accepted to attend Harding University for fall 2016.

Fluitt, son of Mariya Wyatt, attended Plant City High School, where he was a member of the varsity football team. He was MVP Defensive Player of the Year, Turnaround Award Recipient of Hillsborough County and named to the AllWestern Conference Team.

He will be welcomed to campus Thursday, Aug. 18, for Student Impact. This orientation program is designed to help freshmen and new students learn about campus and make the adjustment to college life.

Harding is the largest private university in Arkansas and has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report for the 22nd consecutive year as a top 25 school in the South.

Donated

The Plant City Photo Archives and History Center received a donation of historical photos, papers and miscellaneous memorabilia to be added to its previously acquired “Panky Snow” collection. The new collection of materials contains photographs dating to the 1890s, 35 mm slides, photograph albums, a wedding album, newspaper articles and a collection of Tampa newspapers from the 1940s.

Also in the collection are letters dating to 1903 or earlier, tax records as far back as 1896, a variety of tintypes, a 1920s annotated Bible, a small stamp collection and Plant City High School yearbooks for 1922 and 1943. The papers deal mostly with the Morgan, Sanderson and Lightsey families in parts of Georgia and the Keysville and Plant City area in Florida.

The recent collection was donated by Snow’s son, Kerry Glamsch.

The earlier collection of Panky Snow papers was donated in 2010 by Randy Lasseter, of Plant City.

Snow was a writer, having written for the school paper and yearbook. She began her journalism career as a stringer for The Tampa Tribune and a reporter for the Plant City Courier.

Christmas in July ANNUAL DONATION DRIVE

Friday, July 29 St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital treats tens of thousands of Tampa Bay’s children every year. Whether they arrive by ambulance, are recovering from open-heart surgery or are undergoing cancer treatment, they receive the finest medical care and emotional support available.

Here’s how you can make a difference: Sponsor an extraordinary child experience: Visit StJosephsChristmas.org

Memberships: Hillsborough County Bar Assoc., Plant City Bar Assoc., Hillsborough Assoc. for Women Lawyers, Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Assoc., Member Riverview, Brandon & Plant City Chambers of Commerce.

Church: Sacred Heart Church

BC1605113_0716 210864

Drop off toys and donations: Join Santa and his elves at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital on Friday, July 29, from 7am to 1pm

Professional Background & Community: Former Law Enforcement officer & prosecutor Family and civil law Attorney 13th Judicial Circuit Pro-Bono Award Recipient (2009-2015) Nominated among Florida's Top Lawyer in 2015 - Florida Legal Elite Honoree Co-Founder - Are You Safe, Inc. helping victims of domestic violence

Miriam Valkenburg for County Court Judge | 214 South Armenia Ave. | Tampa, FL 33609 | 813.514.1058 Email: miriam4judge@gmail.com Web: www.Miriam4judge.com Political advertisement paid for and approved by Miriam Valkenburg, Nonpartisan, for County Court Judge, Group 10, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

VETTING BEFORE VOTING Get to know the candidates in the upcoming circuit and county judge elections.

On Tuesday, July 12, candidates for Hillsborough County’s circuit court and county court participated in a public forum hosted by the Plant City Area Democrats and Improvement League of Plant City at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center.

Panelists for the judge candidates’ forum, moderated by William Thomas, were Liesta Sykes, Joseph Williams and Ione Townsend.

For more comments from the forum, go to PlantCityObserver.com.

WAIT, THERE’S MORE Two other public forums with candidates for school board and District 6 commissioner were hosted by Plant City Area Democrats and Improvement League of Plant City after press time. Recaps can be found online at PlantCityObserver.com and stories will run in the Friday, July 29, edition.

Early voting opens on Monday, Aug. 15, and ends on Monday, Aug, 28. Polls open on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Plant City is located in Precinct 751, and the listed polling place is GracePoint Church, 1107 Charlie Griffin Road. For information on which forms of identification are accepted, voting procedures and more, visit ow.ly/PnTB302mCrf.

— JUSTIN KLINE

DOES PERSONAL CONDUCT CARRY OVER FROM ONE'S PERSONAL LIFE TO THEIR BENCH DUTIES?

COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 10 MIRIAM VALKENBURG A: Judges are role models in our community. ... You have to uphold those laws, and you have to live that life.

CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, GROUP 3 ROBIN FERNANDEZ FUSON A: I'm applying for a job right now. You people are my employers. This job is 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

SNAPSHOT Background: 16 years of legal experience working as an assistant public defender, assistant state attorney; currently a litigation attorney at the office of Glenn G. Gomer Community: member of Hyde Park United Methodist Church, where he has spent 11 years teaching Sunday school and Bible study for adults and children Education: history degree, master’s and law degree from the University of Florida Three traits he said he’ll bring to the bench: experience, intellect and demeanor

SNAPSHOT Background: former 13th Judicial Circuit prosecutor; now a partner at Valkenburg and Velez, P.A. Community: Winner of the 13th Judicial Pro Bono Service Award every year from 2009 to 2015; winner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2015 Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award; past president and current treasurer of the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association; co-founder of Are You Safe Inc. Education: English degree with a minor in political science from the University of South Florida and a law degree from the Stetson University College of Law Three traits she said she’ll bring to the bench: diversity in experience, balance and leadership

SNAPSHOT Background: 17 years of legal experience working as a prosecutor with the Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit, where he was chief of the DUI prosecution and narcotics units; opened private practice in 2001; played professional baseball for 13 years before his law career Community: has served as adjunct professor at the University of South Florida Education: criminal justice degree from the University of South Florida and a law degree from Stetson University College of Law Three traits he said he’ll bring to the bench: temperament, experience and a strong work ethic

CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, GROUP 3 CARL HINSON A: (The candidates) are willing to give up their personal lives ... we're under a microscope, the microscope of the JQC — the Judicial Qualifying Commission.

SNAPSHOT Background: 28 years of legal experience in Tampa as a civil trial attorney and a certified mediator; previously a law clerk for judges William Graybill, J.C. Cheatwood and Vincent Giglio Community: volunteers as a guest speaker on business law at Tampa-area high schools and the University of Tampa; speaks at seminars for medical and legal professionals; chairman of the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association’s annual golf tournament, which benefits area charities; member of the Florida Bar, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Florida Justice Association, the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association and Phi Alpha Delta Education: management degree from the University of South Florida and a law degree from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law Three traits he said he’ll bring to the bench: experience, life experience and legal experience

CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, GROUP 24 MELISSA “MISSY” POLO A: The profession demands respect. ... You want to bring confidence and trust into our court system.

CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, GROUP 24 LANELL WILLIAMS-YULEE A: Absolutely ... It's an intricate part of his or her life. A judge represents our community.

SNAPSHOT Background: 26 years of legal experience; one of 26 attorneys in Hillsborough County with certification as an expert in marital and family law; experience as both a prosecutor and a public defender; has run his own private practice in Tampa for the last 23 years Community: mentor to family law attorneys with Bay Area Legal Services; a voluntary fee arbitrator for the Florida Bar Fee and Mediation Program; member of the Downtown Tampa Rotary Club, the Tampa Tiger Bay Club and the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce Education: law degree from the University of Florida and an accounting degree from Emory University Three traits he said he’ll bring to the bench: expertise, professionalism and ethics

SNAPSHOT Background: opened law practice in 2009; 20 years as a prosecutor and a defense attorney; previously worked for the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, as well as several private practices around the Tampa Bay area Community: volunteers with the Spring of Tampa Bay; board member of the Italian Club of Tampa; member of the American Bar Association, Florida Justice Association, Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association and the Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers Education: law degrees from the University of Florida and the Loyola University School of Law Three traits she said she’ll bring to the bench: community involvement, compassion and good morals

SNAPSHOT Background: over 24 years of legal experience as a public defender, state attorney and prosecutor; operates her own private practice; in 2015, she was involved in a personal case brought to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case, Williams-Yulee v. The Florida Bar, was brought about by her 2009 judicial candidacy, when she was reprimanded by the Florida Bar for personally soliciting campaign donations. The court ruled, 5-4, in favor of the Florida Bar Community: member of the Florida Bar, the NAACP, the Edgecomb Bar Association, Florida Inns of Court Education: psychology degree from the University of West Florida and a law degree from the Mississippi College of Law Three traits she said she’ll bring to the bench: service, strong work ethic and integrity

NEXT UP

EMILY TOPPER

After the City of Plant City’s Planning Board expressed concern over several parts of Visions Golf’s development proposal for a portion of its shuttered Walden Lake golf course, Visions Golf decided to revise its plans. The decision came during a Thursday, July 14, Planning Board meeting regarding the proposed rezone of 127 acres in the Walden Lake community.

The proposed rezone included the development of up to 146 singlefamily units and up to 216 multi-family dwelling units in the Walden Lake community, as well as a proposed park along Timberlane Drive.

The Planning Board’s recommendation for or against the rezone would have been sent to the City Commission for a public hearing and final acceptance or denial. Now, the Planning Board will wait until Visions Golf submits its revised plans to make a recommendation.

“I guess what I struggled with most was the proposal for multi-family housing,” Chairwoman Bonnie Carr said. “That’s something that comes to this board often. I really have a problem with this proposal as it proposes to add multiple multi-family dwelling units. I think the openness of the area would change significantly.”

Board member Art Wood expressed concern with the proposed singlefamily units in the area, as there was no limitation in the plans on the number of two-story, single-family units that could be developed. Many subdivisions in the Walden Lake community include two-story homes, but two-story homes do not outnumber single-family homes.

After discussions, Visions Golf agreed to eliminate two-story, singlefamily units and significantly reduced the number of proposed multi-family units.

After the revisions are made and submitted, the updated plans will go to the City of Plant City’s planning and zoning staff, where they will be reviewed. Then the plans will go back to the Planning Board for a public hearing before going to the City Commission. There is no date set for when the Planning Board will revisit the plans.

The board first delayed a decision on the rezone at a June public hearing.

Visions Golf will submit revised plans to the City of Plant City. Though not yet finalized, preliminary plans have been discussed. n 45 multi-family units total (where 60 multi-family units would have been) n 70 single-family units will replace other multi-family units n Single-family homes will be limited to one story n Total: 45 multifamily and 216 single-family homes

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.

TIMELINE FEB. 2014 Visions Golf submits first development plans to the City of Plant City. They include: 10-acre assisted living facility, one area for 425 multifamily units, a second area for 156 multi-family units and 187 single-family lots.

FEB. 2015 Visions Golf submits an updated rezoning proposal to the City of Plant City for review. Plans included: 154 single-family lots, 156 four-plex units, a 7-acre park and a 100-unit adult congregate living facility.

CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, GROUP 24 ISABEL “CISSY” BOZA SEVELIN A: People look up to judges ... if judges are seen in public as drunk drivers, people are like, 'I can do it. I can get away with it.’”

SNAPSHOT Background: opened practice in 2013; previously served nine years as a federal judicial and term law clerk with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Community: practice operates pro bono, and she spends much of her time volunteering to help teens and victims of domestic violence; member of the Florida Bar, Florida Association of Women Layers, Tampa Hispanic Bar Association, Plant City Bar Association, Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce Education: accounting degree from the University of South Florida and master’s and law degrees from Barry University Three traits she said she’ll bring to the bench: compassion, values and community involvement

3

After a July 14 Planning Board meeting, Visions Golf will revise plans for development on a closed golf course.

MAY 2013 The Hills course in the Walden Lake community closes.

CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, GROUP 24 GARY DOLGIN A: You are expecting people to follow the rules. By golly, you'd better follow the rules yourself.

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

Visions Golf goes back to the drawing board

STAFF WRITER

VOTING INFORMATION

COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 10 SHELTON BRIDGES A: Integrity means, at its essence, who you are in private is who you are in public, and vice versa.

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MAY 2015 Walden Lake Community Association votes to oppose the proposed rezoning.

JUNE 2015 Hillsborough County’s Environmental Protection Commission cites potential wetland impacts in the proposed development plans.

MARCH 2016 Visions Golf submits revised plans to the city that omits the adult congregate living facility. Sixty multi-family homes will replace the facility. The updated plans now include up to 216 multifamily units and 146 single-family homes.

JULY 14, 2016 Planning Board holds second meeting on proposed rezoning.

Visions Golf agrees to make modifications that address board concerns.

JUNE 2016 Planning and zoning staff recommends approval of rezone. City Planning Board holds a four-hour public hearing on the proposed rezone of the golf course. Does not make a decision.

4

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

SENIOR OF THE MONTH: ELLANY JOHNSON

Heart of the

love everybody.”

During the festival, Johnson visits the vendors daily.

“We couldn’t have the fair without them,” Johnson said. “It’s a partnership. I know just about everybody. I have vendors that have been vendors here for 40 years. That just says something for our fair.”

The volunteers, too, are part of the family. One of Johnson’s favorite traditions is the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. When it first began years ago, Johnson was responsible for going around town and asking business owners to donate door prizes.

“That’s such a fun time,” Johnson said. “The volunteers are so deserving. That’s one of the events that I’ve been really involved in. I’ve had so much fun being involved in so many things.”

Her continued involvement with the Florida Strawberry Festival has become one of the main parts of her life, and the staff she works with has become her second family.

Festival

FESTIVAL FAVORITES WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FESTIVAL FOOD? Amish donuts and a corndog. I only have corndogs once a year, and that’s at the festival. And of course, the strawberry shortcake.

WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING PART OF THE FESTIVAL FOR YOU? When everything starts to build and all the tents go up, and the booths are ready for opening day. I think that’s something I’m just in awe of, to think that I could have a part in something like this.

Ellany Johnson first volunteered for the Florida Strawberry Festival in 1972.

Today, she serves as one of its driving forces.

EMILY TOPPER STAFF WRITER

Editor’s Note: Senior of the Month is a monthly profile on a senior citizen or senior couple based in Plant City.

Any resident over the age of 55 who has made a lasting impact on the community is eligible for Senior of the Month.

If you know someone who would make a great Senior of the Month, contact News Reporter Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.

W

hen Ellany Johnson was about 11 years old, she went to the Florida Strawberry Festival and rode a swing ride that went up high enough for her to overlook all the guests below.

“That was the ultimate experience,” Johnson said. “I thought I had experienced everything.”

Decades later, Johnson still overlooks the entire festival. These days, her view is different: she serves as the manager of the festival’s main office on Lemon Street.

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FEELS LIKE HOME Emily Topper

Ellany Johnson serves as the office manager for the Florida Strawberry Festival’s office on Lemon Street.

“When you think back, it was this little fair,” Johnson said. “How it has grown from then to now.”

Johnson has been there nearly every step of the way.

Her first year as a vendor, she paid $50 for a booth for her Christian bookstore. During the festival, Johnson was approached by then-manager Louise Gibbs to volunteer. The two had previously met through Youmans Baptist Church, where Johnson’s husband, Wayne, was the pastor.

That was in 1972. Johnson never left. She’s been with the festival through 14 festival presidents.

“It’s just like family,” Johnson said.

“It’s such a family atmosphere, all through the year. You just want to get up every day and come to work.”

ALONG FOR THE RIDE

As a volunteer, Johnson’s responsibilities continued to grow every year.

She started off with a show tent.

To make it festive, she would bring in sound equipment from Youmans and build her own marquee, which included a clock with program times.

She also decorated her own stage.

“At every show, I would ask how far people came,” Johnson said. “Whoever came the furthest always got a jar of jam from Parkesdale Farms.”

Johnson started the annual shoebox float contest. The popular contest allows grade school students to decorate a shoebox like a miniature parade float.

“Sometimes we had 150 to 160 floats,” Johnson said. “That was a special event for our children and for (their) parents and grandparents to come and see.”

In 1989, Johnson went to work at the festival’s ticket office. By the next year, she was the ticket office manager, a position she held for several years.

Eventually, she moved from a volunteer to a paid employee. She started at the festival’s main office by working as a receptionist. In 1996, she took over as the vendor and exhibit manager.

“We love our vendors, exhibitors and concessionaires,” Johnson said.

“I just love the exhibitors’ dinner that we give to them. It’s just like a homecoming. You know everybody, you

One of Johnson’s favorite parts about the festival is taking her granddaughter, 6-year-old Harper, to experience the fun.

“She’s a joy,” Johnson said. “Harper just thinks her granny is top notch because she can come to the fair every day. She really loves the rides.”

But the festival isn’t only bound by blood. Johnson has a close relationship with the staff she works alongside.

“We have one of the finest boards,” Johnson said. “They are so caring, and they are so thoughtful for the staff. That means a lot. They’re just so caring. Paul Davis (festival general manager) is top notch. He cares, and he shows it.”

It’s those relationships that have kept Johnson coming back year after year.

“I’ve always been really involved, and I’m still that,” Johnson said.

“Everybody brings to the table what they’re really interested in, and it makes it so exciting. I love the small town atmosphere. Our town is getting large, but ... we still have the heart of a small town. We care, and we want guests to have a wonderful time while they’re here.”

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

5

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

“The whole racial profiling thing.”

“We have so many wars going on.”

— Christiana Zimmer, 21

— Maceo Walker, 21

COPS CORNER

We asked: What do you think the most important social issue is today?

The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Plant City Police Department.

JULY 8

ATTACK DOG 900 block of North Knight Street.

Information report: Officers responded to an area in reference to a report of two aggressive pit bull dogs.

They made contact with the dogs on North Pennsylvania Avenue, and one of the dogs charged at an officer. The charging dog was subdued with a Taser, and both dogs were placed in a patrol vehicle until Animal Control arrived to take custody of them.

JULY 9

TRAILER TROUBLE 3100 block of Azalea Blossom Drive.

Grand theft: Officer met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) had stolen his homemade trailer from an enclosed space.

JULY 11

“Climate change.

People are polluting at a high rate.”

“It’s like the black lives matter and all lives matter thing.”

— Miguel Acosta, 20

— Zach Lyons, 17

SCREEN SLASHER 310 block of Citrus Landing.

Criminal mischief: Officer met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) had damaged the front door and rear window screens of her home.

JULY 12

INSIDE JOB 2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway.

Theft/resisting arrest without violence: Officers met with complainant, who stated an employee of the store they worked at had stolen from the business. Suspect was then arrested.

“Probably, like, how the police are getting killed. They’re just doing their job.”

ADDED BONUS 2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway Found property: While investigating a theft report at a store, officers discovered a firearm that had been reported stolen out of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction.

“People are mistaking race and skin tone.

It bothers me, and they’re not doing anything to fix it.”

— Meghan Lyons, 16

— Jomarys Negron, 22

JULY 13

THERE FOR THE TAKING 1100 block of East Baker Street.

Vehicle burglary: Officer met with complainant, who stated unknown

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suspect(s) had entered her vehicle and stolen her cell phone, Social Security card and Florida driver’s license. The vehicle had been left unlocked. Complainant signed a waiver of prosecution.

FARM FRAUD 200 block of West Alexander Street.

Information report: Officer responded to a supermarket and met with complainant, who was attempting to buy $1,498.89 worth of debit cards. Store employees believed the complainant was being scammed. Complainant stated she received a call from someone who claimed to work for TECO. The suspect told her he would shut off the power to her horse farm if she didn’t buy the debit cards. Complainant did not lose any money, and an information report was filed.

JULY 8

DISHWASHER DEVIANT 3500 block of San Moise Place.

Burglary: Complainant reported unknown suspect(s) had stolen a dishwasher from a residence. The appliance was valued at $400.

SON OF A GUN 4600 block of Copper Lane.

Grand theft: Officer met with complainant, who stated unknown suspect(s) stole a black .357 caliber revolver pistol from his home.

MISSING 900 block of North Park Road.

Lost wallet: Officer met with complainant, who stated he had lost his wallet. The wallet contained his driver’s license, Social Security card and $10 in cash. The wallet was lost somewhere between the 900 and 2210 blocks of North Park Road.

JULY 14

FLIRTING WITH DISASTER 1900 block of South Alexander Street.

Traffic arrest: Officer conducted a traffic stop on a red Ford Mustang for driving over the speed limit. The driver was found to have a suspended license. The driver had knowledge of this, and he was arrested.

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

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

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

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

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

The City of Plant City will conduct smoke testing on the mainline sewer system beginning July 26, 2016 through July 29, 2016 on the following streets: Azalea Blossom Drive, Berry Blossom Lane, Grove Blossom Lane, Harvest Orchard Drive, Trapnell Grove Loop, Trapnell Ridge Drive, San Moise Place, Pearl Dove Lane, Magnolia Meadows Drive, Magnolia Green Street, Magnolia Garden Drive, Crystal Dew Street, Sandburg Loop, Kilmer Drive, Alcott Avenue, Kilmer Place, Milton Place, Cummings Place, Nohlcrest Place, Polo Place, Silver Meadow Way, West Timberland Drive, Michener Place, Silverstone Court, Silverpond Drive, Silverwood Drive, Silverspring Drive, Silvermoon Drive, Pine Club Drive, Steinbeck Place, S. Thackery Way, Stevenson Street, Eliot Place, Barret Avenue, Longfellow Drive, Kipling Avenue, Hawthorne Court, Emerson Place, Concord Way, Clemons Court, Forest Club Drive, Pine Club Drive, Oak Club, Fairlea Circle, Asbury Court, Aston Place, Aston Avenue, Clubhouse Drive, Executive Circle, Hampton Place Court, Griffin Boulevard, Wedgewood Drive, Charleston Woods Court, Eagle Greens Drive and Golf Lake Drive.

If you have any questions, please call Angel Soto-Diaz at 813-757-9288 ext. 4725.

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La ciudad de Plant City conducirá una pruebas de humo en el sistema de alcantarillado principal en las calles, a partir del 26 de julio de 2016 hasta julio 29, de 2016: Azalea Blossom Drive, Berry Blossom Lane, Grove Blossom Lane, Harvest Orchard Drive, Trapnell Grove Loop, Trapnell Ridge Drive, San Moise Place, Pearl Dove Lane, Magnolia Meadows Drive, Magnolia Green Street, Magnolia Garden Drive, Crystal Dew Street, Sandburg Loop, Kilmer Drive, Alcott Avenue, Kilmer Place, Milton Place, Cummings Place, Nohlcrest Place, Polo Place, Silver Meadow Way, West Timberland Drive, Michener Place, Silverstone Court, Silverpond Drive, Silverwood Drive, Silverspring Drive, Silvermoon Drive, Pine Club Drive, Steinbeck Place, S. Thackery Way, Stevenson Street, Eliot Place, Barret Avenue, Longfellow Drive, Kipling Avenue, Hawthorne Court, Emerson Place, Concord Way, Clemons Court, Forest Club Drive, Pine Club Drive, Oak Club, Fairlea Circle, Asbury Court, Aston Place, Aston Avenue, Clubhouse Drive, Executive Circle, Hampton Place Court, Griffin Boulevard, Wedgewood Drive, Charleston Woods Court, Eagle Greens Drive and Golf Lake Drive.

Si usted tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame a Angel Soto-Diaz at 813-757-9288 ext. 4725.

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

To contact us, send your information via: Email: Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@ PlantCityObserver.com.

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

210886

PLANT CITY TIMES &

Observer Publisher / Karen Berry, kdberry@inthefieldmagazine.com Managing Editor / Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@PlantCityObserver.com Sports Editor / Justin Kline, jkline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Emily Topper, etopper@PlantCityObserver.com Editorial Designer / C.J. Major, cmajor@yourobserver.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

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

FROM MILLER PAGE 1

n Strengthen existing businesses in Plant City n Increase membership n Collaborate with Plant City Economic Development Corp., City of Plant City and Plant City Main Street on growth efforts n Focus on small businesses

FR

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In her role as executive director or the United Food Bank of Plant City, Christine Miller increased the number of people served from 12,000 in 2012 to over 30,000 people in 2015. Miller also was responsible for introducing Money Smart, a program at the Food Bank that teaches financial literacy to those living at or below the poverty line.

for the new chamber president,” Matt Buzza, leader of the selection committee, said.

Brian West, chair of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, agreed.

“Finding the best candidate to lead the chamber through the coming years of increased impact in Central Florida has been the goal of the chamber board,” he said. “Christine Miller has proven herself to be committed to Plant City’s growth and, as the only candidate who exceeded all of our expectations, our obvious choice.”

In the meantime, Miller will work to make sure that the transition for the Food Bank will be as smooth as possible. A new Food Bank director has not yet been announced.

“Marion Smith set a high standard for this position,” Miller said. “However, I am confident that my experience and strengths ... combine to provide me with a unique set of skills to lead the Plant City Chamber into our exciting future.”

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.

July 29- July 31

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CHRISTMAS IN JULY GIVING TREE Navidad en Julio

The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a Giving Tree for the Plant City Pregnancy Care Center that will be in the Narthex of the Church starting next weekend.

The Christmas tree will have tags with items most needed.

Please take a tag and return it with the wrapped gift (wrapped as if you were attending a baby shower) to the Church by Sunday, July 24th.

Los Caballeros de Colon estarán patrocinando un “Giving Tree” para el Centro de Mujeres embarazadas de Plant City durante el mes de Julio. El árbol de navidad con etiquetas de los articulos necesitados estará en la entrada de la inglesia.

Por favor tome una etiqueta y regrésala con el regalo envuelto (como si fuera a un baby shower) a la Inglesia el domingo, 24 de julio.

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Miller first fell in love with the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World in 1997. On one of her first dates with her now-husband, Les, the duo went on an outing in Historic Downtown.

Right away, Miller knew two things: she would marry Les, and she would live and raise a family in Plant City.

“I loved that there was a center,” Miller said.

In her new role, Miller plans to strengthen the existing businesses in downtown and across Plant City by forming the chamber into a one-stop shop for resources. She is collaborating with Plant City Economic Development Corp. President Jake Austin, City Manager Mike Herr and Plant City Main Street on growth efforts.

She’ll have a focus on small businesses in particular, as they capture the essence of the Plant City community, she said.

“I want to be the resource for them,” Miller said. “I would love to see businesses come to downtown, Midtown.

It’s a beautiful thing when we can have small businesses. It’s a necessity.”

Miller is a former small business owner. She worked alongside her husband for a health and wellness company, Arbonne.

“I know the value that chambers can add to growing your business within the community,” Miller said.

“I want to listen to chamber members and get their input, what they love about the chamber and what they would love to see.”

The job comes with many moving parts, but it’s a task Miller is wellacquainted with. Through her role as director at the United Food Bank of Plant City, she expanded existing programs, brought in new programs and increased the number of people served in Eastern Hillsborough County.

When she first came on board in 2012, there were 12,000 people served annually. In 2015, the food bank served over 30,000 people. Miller also was responsible for introducing Money Smart, a program at the food bank that teaches financial literacy to those living at or below the poverty line.

According to the chamber board, Miller’s experience serving the Plant City community and leading businesses to success are what made her the right person for the job.

“Although there were several qualified applicants from outside of the community, Christine’s qualifications, experience and proven commitment to Plant City’s growth combined to confirm her as the best choice

GOALS FOR THE CHAMBER

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RESIDENTAL & COMMERCIAL RENTALS Emily Topper

FROM POLICE PAGE 1

security will be added during peak times, such as on major holidays.

The substation will serve as a resource for the 200 public housing units in Plant City, as well as a safe space for residents to report crime or suspicious ongoings anonymously.

The substation was created out of an existing two-bedroom unit in the Maryland Heights district. The unit includes a kitchen, a children’s area and a privacy room for interrogation.

“It gives our police accessibility,” Dexter said. “The presence of a police car carries a lot of weight and visibility. With privacy, people feel more comfortable since that’s in their neighborhood.”

GETTING BACK ON TRACK

Dexter first joined the Plant City Housing Authority 14 years ago. At that time, she said, the police substation was not utilized. This time, she feels that the substation is just one step in becoming more proactive.

“We just felt that it was time,” Dexter said. “We were aware of certain issues, which made us feel it was time to partner with the Plant City Police Department again. Chief (Ed) Duncan is instrumental. We’re the liaison between the resource and the general public.”

Dexter said the Plant City Housing Authority has plans to look into

IF YOU GO POLICE SUBSTATION GRAND OPENING When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, July 27 Where: 513 S. Maryland Ave. Includes: Face painting, bounce houses, popcorn, shaved ice for kids; free health screenings

starting other programs, including a neighborhood watch program, a home ownership program and financial management classes.

“Our goal is to promote from subsidized to non-subsidized,” Dexter said. “This has been a transition year.

We do not know where this is going to take us, but we know it’s going to be positive. It’s new, innovative and positive.”

The first step toward that goal, Dexter said, is bridging any gaps that may exist between the general public and the police.

“We love the police. We need the police,” Dexter said. “We’re asking for their help.”

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.

MANAGEMENT OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES BUSINESS HOURS | MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:30AM-5PM

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The substation includes a conference area, an interview room and an area for children.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

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LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC AUCTION STORAGE SALE

In accordance with the provisions of the Florida Self Storage Act (sections 83.801 - 83.809), there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy an owner and/or manager’s lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at the Uncle Bob’s Self Storage location(s) listed below.

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And, due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties known to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the below stated location(s) to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on Wednesday, 9:00 am, August 10th

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2016 at 1005 South Alexander Street, Plant City, FL 33563, 813-759CUSTOMER NAME

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FROM THE EDITOR

GOTTA CATCH ’EM ALL

Can you Diglett?

Local trainers have spotted Pokémon around Plant City since Pokémon Go’s release date on July 6.

Find out what all this Pokémon Go hype is about.

Earth has been invaded. Not by aliens. By Pokémon.

The quirky video game characters first conceptualized for Game Boy in the early 1990s have been popping up in cities across the globe thanks to the new augmented-reality mobile game Pokémon Go. You can now literally pocket these pocket monsters by searching for them near landmarks, statues, murals, bodies of water, campgrounds and street corners using the game’s map.

Here’s how it works: a map shows you where nearby Pokémon are hiding. Once you get close enough, the map will change to camera mode, in most phones. In this mode, you can see on your phone screen what is in front of you in real life — except a cartoon Pokémon is inserted into the screen to make it look like it is really there.

The goal: level up by catching as many Pokémon as possible.

It’s like geocaching but nerdier.

Pokémon Go has caught on like a Charizard-started wildfire.

It’s been trending on social media and news sites, including those such as Wall Street Journal and New York Times.

After its release date Monday, June 6, servers around the world crashed from its popularity.

Nintendo shares rose 13% to $222.16 in Tokyo trading Tuesday, July 12, following a 25% surge on Monday, July 11, pushing the video game maker’s market capitalization above $30 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Plant City Times & Observer editorial team is split on its fandom of the game. Staff Writer Emily Topper and Sports Editor Justin Kline don’t get the hype. I pitched a story for Kline to write for his sports section on how Pokémon Go is getting people out of their homes and exercising. He wasn’t buying it.

Designer CJ Major and myself find the game endearing and innovative as it moves a well-known and beloved canon from a controller and deck of cards to real life by updating it using technological advancements.

Although our office is divided, I

Shelbea Houston found an Eevee at the train depot.

AMBER JURGENSEN MANAGING EDITOR

think Pokémon Go has done just the opposite: it has united people.

Veronica Prostko, with Courtney Paat State Farm Agency, said a group of co-workers in her office have been bonding by going out after work, not for happy hour, but to catch Pokémon.

Shortly after its release, I was wandering Historic Downtown with Plant City artist Jesse Starr to try out the game, and we saw groups of people searching for a Charmander in McCall Park. Starr, who lives downtown, has seen groups in the park every night. One guy was even decked out in a Pikachu hat.

You don’t have to be a diehard fan to have fun with Pokémon Go. I’ve seen parents playing the game with their children in the their neighborhoods while walking the dog, and I (stuck at level five) am certainly not as knowledgeable as other players.

I grew up with Pokémon being “a thing” but my experience is limited to being given a Jigglypuff playing card by my crush in fifth grade.

So, besides the fascinating technology and the cute Pokémon, Pokémon Go is important for a reason that goes beyond video games — it’s getting people to interact with their towns and bond over it.

The scavenger hunt-like gameplay has gamers in Plant City strolling through downtown, exploring fruit stands, noticing things they may not have noticed before. It’s teaching us to “Slowpoke’” around, instead of racing through life. It’s making us less “Krabby” and more in tune to the “Goldeen” beauty in our neighborhoods. It’s “Seaking” to change the way we view the world.

Yvonne Fry found a Doduo at Krazy Kup.

Aric Casas captured a Pidgey at MyTown Barbershop.

Sean Edge befriended a Rattata in McCall Park.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

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This week’s Cryptoquiz answers Answers: 1) Slavery, 2) Writer, 3) Farmer 4) Louisiana, 5) President.

At home in Plant City

T

he Mid-Florida Summer Home Show and Taste of Plant City kicked off at the Florida Strawberry Festival fairgrounds Saturday, July 9. The show features food vendors and a variety of home goods and home appliances. The show ran through Sunday, July 10, and included performances by singing group Next Radical Generation.

— EMILY TOPPER

Thomas Jefferson July 21 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.67) This week’s Sudoku answers

3 9 5 1

7

8 1

6 4 2

8 4 9 2 6 7

2 7

6 5

5

3

4 3 1

8 9

7

6 8 2 9 4 5

3 1

5

4 2 3 1

9 3 1 8 5

3 1

4 2 7 6 1

6 5 7

7

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Photos By Abby Baker and Emily Topper

Ellen Raisbeck sold “Do You Bake?” products.

8 4 2 7 2 9 6 4

8 6 9 3 1

9 4 3 5

2 7

5 8

This week’s Crossword answers

Shiela and Keith Forlaw

John LaDow with Rhineland Cutlery RaShawn and Nadia Chatman enjoyed a sweet treat.

2016

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

|

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

FERAL FRIENDS Technicians did the paperwork that goes with vaccinations.

A cat recovering from surgery had his final examination.

Photos by Abby Baker

Kittens and full-grown cats were treated.

With the help of Hillsborough Community College’s vet tech students, some feral cats in Plant City were spayed or neutered Saturday, July 16.

“It’s a responsibility on the public to have spayed animals.”

ABBY BAKER STAFF INTERN

Hillsborough Community College and the SPCA teamed up for the sixth time to spay and neuter local feral cats Saturday, July 16.

From 8 a.m. to noon, 25 cats were spayed and neutered, vaccinated and given physical checkups in Hillsborough Community College’s veterinarian technology room at the Plant City campus.

The team of volunteers was made up of veterinarians, seasoned technicians and students in HCC’s veterinary technology program.

Costing about $20 per cat and about $500 total for the spay and neuter clinic, the program is funded by an HCC Foundation Resources for Excellence grant.

Dr. Vincent Centonze is the program director as well as an HCC faculty member. As a veterinarian, the professor was one of the four doctors spaying and neutering the feral cats.

“My number one priority in this is the students,” Centonze said.

Since the first event in 2008, the spay and neuter clinic happens upon students’ request. With more experienced pupils comes more cats.

The clinic is a challenging practice on the students because the cats they are handling are not socialized. They cannot be touched without gloves and are not picked up while conscious.

— Dr. Vincent Centonze

“I just think it’s really important that we give them the same care that we give to dogs,” Megan Kostelny, a volunteer, said. “Cats are like secondhand citizens, and that’s why we have ferals.”

While HCC supplies the volunteers and the space to get these animals spayed and neutered, the SPCA traps and releases the cats. This technique of population control is in effect around the United States. It is called TNR, or trap, neuter, release.

The SPCA extends the TNR technique to not only HCC but individuals and organizations in the community.

Anyone willing can be trained to trap and bring the animals to the SPCA to be spayed and neutered.

HOW IT WORKS

A feral cat is different from a stray cat in that a feral has never had a home with humans. A stray may be living outdoors, but it does not have the same type of fear toward people.

Colonies of feral cats are a product of pet abandoning and stray breeding in the wild. TNR creates an opportunity to minimize feral cat population without harming feral cats.

“It’s a responsibility on the public to have spayed animals,” Centonze

said. “There are people that don’t like the idea, and I ask, ‘What’s the alternative?’”

HCC’s spay and neuter clinic starts in the community cat colonies. Bruce Nance, an SPCA-hired professional trapper for 14 years, sets the traps in known feral colonies.

A few days before the HCC Spay Day, the traps are set around Hillsborough and Polk counties. Plant City, Brandon and Lakeland are some of the more popular areas.

Once the animals are confined, they wait at the SPCA’s Lakeland campus.

The day of the clinic, cats are shipped to HCC. They are given anesthesia through their crates, and they become unconscious while still in them.

Once they are asleep, vet tech students check their overall health.

Licensed veterinarians give them vaccinations and rabies shots. The animals go into surgery, where they are spayed or neutered.

Their ears are cropped, which is the universal symbol for a spayed or neutered cat.

While unconscious and under painkillers, the cats are returned to their cages, and after a few days of recovery the SPCA returns them to

Spay Day gives students hands-on experience. It’s the sixth time HCC has teamed up with SPCA.

their original colonies.

“These are not cats you want in your home,” Paula Creamer, SPCA director of business marketing and philanthropy, said. “When they go back they have been vaccinated and are in so much better condition.”

HCC is planning to do another clinic in October of this year.

THE PROGRAM

HCC’s veterinarian technology certification is a five term, nearly twoyear, accredited program.

An least 64 students are joining in the newest term, and the program is increasing almost every year.

“I love this place. These are my babies,” said Tera Caldwell, a volunteer technician. “I graduated six years ago.”

The students have to take four externships before their graduation.

They work at a general veterinarian clinic, a specialty clinic, an emergency clinic and a shelter.

After five terms of hands-on practice and book work, the students must pass a national exam.

In 2015, the national veterinarian technology exam pass rate was 73% and HCC’s pass rate was 100%. In 2014, the national pass rate was 74% and HCC’s was 94%.

“Our students get all the essential skills they need,” Centonze said. “It’s a great program.”

DESTRUCTIVE PAWS There are burdens that come with feral cat colonies. n Feral cats are responsible for killing mass numbers of birds, small mammals and reptiles every year. Some are keystone species to the environment. n Roaming cats contract zoonotic diseases to other felines, animals and humans. n They can tear up soil, leave fecal matter in public places and dig through trash cans.

FAST FACTS n There may be 6.3 to 9.6 million feral cats in Florida. n One breeding cat and it’s generation of offspring can breed up to 420,000 kittens in seven years. n To eliminate a colony of feral cats in 11 years, 82% of the feral population will have to be spayed or neutered. n A domesticated house cat typically lives 12 to 15 years, a feral cat lives two to eight.

(Reg. $305) Offer expires 8/5/16. Includes exam, cleaning & x-rays. New Patients Only.

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(Reg. $1,920) Offer expires 8/5/16. $960 for implant, not including abutment and crown for new and existing patients for first implant.

Offer expires 8/5/16. New Patients Only.

SOURCE: SPCA

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

FRIDAY, JULY 22

YMCA BEST SUMMER EVER CAMP 2016 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays until Friday, Aug. 5, at the Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place. Traditional day camp and Campers in Leadership training are eight-week programs. Children ages 5 to 12 can register for day camp, while children ages 13 to 14 can do leadership training. Plant City Select Members can register for $135 per week, while non-members can do so for $155. For more information, call (813) 757-6677 or register online at TampaYMCA.org.

HELLO, DOLLY! 8 p.m. Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23; Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 24, and Sunday, July 31, at Plant City Entertainment, 101 N. Thomas St. Victorian-era matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi arrives in New York to pair up friends and find love herself. PCEShows.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 23

WELLNESS EVENT 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23, at Stone Ledge Manor, 12006 McIntosh Road. Get blood pressure checks, glucose screenings, balance testing, proper shoe fitting, diet tips and healthy living information and enjoy games, giveways, raffles, refreshments and more. There will be a blood drive.

SUNDAY, JULY 24

BEST BET SATURDAY, JULY 30

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at The Way Church of Lithia, 6627 Lithia Pinecrest Road. There will be free school supplies and backpacks, games, food, haircut vouchers and more. Entertainment by Fritzy Brothers at 10:30 a.m.

kindergarten to fifth.

SOFTBALL ACADEMY 9 a.m. to noon Monday, July 25, to Wednesday, July 27, at the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex, 1500 S. Park Road. Players ages 6 to 16 will receive training from Makensie McAvoy (Division I alumni outfielder for Florida Gulf Coast University 2012-16), Kristen Wyckoff (current Division I infielder for University of South Florida 2013-present) and Rachel Dwyer (current Division I pitcher for Florida International University 2013-present).

The academy will focus on the basic mechanics of hitting, fielding, throwing, pitching, base running and sliding with fun activities and games. The cost is $150. To register, contact Makensie.McAvoy@yahoo. com and provide the camper’s name, age and parent/guardian telephone and e-mail.

HOPEWELL BAPTIST CHURCH CAVE QUEST VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sundays from June 5 to July 31 at Hopewell Baptist Church, 6001 S. County Road 39.

For more information, call (813) 737-3053 or visit HopewellBaptistFl.org.

TRANSFORMING LIFE CHURCH VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, July 25, through Friday, July 29, at Transforming Life Church of Plant City, 3805 Turkey Creek Road. Free for children ages 5 to 13. For more information, call (813) 754-5372.

MONDAY, JULY 25

ABC’S AND 123’S OF YOGA 10 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Kids benefit from yoga too. Lucky Cat Yoga introduces yoga to toddlers using basic yoga postures. Bring a towel or yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. For

SUMMER GAMES 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, July 25, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. You don’t have to be in Rio to get in the Olympic spirit. Join for stories and activities that celebrate the Summer Olympics. For grades

TUESDAY, JULY 26

children ages 18 months to 5 years and their caregivers.

THURSDAY, JULY 28

STORYTELLING WITH WINDELL CAMPBELL 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Discover an imaginative world of animal tales, fairytales and folktales through the art of puppetry and storytelling. For grades kindergarten to fifth.

ONGOING

ACOUSTIC HAPPY HOUR 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

BABY TIME 10 a.m. Thursdays, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Early literacy begins at birth. Bond with your baby through stories, bouncy rhymes and songs in this 20-minute lapsit program that introduces early literacy skills and encourages language development.

For children ages up to 18 months and their caregivers.

BLUES NIGHT 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays, at Top Shelf Bar & Grill, 110 E. Reynolds St. Blues veteran Don Lehman brings sophisticated, contemporary blues, soul, funk and jazz to Historic Downtown. No cover. (813) 7046994.

BORN AGAIN GUN CLUB 7 p.m. the second Monday of the

month, at One Accord Church, 2203 W. Baker St. For more information and to view the club’s bylaws and application, please visit its website at 1keeneteacher.wix.com/bagc, check out its Facebook page or email President Jeff Keene at bornagaingunclub@gmail.com.

CHRISTIAN CONTEMPORARY MUSIC 6:33 to 8:13 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220.

CLASSIC CAR SHOW AT UNCLE MIKE’S Second Saturday of every month at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse and Grill, 106 E. State Road 60. UncleMikesGrill.com or (813) 737-4444.

CORN HOLE TOURNAMENTS 7:30 p.m. Fridays at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse and Grill, 106 E. State Road 60. UncleMikesGrill.com or (813) 737-4444.

KEEL AND CURLEY LIVE MUSIC 6:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-9100.

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WALKING CLUB 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. The club will meet at the library and walk around the neighborhood for 45 minutes. If you have questions about the walking club, contact Susan Miles at (813) 757-9215.

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SATURDAY SCHOLAR SERIES 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of the month at Trinity United Methodist Church, 402 W. English St. Learn about health, wellness and ways to improve the life of your family.

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PLANT CITY YOUTH CSI CLASS 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays at the Bing Rooming House, 205 S. Allen St. The class teaches crime scene investigation techniques to students in eighth to 10th grade.

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SUMMER CAMP

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

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST 10:30 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m.

Wednesdays at Cork United Methodist Church 4815 W. Sam Allen Road. This 11-week program consists of Sunday sermons and Wednesday Bible study on Revelations.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ENTREPRENEUR SERVICES ASSISTANCE 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St.

NIGHT OWLS STORYTIME 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. The library is a hoot at night. Children are invited to wear

O’BRIEN’S LIVE MUSIC 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

PLENTY OF FISH 6 p.m. every fourth Tuesday at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse and Grill, 106 E. State Road 60. Mingle with singles. UncleMikesGrill.com or (813) 737-4444.

COUNTRY-FRIED FRIDAYS 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays, at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill, 106 E. State Road 60. Ladies drink free and the DJ plays top 40 country hits. UncleMikesGrill.com or (813) 737-4444.

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

pajamas and bring a blanket and favorite cuddly toy for stories, songs and activities during this 30-minute program. For children ages 3 to 7 years and their caregivers.

209291

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

NORMA CORNELIUS

NORMA CORNELIUS, 88, OF PLANT CITY, DIED JUNE 30, 2016.

She was a retired bookkeeper at Parkesdale Market. She loved her family and spending time with her great-grandchildren, and she enjoyed fishing and watching sports.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Cornelius.

She is survived by her daughter, Bridgett Roberson (Tony), of Plant City; granddaughters, Jennifer Wilson (Brian) and Heather Straka (William Stevens), of Plant City; great-grandchildren, Zach, Faith (Jon), Aaron, John, Colton and Hunter; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A celebration of life was held July 5, at Hopewell Funeral Home. The family wore pink. Committal followed at Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

PAT HOPKINS PAT HOPKINS, 75, OF PLANT CITY, DIED JUNE 21, 2016.

A native of Plant City, she was the daughter of James and Ryndia Townsend Sloan. She was a member of a local pioneering family. She spent time picking strawberries and packing peppers and was a licensed insurance agent. She had many passions in her life, including reading, cooking, sewing, basketry, floral design and decorating. She also enjoyed art with specialities in charcoal, pencil, pastel, oil and watercolor. She enjoyed painting landscapes, still life paintings and portraits. She had limited adventures in journalism for self-satisfaction and occasionally on demand.

She lived in rural Hillsborough County herding cows, feeding rabbits and dog sitting.

She is survived by her beloved husband, John Hopkins; children, Jef Rowland (Natalie), Beth Bonner (Bryan), Colin Hopkins (Anna) and Andrew Stegall; siblings, Buddy Sloan (Carol), James Sloan (Lois) and Pam Ferraro (Carmine); grandchildren, Charlee and Abby Rowland, Rachel Bonner and Tina, Kelly and Billy Hopkins; and greatgranddaughter, Theresa Gagnon.

A memorial service was held July 9, at Olin S. Wright Masonic Lodge.

Donations may be made to LifePath Hospice, 3273 Upper Creek Drive, Ruskin, Florida 33573.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

BARBARA ROBERTS KIBLER BARBARA ROBERTS KIBLER, 82, OF PLANT CITY, DIED JUNE 23, 2016.

She was a lifelong resident of Hillsborough County and worked as a secretary in the public schools.

She is survived by her second husband, Glenn Kibler; sons, Kenny Roberts (Patty) and Dan Roberts; sister, Nancy Catlett; grandchildren, Mark Roberts, John Michael Roberts, Tabitha Chapman, Kendra Simpson and Steven Roberts; and great-grandchildren, Gianna Roberts, Braxton Roberts, Madyson Chapman, Joshua Roberts, Angelina Roberts and Shyanne Roberts.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, John William Roberts; and son, Gary Roberts.

A graveside service was held June 29, at Sunset Memory Gardens in Thonotosassa. Pastor Claude Walker officiated.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Lynn Sowers Memorial Foundation, at LynnSowers.org.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

ROBERT GARY MCCELDRY ROBERT GARY MCCELDRY, 67, DIED JULY 4, 2016.

He was a construction worker at Specialty Maintenance and Construction and a member of Midway Baptist Church in Plant City. He loved fishing and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Helen McCeldry; daughters, Connie L. Williams (Tim), Carolyn A. Adair and Cathy M. Burchfield (Ken); brother, Jack McCeldry (Christine); sisters, Carolyn Scott (Max) and Betty Adair; grandchildren, Shala O’Neal, Lisa Taylor, Thomas Adair, Tzana Collas, Victor Alonzo and Casey, Cody and Corey Burchfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eula (Ratliff) McCeldry; and brother, Billy McCeldry.

A celebration of life was held July 11, at Wells Memorial Funeral Home and Event Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hopewell Baptist Church, 6001 S. Country Road 39, Plant City, Florida 33567.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

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FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

ley Rayburn. He served in the Army National Guard and loved to read. He was a historian, an avid sportsman and taught at Brandon High School for 30 years.

He is survived by his siblings, Fred, Shirley and Les. A memorial service was held July 11, at Haught Funeral Home in Plant City.

Donations may be made in his honor to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

active in benevolence, baking pies and cakes and visiting. She was a faithful witness of Jesus and spent a lifetime of service to Him. She is survived by her children, Deborah Walker and Gayle Swindle; son-in-law, Gary Ruebeling; brother, R.J. Willaford; and 13 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Jimmie Spear; and children, Sylvia Ruebeling and Jim Spear.

A funeral service was held July 9, at First Baptist Church of Plant City. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

JUNE PEKAREK

MELVIN SISTRUNK

JUNE PEKAREK, 82, OF PLANT CITY, DIED JUNE 28, 2016.

She and her husband, Bill, raised their five children in her hometown of Long Island, New York. She loved fishing, clamming, crabbing and boating on the Great South Bay with her family. She lived in Plant City for the last 30 years, where she enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, playing shuffleboard and exercising at Curves.

She is survived by her loving and caring husband, Bill; children, John Pekarek (Darlene), Debbie Rosler (David), Lorraine Gill (Joyce) and Valerie Pekarek; grandchildren, Jason, Jennifer and Lisha; and great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Tyler, Yessie and Alyssa.

She was preceded in death by her son, Rod; and grandchildren, Melissa Chapman and Victor Hicks.

The family would like to offer many thanks to her caregiver, Yolanda, for her love, laughter and many years of devotion. She also had many wonderful friends, neighbors and a caring staff at the Community Care Center.

A funeral service was held July 5, at Wells Memorial Funeral Home and Event Center.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

MELVIN SISTRUNK, 74, OF PLANT CITY, DIED JULY 4, 2016.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 55 years, Barbara; son, Allen Sistrunk (Jeana), of Lithia; daughter, Lisa Farkas, of Plant City; grandsons, Kaleb and Ethan Sistrunk; granddaughters, Samantha and Rachel Farkas and Morgan Sistrunk; and sister, Yvonne Clodfelter.

A celebration of life was held July 8, at Wells Memorial Funeral Home in Plant City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Turkey Creek First Baptist Church, 4915 W. Trapnell Road, Plant City, Florida 33566.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

GRANVILLE OLAN SPRINGFIELD

CHARLES MEDLEY PEARSON CHARLES MEDLEY PEARSON, 65, OF SYDNEY, DIED JUNE 23, 2016.

He was a pipe fitter for Local Union 123 for many years.

He is survived by his daughter, Cherri Lynn Pearson; and brother, Adrian Hoyt Pearson.

A graveside service was held June 27, at First Baptist of Dover Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

DOROTHY JO SPEAR DOROTHY JO SPEAR, 90, OF PLANT CITY, DIED JULY 3, 2016, AT HER HOME. A native of Plant City, she was the daughter of Leroy and Frances Mallard Willaford. She was the longest tenured member at First Baptist Church of Plant City. She was very

11

GRANVILLE OLAN SPRINGFIELD, 76, DIED JUNE 30, 2016.

He was of the Christian faith. He loved fishing, woodworking and fishing, especially with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Annie Josephine Springfield; sons, Ronald Springfield (Donna), Doyle Springfield (Mirtza) and Donald Springfield (Candy); daughter, Dana Wilson (Wes); brother, Roy Springfield; sisters, Louise Wright and Sharon Springfield; eight grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother; and sister.

A funeral service was held July 6, at Wells Memorial Funeral Home and Event Center. Burial followed at Chapel Hill Gardens in Dade City.

Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Florist 116 North Collins Street Plant City, FL 33563 ph: (813) 567-5735 allabloomtampa.com

ROY OLIVER RAYBURN ROY OLIVER RAYBURN, 72, OF DOVER, DIED JULY 3, 2016, IN LAND O LAKES. A native of Plant City, he was the son of Clarence and Helen Crow-

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JULY 22, 2016

SPORTS

Braxton Plunk is Strawberry Crest’s new starting quarterback. Page 14

Do you have a good Sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

PCLL 9-10 All-Stars reach Greenville On Sunday, July 17, a bunch of 9 and 10 year olds put Plant City on the map.

The Plant City Little League 9-10 Baseball AllStars completed a perfect run through the district and state championships that day, with a 12-2 win over Merritt Island that crowned them the champs of the state. The win punched the team’s ticket to Greenville, North Carolina, where the boys will play in the Tournament of Champions.

To further illustrate how good the Plant City boys were, they won all 10 of their games with a run differential of 136 to 8.

Plant City will open Tournament of Champions play Saturday, June 23, against Durham Little League.

The boom of the travel ball scene affected baseball across the United States.

What about Plant City?

Plant City Y announces new director The Plant City Family YMCA announced Monday, July 18, it hired Zach Hilferding as its new executive director.

Hilferding, who replaces Rick Gould, last served as program manager for Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, where he developed community programming and ran national and international events. He has also worked at the Manatee and Sarasota YMCA facilities in the past, as well as Gold’s Gym in Bradenton.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS EDITOR

I

n Plant City, there’s no shortage of options for youths who want to play baseball.

From Plant City Little League to

Florida Baseball Heaven or any of the other local travel ball squads, there are enough choices out there for families. But the thing that’s been on these parents’ minds over the past few years: What’s best for the kids?

Although Little League comes at a lower cost, the popularity of travel ball has had some effects on Little League participation.

But even travel ball isn’t safe from

Thunder Bay club volleyball opens tryout registration

Thunder Bay Volleyball Academy has opened the registration period for its club team tryouts.

The Brandon-based volleyball club, located in the Immanuel Lutheran Gym at 2913 John Moore Road, will hold tryouts for its age 15 through 18 club teams on Saturday, Aug. 13. The 15’s age division tryouts will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; the 16’s division from 12 to 3 p.m.; and the 17’s and 18’s from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Prospective players must be members of USA Volleyball, and those who are not may register online at FloridaVolleyball. org. They must then register with Thunder Bay at ow.ly/j7Mc302meHz, with a cost of $60. Athletes must bring their signed and notarized USAV medical release forms to the tryouts.

For more information, contact Thunder Bay at TBVAclub@gmail.com, visit TBVAclub.com or call (813) 331-5388.

young athletes who age out.

Justin Kline

SEE BASEBALL PAGE 14

GSA Baseball has helped Plant City become a travel ball hot spot in Florida.

“It’s hard to get a kid ready for high school if all they did was play Little League until they were 12 and then they go up to the big field.” — Plant City Little League President Ben Smith

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

Thoughts on “Choice in Sports” transfers A question at a school board forum got Sports Editor Justin Kline thinking.

It seems I can’t go anywhere in town without something in my beat coming back to me.

One of the last places where I expected to think about my Sports section was the school board candidates’ forum Thursday, July 14.

Toward the end of the initial line of questioning, there was the prompt I became most interested in: Would

you support the loss of a year of eligibility for “Choice in Sports” transfer students?

I’ve written about this bill in the past and, as many of you know, my opinion is that it was a terrible idea from the start. The candidates seemed to agree, though some admitted it may not be possible to impose an NCAA-esque eligibility

loss.

Still, the question intrigued me for two reasons.

First, there’s the matter of the prompt itself. There may not be a way to impose such a penalty on the kids, but let’s get hypothetical and imagine the school board could do something about it. Should it?

In my opinion, a loss of eligibility is a double-edged sword.

SEE KLINE PAGE 13

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS EDITOR

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Bring It On

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FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

HEAR FROM THE CHEERLEADERS

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oung cheerleaders spent Tuesday, July 12, and Wednesday, July 13, learning how to tumble, dance and rhyme. Plant City High School hosted its annual cheer clinic, led by coach Karen Snapp. The clinic gets the high school's cheerleaders on the floor as instructors and shows the younger girls what it takes to represent the Raiders.

MADDIE HARDWICK

HONOR BOLES

ASHLEY DUNN

What's your favorite thing about being a cheerleader?

Stunts and tumbling.

What's the coolest thing you can do on the mat?

A front roll.

What are your favorite things that you've learned?

The new stunts, a higher level than what I've been doing.

CASSIDY ENGLISH

ASHLYN YARBROUGH

QUANIYAH THOMAS

What do you like about this camp?

It's really fun.

— JUSTIN KLINE

Photos by Justin Kline

Girls learned to balance themselves while being held in the air.

What's the funniest thing that's happened?

A little girl was crying her eyes out and I was like, "What's wrong? Are you OK?" She said, "I'm just so hungry."

I said, "Well, is your stomach eating itself? Is it way too hungry?" She said, "Actually, it just wants to eat you." That just made me laugh really hard, when she told me that.

What's the most important thing you teach them?

Probably to always have an uplifting spirit and be really happy, excited all the time.

We just try to keep the energy going.

The camp was held in the PCHS gymnasium.

What's the coolest thing about working with these girls?

It's really cool to see how excited they are about cheerleading and how happy they are to learn new things and be with the older girls.

Were you ever one of these girls, going to cheer camps all the time?

I was not. I started my cheer career kind of later, but I really enjoy helping. I wish I had this opportunity.

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Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

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Countering my angle of newsworthiness is the belief that kids were transferring just because they wanted to play for a better team or didn’t want to work as hard, and such behavior shouldn’t be glorified in the news. We have differing opinions of what it means to “glorify” someone, but I do understand why coaches feel the way they do.

And that was back when athletes were governed by transfer requirements. Now, things are different.

Because athletes now have free reign to go wherever they please, the significance of the individual transfer has been watered down. And this isn’t the NFL, where talent tends to beat schemes. I don’t feel the need to take every individual transfer and turn a story from it now, since we’re definitely going to see a lot more kids transfer just because they feel like it.

But I’ll still be noting transfers in my coverage. I couldn’t give you all a complete season preview, for example, if I ignored transfers because coaches from the kids’ former teams were upset. But I’m sticking to my belief that “Choice in Sports” not only watered down the importance of transfer requirements, but also the importance of the athletes’ decisions to transfer for the heck of it.

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On one hand, it would certainly be a useful tool to discourage parents (and kids) from taking advantage of the new rule to get their kids into an athletic powerhouse overnight. No one, especially juniors and seniors, would like to lose a full year of athletic participation if they’re set on playing their sport in college.

The topic of high school seniors losing a year wasn’t brought up at the forum, so I don’t know if they would have been included in anyone’s ideal punishment scenario, but I would imagine that nearly any incoming senior would rather stay at their school than lose that last year. If seniors would be exempt from the penalty, I still think many would opt to stick around — if only for the relationships they’ve built over three years, the pride they have for their schools or their desire to try and make something good happen with the boys and girls they came up through the program with.

On the other hand, we’re not talking about college kids. If you lose a year of eligibility in college, you have the option of making it up as a graduate student. Or, in some cases, players can use their grad-student status to transfer to another school without losing any eligibility.

In high school, you don’t get the

You've been here four years. What's your favorite memory from one of these camps?

I love doing the dances. Every year, we come up with really cute dances. The girls always come out and show so much spirit. That's really nice to look at.

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opportunity of a fifth year unless you flunk and, for the kids who plan on attending college, flunking is not an option. That’s also before taking age requirements into account: a fifth-year student likely would be prevented from playing high school sports because of their age. I make this assumption because it’s the reason Lake Region High School in Eagle Lake made the FHSAA football playoffs while I was a student there.

And it’s not like the kids are losing a year because they got into serious trouble — they just wanted to transfer, which isn’t exactly a sin.

So, if it were up to me, I’d stagger the punishment for freshmen, sophomores and juniors, and seniors would get the exemption. Freshmen could deal with losing three quarters of a season, as could sophomores with half a season and juniors with one quarter.

The other thing that intrigued me about the prompt was how the rule would affect my coverage of sports going forward.

I’ve covered certain transfers in depth in the past because I felt the students in question were important in some way. For example: a football team loosing its budding star quarterback to a crosstown rival is, in my opinion, newsworthy.

I know firsthand that my coverage of transfers hasn’t sat well with everyone, particularly with coaches.

What's your favorite thing about helping out at the camps?

Teaching (campers) new things. They come and they're so excited to learn about the new cheers and stunts. They look up to us as role models. I think that's really good. I love it.

When you need a helping Hand…

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

What keeps you coming back to this camp?

I like learning new things.

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The younger girls spent Wednesday morning taking turns standing atop the pyramid.

What made you want to be a cheerleader?

Tumbling.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

BREAKING IT DOWN

As with Little League, travel ball seasons offer league play. Travel players can do fall and spring league play seasons, and teams in these leagues are seeded for an end-ofseason tournament based on performances.

“They’ll have 20 to 30 league play games, doubleheaders,” Plant City Little League President Ben Smith said. “You can win or lose, but you’re not getting eliminated from anything.”

That’s about where parallels with Little League end.

Little League ball comes with restrictions that travel ball doesn’t abide by. One that travel coaches particularly dislike is the closed bases rule, which prevents baserunners from leading off or stealing.

Travel ball players often opt to play year round, racking up more games in one year than Little League players would in two.

Teams are also free to schedule opponents on their own terms: they can let organizations know when they’ll be playing, and the organizations work with such schedules to determine seeding.

“You might have some teams that play every weekend, and some that play every

BASEBALL FROM PAGE 12

other weekend, or some that play every Saturday, but not Sunday,” Smith said.

The end-of-season tournaments aren’t the only ones travel teams are restricted to: teams are allowed to compete in tournaments that take place during the regular season, and their tournament performances are accounted for.

The AAU and USSSA are some of the most populated organizations, but another popular Florida option is Plant City-based GSA Baseball. Tournaments can often cost families $200 each, but GSA charges $80 per tournament.

The travel ball costs can also soar higher than a Giancarlo Stanton home run: while PCLL families will have to pay around $160 for a full season, Smith says that travel ball costs can often fall in the $600 to $900 range for a full season. Recently, his Plant City Prowlers team paid over $20,000 to travel to Cooperstown, New York, for a weeklong tournament.

Despite its higher costs and commitments, travel ball seems to be the hottest thing in Plant City — hot enough to be a big reason why Little League ball has been on the decline over the last several years.

CAUSE AND EFFECT

Plant City Little League President Ben Smith has seen both sides of the ball.

He’s been involved with PCLL and travel ball for about five years, so he knows the ins and outs of both better than many.

In his opinion, travel ball has been the top reason for PCLL’s declining numbers.

Smith said that he’s stepping down from his role as PCLL president but will be glad to help out as a coach if asked. His son, who has played in PCLL and on travel teams, will now be exclusively playing travel ball in preparation for high school.

“I had a great time with all the kids and, if I could do it again, I would,” Smith said. “But we’re not getting the turnout for the large fields, where I feel like my son would benefit, so I want to take him where I feel like he would get the most out of it, moving forward.”

Aging out seems to be a common problem for both PCLL and travel ball.

In Little League, many coaches or board members will change roles as their children move into higher age groups. When the kids age out of Little League, parents move with them.

In travel ball, this has contributed to the short overall lifespan of teams.

Smith estimates Plant City’s travel ball teams often last for two to three years before splitting up, often forming one or two new teams in their wake. Part of it is related to kids aging out, part of it is from philosophical differences.

It’s not unheard of for separated teams to reunite, however. The Rawlings Renegades, coached by Tim Dowdy, recently reformed as the Cutters after its split.

“Sometimes, all they need is a little break,” Smith said. “You take a year off and realize you were having a good time, you had a good team and you enjoyed it.”

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Smith estimates that there are five to six travel teams that operate out of Plant City. But that number could be higher, given that new teams are formed from the ground up every year.

A big reason parents and coaches are so keen to get into travel ball is the competition level. A commonly-held belief across the country is that, in travel ball, the kids will face far greater competition than they would in their local Little League group.

“There are some teams that play travel ball tournaments that have Little League-caliber players, but there’s not a lot of those that are out there,” Smith said. “Typically, when you play a travel tourney or league play game, the teams are all-star caliber.”

Facing stiffer competition, Smith says, creates better ballplayers.

Competition is the driving force behind travel ball, from the players to the tournament hosts. Everyone involved is driven by the prospect of winning baseball games and getting the kids exposure for their efforts.

“The difference between travel ball and rec ball is that nobody tells (travel coaches) who can be on their team and who can’t,” GSA Baseball President Bob Mondoux said. “I think rec ball is great for kids but, some of these coaches — even when I coached — I would have kids on my team and I’d be babysitting … not every kid in travel ball is great out there, but you know that the kids want to be there.”

Not all parents and kids want that pressure, however. Many players just want to have fun, and that’s where Smith believes Little League is a better option.

“It isn’t a win-driven type of baseball,” he said. “In travel ball, you go out there and expect to win every game. If you don’t, parents tend to get more upset. Little League is more about friendship, camaraderie and playing for the fun of the game.”

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

Braxton Plunk

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IN PLANT CITY

Strawberry Crest head coach Ron Hawn says incoming sophomore Braxton Plunk is “firmly entrenched” as the quarterback starter. As the Chargers went 6-3 in the University of South Florida Sling and Shoot tournament, held Saturday, July 16, and Sunday, July 17, Hawn says Plunk placed the ball well and limited turnovers. He also called the sophomore the “smartest kid” he’s ever coached.

year, his senior year. Jamar (Hart) and Zion (Carr) do a lot of great things at receiver.

How are you feeling, after playing well this past weekend?

Pretty good. Our team gets along really well. We all play together, and we all seem to fit in.

What got you into it?

Being around my dad. He always watched football, and he used to play when he was a kid. You always kind of wanted to do what your dad wanted to do. I started at the Antioch Redskins and then I went to the Plant City Dolphins.

Starting at varsity quarterback as a sophomore is a pretty big deal. How did you feel when you found out you’re going to be the guy?

I felt good. I just want to say, “thank you,” to coach (Hawn). He trusts me, I trust him and he puts us in a great position to do good.

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What do you bring to the table, as a quarterback?

Being a good leader. I think we kind of missed that last year. I’ll just try to do my best, leading this team and getting wins.

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This summer, it looks like you guys had some kids leave the program. But it looks like a bunch of you stayed on, and it sounds like things have been going well. What’s the morale like around here?

It really brought us closer together.

We realized who wanted to be in this program, who wanted to do great things at Crest.

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After last season, you guys have nowhere to go but up. What are you looking forward to about this upcoming season?

Obviously, we want to do a lot better than last year. I think we’re going to do a lot better. We don’t call them, “expectations,” we call them, “goals.” We want to be .500 or more.

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AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS • Charlie Hounchell Community Advocate Award Recipient, 2016.

• The Rosemary Award – Proven Producer Recipient, 2016.

• Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Award Recipient, 2016.

• Are You Safe, Inc. Volunteer Attorney of the Year Recipient, 2015.

• The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Service by a Lawyer Recipient, 2015.

• Are You Safe, Inc. Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award Recipient, 2014.

• Special Act Award - U. S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Florida – 2010.

• Law Review – Moot Court Board

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What are your strengths on the field?

As a quarterback, you have to be a lot of good things. You have to be able to throw the ball, think of defenses and know how to interact with the offensive line and receivers, to know if they’re on the same page.

You’ve been getting comfortable with the offense, now that you’re getting the most snaps. Who on that offense could have a breakout year, maybe be one of your favorite targets or blockers?

My offensive line is great. They work hard. My receivers do good to get open. Brandon Frazier’s going to have a big

What other sports do you play?

I play baseball, but I think I’m just going to stick to football.

How long have you been playing football?

Since I was 6 or 7 years old.

Who’s your favorite quarterback?

I’ve got to say Peyton Manning because he’s from my school, the University of Tennessee.

A lot of people think the Vols will finally win the SEC East this year. What about you?

I’m proud of them, but it’s kind of a lot of expectations for them.

And Florida’s not as bad as people think.

They’re all right.

They’re all right, but they’ve beaten Tennessee for the past 11 years.

Hopefully, that changes this year.

If you could go pro, what team would you want to play for?

I just want an opportunity. I don’t care what team. I’ll play for anybody.

Is there any sport you’ve never tried, but would be interested in?

Water polo. I like to play in the pool a lot, so I think that would be interesting. It’s pretty intense.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FORECAST

High: 94 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 50%

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SATURDAY, JULY 23 High: 95 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 20%

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High: 94 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 50%

High: 94 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 60%

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W UB $6 Express Wash L nly o t C a g h 1503 S. Collins St t n i n t o r a m St er 1 Expansive period of history 6 Commission Serpico testified to 11 “The best-___ plans ...”

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85 Esai of films 87 More than dislike 88 24 cans, often 89 VCR brand 90 A Great Lake 91 Ink holder 92 Loud, in music 93 Custodian’s jinglers 95 Airport bummer 98 Cincinnati team 100 Map closeup 101 Condescends 103 Board, as a bus 105 Bestows upon 107 It can’t take flight in New Zealand 108 Like some bran 109 Barnes’ partner in books 110 Advocate 114 Ill fames 119 Jekyll’s alter ego 120 Dove’s domicile 121 Group of hotel rooms 122 Throat bug, briefly 123 Moose relative 124 “Dukes of Hazzard” deputy sheriff 125 “Come in!”

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6:48a

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6:48a

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6:49a

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July 26 Last

Aug. 10 First

Aug. 18 Full

Thursday, July 14

0.00

Friday, July 15

0.15

Saturday, July 16

0.10

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0.00

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0.37

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2016 3.92 in.

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13 Traveler’s lodging 14 Broken-down 15 Be sticky-fingered 16 Carpooling car, briefly 17 67.5 degrees, to mariners 18 Flanders of cartoons 24 Billiards stick 26 ___ de cologne 29 Was in a footrace 31 Identified, as a face 32 Any member of a classic punk rock band 33 Ukrainian seaport 34 Singer LaBelle 35 Earth color 36 Employee rewards

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88 Parade precipitation 91 He, she or we, e.g.

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111 Type of bread 112 Poem of tribute 113 Geological time unit 115 ___ for tat 116 Rage 117 Suffix for “velvet” 118 Relaxing resort

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