1.12.18 PCTO

PLANT CITY TIMES &

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 5, NO. 28

FREE

Two Raiders join school 1,000-point club.

SEE PAGE 12 •

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Pageant season returns This year, 110 girls will compete for the chance to win a crown in the Junior Royalty Pageant. SEE PAGE 7.

YOUR TOWN

Courtesy of Chick-fil-A Lakeland Square at Plant City.

Community center on the

HORIZON? T

he Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Recreation Center closed in September when existing issues were found to have been exacerbated by damage from Hurricane Irma. Now, city leaders are considering replacing the 56-year-old structure with a new multi-million dollar community center similar to the Auburndale Community Center and Gym.

Plant City flocks to pop-up Chick-fil-A The Chick-fil-A pop-up location in Plant City officially opened Jan. 8 drawing lines down the block. The location is open at the Plant City EDC office, 118 W. Reynolds St., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Several customers said they waited up to an hour for the food during the opening week.

The menu is limited but includes original and spicy chicken sandwiches, nuggets and more. EDC President Jake Austin said the group wanted to “gain attention through consistent demand in the market.” The food is prepared at the Lakeland location and brought to Plant City via trucks.

Breanne Williams

Tuesdays at the Archives pitted two teams against each other to see who truly knew the most about Plant City.

SEE PAGE 3

Plant Citythemed trivia

Festival hopes to unify city The 32nd annual MLK Festival is back and includes new and expanded events throughout the month of January.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

File photo

The MLK Festival Freedom Parade draws hundreds of spectators and ends at the MLK Village Street Festival, which had over 6,000 attendees last year.

The Improvement League of Plant City plans to continue to pour into the community during its 32nd annual MLK Festival.

The event is centered around the theme “Unity — Tearing Down the Walls that Divide” and will include a portrait dedication, festival, parade, keynote breakfast and more. William Thomas Jr., president of the Improve-

ment League, said the event aims to pay tribute to the diversity and culture found in Plant City.

“Florida has such a diverse population, it’s such a diverse state full of diverse backgrounds that come here,” Thomas said. “It’s very important for the city to have that feel that it’s a place where everyone can come and raise a family. Having a cultural festival of this sort allows the city to capitalize on that. They can say yes we are a diverse town and still preserve that small-town feel.”

For first-timers, Thomas recommends attendees come out to the parade from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. The marshals will be Dan Raulerson, former State Representative and CPA, and Ricardo Coronado, SEE FEST PAGE 8

The monthly Tuesdays at the Archives program featured a “So You Think You Know Plant City” themed trivia night for its January event. Hosted by Gil Gott, the executive director for the Plant City Photo Archives, the game asked questions about the first person in the city to own a car, the largest fire to ever hit the city and of course, the Florida Strawberry Festival.

The Archives provided free wine, beer, cheese and other refreshments. The activity was free and winners received special prizes. Each month the Archives hosts a themed event for the community. The Archives are located at 106 S. Evers St. in historic downtown Plant City and is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

For further information email Gott at gil@plantcityphotoarchives.org or call 813-754-1578.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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WEEK OF JANUARY 12, 2018

BY THE NUMBERS

6,000

the approximate number of attendees at the 2017 MLK Village Street Festival SEE PAGE 3.

$290,000

the amount distributed by the Florida Army of Hope since 2007 to families of military members SEE PAGE 6.

110

the number of contestants for the 2018 Junior Royalty Pageant SEE PAGE 7.

MEETINGS

Family Community Advisory Council (FCAC) 5 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15, 639 E. Alexander St. The Council meets every third Monday of the month to discuss ideas and bring to management’s attention any services or programs needed in the community.

Morning Book Club: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Jan. 16 at Bruton Memorial Library. The club meets once a month to discuss its book selections. Get copies of the next month’s club pick at the discussion.

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

“Do the work when nobody’s watching and let it show through your game when everybody’s watching.”

— Mackenzie Steele, a senior guard for the Plant City Raiders girls basketball team who joined the Raiders’ 1,000-point club on December 28.

READ MORE ON PAGE 12

Local church donates to United Food Bank H

ope Lutheran Church presented two checks to the United Food Bank of Plant City on Jan. 7 following the youth Christmas program on Dec. 20.

The checks were comprised of the offerings received at that service and was dedicated to the Children’s Nutrition Program of the food bank, which provides groceries to area youth when school is not in session.

The program gives groceries for breakfast and lunch to the families who utilize the food bank.

The offering totaled $638 and a member of Hope Lutheran came forward with an anonymous matching gift of $500 for the program.

The congregation of Hope Lutheran frequently provides assistance to the food bank and Rev. Dean Pfeffer serves on its Board of Directors.

The checks were presented to Mary Heysek, director of the United Food Bank of Plant City.

— BREANNE WILLIAMS

WHAT'S THE BUZZ? Plant City is testing out a Chick-fil-A pop-up shop. The menu will be limited, but it’s the first step in showing the company the city is ready for its business. Will you be stopping by?

Courtesy photo

Tomlin Robotics Students from Tomlin Middle School’s robotics classes are participating in the Vex IQ Robotics Tournaments program. They participated in the Tampa Bay State Qualifying Tournament, held Dec. 12 at Coleman Middle School in Tampa. Tomlin’s teams placed second, fifth, and sixth overall and advanced to the next competition on Jan. 27 in New Tampa.

Plant City sweeps at FFA sub-district competition Durant High School placed first in Parliamentary Procedures at the sub-district competition and Durant’s Cole Hanson won first place in Prepared Public Speaking. Tomlin Middle School placed first in Parliamentary Procedures, Tomlin’s Brenna Sturgis placed first in the Creed Speaking competition and the school placed second in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies event.

Courtesy of Rev. Dean Pfeffer

Associate Pastor Rev. Shea Pennington, Food Bank Director Mary Heysek and Rev. Dean Pfeffer. Hope Lutheran Church donated two checks to the United Food Bank of Plant City.

SOCIAL STATS Likes: 422, Loves: 91, Wows: 12, Shares: 503 Comments: 234

“Whoever opens this store in PC will be a multimillionaire in the first year!”

— Paul Bonanno

“11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday is hardly enough time to show PC is a viable market! Most people, like myself live in PC but work in surrounding cities Monday through Friday.

Glad they are coming. Frustrated at the hours!!”

— Tammy Parker Hass

Best of Plant City voting begins The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce has officially opened voting for the 2018 Best of Plant City Awards. Voting is open from Jan. 10 to Jan. 18 and the award ceremony will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Feb. 8. The awards were created to honor and celebrate the businesses and individuals in the Plant City community who go above and beyond the call of duty. You can cast your vote at BestOfPlantCity.com.

Correction On Dec. 22, the “Santa Sled Festival brings early Christmas to Plant City” article incorrectly said the Kiwanis Club gave more than 300 toys to children. It gave more than 1,500 toys.

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Buy tickets at FloridaRVSuperShow.com

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

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“The mold went crazy. The mold bloom just spread throughout the building…the mold, the smell and the effects of the mold in the air were such that I couldn’t stay in there for more than a couple of minutes and had to get back out.” — Bill McDaniel

File photo

A widespread mold bloom in the MLK Recreation Center has made the facility unusable since Hurricane Irma passed through Plant City in September 2017.

Future of MLK center uncertain The City Commission voted to explore tearing down the aging recreation center and replacing it with a multi-million dollar community center.

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

Seven days before what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 87th birthday, the future of his eponymous recreation center in Plant City remains uncertain four months after damage from Hurricane Irma forced its closure.

City officials originally estimated damage to the 56-year-old structure housing the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center would cost up to $250,000 and said it could reopen shortly into the new year. However, upon closer inspection, issues exacerbated by Irma were found to be more extensive than originally thought, prompting city leaders to explore the option of replacing the building with a multi-million dollar, full-service community center.

“Over the years, and especially in the last few years, that building has been showing more and more agerelated issues. The general condition of the building has become a constant maintenance issue for us,” Assistant City Manager Bill McDaniel said in a presentation to the City Commission.

Before Irma, steel girders on the exterior of the building began to rust through, moisture penetration issues led to mold growth and the air conditioning system was failing, leading to more moisture and mold issues.

Irma left the MLK Center without power for about four days. With no air circulation and more moisture pouring in, the building became a breeding ground for mold.

“The mold went crazy,” McDaniel said. “The mold bloom just spread throughout the building…the mold, the smell and the effects of the mold in the air were such that I couldn’t stay in there for more than a couple of minutes and had to get back out.”

After city workers did all they could to prevent further damage, McDaniel said, further inspection found it would cost about $400,000 to reopen the building, with continued maintenance cost an inevitability.

But repair wasn’t the only option.

McDaniel presented the commission with another. Perhaps the city could use this as an opportunity to start anew. Instead of repairing the existing 8,000-square foot structure, it could be replaced with a fullservice community center similar to the 35,000-square foot Auburndale Community Center and Gym. Plant City residents supported the idea, stating such a facility was long overdue in the city, particularly in the northeast quadrant where the most

Courtesy of the Lunz Group

Above: Interior design concept of the Auburndale Community Center and Gym. Left: Exterior design concept of the Auburndale Community Center and Gym.

growth is anticipated.

“I’m actually excited,” Plant City resident Danny McIntyre told the commission. “This is what community investment is to me. This is us spending money to make our place a great live, work and play place. I’ll be giving you the thumbs up.”

The proposal received cautious, but unanimous, support from the commission. Commissioner Mary Mathis supported the idea, asking if the city should “rebuild and start the clock at one” or repair and keep the current clock ticking.

“We would have a unique facility in our community, we have a freedom of choice of what we want to do. It will support a healthy lifestyle and be long-lasting, maybe something aquatic. We’ve talked about it before because there’s room there,” she said.

“It would be something for the young and the young at heart and would be an opportunity for Plant City to build a quality, quality community center facility.”

Commissioner Nate Kilton cautioned that an expanded center would

include more staffing and maintenance costs that could extend beyond the construction costs alone.

“In concept, I support this. I’d love to see a facility like that and I think that’s the perfect location for it. Of course, being the accountant I have to take a step back and make sure this is something we can afford, not just in the construction, but the ongoing servicing of that facility.”

McDaniel said a new facility could cost around $3.5 million and be built

by June 2019. The new facility would greatly expand on services offered at the current recreation center and could serve as an “event, education, and social center for the entire community” while also being a prototype for similar centers in other areas of the city.

Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize a request for proposal for the architectural design of a new facility, which would then allow for discovery of further design and construction costs, as well as potential costs to staff and operate the facility.

From there, a financing plan would

also be determined and the commission will decide to authorize a new facility or repair the existing one.

“The MLK Center has serviced our city well and I commend the leaders in 1961 for making the decision to build it back then and expand it over the years,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “I also believe that that building does not serve where we are going as a city.

We constantly say that we’re a city that’s a great place to raise a family...I believe a well-designed recreation and community center strengthens that ability and makes a statement about our city that we do care about everyone in our community and we’re committed to building stronger families in Plant City.”

Recreation and Parks director Jack Holland said the MLK Center's two full-time employees and after-school program have been temporarily relocated to the Planteen Recreation Center. Other classes offered at the center have been suspended and alternate locations are being explored for its portion of the city's summer youth program.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

We asked: If you could have any food festival come to town, what would you want to see?

The inaugural Mac & Cheese Festival is held in historic downtown Plant City this Saturday. We asked: If you could have any food festival come to town, what would you want to see?

“I’d like seafood. I love seafood.”

— Adam Cunningham, 37

“I’d say peanut butter and jelly because peanut butter is life. We actually did a PB&J run. It was so good.

It doesn’t have to be jelly.

It could be fluff or honey or anything, as long as it’s peanut butter.”

“This may be bad healthwise but maybe like a fried fest? Just fry it up. It could be how many different foods you could fry. Tums and Rolaids are required.”

— David Tribette, 41

— Christina Burgess, 29

“I was going to say the Mac & Cheese Fest. I’ve literally been watching all the updates. The sad thing is I can’t go because I’m taking my daughter to go see “Fancy Nancy the Musical” this weekend.”

“Oh, like a taco fest. Tacos are so good. You can have them any way. I like buffalo chicken tacos with bleu cheese. The tortilla is a perfect vessel. You could do anything in it.”

— Kelly Collier, 33

— Elizabeth McIntosh, 39

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

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New House Rep. opens local district office, begins term Newly elected Lawrence McClure opened his district office in Plant City last week, hours before heading to Tallahassee to prepare for his first term as District 58’s representative.

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

For the first time since the start of the 2013 legislative session, Plant City had new representation in Tallahassee this week as Lawrence McClure began his first term representing Florida House District 58.

McClure, R-Dover, won the seat in a decisive victory over three opponents in a December special election held following the August retirement of former Rep. Dan Raulerson due to health issues. McClure secured the seat with nearly 55% of the vote in the Dec. 19 election, leaving only a few weeks over the holiday season to prepare for the 2018 session’s Jan. 9 start date.

“I’m excited,” McClure said.

“Everything we’ve talked about is happening. It’s been a fast-paced few months. Now we’re here and it’s time to represent the folks of District 58.”

Voters of east Hillsborough County’s District 58 will find McClure’s local office in a familiar place, Raulerson’s old office at 110 W. Reynolds St. They’ll also find some familiar faces as McClure has retained Raulerson’s district secretary, Robyn Bryant. He also brought on campaign aide Kyle Langan as his legislative assistant.

McClure said he decided to keep the office in the same location for logistics with the limited time frame, as well as familiarity for his constituents.

“I love the building. I love the location. I love Plant City,” McClure said.

“I want to make sure we have easy access. I’ll have the office in the middle of a pasture if that's the best place for people to come and have access to their representation.”

The Plant City, Temple Terrace and Seffner chambers of commerce held a joint ribbon cutting for the office Jan. 4. Just a few hours later, McClure was headed to Tallahassee to prepare for

the coming session.

“We’ve had some tremendous discussions,” Raulerson said. “I think Lawrence is going to do a fantastic job.

His values system is very consistent with the area he represents, he comes from a good family and he’s raring to get to work.”

McClure ran on a platform of conservative values and reducing government redundancies. As of the session’s Jan. 9 start, he was assigned to the Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee; Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee; Oversight, Transparency & Administration Subcommittee; PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee; Public Integrity & Ethics Committee; and the Ways & Means Committee.

He is also the sponsor of six bills so far, including proposed legislation regulating worker’s compensation programs, retirement programs and allowing concealed carry in places of worship.

“We’re going to be taking a look at a lot of things,” McClure said. “We’ll

Photos by Daniel Figueroa IV

Above: Lawrence McClure speaks with incoming chamber of commerce chairman Jason Jones at the ribbon cutting ceremony for his district office.

Left: Florida House District 58 Rep. Lawrence McClure cuts the ribbon to his Reynolds Street district office Jan. 4.

be taking a different approach to antiquated systems in education, retirement and insurance. We need to ask, are we being as efficient as we possibly can?”

McClure is entering the legislature

OMG IT’S WEDNESDAY!

at a time of great controversy among representatives like Jack Latvala, who recently resigned from the Senate amid allegations of corruption and sexual harassment, and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land

O’ Lakes, whose leadership style has been called dictatorial by critics and some say is motivated by political ambition as he considers a run in the upcoming gubernatorial race.

“The environment in Tallahassee is a bit contentious and controversial these days,” Raulerson said. “He (McClure) probably has a great deal of extra legislative activity that he’s going to have to deal with, but I think he’s got a good head on his shoulders and he’s the type of person that can weather that storm and give some great representation to District 58.”

McClure, well aware of the political environment he is entering, said integrity will remain a goal during his first session in Tallahassee.

“It’ll be a lot about forming relationships,” he said. “Like anything else, this is new. Being respected and known as someone who is honest and genuine in their belief and principals, that’s what matters now.”

Happy MLK Day!

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Plant City prepares to deploy 30 National Guard A morale event at the Florida National Guard Armory on Airport Road offers an evening of camaraderie for deploying soldiers.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

As soft tunes drifted out of a set of speakers constructed near the pop up bar at the armory in Plant City, approximately 30 National Guard mingled with spouses, children and significant others as they counted down the days until deployment.

The deployment dinner was the first morale event in 2018 for the Family Readiness Group, an official command-sponsored organization of family members, volunteers and soldiers belonging to a unit that provides assistance and community resources to military families. FRG typically will have two morale events each year when not in deployment status and upwards of four events if deployed.

Deann Marasco, a coordinator for FGR, and her husband 1st Sgt. Patrick Marasco, are no strangers to saying goodbye. This is his third tour overseas and they said it never gets easier as each deployment comes and goes, hence their involvement with FGR. “I do this because I don't ever want any of them to feel alone,” Deann Marasco said. “I want them to know they have resources and the support they need because we are one family.”

Alpha Battery 3DBN116FA (HINARS) will deploy to Afghanistan in the spring for one year with approximately nine months of boots on the ground. Those deployed come

from all over the state of Florida, with those in attendance ranging from Miami-Dade to Hillsborough and Polk County.

Deann Marasco said the morale events are essential because most of those involved are not active duty, but rather volunteer positions. These men and women live normal lives, have civilian jobs and then when they are called they drop everything and go.

She said unlike many active duty operations where abundant support groups and options are available 24/7, they are relatively alone. These events allow the soldiers to get to know the spouses and loved ones of those they are serving with, which increases conviviality and offers a support system for those left behind.

Photos by Breanne Williams

Top: Deann Marasco gave her contact information to the family members of the soldiers.

Above: Sgt. Jonathan Corwin and his wife Lindsay Corwin.

Members of the Elks Lodge of Plant City volunteered at the event and informed attendees of the group’s Army of Hope Project, which provides financial assistance to families of those deployed and returning military members. Since 2007, the Florida Army of Hope has distributed more than $290,000 to those in need.

Last month, the Plant City Elks provided support to families of this unit that were in “dire need” with a $4,000 donation. Though the details cannot be publicized, Deanne Marasco said the donation allowed the spouse of the soldier in need to breathe during their time of hardship.

“I’ve heard you say we’re all family and I want the Elks to be a little part of your family, too,” Elks Lodge Veterans Chairman Judy Wise said to the group. “We’re here for you. If you ever need anything just ask.”

Sgt. Jonathan Corwin joined in the National Guard when he was 17 years old and still in high school. While part of the decision had to do with the college benefits, he said his main reason for enlisting was as a response to 9/11.

“I actually enlisted the day we invaded Iraq,” Corwin said. “It meant a lot to me, obviously that step from 9/11 and that time frame. That was one of the reasons why I was so compelled to join.”

This will be Corwin’s fourth deployment, however, this is the first time he will answer the call since getting married in June.

As the evening drew to a close a game of frisbee broke out between a handful of soldiers, dessert was polished off and family members exchanged contact information to keep in touch during the deployment. A quiet sense of camaraderie filled the hall. Wise handed out Army of Hope pamphlets and shook the hands of every soldier she spoke to.

“I just keep looking at these guys and thinking ‘Please God bring them back,’” Wise said. “Afghanistan is still a dangerous place and we just love them all so much.”

Plant City delightful as weather gets frightful Inuit-inspired techniques for strawberries, smooth-sailing SOP for utilities and Plant City’s first cold weather shelter marked the local response to a recent cold snap through Florida.

T H I E L E N E N V I R O N M E N T A L

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

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Much like a Bruce Brown surf documentary, January in Florida usually conjures images of an endless summer with highs averaging in the 70s and lows rarely dipping below 50.

Last week, however, Plant City received an unusual blast of cold weather with temperatures dipping as far as 20 degrees below the average, including a few overnight freezes.

City services and the infamous fields that led to Plant City’s nickname as “winter strawberry capital of the world” stood at the ready for the frigid week, with little-to-no disturbance in normal operation.

“Fortunately, the freeze didn’t hurt us,” Kenneth Parker, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association said. “The freeze methods employed worked.”

Borrowing insulation techniques of the Arctic, Parker said many local farmers employed overhead irrigation to ice strawberry plants in.

“It doesn’t freeze them,” he said.

“It’s similar to an igloo. As the water continues to run, it gives off heat and maintains everything under the ice above freezing.”

Parker said the cold slowed some production, but no crop loss was reported. The brief cold snap could also mean a sweeter season for farmers, he said.

“The fruit quality is sensational,” Parker said. “In the long term, it’s beneficial. The strawberries like cooler temperature…in the long term it will help because it will increase the quality of the fruit.”

On the city-run side, the utilities department said no issues were reported. Utilities Director Lynn Spivey said standard operating procedures were employed, like open spigots to create a drip that prevents flow meters, back flow meters, level gauges and analyzers from freezing.

“Typically that’s all we have to worry about in Florida,” Spivey said, “lines freezing.”

While the cold reached freezing above ground, the cold wasn’t sustained enough to bring the subterranean temperatures below freezing,

so city lines were safe, she said. Residents should keep in mind, she added, that the city’s responsibilities stop at the service line and they should allow taps to drip when the temperature drops to prevent home pipes from freezing.

Last week’s cold streak also saw Plant City open its first cold-weather shelter to house the homeless and anyone with inadequate heat. From Monday through Sunday, New Hope @ Cornerstone’s Hands of Hope outreach center at 310 N. Collins St. served as a refuge from the cold for the city’s transient and needy populations.

Outreach Director Jennifer Anderson said it’s the first time Plant City has offered such a shelter and the first time the shelter was able to open when temperatures hit 40 degrees.

Previously, shelters would only open once the temperature hit freezing.

“I was very impressed by what our city did and the way they just jumped right in there and helped,” Anderson said. “Sometimes I get a little aggravated when it comes to people helping the homeless and needy, but they really stepped up. I was just so amazed. The donations are still coming in.”

Anderson said opening as a shelter brought more attention to the outreach program, with new volunteers signing up to help out and coldweather supplies coming in, giving those who can’t make it back to the shelter or choose not to stay there an alternate option for warmth.

“It’s wonderful that the homeless population throughout Hillsborough County can find shelter now,” she said. “Plant City really stepped up. I was so proud of my hometown and my church.”

The sun has come out again this week, with temperatures climbing bak to the normal 70-80 Florida winter range. The National Weather Service predicts an average, if not slightly warmer remainder to the winter season, but “that doesn’t mean that we couldn’t get additional cold snaps like we just had,” forecaster Andrew McKaughan said. “We’ll just have to see how it plays out over the next few months.”

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

IF YOU GO JUNIOR ROYALTY PAGEANT When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Doors open at 5:30.

Where: Grimes Family Agricultural Center Info: Call the Florida Strawberry Festival office at 813-752-9194

File Photo

The 2017 Junior Royalty Court. Queen Amanda Astrike, Princess Kiah Swilley, Duchess Kendall Spencer and Baroness Kennedy Duncan.

Junior Royals take the stage T The 2018 Florida Strawberry Festival Junior Royalty Pageant kicks off pageant season in Plant City. The event will be held at the Grimes Family Agricultural Center this Saturday.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

DOCTOR’S NOTE

he Florida Strawberry Festival Junior Royalty Pageant spent the last several decades training generations of young girls to be exemplary citizens.

Kay Newsome Varnum and her sister, Dee Parker, have been involved with the pageant since its creation in 1977. Parker was Little Miss Plant City the year Junior Royalty burst onto the scene and said she remembers being asked to crown the very first winner.

Varnum competed in the pageant as

a child back when it was held under a large tent at the festival. She fell in love with the tradition and later was crowned Strawberry Queen. The love refused to die and she is now the chairman of the Junior Royalty Pageant.

“It’s all very exciting,” Varnum said.

“It’s exciting too to see how it has grown. When I was in it there were probably 10 girls competing and now we have 120. We have a drawing every year and consistently have to turn

girls away.”

Though the pageant has flourished, the values it strives to instill have never wavered. Varnum said she doesn’t know if it’s the pageant itself or the prestige of the festival, but each year, the girls that come through her doors know what is expected of them and are excited to have a chance to represent the community they love so dearly.

Donning the crown includes far more than simply smiling and waving at events. The girls are selected to represent the festival and thus are immersed in all aspects of the community. They volunteer at events, attend Relay For Life, auction off berries at the livestock show, attend the South Florida Baptist Lighting Ceremony, and more.

Whenever the community calls, Varnum does her best to get the girls out there. She said the experience allows them to fall in love with their town and see first hand all that Plant City has to offer. It also gives them a peek behind the curtain at the life of the coveted Strawberry Queen and court, who are even more active in Plant City following their crowning.

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7

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

“I just think that the festival keeps getting better and so, with that, there is a demand to find girls that are going to represent you to the best of their ability and I think it’s something that’s coveted,” Varnum said. “It’s something that girls in this town just aspire to do.”

She said many of the girls that go through Junior Royalty are the ones that will go out for Strawberry Queen.

She said the Junior pageant sparks the desire to continue to serve the town, an inclination that only continues to grow.

Varnum and Parker’s family epitomizes that creed. Both women grew up through the various courts and when their daughters were old enough to compete they too aspired to wear the crowns. With such a deep-rooted love of the tradition, it’s no surprise they succeeded.

The pageant is run by Varnum and her committee, which is comprised of Parker and Katie Butson. Approximately 20 volunteers join her backstage the day of the event to ensure the pageant is completed without a hitch.

This year, Varnum said the pageant will include many of the fan favorites like the Queen, Princess, Duchess and Baroness dance while also bringing a fresh commentary with the new master of ceremonies. Sheryll Broadnax and her son, the “Reverend Roosevelt,” who used to own DeJavu Boutique in Plant City, will emcee and, hopefully, bring an “exciting and fun” energy to the pageant.

And of course, the crowns will continue to grow in size.

FLORIDA E.N.T. & ALLERGY

Is it a cold or allergies?

These tips will help you know when to see an allergist.

“Some patients with allergies suffer for weeks or even months off and on. That’s why we recommend allergy testing. We can narrow down the source of the allergic reaction and come up with a treatment plan to help patients manage and avoid them,” DeRito, a board-certified otolaryngologist with Florida E.N.T. & Allergy, said.

More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, many of them in silence. In fact, allergies are the sixth-leading cause of chronic illness in the United States. Unlike a cold, treatment options are readily available, including prescription and over-the-counter medications.

“The first line of defense is always to avoid the allergen. Once we identify what’s irritating your body, we can help you take action," DeRito said. "This includes lifestyle changes like checking pollen counts before you head outside and making sure your bedding and pillows are washed

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t’s that time of year when sneezing and stuffy noses can be heard everywhere. Many people assume that they are fighting off a cold virus. However, here in Florida where winter allergies abound, it is hard to know exactly what is causing your symptoms. So, how do you differentiate between the common cold and allergies to find relief fast?

It starts with understanding your symptoms. There are more than 100 different types of cold viruses and the severity of symptoms will vary.

Common complaints include cough, sore throat and a stuffy, runny nose.

Colds are also often accompanied by fever and body aches.

Like colds, allergy symptoms can include coughing, sneezing and runny nose, but are often accompanied by itchy and watery or dry eyes, along with wheezing and nasal con-

gestion. It’s also important to pay attention to the onset of symptoms.

“A cold virus will take about three days from the time of infection to present symptoms. Allergies, on the other hand, present symptoms almost immediately after you come in contact with the allergen,” Dr. Frank DeRito, M.D., said.

Colds also don’t stick around as long as allergies. You should feel better within five to seven days.

Allergies affect patients as long as they are exposed to the allergen, and the duration can fluctuate.

regularly if you have a dust allergy. If symptoms persist or are more severe, there are a number of prescription medications and minimally-invasive procedures available that can help patients find relief.”

The specialists at Florida E.N.T. & Allergy have been helping pediatric and adult patients in the Tampa Bay area for more than 40 years. With 17

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For more information about Florida E.N.T. & Allergy, visit www.floridaentandallergy.com.

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JANUARY 12, 2018

YOUR NEIGHBORS

File photos

The 2017 MLK Festival Freedom Parade featured multiple school performances, marching bands and dance teams.

MLK Fest takes over Plant City FROM FEST PAGE 1

a pastor and community activist. Recommended viewing is at the start of the historic downtown near the Wells Fargo Bank and the Plant City Photo Archives.

The parade will end at the MLK Sports Complex and bleed into the ongoing MLK Village Street Festival, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The festival will have an abundance of free entertainment including a drumline competition, singers, performers and more. There will also be food and merchant vendors on site.

“About 6,000 people came out last year,” Thomas said. “It will be a funfilled day, family friendly, very diverse.

What’s unique about this festival is all of it is free for the most part. It’s free parking, there’s no admission fee…

That’s what we’re happy about, of all of our successes, is keeping it in the community, keeping it in that area and the city’s been committed to that.”

Thomas said the Improvement League has always been dedicated toward unifying the community and the festival is their largest event of the year.

However, the group partnered with the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center this year to offer an event unlike any seen before.

Marshall Middle School was named after Edward Jackson Marshall. For years, people had stopped by the Bing House Museum and inquired as to why the school had no image of its namesake. Finally, they inquired with the Photo Archives and were able to find a small photo that showed a tiny, blurry picture of Marshall. Using their magic, the Archives was able to “work wonders” and digitally reproduce a large portrait that will be presented to the principal at the middle school from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12.

“The Archives really blew us away,” Thomas said. “I cannot give them enough praise for what they did.

They took that tiny photo and were able to recreate it into a large image.

The school can hang it in the hallway where students can actually see who Edward Jackson Marshall was and know why the school was named after him. It can spark that conversation on all the things he contributed to the city.”

The group will also take part in the annual MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 15, and Saturday, Jan. 20, where more than 200 members of the community will unite to take on various service projects throughout Plant City. Fred’s Market is providing a free breakfast for the volunteers and lunch will be sponsored by Sonny’s BBQ. Another highlight of this year’s festival is the MLK Leadership Breakfast, Keynote Address and Community Champion Awards at the Trinkle Center. Michael Green, the president of Ground Guys LLC and an executive member of Dwyer Group, will deliver a keynote address featured around this year’s theme. Green will discuss what it means to have a diverse, local

Children gave performances at the opening ceremony for the 2017 MLK Festival.

MLK FEST EVENTS MARSHALL PHOTO DEDICATION CEREMONY 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12.

A portrait of Edward Jackson Marshall will be unveiled and presented to Principal Daphne Blanton at Marshall Middle School by the Improvement League and Plant City Photo Archives & History Center.

The event is free to the public.

business market and how it benefits the city and community. The breakfast will also recognize the Community Champion Award recipients.

Thomas said this year’s theme will highlight the fact that everyone is working together to attempt to “tear down those perceptions” and focus on making the city a better place. Plant City is currently undergoing a growth and a push to develop a vibrant downtown. With that comes a need for diversity for a diverse market to attract top employees and a top quality workforce, he said.

“It’s grown a lot and it’s grown a lot in diversity, too,” Thomas said. “A conversation we want to have is it’s not just an event for African Americans. There’s drumlines, the school engagements, the band engagements, the entertainment is diverse. Food and music always bring folks together to just have a good time.”

RHYME OR REASON 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. Come out to the Bing House Museum and enjoy an elegant evening of up-tempo jazz and freestyle poetry presented by local artists who display their talents through poetic expression. The event is free to the public.

The 2017 MLK Festival Freedom Parade marched through Plant City, drawing hundreds to the streets to watch the performances.

MLK VILLAGE STREET FESTIVAL 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Held at the Plant City MLK Sports Complex, 1601 E. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. Food and merchant vendors, Drumline Battle of the Bands, free concerts and performances presented by Stories Untold Entertainment from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. FREEDOM PARADE 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13.

Recommended viewing areas start at historic downtown (Wells Fargo Bank, Photo Archives, Law Offices of Attorney Ted Taylor). Six area middle and high school marching bands, floats and various entries.

MLK LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST, KEYNOTE ADDRESS AND COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARDS 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. The leadership breakfast is held at the Trinkle Center, Plant City Hillsborough Community College Campus.

Tickets are $30.00 and table sponsorships start at $500.00.

PLANT CITY MLK GOSPEL FEST 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. The Gospel Fest is at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, 108 S. Warnell St. Featuring GOSPEL METs and Edith Langston. The event is free to the public.

MLK DAY OF SERVICE 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15. and Saturday Jan. 20. More than 200 volunteers assemble and take on various community service projects throughout the City of Plant City. Free breakfast and lunch sponsored by Fred’s Market and Sonny’s BBQ. FREE TOURS OF THE BING ROOMING HOUSE MUSEUM Tours of the historic building will be held throughout the course of the festival as well as the month of February.

For more information: Visit PlantCityMLKFestival.com or call the Bing House Museum at 813-343-1292.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

Trapnell Road home tops December 2017 real estate transactions

9

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

DECEMBER SNAPSHOT MINIMUM: $45,000 MAXIMUM: $750,000

AVERAGE: $191,602 MEDIAN: $176,000

ing area. The price per square foot is $102.89.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

T

WALDEN WOODS

he home at 2603 E. Trapnell Road sold Dec. 27, for $750,000. Built in 1980, it has four bedrooms, four and a half baths and 5,413 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $138.56.

The home at 731 Ashentree Drive sold Dec. 21, for $167,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 1,805 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $92.52.

The home at 774 Ashentree Drive sold Dec. 21, for $162,500. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,594 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $101.94.

The home at 2006 Greenwood Valley Drive sold Dec. 12, for $139,000.

Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 1,649 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $84.29.

ALTERRA

The home at 3202 S. Northview Road sold Dec. 21, for $219,990.

Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,828 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $120.34.

The home at 3204 S. Northview Road sold Dec. 21, for $246,990.

Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,601 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $94.96.

CATO

The home at 1213 E. Knights Griffin Road sold Dec. 22, for $220,500.

Built in 1956, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,332 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $165.54.

CEDAR RUN

The home at 2005 Cedar Run Drive sold Dec. 19, for $79,000. Built in 1984, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,180 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $66.95.

CHERRY PARK

The home at 1402 N. Palm Drive sold Dec. 29, for $149,000. Built in 1956, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,132 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $131.63.

CHIPMANS

The home at 1001 N. Palmer St. sold Dec. 8, for $65,000. Built in 1910, it has two bedrooms, one and a half baths and 1,208 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $53.81.

HILLSBOROUGH

The home at 5301 Bailey Road sold Dec. 15, for $520,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 4,193 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $124.02.

The home at 6910 Charles Humphrey Road sold Dec. 4, for $390,900. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,399 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $162.94.

The home at 4705 Peeples Road sold Dec. 28, for $269,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 1,626 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $165.44.

The home at 2010 Pleasant Acre Drive sold Dec. 28, for $57,900 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1962, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,195 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $48.45.

The home at 3313 Rimes Road sold Dec. 29, for $176,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,432 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $72.37.

HUSSAR ACRES

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The home at 901 Haggard Road sold Dec. 13, for $130,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two

Photography by Andrea Hope/FASTPIX Real Estate Photography

The home at 2603 E. Trapnell Road sold for the highest price of any Plant City home in December.

baths and 2,656 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $48.95.

ISLAND POND ESTATES

The home at 3808 W. Sam Allen Road sold Dec. 29, for $173,000.

Built in 1964, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,672 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $103.47.

The home at 4001 W. Sam Allen Road sold Dec. 27, for $255,000.

Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,003 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $127.31.

KINGS VILLAGE

The home at 711 Hitchcock St. sold Dec. 18, for $130,000. Built in 1940, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,127 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $115.35.

MADISON PARK WEST

The home at 1208 W. Washington St. sold Dec. 21, for $115,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,120 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is 102.68.

OAK HILL

The home at 1203 N. Barnes St. sold Dec. 15, for $117,650. Built in 1948, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,070 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $56.84.

OAKVIEW ESTATES

The home at 2011 Live Oak Drive sold Dec. 21, for $156,000. Built in 1982, it has four bedrooms, one bath and 1,405 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $111.03.

The home at 3003 N. Willow Drive sold Dec. 8, for $128,000. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,091 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $117.32.

ORANGE PARK

The home at 907 W. McLendon St. sold Dec. 8, for $90,000. Built in 1910, it has five bedrooms, two baths and 2,274 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $39.58.

PADDOCKS

The home at 2605 Bridle Drive sold Dec. 19, for $190,000. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,463 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $129.87.

The home at 2621 Bridle Drive sold Dec. 22, for $210,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,032 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $103.35.

PARK PLACE

The home at 1211 Lavender Jewel Court sold Dec. 29, for $289,900.

Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,953 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $148.44.

PLEASANT GROVE ACRES

The home at 8610 Mary Ivy Drive sold Dec. 26, for $91,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 924 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $98.48.

PLESS ROAD

The home at 7611 Loghouse Road sold Dec. 7, for $180,000. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,052 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $87.72.

RAYE ANN

The home at 3502 Raye Ann Drive sold Dec. 20, for $131,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,152 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $113.72.

ROBERTS

The home at 1306 Bonnie Road sold Dec. 18, for $45,000. Built in 1955, it has one bedroom, one bath and 900 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $50.00.

The home at 4206 Thonotosassa Road sold Dec. 28, for $285,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,150 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $132.56.

ROSEMONT

The home at 1509 Neil Street sold Dec. 26, for $75,000. Built in 1959, it has two bedrooms, one and a half baths and 1,560 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $48.08.

SEMINOLE LAKE ESTATES

The home at 405 Seminole Lake Blvd. sold Dec. 11, for $142,000.

Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 1,320 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $107.58.

STOCKWELL

The home at 220 60th Highway sold Dec. 2, for $300,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,566 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $191.57.

SUGAR CREEK

The home at 208 Sugar Creek Drive sold Dec. 15, for $159,000. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,149 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $138.38.

SWILLEY ACRES

The home at 1914 E. Knights Griffin Road sold Dec. 8, for $85,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,512 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $56.22.

THOMAS

The home at 802 N. Wheeler St. sold Dec. 28, for $137,000. Built in 1903, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,635 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $83.79.

TRAPNELL RIDGE

The home at 3905 Trapnell Ridge Drive sold Dec. 10, for $195,100.

Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,885 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $103.50.

VILMA ACRES

The home at 511 S. Wiggins Road sold Dec. 18, for $320,000. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,824 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $175.44.

WALDEN LAKE

The home at 3003 Forest Club Drive sold Dec. 15, for $305,900.

Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,604 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $117.47.

The home at 2790 Golf Lake Drive sold Dec. 18, for $180,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,843 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $97.67.

The home at 4303 Kipling Ave. sold Dec. 23, for $234,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,892 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $123.68.

The home at 2708 Laurel Oak Drive sold Dec. 15, for $255,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,027 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $125.80.

The home at 2007 Poplar Court sold Dec. 29, for $219,500. Built in 1977, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,865 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $117.69.

The home at 3416 Silverstone Court sold Dec. 18, for $179,500.

Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,509 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $118.95.

The home at 818 Wiltonway Drive sold Dec. 29, for $215,990. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,447 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $88.27.

WASHINGTON PARK

The home at 713 N. Gordon St. sold Dec. 27, for $170,000. Built in 1974, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,274 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $133.44.

WEST PLANT CITY FARMS

The home at 4403 W. State Road 60 sold Dec. 20, for $143,000. Built in 1963, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,010 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $141.58.

WHISPERING WOODS

The home at 2709 Walden Woods Drive sold Dec. 8, for $207,000.

Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,790 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $115.64.

The home at 2740 Walden Woods Drive sold Dec. 29, for $219,000.

Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,790 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $122.35.

WILLS

The home at 1503 E. Calhoun St. sold Dec. 29, for $86,000. Built in 1952, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 976 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $88.11.

The home at 1505 E. Calhoun St. sold Dec. 29, for $67,500. Built in 1950, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 984 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $68.60.

WINDMILL POINTE

The home at 4216 Holland Grove Way sold Dec. 6, for $315,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,467 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $127.18.

The home at 1902 Wild Tulip Way sold Dec. 11, for $282,500. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,472 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $114.28.

WYATT ACRES

The home at 2503 N. Wilder Loop sold Dec. 14, for $55,000. Built in 1959, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 800 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $68.75.

ONLINE

The home at 3211 Thackery Way sold Dec. 21, for $228,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,216 square feet of liv-

See more transactions at PlantCityObserver.com

CRAWFORD & ASSOCIATES

Outstanding Agents. Outstanding Results.

(813) 967-0168 or or (813)305-1616 (813) 549-9412 (813)967-0168

2803-4 James L. Redman Parkway, Plant City Florida 33566 Office: (813) 305-1616 | Fax: (813) 754-8099 Email: Malissa.Crawford@Gmail.com

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

FRIDAY, JAN. 12

MARSHALL PHOTO DEDICATION CEREMONY 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Marshall Middle School, 18 S. Maryland Ave. A portrait of Edward Jackson Marshall will be unveiled and presented to Principal Daphne Blanton by the Improvement League of Plant City and the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center. The event is free and open to the public.

A SHORT DRIVE

SATURDAY, JAN. 13

THE 31ST ANNUAL MANATEE FESTIVAL 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual Manatee Festival is held in historic downtown Crystal River.

The two-day event features the festival and a Rotary craft fair. The event is also held Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

MAC & CHEESE FESTIVAL 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Food trucks and restaurants are going to serve up their best mac & cheese, dessert dishes and a specialty menu for the festival located at Big Dog’s Patio, 103 N. Palmer St. Plant City’s Skyler Clark Band will perform from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees can take part in a rock wall, shark tank, bounce houses and more. Admission is free and the event is pet-friendly.

MLK JR. FREEDOM PARADE 1 to 2:30 p.m. The Plant City Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Parade will feature parade marshals, former State Representative Dan Raulerson and Ricardo Coronado, a pastor and community activist.

Recommended viewing area starts at historic downtown near the Wells Fargo Bank and Photo Archives.

There will be six middle and high school marching bands, floats and various entries.

TUESDAY, JAN. 16

MOTION COMMOTION 10 to 11 a.m. The Bruton Memorial Library is hosting its Motion Commotion event on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. for the month of January.

SATURDAY, JAN. 13

BEST BET SATURDAY, JAN. 13

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL JUNIOR ROYALTY 6 to 9:30 p.m. The Florida Strawberry Festival Junior Royalty Pageant will be held in the Charlie Grimes Family Agricultural Center. Admission is $10 per armband.

ONLINE For more events and ongoing events, visit

PlantCityObserver.com

Move to the rhythm, dance to the beat, shake and shimmy and tap those feet. This 45-minute program incorporates music, literacy and fitness. For children 18 months to 5 years old and their caregivers. For more information call John Russell, the youth services librarian, at 813757-9215.

GRIEFSHARE CLASS 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 North Park Road, is offering GriefShare, a seminar and support group for those grieving the loss of someone. This is a 13-week session and begins Jan. 16. To register for either class or for more information contact Rev. Dean Pfeffer at 813-752-4622.

MAKE PLANT CITY 7 to 9 p.m. MAKE Plant City is a group of creatives and makers in the community. The January meeting is at Dark Horse Music Store, 108 N.E. Drane St. Whether you’re into art, woodworking, food, beer or robots, this group is a place to connect with local makers of all types.

This month’s keynote speaker is local artist David Letterfly.

FRIDAY, JAN. 19

JACOB JOHNSON AT KRAZY KUP 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jacob Johnson will be presenting a blend of Christian contemporary jazz and acoustic music at Krazy Kup in the music loft, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. There is a $5 admission fee at the door.

SUNDAY, JAN. 14

TOTALLY ‘80S: FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH 3 p.m. The Tampa Theatre is showing some of the greatest hits of the 80’s during its Totally ‘80s series. Fast Times at Ridgemont High was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in 2005.

The show is approximately 90 minutes long and tickets are $10 online.

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Davina Rife

DEC. 30

ROBBED THEM BLIND 100 block of Henry Avenue.

Retail theft: Complainant stated five pairs of Coach brand eyeglass frames were stolen from an optometry office.

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POCKET PINCHER 110 block of North Pearl Street.

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Theft: Complainant stated unknown suspect(s) stole a radio and a black Milwaukee impact gun from their work bench at a car dealership.

DINE AND DASH 1200 block of Townsgate Court.

Theft: Complainant stated a male and a female subject who dined together at a restaurant left without paying their bill of $57.26.

LOUSY SHOT 900 block of West Reynolds Street.

Shooting into an occupied dwelling: A juvenile was arrested when officers responded to a report of a gun being fired in an occupied dwelling.

The subject was also charged with criminal mischief greater than $1,000 and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.

PlanT CiTy Christopher ‘Chris’ 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com Vincent Field

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Linda Elaine Mayes, 66, of Lakeland passed away Dec. 22, 2017.

Born in Hampton, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Frances Dempsey Heape.

She was the wife of the late Charles Mayes.

Linda is survived by her children, Kathy (Linwood) Terrell, David Mayes; brother, Tom (Kenetha) Heape; 6 grandchildren.

Linda was a registered nurse in the pediatric E.R. at Lakeland Regional Medical Center and was very active in educational support with the hospital.

In lieu of flowers, Linda’s family has established a GoFundMe account if you wish to help them. Search for Linda Mayes memorial.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 am, Saturday, Jan. 13 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 905 W. Terrace Dr, Plant City.

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Davina Rife, 69, of Plant City, passed Kathy Ann Beezer, 60, of Plant City, away Dec. 31, 2017, at Lakeland Genpassed away Dec. 29, 2017. eral Hospital.

The family will be having private Davina was born in Philadelphia services. and a graduate of Temple University.

Online condolences may be left for She was currently employed at Protel the family at haught.care.

Inc., a Lakeland Florida Engineering Co. Davina served for 24 years as Director of Human Resources and Executive Advisor to the President of Protel.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM Davina is survived by her son Michael Rife, wife Denise, sister Janet Rosen and three grandchildren, Larson, Parker and Ethan Rife, all of Glen Allen, Virginia.

Sylvia Jarvis Paul dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ R E P R O UD TO S E RV E our community Davina willwe’re be buried at Roosevelt unique and meaningful memorial thatJarvis truly Paul, 76, of Plant City, with personal, compassionate care since 1896. Park Memorial in Philadelphia on the Sylvia celebrates the life it represents.

As your Dignity Memorial® professionals, family plot alongside her dad Lewis entered into eternal rest on Jan. 3.

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EARLY START ON THE NAUGHTY > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® View the guest book at LIST www.dignitymemorialjewish.com/ 2160 block of Timberlane Drive. roosevelt-memorial-park/en-us/inMultiple charges: Complainant FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS dex.page stated several subjects robbed them, Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. www.HopewellFuneraI.com taking a backpack and cell phone. The HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM subjects, three juveniles, were located and arrested for strong-arm robbery, battery and possession of drugs and paraphernalia.

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JANUARY 12, 2018

SPORTS Do you have a good sports scoop for us?

Email Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

Raiders sweep Cougars; players honored for scoring milestone

Register for youth soccer

Plant City hosted Durant Jan. 9 and celebrated Matt Simpson and Mackenzie Steele.

The Plant City Recreation and Parks Department/Optimist Club’s youth soccer league is accepting registrations for its 2018 season.

The league, open to boys and girls age 4 through 18 (as of June 1, 2018), hosts games on Saturdays and Tuesdays at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, 2402 E. Cherry St. Teams are organized by age and gender into 11 groups and, with the exception of the 4, 5 and 15-18 groups, they practice once per week at most. Last season, the league’s 41st, roughly 1,300 youths played in the league.

Families have until Feb. 7 to sign their children up for the season, which runs from March 20 through May 24. Call-outs for team assignments will happen from Feb. 20 through 22. The cost to sign up is $35 per child, which includes insurance. The PCRPD office accepts cash, checks, money orders and credit cards. Register in person at the office, 1904 S. Park Rd., from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or by mail. A copy of the child’s birth certificate is required unless your child played in the 2017 season.

For more information, visit PlantCityGov.com. To download the registration form, visit PlantCityGov.com/ DocumentCenter/View/19746.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

M

Prep scores roundup BASKETBALL

JANUARY 9

Plant City 45, Durant 35 (girls) Plant City 71, Durant 53 (boys) SOCCER

JANUARY 9

Durant 8, East Bay 0 (girls) Durant 6, East Bay 2 (boys) Newsome 6, Plant City 0 (girls) Plant City 2, Newsome 1 (boys) Riverview 3, SCHS 3 (girls) Riverview 3, SCHS 3 (boys) Photos by Justin Kline

Above: Plant City’s Jordin Vance and Durant’s Kayla Lissy battle for the tip-off.

Left: Plant City’s Justyn King looks to get past Durant’s Casey Flouro.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? JUSTIN KLINE

When ‘trusting the process’ pays off Recent events in the NFL should inspire young athletes to never give up.

T

he Bills make me want to shout — and they should make all young athletes take note of at least one thing.

The longest-running playoff drought in American sports ended this month because of hard work.

Andy Dalton and Tyler Boyd certainly helped, but that’s the easiest thing to look at from the armchair.

Though Buffalo didn’t escape the first round of the NFL playoffs with a win, the team proved that hard work and a good attitude can turn the tide for an individual or a team struggling to meet goals. I know there are at least a few programs in the Plant City area that haven’t been able to put it together in recent years and I hope they all get the message that, if the Bills can break the slump, so can they.

It had been 17 seasons since the Bills last made the playoff cut. I was nine years old when that happened.

Year after year of watching the team finish somewhere around .500 and choke in important games made me jaded. This season felt no different at first, with the addition of a rookie head coach, the trading of several star players, downgrades to SEE KLINE PAGE 13

att Simpson and Mackenzie Steele are the newest members of the Plant City Raiders’ 1,000-point club.

The two senior guards were honored in a small ceremony between the Jan. 9 girls and boys basketball games against the visiting Durant Cougars.

Each player took home a customized ball commemorating their scoring milestone and the dates in which they scored their thousandth points.

Simpson, who hit the mark in a Jan. 5 game against Lakeland, leads the Raiders in scoring with 22.9 points per game this season. After finishing his junior season with a career-high 400 points scored, he said he knew getting to 1,000 this year was doable.

“I’ll be honest, I was kind of keeping track of myself on MaxPreps and everything,” Simpson said. “I already knew it was coming.”

Steele hit the mark against St. Petersburg on Dec. 28 and also kept track of her progress toward the goal this season. She said she knew she achieved the milestone as soon as she hit her shot.

“My coach was counting down,” Steele said. “When I hit it, the game stopped.”

Steele averages 28.5 points per game for the Raiders and, according to MaxPreps.com, is tied for 17th in the nation in that category.

Simpson has several collegiate offers but expects to make a final decision after National Signing Day in February. Steele will play for Florida Southern College in the fall.

The two Raiders said there are two things any young athlete hoping to score 1,000 points or more in high school need to know to be successful: work hard behind the scenes and never doubt yourself.

“Do the work when nobody’s watching and let it show through your game when everybody’s watching,” Steele said.

CROSSTOWN CLASH

Both Raiders teams left 1 Raider Place with wins over Durant Tuesday night, but they didn’t come easy.

In the girls game, the Cougars led Plant City for the entire first half.

They were particularly dominant in the first quarter, keeping the home team scoreless until Steele hit a threepointer as time expired. Though Plant City engineered a comeback in the second quarter, Durant held a 15-13 lead going into halftime.

Steele and the Raiders took control of the lead early in the third quarter and never looked back, though Kayla SEE BACKETBALL PAGE 13

Tri-Star basketball returns for 45th year The Plant City Recreation and Parks Department/Optimist Club’s annual Tri-Star skills competition will be held Jan. 20.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Tri-Star Basketball Skills Competition is more than just a way for Plant City youths to secure themselves a pizza party.

The three-part event, which tests kids’ shooting, passing and dribbling skills, has been a fixture in Plant City for 45 seasons thanks to the efforts of the city’s Recreation and Parks Department and Optimist Club.

It’s always given kids the chance to put their skills to the test for some friendly competition in a stress-free environment.

“The kids are trying to do their best and enjoying it, having fun with it,” department director Jack Holland said.

This year’s competition will take place at 1 p.m. Jan. 20 at Tomlin Middle School’s gymnasium, located at

the corner of West Oak Avenue and North Edwards Street, and doors will open for registration at 12:45 p.m.

The event typically averages 50 to 60 competitors and had exactly 50 in 2017, Holland said. As always, there is no cost to sign up.

Boys and girls age 8 to 13, divided into separate age groups, will compete for a total of 36 trophies for first, second and third place. In the shooting event, players try to nail as many shots as they can from the free throw line and outside the key. The passing event tests players’ ability to throw accurate chest and bounce passes with targets to hit, which award points upon contact. The dribbling event challenges players to weave through a line of cones as quickly as possible without missing or knocking over any cones.

In the event of a tie, players will try to Justin Kline

SEE TRI-STAR PAGE 13

The team or teams with the best attendance will win a pizza party.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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Above: Danny McIntyre hands Mackenzie Steele her commemorative basketball.

Left: Matt Simpson and Billy Teeden celebrate Simpson’s milestone in front of the home fans.

FROM PAGE 12

Lissy and the Cougars played tough and hung within 10 points by the quarter’s end. Plant City and Durant played a close fourth quarter, with the Raiders slightly outscoring the Cougars, 14-12, but solid rebounding and second-chance efforts preserved Plant City’s lead for a 45-35 final score.

Plant City never trailed at the end of any quarter in the boys game, pulling out a 71-53 win to end the night.

Durant kept up the intensity from start to finish, particularly with guard Jeffery White’s 24 points setting the tone for the offense at breakneck speed. The Cougars only trailed at the end of the first quarter by four points, 21-17, but Plant City took control in the second and went into halftime with a 41-27 lead.

Plant City played well all-around to counter Durant’s speedy attack and Simpson consistently finished contested layups and led the Raiders with 25 points. The home team held a 56-42 lead going into the fourth quarter and was able to stop a Durant run sparked by White before both teams put their backups in the game.

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Tri-Star

Puzzle One Solution: “(John) Ford, for all his greatness, is an Irish egomaniac, as anyone who knows him will say.”

– Henry Fonda

FROM PAGE 12

break it with a competition in one of the events.

And, of course, there’s the possibility of pizza — the team (or teams) from the city’s youth league with the most participants, with all members wearing their uniforms, will win a pizza party. Any team with 100% attendance will automatically get the pizza party and “tiebreakers” for those with less than full attendance will come down to which team has the most total points scored by members in uniform.

The basketball competition is one of three annual Tri-Star events sponsored by the city and the Optimists.

They also host a soccer skills competition in the spring and a punt, pass and kick football competition in the fall.

Holland, who has worked for Plant City since 1977 and is president of the Optimist Club, has long had a hand in

Puzzle Two Solution: “Any serious person making films today, whether they know it or not, is affected by (John) Ford.”

– Martin Scorsese

This week’s Sudoku answers Justin Kline

Participants have to dribble around a set of cones as fast as they can.

organizing the Tri-Star competitions.

He said his favorite thing about the event is that they give kids the opportunity to shine on the court and enjoy themselves.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? SEE KLINE PAGE 12

the offensive line and questions surrounding our starting quarterback (which are still around, somehow).

Nobody, not even I, had the Bills finishing above second or third in the AFC East, let alone making the playoffs. I believe ESPN had the team finishing at 5-11, which absolutely wouldn’t have gotten Buffalo to play the Jags over the weekend.

Then, the Bills entered November with a 5-2 record, swept the Miami Dolphins and upset the Kansas City Chiefs. With a little good luck courtesy of Dalton and Boyd, the drought came to an end.

Looking back, the players’ effort

JUSTIN KLINE

on the field seemed to be the biggest difference-maker. Those guys played harder than I’d seen them play in years. The off-field attitude was more family-oriented than it’s been in a while. The guys put the team first and played their butts off, especially on defense. In spite of its weaknesses, the team exceeded expectations.

Sean McDermott often told the media in press conferences that Buffalo just had to “trust the process.”

This didn’t originate with the Bills but, other than the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA (who first coined the phrase), there’s no better poster child. We’ve got plenty of sports teams in the Plant City area that

operate by the phrase — the Plant City Dolphins immediately come to mind, as it’s one of coach John Broome’s favorite things to say. Now they can say “trusting the process” ended one of America’s most highprofile streaks of futility.

If that team can turn it around and make the playoffs, what’s stopping you from hitting your biggest goal?

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“You see players that might not be all-stars, but they’ll go out there and make their competition shots … and be totally thrilled about it,” Holland said.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

FOCUS ON FITNESS

Austin Eldridge

JENNIFER E. CLOSSHEY, PH.D.

Make a fresh start in 2018

Plant City High School’s Austin Eldridge is getting ready for the final sports season of his high school career and, after baseball, for the start of his next chapter at the University of Central Arkansas. Eldridge played at tight end and defensive end for the Raiders’ football team and is an outfielder and designated hitter for the baseball team.

Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.

Get ready for a great year with these helpful tips.

T

he end of the year is a natural time for reflection, recognizing that a new year is about to begin as this year ends. Reflection can be a doorway to wisdom and insights. It’s a springboard of hope to something bigger and better.

REST FOR THE MIND

The hectic holidays may have left us feeling frazzled, tired and even exhausted, especially if 2017 was a busy year. Sleep alone is not enough to restore us from that fatigue. The brain needs rest and recovery just as the body needs to rest following a strenuous workout.

Taking time off from the constant streams of information and conversation coming from all directions can result in greater happiness and healthier bodies. If the brain does not have a chance to just chill, your mood, performance and wellness will suffer greatly. Let your mind wander or daydream.

Too much work, over scheduling and constant “go, go, go” thinking can bring mental confusion, forgetfulness and frustration. A 10-minute power nap really does wonders, as does a 10-minute mental time-out for simple mediation. Don’t know how to meditate? Just sit still and listen to your breathing or your own heart beating as a start. Pay some attention to yourself.

TRUST YOUR INNER WISDOM SYSTEM

We all have a sense of right and wrong, of what is good for us and what is not. Listen to that inner voice more often. It can keep us out of trouble. Don’t overdo it with your exercise program and don’t neglect it, either. It works the same with watching our weight — don’t eat too much or diet in the extreme. Our inner voice reminds us to find that happy medium.

GET A GAME PLAN

Focus on your strengths, identify your stumbling blocks and put

How do you feel about the upcoming baseball season?

Pretty great. We’ve really come together as a team. Right now, we’re focused on becoming closer as brothers and just working on winning that district championship and going to win a state championship.

together a game plan just for you.

Have the courage to trust yourself.

As you own your abilities, they grow and improve. Our creative energy flows best when we trust our inner voice.

Write out what you want and the simple steps to get to each goal.

Check in on these goals and action plan periodically just to stay on point. Use this list as your compass for making decisions and your daily schedule.

What are your personal goals for the season?

I want to be the best leader I can possibly be and I’d like to keep working on making this team better.

You did some coaching with the Plant City Dolphins later last year. Is that something you want to keep doing when you can?

Once I head to college I won’t be. I’ll be out there a little bit this spring when they start 8-on-8, I’ll be helping out a little bit. I just try to give back to the community as much as possible. It was real cool to go back there and help out where my career started.

THINK STAYING POWER

Be present every day in 2018. Slow down and smell the roses, embracing every moment in the now. Force and aggression disrupt the inner peace and breaks creativity. Negative feelings impede the benefits of healthy exercise and good food.

Relax and cooperate with others and the world around you to make the most of your good choices.

Make 2018 a time of greater success by paying attention to the small details of your life. Wipe the slate clean and give yourself a fresh start.

What’s your proudest moment as a Raider?

Last year, when the baseball team started 2-9 and we fought back and got back to .500. We had a lot of guys step up and it showed that whenever we’re down, we can always come back and be a great team.

What made you choose UCA over any other school you were looking at?

When I got there, they accepted me.

They were telling me how I can be a great fit here. All those other schools are gonna tell you the same stuff, but what I liked about it the most is it’s really a family there. Once you get there, no matter if you’re a freshman or what, you have the chance to start as soon as you get there. I’m really excited and I’m ready to get up there.

You played against Brandon and Cam Myers from Durant and now you’re going to play with them up there. Do you all keep in touch?

Yeah, I’ve actually been in contact with them a lot. We hang out here and there and me and Brandon and Cameron go to the same church … it’s gonna be a lot of fun up there.

We’re gonna try to be leaders and we’re trying to take this team to the national championship.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned playing sports?

From when I was a freshman at Crest to coming to Plant City, it’s all about persevering. If you come here and you’re happy with your coach and then he goes, you’ve been through five different coaches, you just keep going on and going toward that dream and that goal you’ve dreamed about since you were a little kid. You just keep being a leader.

Are you going to play more than just football at UCA? I’ve talked to the coaches. Maybe sophomore year, I might be able to walk on to the baseball team. But when you’re playing D-1 football, especially with the talent at as high a level as they are … it’s really the football grind every day.

Jennifer E. Closshey, Ph.D., is a doctor of integrative health based out of Plant City.

Contact her at JenniferClosshey@gmail.com.

Real Help for Deep Hurt…

P R O P E R T Y M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E R C I A L R E N TA L S R E S I D E N T I A L R E N TA L S

The finality of death is very hard to accept—losing a loved one is painful beyond description. A group called GriefShare is about helping the hurting, accepting the reality before you… so you can go on with life again. GriefShare is a series of ‘helps and suggestions’ for those who have lost someone through the process of death. We will begin the 13-week course on

January 16, 2018 at 10:30 AM & 6:30PM

Hope Lutheran Church

256835

2001 N. Park Road, Plant City 813-752-4622 | hopelutheranpc@gmail.com

Please join us—bring your family, friends or neighbors with you, too! May the Lord grant you His peace…

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

I LOVE PLANT CITY

FORECAST

15

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, JAN. 12

High: 77 Low: 51 Chance of rain: 50%

Friday, Jan. 12

7:21a

5:52p

Saturday, Jan. 13

7:21a

5:53p

Sunday, Jan. 14

7:21a

5:54p

Monday, Jan. 15

7:20a

5:55p

Tuesday, Jan. 16

7:20a

5:55p

Wednesday, Jan. 17

7:20a

5:56p

Thursday, Jan. 18

7:20a

5:57p

SATURDAY, JAN. 13 High: 59 Low: 38 Chance of rain: 0%

Do you have a photo that speaks to the heart of Plant City?

Send it to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com

|

Sunrise Sunset

MOON PHASES

SUNDAY, JAN. 14 High: 60 Low: 39 Chance of rain: 0%

Jan. 17 New

Jan. 12 Last

Jan. 21 First

Jan. 31 Full

MONDAY, JAN. 15 High: 65 Low: 44 Chance of rain: 0%

STRAWBERRIES

This young strawberry lover is Jordan Nessmith’s son, Paxton, taking a stroll through the fields at Sewell Farms. Nessmith wins this week’s I Love Plant City photo contest.

Shipping point: Orlando $18.90

ONLINE

Courtesy of the United States

Follow us on social media: @PCTObserver on Instgram, @PlantObserver on

Department of Agriculture

Twitter and Plant City Times & Observer on Facebook.

Time for New Glasses?

©2018 Universal Uclick

Friday, Jan. 5

0.00

Saturday, Jan. 6

0.00

Sunday, Jan. 7

0.00

Monday, Jan. 8

0.00

Tuesday, Jan. 9

0.62

YEAR TO DATE:

JAN. TO DATE:

2018 1.51 in.

2018

2017 0.28 in.

2017 0.28 in.

1.51 in.

Family Literacy Coordinator/ Early Childhood Specialist

256949

• Bachelor’s degree • Bilingual English/Spanish • Background in early literacy or child development • Proficient in use of computer and MS Office • Teaching/facilitation experience with adults and children

Send Resume to Angelica@LearnTampaBay.org

40 Greeting at sea 41 Podded legumes 44 Movie ticket movers 45 Palindromic horn noise 46 Be an accomplice 48 Allergy treaters 50 Make blemishes on 51 Make ready for surgery 53 Kingly sphere 55 Wind dir., sometimes 57 Tug at sea 59 Blue dye from plants 61 13th or 15th, monthly 63 Type of welder 65 Hawaiian music makers 67 Gradual reduction 69 Cry of pain 71 Go out, at the beach 72 Thumb condition 73 Berry forename?

74 Web address bit 76 Sincerely regret DOWN 77 It helps form the Humber 1 Make pigtails in England 2 “You almost ___ over!”

79 Pharmacy bottle (cyclist’s lament) 80 A Bible book 3 Like some bar beer 81 Home with feathers 4 Aspen topper 5 Superman’s home world 84 Sierra ___, Africa 85 “Doggone it!” kin 6 Tuck’s partner 7 Native Manhattan ending 87 Not within miles of exciting 8 Intense passion 90 Tree gall caused by wasp 9 Big house, horses and larvae property 92 Start a golf match 10 Hospital VIPs 94 Pina colada ingredient 11 Cromwell or Stone 96 Fix firmly with metal 12 Not even once 98 Some rice dishes (var.)

13 Spaghetti sauce herbs water number 14 Part of feasibility studies 101 Oval-shaped nut 56 Cash you want back 82 Russia’s Yeltsin 102 Vicar’s responsibility 15 Like yesteryear’s stuff, 57 Sub apparatus 83 Blabbed 103 “Friends, Romans ...” today 58 First name in the 86 Sidewalk edges utterer 16 Montpellier goodbye “Roseanne” cast 88 Clothing tag info 104 Big step 17 First guy to take two 59 African succulents 89 Some lingerie items 105 Candlelight’s flickerer tablets 60 “___ Pizza” (1988 film) 90 Word with limits or 106 Cupid’s victim, after 20 Exam final?

62 Two-dimensional space 107 Thing hidden by a 23 Awful or dreadful measurement 91 Last piece in the loaf 24 Longish school assign- squirrel 64 Girl with dark hair 92 Peter and several 108 Revealed, as one’s soul ment 66 “American ___” others 111 Burritos’ relatives 32 Big name in scooters 68 A theme of this puzzle 93 Lure into danger 112 Warning signs 33 Jailbird 70 It’s got you covered 95 Blade on a rowboat 113 Material for some suits 35 Cuatro x dos 71 Avoided 97 Neck’s scruff 116 Give a bad review 36 Animals of a region 75 Nowhere near loqua99 Midback muscle, briefly 37 Tooth-drillers’ degs.

120 Short life story cious 100 Northern, short121 Sleep during the day 39 Handy part?

78 NFL starting offense necked diving bird 122 Vein contents 101 Feelings of deep hatred 105 Easily ignited 109 Vehicle with sliding doors 110 State-sponsored gambling games 114 Activity centers 115 Nonstick spray brand 116 Flippant 117 House with a point?

118 Shakespeare, Bard of ___ 119 Ex-con’s contact 123 A ___ formality 124 Stalin’s predecessor 125 Eat too quickly (with “down”) 126 Half a doorbell sound 127 “East or “west” endings 128 Starchy taro root 129 Ballyhoos, as a product 130 Quintessential center?

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256936

813.754.3593 | 2002 S. Alexander St., Plant City, FL 33563

FOR AND AGAINST by Timothy B. Parker

times 28 ___ out (seriously 1 Close males relax) 5 It cuts the butter 29 Costing nothing 10 Not quite stereo 14 Londoner’s baby buggy 30 Hit the road 18 Colonel or general, e.g. 31 Extra qtrs.

32 Precisely accurate 19 Ceremonial acts 34 Spotter of goofs 20 Slacking lazybones 38 Shalt follower 21 Make over but good 39 Infant mush 22 Drug reducing high 42 Past Peruvian blood pressure 43 Rushing stats 25 ___ Day and the 44 Hyundai model Knights 47 Currently winning 26 Joe Friday’s famous 49 Camel feature statement 52 Commercials 27 Mantel piece, some54 Emulates a cork on

0.00

CELEBRITY CIPHER

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“(UZJO) SZHW, SZH NTT JFE KHINXOIEE, FE NO FHFEJ IKZANOFNB, NE NOGZOI DJZ POZDE JFA DFTT ENG.”

– JIOHG SZOWN

“FGE COIASLC ZOICSG RFPAGW XAKRC JSUFE, YDOJDOI JDOE PGSY AJ SI GSJ, AC FXXONJOU VE (MSDG) XSIU.”

– RFIJAG CNSICOCO Puzzle Two Clue: C equals S

www.drgaffney.com

ACROSS

Thursday, Jan. 4

Puzzle One Clue: H equals R

Dr. Jeremy H. Gaffney O.D. Dr. Barry M. Gaffney, O.D. PA Dr. Daniel G. Gaffney O.D. The struggle between fashion and function is officially declared a tie!

Never before have eyeglass frames been offered in so many stylish choices.

Yet, you’ll be amazed at how many options are at your fingertips to help you see well and protect your vision!

%

CROSSWORD

0.89

Minimum qualifications include:

Discoun t

Tony 813.404.7819

Wednesday, Jan. 3

Part time/temporary position (approx. 30 hrs. per week/9 months)

GARAGE DOOR REPAIR & As SERVICE a1bo0kuut sa Chris 813.417.6849

RAINFALL

©2018 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2018 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

1-11-18

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Why go to an emergency center that’s connected to a hospital?

What if you need the rest of the hospital?

specialists in the region are only a few feet away. If you need a pint of blood, no problem, we’re connected to a blood bank. Not to mention that our rehabilitation, orthopedic, oncology and maternity departments are only a wheelchair ride away. The best place to go during your emergency is a facility designed to handle any emergency. And that’s right here at BayCare’s South Florida Baptist Hospital.

When it comes to your health, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Which is why during an emergency such as a stroke or heart attack, every second counts. We don’t want to risk our patients’ lives by transferring them to a different hospital for emergency surgery. Here, if you need to be rushed to surgery, it’s down the hall, not down the road. We also have access to cutting-edge equipment and some of the best doctors, nurses and

OUR NETWORK:

BayCare Behavioral Health • BayCare HomeCare • BayCare Laboratories • BayCare Medical Group BayCare Outpatient Imaging • BayCare Surgery Centers • BayCare Urgent Care OUR HOSPITALS:

Bartow Regional Medical Center • Mease Countryside Hospital • Mease Dunedin Hospital • Morton Plant Hospital • Morton Plant North Bay Hospital St. Anthony’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Hospital-North St. Joseph’s Hospital-South • South Florida Baptist Hospital • Winter Haven Hospital • Winter Haven Women’s Hospital BAYCARE.ORG 17-216654-1017 261422

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