1.14.21 PLCO by Plant City Observer

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FREE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

BUDGET ALTERATIONS AND ORDINANCE CLEANUPS BREANNE WILLIAMS

The first city commission meeting of 2021 was relatively smooth sailing as commissioners sat through a few public hearings and approved some minor budget and ordinance modifications.

STAFF WRITER

The community gathered in City Hall Monday evening for the first City Commission meeting of 2021. It was a relatively light agenda compared to some of the massive public hearings that filled the last few meetings of 2020. However, some small but impactful changes were made regarding alterations to the budget and city ordinances.

One of the updates that came from Monday’s commission meeting was a modification to the consulting work order for the Dog Park Pedestrian Bridge project. Toward the end of 2018, the City of Plant City retained the engineering firm Kimley-Horn under a continuing contract to develop construction plans for improvements to the dog park, which is located near Pennsylvania Avenue and East Calhoun Street.

After the design was done, the city solicited bids. A contract was approved by commissioners and construction is currently underway. However, the lighting originally picked out for the project is now discontinued, so the city had to get it redesigned. The city also requested a review and approval of the bridge structure submittal.

FANCY FARMS

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

STARTING NEXT CHAPTER OF FAMILY’S LEGACY: A UNIQUE MARKET ON THE EDGE OF THE COUNTY BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Fresh local produce, delectable desserts, a view that’s hard to beat and the chance to learn more about the strawberry industry are all found at the new Fancy Farms Market. When you pull into the new Fancy Farms Market on Drane Field Road, you aren’t just strolling up to another farmer’s market. You’re walking into a piece of the Grooms’ family legacy. As the sun casts its beams across rows of neatly planted strawberries, families gather around a wooden table to sip on their fresh strawberry milkshakes and fight over a bag of sweet strawberry cookies. Kristi Grooms, daughter of Fancy Farms founders Carl and Dee Dee Grooms, was chatting with new arrivals over a flat of berries that were picked that morning. She gestures toward the field beside them and with a laugh walks the curious

family into one of the rows. Bending over, she points out the different parts of the plant, showing how the sweet berries bloom from the delicate flowers scattered among the plants. The family expected to pop in and grab a milkshake and some produce and leave. Instead they were gifted something unexpected: decades worth of memories, industry knowledge and an inside look at what local strawberry farmers do to bring the crop to life. It’s a memory they likely won’t forget and a large part of why — despite only being open for a month — many customers have become frequent visitors to the market.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

NEWS BRIEFS

Courtesy of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

Justin Kline

Elks donate big bucks to Meals on Wheels The Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 was able to lend a big helping hand to Plant City’s Meals on Wheels chapter on Jan. 6. The Elks hosted Meals on Wheels representatives and presented them with a $7,000 donation that evening. Plant City’s Elks received a $3,500 grant from the National Elks and the State of Florida Elks matched it with an extra $3,500 of their own for the cause. John Guarino, Vice President of the Plant City Elks, said the lodge’s board and officers unanimously chose to donate the money to Meals on Wheels.

HCSO, HCPS release human trafficking PSA Signs of human trafficking aren’t always obvious to the untrained eye, so the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Hillsborough County Public Schools are trying to change that with a new PSA for middle and high school students. HCSO and HCPS debuted the two-anda-half minute video on Jan. 7. Sheriff Chad Chronister, Superintendent Addison Davis and a cast of student actors show and tell viewers exactly what they need to know to both avoid becoming a victim and identify signs and symptoms possible human traf-

ficking victims — like a classmate — may display. With Super Bowl LV looming on Tampa’s horizon, HCSO is preparing for an uptick in human trafficking. HCSO said eight people were arrested for human trafficking in Hillsborough County in 2020. “As with any large event, the demand for commercial sex increases drastically, opening the doors for sexual exploitation,” HCSO said in a press release. “In response, undercover operations are in full swing. Deputies are monitoring online chat rooms, massage parlors, hotels, and motels, known for illicit activity.” The PSA will be sent to all public middle and high school students in the county and is also viewable on all of HCSO’s social media platforms. You can watch it online at youtube.com/watch?v=9ChMzs0RCJs. “It is truly critical that we take these steps together to protect our children from human trafficking,” Superintendent Addison Davis said. “We have the responsibility as a school district and a community to protect our most vulnerable population.”

Dad-Daughter Date Night to return with new twist Dads and daughters, grandfathers and granddaughters, uncles and nieces and father figures are encouraged to get their dancing shoes ready for the 2021 DadDaughter Date Night, hosted by the Plant

City Parks and Recreation Department. The 12th annual event, as usual, will take place at the Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College, 1206 N. Park Road. But in an effort to create as much fun as possible while still following COVID-19 safety protocols, this year’s event won’t be one night only — you can now choose to go on either Feb. 13 or 14 and you’ll get the same experience no matter which day you choose. Doors open at 3:15 p.m. for photos and other pre-event activities, and the main event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. This year’s dance will be themed “A Night with the Princess and the Frog” in a nod to Disney’s 2009 animated film “The Princess and the Frog.” It will be two nights full of food, dancing, photos and more entertainment. Parties will be seated by family only. The cost is $35 per couple (plus $10 per each additional child age 3 and up). Registration is required and there is a limit of 50 couples per day, so the Parks and Rec Department encourages families to act fast to beat the deadline of Feb. 5. You can request a registration form by emailing recinfo@plantcitygov.com, by calling 813-659-4256 or by visiting the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. To get more information or learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Maggie Morona at mmorona@plantcitygov.com and 813-659-4256 or Kristen Self at kself@ plantcitygov.com and 813-659-4200 ext. 4312.

Youth Fishing Derby scheduled for end of month The first edition of the 24th semi-annual Youth Fishing Derby is coming back to the pond behind the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex, 1500 S. Park Road (off of Gordon Food Service Drive), on Jan. 23, the Parks and Recreation Department announced last week. Anglers age 5-15 can fish for free that morning in a catch-and-release competition running from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Bring your own pole, bait and buckets to fish. The pond is full of bass, catfish, mudfish, speckled perch, blue gill and more. Awards will be given out at 10:45 a.m. You can register on-site the morning of the event from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. if you wish, but pre-registration is also available through Jan. 21. Fill out and return the form by fax, scan/email, postal mail to either Kristen Self or Deborah Haldane, Parks & Recreation administration office, 1904 South Park Road, Plant City FL 33563-8113. You may also hand-deliver registrations from from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the PCPRD office. Email recinfo@plantcitygov.com or call 813-659-4255 for more information.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

FANCY FARMS MARKET BRINGS FRESH PRODUCE, SWEET TREATS AND A LEARNING EXPERIENCE TO PLANT CITY BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Kristi Grooms’ father Carl Grooms and her mom Dee Dee Grooms started the now-legendary farm in 1974 with 15 acres of strawberries. Now her brother Dustin Grooms runs the operation and makes sure their berries continue to reach the homes of strawberry fanatics far and wide. Dustin Grooms was determined to take their family legacy into the next generation and Kristi Grooms decided to throw her hat in the ring and bring a longtime dream of theirs to life. The Fancy Farms Market is something the siblings and their parents have wanted to make a reality for years. However, there never was an opportunity to pull off something of this magnitude. Kristi built her career in marketing and advertising and decided it was time to come home after 18 years in the industry. Under her lead, they transformed the small produce stand into a full-blown operation. You can purchase produce, strawberry plants, milkshakes, shortcakes, strawberry bread, and strawberry cookies with much more on the horizon. The menu evolves with the season and there will soon be Fancy Farms merchandise so you can rep a piece of the farm in your own home. “Mom and Dad built a brand here, they built a legacy,” Kristi Grooms said. “Dustin and I wanted to take that legacy and that brand and further it. We wanted to make sure that we kept it going. There was something missing in my life when I was working in my former career and I realized that it was this, it was my family. We are taking what my parents have built and we are continuing it. Dustin is working on the farm every day and I’m working here. These recipes are my mom’s. The produce is all local. You’re stepping

into our family when you walk in and I’m so excited to help bring this to life.” The cafe at the market features a small but cherished menu. The items featured are some of Dee Dee Grooms’ famous recipes and are made fresh each day for customers. Dustin Grooms admitted farming is a challenging lifestyle, but one he wouldn’t ever dream of walking away from. He said he’s excited for this next chapter in their family’s history and hopes people are able to walk away from the market with both superior produce and some new knowledge on the importance of supporting local farming. “When you shop local it means the area you are at, the state you are in and the country you live in,” Dustin Grooms said. “Supporting those local farms, that has a larger impact than most people ever realize. It affects more people’s lives than you can ever imagine. You’re supporting families who in turn support their communities. We have to make sure we preserve farming in this country and don’t import all of our produce, which sadly is becoming more and more common. We don’t want to ever be reliant on other countries to feed us.” The Grooms family has decades of farming knowledge at its fingertips and is always happy to answer the questions of those who are curious for a peek behind the curtain. However, if you simply want to come for a sweet treat and to relax beside the strawberry fields, Dustin Grooms has two simple suggestions: the perfect mid-morning snack is a fresh strawberry cookie and nothing hits the spot quite like a cold strawberry milkshake when the afternoon is warming up. Strawberries are in season, so the menu is currently themed to reflect that. Once the season ends, Kristi Grooms said it will

reflect the next crop (more than likely blackberries) before the market closes for the summer. It will reopen again in the fall. The goal is to eventually expand to add sandwiches to the menu for local industry workers who clock in at the warehouses on County Line Road. The market will be open yearround when that is added, but Kristi Grooms said the goal is to expand slowly, perfecting each addition as it comes. The focus on local produce also acts as an incentive for customers who wish to support local, but struggle to do so in grocery stores. Kristi Grooms pointed at the different vegetables on display and named the farmers she bought them from, sharing stories on their farms’ histories as she went. She added that she hopes when people visit they walk away enthralled by the family atmosphere they’ve worked hard to create at the market. Its more than just a produce stand and kitchen: it’s an invitation into the Fancy Farms family. “When you come you get to know us, we get to know you,” Kristi Grooms said. “I have to say the best thing about this so far has been the repeat customers we have had. You know, on this side of town there really isn’t anything like this. So these customers are coming and they have so many questions about how strawberries are grown. My family has always supported agritourism and agriculture education, so we are always excited to get the chance to spread some knowledge on how this industry works. Then those customers leave and come back with their children and grandchildren. I have been blown away by how many new families I’ve gotten to know. I know their names and they know mine, it’s just been such a wonderful and unexpected part of this journey.”

FANCY FARMS MARKET Where: 5204 Drane Field Road Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday. Closed Sundays Purchase: Produce, shakes, shortcake and baked goods Social: Follow Fancy Farms on Instagram and Facebook @fancyfarmsinc Phone: 813-478-3486

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

COPS CORNER

PLANT CITY

Observer

This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigated a vandalized public restroom, $14,000 stolen, a broken mailbox

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

and house egging,

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com

a stolen purse and more. Photo: iStock

JANUARY 1

learned he had an active warrant for his arrest out of Polk County.

ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER

JANUARY 3

2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway Petit theft, possession of a controlled substance: Officers apprehended a woman who attempted to steal $123.14 worth of merchandise by stuffing it all in her purse and passing all points of sale. She was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance. She was taken to Orient Road Jail without incident.

JANUARY 2 GOTCHA 1900 block of North Frontage Road Warrant: Officers made contact with a male subject attempting to access a private property and

NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK 2400 block of East Cherry Street Criminal mischief: A Parks and Recreation Department employee found that someone vandalized the interior and exterior of a men’s restroom at Ellis-Methvin Park with black and pink spray paint. EGGING THEM ON 1100 block of Ray Street Criminal mischief: This complainant stated unknown subjects broke his mailbox and egged his house overnight.

LOST AND FOUND 2400 block of East Cherry Street Recovered stolen vehicles: Officers found a stolen Chrysler van in a parking lot near Mike Sansone Park on January 3. The next day, officers found a white work van with keys still in the ignition parked in the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex parking lot and learn that it, too, was reported stolen.

JANUARY 4 SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT 210 block of North Wilder Road Vehicle burglary: This complainant stated someone entered her unlocked vehicle between the night of Jan. 2 and early morning Jan. 4 and stole her $300 Oakley sunglasses. She noticed the burglary on Jan. 4 when she went to leave for work at 5:45 a.m. and

saw the driver door ajar, but could not report the crime immediately because she had to go to work. She signed a waiver of prosecution.

JANUARY 5 NEVER SAW THAT COMING 4610 block of Eastwind Drive Vehicle burglary: This complainant stated someone stole a soft concrete saw valued at $2,000 from the bed of his pickup truck sometime before 4 a.m. that morning. RENTAL REGRETS 1600 block of West Ball Street Fraud: This complainant stated she paid a $500 deposit on a rental home to a subject who falsely represented themself as a representative of a rental company

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

PLANT CITY REMEMBERS DR. JOSEPH LARUE RICHTER, J. MYRLE HENRY Richter and Henry, longtime area medical professionals who also enjoyed community service, passed away on Jan. 1 and 8, respectively. “We lived in the same facility when I first went to UF,” Joe SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR Newsome, himself a former pharmacist who studied at UF Plant City is mourning the losses with Richter and Henry, said. of Dr. Joseph LaRue Richter, a “Myrle was a couple years ahead pharmacist and physician of of me. We became close friends. 34 years, and J. Myrle Henry, a He was an outstanding pharmapharmacist of more than 50 years cist and a hard worker. We were who owned several drug stores in friendly competitors… we only town. Both men — who were not had 13 doctors when I got out of only acquainted through their college, so we were all friends. field but also longtime friends And in my role at the hospital I and neighbors — passed away at really got close to the doctors. We the beginning of the year. weren’t competitors — just fellow Richter, 78, whom friends pharmacists. It was a good time and family always referred to as to be a pharmacist.” “LaRue,” passed away on Jan. 1. Richter worked as a pharmacist Henry, 82, passed away on Jan. in Plant City after he graduated, 8. Both men were raised in Plant but he eventually decided to try City, attended Plant City High his hand at medical school to School and went on to study become a physician. There was pharmacy at the University of just one problem: in the United Florida. States, he was considered “too When Henry graduated and old” to start. returned to Plant City, he jumped “He got a lot of support in the right into work with Magnolia community when he did decide Pharmacy. Henry would go on to to go to medical school,” his wife have a 50-year career as one of Peggy Richter said. “Back in the Plant City’s most beloved phar1970s there was a glut of physimacists and owned three drug cians in this country and it was stores in that span. Henry was very hard to get into medical willing to help others in need at school… he went to UF and they his store, whether they had trou- told him not to bother applying ble coming up with the money to because he was over 30.” afford a medication they needed Richter didn’t give up, though, or just needed some expert guid- and learned he could pursue his ance on a medical issue. To Henry dream at the University of Seville and others in town at the time, in Spain. He moved his family there was no competition. overseas in 1974, taught himJUSTIN KLINE

self to speak Spanish and would come back to the United States between sessions to work. “Dr. Richter worked for Myrle some at Magnolia, especially in the summer when he was home from Spain,” Newsome said. “Then he’d save enough to go back to med school. LaRue worked hard to get where he was.” Richter underwent clinical training in Baltimore and eventually came back to Plant City in 1986 to settle down in his hometown and practice for 34 years. “He was very smart when it came to medicine,” Frank LaBarbera said. “He was a good doctor. Everybody liked him. He was a real down-to-earth, friendly guy.” Henry “had a real love for downtown Plant City,” City Commissioner Mike Sparkman said, and was always working on some way to revitalize the area. Henry was a member of the CRA advisory board and the board that oversaw the building of the Plant City Towers facilities. He was heavily involved in the creation of the Strawberry Classic Cruise-In and the Florida Opry. He was also a South Florida Baptist Hospital trustee and a member of the Lions Club (and a past Grand Lion of Florida), the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Evangelical Theological Seminary, Gideons International

Haught Funeral Home

and First Baptist Church of Plant City. Henry was also named Plant City’s Citizen of the Year in 2001. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Myrle,” Dr. Ron Churchill, former pastor of First Baptist Church of Plant City, said. “He was a very Godly man… he was very, very active in a lot of different things and always did a great job. He had a fine family. He really ministered to people through (pharmacy).” Richter was a member of the Plant City Elks, once spent some time as an auxiliary Sheriff’s deputy with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and was also a founding member of the Friends of Christmas group, which is best-known around Plant City for installing the nativity scene downtown every year. An avid hunter, Richter enjoyed helping the Elks with the Wild Game Cookout fundraisers. He was also a well-known tinkerer, seemingly always rebuilding some small airplane in his garage or working on classic cars. His hobbies helped him relay medical information to patients in ways they could more easily understand. “He was a very down-toearth guy,” Peggy Richter said. “I thought it was interesting how he could make things understandable to his patients by relating them to things they knew. If you

Hopewell Funeral Home

had a well guy or a mechanic guy, he would relate their diabetes or heart disease to some kind of engine function, water physics or some such thing.” One of those patients was Henry himself. Richter and Henry were neighbors, friends, huge Florida Gators fans and constant supporters of each other. “It’s great to be able to live your life in a town like Plant City and have friends like that,” Newsome said. “There wasn’t any of us that wouldn’t help each other in a heartbeat.” Richter was preceded in death by his first wife, Lillian Procchi Richter; grandson, Christian Jeffcoat; and sister, Esther Glover. He is survived by his wife Peggy and a blended family: children Joe (Robin) Richter, Mark (Kelly) Richter, Alan (Jessica) Richter, Chris (Nicole) Jeffcoat, Leslie Jeffcoat and Adriana Fasano; grandchildren Makayla, Savannah, Lillie and Mia; and great-grandchildren Delaney and Arya. Henry is survived by his wife of 61 years, Tommie Henry; daughters Cheri Kim Ennis (Kevin) of Lakeland and Dr. Kathy Lynn Henry of Cropwell, Alabama; and many other family and friends.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

MLK FEST POSTPONED Due to COVID-19, the 2021 MLK Festival and parade has been postponed until April.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The 35th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade, drumline, street festival and leadership breakfast have been postponed until the beginning of April due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. The Improvement League of Plant City, CDC, which organizes the event each year, announced last week the event — which typically takes place around Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday of January — will now take place in April. The MLK parade, drumlines and street festival will be held on Saturday, April 3 in the observance of the assassination of Dr. King April 4 (Easter Sunday). The Plant City MLK Leadership Breakfast will be held the following Sunday on April 11, 2021 at 7:30 a.m. at the Trinkle Center, Hillsborough Community College, Plant City Campus. The parade applications already received by the Improvement League will be maintained unless the applicant is unavailable for the date of April 3. The time, location, and route will be the same. “The decision to postpone came after much discussion with residents, sponsors, various agencies and communication with the King Center based in Atlanta, Georgia,” William Thomas, president of the Improvement League of Plant City, CDC, said in a news release. “Plant City MLK Festival organizers submit activities every year to the King Center and King Family to ensure activities held are appropriate and adhere to the legacy of Dr. King.” Though the event will not be held on its traditional weekend this year, the new date bears much significance for those who wish to honor King’s legacy. There are few moments in this nation’s history that left the impact that was felt on April 4, 1968 when King was shot while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN.

King had been a key leader of the civil rights movement since the mid-1950s and used the power of his passionate speeches and the courage of his dedication to nonviolent protests to fight the injustice of segregation. With his leadership, the United States came one step closer to living up to its declaration: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The nation — and much of the world — mourned King’s passing and many still pay homage on this historic day. The MLK Fest aims to create a city-wide moment of reflection toward the lessons King taught as well as to offer a celebration for the growth the nation has undergone thanks to King’s leadership. The Plant City MLK Festival will conclude with a celebration on Florida Emancipation Day on May 20 at the Plant City Bing Rooming House African American Museum.

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COMMISSION ROUNDUP FROM PAGE 1

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The modification presented to commissioners covers the $5,915 for the additional work. It also grants a time extension for 630 calendar days for the overall project schedule, which has bumped the project completion date back to April 14, 2021. Commissioners also did some cleanup regarding items surrounding food trucks. The state legislature adopted Chapter 2020-160 Florida Statutes, “which (a) preempts to the State of Florida the regulation of ‘licenses, registrations, permits, and fees’ regarding food trucks (defined in the statute and rules now as ‘mobile food dispensing vehicles’); and (b) prohibits local governments from prohibiting mobile food dispensing vehicles from operating within the entirety of the jurisdictional limits. However, Section 509.102, Florida Statutes expressly provides that the Section does not prevent a local government from otherwise regulating the operation of mobile food dispensing vehicles.” Due to the change at the state level, City Attorney Ken Buchman recommended commissioners approve four updates to the city’s ordinance.

1. The ordinance uses term “mobile food dispensing vehicle” and the definition used in Section 509.102, Florida Statutes, rather than “food trucks.” 2. The ordinance explains the impact of the statute and the purpose of the ordinance. 3. Currently, our Code addresses food truck sales as something that would be permitted separately as a special event. 4. The ordinance creates a new Section 102-1431 to address mobile food dispensing vehicles. Subsections (a)-(e) are similar to the language in the existing Section 1021430(5)d. Subsections (f)-(g) are new. Commissioners also set a transmittal public hearing for a map amendment of a parcel of land located south and west of South Wiggins Road near the new regional distribution facility for Home Depot Incorporated. The public hearing will be held on Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall. They also set a public hearing for a voluntary annexation petition for 16 parcels that total 305.7 acres. The parcels include land on North Wilder Road, North Wiggins Road, South Wiggins Road and Swindell Road.The public hearing for the proposed annexations will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

JANUARY 14, 2021

SPORTS Quick Hits REGISTER FOR YOUTH SOCCER SEASON The Plant City Parks and Recreation Department announced sign-ups for the 45th annual PCPRD/Optimist Youth Soccer Program season are now underway. The program is open to area youths age 4-18 (as of June 1, 2021), who will be divided into 11 age groups in boys, girls and co-ed divisions. COVID-19 took the 2020 season away from the kids, but more than 1,300 participated in the 2019 season. Play starts in late March and the season ends in late May. Games are mainly played on Saturdays for youths age 4-11 and on Tuesday nights for older age groups. The cost to play is $37 per player and that covers all expenses, including jerseys and supplemental accident insurance. Registrations will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. Feb. 3 and they can either be mailed or hand-delivered to the Parks and Recreation administration office, 1904 S. Park Road. Registration forms are available at plantcitygov.com/parksrec/page/ youth-soccer-league-ages-4-18. Email recinfo@ plantcitygov.com or call 813-659-4255 for more information.

WHAT’S ON DECK FOR

PLANT CITY PARKS AND REC Area parks with sports facilities are preparing to host a slew of tournaments and events over the next few months.

TRI-STAR BASKETBALL COMPETITION UPCOMING The 48th annual Plant City Optimist Club TriStar Basketball Competition is just a few weeks away, so area hoopers age 8-13 should work on their passing, dribbling and shooting now. The free competition is open to all youths, but those who play in the city’s youth rec league are encouraged to come in uniform. The team with the most competitors in uniform will win a free pizza party. The competition is typically held at Tomlin Middle School but has moved to the new Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., for 2021. The competition will start at 9 a.m. Email recinfo@plantcitygov.com or call 813659-4255 for more information.

TENNIS CENTER CLASSES OPEN Kids and adults looking to work on their tennis game can prepare now for February classes at the Plant City Tennis Center, 120 N. Wilder Road. Class registration usually begins midmonth and classes officially begin the first week of the following month. • Tots Beginner Lessons – ages 4-7 – Six classes over three weeks. $30 per person. 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays • Youth Beginner Lessons – ages 8 and up – Six classes over three weeks. $60 per person. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays • Youth Intermediate Lessons – ages 8 and up – Six classes over three weeks. $60 per person. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays • Adult Lessons – ages 17 and up – Six classes over three weeks. $60 per person. 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Contact Tennis Professional C. Shane Johnson at sjohnson@plantcitygov.com or call the Plant City Tennis Center at 813-707-7485 for more information.

File photo

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Even though Plant City’s Parks and Recreation Department has not been able to get back up to full programming, there’s still quite a bit of activity scheduled to come to Plant City’s sports parks to start 2021. Do you need something fun to do on a weekend? Do you enjoy watching sports at all levels? Below is a list of tournaments and events scheduled to come to a park near you from now through March. Do keep in mind, however, that anything listed is subject to change or cancellation if COVID-19 rears its ugly head in the area again. “We understand the need for our youths to stay active and our families to participate in community events, but in the interest of public health, we may be forced to cancel or postpone some activities with little to no advance notice,” Parks and Recreation Department Director Jack Holland said in a December press release. “We hope it doesn’t get to that point. If there are any changes that affect our programming or event permitting, we will reach out as soon as we know. Please continue to be proactive and social distance, wear face coverings when not distanced, and sanitize frequently. With vaccine availability for the general public still a few months

away, we have to continue doing the right thing for ourselves and families as well as our friends and neighbors.” JAN. 16-17 TIER ONE FASTPITCH SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex JAN. 22-24 GSA BASEBALL TOP GUN CHALLENGE: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Ellis-Methvin Park, Mike Sansone Park and the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex JAN. 26-31 ISSA SLOWPITCH WORLD TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex and Plant City Stadium FEB. 12-14 GSA BASEBALL PRESIDENT’S DAY CHALLENGE: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Ellis-Methvin Park, Mike Sansone Park and the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex

FOCUS ON FITNESS:

WHERE TO BEGIN YOUR HEALTH JOURNEY AND HOW TO PICK A PROGRAM THAT WORKS FOR YOU Most of us have the tools to start our health and fitness journey. But where do we begin?

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

FEB. 13-14 PRESIDENT’S CUP STRAWBERRY CLASSIC SOCCER TOURNAMENT: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Ellis-Methvin Park and the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex MARCH 20-21 SUNCOAST USSSA BASEBALL TOURNAMENT: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Ellis-Methvin Park, Mike Sansone Park, Plant City Stadium and the Randy L. Larson Softball FourPlex MARCH 26-28 GSA BASEBALL SPRING BREAK CLASSIC: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Ellis-Methvin Park, Mike Sansone Park and the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex Schedules courtesy of the Plant City Parks and Recreation Department.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

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disabilities, your doctor can help guide you carefully and recommend specific programs that will help you overcome and recover both mentally and physically. • Do your research. Use the beautiful gift of the Internet to research what could work for you. Search your area for YMCAs, gyms, programs, apps and professionals to help you along the way. Reviews and referrals go a long way. • Try out different programs. Once you have done your research, try different programs to see what works for you. Are you a social butterfly who works better in groups? Then group exercise or small group training may be what you are looking for. Do you have limited time and availability? There are thousands of programs and workout applications that lead you step by step.

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to help you find what you are looking for: • Talk with a fitness professional. This can be a personal trainer, nutritionist, physical therapist, health coach, etc. Find someone you trust and talk with them about your S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Based) goals and what you are interested in doing. A fitness professional will be able to guide you in the right direction by recommending programs that produce results. They will help you look beyond a computer screen to help you think realistically about what will work for you. In addition, they will not only know your limits but their own as well. • Consult with your doctor. If you have limitations that restrict your movement, such as arthritis, diabetes or other diseases or

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We often complicate things more than we should, which then paralyzes us from starting them at all. From my experience in the health and fitness world, it is easy to get bogged down by how much information is out there: what’s right, what’s wrong and how to distinguish between the two. It is important to realize everyone will have a different take on what health and fitness means to them, and that is OK! Do your research, read reviews and talk with fitness professionals who can guide you in the right direction. But most importantly, start somewhere. If what you are trying does not work, learn from it and move on. This year, you can take your life into your own hands and begin by starting somewhere because that’s better than not starting at all. Here are some practical ways

REAL ESTATE

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

DECEMBER 2020 REAL ESTATE Local December 2020 sales and trend information courtesy of The Crawford Group.

Last month, 79 properties sold in the Plant City area — a decrease from December 2019, during which 97 properties were sold. The average sale price, however, increased to $254,297 from $237,686, as did the average sale price per square foot ($147.73 in 2020, $129.93 in 2019). Mitchell Crawford, of the Crawford Group, said that while the current housing inventory is still low in the one-month supply range, the buyer’s market is heating up and there is reason to be optimistic about 2021. “I believe the Plant City area will see a leveling-off of price increases as the appraisal valuations catch up the selling values,” Crawford said. “Lenders’ interest rates will rise slightly over the next few months and inventory supply will increase. This will give a better supply of homes for the buyers to choose from and some stability to the market.” DECEMBER 2020 SALES SNAPSHOT The following properties were a sample listed as sold on the Greater Tampa Realtors Association MLS in December 2020. The home at 2005 Greenwood Drive sold December 29 for $170,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 1,649 square feet of living area. The home at 2207 Thonotosassa Road sold December 24 for $190,000. Built in 1964, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,030 square feet of living area. The home at 3603 Medulla Road sold December 24 for $205,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,060 square feet of living area. The home at 4602 N. Country Hills Court sold December 24 for $212,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,304 square feet of living area. The home at 1022 Ashentree Drive sold December 31 for $225,000. Built in 2018, it

has three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 1,800 square feet of living area. The home at 4133 Barret Ave. sold December 7 for $235,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,500 square feet of living area. The home at 3817 Crystal Dew St. sold December 7 for $245,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,828 square feet of living area. The home at 2018 Sycamore Lane sold December 21 for $264,900. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,888 square feet of living area. The home at 2736 Walden Woods Drive sold December 8 for $270,000. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, two and a half baths and 2,258 square feet of living area. The home at 3121 Azalea Blossom Drive sold December 21 for $297,000. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, two and a half baths and 2,968 square feet of living area. The home at 3125 Azalea Blossom Drive sold December 18 for $305,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, two and a half baths and 2,968 square feet of living area. The home at 3316 Silverpond Drive sold December 30 for $309,000. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,205 square feet of living area. The home at 1408 Williams Road sold December 4 for $375,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms three baths and 2,582 square feet of living area. The home at 4702 Gallagher Road sold December 20 for $428,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three and a half baths and 2,670 square feet of living area.

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CRAWFORD & ASSOCIATES CRAWFORD & ASSOCIATES

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR We asked Facebook:

If you’ve gone through the county’s COVID-19 vaccine application process for yourself or someone else, what was the experience like?

OBITUARIES

AROUND TOWN

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“Unfortunately, it has not been user-friendly. My father has tried for the second week now and he has had a very hard time with it. He got one during his age group’s window and it shut down within 4 minutes. It told him to come back at 5 and it only allowed him to schedule the second part of the vaccine and not the first. It seems to be an improvement from last week, but there’s some work to do yet!” — Ashley Geer Hedrick “I could register my husband but I couldnt registed myself. By the time I went to schedule an appointment, they were booked!” — Alexis Wilson Green “Very frustrating! Tried all day long, no success!” — Myra Evers

Donna Suzanne Beyea Donna Suzanne Beyea, 41, of Robbins, Tennessee, born in Tampa on May 28, 1979, entered into eternal rest on December 31, 2020. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Peter Charles Mertens Merle C. Peter Charles Mertens, 70, of Ruskin Montgomery and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, born in Kaukauna, Wisconsin on October 6, 1950, entered into eternal rest on January 6, 2021. Expressions of condolence and links at HopewellFuneral.com.

Merle C. Montgomery, 87, of Lithia, born in Albany, Oregon on September 5, 1933, entered into eternal rest on January 7, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Susan Raulerson Baxter

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Mildred Rodriguez

Mildred Rodriguez, 82, of Plant City, born on June 5, 1938, entered into eternal rest on January 5, 2021. Susan Raulerson Baxter, 69, of Plant Expressions of condolence City, born on October 14, 1951, entered at HopewellFuneral.com. into eternal rest on January 3, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Hower Miles St. Clair

Hower Miles St. Clair, 83, of Valrico, formerly of Hollywood, born in Jersey Town, Pennsylvania on June 20, 1937, entered into eternal rest on January 9, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

OBITUARIES

James Kenneth Shugerts James Kenneth Shugerts, 63, of Plant City, passed away on January 6, 2021. He was born on January 5, 1958 in Erie, PA to Frederick R. and Kathleen M. Shugerts (McClintock). Jim was raised in Erie and attended Saint George Catholic grade school where he was also an altar boy. He graduated from Fort LeBoeuf High School in 1976 and went to Penn State University where he was a brother of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. James married Deborah Lee White on September 26, 1987 at Saint George Roman Catholic Church in Erie, PA. The couple moved to San Angelo, TX for four years and then moved to Plant City, FL where they raised their two sons, Ryan James and Patrick Thomas. James worked for GTE Data Services/Verizon of Erie, PA, San Angelo, TX and Tampa, FL as a database administrator and retired in 2008 after 28 years of service. In his youth, Jim was a Boy Scout and years later served as Scout Master for Troop 733 of Plant City, FL. He also loved the outdoors, camping, climbing trees, wielding a chainsaw, traveling, board and card games, building and remodeling homes

and the Minnesota Vikings. He is preceded in death by his father, Frederick R. Shugerts. James is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years Deborah L. Shugerts (White) and his sons, Ryan J. and Patrick T. of Plant City, FL., his mother, Kathleen M. Shugerts (McClintock) of Erie, his brothers Michael F. of Erie, and Patrick S. (Tracy) of Saegertown and sister Elizabeth A. (Chris) Leone of Erie and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to call from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral mass at noon on Saturday January 16, 2021 at St George Roman Catholic Church, 5145 Peach Street, Erie, PA. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. There will be a memorial in Erie, PA at a future date to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Presque Isle Partnership at https://www.discoverpi.com/ giving. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th Street. Condolences may be sent at www.bruggerfuneralhomes. com.

Dorothy Joiner Roberts Dorothy Joiner Roberts, 89, of Plant City, born in Donalsonville, Georgia on February 14, 1931, entered into eternal rest on January 10, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Lisa Carol Kirby

Lisa Carol Kirby, 59, of Plant City, born on July 24, 1961, entered into eternal rest on January 4, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Aage Tergesen

Aage Tergesen, 82, of Plant City, born in Arendal, Norway on March 16, 1938, entered into eternal rest on January 4, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Edward ‘Buddy’ Burnham Edward “Buddy” Burnham, 72, of Plant City, formerly of Orangeburg, South Carolina, born on March 19, 1948 in Plant City, entered into eternal rest on January 8, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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J. Myrle Henry J. Myrle Henry, 82, of Plant City, born in Jacksonville on August 30, 1938, entered into eternal rest on January 8, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Beverly Mae Block Naset

Beverly Mae Block Naset was born in Watertown, Wisconsin on March 5, 1929. She was crowned prom queen alongside her high school sweetheart, Bill, who was crowned prom king. They married in 1950 and eventually made Plant City their home in 1957. She worked side-by-side with her husband Bill, running and eventually owning a hometown favorite, Maryland Fried Chicken. Outside of countless hours running the restaurant, she was also very active for many years in Beta Sigma Phi, was a member of the Presbyterian Church, former member of the Ladies of the Elks and Alzheimer’s Association. Along with laughter and having fun with family and friends, she loved being outside, working in the yard, sitting on the beach, taking drives with Bill and enjoying visits and outings with their grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years in 2015 and joined him in Heaven on his birthday, January 4, 2021. Beverly is survived by her sons, Craig Naset (Teri) of Moreno Valley, CA, and Mark Naset (Brenda) of Plant City; daughters, Kim McElveen (Scott) of Plant City and Tavia Cowell (Doug) of Dover; grandchildren, Christi Raschke (Scott) of Valrico, Steven Naset of Moreno Valley, CA, Troy Cowell of Pinellas Park, Kevin Naset (Cassie) of Rio Dell, CA, Travis Naset of San Jose, CA, Skoti Sousa (Michael) of Charlotte, NC, Alexa McElveen of Orlando, and Karlie Cowell of Tampa; great grandchildren, Natalie Raschke

of Tampa, Jake Raschke of Valrico, Avery Naset of Rio Dell, CA, Olive Naset of Rio Dell, CA, Troy Cowell Jr of Pinellas Park, and Riley Cowell of Pinellas Park. A private graveside service was held for family. Interment at Hopewell Memorial Gardens, Plant City. Memorial contributions may be made to the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute at health. usf.edu/giving, South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation atsfbhfoundation.org, or Southeastern Guide Dogs at guidedogs. org. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Nevaeh Ruby Dimas Nevaeh Ruby Dimas passed away on January 3, 2021. Funeral services were held January 11, 2021 at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Thomas Orlando Hampton

Dr. Thomas Orlando Hampton, 76, of Tampa, passed away on December 30, 2020. The family will receive friends Friday, January 15, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Full Gospel Tabernacle, 2311 Sammonds Road, Plant City, FL 33563. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.

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Branden Kyle Glenda Taking care Gayle of Griffin Fryer each other is what

YOUR CALENDAR

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Wells MeMorial & event Center

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10/27/15 10:42 AM

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Night. Bring the family, grab a treat from downstairs, relax and watch a new movie selection each month. This month’s feature will be the Warner Brothers classic “The Iron Giant.” BEGINNING RUMBA/CHA CHA CHOREOGRAPHED BALLROOM LESSONS 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Learn basic steps that you can use at social events. Cost is $7.00 per lesson per person. Social distancing, no changing partners. Call 864-723-6965.

7 to 8:30 p.m. Join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for a hilarious night of interactive, side-splitting comedy. It’s family-friendly fun for all and, best of all, it’s free.

PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Plant City Social Dance will have dances every Saturday night in the month of January at the Strawberry Square Dance Center. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., there will be ballroom music for ballroom dancers. The regular dance goes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.The cost to dance is now $7 per person and attendance is limited to 50 people with reservations. Call DJ Ken Miller at 863-409-7714 to reserve your spot and visit djkenmiller.com to look at sample playlists and get more information.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19

IMPROV NIGHT

GRIEFSHARE AT HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH

10/27/15 10:42 AM

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

Plant City Recreation presents Baton Twirling Classes at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. Classes are held every Thursday. Beginner classes are from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Intermediate classes are from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Your first class will be free. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Barbara Patrick at 813-626-4554.

RETRO MOVIE NIGHT

is all about. is Wednesday, all about. January 6, 2021. Virginia Williamson, 84, 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com

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BATON TWIRLING CLASSES

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14

10/27/15 10:42 AM

Wells MeMorial & event Center

Strawberry Classic Cruise-In 3 to 6:30 p.m. at 102 N. Palmer St. The Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In is back this Saturday, rain or shine. Cars and trucks manufactured in or before 1996 can register for free starting at 3 p.m. Live music by DJ John Paul Gasca.

7:30 to 9 a.m. Join the Plant City Toastmasters for breakfast, laughs, and fun; there’s no better way to start your Thursday mornings. Bring a chair and a mask. The Toastmasters also offer Zoom meetings for those who can’t make it in person. Visit the Facebook page, facebook. com/PlantCityToastmasters/, for meeting locations and information.

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16

PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

udly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

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BEST BET

7 to 8:30 p.m. Visit Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for Retro Movie

ing the death of a loved one you may have found that there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. To help the many members of the Plant City, Lakeland and Brandon communities dealing with those feelings of emptiness, loneliness and hurt, Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 North Park Road, will again offer GriefShare, a special seminar and support group for those grieving the loss of loved ones, every Tuesday in 13-week morning and evening sessions. During this time of COVID-19, all participants are required to wear a face mask during class and to socially distance. To register for either class or for more information contact Hope Lutheran at 813-752-4622.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20 FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Federal, state and local opportunities are constantly changing. If you’ve served any time in the military, retired or nonretention, and would like to review your benefits, please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday. Walk-ins welcomed or call 813-704-5800 to set a specific time. Masks are required and temperatures will be taken at the door.

10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Follow-

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

Wells MeMorial & event Center

PlanT CiTy

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com

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NEW MEMBER SPECIAL OFFER:

10/27/15 10:42 AM

RENEW RESTART PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City

| 813 757 6677

tampaymca.org

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FORECAST

Send your photo submissions to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.

THURSDAY, JAN. 14 High: 68 Low: 46 Chance of rain: 10%

FRIDAY, JAN. 15 High: 72 Low: 52 Chance of rain: 20%

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Jan. 14

7:21a

5:54p

Friday, Jan. 15

7:21a

5:55p

Saturday, Jan. 16

7:20a

5:56p

Sunday, Jan. 17

7:20a

5:57p

Monday, Jan. 18

7:20a

5:57p

Tuesday, Jan. 19

7:20a

5:58p

Wednesday, Jan. 20

7:20a

5:59p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JAN. 16 High: 62 Low: 42 Chance of rain: 5%

SUNDAY, JAN. 17 High: 62 Low: 48 Chance of rain: 5%

MONDAY, JAN. 18 Kathy Flemister found this sunflower field on State Road 39 and stopped for a quick photo op.

ONLINE

High: 65 Low: 41 Chance of rain: 25%

Across 1 Incite 5 Modern “methinks” 9 Pink flowers in a van Gogh still life 14 Water-diverting feature 15 It’s not optional 16 Brigham Young University city 17 *Bargain on the last day of Oktoberfest? 19 Urdu for “palace” 20 Blunder 21 Barbarian in Dante’s Seventh Circle 23 Butterfield of “Ender’s Game”

24 Cartomancy deck 26 *Singer Damone, vis-àvis actor Morrow? 29 Starfleet school 32 Record holder 33 Ship 34 Accessories for a Red Hat Society lunch 37 Bond and Bourne 38 *Snoopy’s specialist? 41 Scratching post material 44 Jai __ 45 Its first version was eggshaped 49 Spotted cat 51 Argentina’s “City of Diagonals”

53 *One who’ll talk your ear off about osso buco and saltimbocca? 56 Norse group that fought the Vanir 57 Hypotheticals 58 Part of AC/DC 61 Minn. neighbor 62 A-listers 65 Basic auto maintenance, and how each answer to a starred clue was created 67 “Who’s on First?” catcher 68 Composer Sibelius 69 While away 70 Note next to a red F,

1 Old Iberian coins 2 Grind 3 Exceeded, as a budget 4 Agnus __ 5 MIT center?: Abbr. 6 Substantial content 7 Sun: Pref. 8 The “O” in football’s OBJ 9 Tach readout 10 60 minuti 11 “Me too” 12 Hard to follow 13 Says “There, there,” say 18 Silver of FiveThirtyEight 22 Spots 25 Eccentric 27 “What __ can I do?” 28 Snake, for one 30 MIT Sloan deg. 31 Class with mats 35 Entirely 36 Authenticating symbol 39 North Carolina university 40 Through 41 Khrushchev and Gorbachev 42 Baffin Bay hazard 43 Coastal region 46 Like some lodges 47 Goose-pimply 48 Price-fixing groups 50 “Chopped” host Allen 52 Way to go 54 Spanish red wine 55 Less rainy, as a climate 59 Oater actor Jack 60 Harlem sch. 63 Bagpiper’s hat 64 London __: Ferris wheel 66 Letters in an APB

Feb. 11 New

Jan. 17 First

Jan. 28 Full

Feb. 7 Last

RAINFALL LAST WEEK:

MONTH TO DATE:

0.21 in.

0.26 in.

YEAR TO DATE:

JAN. AVERAGE:

00.26 in.

2.72 in.

STRAWBERRIES Shipping point: Central Florida $18-$22.90

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

WEATHER

I LOVE PLANT CITY

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

PlantCityObserver.com