10.10.14 Plant City Times & Observer

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EXCLUSIVE

SPORTS

Businesses don pink for cancer cause.

At 4-1, the F.I.S.H. Hawks are flying high this season.

INSIDE

PAGE 10

PAGE 12

PAGE 8

Turkey Creek alumni enjoy annual reunion.

update by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor

OUR TOWN

Joe Keel files complaint against Al Higginbotham

+ Families needed for Santa Sled fest

In the complaint, the owner of Keel and Curley Winery said the Hillsborough County Commissioner violated a statute that discloses guidelines for the misuse of public position.

Applications are now available for the annual Santa Sled Festival, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20., at Sam Cooper Park.

Hosted by Plant City Black Heritage and Des’ Aimes Social Club, and sponsored by Kiwanis Club and Evangelic Deliverance Ministries, the organizations will be giving away toys, bicycles, groceries, turkeys and clothes.

Horseback riding and pictures with Santa are part of the fun.

More than 200 families will be served in the community, ages 3 to 10.

To obtain an application, visit the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St. or call (813) 453-7134, or contact Dorothy Smith at (813) 754-3141 or Sharon Moody (813) 4537134.

Applications must be received by Nov. 30.

Shortly after filing lawsuits against several Plant City residents for slander and libel, the owner of Keel and Curley Winery issued two ethics complaints to the Tallahasseebased Commission on Ethics against Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbo-

tham and Ray Young, a former county planning commissioner and winery neighbor who opposed the rezoning.

Owner Joe Keel said in the Sept. 14 complaint that Higginbotham used the weight of his position to persuade people to oppose the winery’s

rezoning late this summer.

Keel and Curley Winery fought for a modification to its zoning to allow its new brewery, Two Henrys Brewing Company, to operate. Ultimately, the commission voted unanimously for the rezone, ending in a victory for the

Thonotosassa Road winery.

Higginbotham made the initial motion for approval.

But, even before the rezoning hearings, Keel said Higginbotham had acted against the winery in attempt to cause problems for the small business.

In the complaint, Keel said Higginbotham, who also lives near the winery, approached neighbors last year who lived

SEE COMPLAINT / PAGE 4

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This week’s winner is

Julie Hasting

See her photo on PAGE 15.

Amber Jurgensen

Clark Smith comes pretty close to being Clark Kent in his Superman cape.

P.C. Relay for Life issues new Cupcake Challenge The Cupcake Challenge is similar to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

But, it will raise money for Plant City’s Relay for Life event.

+ Women’s group to meet in P.C. The Florida Commission on the Status of Women will host a meeting in Plant City from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St. The commission will discuss women’s issues in its report, “Your Voice Matters: Conversations With Florida Women and Families.” The final report will be released during the 2015 Florida Women’s Day at the Capitol to be held March 24, 2015, in Tallahassee.

“We are excited to have partnered with women’s organizations from across the state with the common goal of publishing an inclusive report that encapsulates and addresses the status of women in our state,” says Yvonne Fry, organization chair. “It is our hope that women across Florida will look to these Conversations as an opportunity to shape the future of Florida women and families.”

SWEET SUCCESS

by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor

PEE WEE POWER Justin Kline

Jourdan Anderson spent his Saturday breaking tackles as the Plant City Dolphins and Turkey Creek Trojans met Oct. 4, on the gridiron. For more photos, see page 13.

agriculture by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Plant City FFA student chosen as one of 13 National Delegates from Florida Anna Conrad has been chosen as one of 13 National Delegates from Florida.

Anna Conrad has stood out consistently among Plant City students who participate in FFA, but her accomplishment this fall will top the rest. She will represent the state of Florida as a National Delegate for FFA’s annual conference.

Based on her family’s history, Conrad seemed destined to enter the world of agriculture.

She grew up on a cattle ranch, raised by parents who had also excelled in FFA when they were younger.

“My family was really big into (FFA),” Conrad said. “I grew up going to the state convention, and I grew up watching the national convention on TV. My family has always done it — my mom, my dad, my uncle, my granddad. They didn’t force me to do it, but because I was so used to it, I joined.”

Conrad joined FFA when she was in sixth grade. Now, she is a junior in high school. She is

SEE CONRAD / PAGE 4

Photo by Melissa Nichols Photography

Anna Conrad shows cattle for FFA and the Junior Florida Cattlemen’s Association.

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

It’s a bird.

It’s a plane.

It’s … a sugary cupcake headed straight for you. And it’s all part of Plant City’s newest fad, The Cupcake Challenge.

At the Superhero-themed Plant City Relay for Life Kickoff party Oct. 6, event chair Linda Herman challenged her committee to complete the challenge to help raise money for the 2015 walk to fight cancer.

Each member lined up to have a cupcake smashed in their face by this year’s honorary survivor, Ava Raab. The elementary student jumped up and down in excitement before getting the go-ahead to cream the committee in front of a packed room of relay team captains, survivors, caregivers, and, of course, cameras.

As she went down the line, she took each cupcake from committee members’ hands and pied them on their faces.

They, in turn, donated $10 each to the Relay cause.

After the mess was wiped off, committee members challenged every attendee at Kickoff to complete The Cupcake Challenge and go out in the community to challenge more.

If you are challenged, you have two options: take the cupcake and donate $10 to the person or team who challenged you, or skip the sugar and donate $20 to the person or team that challenged you.

“As far as getting involved, we would love for everybody,” Herman said. “We would love to see the mayor doing The Cupcake Challenge, we would love to see city people doing The Cupcake Challenge.

Getting everybody involved.

Schools getting involved. It will be a blast.”

Relay for Life Specialist Al-

SEE RELAY / PAGE 4 Vol. 2, No. 12 | One section

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

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

Opinion ........................6

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

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COMMUNITYCALENDAR FRIDAY, OCT. 10 Acoustic Happy Hour — live music takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

Christian Contemporary Music — takes place from 6:33 to 8:13 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220.

RimFire — live music takes place from 8 to 12 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Daisy Dukes, 2212 James L. Redman Parkway.

(813) 752-2700.

Uncork Your Weekend with Skip Frye — live music from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City.

(813) 752-9100.

Women’s Self-Defense Class — takes place at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Chris Welbon Karate, 602 S. Collins St. Enrollment is $20 and is open to women and girls 12 and up. Class size is limited to 30 participants. Wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes.

(813) 752-9800.

SATURDAY, OCT. 11 Breast Cancer Event — takes place on Saturday, Oct. 11, at several downtown busi-

nesses include Herban Cowboy, Reflections and Antique Junction. Free food and drinks will be provided, as well as giveaways. Customers can write on pink balloons and send them into the sky. 10% of sales will be going to fund free mammogram screenings. For more information contact Brenda at (813)763-9338.

Health and Wellness Fair — takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct., 11, at the Woman’s Club clubhouse, 1110 N. Wheeler St. There will be health screenings available for blood pressure, bodymass index and glucose. Lynn Connor, (813) 478-1474.

Memoir Writing Workshop — takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. It is the second of three sessions that will continue Oct. 18. Lark Underwood, a local teacher will present this workshop. All participants should expect to attend all three sessions, bring a notebook with them, as well as a pen and 3-by-5 cards.

Enrollment is limited to the first 12 participants.

Pink Your Pony Ride — takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Bay Lake Stables, 4617 Garland Branch Road, Dover. The ride is

$15 per person and benefits cancer patients through the Brandon Outreach Clinic.

Lunch is served afterward for an additional $5. Contact Dawn, a cancer survivor, at (813) 841-1409.

Uncork Your Weekend with Jeremy Barnett — live music from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. (813) 7529100.

Young Adult Nite — takes place from 7:33 to 10:33 Saturday, Oct. 11, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Ages 16 to 21 are invited to hear local bands rock out. (813) 7521220.

SUNDAY, OCT. 12 75th Anniversary service for Springhead UMC — begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 12 at Springhead United Methodist Church, 2301 Sparkman Road.

A lunch will follow at 1 p.m.

MONDAY, OCT. 13 Dental Services — takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, at the Children’s Board Family Resource Center in East County, 639 E. Alexander St. (813) 752-8700.

Gardening Program — takes

To publicize your event in our Community Calendar, please send by mail: 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563; or by email: ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com. Photos are welcome. Deadline is noon Thursday. place from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Children’s Board Family Resource Center in East County, 639 E. Alexander St. (813) 752-8700.

Peace By Piece — meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. For more, call Arlene Bailey, (863) 644-3600.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 15

BEST BET Fox Squirrel Corn Maze — takes place Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 3 to 26, at Single R Ranch, 1002 Charlie Taylor Road N., Plant City. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Guests may stay until 7 p.m. Groups may make reservations for Friday events. Admission is $10 for ages 18 and up; $9 for ages 3 to 17; free for ages 2 and under. For more, visit foxsquirrelcorn maze.com. place from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13 at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. The program, “Orchids: Beyond the Basics,” will host Master Gardener Jim Hawk. Members of the audience are encouraged to bring a plant for the plant exchange. For more, call (813) 757-9215.

Plant City Garden Club — takes place beginning at 10:15 a.m.

Monday, Oct. 13, at Walden Lake East Community Center,

1304 Teakwood Drive. (813) 661-3963.

TUESDAY, OCT. 14 Adult Book Discussion — takes place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. The discussion will be about the book, “The Invention of Wings,” by Sue Monk Kidd. (813) 757-9215.

Mobile Medical Clinic — takes

Blood Drive — takes place from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. All donors will receive a free incentive such as a movie ticket, T-shirt or gift card, as well as a free wellness screening.

HCC Job Fair — takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road.

Open Mic Night — live music takes place at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 15, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. For more, call (813) 7648818.

Plant City Local Harvest Farmers Market — takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, at McCall Park in downtown Plant City.

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NOTE-WORTHY by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

health matters by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Hospital’s patient services director settles into new post Teresa Colletti took over for Karen Kerr, after Kerr became president of the South Florida Baptist Hospital.

Courtesy photo

Savanna Gill and Michala Culpeper practiced together before their seating auditions.

Marshall Middle students perform in honor band Five students from Marshall Middle School played in a festival at Stetson University for top middle school musicians.

Five students nominated

by Jay DeDon, band instructor at Marshall Middle School, took the stage Saturday, Sept.

27, with 85 other top middleschool musicians from all across Florida.

The Middle School Honors Chamber Winds Festival, hosted by the music department at Stetson University in DeLand, and sponsored by the Collegiate National Association for Music Education, accepted Marshall eighthgraders Bianca Cook, Michala Culpeper, Savanna Gill, Sierra Hawkins and Celeste Manzano to participate. Marshall was the only Hillsborough County school that had students accepted into the program.

DeDon started the program at Stetson last fall, when he was a senior at the university.

As a member of a scholarship program that emphasized leadership and civic involvement, he wanted to start a trumpet program for underprivileged students. The idea grew into an opportunity for middle-school musicians who played any wind instrument, state-wide.

“Events such as this create so much excitement and passion within these students, inspiring a drive to achieve success,” DeDon said.

The festival also provides an opportunity for music education students at Stetson to learn in an active teaching setting.

This year, two Stetson sophomores led the program.

DeDon had mentored both of these students for years, even while they were in high school.

DeDon occasionally helped the organizers from afar this year, but he was more than satisfied with their independent success.

“They pulled it off like bosses,” he said.

To participate in the festival, students must first be nominated by their band instructor. Because this is DeDon’s first year at Marshall, he did not have a lot of time to assess his students’ musical abilities before nominations were due.

“I made nominations based off of work ethic and discipline, and these five students all displayed these characteristics beyond any teacher’s dreams,” he said.

Band programs from across Florida can nominate students to participate in the festival, but only 90 students are accepted.

Culpeper said that when she found out DeDon had nominated her, she was “over the moon.”

“My parents were just as excited as I was when I got home,” she said.

The musicians arrived at Stetson at 7:30 a.m. The first item on the day’s agenda was a seating audition. Auditions included both prepared pieces and sight-reading.

“I was nervous,” Hawkins said. “I don’t really like to play by myself.”

Three of Marshall’s students received prestigious placement in their ensembles.

Gill was selected as principal clarinet, Cook was named principal second trumpet and

MEET THE MUSICIANS BIANCA COOK INSTRUMENT: Trumpet STARTED PLAYING: Sixth grade FAVORITE MUSIC TO PLAY:

“Things that are just fun to play.”

MICHALA CULPEPER

INSTRUMENT: Clarinet STARTED PLAYING: Sixth

grade

FAVORITE MUSIC TO PLAY:

“I like a lot of upbeat music ... because I’m an enlightened kind of person. I don’t like a lot of down stuff.”

SAVANNA GILL INSTRUMENT: Clarinet STARTED PLAYING: Sixth grade FAVORITE MUSIC TO PLAY:

“I like to play a lot of popular songs — the variations for clarinet.”

SIERRA HAWKINS INSTRUMENT: Flute STARTED PLAYING: Sixth grade

Teresa Colletti will be celebrating her 10th anniversary at South Florida Baptist Hospital this November, but it will be her first autumn as the hospital’s director of patient services.

“I have a tremendous passion for patient care and for nursing, because nurses really do so much for people to keep them healthy and safe,” Colletti said.

But, nursing was not always her aspiration. As she entered her college years, Colletti, then a semi-professional dancer and model, hoped to enter the world of performing arts.

“I was going to dance my way through life,” Colletti said.

“Then my father sat me down and said, ‘No, you’re not. You’re going to go through school, and you’re going to be a nurse or a teacher.’”

Colletti, who had graduated high school with honors at 16, had loved studying science, so between those two options, she was drawn to health care.

“Within the first three months, I felt like it was meant for me,” Colletti said. “I actually did extremely well, and there was never a doubt in my mind that that’s where I was meant to be.”

After 39 years in her field, Colletti is accustomed to working in advanced settings such as emergency rooms and trauma centers. She has held leadership positions for 18 of those years.

In 2004, she came to South Florida Baptist Hospital to manage the ICU, PCU, department of cardiac rehabilitation and department of telemetry.

care, all of those areas are familiar to her.

“What makes me happy is the team has expressed their excitement,” Colletti said.

“They hug me and thank me, and tell me they’re so happy that I’m in this position, and that’s what keeps me going.”

MOVING FORWARD

Teresa Colletti has loved caring for patients since she started a career in nursing 39 years ago.

Catherine Sinclair

She expected the job to be merely a transition for her.

“By the end of the first 12 to 14 months, I thought, ‘The people here won me over so much that I don’t care how much I have to do. I’m staying,’” Colletti said.

In 2010, her responsibilities shifted slightly, trading telemetry for the IR/cardiac cath lab.

Then, in spring 2014, she began as the new patient services director, taking over for Karen Kerr, who was promoted to hospital president in February.

LIFE IN LEADERSHIP

Though she is now distinguished among hospital employees, Colletti does not want to be distanced from them.

“I’m not one of those closedoffice kind of people,” Colletti said.

When she walks through the hospital corridors, she makes an effort to talk with staff to stay connected. That’s important for their growth, she said.

PASSING THE TORCH

Karen Kerr, now president of South Florida Baptist Hospital, was the director of patient services for 10 years before Colletti took her place.

Kerr said one of the hospital’s big projects under her leadership will be to expand the surgery center within the first quarter of 2015.

One of Colletti’s challenges as patient services director has been switching to a mentality that takes all of the hospital’s departments into consideration.

“I’ve always had the critical-care arena,” Colletti said.

“When I make a decision now, I have to remember that it’s for everybody, not just one area, and I have to remember how they’re all interconnceted.”

But, because she has an extensive background in health-

Colletti is full of goals and ideas for the hospital, relating to patients’ practical needs and employees’ work environment.

“Patients seem to be sicker these days,” Colletti said. “We have a higher volume than we’ve had before.”

She hopes to add another 16 beds to the ICU within the next year, and eventually another operating room because of the high demand for robotics and surgeries.

As a nursing professional herself, Colletti understands the needs of the other nurses at the hospital and wants to help them meet those needs.

She is a big advocate for education and motivates her team to pursue advanced degrees, she said. Currently, Colletti is working on a master’s degree in nursing at Florida Southern College, which she will finish in December 2015.

Though she is thriving in her new position, Colletti said she does greatly miss caring for patients directly.

“When I finish my degree, I’ll probably work on the side, on the weekends, taking care of patients somewhere,” Colletti said. “If the good Lord keeps me healthy, I’m probably just going to keep going. I don’t see myself ever stopping.”

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver. com.

IN BLOOM by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

FAVORITE PIECE TO PLAY:

“Andalusia.”

CELESTE MANZANO INSTRUMENT: Alto saxophone STARTED PLAYING: Sixth grade FAVORITE MUSIC TO PLAY:

“Jazz band. I love jazz.”

Manzano was named principal second saxophone.

Then, the students spent the morning in rehearsals.

Each student learned one piece for a small ensemble for just their instrument and another piece for a larger sectional ensemble. The musicians had never seen their pieces before but would perform them at a concert that evening.

After lunch and active icebreaker games, the students had another three hours of rehearsal. There was one more break with a pizza party for the musicians and their families before performing a concert at 5:15 p.m.

“Having that feeling to be on stage, and afterward having everyone clap for you, is the feeling of accomplishment,” Manzano said.

“Playing in the brass ensemble during the final concert was phenomenal,” Cook said.

All five students said the experience helped them become better musicians in some way, whether through musical skill or just confidence in their abilities.

“It really helped me learn how to listen to other people, and how to learn new music really fast,” Gill said.

When DeDon organized the first festival last year, the event was funded by grants.

Now, it is self-sustaining and will continue annually. If they demonstrate the hard work that DeDon looks for in his nominees, this year’s seventh-grade band students could be chosen to participate next year.

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.

Miles Carter brought his honey to the fair. He has been a beekeeper for seven years and currently has about 50 hives.

DEEP ROOTS The Plant City Garden Club’s annual GardenFest blossomed Sept. 27, at the Train Depot.

This year, the club partnered with the Plant City Downtown

Merchants Association to offer a bigger fair than ever before.

Vendors sold plants, seeds, garden art and other gardening items, as well as antiques, crafts and food.

Bruce Rodwell, George Banning and other members of Plant City Daybreak Rotary served hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch.

Betsy Lieberman represented Tomboy Tools, which offers tools designed specifically for women’s preferences.

Right: Heather New sold her original stained-glass creations at the Savanna Beach Mosaics booth.

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COMPLAINT / PAGE 1 across the street from it. Keel said Higginbotham tried to persuade the neighbors to file a noise complaint against the winery.

“I didn’t even know where (the neighbors) lived until I read the complaint,” Higginbotham said. “I have no idea what he’s talking about.”

In the complaint, Keel added that a couple of county employees from code enforcement and the fire marshal’s office had come to inspect the property around the time he said Higginbotham had asked the neighbors to file the complaint. They found two violations and no noise violations, Keel said.

Having county officials come out is routine when there is a complaint made to

RELAY / PAGE 1 lison Martinez watched from behind a cellphone camera, laughing and cheering, as Ava pounded the cakes.

“The challenge went great,” Martinez said. “We have a great group, who saw the fun in allowing a survivor (who happens to be the cutest thing ever) bring awareness and fundraising to an event we all love in a new and exciting way.

I think our committee, who

CONRAD / PAGE 1 home-schooled but takes agriculture courses at Plant City High School and is a member of the school’s FFA chapter.

One integral part of FFA participation is the Supervised Agriculture Experience. This requirement can be fulfilled in a number of ways, including research, entrepreneurship and internships.

Many students choose to build on the same SAE year after year. As a sixth-grader, Conrad began a long-term SAE in which she would raise her own cattle.

“It’s grown now, to where I used to have just one or two show heifers, but now I have 26 cattle in my own herd,” Conrad said.

Conrad has been recognized continually for her FFA achievements and leadership.

As a sophomore, she earned the Florida FFA State Star Greenhand award, one of the most prestigious SAE awards.

Conrad said this was one of her proudest moments.

Last year, Conrad served as vice president for the Hillsborough County FFA Federation.

Now she is president of the

THIS WEEK’S CROSSWORD ANSWERS

THIS WEEK’S CRYPTOGRAM ANSWERS 1. A man was running rapidly up the road with a neighbor’s cat. The owner was bellowing: “Police, police, arrest him for pet-ty theft!”

2. An affable counterfeiter gave some simple and practical advice to another: “Never hold onto the first dollar you made- it could be used in evidence against you!”

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“

I didn’t even know where (the neighbors) lived until I read the complaint, I have no idea what he’s talking about.

Commissioner Al Higginbotham

a commissioner’s office, Higginbotham said. Complaints come in regularly about a variety of issues.

Keel said Higginbotham approached another neighbor, as well — this time during the rezoning process. Keel said Higginbotham asked Young to involve his church in opposing the winery rezoning. Young is a deacon at Plant City’s First Baptist Church. He was appointed to the Hillsborough County Planning Commission in 2010. His term expired Sept.

13.

“It was the sum of all, to be honest with you,” Keel said of

his decision to file a complaint.

“To get the church involved in the opposition, I think that is what threw it over the top for me.”

Keel also said Higginbotham’s wife, Devon, attended opposition meetings.

“It’s a gray area,” Keel said.

“The commissioner’s wife was spotted … going to the meetings on an issue he was voting on … it’s not illegal … but she’s still a commissioner’s wife.”

Higginbotham said his wife attended no opposition meetings, but there are also no statutes barring the behavior if she had. He said it wouldn’t be

would do anything for the Relay For Life of Plant City, took it so well knowing the greater good they were doing this for.”

The kickoff was held at Plant City’s First Baptist Church. In addition to the main event, which committee members hope will go viral, attendees enjoyed learning about Relay, picking out their team superhero theme, making superhero masks and munching on pizza and cupcakes.

“The end goal for this chal-

ONLINE PRESENCE

NATIONAL FFA CONVENTION BY THE NUMBERS 4: The number of keynote speakers

$50 to $75: The cost of

registration 87: The number of years since the first national convention 406: The number of exhibitors 873: The number of miles from Plant City to Louisville 60,000: The number of people who will attend

federation for Florida District 9, which includes Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

As president, Conrad hopes to organize opportunities for FFA students such as a district conference and an educational field day. She also will plan and organize the annual district contest. The district contest always takes place in the president’s county, and this year it will be Jan. 20, at HCC Plant City’s John R. Trinkle Center.

a conflict of interest.

“Devon has no knowledge of this … she did not know or attend any meetings,” Higginbotham said.

Keel also said protocol during one of the public hearing meetings had been violated.

Keel filed an ethics complaint against Young Oct. 6.

“Young used his powerful public position to influence and organize opposition to a rezoning, above and beyond just acting as an individual citizen,” the complaint read.

“He conspired with Commissioner Higginbotham and, as such, provided Higginbotham and his wife with a special privilege in attempting to defeat a rezoning that they were opposed to.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

lenge is to get people engaged in Relay For Life, shed light on

what the American Cancer Society is doing to bring more birthdays (hence the cupcakes), and ultimately save more lives,” Martinez said. “We wouldn’t mind more local participation either. Plant City is one of the top ten Relays in the state out of over 300, so any challenge that gets more people involved in this great community event is just such a win.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

“That’s probably the biggest responsibility you have — running the district contest,” Conrad said. “How smoothly that runs is a reflection of how smoothly you’re serving.”

As president of her district, Conrad was eligible this summer to submit an application to be chosen as a national delegate this year. The state association selected her, along with 12 other students, to represent Florida at this year’s national convention.

The national convention will be from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, in Louisville, Kentucky. Conrad will vote on national FFA decisions, as well as for the new team of national officers.

“My mom was a national delegate, and that’s what encouraged me to become (one),” Conrad said. “It’s a great way to meet new people from across America, and you get to build lifelong friendships there.”

Tiffany Parish, an agriculture educator and FFA adviser at PCHS, has known Anna for about four years. “(Anna) is always willing to put forth a little extra effort to make whatever she is doing the best it can be, and is al-

ways putting the task at hand first, not her personal gain,” Parish said. “She is a wonderful and caring student that is a pleasure to have in class every day.”

The pleasure is mutual.

“I have smiled every time I went to class,” Conrad said.

“FFA and ag at Plant City is just so fun.”

She also appreciates how family tradition extends past agriculture into education: Her parents and grandparents also went to PCHS. Though she has plenty on her plate for now, Conrad already is planning a post-high school future in agriculture.

She hopes to study animal genetics, agricultural communications and animal nutrition in college and graduate school.

Eventually, she wants to operate her own cattle ranch, or perhaps take over the family ranch — but she might have to negotiate with her little sister.

“She loves those cows; she’s determined she’s going to get it, and I’m not,” Conrad said, teasing. “We’ll see what happens.”

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver. com.

If you are invited to complete The Cupcake Challenge, make sure to post your experience on social media, including Plant City Relay’s Facebook, facebook.com/plantcityrelay.

To donate visit relayforlife. org/plantcityfl.

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anniversary by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Poppell Insurance Inc. celebrates 50 years Tom Poppell started the business in 1964, and now, his wife and sons have taken leadership.

Poppell Insurance Inc., a Plant City family-owned business, celebrated its 50th anniversary Oct. 4.

Tom Poppell entered the insurance world in 1964 when he started up a business with Red Harrell.

“My husband was a peopleperson,” Eleanor Poppell, Tom’s wife, said. “He really enjoyed people. It’s kind of just like working with your friends and serving your friends, and that was one of the things I think he enjoyed so much. He knew everybody in town.”

When the company began, Tom and Harrell worked from Harrell’s mother’s living room.

“But, Mr. Harrell was older ... he wanted to retire,” Eleanor said. “So then, my husband bought him out.”

The Poppells moved the business to a building across the street from the house. It’s where they still operate today.

Tom’s sons, Mark Poppell and Jon Poppell, began working with their father after they graduated from college in the 1980s. Tom died in 1998, leaving the responsibility and leadership to them.

Mark said the company’s biggest change over the decades has been computers and other technological advancements.

“Back in the day, it was long distance to call Tampa,” he said. “Some years later, it became a toll-free call. That was a big deal in Plant City.”

Another big event was the devastating Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which changed the

Catherine Sinclair

Mark Poppell, Eleanor Poppell and Jon Poppell have decorated Poppell Insurance’s lobby for fall. insurance industry throughout the state of Florida, Mark said. It became more difficult to write property insurance after the disaster.

In 1996, Poppell Insurance bought Moody and Moody Group, another local insurance business. Poppell has one employee who began working with Moody and Moody when she was in high school and then stayed after the merge. She celebrated her 50th year with the two companies last month. Two additional current employees have stayed with Poppell for more than 30 years.

Colleen Bennett has worked with Poppell for 13 years, but she knew Tom Poppell before he died.

“He always wanted me to work for him back then, and I was, of course, working in Tampa. It just so happened that I ended up here,” she said.

Bennett said she has stayed with Poppell because of her clients and staff.

“Everybody makes you feel like part of the family here,” she said. “Our bosses are great people to work for.”

Poppell also has a number of clients who started with the company 50 years ago and haven’t left.

Mark Poppell attributes the company’s success to the community of Plant City.

“Plant City, I think, is one of the greatest places in the world to live,” Mark said. “We are only here as a result of their support and could not be more appreciative of it. Literally without this community, and their support, and their business, and their friendship, we don’t exist.”

Mark said, with the help of the community, the company will continue to do business as usual and hope to see more milestone anniversaries in the future.

“My father established the agency in ’64,” Mark said. “He tried to do the best job that he could for people. That’s what he used to tell me, what he told everybody here: If we take care of our clientele, all the other things will take care of themselves.”

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver. com.

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opinion | our view

The amendments Here we are again. Every two years for the General Election, Floridians face not only the choice of candidates but also the often confusing list of statewide constitutional amendments.

This time, thankfully, unlike in 2012 when there were 11 proposed amendments on the ballot, voters will find only three proposed constitutional amendments.

As always with constitutional amendments, our analysis this year begins with what we believe is the most important litmus test: Will the adoption of the amendment increase individual liberty, or will it take away or restrict your freedom?

Almost always, if the amendment lessens liberty, if it will reduce your freedom, we will recommend a “no” vote. It’s as simple as that.

But there is also a second test to be applied when evaluating constitutional amendments: Is the proposed amendment appropriate for the state constitution?

Or is the issue at hand more appropriately suited for the legislative process, where laws can be adopted and amended according to the mores and conditions prevailing at the time?

The classic example of an amendment that was and is totally inappropriate for the constitution came in 2002. Florida voters actually approved an amendment that prevents confining pregnant pigs in a cage or crate in which they are unable to turn around freely. Talk about an embarrassment. This is now etched in the Florida Constitution.

How do you gauge whether a proposed amendment is appropriate for the constitution? Use the U.S. Constitution as a framework.

It primarily addresses the relationships among the three branches of government and sets up the boundaries in which they can operate. And it states our basic human rights.

Most proposed amendments that come before Florida voters are better suited for the Legislature. But because Florida has a system with a relatively low barrier to placing initiatives on the general-election ballot, many special interest groups use this mechanism to bypass the Legislature. They make the bet they can sway popular public opinion more easily than they can legislators, e.g. medicalmarijuana sponsor John Morgan. They count on the electorate to vote emotionally, not intellectually.

And that is the biggest flaw with Florida’s initiative system. Too many voters are unaware of the motivations behind the groups pushing specific amendments or the

ELECTION 2014 consequences likely to occur if the amendments are adopted.

Our hope, then, is to help you know more about this year’s three amendments before you color in a bubble on your ballot.

AMENDMENT 1

ARTICLE X, SECTION 28

Water and Land Conservation: Dedicates funds to acquire and restore Florida conservation and recreation lands Funds the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to acquire, restore, improve and manage conservation lands, including wetlands and forests; fish and wildlife habitat; lands protecting water resources and drinking water sources, including the Everglades, and the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams; beaches and shores; outdoor recreational lands; working farms and ranches; and historic or geologic sites, by dedicating 33% of net revenues from the existing excise tax on documents for 20 years.

This amendment does not increase or decrease state revenues. The state revenue restricted to the purposes specified in the amendment is estimated to be $648 million in Fiscal Year 2015-16 and grows to $1.268 billion by the 20th year. Whether this results in any additional state expenditures depends upon future legislative actions and cannot be determined. Similarly, the impact on local government revenues, if any, cannot be determined.

No additional local government costs are expected.

Talk about motherhood and apple pie. Who wouldn’t vote “yes” for this?

Everyone is in favor of safe drinking water, beaches and preserving wildlife habit, rivers, snail darters and the like.

And the sponsors of this amendment, Florida’s Water and Land Legacy Inc. and virtually every environmental group in Florida, have pitched their literature, predictably, to paint a dire situation that this amendment would correct. From the amendment sponsor’s website: “Because our elected leaders refused to adequately fund water and land conservation, citizens had to take matters into their own hands.”

“Since 2009, the Legislature has dramatically reduced funding for water and land protection, cutting key programs by more than 95%. Amendment 1 would ensure that water and land conservation projects are adequately funded — the funds cannot be diverted to

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other purposes — without increasing taxes …

“The amendment gives Florida voters a direct opportunity to keep drinking water clean, protect our rivers, springs and beaches and restore natural treasures like the Everglades — without any increase in taxes.”

Don’t be fooled. All of that is spin.

The truth is Florida taxpayers, thanks to the Legislature, are already doing what the proponents of this amendment want. They’re just not doing it at the level they want. Last year, for instance, Florida spent 29% of Florida’s doc stamp collections on all of the environmental items listed in this proposed amendment.

On top of that, ever since 2000, thanks to the Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever programs, taxpayers have acquired and set aside 25% of Florida’s land mass for preservation and water use.

Florida has been a national leader in this regard, and remains so.

What these environmental groups want voters to do is guarantee them their special, carved-out percentage of Florida’s tax revenues for the next 20 years. All because they are unhappy that lawmakers are not spending as much as they want spent on the environment.

Consider this analogy: To guarantee 33% of the state’s doc stamps be spent on environmental programs for the next 20 years is akin to forcing you to lock in a percentage of your take-home pay on, say, landscaping — regardless of what your family’s needs might be.

This is bad governance.

Consider how former Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, a leading environmentalist, characterizes Amendment 1: “The state budget is comprised of a finite number of dollars, and guaranteeing through a binding constitutional amendment that a single component is exempt from having to compete for funding with all of the other pressing needs of the state … puts everything but the favored component at a distinct disadvantage.”

Indeed, the Legislature’s fiscal analysis notes that if Amendment 1 passes, one of the consequences “may result in reductions to existing programs funded by the (doc) tax, or in the replacment of those dollars with other state funds at a loss to other programs.”

Amendment 1 fails to pass our two litmus tests: If approved, it will reduce Floridians’ liberty by lock-

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ing in “earmark” spending at the expense of other needs.

What’s more, this is an issue that clearly should be handled at the legislative level.

RECOMMENDATION: No.

AMENDMENT 2

ARTICLE X, SECTION 29

Use of Marijuana for Certain Medical Conditions Allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not authorize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.

In 2005, the late famous and revered economist, Milton Friedman, told Forbes magazine: “There is no logical basis for the prohibition of marijuana. … It’s absolutely disgraceful to think of picking up a 22-year-old for smoking pot. More disgraceful is the denial of marijuana for medical purposes.”

Now think of the fact nearly 25 states are already ahead of Florida adopting laws to permit medical marijuana use.

And let’s add in this barometer of things to come: This past summer, one of the leading consultants in the beer distribution industry told his audience of distributors in one of his blogs: Get ready.

The day is coming, soon, when marijuana will be legalized and regulated the same way beer is today.

The trends are gaining momentum.

And that’s partly what “For the People” lawyer and medical-marijuana sponsor John Morgan is banking on with his Amendment 2; Floridians, he hopes, will roll with the tide. Surely he sees more business for his law firm in the offing.

So let’s apply the litmus tests. On increasing personal freedom, this amendment passes the first threshold.

On the second test, however, it fails. Medical marijuana is not a constitutional issue.

Some proponents may think smoking marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes is akin to a human right. But it is no more a human right than the smoking of a cigarette or the chugging of a beer.

The issue of medical marijuana is a statutory issue, best addressed in the Legislature. In fact, the Legislature, in its most recent session, began addressing

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the legalization of medical marijuana with the passage of the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014. It allows the use of a low-THC, oral marijuana for epilepsy, cancer and ALS. The process has begun.

And it should continue.

But not with the passage of Amendment 2.

The amendment is seriously flawed, especially in its vagueness.

The language states medical marijuana can be used for nine different debilitating medical conditions, plus this: “other conditions for which a physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for the patient.”

With that, if you have half of a rational brain, you’re already thinking you’ve seen this movie before: “Remember the Pill Mills?” Talk about an open invitation for unscrupulous, sleazy people.

Another red flag: Parental consent is not required for a minor to obtain medical marijuana. And yet, school nurses can’t dispense a Tylenol to a minor without parental consent.

These are just two of the flaws in the text of the amendment that should give voters pause — and sufficient reason to reject its adoption.

Floridians should be permitted greater options for the use of medical marijuana.

But Amendment 2 isn’t the right mechanism “for the people.”

RECOMMENDATION: No.

AMENDMENT 3

ARTICLE V, SECTIONS 10, 11 Prospective Appointment of Certain Judicial Vacancies Requiring the Governor to prospectively fill vacancies in a judicial office to which election for retention applies resulting from the justice’s or judge’s reaching the mandatory retirement age or failure to qualify for a retention election; and allowing prospective appointments if a justice or judge is not retained at an election. Currently, the Governor may not fill an expected vacancy until the current justice’s or judge’s term expires.

This amendment deserves constitutional status. It addresses a matter affecting the relationship between the executive and judicial branches of government.

At the same time, this proposed amendment, while well intended, is flawed and fraught with politics.

Anti-Republican cynics, for instance, see it as a nefarious attempt by Republicans to stack the Supreme Court.

Here’s the back story: Between now and Jan. 8, 2019, four state Supreme Court justices will retire. Their terms expire on the same day a new governor will be sworn in.

The issue to be addressed in Amendment 3 is to bring clarity to who should appoint those justices successors — the outgoing governor or the incoming governor?

Florida’s constitution is somewhat unclear. It doesn’t explicitly state the process, although Supreme Court rulings in 1955 and 2006 clearly stated that replacements cannot be appointed until after an outgoing justice’s term expires.

Nonetheless, Sen. Tom

Lee, R-Brandon, head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and others see the almost simultaneous retirements of the four justices as a judicial dilemma that needs correcting: It typically takes governors at least three months to fill judicial vacancies. With four empty slots at once, the courts could be over-burdened.

Indeed, back in 2006, Florida Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero argued this point when then-Gov. Jeb Bush sought the court’s opinion on whether outgoing governors had the authority to fill judicial vacancies at the end of their terms.

While the court said no, Justice Cantero warned that vacancies on the courts should be avoided. He wrote that waiting to begin the judicial nominating replacement process until a judge’s term expires places an enormous burden on the remaining members of the court. What’s more, he said, there was nothing in the state constitution preventing a judicial nominating commission from beginning the nominating process to name a successor before a vacancy actually occurs.

Amendment 3, then, is the Republican Legislature’s attempt to remedy a potential gap on the courts. The question for voters can be narrowed to this: Should an outgoing governor have the right to appoint Supreme Court justices, or is an incoming governor better suited for that?

Democrats argue this proposal is an attempt to stack the court. And they will remind you that two years ago Republican House Speaker Dean Cannon attempted to place on the ballot another proposed amendment that would have restricted judicial authority in favor of the Legislature.

Republicans, meanwhile, say the amendment isn’t partisan because there is no guarantee Scott will be reelected. They say it’s merely an effort to bring clarity to a fuzzy process that is crucial to the smooth operation of the courts.

Will the implementation of Amendment 3 infringe on your individual liberty? No. Is it a measure that, if passed, is appropriate for the Constitution? On that score, you could say “yes.” It’s a matter affecting the relationship between two branches of the state government.

The problem is the remedy.

There are better ways to handle it — and they could be adopted legislatively.

This measure just has too much of a scent of politics.

It doesn’t feel right to let a departing governor, no longer accountable to voters, leave Tallahassee with the last laugh on his successor.

The Constitution has been clear since 1955: A vacant judicial seat cannot be replaced until a judge’s term is expired. If that expired term occurs on the last day of a governor’s term, or first day of a succeeding governor’s term, the constitution says that’s when the nominating process should begin.

If there are gaps on the bench, surely lawmakers can figure out how to fill them legislatively.

RECOMMENDATION: No.

Plant City Times &

Observer

General Manager/Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.com General Manager/Advertising / Stacey Hudson, shudson@tampabay.com Managing Editor / Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@PlantCityObserver.com Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writers / Justin Kline, jkline@PlantCityObserver.com; Catherine Sinclair, csinclair@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Executives / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@PlantCityObserver.com; Joanna Verga, jverga@tampabay.com Circulation/Office Manager / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

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

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MAKING THE GRADE by Amber Jurgensen

Diann Gillespie, Mavis Mendadhl and Dianne Silliman led the group in the school song.

Turkey Creek High alumni gobble up fun The Arthur Boring Building on the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds was decked out in turkey décor Oct. 4 — not for Thanksgiving, but rather for a Turkey Creek High School reunion.

The event featured memorabilia, including letterman jackets and majorette boots.

Attendees also enjoyed viewing hundreds of photos that included

Russell and Gussie Myers everyone from past principals to lunch ladies. Some classmates brought vin-

Sharon Driggers Faircloth wore the school colors.

tage cars and all snacked on a Johnson BBQ-catered lunch.

Harold Lewis saluted the flag during a veterans presentation.

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faith by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Congregation makes special plans for 75th anniversary Springhead United Methodist Church was the only Methodist church in the small community when it was founded in 1939.

Since Springhead United Methodist Church was founded in 1939, its members have always considered it an anchor in the community, and they will celebrate its history at a special service this weekend.

Mildred Joiner, a charter member, was old enough in 1939 to still have memories of the church’s first days.

At the time, there was no Methodist church in Springhead. A group of neighbors who identified with the denomination began to meet in one another’s homes for fellowship and worship. Soon, they had a plot of land, but they could not afford a building.

“We used to meet on Sunday afternoon under the oak tree,” Joiner said. “My parents, my brother and I were always in attendance.”

Those first church members planted a garden on the grounds, and sold the produce to raise money for a sanctuary to be constructed. Joyce Camp, Joiner’s younger sister, remembers bundling and selling the green onions that their mother grew in the garden.

Even though the nation was just beginning to emerge from the Great Depression, the church members managed to raise enough money for their sanctuary.

“It was just hard work and perseverance, and people that were so interested in having a Methodist church in the community,” Joiner said.

Later, in that original sanctuary, which still stands today, Joiner married Albert Joiner.

Albert was a Methodist pastor whose ministry was based in Georgia, so the couple lived there for about 50 years.

The Joiners retired to Inverness, and after Albert died,

Catherine Sinclair

Pastor Patrick Elmore met with a committee of church members Oct. 1, to discuss details for the anniversary celebration.

HISTORY LESSON The Springhead community is located between the southern regions of Plant City and Lakeland. It was first settled before the Civil War, but most of its population growth took place after the war, when farmers began to grow citrus in the area.

After two hard freezes in 1894 and 1895, farmers realized Springhead had some of the best land in the county for strawberries, which became the community’s main crop.

Mildred moved to Lakeland to be close to her two sisters. She was close enough to Springhead to return as a member.

Two additional living charter members still attend the church: sisters Zelma Winn and Leila Barber.

In honor of its 75th anniversary, the church has a celebration planned for Sunday, Oct. 12.

Instead of the usual 11 a.m. start time, this weekend’s ser-

vice will begin at 10 a.m. A special volunteer choir from outside of the church will provide music for the morning.

Pastor Patrick Elmore said the anniversary service could bring in a significant increase from the church’s usual attendance, because former members and other guests with ties to the church are planning to come. He is expecting between 100 and 150 people. As Elmore has been getting more connected with the community, he has discovered memories of the church reach far beyond its current congregation.

“I’ve been amazed,” he said.

“When I say ‘Springhead,’ so many people have different memories.”

Joiner is dedicated to the church for the same reasons she was 75 years ago.

“We were all country people that stuck together, prayed and played together,” she said.

“That atmosphere is still here.

Though we’re much fewer in number, the spirit is the same.”

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver. com.

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THE GOOD FIGHT by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Plant City businesses don pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Businesses have promotions and events planned to raise money for cancer research.

PANERA GOES PINK

Panera also has promotions and plans to support the fight against breast cancer. Until the end of October, customers can purchase a cherry-vanilla pink ribbon bagel, and a percentage of the proceeds will go to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

Taking it one step further on the road to recover, the café will host Panera Goes Pink Oct. 17. All of the proceeds from pink ribbon bagel sales that day will be donated to Moffitt.

Employees Joyce Bliss and Crystal Santiago are organizing the event. They both have personal connections to the disease. Bliss’ sister and Santiago’s grandmother are survivors.

“It gets us really excited, because we’re giving to the community,” Santiago said.

“Any time I can participate or support the cause ... it really means a lot to me.”

Bliss is decorating polos and T-shirts for Panera employees to wear and show their support. The shirts are also available for the public at Shear Design.

LOVE, HOPE & PIZZA

All Hungry Howie’s locations have a promotion this month called Love, Hope and Pizza. For every large pizza sold, the company will make a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“If we sponsor, and everybody else sponsors, then there are less victims out there,” said Charlie Sobh, manager of the Alexander Street store.

He said in past years, locations in Florida have raised about $300,000 collectively.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Plant City businesses are stepping up to join the fight against the disease.

Brenda Gunter, owner of Reflections Boutique in Historic Downtown, has organized a collaborative event with other businesses downtown to raise money and awareness of breast cancer beginning at 10 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 11.

“I’ve always done something for breast-cancer month because of being sick myself,” Gunter said. “We lose way too many people from it. Men and women. We need to do something.”

Four years ago, Gunter found out that lumps in each of her breasts were cancerous. Because of the significant history of the disease in her family, she took her doctor’s recommendation to have a double mastectomy, so the cancer would be less likely to return after the lumps were removed.

“The hardest part for me is, I was still young at 53,” Gunter said. “And when they take your breast off, you feel like you’re no longer a woman. But, you’re alive, and that’s the important thing.”

Gunter said daily actions, such as taking a shower or changing clothes, still remind her of that day three years ago, when she returned home after the surgery. She was shocked to see staples and three drainage tubes across her chest.

“It’s something you’ll never forget, because of the scars,” she said.

But, throughout her treatment and now, her remission, Gunter has found solace in the support of other downtown storeowners, who have now agreed to join her for this weekend’s event.

“I don’t know what I would

Photos by Catherine Sinclair

Since she received a cancer diagnosis four years ago, Brenda Gunter has kept Reflections Boutique well-stocked with pink gifts. have done without these storeowners,” Gunter said about her years battling the disease.

“They did everything they could to help. ... Every day, they’d call — ‘What can we do?’”

She said the only way she could repay them is to pray that they never have to go through it, too.

Gunter also has used her business to comfort other women who have battled breast cancer. She has about 20 regular customers who have battled the disease and come to Reflec-

tions Boutique for hats, pins, jewelry, decor and other items that feature the pink breastcancer awareness ribbon.

But, sometimes, instead of material items, Gunter’s customers need emotional support. In those instances, she is happy to lock the door and sit down with them to listen.

After Gunter decided to coordinate a city-wide event for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, her next step was to choose an organization that would receive the donations.

She chose the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation based on the percentage of donations it used specifically for research, as well as its policy of using donations for Florida’s cancer patients alone.

“The more you send (funds) elsewhere, the less research and progress we get as a state,” Gunter said.

Representatives from the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation will be at Saturday’s event with an information table, ready to hand out brochures and answer questions.

The awareness event will include special promotions at each participating store, and 10% of the day’s proceeds from each store will be donated to the foundation to provide mammograms. There will also be food and other giveaways.

Gunter also wanted to provide an active way for attendees to symbolically let go of cancerrelated thoughts. Each shop will have pink balloons available. Patrons can write a message on the balloons, and then release them into the sky.

“We know it will be a happy and sad day for a lot, including myself,” Gunter said. “But through releasing balloons all day, we hope we can bring peace to some.”

Gunter said her husband, who received a diagnosis of stage IV colon cancer just three weeks ago, will be at the event to offer snacks from his beloved popcorn machine.

“He’s much sicker than I am ... but we both fight the same battle,” Gunter said.

Gunter encourages supporters who are unable to come to the event to donate to the foundation directly at FloridaBreastCancer.org.

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver. com.

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OBSERVEROBITUARIES Peggy Marie Douglas Barbee

Peggy Marie Douglas Barbee, 75, died Sept. 30, 2014.

A lifelong resident of Plant City, she was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. She enjoyed playing bingo and making up her own rules to card games.

She was preceded in death by her husband, David; and her sisters, Mares and Irene.

She is survived by her loving children, David Earl, James Albert, Robin Lee Forner and Robert Wayne; her dear sister, Amanda; and her four cherished grandchildren.

Donations may be made in Mrs. Barbee’s name to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, Virginia, 22312.

Timothy D. Bowman Sr.

Timothy D. Bowman Sr., 61, died Oct. 4, 2014, at home.

He was born Nov. 21, 1952, in Akron, Ohio. He was owner and operator of Bowman Construction LLC. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Wells Memorial and Event Center.

Condolences can be made at WellsMemorial.com.

William “Billy” P. Chutter

William “Billy” P. Chutter, 48, of Lakeland, died Sept. 27, 2014.

Mr. Chutter was a 1984 graduate of Kathleen High School and played the trumpet.

He is predeceased by his parents, William O. and Mary Lee Chutter.

He is survived by Uncle Frank and Aunt Helen Fletcher, and other uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.

A celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Wells Memorial and Event Center, 1903 W. Reynolds St. A funeral service begins at 2 p.m.

Condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Alcus Danley Jr.

Alcus Danley Jr., 86, died Oct. 5, 2014, from complications of pneumonia.

He was born July 16, 1928, in Pine Level, Alabama, to Allen and Josie (Chandler). He was a U.S. Army veteran of Korea and worked all of his life in construction.

He is survived by sons, Bruce Danley (Kelly), Richard Danley (Jeanne) and Dale Danley (Jeanie); daughter, Karen Hicks (Dean); brother, Joseph Danley (Muriel); his companion, Martha Locklear; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Danley, in 1999; daughter, Tammy Sue; brothers, Ferrell and Comer;

and sister, Mavis Edna.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Wells Memorial and Event Center, 1903 W. Reynolds St., Plant City. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. Burial will follow at Mt. Enon Cemetery.

Condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Cynthia Susan “Cindy” Holland

Cynthia Susan “Cindy” Holland, 65, of Plant City, died Oct. 3, 2014, from complications of systemic lupus erythematosus.

She is survived by her husband, John “Jack” Holland; two sons, Stephen Jackson (Lynne) and Jason Jackson (Anne); sisters, Bunni Johnston and Marti Baker (Bruce); sisterin-law, Sara Valentine (John); grandchildren, Taylor and Rachel Jackson, and Conner and Emalie Jackson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Holland was born in Detroit but grew up mostly in Georgia and Polk County.

She was a full-charge bookkeeper for several CPA firms in Plant City and Lakeland for many years. She was very involved in youth soccer, first at North Lakeland Youth Soccer as a board member and coach. Later, she helped form the Plant City Area Soccer Club

and served as a board member, coach and concessions manager. She was involved with the Plant City Recreation & Parks Department/Optimist Youth Soccer Program as a coach, referee and concessions manager.

Her passion was her children, her grandchildren and traveling.

After being diagnosed with lupus in 1999, Mrs. Holland was active in the search for a cure by serving on the inaugural committee for the Walk With Us to Cure Lupus events in Tampa, and was selected twice to travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for research funding on Capitol Hill. She fought a brave battle with the disease until an attack of shingles proved too much to overcome.

In lieu of flowers, please send a general donation to the Alliance for Lupus Research at lupusresearch.org, where 100% of every donation goes toward lupus research.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16, at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City. Services will be private at a later date.

Condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

Letha D. McKinney

Letha D. McKinney, 80, of Plant City, died Oct. 2, 2014.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey McKinney; and children, John Richard McKinney and Eva Deloris McKinney.

She is survived by her children, Dean McKinney (Brenda), of Ashburn, Georgia, Gene McKinney (Anna), of Nicholasville, Kentucky, and Tina McKinney Belanger (Todd), of Plant City; sisters, Gertrude Bartley and Jeanetta Waltz, both of Indiana; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many loving family and friends.

The family received friends Oct. 7, at Hopewell Funeral Home. A celebration of life was held Oct. 8, at Lone Oak Baptist Church. Interment at Hopewell Memorial Gardens.

Condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

Larry A. Schumacher

Larry A. Schumacher, 69, of Lacona, Iowa, died Oct. 4, 2014, in Plant City.

He is survived by his loving family.

Condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Ronald W. Tindle

Ronald W. Tindle, 80, of Plant City, died Oct. 3, 2014.

He was director of security and personnel with the School District of Hillsborough County for 33 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, a member of Plant City’s First Baptist Church and an avid hunter and fisherman.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jeanette; children, Ronnie Tindle (Julie) and Karen Purvis (Wade); grandchildren, Katie Maxwell (Wesley), Bryant Tindle, Shayla Purvis and Kyle Purvis; and one greatgranddaughter, KyLee Maxwell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Nellie Tindle.

A celebration of life was held Oct. 7, at Plant City’s First Baptist Church.

Sports

YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | COMMUNITY

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK P.C.’s Patrick Colleran records 20 tackles against East Bay. 14 SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM

SIDELINES Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014

football by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

F.I.S.H. Hawks fly under the radar

FOOTBALL

The F.I.S.H. network for home-schooled students fields a football team that, like its public school counterparts, plays on Friday nights.

+ Durant routs Strawberry Crest

Eight-on-eight football can be fun to watch, even if it’s not as traditional as the 11-on-11 game. Especially for those fans who prefer the offensive side of the game.

So, perhaps something non-traditional is good for the F.I.S.H. Hawks, a team that seems to defy convention — and is getting results.

For six seasons, the Hawks have been the go-to team for area home-schooled athletes who love the game. With players hailing from all over the place — Plant City, Valrico, Brandon and more — it’s become a complex machine that’s helped the

Although Erick Davis and Crispian Atkins were both back at 100%, Thursday night belonged to Kamerron Joyce.

The Durant sophomore scored three touchdowns on the ground — two in the fourth quarter — putting the emphasis on the Cougars’ 37-7 win over Strawberry Crest.

Joyce had just seven carries, totaling 34 yards, but no one in blue and gold could argue with his scoring efficiency.

The fans also were happy to see Davis doing his thing at full speed again.

Although he didn’t complete any of his three pass attempts, the senior picked up 168 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

Atkins rounded out the scoring effort with one touchdown and 41 yards.

The Chargers were able to avoid a shutout in the third quarter, when Tristan Hyde completed a nine-yard touchdown pass to Clay Cullins.

In other area action, Plant City put itself back in the district picture with a dominating 21-6 win over East Bay. Corey King (two) and Austin Carswell (one) scored all of the touchdowns on the ground, combining for 81 yards, but Markese Hargrove shredded the defense with 269 yards on just 18 carries.

Also, linebacker Patrick Colleran set a new personal best with 20 tackles.

MARTIAL ARTS

+ Welbon to host self-defense class Chris Welbon Karate wants to help any woman who wants to learn how to fight back.

The school is hosting its “Street Smart” SelfDefense Class for Women from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 17, at the school, 602 S. Collins St. The class is open to girls and women ages 12 and older and will focus on holidayshopping awareness.

Students will learn awareness and response skills, defense tactics and other techniques, and also will go through scenario training.

Only 30 participants will be able to attend the class. Cost is $20. A registration form is available to download and print on Chris Welbon Karate Clubs’ Facebook page, facebook.com/CWKarate.

Turn in the form at the school.

For more information, call (813) 752-9800.

F.I.S.H. athletics program grow.

“It didn’t start out with any sports, and it just kind of grew (into this),” Hawks head coach Darren Doud says. “Now, we’ve got a pretty decent-sized sports program, and football’s helped it grow tremendously.”

THE PROGRAM

F.I.S.H. — short for Families Instructing Students at Home — started as what one could consider a Christian “support group” for home-schoolers. It’s based out of Bell Shoals Baptist Church, in Brandon, and offers a number of different clubs and programs for students to par-

ticipate in outside of their parents’ curricula.

Because kids love sports, the program eventually grew to sponsor several sports teams for its students. Although its baseball team no longer exists, F.I.S.H. does have teams for football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, cross country and golf.

Of course, introducing the football team six years ago helped give the program its biggest draw of all. And, once it became known that the group fielded a team, it got much more attention than before.

SEE HAWKS / PAGE 13

Justin Kline

Jonathan Wall, a Plant City resident, loves playing for the F.I.S.H. Hawks.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

GAME OF THE WEEK NEWSOME VS. DURANT

Don’t take ‘Pinktober’ for granted

Defensive backs Avry Walden and Jawun Green have helped turn Durant’s luck around this season.

… AND THEN IT ALL CLICKED The most impressive thing about the Durant Cougars’ 2014 season has been its defense, which has gotten better by changing almost nothing.

Normally, after a lackluster season, a football team will look to address its problems with some changes. Maybe they show up in practice or on the coaching staff.

So, what did Durant do to get so much better? Well, here’s the thing: It sounds like the Cougars didn’t really change anything.

“That’s pretty accurate,” head coach Mike Gottman says.

Ask Gottman or any member of the coaching staff, and they’ll say that the only thing that’s really changed about this defense is the fact that the players have finally grasped it.

Even the practices haven’t been overhauled.

“It’s just more of a point of

emphasis than different drills,” Gottman says. “We’re still doing the same pursuit drill. Tackling drills are pretty much the same. ... We’re trying to really concentrate on pursuing the football.”

Last season, asking Gottman questions about the defense often led to answers involving a need to get better with fundamentals. This season, his answers aren’t terribly different.

His tone, however, has changed completely, and his energy carries over to the coaches and players alike.

It’s tough to call a Durant practice “loose,” as Gottman has always stuck with strict scheduling. But this year — especially with the defense — the sense of urgency has been re-

placed with a sense of hunger.

“It’s like I told (the players) today: It’s not about looking ahead and patting ourselves on the back; it’s looking at the film,” he says. “How can we get better, each and every day?

And, if we do get better, then how much better can we be?”

For starters, this year’s Durant team is making a significantly greater number of tackles per game — up to 55.8, compared to last year’s mark of 42.9. That’s also being done without any standout efforts along the D-line, such as Dontriel Perry’s 10.5 sacks in 2013.

Gottman’s not in a rush to name any one defensive MVP

SEE GAME / PAGE 13

Justin Kline

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS All games begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

OCT. 10 Newsome at Durant, 4748 Cougar Path, Plant City Plant City at Tampa Bay Tech, 6410 Orient Road, Tampa Strawberry Crest at Riverview, 11311 Boyette Road, Riverview

OCT. 17 Durant at Brandon, 1101 Victoria St., Brandon Spoto at Plant City, 1 Raider Place, Plant City Strawberry Crest at East Bay, 7710 Big Bend Road, Gibsonton

I’ve said in the past that the whole “Pinktober” fad has been visually overblown. That’s not what I meant by writing that headline, because my stance on that hasn’t changed. What I am talking about is the reason behind the nickname.

Say what you will about Breast Cancer Awareness Month having a stranglehold on the public spotlight. (It’s also Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but you won’t see anywhere near as much purple as pink). Still, it’s important that we highlight a problem that affects so many people.

I’m thinking, though, that we should all make a stand against cancer this month — JUSTIN any kind of KLINE cancer — whether it’s for your community or for your own personal health.

In the big picture, this month will put cancer as high on the list of things that people are thinking about as it’ll be all year.

That’s why we’re in a rush to wear pink for only 31 days out of the whole year (although the NFL might want to prioritize purple), and that’s why more money is donated to foundations such as Susan G. Komen in October than in any other month of the year.

On the subject of donating money, I’ll make this quick point: In terms of knowing where our money is going and how it will be used, it’s probably better to donate to local cancer centers or families currently struggling with the problem. I am more confident knowing that my money is immediately being put to good use than I would if I donated to an organization that spends more on marketing and PR than anything else.

On the subject of personal health, I’d like to encourage everyone to either go get checked out or learn how to check yourselves.

Last Thursday night, after

SEE KLINE / PAGE 14

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WHO ARE THESE GUYS? 1: Nate Puebla (DB/S/KR) (Jr.) 3: Dallas Frederickson (RB/OLB) (Sr.) 5: David Lacy (DB/RB) (So.) 8: Jacob McLaughlin (QB/K/S) (So.) 11: Matthew Milon (OL/ TE/DL) (Sr.) 12: Curtis Mitchell (QB/ KR/WR/DB/S) (Jr.) 13: Stephen Thomasson (WR/DE) (Jr.) 14: James Douglas (DL) (Fr.) 15: Ryan Jernstrom (C/ DE) (Jr.) 20: Jared Sims (WR/DB) (Fr.) 25: Jonathan Wall (WR/ RB/DB/OLB) (So.) 40: Cody Doud (DE) (Eighth) 41: Mike Odom (DE) (Jr.) 60: Jacob Bradley (OL/C/ DL/G) (Fr.) 72: Josh Puebla (TE/OL/ DE/K) (Sr.) 77: Gideon Stebbins (LB/ FB/OL) (Sr.) 88: Josiah Thomas (DE/ OLB) (So.) 99: Josiah Kirkland (DE) (So.)

GAME / PAGE 12 for his squad but points to several players who have made a big impact. Look at junior linebacker Blake Moody, who is on pace to beat Mason Bridges’ 51-tackle total from 2013 before the end of this season.

Or, look at cornerback Xavier Walden, who already has three picks (two last week against Strawberry Crest) in his first year on the varsity squad. And there’s Jaden Garrett, a name heard often. The sophomore defensive back has been locking it down in the secondary this season, drawing plenty of praise for his overall defensive efforts.

“For the most part, we’ve had pretty good team pursuit,” Gottman says. “Knock on wood, we haven’t given up a bunch of big plays, which is positive. That’s what we really try to emphasize — not giving up big plays.”

If a big play is considered any gain of more than 25 yards, then the Cougars have only given up six in the past five games — two in the Gaither game.

And, besides the opening 80yard touchdown pass in the Sickles game, there was nothing bigger than Deon Cain’s 42yard run in the Tampa Bay Tech game.

This week, they’ll take on a Newsome Wolves team currently riding a three-game win streak.

“Last year, we only scored three points, and we had opportunities to score 14,” Gottman says. “It was a tight ball game. It was 9-3 and we threw a touchdown pass, but they called our tight end out at the back of the end zone.”

Coincidentally, Newsome was the opponent that Sickles got to take its anger out on the week after the Durant win.

Following that 27-14 defeat, Newsome beat Alonso, Jesuit and Wharton by a combined

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HAWKS / PAGE 12 “Football draws attention for home-schooled families that move to the area,” Doud says.

“Their kids are that age, and they want to join that.”

Doud has been involved with the program from the very beginning, starting as the Hawks’ conditioning coach before moving to defensive coordinator. Last year, he was promoted to head coach.

“I just loved the sport, and coaching was one way to get back into it,” he says.

For athletes such as Jonathan Wall, it’s a great environment to be a part of. Wall, who lives in Plant City, is a sophomore wide receiver. If he attended public school, he would likely be a member of the Plant City Raiders. The program’s Christian atmosphere was more attractive to Wall and his parents, though, and there are no “What if?” questions with him.

“I love playing football, first off,” Wall says. “And, I get to play with a bunch of my friends. It’s a lot more fast-paced, because it’s eight-man, and it’s on a smaller field. It’s a lot of fun all around.”

THE TEAM

In its current incarnation, the Hawks are a formidable squad.

With a 4-1 record, the only completely home-schooled team in the Florida Christian Association of Private and Pa-

MATCHUPS PLANT CITY Generally speaking, Plant City has played well on the road. (That 9-7 loss to Durant could have easily been a win, had that field goal gone differently.) That’s good news for Raider fans, as the team will travel to Tampa Bay Tech for the Oct. 10 game.

It’s been a mediocre year for the Titans (2-3; 1-1 district), who haven’t looked terrible against teams that are not Plant, but they haven’t won too often, either. They are, however, coming off of a 30-15 win over Steinbrenner, a team that Plant City (2-2-1; 1-1 district) couldn’t complete its home-opener with because of the weather.

It was a good all-around effort for the offense, but the Titans’ defense actually saved the day. Sophomore Jaisen Randolph and junior Marchalo Judge picked off Steinbrenner quarterback Quentin Poteralski three times, helping to kill the scoring effort that he and running back Jayquese Dantley started in the fourth quarter.

Plant City, meanwhile, picked up its first district win with a 21-6 win over East Bay. That one was all about the run game, thanks to Markese Hargrove’s 269 yards on 18 carries. He didn’t score, but 32 points. However, 28 of those points came in last week’s win at Wharton.

The Wolves’ successes are largely dependent on running backs Bruce Anderson III and Nate Simmons, who have ran for a combined 830 yards and eight touchdowns (seven of which were scored by Anderson). They completed eight of their 11 pass attempts last

rochial Schools Conference is near the top of a 19-team field.

The team has been playing at Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex for a few years, after spending the first half of its life at the Dover Patriots’ field. Because the players live all over the area, there’s no bus. The team just tells the students and parents where they’ll need to drive.

So far — knock on wood — there haven’t been any problems or late arrivals in the last six years.

The Hawks’ fan base travels pretty well and, despite being smaller than any given public school’s, is just as intense.

There’s good reason for that, too — this team goes from zero to 100 quickly.

In a game at Turkey Creek last week, the Hawks hosted Tampa-Academy at the Lakes and cruised to a 48-18 victory.

The Hawks set the tone for this one from the very beginning with an opening onside kick — which it recovered — and quarterback Jacob McLaughlin was just as efficient on his feet as he was throwing the ball to Wall and the other receivers.

Sure, the program doesn’t have the size, tradition or popularity of any of the area’s public schools. But, football fans seeking a different, higher-tempo game might want to check out these Hawks on a Friday night.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

he certainly did set up touchdowns for quarterbacks Corey King and Austin Carswell.

The Raiders don’t throw the ball nearly as often as Steinbrenner, which should limit Randolph’s and Judge’s effectiveness, and a win here would bode well for Plant City going into next week’s matchup with Spoto.

STRAWBERRY CREST Last week’s 37-7 home loss to Durant was probably one that the Chargers and their fans would love to forget about sooner than later. Crest (1-5; 1-1 district) would love nothing more than a win this week, but they may have been given a gift.

This week’s opponents are also having a rough season.

The Riverview Sharks (1-4; 0-2 district) did get a big 35-0 win over lowly Middleton two weeks ago, but are coming off of a 46-16 beatdown at the hands of the Plant Panthers.

Strawberry Crest has played its best football on the road, going 1-2 and losing by a combined eight points.

This one has all the makings of a slugfest, one of those scrappy games played by a couple of teams with a chip on their shoulders that could very well be worth a look if you’re a Charger fan with the will to travel. week, but ran the ball 45 times for 265 total yards and four touchdowns.

Stopping those running backs would be ideal for the Cougars, who now have Erick Davis and Crispian Atkins back at 100% on offense. This year, those Newsome Wolves may not be so pesky.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

GAME FILM by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

Calub Connell jumps out of the way as Mitchell Rodriguez attempts a tackle.

Dolphins, Trojans clash on the gridiron The area’s biggest Little League rivalry continued Oct. 4, when the Turkey Creek Trojans came to the Plant City Dolphins’ house.

It was mostly a good day for the home teams, which won three of the five games, but the Trojans’ Pee-Wee squad pulled out the day’s most intense win, 8-6, on a last-minute goalline stand. It doesn’t get much better than that on the gridiron.

Left: Tyler Martines went airborne with the ball.

Right: Casey McClain

FULL SCOREBOARD Mighty Mites — PCD 37, TCT 0 Pee-Wees — TCT 8, PCD 6 Midgets — PCD 43, TCT 0 JV — PCD 22, TCT 7 Varsity — TCT 25, PCD 16

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KLINE / PAGE 12 shooting photos at the F.I.S.H. Hawks’ football game, I was showering when I noticed an unfamiliar lump in my chest. The next day, it had gotten bigger and a little more tender to the touch. Because I couldn’t see my primary care physician until Monday, I spent the weekend freaking out and devouring every bit of information about, well, anything that I could find on the Internet.

If you find yourself in a situation like that, do not go on

the Internet if you don’t want to scare yourself to death.

I think I just jumped to conclusions so quickly because of my family’s history with cancer.

For starters, it killed my mother when I was very young — before I ever got a chance to know her or retain any memories of her. More recently, it killed my grandmother on my father’s side — with whom I was very close — about halfway through my final semester of college.

When you have history on both sides of the family, and you

find something, it’s not fun.

I got checked out on Monday morning and, to my knowledge, might have overreacted this past weekend.

The lump had gotten smaller, and my doctor felt confident it isn’t cancerous. I feel a lot better now but, as of press time, I’m still not sure exactly what the heck is hanging around in my chest.

Man or woman, young or old, I don’t care who or what you are — do yourself a favor and go get checked out soon.

You might end up saving your own life.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

PATRICK COLLERAN Three games, 39 tackles — that’s how the last three weeks have gone for Plant City High School linebacker Patrick Colleran, whose 20-tackle effort in last week’s win over East Bay broke the personal record of 18 he set three weeks ago. Now, he’s getting attention from colleges like Minnesota, Stetson, Florida Tech and Indiana State.

You’ve been on fire over the past few weeks. What’s your secret to success?

I’m just trying to go as hard as I can, especially in those district games — they’re really important. We came up short against Durant, but I already knew we had to win against East Bay or we probably wouldn’t have a good shot at the playoffs this year. That was my goal when I went into that game, and I just came out with 20 (tackles). All I can do is hope to get 21 next time.

Did you do anything differently to prepare for the East Bay game? Any changes in routine, or just a good day for you?

It was good preparation all week, from our whole team. We’re all really zonedin. Our coach had a good game plan. We executed.

We just won, as we wanted to.

What are some of your hobbies outside of football?

Really, just trying to get my grades up this year.

I was working a lot last year. Besides that, I like going to the beach, having fun, hanging out with my friends.

How are you doing with those grades?

I ended last year with, probably, a 2.4, and I’m now up to a 3.4.

Do you play Madden?

I definitely play Madden. My team is the Steelers. They’re my favorite pro team. I’ve been watching them since I was a little kid.

Growing up, watching them. Watching them win a couple of Super Bowls,

watching them go to a lot more Super Bowls than they won — that’s always been my team.

What do you prefer to watch — college or pros?

I like the pros, because I like seeing that much difference in the speed of the game. There’s a big difference between college and pros, obviously.

So, you’re aware that you’re in the minority here in Florida.

I know. Everyone likes college down here.

I’m guessing that, if you could play for any pro team, it would be Pittsburgh?

Yes, sir. Them or the Bucs, because I like staying in Florida. It’s real warm down here. I’m a Florida boy.

If you could be either rich or famous, what would it be?

I’d probably be famous, just because I like to talk a lot.

I like to be the center of attention, and I love it when that announcer calls my name on game nights. That’s why I really try.

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

The ability to fly, so that I could get around all of these terrible drivers in Florida.

If you could have lunch with anybody and have a conversation with them, who would it be and what would you talk about?

Troy Polamalu, just because he’s a beast at the game. He’s always been my favorite player.

I was gonna go for No. 43, but it was already reserved. So, I switched to 45. I played with 43 in Little League, and he was always my favorite player.

I’d like to talk to him, see how he enjoys the game and how he’s progressed.

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PLANT CITY

RAIN

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Fri., Oct. 10 Sat., Oct. 11 Sun., Oct. 12 Mon., Oct. 13 Tues., Oct. 14 Wed., Oct. 15 Thurs., Oct. 16

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TO DATE

.22 (2013: .66)

YEAR

TO DATE 35.41 (2013: 35.94)

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HIGH 90 89 90 90 89 85 84

SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES Fri., Oct. 10 Sat., Oct. 11 Sun., Oct. 12 Mon., Oct. 13 Tues., Oct. 14 Wed., Oct. 15 Thurs., Oct. 16

SUNRISE 7:26 a.m.

7:26 a.m.

7:27 a.m.

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SUNSET 7:06 p.m.

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7 p.m.

6:59 p.m.

LOW 69 68 71 72 72 68 65

MOON PHASES

Oct. 8

Oct. 15

OKRA SHIPPING POINT: ORLANDO SIZE 1/2 bushel ctns

LOW $10.35

HIGH $10.85

Oct. 23

Courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture Oct. 1

, 3&

Julie Hasting submitted this gorgeous shot of the last bit of daylight. She calls it, “My Farm Sunset.”

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

Winners can pick up their prize at Grimes Hardware.

OPEN UP

By Mary Jersey | Edited by Timothy E. Parker ACROSS 1 Act the poseur 7 Appendix items 14 Talks impudently to 20 Banished people 21 Loop in one’s pocket 22 Straighten, as a hose 23 Asian peninsula 24 It was spoken in Iran 25 The “E” in E = mc2 26 Drama unit 27 Have an evening meal 29 Stack-blowing feeling 30 Concerning base eight 32 Not this 34 Curved paths 36 Aspirin allotments 38 Old exclamation 42 Promissory-note receiver 44 Fruit packaging unit 45 Show remorse 46 Tight-fisted folk 49 Emergency situation 50 Column choice 51 Sold over the counter?

52 Bulgarian, Czech or Serbian 53 Industry with projected revenue?

54 Came down in buckets 55 Prepares for a crash 56 Time for work or school 57 Suffix in many internet addresses 58 Third little pig’s material 59 Music-concert locale 60 Like some old basements 62 Chamomile drink 63 This puzzle’s theme word 65 Gallery showing 66 Mouths, slangily 70 Wee, as hours 72 Stir from sleep

74 75 78 80 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 98 100 101 103 105 108 112 114 115 116 117 118 119

Sound from 46-Across Short theatrical offering Lacking fairness Adore Decorative flap on a garment Emulate Amelia Earhart Went very fast (var.)

Baseball scoreboard item Rifle part Homes for the homeless Graze cattle for a fee Taken ___ (surprised) Boilermaker part Reuben server Within walking distance 1.3-ounce Asian weight Put in long hours Floor layer, at times Start of a Tolstoy title It makes soap strong Wash the floor Skiing type Wiped out Giraffe cousins Wave from the shore Certain prison guard Folded-back garment part They have 88 things apt for this puzzle Pain reliever Shoelace opening

DOWN 1 Speaker’s platform 2 Dead-on 3 Crud 4 Chicken ___ king 5 Clicker’s alternative 6 Biblical birthright seller 7 Alias, briefly 8 Mechanical gizmo 9 Some garment workers

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

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 28 31 33 35 36 37 39 40 41 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 52 53 55 56 58 59 61 62 64 67 68 69 71

Language of Ireland Start for “wit” It could prove paternity Doubter of the divine Cooking fats “Black Beauty” author Sewell It can open many doors Officer’s honorific Univ. major of many writers Wild blue yonder Handled roughly Fair grades Enhance with decorations High-___ graphics What drinkers shouldn’t do Refuge in the desert Pierced in the bullring Jungian “self” Dental woe Matured, as wine Jim-dandy Ta-ta, in France Fish on a menu Bow of old movies King’s time Castanets sound ___ Lanka Lincoln portrait site Donkey noise “As you ___” A loser may have to tighten it Almost infinite Advantageous place Waste allowance of old Adolescent Stay a while Peel-removing gadget Backyard buildings On the lookout

© 2013 Universal Uclick

73 75 76 77 78 79 80 81

Insert in the game Appeal Like a philanthropist’s heart Fourth month Colorful parts of the eyes Your sister’s daughter, to you Chimps and such It could lead to a reduced sentence

82 84 85 87 88 91 93 94 96 97 99

Paris subway system Botanical gardens “We ___ Overcome” Block found on a farm Feminine subject Round the bend too fast C, F and G Tastelessly showy Force into motion France’s longest river Data, briefly

100 102 104 105 106 107 109 110 111 113

Fairy godmother’s gadget “... golden days of ___” “Check this out!”

Cleopatra’s cobra Hawaiian gift Pod dweller Partner of “games” To and ___ Stuff for 9-Down Blvd. crosser

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