Plant City Times &
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
A PARTNERSHIP WITH
INSIDE
Keel & Curley brews up new beer, festival. PAGE 3
FREE • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
EXCLUSIVE
SPORTS
Durant hosts area marching bands for WCI contest.
Crest cheerleader Macy Gay ready to returnfromkneeinjury.
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PAGE 11
FAITH
OUR TOWN
GREETINGS FROM SUNNY FLORIDA
by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Author Liz Coursen will present a vivid postcard collection that depicts the history of Florida.
+ Galeno completes Marine boot camp Plant City native Justin Galeno graduated Oct. 11, from the U.S. Marines boot camp. He is visiting his family in Plant City, until he ships out Oct. 21, to his next duty station, Jacksonville, N.C. “This is the proudest moment of my life ... to know that I filled the big boots, just like I set my mind to do,” Galeno said. Galeno left for bootcamp July 15. “Nothing prepared me for all of this,” his mother, Noemi Pabon, said. “It is the most challenging thing to do as a mom — to release your child to the military, but (it comes with an) amazing feeling of pride that no words can describe.”
+ PCHS inducts Duane Ackerman
Duane Ackerman was inducted Oct. 14, into the Plant City High School Hall of Fame. A member of the Class of 1960, Ackerman didn’t accept the distinction because of his triumphs. Instead, he wants to motivate students to reach for the sky. Ackerman served as vice chairman, president and CEO of BellSouth.
+ Have you seen this kitty?
Socks, an adorable 1-year-old, neutered male, has been missing since Oct. 14. He was last seen in The Hammocks of Walden Lake on Laurel Oak Drive. If you see Socks, call Veronica Prostko, (813) 716-0007.
, 3&
This week’s winner is
Cherity Miller
See her photo on PAGE 14.
by Amber Jurgensen
First Baptist selects pastor Dr. Brian Stowe will take the pulpit at Plant City’s First Baptist Church beginning Dec. 8.
Wish you were here … R
esidents will get a glimpse of Plant City’s past during a special program on postcards Oct. 21, at Bruton Memorial Library. In conjunction with Viva Florida 500, Liz Coursen has been traveling the Sunshine State in celebration of its 500-year anniversary of Juan Ponce de León’s arrival on the East Coast. She will present the program, “Having Fun, Wish You Were Here! An Illustrated History of the Postcard in
Florida,” to share the history of Florida through her vintage postcard collection. “The feedback has been off the charts,” the Sarasota-based author said. “People are fascinated with how Florida developed.” Coursen’s program is an 80-minute PowerPoint presentation that features visuals of unique, vin-
SEE POSTCARDS / PAGE 4
Liz Coursen will display some of her favorite vintage postcards during her presentation. Postcards of Plant City are particularly rare — and valuable.
The search for a new pastor for Plant City’s First Baptist has come to an end. The congregation of Plant City’s largest church approved Dr. Brian Stowe Oct. 13, as its new leader. His first day will be Dec. 8. “He is extremely g e n u i n e,” said Coleman Davis, chairman of Dr. Brian Stowe the pastor search committee. “He is the real deal, as far as I’m concerned. He’s full of energy and full of love for the people.” A native of Georgia, Stowe most recently served as pastor of Maysville Baptist Church, in Maysville, Ga. “We’re grateful for the opportunity and privilege that not only the Lord has given, but the congregation, as well,” Stowe said of First Baptist. Although Stowe did not submit a résumé for the position, First Baptist’s search committee discovered him through networking. The committee sent two groups of four to visit Maysville Baptist to see him preach. The committee agreed was the perfect fit. Stowe agreed. “It was a God thing,” Stowe said. “If the Lord wanted us to move, He would move us. We’re willing to say, ‘God, You are in control, and we’re willing to obey You.’” Stowe earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1991, from the Georgia Institute of Technol-
SEE STOWE / PAGE 4
twice as nice by Justin Kline | Staff Writer
Twins help renovate Plant City theater for Eagle Scout project Chris and Spencer Tatum are working toward scouting’s highest honor by completing projects on Plant City Entertainment’s downtown home.
Anyone who spends 10 years doing something they love is bound to miss it when it is gone. Twins Chris and Spencer Tatum, 17, have just about a month to go before they age out of the Boy Scouts program, and they’d like to keep going by becoming Eagle Scouts.
To do that, they’ve had to put in a lot of work. “It’s about 21 merit badges that you have to complete,” Chris said. “They’re Eagle-required and, as following with the rest of the actual rank, there’s a lot of paperwork involved in those badges — a lot of work. So,
that usually takes up quite a bit of time from the time you get in, till the time you hit Eagle.” Everything has to be completed before the Scout’s 18th birthday, and the Tatums found themselves just one project away
SEE SCOUTS / PAGE 4
INDEX Calendar.......................2
Courtesy photo
The twins completed their work on Plant City Entertainment last weekend.
Vol.1,No.12 | Onesection Cops.............................5
Crossword...................14
Obituaries...................10
Sports.........................11
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COMMUNITY
CALENDAR
To publicize your event in our Community Calendar, please send by mail: 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563; or by email: meng@plantcityobserver.com. Photos are welcome. Deadline is noon Thursday.
THURSDAY, OCT. 17 Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce October Business After Hours — takes place from 5:15 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Holiday Inn Express Plant City, 2102 N. Park Road. RSVP to the chamber, (813) 754-3707. Plant City Commons Community Garden — meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. Karen Elizabeth, (813) 435-8111 or karene888@yahoo.com. Plant City Republican Women’s Club Federated — meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at the home of Ed and Judy Wise. Terry Kemple and Dee Prether, two candidates for the Hillsborough County School Board District 4 seat, will be the guest speakers. RSVP to Judy Wise, (863) 370-8389 or judywise45@gmail.com. Plant City Woman’s Club BBQ Chicken Dinner — pick-up from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Train Depot, Historic Downtown Plant City. Cost is $10. Peggy, (813) 752-7905, or Judy, (813) 754-3777. Ribbon Cutting: Camping World — takes place from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at 4811 McIntosh Road, Dover. For more, visit plantcity. org.
FRIDAY, OCT. 18 AARP Driver Safety Class — takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. Pre-register by calling (813) 757-9215. Brandon Eagles Halloween Hay Ride — takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at AmVets Post 26, 221 S. Dover Road, just south of State Road 60. Cost is $3. Ribbon Cutting: Krazy Kup — takes place from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at 101 East J. Arden Mays Blvd., Plant City. For more, visit plantcity.org. Uncork Your Weekend with Rafael & Company — performance from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. (813) 752-9100.
SATURDAY, OCT. 19 Gulf State Quartet — performance begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Whitehurst Road Baptist Church, 901 N. Whitehurst Road, Plant City. A love offering will be taken. Historic Walk — begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Train Depot in Historic Downtown Plant City. Organizer Angie Davis and other hosts will be dressed in 1800s-style clothing. Free. Marshall High School Class of 1969 — meets from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302
Courtesy of Stephanie Humphrey Photography
BEST BET
2014 Florida Strawberry Festival Queens Scholarship Pageant Orientation — Anyone interested in competing in the 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival Queens Scholarship Pageant must attend a mandatory orientation, which will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Florida Strawberry Festival Expo Hall, 2301 W. Oak Ave. Applicants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more information, contact chairwomen Gail Lyons, (813) 967-6366, or Kerrie Gafford, (863) 670-6272. W. McLendon St., Plant City. Willie Thomas, (813) 6775210 or dawhip824@aol.com. ONE for One Families — This organization will kick off its initiative to create a community that serves families in crisis, supports adoptive families and shares how to help human-trafficking victims from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 19, at Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Plant City, 1107 Charlie Griffin Road, Plant City. For more, visit facebook. com/ONEforOneFamilies. Strawberry Classic Car Show — takes place from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at 102 N. Palmer St., Plant City. For more, visit plantcity.org. Tampa Bay’s Biertoberfest — takes place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. The event will celebrate the launch of Two Henry’s Brewery. The family friendly festival will feature a 150-team cornhole tournament, kid zone, German cheer and games, live music, food vendors and large VIP area and table seating. (813) 752-9100.
SUNDAY, OCT. 20 Fashion, Feathers and Fur — takes place at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. Held annually to benefit local animal charities, this event will feature live and silent auctions, as well as a fashion show featuring celebrity models. Tickets are $50. For more, visit fashionfeathersandfur.com. Paint Your Own Wine Glass — takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. Cost is $20, which includes the instructor and all materials. No reservations required. (813) 752-9100.
MONDAY, OCT. 21 Illustrated History of the Postcard in Florida — takes
place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. There will be several postcards specific to Plant City. Liz Coursen, of Sarasota, will present this program. This program is part of the Viva 500 celebration, which celebrates Florida’s 500th anniversary. (813) 757-9215. Non-student Day Movie — takes place from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. (813) 757-9215.
TUESDAY, OCT. 22 Adult Calligraphy Class — meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. All supplies will be included; preregister by calling (813) 7579215. Diabetes Management Series: The Journey for Control — takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at South Florida Baptist Hospital, at 301 N. Alexander St., Plant City. Registration and prepayment required; cost is $10 for the four-class series. (813) 644-6720. Girl Scouts Parent Information Night — takes place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 703 N. Wheeler St., Plant City. Parents of girls in grades K-5 are invited to a parent informational meeting. Learn how your daughter can be a part of an organization that builds girls of courage, confidence and character. Tonia Bascom, (813) 262-1770.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23 Turkey Creek Trojans Ring of Honor — takes place after the 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, JV game, at the Trojans’ home field, 5937 Connell Road, Plant City. The Trojans will be honoring coaches who have made an impact to the children and organization. For more, visit turkeycreektrojans. com.
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GOVERNANCE
by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
City’s park, road projects nearing completion City Manager Greg Horwedel updated city commissioners about eight projects currently underway in Plant City.
Plant City Manager Greg Horwedel updated city leaders on eight projects currently underway in the community at the Oct. 14 City Commission meeting. Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis said she was impressed that there were so many projects during a time of economic hardship. “That is (a testament) to you and (the) staff, and I just want to publicly say, ‘Thank you,’” Mathis said to Horwedel. The projects range from park to road improvements.
BREWER PARK
Work continues on Brewer Park, located off Grant Street. All the required parts for the fountain installation have been ordered. The installation will begin in two weeks. The gazebo shelter site will be graded next week. The shelter is expected to ship Nov. 5. The building department has gazebo plans and is ready to issue the building permit to the installer. Benches, trash cans and bike rack amenities are expected to be shipped by Oct. 25. “It’s going to be a very, very attractive park,” Horwedel said.
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bottoms up by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
ALL HOPPED UP
Keel & Curley Winery will celebrate this weekend its new beer label, Two Henrys Brewing Company, with Biertoberfest. PLANT CITY BREWED Mike Sweet and Steven Spencer have been brewing their own beer for a combined total of 16 years. Sweet introduced Spencer to the hobby three years ago. Since then, they have invested in larger equipment and moved their operation to Spencer’s home. They even built a bar to accommodate their tastings. Both will showcase different samples at Biertoberfest. They also are looking to network with local brewers. The duo currenly is part of the Brandon Bootleggers, but, if there is enough interest in Plant City, Sweet and Spencer would consider starting a local club. Anyone interested should contact Sweet, MikePSweet@ gmail.com.
MIKE SWEET
MENDONSA ROAD
The sidewalk project has been delayed until the roadway project has been completed. The final as-built and project closeout is scheduled for next week. Trees also are scheduled to be installed along Mendonsa next week.
ELLIS-METHVIN PARK
Phase two of improvements to Ellis Methvin Park on Cherry Street includes final grading and sod for six soccer fields. Project materials for additional lighting will be delivered Nov. 15. On-site earth moving is scheduled to begin Oct. 21. Last December, the commission had awarded a $55,860 contract to Gary Knight’s Excavating and Site Services Inc. for 9,500 cubic yards of fill material for phase two. The project is expected to be completed by January.
SIDEWALKS PROJECT
The city is soliciting quotes for the construction of two sidewalk projects. The projects include sidewalk construction from Alabama Street from Park Road to Maryland Avenue and Church Street from Gordon Street to Maryland Avenue. The subcontractor construction of the sidewalk in Walden Lake East was released, because of complaints regarding performance. In a few weeks, a new contractor will be secured.
TIME BREWING: 13 years HOMEBREWING CAREER: Mike Sweet received a beer kit as a Christmas gift from his wife, Realtor Natalie Sweet. Before he knew it, Sweet was building a “keezer” — or keg freezer — with a three tap tower and experimenting with different recipes. He started bringing his beer to social gatherings. Soon, he also was bringing it to different plays produced by Hal Brewer and even charity golf tournaments. FAVORITE BREW: IPAs BIERTOBERFEST SAMPLES: Dark maple syrup, wheat, blueberry wheat
STEVEN SPENCER
Keel & Curley Winery will celebrate the introduction of its new beer label, Two Henrys Brewing Company, this weekend with a hopping kick-off party. The Plant City winery’s first Biertoberfest will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road. In addition to samples of Two Henrys brews, the festival will feature a variety of craft beers from throughout Tampa Bay, live entertainment, a cornhole tournament, food vendors and more. The idea for Biertoberfest came from the winery’s desire to host a fall festival. Inspired by the German Oktoberfest, Keel & Curley decided to theme its autumn bash as a celebration of craft brewing. To help host such an event, Keel & Curley owners modified the winery to accompany the new label, building a dark wood bar inside the tasting room and another bar outside that will serve beer. “We’re always looking for something new and to diversify,” Marketing Director Clay Keel said. The idea for Two Henrys began a little over a year ago — largely from the growth the Keel family saw in the craft brewing industry. The industry posted 15% growth by volume in 2012, according to the Brewers Association. The winery had the facilities and equipment to sustain a brewing operation. So, the owners began brainstorming a label concept. Named after Henry Plant and Henry Flagler, it was a good way to pay homage to Plant City as well as Florida. Plant and Flagler were the two businessmen largely responsible for forming the railroad system the state has today. Keel began playing around with recipes last September and traveled to conferences and gatherings with his father, owner Joe Keel. “It’s really a brotherhood,” Keel said of the beer community. “It’s a pretty open community.” Keel used recipes from networking and research. Then, he added his own spin. For the IPA, he added more caramel to lessen the bitterness on the hop. Attendees will be able to sample a pale ale, stout and black IPA, which will be for sale. The winery currently is working on its pilsner. In addition to the Two Henrys samples, attendees also will get to sam-
ple brews from throughout Tampa Bay. There are 14 different home brewers signed up to bring their craft to your cup. Many participants will be bringing more than one type of beer and will have multiple people with their own brews. The Brandon Bootleggers Homebrew Club will have at least seven members in attendance. Two are from Plant City — Mike Sweet and Steve Spencer (see sidebar). “We both like better brewed beers,” Sweet said. “There’s so many different flavors, but with wine, you’re limited,” Spencer said. “There’s only so many varieties of grapes.” Sweet has been brewing for 13 years and said he has seen a recent upward trend in the popularity of home-brewing and microbreweries. “There’s a boom in the industry,” Sweet said. “It’s popping off.” As of March 18, the Brewers Association is aware of 409 brewery openings in 2012 — 310 microbreweries and 99 brewpubs. The home-brewers are excited for Biertoberfest and hope to meet other Plant City home-brewers in the process. “Most of the microbreweries are out in St. Pete or Tampa,” Sweet said. “It’s hard not having anything in between here and Orlando.” Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
BIERTOBERFEST WHEN: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Oct. 19 WHERE: Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road WEBSITE: keelandcurleywinery.com/ events/biertoberfest.php
CHERRY STREET TRAFFIC CALMING
The city did not receive the Florida Department of Transportation “Safe Sidewalks” grant to add traffic calming measures to Hillsborough Community College’s Plant City campus. A bid will be going out this month for the project, which would need to be constructed during HCC’s winter break.
AIRPORT ROAD
The bump at the intersection of Airport Road and Old Sydney Road is scheduled to be removed this month.
PLANT CITY DOG PARK
All fence materials have been shipped, and fence installation should begin in two weeks. A preliminary sign layout has been completed and is in the process of being finalized.
RECREATION AND PARKS BUILDING
The parking lot is scheduled to be replaced this month.
IN OTHER NEWS
Pursuant to new state legislation, the City Commission now will allow up to 30 minutes of public comment at the beginning of every commission meeting. Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis will have the authority to reduce the time allotted for each speaker to accommodate more speakers. Preference will be given to speakers who wish to address items on the agenda. If 30 minutes is not enough time, speakers will be given an opportunity to address the commission at the end of the meeting. • Dennis Sweeney, of the code enforcement division, received employee recognition for positive feedback from citizens. • Commissioner Bill Dodson was absent from the meeting, because of a trip to San Francisco.
TIME BREWING: Three years HOMEBREWING CAREER: While Steven Spencer’s son was involved in scouts, he met Sweet, who introduced him to the hoppy hobby. He was retired from Verizon and thought it would be a great way to spend his free time. Now, the duo uses his home and bar as their base of operations. Stir plates, stainless steal vats and coolers litter his back porch. FAVORITE BREW: Pale ales BIERTOBERFEST SAMPLES: Red IPA, Bavarian Doppelbock
Keel & Curley Winery’s Clay Keel has been working on the company’s Two Henrys Brewing Company products for about a year.
business by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Owner to sell Plant City Beverage Castle
Scott Wright purchased the business in February. He hopes a husband-and-wife team will take over the drive-thru convenience store. After less than eight months, the owner of Beverage Castle is selling the Plant City-based business. Owner Scott Wright said his $60,000 price tag for the building, 8 N. Lake Blvd., and inventory, is a bargain. The inventory alone is worth about $75,000, he said. Following his father’s death, Wright purchased the business in February and moved from Orlando to operate it. Prior to that, he managed four separate Hertz car rental locations for almost five years. “I always wanted to run my own business and not to work for somebody else,” Wright said.
The business has been a Plant City staple for more than three decades. However, Wright said it’s simply too demanding for one person. After purchasing the business, Wright opted to run it completely by himself rather than hire employees. Currently, he works 12-hour shifts six days per week. On Sundays, he often arrives before opening at 3 p.m. to clean and maintain the lawn. He also orders and picks up inventory, cleans, manages the books and tends to customers. “It would be great for a two-person team,” he said. Originally, Wright had hoped to
purchase a convenience store in Lakeland.When that didn’t happen, he used inheritance money from his father’s death to purchase Beverage Castle. Since taking the business, he has worked to re-brand Beverage Castle. “It’s a drive-thru convenience store,” Wright said. “I have milk, eggs, chips, candy bars.” Wright said the business has attracted many regular customers, many elderly or disabled. “It’s good for parents with kids, because they don’t have to get the kids out of the car, go inside and then have to buckle them up again,”
INTERESTED IN BUYING THE BEVERAGE CASTLE?
PHONE: Scott Wright, (213) 763-3441 ADDRESS: 8 N. Lake Boulevard, Plant City ASKING PRICE: $60,000 for the business. Rent is $2,500.
Wright said. “It’s also nice for those who are disabled.” So far, Wright has declined two offers for the business. Once Beverage Castle sells, Wright plans to buy a gas station or a small restaurant in the Orlando area. Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
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STOWE / PAGE 1
IF YOU GO
HAVING FUN, WISH YOU WERE HERE! AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE POSTCARD IN FLORIDA WHEN: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 21 WHERE: Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St. WEBSITE: HavingFunWish YouWereHere.com.
FUN FACTS
In addition to Florida’s history, attendees also will learn some information about postcards, such as the six common postcard types: 1. UNDIVIDED BACK. Correspondence was only allowed on the front of the card. 2. DIVIDED BACK. The U.S. Postal Office on March 1, 1907, allowed citizens to write on the address side of the postcard. 3. WHITE BORDER. Literally, postcards with white boarders. 4. LINEN CARD. Named for their cloth-like texture. 5. MODERN CHROME. Cards made use of modern colorant technology and the newly developed high-speed presses. 6. REAL PHOTO. Photographs are reproduced by actually developing them onto photographic paper the size and weight of postcards, with a postcard back.
This postcard depicts Plant City’s strawberry market.
POSTCARDS / PAGE 1 tage postcards. She also will bring two prints from home to display; a 1921 photographic postcard, from Miami, and a 1907 view of Florida from the Alligator Border series. But, perhaps her most interesting specimens for the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World will be two Plant City postcards. The postcards are rare, because Plant City doesn’t have a history in the tourism industry. Coursen paid $30 for just one card. “When good Plant City material comes on the market, it’s difficult to get,” Coursen said. “The valuable cards are the cards from the small towns. Plant City has a robust reputation for production and work and fruit.” The older of the two postcards displays Plant City’s agricultural history well. The vintage postcard shows a barrage of turn-of-thecentury cars pulled up to an old wooden loading platform. Bustling men dressed in top hats, suits, overalls and fedoras create a scene of organized chaos. An old ice truck hints that the postcard is from 1910 to 1920. It’s title: “The Strawberry Market, Plant City, FLA.” The other postcard is from the 1960s. It shows a view of Collins Street, oozing with small-town Americana. A bright red sign tacked on to a building on the left side of the street says, “McCrorys.” Next door is Hillsboro Bank, reminding residents
with a clock that it is “Time to Save.” Classic cars rumble down the main thoroughfare that divides one block of historic buildings. Because of their timing and landscape, postcards like “Downtown Plant City, Florida” are popular with audiences in Coursen’s program. “That’s why this process is so exciting,” Coursen said. “You can see how things change.” For Coursen, it’s equally as exciting. She has been collecting postcards since she graduated from college. While she was at an antique market, she spotted a handsome merchant. When she inquired about his table, she found out he was a postcard dealer. He showed her a postcard from her hometown, Brunswick, Maine, and she was hooked on collecting. Since then, her hobby has grown into a collection from postcards throughout the United States and abroad. She’s working on her fifth book. The first was “The Postcard History of Brunswick, Maine.” Coursen urges attendees to bring in their postcards before the presentation to share with her so she can identify unique, rare or valuable samples. “It’s a wonderful hobby,” Coursen said. “You never know what you’re going to see. You’ll never see it all.” Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
ogy, followed by his master’s degree of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Fort Worth, Texas. He received his doctoral degree of ministry in 2005, from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. Stowe served as a youth ministry intern at First Baptist Dallas while attending Southwestern. He also has served from 1995 to 1997, as senior pastor of Fremont Hills Baptist Church, in Nixa, Mo., before he took his position at Maysville. Stowe led the congregation of Maysville for 16 years.
SCOUTS / PAGE 1 from completion. Their father, Mike Tatum, had an idea. “We were looking around, trying to find projects, and my father recommended that we talk to Ms. (Marsha) Passmore,” Spencer said. “So, we set up an appointment and went out to the theater, and we asked her what she needed done.” Fortunately for the twins, the Plant City Entertainment building was in need of some work, including interior paint, landscaping and a handicap ramp. “Originally, I was going to try and install the ramp,” Spencer said. “But, unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to get the permits. There were a lot of permits involved in that, so we just did the landscaping and the painting.” Once they had settled on their tasks, the twins got to work on their Boy Scouts swan song. Last weekend, on the final day of the project, they rounded up the rest of the boys in their troop and had everybody get involved — one more time together.
SCOUTS FOR LIFE
The journey to scouting’s highest honor began 10 years ago, when the Tatums were in second grade. Chris and Spencer started as Cub Scouts, where they first met some of the scouts who now are in their current troop. Both boys have taken leadership roles within Troop 5, al-
In that time, the congregation grew from 150 members to more than 800. He grew Sunday school attendance by 600% and averaged 100 baptisms annually. He also led Maysville to purchase 50 acres in 2007, which became the church’s new home. Stowe and his wife, Bonnie, have four children: Sarah, 16, Hannah, 14, Andrew, 9, and Elizabeth, 2. The Stowes will be moving to Florida before he starts his position. “For the kids, it’s bittersweet,” Stowe said of the move. “The bitter part is their grandparents and uncle live close to us now. They’ve always gone
to (Maysville). The sweet part is we know we’re obeying the Lord.” The Plant City congregation had the opportunity to meet Stowe Oct. 9, during a question-and-answer period. Deacons and their families had dinner with the Stowes Oct. 11, and the rest of the congregation met Stowe during a meet-andgreet Oct. 12. “The folks were just absolutely wonderful,” Stowe said. “From the beginning with the search team, they were great. Encouraging.” Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.
beit very different ones. Spencer began as the troop’s bugler. According to both twins and their mother, that was a less-than-stellar venture. Spencer himself will admit that he probably “killed” the position, as it was discontinued after he gave it up. “(The troop) went to the point of shoving sticks and milk in my bugle at a campout,” Spencer said. “I kind of took that as a hint as, ‘Stop playing.’ They were kind of tired of waking up to my terrible noise.” So, he decided to take on a role as a den chief, which put him in charge of a Cub Scout den. Three years later, he’s still at it. “I’ve moved up quite a few (Cub Scouts),” Spencer said. Chris, on the other hand, was the troop’s librarian for some time. It’s a position he has since left, after the troop’s most recent election.
PUTTING IN WORK
The Tatums have been working on Plant City Entertainment’s building for about a month. The twins split most of the work, with Chris taking the inside and Spencer leading the exterior efforts. “He thought he was going to get the better part of the deal when he went with the interior painting,” Spencer said. “But, I was looking around and seeing how much painting would have to be done, and I was like, ‘I’m going outside.’” The interior proved to be the
Courtesy photo
The Tatum twins said the outside work was easier part of the project.
most work, specifically all of the building’s untreated cedar that required painting. “That was fun — not,” Chris quipped. But, now that the projects are complete, the Tatums will become Eagle Scouts when they turn 18, giving them the opportunity to continue their lives in scouting. Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
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COPS The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Plant City Police Department.
OCT. 7
THAT’S JUST COLD
610 block of Coronet Street. Residential Burglary. The victim stated he was out of town, and, when he came home, he noticed his window A/C unit and some of his clothes had been stolen.
CALL TROUBLE
4500 block of Sydney Road. Vehicle Burglary. The victim stated he left his 2001 Volvo semi-tractor parked at this vacant manufacturing plant on Oct. 4. When he returned Oct. 7, he noticed someone had broken his front driver’s window and stole his cell phone Bluetooth and iPhone charger.
THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM
2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Retail Thefts. A black male suspect attempted to steal from the store three times in the past week. Lossprevention officials called to report the thefts when they were able to identify the suspect.
ROOMMATE DRAMA
2700 block of Jim Johnson Road. Theft. The victim left for work this morning, and, when he arrived back home, he discovered his 24-inch LED television was missing, along with all of his roommate’s property.
CRIME OF OPPORTUNITY
2800 block of Pine Club Drive. Residential/Vehicle. When the victim woke up in the morning, he realized he left the garage door open. Several lawn and hand tools were taken from the garage. A phone charger also was stolen from a Honda Accord, and a Smith and Wesson .357 revolver was stolen from a Chevrolet SUV parked in the driveway. Both vehicles were left unlocked.
TOOL TROUBLE
1000 block of N. Johnson Street. Vehicle Burglary. The
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CORNER
victim stated a DeWalt hammer drill, valued at $150, a Makita drill, valued at $50, and a compressor, valued at $160, were taken from his unlocked 2006 Chevy Tahoe.
OCT. 8
GREAT EXAMPLE
2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Retail Theft/Dealing in Stolen Property. When officers arrived, they detained the suspect and a female juvenile, because store loss-prevention officials indicated they had stolen merchandise. After an investigation, it was determined the suspects stole merchandise by passing the last point of sale then returned to refund some, but not all, of the stolen products for cash. The suspect was arrested and transported to the Orient Road Jail. The female juvenile was arrested and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Tampa.
CHILDLIKE BEHAVIOR
2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Retail Theft. A male juvenile went into the store and selected two Airsoft pistols from the shelf and put them in a backpack. He left the store without paying and was stopped by loss-prevention personnel. Officers arrested the juvenile and released him to his mother, pending a court date.
OCT. 10
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
1900 block of South Alexander Street. Uttering Forged Instrument. The victim reported
OCT. 10
FOISTED FOR PHOEBE?
100 block of East Reynolds Street. Retail Grand Theft. A white female in her late 40s, with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing glasses, teal scrubs with a paw print name tag and black Croc shoes, stole $444 worth of Brighton jewelry from the store. The suspect is believed to drive a white Mazda Miata convertible.
someone from her credit union called her at work and told her that someone was trying to cash a check on her account. She told the employee she did not write the check or give anyone permission to write the check. The black male suspect left when the employee advised him she was calling the member to verify the check.
LOCK YOUR DOORS
2800 block of Clubhouse Drive. Vehicle Burglary. The victim advised her 2010 Chrysler was left unsecured, and unknown person(s) entered it and took a Garmin GPS, worth $400, and a portable DVD player, worth $200.
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT
400 block of East Alabama Street. Theft. A witness saw two suspects enter a hole in the fence line of the business. The suspects then took a metal spool, worth $100 and left the scene in a tan Lincoln Town Car.
DRUG PROBLEM
Intersection of Waller Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Drug Investigation. An officer made contact with a white female walking in the area. The female, identified admitted she had just purchased three crack cocaine rocks, which weighed .6 grams, from an unknown black male. She was arrested for possession of crack cocaine and transported to Orient Road Jail.
SCARY SITUATION
1100 block of West Granfield Avenue. Armed Robbery. The victim was found lying in his front yard with a stab wound to his lower abdomen. The victim stated two Hispanic males approached him from behind, and while one grabbed two $50 bills from his shirt pocket, the other stabbed him.
OCT. 11
CLOSE CALL
500 block of Lindsey Ann Court Attempted Residential Burglary. Officers responded to the home after the homeowner/victim saw an unknown person dressed in all black prying her living room window open. The suspect fled before police arrival. Nothing was taken from the residence or yard.
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PROUD TRADITION
STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL
PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOL
Strawberry Crest High School students enjoyed a circus-themed Homecoming dance Oct. 12, at the HCC Plant City John R. Trinkle Center. The dance capped off a week of Homecoming festivities, including the traditional Homecoming football game Oct. 11. Right: Ayran Valdez, Micah Webb, Carina Garcia and Steven Bartlett The Chargers looked strong in their 24-7 win over Riverview.
Plant City students donned feather boas and bow ties for the Flapper-inspired Spirit Day. The Raider faithful celebrated another Homecoming with a week full of festivities. Students participated in themed dress-up days throughout the week. The school then crowned 2013 Homecoming Queen, Cher-
rish Goodwine, Oct. 11, during halftime of the annual Homecoming football game. The week concluded with a “Great Gatsby”-themed dance Oct. 12, at the Florida Strawberry Festival Expo Hall.
The cheerleaders kept Raider fans on their feet.
Father Mike Goodwine couldn’t suppress his smile when his daughter, Cherrish, was crowned Plant City High School’s 2013 Homecoming Queen. Crest celebrated with a circus-themed dance.
Angela Bartlett with her son, Steven
Lori Lozoya and Emily Molinowski Tyler Goaros and Savannah Viba
Left: The new Calendar Girls made their first public appearance.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR + A plea from Kelly Moriarty’s father
Dear Editor: Editor’s note: This is a letter to the Plant City community from Charles “Bud” Moriarty, the father of Kelly Moriarty. Kelly Moriarty and Plant City resident Doris Carter were last seen Dec. 16, 2011, at Carter’s Plant City home. On Dec 27, 2011, a severed leg washed ashore behind at 6990 Fourth St. S., in St. Petersburg. It later was identified as Kelly Moriarty’s leg. To date, Carter has not been found, and no arrests have been made. I am writing this letter, because I believe that Doris Carter’s daughter and son-in-law are people of interest in the murder of our daughter, Kelly Moriarty, and the disappearance of Doris Carter. I don’t believe that Doris is still alive, but I am not positive, because not a trace of her has ever been found. Our family is going through a living hell. I feel that both women
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could have been placed in a heavy fishing net and dumped into the water. All we ever received was a small part of Kelly’s leg that had washed up on a beach in St. Petersburg. We know it was Kelly’s leg, because it matched my wife’s DNA. Every aspect of this case points right back to Doris Carter’s home in Plant City, but her daughter and son-in-law have stated to law enforcement that Doris and Kelly left Doris’ home the morning of Dec. 16, 2011, in Kelly’s car. We don’t believe that story. Both women’s cell phones went dead Dec. 16, one mile north of Plant City. Kelly’s car was found parked and locked on the side of State Road 62, in Manatee County. The police told us there was nothing wrong with her car, and it started right up the first time they tried to start the car. Kelly’s leg washed up on a beach in Pinellas County. That now means that three counties are involved in this case. We believe this
Left: Bri Hackett was crowned Crest’s 2013 Homecoming Queen.
was well-planned, and our daughter’s car was driven from Doris’ home in Plant City, so it wouldn’t be found in her driveway. All of this mystery took place one day after Doris took out court papers to have her daughter and son-on-law evicted from her home. Doris also stated she would lock herself in her own bedroom, because she was afraid of her daughter and son-in-law. Her son-in-law also told law enforcement that he hated Kelly and his mother-in-law. Sixteen months after their eviction, they still are living in Doris’ home. How convenient is that? They must be the luckiest people on this planet. They also will not cooperate with any law enforcement in any way and also, in 16 months, have not asked, “What happened to my mother?” They have stated that they have an attorney and refuse to answer any questions. My wife and I have been in touch with every law-enforcement agency in the country for the past 16 months and won’t stop until the person or people responsible for the murder and dismemberment of our daughter are brought to justice. I know why Kelly was murdered and Doris disappeared. And so do they ... These people responsible still are walking the streets in or around Plant
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SEND US YOUR NEWS
We want to hear from you. Let us know about your community events, celebrations and family member achievements. To contact us, send your information via: Email: Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.com. Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563
City, and we want them arrested and convicted. They should get the death penalty or life in prison, without the chance of parole. This crime was well planned, and if the two people of interest are innocent, then they should be willing to take a lie-detector test and cooperate with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in any way they can. If they are innocent, then they have nothing to hide. I always have wondered what they have told their daughter, when she asks, “What has happened to Grandma? She would never go away this long without letting us know where she went.” If anyone out there can be of any help, please pick up the phone and call Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Brendan Fitzgerald, (813) 247-8649. There is also a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those who are responsible for this horrific murder. Our family will never have closure. Any information would be gratefully appreciated. Thank you. Charles “Bud” Moriarty Manatee County
+ Round one goes to invasive potato vine
Dear Editor: I was stunned to read the remark
CONTACT US The Plant City Times & Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City. The Plant City Times & Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.
of Walden Lake Community Association President Jan Griffin in your paper that money saved from switching management companies was going toward eradicating the potato vine in Walden Lake. I was at the Sept. 30 WLCA meeting, and I didn’t hear the board discuss or vote on this issue. I did hear it addressed by one of our residents. I didn’t think Griffin had the authority to commit HOA monies without a majority of the directors’ votes. As invasive as this potato vine is, and I am not saying that it is not a concern, but really, we have bigger issues at the moment, such as the controversy over the changing management companies. And let us not forget the possible invasion of new residences and facilities being built in our community and in our back yards as proposed by Visions Golf. Thus far, residents’ concerns regarding the latter issue are not being addressed, and questions are not being answered by some of the current board members. So potato vine, I guess you win this round. Walden Lake residents, you really need to attend the next WLCA meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 21. Sally Westing Walden Lake
Plant City Times &
Observer General Manager/Editorial / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.com
General Manager/Advertising / Tony Del Castillo, tdelcastillo@tampabay.com Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / (Community) Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Justin Kline, jkline@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Executives / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@tampabay.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
Neighborhood R E A L E S TAT E | P L A N T C I T Y L I F E | O B I T U A R I E S | G A M E S | FA I T H | S P O RT S
PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
CLUB HUBBUB
If your club would like to post announcements, email them to Associate Editor Amber Jurgensen, ajur gensen@plantcityobserver. com.
+ P.C. Republican Women’s Club Federated
The Plant City Republican Women’s Club Federated will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at the home of Ed and Judy Wise, 2706 Pine Club Drive. Terry Kemple and Dee Prether, two of the three candidates for the Hillsborough County School Board District 4 seat, will be the guest speakers. If you would like to join the group, RSVP to Judy Wise, at (863) 370-8389 or judywise45@gmail.com.
Jenna Pahlman is a trumpet player for Lake Gibson.
Emily Thorsten-Riley, a senior, is a member of Durant’s color guard.
+ P.C. Commons Community Garden
The Plant City Community Garden has established a schedule with new initiatives. To support new members they have initiated a weekly mentoring schedule. Garden representatives will be available to assist members in expanding their gardening skills. Karen Elizabeth will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays; Bob Abbenzeller from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesdays; and Rosalind Baker from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. The garden also will host monthly projects at 9:30 a.m., the second Saturday of each month, at 302 N. Carey St., Plant City. The next project day is Nov. 9.
+ P.C. United Daughters of the Confederacy
The Plant City Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will host its next monthly meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at 1914 High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St. For more, call Delicia Wallnofer, (813) 753-1802.
+ Plant City Daybreak Rotary
Josie Dituri and H.B. Plant’s Pantherettes earned top honors at the West Coast Invitational.
MARCHING
MADNESS
Mark your calendar for an evening with great food, local music, silent auction, drinks and cigars at Daybreak Rotary’s fourth annual Country Cracker Feast. The feast takes place at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at the home of George and Cassandra Banning, 2506 Clubhouse Drive. Tickets are $75. For tickets, call (813) 752-1025. Mulberry High School performed a rock ‘n’ rollthemed show.
IN FOCUS by Michael Eng | Editor
Durant High School hosted eight area marching bands Oct. 12, at its annual FMBC West Coast Invitational competition. H.B. Plant High School’s Golden Regiment (Class 4A) was crowned grand champion for its show, “Exotica.” Class 1A winner was Calvary Christian, while Riverview High School took first in Class 3A. Other participants included Mulberry (4A), Lake Gibson (3A), Anclote (1A), Hardee (1A) and Belleview (1A). Durant performed its 2013 show, “Kaleidoscope,” in exhibition at the end of the night. For more photos, visit PlantCityObserver.com.
Chris Tice add some rich bass tones to Durant’s sound.
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pure imagination by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
STICKY SITUATION by Justin Kline | Staff Writer
Johan Dam had little trouble crossing the monkey bars.
Michael Calero and Nicole Morales
All Golden Cork finalists received a wine gift basket for participating.
Refined palate wins Keel & Curley’s Golden Cork contest In a blind taste test that nearly ended in a tie, Laura Denovi won a trip to the Napa Valley during a party Oct. 10, at Keel & Curley Winery. The party culminated the Plant City winery’s Golden Cork contest. Denovi says she had always wanted to go to Napa Valley for her 40th birthday. And now, that dream
will come true. Denovi’s friend, Angel Lane, will accompany her on the trip. The Golden Cork contest was a promotion to celebrate the winery’s 10th anniversary. The finalists found a golden cork in their wine purchased at a store in Tampa Bay. View our video of the competition at PlantCity Observer.com.
Dustin Chastain, Katie McCord, Ali Blum and Stephen Ley were among the muddiest runners of the day.
Laura Denovi won the grand prize.
Clockwise from above: Joe Keel; Ella and Jim Cortright; and Casey Stidham
Hundreds complete romp Hundreds of runners and casual observers made the trek into Plant City’s Lower Green Swamp Preserve Oct. 12, for Romp in the Swamp. The 5K mud run, which featured 27 obstacles for runners to try to cross, was open to participants ages 14 and older. There were two separate kids runs, for children ages 5 to 8 and 9 to 13, complete with kids-only obstacles. Proceeds from the event benefit both the Plant City Chamber Foundation and the South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation.
Laura Feliciano made it to the top of the “Armadillo.” Although there was an actual timed competition, which Terry Garbis won with
a time of 29:33, the goal of the day was for everybody to have a great time.
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IT’S READ EVERYWHERE! From a hot-air balloon ride over Vermont and Niagara Falls to Norway and even somewhere on Route 66, in Arizona, readers have taken the Plant City Times & Observer on quite a few adventures in the last two months. We thank all of our travelers for making us part of your vacation plans, and we cannot wait to see where we land next. (Hint: We haven’t yet been to Antarctica or anywhere in the Far East!) Snap a photo of you with the paper at your destination of choice and email it to Editor Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com. Make sure you include your full name and where the photo was taken.
VERMONT: Scott and Diane Taylor celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a hot-air balloon ride in Quechee, Vt. Of course, they brought their favorite hometown newspaper with them, as well.
LONDON: Jane and Gary Morgan, along with Debbie and Benton Eisenbach, returned recently from a two-week visit to England, Scotland and Ireland. They are pictured here in front of the Tower Bridge in London. Another highlight was kissing the Stone of Eloquence on the top of the Blarney Castle.
NORWAY: Sara Jo Reynolds took the very first edition of her favorite newspaper with her on a recent trip to Stavanger, Norway. ALBANIA (right): Jeannie Soos and Donna Hogan took the Plant City Times & Observer with them to Kruja, Albania.
ROAD TRIP: The Quintana family — Jamie, Shannon, Dakota, 7, and Chloe, 2 — took the Plant City Observer with them on a road trip across the country. This photo of Dakota was taken at a vintage gas pump on Route 66, in Arizona. “That was our first trip ever out there, and we traveled with my husband’s parents,” Shannon says. “We made multiple stops on the way and went out as far as California by the coast. I hope you enjoy these pics as much as we had fun taking them.”
SCHOOL TRADITION submitted by Stephanie Humphrey Photography and Jeff Mason Photography
Plant City High announces 2014 Calendar Girls Plant City High School celebrated its newest Calendar Girls during a pageant Sept. 28, at the school. This year’s Cover Girl is Kellyanne Hurst. Other winners include: Samantha Black (January), Noelle Dietrich (February), Payton Roberts (March), Page Adams (April), Kassandra Figueroa (May), Ashley Bishop (June), Kellen Morris (July), Amber Ham (August), Crystal Johnson (September), Kierstan Thomas (October), Jenee’ Matthew (November) and Lindsey English (December).
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TRIBUTE by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Plant City remembers Irma Moody Jennifer Mallan still remembers the delicious smell of bacon and eggs that wafted through the home of her grandmother, Irma Cone Moody, when she would spend the night. Mrs. Moody even squeezed fresh orange juice for her oldest granddaughter. Mrs. Moody died Oct. 14, 2013. She was 99. “She was just the most incredible woman that I know to walk the face of the earth,” Mallan said. And although Mallan won’t get to taste that sweet orange juice from the hands of her grandmother again, the memories will live on. In addition to being an accomplished Southern cook, Mrs. Moody was an involved member of the community and a spiritual leader. Along with her husband of almost 62 years, James Moody Sr., Mrs. Moody was a longtime pillar in the community. The couple met at a college dance and moved to the house
that his parents built in Plant City. He later became a judge. Mrs. Moody worked as an English teacher, after graduating from Georgia State College for Women, with Latin, French and English majors. After James Moody returned from serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Mrs. Moody became a homemaker and an active volunteer. The couple made many notable contributions to community organizations, such as South Florida Baptist Hospital and the Florida Strawberry Festival. In social circles, Mrs. Moody was part of a bridge club and a fantastic hostess, right down to polishing her silver and ironing her tablecloths for dinner parties. City Commissioner and former mayor Mike Sparkman recognized her passing the commission’s Oct. 14 meeting. “She was everyone’s best friend,” Mallan said. “She made everyone feel like they
were her favorite.” Mrs. Moody also had many of her own philanthropic projects, perhaps propelled by her childhood. “She grew up during the Great Depression, so she had that special spunk,” Mallan said. “She was a grateful person, so appreciative of everything anyone did.” Mrs. Moody served as a PTA president, Jr. and Sr. Woman’s Club president and for seven years was a member of the Plant City Planning Board. She directed plays, coached a high school girls basketball team and was instrumental in launching Little League in Plant City. Through her busy schedule, Mrs. Moody always was fashionable and put together. Mallan remembers many of her colorful hats and classy dresses. A lifetime member First Presbyterian Church, she remained active in volunteering. She was president of the Pres-
byterian Women of the Church on three different occasions and was a Sunday school teacher until she was 95. Mrs. Moody also led a Bible study she called “circle school” well into her 90s. “Here she was, at 96, teaching ‘The Purpose-Driven Life,’” Mallan said. “She was helping others find their purpose.” Mrs. Moody’s Bible study could be attributed to her generosity. “She loved people,” Mallan said. “She loved her family. She was very generous and helping of her siblings during their difficult times.” As generous as she was, Mrs. Moody never complained. Last Saturday was the first time Mallan had heard her grandmother speak of any pain she was feeling. “She inspired many and brought hope to many,” Mallan said. “The world isn’t as bright without her.” Mrs. Moody was preceded in death by her husband, James
Courtesy of the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center
Judge James and Irma Cone Moody S. Moody Sr., in 2001, after 62 years of marriage. She is survived by three children, Carole M. Shelton, James S. Moody Jr. (Kelli) and William C. Moody Sr. (Sandra); eight grandchildren, Jennifer S. Mallan, Mark Shelton, Stephanie S. Kilton, Ashley M. Duralia, James S. Moody III, Patricia M. McNabb, William C. Moody Jr. and Ryan Fulcher; and 14 great-grandchildren. Visitation with family and friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Wells Me-
morial and Event Center, 1903 W. Reynolds St., Plant City. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Plant City, 404 W. Reynolds St. Burial to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Presbyterian Church or Christian Family Church, Tampa, which her granddaughter pastors. Online condolences may be made to the family at wellsmemorial.com.
OBSERVEROBITUARIES
Lawrence Anthony Buta
Lawrence Anthony Buta, 69, of Plant City, died Oct. 6, 2013, at Melech House, in Temple Terrace. Born Sept. 6, 1944, in Newark, N.J., he was the son of the late Joseph and Julia Rapsis Buta. Survivors include a sister, Eileen C. Mestas. The family will be having private services at a later date. Online condolences may be made to the family at haughtfuneralhome.com.
Jared Lee Culpepper
Jared Lee Culpepper, 24, of Plant City, died Oct. 11, 2013. He was a graduate of Durant High School. He is survived by his parents, Clayton Culpepper, of Plant
City, and ZoeAnn Culpepper, of Mulberry; grandparents, Don and Shirley Culpepper, of Plant City, and Janell Odom, of Winter Haven; siblings, Amber Nicole Culpepper, Dustin Dunlop, Kaleb Dunlop, Faith Dunlop and Zoey Daugherty; great grandmother, Rachael Culpepper; niece, Alexis Taylor; pet bulldog, Nina; and many other family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 C.R. 39 S., Plant City. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Hopewell. Interment to follow at Hopewell Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made to the family at wecare.io.
Linda K. Swartsel
Linda K. Swartsel, 66, died Oct. 10, 2013. Mrs. Swartsel was born in Plant City and resided in Florida all of her life. She was a member of Lone Oak Baptist Church and enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family. She is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Byron; brothers, Ronald, Butch, Steven, Joseph and Timothy; sisters, Carolyn, Susan, Sandy and Nancy; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, E.O. and Ida M. Goodson; and brothers, Donn and Daniel. A funeral service was held Oct. 15, at Lone Oak Baptist Church.
Sports
YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | SENIORS | COMMUNITY | TENNIS
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Matt Chaney racks up 20 tackles in Chargers win. 13 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 , 2013
PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM
SIDELINES VOLLEYBALL
+ P.C. teams look strong at all year
Much has been written about Durant’s volleyball team, which has torn through all of its opponents with seemingly little effort. So, it’s easy to overlook what the other two Plant City-area teams have been doing. As the regular season comes to a close, both Plant City and Strawberry Crest have finished with 7-3 records in Class 7A District 7. That’s absolutely cause for celebration, especially with the juggernaut Durant Cougars squad going 11-0 and only dropping one set. The Raiders and Chargers also sported identical overall records, at 14-8, going into this week, and both teams head into their final matchups at 7 p.m. Oct. 17. Plant City will host a tough Hillsborough squad for its finale, while Strawberry Crest will travel to Tampa to take on the struggling Blake Yellowjackets.
GOLF
+ Boys compete in district tourney
Eight Tampa Bay-area schools competed in Class 3A District 13 tournament Oct. 15, at Summerfield, and Plant City schools had a decent showing. Durant placed third overall at 58 over, behind Newsome (+8) and Riverview (+25). Plant City took fourth place with a +63, and Strawberry Crest finished in sixth with a +108. Chase Levesque and Jacob Penny, both Cougars, finished in sixth and seventh place individually. Levesque wrapped up with a 77 overall to Penny’s 78, and Plant City’s William George (82) tied for 10th place. The three boys were the only top-10 golfers who didn’t play for Newsome or Riverview.
FOOTBALL
+ Trojans set to honor coaches
Dub Atkins has been a part of the Turkey Creek Trojans since 1997. His time with the team will be formally recognized Oct. 23, at the organization’s second Ring of Honor ceremony. The Trojans created the event to honor coaches who have made a significant impact on the organization and players. Fans of the team will recall that Atkins, head coach, led last year’s Trojans to a 17-0 record, a dominant 34-8 Super Bowl win over the Plant City Dolphins and the program’s first Gameday of Champions win, a 24-21 thriller over the Nuccio Jaguars. The Trojans’ JV matchup against Antioch Oct. 23 is the final game of Turkey Creek’s season. The game will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by the Ring of Honor ceremony.
GAME OF THE WEEK
BRANDON AT DURANT | 7:30 P.M. OCT. 18
Despite record, Durant remains focused The atmosphere around Durant’s football team couldn’t be much more different than it was at this time last year. The team’s staring at a 1-6 record, with no wins in the district,
Justin Kline
Durant seniors Gabe Brown and Mason Bridges were there for everything: the buildup to 2012, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. In spite of everything this season, they’ll both say the same thing: All that they and their teammates can do from here is keep looking forward.
From the outside looking in, it’s easy to speculate about Durant’s 2013 season so far. The Cougars have had a monster schedule, opening their season with Armwood, Sickles and Tampa Bay Tech. There’s a matchup with Hillsborough later in the season, and there’s also the games against district contenders Plant City, Strawberry Crest and East Bay. Furthermore, unless you have a true-blue football factory — some kind of nationally recognized powerhouse whose backups seem to be almost as good
on the mend by Justin Kline | Staff Writer
as the starters every year — the last thing you want to do after losing 12 starters to graduation is jump into the meat grinder. Durant lost 12 seniors from its 10-0 2012 regular-season squad. It’s a great feeling for any coach to look at the team and think, I’ve got all these veteran guys who can go out and do their job and take this team somewhere. That’s great, until the season ends, and all those guys leave. After those two big points, the speculation begins. People can chalk up the losses to bad calls, superstitions gone wrong
PERFECTMATCH Just five months ago, Strawberry Crest High cheerleader Macy Gay’s ACL disintegrated in a freak accident. Now, with a new donated ACL, she could be back to tumbling next month. Dawna Gay will never forget that day in May, when her phone rang. On the line was her daughter’s cheerleading coach. Macy Gay had just injured her knee in tumbling class, and it looked much worse than a simple sprain. “I had heard of girls tearing their (anterior cruciate ligament) but never really had experience with it,” Dawna says. “When (Macy) wouldn’t walk on it, I knew something was wrong. “I didn’t really believe it,” she says. “I didn’t think she could get hurt.” And, just like that, Macy’s world flipped as quickly as she once did in a stunt routine. Macy didn’t simply tear her ACL she disintegrated it completely — and just months before her senior year as a Strawberry Crest cheerleader. Today, Macy is rehabbing her surgically repaired knee, which contains the ACL of another 17-year-old athlete who had died. She’s already made it back to the Chargers sidelines, and she could even be cleared to tumble again as early as next month.
ALWAYS ON
Macy is the kind of person who always has to be doing something. “I’m in TV Production, Yearbook, National Honor Society, Best Buddies, Crimson Crew ...” she says. “There’s (also) this Bling Club ... it’s about rhine-
stones and stuff ... it’s new.” According to her mom, Macy also is a member of the American Sign Language Honor Society, as well as FFA. She has shown steer at the Florida Strawberry Festival since the seventh grade and will show her steer “Momo” next year. “We joke that he thinks he’s a dog and not a thousand-pound steer,” Dawna says. But, as involved as Macy is with so many programs, she found her true passion, when she started cheering in the seventh grade. “I was a dancer from first grade through sixth grade,” Macy says. “And in the last year of dance, I kept telling my mom, ‘I don’t want to dance anymore; I want to be a cheerleader.’ And my mom was, like, ‘No, no, no — be a dancer.’” At the time, Macy’s older sister, Tana, also wanted to be a cheerleader. So, at tryouts, Daw-
SEE MACY / PAGE 13
Macy Gay likes to believe her donated ACL came from another cheerleader. Photo by courtesy of Stephanie Humphrey Photography.
or any number of theories. But, perhaps the most important consideration is ignored: What’s it like from the inside, looking out?
NO EXCUSES
No one involved in the program makes excuses for the Cougars’ 1-6 record. One day’s practice isn’t fundamentally different from what it was in the previous week, and it likely won’t be different from the one coming up next.
SEE GOTW / PAGE 12
WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?
Youth to pros, faith can be a strength We all watch on-field highlights of athletes doing incredible things, and the general consensus that we come to is, “Wow, that’s amazing!” What could be more incredible than watching a football star hurdle over a defender for a touchdown, or a baseball player win a game with JUSTIN KLINE a walk-off grand slam? The answer: When the athletes overcome the obstacles we don’t see. Stories about athletes overcoming tragedy do pop up from time to time, but it doesn’t always resonate with us until we experience something firsthand — or, as close to firsthand as you can get. Last week, I received an email that stood out. The sender told me about a young football player who has dealt with two losses in the family and moved halfway across the country — all in the span of about a year. I’m refraining from giving out a lot of the details here, because I don’t want to spoil the story before it publishes. However, I came away from the interview with a tremendous amount of respect for the young man. Death and separation are hard for anyone to reconcile, especially when you’ve just
SEE KLINE / PAGE 13
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3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP GOTW / PAGE 11 “We’re not really doing anything different,” senior Gabe Brown said. “We’re just working harder every week, trying to get better every week. Our record isn’t really showing much, but we’re still working.” But the attitudes — those are different. The players are locked into focus now, and it’s visible in their eyes. They all are hunting to find whatever it is that can get this team back on track. Brown and Mason Bridges, two of the Cougars’ defensive stalwarts, are as focused as two kids pulling an all-night study session to pass a chemistry final. Other than the quarterbacks making their calls, only the coaches made any noise. “We’ve had our ups and our downs,” Bridges said. “But, right now, seeing how we’re playing as a team, morale is down. But, as a defense, we’re very confident in our play. The offense, they’re kind of in a dry spell right now, but they’re doing their best. We’re out here in practice every day.” It’s true: Other than the first three games of the year, Durant came close to victory in each of its losses. Two losses came by one point, and a third by six. There were hopes for the offense at the Homecoming game three weeks ago, when Durant smacked the Gaither Cowboys around for a 26-0 win. Everything seemed poised for an upward trend. But last week’s 9-3 loss to Newsome deflated that notion. “It was a heart-breaker,” head coach Mike Gottman said. “We scratched and clawed, and we were in the game the whole way.” No one — players or coaches — attempted to make an excuse for this loss or any of the other ones. But, that’s not to say that the losses don’t come without lingering effects.
ALWAYS SOMETHING TO LOSE
“It’s tough,” Gottman said. “It’s something that we’re not used to — the last couple of years, we’ve had great success. We’ve been used to winning, and now, we’re having to adjust to losing the close ball games and having to just come out
here every day and try to get better.” Although the Cougars haven’t been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, they will need circumstances to work in their favor to get in. Obviously, they need to win the rest of their district games. One comes this week against Brandon, and then there’s East Bay in two weeks. Strawberry Crest must also win out. Plant City will have to lose out. “It’s a long shot, but we just want to get better as a football team and as a football program, and we just want to win the game Friday night,” Gottman said. Even if things don’t work out, the Durant players don’t want to be seen as “that team with nothing to lose.” “There’s always something to lose,” Bridges said. “You’ve always got your pride. And your pride and your dignity are two of the biggest things. So, yes, there’s always something to lose.”
ON TO THE NEXT ONE
There aren’t a whole lot of things that Brandon’s football team have been able to do well this season. Sure, they’re sitting at .500 with a 3-3 record. But, to go back to that strength of schedule factor, it’s reasonable to think this year’s Durant squad would have had a much easier time with the Eagles’ opponents. While a 175-yard per-game rushing average is impressive, Brandon’s vertical game has been abysmal. Averaging 46.5 receiving yards per game, with a .300 completion percentage, is not going to faze anybody anywhere. Especially the Cougars, who excel at neutralizing the passing game. “We’ve got to eliminate the mistakes and just play better, sound, fundamental football,” Gottman said. That could be said after any week, by any coach. And it does get said a lot. But, it does gel with what Gottman and his players have been saying. Day in and day out, practices aren’t changing — it’s just going to be hard work, all the time, until they recapture their mojo, and the wins start coming back. Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
OTHER AREA ACTION EAST BAY AT STRAWBERRY CREST
LAST WEEK: Strawberry Crest dispatched Riverview, 24-7, while East Bay snuck by Bloomingdale, 13-12. NOTES: Strawberry Crest looked about as fundamentally sound as possible last week, controlling every aspect of the game from start to finish. A sketchy Riverview team, plus a home crowd amped up for Homecoming, equals a solid win. Meanwhile, in Gibsonton, East Bay held off a late Bloomingdale rally to score a big non-district win at home. Bloomingdale took a 12-7 lead at the end of the third quarter, but the Indians scored six in the fourth and kept the Bulls’ rushers in check to seal the deal.
PLANT CITY AT SPOTO
LAST WEEK: Plant City fell to Tampa Bay Tech, 38-21, while Spoto took a 49-16 loss to Jesuit. NOTES: Don’t let that score fool you — the Plant City-Tampa Bay Tech game was played much closer than it appears. The Raiders were in this thing for almost the entire time, and it took a 14-point fourth quarter for the Titans to snatch this one away. Nothing for Plant City to be ashamed of here. Spoto, on the other hand, is 0-6 and coming off two of its worst losses of the season. This isn’t quite like the Denver Broncos-Jacksonville Jaguars game of this past Sunday, but it’s tough to picture the Raiders struggling in this one.
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KLINE / PAGE 11 entered your teenage years, so I can’t imagine what it must have been like to shoulder the weight of both around the same time. But, the athlete was insistent about one thing: His faith, above everything else, guided him through it. On the same day as our interview, the news about Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson’s son broke. At first, reports were murky at best. But then, accuracies began to surface — horrifying details. No father should ever have to bury his own son, especially after such a senseless act of violence by another man. And no one should ever take to Twitter to tell an athlete things like, “I know your son just died and all, but you carry my fantasy team. You need to play this week.” I knew of stories from years ago, when athletes played a game not long after a personal tragedy, like when Brett Favre played a Monday Night Football game in 2003 just one day after his father died of a heart attack. But, I figured this would be a different story. I thought, “How can A.P. possibly play after all this?” I was hoping he’d sit that game out to be with his family, which also would have figuratively smacked those Twitter users right in their faces. On Sunday morning, Peterson sent FOX’s Laura Okmin a text message, which made more than a few jaws drop. He was going to play. “You may ask why?” Peterson said. “God wants good to come from it. ... We mourn and grieve, but heaven had the baddest welcom-
MACY / PAGE 11 na made Macy a deal: If Tana made the Strawberry Crest cheerleading squad, then Macy could try out, too. “(Cheering) was the greatest decision I think I’ve ever made so far,” Macy says. “I feel like it’s taught me more life lessons than anything.” In addition to cheering for the Chargers, Macy also competes for the Brandon All-Stars. With her senior year nearing the halfway mark, she dreams of cheering in college. But, in any sport, sometimes things go unexpectedly wrong, and it can seem like the sport has had enough of you.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO
Turn on any sports news channel, and it’s almost a certainty that there will be an injury report. More often than not, some athlete tore his or her ACL. It’s a trend that seems to be happening more often now than it did even five years ago, even claiming full seasons from superstars such as Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose. Some athletes never recover from the injury. Macy says she knew something was wrong the second she landed. “I had just gotten my ‘full,’” she remembers. “I did it three or four times into a foam pit and nine or 10 times on the floor. My coach said, ‘One more time,’ and I set up higher than usual. My body kept trying to spin, so I landed wrong on my knee.” There was an audible “pop,” when the ligament completely detached from the bone, and then came the powerful burning sensation. Dawna arrived on the scene, and then Macy was shuttled to the emergency room. The X-ray came back negative; but the MRI, taken later at Florida Orthopedic, confirmed the problem: The ligament not only was detached but also destroyed.
MUST HAVE BEEN A CHEERLEADER
There are two ways to fix this problem. One involves surgically removing part of the ligament in one leg and transplanting it into the other, which isn’t recommended for an athlete. The other involves getting a complete ACL replacement, courtesy of a donor, but that comes with a lot of uncertainty. The Gays decided to go with the latter option.
MACY’S REHAB Phase One. Twenty-one days of six-hour “torture machine” sessions. “I had to lie in bed for six hours, and it bent my leg back and forth,” Macy says. “Degrees increased gradually. It hurt so bad; I never wanted to do it.” Phase Two. “Crab walks” with an elastic band around the ankles and other hipstrengthening exercises. Phase Three. Leg presses, lunges, box jumps and running. Phase Four. Full workouts in the gym, running and stunting.
ing party for my son. That knowledge gives me peace. I’m still hurt and feel the pain of life, but I’m able to function because of the peace and joy of knowing my loved ones are in a much better place.” Peterson didn’t put on an all-time classic performance. He finished the day with 10 rushes for 62 yards and no touchdowns. But, it doesn’t matter. For a guy often referred to as a “superhuman,” a guy who likely will end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I’d say his actions on Sunday only added to this reputation. Since then, I’ve thought more about our local football player, dealing with his own set of tragedies. About the rubber bracelets he wears to remind himself of his lost love one, as well as his faith. This kid’s got a constant reminder, every day, of his personal tragedy, but he’s strong enough to deal with it. That is just as awesome as any highlight-reel play that Peterson ever made during a game. I’ve always believed athletes are among the most strong-willed people I know. Their dedication to a craft fascinates me: I love finding out what makes these people tick. And, it’s great when we, as sports fans, uncover something that connects us to our heroes on the gridiron or other playing field. Especially when it’s something as simple as one’s own faith. Besides the love of the game itself, what else can a teenager in Plant City have so strongly in common with a superstar athlete across the country?
The identity of the donor? A mystery to everyone. But, it’s staying that way for a reason: It was the ACL of a deceased girl. “She was a 17-year-old athlete,” Dawna says. “The doctor didn’t know he had this extra ACL until a few days before the surgery. The doctor told us he had the perfect donor for her, and he knew it would be the perfect fit for Macy. But, I teared up. You don’t realize until you hear those words that a family lost their child.” Macy received her new ACL May 22. Since then, Macy has cruised through her rehab and could be cleared to tumble in just a few weeks. All-Stars competition begins in December, and she plans to be ready.
Perhaps part of the reason Macy has rebounded so quickly is her passion for cheerleading and her competitive nature. Dawna also says her daughter has maintained a positive attitude throughout the process, and she’s had the complete support of her coaches. And although they never will know the identity of the donor, Macy suspects the two may share much in common. “Macy said to me one day, after her physical therapy appointment, ‘Mom, I feel like my donor was a cheerleader, because I’m doing so well in recovery.’” Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK by Justin Kline | Staff Writer
MATT CHANEY You could say Strawberry Crest linebacker Matt Chaney had a good week. The senior got to experience Homecoming for one last time and was even appointed to the senior class’s Homecoming Court. On the field, Chaney racked up 20 tackles — 13 solo — in the Chargers’ Oct. 11 win over Riverview. What were you feeling out there, going into Friday’s game? Actually, I sat out the whole week in practice, because I came down with the flu earlier. I hurt my knee against Durant, so coach told me just to lay low for the week, just watch and get mental reps. You were on the Homecoming Court, too. It was a fun experience, being on the court. Riding in the ‘Vette and walking down the middle (of the field) with my mom — I know she was very proud of that. Do you play any other sports? No, football’s been my main sport ever since I was 4. Nothing else, ever. Who are some of your favorite athletes? I love Mayweather for boxing. I like Peyton Manning — the way he runs his offense, and I think he’s one of the best quarterbacks to come through the NFL in the last 50 years, I’d say. I also like Doug Martin, from the Bucs, and that’s pretty much it.
Who do you model your game after, as a linebacker? Keith Newman. He’s my defensive coordinator. He’s taught me a lot since I got here. Week in and week out, he keeps me going. He tells me what to do, what to look for, certain formations. He’s really taught me a lot coming into Strawberry Crest, coming into my senior year. Where did he play? The Vikings, the Falcons, the Bills and the Dolphins. What’s your goal for the rest of your senior year? Stay healthy. That was my main priority coming into my senior year. End up with 100 tackles — I think I’m pretty close, I think I’m at 93 now. I think I’m second in the state for Class 7A. (Editor’s note: According to stats entered on maxpreps.com, Chaney actually has 97 tackles on the season.)
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PLANT CITY
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0.65 (2012: 3.66)
YEAR
TO DATE 36.93 (2012: 40.98)
HIGH 92 92 94 89 90 89 87
Thurs., Oct. 17 Fri., Oct. 18 Sat., Oct. 19 Sun., Oct. 20 Mon., Oct. 21 Tues., Oct. 22 Wed., Oct. 23
LOW 69 69 70 69 69 69 67
SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES Thurs., Oct. 17 Fri., Oct. 18 Sat., Oct. 19 Sun., Oct. 20 Mon., Oct. 21 Tues., Oct. 22 Wed., Oct. 23
SUNRISE 7:30 a.m. 7:31 a.m. 7:31 a.m. 7:32 a.m. 7:32 a.m. 7:33 a.m. 7:34 a.m.
PRODUCE PRICES UNAVAILABLE
MOON PHASES
SUNSET 6:58 p.m. 6:57 p.m. 6:56 p.m. 6:55 p.m. 6:54 p.m. 6:53 p.m. 6:52 p.m.
Oct. 11
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Oct. 18
Because of the federal government shutdown, the United States Department of Agriculture’s website has been disabled. Therefore, the Plant City Times & Observer does not have access to shipping point prices for produce. This feature will return as soon as possible.
Oct. 26
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Cherity Miller snapped this beautiful photo of the boardwalk at Walden Lake. The Plant City Times & Observer, State Farm Insurance agent Tony Lee and The Corner Store have partnered to host the I Love Plant City Photo Contest. Winners will have their photo featured and receive a $10 gift certificate to The Corner Store! To enter, email your photo, along with a caption, to Editor Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com; subject line: I Love Plant City. Be sure to include your name.
HERE, HEAR!
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77 78 80 83 85 86 88 90 92 93 94 95 97 98 99 103 104 106 108 113 114 115 117 118 120 122 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131
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102 105 107 109 110 111 112 114 116 118 119 121 123
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