10.17.14 Plant City Times & Observer

Plant City Times &

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INSIDE

North Plant City home tops monthly sales.

Plant City High’s Campaign trail linebackers anchor brings candidates its stout defense. to Plant City.

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WELCOME HOME

OUR TOWN

ghoul time

+ Trapnell to host fall fest Trapnell Elementary School will host its Fall Festival from 5 to 8 p.m.

Friday Oct. 24, at the school, 1605 W. Trapnell Road. The festival will feature carnival-style games, face painting, a haunted house, cake walk and food.

For more information, call (813) 757-9313.

+ PCPD hires new officers The Plant City Police Department has hired four new officers.

Justin C. Carpenter and Eric Cruz are former deputy sheriffs with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. Manuel Diaz was a reserve deputy sherif with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Joel Endel is new to the law enforcement profession.

+ Kiwanis installs new president Sharon Moody installed David Wolf as the president of the Kiwanis Club of Plant City for the 2014-2015 year.

by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor

BUMP IN THE NIGHT

+ Burney student needs donations Burney Elementary student Azaria Santos is going into her second year of doing charity work to help premature babies at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Last year, Azaria and her nana stuffed stockings and brought bears to babies and their parents for the Christmas season.

This year, Azaria also wants to donate lullaby CDs, blankets, Bibles, books and, of course, more bears. Azaria also is accepting sponsorships and selling T-shirts for $10.

To donate or buy a shirt, call (813) 764-7148 or email AzariaSantos8@ gmail.com.

by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor

This week’s winner is

Kimberly Bullard See her photo on PAGE 17.

Cancer Resource Center to host open house The center offers services such as providing wigs and hats to those battling the disease.

Walking into South Florida Baptist Hospital’s Cancer Resource Center is like walking into a homey living room. Instead of a cold, sterile environment, couches are set up in the main lobby with books and refreshments. It’s this welcoming environment that the hospital wants the community to see and to use.

To that end, the hospital will host an open house for its Cancer Resource Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.

“The Cancer Resource Center is a type of place that is more of a home,” Volunteer Coordinator Teresa Armbruster said. “It’s a comforting place … we like to take each patient — each visitor — one at a time. Because they’ve been through a lot.”

The center works to improve cancer patients’ quality of life by providing information about free programs and services, gift items such as hats,

Amber Jurgensen

Zach Glaros says his character, Sir Henry, is the “ultimate Halloween villain,” a combination of the Joker and Michael Myers from the “Halloween” slasher flicks.

Plant City is possessed with several Halloween events, including two big draws, a ghost tour and haunted trail.

F

right night isn’t only reserved for Oct. 31 in Plant City. The town, chock full of its own ghostly history, has more than enough candy to go around, including fall festivals and trunk or treats in the weeks before Halloween. But, two main events are bound to scare your socks off this year.

Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail

Wind your way down a forested trail off South Frontage Road, and you’ll come across your darkest nightmares. A foggy graveyard reveals an army of undead. From the mist of a swamp comes wicked witches with gnarled claws. Beyond is a haunted pirate ship, twisted circus, werewolves, scarecrows and a serial killer bent on blood.

It’s all part of the first Sir Hen-

ry’s Haunted Trail. The attraction has ghoulish actors using scare tactics on unsuspecting victims as they stumble down the dim trail on select nights.

The project is the brainchild of Zach Glaros, who has been creating haunted scenes in the front yard of his parent’s Lakeland house since he was a teenager.

“I wanted to take the concept I do every year and magnify it on a bigger scale,” Glaros says.

So, with the help of his father, and using his grandfather’s land, he has created Sir Henry’s Trail. Glaros also has enlisted actors to help with the show.

Sir Henry’s Trail is named for a character of Glaros’ own creation. The trickster skeleton wears a debonair vest, top hat and gloves, and carries a cane.

“He’s Joker meets Michael Myers,” Glaros says. “He’s the ultimate Halloween villain.”

Sir Henry will be making surprise appearances each night the haunted trail will run. But, it’s guaranteed he won’t be the only monster you’ll see.

“There’s no telling what could happen,” Glaros says.

The trail will be running Oct. 17 to 19, 24 to 26, and 31. It’s open from 7 to 10 p.m. each night. Tickets, which cost $10, can be purchased at SirHenrysHauntedTrail.com. The trail is located at 2837 S. Frontage Road.

For a list of nonghoulish fall festivals and trunk-ortreats, see page 4.

SEE CENTER / PAGE 4 CANCER RESOURCE CENTER OPEN HOUSE WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 18 WHERE: 1708 Palmetto Ave., directly behind the hospital PHONE: (813) 704-4838

1914 High School Building Paranormal Investigation

Christina Koplenik and her team of paranormal inves-

SEE HALLOWEEN / PAGE 4

governance by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

ACHIEVEMENT by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

City welcomes business Strawberry festival president inducted into FFA Hall of Fame development manager Jim Jeffries taught agriculture in and near Plant City for 20 years and was an agriculture supervisor for Hillsborough County Public Schools

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FREE • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Before he was president of the Florida Strawberry Festival, Jim Jeffries spent decades coaching FFA students and supporting them when they won awards for their achievements. But, last month, Jeffries was the one receiving an award for his contributions to FFA in Florida.

The FFA Florida Hall of Fame recognized Jeffries as a 2014 inductee Sept. 29, at a ceremony in Haines City.

Just three days after graduating in 1969 from the University of Florida with a degree in agriculture education, Jeffries immediately started his career at

SEE JEFFRIES / PAGE 4

Courtesy photo

John Hoblick (right), president of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, presented a plaque to Jim Jeffries (left) at the FFA Hall of Fame ceremony.

Adam Myers will work with the city manager to increase business in and around Plant City.

In his new position, City Manager Mike Herr plans to focus on economic development, and Adam Myers, a new employee from the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, has relocated to Plant City to work side-by-side with Herr.

“We’re going to be focusing on business recruitment and retention, and we’re already starting to get some inquiries now, with the economy starting to come back,” Herr said.

Jake Austin previously held Myers’ position of business development manager, but was recently promoted to director of business retention for the corporation. He will still work with Plant City but in a more

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

indirect capacity. Myers, however, will be positioned in City Hall, so he can focus on Plant City full-time.

“I think that it would be better for Adam to be here, because I think it will provide for better communication and coordinator with our development and planning review team,” Herr said. “As clients come in to our process and introduce themselves, we’ll have our economic development person right here.”

Herr also said he hopes to meet with Myers at least once a week to stay updated on the status of businesses that will potentially be relocating to

SEE COMMISSION / PAGE 5 Vol. 2, No. 13 | One section

Crossword...................17

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

Weather ......................17

Sports.........................14

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COMMUNITYCALENDAR THURSDAY, OCT. 16 Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours — takes place at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Hay Exchange, 4950 U.S. 92 W., Plant City. For more, visit plantcity.org.

Ribbon Cutting: Melissa Polo for Circuit Court Judge, Group 34 — takes place at 11 a.m.

Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St., Plant City. For more, visit plantcity.org.

FRIDAY, OCT. 17 Acoustic Happy Hour — live music takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 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. 17, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220.

Dueling Pianos — takes place from 9 p.m. to midnight Friday, Oct. 17, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

Uncork Your Weekend with Daniel Sprouse — live music from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. (813) 752-9100.

Women’s Self-Defense Class — takes place beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 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. 18 Double Barrel Band — live music takes place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

Krazy Kup One-Year Anniversary

Party — takes place from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. There will be refreshments, fund activities and music. (813) 752-1220.

Movie Time — takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Children’s Board Family Resource Center in East County, 639 E. Alexander St. (813) 752-8700.

Pumpkin Patch Festival — takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 18, at Hopewell Baptist Church, 6001 CR 3.9.

S. There will be train rides, kids corner and games.

place beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Carrabba’s 1205 Townsgate Court. (813) 754-3707.

Ribbon Cutting: Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill — takes place at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 106 State Road 60. (813) 7543707.

Evening Book Discussion — takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. This week, the group will be discussing “The Jane Austen Book Club” by Karen Joy Fowler.

(813) 757-9215.

Silverhawk Native American Flute Gathering and Arts and Crafts Show — takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, to Sunday, Oct. 19, at Withlacoochee River Park, 12449 Withlacoochee Blvd., Dade City. Contact Dock Green Silverhawk, (813) 763-2118 or email slvhawk@aol.com.

Strawberry Classic Car Show — takes place from 4 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 18, at 102 N. Palmer St. Tactical Titan 5K — takes place beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 18, at 215 Sydney Washer Road. The 3.1 mile road is peppered with 30 obstacles. Part of the proceeds will benefit The Youth Alliance.

To register or for more information visit tacticaltitanrun.com.

Uncork Your Weekend with Rick Mongoya — live music from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. (813) 752-9100.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22

MONDAY, OCT. 20 Crochet Basics with Gina — takes place at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 20, at the Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Bring a crochet hook and small ball of yarn.

(813) 757-9215.

TUESDAY, OCT. 21 Speed Networking — takes

Open Mic Night — takes place beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

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

Reading with Bonnie the Therapy Dog — takes place from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 22, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. (813) 757-9215 ext. 24.

Ribbon Cutting: Dipa Shah for Hillsborough County School Board — takes place from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St., Plant City. For more, visit votedipa.com.

THURSDAY, OCT. 23 End-of-Life Planning Seminar — takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

(813) 717-9300.

Workshop on Bookkeeping Basics — takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St. The workshop is hosted by the Small Business Development Center.

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.

BEST BET Food Truck Rally — takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, in Historic Downtown, at the parking lot located at Palmer and Reynolds streets. For more information, contact Benny Lubrano at (813) 545-1207.

Woman’s Club BBQ — takes place from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Train Depot in Historic Downtown.

The Johnson’s BBQ catered meal includes chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, a roll and homemade desert. Tickets are through advanced sales only by calling Karen at (813) 4810419.

FRIDAY, OCT. 24 22nd Annual Haunted Woods — takes place from 6 to 10 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 25, at Hillsborough River State Park. Sponsored by the Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society this event includes the Haunted Woods Trail, coloring contest and prizes. Refreshments will be available. There will be a costume contest. Proceeds benefit the Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society. Kids 12 and under are free. 13 and up are $10. (813) 987-6771 Acoustic Happy Hour — live music takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

Band Haven — takes place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and

Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

Trapnell Elementary School Fall Festival — takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday Oct. 24, at the school, 1605 W. Trapnell Road.

The festival will feature carnivalstyle games, face painting, a haunted house, cake walk and food. (813) 757-9313.

Uncork Your Weekend with Skylar Clark — live music from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. (813) 752- 9100.

SATURDAY, OCT. 25 Autumn Adventure Scavenger Hunt — takes place beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Dance Connection, 507 N. Wheeler St. Entry is $5. Teams of four will be formed and will look around Plant City for items in the hunt. First, second and third place prizes. There will also be raffles and a yard sale.

Biertober Festival — takes place from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. (813) 7529100.

Blueberry Stomp Mud Run — takes place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Keel

and Curley Winery/Two Henrys Brewing Company, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City.

(813) 752- 9100.

Fall Festival — takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Hopewell Baptist Church’s pumpkin patch, 6001 CR 39 S. Halloween Party & Costume Contest — takes place from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. First place is $200; second place is $100; third place is $50. DJ Malado starts at 9 p.m. (813) 7648818.

Junior Woman’s Club Golf Tournament — registration begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Walden Lake Golf & Country Club, 2001 Country Club Drive. (813) 997-3359.

Uncork Your Weekend — live music from 6 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City.

(813) 752- 9100.

SUNDAY, OCT. 26 First Baptist Trunk or Treat — takes place from 5 to 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 26, at Plant City’s First Baptist Church, 503 N. Palmer St. For more information, call (813) 752-4104.

ONGOING 1961 PCHS Planter Classmates Monthly Dutch-treat Lunch — takes place at 1 p.m. the last Thursday of each month, at Outback Steakhouse, 1203 Townsgate Court, Plant City.

ACCESS and KidCare — takes place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, at the Children’s Board Family Resource Centers in East County, 639 E. Alexander St., Plant City. (813) 752-8700.

Babytime — takes place from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City.

For more informationl call (813) 757-9215.

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tribute by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor

City remembers Cindy Holland Cindy Holland helped launch the Florida Suncoast Walk with Us to Cure Lupus.

Avid volunteer, soccer lover and devoted wife and mother Cindy Holland, 65, died Oct. 3, from complications of systematic lupus erthematosus.

It had started as a year of unsuccessful diagnoses — a chronic rash, fatigue, muscle weakness. In December 1998, Holland finally got her answer.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body’s own healthy cells, tissues and organs. It falls into the classification of “arthritis,” which is a collective term for many autoimmune diseases and is treated by rheumatologists. There is no known cure.

For Mrs. Holland, the disease got worse before it got better. In 2001, the disease had ravaged her muscles, so much so that she was unable to walk alone.

She was admitted to the hospital for three weeks after a cold further complicated things. After 22 days, she entered rehabilitation. And after 33 days in rehab, she was able to walk out of the facility and return home.

This gave her a new purpose in life. She had learned of the Arthritis Foundation’s annual campaign to raise awareness and funds for research. One involved a hike near Dublin, Ireland.

Her husband, Jack Holland, director of Plant City’s Recreation & Parks Department, encouraged her to train for the hike. In 2003, they completed it.

“I will always remember her courage to fight the disease and also her ability to talk with and educate others about it,” Jack said.

Mrs. Holland dived deeper into finding a cure. The couple became involved with the Alliance for Lupus Research, a non-profit that raises money for prevention, treatment and medical research.

The Hollands were part of the organizing committee of the first Inagural Florida Suncoast Walk with Us to Cure Lupus. It consisted of 20 walks nationwide. The local walk was held in Tampa. The Hollands also traveled in 2007, to Washington D.C., for a national volunteer meeting for ARL. They won the Founder’s Award for the Tampa run.

Mrs. Holland also was involved in youth soccer, first at North Lakeland Youth Soccer as a board member and coach. Later, she helped for the Plant City Area Soccer Club and served as a board member, coach and concessions manager. She was in-

FEAST FOR A CAUSE by Catherine Sinclair

Courtesy photo

Jack Holland, Cindy Holland and Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV, founder and chairman of the board of the Alliance for Lupus Research, at the ALR Volunteer Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C. The Hollands received the Founder’s Award for their “vision and leadership in establishing the Tampa Walk With Us to Cure Lupus event in 2006.” volved with the Recreation & Parks Department and Optimist Youth Soccer Program as a coach, referee and concessions manager.

She also worked as a bookkeeper for several CPA firms in Plant City and Lakeland. She retired in 2012 because of lupus.

In late July 2014, following a family vacation in Key Largo, Cindy developed severe pain in her lower back radiating to

her right foot. Originally diagnosed as a probable lowerback problem, she was in excruciating pain for almost two weeks following several doctor visits and finally having to go to Lakeland Regional Medical Center Aug. 9. The day before going to the hospital, a rash developed on her foot, and that prompted the doctors to diagnose the severe pain as shingles.

“The following 56 days

in the hospital were a roller coaster, as the pain became even worse and Cindy was under heavy medication to help counter the pain,” Jack wrote in an update. “At one point, her heart rate and blood pressure skyrocketed, putting her in the ICU for several days.”

On Oct. 3, her heart gave out twice in four hours and was restarted. Eventually, she was unable to sustain a heartbeat.

Mrs. Holland was born in Detroit but grew up mostly in Georgia and Polk County. Her passion was her children, her grandchildren and traveling.

“My favorite memories together include our times with the grandchildren and various trips we were able to take around the country and overseas,” Jack said.

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

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.

EDUCATION by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Daybreak Rotary Club seeks to stock food bank’s shelves The annual Cracker Country Feast will benefit the United Food Bank of Plant City and other organizations.

The Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club will host its annual Cracker Country Feast Friday, Oct. 24, to benefit the United Food Bank of Plant City and other charitable organizations.

The event will be at George Banning’s home. Banning and three additional Rotarians are on the food bank’s board of directors. The bank’s director, Christine Miller, is also in the Rotary Club.

“It’s a great time, and I enjoy the opportunity to help out the food bank,” Banning said.

“We do a lot of other charities too, but the biggest percentage goes to the food bank.”

Banning said the Cracker Country Feast started out as a neighborhood event four years ago, but when it grew, the Rotary Club took responsibility of it. He expects good attendance this year but said he would have to limit it to

IF YOU GO WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 24, WHERE: 2506 Clubhouse Drive, Walden Lake TICKETS: $75 each.

They can be purchased from George Banning, Doug Updike or any other member of the Daybreak Rotary Club.

CONTACT: George Banning, (863) 6608979, or Doug Updike, (813) 368-8084 REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Wednesday,

Oct. 22

WISH LIST The United Food Bank of Plant City accepts any non-perishable food items, but a few of its biggest needs include: Peanut butter Canned chili Rice Cereal & oatmeal Canned vegetables Pasta & pasta sauce Applesauce Dried fruit Canned soups

about 150 people, based on the capacity of his home.

South Florida Baptist Hospital will cater the meal, providing themed menu items such as wild game. There also will be a silent auction, a 50/50 drawing and a raffle for a gift card tree. The gift card tree is a decorative handicraft worth displaying alone, but hanging from its branches are gift cards to local businesses, worth about $900 total.

No feast would be complete without entertainment, and the feast will have it covered: a country band called Little Girl and the Dreadful Snakes, local Rotarians Sharon Philbin and Dan Orrico, and Brett and Brigetta Truitt.

The Truitts, from Lakeland, are the grandchildren of a Plant City Rotarian, and Banning is particularly looking forward to seeing them perform.

“They’re just fabulous,” Banning said. “(Brett) is a songwriter, and I’d say he’s an up-and-coming star in Nashville.”

Several sponsors also donated to the event and the organizations that the Rotary Club has chosen to support.

“We have a $25,000 sponsor, and our Rotary Club presented that to the food bank, because their shelves are really empty,” Banning said.

The bank particularly needs extra donations this time of year. During the summer, it offers a program to feed children because they cannot receive food at school. The increased need in the summer causes a deficit of supplies in the early fall.

Across all its programs, the bank distributed more than 656,800 pounds of food last year and served 32,957 people. The food bank’s goal is to bring residents of east Hillsborough out of hunger and poverty and into a state of self-sufficiency.

In addition to purchasing tickets for the Cracker Country Feast, guests are asked to bring items to be donated to the food bank.

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.

NEWS

BRIEFS + Family looking for missing woman A Dover family is looking for family member Terrie Larkin, 52, who was last seen around 1 p.m. Oct. 7, in Dover. Larkin has schizophrenia.

She left to go on a walk on Jerry Smith Road, something she does every day. She was wearing a trench coat, flipflops and had a drawstring backpack with her. She didn’t answer when a family member asked her where she was going.

The family did find information about New York and bus stations in her room. They are unsure if she had met anyone during her walks that prompted her to leave. She only has an EBT card.

If you have any information, contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department at (813) 247-8000 or the family at (813) 245-0493, (813) 245-3418 or (813) 728-7060.

+ Plant City mayor endorses Dipa Shah Plant City Mayor Rick Lott has endorsed Dipa Shah for Hillsborough County School Board.

“Dipa Shah will be a strong addition to the Hillsborough County School Board,” Lott said. “She will be a voice for all of the students of Hillsborough County and will work hard to provide a high quality education. She will be a strong advocate for the kids.”

Shah said that she was glad to accept Mayor Lott’s endorsement in Plant City on Thursday.

“I appreciate Mayor Rick Lott stepping forward on behalf of a better education for the children of Hillsborough County,” Shah said.

Shah is a Brandon business owner and business attorney running for the Hillsborough School Board, District 6, a countywide seat. She is the current chair of the Williams Middle Magnet School Advisory Council, as well as a member of the Williams Middle Magnet School PTSA and Strawberry Crest High School PTSA. She is a former member of the Macfarlane Park Elementary PTA and Macfarlane Park School Advisory Council.

+ Rep. Dennis Ross receives NAM award After receiving their pins, the students stood with their homeroom classmates.

GREAT MINDS

Strawberry Crest High School offers the International Baccalaureate program for students who excel in academics and desire to broaden their world views. The program was founded at SCHS in 2011 but has existed around the globe since 1968.

Faculty inducted 111 juniors into the program the night of Oct. 9, at a pinning ceremony.

+ P.C. business earns recognition

Jake Leech, a Strawberry Crest alum of 2013 and former IB student, addressed the students with advice and encouragement.

Alexis Brundridge

U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross was honored by the National Association of Manufacturers with the Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence for the 113th congress.

The award is presented to legislators who consistently support policies that enable manufacturers in the U.S. to create jobs, compete in the global economy and improve living standards for manufacturing workers. Ross received a 97% score rating on key manufacturing votes.

“We must continue the fight for our domestic manufacturing sector,” Ross said. “It’s critical to our economy, to our global competitiveness and to our national security.”

Tejas Patel and other senior IB students each explained one of the characteristics of IB students, such as “openminded” and “reflective.”

Plant City-baed Solution Source Inc. announced it has been named to the HW Fast50, a new awards program from HousingWire that highlights the housing economy’s 50 fastest-growing companies. Solution Source Inc. was ranked No. 26 on the list.

“We are very excited about being named as one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. housing sector,” said Solution Source CEO Shelley Jemison. “To be included on the same list with industry leaders Ocwen Financial Corp., Ryland Homes, Zillow, Toll Brothers and many other successful companies is quite an achievement for us.”

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CENTER / PAGE 1 wigs, turbans, scarves, bras and breast prostheses, and also lending a listening ear.

Many of the volunteers who man the center Tuesday through Thursday have battled cancer themselves.

“We would like our community to know we are here for them,” Armbruster said.

The center opened Aug. 15, 2011. But before it opened, it had been the vision of American Cancer Society Board Member Wendy Brown. She approached the then-hospitalChief Operating Officer Steve Nierman about creating the center. The closest had been in Lakeland and Tampa.

Since then, it had been a passion project in the community.

Brown’s Realtor friend found a living room set for the front room. Brown also worked to get donations to stock the center.

Since then, it has gotten bigger with more donations. But the center still needs donations like wigs and prostheses. Monetary donations can be sent to the South Florida Hospital Foundation, earmarked for the Cancer Resource Center.

It also needs more volunteers. It’s open three days, in two different shifts. If the hospital can get more volunteers, it can stay open on other days.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

THE CANCER RESOURCE CENTER CAN HELP BY: • Providing information about free programs and services • Providing gift items, such as wigs, hats, turbans, scarves, bras and breast prostheses • Assisting cancer patients with making informed decisions about their diagnosis and helping them cope with some of the side effects of cancer • Providing a large meeting room for groups and a familystyle room for small groups

JEFFRIES / PAGE 1 Pinecrest High School.

For the following 20 years, Jeffries taught agriculture education and coached four FFA chapters: Pinecrest High School (1969 to 1970), East Bay High School (1970 to 1980), Tomlin Middle School (fall 1980) and Plant City High School (1981 to 1989). He said he had truly enjoyed working at each of these Hillsborough County schools.

“I enjoy the competition, watching the kids succeed,” he said. “When you have kids that have a good attitude whether they win or lose, it’s a pleasant task working with kids like that.”

Jeffries said one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching and coaching FFA had been the student-teacher relationships that grew out of the program.

But, another highlight for him was witnessing his students become national FFA officers.

“I didn’t get emotional too

22ND ANNUAL HAUNTED WOODS AT HILLSBOROUGH RIVER STATE PARK WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 25 DETAILS: Sponsored by the Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society, this event includes the Haunted Woods Trail, coloring contest and a family tram ride. Refreshments will be available. There will be a costume contest Proceeds benefit the Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society. Kids 12 and under are free. 13 and up are $10. For more, call (813) 987-6771.

EIGHTH ANNUAL PLANT CITY HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25 WHERE: Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. DETAILS: The Plant City Recreation and Parks Department’s annual Halloween Spooktacular will feature a scare room, carnival games, costume contest, cake walk and more. Cost is $7 per youth and $6 per youth in costume. For more, call (813) 659-4256.

HALLOWEEN / PAGE 1 tigators watched in a dark second-story corridor as a ball rolled up a ramp by itself right in front of them. The team was doing a practice run through the old Plant City High School building off North Collins Street before the big tour on Oct. 18.

Koplenik says the 100-yearold schoolhouse definitely has some spirit activity.

“It seems like a resting place,” Koplenik said.

“There’s a lot of personal

HISTORY The Florida FFA Hall of Fame has previously inducted three other educators who taught at Plant City High School: Ray Arrington (2011) Richard Joyner (2011) Ray Clark (2012) Other inductees with ties to PCHS include John Stephens (2008) and Ed Swindle (2013), who both graduated from the school. often, as far as those things go, but watching one of them become the national FFA president ... it was just touching when that happened,” he said.

Erica Der graduated from PCHS in 2003 and held the FFA national office of Southern Region vice president from 2005 to 2006. Although Jeffries was no longer teaching at PCHS while Der was a student there, she remembers his continued involvement with the district.

affects from people in the community.”

Winding through the creaking hallways, it’s easy to see what she’s talking about.

One room is lined with mannequins. They wear relics from the past — early century frills, top hats and lavish Strawberry Queen gowns.

Beyond is a medical room filled with eery silver surgical instruments, dialysis equipment and horrifying electroshock therapy gadgets.

And although the inside is a supernatural gem, it was the outside that propelled Koplenik, vice president of Ghost Party Haunted Tours, to look into running a paranormal tour there. While in Plant City with her son, who loves trains, the duo stumbled upon the majestic structure nestled between grand oak trees near Historic Downtown. She contacted the East Hillsborough Historical Society, which operates inside the building, to see if she could do tours there.

After three years, she finally got in.

The tour will use actual paranormal equipment such as thermal meters. In the dry run, the investigators were able to pick up many temperature changes. A psychic confirmed different presences in the rooms from children to others who still had ties to their earthly belongings that had been put on display in one of the building’s many exhibits. Koplenik described the old high school as being medium in activeness.

The energy levels were high and she said she could feel a heaviness in a lot of the rooms.

This year’s tour is almost completely booked. But Koplenik is also running a couple of other walking tours in Plant City, including a Boo and Brew.

For more information visit ghost-party.com.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

“No matter what Hillsborough County students were involved in, he was always there on the sidelines supporting and encouraging and letting the students know that they were cared for,” Der said. “He worked really hard to make sure that all the schools had the resources they needed.”

In 1989, Jeffries stopped teaching at PCHS and became the supervisor of agribusiness education for Hillsborough County Public Schools, District VI. He stayed in that position until he retired in 2008. He became president of the Florida Strawberry Festival in 2013.

The Florida FFA Hall of Fame began recognizing inductees in 2007. Along with Jeffries, this year’s other inductees were Marion Riviere, Olin Stoutamire, Leon Sims, Archie Matthews and Emelie Matthews.

Jeffries won many awards throughout his career for his excellence as an agricultural educator. But, he said being inducted into the FFA Hall of

FALL FESTIVALS AND TRUNK OR TREATS

There are many other happenings in Plant City around Halloween, including some faithbased alternative celebrations.

HOPEWELL BAPTIST CHURCH PUMPKIN PATCH WHEN: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturdays WHERE: 6001 S. C.R. 39 HOPEWELL BAPTIST CHURCH FALL FESTIVAL WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 18; 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 WHERE: 6001 S. C.R. 39 PLANT CITY’S FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH TRUNK OR TREAT WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 26 WHERE: 503 N. Palmer St. CHURCH ON THE ROCK ROCKTOBERFEST WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 WHERE: 301 E. Alsobrook St. FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TRUNK OR TREAT WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 WHERE: 303 N. Evers St. HOPE LUTHERAN TRUNK OR TREAT WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 WHERE: 2001 N. Park Road PLANT CITY CHURCH OF GOD TRUNK OR TREAT WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 WHERE: 2103 Mud Lake Road

Fame was one of his best professional moments, along with becoming an elder in the Presbyterian church and becoming president of the Florida Strawberry Festival.

“A lot of the other teachers in Hillsborough County were some of the reasons that I received the award, because they supported me in everything for the 20 years that I was the supervisor,” Jeffries said.

At the Hall of Fame ceremony, Jeffries was asked to give a short comment after accepting his award. It turned into a 12-minute speech, because he had so many friends, family members, co-workers and students in mind who he thought deserved his gratitude.

“Trying to say, ‘Thank you,’ to all the people that really caused the award — I got kind of emotional about that,” he said. “That was just an uplifting experience.”

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver. com.

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COMMISSION / PAGE 1 Plant City.

Myers has spent the past two-and-one-half years working on economic development for the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce.

Because he is new to Plant City, Myers is not yet certain of specific projects he hopes to establish. But, his initial goals are to meet local leaders and business owners, and make sure those businesses are able to thrive and prosper. He said Plant City’s location offers a lot of potential for growth.

“It has a great location, with it being really focused on that I-4 corridor,” Myers said, con-

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

OCT. 3

CYBER CRIME

2100 block of Sycamore Lane. Fraud. Officers responded to this house in reference to a fraudulent use of the victim’s PayPal online account. In August 2014, someone used the victim’s account to purchase a $372 bed online.

STREET FIGHTERS

Jenkins Street near South Warnell Street. Battery. Officers responded to the 1100 block of East Baker Street in reference to a battery complaint. Two subjects had been in an altercation, although one subject already had left the scene.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

100 block of West Ball Street.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Officers responded to the apartment complex in reference to the manager observing unauthorized people in an apartment. Officers came in contact with the suspect and arrested him for possession of drug paraphernalia.

FUNNY MONEY

1800 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Counterfeit Bill/

sidering its placement between nearby major cities to both the east and the west.

Herr and Myers hope to recruit new companies to operate in Plant City, but Herr also said he wants to expand programs to incubate small businesses, particularly in the downtown and Midtown districts. Employees from the city manager’s office have begun discussing this goal with staff from Hillsborough Community College Plant City, to see whether a collaborative effort could develop and assist local entrepreneurs.

In preparation for economic growth in the area, Herr is working on a quicker process

PLANT CITY

IN OTHER NEWS • Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a final property tax millage rate (4.7157) and a final budget ($66,452,213) for the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

• City Manager Mike Herr approved the purchase of 14 benches, five chairs, 10 trash receptacles and a bike rack for the Midtown Village Green, totaling $23,824.46.

CORNER

OCT. 8

TIDE TAKEN

2400 block of James L. Redman Parkway.

Retail Theft.

Officers responded to this store in reference to two suspects stealing laundry detergent. The suspects fled prior to police arrival.

Assist Other Agency. Officers responded to Papa John’s in reference to a counterfeit $10 bill. The bill was received from a pizza delivery on South Farkas Road.

ond bike is a black Mongoose Shriners edition with the word “Nike” on the frame. The victims did not have serial numbers for the bikes.

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HOT WHEELS

TWEETER TAKEN

300 block of South Frontage Road. Bike Thefts. Officers responded to this hotel in reference to the theft of two bikes.

The first bike is a black Next brand PX4.0 model. The sec-

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2300 block of Cherry Street. Vehicle Burglary. Officers responded to the park in reference to a vehicle burglary. While at the park, unknown suspect(s) broke the window to the victim’s 2011 Kia and stole a Michael Kors purse from the trunk. The purse and contents are valued at $350.

4700 block of Silkrun Court.

Stolen Vehicle. Overnight, unknown suspects(s) stole a black 2000 Honda Civic, with Florida license plate number N737DS.

MISSING WHEELS

C

urt and Karen Lefevere’s pooch, Goliath, is this month’s winner of our Cutest Critter Contest.

Goliath is a cane corso male, almost 3 years old. “We just rescued him from Mastiff Rescue on June 17,” they said. “He has only been with us a few days, but as you can see from his picture, he is very sweet and well behaved. It did not take him long to settle in to our house and family.”

Turkey Creek Animal Hospital and Animal Wellness Center have partnered to present a monthly Cutest Critter Contest. Entering is simple: Just submit a high-resolution photo (200 dpi or better) and a sentence or two about why your pet is the cutest. Include your name and contact information. Photos will be showcased in the Plant City Times & Observer.

Submit your entries to Editor Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com; subject line: Cutest Critter Contest. Good luck!

DETERMINED THIEF

2300 block of Maki Road.

Simple Battery. Officers responded to the residence in reference to an altercation between roommates. One roommate was moving out.

The other was upset because of this and hit the roommate.

No charges were pursued, and a waiver of prosecution was completed. Both parties separated, with one of the roommates leaving the residence permanently.

OCT. 4

CUTESTCRITTER

2100 block of West Baker Street. Petit Theft. Officers responded to the drug store in reference to a suspect taking a speaker from the store without paying.

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Catherine Sinclair

Adam Myers, Plant City’s new business development manager, introduced himself at the commission meeting Oct. 13.

for issuing permits for largeand medium-sized projects.

For example, if a business will create 500 to 1,000 jobs, the city manager’s office will issue permits just 15 working days after that business submits a complete set of building plans.

Or, for a business that will create 250 to 400 jobs, permits would be issued in 20 working days.

“I’m looking forward to working with each and every one of you very closely as we help grow companies here,” Myers said to the city commissioners at their meeting Oct. 13. “This sounds like it’s an exciting time for Plant City, and I’m excited to be here.”

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver. com.

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Plant City’s most complete news report.

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think pink by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

CONGESTION by Shannan D. Powell | Tampa Bay Times

Shiloh could add to traffic woes for Strawberry Crest, Bailey Three weeks after school began, Strawberry Crest High School principal David Brown sent a voice message to parents warning that being “stuck in traffic” would no longer be an acceptable excuse for morning tardiness.

Enough was enough.

Unfortunately for Brown and drivers heading for the high school and neighboring Bailey Elementary, traffic may only get worse with the opening of Independence Academy charter school in December on the northeast corner of McIntosh Road and U.S. 92, less than a half mile to the west.

Formerly known as Shiloh Charter School, Independence Academy is scheduled to move 650 students from its current location at Shiloh Baptist Church in Plant City to the much larger campus.

Since opening six years ago, Strawberry Crest and neighboring Bailey Elementary have dealt with traffic snarls, especially in the first several weeks of the school year. After seeking input from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and transportation departments for the school district and the county, Brown appealed to parents to find solutions to get

their students in class by 7:33 a.m.

“It’s year six, and traffic is traffic. We only have one way in or out of our compound,” said Brown, who daily directs morning vehicle flow. “It always takes the first several weeks to train the ninth-grade people how to get in or out.”

Engineers from the Hillsborough County Public Works department are scheduled to take a look at Strawberry Crest’s traffic issues to see what options remain, according to county engineer Mike Williams. Brown is pushing for a left-turn lane on Gallagher Road opposite the school, while backups will remain the morning norm eastbound and westbound on U.S. 92 and northbound and southbound on McIntosh Road.

With the addition of another school in close proximity, any solutions Hillsborough engineers recommend for Strawberry Crest and Bailey may only be short-term fixes for what may become a significant problem.

County Commissioner Victor Crist, whose district includes the schools, said there is no one-size-fits-all process when sites are reviewed for potential issues.

Plant City Times & Observer Locally Owned by Ed Verner, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes The Plant City Times & Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC, a joint-venture of the Tampa Bay Times and Plant City Observer LLC.

110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 704-6850 www.PlantCityObserver.com &RS\ULJKW 3ODQW &LW\ 0HGLD //& $OO 5LJKWV 5HVHUYHG

“We try to do permitting so we don’t overtax our resources.

If it begins to become an issue, my staff will look into it,” Crist said. “Sometimes, it just takes creating a release for the pressure valve. Charter schools have a greater flexibility in their scheduling and usually staggering start times helps.”

In anticipation of morning, and possibly afternoon congestion, the county and Charter School Associates, the parent company of Independence Academy, worked together to stagger school start times.

“We’ve worked extensively with the county on site plans for that location,” said Mike Strader, president of Charter School Associates.

According to Strader, the 13.5-acre school site will feature ample parking and car lines to accommodate the families at the school, while still providing large playground and athletic space. The main entrance will be from U.S. 92.

According to public records, Charter School Associates’ application for special-use zoning was present during a zoning hearing in October 2013, and after zoning was approved, the site plan was approved by the public works department.

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SEND US YOUR NEWS

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

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

Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563

Russell Silverman, executive director of the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation, came to the fundraiser.

Downtown businesses raise money to fight breast cancer Downtown storeowners organized different fundraisers Oct. 11, to benefit breast cancer organizations for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Throughout the day, visitors wrote messages, or the names of loved ones who had suffered from the disease, on pink balloons. At 6 p.m., the storeowners released the balloons into the sky.

CONTACT US The Plant City Times & Observer is published once weekly, on Fridays.

It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City.

The Plant City Times & Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 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.

Russell Silverman, executive director of the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation, came to Plant City for the fundraiser.

“I welcome any donation that is thousands of dollars, but small ones from big efforts are more meaningful,” Silverman said. “I’d rather have dozens of people like these that do it from their own hearts.”

Jessie Trowbridge and Addy Trowbridge came over from Blue Thumb Computer Repair to release some balloons.

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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ADRIAN WYLLIE

MELISSA SNIVELY

Adrian Wyllie discussed his views on Common Core with local voters.

Brad Herremans, Melissa Snively and Kim Herremans

2014 ELECTION

Candidates stump in P.C. Greg Roe (left), Wyllie’s nominee for lieutenant governor, is an entrepreneur and insurance professional.

PAT KEMP

Four fundraisers for political candidates were held in Plant City in the past two weeks.

At the Walden Lake home of John and Nancy Desmond, supporters gathered for Pat Kemp, Oct. 5. She is running for Hillsborough County Commission District 7.

Also running for the District 7 seat is Al Higginbotham. A barbecue lunch was held for him at the Walden Lake home of

Rick and Di Lott, Oct. 9.

In the gubernatorial race, Independent candidate Adrian Wyllie stopped by First Choice BBQ to talk politics with supporters, Oct. 7.

At the home of Brad and Kim Herremans, Plant City leaders gathered to support Melissa Snively’s campaign at a fundraiser Oct. 14. Snively is a candidate for Hillsborough County School Board District 4.

Mayor Rick Lott, MarDee Buchman and Ken Buchman

AL HIGGINBOTHAM

Photos by Amber Jurgensen and Catherine Sinclair

Sally Phillips, Ercilia Albistu, Gayle Morgan and Marilyn Cappiello

Pat Kemp and Karen Davis

Jack Gibbs, City Clerk Kerri Miller and Florida State Rep. Dan Raulerson

Al Higginbotham thanked the guests for their support. “I’m very optimistic, but it is a close race,” he said.

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upcoming by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

Plant City primed for dirty deeds

HELPING HANDS by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor

In the next three weeks, Plant City will host three different events for area runners.

Pretty soon, Plant City might become known as the “Winter Strawberry and Mud Run Capital of the World.”

Bolstering that claim are three — well, two, technically — mud runs that are going to be held in the next three weeks. Runners who don’t mind getting muddy will be able to compete in the Blueberry Stomp Mud Run and Romp in the Swamp, and those who wish to stay dry while getting a similar experience will take on the Tactical Titan Run Oct. 18.

Simply put, if any Plant City residents have ever wanted to do a mud run but never got around to it, now is the time.

TACTICAL TITAN RUN

This weekend’s run will be the one that stands out from the pack, simply because the runners won’t exactly be sloshing through the mud.

Fans of the Mud Titan run will be pleased to know that creator Mike Nelson and It’s All Good Events are bringing their Tactical Titan 5K Run to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds on Saturday morning, and the 30 obstacles on the course will be just as creative as its sister.

This course is designed for more than just the typical mud runner. Nelson and his team have set up a run that caters to street runners, triathletes and even MMA practitioners.

It’s open to anyone age 12 or older, but there also will be a Mini Mud Titan for kids ages 6 to 12. That 1.5-mile run will have 15 obstacles for kids to complete.

“It’s not an adventure run where you’re required to compete in extreme conditions,” Nelson says. “It’s a perfect event for a family to do together.”

Advance registration costs $79 per runner, but runners can sign up on race day for $89. As is custom for Nelson’s

IF YOU DARE TACTICAL TITAN 5K WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 18.

Chip-timed waves begin at 8:30 and 8:50 a.m.

WHERE: Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Road, Dover.

REGISTRATION: TacticalTitanRun.com

File photo

runs, part of the proceeds will be donated to The Youth Alliance.

BLUEBERRY STOMP MUD RUN

Keel and Curley Winery isn’t just known for its wine, beer and live concerts. These people also like to get their hands — and feet — dirty.

For the third consecutive year, the winery will host its Blueberry Stomp Mud Run on-site. This 5K will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, and is unique in that no other winery in the state allows people to tear up part of the grounds and get covered in mud.

Keel and Curley have set up some new obstacles for runners to tackle, and have brought back the Blueberry Stomp Pit and Blueberry Slide this year. Participants don’t have to be age 21 or older to run, but those who are will be given a souvenir glass and free beer or wine to fill it with upon finishing.

This one has a couple of different start times, depending on who is running and for what purpose. Competitive runners will start at 8 a.m., and everyone else, including the 18 and under set, will start at 10:30 a.m.

Registration is $39.99 per adult and $19.99 per minor

(under 16), and teams of four can register for $179. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Plant City Chamber Foundation Scholarship Fund.

ROMP IN THE SWAMP

It looks like last year’s inaugural Romp in the Swamp run was a success, because it’s coming back this November with a new look.

Romp in the Swamp II will now be held at Lakeside Station, 2302 Henderson Way, Plant City, but is still giving runners all of the mud and obstacles that they can handle.

The three-mile course will have both natural and artificial obstacles to complete but, other than the Elite Wave runners, they can be skipped if necessary.

Anyone ages 14 or older can run the three-mile course, and there also will be two races for kids ages 5 to 8 and 9 to 13.

In addition to the run-related awards, there also will be other prizes for runners to win, including some for the best costumes. When the race is over, anyone can stick around for the after party.

Registration can be done online at the Romp in the Swamp website. Prices vary, depending on what race one wishes

BLUEBERRY STOMP MUD RUN WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 25.

Competitive heat begins at 8 a.m.; non-competitive at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City.

REGISTRATION: active. com/plant-city-fl/running/ races/3rd-annual-blueberry-stomp-mud-run-2014 ROMP IN THE SWAMP II WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 1. Waves begin at 9 a.m. and run every 20 minutes, through noon.

WHERE: Lakeside Station, 2302 Henderson Way, Plant City.

REGISTRATION: rompin theswamp.org to sign up for, but adults can expect to pay anywhere from $69 to $79 (for Elites), and the kids’ races each cost $20. It is possible to sign up on race day, but for a higher cost.

Also, for reading the Plant City Times & Observer, you can use the code “OBSERVER30” through Oct. 24 to receive a $30 discount (adults only).

Proceeds from the event will benefit both the Foundation at South Florida Baptist Hospital and the Plant City Chamber Foundation.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

Courtesy photo

Eddie Garcia, Orlando regional vice president; Richard Rescigno, store director at No. 2433; Mike Hall, district director; Marion Orr, store director at No. 2472; Thomas Mantz, Feeding America Tampa Bay executive director; Laura Hernandez, Winn-Dixie associate, store No. 2415; Ken Bertrand, store director at No. 2509; Mike Rodgers, district director; and Joey Medina, Tampa regional vice president

P.C. Winn-Dixie leads anti-hunger campaign Winn-Dixie held its annual Summer Backpack Hunger Relief program July 16 to Aug. 19.

Winn-Dixie customers throughout Tampa Bay raised $11,580 for Feeding America Tampa Bay this summer.

But, Plant City’s location off Alexander Street was among the top-fundraising stores with its total, $1,019.

The initiative was part of Winn-Dixie’s Summer Backpack Hunger Relief community donation program that ran from July 16 to Aug. 19.

Proceeds were presented to Feeding America in a check presentation on Sept. 17 at the West Swann Avenue location in South Tampa. Plant City store manager Henry Falcon did not attend, but Winn-Dixie was proud of the contribution his store made, nevertheless.

“We are honored to support wonderful organizations like Feeding America Tampa Bay that are committed to providing hunger relief in our communities,” spokeswoman Meredith Holland said.

One in four children live in food-insecure households in the U.S. In Florida, more than 20% of children are experienc-

ing food insecurity and more than 200,000 children in the ten counties served by Feeding America Tampa Bay live in poverty.

In Plant City, Feeding America benefits the community by sending a truck out to the United Food Bank of Plant City one Tuesday a month.

“United Food Bank of Plant City has been a valued partner of Feeding America Tampa Bay for many years,” Feeding America Executive Director Thomas Mantz said. “We do drop food at the site one time per week currently. But, this does change based upon a variety of factors — if we have extra loads of food — or if there is a particular crisis in the area. Lately, we have been working together to relieve the burden on migrant workers in the area.”

Last year, Feeding America supplied almost 140,000 pounds of food through its relationship with United Food Bank of Plant City.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

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soothing sounds by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Native-American flutist shares cultural style with P.C. players Utah Farris is a performer, teacher and flute maker from Lake Wales.

Although country and rock music are among Plant City’s most popular genres, there is one group of musicians who play to the beat of a different drum. These musicians consider one another as close as family, and they gather to play and listen to the sounds of soothing Native Americanstyle flute music at Bruton Memorial Library each month.

Utah Farris lives in Lake Wales but comes to Plant City to join the other flutists. He also gives lessons in Plant City, with no charge to his students.

“When somebody just wants to learn, I’m always happy to help them,” he said.

But, compared with the age of the ancient art of NativeAmerican music, Farris is relatively new to the trade. He was walking through a flea market one day in 2001, when he came across a vendor selling bamboo flutes.

“I bought a flute, and I’d never played one before, and I thought it sounded terrible,” Farris said.

The sound he made with the flute was not the flowing, airy tone he heard in his head.

IF YOU GO

SILVERHAWK NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTE GATHERING WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 18; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 WHERE: Withlacoochee River Park, 12449 Withlacoochee Blvd., Dade City COST: $2 parking fee per vehicle. Additional fees for camping.

CONTACT: Dock Green Silverhawk, (813) 7632118

natives, but others Farris bought a more come from as far as expensive flute. But, Leesburg and St. Pehe could not make tersburg. beautiful sounds with One at a time, this one, either. He players step up to the thought it was the mic to share a piece fault of the instrumusic while everyments’ construcone else listens. Each tion, so he obtained player at the circle instruction guides owns the flute that and set out to teach he or she plays, and himself how to make many of them were flutes.

Utah’s creations. FarEven that first ris’ flutes feature varflute created by Farious types of wood, ris, an experienced animal carvings and wood carver, did not sizes. He has sold sound any bette. But, them for as little as when Farris took the $75, and as much as flutes to the only flute more than $1,000. player he knew and “I do a lot of reasked for guidance, ally fancy stuff, and he discovered that those take a good bit the beautiful sound of time,” Farris said. he craved could be “But, just a standard produced with skilled common flute, I technique. could probably averFarris will play a age making one in a half-hour set with Catherine Sinclair day if I work at it all Joyce Bagaskai Satday long.” urday, Oct. 18, at the Utah Farris makes Native American-style flutes At one flute circle, Silverhawk Native and plays at the monthly flute circle at Bruton Farris presented a American Flute Gath- Memorial Library. student with a flute ering. The two-day event at Withlacoochee River flutes. The park offers hiking, he had custom-made for her, Park in Dade City, organized by camping and an 1800s-themed with holes smaller than the standard, to fit her small finPlant City flutist Dock Green settlement to explore. gers. He declared her “Most ImSilverhawk, will feature perforproved Flute Player of the Year.” mances by Native-American SACRED FRIENDSHIPS Farris met Silverhawk at a This student was Betty Jones, flute players and more.

“I’ve given people who are flute gathering in Fort Walton a Plant City artist who makes unique, imaginative hats. really talented but never had Beach years ago.

“He was a judge in a fluteIn return, Jones made a top the opportunity to perform, a chance to perform,” Silver- making contest, and I didn’t hat with a feathered band and hawk said. “These people are win, so I went over to pick on depictions of the Native-American flute on one side. She prenot professionals, but they’re him,” Farris said.

But, the acquaintance turned sented it to Farris at the flute mighty good flute players.”

There also will be vendors into a friendship. Now, Silver- circle Oct. 7. Jones rarely gives selling food and traditional hawk refers to to Farris as his her hats away. This hat is for display only, but she also plans crafts, and workshops on vari- “right arm.”

Silverhawk and Farris lead to embellish one of the top hats ous topics such as technical flute skill and how to adapt the monthly flute circle at Bru- he frequently wears.

Contact Catherine Sinclair Western music for the Native- ton Memorial Library each American flute. Farris will first Tuesday of the month. at csinclair@plantcityobserver. teach a workshop on river-cane Some attendees are Plant City com.

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REAL ESTATE by Michael Eng | Executive Editor

North Plant City home tops September sales A country home in North Plant City topped all real-estate sales in September.

The home at 4806 Charlie Taylor Road sold Sept. 22, for $315,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,883 square feet of living area on 5.75 acres. It also includes a horse barn with stables and a loft. The price per square foot is $167.29.

ALEXANDER WOODS

The home at 209 Alexander Woods Drive sold Sept. 26, for $100,000. Built in 2013, it has two bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,466 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $68.21.

ANTIOCH

The home at 7803 Shoupe Road sold Sept. 19, for $90,000.

Built in 2004, it has four bed-

Road sold Sept. 15, for $132,000.

Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,350 square feet of living area on .97 acres. The price per square foot is $56.17.

rooms, two baths and 1,456 square feet of living area on 1.47 acres. The price per square foot is $61.81.

BRACEWELL HEIGHTS

The home at 2004 N. Gordon St. sold Sept. 15, for $115,000.

Built in 1988, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,440 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $79.86.

COLSON ACRES

HILLSBORO PARK

Michael Eng

The home at 5104 Joe King Road sold Sept. 15, for $210,000.

Built in 1997, it has five bedrooms, two baths and 2,485 square feet of living area on one acre. The price per square foot is $84.51.

This home, which has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,883 square feet of living area, sold for $315,000. The property is 5.75 acres and includes a horse barn with stables and a loft.

CORK

COUNTRY HILLS

The home at 3212 Cork Road sold Sept. 23, for $60,500 (REO/ bank owned). Built in 1952, it

has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,830 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $33.06.

The home at 4610 Copper Lane sold Sept. 12, for $126,500.

Built in 1998, it has four bed-

rooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,315 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $54.64.

The home at 4626 Copper Lane sold Sept. 30, for $120,000.

Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,266 square feet of living area. The

price per square foot is $94.79.

COUNTRY HILLS EAST

The home at 209 Abigail Road sold Sept. 16, for $102,500 (REO/bank owned). Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,270 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $80.71.

EASTGATE

The home at 2208 Gatewood St. sold Sept. 30, for $105,200 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,015 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $52.21.

FOUR SEASONS

The home at 1005 Johnson Loop sold Sept. 15, for $115,000.

Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,172 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $98.12.

The home at 2205 N. Gordon St. sold Sept. 17, for $75,000 (short sale). Built in 1986, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,178 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $63.67.

GLENN WRIGHT PLATTED

The home at 2914 Clay Turner

The home at 1806 N. Franklin St. sold Sept. 15, for $84,000.

Built in 1951, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,320 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $63.64.

HILLSBOROUGH

The home at 5613 WO Griffin Road sold Sept. 5, for $225,000.

Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths, a pool and 1,946 square feet of living area on 1.02 acres.

The price per square foot is $115.62.

The home at 4956 Slaten Road sold Sept. 10, for $227,000.

Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,710 square feet of living area on 1.04 acres. The price per square foot is $132.75.

The home at 2904 W. S.R. 60 sold Sept. 16, for $230,000. Built in 1978, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,942 square feet of living area on 9.7 acres. The price per square foot is $78.18.

The home at 3104 Sparkman Road sold Sept. 18, for $169,900.

Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,496 square feet of living area on 2.15 acres. The price per square foot is $113.57.

The home at 5005 Five Acre Road sold Sept. 8, for $159,900.

Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,884 square feet of living area on 2.27 acres. The price per square foot is $84.87.

The home at 3212 Wallace

REAL ESTATE / PAGE 13

THIS WEEK’S CROSSWORD ANSWERS

THIS WEEK’S CRYPTOGRAM ANSWERS 1. Now there’s a little kid with aspirations of coming to work at NASA. He spends all of his time staring into space.

2. My dearly departed mother-in-law was a real angel. She had a mysterious aura and was always harping.

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OBSERVEROBITUARIES Shirley Ann Bryant

Shirley Ann Bryant, 75, of Plant City, died Oct. 7, 2014.

She was a loving wife, momma and grandmother. A true friend to all and the life of the party, she loved Christmas and had a strong faith in God. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Louis Bryant; son, Jeffrey Shannon Bryant; and brother, J.L. Robinson.

She is survived by children, Stephen Bryant (Diana) and Linda Dunn (Larry); grandchildren Danielle, Tiffanie, Kiersten, Brittany, Anthony, Stefanie and Jarred; greatgrandchildren Elijah and Easton; and siblings Virginia Stone, Frances Barwick (Tom), Marie King and A.T. Robinson (Betty).

A celebration of life was held Oct. 10, at Hopewell Funeral Home, Plant City.

The family would like to thank Coventry Assisted Living facility and staff for the loving kindness shown to our momma, Ms. Shirley.

Condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

Helen I. Buti

Helen I. Buti, 93, died Oct. 13, 2014, in Brandon.

She was born Aug. 8, 1921, in Elk County, Pennsylvania, to Alexander and Elizabeth (Elek) Buti.

She worked for more than 30 years as a civil servant for the U.S. government. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, in Tampa.

She is survived by one sister, Mary Farkas; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brothers, Steve and Louis Buti; and sister, Elizabeth Buti.

Funeral services were held Oct. 16, at Wells Memorial and Event Center, Plant City.

Condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

ens, Tennessee, to the late Tina Belle and Jesse James Cannon.

He was a longtime member of the Ruskin Moose Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Gussie Ann Cannon; and sons, David Cannon and Ricky Cannon.

He is survived by his sons, Jammie Cannon and Mark Cannon (Teresa); 10 grandchildren, David, Stephanie, Josh, Sarah, Adam, Matthew, Andrew, Tina, Paula and Zack; sister, Anna Lou Cannon; and several great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held Oct. 11, at Stowers Funeral Home of Brandon.

Kathryn Dixon

Kathryn Dixon, 89, of Plant City, died Oct. 7, 2014.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Clyde R. Dixon Sr.; daughter, Suzanne Churchwell; brother, William “Bill” Wright; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, Clyde R. Dixon Jr. Condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

Willie J. “Bill” Fender

Willie J. “Bill” Fender, 72, of Plant City, died Oct. 8, 2014.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Karol Fender; children, Yvette Bennett (Lester), Nicole Weaver (Michael) and Ken Fender (Tracy); siblings, Betty Moore and Debbie Gray; 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A celebration of life was held Oct. 11, at Hopewell Funeral Home. Private interment in Georgia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with expenses.

Condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

Jimmie Lee “Papa” Cannon James “Keller” Hampton Sr. Jimmie Lee “Papa” Cannon, 82, of Plant City, died Oct. 7, 2014.

Mr. Cannon was born in Ath-

James “Keller” Hampton Sr., 81, died Oct. 12, 2014.

Mr. Hampton was a retired U.S. Army veteran who served

in Vietnam. He was a hard worker, amazing father and loving husband.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marlin (Jewell) Hampton; children, Marsha Copeland (Randy), James Hampton Jr. (Cheryl Schoenmaker), Gina Dukes (Tim) and Kenneth Hampton (Meryem); grandchildren, Erin Dyer Witharane (Talath), Matthew Hampton, K. Andrew Hampton (Nita), Katie Copeland, Molly Copeland, Ryan Dukes (Marissa Luckey), Michaela Dukes, Allie Hampton (Logan Winegar) and Lexi Hampton; greatgrandchildren, Evyn Witharane, Harrison Witharane, Kaeja Hampton-Winegar and Jessie Hampton; three sisters; two brothers; and many nieces and nephews.

He enjoyed life and had too many friends to begin counting. Always a generous man, his body was donated to science per his wishes.

A memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to hospice, which was a real blessing to Mr. Hampton and his family during a difficult time.

James Albert Haupert Jr.

James Albert Haupert Jr., 79, of Plant City, died Oct. 8, 2014.

Born Sept. 2, 1935, in Plant City, he was the son of the late James and Katie Murray Haupert. He was the husband of Shirley Grubbs Haupert, who survives.

He worked for 35 years for Kash N’ Karry/Sweetbay and 10 years for Walmart. He was active in the Plant City Jaycees for many years and was chairman of the Christmas Parade for 27 years. He loved his roses, and Shirley says he had green hands, because his plants did so well.

A funeral service was held Oct. 13, at Haught Funeral Home, Plant City. Interment was in Dade City Cemetery.

Condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.

Sue Loucks

Sue Loucks, 64, of Plant City, died Oct. 9, 2014.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Larry N. Loucks; sons, Mike Loucks (Kim) and Brian Loucks (Liz); four grandchildren; and two sisters.

A celebration of life was held Oct. 12, at Hopewell Funeral Home, Plant City. Private interment at Hopewell Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, 203 N. Thomas St., Plant City, Florida, 33563.

Condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

Robert I. Ridenour

Robert I. Ridenour, 85, of Sandusky, Ohio, died Oct. 8, 2014, in Lakeland.

Mr. Ridenour was a Christian, a mason and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was known as “Captain Bob” in the boating community of Sanford.

Mr. Ridenour is predeceased by his wife, Joyce Elaine Barnett of Sandusky.

Survivors include son, Mike Ridenour; daughters, Bobbi J. Foote (Jeff ) and Jodi K. Sauer (Bill); four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Oct. 12, at Wells Memorial and Event Center, Plant City.

Condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

Donald Gene (Cotton) Strickland

Donald Gene (Cotton) Strickland, of Cape Canaveral and formerly of Plant City, died Oct. 2, 2014 Born in Cotton, Georgia, April 2, 1948, he was the son of the late A.C. and Rosa Strickland.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969 and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. After leaving the Army, he began working as a boilermaker with the Local 433 Union.

He worked with them for 40 years, until his retirement in

2010. He was an avid fisherman all his life.

He was preceded in death by parents, A.C. and Rosa Strickland; brothers, Jerome and Noble Strickland; and sister, Daphne Strickland Hall.

He is survived by his second wife, Layne Strickland; children, Donald (Donnie) Strickland and DeLisa Strickland LeBoeuf; grandchildren, Julia Strickland, Molly LeBoeuf and Logan LeBoeuf; and siblings, William Morris Strickland, Rena Strickland Barfield, Patricia Strickland Hitson, Phyllis Strickland Brooks, Jeanette Strickland Morey and Leugenia Strickland Deshazo.

A private family memorial was held Oct. 11.

Gladys L. Wood

Gladys L. Wood, 85, of Plant City, died Oct. 11, 2014.

She is survived by her children, Judy Long, Charles Long (Kimberly) and Rick Long (Patricia); sister, Ethel Hogue; grandchildren, Gary Flott Jr., Greg Flott, Christin Long, Matthew Long, Blake Long and Melissa Long; great-grandchildren, Haley Flott, Ashley Flott and Catherine Flott; and niece, Tammy Hogue.

She was preceded in death by her children, Cecil Long Jr. and Kathy Long.

A celebration of life was held Oct. 15, at Hopewell Funeral Home, Plant City. Interment at Hopewell Memorial Gardens.

Condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

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REAL ESTATE / PAGE 10 Branch Road sold Sept. 26, for $121,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,230 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $98.37.

The home at 1207 Williams Road sold Sept. 29, for $120,000 (REO/bank owned).

Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,464 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $81.97.

The home at 506 Colson Road sold Sept. 24, for $109,000 (REO/bank owned).

Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,032 square feet of living area on one acre. The price per square foot is $53.64.

The home at 108 Colson Road sold Sept. 3, for $105,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1956, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,124 square feet of living area on one acre.

The price per square foot is $49.44.

HISTORIC PLANT CITY

The home at 508 N. Walker St., sold Sept. 5, for $88,000.

Built in 1924, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,533 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $57.40.

LINCOLN PARK

The home at 1309 E. Warren St. sold Sept. 5, for $63,700 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1953, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,044 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $31.16.

The home at 913 E. Laura St. sold Sept. 15, for $37,000. Built in 1928, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 884 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $41.86.

MAGNOLIA GREEN

The home at 3316 Azalea Blossom Drive sold Sept. 5, for $140,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,651 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $84.80.

The home at 3216 Azalea Blossom Drive sold Sept.

23, for $122,564 (REO/bank owned). Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,348 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $52.20.

OAKVIEW ESTATES

The home at 2906 N. Willow Drive sold Sept. 19, for $100,000. Built in 1980, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,360 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $73.53.

The home at 2003 W. Willow Drive sold Sept. 26, for $99,000.

Built in 1981, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,250 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $79.20.

The home at 3104 Oakview

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MONTHLY SNAPSHOT Houses Sold: 61 High Sale Price: $315,000 Low Sale Price: $37,00 Average Sale Price: $133,983 Median Sale Price: $122,564 Short Sales: Four REO/Bank Owned: 16 Lane sold Sept. 17, for $45,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1974, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,000 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $45.

REYNOLDS RIDGE

The home at 4305 Reynolds Oaks Place sold Sept. 12, for $158,000 (REO/bank owned).

Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,430 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $65.02.

SUGAR CANE ACRES

The home at 5809 J G Rogers Lane sold Sept. 15, for $124,000. Built in 1977, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,188 square feet of living area on 2.46 acres. The price per square foot is $104.38.

SUGAR CREEK

The home at 3911 Creek Woods Drive sold Sept. 26, for $137,500. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,478 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $93.03.

WALDEN LAKE

The home at 2005 Masters Way sold Sept. 30, for $260,000.

Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths, a pool and 2,189 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $118.78.

The home at 2914 Sutton Oaks Court sold Sept. 24, for $244,900. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,174 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $112.65.

The home at 3203 Kilmer Drive sold Sept. 12, for $207,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,857 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $111.47.

The home at 3019 Sutton Woods Drive sold Sept. 22, for $195,000 (REO/bank owned).

Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,990 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $97.99.

The home at 3204 Concord Way sold Sept. 30, for $185,000.

Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,044 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $90.51.

The town home at 2309 S. Fairway Drive sold Sept. 10, for $149,900. Built in 1983, it has two bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,620 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $92.53.

The home at 1205 Sandalwood Drive sold Sept. 29, for $143,500 (REO/bank owned).

Built in 1979, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,236 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $64.18.

WALDEN POINTE

The home at 2211 Via Napoli St. sold Sept. 26, for $250,000. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,239 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $77.18.

The home at 2009 Via Napoli St. sold Sept. 28, for $239,565.

Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,819 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $84.98.

The home at 1703 Via Palermo St. sold Sept. 16, for $217,665. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,908 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $74.85.

The home at 1804 Via Palermo St., sold Sept. 9, for $216,213. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,105 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $102.71.

The home at 1817 Via Chianti St. sold Sept. 3, for $199,540.

Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,109 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $94.61.

hot to trot by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

Riders saddle up for annual fundraiser The third annual Pink Your Pony trail ride drew what appeared to be its biggest crowd yet, as about 60 horses and their owners saddled up in Dover.

Hosted at Bay Lake Stables, the event featured a raffle, prizes for the three best-decorated horses, lunch and more.

Proceeds from the event were donated to the Brandon Outreach Clinic.

WALDEN RESERVE

The home at 3402 Regner Drive sold Sept. 9, for $227,000.

Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,234 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $101.61.

WALDEN WOODS

The town home at 1870 Greenwood Valley Drive sold Sept. 30, for $139,990. Built in 2014, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,521 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $92.04.

The town home at 1916 Greenwood Valley Drive, sold Sept. 1, for $85,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,632 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $52.08.

About 50 horses participated in the ride.

Right: Some riders wore elaborate costimes for this year’s ride.

WHISPERING WOODS

The home at 804 Bronze Bush Court sold Sept. 12, for $180,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,844 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $97.61.

Diana Martines and Carolyn Howard with their horses, Cricket and Cody.

Tiffany Henry

Sports

YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | COMMUNITY

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Lady Cougar Lindsey Robinson led team to win over Lady Raiders. 16 SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM

SIDELINES

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

GAME OF THE WEEK SPOTO VS. PLANT CITY

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

GOLF

+ Lady Raiders repeat as champs Stop us if you’ve heard this before: The Plant City Lady Raiders are going on a playoff run.

They won the Class 3A District 13 championship again Oct. 13, posting a score of 339. Kendall Johnson led the team by shooting a 6-over-par 77. Teammate Kaylee McIntosh and Durant’s Krista Reinhardt shot a 9-over-80 to enter a three-way tie for second place, sharing with Newsome’s Meghna Patel.

Plant City beat runnerup Newsome by 38 points, and Durant finished third with a 404.

Here comes the BOOM Sawyer Dawson, Steven Ogletree, Cory Cotnoir and Patrick Colleran are the heart and soul of the Plant City defense.

FOOTBALL

+ Durant JV finishes undefeated Durant’s JV football team posted its second consecutive undefeated (6-0) season Oct. 9, with a win over Newsome.

Picking up wins over Riverview, Strawberry Crest, Bloomingdale, Plant City, Brandon and Newsome, it’s now been over two years since these young guns have lost a game.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

+ P.C. swimmers shine at state meet Plant City athletes have historically done well in the Special Olympics State Swim Meet, and the Oct. 4 event was no different.

The results include: Justin Bulgreen (gold, 50-meter backstroke; silver, 50-meter breaststroke); Jade Curran (silver, 25-meter freestyle); David Niver (silver, 25-meter breaststroke); William Corsi (gold, 200meter freestyle, 400meter freestyle); Stephen Corsi (seventh, 50-meter freestyle); Ali Awad (gold, 50-meter backstroke; silver, 50-meter free); Mary Frances Smith (bronze, 25-meter freestyle; fifth, 25-meter backstroke); J.T. Bruggeman (gold, 50-meter freestyle; sixth, 50-meter backstroke); Carmen Lea (fourth, 50-meter freestyle); Nena Cogswell (gold, 25-meter freestyle); Margaret Eloian (gold, 25-meter freestyle; silver, 25-meter backstroke); Natalie Krieg (gold, 50-meter freestyle); Zackary Dlugi (silver, 25-meter backstroke; bronze (25-meter freestyle); and Robyn Engelman, Quanteria Jones, Carmen Lea and Natalie Krieg (gold, 4x50 freestyle unified relay).

Justin Bulgreen, William Corsi, Holly Eddins and Kiyana Levins (gold, 4x50 freestyle Unified relay. This same team also won gold last year).

by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

Sure, there have been bright spots on offense.

But Plant City’s most consistent unit is its linebacker corps, which may be the most fearsome in the area.

Maybe it’s fair to say that losing defensive studs such as Montel McBride, John Broome and Sedrick King has hurt the Plant City Raiders. What’s not fair to say, though, is that these losses sucked the life out of this defense.

Nowadays, one just has to look a little further up the field than the defensive line.

The linebacker corps showed a lot of promise last season, often taking care of any problems

that that D-line ran into, and it looks like that potential has been realized.

“They’ve been coming downhill and playing fast and furious,” head coach Wayne Ward says. “I’m liking how they’re playing right now.”

THE OLD GUARD

Is there a better one-two punch in the area than seniors Sawyer Dawson and Patrick Colleran?

Probably not.

Combined, the two have 108 total tackles in 2014. Colleran leads the team with 73 and totaled 161 last season. Both are highly regarded by Ward and the defensive coaches for their athleticism, drive and toughness. If these guys ever quit on a play, pigs will fly.

Dawson had a breakout year in 2013, posting 87 tackles and three picks, and proved himself to be an excellent comple-

ground and pound by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

ment to the talents of Broome and King. If those two forced the quarterback to throw, then Dawson had a knack for guessing where the ball was headed and making the play.

Dawson’s play earned him plenty of interest from wellknown college programs, and he is currently committed to play for Purdue next year. While his numbers aren’t as high as last season’s, his presence on this defense is still invaluable.

Patrick Colleran, on the other hand, is having his breakout year right now. He needs just one more tackle to match his 2013 total, and there are

Justin Kline

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

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

OCT. 24 Hillsborough at Durant, 4748 Cougar Path, Plant City Plant City at Strawberry Crest, 4691 Gallagher Road, Dover

SEE GAME / PAGE 15

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

Who needs a tradition?

Senshi Do Kai MMA expands martial arts scene Not the Raiders Q. Wiggins brought his brand of mixed martial arts, infused with street smarts, to Plant City about two months ago.

The mixed martial arts trend has swept the nation. It seems as though everyone with an interest in the sport, young and old, wants to learn how those men and women on TV fight in those rings and cages.

For Q. Wiggins, that’s not enough. What about the place where someone is more likely to be attacked. Like out on the streets?

He and his wife, Elizabeth, decided to open up shop in Plant City about two months ago to show interested learners how techniques from America’s favorite combat sport can help them in real life.

“We do different tactics that a lot of schools aren’t going to teach you,” Wiggins says. “The realistic stuff. They’ll teach you basic combat inside the school, but they won’t go out and show you the process of realization, the realistic stuff

Justin Kline

Kamahl Brown and Q., Elizabeth and Junior Wiggins are building an MMA family in Plant City. that goes on. Are you really going to be able to use those techniques in the street?”

MMA has been Wiggins’ passion for quite some time.

He began learning martial arts

at 8 years old and has been involved with today’s style of MMA for the past eight years.

He currently serves as the

SEE MMA / PAGE 15

If the atmosphere around City in the 1990s, says he town seems a little different, always saw the Homecomthat’s because Homecoming ing game as just another day season is upon us. at work. Sure, it’s big for the Plant City High School will fans up in the bleachers. But, be batting leadoff, holdfor the players — even the ing their festivities ones who are running this weekend, and for Homecoming Court both Durant and — it’s another game on Strawberry Crest are the schedule. scheduled to go next That’s just the way it’s weekend. Rather than always been, though. my usual Friday night Ward doesn’t stress the notes, I’m going to importance of Hometake a look at each coming so much as JUSTIN school and try to get a he stresses the imporKLINE feel for their football tance of the game to teams’ traditions. be played, and this is Or, in the case of the Raidsomething he picked up from ers, I’ll be talking about what his playing days under the they don’t do. wing of Todd Long.

This is the oldest team “I’m not into Homecomin the area by somewhere ing,” Ward says. “I didn’t go around 80 years, but mento the dance when I was in tioning “Homecoming tradihigh school. The only thing tions” to the coaches isn’t I focused on was football. going to get you anywhere.

Once the game was over, I’m “Honestly, I’m kind of the like, ‘OK, what’s next?’ I was wrong guy to talk to,” head getting ready for Brandon, coach Wayne Ward says, or Manatee, or whoever we laughing.

SEE KLINE / PAGE 16 Ward, who attended Plant

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3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP MMA / PAGE 14 school’s head instructor, and Elizabeth handles the financial books. She recently began training in the sport, as well.

It’s not Wiggins’ first venture with an MMA dojo or even with the Senshi Do Kai franchise. He has worked at the location in New York City and opened one in Texas. But, it’s the first time he’s been able to turn this dojo into a family business.

“I did a lot of research into this area,” he says. “Plant City, FishHawk, Brandon, Riverview. ... I just loved everything (Plant City) had to offer.”

Elizabeth agrees.

“It’s an opportunity for me to be a stay-at-home mom, too, and help with the business and to have my kids grow up in this,” she said. “I fell in love with the art — that’s why I am learning it now.”

As heavily as Wiggins likes to focus on teaching students how to handle themselves on the street, he’s also created a fun, family-friendly atmosphere for younger children. Senshi Do Kai will train children as young as 3 years old, mostly through repetition-heavy exercises and fun games.

“You go to some schools, and they start kids out at 5, 6 years

GAME / PAGE 14 still four games left to play. He also leads the team with three forced fumbles and recently had a 20-tackle game against East Bay. If Dawson’s strength is his versatility as a defender — courtesy of his athleticism and great situational awareness — then Colleran’s would be his motor. He might be the most outspoken player on the defense, if not the entire roster, and is always looking to fire up the team and the crowd with a big defensive stop.

Colleran hasn’t committed to a college yet. Schools have just recently started showing their interest, but it’s a sure bet that he’ll play somewhere at the next level.

THE YOUNG GUNS

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It looks like Plant City’s linebacker corps will continue to be good after Dawson and Colleran graduate, given that junior Cory Cotnoir and sophomore Steven Ogletree also are making an impact.

This season has been a change of pace for Cotnoir, who spent 2013 backing up Landon Galloway at quarterback and, at one point, appeared to be the new man for that job until Corey King was given the reps and Austin Carswell entered the picture.

The coaches decided Cotnoir would be more comfortable at a different position and moved him to linebacker.

It looks like they were on to something.

“He’s just a tough, downhill, hard-nosed kid that just wants to prove himself,” Ward says.

“We love what he’s doing right now.”

With the other three linebackers seeing more snaps, Cotnoir’s numbers aren’t comparable to the rest of the group’s right now. It’s that desire to prove himself — to make an impact — that the coaches love, and they’re expecting him to rise to the challenge once Dawson and Colleran are gone in 2015.

On the other hand, Ogletree already has made a big impact as a sophomore. Plant City has never really had any qualms about getting a sophomore heavily involved in the varsity game if he’s got the talent to

old,” Wiggins says. “By that time, they’re starting to build their own ways. Although you can start to mold them, I like to grab them a little earlier and, even though it may be a fun time, the experience is something that a lot of kids don’t get.

“If you can grab them that early and pull them in, by the time they’re 6 or 7 years old, they’re already fantastic children, because they’ve been molded for so long,” he says.

This is even evident with the couple’s 2-year-old son, Qoa, who already is training at the school. Wiggins likes to compare younger kids to sponges, soaking everything in, and pulls up YouTube videos of Qoa doing his thing as an example. In one video, the toddler is punching at mitts while wearing gloves that cover most of his arms. In the classroom, Wiggins says Qoa already has picked up on the flow of the sessions.

“He knows how to, at 2 years old, conduct the class,” he says.

“If you’re doing something wrong, he’ll tell you, ‘Down!

Push-ups!’ At 2 years old, it’s amazing.”

Two months after opening, Wiggins has about 15 students enrolled. The school offers self-defense courses and boot

MATCHUPS DURANT Last week’s game against Newsome was awesome, if only to the unbiased football fan (and, of course, Newsome fans). But for Durant (4-2; 2-0 district), it was a loss that undoubtedly stung for a few days.

The Cougars will get to take out their frustration on a Brandon Eagles team that’s currently 4-2 but still seeking that first district win. Brandon’s four wins have come against Blake, Riverview, Chamberlain and Middleton — teams that have a grand total of six wins combined (including none for Middleton).

Against Bloomingdale, the closest team in skill to Durant that the Eagles have faced all year, Brandon only lost by six points. When this Durant team is on, it’s much better than the Bulls. If it’s off, like in the Gaither game, then this one could go either way.

STRAWBERRY CREST The game against Riverview went about as well as expectmake an impact, and Ogletree appears to be that guy in 2014.

When Plant City hosted the VTO Combine this past summer, Ogletree was one of the younger players that assistant head coach Greg Meyer was most excited about for this season. Now, it’s probably obvious why Meyer was so happy to talk about him: he’s currently second on the team in both total tackles (63) and tackles per game (10.5, compared to Colleran’s 12.2).

Talent such as Cotnoir’s and Ogletree’s likely will keep Plant City’s linebacker corps relevant in 2015, especially if this backer factory can produce another stud or two in the offseason.

RAIDERS VS. SPARTANS

This isn’t last year’s Spoto team that’s coming to town.

These Spartans are 3-3 (0-1 district) and looking to avenge last year’s 33-14 loss to the Raiders.

“Oh, man, they’re athletic as

CHECK IT OUT Senshi Do Kai MMA is located at 2909 James L. Redman Parkway, Suite 107. The school provides classes for children ages 3 to 13, and children and adults 14 and older, for $89 and $109 per month, respectively.

The weekly after-school program (which includes pick-ups, classes and food) and the boot camps cost $60 per month.

Self-defense courses and personal training prices are determined at the time of an individual consultation.

For more info, call (813) 754-4128 or visit www.

SenshiDoKaiMMA.com. camps for women, personal training services and an afterschool program for kids, in addition to regular MMA classes.

He also helps train Hillsborough County police officers.

As business begins to pick up, Wiggins hopes to see this MMA family grow alongside his own.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

ed — for two of the quarters.

After starting things off with a 13-7 lead, the Chargers (1-6; 1-1 district) gave up 20 unanswered points in the second quarter and took a 48-26 loss on the road.

It was a better game for the passing side, as Tristan Hyde went 25-37 for 245 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. A.J. Quinn even caught 10 passes, totaling 80 yards, and Clay Cullins caught five passes for 41 yards, one for a touchdown. The ground game could only muster 59 yards and two Arjay Smith scores.

It certainly wasn’t how they wanted to go into the final game of this two-week road trip, a district game at East Bay. The Indians (3-4; 0-1 district) may be worse off in the district than Crest, but a Chargers loss would certainly switch some things around in the picture.

East Bay is currently on a two-game losing streak, dropping the Plant City game two weeks ago and getting wrecked at Bloomingdale 42-21 last Friday. That, at least, bodes well for the Chargers.

heck,” Ward says. “You’ve got to contain them. You’ve got to play assignment football.”

A lot of this comes from senior athlete Todd Sims, who has 488 rushing yards (7.1 YPC), 276 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns. Standing at 6-foot-1, he’s a little on the tall side for a running back.

He’s perfect for getting involved in the passing game.

This is where those Plant City linebackers will come in handy, because they’re all also “athletic as heck.” The Raiders’ ability to contain the ground attack and limit what Sims can do in that offense will be the key to coming up with a Homecoming win for the first time, well, at least since Colleran can remember.

“I haven’t ever won a Homecoming game here at Plant City,” he says. “It would be really nice to win one, especially my senior year. I can go out with a bang.”

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

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Durant’s volleyball team celebrates during last week’s 3-2 win over Plant City, who will host next week’s district tournament.

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KLINE / PAGE 14 were playing.”

Long, according to Ward, wasn’t big on changing the routine for this one week. Tonight, there will be no special event or gesture that’s exclusive to football. The seniors will be picking out the team’s uniforms, but, if they’re superstitious enough, they may stick with whatever they’ve won in rather than break out the gray unis. As Durant’s athletic director, Long now oversees at least one tradition in the green jerseys.

How do the players feel about the lack of tradition? I haven’t talked to all of them but, going by what I’ve seen in practice this week, they care more about playing Spoto than anything else.

This one’s about the seniors, who — according to a Patrick Colleran post-practice speech — have not won a

Homecoming game yet.

Still, the pull of the Homecoming dance and wacky outfits during the week is enough to weigh on the minds of the players. It’s unavoidable, especially for the younger guys.

And, hey, that’s all a part of being a kid. The team does understand that.

“I’m allowing them to enjoy it but, at the same time, you know,” Ward says. “They need to understand the reason why there’s a Homecoming game.”

Looking back, that sounds a lot like my alma mater, Lake Region High School.

Aside from getting our butts handed to us by Winter Haven, or whoever we happened to be playing, I don’t recall our football team doing anything special. No new unis, no getting the band away from its obsession with Queen, nothing. As always,

we watched the game and wondered which two kids were going to fight over a girl under the bleachers.

In fact, the one memory that stands out to me was during Spirit Week junior year when, as I woke up, I realized that a spider had bitten my eyelid at night.

I couldn’t even open it. I was worried about going to school looking like Sloth, from “The Goonies.”

Then, I remembered that we were allowed to wear sunglasses inside all day. Luckily, it healed up in time for the dance, and I didn’t have to be that guy who wore sunglasses while indoors at night.

So, don’t worry about the football players — they’ll (hopefully) make good memories doing everything else that Homecoming weekend has to offer, and a win on the field would be good enough to hold them over.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

LINDSEY ROBINSON Durant and Plant City played a classic of a game Oct. 9, and Lady Cougars senior Lindsey Robinson led the team in kills en route to the home team’s 3-2 win over the Lady Raiders.

That Plant City game was nuts. What was it like, on the court?

We had some players out. ... Trying to bounce back from that, knowing it was a district game, was really important for us.

It was rough, but it was probably one of the most fun games we’ve had all season. Just because it was, like intense. It went to five. ... I’d say it was the most fun game I’ve had since I started playing here.

That fourth set was especially crazy, too. Plant City looked very good.

I think all of us had, in the back of our minds, that we knew how to win the game — it was just taking longer for all of us to come together as a team. ... For me, it was mainly keeping everyone confident and telling ourselves, “We got this.”

Everything clicked in the fifth set, and now you all are in good position in the district. What are you looking forward to in the tournament?

On Tuesday, after practice, we’re going to go over there and watch the teams play. We’re going to try to get ahead of the program. ... We’re hoping to play Strawberry Crest in the finals. Right now, Strawberry Crest is ranked first in our district, because of the coin toss, so we’re second. We hope that the final game has us playing Strawberry Crest.

You have Senior Night coming up. What does that night mean for you?

Senior Night is very important to me. Since I’ve been on varsity, since

sophomore year, I’ve always seen it, and it’s so much fun. The seniors go out to dinner. It’s tradition for the underclassmen to get a girl and make posters for whoever your girl is. ...

It’s kind of crazy. I feel like, “No, it can’t be all over!”

I’m really excited.

What are your hobbies, outside of volleyball?

I like to go to the gym and work out. I was just saying that I can’t wait for the season to be over, so that I can start going back to the gym and working out.

Other than that, on the weekends I go out with friends.

We go to the beach, movies, parties, whatever is around. I spend time with family — my sister just had a baby.

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

I think I would be famous, just because I feel that famous people are really looked up to by younger kids. I think that, if I were to be famous, I could set a good example for younger kids and encourage them to be the best they can be in life.

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

Probably to fly. It would be nice to jump higher. It’s so hard to work on your vertical, especially when you don’t have time.

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PLANT CITY

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TO DATE

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HIGH 82 84 86 86 82 82 80

Fri., Oct. 17 Sat., Oct. 18 Sun., Oct. 19 Mon., Oct. 20 Tues., Oct. 21 Wed., Oct. 22 Thurs., Oct. 23

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SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES Fri., Oct. 17 Sat., Oct. 18 Sun., Oct. 19 Mon., Oct. 20 Tues., Oct. 21 Wed., Oct. 22 Thurs., Oct. 23

SUNRISE 7:30 a.m.

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LOW 61 64 64 66 65 64 61

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TOMATOES SHIPPING POINT: ORLANDO SIZE 5x6 size 6x6 size

YEAR

TO DATE 36.34 (2013: 35.94)

LOW $23.95 $21.95

HIGH $23.95 $21.95

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Courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture

Oct. 1

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Kimberly Bullard had an unexpected visitor on her commute. “I love this photo I took of a frog clinging to my windshield,” she says. “I like to call it, ‘Feeling Froggy.’”

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.

I’M SCARED

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6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

DOWN 1 Hit with the forehead 2 State under oath 3 “Buona ___” (Italian greeting) 4 Saturday night specials, e.g.

5 Couch potato’s choice

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

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Easy-to-carry instruments Cancel, to 116-Across Belonging to actor Lowe?

Pig’s place Psychic’s power Blade in prison Seeps All in Like standard music notation Hollywood Bros.

Told a falsehood Long-winged shore bird Murderous barber Sweeney Do 33-Down again Payable on demand Julia, Gordie and Elias Associate of Tarzan Plant Upper ___ (now Burkina Faso) “___ a Grecian Urn” Panda’s dream meal?

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It’s sometimes pulled while running Finishes a book?

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Tries to slim down Mythical strongman Step on the scales Lou Gehrig’s number The “A” in A.D. Common sci-fi figure Garage relatives Vampire in flight From the same tree The current fashion Somalia’s citizenry, e.g.

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Noted Gettysburg event Bathroom fixture, for some Vase with a base It gets hot in a bag Royal headwear Kind of badge, cup or horn Glowing coal The “D” in LED Hot temper Public display of 97-Down Hollowed, as apples

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105 Spirited self-assurance 106 Santa ___, California 107 Kind of tide 110 PC site, perhaps 111 Stat for a pitcher

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