10.18.18 PLCO

PLANT CITY

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 6, NO. 16

FREE

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Dachshunds on deck.

SEE PAGE 10 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

PC’s nature park McIntosh Regional Park will soon get new trails and improvemnents thanks to a $600,000 investment. SEE PAGE 6

A heritage of scouting

YOUR TOWN

Photo courtesy Justin Surrency

PC unites for disaster relief

Thanks to a local Eagle Scout, Dover Elementary has a new outdoor classroom.

Durant High School ROTC color guard did the presentation of the colors.

SEE PAGE 4

Breanne Williams

Members of the Plant City community came together last weekend to fill a local bus to the brim with hurricane relief supplies following the devastating path of Hurricane Michael. More than $1,800 worth of items like toilet papers, diapers, cleaning supplies and pet food were donated to be delivered to the panhandle.

Simply titled, “Fill the Bus,” the group came together in less than 24 hours to use their resources to help those in need. Drop off locations were in several local businesses and the campaign spread quickly throughout Facebook.

Photo courtesy David Harnage

Eagle Scout David Harnage spent approximately six months building the outdoor classroom at Dover Elementary.

Honoring those who served The Plant City Honors Veterans and Active Military event will let local veterans know they are cherished by their hometown.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

P

lant City is coming together to offer a one-of-a-kind tribute to veterans in honor of Veterans Day. From Nov. 5 to 11, a variety of merchants throughout Plant City will offer special discounts for those who have served to show their support for the military. A special logo will be displayed on the front door or window of all those participating in the event.

A committee comprised of Plant City Elks Lodge members David Brewington, David Davenport, Dee Spivey, Frank Cummings, Judy Wise and many more arranged for community members to buy American Flag Kits to fly Old Glory proudly from the front of their stores or homes. While some individual homeowners are hopping on board, Walden Lake has stepped up emphatically to join the movement.

SEE VETERANS, PAGE 9

File photo

WLCC buyer meet and greet

File photo

Hopewell Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens’s 31st Annual Veterans Day: Honoring Those Who Served program.

A potential Walden Lake Golf & Country Club buyer wants to meet and greet Plant City residents.

2XS Development is scheduled to give a presentation for its proposed acquisition of the golf course from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Plant City Church of God, 2103 Mud Lake Road.

All Plant City residents are welcome to attend.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

“It all started when I was driving home through Maine and other places like that and in the small towns every business, every house had flags flying. That’s just what their summers look like up there. I came back and I thought, ‘I don’t know why our city can’t look like that.’”

WEEK OF OCTOBER 18, 2018

Christmas Parade coming soon Plant City’s annual Christmas Parade is right around the corner and the group behind the parade is working to make the Dec. 7 event as good as ever.

Stingray Chevrolet will host a barbecue chicken dinner fundraiser in its parking lot beginning at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 2. All proceeds from the fundraiser will fund the 2018 parade. Orders can be placed in advance by calling Bob Fulks at 813-365-0275, Henry Falcon at 813-754-9338 or Sharon Moody at 813-453-7134.

The parade is also looking for sponsors and has available sponsorships starting at $250. The sponsorships are tax-deductible.

Interested potential sponsors can call Fulks, Moody and Marsha Passmore at 813-245-2244 or Dodie White at 813-927-0595.

Parade applications and Grand Marshal nominations are currently open and can be completed online at pcchristmasparade. homestead.com.

— Judy Wise, on the Elks Lodge Veterans Day celebration

BY THE NUMBERS

400

tickets available for the Elks Lodge’s Veterans Day picnic.

SEE PAGE 9

6

months Eagle Scout David Harnage spent working on his outdoor classroom project.

SEE PAGE 4

$600,000

money to be used to add a walking trail, parking lot and other needed features to McIntosh Regional Park.

Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Lightning

Hanna Weber is presented a check by Lightning CEO Steve Griggs and forward Tyler Johnson.

Durant grad honored by Bolts

SEE PAGE 6

20

touchdown passes thrown

by Braxton Plunk in 2018.

D

uring the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Oct. 13 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team named Hanna Weber its 326th Lightning Community Hero.

Weber, who graduated from Durant High School this past spring, has completed over 500 hours of

SEE PAGE 13

community service and served as president of the Tampa Museum of Art’s Youth Council over the past two years. She’s helped the museum create the Teen Open Studio Program, which gives teenagers free studio space on-site so they can express themselves through their artwork.

The Lightning gave Weber a $50,000 donation, half of which Weber plans to give to the museum to help fund new technology, software and hardware for the Teen Open Studio. The other half will help pay for Weber’s education at the University of North Florida.

HCC to host open house Hillsborough Community College’s Plant City campus is getting ready to host an open house for anyone looking to learn new career-oriented skills.

Whether the goal is to learn something that can help in a current career or lead to a new one, or if an employer is curious about how it can help employees with education, HCC will have the answers from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road. People must RSVP online at hccfl.edu.

LAWRENCE MCC

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“OurLobbying communityProtect is a Ban for the Politicians Constitution pillar of our state’s economy and we must “Our community is a continue to protect our pillar of our state’s agriculture industry economy must and supportand our we local continue to protect our businesses.”

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“Our community is a pillar of our state’s economy and we must continue to protect our agriculture industry and support our local businesses.”

- Lawrence

industry - agriculture Lawrence and support our local businesses.”

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Political advertisement paid for and approved by Lawrence McClure, Republican, for State House, District 58.

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WH AT’S H A PPENING

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

PC’s role in FARM-TO-TABLE

Breanne Williams

The Photo Archives & History Center has a new exhibit that examines the area’s crucial role in the revolutionary farm-totable movement.

Top: Five generations of the Kennedy family have come through Plant City since the creation of Southland Frozen Foods.

Bottom: Courtesy of the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center.

An old Plant City market.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

P

lant City played a key role in changing the way farming, food processing and the journey from field to table developed in Florida.

The new exhibition at the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center shares that story with detailed displays that discuss everything from farming improvements to the creation of massive supermarkets.

“It was a wonderful turnout and people really seemed to have had a great time,” Gil Gott, executive director for the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center, said.

“They really looked at and read and understood the exhibits and understood the story. That’s the thing we were concerned about.

It was a story that we thought needed to be told and people are beginning to understand the importance of agriculture and how it took place right here.”

Titled, “Plant City and the Agriculture, Good Processing and Supermarket Revolution 1939 to 1975,” viewers can take a journey through time and explore the history of local farms and food processors as well as glimpse how beloved giant Publix Super Markets, Inc. came to be.

An exhibit preview was held Oct. 14 and many community members, as well as the families behind the informative displays, came together to delve into the rich history of the region. The grand opening event for the

exhibit was held at 10 a.m. the next morning.

Following World War I, the advanced technology developed was used to steer farming into a dramatically different future.

Plant City opened what was then the largest State Farmers Market in all of Florida in 1939, creating a one-stop-shop for families and retailers in the area.

As the farming technology continued to advance so did canning, processing and food packing.

Dehydration and the crystallization methodology continued to develop and soon food was able to travel farther and last longer.

Publix, now a southern staple, was first opened by George Jenkins in 1940. Plant City received its first branch of the store around 1945 on South Collins Street, formerly an All American Food Store.

Partnering with the Archives, the supermarket giant created a massive display for the exhibit detailing its story and how it came to be such a cherished business. There are also exhibits from the Hillsborough FFA, the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, the Florida Strawberry Festival, Wish Farms, Plant City State Farmers Market, J. William Horsey Corporation, Southland Frozen Foods Corp. and the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame.

When an attendee walks in, they should go counter-clockwise around the room to start learning about the organizations in place to further agriculture in the state, then examples of leaders in the industry like Wish Farms. Wish Farms has been an inarguable leader in pushing toward using advancing technology to revolutionize the way the nation farms.

After learning about the farm and the legendary State Farmers Market, guests will learn the history of Southland Frozen Foods Corporation, which has helped send Plant City produce to homes

Courtesy photo

across America.

Old farming equipment and antique food labels originating in Plant City are also on display.

After absorbing the history of how farming revolutionized the area the story wraps up with the Publix exhibit, which brings the products full circle from the field to the dinner table.

The exhibition is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the Archives’s normal business days until Nov. 4.

Breanne Williams

The Photo Archives & History Center held a special preview of the new exhibit on Oct. 14.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

Eagle Scout revamps elementary school

PLANT CITY

Observer “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

David Harnage created an outdoor classroom at Dover Elementary to help students learn about the environment.

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com

BREANNE WILLIAMS

Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver. com

STAFF WRITER

W

hen David Harnage decided to pursue becoming an Eagle Scout, he did so not for personal accolades or to scratch off a goal on his to-do list.

Scouting ran in his family. His grandfather, Richard R. Adicks Jr., was an Eagle Scout in the 1940s and ended up leading troops for the majority of his life. Three years ago he passed away and Harnage dedicated his project to the man he said changed his life.

“I never saw him get angry, he was the nicest person I’d ever met,” Harnage said. “When he passed away, that had a huge effect on me. There were a lot of things that made me ultimately decide to do this, but being able to dedicate my work to him, that just meant a lot.”

He toyed with the idea of attempting to become one of the small percentages of scouts who ascend to the rank of Eagle for quite some time. As he became This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers wrapped up in the busy life that Puzzle One Solution: comes along with entering high school that dream slowly began “The best music is essentially there to to take a backseat. provide you something to face the world

by Breanne Williams Then his mother, Jennifer, was with.”

– BrucePhotos Springsteen diagnosed with an aggressive Eagle Scout David Harnage spoke briefly to students about following their form of cancer. The world shifted dreams and never giving up their curiosity for life.

Puzzle Two Solution: on its axis and he said it didn’t “I spent a lot of years trying to beat take long for him to realize the in the end,some the system classroom that all ofthe thesystem teachersand,was already work completclock was ticking. students ed from a prior project, Harnage “It slowed me down and kind could use to help their kicked my behind good.” to a “comof sped me up at the same time,” learn about the environment and began converting –MickeyitRourke Harnage said. “For a while, I agriculture, which plays a large fortable spot” for the students.

HeSudoku learned toanswers build bench desks, didn’t, I just had no resolve to role in the Dover area. This week’s The journey following her diag- constructed a walkway and sturwork for a couple months. Then I realized she might not be around nosis was difficult, his mother dy border, mulched the area and forever, that no one was going to said, but watching her son excel, wove vines up a pergola.

He worked for approximately be around forever, that I wasn’t watching him grow as he poured going to be around forever. You his heart and soul into his Eagle six months on the project and project, has played a massive role said he learned a variety of new can’t just wait forCelebrity things to hapThis week’s Cipher answers in her healing process. She is now skills while constructing the fun pen.

You have to go out and do Puzzle One Solution: what you want. It motivated me cancer-free — a fact both she and venue. The new outdoor classthere attribute to Harnage to a miracle room is right next to the school’s to“The finishbest this.”music is essentially provide you something to face the world His mother is a teacher at Willis from God — and said she knows garden. Harnage said he hopes as grandfather would have been the students go through the years Peters Exceptional Center, with.”

– right Brucehis Springsteen next door to Dover Elementary. beaming with pride if he saw all at Dover they will come to think Through her connection, Har- that Harnage has accomplished of the classroom as a fun place to Puzzle Two Solution: learn about agriculture and that it nage found out Dover had a spe- over the past year.

“I need. spentA aspace lot of beat set to work on reno- will further encourage their curicial on years campustrying was toHarnage the system and, end, the system vating the spartan area into a osity for the world in which they not being utilized andin hethe wanted tokicked transform into angood.” outdoor perfect classroom. While there live. my itbehind

–Mickey Rourke

This Sudoku answers Thisweek’s week’s Sudoku answers

Editorial Designer / Betsy Alvarez BAlvarez@yourobserver.com Melissa Leduc MLeduc@yourobserver.com

Students participated in a lesson in their new outdoor classroom.

“It was a great learning experience for me, it taught me so much about leadership and planning,” Harnage said. “Scouting in general is just such an amazing way to learn regardless of your age. You learn to be gentle with your surroundings and with other people, but to also be firm in what you believe. Everyone should give it a try. It teaches you to be prepared for anything.”

The Boy Scouts of America is a faith-based organization and Harnage said it has helped him grow into someone that is ready to “tackle the outside world.” He has faced immense obstacles over the past several years, but faith and scouting helped get both him and his family through.

When speaking to the students at the dedication ceremony on Oct. 11 Harnage said he hoped they would be able to use the outdoor classroom for years creating numerous happy memories. He also encouraged them to pursue their dreams and never give up on something they believe in.

“I think the kids are really excited about it,” Harnage said. “More importantly, I think the teachers are excited for it. I hope they get a lot of good use out of it for years to come. It was an honor to get the chance to help in this way.”

“It was a great learning experience for me, it taught me so much about leadership and planning.”

— David Harnage, Eagle Scout

©2018 NEA, Inc.

Thisweek’s week’sCrossword Crossword answers This

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “The best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world – Bruce Springsteen with.”

Puzzle Two Solution: “I spent a lot of years trying to beat the system and, in the end, the system kicked my behind good.”

–Mickey Rourke

This week’s Sudoku answers

Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver. com

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CONTACT US

The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103.

If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

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is locally owned by Ed Verner, Karen Berry, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes The Plant City Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC.

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This week’s Crossword answers

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

Dear Hillsborough County Voter, I want to be a judge in part because of the worst day in my 26 year legal career. I showed up to select a jury, the judge refused to let our expert witness testify and threatened my client with jail if she lost. My client had never been in the criminal justice system before. She is just an ordinary person like you and me. Instead of getting her day in court, she entered a plea to avoid jail. The system failed her and as an experienced attorney and a strong advocate for my client, I still could not protect her. I vowed on that day to someday become a judge so that whoever came before me would get their day in court and not be penalized.

I hope I have earned your support.

Please vote on or before November 6th for E. Michael Isaak for County Court Judge, Group 8.

Respectfully,

Michael Isaak

FAIRNESS AND INTEGRITY IN THE COURTROOM FAMILY

Lives in Tampa with wife Betsy, daughter Sophia and son Jackson.

Attends Idlewild Baptist Church.

PROFESSIONAL

26-year legal career Successful private practice for 21 years Former Assistant State Attorney Admitted to the United States Supreme Court (2003)

AWARDS & COMMUNITY

State Attorney’s Long Term Service Award, 18th Circuit Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Award of Excellence (1993, 1994, 1995) St Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Board of Directors

The Most Experienced and Qualified Candidate in Hillsborough County Court

Mark Proctor Soil & Water Conservation

Charleene Closshey & Mayor Rick and Di Lott

Dee Dee & Carl Grooms Fancy Farms

Roy Davis

Courtney Paat and Kayla Drawdy

ENDORSEMENTS ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ORGANIZATIONS Rick Lott- Mayor of Plant City

Pam Bondi- Florida Attorney General Jake Raburn- State Rep.-FL House of Representatives, Dist. 57 Stacy Hahn- Hillsborough County School Board, Dist.

2 Lynn Gray- Hillsborough County School Board, Dist. 7 Bob Henriquez- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Mark Proctor- Hillsborough County Soil & Water Conservation, Group 5.

La Gaceta Newspaper Florida Sentinel Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association

PLANT CITY COMMUNITY LEADERS David Brewington Salynn Ciccarello Aaron Davis Ed & Karen Dees Kayla Drawdy David & Marcie Drawdy

Jack Gibbs Carl & Dee Dee Grooms Joe Keel William “Billy” Keel Larry Jimenez

Carol Moody, Esq. Marc Poling B.M. “Mac” & Cookie Smith David Sullivan Art Wood

...and many more Plant City Leaders!

VOTE BY NOVEMBER 6TH

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

McIntosh Park’s

makeover

Plant City’s massive McIntosh Regional Park is getting a makeover thanks to a new grant from the 2018 State Legislature and funding from the city.

Approximately 100 acres of the site is now wetlands, used to help with water management in the area.

Photos by Breanne Williams

The city has cleared paths for walkers to enjoy the scenery.

natural landscape. He said it had “some of the best-featured tracts that Plant City has to offer.”

According to the city, future plans for the approximately 260 non-wetland acres of the park include having low-intensity amenities like disc golf, pavilions and a vast variety of trails. Nature

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preliminary phase of planning to study the area, but the hope is soon partnerships can be made to jumpstart the plan.

“I’m very excited about it,” McDaniel said. “I don’t want to oversell it because it’s a multiyear process to do this. I mean nobody is going to see anything changing out there next week.

But we are actively pursuing these strategies that would make better use of the property, potentially provide benefit to the neighbors and the area as a whole. If we improve the water quality system that helps everybody… I do not know if that’s possible yet. We are studying it.”

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observation will be prevalent throughout the property.

The eastern portion of the park is where the wetlands lie. The network of waterways at the site help improve overall water quality in the area. The 100-acre prairie wetland area has the capability of removing up to 50% of the pollutants that seep into the Hillsborough River from that section of the county, according to the city.

The Eastside Canal, which drains 6,300 acres of urban and rural land, flows through the wetlands before it merges with the river at Two Rivers Ranch.

The city is currently in an evaluation process now with SWFMD and some other regulatory agencies to see what can be done to increase and further enhance the water quality of the wetlands.

They may one day add a flood control element —water retention— to help both increase the flooding and enhancing the natural cleanup of the water.

Nothing is finalized, but the section will be heavily examined so the park can do the most good for the area. It’s merely in the

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hidden gem found along Paul S. Buchman Highway is getting some upgrades thanks to a grant agreement from the State Legislature. McIntosh Regional Park opened in 2015 as a passive park, allowing the public to enjoy its approximately 363 acres, the eastern 100 of which are wetlands.

The large section of land was purchased in 1998 for $1.1 million by the Florida Communities Trust and the Hillsborough County Environmental Land Acquisition and Protection Program. In May of 2015, the park opened with man-made walking, hiking and mountain-bike trails and a few secluded areas for the public to bask in the beauty of the largely untouched park.

The natural preserve will be using $300,000 from the 2018 State Legislature as well as $300,000 from the city to establish a more than two mile walking trail, a much-needed parking lot, a wildlife viewing platform,

informational kiosk and trail educational signage.

“Right now there’s what I would call ‘rudimentary trials,’” City Manager Bill McDaniel said.

“Basically we go out and we mow a path through the tall grass for people who want to walk around.

The funding we have and the plan we’re working on is to put in more formalized trails and a trail system with appropriate signing, picnic tables, and a parking lot, a good parking lot. It needs that very much.”

Because of the basic amenities at the park, few even know of its existence, let alone frequent the preserve. Making the blissful ambiance of the preserve more accessible to the public it serves is the main goal for the city, according to McDaniel. He said the ball will now be rolling “rather quickly” over in McIntosh Regional Park.

When it originally opened, then-city manager Mike Herr told the Observer he hoped the property would one day attract both locals and tourists who wish to “take advantage” of Plant City’s

Park Rd.

STAFF WRITER

Maryland Ave.

BREANNE WILLIAMS

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

7

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE Did you take the Observer with you on vacation? Send your pictures to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

BOO! Trunk-or-Treat

Get the kids ready for an afternoon of Halloween!

Join us for the Trunk-or-Treat, dressed up in your Halloween best!

• Games and Crafts

• Trunk-or-Treating

• Music

• Prizes

• And more!

WHEN:

Saturday, October 27

LOCATION:

PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Place Plant City, FL 33566 (813) 757-6677

SPONSORED BY:

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: Art and Mary Wood toured the Galapagos Islands in September and brought a copy of the Observer along for the journey. That included a meeting with one of the island’s famed tortoises, who was “more interested in its meal of fresh mowed grass” than staying informed.

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HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH

LEGAL NOTICE

JACK

PUBLIC AUCTION STORAGE SALE In accordance with the provisions of the Florida Self Storage Act (sections 83.801 83.809), there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy an owner and/or manager’s lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at the Life Storage location listed below.

GUTMAN

And, due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties known to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the below stated location(s) to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on Wednesday, 9:00 AM, November 7, 2018, at 1005 South Alexander Street, Plant City, FL 33563, 813-759-9526.

WHY HAVE OVER 100 ATTORNEYS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ENDORSED JACK GUTMAN?

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

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HEALTH OBSERVED File photos

The city has officially begun its new fiscal year, setting the stage for a variety of new projects.

New fiscal year off with a bang The city’s new fiscal year began on Oct. 1 and the first commission meeting of the month set a variety of new projects in motion.

Feeling Off, or Is It Something More?

By Nelida Rivera, RN, Florida Blue Registered Nurse More than 14.8 million Americans experience depressions. And feeling sad isn’t the only symptom.

There are many other symptoms that can interfere with your daily life and ability to function.

Depression is very treatable through effective counseling and/or medication. Changing your lifestyle, sleep schedule, eating habits and physical activity could make a difference, too.

What Is Depression?

Depression affects how you feel, think and act. It’s more than just having a bad day. Depression can affect anyone. There are more than 50 different symptoms of depression, but not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some of the signs may include:

There are many different types of depression that vary in severity. No two people are affected the same way by depression and there is no “one size fits all” for treatment, so getting an accurate diagnosis from a licensed professional is key to identifying the appropriate treatment. The right treatment can get you back to feeling like yourself.

• Feeling sad • Sleeping too much or too little • Eating too much or too little • Feeling worthless or hopeless • Lack of energy • Thinking about suicide or death • Expecting the worst • Decreased interest in activities and hobbies • Withdrawing from family and friends • Irritability • Having trouble concentrating, remembering details or making decisions • Feeling tired, even after oversleeping • Thinking about suicide or hurting yourself Should I Talk to Someone?

If any of these signs seem familiar to you, be sure to let your doctor know.

Talk to someone. Help is available.

You don’t have to feel this way.

Also, remember this is a much more common problem than you think. So don’t worry about asking for help. If you feel strange talking to your doctor about your feelings, consider this: Depression can make some health problems you have worse. So treating your depression not only helps you feel better mentally, it could help you feel better physically, too.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

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Where Do I Get Help?

If you’re unsure where to start, talk to your general doctor and ask for recommendations. Florida Blue members can visit your Neighborhood Nurse at your local Florida Blue Center for help in finding a mental health professional who can help you. Florida Blue works with New Directions to offer behavioral health resources to our members. You can learn more about symptoms and find support tools on their website under Resources at ndbh.com. If you ever feel like hurting yourself, you can get free, confidential help 24 hours a day by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or via webchat at SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

Nelida Rivera is a registered nurse at the Florida Blue Center in Winter Haven where she teaches free health and wellness classes that are open to the public in addition to providing health coaching and assessments.

(863) 291-0140 www.FloridaBlue.com

Health Observed allows brands and businesses to connect directly with the Observer’s readership — and participate in the conversation — by creating engaging content on the Observer’s digital publishing platform. For more on Health Observed, email us at kohara@yourobserver.com.

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ast week’s city commission meeting kickstarted a lot of upcoming projects as the city officially began the new fiscal year.

Fire Station Two will soon be sporting a new roof thanks to the approval of a bid by Quality Roofing, Inc. The city approved the allocation of $104,000 to the company to construct a new roof on the building due to the deteriorating conditions of the current infrastructure.

The station, which is located on Alexander Street toward I-4, is still using the original roof from when the building was constructed in 1990. Now that the contract has been approved, the city will be tackling work orders and other necessary paperwork in the next few weeks.

During the same commission meeting, the contract for media management for the city was awarded to Fryed Egg Productions. The company will handle a variety of media positions with the city including managing several of its social media sites, shooting video for the city and handling overall media relations between the city and the public.

The contract gives Fryed Egg Productions $70,000 for one year of services. There are oneyear renewal options built into the contract should the city wish to continue the partnership with Fryed Egg in the upcoming fiscal years. Fryed Egg was one of eight bids the city received and was the only Plant City firm to apply in the three week bid period.

Downtown’s two major parking lots — the Mahoney Street lot and the North Municipal lot — are officially looking at a major upgrade thanks to the city approving a work order for their repair. Kimley-Horn Associates, Inc., which is one of the city’s engineering firms that is under a continuing contract, has offered its services for design improvements for a price that will not exceed $60,080.

The North Depot lot, located by the Train Depot, will need repaving, designed stormwater improvements to help with the flooding issues in the area, the

The hall that the city commission meetings are held in will soon be getting a new media system as part of the new fiscal year’s list of projects.

curbing and wheel stops replaced along with other improvements. The Mahoney Street lot, between Collins Street and Evers Street, will need its drainage to be reviewed, lighting to be upgraded, curb replacements and more.

The city also approved the purchase of two refuse trucks from Rush Truck Centers of Florida, Inc. by piggybacking off the Florida Sheriff’s Association Contract. The city agreed to spend 96,941 to purchase a front-end loader and a rear-end loader to replace the vehicles, which were damaged in accidents. Insurance said the trucks were a total loss.

Future commission meetings will soon feature new media systems. The city agreed to spend no more than $160,000 to purchase a new media system for the auditorium from Unicom Government Inc. The current system hasn’t been updated since April 2000.

The city said the system has been having difficulties working with newer technologies and it is time for new equipment. The proposed upgrade is for a new overhead projector that will be raised and lowered as needed, two media stations that will allow news media to connect to the audio system and record what is being said, new microphones and recording equipment, two new 65-inch 4k monitors that will replace the small monitors hanging from the ceiling, a new electronic device friendly podium, monitors on the dais, a control center for the City Clerk and more.

The city said this will make the experience of each meeting easier to digest for the public and make presentations a breeze for all parties involved.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Veterans FROM PAGE 1

“This has been something that I’ve wanted to do for the last two to three years and it felt right as far as the calendar is concerned as far as Veterans Day falling on a weekend,” Judy Wise, veterans chairman for the Elks Lodge, said.

“I took it to the board at the Elks and they said go for it. I had no idea what I was biting off.”

The week ties into other events the community is hosting in honor of the special holiday. There will be a special concert honoring veterans and the military at Plant City High School at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9. On Nov. 10 Hopewell Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens is

Breanne Williams

Judy Wise presented the Plant City Elks Lodge’s floral arrangement.

hosting its 33rd annual event at Veterans Memorial Monument Park at 10 a.m.

At the end of the week, the celebration will culminate with a special barbecue meal catered from Mission BBQ at the Elks Lodge on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. There will also be a coffee truck serving free coffee and tea donated by Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company in Tampa.

A WWII Army jeep will be at the picnic as well. A Lions Club member, Paul Gasca, will be the DJ at the event. The color guard

by Scout Troop 744 will also be on site.

The Elks have partnered with a variety of other organizations throughout the city like the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Plant City Main Street, Fryed Egg Productions, the Plant City Noon Rotary and the Woman’s Club of Plant City to spread the movement throughout town.

“It has grown so quickly, the next thing I knew this was like a big snowball rolling down a hill,” Wise said. “I kind of wanted it to be this big. It all started when I was driving home through Maine and other places like that and in the small towns every business, every house had flags flying.

That’s just what their summers look like up there. I came back and I thought, ‘I don’t know why our city can’t look like that.’”

Originally, Wise expected the Lodge to see approximately 250 people attend the event. With the community partnerships and support from the city, she now anticipates they will quickly reach their 400-attendee cap.

Tickets to the picnic are $10 and every veteran or active military member will get two free tick-

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

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Courtesy photo

A banner with the Elks motto was held in front of the reflection pool in Washington D.C.

ets with valid military IDs. The free veterans tickets, $10 civilian tickets and the flag kits can be purchased at Bruton Memorial Library, the Plant City Family YMCA, Walden Lake Car Wash and Pinch-a-Penny Pool Supplies. Only approximately 400 tickets can be sold so Wise recommends purchasing in advance.

The Lodge is also seeking sponsors for the special event ranging from $100 to $2,500. The first 200 veterans at the picnic will receive a special goody bag with gifts, coupons and pertinent information.

Wise said it was important for the Elks to be able to offer a special service for all veterans in the area.

Because of their dedication to those who have served they have arranged for ambulatory veterans

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from James A. Haley Hospital to be able to take part in the event.

The special week is also receiving a proclamation from the city on Oct. 22 during the scheduled city commission meeting at 7:30 p.m. A proclamation was written from the county as well and County Commissioner Al Higginbotham is going to end his political career at the event with a reading of the proclamation.

This is the first of what is to hopefully be many Veterans Week celebrations, according to Wise.

Next year she hopes they outgrow the Lodge and are forced to move to an even larger venue. She said the plan is to extend the celebration to all first responders next year as well.

FOR MORE INFO Visit: Plant City Honors Veterans and Active Military Facebook page Call: Judy Wise at 863-370-8389 with any questions.

Purchase flags: Visit Bruton Memorial Library, the Plant City Family YMCA, Walden Lake Car Wash and Pinch-aPenny Pool Supplies for a $10 flag kit.

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

Pawsitively majestic event BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

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or 13 years DARE, a Dachshund adoption, rescue and education organization, has been hosting a special event for local pups to have a day of fun.

For one special day, Dachshunds of all shapes and sizes enjoy a dog-themed party, a costume contest, licking contest and, of course, the legendary races. Plant City is joining in the mix this year as a variety of local businesses and two local artists

DARE is a rescue specifically designed for Dachshunds. Each year they host a Dox-A-Palooza event.

partnered with the event to help draw awareness to the program.

Tish Gray, a local resident who volunteers with DARE, adopted one of her two lovely Dachshunds from the organization. After her first Weiner dog, Heidi, passed she began volunteering with the group since it dealt specifically with the breed and soon she fell in love with one of the fosters named Sissy. Though both her pups are now gone, Gray continues to work with the group and has been a DARE volunteer for eight years.

“I have never been involved with any other rescues so I can’t really compare, but I can tell you that you’ll never find a more dedicated group of workers, of volunteers, than you’ll see at DARE,” Gray said.

DARE takes care of all of the necessary medical treatment for its rescues prior to being adopted.

They are also spayed or neutered and microchipped before being sent out with a new family. The funds raised each year at Dox-APalooza go right back to caring for the rescued dogs.

Gray said one thing that sets the organization apart is the genuine relationships the foster parents have with the rescues.

When a potential adopter comes in searching for their perfect new pet, the staff can give real insight as to each dog’s temperament and needs and steer them toward the perfect pet.

Photos courtesy DARE

The Queen and King of Dox-A-Palooza are crowned each year in honor of the special event.

Some of the fosters will be at the Doxiewood Dox-A-Palooza.

Plant City artists Loretta Burns and Jake Simmons have been working on special dog-themed art specifically for the event.

The Florida Strawberry Festival donated four tickets to the upcoming event as well as Festival license plates and pens. Fred’s and Johnson’s BBQ donated gift certificates for two dinners from each restaurant.

Tub Treats donated a basket of homemade products. The Massage Clinic of Plant City donated

a hand-crafted gift card for $75 or a 60 minute therapeutic massage. Road Runner donated two gift certificates for an oil change.

Lowe’s Home Improvement Store donated a gas grill.

Last year, Gray said approximately 400 to 500 people attended the event.

“Rescues need a home, I know there are people that go through breeders because that appeals to them for a certain reason, but I would rather give a dog that needs one a home,” Gray said.

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Photos by Justin Kline

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The building, located at 1304 S. Collins St., hosted an arts and crafts show from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. that Saturday, giving solo makers and small businesses a new venue to sell their wares. Whether it was a painting, bird house, gummy snacks or other home decorations, everything available could be had for $25 or less.

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SPORTS

Braxton Plunk is one of Tampa Bay’s top QBs. See Page 13

BULLS at RAIDERS

Sidelines

Photo courtesy PCHS Baseball

Plant City players celebrate their successful outing in the Steinbrenner Classic.

RAIDERS WIN FALL CLASSIC GAME OF THE WEEK

Plant City and Durant sent their baseball teams to the George M. Steinbrenner Fall Classic tournament this month to compete with 18 other teams from around the Tampa Bay area. The Raiders closed it out on Oct. 14 with the big win. Plant City beat Leto, 9-1, in that evening’s championship game at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

Plant City and Steinbrenner High School tied for first place in their division with a 2-0-1 record before the championship rounds began. The Raiders picked up a 3-2 win over Sickles in the Oct. 13 tournament quarterfinal while Steinbrenner fell to Lennard, 4-1. The Raiders went on to beat Durant in the semifinal round, 4-1, that same afternoon.

Durant won its division outright, posting a 3-0-0 record against Jefferson, Pasco High and Tampa Prep, and earned a first-round bye.

Justin Kline

Maurice Morris celebrates a touchdown catch against Durant.

Plant City and Bloomingdale are undefeated in the district.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

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riday night’s game at Plant City High School comes with some of the highest stakes of the regular season for everyone involved.

After last week’s action, PCHS and Bloomingdale are the only 7A-9 teams that have yet to lose a game in district play. The Raiders are riding high after their 35-6 win at Durant and Bloomingdale scored a 33-24 upset win over Tampa Bay Tech. That means this week’s game would have district championship implications of its own, specifically for the visiting team.

DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL FINALE SET Strawberry Crest advanced with a 3-1 win over Plant City in Tuesday night’s semifinal round. The Raiders got to the semifinal by beating Durant, 3-1, in Monday’s quarterfinal round.

Crest and East Bay will kick off at 7 p.m. tonight at Lennard High School, 2342 Shell Point Road E., Ruskin.

Most of the pressure is going to be on Bloomingdale. The Bulls could effectively lock up the district championship with a win over the Raiders on Friday night, guaranteeing them a return to the playoffs with a high seed’s hosting privileges. They certainly have momentum after last Friday’s win, in which Bloomingdale took control with an 18-point second quarter and held strong despite allowing 287 rushing yards and two scores.

The Raiders’ offensive play style is much closer to last year’s district championship Titans team than this year’s Treshaun Ward-heavy offense. Though the Bulls have only allowed 100 or more passing yards twice in 2018, Plant City will be Bloomingdale’s first major test against a passfriendly attack.

SEE FOOTBALL, PAGE 14

OTHER AREA ACTION DURANT at Tampa Bay Tech, 6410 Orient Road, Tampa, 7:30 p.m.

Both the Cougars and Titans are coming off losses, but Fridays just got a lot tougher for Durant. Last week’s Redman Cup game was the Cougars’ last home game of 2018 and kicked off a brutal season-end stretch featuring this week’s game at Tech, next week’s game at Bloomingdale and the Nov. 2 season closer at Armwood.

STRAWBERRY CREST vs. East Bay, 4691 Gallagher Road, Dover, 7:30 p.m.

Crest hosted Riverview last week and, despite 140 passing yards and 97 rushing yards from quarterback Makenzie Kennedy and 103 receiving yards on four catches from Jadyn Girard, could only score a field goal in its 13-3 loss to the Sharks. East Bay won a 45-35 shootout at home against Lennard with 305 rushing yards and all five offensive touchdowns coming on the ground. The Indians’ defense has been far more lenient with teams below the top of the district standings and the Lennard win was the first district win of their season, so it would be unwise for anyone to write the Chargers off before the game begins, but Crest’s defense will have to slow down Joaquin Isidro.

Charger Wrestling Club lends helping hand The Plant City-based club collected supplies last week to help Hurricane Michael victims.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

S

ince Hurricane Michael ravaged the Florida panhandle, residents of the state and surrounding areas have wasted no time stepping up to help. Among the good Samaritans in the relief effort is Plant City’s own Charger Wrestling Club.

“It’s really hard to plan for a natural disaster. You’ve just got to kind of go with the flow,” Terry

said. “I’ve spent a lot of time up there in Mexico Beach and things of that nature when I was in the military. To see that place, how bad it was, it hit home.”

On Oct. 10, coach Will Terry and the club hatched a plan to help people in and around Bay County. The club put out the call to Plant Citians and, by late afternoon Oct. 12, the group had filled a U-Haul trailer full of clean clothes, non-perishable food, bug spray, diapers, oil, gas and

more. People from all over Plant City visited the club’s Oak Avenue location to donate supplies or money which was used to buy supplies at Walmart.

“There was probably enough stuff in there to clothe five, six families and probably enough food to stock 10 pantries,” Terry said. “We didn’t make a huge dent, but anything’s better than nothing.”

Not everything went according to plan, however. Bay County

Photo courtesy Will Terry

Downed trees made navigating the Florida panhandle extremely difficult and restricted drivers to follow certain routes.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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Plant City’s pass-heavy offense has been on fire in 2018 and much of that comes from the play of senior quarterback Braxton Plunk. Plunk has thrown for 1,873 yards (234.1 per game) and 20 touchdowns this season and he’s also scored twice running the ball. Last week, Plunk threw three touchdown passes and added a fourth on the ground to go with a career-high 74 rushing yards in the 35-6 win over Durant.

Justin Kline

Charger Wrestling Club collected donations on Oct. 11 and 12.

law enforcement had been extremely selective about who could enter the county after the storm passed and anyone who wasn’t a resident or first responder would be turned away. That meant the entire group of CWC wrestlers would have been turned away despite their intentions to go help people. But Terry, coach Blake Olson and club dad Rick De Pianta, who is a police officer, were allowed in.

The group left Plant City at 5 a.m.

Oct. 13 and made it to the destination, First United Methodist Church of Marianna, recommended to them by a wrestling contact of Terry’s from the area who could only get the cell phone service to call the group by going to Alabama. They unloaded the U-Haul and got everything ready for distribution, then traveled around the area to see what kind of damage had been done. Terry called the sights of downed trees, demolished brick buildings and downed

power lines scattered all over roads a “humbling” experience for the three men.

“It was total destruction,” Terry said. “Huge, three-story brick buildings crumbled. This was 30 minutes north of where Mexico Beach and Panama City are. The pastor of the church was talking to us and said they were told it wasn’t just transformers and poles down — it wiped out the entire electrical grid in Pensacola. At minimum, six weeks before they have power.”

Though not just anyone can enter all of the affected areas at this time, there are ways to help from inside Plant City. The Goodwill store on James L. Redman Parkway is a designated donation center for hurricane victims and anyone wishing to donate money can do so on the Red Cross’s website, redcross.org.

You’ve got a big game coming up on Friday with Bloomingdale coming to town. What are you looking forward to and what’s your goal?

Just the atmosphere, a lot of people are gonna be there. Seeing how this community rallies around us and has our back and seeing how these guys play. Our coaches are doing a great job preparing us all week so hopefully, we just go out there and execute, play to the best of our ability.

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

have the same expectations — a district championship. We make sure everything we do throughout the week is leading to that and making sure we have the right mindset.

When quarterbacks take off running with the ball and have to go down, most people want them to slide. You like to dive headfirst and take the contact.

Does that worry the coaches a little bit?

They tell me, “Just try to score every time you touch the ball.” So it’s just doing whatever helps the team and whatever can get us to a win. The offensive line played great last week, I don’t think we had a sack and we manhandled (Durant) up front, which was pretty impressive.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

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Braxton Plunk

13

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

You all had some high expectations going into the season and so far you’ve delivered. How do you not let stuff like that get to your heads too much and stay focused on the things that win these ball games?

Understanding our expectations.

Our coaches and our team, we all

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

SPORTS

FOCUS ON FITNESS

Diet hacks

I

f we want to maintain a healthy weight, we need to cut calories and eat nutrient dense foods. There are some really simple ways to do that without sacrificing the foods that you love.

SWAPS

n Replace ground beef with

Justin Kline

Plant City brought the Redman Cup trophy back home last Friday night.

Football FROM PAGE 12

While Durant held quarterback Braxton Plunk to 172 passing yards on 16 completions last week, Plant City’s senior star also threw three touchdown passes and no interceptions. Though playmaker Mario Williams was held to 59 receiving yards, the speedy sophomore also scored for the first time since Sept. 21 with two touchdown catches.

The Raiders combined for 218 rushing yards on 35 touches in last week’s matchup, and lead back Zamir’ Knighten was responsible for 22 of the carries and 109 of the yards. Plunk scored the team’s only rushing touchdown of the game on a goal-line plunge. The Raiders generally call around 16 to 17 running plays per game, but the team wanted to establish a physical presence last week just like it

did in the Aug. 31 game at Hillsborough (39 carries, 193 yards, two touchdowns total). The Bulls have been fairly good at stopping the run in 2018 but have allowed players such as Ward and East Bay’s Joaquin Isidro to eclipse 100 yards.

The Bulls will also have to be aware of Kobe Panier’s location at all times. Panier has returned a turnover for a touchdown in two of the Raiders’ last three games, grabbing a 65-yard pick six against Crest and returning a fumble 50 yards for a score last week.

Bloomingdale is a well-oiled machine that will capitalize on mistakes. Plant City’s greatest weakness in 2018 has been itself: the Raiders have had trouble staying out of trouble with the referees this season and they can’t afford to repeat last week’s penalties against Bloomingdale if they want to win the game and get a real crack at the district crown.

ground turkey in recipes like meatloaf and chili. n Lettuce works great as a wrap.

Try it instead of bread or tortillas. n Replace soda and sugary drinks with water or fruit-infused water. n Swap your large plates for smaller ones. It will help with portion control.

PREPARATION

Most of us are more likely to reach for unhealthy snacks if we don’t have something healthy on hand to snack on. A little preparation will go a long way! n Vegetables like string beans and greens can be parboiled and refrigerated. Sautee with garlic and a tablespoon of olive oil for healthy meals later in the week.

Other fresh vegetables, like bell peppers, cucumbers, celery and carrots can be washed and sliced for snacks. n Chicken can be cooked ahead of time and used throughout the week. Try putting chicken breasts in the crock pot (these can even be cooked from frozen).

ANGELA FULGIERI

Cook on high for six hours and then shred. It can be used on top of salads, in burritos, spooned on top of an avocado, as a baked potato filling, etc. There are lots of possibilities.

DINING OUT

Yes, you can watch what you eat and still enjoy dining out. n Choose healthy options like chicken or fish and substitute steamed vegetables for fries. n Stay away from fried foods.

MINDFUL EATING

Be mindful about what you are eating and when. n If you must snack while you watch TV at night, almonds or grapes are a healthy alternative to chips or candy. n People who track what they eat tend to eat less. Try writing it down or use an app to track your food intake.

These few changes to your diet won’t shed a ton of weight but will help contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Small changes are easier to make. Consider making one or two changes to your diet at a time and you are more likely to stick to it.

Angela Fulgieri is the Wellness Experience Director at the Plant City YMCA. Contact her at observerfitness@gmail.com.

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WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

I

’m not really one to mess around with fad diets. But I am open-minded enough to try something I can easily work into my normal routine and that’s how I ended up drinking 100% vegan meal replacement shakes for a month.

Before you call me a hippie, know that I didn’t get down on this adventure because I’m trying to go vegan. Few things in this life soothe my soul like pulled pork sandwiches or the barbacoa from Taco Loco. I ended up drinking shakes for one meal a day for a month because I was surfing Instagram on the couch and saw an ad for 500-calorie shakes that worked out to just over $2 per meal and

my broke self saw an opportunity to save some money. Times are tough, but that decision was not.

Most folks who are about that vegan shake life are drinking either Huel or Soylent. I did my research and stuck with Huel because the taste sounded more appealing, it has more protein per serving and it helped that the name didn’t remind me of a 1973 movie called Soylent Green that, spoiler alert, was about disguised cannibalism.

You prepare this stuff much like you would a protein shake and drink it pretty much the same way, but you’re advised to be careful starting out due to how the stuff can affect your digestive system. If you go too deep into the shakes too soon, you’re going to live on your toilet. I decided to use Huel once per day because every other published review I’ve read had writers using it for all meals

for a week and Medium’s Jared Hill said, “I was shaken (no pun intended) and went to bed an empty man.” I wasn’t about to let go of my bodily function control and have Jesus take the wheel.

My vanilla Huel came on a Thursday afternoon and I made my first shake the following day. I thought there was a good chance I’d find the stuff to taste repulsive, but I was pleasantly surprised. If you’re not in love with vanilla oatmeal, the shake’s pretty flexible and you can blend it with pretty much whatever you want to get some bolder flavors.

I felt full, but not so full that all I wanted to do was nap in peace at my desk until something happened like I would after eating a bunch of Taco Loco’s barbacoa. My body handled the stuff pretty well and I did not end up a “shaken… empty man” by the end of the night.

After about a month of regular use, I feel good. It’s helped motivate me to scale back on portion sizes when I eat real food, partly because the shakes are deceptively filling, so I’ve managed

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Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Times & Observer.

Email: jkline@ plantcityobserver. com.

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to lose around seven pounds between adding Huel and hitting the gym. In the instances where I ate real food for lunch and drank a shake for dinner after a workout, all the protein in there (37 grams per serving) helped with my muscle recovery. I like mixing it with my coffee from Krazy Kup every now and then, especially with a shot of espresso.

I’m still drinking it.

It’s so quick to make and saves me time and money. I’m not going to go on an all-Huel diet anytime ever, but sometimes it pays off to step outside your comfort zone.

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285976

15

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

JUSTIN KLINE

Shaking it up a bit A month-long experiment with meal replacement shakes didn’t go as expected.

|

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

What’s your favorite holiday to celebrate?

“Halloween. Kids get more excited to go out and interact with other people in costumes for candy.”

“I think Christmas because it’s a time for my family to all be together... at Christmas we all make time for each other.”

“Thanksgiving. It’s really good food and you get your whole family together, eat and enjoy each other’s company.”

“Veterans Day ... one day just isn’t enough to honor the people that made this country great and their sacrifice.”

“Christmas. Everyone just seems to be nicer around Christmas. It’s always fun with the kids and seeing family.”

— Genevieve Savage, 20

— Emma Carlson, 21

— Ashley Garrett, 29

— Alicia Pletcher, 31

— Chris Klein, 31

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

A funeral service was held on Oct. 15 at Transforming Life Ministries, Plant City. Committal followed at Hopewell Memorial Gardens, Plant City.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELL FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS

www.HopewellFuneraI.com

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

Donnie L. Henderson

G.W. ‘Big Papa’ Colding

Donnie L. Henderson, 74, of Plant City, born on June 1, 1944 in Clearwater, entered into eternal rest on Oct.10, 2018.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

G.W. “Big Papa” Colding, 91, of Lithia, born on Oct. 3, 1927 in Picnic, entered into eternal rest on Oct. 13, 2018.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

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Mattie Lou Crouse, 79, of Plant City, born on Feb. 9, 1939 in Perry, entered into eternal rest on Oct. 11, 2018.

She was a member of Plant City First Baptist Church and a retired secretary for Marshall Middle School in Plant City. She loved her family, enjoyed the mountains and was an avid fan of the Florida Gators.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Crouse.

She is survived by her children, Shelly Crouse Judah of Plant City, Greg Crouse (Michelle) of Tampa, and Tammy Crouse of Orlando; grandchildren, Kyle Judah (Hayley) of Plant City, Heather Judah of Plant City, Joshua Mansell of Orlando, Alison Mansell of Orlando, and Hanna and Heidi Crouse both of Tampa; greatgrandchildren, Aiden Judah, and Ansley Judah; and siblings, Patricia Sellers (Ken) of Dunedin, and Laverne Hamilton of Lutz.

The family received friends on Oct. 14 at Hopewell Funeral Home, Plant City.

www.HopewellFuneraI.com

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

Gene ‘Chipper’ Allen Clark Gene "Chipper" Allen Clark, 72, of Plant City, born on Jan. 17, 1946 in Wetumpka, Alabama, entered into eternal rest on Oct. 8, 2018.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

17

OBITUARIES

Mattie Lou Crouse

|

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HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

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ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

Terry M. Duncan Terry M. Duncan, 71, of Plant City, born on July 27, 1947 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, entered into eternal rest on Oct. 11, 2018.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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18

YOUR CALENDAR

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

THURSDAY, OCT. 18

GFWC BAR-B-Q PULLED PORK DINNER 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the train depot, 102 N. Palmer St. GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City is hosting a barbecue pulled pork dinner fundraiser. Tickets are advance sale only and are $10.

BLUEGRASS NIGHT 6:33 to 8:33 p.m. Bluegrass Nights at Krazy Kup will feature a new local area artist every third Thursday of the month.

This month features “Swinging Bridge.” Tickets are $10.

FRIDAY, OCT. 19

NIGHT AT NORMA’S 6 to 8:45 p.m. at Norma’s Plant City Cuban Sandwich Shop, 120 N. Collins St. Reserve your spot

KRAZY KUP’S 5TH BIRTHDAY 10:33 a.m. to 10:33 p.m. There will be free family fun with a balloon artist, a puppet show, face painting, a magic show, music by the Plant City High School Marching Band and more.

at this month’s special dinner event. Tickets are $35 per person and spots are limited.

SATURDAY, OCT. 20

CRAFT FAIR AND PUMPKIN PATCH 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Presbyterian Church in the Highlands, 1010 Lake Miriam Drive, Lakeland. Nearly 50 vendors will have handcrafted items along with a bake sale and Dee’s Hot Dogs.

VALUABLE HEALTH KNOWLEDGE 10:30 a.m. at Springhead United Methodist Church, 2301 Sparkman Road. Dr. Brenda Dukes is presenting a free two-part series titled, “Valuable Health Knowledge.”

THURSDAY, OCT. 25 Photo courtesy Vicky Saunders

BEST BET SATURDAY, OCT. 20

DINE SMALL DOWNTOWN 4 to 7 p.m. Eat, drink and be merry in the heart of Historic Downtown Plant City with the inaugural Dine Small Downtown event. This threehour self-guided foodie ex-

perience will highlight unique small plates and drinks from The Corner Store, The Strawberry Tap and Norma’s Plant City Cuban Sandwich Shop.

There will also be discounts at participating local businesses. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 day of.

BAILEY ELEMENTARY PTA FALL FESTIVAL 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Bailey Elementary School, 4630 Gallagher Road, Dover. There will be inflatables, photo opportunities and a variety of food and games.

Kona Ice is stopping in for the special event. The games and the inflatables are $10 for the first child and $5 for all others in the family.

E U L A WE V YOUR A! C M Y y l i m a F City t n a l P e h t t a 285214

1507 YMCA Place, Plant City | 813 757 6677 | tampaymca.org

Strawberry Classic Feature OF THE MONTH

2019 FLORIDA STRAWBERY FESTIVAL

ONLY NEED TO ATTEND ONE!!!!

Sunday Oct 21, 2018, 3:00pm or Monday Oct 22, 2018, 5:30pm or Tuesday Oct 23, 2018 5:30pm

Strawberry Classic Cruise-In Feature Car of the Month—October 2018 1977 PONTIAC TRANS AM SE “BANDIT” Owner- John Paul Gasca—Plant City, FL The selection for this month’s Feature Car / Cruiser of the Month is one right out of the collection our very own Plant City, 3rd Saturday Classic Cruise-In DJ!! This beautiful Trans Am SE is a replica of the one that Mr. Burt Reynolds drove in the 1977 hit movie Smokey and the Bandit!! DJ John Paul (as we call him) has a total of five Movie and TV Cars including the 77 LeMans Buford T. Justice Sheriff’s Car that chased the Bandit Trans Am in the movie!!

The late Mr. Burt Reynolds actually sat in both of DJ John Paul’s Smokey and the Bandit cars and autographed the dash in each and they were used at many of his autographing events and special appearances!!

The restoration was done about 8 years ago in-part by DJ John Paul and his son Branden! His good friend Aurelio Martinez of Seffner did the beautiful paint job! The Buford T. Justice LeMans chase car (the other half of the set) was built by his good friend Jesse McDaniels of Plant City and Detailed and operated & maintained by DJ John Paul’s youngest son Tyler of Tampa.

The Bandit Trans Am SE is accurate to the movie car right down to the CB & CB Antenna with the ever famous 6.6 Litre Pontiac 400 Engine, the gold Snowflake Trans Am rims and the rare Hurts Hatches or known to the Pontiac enthusiasts as the Y-82 T-Top Package. This GM F-Body is a PHS (Pontiac Historical Society) documented, numbers matching car and it still has everything working right down to the clock in the tachometer. It has the correct factory exhaust and the unique splitter tips / pipes.

DJ John Paul tries to take all his show cars that he can to the various shows in the area. He and his business partner “Sparky”, DJ so many car & truck events, it’s difficult to find drivers to help get the cars to the shows as most have their own show cars to drive!! Rest assured, when this Bandit Trans Am SE is out and about, it will flat scat when you get on it just like Mr. Reynolds did in the movie!!! This awesome 1977 Bandit Trans Am SE will be on display in the special Cruiser Of The Month spot at the Saturday October 20 th 2018 Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In from 3pm – 8pm!

Stop by the DJ Trailer and say hello to DJ John Paul and Sparky and maybe they will play your favorite song as well!

You will be able to view this car at the

Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds 2202 West Reynolds Street, Plant City, Florida 33563

Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In

Candidates under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

November 12, 2018 at 5:00PM

284347

Pageant January 19th, 2019 6:00PM

www..strawberryfestival.com or www.plantcitylions.org

October 20, 2018 • 3:00-8:00 p.m.

Facebook.com/PlantCityCarShow Union Station Depot • 102 N. Palmer Street, Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 754-3707

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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

High: 92 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 20%

Edward Medard Park is a great place to enjoy the beauty of nature, and Chris Black sent in a photo from a recent trip to the Plant City park. Black wins this week’s I Love Plant City photo contest.

THURSDAY, OCT. 18

FRIDAY, OCT. 19 High: 89 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 20%

High: 90 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 20%

High: 84 Low: 64 Chance of rain: 10%

AVOCADOS

Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instgram, @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer on Facebook.

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Oct. 18

7:31a

6:56p

Friday, Oct. 19

7:31a

6:55p

Saturday, Oct. 20

7:32a

6:54p

Sunday, Oct. 21

7:33a

6:53p

Monday, Oct. 22

7:33a

6:52p

Tuesday, Oct. 23

7:34a

6:51p

Wednesday, Oct. 24

7:34a

6:50p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, OCT. 20

SUNDAY, OCT. 21

ONLINE

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

WEATHER

I LOVE PLANT CITY

FORECAST

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Shipping point: South Florida $12 to $16

Nov. 7 New

Oct. 24 Full

Nov. 12 First

Nov. 3 Last

RAINFALL Monday, Oct. 8

0.00

Tuesday, Oct. 9 0.00 Wednesday, Oct. 10

0.04

Thursday, Oct. 11 0.00 0.00

Friday, Oct. 12

Saturday, Oct. 13 0.00 0.00

Sunday, Oct. 14 YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2018 23.04 in.

2018 0.04 in.

2017 29.50 in.

2017 0.26 in.

Your One Stop Shop For All Parties, Events & Reunions!

286665

CROSSWORD

41 Fine-grained soil deposit 43 Dwarf in the sky?

44 External part of the ear 47 Dry, as a maple 48 Like summer tea 49 Lincoln Ctr. locale 50 Gardener’s banes 51 Cause of ruin 57 Contaminate waterways 58 Old type of pad 61 Collar, as a fugitive 62 Blood sucker 64 One in a German household 65 Speaks like King James?

DOWN 66 Prelude, briefly 1 Hogwash 67 Fancy mustard choice 2 Elbow-wrist link 69 Spillway locale 3 Squad 70 Goos on follicles 4 Like pie crusts 5 More virtuous than thou 71 Dish towel user 72 Roper’s tool 6 Play horseshoes 73 “Boyhood” actor Hawke 7 “A likely story!”

75 Land or property owner 8 “Before” of yore 76 “Over here!”

9 Growth of hard work?

79 Element No. 90 10 Not perfectly vertical 80 Black, in very old poetry 11 “May I help you?”

81 “Yeah, why not!”

12 “Designing Women” 82 Clock time std. woman 89 Most up-to-something?

13 Rob of “The Grinder” 90 Legal prefix 14 Disgruntled sounds 91 Old name for Iran 15 Castle’s means of 92 De-faults? defense 93 “Three Sisters” writer 16 Some deli orders Chekhov 17 Some undergraduate 94 Conceals, as a magician degs.

95 “Their Finest Hour” ©2018 Universal Uclick 20 Became enthusiastic fighters 78 Slimy explanation 31 Sit moving back?

55 Ninth hour after sunrise about ACROSS 96 Mineral used in auto (Pt. 3) 32 Refreshing breeze 56 Cork, essentially 22 ___ up (clinch) 1 Sundance’s cohort paint 83 Equine pace 36 Mocking birds 58 Director’s focus 23 Tibetan priest 6 “That’ll be ___ day!”

97 Some big birds 84 “Don’t say a word!”

37 Middle-aged dude, e.g.

59 Prepare for one’s day 24 Boris’ cartoon sidekick 9 Coral islet 98 Say “thumbs” for “sums,” 85 Playful kiss 38 Arcade locale 60 Definitely not up-to29 Greek sandwich 12 Totally vertical e.g.

86 Western plateau 42 Hall’s sound effect date 30 Over, once more 17 Ravel musical classic 99 Cost of a poker hand 87 Make blades sharper 43 Word to a king 61 Keyboard key 32 Lemon peel pieces 18 Dory mover 101 Cola name?

88 Legendary giant out44 Not the present or 63 Poppa 33 Fancy display 19 Had a bone to pick?

102 Bainter and Wray future 64 Enemy fielder Mel 34 Type of graph?

20 Humongous power of 10 103 Anger 45 Highly spiced stew 65 Edge sideways 89 Golf or badminton, e.g.

35 “By what means?”

21 Slimy explanation 104 Some sharp-angled 46 Slimy explanation 68 Bassoon inserts 91 Bar regular 36 Long skirt (Pt. 1) letters (Pt. 2) 70 Flapjack cooker 93 Type of valuable col37 Like thick, compacted 25 Some soft leathers 105 Serpentine character?

52 Acquire bronzed skin 74 Blue-dye plants lection hair 26 ATV word 107 Peg under a ball 53 Berry of health supple75 Boston Garden, e.g.

94 Coast-to-coast travel 38 Was in an auto race 27 Certifies under oath 108 Spider’s network 76 Hymn of praise (var.) enabler ments 39 Without accompaniment 28 Hymnal holder 109 Landing approx.

77 Be a snitch 95 Sleep-clinic study abbr.

54 Gossipy one 40 Rulers’ creations 29 The whole nine yards

YOU’VE BEE SLIMED by Timothy B. Parker

96 Griffith of “Working Girl” 100 Whistle blower?

101 With no troubles 106 BONUS PUN 110 Made-to-order 111 Ambulance letters 112 List-curtailing letters 113 Tennyson’s “___ of the King” 114 Colorado tourist attraction 115 Suffix that maximizes 116 “Hey, ewe” utterance?

117 Beasts that bray

LL Wiiiams & Karen Davis OWNERS OF FELTON'S

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“HAW RWGH XNGZI ZG WGGWUHZPVVS HAWFW HY BFYDZTW SYN GYXWHAZUL HY KPIW HAW JYFVT JZHA. – RFNIW GBFZULGHWWU “X BWJTD G UAD AH VJGSB DSVXTK DA PJGD DLJ BVBDJI GTZ, XT DLJ JTZ, DLJ BVBDJI RXFRJZ IV PJLXTZ KAAZ.”

– IXFRJV SACSRJ

Puzzle Two Clue: W equals P

617 N. Maryland Ave. • Plant City 813-752-1548

Puzzle One Clue: J equals W

Choice Meats • Meat Bundles • Specialty Meats • Produce • Smoke House • Groceries

©2018 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2018 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

10-18-18

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

PlantCityObserver.com

Learn About Advances In Hip and Knee Surgery

Robotic Advances for Knees and Hips Part of our Ladies Night Out series. Learn about robotic procedures for knee and hip surgery, and watch a robot demonstration. Light walking involved.

Thursday, November 15 | 6–8pm South Florida Baptist Hospital Community Conference Room 301 N. Alexander St., Plant City

Scott Goldsmith, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Space is limited. Register today: (813) 443-2075 BayCareEvents.org

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