10.27.22 PLCO

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Plant City’s

Halloween: Customers can save on Halloween party essentials and trick-or-treeting needs by hopping items on Winn-Dixie’s “Down Down” program, including SE Grocers bagged candy varieties — now just two for $5 until Nov. 6. Winn-Dixie is helping its customers save on groceries by offering deeper discounts on more than 150 mostshopped products. As part of Winn-Dixie’s "Down Down" program, customers save more than 15% on average when

shopping items marked by the red hand on signs and tags throughout the store.

Thanksgiving: To give back to associates and show appreciation for their diligent work and compassion displayed for their communities this year, all local Winn-Dixie stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day to give store, pharmacy and store support associates a well-deserved day of rest with family and friends. All stores will close as normal on Wednesday, Nov. 23 and reopen for regular business hours on Friday, Nov. 25.

For more information, call/text 863-441-0550.

The Plant City Optimist Club holds their Youth Appreciation Ceremony and dinner each October, recognizing eight local high school students for their outstanding accomplishments.

The ceremony was held at the Plant City Parks & recreation administrative office conference room on Oct. 24 with the students, their relatives, school representatives and Optimist Club members in attendance.

Plant City High School principal Susan Sullivan and College & Career Counselor Jamie Stephens joined the event to introduce the students as well as summarize the students’ amazing involvement in community service through projects and school clubs. The eight students from PCHS were selected in recognition of their efforts in athletics, academics and community service, with each student receiving an award. In addition to the recognizing the students, the Plant City Optimist Club made a finacial contribution to the PCHS Senior Awards Ceremony to be held in May.

The eight students recognized included Tanner Rollyson. Jonathan Jordan, Carlo Gutierrez, Taylor Teeden, Alyssa Stahl, Jalayah Shaw, Magaly Ibarra-Torres and Katherine Hamilton.

Approximately 70 kids showed up at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex last Saturday to compete in the Youth Football Tri-Star Punt, Pass & Kick Competition, hosted by Plant City Parks & Recreation and Optimist Club of Plant City. In its 29th year, the free event was open to boys and girls ages six to 15. Participants had one attempt at each- at punting, passing and kicking a footballwith the distance of each combined to earn a total score. Congratulations to all who participated and showed off their athletic skills.

Overall winners, Boys:

• Age 6-7: Maddox Barthle

• Age 8-9: Blake Rayborn

• Age 10-11: Gunnar Barthle Age 12-13: Evan Robinson

• Age 14-15: JeffWalker

Overall winners, Girls:

• Age 6-7: Elizabeth Unsworth

• Age 8-9: Bianca Sanchez

Age 10-11: Abela Cisneros

WINN-DIXIE ANNOUNCES UPCOMING HOLIDAY HOURS AND SAVINGS

PLANT CITY OPTIMIST CLUB HOLDS YOUTH APPRECIATION CEREMONY.

PLANT CITY PARKS & REC, OPTIMIST CLUB HOLD YOUTH FOOTBALL TRI-SKILLS COMPETITION

Tri-Skills Competition winners, Photo courtesy of Plant City Parks & Rec

Youth Appreciation Ceremony, Photo courtesy of Plant City Optimist Club

HALLOWEEN’S STORIED CONNECTION TO THE DEAD

SPIRITS HAUNT THE HISTORIC HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN PLANT CITY?

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Halloween, one of the United States’ most celebrated holidays, has very humble (and contentious) beginnings. Its roots can be traced to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “SOW-in), a threeday celebration held at the end of October to mark the transitioning seasons. Par ticipants would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts because they believed that the veil between the human and spirit realms was lifted during this time. Later in 1000 A.D., as Christianity became popular, the Catholic church made November 2 All Soul’s Day, a day to honor the dead. The honoring was done in much the same tradition as Samhain, with bon fires, parades and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels and devils.

How did Halloween make it to America? Slowly.

As beliefs and customs of different Euro pean ethnic groups and the American Indians mingled, the American version of Halloween began to take shape. At the turn of the twentieth century, Halloween had lost much of its superstitious and religious overtones. Today we know it as a commu nity-centered holiday filled with parties, pumpkin-carving, donning costumes and trick-or-treating.

As we make ready our preparations for the holiday celebration, I’ve been considering the “spirits” who the Celts tried to ward off. Does Plant City have a haunted histo ry? Have its residents felt (or seen) vestiges of our dearly departed?

People have been living (and dying) in Plant City for nearly 150 years. Certainly there must be some among us who have sensed, a presence from beyond the grave.

I’ve spoken to dozens of Plant City resi dents over the past several weeks and have come to a singular conclusion: people would rather admit they hate strawberries (the horror) then publicly admit they’ve had a paranormal experience.

To protect the identities of those who agreed to speak to me, I’ve compiled a list of the stories they’ve shared about their experiences. It’s up to the reader to decide whether you believe or not.

• One Plant City resident is certain her historic home, built in 1905, is haunted by its former owner. She’s seen her on two occasions, a small, petite woman that is see-through. She’s also felt someone tap her on the back but when she turns around to look there’s nobody there. The owner’s mother once came to visit and was sitting on the sofa one evening and saw the appa rition. She described the figure in detail to her daughter. It was the same spirit she had seen, a confirmation of her vision. It’s not

a scary spirit, though, but a friendly one. The owner said she has a happy home filled with love and laughter.

• While eating Christmas dinner at a friend’s house, a woman saw a figure walking past the hallway out the corner of her eye and sensed a presence behind her. She told her host that someone was at the door but the hallway was empty. Her dining companion had the same feeling. “I really thought someone was there,” she said. This person doesn’t believe in ghosts but can’t explain the phenomenon.

would soon perish in the Apollo 1 disaster. It also gave the date it was going to happen. Before it happened (this is why I don’t ever play with ouija boards).

• This story has to be my favorite, probably because I heard a similar story growing up in Prince George’s County, Maryland. One resident told the story of the Goat Man who roamed the grounds near the Glover School campus. A freed slave had dealt with many atrocities and after he died came back as a half-goat/ half-man creature. An urban legend? A story for parents to tell to their children to get them to come home on-time and stay out of mischief? Or does Goat Man wander the wooded areas near the school?

• A woman’s grandfather would ride horses with his buddies through a hol lar and at one particular spot they would all get the sensation that someone had jumped on the horse behind them then at the end of the hollar they’d jump off. Could it have been a spirit wanting to rest its weary legs?

• The Bing Rooming House Museum, built in 1928 to provide overnight lodging to African-Americans visiting Plant City, defies physics, said one Plant City resident. She doesn’t like to spend too much time on the home’s second floor, where lodgers stayed. “I get a cold feeling up there,” she said. Problem is, heat rises.

These can’t be the only stories of Plant City residents having experiences that can’t be explained away by science. Can sudden cold spots, floating orbs or the sensation of someone touching your shoulder when no one is there be explained away? Fact or fic tion? Truth or lie? Myth or legend? Belief or unbelief?

Does it matter? You don’t have to believe in ghosts to enjoy a good ghost story. Happy Halloween.

• One of the last movies to be shown at the State Theater was the 1953 release “Scared Stiff”. Is that fitting? People walking through the theater, now an antique store, say that they’ve felt someone tap them on the shoulder but when they turn around to see who it was, there’s nobody there. When ghost hunters visited the theater, their state-of-the art equipment went crazy. The venue is also the former loca tion of a jewelry store where tragically at least one person died during a thwarted robbery attempt. Could this person be the spirit haunting the historic building?

• One woman was playing around with a ouija board to see if it worked. The board named all three of the astronauts that

OCTOBER 14

UNINVITED GUEST

4300 block of W. Hwy. 574

Criminal mischief: An officer was dispatched to a business at the

location in reference to an unknown individual possibly trying to gain entrance to the building.

OCTOBER 17

NEW PAINT JOB

1200 block of W. Risk St.

Criminal mischief: An officer met with the victim at the listed location in reference to damage done to a vehicle.

WINDOW PAINS

1200 block of W. Baker St.

Criminal mischief: An officer met with the victim, the owner of the building at the listed location, in reference to a single window pane valued at $100 being broken.

SECURE THE BAG

2600 block of James L. Redman Pkwy.

Grand theft: An officer met with the victim who stated that her purse was stolen while shopping at a business at the listed location.

MISCHIEVOUS MONEY

2400 block of James L. Redman Pkwy.

Counterfeit currency: Officers responded to the business at the listed location in reference to counterfeit bills being used.

OCTOBER 18

CAR TROUBLES

1500 block of Plantation Grove Ct.

Theft: Officers responded to the residence at the listed location and met with the victim in reference to a catalytic converter being stolen from their vehicle.

TOOL TIME

100 block of Spencer St. Vehicle Burglary: An officer met with the victim at the listed location who advised that someone broke into his motor home, resulting in miscellaneous tools being stolen from it.

KEEP ON TRUCKIN’

2800 block of Wilder Meadows Ln.

Motor vehicle theft: An officer met with the victim who advised that his 2021 Chevrolet Silverado work truck, valued at approximately $70,000, was stolen from his driveway.

OCTOBER 20

HOME COOKING

1400 block of Tahitian Sunrise Dr. Burglary: An officer responded to the listed location and met with a construction manager reference to appliances that were stolen from a home under construction.

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HERE WE GROW AGAIN

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Agents for the developer displayed a site plan that featured 75’ wide x 150’ deep lots, or .26 acres each, on the east and south boundaries to help mitigate the impact to its large-lot neighbors. Each of these homes will feature a 50’ rear setback mak ing for large backyards with a 30’ enhanced buffer which will create a distance of 80’ between the home and adjacent prop erty. The developer has also committed to installing a fence as quickly as possible and preserving a number of trees on the site. Clustered interior lots will be 60’ wide x 120’ deep.

Several exterior home renderings were also displayed and the developer agreed to offering plenty of facade options to avoid a cookie-cutter looking community.

“We believe that this development serves as a great transition from the intense gateway of Plant City to more rural coun ty properties and is consistent with the Imagine 2040: Plant City Comprehensive Plan,” said planning and zoning coordina tor Robyn Baker.

Plant City resident Corky Findley was the lone dissenter, citing traffic concerns.

the east side as well,” said Findley. “Traffic is getting so bad.”

City manager Bill McDaniel said the city’s not growing as quickly as some oth ers in Florida. He’s good with that.

“The commission has constantly repeat ed that we care more about quality than quantity,” said McDaniel. “People are mov ing to Florida whether we like it or not but we’re proactively trying to manage that growth.”

People will be drawn to Plant City because of its quality of life and welldesigned communities.

“A home is the biggest investment most people will make in their lives so they want a well-constructed home in a good neigh borhood to raise their families,” he said. “Plant City supports that high quality of life.”

Several industrial parcels in the I-4 Busi ness Center corridor were also discussed.

Next month’s commission meeting will be held on Monday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. Several additional amendment and rezoning requests will be considered at that time.

THE 118-ACRE SOUTHWIND DEVELOPMENT, LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TRAPNELL ROAD AND EAST OF JAMES L. REDMAN PARKWAY, COMES ONE STEP CLOSER TO FRUITION.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

City Pointe Church lead pastor Scott McIntosh and his wife Elizabeth, its mis sions director, were looking for practical ways to make a difference in their com munity.

They decided to feed the hungry, much like Jesus did when he fed the 5,000 near the Sea of Galilee but McIntosh and his team didn’t work a miracle with a few loaves of bread and a couple fishes.

Instead, they partnered with the United Food Bank of Plant City, Meals of Hope and Plant City High School’s J.R.O.T.C. to package 35,934 meals on October 16 for the food bank’s local programming initia tives.

Each meal consisted of a shelf-stable meal of fortified pasta with soy protein and a packet of tomato sauce that could easily be heated up in a pot with water or broth.

“The packets are very similar to MRE’s,” said United Food Bank of Plant City execu tive director Mary Heysek.

More than 150 volunteers packaged the meals in assembly line fashion in less than five hours.

The food bank feeds approximately 11,000 people every month through its mainstream food distribution programs such as Feeding Our Future (that makes sure children have access to a free nutri tious meal), Feeding Our Legacy (that pro vides meals to seniors), the College Hun ger Program and a mobile food pantry.

Heysek, who is thankful for staff mem ber Jasmine Perez who coordinated the logistics of the event, hopes to make this an annual project.

McIntosh was pleased with the success of the project.

“It’s not okay with us that people are going hungry,” said McIntosh. “We just wanted to do our part to make a difference and we’re honored to play a small part in being the hands and feet of Jesus to our city.”

Photo Courtesy of City Pointe Church

MICHELL CACERES STAFF WRITER

Recognition for a job well-done is rewarding but when it comes with a financial award, it’s even better.

When Bryan Elementary principal Tamethea Simmons learned that her school was awarded $117,851 through the state of Florida’s School Recog nition Program, she was ecstatic.

“I’m so thrilled that our students, educators, support staff and parents have been recognized for their tire less effort over the last year,” she said.

Bryan Elementary improved one letter grade in the Florida Depart ment of Education’s school grading system, jumping from a ‘C’ to a ‘B.’ Seventy-five percent of its student population of 700 is Hispanic and 97% receive free or reduced lunch.

The school’s theme this year is tied to the achievement: “It’s a Great Place to ‘B’.”

For Burney Elementary principal Brooke Quinlan, the news that her school had been awarded $63,013 brought happy tears.

“This is the first time we’ve earned this recognition in a long time,” said Quinlan, who is in her second year as the school’s principal.

Historically, the school had earned the grade of ‘D’ but this year pulled the score up to a ‘C.’

Three other local schools that were recognized include: Simmons Career Center ($34,601), Wilson Elementary ($54,088) and Advan tage Academy of Hillsborough ($86,703).

In total, more than $200 million was awarded to 1,400 schools across Florida. Local schools snagged $356,256 of that money. The finan cial award, determined by the Com missioner of Education, is equal to up to $100 per full-time equivalent student for each school.

To receive the award, the school either demonstrated sustained or significantly improved student per formance.

Simmons said her students’ suc cess is predicated upon the high expectations expected from each student. “We set high expectations for every student,” she said.

She’s also not one to take ‘no’ for an answer. If a parent can’t pick up their child who requires after-school tutoring, they stay after-school for the extra instruction they need and her secretary drives them home.

“My staff goes above and beyond what is expected,” she said.

She encourages her staff to visit students’ homes and be nosy about their lives. “You never know some body’s circumstances and we want to know what’s going on with the students,” remarked Simmons.

“For our students to be successful, it takes a commitment from every member of my faculty and staff.”

The staff also goes into neigh borhoods, supporting families at Christmastime and bringing food to those who need it.

Simmons is proud to be a mem ber of the Plant City community, her staff’s commitment and of the achievement the school has received.

“It takes every single one of us to make this happen,” she said.

To boost their school grade, Quin lan and her staff implemented a data monitoring system for its 350 students that provided them with differentiated instruction based on where each student needed addi tional instruction. For example, math tests were analyzed and stu dents that missed questions were put into smaller groups to work on mastering those concepts.

“It had a tremendous impact on student performance,” said Quin lan.

She refuses to rest on her achieve ment. The school uses the hashtag #bestschoolinplantcity because that’s their goal.

Schools can use the funding for a variety of provisions, including: bonuses to the faculty and staff, the purchase of educational equipment or materials or temporary personnel for the school to assist in maintain ing and improving student perfor mance.

The exact distribution of funds is determined by the school’s staff and school advisory council.

While Simmons said a decision hasn’t been made yet about where they will allocate the funds, she hopes the recognition money will continue to drive performance. Quinlin said her school’s staff and advisory council will vote on how the money is spent.

For more information about the School Recognition Program, visit www.fldoe.org.

Governor Ron DeSantis awards $200 million in School Recognition Awards to schools that demonstrated student growth and teaching excellence.

FIVE PLANT CITY SCHOOLS AWARDED MONEY FOR ACHIEVEMENTS

Photo Courtesy of Burney Elementary School

WHITE NAMED AS LIBRARY BOARD CHAIRMAN

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Plant City Library Board has a new chair man. Longtime resident Dodie White has accepted the top spot for 2022/2023.

“My heart is truly at the Bruton Memo rial Library,” said White. “I’m honored to serve as board chairman and am blessed to be working with Paul Shaver and the staff at the library.”

The library has a special place in White’s heart. She attended college later in life and the library played a crucial role in her aca demic success. At the time, she was also working a full-time job for a very busy site development company, putting in 50 hours or more every week.

The Internet hadn’t been invented yet so when she had to write a research paper or complete a project, she turned to the library.

“I would call the library and a staff mem ber would pull the books or periodicals I needed, whatever I was requesting, and have them ready for me to pick up after work or on the weekends,” she said.

Now it’s time for her to pay it forward.

“Anything I can do to help our local ‘gold mine,’ I’m graciously willing to do,” said White.

The Library Board consists of seven members who serve three year terms. In addition to White, other board members include: Michelle Monteleon, Cynthia Morselli, Luke Carvalho, Tristin Wright, Margaret Hanks and Ralph Dolente.

The Board, appointed by the City Com mission, meets at the library the third Thursday of each month to discuss expen ditures of money donated to the library as well as its rules and regulations.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: TRICK-OR-TREATING SAFETY TIPS

With ghosts, ghouls and goblins out and about visiting houses on Monday, Oct. 31 in hopes of getting sweet treats, dangers can lurk when you least expect it. The following are simple tips to bring peace of mind and avoid a real scare this Halloween.

Most local subdivisions participating in door-to-door trick-or-treating start between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and conclude by 8 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. (it is a school night, after all).

Plant City Police Department (PCPD) sergeant Tiffany Lindsey-Tester offered advice for chaperones.

“We ask that if parents are driving their children to neighborhoods to please park on the street, not in the grass, and to not block driveways,” said Tester.

Also, instead of staying in your vehicle and slowly lurking behind your costumed kiddos like a stalker, get out and walk with them down the street. The weather is fore cast to be in the 70’s with light winds so it will be a great night for a little exercise before indulging in some treats from your kids’ candy buckets.

“Following behind your children in a vehicle is dangerous because of the num ber of people walking through the neigh borhood and creates unnecessary traffic for the homeowners in the area,” she said.

Only visit homes that have turned on a front porch light and/or decorated for the holiday; this means they’re open and game to dish out treats. Avoid taking shortcuts through backyards.

Plan a safe strategy of stopping by all the houses on one side of the street, crossing the street at a crosswalk and then working your way back up the other side. Carrying

a flashlight or wearing glow stick neck laces or bracelets will help make trickor-treaters visible after it gets dark but remind children not to chew on or open glow sticks. The liquid inside can irritate the eyes, throat and skin.

As your costumed kiddos’ candy bags get filled, don’t let them eat treats that aren’t received in their original, unopened wrap pers. Unless they’re from trusted family or friends, discard homemade treats.

If you are the trick-or-treatee instead of the trick-or-treater, keep your home safe by removing tripping hazards and keeping your front porch clear of anything a child could trip over, sweeping wet leaves from sidewalks and steps to prevent anyone from slipping on them and restraining pets so they don’t jump on or bite unsuspecting visitors.

Want an alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating? Here’s a short list of

local schools and businesses offering plenty of fun for the kiddos on Monday as well that will be sure to satisfy their candy cravings:

•Trick or Treating at local Publix stores, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

•Libert y Southern Baptism Church Trunk-or-Treat, 2505 W. Granfeld Ave., 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., free food and game

•First Baptist Church of P.C. Fall Festival, 3309 James L. Redman Parkway, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., free event with music, inflatables, popcorn, hayrides and a free meal for every pre-registered child donated by Johnson’s BBQ

•Cork Methodist Church Trunkor-Treat, 4815 West Sam Allen Rd., 6 p.m.8 p.m., free event with dinner and trunkor-treating

• Eastside Baptist Church Trunkor-Treat, 1318 E. Calhoun St., 6:30 p.m.8:30 p.m.

time is

in

and how do you stay

during the

SHARON MOODY NAMED GOVERNOR FOR KIWANIS FLORIDA DISTRICT

Sharon Moody, a long-time leader in community involvement in Florida’s Plant City area, has been elected as Governor for the Florida District of Kiwanis

In her capacity as Governor of one of the largest Kiwanis Districts in the nation in 2022-2023, Moody, will oversee 220 Kiwanis Clubs and 348 Key Clubs—includ ing clubs in Grand Cayman, Turks & Cai cos and Puerto Rico—representing nearly 28,000 members.

“I am excited and honored to be elect ed Governor of the Florida District,” said Moody, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Plant City since 2007 who has served in a wide variety of District Chair positions before becoming Governor. “I look forward to growing our District-wide membership by adding new clubs and strengthening existing clubs. I hope to make more Flo ridians aware of — and involved in — the Kiwanis message of ‘Improving the world one child and one community at a time.’ Simply put, Kids Need Kiwanis and we need Floridians to volunteer their time to help improve the life of a child.”

The Florida District is part of Kiwanis International, one of the world’s largest community service organizations with more than 550,000 members in 85 coun tries Those members, whose focus is on helping kids, perform approximately 150,000 service projects a year, represent ing more than 19 million hours of commu nity involvement.

Elected at the recent Florida District Convention in Naples, Moody, who took office Oct. 1, has been involved in commu nity activities in Plant City for more than

four decades. A former Grand Marshall for the Florida Strawberry Festival and the Plant City Christmas Parade, Moody was recently honored with the Plant City YMCA Strong Leader Award.

As a member of Kiwanis, Moody has held nine district-level positions and five clublevel positions and has also been the recipi ent of the Kiwanis International President Challenge Award, the Distinguished Lt. Governor Award, and the Distinguished President Award.

In 2022, under the leadership of Moody— who is the founder and past president of both the Plant City Black Heritage Cel ebration and the Plant City Junior League Woman’s Club—the Kiwanis Club of Plant City partnered with the Plant City Police Department, the City of Plant City, and Kiwanis Literacy Clubs of California for the Kiwanis ‘Cops ‘N Kids program. Through a book drive, the local police department and the California clubs collected more than 600 books over the summer The program, which features police officers reading to kids, is designed to promote children’s literacy and community trust in law enforcement.

“This program was extremely success ful, and we hope to promote it on a Districtwide level,” said Moody, who captured her Kiwanis club’s Citizen of the Year Award in 2016 for her tireless work on behalf of chil dren. “Improving a child’s reading skills and instilling a trust in police is a win-win for everyone.”

CITY HOSTS MONSTER MASH AT PLANT CITY STADIUM

Join in on the fun on Friday,

for a not-so-scary

time.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Plant City’s annual Halloween party is moving to larger digs.

Last year the event, sponsored by Plant City Parks & Recreation Department, com mandeered the parking lot at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center and fea tured trunk-or-treating and a movie night.

This year, they wanted a larger space for the event to accommodate more people, said special events coordinator Ivanna Ibarra.

Plans were made for Trunk or Treat Trails to be held at McIntosh Preserve but Hurri cane Ian roared through Plant City, bring ing with it heavy rains that soaked the trails and strong winds that toppled trees. Ibarra and her team needed a “Plan B.”

Monster Mash at Plant City Stadium was born.

Friday, October 28 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. the stadium parking lot will be transformed into a spirited cauldron of fun featuring trunk-or-treating, a scare zone, games, food and more. The event is free to attend but parking is $5 per vehicle (cash only).

For ages one to 101, anybody and every body can don a costume (or not) and join in the fun. “This is going to be a familyfriendly event for all ages,” said Ibarra.

At last year’s event, there were plenty of superheroes, princesses, firefighters, dino saurs and fairies walking around. Ibarra, whose favorite costumes are homemade, looks forward to seeing what types of cos tumes residents create this year.

“If you don’t want to go too far out of town, bring the kids and stop by,” said

Ibarra. “There’ll be plenty of candy and fun games for all.”

Local businesses, government organiza tions and non-profits will be on hand to pass out candy during the trunk-or-treat, including Baltazar Concrete Inc., Busciglio Smiles, Lutheran Services Florida, Baycare Kids Wellness and Safety Center, Plant City Police Department, Plant City Parks & Recreation Department, Plant City Code Enforcement Department, Great White Soft Wash and others.

A kid-friendly scare zone will be set up, with the help of volunteers from Plant City High School’s Key Club, to frighten (sortof) the little ones.

“There’ll be a spider room and an evil cir cus,” said Ibarra. “It won’t be too scary but it will be enough to make your child want to hold your hand while walking through it.”

Food vendors on-site to sell tasty bites include Taqueria Media, who’ll be serving up authentic Mexican street food (tacos, asada, tripa and empanadas), The Mad Mango, serving up soft-serve ice cream, Boba and Italian ice and Marshall Middle School, who’ll be grilling up burgers and hot dogs.

Ibarra said they’re still taking applica tions for food vendors but the deadline is Thursday, October 27.

“If you have a business license and aren’t selling the same foods as other vendors, we have space for anybody who wants to join us,” said Ibarra. “You can get a 10’ x 10’ spot for $100.”

For more information, email Ibarra at iyibarra@plantcitygov.com.

Leonila Camba,

Cynthia Cortes, MD Internal Medicine Plant City,

- 813.759.1290

The hunt is underway for this year’s best baker and Plant City’s Crumbles and Cream Kaffeehaus owner Grit Ram busch is hoping to snag the top prize.

The Greatest Baker is an online, public voting competi tion hosted by celebrity bakers Alice Fervonia and Sophie Faldo, both finalists from past seasons of the Great British Bake Off.

The winner will take home the title, $10,000 in prize money and a two-page feature in “Bake from Scratch” Magazine.

“The money and feature article would be tremendously helpful as I continue to grow my business,” said Rambusch.

Her growing business needs more storage space, a dough sheeter and the ability to take online orders.

Voting opened Monday, Oct. 24 and will continue until Thursday, November 3 at 7 p.m. PDT, when the contest will be narrowed down to the 20 competitors with the most votes. A winner will be selected on December 29.

Anyone who’s visited her bakery, located downtown at 113 South Evers Street, knows that her delicious baked goods, cakes and pastries, created with a German flair, are prize-worthy. Her signature bake is prasselkuchen, a but tery puff pastry with a thin layer of homemade cranberry fruit preserve spread, topped with crunchy but tender

vanilla butter crumbles and drizzled with freshly squeezed lemon juice glaze after it comes out of the oven. She’s also taking orders for holiday bakes, including cinnamon rolls with cream cheese topping, apple and cranberry ies, din ner rolls, gingerbread, pumpkin rolls and stollen, which has to rest for weeks before it can be eaten. Yum.

To vote for Rambusch in The Greatest Baker competi tion, visit https://greatestbaker.com/2022/grit-ram busch. One free vote can be cast every 24 hours. For more information about Crumbles and Cream Kaffeehaus, visit www.crumblesandcream.com.

“It would be quite something to bring the trophy home to Plant City,” said Rambusch.

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

The Durant Cougars headed west to Gaither High School on Friday in hopes of extending their active win streak to six games, ultimately falling short in a 41-35 loss at the hands of the Cowboys.

Durant won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, with Gaither being pinned deep in their own territory at the 12-yard line to start their first offensive possession, but they wasted no time taking an early lead as quarterback Jayce Nixon found receiver Eugene Wilson III deep over the middle of the field for an 82-yard touchdown pass.

Starting their first drive with a 7-0 deficit, Durant couldn’t move the chains and was forced to punt after just three plays but the Cougars were able to steal possession right back as the punt was mishandled and recov ered by Durant, giving them great starting field position at the Gaither 27. The Cougars immediately moved into the red zone on a 15-yard completion to freshman Treon Wil liams before working their way down inside the five on a completion to Jeremiah Gines and ultimately drawing even at 7-7 on a fiveyard touchdown run from quarterback Mike Ryan.

Gaither hauled in the short kickoff at their own 35-yard line but Durant once again took possession back in a flash as linebacker Luther Scarlett came flying off the edge on first down, notching a sack while also forc ing and recovering the ensuing fumble to give the Cougars another great start at the Gaither 25. After working their way inside the 10-yard line, stalling out to face fourthand-four at the seven-yard line, Ryan went to a hard count that forced back-to-back offside penalties on the Cowboys’ defense, giving the Cougars a first-and-goal at the two. Three plays later, running back Calub Connell entered the game at quarterback and punched in the short touchdown run to give Durant their first lead of the game at 14-7 with 3:40 left in the first quarter.

On their ensuing possessions, Gaither drove into Durant territory before turning the ball over on downs on two consecutive drives while Durant was also unable to get the offense back in rhythm, settling for punts on their next two drives. But with under two minutes left in the first half, Gaither came up with an answer. After starting at their own 44-yard line following the Durant punt, the Cowboys moved just across midfield before breaking off a huge chunk play with a 43-yard completion down to the Durant five-yard line, knotting the contest up at 14-14 a few plays later on a touchdown pass to Wilson just before halftime.

Durant took over at their own 17 to start the third quarter and immediately moved up to the 27 on a first down pass to sophomore

Ajani Peavy before Ryan dropped back and hit Gines in stride on a deep pass down the left sideline for a 73-yard touchdown, taking the lead back at 21-14.

Later in the third, Gaither answered back with another huge pass play to Wilson, this time coming by way of a 49-yard touch down completion to (once again) bring the two teams level at 21-21. And on their next possession, starting at the 20, they instantly moved across midfield on a 35-yard pass to the Durant 45 before junior Latrell Taylor broke loose on a screen pass to the left for a 38-yard touchdown two plays later, giving Gaither their first lead since the first quarter as they moved ahead 28-21.

But as quickly as Gaither could take the lead back, Durant responded as senior Xavi er Peavy immediately returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.

On their next possession Gaither moved down the field methodically, a change from the explosive plays that carried their offense throughout the night, utilizing a steady bal ance of runs and short passes to hold pos session and drive down the field before pull ing back ahead with a four-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone to junior Angelo Amador. Gaither managed to turn the tables once again with a flawless offen sive possession to re-take the lead at 35-28.

With 6:52 remaining on the clock, Durant wasted no time moving into Gaither terri tory on a series of strong runs and a steady dose of completions from Ryan to Gines, culminating in a 30-yard pass to Gines that put Durant down at the Gaither 20. But on the following first down play the Cowboys came up with perhaps the biggest play of the night as their fierce pass rush, a unit that had given Durant trouble throughout the evening, got to Ryan in the backfield to force a fumble and give possession back to Gaither with 4:18 remaining.

Despite getting a crucial stop to force a Gaither punt, returned into Gaither terri tory by Jayden Forte, the Gaither pass rush once again came up huge with a sack that put Durant behind the chains and forced the Cougars into a fourth-and-20 that they were unable to overcome as the desperation pass over the middle of the field was intercepted and returned 65 yards for a touchdown by none other than Wilson, putting Gaither ahead 41-28 with just 57 seconds remaining.

Durant was able to make their way down the field and score one final touchdown on a five-yard completion from Ryan to Gines, cutting the deficit to 41-35, but with just five seconds remaining Gaither was able to jump on the onside kick that followed and deploy victory formation to take the narrow victory.

“Our motto all year has been to ride the middle and we talked after the game about how last week when you win a big game you can’t stay way up here, and then when

you lose a game like this you can’t stay in the basement,” head coach Claybo Varnum said. “You have to be emotionally calm and understand that we have to take something from losses or they really are losses. So we have to draw from this, what we did wrong, what we did right and then we told them to let that sting of losing resonate so that it doesn’t happen again.”

While rushing yards were nearly impos sible to come by against a dominant front seven from Gaither, Durant’s 35 points on the night marks their third-highest singlegame total of the season on the heels of their third consecutive game posting 300+ yards of offense, led almost entirely by the first 300-yard passing game of Ryan’s high school career.

Ryan completed 16 of his 29 attempts for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Of those 311 yards through the air, a hefty majority went to Gines who had a career night as he finished the contest with a career-high 244 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 11 receptions, posting his second consecutive 100-yard game.

“Gines has developed, he’s one of our best guys, his attitude has been phenom enal, he’s taken on that leadership role and in pressure situations he’s the guy that we have to feed,” Varnum said. “You’ve got to get the ball to your best players.”

Behind Gines, Jayden Cornelius totaled 35 yards on two receptions, Ajani Peavy totaled 17 yards on two receptions and Treon Williams totaled 15 yards on his lone recep tion. Jarelle Franklin once again handled the bulk of Durant’s carries with 20 yards on 11 carries, followed by two yards on two carries from Zaevion Jordan and a one-yard touch down run from Connell on his only carry of the night.

Running back Alex Daley is expected to return next week while Connell’s injury remains to leave his status day-to-day head ing into Durant’s final week of the season.

Defensively, linebacker Hale Sollmann led the unit with nine total tackles, followed by Scarlett and sophomore Justin Zinke with eight each. Sollmann and Zinke each posted two tackles for loss followed by one each from Scarlett and junior Jerome Parham while Sollmann, Scarlett and Zinke totaled one sack each.

For injured linebacker Jacob Reed, he continues to recover from a knee injury that gives the Cougars an outside chance of seeing his return for the first week of the playoffs, according to Varnum.

The loss moves Durant to 7-2 on the sea son as they prepare to host 5-3 Riverview in their final regular season contest next Friday.

“These games are huge, it battle-tests us,” Varnum said. “We started the year off kind of light and as the year has gone on

the schedule has gotten tougher so it makes you battle-tested and definitely tests you physically as well. We came out and saw a guy tonight that’s going to the University of Florida, he hasn’t played all year and we didn’t even expect him to play but I’m glad he did. I want to see everyone’s best, I don’t want us to ever be discounted or for people to say that we were given an easy road.”

Across town, Plant City and Strawberry Crest both suffered losses as well as the Raiders fell 40-0 against Armwood and the Chargers fell 40-14 against Riverview.

For the Raiders, quarterback Antwaan Mitchell returned to the Raiders’ lineup for the first time since September as he com pleted seven of his 11 passes for 125 yards, followed by DJ Howard with just 13 yards on four completions. Receiver Jaylen Smith posted his first 100-yard game of the season as he led all pass-catchers with 116 yards on five receptions and Jaden Mccants led the backfield with 21 rushing yards on 11 carries.

Defensively, linebacker Cole Highsmith led with unit with seven total tackles as defensive linemen Donta Jenkins and Josh Huff notched two sacks and one sack, respectively.

For Crest, quarterback Jordan Lewis com pleted 11 of his 19 pass attempts for 125 yards and a touchdown to Marcus Spring field who led all receivers with eighty yards on six receptions, followed by K.J. Canady with 22 yards on three receptions and Coby Burger with 22 yards on two receptions. Devin Blunt led the backfield with 70 yards on 11 carries, followed by Lewis with 24 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, Burger with 23 yards on four carries and Gage Reibsome with 18 yards on two carries.

Defensively, Blunt led the unit with a team-high nine tackles and two tackles for loss, followed in each category by eight tack les from Springfield and one tackle for loss from Daniel Cruz.

The losses moved the Raiders to 2-6 on the year and the Chargers to 5-4 before the two teams meet at Strawberry Crest on Friday for the final game of Crest’s season. Following the contest against Crest, Plant City will still have one final contest on the schedule as they host Jefferson on Nov. 4.

Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: tjenkins@ plantcityobserver.com.

JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

After earning a first-round bye on the heels of a 13-10 regular season, Strawberry Crest volleyball defeated Ridge Community High School in three straight sets last Tues day to advance to the 7A District 10 finals against Winter Haven, a match that ulti mately spelled the end of a successful first season in 7A competition as they fell to the Blue Devils on Thursday.

Entering the evening at 17-7, Winter Haven came away with a 2-0 victory over the Char gers in their only other meeting earlier in the year, coming in a September tournament while Strawberry Crest nursed injuries to their starting lineup. With a healthy roster, Crest was hoping for a different outcome in district but were ultimately bested in three straight sets.

end in district championship

813-659-4255

recinfo@plantcitygov.com.

“This was our first year in the top bracket, playing in 7A, and it was a good season,” head coach Robert Dodson said. “14-11 out of the gate, their third coach in three years, but it is what it is. They’re only going to get stron ger and stronger and stronger. Lillian Terrell stepped up big as a freshman on the right side. Savannah Schwarz was amazing in the middle all night long, stuff block after stuff block. Our libero Amanda Siomiak stood on her head. Kiera Folsom coming in off of the outside edge and doing what she needed to do, Presley Rader coming in off of the back line and doing what defensive specialists do, giving us the digs and giving us oppor tunities, and then Morgan McGuire again, a standout night after night after night. I think she had over 1,300 touches this year and half of the season she did it with a sprained thumb but no one would know that because she wouldn’t talk about it. I can’t be more proud of the way the team performed. The bench was alive tonight, they did what they needed to do to bring energy against a very spirited crowd.”

Winter Haven took a quick 2-0 lead in the first set and pulled out to a 9-3 advantage before Crest could break the Blue Devils’ run at 9-4. But the momentary lapse in momen tum wouldn’t stop Winter Haven as they continued to roll out to a 15-6 run before a kill from junior Savannah Schwarz began a rally for Crest. Four consecutive points from the Chargers cut the Winter Haven lead to 15-10, but the Blue Devils would answer back with 10 of the next 12 points to take the first set 25-12.

In the second set it felt as though the Chargers would break through, opening the set with a quick 4-0 run and continuing to battle point-for-point as they clawed their way out to 9-4 lead – their largest lead of the night – before Winter Haven ended the run. Crest held their lead for much of the set, leading 17-13 late, but the Blue Devils refused to roll over and eventually drew even at 20-20 before taking their first lead of the second set at 21-20. Despite the intensely hard-fought set from the Chargers, Winter Haven would outlast Crest to take a two-set lead with a 25-22 victory as the two teams headed to the third and final set.

In the third, Winter Haven wasted no time jumping out to a 10-5 lead and while the Chargers were able to keep pace over the next eight points as they later faced a 14-9 deficit, the Blue Devils proved too much to overcome for the resilient Crest squad. Win ter Haven ultimately came away with a 25-14 win in the third set to take the match 3-0

and punch their ticket to a regional quar terfinal berth as a four seed where they faced fifth-seeded East Lake on Wednesday night. Unfortunately for the Chargers, they weren’t granted a wild card spot for regional play despite finishing the season with a 14-11 record.

Although any season that ends with a loss may in the moment feel like a bitter ending, the Chargers’ 14 wins marked their highest single-season win total since posting a 15-9 record in 2015. And despite the loss of three key senior captains in Alissa McBee, Morgan McGuire and Brooklyn Zajac to graduation this coming spring, the Chargers have the potential to once again field a supremely tal ented and experienced roster next season after their rotation featured five juniors and six sophomores in 2022.

“We knew that it was going to be a tough match but we came in and I think that we gave them everything we had,” Dodson said.

“And shoutout to our seniors Alissa McBee, Morgan McGuire and Brooklyn Zajac. We gave them every bit of a season that I hope makes them proud.”

Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: tjenkins@ plantcityobserver.com.

their loss

Haven last week.

“Sweet Missions, Outback & Johnson’s!” - Tammy Alfonso

“Brick House is good food! Best

Everette Wyatt

“Whistle Stop and then Nick’s.”Allen Berrebbi

“Norma’s!” - Kristie Duduka

“Johnson’s BBQ,

Hut and ABC.” - Arlene

“Olde Town Pizzeria.”

“Johnson’s

“Maryland

“Fred’s!”

and Espositos.” -

-

by Lawrence McClure, Republican,

Jean Miller, 65

Jean Miller, 65, of Lakeland, Florida, born on February 22,1957 in Dover, entered into eternal rest on October 22, 2022. Memorial contributions may be made to your local SPCA.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

John ‘Wayne’ Clark

John “Wayne” Clark, 79, of Brandon, Fla., born on Aug. 7, 1943 in Bonifay, Fla., entered into eternal rest on Oct. 19, 2022.

Expression of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral. com

Ernestine Elizabeth Duckworth

Ernestine Elizabeth Duckworth, 80, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on Oct. 19, 2022. The family will receive friends Nov. 1, 2022 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

City, FL 33563.

follow at 11 a.m.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Alfred ‘Gator’ Dunbar

Alfred “Gator” Dunbar, age

of Plant City, Fla., passed away on Oct. 18, 2022. Services will be held privately.

left for the

Maria Morales

Morales, 82, of Lakeland, Fla., passed away on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. WellsMemorial.com for the Morales family.

Charles Bernard Layton

Charles Bernard Layton passed into Heaven on Sept. 30, 2022 at home in Phoenix, Oregon.

He was born in Plant City, Florida June 12, 1935 to William & Josephine Layton, youngest of eight children. Determined to get

at

Willie Clyde, Lloyde, and Cecil. Preceding him also was daughter Denise in 2000. She had three children, Molly, Shandy and Shane. He is survived by his sister Ida Bledsoe, and his

Randy has three sonsMatthias, Christian, and Kyle. Scott has four children, Alex, Ashley, Bradley and Sam. Chip’s two sons are Parker and Hayden. He enjoyed all of these grandchildren and several great-

Charles (Chuck) Layton is missed by all of us, but we are grateful he is now in with the Lord, and united again with his beloved Joni.

LAST FRIDAY

to

N.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

BARN-O-WEEN

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1710 W. SR-60. RVR Horse Rescue will be holding their third annual Barn-O-Ween this month. Stop by the event where kids can enjoy trick-or-treating while the whole family can say hello to all of RVR’s rescue horses. Admission will cost $10 per car.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2

FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS

MONSTER MASH

6 to 9 p.m. at Plant City Stadium, 2002 N. Frontage Rd. Presented by City of Plant City Parks & Recreation, this familyfriendly event will feature free activities, trunk or treat, a scare zone, food vendors (for an additional cost), games and more. Don’t forget to wear your Halloween costume and bring a bucket to collect candy. Admission is free, but parking will cost $5 cash per vehicle.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Federal, state and local opportunities are constantly changing.

If you’ve served any time in the military, retired or non-retention, and would like to review your benefis please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday. Walk-ins welcomed or call 813-704-5800 to set a specific tim.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4

THE FANCY FLEA

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2866 W. Reynolds St. The Fancy Flea is a mecca for shabby chic lovers rejoice. At Plant City’s Fancy Flea you will find furnitue, garden decor, repurposed items, antiques, original art, handmade clothing, artisan jewelry and soaps and more. The event will take place on Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5. Parking for the event is free and admission is $5.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

FORK RAN AWAY WITH THE SPOON 5K

7 to 9:30 a.m. at 102 N. Palmer St. Lace up your running shoes to get some exercise and support a worthy cause. All finess levels are encouraged to participate in this 5K and proceeds from the event will go to benefit the Unied Food Bank. Cost to participate is $35 and includes a ticket to the United Food Bank’s Empty Bowls Project event later that day. For more information or to register for the event, visit www.forkranawaywiththespoon5k.com

OPEN MIC NIGHT

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER

SIR HENRY’S HAUNTED TRAIL

7:30 to 11 p.m. at 2837 S. Frontage Rd.

Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail is back in 2022, running Friday through Sunday, each weekend through Nov. 5. The trail features three haunt experiences, two escape rooms, laser tag, axe throwing and more! The Trail is open from 7:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, but attendees may not enter the attraction until the specific time slot attached to their purchased ticket opens. Tickets must be purchased in advance, starting at $27, and grant attendees access to the Trail in accordance with their reserved time slot. Parking is free and tickets can be purchased at www.sirhenryshauntedtrail.com.

FALL FESTIVAL

6 to 8 p.m. at 3005 Thonotosassa Rd. Mt. Zion Assembly of God will be teaming up with the Plant City Lions Club to host their annual Fall Festival. Activities will include food, carnival games, train rides, a rock wall, a balloon artist, candy and more. In addition to the activities listed, the Lions Club will be offering free eye screenings for children in attendance and diabetes screenings for all. The event is free of charge and all who wish attend are welcome.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

BLUEGRASS JAM!

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. This is an open invitation for local Bluegrass musicians and fans to come to the Krazy Kup loft and jam, clap hands, stomp feet and enjoy! Krazy Kup holds their Bluegrass JAM on the fist Saturday of every month.

PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

6 to 9:30 p.m. at 4401 Promenade Blvd. DJ Ken will be hosting the Plant City Social Dance every Saturday throughout the month of November at the Strawberry Square Dance Center. Cups and water will be available and the event’s cost is $7 per person. For more information or a chance to look at sample playlists, visit www. djkenmiller.com.

PASSPORT SATURDAY

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 301 N. Michigan Ave. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller will host Passport Saturday on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Plant City Courthouse. The event will help obtaining a passport more accessible to community members that are unable to visit their offices during the work week. In addition, passport photos will be available for $15. Walk-ins are welcome or schedule an appointment at www.hillsclerk.com.

7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Open Mic Night is back at Krazy Kup. Join them for a fun night where you get to be the star of the show. Come out, strut your stuff and shw everyone what you’ve got.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14

PLANT CITY GARDEN CLUB MEETING

9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 303 N. Evers St. The Plant City Garden Club will host their monthly meeting at the First United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall. There will be a coffee meet and greet at 9:30, followed by a general meeting at 10. November’s meeting will include guest speaker Patrick Strickland, owner and CEO of Stalk-n-Vine, who will speak about sustainable and natural growing methods. For more information, contact Christy Linke by email at clinke3173@aol.com.

PLANT CITY PIG JAM

5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at 1401 Gordon Food Service Dr. Don’t miss out on this Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) sanctioned competition offering you the change to enjoy mouth-watering BBQ, live entertainment, a kids’ zone, complete with a rock climbing wall and moonwalks. The event will take place on both Friday and Saturday where admission is free for all to attend and parking will cost $10 per vehicle.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN 3 to 6:30 p.m. at 102 N. Palmer St. The Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In is back on Saturday, Nov. 19, rain or shine. Cars and trucks manufactured in or before 1996 can register for free starting at 3 p.m. Live music by DJ John Paul Gasca.

Sunrise

6:47p

Friday, Oct 28 7:37a 6:47p

Saturday, Oct 29 7:37a 6:46p

Sunday, Oct 30 7:38a 6:45p

Monday,

Tuesday,

Wednesday,

7:39a

7:40a 6:43p

7:40a 6:43p

Doris Kelley caught

photo

hawk searching for

dinner at The Preserve in Walden Lake.

“We provide compassionate care for you and your family.”

It’s not just an ID badge.

It’s a badge of honor.

At South Florida Baptist Hospital, the team members who wear this badge give you high-quality care in a comfortable atmosphere. Our wide range of specialty services includes comprehensive orthopedic care, sports medicine services and total joint replacement procedures. We have a comprehensive gynecology program that offers a variety of women’s services, and our weight loss surgery program meets nationally recognized standards. And if surgery is required, we have surgeons who are experts in minimally invasive robotic surgical procedures, which means shorter hospital stays and smaller incisions that reduce the risk of infection. All of this means you get outstanding, compassionate care right here in Plant City. Learn more: SouthFloridaBaptist.org