11.10.17 PCTO by Plant City Observer

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TCYFCC playoffs kick off Saturday.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

Waters at the helm Jane Waters is the new interim executive director of Historic Plant City Main Street following the October departure of Karen Thompson.

YOUR TOWN

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

It started about six weeks ago. Just before she headed to Daytona for Biketoberfest, Jane Waters got a call from Ronni Wood, the coordinator for Florida’s Main Street program, telling her an opportunity might be opening up in Plant City. Three weeks later, Historic Plant City Main Street,

the city’s young organization aimed at revitalizing and preserving Historic Downtown, had a new captain at its helm, its second since March. “She is the perfect fit for the job,” former executive director Karen Thompson said. “With her years of experience, her passion and drive for community greatness and her love of arts, Main Street hit the Executive Director lottery.”

Lizzette Sarria, president of the Main Street board of directors, said Thompson’s departure to lead the Lake Wales Main Street program came as a surprise. They had just laid organizational framework and she feared the organization would lose momentum. Wood, she said, recommended Waters straight away and the board agreed to bring her on as an interim director, reevaluating the

options at the end of the year. “She came across strong,” Sarria said. “Her references were strong her resume was strong. I thought she would be someone who could really hit the ground running.” Like Thompson, Waters comes to Plant City from Polk County where she was heavily involved in commuSEE WATERS PAGE 4

Supporting freedom The Woman’s Club of Plant City is tackling human trafficking in a campaign that partners with a group that uses bras to provide a business opportunity for rescued victims.

Breanne Williams

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Plant City decorates for the holidays

atima was twelve years old when both of her parents

Plant City is starting to ring in the holiday cheer. Lights and decorations are being put up across town. Many parks, streets and the historic downtown area will receive holiday decor.

died, leaving her in charge

of three younger siblings. With nowhere left to turn, the child was forced into prostitution to keep her family alive. While on the streets of Mozambique she met a man who took her and

Local deals for veterans

her siblings in. However, he refused to help her financially

FREE CAR WASH FOR VETERANS Octopus Car Wash is offering a free car wash for veterans on Saturday, Nov. 11 as a thank you for their service. Octopus Car wash is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 1503 S. Collins Street. For more information call 813754-0777. FREE BRONZE CAR WASH TO ALL VETERANS Walden Lake Car Wash & Service Center is offering free bronze car wash to all veterans on Saturday, Nov. 11 as a thank you for “serving our country and protecting our freedoms.” Bronze car washes include an exterior wash and towel try, rims, dashboard, windows and mirrors cleaning, the interior vacuumed and an air freshener. Walden Lake Car Wash is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1414 S. Alexander St. OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE Nationwide Outback Steakhouses are offering a free Bloomin’ Onion and a beverage to all active, retired military and veterans on Nov. 11. You must have valid identification. IHOP All active duty and retired veterans are invited to come and enjoy free Red, White and Blue pancakes on Friday, Nov. 10.

so she continued living as a prostitute while also serving as his “wife.” She left him severely bruised, broken and with two more children relying on her. Courtesy of Free the Girls

Women partnered with Free the Girls use donated bras to start their own businesses.

SEE BRA PAGE 3

Crest students walk out of class Students staged a protest to show support for their teachers after they were denied a pay raise. TONY MARRERO TAMPA BAY TIMES

They came from advanced placement history and physics, math and English, chemistry and culinary arts. Facing certain punishment, about 15 students at Strawberry Crest High School walked out of their first period classes on Tuesday to protest the

Hillsborough school district’s decision to deny scheduled pay raises for teachers this year. Several had already been given inschool suspension forms by the time they walked under a brilliant blue sky to the school’s front gate. Nearly all wore black in solidarity. “It’s technically skipping, but at the same time it’s kind of worth it because these teachers are losing money,” said Amber Hatton, a 15-year-old sophomore who helped organize the walkout and left English class at 7:45 a.m. “We’re giving up our time for them so they can have support. They give us so SEE WALK OUT PAGE 3

Tampa Bay Times

About 15 students walked out of first period on Tuesday and gathered at the school's entrance to protest the Hillsborough School District's decision to deny teachers a scheduled pay raise.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

NEWS BRIEFS

EXTERIOR RIDE THRU 11/11/17

Breanne Williams

The cast of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” visited Chilifest.

Peanuts takeover Plant City Entertainment’s latest show, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” is finally here. Charles Schulz’s comic series was adapted into Clark Gesner’s musical. All of the Peanuts gang, from Lucy to Snoopy, will make an appearance. The show will span from Valentine’s Day to Beethoven Day. Charlie Brown is played by Andrew Fernandez, Sally Brown is played by Corinne Posner, Snoopy is played by Kristen Bucko, Lucy Van Pelt is played by Kristy Noel Carlson, Linus Van Pelt is played by Coy Permenter and Schroeder is played by Cody Carlson. The show runs from Nov. 10 to Nov. 19 and tickets can be purchased at www.pceshows.com. Tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for seniors and students.

Strawberry Festival named one of 10 best fairs in U.S. Mother Nature Network announced its pick for 10 of the country’s best state and county fairs. The Strawberry Festival received a nod with other large fairs like the State Fair of Texas and the Erie County Fair. The Strawberry Festival was recognized for its concerts, pageant, parade, livestock shows and large flea market. This year’s theme is “Building New Memories” and will take place March 1 through 11.

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Public Library is having its 2017 Short Story Writing Contest for seventh and eighth graders. The deadline for entries is Nov. 17 and a panel of judges will determine the winner. There is a $500 cash prize for the winner. The 2017 phrase that is included in a story is “An act of kindness.” The story must be between 500 and 1,000 words and should be doublespaced. Entries must include the official entry form, which can be found online, unless submitted electronically. Entries with offensive content will be disqualified. The winner will be notified by Dec. 8.

Season of giving The United Food Bank of Plant City is looking for turkey donations for its Holiday Bags for clients. The organization created a challenge online to encourage the community to donate. The Food Bank is looking for 10 to 12 pound frozen turkeys to help those “who may not otherwise have a complete Thanksgiving meal.” Donations can be made to the Food Bank during office hours.

Winter at the ‘Y’ The Plant City Family YMCA is now accepting registration for its Winter 2018 Youth Sports teams. Registration ends Dec. 10 for Outdoor Soccer and Flag Football and Jan. 10 for the Basketball Clinic. Practice begins at the start of the new year. You can register for the sports at the Welcome Center or online at www.TampaYMCA.org.

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Bra Fatima turned to a group called Free the Girls, an international nonprofit organization that provides sex trafficking survivors with assistance on their “path to freedom.” They offer opportunities for victims to have economic freedom, restored health, education and social well-being. The GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City is on a mission to help provide a chance at a second life for rescued victims. The group is hosting a Bras for Freedom event to collect new or gently used bras that will be resold by women partnered with Free the Girls across the globe. “When they present the reality of human trafficking to us, what can we do at this level?” Patricia Wolff, chair of the international outreach committee, said. “It is horrific that at this time we still have this kind of slavery in the world. When I saw Free the Girls I saw the opportunity to do something for an issue that is global and that otherwise I wouldn’t have a way to do anything.” Over 20 million people are trafficked globally, according to the Polaris Project, a nonprofit organization that works to combat and prevent modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Of those, 26% are children and 55% are women and girls. Wolff said she was drawn to Free the Girls because the group is not asking for money. Instead, they need something many people no longer use. Women can donate bras they haven’t worn in years and lives can be changed. She decided to open the event to the public in order to offer Plant City a chance to tackle an issue that she said many often feel is too large to create change. Free the Girls has impacted lives in El Salvador, Mozambique and Uganda. Women have been able to start a second life with the help of the group and Wolff said she is excited to see how the community will respond to the call.

FROM PAGE 1

much. They educate us.” The student walkout is the latest front in a campaign to persuade the district to go forward with the raises. At the last bargaining session with the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association, district negotiators said it would cost $17 million to give roughly a third of the 14,000 teachers raises of $4,000, which they get every three years if they have high enough evaluation scores. The union says that rather than withholding money from teachers, district leaders should re-examine other spending decisions, including the growing number of administrators earning more than $100,000 a year. Emails are going out to the School Board, superintendent Jeff Eakins and the media, from parents and teachers alike. Teachers have picketed outside

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

TO DONATE

FROM PAGE 1

Walk out

Donations can be made at any meeting or by contacting Patricia Wolff at wolffone@ hotmail.com or 941-725-1135. Deadline: Donations is Jan. 9, 2018. Size: Bras of any size and color are accepted, though the more colorful they are the larger profit they will bring overseas. Winners announced: Feb. 13, 2018 at the International Outreach Luncheon at the clubhouse.

Free the Girls is unique because it provides a business model that allows the rescued victims to work almost entirely with women. They own the business and thus are able to choose their clients, of which the majority are women. In the countries currently partnered with Free the Girls, there are little or no bra manufacturers, which makes the items a luxury product and ensures the women can always make a profit. And all it takes to kickstart a redemption arc are donations of the product from people who no longer use them. When Wolff lived in Mexico she created a group called Young Professionals that worked on connecting people in the area to pour back into the community. After moving to Plant City she worked to bring that same mindset into every project she was involved with. She said this campaign is a perfect way for every person in the city, regardless of how busy they are or their economic status, to make a difference. “I’ve always said ‘Use your talents for the greater good,’” Wolff said. “My belief for life is you can do so much with who you are. You don’t have to give your money or your resources, give your skill. Everyone can make a difference if they decide to take the

Breanne Williams

Patricia Wolff, chair of the international outreach committee, with donated bras for the Woman’s Club Bras for Freedom event.

time to help someone else. You can do things for others and you can grow at the same time.” The Bras for Freedom event will be collecting new or gently used bras from now until Jan. 9. At the Feb. 13 luncheon, Wolff will announce two winners from the event who will receive a gift card. One will be from the woman in the club and one will be a community member who donated the most bras. Once the items are collected Wolff will ship them to Free the Girls, who will send them as needed across the globe. Because the Woman’s Club is

“There are other ways to show your support. You can go to the School Board meeting, you can do something before school, but once you make the decision to walk out, unfortunately there will be consequences because now you’re skipping and disrupting the school day.” — Principal David Brown

Steinbrenner High. On television and on social media, teachers are encouraging one another to “work the contract.” That means working only when school is in session, and not staying later or grading papers at home. It’s the closest they can come to a strike, which is not allowed for teachers in Florida. Negotiations are ongoing, a district spokeswoman said Tuesday. Bespectacled junior Caleb Bowman left chemistry class for the walkout. “Our teachers are our source of knowledge and they’re the ones that set us up for success so I don’t think

it’s right they’re not getting the raise they should,” said Brown, 16, as he held a small white board with the words: “We love our teachers, we’re stronger together, fight for their money!” “Honestly,” he said, “I feel they deserve a lot more than what they get.” Moments after walking out of class, students gathered outside in front of the main office to decide their next move. They spotted a television news van in the distance, just off school property, and decided to head in that direction.

not asking for monetary donations with the event, Wolff is looking for a local business to partner with the group to ship the bras to a distribution site in Indiana. “I feel like it’s amazing that a used bra can bring freedom and security to someone in need,” Wolff said. “Something as simple as a used bra can change a life. So many of these women have survived terrible things and without our help, they may not have a chance to start over. I’m happy the club responded so positively to the group and I hope the community will, too.”

Principal David Brown, standing nearby, made one last entreaty. “My suggestion to you is you should be in first period,” Brown said. In an interview, Brown said he supported the student’s desire to get involved but could not condone missing class to send a message. On Monday, when word of the walkout had spread, Brown urged the students in morning and afternoon announcements to reconsider the move. He also made recorded calls to parents asking them to talk to their kids about the proper way to protest. “I made it very clear to students that disruption of the school day is not something we can have,” Brown said. “There are other ways to show your support. You can go to the School Board meeting, you can do something before school, but once you make the decision to walk out, unfortunately there will be consequences because now you’re skipping and disrupting the school day.” Brown said punishment will be meted out depending on a student’s

past disciplinary record. The penalty could range from lunch detention to out-of-school suspension. Destiny Cattery, a 16-year-old junior, said her perspective as the daughter of a teacher who works long hours drove her to address school administrators no matter the consequences because it’s right thing to do for teachers. “I know the extra $4,000 would have helped our family drastically,” Cattery said. “Taking that away is being like, ‘Oh, maybe we shouldn’t support what you’re doing for your students.’” The demonstrators said students at other schools are planning walkouts for Wednesday. “Don’t let your administration scare you out of doing it,” Cattery said. “It’s for a good cause, so stand up for your teachers. They’ve been standing up for us.”

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

Serving is in their blood One Plant City family has dozens of members who have enlisted to serve over the span of decades. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Veterans Day is a time of honoring those who have served. It’s an especially big deal for one Plant City family, as more than 30 of its members have enlisted over the years. Janie Green helped host the Green Family Reunion in September and decided to use the gathering to honor those in her family who had joined the armed forces. For her, honoring veterans took on a whole new meaning after her son joined the Marines. “You hear stuff all your life but until my son went in there, that’s when I really appreciated everything they’ve done,” Janie Green said. “When my child came home he was in the bathroom shaving and I passed by the door and saw something across his chest. I asked what it was and he said, “Oh Mamma, I didn’t want you to see that. I got hurt over there, Mamma.” Her son, Sgt. Persell Green, went on to Afghanistan where he was awarded a medal of honor for his bravery. In order to protect his men, he went alone and worked 18 hours surrounded by gunfire to secure the area. He went in a tank alone for two miles and when he radioed his men they told him the “enemy was on him.” “They shot a missile at my child,” Janie Green said. “He says he saw it when it exploded and there was no light like that. When he got back to the states, to California, they had a ceremony. He didn’t think he was going to get anything and then they called Sgt. Green and gave him a Medal of Honor. He doesn’t talk about it much. He just says he had to protect his men.” Janie Green said that dedication to this country is held by her entire family. She said many of those who served in her family did so because they felt a need to prove that this was their country and to show they were a part of it. She said they care about the U.S. and protecting everyone in it. Nearly 300 people showed up to St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church for

Daniel Figueroa IV

Jane Waters is the now the interim executive director of Historic Plant City Main Street.

Waters FROM PAGE 1

nity revitalization while overseeing the Arts Ensemble Education Foundation, a nonprofit arts incubator that brings communities, especially impoverished ones, together through the arts. And, that passion for arts and culture is something she is hoping to bring to Plant City’s downtown in her new role. “It’s kind of a personal passion for me to preserve the past while sort of embracing the future,” Waters said. “I definitely see revitalization occurring in every city through culture and art.” Waters brings more than a decade of nonprofit and community revitalization expertise to Main Street. In Polk County her Arts Ensemble established the Eloise Arts Center, coordinated internships and art shows with Polk State College and helped coordinate the Arts4Vets program with the Polk County Veterans Council. Her strength in coming to Main Street, beyond administration and nonprofit business, she said, will be being able to reach out to young professionals and the arts community to find ways to make Plant City’s downtown and its business thrive. Though Thompson’s tenure in Plant City was brief, Waters, who coordinated with Thompson on projects while Thompson was overseeing Winter Haven’s Main Street program, said a solid foundation was laid, allowing her to hit the ground running. “I plan to build on what Karen was doing because it was well implemented,” she said. “Karen set the administration really well. Being a reestablished organization, the first project of any board should be setting the administration. I walked into a welloiled machine.” This is Plant City’s second run at a Main Street program. The city was initially one of the first charters when Main Street programs came to Flori-

Courtesy photos

Sgt. Persell Green won the Medal of Honor for his heroic deed in Afghanistan.

the reunion and dozens were given certificates in honor of their service. They brought pictures and were given magnets telling them God was watching over them. The theme for the event was “Blood Counts Most” and the entire day was run by the family, from the service to the choir. Honored were veterans from World War II and the Korean War to those enlisted in current engagements in Afghanistan. “Blood does count the most,” Janie Green said. “People don’t realize that. Blood counts the most. When things get tough who are you looking at? Your family … when I think about how much I could’ve lost my child it gets to me. But I look at my family and I have nothing but pride.”

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da in 1985. The parent organization, Main Street America, is a national group combining grassroots organizations and coordinated programs through all levels of government to aid in preservation and revitalization of historic downtown districts. Since forming around 1980, the organization has secured more than $65.6 billion, netted more than 55,000 new jobs and rehabilitated more than 260,000 buildings in about 2,000 communities across the country, according to its website. Creating a downtown master plan is the immediate goal for Waters, as it was for Thompson. The master plan would set aesthetic guidelines for Plant City, from the type of benches and planters on the streets to identifying needs like pressure washing sidewalks and what businesses and features to bring downtown. “The master plan is key,” Thompson said. “It’s what sets the formula and the formula is success.” Additionally, Waters said she wants to revamp some existing events like adding themes to the monthly food truck rally. February will feature a steampunk theme, including art from the popular sci-fi subgenre. She also wants to add new events like a monthly pop-up social hour, a sort of guerrilla-style cocktail hour to take place at a new business every month. Despite being an interim director, Waters said she took the role with the idea of being in Plant City for a minimum of five years or “as long as it takes to get the downtown master plan implemented, greater foot traffic on the streets and better marketing for merchants and business owners.” Most importantly though, she wants the shoppers and merchants of downtown to know that Main Street belongs to them, no matter who is in charge and her door is always open to them. When one nearby merchant stopped by Wednesday morning to ask how he could get involved with the program, her answer was simple: “You just did.”

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

We asked: When do you start shopping for Christmas presents?

“We start in the beginning of December and then probably a few days before Christmas we really nail it all.”

“I was thinking around Thanksgiving or Black Friday. I try not to wait until the last minute.”

“I usually start around Thanksgiving.” —Jordan Rains, 25

—Craig Young, 22

—Angeline Wade, 36

“I love Christmas but I usually wait until the week before. It’s fun. It’s like ‘Let’s see how quickly we can do this.’”

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What do you do when you decide you’d like to devote your life to ministry, but the church you volunteer for can’t bring you on staff? Come & Complete all safety stations and receive a Come & Complete all safety stations and receive a Meet If you’re Jon Finley, you quit your 1/2 mi W Turkey Creek Safety Certificate!! allRd safety stations and receive a Complete allreceive safety stations and receive a of Complete Safety Complete all safety stations and a Certificate!! Meet & Complete safety stations andSmokey receive a 1/2 mi W of Turkey Creek Rd- 3PM Safety Certificate!!allCome Safety Certificate!! Smokey 11AM 5521 FL-60, Plant City,stations FL 33567 Meet Safety Complete all Certificate!! safety and receive a Smokey job, sell your house and you go with Bear! Come & Smokey 11AM 3PM Bear! Bear! Safety Certificate!! Safety Certificate!! Meet 1/2 mi W of Turkey Rd Complete all safety stations and receive a Smokey Safety Creek Certificate!! Smokey Bear! Smokey Bear! Meet Bear! Complete all safety stations and receive a Bear! SATURDAY NOV.*MUSIC* 18 2017 Smokey Safety Certificate!! God. Five months ago, that’s the deci*MUSIC* Safety Certificate!! *MUSIC* Bear! Bear! FREE Smokey 18-2017 *MUSIC* *MUSIC* *MUSIC* NOV. Come &Bear! *MUSIC* SATURDAY 11AM 3PM *LIMBO* FREE Bear! *LIMBO* sion he made. FREE Bear! Come & ATURDAY NOV. 18*LIMBO* 2017 *MUSIC* 11AM 3PM Meet *LIMBO* Complete all safety stations and receive a *MUSIC* *LIMBO* FREE FREE FINGERPRINTING FREE *MUSIC* *LIMBO* FREE FINGERPRINTING *CAKE WALK* *MUSIC* Come &Safety Meet *LIMBO* Complete allWALK* safety stations and receive a FINGERPRINTING *MUSIC* Certificate!! 11AM*LIMBO* - 3PM *CAKE Smokey FREE Finley is a member and volunteer FREE Protect and safeguard FINGERPRINTING *CAKE WALK* Protect and safeguard your child!your child! FINGERPRINTING *CAKE SafetyFINGERPRINTING Certificate!! FINGERPRINTING WALK* *LIMBO* Protect and safeguard your child! *CAKE WALK* Meet FREE Smokey Complete all safety stations and receive*CAKE a WALK* *BOUNCY HOUSE* *LIMBO* *LIMBO* FREE *LIMBO* FREE *BOUNCY HOUSE* Bear! FREE Protect Protect and safeguard your child! Protect and safeguard your child! Protect and safeguard your child! and safeguard your child! FINGERPRINTING *CAKE WALK* Safety Certificate!! with Plant City’s City Pointe Church. FINGERPRINTING *CAKE WALK* *BOUNCY HOUSE* Smokey Bear! *BOUNCY HOUSE* *BOUNCY HOUSE* EACH PARTICIPANT WILL *BOUNCY HOUSE* FINGERPRINTING *CAKE WALK* *FACE PAINTING* FINGERPRINTING *CAKE WALK* FINGERPRINTING *CAKE WALK* Protect and safeguard your child!PARTICIPANT EACH WILLFINGERPRINTING *FACE PAINTING* Protect and safeguard your child! *CAKE WALK* Bear! *MUSIC* *BOUNCY HOUSE* RECEIVE A HOT DOG, EACH WILL EACH WILL *FACE PAINTING* *MUSIC* Protect andPARTICIPANT safeguard your child! PARTICIPANT Protect and safeguard your child! He first attended a service in the EACH PARTICIPANT WILL *FACE PAINTING* RECEIVE A HOT DOG, EACH *HOOLA PARTICIPANT WILL *BOUNCY HOUSE* PAINTING* HOOP CONTEST* *BOUNCY HOUSE* *BOUNCY HOUSE* EACH PARTICIPANT WILL 567 *FACE CHIPS AND A DRINK Protect and safeguard your child! *FACE PAINTING* *BOUNCY HOUSE* RECEIVE A HOT DOG, *HOOLA HOOP CONTEST* *LIMBO* RECEIVE A HOT CHIPS ANDDOG, A DRINK RECEIVE APARTICIPANT HOT DOG, RECEIVEFREE A HOT DOG, *MUSIC* EACH WILL *FACE PAINTING* *LIMBO* HOUSE* *HOOLA HOOP CONTEST* FREE *HOOLA HOOP*BOUNCY CONTEST* RECEIVE A HOT DOG, CHIPS AND A DRINK *HOOLA HOOP CONTEST* A DRINK spring of 2016, following the death EACH PARTICIPANT WILL WILL *FACE PAINTING* CHIPS AND AADRINK EACH PARTICIPANT RECEIVE HOTCHIPS DOG,AND EACH PARTICIPANT *FACE PAINTING* *FACE PAINTING* CHIPS AWILL DRINK FINGERPRINTING *CAKE WALK* EACH PARTICIPANT WILL *HOOLA HOOP CONTEST* *FACE PAINTING* *LIMBO* RECEIVE A HOT DOG, CHIPS AND A AAND DRINK FREE *HOOLA HOOP CONTEST* *CAKE WALK* RECEIVE HOT DOG, CHIPS AND A DRINK FINGERPRINTING FOR INFORMATION RECEIVE A HOT DOG, of his grandmother. Before that, his Protect and safeguard yourCONTEST* child! EACH PARTICIPANT WILL *HOOLA HOOP *FACE PAINTING* RECEIVE A HOT DOG, FOR INFORMATION CHIPS AND A DRINK *HOOLA HOOP HOUSE* CONTEST* Protect and safeguard your AND child! A DRINK CHIPS *BOUNCY FINGERPRINTING *CAKE WALK* *BOUNCY *HOOLA HOOP CONTEST* FOR INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION *HOOLA HOOPRECEIVE CONTEST* CHIPS AND A DRINK HOUSE* A HOT CONTACT DOG, FOR INFORMATION CHIPS AND A DRINK CONTACT Protect and safeguard your child! BeckyWILL Coupe 813-690-2693 CONTACT HOOP CONTEST* EACH PARTICIPANT life was more about hard living than CONTACT *FACE FORPAINTING* INFORMATION *BOUNCY HOUSE**HOOLA CONTACT FOR INFORMATION BeckyEACH Coupe 813-690-2693 PARTICIPANT WILLCHIPS AND A DRINK FOR INFORMATION *FACE PAINTING* 2017 Maureen RECEIVE A HOT Becky DOG, Coupe610-761-3393 813-690-2693 FOR INFORMATION Becky Coupe 813-690-2693 Maureen 610-761-3393 Becky Coupe 813-690-2693 CONTACT RECEIVE A HOT DOG, CONTACT CONTACT EACH PARTICIPANT WILL *HOOLA HOOP CONTEST* *FACE PAINTING* serving God. That, however, quickly CHIPS AND A DRINK Maureen 610-761-3393 HOOP CONTEST* Maureen 610-761-3393 FOR INFORMATION Come &*HOOLA CONTACT FOR INFORMATION Maureen 610-761-3393 Becky Coupe 813-690-2693CHIPS AND A DRINK Becky Coupe 813-690-2693 RECEIVE A HOT DOG, BeckyBecky Coupe 813-690-2693 Coupe 813-690-2693 HOOLA HOOP CONTEST* Maureen 610-761-3393 CHIPS ANDMaureen A DRINK610-761-3393 FOR INFORMATION CONTACT changed. CONTACT Meet ve a Maureen 610-761-3393 Maureen 610-761-3393 FOR INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION Coupe 813-690-2693 CONTACT Becky Becky Coupe 813-690-2693 At the start of 2016, Finley, now 33, Smokey CONTACT CONTACT Maureen 610-761-3393 FOR INFORMATION Becky Coupe 813-690-2693 Maureen 610-761-3393 Becky Coupe 813-690-2693 Becky Coupe 813-690-2693 CONTACT Bear! was still in party mode. He had spent 610-761-3393 MaureenMaureen 610-761-3393 Maureen 610-761-3393 Becky Coupe 813-690-2693 AMVET LADIES AUXILIARY TO POST 44, 5512 SR 60 EAST, PLANT CITY Maureen 610-761-3393 AMVET LADIES AUXILIARY TO POST 44, 5512 SR 60 EAST, PLANT CITY more than a decade working days in AMVET LADIES AUXILIARY TOCITY POST 44, 5512 SR 60 EAST, PLANT CITY AMVET LADIES AUXILIARY 44, 5512 SR 60 EAST, PLANT VET LADIES AUXILIARY TO POST 44, 5512TO SRPOST 60 EAST, PLANT CITY AMVET LADIES AUXILIARY TO POST 44, 5512 SR 60 EAST, PLANT CITY call centers, starting with cold calls AMVET LADIES AUXILIARY TO POST 44, 5512 SR 60 EAST, PLANT CITY FREE AMVET LADIES AUXILIARY TO POST 44, 5512 SR 60 EAST, PLANT CITY for Terminix and eventually managAMVET LADIES AUXILIARY TO POST 44, 5512 SR 60 EAST, PLANT CITY FINGERPRINTING ing a team with TruGreen. At night, Protect and safeguard your child! AMVET LADIES AUXILIARY TO POST 44, 5512 SR 60 EAST, PLANT CITY AMVET LADIES AUXILIARY TO POST 44,TO 5512 SR 60 CITY PLANT CITY AMVET LADIES AUXILIARY POST 44,EAST, 5512 PLANT SR 60 EAST, LADIES AUXILIARY TO POST 44, 5512 SR 60 EAST, PLANT CITYhe was bouncing in bars and clubs ET LADIES AUXILIARY TO POST 44, 5512 SR 60 EAST, PLANTAMVET CITY AMVET LADIES EACH PARTICIPANT WILL AUXILIARY TO POST 44, 5512 SR 60 EAST, PLANT CITY throughout the Tampa area, there, RECEIVE A HOT DOG, EST* CHIPS AND A DRINK too, working his way to managing First Baptist Learning Center security teams. and School of Music FOR INFORMATION “I was really living in the world,” he CONTACT said. 503 N. Palmer Street, Plant City, FL 33563 Becky Coupe 813-690-2693 By appearance, the former Plant Maureen 610-761-3393 admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic City High School offensive lineman origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and looks the part. Standing over six feet tall, the burly and bearded Finley activities generally accorded or made available to looks more likely to be the groundsstudents of the organization. It does not discriminate keeper at Hogwarts than a full-time 44, 5512 SR 60on EAST, thePLANT basisCITY of race, color, national and ethnic origin in pastor. His life before finding City Pointe was about collecting things. administration of its educational policies, admissions He worked hard, he said, to be a single, policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other self-sufficient man. He took pride in organization-administered programs. the ownership of his Sam Allen Road home, the same home he lived in since he was six years old. He bought it from his parents after they moved to North Carolina. And there was the violence. So much time in security and bouncing, he said, was dangerous and isolating. He’s been stabbed with bottles, had guns pulled on him and been I help safe drivers save up to 14%. jumped outside of clubs. Eventually, When you don’t have car accidents, you cost less to insure. I can help he wouldn’t go out unless he knew you save up to 14% off your premium. And that’s just for starters. Call me who was working security. Mostly, he first to get the discounts you deserve. hung out with other bouncers, drinking and partying when not at work. Feola Insurance Agency “I got tired of the violence,” Fin813-752-2556 ley said. “It’s not the safest job in the 1003 S. Collins St. world.” a026519@allstate.com Then his grandmother got sick. He helped care for her as much as he could but was still focused on his call Discounts are subject to terms, conditions and availability. Actual savings will vary. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. Northbrook, IL. © 2013 Allstate Insurance Co. center job. Spending time with her 1/2 mi W of Turkey Creek Rd

1/2 mi W of Turkey Creek Rd 1/2 mi W of Turkey Creek Rd 1/2 miRdW of Turkey Creek Rd 1/2 mi W of Turkey Creek 1/2 Rd mi W of Turkey Creek Rd 1/2 mi W of Turkey Creek 1/2 mi W of Turkey Creek Rd 1/2 mi W of Turkey Creek Rd

1/2 mi W of Turkey Creek Rd

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Protect and safeguard your child!

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NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS

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DRIVE SAFE & SAVE.

began to change him, he said. Growing up, he admits, he wasn’t the most devout. He does, however, remember spending time with his grandmother as a child. Every day, she’d spend about an hour reading the bible. “She’d read it cover to cover about four times a year,” Finley recalls. “She’d sit at the counter and read for about 45 minutes to an hour every day. One day, when I was 9, she looked up and said, ‘you know what, you’re going to be in ministry.’ I laughed.” Just over 20 years later, as he was again sitting with her over a bible, she asked him to say the Lord’s Prayer. It had been more than ten years, but he recited it perfectly. He asked her if she remembered that day and she smiled. He knew he was on to something. Something changed in that moment, but wasn’t quite there yet. Then came the day he was stuck in traffic on Interstate 4. He was heading back from work in Tampa and he was tired, but supposed to spend time with his grandmother. Reaching over for his phone, he was ready to cancel and then he saw something. As he passed the McIntosh Road exit, he saw a white cross in the distance. He saw it as a sign and didn’t cancel. Delma Barton, Finley’s grandmother, died that day. “That was the strong sign God was calling. I felt this is what I’m supposed to be doing, but I had no idea how.” Finley said. “It’s quite a life change, going into ministry full time.” Shortly after, Finley attended his first City Pointe service and met pastor Scott McIntosh. He quickly became deeply involved in the church. “I currently have him working with our adult ministries, such as the fall festival, small groups, missions, etcetera,” McIntosh said. “I’ve seldom seen such dedication.” McIntosh accepted Finley, no matter the life he had previously lived. Something Finley said other churches

hadn’t done. A little over a year later, McIntosh said Finley is as much an inspiration to him as he is to Finley. “Jon Finley embodies the radical life change we long for everyone to experience when they meet Christ,” McIntosh said. “When he came into City Pointe Church for the first time, he lived only for himself and now he is living a life to impact others with God's love. He is a radically changed life impacting others for Christ. He's an inspiration to me and all that are around him.” He’s got the support of his family, friends, and congregation and others, too, recently speaking at other area churches and telling his story. “It’s definitely generating positive conversation. People are intrigued,” Christina Burgess, a fellow City Pointe goer and Finley’s realtor said. “It’s a big leap of faith. It’s not something that you see often.” Finley made the decision to sell his home and most of his belongings five months ago and has been living off the proceeds and good will of others since, he said. It’s a big sacrifice and one that won’t last forever, he said, but he hopes the path will lead to him being ordained and finding full-time employment at City Pointe or wherever his path leads. There are moments of doubt and stress, wondering where he’ll live, what the timeline will be like after the sale of his house, the little details that will make it all work. “Those moments, I have to sit down and remember God is handling it,” he said. Then, he said, the peace comes and he knows it will work. The sacrifices he is making are to help others and, maybe, to one day show someone the same understanding and guidance McIntosh has shown him. That, he said, makes it all worth it. But it’d be nice to lead the prayer before a Plant City Raiders game, too.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Hunting for holiday treasures

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

New owner with Joe Grimes still doing repairs

GRAND OPENING SALE UP TO 50% OFF ENTIRE STORE WE BUY GOLD & SILVER!

WE BUY & SERVICE ROLEX!

Photos by Breanne Williams

Vendors offered vintage clothing and chic decor.

• Jewelry & Watch Repair • Insurance Appraisals • Buying Gold & Diamonds • Fine Jewelry Sales • Custom Designs • Graduate Gemologist Sterling Silver and Fashion Jewelry Collection

he annual Fancy Flea vintage home and garden market brought hundreds of visitors on Friday and Saturday to Plant City. The market hosted dozens of vendors and featured handmade jewelry, original art, vintage clothing, shabby chic and more. Fall and Christmas-themed items and decorations were for sale at many of the booths as people began their holiday shopping. The Fancy Flea Founder Lori Powell and her two daughters were present at the event and greeted many shoppers. Admission was $5 and the market offered shuttles to and from the parking lot. Fancy Flea offers a fall and spring show in Plant City and Madison with a summer show indoors at the RP Funding Center.

Live entertainment was provided on both sides of the massive market.

Navigation to Wealth Creation PLANT CITY 1907 S. Alexander St., Ste. 2 Plant City, FL 33566 | (813)752-6604 BRANDON 329 Pauls Dr. Brandon, FL 33511 | (813)689-9297

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PLANT CITY TIMES &

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— BREANNE WILLIAMS

Top: Many shoppers brought totes or wagons to lug their merchandise back with them. Above: Fancy Flea drew visitors from across the state due to its reputation for having unique goods and vintage gifts.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

23rd

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

Photos by Breanne Williams

Annual

Girls age 5 to 15 were eligible for the pageant.

Turkey Supper

On the path to royalty

Sunday, November 12th 11:30amâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;5:00pm

ver 100 young girls gathered in the Florida Strawberry Festival Expo Hall Wednesday evening to see if they would be drawn for the 2018 Junior Royalty Pageant. A total of 110 girls were drawn to participate and girls age 5 to 15 years old were eligible. Those drawn will compete for Queen, Princess, Duchess and Baroness. There is a limit for 30 contestants in each age group. After being drawn, the girls will participate in a pageant workshop and a competition rehearsal prior to the final show. Contestants will be judged on personality, overall appearance and natural beauty and smile. The official pageant will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Grimes Agricultural Show Center. In addition to a crown, each winner will receive a sash and trophy and the top winner will represent the Florida Strawberry Festival in her age group at the Florida Strawberry Festival Fashion Show on Jan. 26, the Youth Parade on March 3 and the Grand Parade on March 5.

Hope Lutheran Church 2001 North Park Road Plant City, FL hopeplantcity.com 813-752-4622

Adults $10.00 / Children $5.00 proceeds to benefit our community

Dine-in or Take-out!

Baroness Kennedy Duncan and Duchess Kendall Spencer.

Two young girls danced with joy after being selected to compete.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; BREANNE WILLIAMS

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Menu includes: turkey, dressing, real mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, slaw, cranberry sauce, dessert and beverage.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

OCTOBER 2017 SNAPSHOT MINIMUM: $48,750 MAXIMUM: $367,500 AVERAGE: $201,281 MEDIAN: $185,000

Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 1,649 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $89.75.

COUNTRY HILLS The home at 316 Abigail Road sold Oct. 31, for $170,000 (Short sale). Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,448 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $117.40. The home at 4611 Copper Lane sold Oct. 2, for $214,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 2,293 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $93.33. The home at 4735 S. Dawnmeadow Court sold Oct. 25, for $160,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,435 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $111.50. The home at 4603 Eastwind Drive sold Oct. 24, for $145,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,240 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $116.94. The home at 536 Scarlet Maple Court sold Oct. 17, for $160,238 (REO/bank owned). Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,285 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $124.70. The home at 4506 Tina Lane sold Oct. 17, for $185,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,544 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $119.82. DUMONT The home at 4507 Pippin Road sold Oct. 23, for $250,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,813 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $137.89.

REAL ESTATE

Aston Avenue home tops October real estate transactions he home at 2701 Aston Ave. sold Oct. 10, for $367,500. Built in 1992, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,582 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $142.33.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

The home at 1926 Greenwood Valley Drive sold Oct. 18, for $138,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,572 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $87.79. Justin Kline

HILLSBOROUGH The home at 2660 Charlie Taylor Road sold Oct. 13, for $259,500. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,667 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $155.67. The home at 6602 N. Dormany Road sold Oct. 23, for $252,900. Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, two and a half baths and 1,980 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $127.73. The home at 6817 Gator Ranch St. sold Oct. 10, for $48,750 (Auction/ REO). Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,540 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $31.66.

sold Oct. 13, for $170,000. Built in 1964, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,009 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $84.62.

sold Oct. 3, for $299,900. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,440 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $122.91.

MAGNOLIA GREEN The home at 3113 Azalea Blossom Drive sold Oct. 13, for $234,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, two and a half baths and 2,881 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $81.22.

The home at 4116 Longfellow Drive sold Oct. 16, for $219,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,633 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $134.11.

The home at 3710 Magnolia Green St. sold Oct. 30, for $240,500. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, two and a half baths and 2,968 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $81.03.

The home at 601 W. Mahoney St. sold Oct. 31, for $175,000. Built in 1922, it has four bedrooms, two and a half baths and 2,546 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $68.74.

WALDEN LAKE The home at 2301 Clubhouse Drive sold Oct. 31, for $290,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,311 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $125.49.

The home at 3205 Medulla Road sold Oct. 23, for $79,000 (REO/ bank owned). Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,568 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $50.38.

The home at 2908 Clubhouse Drive sold Oct. 2, for $306,000. Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,390 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $128.03.

The home at 3207 Nesmith Road

The home at 2722 Laurel Oak Drive

The home at 3218 Pine Club Drive sold Oct. 24, for $224,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,997 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $112.17. The home at 2801 Spring Meadow Drive sold Oct. 24, for $265,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,914 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $138.45. The home at 1445 Walden Oaks Place sold Oct. 16, for $172,500. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,673 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $103.11. WALDEN WOODS The home at 1864 Greenwood Valley Drive sold Oct. 27, for $148,000.

The home at 1940 Greenwood Valley Drive sold Oct. 25, for $151,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 1,632 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $92.52. The home at 2032 Greenwood Valley Drive sold Oct. 10, for $114,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,572 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $72.52. WILDER OAKS The home at 2719 Majestic Oaks Court sold Oct. 24, for $295,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,325 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $126.88. WILDER PARK The home at 2806 Wilder Park Drive sold Oct. 25, for $196,000. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,422 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $137.83.

ONLINE See more transactions at PlantCityObserver.com

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2803-4 James L. Redman Parkway, Plant City Florida 33566 Office: (813) 305-1616 | Fax: (813) 754-8099 Email: Malissa.Crawford@Gmail.com

Strawberry Classic Feature

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CRAWFORD & ASSOCIATES

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

OF THE MONTH

The EXOTIC Jaguar XKE I have always held the opinion that the Jaguar XKE was the best automobile design EVER, and in 2005 I purchased a somewhat used one that needed work . . . a 1973 Jaguar XKE V-12, Series III, 2+2. In 2010, after various attempts to repair it, I decided to have it restored. I chose the right local mechanics, Lanny and Sean Songer, who took it upon themselves as an act of love and pride. They removed/replaced the front and rear floor pans, completely rebuilt the V-12 and automatic transmission, 4 Zenith Stromberg carburetors, installed an extra capacity aluminum radiator with 2 fans set to a rheostat, enlarged capacity alternator, various wiring harnesses (Lucas, Prince of Darkness), factory A/C compressor, gas tank, fuel pump, water pump and various other parts that were unanticipated…taking care to keep original as much as possible. Afterward, Spacecoast Plating rechromed everything as original. Then Sean Songer began the body restoration, removing all rust, etc. and primed and beautifully finished it in the original Jaguar Signal Red. Next was the interior which O’Neil and Sons Upholstery in Plant City completed utilizing Jaguar specifications, materials on the carped, padding, seats, door panels and rear hatch. I also had the Vehicle Production Record Trace completed by the Jaguar Heritage Trust in England and certificated. Completed in 2017, my wife Vickie and I enjoy day trips, weekenders and auto shows in the region . . . enjoying every minute and mile of Jaguar XKE pride.

Happy motoring . . . You will be able to view this car at the

November 18, 2017 • 3:00-8:00 p.m. Facebook.com/PlantCityCarShow Union Station Depot • 102 N. Palmer Street, Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 754-3707

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Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

FRIDAY, NOV. 10

BEST BET

CRAFT FAIR Creative Christian Women are selling hand-crafted items on Friday and Saturday at the corner of N. Gordon St. and Baker St. There will be towels, aprons, fleece blankets for both humans and their pets, Yule Logs, terrariums, some “shabby chic” and more. Lunch will also be available. For more information call 269-290-4977.

SATURDAY, NOV. 11

EMPTY BOWLS 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.The seventh annual Empty Bowls Project is at the Historic Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum. Tickets are $10 and provide either two eight-ounce cups or one 16-ounce cup of their choice of soup. The Junior Women’s Club of Plant City will have a bake sale. All proceeds go toward the United Food Bank of Plant City. There will also be live performances and the Empty Bowls Chalk Art demonstrations. For more information contact UFB at 813-764-0625.

DANCING WITH THE LOCALS 6:30 p.m. The annual Dancing with the Locals event, sponsored by the Plant City Rotary Club, is at the HCC Trinkle Center, 1206 Cherry Street.

SATURDAY, NOV. 11

40TH ANNUAL PIONEER HERITAGE DAY 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 40th annual Pioneer Heritage Day is at the 1914 High School Community Center, 605 N Collins St. The event will honor the historical and cultural heritage of Plant City and East Hillsborough County. There will be live entertainment, heritage craft vendors, food, games and more. The Plant City Garden Club is also hosting its annual flower show at the event. Admission is free and the 1914 museum will also be open. VETERAN’S DAY PROGRAM 10 a.m. The 32nd annual Veteran’s Day Program hosted by Hopewell Funeral Home will be hosted at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 703 North Wheeler St.

AMVETS Post 44 in Plant City and will benefit the James A. Haley VA Recreational Services, local first responder charities and other veterans in the community. There are four starting points for those wanting to ride in the event: Veteran’s Memorial Park, Harley Davidson of Lakeland, Bert’s Barracuda Harley Davidson and Peggy’s Corral. Check Facebook for individual starting times. All tickets for raffles and food are $10 per person through Post 44. There will be a remembrance ceremony, food, music, vendors, raffles, a 50/50 raffle and grand prize giveaways. Entry is free.

10TH ANNUAL PATRIOT DAY OBSERVANCE AND REMEMBRANCE RIDE 1:30 to 5 p.m. The event is at

AN EVENING WITH DICK GRANT 6:30 p.m. The benefit dinner is held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and will feature food catered by Fred

Johnson and music from renowned organist Dick Grant. Grant will perform music ranging from classical to modern showtunes. Prior to dinner guests will enjoy hors d’ oeuvres, beer and wine in the Wellington Garden with music from the Sentimental Journeymen, a Barbershop Chorus.

SUNDAY, NOV. 12

ANNUAL TURKEY SUPPER 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 23rd annual Turkey Supper sponsored by Hope Lutheran Church will raise money for missions both local and worldwide. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Hungry people can dine in or take food to go. There will be turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, corn, beans, slaw, a roll, dessert and a

beverage. For more information call the church at 813-752-4622.

MONDAY, NOV. 13

GARDEN CLUB MEETING 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Plant City Garden Club November meeting will include a tour of the gardens on the Campus of the Hillsborough Community College. Karen Elizabeth, Chairman of the community gardens will be the speaker. The event is at the Walden Lake East Community Center, 1304 Teakwood Drive. For more information contact Lisa Firm at 813-404-4922. DEADLINE FOR THE CHAMBER CHRISTMAS TREE CONTEST Monday is the deadline to register for the Chamber’s Christmas Tree Contest. Trees may be either artifi-

cial or natural and businesses will compete for first, second and third place. There will also be a People’s Pick award. Entry is $30. Votes will be counted and winners announced on Tuesday, Dec. 19. For more information contact Breanna Wilson at 813-754-3707.

TUESDAY, NOV. 14

MAKE PLANT CITY 7 - 9 p.m. MAKE Plant City November Event, Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road. Join Plant City’s new collective of creative makers in every medium from art to brewing for its monthly meeting. Featuring keynote speaker Jesse Starr of Starr Creations, a local artist, 3D designer and fabricator of race cars, monster trucks and more.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, NOV. 17-18

PIG JAM 5 to 10 p.m. The Suncoast Credit Union Plant City Pig Jam is a two day event at the Randy Larson Softball Complex. The annual event hosts BBQ competition teams from across the country who will compete in both amateur and professional divisions. There will be rock climbing, moon walks, vendors and more. Fireworks are Friday at 9 p.m. Live music will be provided by the Daniel Sprouse Band, the Brass Roots Band, Ace Jackson and the Jump Kings, the Double Barrel Band, Eli Mosley and Candy Greene. Saturday, the festivities are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is $5 and admission is free.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Grace Lane Harrell Grace Lane Harrell, 102, of Givens Health Center passed away, Monday, October 23, 2017, in Asheville, NC. She was born February 2, 1915, in Macon County, AL, to Dr Robert Lee Lane and Nellie Grace Gardiner. Her grandparents were Wylie Sterling Lane and Nancy Elizabeth Germany, of LaGrange, GA; and Leander Franklin Gardiner and Alice Anna Palmer of Boston, MA. She grew up on Laurel Hill Plantation, and graduated from Tuskegee High School in 1930. She graduated from Alabama College for Women, Montevallo, AL, in 1934, and taught school for two years in Brewton, AL. She married Walter H. Harrell, Jr., on December 29, 1938. She was predeceased by her husband, Walter; her daughter Penelope H. Miller; and her brother, Robert Lee Lane, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Ginger Cannon (Roy) of Lakeland, FL;

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HOPEWELL

FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS

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HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

Headed on a great trip? Did you take the Observer with you on vacation? Send your pictures to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

Peggy Lou Wyatt, 80, of Plant City, born on May 2, 1937 in Milton, entered into eternal rest on October 31. Expressions of condolence at www. HopewellFuneral.com.

Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® Taking care of R is what ach other supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

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Peggy Lou Wyatt

in Dover on July 12, 1943, entered into Hopkins e Guarantee > National Plan Transferability James Andrew Hopkins, 84, of Plant City, passed away November 4. Visitation was held at Wells Memorial. Burial is private.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

behalf of Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign, and served as a member of his national committee. She and Walter retired to Franklin NC in 1978 where they were once again active in church and educational activities, tutoring middle school students and working on Habitat for Humanities houses. They moved to Givens Estates in 1995 in Asheville, NC, and were both active in Skyland United Methodist Church as long as they were able. A celebration of Grace’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church Chapel, (72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL, 33801), November 11, 2017, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Children’s Clothes Closet at First Methodist would be in keeping with Grace’s commitment to children and youth. The family is grateful for the years of loving care given Grace and Walter by the personnel at Givens Estates; for the compassionate services of Four Seasons Hospice, and for Asheville Mortuary Services.

son-in-law Jerry Miller of Murphy, NC; and four grandsons, R. Dean Cannon, Jr. (Ellen); Brooke Henry Stuart (Lori); Christopher Charles Stuart (Lisa), and Dr. Sterling Lane Cannon (Heather). Survivors include nine great-grandchildren: R. Dean Cannon III, Katherine and Sarah Cannon of Tallahassee, FL; Katherine, Grafton and Benton Stuart of St. Petersburg, FL; and Lane, Wylie and Isabel Cannon of Columbus, GA. Grace has been a life-long Methodist serving churches as a Sunday School teacher for 55 years, and with Walter, leading Methodist Youth Fellowship in Lakeland in the late 1940’s and 1950’s. Grace was active in United Methodist Women and Wesleyan Service Guild. During her time in Lakeland (19441961) Grace was president of Delta Kappa Gamma, president of American Association of University Women, and president of Classroom Teachers of Polk County, FL. Grace was a lifelong Democrat, beginning in college, and as a part of student government activities had tea with Eleanor Roosevelt at Christmastime of 1933. She was recognized for her efforts on

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

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we’re dedicated to helping families create a Anak E our community James andCenter meaningful memorial that truly Jones nate care since 1896. & unique ells MeMorial event ‘Sonny’ celebrates the life it represents. professionals, PlanTB. CiTy Janis Sorensen James Anak “Sonny” Jones, 86, of e813-752-1111 Guarantee >WellsMemorial.com National Plan Transferability Plant City, born on July 29, 1931, Janis B. Sorensen, age 89, of ZephTravel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® joined his Heavenly Father on Novemyrhills, passed away on November 1. ber 1. 10/27/15 10:42 AM Graveside service were held at Expressions of condolence at www. Florida National Cemetery on NovemHopewellFuneral.com. ber 7, 2017. supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

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CHECKING OUT THE CAPITAL: The Bentrovato family visited Washington, D.C. in July and, among other things, were able to take a tour of the White House. Candy Bentrovato made sure to bring a copy of the Observer for the trip.

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UPCOMING EVENTS – November 12, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

NOVEMBER 10, 2017

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

Five Chargers make swim states The Strawberry Crest Chargers kept up their good work at the FHSAA regional finals Nov. 4 and have their eyes on the next prize. Celi Guzman, Zane Richardson, Robert Haywood, Bryce McCool and Abdiel Rosario have advanced to the 4A state championship tournament, which will take place all day today at Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Athletics Center, 931 S.E. Ruhnke St., Stuart. Swimming preliminaries begin at 9 a.m. and finals will start at 5:30 p.m. A live online broadcast of the event can be viewed at NFHSNetwork.com.

Register for youth basketball The 49th annual Plant City Recreation and Parks Department/Optimist Youth Basketball season begins in early January and registration is now underway. To join the league, which has divisions for boys, girls and co-ed teams, youths must be between age 8 and 16 as of March 1, 2018. The divisions for 2018 are co-ed 8-9, boys 10-11, girls 10-12, boys 12-13, girls 13-15 and boys 14-16. The season runs from January through late February and games are played at the Plant City Family YMCA, Marshall and Tomlin middle schools. The 8 and 9 year olds will mostly play on Saturdays and older age groups will mostly play on weeknights. The department is also looking for coaches for the league. Registration costs $35 per person, which covers insurance, jersey and other league expenses. Birth certificates are required to provide proof of age. Register on-site or mail the form and payment to the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department administrative office, 1904 S. Park Road, by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 15. The form may be downloaded and printed from PlantCityGov.com. For more information, call 813-659-4255 or email RecInfo@plantcitygov.com.

Meet PCHS winter teams Plant City High School is teaming up with the Improvement League of Plant City, Raider Champions and Safe and Sound of Hillsborough for “Meet the Winter Teams Night.” From 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, people can visit the PCHS gymnasium to meet and greet the school’s basketball and soccer players, wrestlers and competitive cheerleaders. Coaches will speak about their programs and the teams will run some drills for the audience. The intent of the free event, according to the groups, is to “help bridge the gap between the youth sports programs and high school varsity sports as well as to cast a vision of being responsible citizens by mentoring to our younger generation.”

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? JUSTIN KLINE

Football season wraps up No Plant City-area teams qualified for the playoffs under the FHSAA’s new points system.

or the first time since I’ve been in Plant City, we don’t have any football teams going to regionals. Last week’s 35-6 loss to Armwood saw the Durant Cougars miss out on the playoff eight seed by just 1.4 points, a margin so slim BloomingSEE KLINE PAGE 13

File photo

The Plant City Dolphins Junior Varsity team is hoping to make up for last year's Superbowl loss.

ROAD TO DECEMBER:

Tri-County football playoffs set to begin The TCYFCC playoffs start Saturday and end with the Superbowl Dec. 2. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Seven Plant City-area football teams are going for Superbowl gold starting this weekend. The Tri-County Youth Football and Cheerleading Conference’s playoffs are set to begin Saturday and end with the Dec. 2 championship series at the Dover Patriots’ stadium, 1300 Sydney Dover Road, Dover. MIGHTY MITES

The Plant City Dolphins are set to take on the East Bay Bucs in one of the first games of the 2017 playoffs. East Bay and Plant City each finished with an 8-2 record but the Bucs owned the tiebreaker after the team defeated the Dolphins, 25-20, on Aug. 26. The Bucs enter as the four seed and Plant City is seeded fifth. The Plant City Mighty Mites are looking to get back to the Superbowl for the first time since 2015. PEE WEES

Plant City’s Pee Wees team is hoping their season ends with a Superbowl win, and there is potential for a 2016 rematch. The third-seeded Pee Wee Dolphins finished the season at 9-1, stuck in a three-way tie for first place with the Lakeland Eagles and the East Bay Bucs. The Lakeland Hurricanes, whom Plant City picked up a 13-7 win over on Oct. 7, will be the Dolphins’ first-round opponents. Plant City players are likely hoping to catch the Eagles outside one more time in a 2016 Superbowl rematch. MIDGETS

Last year’s Plant City Dolphins Midgets team had the distinction of being the only PCD squad to win its Superbowl game, a 20-13 victory over the East Bay Bucs. Expectations are high once again,

and for good reason: the Dolphins are the only Midgets team with a perfect 10-0 record. The PCD Midgets are also hoping to beat the Eagles but, unlike the Pee Wees, will get the team in the first round. The teams last played each other Oct. 29, when Plant City cruised to a 27-0 shutout win. JUNIOR VARSITY

The Dolphins’ Junior Varsity team, which finished the season with a 7-3 record, would love to draw the topseeded Lakeland Hurricanes in the second round. In last year’s Superbowl, the JV ‘Canes handed the Dolphins a 49-33 loss in the most actionpacked game of the day. To get there, Plant City will have to top a five seed Brandon Cowboys team it beat, 46-0, right after Hurricane Irma came through the area. The Turkey Creek Trojans JV team also made the cut this time around. The only Trojans squad to make the playoffs, Turkey Creek will get the two seed East Bay Bucs in the first round. In the teams’ Aug. 19 meeting, East Bay traveled to Turkey Creek and picked up a 38-6 win. Should the Trojans win, they will draw the winner of the Lakeland Gators-Pinecrest Pilots matchup in the second round. VARSITY

Plant City’s Varsity team enters the playoffs as the two seed with a 9-1 record, having only lost to the topseeded Lakeland Hurricanes. The Dolphins will start with a game against the New Tampa Wildcats, whom they defeated by forfeit on Sept. 30, and could draw Pinecrest in the second round. That would be an intriguing game for the Dolphins, who were defeated, 40-0, by that Pilots team in the 2016 Superbowl. The Dover Patriots will also have a horse in the Varsity division race as the tournament’s eight seed. Dover, which finished with a 3-7 record, will kick things off with a first-round game against the undefeated Hurricanes. The two teams did not face each other in the 2017 regular season.

MIGHTY MITES Seffner Seahawks Brandon Cowboys East Bay Bucs Plant City Dolphins Lakeland Gators Lakeland Hurricanes Brandon Broncos Lakeland Eagles

PEE WEE Lakeland Eagles Brandon Cowboys Lakeland Gators Brandon Broncos East Bay Bucs Seffner Seahawks Plant City Dolphins Lakeland Hurricanes

MIDGETS Plant City Dolphins Lakeland Eagles Seffner Seahawks Lakeland Gators Pinecrest Pilots Lakeland Hurricanes Brandon Cowboys East Bay Bucs

JUNIOR VARSITY Lakeland Hurricanes Brandon Broncos Plant City Dolphins Brandon Cowboys East Bay Bucs Turkey Creek Trojans Lakeland Gators Pinecrest Pilots

VARSITY Lakeland Hurricanes Dover Patriots Lakeland Gators East Bay Bucs Plant City Dolphins New Tampa Wildcats Pincrest Pilots Seffner Seahawks

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

Area middle schools

experience boys volleyball 253754

Hillsborough County added the sport this fall, but few options exist after the season. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Photos by Justin Kline

Turkey Creek Middle School fielded a team of 11 players this season.

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Hillsborough County’s volleyball scene is dominated by girls, but this year the boys are getting more opportunities to play. The county introduced boys volleyball to all 52 middle schools for the 2017-18 school year, a decision sought by Hillsborough volleyball fans and players for several years. The addition came three years after Legacy Volleyball drafted petitions to add the sport in public schools in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. In the Plant City-area public middle schools — Marshall, Tomlin and Turkey Creek — boys volleyball started slow but gained traction as the regular season went on. “Participation was rocky at first,” Turkey Creek coach Jenise Freeland said. “On our first day of tryouts we only had six boys.” That can be chalked up to several factors. Tomlin coach Bert Gideons said he expected initial tryout numbers to be small considering many area boys are already involved in demanding sports such as football and travel baseball. “It’s kind of hard to get them to check out a new sport,” Gideons said of students with prior commitments. Coaches also had to shake preconceived notions of who, exactly, the sport is meant for. “There were some misconceptions about volleyball being a ‘girl's sport,’” Freeland said. “We overcame that by showing some men's collegiate and Olympic volleyball to the students. That generated interest and we wound up with 11 boys on the team.” But the most obvious reason for boys to hesitate is the lack of other options in Hillsborough County. While some club programs around the area do field boys teams, boys who want to play for their schools after eighth grade would have to transfer to a private school offering the sport, such as Berkeley Prep in Tampa. The county’s public schools do not currently offer the sport, putting Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest out of play. In Turkey Creek’s case, that means 73% of the team — eight of those 11 players — are likely going to be out of luck when they move up to ninth grade in 2018. “They would like to play club or continue to play in high school, but there are no clubs nearby for them,” Freeland said. Gideons, who also runs Plant City Volleyball Academy, said he hopes the county’s middle school volleyball venture will be successful enough to convince the county to expand the sport to high schools. Volleyball is far from the easiest activity to pick up and learn, but the coaches said their boys have made considerable improvements through-

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Tomlin Middle School's team went undefeated in the regular season.

out the season. “The boys made amazing progress this season and I'm so proud of their efforts,” Freeland said. “We went from having them not be able to simply bump the ball back and forth to each other to having them playing positions, having great ball control, consistent serves and blocking and spiking.” As far as the audiences go, coaches say interest in the sport has only grown since the start of the season. Gideons said Tomlin, which won all five of its regular-season games, has had good attendance and been “blessed with parent support.” Much of the early-season crowds were made up of girls, many of whom play vol-

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? FROM KLINE PAGE 12

dale fans had to have breathed a sigh of relief on Selection Sunday. I’m bummed that things didn’t work out for the Cougars, a fun team that had a great start to the season, but that’s just the way the ball bounces sometimes. The Cougars struck first last week when Carlton Potter finished a 75-yard opening drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Agiye Hall, but the Hawks were able to block the PAT. From that point forward, Armwood seized control of the action and cruised to the win despite drawing a ton of penalties. I think it speaks to how loaded that team is that it gave the refs an intense arm workout and still won the game by 29 points. I know the Cougars missed having Cameron Myers around for that game, as he was out with a fractured collarbone, and I could tell from watching him on the sideline that he wanted nothing more than to put some pads on and go help the team. It definitely wasn’t the ending Durant and its fans wanted for this season, but I guess the silver lining is that the team manufactured some memorable experiences along the way. There’s the upset win over Jesuit, breaking free in the Alafia River Rivalry game and the Redman Cup shootout with Plant City, and plenty of crowd-pleasing runs by Myers and

leyball, but the coach said more boys started coming to games as the season went on. Some even approached him about joining the team mid-season. On Oct. 30, when Tomlin traveled to Turkey Creek to close out the season, fans of both teams packed the gymnasium bleachers and even brought signs for their favorite players. Tomlin won in two sets and clinched the Eastern Division title, and the team entered the eight-team county playoff this week. In Monday’s postseason action, Tomlin got off to a good start with a win over Wilson Middle School. Playoffs concluded Wednesday evening at Webb Middle School in Tampa.

Puzzle One Solution: “To know the good from the bad, study a man or woman’s history of actions, not their record of intentions.” – Suzy Kassem Puzzle Two Solution: “Your wife is always right. Very simple. I think I’m going to get it tattooed on my forehead.” – Hugh Jackman

This week’s Sudoku answers

JUSTIN KLINE

David Tabakovic. It will be interesting to see how the Cougars follow up after this season with the loss of Potter, Myers, Tabakovic, Jory Cole, Tanner Jurnigan and other key seniors, but now is the time to start that work. Speaking of fun teams to watch, the Plant City Raiders got to end their season with a 46-7 win at Wharton last week. I said on the Gridiron Report podcast last week that Plant City would benefit from picking up a win to head into the offseason on a high note. Braxton Plunk made it happen with a four-touchdown performance and completions to seven different receivers for 240 yards. If I had to pick anybody in the area for a “Most Improved Player” award, it would be Plunk — the leap of progression he’s made since starting at Strawberry Crest last season has been huge. The Raiders took a step backward from 2016 in terms of the overall record, but you can clearly see when the players began to get the hang of James Booth’s new offense (Sept. 22 against East Bay). This team is only sending off 11 seniors and returning the majority of its key players on offense and defense, and it’s heading into the offseason on a blowout win. I have a feeling a motivated Plant City team with some much-needed consistency at head coach is due for a big step up next season.

Strawberry Crest did not end its 2017 season on a similar high note as Plant City, taking a 43-0 loss to Chamberlain last week. But the Chargers still have reasons to stay positive heading into the offseason to work. This was the Chargers’ best season in several years — really, since 2013 — and the team’s multiple wins throughout the preseason and regular season look to me like a sign of things turning around. Crest broke several extended losing streaks and gave Dover a taste of victory it hadn’t had in longer than anyone would have liked. I think this season helped Crest take a big step forward in terms of changing its culture. Ron Hawn has told the Chargers buying in to his system and plans for the program would eventually lead to wins and, with three in 2017, the players have begun to see that it’s not just wishful thinking. This team is going to lose a lot of key players to graduation but, as young as the roster will be in 2018, I think it’s possible this season’s accomplishments can lead to further improvements in the near future. Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Times & Observer. Email: jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

This week’s Crossword answers

2017

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

Cassie Highsmith You’ve been setting PRs quite a bit this season. How many times have you broken it? I’ve broken it three times and I’ve hit right on it one time, so I’ve been really close to it all season. We ran on a lot of tough courses with hills like Holloway (Park) and Lecanto, so you can’t really expect that fast time from those courses. But I’ve ran really solid this season, and consistent, and no injuries — that was my goal.

Plant City High School senior Cassie Highsmith is no stranger to the school’s history books, and she’s set to hit another milestone this weekend when she becomes the second PCHS girls runner to compete in the FHSAA cross country state championship meet. This hasn’t happened since 2002, when Sara Hall made the cut. The 4A girls race will begin at 9:35 a.m. Saturday at Apalachee Regional Park, 7550 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee. Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.

What’s your PR right now? 19:12 for the 5K. What are you looking forward to most about states? I ran pre-states on the course a couple weeks ago, so I love the course already. I know where to make my move and how to run it, and to be smart. The competition is just crazy. I’m hoping for a PR on the course.

You’re the first girl from PCHS to get this far in quite some time. How do you feel about the accomplishment? I’m really, really, really excited that I’ve come this far. I’ve worked my butt off all season to get to this point and I’m glad that, at the end of my senior year, I can finish off my cross country season this way.

SATURDAY

What do you like about this course? There’s half a mile downhill and that’s the start, and then you come back around. The second half of the race is kind of uphill, then you go downhill again and you go uphill again, and then you finish on a downhill. That’s really exciting because you can really pick up the speed with 800 to go on the downhill.

What’s the highlight of your season, maybe other than finding out you made states? I ran a PR (personal record) at county champs and I got third place, so I was really happy with that because it was a really tough field. That was one second off of the school record, so that was really exciting. I’m so close to that.

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Which track events are you running in spring? I was thinking about running an 800 just for time and to see if I could get the school record in that, just to have it, but I’m running the mile and two-mile.

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What goals do you want to accomplish by the end of the CFC037149 year, besides running well at states this weekend? A little goal of mine right now is to get my test scores up because that’s really important in getting into college. Besides running and everything, you you have to be a wellrounded student in the classroom and out on the track and stuff like that.

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