11.18.16 PCTO by Plant City Observer

PLANT CITY TIMES &

bserver

Playoff run ends

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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 4, NO. 19

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Color Your World Plant City High School held its first-ever color run. FOR MORE PHOTOS, VISIT PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM.

After meeting a fellow guitar player at Durant High School, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Jeremy Davis gave him a special gift.

YOUR TOWN Playing Your Song The Florida Strawberry Festival released its 2017 concert lineup Monday, Nov. 14. Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, and can be purchased at FLStrawberryFestival.com, by calling (813) 754-1996 or at the Amscot Main Ticket Office, 2209 W. Oak Ave. Over 24 headline entertainment artists perform every year on the Wish Farms Soundstage and comprise one of the most popular attractions at the event. “We hope that whatever ‘your song’ is, you’ll be able to hear it at the 2017 Florida Strawberry Festival,” General Manager Paul Davis said. The 2017 Florida Strawberry Festival will be from Thursday, March 2, to Sunday, March 12.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2

10:30 A.M. Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra

EMILY TOPPER

3:30 P.M. Drifters, Platters & Cornell Gunter’s Coasters

STAFF WRITER

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

ngel Garcia thought he was in

7:30 P.M. To Be Announced

trouble. The high school sophomore

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

3:30 P.M. Willie Nelson and Family

had been called into Principal Pamela Bowden’s office at Durant High School

7:30 P.M. Kip Moore

Tuesday, Oct. 4. Bowden, along with

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

Assistant Principal Gary Graham and

3:30 P.M. Kane Brown

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

7:30 P.M. 3 Doors Down

Cpl. Jeremy Davis, were waiting. One of Angel’s friends had told him

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

3:30 P.M. Clare Bowen/Charles Esten

the administration was looking for him. Angel was nervous — he’d man-

7:30 P.M. Little Big Town

aged to stay out of trouble for the en-

MONDAY, MARCH 6

tire school year thus far but had gotten

3:30 P.M. The Bellamy Brothers

in trouble his freshman year.

7:30 P.M. Jennifer Nettles

“I just didn’t care,” Angel said. “I was trying to find myself, but I

TUESDAY, MARCH 7 3:30 P.M. Brenda Lee

couldn’t figure it out.” He’d had a change of heart. He

7:30 P.M. NEEDTOBREATHE

started studying in the library during

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

lunch. He joined the school’s Guitar

3:30 P.M. Tracy Byrd

Club. Outside of class, he could be

7:30 P.M. Scotty McCreery

found strumming a borrowed beater guitar.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9 10:30 A.M. Cab Calloway Orchestra

SEE GUITAR PAGE 5

3:30 P.M. The Oak Ridge Boys

Public hearing set for Highway 92 expansion The expansion project is part of a five-year plan. EMILY TOPPER STAFF WRITER

It’s been over 20 years since a project development and environment study re-evaluation was done on an 18-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 92. The last study was done in 1994, when the population of Hillsborough County was under 900,000 residents. Today, the population has grown to over 1.3 million people. In response, the Florida Department of Transportation announced plans to widen U.S. 92 in November 2015 as part of a five-year plan to relieve traffic from Interstate 4. Prior

to construction, the project development and environment study will be updated to review and consider socioeconomic and environmental impacts. City Commissioners were briefed about a public hearing on the study at a Monday, Nov. 14, meeting. The public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at the John R. Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College. “This has been in the works for many, many years,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “We’re still getting all the information. Now it comes down to the finalization of the design and hearing from our public.”

THE PLAN

FDOT plans to widen U.S. 92 from east of I-4 to east of County Line Road. In total, the expansion will cover about

IF YOU GO FDOT U.S. 92 PUBLIC HEARING When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 Where: John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road

18.1 miles. The plan includes widening the roadway to four lanes, with the exception of Mobley Street to Maryland Avenue. Additionally, paved shoulders and sidewalks will be improved, creating improved walkability for pedestrians. “There are planned walkways on each side,” City Engineer Michael Schenk said. The planned expansion project is being done to prepare for Hillsbor-

ough County’s expected continued growth while also providing for faster emergency response and evacuation times. According to FDOT, the design plan for U.S. 92 from Park Road to County Line Road is funded in fiscal year 2017 at $1,800,000. The right of way and construction phases are included in Hillsborough MPO’s Imagine 2040 Long Range Transportation plan. From Park Road to County Line Road, right of way and construction is estimated to cost $58,160,000 between 2021 and 2025. The segment of road would be 50% over capacity by 2040 if nothing was done to improve it after 2018. Contact Emily Topper at etopper@ plantcityobserver.com.

7:30 P.M. The Blues Brothers

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

3:30 P.M. Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers 7:30 P.M. Elle King

SATURDAY, MARCH 11 3:30 P.M. Maddie & Tae 7:30 P.M. Patti LaBelle

SUNDAY, MARCH 12 3:30 P.M. Joe Nichols

7:30 P.M. Rascal Flatts “RHYTHM & ROOTS” Tour

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 18, 2016

“I am thrilled to join others who are absolutely dedicated to delivering world-class child care and education for our most vulnerable kids.”

Don’t rain on this parade

— Gayane Stepanian, on being selected the first new director in 28 years of Redlands Christian Migrant Association

The Strawberry Youth Parade applications are now available on FLStrawberryFestival.com. To enter, click on contest rules and scroll to “2017 Youth Parade.” The 44th annual Youth Parade will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4. The parade lines up at the State Farmers Market on the corner of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Alexander Street and continues north on Alexander Street and west on Reynolds Street. It will end near Sammonds Road.

You react The Plant City Times & Observer’s Facebook post “Plant City makes top 50 list for small towns to live” was one of the most popular of the week. The list was put out by ApartmentAdvisor. com.

AWARD CATEGORIES BEST CLUB/GROUP FLOAT (NON-PROFESSIONAL) $100, trophy and rosette

FROM FACEBOOK

193 Likes 13,643 people reached

BEST CHURCH FLOAT (NON-PROFESSIONAL) $100, trophy and rosette

94 shares

BEST MARCHING UNIT trophy and rosette

COMMENTS

“I was raised in Tampa and I just moved out here five months ago, and I’m telling you, Plant City is way better and more room in my opinion. Tampa is way crowded than Plant City, trust me.” — Maddy Nichole Macgraw

“Not for long if the city commissioners continue to allow housing developments. In 10 years we’ll be the new Brandon.”

BEST BAND ENTRY trophy and rosette

Amber Jurgensen

The truck will travel in about a 5-mile radius from Krazy Kup, which is located in Historic Downtown Plant City.

razy Kup is having an anniversary party from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. There will be a balloon artist, face painting, coffee promotions and a stilt walker. Krazy Kup will also unveil its new food truck, which will sell shaved ice at locations around Plant City and be present at the Strawberry Classic Car Show, Bike Fest and other events.

— Eleni McDaniel-Rebman

“Stay away, we don’t need no more people. Already full.” — Billie Jo Tankersley

“Love our little town. Can’t imagine raising our family anywhere else.” — Jamie Newman

Woman found dead in Wal-Mart parking lot A woman was found dead in her car in the Wal-Mart parking lot

Monday, Nov. 7. The Plant City Police Department responded to Wal-Mart and learned the vehicle in a parking lot that was occupied by the woman was parked there for two days.

Located inside of the vehicle were several prescription and over-thecounter medicine bottles. There were no signs of foul play or trauma. The Hillsborough County Medi-

ABSOLUTE

cal Examiner's Office responded. The female subject was identified by an Alabama drivers license. The identity will not be released until a next of kin notification can be made.

Second and third place winners in each category will receive rosettes. For more information contact Pat Pogue at (813) 754-4680 or email ppogue1559@aol.com.

Search on for suspects targetting shoppers Three unknown suspects have been targeting shoppers to steal from at Plant City Publix stores. Between Friday, Oct. 28, and Sunday, Nov. 13, the suspects worked together to start conversations with elderly females at two Publix stores, one on James L. Redman Parkway and one on Thonotosassa Road. The conversation served as a distraction. While suspects talked with the victims, another suspect removed the victims’ wallets from their shopping carts. The suspects, two females and one male, left the Publix stores together in a blue Ford van and went to a CVS store. Using the victims stolen credit cards, the suspects purchased several gift cards totaling over $1,000. Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward. Call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 873-TIPS (8477).

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

CABBAGE PATCH KID Angelo Rametta won the National Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program prize for his giant cabbage. MATT SILVERMAN

HOW TO GROW A GIANT CABBAGE

STAFF INTERN

Growing a cabbage weighing 20.8 pounds is not something many thirdgraders can say they have won a prize for. However, Angelo Rametta, a student at Bailey Elementary School, has done just that. Angelo’s teacher, Hillary Duncan, signed up her class to participate in the National Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program. Bonnie Plants is the largest producer of vegetable and herb plants in North America, and the program is designed to teach students the importance of understanding agriculture through hands-on experience. “I think it’s valuable for all students to learn about farming and the benefits to growing our own food free of preservatives and all the bad stuff they can find in processed food,” Duncan said. Last year, third-graders at Bailey Elementary were given a baby O.S. Cross, or oversized, cabbage to care for courtesy of Bonnie Plants. The students learned how to care for the plant as a part of their class curriculum. After lessons, they took their plants home to take care of them. Teachers from each class then voted on the best cabbage based upon size and appearance. After the cabbages were grown, the student with the best cabbage was entered into the statewide competition, where the prize is a $1,000 scholarship toward educational pursuits. Angelo is this year’s Florida winner. He was given his plant in October 2015 and turned in a photo of it fully grown in March. Bonnie Plants announced him as a winner this fall. “I’m glad that I won,” Angelo said. “I’m going to use the $1,000 to go to college.” Described as “extremely hardworking” by his teacher, Angelo took diligent care in watering, fertilizing and trimming the cabbage as it grew beyond expectation. Upon being documented, the giant cabbage was put to good culinary use. “We made different recipes: boiled cabbage, cabbage rolls and fried cab-

An O.S. cabbage from Bonnie Plants takes 10 to 12 weeks to grow. LET IT SUNTAN Cabbages need at least six hours of full sunlight, more if possible. GIVE IT SPACE Cabbages need at least 3 feet on each side to spread out. If you don’t have that much space, use a large container. SOIL IT Work some compost into the soil. Cabbages love nutrient-rich soil. FEED IT Start your cabbage with an all-purpose vegetable plant food. Follow label directions to keep it growing strong. WATER IT WISELY Your cabbage needs at least 1 inch of rainfall each week. If it doesn’t rain, use a watering can or garden hose to gently water your plant at soil level.

Courtesy Photos

Florida winner Angelo Rametta’s cabbage weighed over 20 pounds.

bage,” Angelo said. More than 1.5 million third-graders in 48 states participate in the program. Each year, students’ cabbages can grow bigger than a basketball, and some have weighed over 40 pounds. The program launched in 2002. State winners are randomly selected by the Commission of Agriculture in each of the 48 participating states. Teachers can sign up for the program at BonniePlants.com.

KEEP IT OUT OF TROUBLE Get rid of weeds in the cabbage patch. Weeds compete with your cabbage for food and water. Be on the lookout for brown or white moths. These come from worms that love to munch on cabbages. If you see any, get rid of them right away. MAKE IT WARM Cold weather can damage your cabbage. If the weather gets below 32 degrees fahrenheit, cover your cabbage with a bucket or cloth covering.

Bailey Elementary School students experimented with growing giant cabbages.

No bowl left

UNFILLED

uests of Empty Bowls in Historic Downtown helped the community while getting an art piece and lunch. The United Food Bank of Plant City fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 12, raised money for the nonprofit by selling handcrafted clay bowls made by area students. With the purchase of a bowl, guests got a bowl of soup made by a local church. Bowls were also made by local artists and were auctioned. The bowls are a reminder of dishes of those in need that go unfilled each night.

Above: United Food Bank of Plant City Executive Director Mary Heysek Below: The Little Miss Plant City Queen and Court helped auction bowls. Far Below: The Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court

— AMBER JURGENSEN

Photos by Amber Jurgensen

The bowls are made by students at area schools and churches.

Church groups made soups for the event.

City Commissioner Bill Dodson and Augustus Traylor

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Hitting the right notes FROM GUITAR PAGE 1

GETTING INTO TREBLE

With the Breedlove in his hands, Angel looked at Davis in the principal’s office. “I had no words,” Angel said. “I was speechless. All I could say was, ‘Thank you.’ I feel like I didn’t deserve it. I still feel like I don’t.” “It’s one of those things where you really feel happy about doing something,” Davis said. “To me, it’s a small gift. To him, it’s a huge gift. It’s one of the reasons I’m in the schools and why

Emily Topper

HE HAD A WHAT? Before Cpl. Jeremy Davis gave him his first Breedlove, Angel Garcia had a ‘beater’ guitar — a guitar musicians bring with them anywhere, without worrying about the guitar getting ruined.

I’m glad I’m in the schools.” It’s not only Angel’s passion for music Davis believes encouraged Angel’s change of heart — it’s the care for students that can be found in the teachers, administration and resource officers at Durant High School. “It’s obvious to me,” Davis said. “I see firsthand now the care Durant has for their students.” “I agree with that,” Angel said. He added that his opinion of law enforcement had changed to a more positive

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER Locally owned by Ed Verner, Karen Berry, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes The Plant City Times & Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC, a jointventure of the Tampa Bay Times and Plant City Observer LLC.

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one. “The deputies that work in these schools want to be here,” Davis said. “These deputies love their jobs, they ask to come here. I have the opportunity now to come into schools and meet guys like Angel. This could have been a chance meeting but I don’t believe it was. You can call me an idealist, but I truly believe one person can make a difference. In Angel’s case, I believe it was a team of people.” As for Garcia, he’s staying out of trouble and staying in school. “It made me feel amazing, so I kept playing,” Angel said. “I play random stuff and just try to make new sounds. I feel better from last year to now. I never thought I would accomplish so much in so little time, but that’s a lot.” He sees his future, now — one with music. Contact Emily Topper at etopper@ plantcityobserver.com.

After meeting Angel Garcia, fellow guitar enthusiast Cpl. Jeremy Davis gave Angel a guitar from his own collection.

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CONTACT US The Plant City Times & Observer is published once weekly, on Fridays. It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City. The Plant City Times & Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

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SEND US YOUR NEWS We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, send your information via: Email: Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@ PlantCityObserver.com. Mail: The Plant City Times & Observer, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103, Plant City, FL 33563

little over two years ago, as interim director of Bruton Memorial Library, I entered the office of then newly-appointed Plant City Manager Mike Herr for our first oneon-one meeting. All I knew about Herr was that he had a strong background in economic development in several of our neighboring counties and cities, and our City Commission had hired him with the charge that economic development was job one. As I waited for him to finish what he had been working on and begin our meeting, he said he had been searching the city high and low for an inventory of vacant and available real estate for business development. So far, he said, he had been unsuccessful, but as I studied his face something told me it would not be long before such a document was created. As my seven-month interim job progressed, I began to hear Herr was working with businessmen Randy Larson and David Sullivan to establish a Plant City Economic Development Corp. Before my city service was done, the PCEDC had burst on the scene, with a lengthening list of local businesses committed as investors and a new CEO hired. Jumping forward two years, I sat in a monthly PCEDC meeting at the Krazy Kup coffee shop with Herr and over 50 committed investors in the room and listened as CEO Jake Austin walked us through the organization’s new website. As Austin showed us a complete local database of vacant and available real estate on the website, I remembered my first meeting with Herr and his frustration at not having such a document at his fingertips. As Austin continued to give us his tour through the website, he showed us the site’s first cut of current economic development headlines, upcoming events and photos of projects. He then moved to some of the site’s dropdown of categories: site selection and community. In addition to the real estate database, the site selection section identifies the four industries the EDC is targeting: distribution and logistics, innovative technology, financial and professional services/headquarters, and manufacturing and agribusiness. It also contains a list of competitive advantages a business can gain by moving to Plant City and the financial incentives. The community section contains demographics, workforce data, and state, regional and economic reports. Sections under construction are: Lifestyle, History, Entertainment, Schools, Health Care, Attractions, Parks, Sports and Recreation, and Arts and Culture. As Austin presented the website, I realized what a gift the PCEDC had given to our Plant City community. I urge you to pay a visit to the new PCEDC website, PlantCityEDC.com.

Felix Haynes is a coowner of the Plant City Times & Observer.

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THE MUSIC MAN

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

The school administration, including the guidance counselors, had noticed Angel’s positive changes. When Angel got to the office, Davis — a fellow guitar aficionado — broke out a personal guitar from his collection: a Breedlove Black Magic Custom Acoustic-Electric. “I hope you like it,” Davis told him. “Because it’s yours.”

A few days prior, Davis was making the rounds at Durant High School. He’s responsible for supervising 26 eastern Hillsborough County schools, which includes making visits. “I was lost,” Davis said. “I was trying to find the deputy’s office, and I went the wrong way.” Davis walked by a nearby guidance office. As he looked in, he saw Angel with his guitar. “It ended up being the right way,” Davis said. Davis stopped and asked Angel if he could play the guitar. Angel’s guidance counselor, Carlisia Shepherd, told Davis about the improvements Angel had made since last year — many of which were due to his newfound interest in music. “I did some background research and realized he has done a 180,” Davis said. “When you’re 15 or 16, you can go one way or the other. I think he chose to go the right way based on what I’ve learned from the staff here.” Angel started to change his tune at the end of his freshman year. After learning a few guitar chords from one of his friends, he found music was his motivation for staying the course. He’d had a tough year. After getting into trouble at school, he had considered dropping out. “But a few teachers helped me, like Mrs. (Leah) Beveard,” Angel said. He stayed the course. He learned guitar chords from his friends before Jorge Flores, the pastor at Pleasant Grove Assembly of God, lent him a guitar. It was an older model dotted with pink stickers, but it was the perfect starter instrument for Angel. Together, he and his friends would play guitar before and after school. “People would watch and say, ‘Hi’ to us,” Angel said. “It was fun. A lot of people in school that play guitar are incredible. They’re artists, and they’re students. It’s just crazy.” Davis, touched by Angel’s passion and positivity, returned to his guitar collection at home. He has six guitars, ones he had bought two years ago after picking up the instrument while recovering from an injury. Mounted on the wall, the Black Magic Breedlove sat waiting to be played. Davis didn’t think twice. He took it off the wall, ready to give it a greater purpose.

PLANT CITY TIMES &

Observer Publisher / Karen Berry, kdberry@inthefieldmagazine.com Managing Editor / Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@PlantCityObserver.com Sports Editor / Justin Kline, jkline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Emily Topper, etopper@PlantCityObserver.com Editorial Designer / C.J. Major, cmajor@yourobserver.com Circulation/Office Manager / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” — Friedrich Hayek, “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

Holiday Gift Expo & Cookie Fest returns to festival grounds Courtesy photo

Christmas and holiday characters, including Santa, will be back to greet those on the nice list this year.

The fifth annual Holiday Gift Expo & Cookie Fest will run for two days this year. EMILY TOPPER STAFF WRITER

ast year, Simply Events saw thousands of people pass through its annual Holiday Gift Expo in a matter of hours. This year, holiday shoppers will find less chaos in the crowds. Simply Events has expanded the 2016 Holiday Gift Expo & Cookie Fest to take place over two days, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 20. The event, celebrating its fifth year, will be retuning to the Expo Hall at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds. “It’s been steadily growing each year,” Sonya Bradley, one of Simply Events owners, said. “Last year we had about 4,000 people, compared to a few hundred the first year.” As foot traffic has increased, so has the size of the event. Simply Events has expanded the number of photo booths and photo opportunities for families. Christmas and holiday characters, including Santa and Mrs. Claus and Anna and Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen” will be wandering the grounds.

For a $5 fee, children will be able to take part in the expo’s cookie fest. The cookie fest will take place every hour over the two-day period, with 50 people allowed into the cookie fest per hour. Children can decorate cookies and enjoy face painting. “It’s a more personal holiday experience with a photo op,” Bradley said. While children play, adults can knock items off of their holiday shopping list. The expo will feature over 100 vendors. Local Plant City exhibitors include Creative Pieces by Helen Marie, SuperDog Outfitters, Briar Patch Designs, All About the Wreath and Fairly Odd Fairytales. New this year is a men’s gift station. Between 10 to 12 vendors will be offering gifts geared toward men, including drones, Yeti coolers, outdoor gear and golf certificates. Guests also can partake in a holiday craft and an ugly sweater contest. The event encourages attendees to shop local while spending time with family. “When you shop and support local ... the dollars go back to support your community,” she said. “This is interactive and fun for the family, and it’s a way to create a fun memory. Every year we hope to keep improving it.” Contact Emily Topper at etopper@ plantcityobserver.com.

IF YOU GO

5TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT EXPO & COOKIE FEST When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 20 Where: Florida Strawberry Festival Expo Hall, 2301 Oak Ave. Cost: $5 for adults; free for children under 16 Cookie Fest: $5 per child Contact: Sonya Bradley, (727) 6741464

THE SEASON OF GIVING Attendees can give back at the Holiday Gift Expo. A toy drive benefitting All Children’s Hospital will take place both days of the expo. Guests are encouraged to bring new and unused books, games and interactive toys for hospital children.

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Patricia Wolff, Judy Stewart and Ofelia Gil attended last year’s Diva’s Delight.

One-Stop Shopping The GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City will be hosting Diva’s Delight as a club fundraiser and a way to shop local. EMILY TOPPER STAFF WRITER

lant City residents can save a trip to the mall Saturday, Nov. 19, in pursuit of the perfect gifts for everyone on their holiday shopping lists. The GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City will be hosting the second Diva’s Delight from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Plant City Elks Lodge, 1501 N. Alexander St. The venue will be decorated for Christmas. With a tagline of ‘Skip the rush, shop with us,’ the aim of the event is to fundraise for the Woman’s Club while encouraging holiday shoppers to buy from local vendors. This year’s event will feature at least nine vendors selling various holiday gifts and stocking stuffers, including children’s books, beauty products, clothing and jewelry. Vendors this year include LuLaRoe and Mary Kay. The inaugural Diva’s Delight fundraiser was held last year under the leadership of club president Karen Griggsby and featured baked goods, products from RAOK Boutique and more. Last year, the club hosted Diva’s Delight at the Woman’s Club head-

quarters on Wheeler Street on a Friday. In an effort to increase foot traffic, the 2016 event will be held on a Saturday. The Elks Club also features a larger space. The event, which is free and open to the public, is geared toward adult women shoppers. Gifts range in price from $15 to $35. “We’re not having really expensive stuff,” Pat Tillman, the club’s first vice president, said. “They make good stocking stuffers or Secret Santa gifts. We have vendors of all kinds.” She added shoppers can find greater variety and more unique vendors than they would at a shopping center. “My thinking is you get a better selection of stocking stuffers,” Tillman said. “Many of them are homemade articles. It’s local, and it’s inside. You don’t have to travel outside of Plant City.” The shopping event is being held exactly one week prior to Small Business Saturday, which takes place annually the Saturday after Thanksgiving Day. Both events encourage buyers to pursue local products instead of traveling to big box stores. Contact Emily Topper at etopper@ plantcityobserver.com.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

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A national epidemic A clinic has opened in Plant City with the goal of helping those addicted to opiates. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS EDITOR

Cincinnati, Ohio: 174 heroin overdoses in six days. Camden, New Jersey: 29 heroin overdoses have been linked to free samples of heroin, marked with a Batman symbol. Huntington, West Virginia: One in 10 babies born at Cabell Huntington Hospital suffer withdrawal. Heroin is making national news headlines as the epidemic continues to find its way from the inner cities to the suburbs. Following a crackdown on prescription drug abuse, the use of heroin has seen a resurgence in Florida since 2014. A new clinic has opened in Plant City to fight the problem. Aaron and Amy Patrick opened Florida’s first A New Start Clinic, a Kentucky-based

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Aaron and Amy Patrick moved to Florida to open the clinic at 1514 S. Alexander St., Ste. 202.

treatment center founded by Dr. Barry Hardison, at 1514 S. Alexander St. this fall. The Patricks have worked at the clinic for four years and moved to Plant City to work and live near some of Aaron Patrick’s family members. “It’s a good program,” Aaron Patrick said. “It helps a lot of people. We’ve had excellent luck with it in Kentucky. It’s been a great thing up there, so we were hoping we could bring a little bit of that down here too.” The Patricks said most patients in Kentucky seek treatment for addiction to painkillers, but Florida’s need for heroin treatment is the state’s big dilemma. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s most recent information, a record-high 447 people were killed by effects from the drug in 2014. One year earlier, the drug was present in 199 deceased individuals. In Hillsborough County, heroin deaths rose from three in 2013 to 22 in 2014. Although the FDLE has not released a full report of data from 2015, the interim report, published in April, showed between January and June 2015, 343 people were killed by the drug’s effects — an average of 58 deaths per month, over the 2014 average of 37. SHOOTING DOWN HEROIN

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A New Start Clinic uses the drug Suboxone as the foundation of its treatment program. While Subox-

one affects the same area of the brain as opiates, Suboxone “bounces off” the opiate receptors, eliminating the effects of heroin, which “sticks” to the receptors. The drug, which is designed to curb cravings and withdrawal symptoms within an hour, is sometimes believed to be a drug that gets people high because it can be bought on the street. “There’s not a component of getting high in this drug — that’s a misconception people have,” Stoltz said. “It’s not replacing one drug with another.” Patients at A New Start will take the drug for over a year but not more than two. Suboxone, which comes in the form of a film to be dissolved in the mouth, is administered differently depending on the patient’s last use and their dependency and tolerance. After the first few days, Suboxone can be taken once daily. Prescribed doses taper down every few months, depending on the patient’s progress, until the patient has kicked the habit. The initial cost is $195 for a month’s worth of medication, which then drops to $175 per month until the program is completed. In addition to medication, A New Start’s patients are required to attend behavioral therapy sessions, join a 12-step program and pass random drug screenings. Patients are not required to stay overnight: the longest average stay for a patient is around two hours, generally on the first visit. During the first visit, vitals are taken, patients meet their doctors and take the first dose of Suboxone, which requires an hour’s stay to ensure the drug doesn’t cause a negative reaction. “They can live a normal life,” Aaron Patrick says. “It’s just like seeing a normal doctor once a month for a refill.” The clinic is working on building its base of clients and, in the future, the Patricks hope to educate the community about addiction and treatment through public forums. “(Addiction) is not a character flaw,” Amy Patrick said. “It’s a disease.” Contact Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

POP

JULES’ JEWELS

of Color

Artist Jules Burt opened a pop-up art gallery in October. Until the new year, she’ll teach classes and sell her art alongside fellow artists. EMILY TOPPER

IF YOU GO

STAFF WRITER

Photos by Emily Topper

The kids are gathered around paintspattered tables. Brushes and markers are flying as they bring their creations to life. They are surrounded by art: from hanging wall-length portraits to painted jeans drying over a velvet rope. The studio space doubles as a gallery, every inch covered in brightly-painted glassware, handmade jewelry and festive wall signs. As the children concentrate, artist Jules Burt stands above them, supervising. Burt, a Plant City native and artist , best known for her “Glamour Girls” paintings, opened the Jules Burt PopUp Gallery in October in The Village off of James L. Redman Parkway. “I’ve been painting since childhood,” Burt said. “I’ve been doing it professionally for over 20 years.” The pop-up gallery will operate until New Year’s Eve Day, but locals are already begging Burt to make the shop a permanent fixture in the community. For now, she said, she’s making her decisions day by day — much like the decision to open the gallery in her hometown.

CHILDREN’S ART CLASS RECEPTION AND SIP N’ SHOP Reception: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 Sip n’ Shop: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 Where: 2606 James L. Redman Parkway

Above: Jules Burt and Kate Solomon, one of Burt’s students Left: The “Glamour Girls” Jules Burt is most commonly known for are on display at the gallery.

TAKE A CLASS Facebook: Jules Burt Art Call: (813) 843-6886

gallery of them all.” Burt’s “Glamour Girls” were discovered in Atlanta. Since then, her art was featured on the show “Friends.” After deciding to open up shop in Plant City, Burt got to work. She negotiated a three-month lease in The Village. Within days, the floors and walls were painted. Burt operates the gallery with fellow artists Shirley Pagliaro and Kristen Caldwell. The women sell handmade jewelry and decorative signs, respectively. “Shirley, I’ve known for many, many years,” Burt said. “Kristen, I met at a restaurant. You’d think she saw Elton John or somebody, she was about to fall over. She showed me her signs, and I loved them.” Burt returned to Plant City in 2001 to be close to her mother, but her roots have been here much longer.

POPPING UP

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low from 7 to 9 p.m. “The kids are super excited about the art show,” Burt said. ‘They’re sending out painted postcards about the reception.” It’s not just kids who can don an oversized apron before the new year. Burt offers adult art classes, including glassware and canvas painting, as well as private parties. She also makes custom pieces upon request. For those who are more interested in buying art than they are in making it, Burt will be hosting a holiday open house from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. The event will serve as a chance for locals to meet Burt as well as the other artists who operate out of her gallery.

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“My dad was the principal of Turkey Creek High School,” she said. “My mom taught PE at Plant City High School.” Now, Burt is making her own way in education. Besides displaying and selling her art out of the gallery, she’s teaching art classes to local students. “I’m not really an official art teacher,” she said. “But I really have fallen in love with it. Art comes from the heart.” Between the three days of classes, Burt teaches a total of about 20 students. They experiment with mixed media, painting and decorating jeans, ornaments, canvases and shoes. “I save Mom all the mess,” Burt said. Burt will be hosting a reception for students to showcase their artwork from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. A free sip n’ shop for the public will fol-

KRISTEN CALDWELL Kristen Caldwell has always doodled but only for her sister and family. She began pursuing art more professionally over the last few years and began selling decorative, handmade signs. “I pick colors based on whatever mood I’m in that day,” Caldwell, a Plant City native, said. “Sometimes it’s sassy, sometimes it’s country.

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The Children's Board of Hillsborough County has issued a Request for Proposals The Children's Board of(RFP) Hillsborough County has issued a Request for Proposals The Children's Board of(RFP) Hillsborough County has issued a Pro 2017-05 County has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) The Children's Board of Hillsborough Request for Proposals (RFP) Pro 2017-05 Request for Proposals The Children's Board of(RFP) Hillsborough County has issued a Leading Grants (RFP) Request for 2017-05 Proposals Pro Request for Proposals (RFP) Leading Grants (RFP) Request for 2017-05 Proposals Pro Funding Information Workshops Leading Grants Request for 2017-05 Proposals (RFP) Pro Proposer representative only needs to attend one (1)! Funding Information Workshops Leading Grants (RFP) Request for Proposals 9 a.m. or 6 p.m. Proposer representative onlyGrants needs to attend one (1)! Funding Information Workshops Leading November 29, 2016 9 a.m. or 6 p.m. Proposer representative only needs to attend one (1)! Funding Information Workshops 1002 E. Palm Avenue November 2016 9Information a.m.only or29, 6needs p.m. Proposer representative to attend one (1)! Funding Workshops Tampa, FL 33605 1002 E. Palm Avenue November 29, 2016 9 a.m.only or 6needs p.m. to attend one (1)! Proposer representative Tampa, FL 33605 1002 E. Palm Avenue November 29, 2016 9 a.m. or 6 p.m. For1002 more information visit: Tampa, FL 33605 E. Palm Avenue November 29, 2016 www.ChildrensBoard.org For more visit:, Tampa, FL 33605 1002 E.information Palm Avenue Click on Funding Opportunities. www.ChildrensBoard.org For more information Tampa, FL 33605visit:, Click on Funding Opportunities. www.ChildrensBoard.org For more information visit:, The Children's Board encourages submissions by Click on Funding Opportunities. www.ChildrensBoard.org For more information visit:, minorities, faith-based organizations, small businesses The Children's Board encourages submissions by Click on Funding Opportunities. www.ChildrensBoard.org , and/or community organizations. minorities, faith-based organizations, small businesses The neighborhood-based Children's Board encourages submissions by Click on Funding Opportunities. and/or community organizations. minorities, faith-based small businesses The neighborhood-based Children's Boardorganizations, encourages submissions by and/or neighborhood-based community organizations. minorities, faith-based small businesses The Children's Boardorganizations, encourages submissions by and/or neighborhood-based community organizations. minorities, faith-based organizations, small businesses and/or neighborhood-based community organizations.

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SHIRLEY PAGLIARO Shirley Pagliaro attended the University of Tampa and gets her inspiration from her mother, Mary Guagliardo, and art professor, Joe Testa-Secca. Her art has been shown at the Tampa Museum of Art gift shop and galleries throughout south Tampa, Hyde Park Village, St. Petersburg and Miami.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

FRIDAY, NOV. 18

BEST BET

“THE GAME’S AFOOT OR HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS” 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, and Saturday, Nov. 19; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at Plant City Entertainment, 101 N. Thomas St. “YOU’RE MY MOTHER” MURDER MYSTERY 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at Eastside Baptist Church, 1318 E. Calhoun St. The play is a fundraiser for a sanctuary projector. A donation of $25 or more for tickets is suggested. There is limited seating. Get tickets at the church office. (813) 754-2681.

SATURDAY, NOV. 19

ART AFTER DARK 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at The Art Lounge Gallery, 119 E. Reynolds St. The Art Lounge November Art After Dark event will feature guest artists Jessica Roberts and Rachel Embry of AfterBurnt. There will be live wood burning demonstrations by Roberts. From 6 to 8 p.m., live music will be performed by Zakary Reif and Jared Jacoby, followed by Jeremy Willis and Nader Issa of Oak Ramble from 8 to 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOV. 18

PIG JAM 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Randy Larson Softball Four-Plex Stadium, 1500 S. Park Road. Enjoy a barbecue competition, kids zone, fireworks show on Friday night and more. The event is free. Parking is $5. For more information, call (813) 754-3707.

Mike’s Smokehouse Grill, 106 State Road 60 E. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for dinner, and entertainment starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. Admission is $7 per person. DIVAS HOLIDAY DELIGHT 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Elks Club, 1501 N. Alexander St. Shop a holiday expo, hosted by the Women’s Club of Plant City.

BAKE SALE TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD CANCER 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at McCall Park, 302 W. Reynolds St. The bake sale will be at the Strawberry Classic Car show. It is being done for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a nonprofit dedicated to raising money for treatments and a cure for childhood cancer.

HOLIDAY GIFT AND COOKIE EXPO 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Strawberry Festival Grounds Expo Hall, 2301 Oak Ave. There will be over 100 specialty exhibits, live entertainment, free photos with Santa and “Frozen” characters, ugly sweater contest and a kids craft workshop. The unlimited cookie and milk buffet is open from noon to 3 p.m. The buffet is $5. For more information, visit SimplyEventsFl. com.

DANCE 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Uncle

MOTHER-SON BOWLING BASH 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Plant

City Family Bowl, 2250 U.S. Highway 92 E. For boys 5 and up and their mother or mother figure. The cost is $25 per couple and $7 for each additional person. Pre-registration is required by Friday, Nov. 11. (813) 659-4256.

5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, at McCall Park, 102 N. Palmer St. Enjoy a variety of food trucks.

SATURDAY, NOV. 26

THE CLASSROOM GALLERY 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St. Art is on display by members of the East Hillsborough Art Guild. KEEL AND CURLEY LIVE MUSIC 6:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-9100. KRAZY KUP LIVE MUSIC 8:33 to 10:33 p.m. Saturdays, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220. O’BRIEN’S LIVE MUSIC 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CAR SHOW 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at McCall Park, 302 W. Reynolds St.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at various stores in Historic Downtown Plant City. In response to big box Black Friday sales, Small Business Saturday encourages buying local for the holidays.

MONDAY, NOV. 21

ONGOING

PLANT CITY CONNECTIONS 8 a.m. Tuesdays, at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill, 106 State Road 60 E. This networking group hosts speakers each meeting. Facebook. com/groups/pcityconnections.

FRIDAY, NOV. 25

BINGO 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, at American Legion Post 26, 2207 W. Baker St. There is a full kitchen.

PLANT CITY DAYBREAK ROTARY CLUB 7 a.m. Mondays at South Florida Baptist Hopsital’s Community Conference Room, 301 N. Alexander St.

CRAFTERNOON 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Children can make crafts from 3 to 4 p.m. EAST HILLSBOROUGH ART GUILD ART SHOW AND WINE AND CHEESE RECEPTION 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, at Plant City Entertainment, 101 N. Thomas St. Win art and other raffles. EHAGFineArts.com.

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OPEN MIC NIGHT 8 p.m. Wednesdays, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 7648818.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

TAMI PALMER ASBURY Tami Palmer Asbury, 52, of Plant City, died Nov. 2, 2016. A native of Quantico, Virginia, she was the daughter of Fred and JoAnn Smith Palmer. She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church and attended Legacy Church in Lakeland. She enjoyed sharing her testimony and experiences with others and playing with and spoiling her grandchildren. She is survived by her parents; children, Deryl “D.J.” Sweeney Jr., David Ethan Coy, Michael Sweeney (Katrina), Andy “Binky” Avery Jr. (Bethany) and Amanda “Sis” Avery; brother, Fred “Porky” Palmer Jr. (Della); and grandchildren, Liam J. Sweeney, Daniel J. Sweeney and Malayna L. Avery. A funeral service was held Nov. 4, at Haught Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome. com.

ROY RICHARD BURRILL Roy Richard Burrill, 50, of Plant City, died Nov. 7, 2016, at his home. He was born in Saginaw, Michigan and moved to Florida as a teenager. He loved his dog, Princess, and watching football. He is survived by his father, Jay Burrill; brother, Joe Burrill; sisters, Linda Barefoot, Betty Woolever (Gavin) and Marie Turner; and nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ernestine Burrill. A funeral service was held Nov. 14, at Lebanon Baptist Church. Burial followed at Memorial Park Cemetery, Plant City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wells Memorial Funeral Home and Event Center for his services, 1903 W. Reynolds St., Plant City, Florida 33563. Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

ESTER OPAL COPAS Ester Opal Copas, 70, of Plant City, died Oct. 29, 2016. Born in Baxley, Georgia, she was the daughter of A.J. and Delores Westbury Gribble. She was of the Baptist faith. She loved her dogs, crafts, yard sales and yard work. She is survived by her husband, Bobie Copas; children,

Bobby Copas, Tammy Sly, Jammie Bourassa, Christina Yohn and Charlene Redish; brother, J.M. Gribble; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The family will be having private services. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome. com.

PATSY GASKINS Patsy Gaskins, 74, of Plant City, died Nov. 7, 2016. A Plant City native, she was the daughter of Claude and Jelemma Peeples Holder. She worked at a shrimp plant for five years. She is survived by her children, Dorothy Forrer, Raymond Vosburg Jr., Hubert Vosburg, Richard Vosburg, Barbara Warrick and Vivian Vosburg; 26 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Raymond Vosburg Sr. A funeral service was held Nov. 14, at Haught Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome. com.

RONALD T. HALLMAN Ronald T. Hallman, 75, of Plant City, died Nov. 6, 2016. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Air Force, as well as an ironworker. He owned Palm River Steel. Later, he and his wife, Theresa, drove a truck and traveled the U.S. He was a good husband, a good father and a good friend. He leaves a legacy of honesty and integrity. He once said, “If you give a man your word, you move heaven and hell to make it happen.” He is survived by his sons, Kelly Hallman (Pam) and Scott Hallman (Darlene); daughter, Alese Graves (Donnie); brother, Dennis Hallman (Connie); daughter-in-law, Sherry Hallman; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Theresa Hallman; son, Casey Hallman; and parents, Terry and Cannie Hallman. A celebration of life was held Nov. 10, at Hopewell Funeral Home. Chaplain Doug Shirley officiated. Committal followed at Mt. Enon

Cemetery in Plant City. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

CARRIE L. KEENE Carrie L. Keene, 58, of Plant City, died Nov. 9, 2016. She was born and raised in Plant City. She was an artist who loved drawing and music. She enjoyed spending time outdoors and was known to many as a free spirit. She is survived by her mother, Barbara Wallace (Doyle); son, William Rinehart (Ashley); daughter, Jaclyn McKenzie; sister, Donna J. Putnall (Dennis); grandchildren, Cherish, Unique, Kali, Amari, VJ, Admyur, Kavery and Kamryn; and two great-grandchildren, Xavier and Bentley. She was preceded in death by her father, Jerry D. Keene Sr.; brother, Jerry D. Keene Jr.; and sister, Kathy A. Keene. A funeral service was held Nov. 15, at Wells Memorial Funeral Home and Event Center. Burial followed at Mt. Enon Cemetery, Plant City. Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.

ISMAIL A. “SAM” SAKMAR Ismail A. “Sam” Sakmar, 91, of Plant City, died Oct. 31, 2016. He was born Sept. 29, 1925, in Istanbul, Turkey. Known as Sam to his many friends, it was apparent at a young age he had a passion and skill for mathematics. As a young man, he toured Europe on bicycle with a dear friend. He was educated in Istanbul and Berkeley, California. He taught mathematics and physics in France, Germany, Canada and the United States. He also was at the CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. He was fluent in four languages. He was fascinated with aviation and appreciated classical music and the fine arts. Until his eyesight began to fail, he was a voracious reader. He loved to write stories about his travel adventures. He was an avid table tennis player and participated in tournaments around the world. He eventually settled in Plant City, where he taught at the University of South Florida. His published works include a book and over 70 peer-reviewed papers in mathematics. Even in his final days, he maintained a sharp wit, a

sense of humor and extraordinary kindness. He also stayed current in politics and world affairs. He is survived by his brother, Ata; sister, Inci Buyukyuksel; daughter, Zeynet Onen; and their families. His family and friends are grateful to the doctors, nurses and other caregivers who kept him well and showed him compassion. Services will be announced at a later date. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome. com.

REGINALD “BOBBY” SNOW Reginald “Bobby” Snow, 76, died Oct. 31, 2016. He was born Sept. 3, 1940, in Tampa to Nealy and Clara Bell Slater Snow. He married Bonny Snow in 1960. He was the life of the party who put the “fun” in dysfunctional in his family. He was a phenomenal golf player and a great man. He will be missed deeply by his friends and family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonny. He is survived by his daughter, Luwana Hughes (Ryan), of Plant City; sons, Gregg Snow, of Plant City, and Derek Snow, of Plant City; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A celebration of life was held Nov. 4, at Youman’s Praise and Worship Center. Pastor John Chesser officiated. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome. com.

THOMAS MITCHELL “MITCH” WILKES SR. Thomas Mitchell “Mitch” Wilkes Sr. died November 10, 2016.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

He is formerly of the Brandon and Tampa area. He was a Tampa shipbuilder and technician with Wilkes Air Conditioning and Krauss Company of Florida assigned to the CF Industries, Plant City facility. Mitch enjoyed restoring and working on his 1954 Ford Customline. He received many awards for his efforts in this classic streetrod. He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Donna (Baker); sons, Thomas Jr. (Justine Ramagos) and Andrew; daughter, Nora (David Klee); brother, David Wilkes; five grandsons; and one granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, J. D. and Bessie Wilkes; and his brother, Clyde. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, at the home of Donna and Mitch. Call (813) 754-3982 for information.

MARCIA LYNN WILLIAMS Marcia Lynn Williams, 63, of Plant City, died Nov. 4, 2016. She was born in Houston, Texas. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, collecting bears and watching NASCAR. She is survived by her husband, Gary Williams; children, Terri Lynn Kirkland, of Plant City, and Beau Morris (Jessica), of Mulberry; grandchildren, Kaitlynn, Cydney, Hannah, Anthony and Emma; great-granddaughter, Raelynn; siblings, Bruce McGill (Tanja), of Tampa, and Patricia Ferretti (Joel), of St. Petersburg; and extended family member, Frankie Wilson, of Wesley Chapel. A celebration of life was held Friday, Nov. 11. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.

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SPORTS

“We’ve been off to a great start. Hopefully, we’re probably going to win districts and advance into the championships.”— Holly Eddins has been clutch for the Lady Raiders. Page 14

GAME OF THE WEEK Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

Local athletes sign with colleges

hree Plant City-area athletes made their college choices official Wednesday, Nov. 9, and Thursday, Nov. 10. On Wednesday, Nov. 9, Durant High School golfer Jacob Penny signed with Florida Southern College at Buckhorn Springs Golf and Country Club. On Thursday, Nov. 10, Plant City High School softball player Edmilly Molina signed with Palm Beach Atlantic University, and baseball player Dalton Wingo signed with the University of Central Florida at the Plant City High School media center.

JACOB PENNY

Justin Kline

Strawberry Crest started to turn things around this season with a new coach.

Durant’s Friday, Nov. 11, playoff exit marked the end of prep football season in the Plant City area.

EDMILLY MOLINA

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS EDITOR

nother year of high school football brought plenty of action and drama to the Plant City area.

Of course, it was to be expected of a season

that brought two head coaching changes, several in-area transfers, some breakout players and a Redman Cup game with nearly the highest of stakes. Most area fans had plenty to be excited for.

DALTON WINGO

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? FRIDAY NIGHT NOTES PAGE 13

SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 13

Moving Memorials In the Field Magazine Senior Managing Editor Sarah Holt ran for a fallen Marine in the 2016 Marine Corps Marathon. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS EDITOR

When runners facing the backs of T.A.P.S. team members in the Sunday, Oct. 30, Marine Corps Marathon looked ahead, fallen soldiers were staring at them. Our Memorials Move. The motto is written above photos of military service members on signs tagged to the shirts of T.A.P.S. athletes. Some of those moving memorials have come from Plant City. This year, Sarah Holt was one of those runners. Holt, the managing editor at In the Field Magazine, made her first marathon count by keeping a Marine’s memory alive. GONE, NOT FORGOTTEN

Before each Marine Corps Marathon, T.A.P.S. runners learn about their assigned “heroes” and get to know

their families. In Holt’s case, her hero was a Marine named Sgt. Richard Stumpf. Stumpf took his own life on Halloween in 1994, while on active duty. His wife, Carla, was unable to attend her husband’s funeral because she was giving birth to their child. “She’s an open book about his life,” Holt says. Although Holt had never met Stumpf and was first put in contact with Carla a month before the race, she learned enough to feel as though she had known him. “When it got tough, I could hear him yelling in my ear,” Holt says. On the day of the race, Holt sent her photos from the scene. Although she wasn’t feeling her best that day, having caught a cold, the magazine editor was determined to run for Stumpf. She also was given a Marine SEE HOLT PAGE 13

Courtesy photo

Sarah Holt completed the 26.2-mile marathon with a cold.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Corps pin to wear from a neighbor, who had asked her to run “for those who couldn’t.”

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is an organization committed to helping those who have lost loved ones while they were on active duty in the military. Its name is derived from the “Taps” bugle call, which is played at military funerals and flag ceremonies. T.A.P.S., a nonprofit organization, helps husbands, wives and children deal with loss through blogs, survivor events, scholarships, grants and more. To learn about the organization, visit TAPS.org.

Courtesy photo

Sarah Holt and other T.A.P.S. team members wore pictures of their assigned “heroes” on the backs of their jerseys.

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accounted for 1,082 of the team’s 1,645 rushing yards. He also scored 13 of the team’s 17 rushing touchdowns and proved to be the offense’s most consistent, effective weapon. His brother Tydre Ward, often considered the heart and soul of the squad, gained 954 all-purpose yards and scored four touchdowns while playing all over the field. While it was the first time in several years no defensive player reached 100 tackles, the Raiders did excel at making quarterbacks nervous: the unit recorded 18 sacks, led by eight from Austin Eldridge. STRAWBERRY CREST

All eyes were on Strawberry Crest in the offseason, as it was the only school to add a head coach with no prior ties to the program. Head coach Ron Hawn was unable to lead the Chargers to a win in 2016, and working against the team’s

Justin Kline

chances was the many hits from both graduation and transfers. Crest’s roster, which contained many junior varsity players by the end, brought enthusiasm and lacked experience. But working with so many young players gave Hawn the ability to build up his own culture for the program. Toward the end of the season, Hawn also changed the offense to match what he ran while leading Tarpon Springs High’s football team. This season was all about player development, but the team did uncover some talent. Players such as quarterback Braxton Plunk, running back Jaquell Narine, wideout Franklin Murphy and linebacker Tyson Rosania will be counted on next season to help the Chargers break their losing streak and, should everything go well, turn the program around even further.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

”

Sports Editor Justin Kline delivers one last commentary on the 2016 football season. mark of the fourth quarter, when what should have been a successful Durant fourth-down conversion was ruled a turnover on downs after a bad spot, which was then moved forward, again ruled a turnover and, despite numerous requests from the Durant sideline, not measured. I can confirm this happened because I was standing about 5 yards from the spot, and the whole thing unfolded in front of me. I’ve never seen anything like that in a high school game and, while I’m not going to say that a fix was in, I’m of the opinion that the crew favored the local team and didn’t care much for these players from over an hour away in Hillsborough. How are you not going to measure that, especially after moving the ball in the direction Durant was trying to go, past the chain crew? The Durant coaches showed a heck of a lot more restraint disputing that call than I would have. It was easily the worst call I’ve seen all season, and I’ve seen refs get chewed out

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JUSTIN KLINE

Friday Night Notes nfortunately, this is the last Friday Night Notes column of 2016. It almost wasn’t that way, as the Cougars played, for the most part, a solid game against a tough East Lake team Friday, Nov. 11. I thought it was one of the finest, if not the finest, defensive performances I’ve seen from Durant this year, and many playoff teams could have been shut down by that unit. The offense wasn’t so hot, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. East Lake didn’t have a hard time stacking the box and limiting Durant’s forward progress, and the pass coverage did enough to slow the Cougars’ receivers down and force overthrows. A lot of that, I noticed, was due to holds and things that didn’t get called. I get it, it’s the playoffs and refs are more likely to let the kids play. But the balance of calls was pretty heavily skewed in East Lake’s favor, and I’m not sure Durant deserved everything it got. My chief example came at the 5:38

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Corey King and the Raiders nearly made the playoffs.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

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3 9 6 8 2 5 worse for lesser sins. While I can’t say it directly affected the outcome of the game — the Cougars were at midfield and may or may not have scored on that drive — I’m pretty confident the incident was what turned the tables in East Lake’s favor for the rest of the night. Still, the Eagles played tough football and did enough to win the game. I can’t knock them for something the refs did. It’s probably (OK, definitely) unfair the refs tried the Cougars like that. But there’s no point making excuses for a loss, even to a team that called a quarterback sneak draw play on third down and long. Durant’s remaining Cougars will learn from this loss and probably do everything in their power to try to win districts next year. If I can borrow a page from Dabo Swinney’s playbook, hats off to Durant for having a better season than what was expected of it, even with those key injuries. Our district is far from an easy one, but the Cougars stepped up when they had to fight for a playoff spot. Justin Kline is the sports editor at the Plant City Times & Observer. Email: jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

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Contact Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

The Raiders were favored to make it into the postseason but came 11 points shy of making the cut. Although Plant City couldn’t repeat its 2015 success, going 6-3 (4-2 district), one could say the team had a good year under first-year head coach Robert Paxia, especially since the team had to work without its top player, Antoine Thompson. The Raiders looked competitive in the season opener against Armwood, leading at halftime, and followed that loss with a three-game win streak that put the team in good standing in the district. The Redman Cup loss to Durant Friday, Nov. 14, was also the last of the season: Plant City closed things out by outscoring Lennard and Freedom, 32-14. Sophomore Treshaun Ward got his chance to shine at running back and

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Durant fans were treated to the most successful season in the area, though the postseason run ended earlier than they would have liked. The Cougars embraced the role of the underdog in 2016, with many Tampa Bay-area pundits picking Plant City and Tampa Bay Tech to make the playoffs. The team applied its lessons learned from 2015, finishing with an 8-2 regular-season record (5-1 district) and by taking back the Redman Cup with a 16-6 win over Plant City. Durant’s ground game was productive as usual, gaining a total of 1,912 yards and 22 touchdowns. Jake Harris and Cameron Myers each gained over 730 yards, with Myers scoring nine touchdowns to Harris’s four. The team also got a solid season out of quarterback Carlton Potter, who completed 61% of his attempts for 1,426 yards and 19 touchdowns against six interceptions. The defense proved to be Durant’s strongest asset, racking up about 65 tackles per game, 12 interceptions and 18 sacks as a unit. It pitched three shutouts and, in each of its wins, only gave up more than seven points once. In addition to the Redman Cup rivalry, the Cougars took control of the Alafia River Rivalry in a 20-13 win over Newsome Friday, Sept. 9.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

TALK ABOUT IT

RACE DAY

The marathon takes runners around Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, ending at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington. It’s packed with over 30,000 people and bands playing music. Holt popped a Zyrtec and prepared herself to go the distance. “I didn’t really hit the wall, but I felt bad after about 8 miles,” Holt says. “Usually, I’m good for about 15. But it was tough.” Still, Holt was able to get going. She was fueled in part by the spectacle of the event, which she described as “rowdy,” and in part by the cause. One particular stretch of the run, the “Blue Mile,” stood out to her for other reasons. “On both sides of the road, it’s lined with photos of servicemen that lost their lives … on that mile, nobody tells you to be quiet, it’s silent,” Holt says. “All you can hear are people’s feet hitting the road.” The last two miles were toughest for

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

Eagles oust Cougars, 14-7

espite a strong showing from the Durant defense Friday, Nov. 11, the Cougars couldn't make it out of the first round of the playoffs. They faced East Lake on the road, which ended in a 14-7 loss. Cameron Myers got Durant on the scoreboard first, running into the end zone with 3:32 left in the first quarter and sending the entire visitors' side into a frenzy. Durant’s defense had little trouble figuring out the Eagles' offense, with players on the sideline correctly predicting some of East Lake's plays before the Eagles could snap the ball. The home team broke things open at the end of the first half, first by scoring a short, yet wide open, passing touchdown with 33 seconds until halftime. The Eagles then returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, setting the score at 14-7. Durant's offense couldn't match the success of the defense, with the run game often getting stuffed and the passing attack not clicking as well as usual. Although the Cougars did force an East Lake fumble early on, there were no lost fumbles or interceptions in the game. Flags were a different story: the Cougars committed almost all of the called penalties, and the sideline was visibly displeased about it. Durant was most affected by a spot at 5:38 in the fourth quarter, where the Cougars appeared to convert a fourth down into a first down but the referees ruled it a turnover without a measurement.

Holly Eddins The Lady Raiders have started strong this soccer season, and goalkeeper Holly Eddins has been a key contributor. Eddins’ play has helped the 2-1 Lady Raiders allow just three goals, while scoring 17. 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 the key to such a good start? I think it’s just the bond of the team, all together, connecting as a whole. Instead of just going out there to play for fun, we’re playing as a team. Not as an individual.

Photos by Justin Kline

Above: The Cougars’ defense applied constant pressure to East Lake quarterback Tyler Rupe. Left: Carlton Potter scanned the field for a receiver. Below: The Cougars often knew what plays East Lake would run before the snap.

What keeps you all so close together? Every single day, we bond and we come together, we laugh and we have a good time while we get the work done. How’s the adjustment to the new head coach? The adjustment’s been kind of tough. We had a male coach, and adjusting to a female coach is kind of different. But it’s also a little better in some sense, because we connect more throughout the training. What’s been your favorite moment as a Lady Raider? Losing together as a team, as odd as it may sound. Winning together, it’s great, but losing together, you get this strong aspect out of each individual. You overcome things you never knew you could overcome as a team.

What’s the best pre-game meal? Zaxby’s. It’s not that healthy, but I usually have Zaxby’s before every game. It’s kind of a tradition. What famous person would you want to meet? Abby Wambach, because she’s just so inspirational. I would probably pick up on a lot of her habits, how she changes society and stuff. She’s such an inspiration to young female athletes and people who aren’t even athletes but want to try and do something with their life. If you had $1 billion, what would you buy? A (Ford) Mustang. And I’d give a lot of it, a big portion of it, to charity too. What advice would you give to a girl who is starting to get into soccer? I would tell them not to give up, and it’s going to be hard to overcome challenges and what people might say that you cannot do. To keep going and be strong at it, and follow your dream. What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten? Follow your heart. The world’s tough out there, and you’ve got to be you and do what you love.

Where would you like to go to college? University of North Florida. What would you major in? I want to be a physical therapist. What’s this team capable of? I think things are going to go really well. We’ve been off to a great start. Hopefully, we’re probably going to win districts and advance into the championships. We’re going to go high.

— JUSTIN KLINE

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SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, NOV. 18

High: 82 Low: 56 Chance of rain: 10%

SATURDAY, NOV. 19 High: 81 Low: 50 Chance of rain: 10%

High: 69 Low: 45 Chance of rain: 0%

Friday, Nov. 18

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MONDAY, NOV. 21 High: 71 Low: 47 Chance of rain: 0%

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This star received several honors during their service in the military from 1941 to 1946:

SUDOKU

Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 Nov 17 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.49) through 9 in each row, column and box.

9 4

3 5

9 3

8 7

2 1

(p) 813-250-0500 (f) 813-276-1600 criminaldefenseattorneytampa.com

1 Terra ___ (brownish-red earthenware) 6 Brings a halt to 10 Leaves from China? 13 Deity of Islam 18 Some orchestra woodwinds 19 Needing liniment, e.g. 20 Blowgun missile 21 Regional flora and fauna 22 How it may rain? 25 U.S. place known for rubber 26 Jose Carreras is one 27 Racoonlike mammal 28 Holds in high regard 30 Cash provider 31 Go bad 32 Manatee 34 Nut on a wheel 36 Flag down, as a cab 38 Word with hall or slicker 40 “Make ___ at the light” 44 How some things sell? 47 Emulate a tide, at times 49 Jet type 50 Winning regularly, in Vegas 51 Short melodic recitative 53 Part of a doctor’s order, often 54 Survey choice 55 Three-legged decorative table 58 Unstressed vowel 60 Requires no alteration 61 Cut copy, to an editor 63 Like some energy panels 65 Chitchat 66 Dangerous time for Caesar 67 Not well 69 How the insane do things? 71 Put on the TV 73 “Star ___: The Next Generation” 76 Knife, to a con 78 Not major 80 Tidy 83 Far from plentiful 84 ___ on (mollycoddles) 86 Most recently created 88 Party appetizer 90 Bone in the arm 91 Letter flourishes 93 Auto service shop’s offering 95 Board game opportunity, sometimes 96 “___ So Shy” (Pointer Sisters hit) 97 How the enthusiastic do things? 100 Third-person contraction 102 Neatnik’s opposite 104 Crossword part 105 Inc., in London 106 Caramelized sugar treat 108 Desire 110 Wedding affirmation 112 Place in Kansas 115 More capable 117 Type of gas or cell 120 Set of moral values 121 How the energetic do things? 126 Breakfast biscuit 127 Told a whopper 128 “Not only that ...” 129 Ladder steps 130 Mob enforcers 131 Rocker Vicious or comic Caesar 132 Fail to keep a secret

1. H U C N

Sammis Law Firm, P.A., 1005 N. Marion Street, Tampa, Florida 33602

220667

Christ, Biblical Truth, Integrity, Accountability, Discipleship, Love, Witness, and Faithfulness

Dr. Dan Morris Sr., President

BiblicalLeadership.Institute • Phone 813-659-1903 Leavell College Certificate Site 105 Baker Street Plant City

ACROSS

Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a famous veteran. Using the hints U=A and C=V, decipher the clues to name the veteran.

4 2

• VOP • Drug Possession • All Misdemeanor and Felony Cases

Our Core Values:

CROSSWORD

CRYPTOQUIZ

6 3

220673

220691

813.388.7575

P.O. Box 408, Plant City, FL 33564

We are Christ centered, church connected, and community minded as we equip the body of Christ.

Criminal Defense Attorneys for Plant City • Seal and Expunge • DUI • DV Injunction

1.39 in.

Our Vision:

Attorneys on call 24/7

MULCHING • TRIMMING • SOD CLEAN UPS PRESSURE WASHING

Dec. 3 Full

Dec. 7 First

COME LEARN SOMETHING MORE FROM THE BIBLE!

SAMMIS LAW FIRM HONEST & PROFESSIONAL LAWN CARE SERVICE

Nov. 21 Last

RAINFALL

BELL PEPPERS

Do you have a photo that speaks to the personality of Plant City? Submit it to Managing Editor Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

Sunrise Sunset

MOON PHASES

SUNDAY, NOV. 20

Tanna Herring entered dog Hazel into the I Love Plant City Photo Contest. Hazel enjoyed her walk at the park a near the Plant City water tower.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

3 5

Nov 17 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.49)

6 3 2 8 9 4 5

9 4 7

4 2 8 5

6 8 2 3

3 1

3 9 6 8 2 5

9 6 7 1

133 Single-mast vessel

DOWN

1 Rank above maj. 2 Short bio in passing? 3 Take a puff 4 Any 13-year-old 5 Wide type of tie 6 More than -er 7 Negative responses 8 One providing a pain in the neck 9 Mexican Mister 10 Follower of Lao-tzu 11 Small fraction of a joule 12 Currently on the ocean 13 Nullifier, in law 14 How quickly things can spread? 15 Folk legend 16 Thing smaller than a molecule 17 Brinker with the skates 20 EPA-banned substance 23 T-shirt opening 24 One of Santa’s reindeer 29 One who’s not out on called strikes? 31 ___-tac-toe 33 Cosmetics counter purchase, sometimes 34 Like notebook paper

35 Czar’s decree 37 Book for site-readers? 39 Horn-headed goddess 41 Earthlike shape 42 “___ makes waste” 43 Salon sweep-up 44 Actress Myrna 45 Monopoly purchase 46 Boat backward and forward? 48 Place for some flakes 52 Gasoline rating word 56 Courteous formality 57 Musical with a Twist 59 Police blotter abbr. 62 To an exceeding degree? 64 Sleep phase 68 Hallucinogenic popular in the 1960s 70 Capital of Belarus 72 Emcee’s duty 73 “In God We ___” 74 Honeymooner Kramden 75 Half of a Sesame Street duo 77 Fire truck item 79 Prefix meaning “straight” 81 Modify for a new use 82 Exhausted 85 Storage cylinder on a farm 87 Canned fish

89 For each one 92 Tibia’s neighbor 94 Vividly interesting, like characters 96 Lift to determine weight 98 It’s stuffed in a Chinese restaurant 99 “How ___ ya?” 101 Declares, as an opinion 103 Wasn’t a good faucet 107 Niagara ___ 109 Place to dry out, informally 111 Beloved folks 112 9 o’clock, in directions 113 Thing to scratch 114 French endearment 116 Place to retire 118 Alcoholic beverage with pasta 119 “Cogito, ___ sum” 122 Three on a sundial 123 Red-white-and-blue inits. 124 Weep 125 What a medium claims to have

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

18th Annual Lights of Love

Thank You for Your Gift of Love

Join South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation for a special community tree lighting ceremony, Lights of Love, at McCall Park in historic downtown Plant City. You can donate a light in honor or memory of your loved one today.

Thursday, December 1 5:30–8pm Photos with Santa – Train Depot Music presented by First Baptist Church of Plant City Lighting of the tree presented by the City of Plant City Performance by NRG Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen – snacks and treats This joyous event is sponsored by: Lights of Love Major Sponsors Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc. Terry and Peggy Crum Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen Sponsor Susan L. Doan Top Star Sponsors City of Plant City First Baptist Church Worship Ministry Patron Sponsors Brenda J. Futch Dub and Pec McGinnes The Hardee Family Paul’s Hand Lettering Ronnie Snyder Jr. and Family

Supporting Sponsors Edwards Platt Meyer, PA First Baptist Church Plant City Steve and Krista Howard Jarrett-Scott Ford of Plant City, Inc. Jerry and Fredda Johnson Karen, Wade and Ashley Kerr Dale and Sheila Lewis Harold and Mary Ann Lewis Dean and Nancy Nourie Plant City Bar Association, Inc. Eugenio Quinones, MD Melissa Stidham Union Contractors Association Al and Norma Whitaker

(813) 757-8478 301 N. Alexander St. Plant City, FL 33563

BC1608031_half-1116 220662