11.21.14 Plant City Times & Observer

Plant City Times &

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

A PARTNERSHIP WITH

TRAILBLAZER

A PCHS student is sticking up for her classmates.

PAGE 3

OUR TOWN

+ Pit stop for education Simmons Career Center’s Future Business Leaders of America club stopped by the Plant City Times & Observer office Thursday, Nov. 13, for a lesson on newspapers.

Advisers David Steffen and Kathryn Pelham and student Kristen Farmer were able to learn industry jargon, see an early copy of the paper and explore computer programs used to make the paper.

FREE • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

SPORTS

IN THIS ISSUE:

Holiday

Durant, Plant City football seasons end at playoffs.

GIFT GUIDE

PAGE 13

ICE FISHING

traffic jam by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Plans to ease traffic near Wawa, Starbucks in progress In anticipation of the new Wawa, FDOT has devised a plan to ease congestion near Interstate 4 on Thonotosassa Road.

Many Plant City residents have been eagerly awaiting the grand opening of Wawa on Thonotosassa Road, but some have concerns that the popular gas station and convenience store will cause traffic problems for drivers getting onto or off of Interstate 4.

Lynn Connor is a frequent

customer at Starbucks and stops in three to five times each week. Sometimes, Connor parks next door at McDonald’s and walks to Starbucks since its lot is almost always full in the mornings.

“I used to go every morning before work,” Connor said.

“However, between extremely

slow service for Starbucks and increased traffic jams from the Wawa construction, it takes too long.

“I can’t imagine how it will be when patrons are trying to support both businesses. My prediction is disaster traffic nightmare,” she said.

And it’s not just everyday

citizens who are anticipating an uptick in traffic times. The Florida Department of Transportation has an $800,000 plan for roadwork near Wawa’s entrance.

“There was already traffic issues with the (eastbound I-4) off-ramp having a free flow right turn and (Thonotosassa) trying to weave into the right turn lane entrance to Star-

Catherine Sinclair

Black vultures and turkey vultures took advantage of a free feeding frenzy Wednesday, Nov. 5, in the Whispering Woods community.

Cold snap causes fish die-off

SEE TRAFFIC / PAGE 4

DYNAMIC DUO by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Hundreds of vultures and other birds flocked to a pond when catfish rose belly-up on the surface.

Residents of Whispering Woods noticed something fishy happening in their neighborhood the week of Nov. 3. But directors of the homeowners’ association discovered the situation was natural, though strange.

First, residents of the community observed an unusually high number of waterbirds near a pond amongst the houses. Then, they realized that the pond was full of

+ Vets drive a success Plant City High School’s Blake Stafford held a drive for veterans Nov. 8 at Stingray Chevrolet. A pickup truck was loaded full of Christmas gifts for veterans of the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa. The drive also wrangled in $300. The money will buy more items for the veterans.

One special guest helped donate plenty of items. Sherrie Johnston, of Lakeland, was shopping for a vehicle and inquired about the drive.

She left the dealership, went shopping and brought back multiple bags of items for the veterans. She was moved that high school students would care so much for deserving veterans.

Johnston’s family has a long military history that includes a fallen soldier, and her father served in the Vietnam War. Stafford worked with PCHS classmates Nancy Zenteno, Jenny Mansilla, and Caleb Meyers.

, 3&

This week’s winner is

Jaclyn Lanier

See her photo on PAGE 15.

SEE DIE-O FF / PAGE 4

pig out

by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Pig Jam expands to two days this year

Amber Jurgensen

Jason Pfeffer and Dean Pfeffer worked together to collect more than 1,000 items from Knights Elementary School families for the food bank.

Father and son team up for food bank

The school food drive winners had not been determined as of press time, but the top collectors will earn awards to be proud of: • Trophy for overall most pounds of food donated • Trophy for most pounds donated per capita • Recognition for second and third place among elementary schools • Recognition for second and third place among middle and high schools • Innovative Award

The Pfeffers have joined together in the local competition among schools to collect food for United Food Bank of Plant City.

Each fall, local Area 6 schools compete in a food drive for United Food Bank of Plant City. This year, two coordinators were matched up to work for the Knights Elementary Drive. The duo turned out to be a father-and-son team.

Dean Pfeffer, the pastor at Hope Lutheran Church, is also on the food bank’s board of directors. Last year, for the first time, each board member was paired with a school to help coordinate the food drive at a more personal level. Pfeffer’s son, Jason Pfeffer, teaches fifth grade at Knights and had volunteered to organize the project for the school.

“With him on staff here, I jumped right on board to be the liaison for this school,” Dean said.

The Pfeffers have a long history of supporting food banks. Decades ago, while the family lived in St. Louis, Missouri, Dean’s wife organized the food bank at Concordia Lutheran Seminary. Jason was too young to have started school at the time, so he accompanied his mother on trips to the grocery store and did what he could to help her stock the shelves.

In Plant City, Hope Lutheran has supported UFB for years. Pastor Pfeffer was pas-

sionate about the partnership, and five years ago, the food bank asked him to join them as a board member.

As a team, the Pfeffers worked hard to stir up enthusiasm for the fall food drive among students at Knights.

They decided to introduce some friendly competition among students and faculty.

The class that brought in the most items would win an ice cream party, and their teacher would receive a gift card to a local restaurant.

Jason also worked with the school’s faculty adviser for National Elementary Honor Society.

Plant City barbecue aficionados are gearing up for the 12th annual Pig Jam, a Greater Plant City Chamber of Comm e r c e event that promises to be bigger and better than ever this year.

The most significant change for this state championship barbecue competition is that for the first time, it will be a two-day event.

“It has grown so much, we decided to take it to the next level,” Marion Smith, chamber president, said.

The evening of Friday, Nov.

The creative incentives were effective. Between Nov. 3 and Nov. 14, the school collected more than 1,000 items, which was almost double the number from the last year. And, it’s safe to say that Jason’s fifth graders can start looking forward to that ice cream party.

“I just like creating any

SEE FOOD DRIVE / PAGE 4

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

The weekend-long Pig Jam will be bigger than ever.

AWARDS

SEE PIG JAM / PAGE 4 Vol. 2, No. 18 | One section

Crossword...................15

Obituaries...................12

Weather ......................15

Sports.........................13

3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

ª 3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

COMMUNITYCALENDAR FRIDAY, NOV. 21 Christian Contemporary Music — takes place from 6:33 to 8:13 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220.

Gravity Down — live music takes place beginning at 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday, Nov. 21, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

Pig Jam — takes place Nov. 21 to 22 at the Randy Larson Softball Four-Plex, 1900 South Park Road. Sample some of the best BBQ in the country. Live entertainment, vendors and kids activities. Parking is $5 per vehicle and admission is free.

(813) 754-3707.

Uncork Your Weekend with Nathan Drawdy — live music from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. (813) 752- 9100.

SATURDAY, NOV. 22 Beyond the Ashes concert — takes place beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Springhead United Methodist Church, 2301 Sparkman Road.

Beyond the Ashes is a Christian music group from Nashville.

The public is invited to bring a lawn chair, and doors will open at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be

available with proceeds donated for the support of this talented group of musicians. For additional information email springheadumc@gmail.com.

Saturday, Nov. 22, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Enjoy live music from local artists. (813) 752-1220.

Community Yard Sale — takes place from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 22, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 402 W English St. (813) 752-9616.

SUNDAY, NOV. 23

Dueling Pianos — takes place from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

Friends of the Library Holiday Book Sale — takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Many of the books are related to the holiday season and would make perfect gifts. (813) 7579215.

Koren’s Quarter Craft Show — takes place Nov. 22 to Nov. 23 at at Koren’s Quarters Covered Arena, 1120 Swilley Road.

KorensQuarters.net.

Uncork Your Weekend with Southern Legacy — live music from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. (813) 7529100.

Young Adult Nite — takes place from 7:33 to 10:33 p.m.

To publicize your event in our Community Calendar, please send by mail: 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563; or by email: ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com. Photos are welcome. Deadline is noon Tuesday. beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 27, at the Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place. Cost is $30 per person or $75 for four.

Register at active.com or in person at the YMCA. (813) 757-6677.

Beyond the Ashes — takes place beginning at 10 a.m.

Sunday, Nov. 23, at Plant City Community Church of the Nazarene, 2402 Mud Lake Road. Enjoy a musical concert and a Thanksgiving meal after.

(813) 752-7862.

Celebrate Thanksgiving Early — takes place from 12 to 3 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 23, at Plant City Community Bingo, 105 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. There will be a free turkey dinner, as well as special jackpots, 50/50 charity special and free daubers. (813) 719-6568.

Thanksgiving Celebration and Concert — takes place beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at Hopewell Baptist Church, 6001 County Road 39. The concert will be performed by Royal Heirs. Bring a dish to participate. (813) 737-3035.

MONDAY, NOV. 24 Movie Time — takes place beginning at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” will be the film.

FRIDAY, NOV. 28 Bus Stop — live music takes place beginning at 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

BEST BET Food Truck Friday Kickoff — takes place from 5 to 9 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 21, in Historic Downtown. The food truck rallies are back for the winter season. They take place every third Friday of the month. Proceeds go to the Robert W. Willaford Train Museum. facebook.com/FoodTruckFridayPC. Bring snacks and a blanket and pillow.

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

Optimist Club Christmas Tree Lot — takes place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. beginning Wednesday, Nov. 24, at 1 Raider Place.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26

Open Mic Night — live music takes place beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

Double Shot— live music takes place beginning at 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family

YMCA 5K and One Mile Gobble Walk — takes place

THURSDAY, NOV. 27

Christian Contemporary Music — takes place from 6:33 to 8:13 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220.

Christmas Lane — takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. from Nov. 28 through Dec. 28, at 2091 Wooten Road, Dover. Visit christmaslane.org Uncork Your Weekend with Daniel Sprouse — live music from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. (813) 752- 9100.

SATURDAY, NOV. 29 Black Wax — live music takes place beginning at 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at O’Brien’s, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.

ª

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

WLCA by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Chancey resigns from Walden Lake Community Association The community association will be looking for a replacement to fill Jim Chancey’s position of president.

When the Walden Lake Community Association board directors gathered for their monthly meeting Monday, Nov. 17, one member was missing: Jim Chancey, who had served as president of the board since April 2014.

Vice president Rich Glorioso presented a short but formal email he had received from Chancey Nov. 13, which explained the absence to the rest of the board members, who had not been notified earlier.

“Please accept this notification as my formal request to resign as president of the Walden Lake Board of Directors, as well as an elected board member,” Chancey wrote. “This request is due to

concerning health issues and the request of my personal physician.”

Chancey did not respond to requests for further comment.

For the next month, Glorioso will be overseeing the board as its acting president.

Any Walden Lake residents who are interested in joining the board can drop off their resumes at the association’s office. They can contact any board member to ask about the process, but Ray Page is overseeing the nomination committee.

At the December meeting, the board will review the list of residents who have applied, and then take a vote.

“Usually there’s not a big list,” Glorioso said. “Most boards, it’s

hard to find people for.”

After the new member is instated, the directors will elect a president and vice president from among themselves to finish out Chancey’s term, which would have lasted until April 2015.

Glorioso said he does not expect many problems to result from the board being one director short for the next month, because the community’s property manager is responsible for enforcing the community’s policies. The board only creates the policies.

The one potential issue is that the board needs to select a new property manager for 2015.

The current property man-

ager, Lee Weiss, will be at Walden Lake until the end of November. He will remain an employee of Associa, the current management company, but move to another community. Associa will send a transitional manager to finish out the year, before the association’s contract with new management company Greenacre Properties becomes effective Jan. 1.

Bruce Rodwell, chairman of the committee dedicated to issues related to the Greenacre contract, said he had emailed Greenacre staff with criteria that the board hoped to find in a new manager. Greenacre will offer as many potential managers as the board members request until they are able to select one.

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver. com.

TAKING A STAND by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Kaylee Franklin is changing the climate of Plant City High School with the anti-bullying club she started up this year.

Plant City High School student starts first anti-bullying club Sophomore Kaylee Franklin wants victims of bullying to know that there is a safe place for them at Bullying Be Gone.

Kaylee Franklin, a sophomore at Plant City High School, knows what it’s like to be bullied.

“I was bullied from fourth to seventh grade,” Franklin said.

Her peers verbally and physically threatened her, and spread rumors about her.

“I really did think about ending my life, and my parents were going through a divorce at the time,” she said. “I felt like I didn’t have anyone.”

But, she rose above those obstacles and created a new club at PCHS called Bullying Be Gone. Her goal is to create a safe place where other students who are or have been victims could join together and prevent bullying in their community.

Franklin first got the idea for the club during summer 2012, when a friend invited her to church camp. But, because she was about to be in eighth grade and would move onto high school in less than a year, she decided to wait until she

was at her new school to start the club.

During her freshman year at PCHS, Franklin formed plans for the club. First, she had to find a faculty adviser. Melanie Garces, a math teacher, agreed to take on the task.

“I heard a lot of good things about (Garces),” Franklin said.

“She was really nice and I liked her as a teacher.”

Next, Franklin had to gather at least 25 signatures of students who wanted to join the new club, or at least thought it would be a good thing for the school to have. She stopped collecting signatures after 75 students had given their written approval.

“It was so surreal to me, because I used to think I was so alone,” Franklin said.

BBG’s 25 members have met twice so far this school year and will continue to meet once a month. The club had a float in the homecoming parade, which Franklin said was helpful for getting the word

out about the new organization. Members also promote the club by wearing their tshirts, which say, “Don’t let them sink,” and have the club motto on the back.

Now, Franklin is working on getting a WWE wrestler to come to the school and speak to students about the dangers of bullying through a national program called Be a STAR (Show Tolerance And Respect).

As the club grows, Franklin hopes to eventually organize a community-wide rally or awareness walk before she graduates.

The members of the club come from all different backgrounds and are involved in diverse ways at school.

“Some of them, people would consider them ... the people that everyone knows,” Franklin said. “But that is what I love about BBG. It’s a huge mix. It’s for the preps, and the band geeks, and the outsiders, and everyone.”

NEWSBRIEFS

at least three clients to reinvest annuities by signing over checks to her, according to arrest reports. They lost a collective total of more than $200,000.

The new cases mirror allegations in the September case against Albertson. In that case, Albertson named her husband and stepson as the beneficiaries on a client’s life insurance policy, authorities said. When the client died weeks later, the family collected more than $150,000, authorities said.

After her arrest, Albertson

admitted keeping one client’s money and offered to sell assets to pay the client back, per an arrest report.

On Monday, she was arrested on three additional grand theft charges and booked in the Hillsborough County jail. She was later released on $30,000 bail.

+ Plant City agent facing more charges A Plant City insurance agent who was accused in September of stealing more than $200,000 in claims faces new charges after more people reported she had stolen from them, authorities said.

Paula Kampf Albertson, 53, who operated Albertson Financial Group, convinced

+ Motorcyclist dies in crash on S.R. 60 A Plant City motorcyclist died after being thrown from his motorcycle when a vehicle

Catherine Sinclair

BULLYING STATISTICS • Victims of bullying are up to nine times more likely than non-victims to commit suicide. About 5,000 young people commit suicide in the U.S. each year.

• More than 50% of teenagers have been cyberbullied, and 50% have cyber-bullied someone else.

• Girls are more likely than boys to use exclusion as a bullying technique.

• About 77% of bullying cases are verbal, which includes but is not limited to spreading rumors, yelling obscenities and using derogatory terms.

Information from bullyingstatistics.org.

PCHS students interested in joining the club should fill out an interest form at the Student Affairs office and pay the $20 club dues, which includes a tshirt.

To find the club on social media search: Bullying Be Gone - BBG (Facebook); bullyingbegone (Instagram); or @ PCHSBBG (Twitter).

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver. com. pulled out in front of him, Nov. 12.

Jose Santiago-Marrero, 30, was traveling eastbound on State Road 60 at a high rate of speed in the center lane, according to police reports.

Alta James, 45, of Brandon, was stopped southbound on Edwards Avenue when she made an improper left turn onto State Road 60 in her 2005 Nissan Armada.

Santiago-Marrero collided with James and was thrown from his motorcycle. He died at the crash.

no trespassing by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Courtesy Photo

It will be weeks before all of the trash and debris at the camp are fully cleared.

P.C. officials shut down Walden Lake homeless camp The site was full of debris after its so-called residents were evicted, and it will cost the WLCA significant time and money to clean up.

Within the Walden Lake Community, one of Plant City’s most affluent residential areas, there is a hidden campground, complete with a makeshift bathroom and shower, and distinguished by a scattered host of items from shopping carts to weaponry.

This fall, city officials shut down the camp, which had been occupied by homeless trespassers for at least one year. The evictees will have to search for new places to reside, but the WLCA is left with the large task of cleaning up the debris that was left behind.

Jim Chancey, the recently resigned president of the WLCA, said there have previously been some camps on this property, located off of Sydney Road, directly east of the intersection of Sydney and Old Sydney roads, and south of the railroad tracks.

But, none of the camps from earlier years had been as large or messy as the most recent one, he said.

“You can just imagine,” Chancey said. “There’s everything from tents, to garbage cans, to old clothes. There’s computers, laptops, old condoms ... They even found a pistol.”

The camp is not visible from the road. It was discovered this summer, when a driver on Sydney Road noticed that a group of people were headed into the woods in that area. The driver reported the observation to the police.

Police officers and officials from Plant City Code Enforcement inspected the site.

“When we inspected the camp, we saw at least four individual campsites back there,” Code Enforcement Supervisor Tray Towles said.

“One individual had a very good-sized tent out there, and even a shower set up next to the tent. ... It was actually pretty elaborate.”

There was also a makeshift bathroom facility on the site.

But, Towles said it was close enough to the tents that it could have been hazardous for anyone who lived there.

In this type of case, city officials evaluate the situation and contact the property owner. The property owner must allow police to come onto the site and evict the trespassers. Without the property owner’s consent, police and code enforcement employees are unable to take action.

Chancey and the WLCA allowed police to evict the homeless people who had been living at the camp.

Towles said city officials tried to help the evictees with relocation services, by telling them about safe places they could turn to, such as local churches and Lighthouse Ministries in Lakeland. In a previous case, police officers even personally transported evictees to Lighthouse Ministries.

“Typically what we find ...

We’re offering this outreach

to these individuals, but a lot of them aren’t taking us up on it,” Towles said.

Soon after the camp was vacated, Code Enforcement got a complaint about an overgrown lot at the intersection of Sydney and Old Sydney roads. When officials went out to inspect the site, they found evidence that a trespasser was living there.

Towles said it is possible that this person was someone who previously lived at the Walden Lake camp.

CLEAN UP

Code enforcement officials returned to the site in October to reinspect the site. They found that the camp was officially vacant, so WLCA got the go-ahead to start the cleanup process.

Larry Evans, WLCA’s grounds technician, has estimated that it would take him and his son three consecutive weekends — six full days — to clean up the camp. If his estimate is accurate, the area will be cleared by Nov. 30.

“It’s just like a junk yard,” Chancey said. “And it’s swampy back there, too.”

Chancey contacted the city’s sanitation department, as well as some independent clean-up businesses, to request that they clear the site. But, they all had policies against picking up debris directly from the ground, as a safety precaution.

The WLCA had to buy special gloves for Evans and his son, to protect them from hypodermic needles and other biologically hazardous materials. The association also spent $350 to rent a Dumpster.

In the future, the WLCA and the Police Department will check the site more often to ensure no trespassers are able to set up camps there again.

“I have a few police officers who have promised me they’d keep an eye on it,” Chancey said.

Walden Lake is not the only area in Plant City that has come across this type of situation.

There was another camp behind Waffle House off Thonotosassa Road, just south of Interstate 4.

The camp existed for about five years, but the property owner had not been responsive to communication from Code Enforcement and the police. A Waffle House employee said that for most of that time, no one from the camp had caused problems for customers at the restaurant. But, toward the end of the camp’s existence, there were reports to the police that some of the homeless had been harassing customers.

About a year ago, the property ownership transferred to a hotel chain, and the new owners allowed the police to evict the trespassers.

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.

ª 3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

DIE-OFF / PAGE 1

Courtesy photo

Swamp Boys BBQ, based in Winter Haven, has been competing professionally around Florida since 2004.

PIG JAM / PAGE 1

ing at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Raffle tickets are $10 each, and the winner can choose his or her prize: a Big Green Egg grill; a 65-quart YETI cooler; or a $1,500 shopping spree at Southside Western and Outdoor Wear.

More than 100 judges will be present to select the best barbecue masters in the state. They are all certified by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

“These people are coming from all over,” Smith said. “A lot of them are local, but we have some coming from out of state, because that’s what they like to do. Some of them are master judges who have judged many competitions.”

The grand champion for the professional division will win $3,000. Other winners up to 10th place, both professional and amateur, will win cash prizes and trophies that have a new design this year.

The judging categories are for barbecue ribs, barbecue pork, beef brisket and chicken.

The top winners at Pig Jam in Plant City will go on to compete against more than 500 teams at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue in Kansas City, in fall 2015.

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.

bucks,” Kris Carson of FDOT wrote in an email. “With the new Wawa store being built and going to generate more traffic at that entrance, improvements were needed to reduce conflicts at the entrance.”

Catherine Sinclair FDOT’s plans include adding a traffic signal at the I-4 Construction on Wawa is eastbound exit ramp, and re- almost complete. aligning the exit ramp to have two southbound lanes and and construction at $606,242. one northbound lane. Having The developer of Wawa has an extra southbound lane will contributed about $500,000 allow drivers to smoothly pass toward the project, and the customers who are slowing state department will fund the rest. down to turn into Wawa.

The work is not expected There will also be sidewalks added to both sides of the to start until summer 2015, road to increase pedestrian though Wawa will be opening before the end of 2014. access and safety.

Starbucks, which is adjaFDOT officials estimate the cost of the design at $189,586 cent to Wawa, will also be

undergoing construction to manage the consequences of increased traffic between the businesses, as Starbucks and Wawa will share an entry driveway. The City of Plant City will fund this part of the project.

Starbucks will be adding some parking spaces and changing the placement of its drive-through. The new entrance to the drive-through will extend toward the back of Starbucks, past the main parking area, to prevent traffic from backing up onto Thonotosassa Road.

The existing median opening across from Starbucks will be closed, to allow a northbound U-turn lane at the eastbound I-4 exit ramp.

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.

21, will be a chance for guests to get some barbecue, enjoy the family activities on site, such as a rock climbing wall and moon bounce, and meet the competitors. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a performance by the popular local band Clemons Road.

The next day will offer the same great food and fun activities, as well as the actual barbecue competition, pitting about 80 teams against one another. There will also be four local bands playing from 10:30 a.m. until the late afternoon. The bands will be on two separate stages, so that music can be heard anywhere on site.

“It’s a day for the family. We have plenty activities for kids, and we’ve expanded that area,” Smith said. “You could spend hours up there.”

There will be a raffle draw-

TRAFFIC / PAGE 1

FOOD DRIVE / PAGE 1 competition within a school,” Jason said. “It always makes for an interesting day.”

Jason’s classroom is slightly larger than others at the school, so teachers were allowed to store their class’ do-

nations in his room as they arrived. By the end of the drive, a mountain of nonperishables had accumulated.

“It’s hard keeping it in a room where there’s really not much space to store that,” Jason said.

After the items were count-

IF YOU GO PIG JAM

When: 5 to 10 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 21; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 Where: Randy Larson Softball Four-Plex Stadium, 1500 S. Park Road, Plant City Cost: Free admission, $5 per car for parking

ed and organized, members of the Daybreak Rotary Club transported them to the food bank from classrooms around town.

The food bank’s next task is to collect turkeys for families who cannot afford them this Thanksgiving. Last year, UFB

fish floating belly-up. Within hours, hundreds of vultures had flocked to the scene to gobble up the fish.

Dolores Farrell, vice president of the Whispering Woods Homeowners’ Association, lives near the pond and took leadership of the situation.

“I called the Plant City Police, and they told us to call the HOA,” Farrell said. “I called our HOA, but we were concerned about the welfare of the birds.”

Early on, they did not know whether something toxic in the water might have caused the fish to die. Farrell called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and was directed to a fisheries staff member who was able to figure out what had happened.

The pond is at the site of what was once a phosphate mine. Because it was a mine, it is 30 feet deep, which is abnormally deep for a typical water source of its circumference. Farrell said she thought the catfish that died had been stocked at some point in the pond’s history.

Catfish are bottom feeders, and because cold water is more dense than warm water, it sinks to the bottom. A gradual change in water temperatures usually would not kill a population of catfish, but a sudden influx of cold water could shock them to death, especially if the bottom is so deep that they cannot easily swim up to warmer water to maintain their necessary oxygen levels.

The low temperature Oct. 31 was 60 degrees, but it dropped to the low 40s Nov. 1 through Nov. 3. Temperatures began to rise again after that, but it was too late. The catfishes’ fate had been sealed.

Clay Keel, president of the homeowners’ association, said he had received a few complaints from Whispering Woods residents about the smell of dead fish around the pond that week. But, the issue was resolved as quickly as possible, and the pond area was back to normal within three days.

“Once we figured out what was going on, we contacted the people who manage our waterways, and they picked up all the carcasses,” Keel said.

Local birds also did their share of the clean-up.

Keel said he didn’t think the cold snap had wiped out all of the catfish. There are also other species of fish in the pond.

“It didn’t seem to be 100% of the fish, but enough to bring the vultures,” he said.

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver. com. served more than 420 turkeys to families in eastern Hillsborough County. To contribute, take 10- to 12-pound turkeys to the food bank at 702 E. Alsobrook Street.

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver. com.

ª

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

EXTREME MAKEOVER by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

Park Road Holiday Inn Express wins national award Last month, Charles Harris’ Holiday Inn Express won an award for its extensive renovation work.

Anyone who has stayed at the Holiday Inn Express on Park Road lately has noticed the hotel’s new look. Completely redesigned, the entire building is now in line with what owner Charles Harris wanted it to be.

And now he’s got a nice, big trophy to show for it.

On Oct. 27, Harris’ hotel won the InterContinental Hotel Group’s National Renovation Award — given to hotels in the IHG chain that have made the biggest improvements in its scheduled renovation period.

“We’re very excited and pleased with what the renovation has done,” Harris says.

“My father and I are very, very pleased with how it’s turned out.”

The IHG is the umbrella under which Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites, Crowne Plaza and more operate under, and the group currently oversees more than 4,700 hotels in 100 countries.

Harris and his father have owned one of the group’s 2,300 Holiday Inn Express locations since 2001. According to Harris, every hotel in the group is scheduled to go through a renovation period every 10 years, and IHG representatives filter through each hotel’s new look to nail down the best of the best.

“When we were under renovation, we were ranked somewhere around No. 600 out of 2,300 Holiday Inn Expresses,” Harris says. “With the renovations, we’ve been brought up to around No. 50 in the nation.”

Competing against only other Holiday Inn Expresses, Harris sought to overhaul the hotel’s look and make it more visitor-friendly — even beyond changing out the old

wallpaper and carpets.

Citing an uptick in breakfast’s popularity, Harris had the hotel’s breakfast bar nearly doubled in size — from 13 feet to 25 feet — and also expanded seating from 24 to 34 guests. The fitness room, in addition to getting new equipment, was also outfitted with rubber flooring to improve traction. To provide extra goods to guests, a sundries store with a refrigerator and freezer was added to the hotel.

The lobby and the pool area both got complete overhauls, including the addition of a huge, curved glass desk that Harris says is more accommodating to guests. The

rooms got all-new furniture, countertops, sinks and other fixtures. And, of course, the carpets and wallpaper were replaced.

The whole process took almost a year to complete, as the last of the major renovations was finished right before the end of 2013.

Harris’s flight to Las Vegas, where he accepted the award, was paid for out-of-pocket.

But, he says that the experience of meeting the who’s who of IHG and seeing what new projects the group has in store made up for it.

“It’s a really, really great honor to be nominated and win the award,” he says.

Courtesy photo

A new pillow from the hotel that had circulated around Plant City this summer as a joke made it to Vegas, too.

Of course, before Harris left, he was convinced to bring his now-infamous artichoke pillow with him — the one that became a Plant City meme

back in July when a couple of prankster friends commandeered it and brought it around to different business in town.

Thinking that he would need space for the big trophy, Harris brought an oversized suitcase with him and stored the pillow inside. When he arrived at the hotel, he pulled it out and snapped some new pictures for Facebook.

“My housekeeper was like, ‘What’s that green thing in your room?’ I tried to explain the story to her, and she didn’t really understand the meaning of it,” Harris says.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to take the trophy home with him. In Las Vegas, Harris was simply given a medal and told that the trophy would be shipped to him, because, thoughtfully, the IHG anticipated the trophies might have been too big for the winners to bring home in their luggage.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

ª 3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

back to your roots by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor

Pioneer Day takes pride in heritage Gianna and Quetzy Stanley dressed for the occasion.

The 37th annual Pioneer Heritage Day went off without a hitch Saturday, Nov. 8. Held at the 1914 Building, the festival brought out traditional crafters, Country Cracker historians, train enthusiasts and all those a little curious about Southern heritage.

There was live entertainment, including NRG and Dance Connection, bounce houses, hay rides and lots of barbecue.

Clement “Sarge” Hill, with Cracker Country, is an expert on trains and history.

The Strawberry Queen and Court thought the 1914 building was beautiful.

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

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

Emma Livingston, Shelby Livingston and Sarah Collins sold wreaths for veterans.

TO ADVERTISE

Call Veronica Prostko, (813) 716-0007, or Joanna Verga, (813) 451-6489.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

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

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

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

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

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

The Plant City Times & Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

Morgan Napper, Maritza Prado, Andrea Villalobos and Maricarmen Acevedo volunteered with Key Club.

Plant City Times &

Observer

General Manager/Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.com General Manager/Advertising / Stacey Hudson, shudson@tampabay.com Managing Editor / Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@PlantCityObserver.com Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writers / Justin Kline, jkline@PlantCityObserver.com; Catherine Sinclair, csinclair@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Executives / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@PlantCityObserver.com; Joanna Verga, jverga@tampabay.com Circulation/Office Manager / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

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

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

ª

3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

ª 3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

ª

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

fill ’em up by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor

Empty Bowls fill stomachs

Emma Brown and Maddie Jacobus’ bowls matched their outfits.

The annual Empty Bowls fundraiser was held at the Train Depot Saturday, Nov. 8. The event raises money for the United Food Bank of Plant City.

Students from area schools made clay bowls during the first semester and donated them to the project. On the day of the event, guests paid $10 to pick out a bowl and soup from among the many different kinds brought by churches and individuals.

When Vanessa Wright (left) snatched up one of the prettiest bowls, artist Shelby Wharton and her mother were disappointed they weren’t going to be able to take New this year was a sidewalk art demonstration. home her bowl. But Wright generously donated it back.

ª 3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

just say ‘no’ by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Elks bring Red Ribbon Week to Plant City schools Members of the Elks visited four elementary schools to offer drug awareness programs.

It is expected that the sounds of children playing, buses unloading and bells ringing would be heard near a school on a crisp, autumn morning. But neighbors of Wilson Elementary School might have heard a different

sound Oct. 31.

As they walked a lap around the school, students shouted, “Hugs, not drugs!” and “Just say ‘no’ to drugs!” They were encouraged to spread their message as part of Red Ribbon Week, a time when

schools and organizations nationwide focus on antidrug initiatives.

Volunteers from the Plant City Elks bring their Drug Awareness Program to area schools every year during Red Ribbon Week. This year, Red

Ribbon Week was Oct. 23 to Oct. 31.

Elks chapters state-wide participate in the program, including the local Plant City chapter. Crystal Eaton is the program chair for Plant City’s chapter, and she has par-

ticipated in the program for about seven years. But she said the Lodge at large has participated for as long as she can remember.

“It’s just a really good program,” Eaton said. “It gets the message out to school kids ...

to stay away from drugs. And they enjoy it.”

Judy Wise, another Plant City Elk, also volunteers with the program.

“We tell the kids, ‘Just say no. Don’t let anybody try to tell you that this is good for you,’” Wise said.

The Elks distribute goodie bags with coloring books, pencils and other items. Students also were greeted by Elroy, the Elks’ mascot. Eaton said he was particularly popular among the younger children.

But, for the older children, a special opportunity awaited.

The Elks showed them mock samples that looked like real drugs, such as methamphetamine, marijuana and heroin. The goal is to make sure the children know what these items look like so that they will know never to take them from anyone.

The Elks also visited Independence Academy, Jackson Elementary School and Walden Lake Elementary School, Oct. 29.

Eaton said Independence Ac a d e m y, formerly Shiloh Charter School, is usually the most enthusiastic about the program.

“They had the Strawberry Festival Queen, they had the Strawberry Crest marching band, and they had some cheerleaders out there,” Eaton said. “They line up all the students and a police officer drives around the school. ...

They do make a really big deal out of it.”

Wise said the Elks reached approximately 2,000 students among the four schools this year, and that statistics show that children are using drugs or becoming familiar with them at younger ages than ever.

“In some of the schools, it is so sad,” Wise said. “Some of the kids will come out and say, ‘My mom does that,’ or ‘My dad takes that.’ ... It’ll break your heart, but you hope you’ll get through to them.”

Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.

THE RED RIBBON PLEDGE

As parents and citizens, we will talk to our children and the children in our lives about the dangers of drug abuse.

We will set clear rules for our children about not using drugs.

We will set a good example for our children by not using illegal drugs or medicine without a prescription.

We will monitor our children’s behavior and enforce appropriate consequences, so that our rules are respected.

We will encourage family and friends to follow the same guidelines to keep children safe from substance abuse.

Visit redribbon.org/ pledge to sign the pledge.

O

PlantCityObserver.com

To advertise, call

813-704-6850

ª

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

CLASS ACT by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor

Durant High School theater puts on fall production

CUTESTCRITTER

Durant High School thespians lifted the curtain on their fall production, “Appointment with Death.” The play could be seen Nov. 6 to 8. The work is a 1945 play by crime writer Agatha Christie, based off her novel of the same name.

R

osie is this week’s Cuttest Critter winner. Edwina and Matt Wright, of Plant City, own the 16-year-old cat, who likes to hide her eyes from the sun while she naps.

Turkey Creek Animal Hospital and Animal Wellness Center have partnered to present a monthly Cutest Critter Contest. Entering is simple: Just submit a high-resolution photo (200 dpi or better) and a sentence or two about why your pet is the cutest.

Include your name and contact information. Photos will be showcased in the Plant City Times & Observer.

Submit your entries to Editor Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com; subject line: Cutest Critter Contest. Good luck!

Clockwise from above: Brady Kennedy

"1, 6 / , , - 1 ,-/ °°°

Cali Boles Lauren Hamilton and Jacob Ward

1, 9

, ", 9"

Ü "vviÀ } } >ÃÞ *>Þ i Ì * > à {È{x 1°-° Ó U n£Î ÇxÓ £ä£ä The set was designed beautifully for the play.

ʔɭʔʔƮǐȡ

, / xä 9 ," - ,6 * / /9t

," "- /" / t

Σä -°,° xÇ{ U n£Î ÇxÓ ÓnÈ

ª 3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

OBSERVEROBITUARIES Ruth M. Brown

Ruth M. Brown, 84, of Plant City, died Oct. 28, 2014, at her home.

Born July 15, 1930, in Atlantic, Idaho, she was the daughter of the late Jacob and Milda Hass Pieken. She was the wife of Howard Brown for more than 60 years; He survives. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, and was retired after 26 years from Principal Financial Group. Surviving are sons, Duane Brown, Jeffrey Brown and Douglas Brown; daughter, Victoria Ricketts; sister, Janice Blake; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Irene L. Carter

Irene L. Carter, 84, of Plant City, died Nov. 16, 2014.

Mrs. Carter was born in Keokuk, Iowa, to George Edward and Ella Louise Schwab.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church of

Plant City and enjoyed volunteering for the church and the community. Mrs. Carter was a lifetime St. Louis Cardinals fan.

She is predeceased by her husband, Jerome T. Carter; and brothers, Ed Schwab, Jim Schwab and Ike Schwab.

Loving family who survive are sons, Steve Carter (Alison), Jay Carter, and Michael Carter (Pamela); sister, Shirley Daughters Leroy); 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Plant City. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at First United Methodist Church of Plant City. The family will receive friends one hour prior.

Burial will take place at a later date in Keokuk, Iowa. Condolences may be offered at WellsMemorial.com.

Claude Durell Dennis

Claude Durell Dennis, 69, of Dade City, died unexpectedly at his home Nov. 17, 2014.

He is survived by his wife, Vicky; daughters, Ronda (Rick) and Angela (Pat); brothers, Howard, Julian and Franklin (Janice); sister-in-law, Lori (Wayne); mother-inlove, Ruby; grandchildren, Brad (Kassi), Ciara (Jason), Tyler (Destini), Brittany (Rob), Ricky (Julia), Cori (George), Jacob and Kyle (Jen); great-grandchildren, Kyleigh, Jaydyn, Josiah, Raycin, and Hayden; many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

The funeral was held Nov. 20, at Full Gospel Church of God in Lakeland. Interment at Vickers Cemetery, in Jackson County.

Gary Lee Elliott

Gary Lee Elliott, 56, of Mulberry, died Nov. 10, 2014.

He was a deacon at Lone Oak Baptist Church in Plant City. He loved his family and church. He enjoyed hunting, softball and golf. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Pamela Sapp Elliott; children, Dudley Lee Elliott (Jessica), Denise Renee Elliott and Jared Keith Elliott (Valerie); grandchildren, Ellie Elliott, Jacob Wright and McKenna Wright; parents, Jim and Flo Elliott, and Bill and Shelba Sapp; siblings, Ronald James Elliott (Sherlene), Larry Dean Elliott, Donald Irvin Elliott (Nancy) and R. Blane Elliott (Lisa); siblings-in-law Brigham Sapp (Rita), Daric Sapp (Gennie) and Dee-Dee Sapp; and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A celebration of life was held Nov. 15, in Lakeland. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Lavada “Vadie” Hall

Lavada “Vadie” Hall, 81, of

Plant City, died Nov. 13, 2014.

She enjoyed bingo, cooking, fishing and collecting eagles.

She is survived by her children, Judy Browder, Glendale Turner, David Newell (Patty), Robert Newell and Thomas Adams; brother, Chuck Turner (Gertha); and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her children, Rickey Garey and Lisa Witherspoon.

A celebration of life was held Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Hopewell Funeral Home. Interment at Hopewell Memorial Gardens.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Robert “Bob” Johnson

Robert “Bob” Johnson, 73, of Lithia, died Nov. 10, 2014.

He was a loving husband, father, papa, brother and friend to many. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lois; children, Michelle Hall (Cam), Kimberly McLendon (Eddie) and Robert “Bob” Johnson II; grandsons, Cory, Dustin, Daylan, Hunter, Tanner, Kadyn (mother, Laura) and Kingston (mother, Tiffany);

and brother, Roger Johnson (Carolyn). He was preceded in death by his mom and dad, Leroy and Thelma Johnson; and two brothers, Leroy “Buck” and Charles “Bubba.”

A celebration of life was held Nov. 15 at Hopewell Funeral Home. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Thomas E. Meek

Thomas E. Meek, 81, of, Dover, died Nov. 10, 2014.

He was a member of Countryside Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty J. Meek; daughter, Linda Wise (Gary); grandchildren, Mike Wise (Leigh), David Wise (Dala) and Crystal Wise; siblings, Gloria Maxwell (Hollis), William Meek (Judy) and Margie Stone (Ernest); nephew, Sammy L. Meek; seven greatgrandchildren; and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A celebration of life was held Nov. 13, at Hopewell Funeral Home. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

THIS WEEK’S CROSSWORD ANSWERS

THIS WEEK’S CRYPTOGRAM ANSWERS 1. A lawyer will perform fairly well and go with the facts as long as he gets his money and you buy him a subpoena colada.

2. A restaurant owner was welcoming some good, high-paying customers. He finally decided to introduce his wife: “Meat Patty,” he said.

YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | COMMUNITY

Sports

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Dekari Green is master of the goal for Faith Christian soccer team. 14 SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM

football by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

Area high schools wrap up 2014 football season With Durant and Plant City’s playoff losses on Friday, the 2014 prep football season came to a close. What kind of progress was made?

Although there’s still some football left to be played in the Plant City area, Friday night lights will no longer illuminate the high school game.

Durant and Plant City gave their best efforts in last Friday night’s playoff games, but it wasn’t enough to keep up the momentum to the 2014 district picture. Disappointment ran wild, but there was a sense of accomplishment among the players and coaches.

Corey King completed a pass to Markese Hargrove.

PLANT CITY

At first glance, it looks like this Raider football season paled in comparison to the previous one. After all, this year’s team finished at 4-6-1, and many of those six losses

BOWL-BOUND Saturday’s slate of youth football action will put five Plant City teams in the spotlight.

Pound for pound, this is looking like one of the best Superbowl years for Plant City-area youth football.

Five teams will represent the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World in the Turkey Creek Youth Football and Cheerleading Conference’s annual championship tournament, the Superbowl.

If it sounds like a big deal, that’s because it is one.

Four Plant City Dolphins squads, as well as the “Turkey Creek 12” varsity team, are putting in their hardest work in practice right now, with nothing on their minds but walking off of the Brandon Lions’ field with a win and the hardware to show for it.

PLANT CITY DOLPHINS MIGHTY MITES

DURANT

Everyone enjoys a good “worst-to-first” story, which is why the Durant Cougars are probably more upbeat than anyone right now.

Following a dismal 2013 season, the Cougars needed to get some fixes on both sides of the ball if they wanted to turn things around.

It didn’t take long for starting quarterback Erick Davis to succeed in head coach Mike Gottman’s offense. Relying heavily on the read option, most often with Crispian Atkins at running back, Davis accounted for seven touchdowns in his first two games and led the team to a 3-1 start out of the gate. After sitting out the Gaither game to nurse an injured ankle, Davis excelled under center and helped get the Cougars back into the playoffs.

The defense also stepped up, despite losing several key seniors from the 2013 team.

The 20 points it allowed in each of Durant’s first two games don’t reflect how dominant the unit looked early on, and although the unit did slip a bit in the middle of the season, it dominated the East Bay Indians in Oct. 31’s districtclinching win.

TOUCHDOWN! by Justine Kline | Sports Writer

Justin Kline

GET A GOOD LOOK For even more photos of last Friday’s playoff outings, check PlantCityObserver.com. made up for with his big-play ability. After gaining 180 yards in the first three games, Hargrove went for 1,066 yards and six scores to close out the season — an average of about 178 yards per game.

STRAWBERRY CREST Catherine Sinclair

Joe Williamson jockeyed for position with a Tampa Bay Tech defender. were close enough to frustrate the players.

However, this team did manage to accomplish exactly what the 2013 squad did: Snag the second spot in the playoffs. Strong efforts by the defense — particularly Patrick Colleran, Sawyer Dawson and the linebacker corps — helped will this team back into the postseason.

While Colleran’s total of 134 tackles was probably the biggest individual stat of the

defense, sophomores Steven Ogletree and Nathan Hamilton made some noise with 118 tackles and six sacks, respectively.

But the biggest catalyst may have been the emergence of Markese Hargrove. Head coach Wayne Ward spent the offseason telling anyone who would listen that Hargrove was going to make some noise, and that certainly happened.

What the junior running back lacked in size, he more than

No team in the area was hit harder by graduation than the Strawberry Crest Chargers, who lost almost all of their 2013 impact players to old age.

Although big names Tristan Hyde, Josh Engram and Cody McDaniel returned, most of the team had little varsity experience. It was clear from the start that this was going to be a project, and head coach John Kelly brought in a new offensive and defensive coordinator to get that ball rolling.

The Chargers finished with a

SEE PREP / PAGE 14

Of all the divisions, the Mighty Mites probably faced the stiffest competition at the top. The top four teams finished with a combined total of 41 wins and seven losses, though it was also the only one where no one went undefeated.

The Dolphins finished the regular season at 10-2, opening with a 24-18 overtime loss at Wesley Chapel.

The following week’s 44-0 beatdown of the Brandon Broncos set the tone for much of the rest of the season, which included four shutout wins following the 8-0 loss to East Bay Sept. 6.

Their opponent, the Brandon Cowboys, finished at 11-1 to lead the division.

These two teams didn’t face each other in the regular season, but are both coming off of 13-12 playoff wins in the second round — Plant City over East Bay, and Brandon over Wesley Chapel.

PLANT CITY DOLPHINS PEE-WEES

Also finishing 10-2, the Dolphins Pee-Wees have faced their Superbowl opponents in the regular season.

On Sept. 6, they played the first-place East Bay Bucs and lost, 21-7, at home. The Dolphins faces defeat again, Oct. 4, suffering an 8-6 loss against the Turkey Creek Trojans. Plant City bounced back, shutting out two of

IF YOU GO Where: Brandon Lions Field, 7402 Taylor Rd., Seffner.

When: Saturday, Nov. 22 Game times: Mighty Mites - 9 a.m.

Pee-Wees - 10:30 a.m.

Midgets - 12 p.m.

Junior Varsity - 2 p.m.

Varsity - 4 p.m. its next three opponents, and allowed just six points in an Oct. 25 win over the Pinecrest Pilots.

They met up with Pinecrest again in the firstround playoff game Nov. 1, shutting them out, 28-0.

Meanwhile, East Bay shut out the Broncos, 32-0.

Both teams also got shutouts in the second round, as Plant City got revenge over the Trojans in a 15-0 win and the Bucs rode a 22-0 win over the Lakeland Gators to the big game.

PLANT CITY DOLPHINS MIDGETS

The Midgets were the only other Dolphins team to go 10-2 in the regular season, and they’ve also got a matchup with the first-place Bucs in the Superbowl.

The Plant City Midgets lost their opener to Wesley Chapel, 12-6, in double overtime. They also lost to East Bay Sept. 6, but in a much more action-packed game. The Bucs took the upper hand in a 21-14 road victory.

Plant City is coming into this game with the hottest hand of any team, riding a 40-6 second-round win over the Lakeland Gators to glory.

Before that, they hosted the Brandon Lions and won, 3814, in the first round.

East Bay, meanwhile, got here with a 39-0 win over the Wildcats in the first round, and a 21-8 win over Wesley Chapel in the second round.

PLANT CITY DOLPHINS JUNIOR VARSITY

Plant City’s formidable junior varsity squad got its

SEE BOWL / PAGE 14

ª 3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

BOWL / PAGE 13 name out there in last year’s UYFL National Championship tournament, when it coasted through the 12U division and outscored opponents, 110-13, en route to championship gold.

So, expectations were high for 2014. And, with a perfect 12-0 regular season record, the team didn’t disappoint. It continued to flex its muscles in the playoffs with a 35-0 win over the Wildcats in the first round and a 44-14 win over the Trojans in the second.

They’ll be facing the Brandon Lions, the second-best

PREP / PAGE 13 1-9 record, but did upset Brandon, 9-6, and singlehandedly altered the district results.

The new multiple offense put a bigger emphasis on the passing game than before, and senior wideout Clay Cullins

The Trojans’ varsity squad was the only Superbowl team that didn’t win at least 10 games, finishing with an 8-2 record. But no one can say that they haven’t earned the right to be here.

Dubbed the “Turkey Creek 12,” these kids have been playing an 11-man game with 12 men on the roster and have

since been riding high.

Following their 45-7 win over the Dover Patriots, the Trojans had to grind to get here. The 32-0 first-round rematch win over Dover was easy enough, but the second round saw the Bucs pull close — Turkey Creek escaped with a 19-16 victory.

The Trojans’ opponents, the Brandon Lions, actually finished in first place with a 10-0 record. They won their first-round game by default, with a Broncos forfeit, and put up a 21-0 shutout over the Plant City Dolphins Nov. 8.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

made things easier for Hyde.

Cullins was the team’s leading receiver in his first year as the No. 1 wideout, catching a team-high 46 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns.

In the ground game, senior Arjay Smith racked up 727 yards and eight touchdowns,

often providing the Chargers a relief when they needed one.

On defense, junior linebacker Jordan Zilbar had a breakout year, with 93 total tackles and four fumble recoveries to lead the unit.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

team in the division at 10-2, with one big disadvantage: The games are being held at the Lions’ field, and the home crowd will probably be electric.

TURKEY CREEK TROJANS VARSITY

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

DEKARI GREEN In its first year, Faith Christian Academy’s soccer team has helped 17 fourth- and fifth-graders learn soccer for what is, in some cases, their very first time. Among these first-time soccer players is goalkeeper Dekari Green, whom coach Beni Jombai praises for his attention to detail, quick reflexes and, most of all, his quiet dedication to the craft.

What grade are you in?

Fifth grade.

How long have you been at FCA? Two years.

When did you start playing soccer?

This year. We started in October.

What made you want to play?

I think I try to be the

How have you ben doing so far?

We’re doing good. I’m comfortable in net.

Have you thought about trying any other positions?

Defense, midfield and striker.

What else do you like to do for fun?

At school, we play kickball. Sometimes, I just go outside and practice soccer.

Who’s your favorite athlete?

Richard Sherman.

Why Richard Sherman?

Because he led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.

He tried his hardest, and stuff. That’s how they won.

What’s your favorite team, in any sport?

I do like the Baltimore Ravens. I’m not from Baltimore, I just like how they play.

best athlete that I can. I try to help my team out, and stuff.

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

Flying.

Do you play any other sports?

I play volleyball, soccer, and football.

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

Famous. I could set a good example for people.

What’s your favorite?

Soccer.

What made you want to play goalie?

I can catch, and I have fast reflexes.

If you could play any sport, for any pro team, what would it be?

I think I’d play for the Bucs. I would play wide receiver.

ª

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª

PLANT CITY

RAIN

(INCHES) Nov. 13

0.00

FRI.

TEMPERATURES

Nov. 14

0.00

SAT.

Friday, Nov. 21 Saturday, Nov. 22 Sunday, Nov. 23 Monday, Nov. 24 Tuesday, Nov. 25 Wednesday, Nov. 26 Thursday, Nov. 27

Nov. 15

0.00

SUN.

Nov. 16

0.24

HIGH 72 78 84 82 75 62 66

Nov. 17

SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

TUES.

SUNRISE Friday, Nov. 21 6:54 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 22 6:55 a.m.

Sunday, Nov. 23 6:56 a.m.

Monday, Nov. 24 6:57 a.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 25 6:58 a.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 26 6:58 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 27 6:59 a.m.

1.01

Nov. 18

0.01

WED.

Nov. 19

0.00

NOV.

TO DATE

1.44 (2013: 1.25)

YEAR

TO DATE 37.41 (2013: 37.39)

, 3&

WEATHER

THURS.

MON.

3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

SUNSET 5:34 p.m.

5:34 p.m.

5:34 p.m.

5:33 p.m.

5:33 p.m.

5:33 p.m.

5:33 p.m.

LOW 57 65 69 66 51 42 47

Jaclyn Lanier took this photograph while hunting with the family.

The Plant City Times & Observer and Grimes Hardware have partnered to host the I Love Plant City Photo Contest. Winners will have their photo featured and receive a $15 gift certificate to Grimes Hardware’s Strawberry Town Cafe!

To enter, email your photo, along with a caption, to Editor Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com; subject line: I Love Plant City. Winners can pick up their prize at Grimes Hardware.

MOON PHASES

Nov. 22

Nov. 29

JALAPEÑOS SHIPPING POINT: ORLANDO Size Price

1 1/9 bushel cartons $22.65 to $26.35

Dec. 6

Courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture Dec. 15

ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

By Mary Jersey | Edited by Timothy E. Parker ACROSS 1 Chatterbox 7 Arranges in piles 13 ___ rasa (clean slate) 19 Limestone formation 20 Kind of system 21 Awakening 22 Make things harder than necessary 25 Abominable Snowman 26 Pivot 27 Bach composition 28 ___ Paulo 29 Reason for a Hail Mary pass 34 Battering device 36 “What’s ___?”

39 Chasers in a Western 40 Horace creations 41 Kuwaiti, e.g.

45 Silver-tongued speaker 47 Mythical god of war 48 Planet discovered in 1846 51 Rock piles at bases of cliffs 53 Hipbones 54 Whom psychiatrists see 55 Says “When?”

56 Droopy-eared dog 58 Milky white gem 59 “___ to worry” 60 Trueheart of comics 61 Some income for waiters 62 High-five, essentially 64 Medieval, Classical and Late 66 Prehistoric 68 It may be scenic 70 Christmas season 72 Ashes holder 73 Overpower 76 Above 78 Package under the Christmas tree

80 83 84 86 88 89 91 92 94 95 96 97 98 99 102 103 106 109 112 114 115 119 125 126 127 128 129 130

Cries of aversion “Will that be ___?”

Stadium level Primary color, to a printer Eastern nurse In a disguised manner Make indistinct Much advertising Steeps, as tea leaves Tyne of “Judging Amy” Word after “slow” or “quick” 1.3-ounce Asian weight Apportion (with “out”) Computer program tests Cincinnati threesome Hallucinogenic drug Acoustic and electric guitars, for two Actor Wallach Carpal tunnel locale On the ocean Under the covers What some colonial girls would do Relieve, as distress One in a violent protest Oust They run in cabs Hydrocarbon groups Dual-purpose couch

DOWN 1 “Ring Around the Rosy” flower 2 Investment firm T. ___ Price 3 Came down to earth 4 Not bold 5 In-flight info, for short 6 “Andy Capp” cartoonist Smythe 7 Beams 8 Professor’s perk 9 See 114-Across

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

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 21 23 24 30 31 32 33 35 36 37 38 42 43 44 46 47 48 49 50 52 53 54 57 63 65 67 69 71 73 74 75

Computer monitor of old Do-it-yourselfer’s purchase Average dudes More authentic It comes from the heart Clinger on a hiker’s sock (var.)

A Swiss army knife has lots of them Turner of old Hollywood Kind of clef Appear in a film Dangerous snakes A long, long time Grand-scale poetry Most painful Loyalists, to the Minutemen For best results “G’day” recipient Absent from Clear, as a disk Backgrounds Biden, to Obama Susan of “Goldengirl” Conquers Go at it Legend of boxing Forty winks And others, for short Rice dish (var.)

Petty criminal, in Britain Atlas enlargement Corded fabric It’s full of hives A boring tool AWOL student Sees socially Aussie marsupials New newts Lifeboat lowerer Kagan of the Supreme Court It ebbs and flows

© 2013 Universal Uclick

77 79 81 82 85 87 90 93 95 98 99

What a forklift may lift Island in the Pacific Tony winner Uta Place to store tools Windy City trains Gal’s partner Calmness Essence It replaces missing teeth Japanese soup Harvest measurement

100 Some foreign dignitaries (var.)

101 Eagles or Falcons 104 Turn the air blue 105 Pulls along the ground 107 Threadbare 108 Mawkish 109 Cheese in a ball 110 Use a surgical beam of light 111 “Meet Me ___ Louis”

113 Boiling blood 116 ___ tube (TV) 117 “Will there be anything ___?”

118 Homeowner’s document 120 Billiards stick 121 Lousy egg?

122 “Stupid me!”

123 Put 2 and 2 together 124 Supporting vote

C RY P T O G R A M S 1 . J H J F I C B F L H H N C B D T B Q D J L B H I F C H H J G W S T F L K M K M C D J Y K A JA H T G S JA M C S C K A M L A Q T G C I J G W I T X R X I M L Q J A X R N T C G J Y T H J W J .

2 . C G F K H C Q G C Y H AU Y F G U C K U F Z D A L S Y W K A L F WA A B , T S W TVCMSYW DQKHALFGK. TF ISYCZZM BFDSBFB HA SYHGABQDF TSK U S I F : “ L F C H V C H H M ,” T F K C S B .

ª 3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

0,!.4ª#)49ª4)-%3ª ª/"3%26%2 &2)$!9 ª./6%-"%2ª ª