Plant City Times &
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
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Durant and Plant City high schools take the court. PAGE 13
OUR TOWN
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See who bought the first festival concert tickets.
Churches celebrate reason for the season.
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HOMETOWN HILARITY by Emily Topper | Staff Writer
Famous playwrights visit Plant City ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHTS
Jamie Wooten, Nick Hope and Jessie Jones toured Plant City Entertainment Inc. Dec. 15.
Festival tickets on sale Tickets for the 2016 Florida Strawberry Festival’s general admission and headline entertainment concerts on the Wish Farms Soundstage went on sale last week. There are three ways to purchase tickets: online at FlStrawberryFestival. com; over the phone at (813) 754-1996; or at the Amscot Main Ticket Office, 2209 W. Oak Ave. Advance general admission tickets are: $8 for adults; $4 for children 6 to 12 years old; free for children 5 years old and under. Beginning Jan. 28, advance admission tickets can also be purchased at participating Publix Super Markets. “We always encourage patrons to secure their concert tickets early,” Florida Strawberry Festival General Manager Paul Davis said. “Plus, they make great Christmas gifts for family and friends.” Twenty-two shows comprise the headline entertainment offered in the 2016 lineup. A full listing is available at FlStrawberryFestival.com. The 2016 Florida Strawberry Festival takes place March 3 to 13. For more information, visit FlStrawberryFestival. com. Use #berryfest16 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Junior Woman’s Club donates shoes The Junior Woman’s Club of Plant City completed its 2015 Shoe Project, which provides athletic shoes to underprivileged elementary youth in Plant City. Various fundraising events allow the club to purchase over 700 pairs of shoes each year. James Hardie stepped up to sponsor 55 youth at Bryan Elementary. It donated about $750 to purchase shoes in partnership with Payless ShoeSource in Plant City. The Payless partnership has given the buy one, get one and additional discounts to the shoe project to reach as many youth as possible. The James Hardie donation has also inspired Railroad & Industrial Federal Credit Union bank to donate $450 to the project. The club gave the shoes to students at Bryan Elementary Friday, Dec. 4.
Jessie Jones, Nick Hope and Jamie Wooten, the playwrights who make up Jones Hope Wooten Comedies, are no strangers to the stage. The group has written 16 plays since they first formed 10 years ago, and about three million people have seen their shows performed across the United States — including in Plant City. On Thursday, Dec. 15, the trio toured Plant City Entertainment Inc. The community theater will be putting on “Rex’s Exes” in January. It is the playwrights’ sequel to the
Jones Hope Wooten Comedies has written 16 plays, including “Dixie Swim Club,” “Dearly Beloved,” “Texas Round-Up of the Guacamole Queens” and “Funny Little Thing Called Love.” Visit: Facebook.com/ JonesHopeWooten Website: JonesHopeWooten.com
“Red Velvet Cake War,” which Plant City Entertainment also produced. Like many of their other comedies, “Rex’s Exes” centers around a charming Texas town, which features small-town characters with big personalities. It’s the perfect production for the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. The show, directed by Kay Secord, is set to debut at Plant City Entertainment in late January. The playwrights
SEE PLAYWRIGHTS / PAGE 4
Emily Topper
Left: Jamie Wooten, Nick Hope and Jessie Jones with Plant City Entertainment President Marsha Passmore
BUSINESS
LIGHTBULB GOES OFF by Emily Topper | Staff Writer
by Justin Kline | Sports Editor
Jimmy John’s opens Plant City Jimmy John’s owner Jesse Neagles sees potential in Plant City.
Emily Topper
Meagen Leiby, her fiance, Brian Masters, and their three children, Chloe, Nathan and Katie, stand in front of a 20-foot tall Christmas tree Masters made. The family’s display this year has grown to over 20,000 lights.
MASTERING THE ART OF CHRISTMAS IF YOU GO
Driving down Jim Johnson Road this holiday season just got a little bit brighter.
A
few years ago, Brian Masters went to Wal-Mart at midnight on Dec. 26, in search of a gallon of milk for his family. But as he wandered to the dairy aisle, something else caught his eye: Christmas lights. Not just a few lights. Boxes and boxes of lights — all 50% off. “I had no idea Wal-Mart did that,” Masters said. “Everybody thought I was crazy, because I was just taking complete boxes of Christmas lights off the shelves.” Now, the Masters’ family has a light display at their home
off Jim Johnson Road that has grown to have 20,020 LED lights this year, more than doubling last year’s 8,000 lights. This year’s display includes a 20-foot tall Christmas tree and a replica of the American flag, built to scale. The family is inviting the public to take a stroll through their winter wonderland beginning at 6 p.m. every night until Friday, Jan. 1. “It’s worth it,” Masters said. “When we’re out there, people just stop and holler out of their window, ‘Good job!” “We get bigger every year,”
The Masters Family encourages everyone to walk around the grounds of their home at Jim Johnson Road, where there is a display of over 20,000 lights. When: 6 p.m. until dawn, every night until Friday, Jan. 1. Where: 2329 Jim Johnson Road Cost: Free Facebook: Masters Family Christmas Plant City
SEE JIMMY JOHN’S / PAGE 4
TASTE TEST Where: 2424 James L. Redman Parkway Hours: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Phone: (813) 756-5897 Website: JimmyJohns.com
SEE LIGHTS / PAGE 4
INDEX Calendar........................2
Plant City residents will now be able to enjoy “freaky fast delivery.” Jimmy John’s, a gourmet sandwich shop that prides itself on speedy delivery, has opened a location off of James L. Redman Parkway. Owner Jesse Neagles spent two and one half years trying to launch a franchise in Plant City, and it came to fruition Tuesday, Dec. 1. Neagles is originally from the Sarasota area and is a six-year veteran of Jimmy John’s corporate side. He has traveled the country as a business coach, visiting stores in many states to help them to bring up sales. He enjoyed the work so much that he knew he wanted to experience the ownership side one day. “I saw that some of those stores were really killing it, so I wanted to get in on it,” he said. Neagles has previously ran a McDonald’s restaurant. Not long after deciding to get into the Jimmy John’s franchising game, Neagles began planning. Originally, the store could have been located near Taco Rey, also on James L. Redman
Vol. 3, No. 19 | One section Crossword....................15
Obituaries....................10
Sports..........................12
Weather.......................15
PlantCityObserver.com
PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 18, 2015
COMMUNITYCALENDAR Christmas Lane — takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly through Sunday, Jan. 3, at the Florida Strawberry Festival Expo Hall, 2508 W. Oak Ave. The cost is $5, ages 13 and older; $2, ages 4 to 12. Lights of Winter — takes place from 6 to 11 p.m. weekends and 6 to 10 p.m. weekdays until Sunday, Jan. 3, at 3212 and 3218 Bella Garden Lane. Enjoy lighted Christmas displays, which are choreographed to music. Guests can park on the gravel driveway to avoid blocking traffic on Sparkman Road. The event is free. Masters Family Christmas Display — takes place from 6 p.m. until dawn until Friday, Jan. 1, at 2329 Jim Johnson Road. The Masters Family invites Plant City to take a look at their light diplay of over 20,000 lights. You may drive up their dirt driveway. The event is free. The Christmas Trail — takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, to Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 2837 S. Frontage Road. Enjoy strolling through outdoor lights, appearances by Santa and candy giveaways. ZachGlaros@ TheChristmasTrail.com.
Yard Sale — takes place from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, and Saturday, Dec. 19, at 1201 Spring St. There will be ladies and childrens shoes, clothes, toys (Legos, cars and trucks Thomas the Train sets) and more.
SATURDAY, DEC. 19 Christmas in the Park — takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (813) 757-9195. Community Christmas for Kids — takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at Plant City’s First Baptist Church, 503 N. Palmer St. (813) 752-4104. The Living Christmas Tree — takes place beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, and at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at Hopewell Baptist Church, 6001 S. County Road 39. (813) 7373053. Santa Sled Festival — takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at Sam Cooper Park, 900 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Over 200 families will be provided with gifts and food. There will also be horseback riding and a picture opportunity with Santa. (813) 453-7134.
Strawberry Classic Car Christmas Show — takes place beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at McCall Park, 102 N. Palmer St. (813) 757-3707.
SUNDAY, DEC. 20
THURSDAY, DEC. 24 Candlelight Service — takes place beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at Hopewell Baptist Church, 6001 S. County Road 39. (813) 737-3053. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service — takes place beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Park Road. (813) 752-4622. Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service — takes place beginning at 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Park Road. (813) 752-4622. Christmas Eve Service in Spanish — takes place begin-
NEW, USED AND ABUSED!
New Year’s Eve Watch Night Service — takes place beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at Hopewell Baptist Church, 6001 S. County Road 39. Enjoy food, games, a bonfire and fellowship. (813) 737-3053.
ONGOING Acoustic Happy Hour — takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818. Blues Night — takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays at
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FRIDAY, DEC. 25 Christmas Celebration for Homeless — takes place at noon Friday, Dec. 25, at the Winter Visitor Center, 301 N. Dort St. Outreach ministries will provide hot meals, presents for children and supplies, such as blankets and jackets. Santa will also make an appearance. Christmas Morning Service — takes place beginning at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 25, at Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Park Road. (813) 752-4622.
Lebanon Baptist Church Christmas Cantata — takes place beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at Lebanon Baptist Church, 110 N. Forbes Road. (813) 752-2006. The Lone Manger — takes place beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Park Road. (813) 752-4622.
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BEST BET Cookies and Milk with Santa — takes place from 2 to 4 p.m Saturday, Dec. 19, at Stone Ledge Manor, 12006 McIntosh Road. There will be raffle baskets, picutres with Santa and lots of cookies. Bring a nonperishable food item for the United Food Bank of Plant City, and get a free raffle ticket. (813) 986-7900. Top Shelf Bar & Grill, 110 E. Reynolds St. Blues veteran Don Lehman brings sophisticated, contemporary blues, soul, funk and jazz to Historic Downtown. No cover (813) 704-6994. Christian Contemporary Music — takes place from 6:33
to 8:13 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220. Live Music — takes place beginning at 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818. Live Music — takes place beginning at 6:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-9100. Plant City Connections — takes place beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesdays, at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill, 106 State Road 60 E. For a list of speakers visit Facebook.com/Groups/ PCityConnections Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club — meets at 7 a.m. Mondays at South Florida Baptist Hospital, 301 N. Alexander St. Plant City Local Harvest Farners Market — takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, at McCall Park, 100 N. Collins St. The seasonal, open-air market showcases local family farms and artisan products. Contact Michael Stanley at (813) 5311911. Plant City Noon Rotary Club — meets at 12:15 p.m. Mondays, at HCC Plant City’s John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road.
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PLANT CITY TIME & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
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AGRICULTURE by Thad Moore | Times Staff
Can UF researchers save strawberry farmers? Competition from farms in Mexico, weather, labor costs — they’re all stacked against Plant City’s proudest tradition.
V
ance Whitaker and his colleagues are growing about 10,000 strawberry plants this year, but they’ll plunk small yellow flags beside only a few hundred in the rows of the University of Florida’s research farm. They are the prospects, the select group that will be planted again next year because they showed good traits — a good yield, say, or especially sweet berries. If Whitaker is lucky, one of them might be the plant that rescues Florida’s strawberry industry.
THE GROWING SEED
Whitaker and his team are looking for a special kind of strawberry: one that can be planted earlier in the year, stand up to the heat of late summer and still produce tasty fruit. If farmers could pick berries even a week or two earlier, the researchers figure, it might be enough to keep them afloat. It would give growers something they used to enjoy: a corner on the market while strawberries are sparse and prices are high. For decades, when winter rolled around, Florida strawberries reigned supreme. Starting in December, for a few months a year, most of the strawberries Americans ate were grown in rural Hillsborough County, until California’s much larger crop ramped up in the spring. Plant City declared itself the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.” But that was before Mexico surged onto the market. Strawberries grow well there this time of year, and farmers there have quickly chipped away at Florida’s wintertime advantage. The Mexican berry business is young, but growing fast. The industry didn’t start a trade group until 2009, but it already counts some of the biggest names in the business as members. Berry farms in Mexico employ about 100,000 people and bring in $1 billion a year, McClatchy reported in March. Americans bought more than 355 million pounds of strawberries from Mexico last year, an increase of 46% since 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mexican production accounted for virtually all of
The strategy Breed a variety of strawberry plants that can be picked one to two weeks earlier than current ones. Biological scientist Luis Osorio inspects an early-season trial strawberry field at the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma.
The result If farmers could get to market just a week or two earlier, researchers think they could squeeze $3,000 more in sales out of each acre.
the United States’ strawberry imports. Reach back to 1990, and Americans imported only 32 million pounds of the fruit, according to the USDA. ”It’s ruined us,” said Mark McDonald, president of Sweet Life Farms in Plant City. Small farms have been hit especially hard, he said. “They’re trying, trying, trying, but it’s a losing battle.” Every year, Matt Parke, who runs Parkesdale Farms in Dover, hears about four or five more growers who have given up the trade. Fertilizer and diesel have gotten more and more expensive over the years, and strawberry prices haven’t risen, thanks to the influx of imported berries. Farmers are lucky to turn a profit every three years, Parke said. For some, that’s been enough to cover the costs of a couple of tough years, but others have run out of choices. “They went belly up. There wasn’t any other option,” Parke said. “The market is what the market is.” Mexico’s strawberry explosion stems from a handful of factors. For one, local farmers point out, growers there have a big edge on labor costs, and producing strawberries is labor-intensive: workers walk each row every three days, plucking berries by hand. Hiring farmhands to pick fruit accounts for 40% of the cost of growing strawberries, said Zhengfei Guan, a UF agricultural economist. Growing in the U.S. costs three times what it costs in Mexico, he said. That difference is partly balanced by the higher cost of shipping strawberries to the United States and the infrastructure-heavy farming method preferred in Mexico, said Soren Bjorn, executive vice president of Driscoll’s of
Photos by Loren Elliott | Times
About Mexican competition • Berry farms in Mexico employ about 100,000 people and bring in $1 billion a year. • Americans bought more than 355 million pounds of strawberries from Mexico last year, an increase of 46% since 2011.
The advantages LABOR COSTS: Hiring farmhands to pick fruit accounts for 40% of the cost of growing. WEATHER: American producers found that berries grew well in Mexico, and its winter climate was more stable than Florida’s. Biological scientist Kelsey Cearley removes pollen anthers from strawberry plants as part of a team trying to create a strain of strawberry that will fruit earlier.
the Americas, one of the largest strawberry producers in the U.S. But in the early 1990s, legal changes in Mexico made large-scale farming more viable, and NAFTA dropped trade barriers. American producers found that berries grew well there, and its wintertime climate was more stable than Florida’s. And then there’s the factor that Bjorn says played a bigger role than any other: Americans want strawberries year-round, and Florida’s industry couldn’t fill supermarket shelves alone. That’s why major U.S. producers, such as
DEMAND: Americans want strawberries year-round, and Florida’s industry couldn’t fill supermarket shelves alone.
Driscoll’s, set up shop in Mexico, he said. “We could sell a lot more Florida strawberries if we had them,” Bjorn said.
WATERING THE ROOTS
Still, Whitaker and Guan think Florida growers could carve out a new niche in the strawberry market. The fruit doesn’t keep long, and because they can’t be stored for long periods, prices are prone to big swings. On one hand, that means prices fall quickly once production is fully under way, but on the other, it means prices are high in November, when few berries are
ready to pick. In a study published last month, Whitaker, Guan and Feng Wu, another UF economist, found Florida growers could use those plump margins to their advantage. If farmers could get to market just a week or two earlier, they think growers could squeeze $3,000 more in sales out of each acre. By comparison, growers usually need to make $28,000 to $30,000 an acre just to break even, said Sweet Life Farms’ Andy McDonald, a past president of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. “Three thousand (dollars)
an acre could be the difference between making money and losing money very easily,” said Gary Wishnatzki, owner of Wish Farms in Plant City. Developing a strawberry to make that happen is no easy task. Breeders have gradually taken the wild strawberry, a plant that isn’t native to Florida and naturally produces fruit the size of a penny, and adapted it to grow plump berries in the warm Florida winter. Growing earlier in the year means pushing the plant even further. It’s a slow and painstaking process of crossing plants’ DNA, growing thousands of plants and seeing what works. It takes six or seven years of testing before a promising seedling — one of the plants marked with yellow flags — will be grown commercially, Whitaker said. Only one plant in every 20,000 to 30,000 will make it that far. But if they can pull it off, Whitaker and his colleagues think Florida farmers could get a brief but important upper hand against their newfound competition. It might not make strawberry growing a lucrative business, but it could at least help them break even. “That’s what we’re trying to do here,” Whitaker said, “is try to keep these guys sustainable.” Contact Thad Moore at tmoore@tampabay.com.
GOVERNANCE by Emily Topper | Staff Writer
Commission continues to prepare for development A lot on Bennett Road planned to be rezoned will need a traffic analysis and a barrier to protect wetlands. Earlier in 2015, the City Commission had announced its priority to focus on economic development. It closed out the year with that priority still at the forefront at its last Commission meeting Monday, Dec. 14. The Commission voted to set a public hearing to rezone an area of land north of Interstate 4, near Thonotosassa Road, to prepare it for future development. The more than 9 acres of land at 2515 Bennett Road is currently zoned for a singlefamily dwelling district. “It’s right off the interstate,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “Stepping Stone Air Conditioning is right there. The rest of it is really residential, agricultural.” If commissioners approve the rezoning, the lot will be rezoned to the Bennett Planned Development District and would require a 25-foot wide buffer around the wetland area of the property. Wetlands make up 3.68 acres of the lot. The lot will need infrastructure work as well. The residen-
PCPD operation cracks down on underaged drinking Also at the Dec. 14 City Commission meeting, City Manager Mike Herr reported that the Plant City Police Department Special Investigations Unit conducted an operation on Nov. 20 to ensure that local establishments were not selling alcohol to minors. The police department used two 18 year olds for the investigation. According to the report, the teenagers were instructed to show
tial lot is not served by City water services or sewer services. If rezoned, the lot owner must pay out of pocket to obtain the proper utilities for future development. Before the site undergoes development, the pavement that leads to the lot will need a transportation analysis. Ac-
their legal identification when asked for it and were told that they should not encourage store employees to illegally sell them alcohol. Out of the 29 locations that were investigated, nine sold alcohol to the minors. The nine employees who sold alcohol were arrested and are required to appear in court. The offenders include: Puffy’s Smoke Shop on South Collins Street; Chevron on South Alexander Street; CITGO on North Plant Avenue;
CITGO on West Highway 574; Strawberry Patch Lounge on East Baker Street; BP on East Alsobrook Street; Sunoco on East Baker Street; RaceTrac on Townsgate Court; and Beverage Castle on Lake Street. In the future, the Plant City Police Department will continue to monitor businesses to ensure that all locations are checking for identification and within compliance of the law.
cording to the Planning and Zoning Division report, the road leading to the lot is one lane and needs upgrades. Though the lot will need adjustments the Planning and Zoning Division recommended approval, as the lot has a commercial and natural preservation future land use
designation. Commissioners did not disclose when the land might be developed and by who, but development is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Plant City. The lot is located three minutes from other commercial areas, including the Wawa, Starbucks
In other news The City Commission introduced the City of Plant City’s new Human Resources and Risk Management Director, Mercedes Perez. Perez began working for the City on Nov. 30. Previously, she worked for the City of Gulfport as the director of Risk Management and Human Resources. Krazy Kup owners Frank and Wenda Trunzo will be opening a sidewalk cafe between Krazy Kup and Plant City Community Bingo in January. Krazy Kup is located at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Plant
and other restaurants located off Thonotosassa Road near I-4 ramps. This commercial area also is undergoing changes to ease traffic with the installation of a traffic light next to the Wawa.
City Community Bingo was notified before the sidewalk cafe was approved and did not voice an objection to its creation. Plant City High School student Luke Whitmore was presented with a proclamation. Whitmore, the captain of the Raiders’ cross-country team, was competing at an event when he came across Walker Thomas, an injured runner. Instead of passing him and racing to the finish line, Whitmore helped Thomas, and they finished the race together. Thomas, a Plant High student, was also presented with a proclamation at the City Commission meeting. The public hearing for the lot is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11. Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobsever. com.
PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com PLAYWRIGHTS / PAGE 1 make an effort to visit many of the theaters across the U.S. that perform their shows. “We are big supporters of community theater because this is where we started out,� Jones said. “We thank (Plant City Entertainment) so much for producing our shows. Community theater helps keep American culture alive.� Justin Kline
Jimmy John’s officially joined the Plant City Chamber of Commerce Monday, Dec. 14.
JIMMY JOHN’S / PAGE 1 Parkway. But, after six months of negotiating, the location fell through. Neagles then began to negotiate for the unit next to Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, which took about six months. This time, it worked out. “Small towns do well,� Neagles said. “We’re killing it right now. We’re pretty excited.� Neagles believes his restaurant can thrive in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, despite its location in the middle of Plant City’s sandwich sector. Firehouse Subs, Subway and Publix are all within walking distance, and Brooklyn Bridge Deli is just a short drive up the road. But, with the exception of Publix, those stores don’t offer delivery. And none of them can make food as quickly, according to Neagles. On Monday, Dec. 14, the partnership between Jimmy John’s and the Plant City Chamber of Commerce was made official with a ribboncutting ceremony. Neagles plans to be a handson owner, working in the store along with his employees. The work can put him in the building from 5 a.m. until as late as 10 p.m., but he said it’s for the greater good. “You only get a first impression once with everybody, so I want to make sure I’m here all the time,� Neagles said. “I’m making sure everybody is happy.� Contact Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.
DELIRIOUSLY FUNNY
Now based in Washington, D.C., the playwrights moved from New York City six months ago. Over the last decade, the trio has come to be known as America’s playwrights, although their shows have also been performed around the globe. Besides productions in the U.S., shows by Jones Hope Wooten Comedies have been produced in England, Taiwan, Mexico, Germany, Japan and elsewhere. But they weren’t always focused on writing. Jones was acting in Hollywood when she noticed that many of
LIGHTS / PAGE 1 Meagen Leiby, Masters’ fiancee, added. “He just gets everything. We didn’t think we’d be this big this year.� The couple’s three children, Chloe, Nathan and Katie, also enjoy seeing the lights finished every year. But besides creating a beautiful display for Plant City families to enjoy, putting up the annual lights every year has a bigger meaning to Masters.
THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR
“I love Christmas,� Masters said. “It’s my favorite time of year.� Masters served in the United States Army from 2003 until 2012, reaching the rank of corporal. The veteran, who served in Iraq, now has a special appreciation for Christmas after spending it overseas in 2005. “Over there ... they decorate the chow hall,� Masters said. “It’s hard to get into the Christmas spirit when you’re
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
IF YOU GO What: Rex’s Exes: A Jones Hope Wooten Comedy, directed by Kay Secord When: Friday, Jan. 29, to Sunday, Jan. 31; and Friday, Feb. 5, to Sunday, Feb. 7 Where: Plant City Entertainment Inc., 101 N. Thomas St. Info: Tickets will be on sale at Hardee’s Fashions, 1501 N. Wheeler St.
the roles she was playing for women over 50 lacked depth. When she questioned a director about it, she was told that people over 50 have no stories to tell. Since leaving Hollywood and teaming up with Hope and Wooten, Jones has proved the directors otherwise with the trio’s beloved Southern characters. The playwrights
over there, doing that kind of job.� Now, he makes sure to cherish each and every moment with his family. “It gets people in the mood to be happy when they see lights,� Masters said. “I appreciate life a lot more. It started with just our family. Everybody liked our display, and it got bigger.� The family leaves the lights on all night, every night, and encourages Plant City residents to come and check out the display. The family will leave the lights, which cars can see from far away as they drive down Jim Johnson Road, up until New Years. “They can drive down our driveway,� Masters said. “Anybody can come, at any time.� “We’re friendly people,� Leiby added. “We just love Christmas lights.� Besides the Christmas tree and American flag replica, the family also decorated their chicken coop with lights to look like the outside of a barn. Fami-
Plant City Entertainment will put on “Rex’s Exes� in January and February. make sure that every character in their comedies has their own moment on stage. “They have to be incredibly flawed,� Wooten said. “It helps if they are self-deprecating.�
All three of the playwrights come from small towns and have noticed through their travels that many of a town’s popular — but somewhat loopy — characters are staples in small towns across
America. Plant City Entertainment will produce “Rex’s Exes� in January and February. Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
Emily Topper
The Masters family’s display is off of Jim Johnson Road. lies who visit the display also can enjoy taking pictures next to giant inflatables. The Masters’ home is located off of a long dirt driveway, perfect for visitors to walk or drive down to look at the light display. “I want to be that house every year that people say, ‘Oh, we have to go by that house,’� Masters said. Leiby, who grew up with a family that didn’t decorate for
the holidays, is excited about this new tradition that she and Masters can share with their children. “I want my children to be like, ‘Yes! Christmastime!’� she said. In the future, the family hopes to have an animated light display. If they continue to grow, Masters hopes that he can reach one of his ultimate goals: to become as
Emily Topper
big or bigger than Christmas Lane, one of Plant City’s favorite holiday attractions. But for now, the family is content with their growing attraction, a display that brings holiday cheer to everyone in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver. com. 178196-1
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PLANT CITY TIME & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
MY VIEW by Devon Higginbothan | Florida Suncoast Native Plant Society
CUTESTCRITTER
Plant a Florida tree
Z
ooey is a 3-year-old rescue from Hillsborough County Animal Services. Her days are spent chasing lizards and playing with her human sister, Finley.
GIVEAWAY To proclaim the occasion, on Saturday, Jan. 16, the Suncoast Native Plant Society is teaming up with the Terrace Community Middle School for a longleaf pine giveaway at the school on East Fowler Avenue and the bypass canal, across from the Big Top Flea Market. Five-hundred longleaf pine saplings will be passed out, one per family, along with advice on how to care for them. Anyone who would like additional trees can make a donation to SNPS and the Terrace Community Middle School. When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 Where: Terrace Community Middle School, 11734 Jefferson Road, Thonotosassa
Turkey Creek Animal Hospital and Animal Wellness Center have partnered to present a weekly 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. Winners will be showcased in the Plant City Times & Observer and will receive a free bag of dental chews to be picked up at Turkey Creek Animal Hospital and Animal Wellness Center. Submit your entries to Managing Editor Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com; subject line: Cutest Critter.
WHO SAID THAT? “To exist as a nation, to prosper as a state, and to live as a people, we must have trees.” — Theodore Roosevelt
OUR VETERINARIANS UNDERSTAND...
“Each generation takes the earth as trustees.” — J. Sterling Morto
“I am the heat of your hearth, the shade screening you from the sun. I am the beam that holds your house, the board of your table. I am the handle of your hoe, the door of your homestead, the wood of your cradle and the shell of your coffin. I am the gift of God and the friend of man.” — Unknown
native plants and wildflowers, join the Suncoast chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society at SuncoastNPS.org. It meets every third Wednesday of the month (except December) at 7 p.m. at the Seffner Extension Service Office, 5339 CR 579, Seffner. Learn more about Florida native plants at fnps. org.
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pine or you have more shade than sun, consider planting a smaller native tree like the Simpson stopper, wax myrtle, cabbage palm or flatwoods plum. For wet areas, choose the cypress or red maple. Whatever your conditions, visit a nursery in your area this Arbor Day and say, ‘I want to plant a ‘native tree.’” To learn more about Florida
Congratulations
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Pine sapling
“Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel.” — Aldo Leopold
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Florida has celebrated Arbor Day since 1886 and has one of the first Arbor Day celebrations in our nation: the third Friday in January. In 2016, this will be Friday, Jan. 15. Most of the country celebrates Arbor Day in April, but here in Florida, our subtropical climate is more conducive to planting trees in January. Louisiana celebrates the same day. Other states follow, beginning in the south in January and spreading north with the spring flush until Maine pulls up the rear, taking the entire third full week in May. On the first Arbor Day, April 10, 1872, an estimated one million trees were planted mainly by school children. J. Sterling Morton was a newspaper man in Nebraska who loved trees and used his profession to share his views. When he was Secretary of the Nebraska Territory (back when it was parts of five states), he suggested a tree planting to populate the naturally treeless prairie landscape. It was so successful it became the gold standard for every state in the nation and eventually spread worldwide. Today, 41 countries celebrate some variation of Arbor Day, such as “Dia del Arbol,” as Venezuela calls it, and most encourage planting native trees. In Malawi, in southeast Africa, National Tree Planting Day is on the second Monday of December. New Zealand celebrates Arbor Day on June 5, which would seem late in the year until you recall they are “down under.” In Nebraska, where it all started, Arbor Day is a legal holiday and celebrated on Morton’s birthday, April 22. This Arbor Day, consider planting an oak, longleaf pine, red cedar, sycamore, magnolia or pignut hickory, if your yard has the room and sunlight. But if your landscape cannot accommodate a 125-foot
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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
COPS
Around
TOWN
Reporters from the Plant City Times & Observer hit the streets of Plant City to ask residents a little about themselves. Will we spot you around town next?
The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Plant City Police Department.
Chey Bluebrid, 19 Yes, indeed, I cannot wait for it to be cold.
100 block of South Collins Street. Information report. Officer responded to a restaurant in reference to a reported disturbance. He found that two women were throwing food in the restaurant. The officer spoke with both parties and calmed the disturbance. An information report was taken for documentation.
West Prosser Street at South Collins Street. DUI. Officers working Christmas Parade traffic control stopped a white sedan for failing to obey traffic instructions and driving recklessly. The driver was arrested for DUI.
READY TO RUMBLE
900 block of South Gibbs Street. Battery. While in the area, officers noticed a large crowd gathered around a residence. They were flagged down and informed of a fight. One person was arrested.
Morgan Boykin, 20 Yes, it brings the whole Christmas feel.
Kaitlyn McNeil, 26 Yes. We’re northern people.
DEC. 7
TRUCK TROUBLES
DEC. 6
BRANDED
40 block of East Gilchrist Street. Stolen vehicle. Officers responded to a residence in reference to a reported stolen vehicle. Complainant stated that a red Chevrolet Silverado 2500 had been stolen. The truck was identifiable by thebusiness logo affixed to it. It was then registered as stolen.
Tom Richard, 68 Yeah I enjoy it. It’s better than the cold weather where I’m from.
Tim Prescott, 28 Yes, so you’re not sweating every time you walk outside.
2900 block of Clubhouse Drive. Vehicle burglary. Officer responded to two residences in reference to reported vehicle burglaries. Both complainants reported that, overnight, unknown suspect(s) broke into their trucks. One was a 2006 Ford F-150, and the other was a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado.
DEC. 9
CARTING AROUND
2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Grand theft. Officer responded to a busi-
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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.
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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 Design Editor / Terry Chapman, tchapman@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 TIME & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
PAINT POWER by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor
GET THE GOODIES by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor
There were a variety of gifts to choose from.
There were a variety of subjects at the show.
Photos by Amber Jurgensen
Hillsborough Art Guild hosts Christmas show
Divas delight holiday shoppers There was something for everyone on any Christmas list at the Diva’s Holiday Delight Expo. The event was held at the Woman’s Club of Plant City Dec. 4. Vendors sold purses, wreaths, cupcakes and more. Right: Patricia Wolff made colorful cupcakes with unique flavors, including flan, green tea and Irish cream.
PaulaAndra Aigner, scholarship winner Jessica Bradley and Deborah Lulei
Sunday, December 20th: 8:00 & 10:30 AM - Worship with Communion 9:15 AM - Family Bible Hour 5:00 PM - Spanish Worship with Communion 6:30 PM Christmas Presentation “The Loaned Manger”
Christmas Eve, December 24th 5:00 PM - Spanish Worship w/Holy Communion 6:30 PM - Candlelight Service 10:30 PM - Candlelight Service with Holy Communion
Christmas Day December 25th 10:30 AM - Christmas Worship w/Holy Communion 191022
Photos by Amber Jurgensen
www.hopeplantcity.com hopelutheranpc@gmail.com 813-752-4622
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A reception hall at the Walden Lake Golf & Country Club was filled with unique works of art Thursday, Dec. 3. Artists gathered to enjoy a cultured evening as part of the East Hillsborough Art Guild Christmas Show. From paintings to custom-made hats, there was something for everyone to admire. At the end of the evening, student Jessica Bradley was given a $500 scholarship to continue her art studies. Bradley is working on a comic book and works in acrylics and digital media.
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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
ColdwellBankerHomes.com Call 866.600.6008 and enter the
Appling Woods | 3/2.1 | $400,000 | Malissa Crawford 866.600.6008 5602 Thonotosassa Rd | Search T2788065 on CBHomes.com
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Home on 10 Acres | 3/2 | $399,900 | Malissa Crawford 866.600.6008 5725 Tindale Rd | Search T2785548 on CBHomes.com
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Commercial - Industrial | Lots/Land | $795,000 David McCarthy 866.600.6008 82110 2400 Roberts Ranch Rd Search T2577848 on CBHomes.com
Commercial | Lots/Land | $795,000 Dennis Perkins 866.600.6008 487696 611 S Falkenburg Rd Search T2766139 on CBHomes.com
Emerald Acres | 3/2.1 | $345,000 Cathy Casey 866.600.6008 498080 13249 Emerald Acres Ave Search T2789009 on CBHomes.com
Parkwood Lakes - Parrish | 4/2.1 | $267,900 Jean Bridgmon 866.600.6008 493551 8903 30th E St Search T2777439 on CBHomes.com
Walden Lake | 3/2 | $250,000 Malissa Crawford 866.600.6008 498706 1725 Brookstone Way Search T2790401 on CBHomes.com
Walden Lake | 3/2 | $237,806 Lynne Halleran 866.600.6008 477237 2806 Brooke Pines Ct Search T2785713 on CBHomes.com
Bay Crest Park | 3/2 | $227,000 Jennifer Hayes 866.600.6008 494091 8407 Lava Pl Search T2778637 on CBHomes.com
Walden Lake | 3/2 | $219,000 Malissa Crawford 866.600.6008 85837 2905 Laurel Meadow Ct Search T2716334 on CBHomes.com
Jess Walden Oaks | 3/2 | $214,000 Patrick Lynch 866.600.6008 494751 3402 Walden Ridge Pl Search T2780929 on CBHomes.com
Hunters Crossing | 4/3 | $199,000 Jean Bridgmon 866.600.6008 494749 6823 Hunters Crossing Blvd Search T2781054 on CBHomes.com
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Walden Lake | 3/2 | $169,900 Jimmie Robinson 866.600.6008 490683 2304 S Fairway Dr Search T2771664 on CBHomes.com
Plant City | 3/2 | $160,000 Maddie Alford 866.600.6008 498436 8501 Paul Buchman Hwy Search T2790003 on CBHomes.com
Wild Rose Acres | 4/2 | $154,900 Malissa 866.600.6008 496365 4122 Red Rose Ln Search T2785138 on CBHomes.com
Magnolia Green | 3/2 | $150,000 Debbie Goncalves 866.600.6008 495046 3107 Magnolia Meadows Dr Search T2781360 on CBHomes.com
Biltmore Park - Lakeland | 4/2 | $149,000 Malissa Crawford 866.600.6008 480525 502 S Wilson Ave Search T2764903 on CBHomes.com
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Zephyrhills | 2/2 | $129,900 Jennifer Hayes 866.600.6008 491855 5316 4th St Search T2773708 on CBHomes.com
Alafia Ridge Estates | Lots/Land | $99,500 David McCarthy 866.600.6008 82109 205 Alafia Estates Ln Search T2577858 on CBHomes.com
Wesley Chapel | 3/2 | $80,000 Patrick Lynch 866.600.6008 477062 33908 Mandrake Rd Search T2784696 on CBHomes.com
Fort Meade | Lots/Land | $74,900 Angela Sessa 866.600.6008 494031 Rhoden Rd Search T2778239 on CBHomes.com
Country Aire | Lots/Land | $73,000 Jimmie Robinson 866.600.6008 490953 Joe Mcintosh # Lot 1 Search T2772062 on CBHomes.com
Thonotosassa Land | Lots/Land | $50,000 Cathy Casey 866.600.6008 82069 Weaver Ln Search T2736075 on CBHomes.com
Eaglewood Estates | Lots/Land | $45,000 Jimmie Robinson 866.600.6008 493006 Briar Meadow Search T2776246 on CBHomes.com
Grimwold | Lots/Land | $19,500 Angela Sessa 866.600.6008 495604 N Ferrell St Search T2783161 on CBHomes.com
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PLANT CITY TIME & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
9
TICKET TAKEOVER by Emily Topper | Staff Writer
Fans wait days for festival concert tickets It’s a tradition for some of the Florida Strawberry Festival’s biggest fans to line up at the ticket booth.
Photos by Emily Topper
The line for concert tickets at the Florida Strawberry Festival wrapped around the ticket building on West Oak Avenue. Tickets went on sale on Thursday, Dec. 10. Left: Elizabeth Roberts and Stephanie Spangler were first in line to buy tickets. The pair arrived Monday, Dec. 7. Right: Scott Grace and Donna Elliott have made a tradition out of waiting in line each year for the tickets to go on sale. Both got in line Monday, Dec. 7.
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tradition. “The same people do it every year,” Grace said. “It’s just fun. We get made fun of a lot.” Festival General Manager Paul Davis is used to seeing the same familiar faces in line year after year and said that there are no issues with people waiting in line for tickets. For him, seeing the campers bright and early on Thursday morning was business as usual. “It’s about the same (as last year),” Davis said. “For the last four years, it’s been that way. As soon as we open up there are orders in, so that helps. Most of the time, they get really good seats.” Davis said between 5,000 and 6,000 people typically go online at the same time to purchase tickets. By waiting in line at the festival fairgrounds, attendees ensure that they will get front row tickets or tickets just a few rows back. Kathy and John McCarty have tried to buy tickets online before, but found that they weren’t able to get good seats. The couple arrived at the fairgrounds at about 7:30 a.m. on Thursday morning to avoid the online hassle. “We always come around this time,” John McCarty said. The couple has been attending the Florida Strawberry Festival for over 10 years. Headliners for this year’s Florida Strawberry Festival include The Band Perry, Echosmith, Cole Swindell, Martina McBride and more. The festival will run from Thursday, March 3, to Wednesday, March 16. Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver. com.
926 MANGHAM RD.: This 3 Bed 2 bath home is located on 1.16 acre lot with 100 ft on Crooked Lake and a nice big dock, great room plan and split bedroom. This home has been completely renovated inside and out. Awesome kitchen with granite counter tops and wood cabinets. Small den/study off the utility room, large screened porch with wet bar. Move in Ready! $595,000
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Though Florida Strawberry Festival concert tickets were available over the phone and online starting Thursday, Dec. 10, diehard music fans in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World wanted to make sure they got the best seats possible. That meant waiting in line for three days. Elizabeth Roberts and Stephanie Spangler, a mother-daughter duo, arrived at the ticket office on West Oak Avenue Monday, Dec. 7. “We do it every year,” Roberts said. “Cole Swindell is our first choice. We want to make sure to get (tickets) first and make sure we get good seats.” Roberts and Spangler are avid festival attendees. Roberts first brought Spangler, now 33, to the festival 30 years ago. The pair has been first in line for tickets before. Donna Elliott also arrived early on Monday and was excited to purchase tickets for Cheap Trick and Donnie and Marie, as well as Echosmith tickets for her grandchildren. “It’s really fun,” Elliott said. “I like all the people that come and bring us orange juice, milk and donuts.” Despite the full days spent in line, many residents were still bursting with energy the morning that tickets went on sale. Scott Grace, who arrived at the fairgrounds at 2 p.m. on Monday, views the camping out and long wait as
PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
Observer
Obituaries Mary Margaret Aboyoun
Mary Margaret Aboyoun, 89, of Plant City, died Dec. 3, 2015. A native of Fall River, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of Manuel and Julia Cleary Alves. She was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church. She is survived by her husband, Ned Aboyoun; daughters, Carol Ann Dentino and Gail Short-Browne (Howard); sister, Margarite Fierro; grandchildren, Brandon Short, Cody Hackett (Victoria) and Damon Hackett; and sonin-law, Earl Hackett. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Doreen Hackett. A memorial mass was held Dec. 9 at St. Clement Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.
Charles Armstrong
Charles Armstrong, 91, of Plant City, died Dec. 9, 2015. He was the retired pastor of Plant City’s Nazarene Church and a United States Army veteran. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth Decker Armstrong; children, Frank (Debbie) Armstrong (Debbie), Charles Armstrong (Karen), Shelley Armstrong (Linda), Jerry Armstrong and Sandra Lester (Jim); brother, Ken Armstrong (Ruth); and many grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Armstrong; and Ronald Decker. A funeral service was held Dec. 15 at Haught Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.
Delores Marie Brusher
Delores Marie Brusher, 81, of Plant City, died Dec. 2, 2015. A native of Richmond, Indiana, she was the daughter of Oliver and Dorothy Maloy Woods. She worked for Circle K convenience stores for over 30 years. She enjoyed long rides in the country, feeding the cranes and squirrels and working in the yard. She is survived by her sons, John Bradley (Becky) and Ricky Bradley; daughters, Pam Coblentz and Vonda Hosier; brother, Bubby Woods; 12 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Junior Brusher; and son, Mike Bradley. A memorial service was held Dec. 7 at Haught Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.
Margaret Florine Frazier
Margaret Florine Frazier, 88, of Plant City, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, at Manatee Memorial Hospital. A native of Plant City, she was the daughter of Eddie and Ruby Bailey Williams. She is survived by her children, Terry Frazier, Eddie Frazier (Debbie) and Libby Devenny; brother, Broward Williams (Hilda); 12 grandchildren; and many greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon; and son, Jerry Frazier. A funeral service was held Dec. 16 at Haught Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.
Elvin Sonny Harnage
Elvin Sonny Harnage, 84, of Plant City, died Dec. 4, 2015. A native of Wachula, Florida, he was the son of Isaac and Etta Mae Hurt Harnage. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. He worked for the City of Plant City as a police officer and firefighter. He also worked at McCrory’s and as an auto mechanic. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nan. He is survived by his son, Elvin R. Harnage Jr.; daughter, Elizabeth Rogers; grandchildren, Rusty Rogers and Daniel Rogers (Amanda); two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held on Dec. 10 at Haught Funeral Home. Interment was held at Florida National Cemetery, in Bushnell. If so desired, donations may be made to the Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, Florida 33823. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.
Sandra Fay Jeffries
Sandra Fay Jeffries, 72, of Plant City, died Dec. 3, 2015. A native of Plant City, Mrs. Jeffries was the daughter of Peck and Marie Kennedy Williams. She enjoyed gardening. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Gary Jeffries; sons, Gregory Jeffries (Judy) and Geoffrey Jeffries (Dena); daughters, Rhonda Smith and Jennifer Arnold (Brian); brothers, Ronald and Richard Williams; grandchildren, Taylor, Hayden and
Lauryn Jeffries, Rachel Boswell, Joshua Smith, and Jessica, Julie and Joscelyn Arnold. A funeral service was held Dec. 9 at Haught Funeral Home. Interment was held at Shiloh Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.
followed at Bloomingdale Community Cemetery. Active casketbearers were Mark Johnson, Justin Johnson, Hunter Johnson, Greg Shell, Billy Johnston and Frank Johnson. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.
Virginia C. Keenan
Betty Joann Meares, 80, of Plant City, died Dec. 8, 2015. She was a member of Lebanon Baptist Church and loved reading and crocheting. She is survived by her son, Gary Meares; two daughters, Carol Burrell (Randy) and Shannon McClellan (Rick); grandchildren, Brittany, Toria, Adam, Dean, Jeffrey and Ricky; and great-grandchildren, Kyleigh, Jackson, William and Jacob. She was preceded in death by her husband, T.C. Meares; and son, T.C. Meares Jr. A graveside service was held Dec. 11 at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial. com.
Virginia C. Keenan, 84, of Plant City, died Dec. 8, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Emanuel Linton and Ned Keenan. She is survived by her children, David Linton (Theresa) and Mozell Porter (Dean); and many loving family members. A celebration of life was held Dec. 11 at Hopewell Funeral Home. Interment was held at Quinton Cemetery in Princess Anne, Maryland. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral. com.
William C. “Chuck” Kress Jr.
William C. “Chuck” Kress Jr., 51, of Donalsonville, Georgia and Plant City died Dec. 9, 2015, at his home. He was born in Plant City to William C. “Bill” Kress Sr. and Minnie Houck Kress. He served his country in the United States Navy and was an aviation machinist. He received numerous medals and commendations during his 22 years of service in the Navy. He was of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed fishing and golf and was an avid Gator football fan. He also loved NASCAR. He is survived by two daughters, Leslie Kress and Tiffany Kress, both of Illinois; sister, Pam Johnson (Mark), of Donalsonville, Georgia; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, William C. Kress Sr. and Minnie Houck Kress. A funeral service was held Dec. 13 at Haught Funeral Home. Pastor Howard Jonson officiated. Internment
Betty Joann Meares
Annie Pauline McAbee
Annie Pauline McAbee, 82, of Plant City, died Nov. 26, 2015, in Brooksville. Mrs. McAbee was born in Waycross, Georgia. She is survived by two sons, Billy and Tommy McAbee; daughter, Tina Gillispie; 17 grandchildren; 24 greatgrandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest McAbee; and two sons, Jimmy and Timmy McAbee. A graveside service was held Dec. 3 at Mt. Enon Cemetery. Rev. Terry Bailey officiated. Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial. com.
Charles “Charlie” Nobles
Charles “Charlie” Nobles, 68, of Wimauma, and born in Bradenton, died Dec. 11, 2015. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps,
having served in the Vietnam War. He was also a member of the One Shot Hunt Club. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Elouise Nobles; children, Alan Nobles and Rachel Albritton (Timmy), of Wimauma; siblings, Patricia Major, Kay Reita, Lonnie Wilson (Norman), Marcia Crosier (Bill), Leon Nobles (Nancy) and Melanie Roberts (Sonny); and grandchildren, Justin, Ashley, Taylor, Amanda, Chase, Blake, Emilee, Luke and Charlotte. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 CR 39 S., Plant City, where the family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. Private interment will follow at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral. com.
Joyce S. Reagan
Joyce S. Reagan, 72, of Plant City, died Dec. 9, 2015. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend and will be missed. She graduated from Clearwater High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. She was a merchandiser for American Greetings, Duracell and Hasbro. She was a parishioner at St. Clement Catholic Church and a member of its bible study group. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Randall Reagan; son, Randall “Bub” Reagan II; daughter, Kelly R. Gentry (Bernard); sisters, Martha Jackson (David) and Patricia Davis; and grandchildren, Alex, William and Katy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Valrie Sessions. Visitation was held at Wells Memorial and Event Center Dec. 14. A graveside service was Dec. 16 at Riverside Memorial Park in Jacksonville. Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial. com.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
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The Jr. K.I.D.S Church Choir also performed.
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The Plant City Church of God congregation and church guests enjoyed a performance by the children’s choirs on Sunday, Dec. 13. The children performed a show entitled, “Miracle on Main Street: The Little Pageant That Wouldn’t Give Up.”
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Dancers performed alongside choir members.
Photos by Emily Topper
Dancers, dressed as Mary and Three Wise Men, performed part of the nativity scene.
Angels sing at Christmas show Plant City’s First Baptist Church debuted its Christmas show Saturday, Dec. 12. The show included performances by the church’s choir, dancers and orchestra and centered around both the birth of Christ and a family making amends. Before the show’s finale, Pastor Brian Stowe led the congregation in prayer. Two more shows of the production, entitled “Come Home: Find True Family in Jesus Christ,” were done on Sunday, Dec. 13.
This week’s Crossword answers
Left: The children’s choir performed, including a trio by Abigail McCranie, Hope Storter and Hannah Whitmore, and a solo by Andrew Stowe.
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Sports
YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | COMMUNITY
ATHLETE OFTHE WEEK Ayanna Matthews is a primary scorer for Chargers girls basketball. 14 SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM
PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
SOCCER by Justin Kline | Sports Editor
Durant climbs to top of P.C. girls scene For once, Durant — not Plant City — is atop the district soccer standings.
H The Lady Cougars are all smiles these days, and for good reason.
WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?
What’s to blame for youth sports’ decline? After I wrote the story about declining Little League numbers last week, I checked the post on Facebook to see what readers had to say about it. Many of the responses made me think. JUSTIN Stories KLINE like that one seem to be popping up everywhere these days. In fact, as soon as that story was promoted online, I had a gentleman from New Jersey email me to lament about the Little League dilemma. The reasons laid out in that article affect baseball and softball, but are they applicable to the other things that are out there? I would like to know the reason why many youth participation numbers are dwindling just as much as any of you, but I doubt it’s simple enough for one answer. So, I’ve used some of your comments as food for thought. The easiest thing to point to is the money. While there are certainly sports and leagues out there that most families can afford, many of our most beloved activities do not come cheap. “Nothing is cheap anymore” was one comment made online, and this could be because of rising equipment costs, possibly from the umbrella effect of economic inflation. It’s hard for some people to pay league fees, but it’s also getting harder and harder for leagues to stay afloat with what most would consider affordable prices. It’s a double-edged sword with no quick solutions at the moment. Another thing that’s come up is competition, though I wouldn’t say that this itself
SEE KLINE / PAGE 13
FOOTBALL
Justin Kline
ow about those Lady Cougars? The new-look Durant girls soccer team is making the most out of its offseason changes, which notably include a new coach. As of press time, Durant (5-1-2; 2-0-2 district) sits at the top of the Class 5ADistrict 6 standings with Newsome (6-0-2; 2-0-2 district). Durant has almost matched its 2014-15 win total (6-8-1) and, with a playoff appearance, could be on pace to post one of the best records in program history. Of the seasons for which data is available, the team’s best record came in the 2008-09 season. Previous head coach Richard Shef-
field’s girls finished with an 11-6-2 record. For the regular season, it would be the third time the Lady Cougars have finished above .500 in the last nine seasons. The only team to catch the Lady Cougars this season was Plant, which ended with a 2-1 loss on Dec. 10. Durant was able to battle Newsome to a 2-2 tie on Nov. 13, and it’s likely that that score will be settled in the district tournament. The only other tie came at the hands of Riverview (5-4-1; 1-21 district) on Dec. 4. The Dec. 8 win over Plant City was the biggest game yet. After taking a 2-1 lead in the first half, Durant scored an insurance goal and fended off
Ron Hawn most recently coached Seminole High’s defensive line.
Strawberry Crest High School hired Ron Hawn Friday, Dec. 11, to coach its football program.
Hometown: Hamilton, Ohio Areas of expertise: Linebackers, defensive line Record (as head coach): 20-19, three seasons (all with Tarpon Springs Spongers) Playoff appearances: 2013, 2014 Best season: 2013 (7-5 record; 4-1 district; regional semifinal appearance)
I
nitially, word out of Strawberry Crest was that the football team’s new head coach would be named in January. Ron Hawn impressed Crest enough to fasttrack that announcement to last week. It will be his second gig as a head coach, having previously ran the Tarpon Springs High program from 2011-14. Most recently, he coached the defensive line at Seminole High. Hawn has coached at the high school and collegiate level around the country and is ready to rebuild the Chargers’ program from the ground up. “Moving forward, we’re approaching each game enthusiastically and improving the program,” Hawn says.
While the Lady Cougars play tonight, at King, there will be just two home games after that. Neither of them are happening anytime soon. Durant goes on winter break as soon as they leave King High School and are set to return with 6 p.m. home games on Tuesday, Jan. 5, (vs. Freedom) and Thursday, Jan. 7 (vs. Lennard). the Lady Raiders’ offense to hang on to a 3-2 win. It was the first time that the seniors had beaten Plant City and the first time the Durant girls program had won the matchup since
SEE DURANT / PAGE 13
SIDELINES
by Justin Kline | Sports Editor
HAWN AT THE HELM
ABOUT RON HAWN
IF YOU GO
“We’re not winning states in 2016, but we’re going to get better.”
NOT THE FIRST RODEO
A native on Hamilton, Ohio, Hawn played NAIA football for two seasons before transferring to Ohio State to finish his education. He’s been coaching ever since he graduated. This has included stops at the Division II level, coaching in Kansas and Massachusetts, and working everywhere from the defensive line to the defensive backs. Hawn is a linebackers coach by trade but has experience just about everywhere. His first high school gig in Florida was, briefly, at Tarpon Springs, before moving to Hagerty in another assistant role. Hawn then returned to Tarpon Springs and, in 2011,
Do you have a good Sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcity observer.com, or Tweet us at @PCTOSports.
FOOTBALL
+ UYFL results
The youngest Plant City Dolphins team is still on top of the world. The TCYFCC’s Mighty Mite (6U) team that went to the UYFL National Championships won its second championship in two months by outscoring the Maryland Buccaneers and Brandon Lions 67-0. The Mighty Mites, of all the Plant City teams that competed, were the only ones to win a ring.
Justin Kline
was named interim head coach after the school chose to remove Atif Austin. The Spongers went 3-7 in Hawn’s first full season as head coach and made the FHSAA playoffs in 2013 and 2014. In the 2014 playoffs, Hawn received a suspension for an altercation that happened after the team took a 29-28 loss to River Ridge in the 5A regional playoffs. He was to be suspended for the first six weeks of the next sport he’d coach (in this case, track and field), but Hawn says that he did win an appeal and shrunk it to a three-week suspension. “There was a minor dustup at the end of the game, we got everyone separated and someone from the other school approached me from behind, screaming, cursing at me,” Hawn says. “I repeated to him exactly what he said to me. That was it. It turned into this thing — and I did curse —
SEE HAWN / PAGE 14
2015 CHAMPIONS 6U: Plant City Dolphins 8U: Gainesville Panthers 10U: West Seven Rams 12U: Detroit Spartans 13U: Prince George Storm 14U: Maryland Seahawks 14U All-Stars: Chicagoland All-Stars 15U: Patuxent Rhinos Mighty Mite: Nuccio Jaguars Cadet: GC Cowboys Jr. Pee Wee D-I: Staten Island Hurricanes Jr. Pee Wee D-II: Pinellas Park Thunderbirds Pee Wee D-I: Tri-City Chargers Pee Wee D-II: Shabbona Saints Jr. Midget D-I: Tri-City Chargers Jr. Midget D-II: Wildwood Seminoles
BASKETBALL
+ Crest girls dominating
The Strawberry Crest Lady Chargers have been playing basketball since Nov. 10 and, as of press time, have not lost a game. It’s not unusual for Crest to be playing so well, as the Lady Chargers have been on top of the district for several years. But what is unusual is the fact that they’re currently undefeated, and that in 14 contests, only once did the girls come close to losing. Crest fans can rejoice knowing that this is the best start in program history. That one game where
SEE SIDELINES / PAGE 13
PLANT CITY TIME & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
13
BASKETBALL by Justin Kline | Sports Editor
Durant, P.C. split wins D
urant and Plant City kept the Redman rivalry alive Friday, Dec. 11, with games at 1 Raider Place. The Plant City boys expanded on a 28-23 halftime lead, controlling both the pace and the glass to take a 48-34 lead into the fourth quarter and close out with a 62-54 win. The Lady Raiders, try as they might, weren’t so lucky. Durant — specifically steals machine Ashlyn Myers — dominated the turnover battle, but otherwise couldn’t pull far ahead of the home team in the first half. A 20-12 halftime lead quickly became a 28-26 lead in the third quarter, and the entire Plant City team came together to turn things around in the fourth. Plant City kept its turnovers down, the tempo in its favor
Photos by Justin Kline
Plant City kept Durant in check throughout the boys game. and set up Mackenzie Steele for two late buckets to send the game into overtime. One OT period was not enough, but the Lady Cougars
took advantage of Plant City’s turnovers in the final OT period, made some clutch free throws and left the building with a 43-39 win.
Tarik McKelphin goes up for a basket against Justin Hughes.
Plant City’s Lacey Hargrove and Durant’s Ashlyn Myers dive for a loose ball.
Tyra Mack drives past Ally Louden.
is killing numbers. Education and sports organizations, in recent years, have developed a sense of hyper-competitiveness that has parents wanting to put their kids in the most “elite” programs — whatever that means — for the future. Little League is fun, and so are city-league sports, but if they don’t offer the competitive edge and pro-inspired playing field dimensions that newer leagues do, they’ll eventually get left in the dust. This is what we’re seeing now. As I said, that doesn’t kill participation numbers; it just shifts them elsewhere, so the kids are still playing sports. However, kids will eventually get burned out if they’re pushed too hard toward a goal they’re not fully invested in, and I’d say that the old guard of Little League and others is crucial for gauging interest. Keep Little League alive for younger kids to find out just how much they love sports (this takes longer than one or two years) and, if they truly want to pursue sports for the long haul, put them in a competitive program later.
DURANT / PAGE 12 the 2011-12 season. Following the retirement of longtime Durant head coach Dick Sheffield, former Steinbrenner coach Susan Peet has stepped in with a new staff. Peet, who has also coached at Bloomingdale, credits the hot start to the players’ hard work and a crop of fresh talent. “Durant has always had a lot of talent,” Peet says. “Some years are just better than others for all schools. I don’t worry about it. You take what you get, you work hard every day and see what happens.” Although there aren’t many glaring differences between Peet’s system and Sheffield’s,
SIDELINES / PAGE 12 Crest flirted with the possibility of a loss was its most recent game, a 58-50 win over Palm Harbor University High in the Indian Rocks Christian Winter Slam tournament Dec. 12. The Lady Chargers held a 24-12 lead at halftime, but were outscored 37-34 in the second half. In the previous game, Dec.
Of course, there’s also shifting popularities at play. Baseball was once America’s pastime, but our brand of gridiron football is now the unquestionable king of American sports. Hockey was far more popular in the 1990s than it is now, and ESPN even used to broadcast professional beach roller hockey games when I was a kid. Kids like what they like and gravitate toward anything that’s both new and accessible. That’s how these things happen and, if it means baseball is going to continue declining, then the only way to stop that is through sweeping, national changes beyond any of our control. My favorite argument, though, is the battle between technology and sports. I’ve heard a lot of people say that the Internet, phones and video games are keeping kids out of sports and that this is “sad.” As both a dedicated gamer and the resident “techie” of the Times & Observer office, I find that funny; we like to complain about kids that use technology while we’re on Facebook, probably in between watching YouTube videos of
cute animals or social experiments with homeless people. If your child is a gamer, that’s not a bad thing. It doesn’t mean that he or she is a lazy bump on a log. I’ve interviewed many young athletes that enjoy video games almost as much as their sports. E-sports leagues (though they will never make it into my Sports section) can lead to paychecks. If your child refuses to try sports, it’s most likely because they haven’t had the proper stimulation to make them want to. And that’s a conversation worth having with such a child: what would it take to get them to at least step onto a field or court and try? Perhaps youth sports will never get back to the way they used to be. It looks like that’s just the way it is. But, as far as I can tell, the money is the first and most important problem to solve. How can our youth leagues balance “affordable” and “afloat?” I guarantee you that, if there’s a way to do so, we’ll see those numbers rise quickly.
one thing that the new coach made sure to do this year was to make balancing the girls’ club activities with their high school workload easier. “A lot of the kids play club soccer, and that has a great deal to do with the success of most of the high school programs around here,” Peet says. “You just kind of leave them alone. Most of the kids who play club soccer play 10-12 months a year.” Because many are playing year-round soccer those athletes were able to walk into the high school season without much rust to shake off. That’s why Peet opted to put less focus on playing preseason games this time around.
“I would love for the kids to really be able to enjoy their high school season and not have a lot of pressure from the club,” Peet says. It’s easy to have an enjoyable season when the team is getting wins. Peet says that integrating the new girls into the squad has gone well. The loss to Plant wasn’t the ideal outcome that the team had in mind, but Peet has been quick to have the girls learn from it. “We got woken up, and maybe that’s what we needed,” Peet says. “You’re only as good as your last game, and we know we need to work.”
11, Crest beat Indian Rocks by a score of 72-35. The Lady Chargers average 60.1 points per game, along with 31.2 rebounds and 17.4 steals per game. Twins Ayanna and Brianna Matthews lead the way with a combined 30.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 7.8 steals per game. Terra Brooks is on the verge of averaging a double-
double, with 10.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, and is also adding 1.6 blocks in each game. Crest will be back in action Dec. 18 at Durant, facing the Lady Cougars at 6:30 p.m. Durant can tie for first place in the district with a win, but the Lady Chargers do own a 55-34 win over the team this season.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.
FOCUS ON FITNESS by Jennifer Closshey
Holiday stress busters Want to put a dent in the inevitable stress of the season? Staying physically active during the holiday season reduces stress while boosting energy and productivity. That way, the stuff that’s supposed to be fun actually can be. The holidays can be so busy that exercise can fall to the wayside. To avoid letting the much-needed workout slip by, set goals and make regular workout appointments to stay consistent. Be realistic about goals: even a 10-minute workout brings benefits. Set aside only the amount of time that you know will work for you. Support your own exercise goals by linking exercise to holiday tasks. For example: for every 10 minutes you work out, you earn $10 to spend on holiday shopping. Take a lap all the way around the mall before shopping, sightseeing as you go. This lap might inspire new ideas for gifts and different stores to visit . Ask a family member or friend to help you. They can remind you, work out with you or step in to watch the
kids during your workout. Help them feel great about their role in your commitment to exercise. Their support is meaningful, especially in this giving holiday season; they are giving the gift of their time and support. And right now, the Plant City Family YMCA is running a special where you can receive 20% off your membership when paired with another member. For me, personally, nothing beats being active with family and friends. There are so many people we want to spend time with during the holidays, we sometimes forget to exercise and instead eat meal after meal. Instead, try playing together. Make time to see friends while bowling, golfing or swimming. Active friend time can be as fun as eating a meal together, but without the calories. Jennifer E. Closshey, Ph.D., is a doctor of integrative holistic health based out of Plant City. She teaches restorative yoga classes at the Plant City Family YMCA on Thursdays.
How it works • It increases endorphins by bumping up the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, known as endorphins. You don’t have to be running a marathon to enjoy this natural high. • It’s a moving meditation. After a game of tennis or bowling, you’ll often find that you’ve forgotten the day-to-day grind. By concentrating on your body’s movements in exercise, you have effectively shifted your mental state, thus benefitting from a moving meditation. • It improves self-confidence. Regular exercise can improve your mood and bring relaxation, which lowers the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. Your sleep improves as well as your stress level and anxiety drops. Regular exercise provides a sense of command over life.
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KLINE / PAGE 12
PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
HAWN / PAGE 12
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM
“Before long, we will be better, but it will take time and a lot of hard work. We’ll get it done.”
CHARGED UP
but my reaction was wrong … I learned from it.” Hawn then resigned from the position of head coach, though he says the suspension was not the key factor in his decision. “My wife was pregnant, there were a lot of things going on, and I felt like I needed to take the next step in my life,” Hawn says. “… I wanted to coach, I just knew it wasn’t reasonable for me to be a head coach with my wife giving birth in August. “I wanted to give them the opportunity to move that program on.” He took a job coaching Seminole’s defensive line this year, not wanting to balance the stress of running a football program right as he was set to become a father. After the season, he knew he wanted to get back into a head coaching role.
Hawn was familiar with Crest long before applying for this job. “I’ve passed it 4,000 times driving on I-4,” he says. “Always thought it was interesting. I applied to be defensive coordinator in 2009 or 2010.” He says he’s anticipating the move up from 5A to 7A play, noting the abundance of talent in the immediate area, Crest’s size and the quality of its facilities. Coaching at a brand-new school is a different experience from comparatively ancient schools like Tarpon Springs, and Hawn can’t wait to get his feet wet. As of press time, Hawn had yet to meet with the current coaching staff and get to know the state of the program better. He says that he hopes to be able to retain as many existing coaches as possible. Turning Crest into a con-
AYANNA MATTHEWS
– Ron Hawn
It’s not that the Strawberry Crest girls are playing great basketball — that’s the norm — but that junior Ayanna Matthews has more than stepped up for her new role as a primary scoring option. Matthews, who averages 18 points per game, recorded three double-doubles in a five-game span from Dec. 7 to 12. She’s helped the Chargers to a 14-game win streak (as of press time).
tender won’t be easy, but Hawn feels that the potential is there. “On the state of program now, it’s hard for me to touch anything without me being there, and they went 0-10,” Hawn says. “But what caused that? None of that really matters to me … Before long, we will be better, but it will take time and a lot of hard work. We’ll get it done.”
December SpecialS
The team’s been playing very well this year, but you’ve stepped up big time. What’s the key? Before a game, I mentally prepare myself. I listen to music. Then we get together as one. When we’re playing, me and Bri — my twin — we’re in the top of the 22. All we do is press or go man. When we do that, we get hyped.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
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Do you do anything differently this year than you might have done last year? I realized that I have to score this year. Last year, we had seniors to do it and other players. This year, I guess it’s my year, so I stepped up to do it. Buy a Gift Certificate for $25 or more and get a What are your strengths as a player? I can get to the basket. No one can guard me, unless I let them exterior hold me. I can find a way to get car WaSh to the basket. I can play any position — I’m an in-and-out player.
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How long have you been playing basketball? Since the sixth grade.
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How did you get started? Watching my sister, Maiya Trigg. Watching her play.
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Between you and Brianna, your twin, let’s say you’re playing one-on-one. Who wins? I don’t know. We’re both competitive. Some days, I’m off. Some days, she’s off.
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So you and Brianna were able to come up through the program with Plant City • 752-7226 Maiya, before she graduated. Yes, sir.
HOMETOWN & Service Center
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Do you play any other sports? I can do shot put, but I haven’t done that since middle school.
MANAGEMENT
COMPANY
MANAGEMENT
SALES
Who’s your favorite athlete? Maya Moore. If you could play for any college team, what would it be? I’d go with USF.
RENTALS
to watch me play. That’s pretty cool. Do you have any goals for yourself on the court? Yes, that’s to lead my team to a state victory. This year, we can do it. We could have done it last year, but this year should be our year. What’s the difference between this team and last year’s — the thing that’s going to get this team over that hump? We got a new assistant coach. She knows a lot more than our past (assistant) coach. And, the way they pound us at practice, we’ve never been through that. Practice was hard last year, but this year it’s like a different level. I feel like we should be that team. Let’s say a kid’s just getting started in basketball and asks you for some advice. What would you tell her? Always keep a cool head. You’re going to have obstacles to face when you’re playing the game, and they may not go your way, but you’ve always got to keep a cool head. Play through it. What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done on a basketball court? I saved the ball, got it to my sister, and she wrapped it around the girl, passed it to me and I went up and under her. It was just a cool play. It was against Tampa Bay Tech this year.
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I’m kind of surprised to hear that and not a bigger program. Why USF? Because it’s local, and my mom would be able
Let’s say you can meet someone you’ve always looked up to. Who do you pick? Kobe Bryant. I want to watch film with him. He’s a film rat. I want him to break down the game for me, so that I can get better. He’s just a great player. You get $1 billion in the bank. What do you buy? Shoes. I’m a Nike type of girl. I like their running shoes. If you could pick any superpower, what would you choose? The ability to stretch, so that I could dunk. – Justin Kline
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PLANT CITY TIME & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
RAIN
PLANT CITY
WEATHER
THURS. Dec. 10
0.00
FRI.
TEMPERATURES
Dec. 11
0.00
Friday, Dec. 18 Saturday, Dec. 19 Sunday, Dec. 20 Monday, Dec. 21 Tuesday, Dec. 22 Wednesday, Dec. 23 Thursday, Dec. 24
SAT.
Dec. 12
0.00
SUN.
Dec. 13
0.09
MON.
HIGH 73 68 76 83 86 88 88
SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Dec. 14
0.00
Friday, Dec. 18 Saturday, Dec. 19 Sunday, Dec. 20 Monday, Dec. 21 Tuesday, Dec. 22 Wednesday, Dec. 23 Thursday, Dec. 24
TUES.
Dec. 15
0.00
WED.
Dec. 16
0.00
MONTH
TO DATE
SUNRISE 7:14 a.m. 7:14 a.m. 7:15 a.m. 7:15 a.m. 7:16 a.m. 7:17 a.m. 7:17 a.m.
SUNSET 5:36 p.m. 5:36 p.m. 5:37 p.m. 5:37 p.m. 5:38 p.m. 5:39 p.m. 5:39 p.m.
Courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture
Congratulations to this week’s I Love PC Winner. Stop in for your FREE Car Wash.
PHASES
Dec. 18
Do you have a picture that speaks to the personality of Plant City? To enter the I Love Plant City photo contest, email that photo and a caption to Managing Editor AMBER JURGENSEN at ajurgensen@plantcity observer.com. Winners will have their picture featured and receive a special gift.
Jan. 9
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Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a prominent physician. Using the hints K=I and C=R, decipher the clues to name the physician.
1 Problem for an electrician 6 Athletes with agents 10 Beliefs, for short 14 True piece of information 18 One who’s quite a feller? 19 Jawed grip 20 Looking down from 21 In a high-minded way 22 Union man? 24 Airliner “table” 25 Intense passion 26 Doc 27 Hair gel, e.g. 29 Native 31 Surrenderer of property 33 Enthralled 35 Apprentices 36 This puzzle’s theme 39 Fast, tawny feline 40 Floating 42 Good Hindu spirit 43 Savanna 46 Winnie and the like 48 Catania’s volcano 51 Mature male red deer 52 Bedding down? 54 Forestalling 57 “Pong” producer 59 Legendary singer Horne and others 61 Wilt 62 Super-secret government org. 63 He went boating with Noah 64 Days before special days 66 Marina slots 68 Swab makeup 73 Awkward-looking picnic contest 76 “The ___-Spangled Banner” 77 What carbon monoxide lacks 80 River of Venezuela 81 Soft palate feature 83 Parts of molecules 86 Man of steal? 88 Most cultured 91 Warren of Cooperstown 93 Mexican stew 94 Not out, in baseball 95 Two cents’ worth 97 Pajamas and such 99 Wood-chopping tools 102 Leg bone 104 Big name in small construction 105 Salon supply 106 Tirana’s land 109 Telephoned 110 Troops’ campsite 112 Layers of earth 114 Actor LaBeouf 116 Alley prowler 120 Strike down, Biblically 121 Cut-___ (cheap) 123 Shorten, in a way 125 San Francisco footballer,
2. H K C T W T X D 3. Q T W K T 4. L M E L Y C 5. M K O R This physician was known as the “Father of Biophilosophy”:
SUDOKU
Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 through 9 in each row, column and box. Dec 17 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.59)
7 5
4
6
7
2 7
6
5
2
9
2
7
9
3
4 6
2
5 8
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CROSSWORD CRUNCHY by Alice Goodwin
CRYPTOQUIZ
8
I PC
MOON
Jan. 1
TO DATE 44.96 (2014: 47.27)
6
Pam wins a free car wash from Octopus Car Wash. She can claim the wash with an ID at Octopus Car Wash, 1503 S. Collins St.
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YEAR
3
LOW 45 49 59 66 70 71 70
Dec. 25
STRAWBERRIES
4.40 (2014: 3.32)
1
PAM MCGREGOR, president of the American Legion Unit 26 in Plant City, submitted this photo of a Christmas tree at the American Legion on behalf of the unit.
158000-1 187966
(INCHES)
1
15
5
6 3
2 Dec 17 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.59)
2
8 9 1
7
2
6 9 7
5
3
5
6 4 8 9 1
7
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4 1
6 4 2
8 3
©2015 Universal Uclick
briefly 126 Secluded vale 127 “Dollar days” event, e.g. 128 Talk show name 129 Long, heroic narrative 130 Dame on the piano 131 Unclean food, by Jewish law 132 Site of Germany’s 1945 surrender
21 Born yesterday, so to speak 23 Rounded protuberance 28 Insect organ 30 Curtain holder 32 Communicate by PC 34 Palindromic ship deck 36 Turkish elder statesman (var.) 37 Unruly kids 38 The Duchess of York 41 Prefix with “dynamics” or “nuclear” DOWN 44 Window cleaner’s blemish 1 Pillow cover 45 Star in Cygnus 2 Daughter of Zeus 47 Move in a hurry 3 Was in the red 49 Bloodhound’s asset 4 Ancient artifact 50 Literary miscellanies 5 Upper arm muscle 53 Theater reviews, at times 6 Common pipe material, briefly 55 Pirate’s take 7 River to the Gulf of Mexico 56 Pull from the ground 8 Place in Norway 58 Permeate 9 Lady of La Mancha 60 ___ message (made one’s 10 “Can ___ least get ready first?” point) 11 City in Ontario 65 Assists, three-pointers, runs 12 Land for Lot’s descendants scored, etc. 13 Watch, secret agent-style 67 “I’ll say!” 14 Shows compassion, in a way 69 Computer menu option, 15 Relinquishing power sometimes 16 Reasonable facsimile? 70 Latin eyes 17 Radials, in Britain 71 Yield to pressure
72 Farm yield 73 Bends under stress 74 Field of study 75 Chewing the fat 78 Lubricated a squeak 79 Four-part race 82 Inhales water, e.g. 84 Easily shaped 85 One of a ream 87 Taxi passenger 89 “Black gold” 90 “Oompah” instrument 92 Annul 96 Anchovy containers 98 Hollow, muffin-shaped pastry 100 Key with an arrow, once 101 Respectful address 103 Terror-struck 106 AARP and NAACP, for two 107 Microsoft smartphone 108 “Garfield” exclamation 111 Griffith of boxing 113 “A ___ of Two Cities” 115 Certain constructing beam 117 City near Bogota 118 “Lemme ___!” (fightin’words) 119 Decade numbers 122 CPO’s superior 124 Gridiron “zebra”
PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
Discover Freedom from Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a term that describes any accidental or involuntary loss of urine from the bladder. Women are most likely to develop incontinence during pregnancy, after childbirth or after hormonal changes of menopause due to weakened pelvic muscles. Symptoms of urinary incontinence include: ■ Inability to urinate
Mark B. Baker, MD, FACS Urologist
■ Pain related to filling the bladder ■ Increased rate of urination without a proven bladder infection ■ Rushing to the restroom and/or losing urine if you do not get there in time ■ Frequent instances of urine leakage Robotic-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients who have been unable to find relief using medication and other nonsurgical therapies. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms referenced above, contact your doctor to find out if you are a candidate for minimally invasive robotic bladder repair.
Matt Sheldon, MD Urologist
Watch Dr. Baker and Dr. Sheldon talk about robotic surgery and incontinence: SouthFloridaBaptistUrology.org
For a physician referral: 1-800-BayCare (1-800-229-2273) 188046
16
301 N. Alexander St., Plant City
BC1508516_1215