12.26.19 PLCO

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

THE FUTURE OF MCCALL PARK BREANNE WILLIAMS

When discussing the keys to renovating downtown STAFF WRITER Plant City, it’s impossible to ignore the untapped of downtown’s most iconic destinations, potential in McCall Park. The city has agreed to One McCall Park, is facing a promising future. from one side of the downtown enter a concept phase for sprucing up the space. coreStretching to the other the park acts as a divider as much as a beacon for downtown. The list of events centered around the park that are held

City Pointe Church’s new holiday event offered a new way to experience the magic of Christmas.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

City Pointe Church is hosting a new holiday event to remind people of how the love of God can change lives.

Bringing the advent to life, the event acts as a real-life calendar. Massive advent candles adorned with Christmas lights are on display in a festive walk through the parking lot, which has been transformed for the event. The walkthrough Christmas light display depicts the Christmas story via 10,000 lights.

The event is completely free and attendees can either foot it on their own and take in the lights or for a more indepth experience they can join one of the tours, where a guide will explain the meaning of each candle and help remind

folks of the “meaning of the season.”

“Christmas can be a challenging season for a lot of folks and there’s a lot of things that happen,” Scott McIntosh, pastor of City Pointe Church, said. “We wanted to help people focus on the reason for the season. The Lights of Christmas is a walk-through light experience that tells the Christmas story through the candles of the Advent Wreath. We want to talk about their meaning and really help people make sure their hearts are prepared for the love of God. In the middle of the shopping and the craziness, this is a moment for people to stop and check in on their hearts, to look for Christ and all that He does for us.”

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every year is near-endless and regardless of what time of day you head downtown, you’ll always find someone lounging in the gazebo, reading under the shade of the trees or chatting with a friend on one of its many benches.

However, outside of the events scheduled downtown, attendance at the park is never high.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

NEWS BRIEFS

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Apply for MLK Parade For anyone interested in marching in the 2020 Plant City MLK Festival’s Freedom Parade, now is the time to apply.

One of the biggest highlights of the festival, which runs from Jan. 11-25, 2020, the 34th annual Freedom Parade will hit the streets of downtown Plant City from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 18, 2020. The 1.4-mile route begins at the corner of Wheeler St. and Dr. MLK Boulevard near Wells Fargo and ends at what will soon be the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center next to Marshall Middle School.

To apply, visit plantcitymlkfestival.com to download the application form on the site’s home page or call the Improvement League of Plant City at 813-704-5800 or

813-757-6760 for more information. The deadline to apply is Jan. 10, 2020. See the application form for rules.

For those who just want to watch the parade, the MLK Festival’s recommended hangout spots include the Wells Fargo parking lot, the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center parking lot, the parking area on the corner of Collins Street and Dr. MLK Boulevard, Samuel Cooper Park, the Bing House, Charlow Funeral Home and the Marshall Middle School gym area.

Dept. of Elder Affairs releases 2019 accomplishments The Florida Department of Elder Affairs released last week its 2019 major accomplishments to promote health and wellness for the state’s seniors, families and caregivers.

Florida joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in April, becoming the fourth state to do so.

The Livable Florida movement promotes the implementation of age-friendly communities to “tackle the challenges and embrace the positive possibilities that an aging population creates,” as well as to stop elder abuse and to “help maximize

the independence and quality of life of older adults, while also enhancing the economic, civic, and social vitality of the community.” There have been 34 agefriendly communities established since April and Gov. Ron DeSantis has recommended using $440,000 from the next fiscal year’s budget to support Livable Florida.

May was Older Americans Month and DOEA Secretary Richard Prudom went before the U.S. Senate Select Committee to highlight Florida’s efforts to make life better for seniors. The committee met to discuss reauthorization of the federal Older Americans Act, the primary funder of the country’s older adult services.

DeSantis announced the Dementia Action Plan in March to help Floridians living with or caring for people with forms of dementia. The Dementia Care and Cure Initiative created task forces in 11 planning and service areas in the state and the DOEA plans to add more participating cities and counties. A $3.1 million increase in funding for the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative was approved this year and the department plans to spend $3.6 million more in the next fiscal year for that cause.

The DOEA overhauled the Office of Public and Professional Guardians in July to regulate more than 550 professional guardians, close 80 open cases, make reports available directly after an investigation closes, increase funding by $6.5 million and more.

The department also partnered with the state Department of Health on its State Health Improvement Plan for seniors, increased financial support for caregivers through its Home Care for the Elderly program for the first time in 20 years, modified the Community Care for the Elderly program to help clients who had trouble making payments, grew its Adult Care Food Program by adding 26 new providers, utilized a mapping program to locate seniors in need and much more.

The full list of accomplishments is available online at elderaffairs.org.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

PCHS BREAKS RECORDS AND

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

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BEGINS JOURNEY TO STATES

This is the first time in Plant City High School history that it has been awarded Best Play at districts and selected to represent the district at the Florida State Thespian Festival. Now it’s fundraising to help the students bring the heat in March 2020.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

A record has been set in the Plant City High School theatre program’s history.

For the first time, its theatre troupe has been selected as one of the top teams to compete in the Florida State Thespian Festival competition, held from March 18 to 21, for its second year in a row.

The group won a superior — the highest score for a play — and walked away with the coveted title of Best Play at the District 9 One Act Festival earlier this month.

Troupe 1449 has slowly but surely carved a place for itself in the highly competitive arts world in the state. Florida has one of the toughest arts competitions in the nation and Hillsborough County is one of the stiffest in the entire state. Arts-focused schools pour into their programs and thus their students find themselves at the top of the competitions time and again. A few years ago, however, that began to change.

When Audrey Schmidt began teaching at PCHS, she came in with the memory of its flourishing theatre scene and abundant community support. Five years ago, she stepped up to the plate and began to rework its drama program from the ground up. This spring, the freshmen that were once her very first class walked across the stage with their new diplomas and the knowledge that they had been part of a nationally recognized grassroots movement under Schmidt’s guidance.

After a few years of foundation building, the drama program was doing something unheard of in Plant City: catching the eye of critics. It won the prestigious national NBC R.I.S.E. America grant and began collecting superiors everywhere they went. They were showing up competitions and for the first time people recognized Plant City as a force to be reckoned with. That reputation has only continued to grow and Schmidt’s latest batch of students has proven they’re ready to make the past few good years

into a well-established tradition at their school.

This will be sophomore Jadin Sanderson’s first time at states.

Sanderson said she’s heard so much about the week from the students who went last year that she’s already planning which workshops to take to best improve her craft. She joked that while there’s a lot of pressure on their shoulders, they’re more than ready to step up to the challenge.

“We’ve put a lot of effort into everything we are doing and getting a chance to acknowledge that is really amazing,” Sanderson said. “I know what we’re going up against and it does sound a bit intimidating, but I really think we have the chance to show we are here to compete.”

Part of the troupe’s charm lies in their interwoven roots. While most communities — whether it be a civic organization, sports team or niche club — say their members feel like family, Troupe 1449 has embraced that motto to its core. Schmidt says they bicker and sometimes fight, but at the end of the day if someone messes with one of their own, they all go to the front lines to protect them.

In times of need they’ve bought each other clothes and food, opened their homes as sanctuaries when their friends needed a place to stay and they go out of their way to make sure everyone in their group knows they’re accepted and loved. That chemistry can’t be faked and it bleeds into every production they put on.

It’s even evident in how they talk about the honor of being offered the chance to go to states.

Sure, some of those given the option to go have the financial stability to do so with ease. But they aren’t taking it for granted.

Their first thought when they realized they had made it to the next round was, “How is everyone else going to afford this?”

Kaitlyn Gomez, a junior, said as soon as she heard they were going to states she immediately called her family members and told them all she wanted for Christmas was money for her registration and hotel fees. She was a part

of the group last year that competed at the thespian festival and said she wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.

“Last year, I got to talk with a producer of this show that’s going on Broadway,” Gomez said. “We were surrounded by people that have made this their life, and they are honest and tell us exactly what it takes to make it professionally.

So on top of us really representing Plant City and getting our name out there, we’re also learning firsthand the skills we need to make it. Maybe we can continue representing our community for years to come. What’s so great about this troupe is we really do represent everyone in Plant City.

We want to be like these people that’s we’ve looked up to our whole lives. We want to give back and give to others so it’s hard to ever ask for money or for help, but when we do the community steps up. I think people see themselves in us.”

The hope is the community will rally behind them and help make sure every eligible student has the opportunity to go.

While the cast was confident in its performance, a variety of last-minute changes convinced most of them they would receive a high score, but then that would be the end of it. This will be Trevion Chase Jr.’s first time at states and he said he literally jumped for joy when they were called as a finalist. It’s an opportunity he said they all know they won’t receive anywhere else and he hopes the skills they learn will help them be ready to bring an even stronger performance back next year for the community.

Zaniya Pucovsky, a junior, said it was euphoric watching the troupe sweep during the comedy section of the awards. Name after name of PCHS students was called from the stage, including her own, and she said she remembers just sitting there thinking “Plant City did it again.”

“There’s a reason we are proud to be from Plant City when we go places,” Pucovsky said. “We let them know, ‘No we aren’t Plant High, we’re Plant City High School.’ We’re taking the name

of Plant City to Tampa and different cities all over. We’re really putting this city on the map when it comes to theatre and its been so cool being involved in that. This community is special and we all just are really proud to be a part of it.”

States isn’t just a night of awards. The week-long event at the David A. Straz Center is filled from sunup to sundown with workshops, auditions, masterclasses and one-of-a-kind networking opportunities. Freshmen and sophomores learn how to hone their craft and become better performers. Juniors and seniors have the chance to audition before some of the most prestigious art schools in the nation and can spend time learning from giants in the field. The connections they make at states could potentially impact their futures and Schmidt said she hopes they’re able to find a way to get every competing student covered so they don’t miss out on the unique week.

The school was selected for its production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and also broke school records when 10 of its students were selected to compete and perform their individual pieces at the state competition.

“I was very excited,” Tyler Stanaland, a sophomore who played Charlie Brown in the production, said. “A lot of our students want to go and don’t have the money to go. My family has five kids and it’s hard for my parents to send us all to the different things we want to go to. Last year was very fun and I learned a lot during the workshops. It’s very beneficial and we take a lot of stuff away. It’s hard to explain unless you’re in it, but theatre really pushes people. It’s the chance to get out of your comfort zone and step out of everyday life. It’s really hard to do, but once you’ve done it, it just changes you.”

Hannah Holm, a sophomore, said the students have noticed a difference in the general attitude around town surrounding their program. Ever since the troupe went to states last year, it’s received a wave of commu-

nity support. They’re coming to shows, they’re showing up when they participate in an event and last year when money was tight they came to their aid and made sure no child was left behind. The students are giving up their spring break to participate in the competition this year and Holm said they are already working around the clock to make sure they bring their A-game.

Registration for the competition is $140 per student and the hotel fee per student is $450 for the week. The troupe needs to raise $15,000 by Jan. 31, 2020 to send all 24 cast and crew members to the competition. Donations can be made online by going to paypal.me/raidthestage or by delivering them to Plant City High School. You can also make checks out to Raid the Stage, Inc. or Plant City High School with “Theatre Donation” in the memo line.

Send the mail to Plant City High School, c/o Audrey Schmidt, 1 Raider Place Plant City, FL 33563.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

SPRUCING UP MCCALL PARK

PLANT CITY

Observer Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez

The City of Plant City is considering adding some pizazz to McCall Park to make it more appealing to visitors. The hope is a more functional park will draw more people downtown.

Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850

BREANNE WILLIAMS

or possibly relocate the approximately 20 think that would be very helpful for everyone parking spaces along Drane Street. With to see what the possibilities might be.”

The untapped potential has been stirring those gone, there is more room for renovaBefore any of the plans in McCall Park ever beneath the surface for years. Now, it seems tion including adding a wider green space and see true action, however, the city is prepared to the city is ready to begin exploring the pos- increasing visibility and the presence of the add a new touch to the current park. McDaniel sibility of adapting McCall Park to meet the park. The green space allows for more ameni- said the plan is to add special lights to the park needs of generations to come. During a special ties to draw people to the park. This plan also year-round. The Christmas lights are always a commission meeting on Dec. 9, Community focused on adding a splash pad or water ame- massive hit and they lead to pedestrians flockDesign Solutions, a consultant group hired by nity to the park. ing downtown to take in the unique decoraMain Street Plant City and the City of Plant There has already been a push in the com- tions. Lights add ambiance to a space and the City to create a downtown vision plan, said the munity for renovating McCall Park, so the tentative plan is to introduce string lights to city would benefit from considering renovat- suggestion was by no means new information the area. ing the park. for city leadership. However, the discussion “I see it up in the trees and there might be “Plant City has a gem in McCall Park,” Tripp spurred City Manager Bill McDaniel to offi- some crossings on say the Drane Street areas Muldrow, a presenter with CDS, said. “We’re cially add it to his to-do list. Commissioners where we run the lighting across the street recommending some really radical changes, unanimously approved the idea, so the con- and the parking areas,” McDaniel said. “I just but ultimately it’s up to the city to choose how version is now officially on the table. see that bringing a whole other level of qualfar they want to go if they decide to rework the “I think McCall Park has served us well, but ity, ambiance and appeal to it. Maybe it’s the park. We want to highlight its family friendli- I do believe it’s time to update it and turn it kind of thing that helps to draw people in to ness, to make it a destination downtown for into a space the people today want to have downtown after dark.” people of all ages. If people are coming just for and be able to use,” McDaniel said. “It needs a the park they’re bound to wander outside of it, little bit of pizazz put into it. I think it’s a great which will benefit the businesses surrounding park, but like the consultant showed, there are Edited by David Steinberg 27, 2019 the area.” other usesDecember that you need open spaces for and CDS presented two suggestions. The first so forth, and it’s time to refresh the park. Right Flash 12 entering Prefix fora concept41 Shade of ACROSS was to preserve the existing oak48trees andof light now we’re phase.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

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KEEL FARMS SAYS GOODBYE TO TWO HENRYS AND HELLO TO

AGRARIAN ALE + CIDER

In a ceremony on Dec. 12, Keel Farms announced its brewing company officially has a new name.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Keel Farms has gone back to its roots.

On Dec. 12, the community was invited out to Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road, for a special ceremony in which president Clay Keel announced the Plant City brewery formerly known as Two Henrys Brewing officially has a new name. With a dramatic unveiling of the signage behind him, the new name was revealed. From here on out, guests will be able to enjoy wine from Keel & Curley Winery and beer and cider from Keel Farms Agrarian Ale + Cider.

The rebranding came after a long discussion on the very core of Keel Farms. It focuses “keenly on the agrarian quality of Keel Farms’ handcrafted creations as they are cultivated ‘of the land,’” according to a news release.

“So my father, Joe Keel, started here,” Clay Keel said.. Thank you, dad, for everything that you’ve done for all of us here and for me and the family. This is going back to the roots. This is the company he started here almost 40 years ago. It’s Keel Farms. We aren’t really creating anything, I basically stole it back from him, 25 to 30 years ago when he was a blueberry farmer. We’re headed back there and the word ‘agrarian’ isn’t a super common word.

We might have learned it in history class, maybe, but basically it just means ‘of the farm.’ And our products are ‘of the farm.’”

For years, Keel Farms has prided itself on its brand of transparent agriculture. Many of the events held at the farm, including the Blueberry Festival and Peach Festival, feature extensive u-picks where attendees can head onto the farm themselves and walk away with fresh treats for the whole family. Many of the recipes from the kitchen’s menu include eggs from Keel’s freerange hens, vegetables and fruits grown right there on the farm, adding a whole new layer to farmto-table dining.

But Keel Farms wanted to further its push for awareness on its sustainable wine, cider and beer making practices. The new logo was designed to reflect its commitment and connection to the land.

They chose the word ‘agrarian’ because Clay Keel said it perfectly sums up the way the farm creates its products.

“You can see our beers. We’ve got a new honey ale which is, you know, from local honey and bees in the area,” he said. “We’ve got a new farmhouse saison, it’s local ginger and lemon so that’s exactly what we’re doing. Same thing on the cider. We’re using local strawberries, local lime going into our cider to be the fruit flavoring.

Just like we’ve done in the wine for 20 years, we’re doing the same thing in the beer and the cider.

We’re using this brand to represent this.”

In 2003, Joe Keel was hesitant to waste any of the berries that grew in the fields but were aesthetically unfit for sale. As a

Courtesy photos from Keel Farms

Above: The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting event on Dec. 12.

result, he ended up experimenting with wine making. Eventually he dedicated parts of the farm to fruit growing so he could further his wine concoctions and soon the Keel & Curley Winery was born. From there it was a small hop over toward making beer, ale, lager and hard cider.

“We’ve always used our farmfresh ingredients to add to the complexity of the flavors, and people love it,” Clay Keel said.

“Local residents appreciate that the ingredients are grown right here on our farm or are locally sourced and that they’re produced and packaged right here. They know us, they know this place, and they feel connected. Out-ofstate visitors love drinking varieties of things that are brewed here and that grow in Florida at unique times of the year.”

With the abundance of festivals, holiday events, charity events and special events held at Keel & Curley, it’s never hurting for customers. In fact, a loyal fanbase frequents the establishment and many go out of their way to grab a bite to eat or a cold beer on the patio. The Keel name has weaved its way into Plant City’s narrative and is a staple within the local community.

“Our principles are here on the wall. The quality and sustainability and community. If we’re not making a quality product then I don’t know what we’re doing.

That’s what gets me up in the morning, making sure that I make a product that I’m really proud of, and all of my team feels the same way as well. Sustainability,

we want to use our 35 acres in a way that keeps it productive and healthy and gives to our planet and keeps our planet healthy.

And of course, community. It’s everybody in this room, bringing everybody together in what we do. And growing our community through bringing jobs and bringing commerce to Plant City, but then also giving back and giving back to those that are less fortunate through the business and through what we do on a day-today basis.”

For more information visit keelfarms.com or call 813-752-3892.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

MAACO SHOWS SUPPORT FOR VETERANS

Time and again, MAACO of Plant City has lended a helping hand to those in need. Recently they’ve spent a lot of time helping a local veteran grow a food distribution program.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

MAACO of Plant City often steps up to the plate when there is a need.

When Timothy Ferguson came to them with an idea that could impact dozens of lives, MAACO owner Brian Chumbler jumped at the chance to give back in whatever way they could.

Ferguson arrived with an old, beat-up golf cart. The hope was MAACO would be able transform the cart into something that the community could be proud of.

Ferguson was in the military for approximately 30 years and now delivers food to homeless veterans and veterans that are homebound and can’t go to the store themselves. Everything from canned goods to breads and pastries are loaded up into the golf cart and hauled to eager recipients.

Ferguson originally hoped MAACO could help the cart become something that was reputable and gained respect everywhere it went.

“I came here and Brian is a military guy himself so he just, he understood what I was trying to do,” Ferguson said.

“They stepped up to the plate and fixed this cart up. It’s amazing really what they were able to do. We use it every day. Meat, bread, pastries — really anything we can get from Feeding America, we run out to these guys.”

A lack of transportation among older veterans has put many in a tough spot, Ferguson said. He takes the goods and brings it to them, and all he ever asks in return is maybe a cold drink to fight the blazing Florida sun.

Chumbler went well beyond just giving the cart a paint job. He said there was serious work that needed to be done. Essentially the entire cart was stripped and slowly put back together as each piece was restored to its former glory. He then surprised Ferguson with the purchase of some emblems of the different armed forces that are proudly mounted on the front of the cart.

“We’re a small, veteran-owned business,” Chumbler said. “We really appreciate Plant City’s support and as long as we can do it, we will always support our veterans.”

Chumbler isn’t the only one to have pitched in to bring this to live. Carts R Us out of Lakeland helped with the repairs and others have donated time and money to help with the cause. And over time it has only continued to grow. Now Ferguson has multiple golf carts ready for action. Volunteers help him distribute the food to those in need and MAACO continues to offer a helping hand.

Ferguson said any veteran service or activity that wishes to have access to one of the carts needs only ask. He’s also always looking for donations to further the reach of his operation. For more information, you can contact Ferguson at 315-854-2516.

Photos by Breanne Williams

Above: The rusty and aging golf cart was given a makeover by MAACO free of charge.

Right: MAACO owner Brian Chumbler and Timothy Ferguson.

Below: MAACO has transformed several carts for Ferguson and his veteran’s organization.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THE BUFFALO ‘SISTAHS’

DOCTOR’S NOTE

JERALDINE WILLIAMS GUEST COLUMNIST

Tuskegee Airmen. In another category of the racial divide, there was the 65th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army, in which Puerto Ricans were segregated and nicknamed “The Borinqueneers.”

The Sistahs’ initial performance was in early December at the Christmas celebration of the Woods and Wanton Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers, 9th and 10th Calvary Regiments, in Tampa.

The dancing group is excited about promoting the history of the first woman to enlist in the United States military, Cathay Williams. In 1866, she enlisted as William Cathay, a male soldier. She was “discovered” as a woman during a routine medical examination. Before being honorably discharged, Pvt. Williams served until 1868. The group’s next scheduled event is at Tampa’s Gasparilla Parade.

Kimmi Courcelle and Kim Horwedel are the group’s dance instructors.

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FLORIDA E.N.T. & ALLERGY

Don’t Let Congestion Add to Your Holiday Stress

(Standing left-right) Diane Hunter, Jeraldine Williams, Huong “Kimmi” Courcelle, Brigitte Sheppard, Marlene Rivera, Kim Horwedel. (Seated left to right) Chris Perry, Gina Sharpston, Yolanda Guzman, Emme Anderson.

Plant City has spawned a breed of multiethnic country-western line dancers.

These 10 women, “The Buffalo Sistahs,” meet in line dance classes three times a week. Agreeing to dance with a purpose, the group bonded to perform at military and community events, export good faith and share information about little-known U.S. military history.

“We promote inclusion of all races,” organizer Jeraldine Williams said. “Our country excluded minority populations from the mainstream of the United States military. Today, we salute contributions of those minorities as part of a unified military.”

African-American military personnel, who served in the segregated Army 9th and 10th Calvary Regiments and in four black infantry regiments, eventually consolidated into the 24th and 25th Infantries of the Buffalo Soldiers and in the all-Black

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

WOMAN’S CLUB PREPARES TO OFFER A GLIMPSE BACK IN TIME

The GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City is hosting a new event, “A Century of Love,” that will act as a vintage bridal fashion show, history lesson and tea party all in one.

The GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City is prepared to take 2020 by storm.

The group is always coming up with new and innovative ways to give back to the community and is well on its way to creating a new tradition with the upcoming “A Century of Love” event.

For one afternoon, attendees can slip back through time and enjoy an afternoon of good food, vintage clothes and a history lesson they are sure to remember for years to come.

The idea began when GFWC Woman’s Club First Vice President Patricia Wolff was a little girl.

She said she remembers spending hours gazing at the large portrait of her parents on their wedding day. Her mother was dressed in a gown that took Wolff’s breath away and the painting quickly became an obsession.

Growing up in Mexico, Wolff heard countless stories of a wedding dress fashion show in the community that would attract all of the locals. It was the talk of the town and she couldn’t wait to go.

Unfortunately the show was no longer offered when she was old enough to attend,

but she carried the flame for the event in her heart.

“I was trying to come up with something new that we could do,” Wolff said. “I have my mother’s painting in my hall and I was looking at it one day and it just, it clicked.

I said, ‘We will do a vintage bridal fashion show.’ But it isn’t just a fashion show.

We’re going to have dresses from so many decades and we will talk about the history of that time and what was going on to influence fashion. We will also talk a little bit about where some of the superstitions and traditions came from around weddings. Do you know why we have a best man? What the tradition of the veil is? We’re going to surprise a lot of people I think because the real start of a lot of these traditions are not what people think they are.”

The show will be held at 3 p.m. March 29, 2020, at the HCC Trinkle Center and will act as both a wedding fashion show and a three-course tea party.

More than 100 years worth of history will be on display and tables are already filling up with eager attendees.

Wolff’s fascination with her mother’s wedding dress led to a lifetime of collecting. She has gowns from as far back as the early 1900s and they range in color from white to pink and even blue. Her veil collection is spread across an entire bedspread as she begins preparing for the event.

Local women from the community have volunteered to act as models for the event and will show off the unique collection for the crowd. Some of the gowns have been donated from community members for the event and several generations of their family will attend.

The event is just one of the many ways the Woman’s Club continues to evolve and give back to the community. For years, the group helped grow the community from the ground up.

It helped create the public library, helped in war efforts during WWII, raises money for scholarships for local high school students every year and still gives to a variety of groups including Special Olympics and school projects.

Wolff said the group hates doing the same thing year after year, and is always looking for new ways to get involved and let people know about the many things the Woman’s Club is doing in Plant City.

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Patricia Wolff with the portrait of her parents on their wedding day.

Tickets are $35 for an open seat and $300 for a reserved table of eight. If you reserve a table you are able to pick which one you prefer. The group is still looking for sponsors for the event and you can participate at a sponsorship level ranging from $250 to $1,000. Each level comes with a variety of perks. For tickets and more information contact Wolff at 813-567-3131 or acenturyoflove@gmail.com.

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Wedding dresses from the past 100 years will be displayed in the unique fashion show hosted by the GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

9

PASSING THE TORCH TO A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS

FELIX HAYNES

“Let the word go forth from this time and place...that the torch has been passed to a new generation… proud of our heritage...”

With these words, newly elected President John Kennedy proclaimed in his January 20, 1961 inaugural address that a new generation of Americans had assumed the mantle of leadership.

As I sat in the back of our Dec. 9 Plant City Commission Workshop, those words kept playing through my brain as I heard the Downtown Vision Plan of our Plant City Main Street and the proposed plan of Plant City Manager Bill McDaniel to implement that vision.

To move Plant City into the future, McDaniel’s plan included wayfinding signs through downtown, a strategic landscaping plan, an alley project and string lights on Evers Street, and a design concept and string lights in McCall Park.

Our city’s leaders all agreed the new plan is fine, but what is also new is the generation of leaders who sat in the front of the auditorium and who will implement the plan

over the next five or 10 years. That new generation has ages under 40 and names like Moody, Thurston, Miller, Austin, Frey, Jimenez, Haney, Sarria and Hollenkamp. They have replaced the past generation of community leaders like Brewer, two Smiths, Larson, Miller and Edwards.

Twenty years ago, the commissioners who would have sat on the dais in front of the auditorium included names like Mike Sparkman, Mary Yvette Thomas-Mathis, John Dicks, Randy Larson, Bill Dodson and Rich Glorioso.

Today’s elected commission leaders are Mayor Rick Lott and Vice-Mayor Nate Kilton. Commissioners Sparkman, Mathis and Dodson provide that all-important knowledge of our heritage and history. As McDaniel articulated that implementation plan, he sat in a chair previously held by city managers like Waldron, Sollenberger, Horwedel and Herr.

Together, the commissioners who served over that period and the managers who implemented their projects have set a strong example for our new generation of leaders and

our Downtown Vision Plan. Ranging from recruiting an international softball organization and converting a vacant baseball park into a national center for softball, leading in funding a new Plant City YMCA and the new Trinkle Center, constructing a new City Hall and expanding an already excellent Recreation and Parks program, that generation of leaders kept Plant City growing. That generation of leaders created a set of new revenue-generating activities which paid off the mortgage on the chamber building and gave Plant City a new nickname: “The Events City.”

Some of our leaders who led us when the millennium clock turned in 2000 have passed on, some have retired, some are serving in other roles and some, like Sparkman, Mathis, and Dodson, are still serving Plant City. They provided a base to build on for the leaders of today’s generation of Plant City leaders and, if they could, I am certain the leaders of that 2000 generation would say to the current generation, “Well done! Now keep working.”

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

PlantCityObserver.com

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE Did you take the Observer with you on vacation? Send your pictures to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY: Ken and Darca Rach visited family in Clarksville, Tennessee in October and also stopped at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to snap a photo with the Observer.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

CHRISTMAS AT CITY POINTE

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

11

CUTEST CRITTER

Do you want Plant City to see how cute your favorite pets are? Send your pictures to Staff Writer Breanne Williams at bwilliams@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

City Pointe Church started a new holiday event full of Christmas decorations and spirit.

FROM PAGE 1

Photos by Breanne Williams

Pastor Scott McIntosh and his family led the first tour through The Lights of Christmas.

The idea first sparked to life for Ellen Lynch seven years ago during some of her devotion time. She did a little sketch and at the time had no idea what to do with it. Eventually she came to City Pointe and when McIntosh asked for a Christmas event idea, she knew just what to bring to the table.

Though there are already 10,000 lights on display, the plan is for the event to grow in size every year and eventually become one of the city’s most anticipated events.

The event was held from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19-21. City Pointe is joined by a number of area churches and businesses to host the event and the collaboration has led to quite an impressive result.

When folks arrive, they are offered hot chocolate and cookies and there’s live music playing every night. From there they can walk it themselves or take a tour.

Everything is free and there’s plenty to do. A designated photo-op stand is also in place for those who want to document the event under some good lighting.

Everything on the tour that’s not festive lights, including the wooden manger scene, candles and the mountains, were made by members of City Pointe Church. More than 50 volunteers helped make Lynch’s dream a reality and a swarm of volunteers offered to lend their services each night at the event.

“The one thing we want people to know when they leave here is that if they’ve never heard about Jesus, or if they maybe had a relationship with Him, but have lost their way over the years we want them to know how much Jesus loves them and how good he is,” Lynch said. “And for those who are all-in, then this is an awesome way to help them celebrate the season.”

BAILEY AND ALLEY: Christi Scott-Wester said her two dogs are thick as thieves and thus there’s no way they could choose which one to submit to Cutest Critter. The only option was to submit them both. Bailey is a Boykin Spaniel mix and Alley is a pit bull. The happy duo are the family’s sweethearts and inseparable, though they are almost impossible to photograph together.

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Top right: City Pointe Church is revamping the way Plant City celebrates Christmas with its new walk-through advent themed event.

Right: The mountains were created by Juan Alvarez for the event.

Below: The very first group to go through the event was led on the tour by Pastor Scott McIntosh.

DECEMBER 26, 2019

SPORTS

Brent Ruedeman recently placed first overall in his weight class at the Jim Graves Invitational. See Page 14

GIVING BACK

SPORTS TEAMS MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT

Durant and Strawberry Crest athletics made Christmas special for dozens of families this month.

Justin Kline

Durant High School’s football and baseball teams joined forces with Cater Tampa once again for their annual Camelot Christmas party. This year, Christmas Lane stepped up to host.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Local athletes learned firsthand it’s better to give than to receive last week.

Durant’s baseball and football teams joined forces once again to put on their annual Christmas party for kids in Camelot Foster Group’s network. The party, a team effort with Cater Tampa, has helped hundreds of kids and their foster families for the last three years by providing free gifts, meals, one-on-one time with Santa Claus and a night of fun for everyone.

This year, though, the party moved from Brandon to Plant City and got a visual upgrade the kids loved. When Christmas Lane namesake Lane Wetherington heard about the Camelot party, he jumped at the chance to open up his venue on a Tuesday night so the kids and their families could have the magical Christmas Lane display in all its glory all to themselves on Dec. 17.

“It’s a great opportunity for them to come in and share the spirit of Christmas Lane,” Wetherington said.

That planning much easier for both Durant and Cater Tampa, as everything from food serving equipment to the decorations themselves was already available.

Cater Tampa could focus on the food prep and Durant could focus on what wrapping was left to do, even after a wrapping party the previous week that offensive line coach Wesley Wyatt called “one of the

funniest things I’ve ever seen” and several The baseball team’s event grew so large ner party. The kids got to take home tons of class periods devoted to wrapping gifts for it took up the entire side room at Beef’s presents and the families also got gift cards 232 children from 67 foster families. Gifts and even spilled out somewhat into the donated by the team. and money for gifts were bought using main area of the restaurant. Head coach “The community helps us out so much donations, including a $600 donation Eric Beattie said Bailey Elementary rec- every fall,” Beattie said. “This gives us a from Millwright Local Union #1,000, and ommended two families, one with six kids chance to help the community.”

Shannon Hampton of Cater Tampa said the and one with two, that “deserve a blessing” Chick-fil-A stores on Bloomingdale Ave- for Christmas and made accommodations nue in Valrico and Causeway Boulevard in for more than 100 people to attend the dinBrandon also bought gifts.

“It’s really awesome,” Wyatt said. “I’m speechless at how this turned out. It’s gonna be a spectacular night for these kids… some of these kids have never been to anything like this for Christmas.”

Strawberry Crest’s baseball and softball teams also continued their annual traditions of giving back to the community with their own Christmas parties last week. Both stayed at their traditional venues — the softball team at the school and the baseball team at the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Seffner — and wrapped up months of hard work identifying kids in need and picking out the perfect presents.

The softball team threw its annual oncampus Christmas party for two Crest students, Hailey and Nathan, and kept it a surprise until the two Chargers were in the classroom. The softball players stepped up to get gifts for Hailey and Nathan and made sure those students had a day they won’t soon forget.

Justin Kline “It was awesome,” head coach Mindy Miltner said. “The two students loved their Strawberry Crest’s baseball team threw its big party at the Beef’s in Seffner on Dec. 18. gifts and the players’ hearts were so full.”

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

TEAMS CAPTURE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WITH GIVING

When local community service events got bigger than ever, local high school sports teams stepped up to the plate.

One of my favorite assignments of any given year falls right around this time, when I check out what some of our area high school sports teams are doing to give back to the community for the holidays.

It’s not that we don’t often see charitable acts like that. The Plant City area has no shortage of folks who will go above and beyond to help those less fortunate have what they want and need for the holidays. What

makes me feel good about it is knowing the next generations are learning firsthand how wonderful it is to give to people who can’t always receive.

This year, in particular, was awesome because of how much bigger certain events have gotten.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

SPORTS SCORES

PlantCityObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

SPORTS SCORES AND MORE

JOIN US AT OUR

BOYS BASKETBALL

JAN. 7

JAN. 16

Durant at Pensacola Catholic Invite through Dec. 28

Durant at Newsome, 8 p.m.

George Jenkins at Plant CIty, 7 p.m.

Lakeland at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Durant at Wharton, 8 p.m.

Steinbrenner at Plant City, 8 p.m.

Robinson at Strawberry Crest, 8 p.m.

DEC. 27

JAN. 8

Plant City at Nature Coast Christmas Tournament through Dec. 29

Durant at Bloomingdale, 8 p.m.

Plant City at Strawberry Crest, 8 p.m.

DEC. 26

DEC. 28 Strawberry Crest at the Florida Getdown Holiday Basketball Showcase at St. Francis JAN. 2 Durant at Clearwater Central Catholic tourney through Jan. 4 JAN. 6 Plant City at George Jenkins, 7 p.m.

JAN. 7 Durant at Newsome, 6:30 p.m.

Plant City at Alonso, 7 p.m.

Spoto at Strawberry Crest, 6:30 p.m.

JAN. 8 Durant at Bloomingdale, 6:30 p.m.

Plant City at Strawberry Crest, 6:30 p.m.

JAN. 10 Durant at Riverview Sarasota, 7:45 p.m.

Plant City at Riverview, 6:30 p.m.

Lakeland at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

JAN. 13 Newsome at Strawberry Crest, 8 p.m.

JAN. 10 Durant at Riverview Sarasota, 6 p.m.

Plant City at Riverview, 8 p.m.

JAN. 13 East Bay at Durant, 7 p.m.

Newsome at Strawberry Crest, 6:30 p.m.

CHEERLEADING JAN. 7 Durant, Plant City at Riverview, 6:30 p.m.

JAN. 9 Strawberry Crest at Chamberlain, 6:30 p.m.

JAN. 16 Western Conference at Durant, 6:30 p.m.

BOYS SOCCER JAN. 8 East Bay at Durant, 8 p.m.

Plant City at Newsome, 8 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Tampa Bay Tech, 8 p.m.

JAN. 9

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Wharton at Plant City, 8 p.m.

DEC. 27

King at Durant, 8 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Florida Prospects Christmas Tournament through Dec. 28

JAN. 14

JAN. 1 Plant City at AHN Christmas Tournament through Jan. 4

JAN. 10

Durant at Brandon, 8 p.m.

Armwood at Plant City, 8 p.m.

Riverview at Strawberry Crest, 8 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER JAN. 8 East Bay at Durant, 6 p.m.

Plant City at Newsome, 6 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Tampa Bay Tech, 6 p.m.

JAN. 9 Wharton at Plant City, 6 p.m.

JAN. 10 King at Durant, 6 p.m.

JAN. 14 Durant at Brandon, 6 p.m.

Armwood at Plant City, 6 p.m.

Riverview at Strawberry Crest, 6 p.m.

JAN. 16 Durant at Wharton, 6 p.m.

Steinbrenner at Plant City, 6 p.m.

Robinson at Strawberry Crest, 6 p.m.

WRESTLING JAN. 6 Strawberry Crest at Bloomingdale (district duals), 10 a.m.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

JUSTIN KLINE

TEAMS CAPTURE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WITH GIVING

Justin Kline

Durant High School has been involved with the Camelot party for three years.

Courtesy of Mindy MIltner

Strawberry Crest’s softball team threw a surprise Christmas party for two SCHS students.

Several local high school sports teams stepped up to the plate to make Christmas spirits brighter.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Christmas Lane’s decision to partner with Cater Tampa and Durant High School’s football and baseball programs to provide a new venue for their annual gift-giving party for children in the foster care system took what was already a great event and turned it into something special that comfortably fit more people than ever before.

I saw plenty of eyes light up and smiles beam wide when kids wandered the halls of Christmas Lane to check out the massive displays, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and munch on delicious-smelling cookies.

The Durant coaches and athletes were just

as stoked, and they were the ones doing the hard work and heavy lifting instead of unwrapping gifts for themselves.

Speaking of getting bigger than ever, I also went to the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Seffner last week for Strawberry Crest baseball’s annual Christmas dinner party and you couldn’t move in that place without bumping into somebody. The team took on the responsibility of helping more local kids than ever before and knocked it out of the park. Team alumni and families even came out to show their support. The enthusiasm of head coach Eric Beattie and Chargers past and present was contagious.

Those were just the events I was able to attend. There’s always more going on before, during and after Christmastime.

No matter the size, each act of service

makes a big difference for someone in this small town.

If you run some kind of charitable organization in town and are reading this, I have a suggestion: call up our local high school teams when you need help with a project, event or anything of the sort. We’ve got kids and coaches out here who will jump at the chance to help out and work hard from start to finish.

If you run a team and are working on a project, reach out. I love to cover these things and try to write something whenever I hear about them, as I did this week and in the past. Stories like these go to show our readers and maybe even some from out of town who stumble upon us that the kids are, in fact, alright. Positive vibes are always welcome in the Plant City Observer.

Thanks to efforts like these, Christmas for many around town was far better than it could have been. That’s living up to the holiday spirit.

I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and has a happy New Year.

Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Observer.

Email: jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

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JUSTIN KLINE

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

SPONSORED BY SPORT CLIPS

Brent Ruedeman Plant City High School wrestler Brent Ruedeman took on a new challenge this year, dropping down from the 138-pound weight class to 132 pounds for his senior season. He seems to have adjusted well, which was evident when he beat Brandon’s DeShaun Newton and Tyler Smith to win first place in his weight class at the 2019 Jim Graves Invitational tournament. Ruedeman now has a 16-1 record after beating Newton in the championship by fall.

Tell me about Jim Graves. How was the tourney for you?

Except for the two Brandon kids, it wasn’t that hard. But the two Brandon kids gave me a little bit of a struggle.

What was challenging about those two matches?

They’re just a lot better wrestlers and know how to move quicker than a lot of people.

How did you beat them?

(Newton) took a shot at my leg, so I put him in a whizzer and threw him with a lateral. The first kid (Smith), I kind of tripped him to his back.

These high school basketball teams are staying busy over the holiday break.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

School’s out for Christmas vacation and many will celebrate the start of 2020 next week, but that doesn’t mean area basketball teams are in full relaxation mode.

Many are gearing up for holiday tournaments around the state and have even started competing in them. Here’s what’s going down — and what’s already happened — outside of the normal schedules.

BOYS BASKETBALL Durant Cougars Record (at press time): 1-4 (0-1 district) Dec. 26-28: Pensacola Catholic Crusader Classic Jan. 2-4: Clearwater Central Catholic tournament

Durant’s lone win of 2019 came at home against Steinbrenner, but this Cougars team has kept things close in two of their last three games and has played better on the road than at home. A short break in action could help them with a road trip to Pensacola.

Plant City Raiders Record (at press time): 1-4 (0-1 district) Dec. 20-21: Capital City Classic at TCC Dec. 27-29: Nature Coast Christmas Tournament

After back-to-back losses to Newsome and an Armwood team that’s set a new season-high points total in every game, Plant City has tried to refocus on the road with two tournaments in two weeks.

Results from the Capital City Classic were not available at press time.

Strawberry Crest Chargers Record (at press time): 0-7 (0-2 district) Dec. 20-21: Jesuit Nike Gulfshore Invitational Dec. 27-28: The Florida Getdown Holiday Basketball Showcase

At press time, Crest was still searching for its first win of the season. But based on their performances at the Berkeley Prep Thanksgiving Challenge, the Chargers have stepped their game up on offense and defense in tourney action and now have two to try and get a spark going.

GIRLS BASKETBALL Plant City Raiders Record (at press time): 3-5 (0-2 district) Jan. 1-4: Academy of Holy Names Christmas Tournament

Three of the last four Raiders games (as of press time) have been decided by seven points or fewer. Plant City got to take a breather after its Dec. 20 game against Parrish Community and will try to start January on a high note in the AHN Christmas Tournament before getting right back into regular action with George Jenkins.

Strawberry Crest Chargers Record (at press time): 4-4 (1-0 district) Dec. 27-28: Florida Prospects Christmas Tournament

After staging a literal last-minute comeback to shock a very good Armwood team, the Chargers entered a three-game losing streak before heading into a Dec. 20 game against a one-win Wharton team. They’ll need the Florida Prospects Christmas Tournament to gear up for a heavy stretch of district play starting Jan. 7 against Lakeland.

Durant appeared to be the only team without a holiday tournament on its schedule, but you could say the Cougars have earned a break. No boys or girls basketball team in the area had a better record at press time (6-2; 2-1 district) and the team kicked off a long holiday break with a 37-30 home win over Lennard.

Durant’s district, 7A-8, is a tight race with it and two other teams within one game of leader North Port. The Cougars will get back to business Jan. 7 with a district game at Newsome.

The district tournaments begin in February for both boys and girls basketball.

The girls play first with the 7A-8 tournament (Durant) starting at Newsome on Feb. 3 and ending Feb. 7, while 6A-7 action (Plant City, Crest) starts at Armwood on Feb. 4 and ends Feb. 7. On the boys side, the 7A-8 tournament (Durant) at Newsome starts Feb. 10 and ends Feb. 14, while the 6A-7 tourney (Plant City and Crest) at Crest starts Feb. 11 and also ends Feb. 14.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

What’s the difference between wrestling at 132 versus 138?

In my opinion, 132s are mostly shorter and stockier, so they’re a little bit stronger than the 138s.

How has facing athletes with different body types made you better?

It helped me a lot… it’s more of a technique thing, using their strength against them.

How did you get into wrestling?

In ninth grade, the coach came up to me and asked me to ask my dad to coach, then he asked me to come out. I said no at first. My dad made me go to one practice and I liked it.

Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at JKline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.

What made you stick with it?

It gets you in really good shape and it helps you as a person, too. It’s not just a sport.

I hear that a lot with wrestlers. How has it helped you as a person?

It just makes me have a better mindset about things.

What’s your favorite match you’ve ever competed in?

Probably the last match at this year’s Graves tournament because that was my first championship match.

How did you feel before going into that match?

I was mostly nervous. I don’t like being under the spotlight and it was the whole crowd just looking at me.

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

AREA TEAMS IN HOLIDAY HOOPS TOURNEYS

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Don W. Layton Sr., 83, of Dover, born in Plant City on Feb. 1, 1936, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 18, 2019.

Committal to follow at Hopewell Memorial Gardens, Plant City.

Expressions of condolence at hopewellfuneral.com.

Brooks Edward Woodyard

Richard Sylvester Thomas

Brooks Edward Woodyard, 85, of Plant City, passed away on Dec. 16, 2019.

Services will be held privately.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www. haught.care.

Richard Sylvester Thomas, 92, of Plant City, passed away on Dec. 16, 2019.

Services will be held privately.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www. haught.care.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

Sally Brown Taylor

Denver Burtz

Sally Brown Taylor, 78, of Plant City, passed away on Dec. 18, 2019.

Funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 at Faith Temple Assembly of God, 4240 North Frontage Road, Plant City FL 33565.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www. haught.care.

Denver Burtz, 70, of Decatur, Tennessee, passed away on Dec. 16, 2019.

Services were held Dec. 21, 2019 at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www. haught.care.

Taking care of each other is what

community

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Barbara Edwards Dickinson Barbara Edwards Dickinson, 75, of Montgomery, Alabama, born in 1944 in Plant City, entered into eternal rest on December 16, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at hopewellfuneral.com.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Shirley McMenamin

Shirley McMenamin, 72, of Atco, New Jersey, born on March 25, 1947 in Camden, New Jersey, entered into eternal rest on December 10, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com

is all about.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Darla Lott

Erika Christine Soto

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

BEST BET WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1 NEW YEARS ALL LEVELS FLOW

12 to 1 p.m. The Koa Yoga Studio, 2806 James L. Redman Parkway #205, is hosting a New Years All Levels Flow class. Start 2020 in a positive way with this free New Year’s Day class.

THURSDAY, DEC. 26 PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS 7:30 to 9 a.m. Plant City Toastmasters is held every Thursday.

Guests are always welcome to come join the free meeting at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St.

YOUR HOSPITAL STAY AND POSTPARTUM ISSUES CLASS

6 to 8 p.m. South Florida Baptist Hospital is hosting a Your Hospital Stay and Postpartum Issues Class. This class covers hospital policies regarding hospital stay, emotional changes and adjusting to the new parent role. Participants may bring one guest to the class. Please bring a notepad to take notes. Snacks will be provided. This class is held the third Thursday of every month in ICU Conference Room, 2-South.

Registration is free, but required.

Call 1-855-269-4777.

FRIDAY, DEC. 27 JAVA & JEANS

8 to 9:30 a.m. The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce is hosting Java & Jeans, a morning networking opportunity held the last Friday of every month.

Attendees are asked to wear their best ugly Christmas sweater.

This month’s event is held at the Chamber, 106 N. Evers St. Call 813-754-3707 for more information.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE

1 p.m. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 302 Carey St., is now hosting a weekly Duplicate Bridge game, the most widely used variation of contract bridge in club and tournament play. Contact Walt Arnold at 813-752-1602 for more information.

SKIP FRYE AT KEEL FARMS

6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Come out to Keel Farms, 5210 Thonotosassa Road, to enjoy an amazing evening of great food and handcrafted drinks while listening to some classic blues and R&R courtesy of Skip Frye.

KRACK ME UP KOMEDY SHOW NIGHT

7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., is hosting an evening of coffee and laughs in the loft. After the “ho ho ho,” come get your “ha, ha, has.” This month’s performers include Donnie Stopa, Tara Zimmerman and JoJo White. Tickets are $5 cash at the door.

WHISKEY SONIC AT O’BRIEN’S PLANT CITY

8 p.m. to 12 a.m. O’Brien’s Irish Pub in Plant City, 1701 S. Alexander St., has an mouth-watering menu and your favorite beverage.

Whiskey Sonic brings the musical mayhem. Together, they make for a great night out. Grab your friends and have some fun.

SATURDAY, DEC. 28 PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Come on out to the Strawberry Square Dance Center for a night of social dancing. There is a 3,000 square foot floating wood floor to dance on.

Social dancing includes slow dances, waltzes, line dances, chacha and rumbas, two-step and country slow, swing, free style and some Latin dances. A singles table will be set up. Admission is $6.

VAO WITH GUEST NO. 9

8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for an evening of great music with Vao and guest No.9 in the Krazy Kup loft. There is a $5 suggested donation for the performance.

MONDAY, DEC. 30 PLANT CITY DAYBREAK ROTARY CLUB

7 to 8 a.m. The Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club holds a meeting every Monday morning. Now the group will be meeting in the Community Meeting Room of the Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place. Guests are welcome to join them.

TUESDAY, DEC. 31 SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB

9 a.m. Come on out to the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St., each Tuesday to play Shuffleboard. You’ll be an expert in no time. The club is hosted by Anita

Balch and she can be contacted at 808-722-5821 for more information.

NOON YEAR’S EVE BASH

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Join Grace Manor at Hunters Creek Senior Living, 765 W. Grant St., for their Noon Year’s Eve Bash. It’s going to be a roaring good time as attendees shimmy into 2020. The party will have its very own ball drop right at noon. Attendees are asked to come dressed for the occasion and 20’s attire is welcome. RSVP by Dec. 27 to 813743-3701.

THURSDAY, JAN. 2 HAVE A HEALTHY PREGNANCY CLASS 6 to 8 p.m. South Florida Baptist Hospital is hosting a Have a Healthy Pregnancy Class in ICU Conference Room, 2-South. This class covers recommendations for a healthy pregnancy and will be held the first Thursday of every month. Participants may bring one guest to the class.

Bring a notepad to take notes.

Snacks will be provided. Registration is free, but required. Call 1-855-269-4777.

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION AT KEEL FARMS

8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Keel Farms, 5210 Thonotosassa Road, is inviting the community to come on out and ring in the new year at the Farm. Join them for a good time complete with a delectable selection of small plates, libations, a live band, chocolate fountain and more. There will be a live band and a midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $59 per person. Grab your spot at http:// bit.ly/2RydJR7.

NEW YEARS EVE AT 1916 IRISH PUB

8 p.m. 1916 Irish Pub, 2309 W. Thonotosassa Road, is hosting a New Years Party for the entire community. There will be no cover and free drinks. The entire bar will have a free champagne toast at midnight to ring in the new year.

TEENS FRIENDSHIPS BONDS RELATIONSHIPS COMMUNITIES CHILDREN TODAY HEARTS CONNECTIONS

JOIN

BUILDING

Valid through 1/20/20.

STRONG

FAMILIES

MINDS RESOLUTIONS ROUTINES GOALS BODIES PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City | 813 757 6677 SMILES

| tampaymca.org

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg December 26, 2019 PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

I LOVE PLANT CITY

12/26

FORECAST THURSDAY, DEC. 26 High: 78 Low: 57 Chance of rain: 0%

FRIDAY, DEC. 27 High: 77 Low: 58 Chance of rain: 20%

phenomenon?

33 Start of many rappers’ names 34 You shouldn’t cast them before swine 35 Neck and neck 36 Casual attempt 38 Louvre Pyramid designer I.M. 39 Needing charging 40 Entr’___ 41 Some are whooping 44 “ER” extras 45 Game cube thrown by an Egyptian deity?

48 Jimmy Eat World genre 49 Late comic Conway 50 Five, in Mexico City

53 ___ one’s time 56 Coin opening 60 Director’s urging to the dog in “The Wizard of Oz”?

63 Burden 64 What may come down in buckets 65 A la King 66 Fuel for an Expedition 67 Italy’s biggest volcano 68 Sprinkle holy water on DOWN 1 Places to doodle during meetings 2 Situated above 3 Fizzy drink 4 They may sleep while hanging

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

High: 78 Low: 61 Chance of rain: 20%

SUNDAY, DEC. 29 High: 80 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 20%

STRAWBERRIES Shipping point: Central Florida $22.90-$24.90

5 Name hidden in “Cornelia” 6 Attired 7 Like a dog’s back legs 8 Aardvark’s snacks 9 Stroke gently 10 Pine ___ (wreath decoration) 11 Casual attempt 12 Caucus state 15 Glanced over 17 “Holy moly!”

18 Mayberry boy 23 Modern dating platform 24 Ice Bucket Challenge initials 25 Abandon 26 Make very happy 27 Bay of Naples isle 28 Precincts 29 Russian pancakes 30 “Tinker to ___ to Chance” 31 Destined (to) 32 Infinite loops don’t have them 33 Aspiring atty.’s exam 37 Adorns 41 Boardroom biggie 42 Aromatic compound 43 Biol., e.g.

46 “___ the opinion ...”

47 Brewery named for a Dutch river 50 Blockage 51 New Rochelle college 52 French pronoun whose last two letters are an English translation 53 No angel 54 “Victory is mine!”

55 Actress Delany 57 Elders’ teachings 58 Elevator maker 59 “Little piggies” 61 Bonanza find 62 Nebraska senator Fischer

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SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Dec. 26

7:17a

5:40p

Friday, Dec. 27

7:18a

5:40p

Saturday, Dec. 28

7:18a

5:41p

Sunday, Dec. 29

7:19a

5:41p

Monday, Dec.30

7:19a

5:42p

Tuesday, Dec. 31

7:19a

5:43p

Wednesday, Jan. 1

7:19a

5:44p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, DEC. 28

Double Play by Paul Coulter

ACROSS 1 Old hat 6 Bloke 10 Former CBS forensic show 13 It encircles a lagoon 14 Series of ancestors 15 Chinatown neighbor 16 Extinct bird this puzzle’s constructor wishes he could’ve met?

19 Lovers’ clash 20 Long ones are slim 21 Michelangelo masterpiece 22 Hee-___ 24 Intention 25 Disgusting internet

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Jan. 25 New

Dec. 30 First

Jan. 10 Full

Jan. 20 Last

RAINFALL Monday, Dec. 16

0.00

Tuesday, Dec. 17 0.59 Wednesday, Dec. 18

0.01

Thursday, Dec. 19 0.00 Friday, Dec. 20

0.00

Saturday, Dec. 21 0.00 Sunday, Dec. 22

0.00

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2019 43.41 in.

2019 0.99 in.

2018 25.84 in.

2018 3.28 in.

WEATHER

49 Late comic 18 Mayberry 46 “___ the ACROSS Conway boy opinion ...”

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Rochelle 14 Series#iloveplantcity of urging to the 25 Abandon college ancestors dog in “The 26 Make 52 French 15 Chinatown Wizard of very happy pronoun neighbor Oz”?

27 Bay of whose 16 Extinct bird 63 Burden Naples isle last two this puzzle’s 64 What may 28 Precincts letters are constructor come down 29 Russian an English wishes he in buckets pancakes translation could’ve 65 A la King 30 “Tinker 53 No angel met?

66 Fuel for an to ___ to 54 “Victory 19 Lovers’ clash Expedition Chance” is mine!”

20 Long ones 67 Italy’s 31 Destined (to) 55 Actress are slim biggest 32 Infinite loops Delany 21 Michelangelo volcano don’t have 57 Elders’ masterpiece 68 Sprinkle holy them teachings 22 Hee-___ water on 33 Aspiring 58 Elevator 24 Intention DOWN atty.’s exam maker 25 Disgusting 1 Places to 37 Adorns 59 “Little internet phedoodle during 41 Boardroom piggies” nomenon? meetings biggie 61 Bonanza find 33 Start of many 2 Situated 42 Aromatic 62 Nebraska rappers’ above compound senator names 3 Fizzy drink 43 Biol., e.g.

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48 Jimmy Eat 15 Glanced over 12/25 © 2019 Andrews McMeel Universal www.upuzzles.com World genre 17 “Holy moly!”

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