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FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE The holidays have finally arrived and dozens of events are being hosted over the next few weeks.
BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The holidays are upon us and many families are weighing the options of celebrating from the comfort of their own homes or attempting to find a safe and merry event. Plant City is still geared up to celebrate, though many of the traditional
events look a little different this year. Whether you want to drive around and look at Christmas lights or head to a parade, the Observer has compiled a list of local activities that may be just what your family is looking for. Bear in mind that nearly every event listed is asking attendees to practice social distancing and follow CDC guidelines.
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NORTH PARK ISLE SHARPENS ITS VISION A modification to the North Park Isle Planned Development District was approved last week after commissioners reviewed the detailed breakdown of what the district plans to bring to life. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
After years of anticipation, altered deadlines, studies, surveys, proposals and delays, the public finally got a glimpse at what was in store for the North Park Isle Planned Development District. During the Nov. 23 city commission meeting, a full presentation was shared on the detailed plans for the North Park Isle Planned Development District, including total acreage, total residential units, lot width, access points and more. This was the follow-up to a commission meeting on Feb. 24 where smaller lots and some of the other proposed changes were examined. The city held a special commission workshop on Aug. 10 regarding smaller lots and the applicant addressed those concerns before bringing it back to the commission last week. “I’m voting for this tonight and we’ve been working on this
a long time,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “We’ve had some very hard meetings where we were going, ‘We will do this, we won’t do that’ and I just want to recognize that you never get 100 percent of what you want. I can tell you that this is very close. This is a great example of how you have listened to us and you’ve gone back to the paths and the parks and the amount of open space being at 40 percent, not many communities are built that have 40 percent of space like that. I counted the roads and there’s only homes on eight roads that will not be on water, so the majority of people will have water in their backyards so they’ll have that and not a neighbor in the backyard. I like the two community centers, I like the signage, I like the buffering, I like that we got away from just shrubs to actual walls that border between the roads and communities. So there’s a lot of things I like.”
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
NEWS BRIEFS
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HCSO looking for info about PC-area shooting One man is dead following a shooting in Plant City on Nov. 25. Deputies with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are attempting to discover what led to the shooting that occurred at a home in the 5000 block of Sydney Road. Around 9:30 p.m. deputies responded to South Florida Baptist Hospital in reference to a shooting. A man had been transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound. According to HCSO, life-saving measures were performed on the victim, but he later died as a result of his injury. After heading to the home and speaking with those who lived there, detectives said that it became clear the victim and the shooter knew each other. This remains an active investigation. “If you saw or heard anything last night on Sydney Road last night, I’m urging you to please come forward with that information,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “What may seem like a small piece of information could go a long way into solving what happened to this victim last night.” Anyone with information is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 813-247-8200.
Parks department fights invasive plant The City of Plant City’s Parks Tree Trimming Crew is working on getting rid of an
Courtesy of South Florida Baptist Hospital
Photos courtesy of Plant City Parks and Recreation
invasive plant species threatening the area between the Samuel W. Cooper Park and the CSX railroad parcels. The area has become home to a high concentration of Schinus terebinthifolius, commonly known as Brazilian peppertree, and that could cause problems for both local flora and humans if untreated. “Per the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (UF IFAS), this shrub/tree is one of the most aggressive and wide-spread of the invasive nonindigenous exotic pest plants in Florida,” Parks and Recreation Department director Jack Holland said in a press release. “Native to Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, Brazilian peppertree produces a dense canopy that shades out all other plants and produces a poor habitat for native species. For persons sensitive to poison oak, poison ivy, or poison sumac, it can cause dermatitis and also respiratory problems during the fall flowering period.”
Elks to host toy drive Saturday The Plant City Elks Lodge and the Our Gang program are teaming up this Saturday evening to host a toy drive and dinner at the lodge, 1501 N. Alexander St. The groups invite anyone to stop by with a new, unwrapped toy you would be proud to give to your child or grandchild. The only cost is a donation and one covered side dish from each adult to accompany the main meal prepared at the Lodge. Social distancing practices will be ob-
served for anyone who wishes to eat in the lodge, masks are required to be worn when not seated and eating and tables will be cleaned and sanitized after every use. There will also be live music and a 50/50 raffle. The dinner portion will be open to the public at 6 p.m. but anyone who just wants to drop toys off can visit the lodge at 4:30 p.m. today and tomorrow or 3 p.m. Saturday.
SFBH wins award for stroke treatment services South Florida Baptist Hospital announced it has earned an American Heart Association/American Stroke Association award for its treatment of stroke patients. The “Get with the Guidelines® Stroke Award – Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll” distinction recognizes the hospital’s proper use of medication and stroke treatments as well as discharge education. It achieved more than 90 percent compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.” “This designation is significant because it involves care across a multitude of disciplines,” South Florida Baptist Hospital president Karen Kerr said in a press release. “It involves our services in emergency, cardiovascular, neurology and diabetes. The care and treatment of stroke patients is wide-ranging from many members of our care teams. The designation and award exemplifies our teamwork, com-
munication and effectiveness from doctors and team members in providing the best possible care for stroke patients.”
Emotional and Mental Health Wellness virtual seminar Building Strong Families, Inc., will host a virtual Emotional and Mental Health Wellness seminar on from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Dec. 12 using Zoom. The theme of the seminar is “Health, Healing and Hope for this Season.” Licensed mental health professionals will present practical strategies for working through the emotional and mental health issues many have experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and as the holiday season approaches. Topics to be discussed include “Depression and Loneliness,” “Anxiety and Stress” and “Creating an Atmosphere of Peace.” Speakers include Dr. Benetta Wholuba, a licensed clinical psychologist at Orange Park Medical Center; Khalilah Louis Caines, a licensed clinical social worker and the Director of Field Education and Instructor in the MSW Program at Saint Leo University; and Dr. Pauline Rivers, founder and president of Building Strong Families, Inc. There is no cost to attend this virtual seminar, but pre-registration is required. The Zoom meeting ID, passcode and seminar materials will be emailed to those who pre-register. For registration information, contact Rivers at 813-759-0260 or by email at pmrivers@aol.com, or visit buildingstrongfamiliesofflorida.com.
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE There is no shortage of holiday-themed events happening in Plant City this month. FROM PAGE 1 BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
If you or anyone you’ve come in contact with recently has symptoms of COVID-19, play it safe and isolate at home. Testing sites are available throughout the county and if you believe you may have come in contact
with someone who was infected or if you begin to develop any symptoms, make it a point to get tested and quarantine until you know the results of said test. Below is a list of events submitted to and compiled by the Observer that run from Dec. 3-10.
THURSDAY, DEC. 3 THE WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS & SANTA’S VILLAGE Head to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Road, through Dec. 27 for the annual The Wonderland of Lights & Santa’s Village. This unique experience is offering an entirely no-contact option for those who choose to stay in their cars. Guests will drive through more than a mile of spectacular lights and holiday displays. Santa also makes an appearance at Santa’s Village. On special nights additional experiences like Nerdy Noah’s Comedy Show will be added to the lineup. If you go on Dec. 3 you also will have the added benefit of being able to give back to the United Food Bank of Plant City. If you donate 10 non-perishable food items you’ll get $5 off a one-time drive-through experience. Head to thewonderlandoflights.com for event details, pricing, COVID-19 safety information and more. LIGHTS OF LOVE The South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation will host the 22nd annual Lights of Love, 100 N. Collins St., at 6:45 p.m. Dec. 3. Those who religiously attend the event each year will find there are several big changes in place. The traditional Santa meet-andgreets begin at 6 p.m. in the gazebo in McCall Park. The program will begin at 6:45 p.m. and a singing duo from First Baptist Church of Plant City will sing three songs during the 15-minute program and the lights will be lit at 7 p.m. Usually this event has a massive stage set up in downtown full of singers — both the children’s and the adult’s choir from FBC of Plant City typically participate — and chairs fill the street. In order to limit attendance and ensure there is ample room for social distancing, the performances have been reduced to just three songs by the duo from the church. It is expected that the entire event will wrap up by 7:30 p.m.
A more than 20-foot tall tree will be lit in McCall Park. It is adorned with lights “purchased” by individuals, families and businesses in honor or memory of friends and loved ones. Proceeds benefit services and programs at South Florida Baptist Hospital.
FRIDAY, DEC. 4 PLANT CITY CHRISTMAS PARADE The annual Plant City Christmas Parade will once again roll into town at 7 p.m. on Dec. 4. Road closures will begin at 5 p.m. so plan your route accordingly if you need to commute through the area. Any parked vehicles along the route will be towed if not moved. The parade starts on South Collins Street at East Alsobrook Street and travels north from Collins Street to Reynolds Street. Then it will turn right on Reynolds Street to the intersection at Pennsylvania Avenue and the parade will begin to de-stage. In years past, this event was one that drew many to downtown overnight to set up their chairs in their preferred location. The streets would fill hours before the event would start. This year, however, the City of Plant City is assisting with the event and is offering a brand new opportunity for viewers to enjoy the parade from the comfort of their own home if they choose to do so. Mayor Rick Lott and City Manager Bill McDaniel will emcee a lively and festive live stream of the annual Plant City Christmas Parade that will play on the City of Plant City Government Facebook page. It will be reminiscent of the emcees at the beloved Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade so families can watch the floats and get a running commentary throughout the entire parade while still sitting at home in their Christmas pajamas, drinking a steaming mug of hot chocolate. For those who do choose to attend, COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place and viewers are asked to follow the guidelines.
SATURDAY DEC. 5 MERRY MARKET Plant City High School will host its annual Merry Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 5 at 507 S. Wheeler St. All the proceeds from the event will go toward supporting PCHS students. To participate, attendees must observe and follow the COVID-19 safety protocols. Admission is $5 per person and attendees will have the opportunity to shop at the indoor market and enjoy a meal from the gourmet food trucks on site.
Christmas Day
Countdown
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A STORYBOOK CHRISTMAS Honey Pot Wax Studio LLC, 104 W. Reynolds St., is hosting A Storybook Christmas starting at 5 p.m. Dec. 5. The company is celebrating the holiday season with an event that will feature a book drive for local children, live music provided by K.E.Y. Esthetics, door prizes for attendees, a photo booth and more.
Attendees should bring their lawn chairs and a blanket and enjoy popcorn, hot chocolate and the movie. There will also be crafts available for children before and after the film.
SUNDAY, DEC. 6
TUESDAY, DEC. 8
HOLIDAY SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA Wishing Well Barn, 4302 Pippin Road, is inviting the public to its Holiday Shopping Extravaganza starting at 3 p.m. Dec. 6. Admission is free and the event will have unique shopping opportunities from more than 30 local small businesses, pictures with Santa from 5 to 7 p.m., holiday-themed games, face painting and more. The event is hosted by Team Chancey and OnPoint Solutions. A portion of the proceeds will be used to support families in need during the holiday season. The event flyer indicated COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place and attendees are expected to comply.
VIRTUAL STORY TIME: HOLIDAY TALES Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., is having a Virtual Story Time: Holiday Tales on Dec. 8 for local youth. Join Miss Amanda for a pre-recorded story time of a selection of her favorite holiday tales.
CHRISTMAS MOVIE UNDER THE STARS Faith Lighthouse Church, 3409 Paul Buchman Hwy., is hosting a showing of a classic Christmas movie under the stars on the church lawn at 6 p.m. on Dec. 6.
THURSDAY, DEC. 10 TOASTMASTERS TOY DRIVE Plant City Toastmasters is having a Toy Drive from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Dec. 10 at Gilchrist Park, 704 N. Pennsylvania Ave. The group invites folks out to the Toastmasters’ meeting and encourages them to bring a wrapped gift.
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COPS CORNER
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
PLANT CITY
This week on Cops Corner:
Observer
Plant City Police captured a sex offender and investigated a beach cruiser theft,
Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com
a stolen tag and more.
Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com
Photo: iStock
found the offender in the passenger seat. He was arrested and taken to Orient Road Jail without incident.
NOVEMBER 20 TAG TROUBLE 1100 block of Cason Street Stolen tag: This complainant stated someone stole his Florida tag from his 2019 Ford. The tag was entered into FCIC/NCIC.
NOVEMBER 21
BIKE BANDIT 1100 block of North Burton Street Theft: This complainant stated someone stole a black beach cruiser bicycle from his driveway. BACK FOR MORE
GOTCHA 2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway Felony warrant arrest: Officers received information from CIU on Nov. 20 regarding a sex offender with an outstanding warrant for failure to register. They worked leads and learned he was often traveling from Plant City to Seffner and back as the passenger in a red truck, and that he sometimes rode a bicycle while in Plant City. Officers found the truck at the Murphy USA gas station and
2800 block of James L. Redman Parkway Business burglary: After a previous incident involving security cameras being stolen from Lowes while workers were installing them, officers conducted checks around the business. At 3 a.m., they discovered an outside storage area was burglarized.
Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com
NOVEMBER 22 DIDN’T GET FAR
NOVEMBER 24
1510 block of Charles Avenue Multiple charges: Officers responded to a report of an armed male subject burglarizing the complainant’s home. They found the man and arrested him for armed burglary of an occupied dwelling and resisting an officer without violence.
JUST BROWSING
Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez
310 block of Park Springs Circle Trespass: This complainant stated an unknown subject entered his vehicle overnight but didn’t steal anything.
Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com
TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850
NOVEMBER 23
Advertising / Richard Brame richard@plantcityobserver.com
LOST AND FOUND
Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@plantcityobserver.com
1200 block of West Madison Street Petit theft: This complainant stated someone stole his blue Schwinn tricycle with an attached cup holder and rear basket. Later, the complainant reported he found the tricycle and requested not to prosecute anyone. The case was closed.
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The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B. 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 OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
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NORTH PARK ISLE COMING TO LIFE
Commissioners approved a modification to the North Park Isle Planned Development District last week following the presentation of what’s planned for the district. FROM PAGE 1
STAFF WRITER
The evening came after a lot of back and forth between the city and the developer. Some of the modifications the applicant added to their proposed items were: Reduced the total residential units from 3,308 to 2,500 [2,250 single-family + 250 townhomes] Added a table to show size and number of lots within Village areas Provided hatched area to the north at potential access location to note “no lots proposed” Added architectural feature requirements Added enhanced landscape buffer detail Added a note to limit 40-footwide lots to 30% of 2,250 singlefamily units, a maximum of 675 lots North Park Isle now encompasses 694.8 acres. The project was first approved by commissioners in 2006, then modified in 2016 and again in 2018. The PD district was approved as a mixed-use residential development allowing maximums of 1,100 single-family lots and 250 multi-family lots. Construction plans for Phase 1A and 1B were approved by staff on Jan 29. Last week, the applicant approached the commissioners for permission to increase the total acreage from 460.19 to
694.8 acres, increase the total residential units from 1,350 to 2,500, reduce the minimum lot width from 45 feet to 40 feet and reduce the minimum lot area from 4,950 square feet to 4,400 square feet, limit the number of 40-foot-wide lots to 30 percent of the proposed single-family lots, a maximum 675 40-footwide lots, decrease the overall open space acreage and percentage, add additional access points onto Wilder Road, add detail to the northern portion of the site to provide a hatched area to show that no units are to be built in that area, add architectural feature requirements, add enhanced landscape buffer details and change the name of the district from North Park Isles Planned Development District to North Park Isle Planned Development District. The revised PD continues to be mixed-use residential and the majority of the site will be allocated toward single-family with a small portion in the southeast corner being townhomes. Within the single-family portion of the site, the proposed lot sizes range from 4,400 to 7,700 square feet. There will also be useable open space via lakes that can be used for fishing, canoeing and kayaking, nature trails and pocket parks. Lott and Commissioner Bill Dodson both expressed they were not thrilled with some of the lot sizes, but Lott added that the developer was listening to them and worked toward a
compromise. He added that this was the first development with more than 2,000 homes the city has seen since the creation of Walden Lake. He said this project set the “bar and the tone” for the other communities the city will build in that area. Dodson later told the Observer he was concerned that “with 40-foot lots you were having to deal with the reality that if a young family has children, they will play wherever they have room. Which means that if they are playing ball in the front yard and it gets away from them they will inevitably chase after it, even if that means they’re running into the streets.” While Dodson said the applicant did listen to many of the city’s concerns, he does not feel the commissioners’ worries regarding lot sizes were addressed. He said he thought they were heard “loud and clear,” but after Monday’s meeting it became evident that while the developer changed many of its proposals, the lot size still did not make sense for such a groundbreaking development. Dodson said he wanted to “set the bar higher” and focus on quality over quantity. On the 694.8-acre site there is 174.4 acres of wetlands, which are part of 338.7 acres located within the 100-year floodplain. According to the report, the applicant “will be subject to all requirements of Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission (EPC), the
Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), and the Plant City Engineering Department” if they wish do do any development impacting that area. Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to approve the district, with Dodson dissenting, and now that it was approved NPI can move toward the rest of the permitting process. There is still a few design elements left to nail down, but for the most part the overall picture is complete.
FOR MORE INFO For a full breakdown of all of the details, you can watch the presentation by streaming the commission meeting on the City of Plant City Government’s YouTube page.
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BREANNE WILLIAMS
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
FLORIDA PASSES 1 MILLION COVID-19 CASES
UPDATE
As of Tuesday, the state now has more than 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Florida has now passed 1 million COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic as the numbers released on Tuesday showed the state had now had 1,008,166 confirmed cases. On Tuesday the state added 8,847 coronavirus infections and 82 deaths. There was a plateau of sorts at the end of summer and the numbers seemed to be reaching a manageable level. Then in October, that quickly shifted and there has since been a steady increase on all fronts: infections, hospitalizations and deaths. There was even a several-week plateau in the fall, but then the holidays hit and the numbers have once more shot through the roof. In just the last two weeks, the total number of coronavirus patients admitted to hospitals has increased by approxi-
mately 30 percent, according to data from the Florida Department of Health. Of the 8,847 new coronavirus infections and 82 deaths added on Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Region had 1,227 cases and 26 deaths. To further break that down, Polk County had 10 deaths, Pinellas had nine, Hernando had five deaths and Hillsborough and Manatee counties each had one death. Pasco and Citrus did not report any new deaths. However, there is a shift in total cases when you add the latest counts to the rest of the data. With Monday’s numbers, Hillsborough has now had 58,749 cases and 938 deaths. Pinellas is the secondhighest with has 33,246 cases and 915 deaths. Polk has had 27,822 cases and 690 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Manatee has a total of 17,006 cases and 379 deaths while Pasco has 15,041 cases and 278 deaths reported. Hernando has 5,052 cases and 222 deaths and Citrus has had the least amount of infections with
4,790 cases and 172 deaths reported since the start of the pandemic. Thanksgiving is now officially over but health officials are warning that signs sometimes take days, if not weeks, to appear and thus they are cautioning those who traveled or gathered in large groups to take into consideration the fact they may be infected. The infection numbers are expected to jump in the following weeks as data from contagions at the holiday will begin to trickle in. Of course, Thanksgiving is just the start of the holidays, which many are labeling as a potential super-spreader event. Advent, Hanukkah, the Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Years and many others are all ahead. While the actual holidays themselves are inarguably potential spreaders, the preparation for each event — shopping, holiday photos, parties, religious gatherings, etc. — make the next few weeks a dangerous time for any heading out and about.
The basic guidelines to social distance when possible, wash your hands and wear a mask make an impact, but they are not guaranteed to completely prevent the spread. Health officials ask for those who plan to celebrate to consider their opinions and do so as safely as possible. Testing is one way to help ensure you’re not infected before you show up to an event. However, testing sites are experiencing longer lines than ever. If you do plan to visit a county, state or private testing location it is recommended you get there early or make an appointment if offered by said location.
PlantCityObserver.com
WOULD YOU LIGHT MY CANDLE?
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
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Courtesy photo
The Pottery Bar is taking Plant City by storm as shoppers flock to get their hands on some unique and entirely homemade candles. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
A local entrepreneur is changing the way local residents embrace relaxation. Karissa Wicker, 27, was born and raised in Plant City. She works in the heart of downtown, but in her free time she developed quite an eclectic and unique skillset. Last year she began experimenting with concrete after realizing her obsession with houseplants resulted in consistently being frustrated when she went to find the perfect pot for her newest green addition. She knew what she liked and what she aesthetically craved, so one day she decided to try to make a pot herself. “I was obsessed with houseplants and pots are really expensive, especially if you’re getting some that look good and are a decent size,” Wicker said. “I just remember thinking, ‘Why don’t I make my own?’ I’m very spontaneous, so when I get an idea I just do it. I also really like to learn new things, so the challenge of figuring out how to pull this off was one I really looked forward to. There wasn’t really a particular influence. I just had a wild idea and went with it.” After much trial and error, she got the formula down to a science and created unique pots not just for herself, but for clients all throughout the area. However, her passion soon took another turn. Finding a candle that smells like heaven and also matches the ambiance of your home can be tricky. Once people find a brand they like, most tend to latch on to them with an iron grip. Eyeing her concrete and the stereotypical glass candle on her shelf, Wicker decided to try to use her new skillset to create a minimalist candle from scratch.
She dove headfirst into research hoping to find the best method of making a long-lasting and appealing product. She watched a slew of videos, read articles and practiced with the basic candle making supplies. Once the foundation was laid, she went even deeper into her research and eventually developed her own formula for the types of candles she would always be drawn to in a store. Now her business, The Pottery Bar, is solely dedicated toward candle making. And unlike so many other candle companies, Wicker makes every part of the candle herself. The containers are concrete and come in oval and hexagonal shapes. The candles themselves are soy, hand-poured and feature a variety of scents to appeal to any shopper’s interests. The scents range from seasonal aromas like Peppermint Bark and Cozy Cabin to more traditional aromatherapy-based scents like Eucalyptus and Rosemary. There are even unique listings available like the Plant City Strawberry Patch and Hippie Chic. The concrete can also be tweaked to the client’s preferences and can come in white, grey or marble. “I try to keep a wide variety of scents because everyone likes something different,” Wicker said. “I even have unscented ones because some people get migraines from scents, but still like to have a candle burning in their home or office.” Wicker will occasionally add a little extra flair to each piece and include pieces of rosemary or lavender or even sea shells she collected from the beach to the candles. She said the simplicity of the design of her candles gives it a modern vibe which her customers have frequently told her go with all of their preferred styles.
In fact, Wicker said one of the biggest surprises to come since starting the candle making in September was that a large portion of her clients have been men. Each order is a custom-tailored experience. The Pottery Bar now has a Facebook shop for easier navigation for each order. Wicker said when an order is placed, she goes and makes each individual piece just for that specific customer so all of the candles are freshly poured and delivered. The large candles, which burn for approximately 24 hours, are $25. The medium-sized candles are $20 and the small is $8. She also sells a pack of tea lights where you get six candles for $7 and the burn time lasts for approximately eight hours. She also plans to add wax melts to her store soon. Though her business is still relatively new, she said the community feedback has already been impactful. She had her first public event appearance at the Halloween event in downtown hosted by Plant City Main Street. “In Plant City, so many people are making an effort to support local and will go out of their way to either visit my tent or message me asking for orders,” Wicker said. “Local businesses keep our community thriving, it keeps us going. And there is this passion here to support small businesses and to shop local. I can’t really explain how much it means to me that they’re support-
ing me. It’s my dream to own my own business and maybe one day have a candle shop downtown. That’s the real goal and it’s just been so inspiring to see that people here like what I’m creating.” To order, head to @thepotterybar on Facebook and visit the online shop. You can also follow the Instagram at @the. pottery.bar. If you plan to get orders in by Christmas, do so as quickly as possible as each order has an approximate one-week turnaround.
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CUTEST CRITTER
CARPETS
Emergency TILE & GROUT Emergency
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MISHKA AND LULU: Vicky Saunders and Arley Smude’s chonky critter Mishka recently got a new little sister in Lulu. Mishka is not ecstatic about it, but Lulu thinks her big sister will eventually come around if she’s cute enough.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
GARDEN TO HOST CHILI TAKE AWAY SUNDAY The Plant City Commons Community Garden is having a safe and delicious fundraiser this weekend. Those who wish to purchase a meal Courtesy of Nitish S. Rele are asked to pre-order by today. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The Plant City Commons Community Garden is offering a unique opportunity to get a hot and savory meal while still giving back. On Dec. 6, the organization is hosting a Chili Take Away Sunday and will serve fresh, delectable chili meals to go at the garden. Chef Shannon Shearer is creating two unique smoked chilis — one vegan and one with meat — and will pair the chili with “kernally” corn bread, a freshly harvested community garden salad and a dessert. “Basically because we had to cancel our November five-course dinner fundraiser because of the pandemic, we decided to kind of fill in the gap with a chili takeaway dinner Sunday afternoon,” Community Gardens President Karen Elizabeth said. “Chef Shannon will do two versions and the vegetables are smoked, it’s very smoky and will be a perfect winter meal for people to enjoy. This is just our way of still hopefully having a successful fundraiser that will allow us to continue hosting our events and doing everything that we do here at the garden, while also offering a unique event for the community.” Shearer is a name many in the community are beginning to recognize. She was a chef at the Sparkman House and recently served a smoked creamy vegetable soup at Empty Bowls that caught the eye of many attendees, including Cynthia Diaz, the owner of the Corner Store, who then purchased a large quantity of the soup and served it in her restaurant that week. The Garden has been gaining traction over the past few years and is becoming a hub for outdoor events and community engagement. Partnered with a variety of organizations like the United Food Bank of
Plant City, Girl Scouts, local schools and the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, a variety of volunteer days, educational field trips and garden-themed events have been held at the location. Of course, once the pandemic hit the garden became a mecca for residents who wanted to socially distance and still get outside to do something without endangering themselves. The garden was an obvious choice and many began to cultivate their own beds there. “I think the importance of our community garden or any community garden has really elevated to a need or a priority that we haven’t really seen in years,” Elizabeth said. “People have become more interested in gardening and getting involved and people are understanding food shortages in a way that they haven’t before. We’ve noticed over this past almost year that having access to healthy and nutritious food is not something we can take for granted, and a lot of people are starting to really make that a priority in their lives.” The garden asks that those who wish to attend pre-order by today so it can make sure there is enough food. This fundraiser is largely possible thanks to Hungry Howie’s of Plant City, which Elizabeth said generously donated and helped get supplies. You can buy a single dinner for $15, a twopack for $25 and a four-pack for $40. Purchase by visiting plantcitycommunitygarden.com. Pickup for the chili will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6. You prepay, text when you’re 15 minutes away, drive up and get the chili delivered straight to your car. The number to text when heading to pick up your meal is 813-435-8111. You can grab the chili meals at 2001 E. Cherry St. on the south side of the Plant City HCC campus.
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DECEMBER 3, 2020
SPORTS Quick Hits
Korbin Dunkin is a versatile young athlete who plays football and competes in mixed martial arts. See Page 11
COMMUNITY CENTER GETS BASKETBALL SHOOTING MACHINE
Funds raised by iImpact Plant City were used to purchase a basketball training device and 50 balls for use at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center. A small unveiling ceremony was held Saturday morning.
Mark Cornelison/Morehead State Athletics
BROOME NAMED OVC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK AFTER DEBUT Morehead State forward John Broome’s college basketball career only just started and he’s already getting recognition. Broome was named the first Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Week of the 2020-21 season after a series of three solid starts in which he averaged 14 points and 7.7 rebounds on 61 percent shooting. In his collegiate debut against Kentucky, he put up 11 points and five rebounds. He followed that up with six points and six rebounds in the home opener against Richmond, then exploded against Arkansas State on Sunday with 25 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots. He scored 19 points in the second half of that game and got seven consecutive points in the game’s final minutes to help the Eagles lock up the win.
YMCA, NFL PARTNER FOR DONATION DRIVE The NFL’s Super Kids-Super Sharing project has helped kids in Super Bowl host cities get sports equipment, books and school supplies in the hands of local kids in need for the last 22 years. Now it’s Tampa’s turn. Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCAs — including the Plant City Family YMCA — are participating in this year’s Super KidsSuper Sharing drive from Dec. 1-18. You can donate new or gently used books appropriate for school children, sports equipment of all types, school supplies and board and video games at the Y, 1507 YMCA Place, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday or 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The new Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center just got even better for local hoopers thanks to a contribution from iImpact PC and Plant City-area residents’ help. A new basketball shooting machine was donated to the community center, along with 50 customized balls to be used with it. The machine, called “The Gun” by manufacturer Shoot-A-Way, was officially unveiled, dedicated and debuted Saturday morning before a small group of donors, residents, members of Plant City High School’s 1982 state championship boys basketball team and city commissioner Mary Thomas Mathis. The machine is a training device that functions by “shooting” balls out to athletes wherever they stand on the half-court much like if a coach were to lob some passes their way. It can be programmed to pivot and hit multiple areas of the half-court in a matter of seconds so a constant stream of basketballs will come out and find the hands of, say, an entire team of players while coaches are more free to watch them and correct their form. It features a net positioned just below the rim so as to catch most shot attempts whether they swish or miss, which constantly “reloads” the machine. Those in attendance got to see for themselves after the dedication. Many
WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?
were invited to stand around the threepoint line and take some shots. Of the 50 basketballs to go with it, 20 have been customized to pay tribute to influential figures in the community. They’re stamped with “In Loving Memory: Mr. Eddie C.” and “In Loving Memory: Ms. Barbra Ann.” McIntyre said the group hopes to keep donating new basketballs stamped with “two additional community heroes we want to honor” on an annual basis. McIntyre said the machine and basketballs serve two additional purposes. First, the donation represents iImpact PC moving on its “‘Programming for our Youth’ Call to Action.” Second, it was also a major step toward the creation of an AAU basketball program led by Ed Lamar Jr. The program, which Lamar said will be called the Plant City Raiders, will host workouts sometime this month and will kick off in January 2021. It will start with a middle school boys team and Lamar said he hopes it will be able to add a girls team soon afterward. “We’re starting with a sixth and seventh grade team… we’re modeling everything from start to finish where you start in little league with the Plant City Raiders and finish at the high school level with the Plant City Raiders,” Lamar said. “Our motto is ‘Start a Raider, finish a Raider.’ The shooting machine will help us a lot. It will allow our guys to come in and get as many shots as possible up. We want the guys to hit
around 100 shots a day, getting their form right and getting elevation. It allows me to work with more than one kid at a time with the machine passing the ball.” Those who donated and sponsored the effort include Bill and Doretha Adams, Pastor Pee Wee Callins and his family, William and Gwen Thomas, Joe Williams and Horace Moore of WilliamsMoore Law Office, Danielle and Donald Allen and the McIntyre family. The total cost of the equipment was more than $10,000, McIntyre said, and it follows the Optimist Club’s recent scoreboard donation to the community center. “When we’re by ourselves, there’s not a whole lot we can do,” McIntyre said. “But when we get together to work as a team, we can impact P.C. in such a way that, really, what we do now should be for generations to come.”
JUSTIN KLINE
2020’S TOP FIVES
Though sports were cut short for many area athletes in 2020, the kids still deserve a shout-out. Which teams and athletes should make the cut for this year’s set of Plant City Observer top fives?
A
few years back, I asked for public input on the Observer’s annual lists for the top five teams and athletes of the year. It’s not like a major, worldchanging event happened that year — I just thought it would be fun to do something different. Well, guess what did happen this year? I’m not gonna waste your time and mine by rehashing what COVID did right now because any of you could buy the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow if you had a dollar for every time you’ve read about it. Plus, I’ll have to mention exactly what happened to the local sports world in my annual
recap column anyway. My point is that this is probably the most appropriate year ever for me to open top five nominations back up to the public. I do have a general idea of who all could be on the list and where they could fit in the rankings. Some of these really are no-brainer decisions. Others have more competition involved and I’m going to spend a good chunk of the next few weeks brainstorming on them. That’s what I’d love your help with.
SEE PAGE 11
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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JUSTIN KLINE
WHO MAKES THE CUT?
The Plant City Observer’s annual lists of the top five area teams and athletes will return as usual, but public nominations are also coming back for the first time in some time. FROM PAGE 10 There are plenty of talented athletes and hardworking teams in the area who deserve some kind of recognition for their hard work this year and I’d like you readers out there to help me pick them. Maybe you’ll help me find them. Maybe you’ll help remind me of them. It’s been a long year and I honestly don’t know how my brain hasn’t turned into mush without a vacation. Whatever it is, I’d love your input. I like these rankings to be as merit-based as possible, so I have specific criteria that I follow every year. Here’s what I look for: Success — the better the team or individual athlete did in a season, the better chance they have of earning a higher spot. Stats may not tell the whole story, but they also don’t lie. Perseverance — OK, maybe an athlete or team didn’t go as far as they wanted. But did they have obstacles to overcome? Did they improve greatly from their previous season? Did they do something notable off of the playing field that made an impact in the community? I love a feel-good story as much as anyone and this fills in the blanks left by those aforementioned stats. Like I said earlier, I have a pretty good idea of how this year’s rankings could turn out. I know quite a bit already. But I don’t
know everything. A ton of coaches don’t even bother putting their teams’ stats on MaxPreps. I’m certain there are feel-good stories I haven’t heard of yet for one reason or another. I still catch people by surprise whenever I mention our sports department has only one writer and our editorial staff has two total. That’s where you come in. If you’d like to tell me about an athlete or a team you feel deserves such a shout-out this year, drop me a line by 5 p.m. Dec. 18 at jkline@plantcityobserver.com with the team/athlete name and why you’re nominating them.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
Korbin Dunkin Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at JKline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue. Korbin Dunkin loves to compete. Dunkin, 7, can be found on the gridiron with the Plant City Dolphins or on the mat at Ares BJJ practicing jiu-jitsu and muay thai. He’s been playing sports for three years now and either trains or plays them seven days a week. How did you get started in each sport that you play now? I watched some videos on how to do those sports.
Where do you go to school? Knights Elementary. What’s your favorite subject? Math. If you could be a pro in any sport, which would it be? Football. Which athletes do you look up to? Tyreek Hill and Saquon Barkley.
Which is your favorite and why? Football because I like to tackle people. I play safety, cornerback, middle linebacker and running back.
What advice would you give to a kid who’s starting football or MMA for the first time? To not cry.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve done in each sport you play now? In football, I scored a touchdown. And I had my first kickboxing match with Koa in muay thai.
Now that you’re nearing the end of the Dolphins’ regular season, what are your goals for the rest of this year in football? To win the Superbowl.
You’re either training or playing in a game pretty much every day of the week. What do you like to do in your free time? Watch YouTube. Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Observer. Email: jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
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Which sports haven’t you played yet and really want to try one day? Basketball. You used to race dirt bikes, too. Do you still do that? Not anymore. I didn’t like training anymore and it got tiring.
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We asked Facebook: What’s on your Christmas wishlist this year? “I don’t want anything only for my daughter to be happy and shower her with presents!” — Ashley A. Barnes
“Watching the PC Christmas parade since we moved in the summer” — Kathryn Elizabeth
“For Covid to go away or something that cures it!” — Tiffany Jones
“To be able to spend the holiday with family with no concerns of COVID-19!” — Cindy Snyder Bonnett
“The city to stop over building and destroying the North side.” — Travis Emerson
“To find a house to live in.” — Yohana Aquino Orta
“2021” — Lindsey Plyler Blankenbaker
“Health, covid go away, peace in the world” — Keila Vega
“Trump to stay President” — Robert and Lainie Smith
“All I ever wish for is that my family is happy and healthy.” — Donna Varano
“Makeup and clothes” — Michelle Batton “New doors” — Butler Sheffield
“A small RV for someone i know is homeless” — Aida Coronado
“I just want my van’s AC fixed” — Blanca Romero “Peace” — Norma Donatiello iStock photo
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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Isaias Sanchez Gonzalez, 81, of Plant City, born on June 5, 1939 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, entered into eternal rest on November 21, 2020. Expressions and condolence a HopewellFuneral.com.
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Jorge Cervantes Jr. Jorge Cervantes Jr., 20, of Dover, born on December 14, 1999 in Tampa, entered into eternal rest on November 23, 2020. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
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Candida De Jesus Pedraza
Candida De Jesus Pedraza, 88, of Plant City, born on February 2, 1932 in Placetas, Villa Clara, Cuba, entered into eternal rest on November 21, 2020. Expressions and condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
san) of Holly Hill, Dr. Gregg Walter Rodney M. Sparkman Gutowski (Cindy) of Plant City, Rodney M. Sparkman, 90, of Plant Gary Arthur Gutowski of Aurora, City, born on December 20, 1929 in Colorado, and Gwen Marie Ford Plant City, entered into eternal rest (Darryl Williams) of Plant City; on November 24, 2020. grandchildren, Jill Marie Mimbs Expressions of condolence at (Steve), Derik Gregg Gutowski, HopewellFuneral.com. Adam Ross Riggins, Scott Walter Gutowski (Kelley), Jill Marie Ellington (Matt), Kent Brewer Gutowski, Glenn Alan Gutowski Jr., Ellis Martin Gutowski, Martin WalHOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM ter Gutowski, Nicole Marie Ford, and Zachary Michael Ford; greatCarl Ashford Cook grandchildren, Kyle Wesley Mimbs, Kasey Kirby Estes (Landon), and Carl Ashford Cook, 83, of Lithia, Nyel Stapler; and great-greatborn on February 25, 1937 in Polk grandchild, Everest Quin Estes. City, entered into eternal rest on Family-only service at St. November 28, 2020. Clement Catholic Church, and Expressions of condolence at interment with military honors at HopewellFuneral.com. Florida National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Clement Catholic Church at stclementpc. HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM org. Expressions of condolence Rolla L. Utley, Jr. at HopewellFuneral.com. Rolla L. Utley, Jr., 94, of Dover, born on June 1, 1926 in Hannibal, Missouri, entered into eternal rest on November 28, 2020. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
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Arthur Frank Gutowski
Arthur Frank Gutowski, 95, of Plant City, born on April 2, HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM 1925, in Schenectady, New York, entered into eternal rest James ‘Bud’ Edward on November 26, 2020. He was a member of St. Kimbrell Clement Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He James “Bud” Edward Kimbrell, was a veteran of the United 86, of Plant City, born on SepHOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM tember 13, 1934 in Lyman, South States Air Force, having flown Carolina, entered into eternal rest 21 combat missions as a Wesley B. Stone navigator on a B52 Liberator on November 24, 2020. Bomber during World War Expressions of condolence Pastor Wesley B. Stone, of Wesley II, and a retired engineer for at HopewellFuneral.com. Chapel, born on September 12, General Electric. He loved 1937 in Nashville, Georgia, entered his family dearly and enjoyed into eternal rest on November 23, traveling, camping and golf2020. ing. Expressions of condolence at HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM He is survived by wife of 74 HopewellFuneral.com. years, Betty Theresa GutowsLarry R. Pelland ki; children, Gail Marie Riggins Larry R. Pelland, 79, of Plant City, of El Dorado Hills, California, born on March 29, 1941 in Lake Glenn Alan Gutowski (SuHOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM Linden, Michigan, entered into eternal rest on November 25, Jeffrey Johnson 2020. Sizemore, Jr. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com. Jeffrey Johnson Sizemore, Jr., 35 of Lakeland, was born on July 27, 1985 in Walnut Creek, California. On November 19, 2020, he was called home to be with his heavenly Father. HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
Joyce (Clark) Warner
Luznarda Cancel, 84, of Plant City, passed away on November 30, 2020. Services will be held privately. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught. care.
Joyce (Clark) Warner, 88, of Plant City, passed away on November 25, 2020. A memorial service will take place Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 N Park Rd., Plant City, FL 33563. Online condolences may be left for the family at www. haught.care.
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Rachel ‘Roxie’ Walker
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Rachel “Roxie” Walker, 84, of Plant City, passed away on November 30, 2020. A graveside service will be held Friday, December 4, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Memorial Park Cemetery, Plant City, Florida. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.
Herman R. Sears
Herman R. Sears, 79, of Plant City, passed away on November 23, 2020. Services were held December 2, 2020 at Plant City Church of God, 2103 Mud Lake Road, Plant City, FL 33566. Online condolences may be left for the family at HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM www.haught.care.
Hubert Taking care Gordon of Anders each other is what Hubert Gordon Anders,
born March 1, 1937, passed community away November 28, 2020.
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is Services all about. on December 3rd,
3:00 p.m. at Dover First Baptist Church. we’re dedicated to helping families create a E RVE our community Fondunique memories and ex-that truly and meaningful memorial ssionate care since 1896. celebrates the life it represents. orial professionals, pressions of sympathy may rvice Guarantee > National Plan Transferability be shared ent Travel Assistance > Theat www.WellsMeCompassion Helpline® morial.com for the Anders R family. ®
Virginia Zinner Virginia Zinner, 88, of Plant City, passed away on November 22, 2020. She was the daughter of the late Elizabeth Yancey Hicks. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Charles F. Zinner, Sr., and brother, Wilbur Hicks, Jr. Survivors include children Charles (Marcella) Zinner, James (Cindy Morselli) Zinner, Carol (Wade) Grigsby; siblings Stuart Hicks, Betty Philpot; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Virginia was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Plant City. She was a USF graduate with a B.A. in Education in the first graduating class of 1963 and was an Auburn University graduate with an M.A. in Education. She taught from 1964 to 1990 at Bryan Elementary and subsequently at Dover Elementary. The family will receive friends Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 10 AM to 11 AM at First United Methodist Church of Plant City, 303 N. Evers Street, Plant City, FL. A memorial service will follow at 11 AM. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.
udly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 PLANT CITY CHRISTMAS PARADE
7 to 9:30 p.m. Plant City’s hometown Christmas Parade, “Celebrate the Season - 2020,” will be held December 4. This has been a difficult year for everyone and the parade board feels like we all need something positive to begin our holiday season. There will be beautifully decorated floats, high-energy marching bands, heart-warming participation and so much more. If you can’t make it to the parade or don’t feel comfortable attending, it will be live-streamed on the City of Plant City’s Facebook page.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS
festive wreath. The tutorial will be shared on Bruton Memorial Library’s social media and kits will be available at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., while supplies last.
LIGHTS OF LOVE
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Plant City’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony is back at McCall Park. Stop by to get pictures with Santa, enjoy Christmas music and celebrate the holiday.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 SLABACH & CO. WINTER WONDERLAND
5 to 8 p.m. Slabach & Co. Farmers Market, 110 E. Keysville Road, is kicking off its Winter Wonderland festivities. Visit the market on the following days for food, music and fun: Dec. 4-5, Dec. 11-12, Dec. 17-19, Jan. 1-2 and Jan. 8-9.
7:30 to 9 a.m. Join the Plant City Toastmasters for breakfast, laughs, and fun; there’s no better way to start your Thursday mornings. Bring a chair and a mask. The Toastmasters also offer Zoom meetings for those who can’t make it in person. Visit the Facebook page, facebook.com/PlantCityToastmasters/, for meeting locations and information.
JAMES HURLBURT LIVE AT KRAZY KUP
BATON TWIRLING CLASSES
BLUEGRASS JAM
Plant City Recreation presents Baton Twirling Classes at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. Classes are held every Thursday. Beginner classes are from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Intermediate classes are from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Your first class will be free. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Barbara Patrick at 813-626-4554.
A HANDMADE’S TALE: WREATH TAKE AND MAKE KIT
This kit and tutorial helps you make a
7 to 8:30 p.m. It’s getting to feel a little like Christmas! Join James Hurlburt in the loft at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for an evening of inspired and festive music. A love offering will be collected.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This is an open invitation for local bluegrass musicians and fans to come to the Krazy Kup Loft, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., and jam, clap hands, stomp feet, and enjoy. They host a Bluegrass Jam the first Saturday of every month.
BIKE FEST
4:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Plant City Bike Fest will be back downtown by the train depot, 102 N. Palmer St., to kickstart December.
FRESHEST MEAT & LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN!
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Mon-Sat 7am - 9pm | Sundays 7am - 8pm At Felton’s we offer a complete line of fresh meat and produce. You’ll find only the best quality meats at bargain prices. Whether it be that special occasion dinner, or you are planning a large party, call or stop by today. No matter what your needs, Felton’s is sure to have the finest, most tender meat and tasty produce anywhere.
CHOICE MEATS • PRODUCE • GROCERIES
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THURSDAY, DEC. 3 High: 76 Low: 57 Chance of rain: 10%
FRIDAY, DEC. 4 High: 78 Low: 53 Chance of rain: 25%
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
SUNRISE/SUNSET
Sunrise Sunset
Thursday, Dec. 3
7:04a
5:32p
Friday, Dec. 4
7:05a
5:32p
Saturday, Dec. 5
7:05a
5:32p
Sunday, Dec. 6
7:06a
5:32p
Monday, Dec. 7
7:07a
5:32p
Tuesday, Dec. 8
7:07a
5:33p
Wednesday, Dec. 9
7:08a
5:33p
MOON PHASES
SATURDAY, DEC. 5 High: 70 Low: 47 Chance of rain: 50%
SUNDAY, DEC. 6 High: 67 Low: 51 Chance of rain: 15%
TOMATOES The sightseeing on C.A. Bugg Road can be very pretty, as Kathy Flemister recently saw.
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ACROSS 1 Not very spicy 5 Time and again, to a bard 8 Stage surprise 13 More reasonable 14 Give in to jet lag 15 Far from posh 16 Steinway parts 18 Whack, biblically 19 Space-saving abbr. 20 Mayberry kid 21 Bk. before Philippians 22 Cajun crustacean 24 Lowlifes 28 Bell-shaped lily 29 Hobbyist’s blade 31 Laura of “Marriage Story”
33 BMW competitor 34 Merged comm. giant 35 “Are you serious?” 39 Awareness-raising TV ad 42 Lose stamina 43 A whole lot 46 Cartoon character who is five apples tall 50 Chase scene maneuvers, slangily 52 Some bottled waters 53 Most tidy 55 Arcing shot 56 Fleshy facial feature 57 Student advocacy org. 58 Off-the-cushion pool shot
60 Receives a go-ahead ... and a hint to what’s hidden in 16-, 29-, 35- and 46-Across 62 Render weaponless 63 Maiden name lead-in 64 Country rocker Steve 65 Jam-packed 66 FedEx rival 67 React to yeast DOWN 1 Restaurant host 2 Like most pet birds 3 Writer Deighton 4 Dickens’ “The Mystery of Edwin __” 5 Upstate New York lake
6 Actress Dunaway 7 Playfully pranks, for short 8 Stubborn equine 9 Cut down to size 10 German city where Wagner was born 11 Crime after a data breach, perhaps 12 “See ya” 13 Architectural details 17 Title planet in a 2001 sci-fi film 23 In need of patching 24 __ finder: carpenter’s tool 25 Wine city near Sacramento 26 Just managing, with “out” 27 Witness 30 Coast Guard Academy student 32 “__ your life!” 36 Dee who sang with Elton 37 Spring flower 38 Joint ailment 39 Prof.’s degree 40 Maritime route 41 Concession speech deliverer 44 Paging gadgets 45 Ventricular contraction 47 Hercules’ 12 challenges 48 Low-risk govt. securities 49 Evergreens used for archery bows 51 Buffy’s weapon of choice 54 Make changes to 56 Wrangler maker 58 Bovine chew 59 French Mrs. 60 Oxlike antelope 61 Yokohama yes
15
Dec. 13 New
Dec. 19 First
Dec. 29 Full
Dec. 10 Last
RAINFALL Monday, Nov. 23
0.00
Tuesday, Nov. 24 0.00 Wednesday, Nov. 25
0.00
Thursday, Nov. 26 0.00 Friday, Nov. 27
0.00
Saturday, Nov. 28 0.00 Sunday, Nov. 29
0.00
YEAR TO DATE:
MONTH TO DATE:
2020 58.33 in.
2020 0.00 in.
2019 39.96 in.
2019 0.13 in.
WEATHER
I LOVE PLANT CITY
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16
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
when treating a heart attack or stroke, time is of the essence. even during these times.
Don’t hesitate when it comes to getting emergency treatment. Even during a pandemic, you still need to be treated immediately if you have an emergency. Debating whether or not to risk going to an emergency room during a heart attack, stroke or other health emergency—waiting even a few extra minutes—could be harmful. That’s why in
20-1213541-0920
all BayCare hospital emergency rooms, patients who have symptoms of COVID-19 are screened and treated in a separate area. This helps keep emergency room patients and our team members safe. So if it’s an emergency, don’t wait. For more information: BayCareEmergencyCare.org