12.31.20 PLCO

Plant City Observer YO UR HOMETOW N. YO UR NEWSPAP ER .

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VOLUME 6, NO. 127

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

WHAT’S COMING SOON FOR PLANT CITY Plenty of new projects to keep Plant City growing and evolving will either start or finish in 2021.

2020

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Plant City evolves year after year as it continuously lays the groundwork for the future of the community.

The city is juggling a variety of massive projects that will either be completed or will officially kick off in 2021. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most anticipated changes coming to town.

SEE PAGE 5

YEAR IN REVIEW

SEE PAGE 3

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

NEWS BRIEFS

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Courtesy photo

Meals on Wheels Plant City got a big boost from Unity in the Community last week in the form of a $27,500 donation.

Unity helps Meals on Wheels The volunteers who make Meals on Wheels work for Plant City residents in need got a big boost from Unity in the Community last Sunday.

Unity presented Meals on Wheels with a check for $27,500 at Winn-Dixie that morning. Unity has been a strong supporter of the organization for years and has given tens of thousands of dollars in the past to help keep those wheels turning.

Anyone who wishes to volunteer their time, become a client or donate money to Meals on Wheels can call the office at 813-754-9932. Office hours are 9 a.m. to

12 p.m. Monday through Friday. Donations can also be mailed to the office, which is located at 1304 E. Baker St.

United Food Bank gets big donation The United Food Bank of Plant City announced it received a $50,000 donation from Suncoast Federal Credit Union earlier this month.

The food bank plans to use the money to help local COVID-19 response efforts, specifically with the Community Outreach Program that allows them to serve families that have been affected by displacement,

layoffs, furloughs and other work-related hardships.

“Instantly, we went from serving 4,500 people a month to over 10,000,” UFBPC Executive Director Mary Heysek said in a press release. “Our supplies were depleted very quickly. This is a game-changer for us in that it allows us to keep the important kids programs and community outreach alive. It will also allow us to help support families that have fallen behind and have lost not only their jobs, but found themselves in extreme poverty.”

Laser light show coming to festival grounds A unique event for the whole family is coming to the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds next week.

Cabin Fever Drive-In Laser Show offers two nightly shows for $25 per car where as many people as can fit your vehicle can check out a laser and graphic effects display set to the latest musical hits. Tailgatestyle seating is an option for those who want to get some fresh air while staying at their vehicles.

The shows start at 7 and 9 p.m. each night from Jan. 7-10. Visit the Cabin Fever Drive-In Laser Show Facebook page for

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

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LOOKING BACK ON WHAT WAS ARGUABLY THE STRANGEST YEAR IN DECADES It’s hard to name a year filled with more twists, turns and downright bizarre surprises than 2020.

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e’re not even into the new year and it already feels like the anticipation is nearly overwhelming for the countless events, completion of major construction projects and community affairs that are planned for 2021.

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that time is a construct and means absolutely nothing.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 throughout the world and the corresponding lockdowns, restrictions, quarantines, workfrom-home adaptations and allin-all overwhelming onslaught of news made us all question what time even really meant. Heck, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo even started to include a slide in his briefings of what day it was because for many people the concept of a calendar no longer registered.

So when it was time to write this traditional column that reflects back on all of the changes that have come to Plant City, when asked to reminisce on cherished memories and attempt to construct some sort of inspiring and meaningful analysis of what the past 365 days have meant to this community… I ended up staring at a blank document for almost an hour in total loss.

I looked up a timeline of events for the year — heads up, don’t do it unless you’re ready for a rude awakening — and decided to pull some of the largest headlines from around the country to then hopefully be able to put in perspective the genuine miracle it took to pull off some of the events that have happened right here in Plant City.

Brexit happened this year. Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to prison. Australia had devastating fires, then California had devastating fires. WWIII was a terrifying concept that floated around the internet for months following a U.S. drone strike on Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in January. President Trump — who had just recently been impeached — was acquitted.

“Cats,” that utterly terrifying film, came to movie theaters that were packed with people all there shoulder to shoulder watching it together in rising horror and confusion. Shakira and J-Lo performed at the half-time show of the Super Bowl LIV. Remember how many people attended the Super Bowl? Yeah, 62,417 people were in that stadium this year.

Murder hornets were a thing for a hot second.

Kobe Bryant died. John Lewis died. Chadwick Boseman died.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg died. The list really is too long to even attempt to make a dent in it.

Then there were literal months where no one left their house unless they had to get supplies or food or had a job that hadn’t fully converted to working from home.

During those seemingly endless months, COVID-19 flared. It was everywhere and hospitals filled.

One solitary stimulus check came in as relief for Americans. Then things started to open back up, though many places kept restrictions in place as the contagion had yet to be quelled.

In Plant City, so much happened despite the fact that for months, basically no one left their house. A Strawberry Queen was crowned. The Florida Strawberry Festival happened and the only relative difference was there were more signs up about washing your hands than normal. Then, literally two to three weeks later, the entire state shut down. COVID-19 was here in an alarmingly high number and local officials tried everything in the book to reduce its rate of contagion.

For several weeks at the start of the pandemic, many local churches hosted “drive-up” services on Sundays in their parking lots.

FEBRUARY

JANUARY

F

ebruary was a month of big events and final preparations for the Florida Strawberry Festival.

Carl and Dee Dee Grooms brought a heavy dose of humor to the annual Celebrity Chef as they donned aprons and got to cooking to raise money for the United Food Bank of Plant City. The XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers started to spread their roots in the community and volunteered at the United Food Bank of Plant City.

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hen 2020 began, there was an air of optimism around Plant City.

The 34th annual Plant City Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Arts Festival honored those who had served and encourage inclusiveness and a moment of reflection and celebration.

Local parks were filled with attendees who flocked toward a variety of sports tournaments including the Tampa Bay Ultimate Frisbee Janus XXVII Tournament and the International Senior Softball Association-World Baseball Softball Confederation World Tournament of Champions.

A new Junior Royalty court was crowned and Franklin Graham came to the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds to talk about the fact that the country needed to make a decision on what it wanted its future to look like. Local residents camped out in front of the new Culver’s on North Park Road in hopes of getting free custard for the rest of the year.

Plant City High School’s Special Olympics basketball team prepared to head to state championship tournaments.

Meghan White was crowned Strawberry Queen along with First Maid Kennedy Sapp and Court Members Denim Hughes, Lacie Collins and Emma Miller.

The annual Chilifest, hosted by the Arts Council of Plant City, brought the heat to downtown as the streets were flooded with attendees hoping to find their new favorite dish. Downtown also got a facelift as the newly created Downtown Strike Team began to bring a fresh look to McCall Park and its surrounding areas.

Students were sent home to finish their school year on their laptops. Seniors were denied all the traditional ceremonies and events and some schools responded by throwing special parades in their honor. City meetings were now live-streamed so people could tune in from their couches. The United Food Bank of Plant City saw a massive spike in demand and several organizations came up with creative ways to host food drives and raise money for the group.

Marches for justice for George Floyd drew hundreds to the streets of Plant City — most donned in masks. Businesses had been closed for weeks, if not months, by the time summer rolled around and many were desperate to get financial aid. Some were able to limp through, but several didn’t survive the pandemic and closed for good. Local Girl Scouts had outdoor Bridging Ceremonies. A local Boy Scout had the first outdoor Eagle Scout Court of Honor event in Tampa Bay area history.

Restaurant owners took it upon themselves to feed families in need free of charge. Organizations opened their doors to those in need and gathered supplies to donate in mass quantities. Students went back to an all vir-

Top right: Chilifest warmed up a chilly afternoon at the train depot on Jan. 25. Six teams were awarded first and second-place honors in the Mild, Novelty and Spicy categories and Brick City Bricks took home the coveted People’s Choice Award.

Above right: The 34th annual MLK Festival brought a multi-day celebration to town, including the big parade, a day of community service and numerous events and celebrations hosted by local organizations.

Bottom left: Meghan White was crowned Florida Strawberry Festival Queen in January. Joining her in the court were First Maid Kennedy Sapp and Court Members Denim Hughes, Emma Miller and Lacie Collins.

Bottom right: The Junior Royalty Pageant saw the coronation of Queen Gracie Ashlyn Garner, Princess Madelyn Marie Hardwick, Duchess Sutton Kaye Duncan and Baroness Olivia Pilar McDowell.

Strawberry Crest’s girls soccer team made history by winning its first district title after beating Plant City 3-1 in overtime. Eleven athletes from Plant City High School and Strawberry Crest all over the community put pen to paper on National Signing Day. A red carpet was rolled out for attendees of the annual Night to Shine event, which was held at First Baptist Church of Plant City. The event drew hundreds of attendees for the legendary prom night which is thrown each year for those in the community with special needs.

Jim Scott was named the 2020 Citizen of the Year. This was the 61st annual ceremony and Scott — of Jarrett-Scott Ford — received the honor due to years of his civic-minded work ethic, dedication toward giving back and tireless pursuit of making his community a better place.

Courtney Paat officially became the 2020 Chairman of the Board of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 6.

Rod Carter, of WFLA News Channel 8, was the master of ceremony for the 17th annual Black Heritage Banquet Gala and the Honorable Lesley “Les” Miller was the keynote speaker. Miller analyzed how far this country has come over the past few decades and shared stories of his own life, inspiring all in attendance. He received a standing ovation for his speech.

tual classroom before they were allowed to choose to either come to class in person or remain learning online. Teachers received support via virtual fundraisers to get supplies for their classes to keep things sanitized and safe.

Events started to pop back up in downtown with car shows, food truck rallies, Empty Bowls, Lights of Love and the Plant City Christmas Parade drawing crowds to town. What used to be massive holiday celebrations were either cancelled or altered to meet CDC guidelines or completely reimagined into a drive-through or pickup event.

As 2021 inches ever closer, the prospect of an easily accessible vaccine has many hoping this pandemic will soon be put behind us. However, the timeline is still vague at best.

Until then, Plant City will continue to do what it always does best: look out for one another and roll with the punches.

Maybe don’t invest in that 2021 calendar yet though. It may still be a while before we all have to remember what day it is.

— BREANNE WILLIAMS

Strawberry Crest continued to dominate in the world of sports. Its cheer team won its first UCA national championship at the start of the month. The community gathered once again at Fancy Farms for the annual 4-H u-pick fundraiser, which has been a foundation in Plant City for 13 years.

Courtesy photo

Top left: The Tampa Bay Vipers and Plant City Raiders football teams joined forces to volunteer at the United Food Bank of Plant City on Feb. 3.

Top right: Friends and family of Illinois Blakely Parker celebrated the longtime Plant City resident’s 100th birthday on Feb. 15 with a surprise party for the new centenarian. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners also issued her a commendation celebrating her life and impact in the community.

Bottom right: First Baptist Church of Plant City hosted the 2020 Night to Shine event, an annual prom night for those in the community with social needs, in February. 130 guests danced the night away at the church and had an evening they won’t soon forget.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

Observer

ELV IS

BEST OF COPS CORNER 2020

PLANT CITY

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

JANUARY 21

APRIL 15

JULY 11

WILD TUESDAY NIGHT

ELVIS ISN’T DEAD

WAIT… DON’T I KNOW YOU?

100 block of Henry Avenue Simple Battery: Officers responded to the house at the above listed location in reference to a disturbance. It was determined that a man threw a pot containing hot food on the victim. The woman who was hit by the hot food and pot then hit the man in the head with a golf club in self defense. The victim signed a waiver of prosecution and the man refused medical treatment by PCFR.

300 block of Abigail Road Vehicle burglary: This complainant reported that between 5 p.m. April 14 and 7 a.m. April 15, an unknown suspect entered her vehicle and removed an Elvis sketch, a carton of cigarettes and $25 worth of change from her vehicle.

APRIL 25

1700 block of North Gordon Street Vehicle burglary: This victim told police their vehicle had been burglarized of money and a variety of miscellaneous items during the prior evening. However, while on-scene, officers found the suspect was known, had been contacted and the parties had reached an agreement for repayment/return of the items. A waiver was signed as a result.

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AUGUST 15

JANUARY 23

BUMMER IN THE SUMMER

JANUARY 25

1400 block of North Maryland Avenue Burglary: A man reported to PCPD that a man and woman were seen taking a Makita tool set, DeWalt grinder, Husqvarna chainsaw and a Craftsman toolbox from his front screen porch. The homeowner posted video from his surveillance system on social media and learned the man’s identity. He and the woman, who was identified as his girlfriend, returned the stolen items and the homeowner signed a waiver of prosecution.

WAIT AND WORRY

MAY 13

1500 block of East Baker Street Criminal mischief: Officers responded to the Dollar General in reference to a victim’s tire being cut. According to witnesses at the scene a male child was waiting in the parking lot in a car for his family. Officers were told he then got out of the car and walked over to the victim’s GMC Sierra truck and proceeded to cut the truck’s tire causing damage. The child was identified and admitted to causing he damage. The victim signed a waiver of prosecution form.

BREAKUP BLOWOUT

BANK ON WHEELS 100 block of West Merrick Street Vehicle Burglary: This complainant told officers he withdrew $12,000 from his bank on Jan. 23 and placed it in his vehicle. The money was later discovered to be missing.

MARCH 6 HANGOVER CURE GONE WRONG 1900 block of James L. Redman Parkway DUI: Officers responded to the 1900 block of James L. Redman Parkway in regards to a woman being asleep in the drive-thru. She was placed under arrest for DUI and transported to Orient Road Jail.

MARCH 29 WORTH ITS WEIGHT 2400 block of West Reynolds Street Burglary (business): Unknown individuals entered the business at the above listed location and took approximately $800 in rolled coins.

This week’s Sudoku answers

Euclid Drive Criminal mischief: Officers responded to the above listed location to the reporting of a criminal mischief to a vehicle. The complainant reported that an unknown suspect spray painted the front fenders, hood and front passenger tire with a rust-colored paint. The complainant stated that she believes it was done by an ex and only wanted the incident documented. She signed a waiver of prosecution.

MAY 20 REMOVE THE KEY, PLEASE 2700 block of Turkey Creek Road Vehicle theft: This complainant reported that at approximately 9 p.m. he drove to the gas station at the above listed location to get gas.

His vehicle was stolen while he was inside the store.

JULY 3 NEVER TRUST A BANK? 900 block of Valencia Road Burglary: This victim stated that someone entered his bedroom via his window and removed $10,000 in cash from under his mattress and approximately $200 in change from a glass jar.

1400 block of West Granfield Avenue Petit theft: This complainant stated a subject stole their children’s wagon and slide from the front yard of their home.

AUGUST 21 NOT WHERE I LEFT IT 1410 block of Plantation Circle Stolen/recovered vehicle: This complainant stated an unknown suspect entered her Honda Civic overnight, drove it to the 1300 block of East Alsobrook Street and left it parked along the roadway. The complainant stated she had left the car locked and that her keys weren’t inside it. The car was secured, nothing was taken from it and no damage was assessed. The complainant signed a waiver of prosecution.

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Mail: The Plant City Observer, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103, Plant City, FL 33563

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2800 block of James L. Redman Parkway Grand theft: While workers at Lowes were installing security cameras, unknown suspect(s) stole two cameras valued together at $3,000.

NOVEMBER 29 HIDE AND SEEK 1200 block of North Wheeler Street Multiple charges: Officers investigating a disturbance call learned one of the suspects had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for driving with a suspended license. They went to his home, announced themselves and tried to get him to surrender. The subject instead hid behind a couch in the carport. He was found, arrested and taken to Orient Road Jail without incident.

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NEW YEAR, M NEW PLANT CITY

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

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MARCH

Despite the fact that 2020 has faced hurdles unlike any other, several massive projects are kicking off or completing in 2021.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

PARKING LOT OVERHAUL

If you’ve ever parked in one of the two large parking lots in downtown Plant City along Palmer Street that hug either side of the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, you’ve probably noticed they were in need of some TLC. Drainage issues plagued one lot and the other was riddled with cracked asphalt.

Luckily, some major upgrades are on the way. Each lot will be receiving a complete overhaul as the city essentially starts from scratch to make sure the frequently used lots are in top condition. The renovations will begin in February as there is one large event at the end of January the city agreed to let continue before it began its massive overhaul.

In the meantime, those who wish to come to downtown will have to park their vehicles in one of the many other smaller lots scattered throughout the area.

PUPPER’S PARADISE

One project that is sure to please local parents of fur babies is the upcoming completion of the renovations to the Plant City Dog Park, 905 N. Knight St. The parking lot is going to be completely revamped and a bridge was installed at the end of November to connect the parking lot to the dog park itself. The project is expected to be completed by Tampa Bay Marine, Inc. for $289,500. Originally $237,500 was available in PK017 – Dog Park Pedestrian Bridge, so the city ended up transferring an additional $52,000 from a project in the CIT fund.

The new asphalt lot — which is replacing the current dirt parking area — will have 17 parking spaces, including two

handicap spaces and there will a “stormwater pond with pipe culvert and drainage structures, signs and pavement markings, installation of a pre-fabricated pedestrian bridge with concrete foundations to allow for pedestrians to cross the existing canal and access the dog park, ADA sidewalk connection from the parking lot to the dog park, and LED site lighting for the parking lot area, the dog park facility and the pedestrian bridge,” according to Parks & Recreation Director Jack Holland.

In order to finish this project, the Plant City Dog Park will sporadically close at times from now through mid-March, when the city estimates it will be completed. Future access will be from Knight Street only.

arch was the beginning of a changing world.

At the start of the month there were vague reports coming in of a virus that was starting to spread at an alarming rate. Much of Plant City continued on like normal: the Florida Strawberry Festival still was held, events were thrown like normal, schools met each day with full classrooms until, suddenly, everything came to a screeching halt.

The Florida Strawberry Festival went off without a hitch at the start of the month.

The bands played, the exhibits were visited in a steady stream, the food was consumed in massive quantities and the only indication something was looming on the horizon were the addition of signs that encouraged people to wash their hands and sanitize. COVID-19 was not yet a name anyone recognized.

PICTURESQUE PLAYGROUNDS

One of the biggest changes we will see in the new year is a widespread focus on sprucing up local parks. Some of the highlights include the use of $150,000 for playground improvements. Sansone Park will receive $12,500 for its bike/nature trail and general park improvements have been slated for $40,000. Under these funds, ballfields and court lighting are getting $150,000 for refurbishments.

McIntosh Park Preserve is entering Phase I of its Trail Construction, which will require “development of a minimum two-mile pedestrian trail and a wildlife observation tower for the McIntosh Preserve,” according to the city report. This includes approximately 2.3 miles of “atgrade compacted aggregate trails” as well as a parking lot, parking amenities and an elevated steel observation tower. This should be done not too long after the start of the year.

Some other projects on the horizon include the plans to rebuild the Dort Street Basketball and Tennis Courts for $350,000 and to research and design a Spray Park for $100,000. The city is also planning to use an additional $350,000 to design and construct a new Tennis Center that includes restrooms, showers and other amenities.

In every corner of the community, things seemed to go on as normal. RVR Horse Rescue found a new home in Plant City in March and hosted a grand opening for the community. Volunteers headed to the Plant City campus of HCC to plant more than 60 native trees as part of a wetland and stormwater enhancement project.

Plant City Police Department achieved an excelsior accreditation and had a special presentation at a city commission meeting. But more people started tuning in to the news to watch with confusion and rising worry as word started to trickle in of a pandemic.

By the third week of the month, much of the world had come to a screeching halt. Restaurants were closed, businesses locked their doors, organizations were left with no staff and no ability to do their jobs, office buildings were ghost towns and employees in many industries now had to adjust to a reality of working from home.

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Top, above right, above left: The 2020 Florida Strawberry Festival didn’t disappoint, bringing 11 days of family-friendly fun to the area just before the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic affected daily life in Florida.

Bottom left: When the COVID-19 pandemic began to affect the whole country and create shutdowns, food banks like the United Food Bank of Plant City suddenly faced huge demand for their services. It started what would be one of the toughest years the UFBPC has ever had in Plant City, but ultimately one in which it would pull through.

The United Food Bank of Plant City faced empty shelves and an onslaught of people needing help. Businesses were adapting and partnering with local governments or organizations to act as relief aid hubs.

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Yet there was still a lack of understanding of the longevity of this virus. Many of the initial announcements were closing programs and events until April or May with the belief that within a month or two everything would be “back to normal.”

Students and young athletes were encouraged to still find unique ways to persevere because they had to be ready to jump back in to their normal routine at any second.

Many businesses were reluctant to convert to fully virtual operations because they didn’t want to sink the money into software and equipment that would be useless as soon as everyone returned to the office.

The county’s Emergency Policy Group still met in person and struggled to adjust to a demand they’d never had thrown at them: how do you guide this community through a pandemic?

813-986-1266

Bottom right: Plant City Police Sgt. Barry Maurer was one of 255 graduates from the FBI National Academy in March and was the first PCPD officer to achieve the honor.

Maurer completed the 10-week course and graduated on March 13.

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW APRIL

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ith the pandemic leading to much of the state and the country completely shutting down, the community began looking for creative ways to give back.

Residents at Grace Manor at Hunters Creek were surprised with a more than 30-car parade of family members and loved ones who honked, waved signs and decorate their vehicles to show their adoration of the residents.

The Elks Club donated $5,000 to the food bank. Members of local churches waved signs outside of the hospital to show their support for healthcare workers. Local restaurants, like Hungry Howie’s on Alexander Street and Wooden Spoon Diner, stepped up to make sure no one in the community went hungry.

The City of Plant City began rolling out its new virtual com-

mission meetings — shortly followed by a virtual stream of practically every public meeting in the city — to keep the ball rolling at home. Even local artists adapted.

Periphery Media hosted a social distancing virtual art exhibition where the Best in Show took home the proceeds from the event.

Schools offered grab-and-go food bags so students wouldn’t go hungry. Parents would line up well before the line opened

in order to take home the bags of food. Sports were no longer postponed — they were cancelled.

The first conversations regarding a mask mandate began floating through the EPG. A curfew was put in place but was almost immediately revoked.

its bus ramp. Teachers got to chat with the principal through their windows, pick up goody bags and enjoy free Kona Ice. Later that afternoon Robinson Elementary had a similar event, though they used the experience to say goodbye to one of its most beloved teachers. Armetta Jackson worked with the Hillsborough County School District for 44 years and her coworkers, friends and even some of her students lined up in a seemingly endless

parade of well-wishers. Jackson sat on a throne and caught tossed flowers, waved goodbye and reminisced memories with the different attendees.

and the county debated how much power it had to respond to the pandemic. Many local nurses, like Erin Smude (pictured), volunteered to be sent to COVID-19 hotspots around the country.

Though there were moments of levity, the reality was that the pandemic was impacting the country in a way none had guessed.

The number of infections were soaring with many states falling to even come close to a plateau.

Businesses were crippled by the impact of having to have their doors closed for so many weeks

Locally the virus brought the city under a microscope. COVID-19 spread rapidly through a Plant City nursing home, drawing attention from across the state as more than 80 residents and staff members tested positive.

Left: Grace Manor at Hunters Creek hosted a drive-through parade for its residents so their families could let them know they’re still loved. (Courtesy photo) Top left: More than 60 members of Plant City Church of God visited the South Florida Baptist Hospital parking lot in late April to pray for its workers.

Top right: HCPS introduced a program to help feed its students early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

MAY

In a similar fashion, Plant City High School’s baseball seniors received an honor of their own when a massive line of cars

cruised through Walden Lake on May 6 to celebrate the eldest Raiders since its traditional endof-season celebration never happened.

PCHS also hosted a parade for all local seniors that wove through town and ended back at the high school. PCHS then took that mindset a step further and held another “parade” for its staff.

The drive-through event was held at the school and acted as a way for the school to celebrate its teachers. They received goodie bags, a free lunch, coupons to local businesses and more. Trapnell Elementary held an islandthemed drive-through teacher appreciation party on May 7 at

JUNE

H

undreds gathered in Plant City at the very start of the month as the entire nation was rocked by the echoing calls for justice for George Floyd. The initial march began just before 5 p.m. and lasted for more than four hours. And the marches continued week after week. Many stuck to the traditional route of meeting on James L. Redman and walking down Alexander

Street to Plant City Police Department, however, a few were held in other areas including a march in historic downtown.

City leaders sat down with members of the community in a roundtable discussion to talk about concerns regarding the police’s interactions with the public and to talk about the steps the city should take in partnership with the community moving forward. During that meeting Mayor Rick Lott announced the city had removed the Confederate Cow Cavalry monument at the 1914 museum, vowing it would not remain in Plant City.

Around the country, businesses, organizations and residents faced growing economic uncertainty. The food bank continued to face a rising demand, unemployment began reaching drastically increased numbers and local groups, like the GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City (pictured), continued to attempt to alleviate some of that stress with food drives and

ditions. A local Eagle Scout was one of the first to have an altered ceremony. Eryk Chazares’ Eagle Scout Court of Honor event was the first in all of Tampa Bay-area history to be held outdoors.

Downtown received some fresh banners thanks to the Arts Council of Plant City and Plant City Main Street. Business owners in downtown banded together to form the new Downtown Merchants Committee with Plant City Main Street. donations. In hopes of helping boost the economy for local downtown merchants, Plant City Main Street launched its Downtown Dollars program, which allowed the community to purchase the “bucks” for $5 and redeem them for $10 off a purchase at a participating business.

A mask mandate was put into place — an order that is still in place to this day.

After a few months of lockdown, many began to find new ways to hold their tra-

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ay was the month of parades.

Retired Army Col. Lonnie Davidson — who served overseas from 1942 to 1946 — was honored with a surprise parade where members of the community honked, waved and shouted their love and thanks for his service before he moved to California.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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2020 YEAR IN REVIEW JULY

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n July, the county was at odds over how to handle the pandemic. The mask mandate remained, but it was rumored the Emergency Policy Group would hand over response of the pandemic to the county commissioners. This led to much confusion and debate over who exactly was best outfitted to properly tackle this unprecedented virus.

While everyone waited to see which restrictions would stay and which were about to be thrown out with the bathwater, progress around the community continued to move forward — albeit at a slow pace.

One of Plant City’s most drama-filled structures in town — the Walden Lake Clubhouse — was finally demolished. City Pointe Church was one of the few local churches or organizations to celebrate July 4th. It hosted an outdoor Fourth of July event full of food, games and fireworks.

High school football teams started to ease back into offseason training via extremely adapted workout programs. A second location of Starbucks officially opened in Plant City. Teachers made GoFundMe accounts or public Amazon wishlists in an attempt to purchase all of the new sanitization mate-

rials they would need to keep their classrooms safe when schools opened again.

Wizards flew into town in droves on July 31 in honor of Harry Potter’s birthday. It was one of the largest Main Street events to ever grace downtown Plant City. The new #WeArePlantCity Instagram account and hashtag began picking up steam as members of the community amplified their voices and opened the door to a unique and hyperlocal conversation about race.

Unity in the Community donated a total of $64,000 to various school-related causes during the month of July. The Plant City Photo Archives added the Dr. Scotty and Hsiu Huang History Center. Plant City was named one of Business Insider’s top 25 American suburbs for fast-growing home values. Three Plant City-area students were named state FFA officers.

There was also a big discovery made at the Plant City Commons Community Garden: a small trickle on its grounds is actually a headwater of the Tampa Bay Watershed, so a special dedication ceremony was held in July to mark the start of the water’s journey into Tampa Bay.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

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AUGUST

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he county commission took over the control of the pandemic, removing the responsibility from the lap of the Emergency Policy Group.

Courtesy photo

Meanwhile, South Florida Baptist Hospital announced its plans to relocate to the other side of town off Exit 22 of I-4. Plant City Police Chief Ed Duncan announced

his plans to retire by the end of the year.

Members of the community were invited to tour the brand new Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center.

The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce launched its adapted Plant City Candidate Forum, which featured in-depth interviews with a variety of candidates running for office. The videos streamed on the chamber’s website and acted as the perfect way for voters to do their research before heading to the polls.

The city’s budget workshop unveiled big changes ahead, including the proposed demolition of the former post office and the commitment to a PCPD body camera pilot program. Schools came back — sort of. Classes were switched to fully online at the last minute and teachers and students alike had to navigate a massive undertaking the school system had never experienced before. A week later, they were able to try to go to school in person — though many stayed home to continue with virtual learning.

Top: Students went back into schools at the end of August after starting the new school year virtually.

Bottom: The Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center finally opened to the public in August. The 30,000-square foot facility, which replaced the MLK Recreation Center after the effects of Hurricane Irma caused extensive damages within it, is named for a trailblazer in the history of Plant City’s government.

OCTOBER

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he Plant City Commons Community Garden saw a blossoming interest from the community over the course of quarantine as many turned to the outdoor venue to escape. In response, it upped its offerings and now has a full calendar of outdoor events to keep attendees actively while socially distancing in nature.

SEPTEMBER

n Florida, restrictions were lifted but the COVID-19 numbers continued to keep many at home in Sepember.

Bruton Memorial Library officially welcomed its new director, Paul Shaver, who enthusiastically jumped into the role and hoped to make the library even more accessible to the community. Football was back at long last and the season kicked off on what would traditionally have been week three of the fall season.

Local podcasts flourished in quarantine and several began to see massive increases in listeners and subscribers as people itched to delve deeper into what makes this community so unique. Girl Scouts from all over the region headed to Plant City for a unique outdoor Bridging Ceremony.

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Left: After many months on the back burner thanks to COVID-19, Dean’s Ride 8 was finally able to take place on Sept. 12. The Plant City Family YMCA reported that 165 riders registered for the event and raised $8,000 for its LiveSTRONG Foundation. Roots Tap Room and Wine Bar owner Brandon Snyder, one of event namesake Dean Z. Snyder’s sons, announced an additional donation of $1,180 for the cause.

Right: Local Girl Scouts had to overcome plenty of COVID-19-related obstacles in 2020, and one of them was its annual bridging ceremony. This one was held outdoors in September so the girls could get rewarded for all their hard work with the traditional ceremony.

A long-awaited dedication ceremony was held for Fire Station Three on Park Road. The special event signified the opening of the station, which will help fill the growing demand for service on the other side of town.

Hopewell Baptist Church turned 150 years old and held a special celebration in honor of the milestone. Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail opened — with some substantial adaptations to accommodate CDC guidelines — and featured its renowned spooky haunts. The GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City held a special event to remind local women of the fight for the right to vote in hopes of encouraging them to take that responsibility seriously and show up to the

polls in the upcoming election. Dee Dee Grooms, Chevelle Hallback, Michelle Valdes, Essie Dixon Lewis and Gwen Thomas joined The Observer’s exclusive list of Wonder Women.

A massive Halloween event was held in downtown Plant City thanks to Plant City Main Street. Meanwhile, many other organizations adapted their traditional trunk-or-treats into drive-through candy pickups.

Marsha Passmore was named Aspire Plant City’s inaugural Woman of Distinction due to her years of selfless dedication to Plant City and her inspiring, influential character. Greater St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church rallied the community in its Parade to the Polls to encourage voters to take part in early voting.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

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alk about a tense month. Typically, elections keep one on their toes. Throw in a pandemic with rapidly increasing positive cases across the country and conflicting stories on potential restrictions down the road and you’ve got a cocktail most found difficult to swallow.

The nation officially entered its third wave of the spread of COVID-19, though many argued it was hard to call it a “wave” when it hadn’t greatly subsided before.

Empty Bowls returned to downtown and even offered drive-up and takeaway options for those who wanted to support the United Food Bank of Plant City but weren’t interested in walking around and attending the event itself.

All three Plant City-area high school football teams entered the playoffs in November thanks to an FHSAA rule change. The Florida Strawberry Festival announced it would not book any headline acts for the 2021 festival — a decision that drew both vocal support and outrage from the community.

Members of the community had the chance to meet the four final candidates for PCPD Chief of Police. Ultimately James Bradford, formerly of HCSO, was selected for the role. Small Business Saturday looked a little different this year as Plant City Main Street attempted to boost shoppers downtown. The group created Downtown Passports that could be picked up and stamped on Small Business Saturday and then redeemed for discounts later on.

Top: After 54 years of resting in a completely unmarked grave, United States Army Pfc. Henry Van Demps finally got his much-needed military honors and headstone on Nov. 10 in a ceremony at Garden of Peace Cemetery attended by his mother and other relatives. The ceremony was the result of months of planning and other work on the City of Plant City’s end after a chance encounter with a member of the Coffelt Group led to the discovery of Demps’ unmarked grave.

Bottom: The Empty Bowls Project fundraiser for the United Food Bank of Plant City looked much like that of years past, but there was one big new feature created as a result of the pandemic: a drivethrough service enabled people uncomfortable with wading through the crowd to get their soups to go. The event was preceded as usual by the Fork Ran Away with the Spoon 5K.

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OVID-19 numbers were through the roof and health experts pleaded with Americans to remain home if at all possible for the holidays. Many states locked down, but Florida remained open for business. However, the county’s response, including its mask mandate, did tighten right before Christmas.

The Plant City Christmas Parade brought holiday cheer to the masses at the start of the month and people were able to watch the event either in person or from the comfort of their own home thanks to a partnership with the City of Plant City who live streamed the event. Holiday markets, drive-up light displays, toy drives and virtual holiday story telling events all aimed to

highlight the joys of the holidays while still keeping people safe.

Christmas is Near, the massive Tampa Christmas celebration, headed to Plant City on Dec. 23 at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds. The United Youth Football League’s annual national championship tournament returned to Ellis-Methvin Park.

Santa Sled Festival helped hundreds of families once again. However, one special attendee received the surprise of her life when WWE superstar Titus O’Neil, in a partnership with Stingray Chevrolet, gifted her a new vehicle at the event.

The Varrea Development’s proposed map amendment and the conceptual modifications to its general site development plan were approved by commissioners, shepherding the development into the next step toward completion. Utilizing the CARES Act funding, the City of Plant City put the final touches on massive upgrades to its facilities to ensure the public and its staff were as safe as possible.

DECEMBER 31, 2020

YEAR IN SPORTS

GLANCING BACK AT 2020 The year 2020 was a strange time for sports in Plant City (and far beyond, obviously), but we all got through it together.

Our local athletes played their hearts out in their respective sports as soon as they could get back in action. They played hard before everything changed in March, too, and even won a few state and national championships to show for it.

Our parks still got to host some big-time tournaments when restrictions were lifted.

Though we did get some great moments in 2020, here’s hoping 2021 is much more “normal.”

Take a look back at some of the Plant City Observer staff’s favorite sports photos from the last year.

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

TOP 5 ATHLETES

TOP 5 TEAMS

1. Strawberry Crest High School cheerleading

1. Mario Williams PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL/BASEBALL

Even with all eyes on him as one of the top football recruits in the country, Mario Williams kept performing at a high level in both football and baseball. Williams finished the 2020 football season with 740 receiving yards, eight touchdown catches, 141 kick return yards and 1,002 total yards through the Raiders’ nine games.

With a 3.16 batting average, team highs of seven runs and three triples, five RBI, six hits, one home run, four stolen bases and a perfect fielding percentage, it’s reasonable to think his final baseball season would have also been great if not for COVID-19.

He leaves for Oklahoma as one of the most complete, consistent athletes the Plant City area has ever produced.

2. Kali Vician STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER

There will be more on this Crest team later, but here’s a nod to one of the program’s all-time greats. Kali Vician finished the 2019-20 season with 32 points (10 goals, 12 assists) and has already outpaced herself this year (34 points; 11 goals, 12 assists).

Her 29 goals through 29 games have her tied with teammate Ezra Carpenter for tops in program history, but her 24 career assists and 12 single-season assists are both all-time highs and she should graduate this year with both records to her name.

3. Hendon Haley

Some of these annual top five decisions are tricky to make. Others, not so much. This was the easiest call to make in the Observer’s short history. Were the Chargers executing perfectly on the mat in every competition? No, and they’ll be the first to tell you that.

But, given their 2019-20 resumé, they must have been close enough. Crest won Western Conference, which it did not do in 2019. Crest won its sixth consecutive state title by scoring almost 24 more points than 2A Small Co-Ed runner-up Wiregrass Ranch in January. Crest outscored literally every team in the entire 2A classification except for West Nassau, but that was only a 4.11-point difference. Crest became the first Hillsborough County team to ever win a national championship when it won the Small Varsity Co-Ed division at February’s UCA Nationals in Orlando. Can you say, “dynasty?” We certainly can.

2. Plant City High School Special Olympics Unified basketball Is there anything more stressful than chucking up a fourth-quarter buzzer beater in any basketball game, let alone a state championship game? It’s the longest moment of your game and it only lasts for the few seconds in which the ball’s in the air. You know who wasn’t scared of that moment? Taylor Teeden and the Plant City Raiders, who won their second of two state championship games like that in February. It was a fantastic finish for a fantastic team.

3. Strawberry Crest High School girls soccer

2020 was a big year for Crest’s girls soccer team, which did more than just post the second winning regular season (with a third soon to come) in program history. The girls won their first-ever district championship in February and currently have a 9-0 overall record, outscoring opponents 55-3. The 2019-20 squad featured each of the top three goal scorers in program history (Emily Rosales, Kali Vician and Ezra Carpenter) and the 2020-21 squad looks even stronger on both ends of the field.

4. Durant High School hockey

Hendon Haley’s quest for a state title continued in his final season with the Durant Cougars and he did make it back to the tournament at 138 pounds.

In the regional tournament, Haley overcame an early-round loss to Tyler Eastes of North Port in the finale of the third-place bracket. That time, he won by fall (2:40) to punch his ticket to states. Unfortunately, Haley was eliminated from states in the third-place bracket.

Durant’s hockey team had plenty to be pleased about in 2020 with strong two-way play and solid goaltending from Ryan Putnam and Will Chabalowski. The Cougars made the LHSHL playoffs for the second time in three seasons, but this season was even better: Durant finished with 30 points on the season (12-4-6), sent three players to the 2020 Honda High School Hockey All-Star Showcase (in which Putnam was named third star) and qualified for the SAHOF State High School Championships in Fort Myers.

4. Hubert Pilichowski

5. Plant City Dolphins Midgets football

DURANT HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING

Strawberry Crest’s swimming and diving program has sent plenty of kids to the state tournament in the recent past, but 2019 was an exception to the norm. That little drought ended in 2020.

Hubert Pilichowski, one of seven Chargers to make the cut for regionals individually, finished the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:01.87 to qualify for the big one. Coincidentally, it was the same event in which Crest was last represented at states in 2018.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

5.Kayla Swinson DURANT HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

Durant’s softball team went on an absolute tear before everything got shut down, putting up a 7-0 record with a 59-5 scoring differential. Scoring a run on Kayla Swinson, who threw every pitch for Durant in those seven games, was nearly impossible.

Swinson posted an ERA of 0.50 and struck out 58 batters in 42 innings while only giving up six walks. It’s nearly criminal that Swinson and this loaded Cougars team got robbed of the rest of the season, but we can’t change the past.

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JUSTIN KLINE

Sports Editor Justin Kline looks back at some of his favorite local sports stories from the past year.

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The Plant City Dolphins Midgets team didn’t dominate every opponent it faced in the shortened 2020 TCYFCC season. There were a handful of one-score games mixed in the scoresheet. What the team did, however, was shut everybody out. No one in TCYFCC play could score on the 2020 Midgets team, which extended its league win streak to 50. We’d usually mention a Superbowl win here with the Midgets, but the COVID-19 pandemic altered the schedule and they’re now set to start the first round of the playoffs in January. If ever there were a betting favorite in youth football, they’d be that.

813 -966 -1138 MOZARTCONSTRUC TION .COM

at least not in the grand scheme of things, that there was so much uncertainty about when — or if — sports would be back this year that I was pitching the folks above my pay grade on covering more of the other stuff just to avoid being another casualty of the layoffs that gutted far too many newsrooms and their sports departments in 2020. I had no idea what I was going to do.

Well, I got lucky. I did more work outside of sports than I ever have and wrote some stories I’m really proud of. More importantly, sports did come back and I was able to get back in my writing wheelhouse. Since we’re using almost all of this issue to look back on this crazy year we all had, I guess there’s no time like the present to look back on some of my favorite sports stories in

a year where fans learned to never take sports for granted again.

“REMEMBERING ARTHUR COX” — JULY 30 If we’re being completely honest here, I’ve never enjoyed writing tributes or feature-length obituaries.

It was never a strong suit of mine. So if you would have told me back in late March that I’d be writing tributes nearly every week for a decent chunk of time in the summer, I wouldn’t have been a happy camper.

But this summer’s experience totally changed that for me. Maybe I just got lucky with who I got to memorialize, because we lost some very interesting, beloved people this year.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

“‘CAN’T STOP SIX,’ AND THEN SOME” — FEBRUARY 13 I’ve written about Strawberry Crest winning a state championship in almost every year I’ve been at the Observer. This year’s story was even more special because the Chargers were able to take home a historically significant national championship.

The run these cheerleaders have made in four years with the program has been incredible and had more obstacles to overcome than some might suspect from a team that constantly wins at the state’s highest level. Crest cheer is our top team of 2020 for good reason — which you can read about in full online. https://www.plantcityobserver.com/ cant-stop-six-and-then-some/ “PCHS WINS STATE SPECIAL OLYMPICS HOOPS TITLE” — MARCH 5 You know how in every feel-good sports movie ever made, there’s some big moment at the end where something incredible happens during a game and the team you’re rooting for does the unthinkable?

OK, maybe Plant City’s Special Olympics Unified basketball team winning the state title this year wasn’t “unthinkable.”

But it did have that movie moment: Taylor Teeden’s off-balance buzzer-beater from three to beat St. Cloud in the Feb. 28 championship game. It even took the kind of dramatic bounce where, in a movie, the music would stop playing and there would

be a cut to the fans in the stands holding their breath. https://www.plantcityobserver.com/ pchs-wins-state-special-olympics-hoopstitle/ “BACK IN BLACK (AND SCARLET)” — NOVEMBER 25 One of La’Tosha Lewis’s greatest labors of love was building Crest into a regular playoff contender and Aliyah Gregory’s teams were the ones that really got the ball rolling on that front. So it made perfect sense for Lewis to consider Gregory, who knows Crest’s culture as well as anyone, to take over the program in 2020.

What’s not to love about an all-time great from the school giving back to the program where it all began? https://www.plantcityobserver.com/ back-in-black-and-scarlet/ “COMEBACK SEASON FOR PLANT CITY BOXING GYM TRAINER” AND “RODRIGUEZ WINS PRO BOXING DEBUT” — OCTOBER 1 AND 22 One very cool thing I got to see for myself was the pro debut of 51-year-old Jose Rodriguez, who was previously bestknown around Plant City as the owner of and trainer at Plant City Boxing Gym. Chevelle Hallback’s big comeback inspired a heck of a lot of people. Rodriguez was one of them. But to fight again for the first time in 31 years, for the first time above the amateur classification? I’ve known Rodriguez since the gym opened and I didn’t even see that coming. But he was extremely confident in himself when I interviewed him for the fight’s preview article and when he walked up to the ring on Oct. 17, scowl on his face and eyes locked on his opponent, I had a good feeling Rodriguez really was going to be A-OK in there. https://www.plantcityobserver.com/ comeback-season-for-plant-city-boxinggym-trainer/ https://www.plantcityobserver.com/ photo-gallery/rodriguez-wins-pro-boxingdebut/

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

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

There are many cogs in the machine that is the Plant City Dolphins Midgets football team. One of them is Joseph Escobar, who joined the Dolphins this year and contributes all over the field on offense and defense.

He is a two-sport athlete who can also be found on the baseball diamond and works hard at everything he tries.

Going undefeated in a regular season isn’t unheard of, but not giving up a single point to any opponents? That’s wild. How did you and your teammates on defense stay focused enough to do that?

Being smart and training really hard. Practice, training and teamwork.

Which positions do you play?

I play receiver, sometimes wing back. I like receiver and outside linebacker because there’s more action. As a receiver, you never know what’s gonna happen. And on defense you can hit people as hard as you want.

You’re new to the Dolphins this year but not to football. What made you want to play here?

I thought it would give me more exposure.

hard work and dedication, I could be out there like all the other good players on the team.

Who do you play baseball for and what’s your role on the team?

I play for North Brandon Little League. I’m a pitcher and I play SS, OF, 1B and 2B Do you like one of those sports more than the other, or are they pretty much tied?

I like football more because that’s what I really grew up playing. I like contact.

When I first got the hang of it, I knew it was gonna be my favorite sport.

What advice would you give to someone who’s starting to play football for the first time?

You’ve got to have confidence. You’ve got to be dedicated and put in hard work, for sure. And you have to have good grades.

What was your favorite game of 2020?

The UYFL game when we played the Brooklyn Chiefs.

I had a fumble recovery on a forced fumble pickup, a kick return touchdown, four tackles and hard hits.

How do you feel like you, as a player, performed this year?

I think I did amazing. I felt confident in myself and, I don’t know, I felt really confident.

I didn’t think I was going to be a starter…

I just thought if I trained hard, put in the

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One of them was Arthur Cox, a native son of Plant City who made it to the NFL and never forgot his roots. I realize a small-town sportswriter who was born just before Cox’s last year in the pros probably won’t change the minds of the nationally syndicated writers who styled him as a villain in the 1980s and 90s, but learning what kind of person Cox really was and getting the chance to put that out there for anyone in the world to see was an experience I’m always going to be grateful for. https://www.plantcityobserver.com/ remembering-arthur-cox/

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

PlantCityObserver.com

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR

BEST OF IT’S READ EVERYWHERE 2020 Our readers love to travel and always make sure to take a copy of the paper with them wherever they go, even if it’s to the edge of the world. This year, even with COVID-19 restrictions in place, readers still got out of their back yard and brought the paper along.

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

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

BEST OF CUTEST CRITTER 2020 We love highlighting your furry and scaly friends whenever we can, and readers kept a steady stream of cuteness in our email inboxes and Facebook messages this year.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

BEST BET 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: Jan. 1-2 and Jan. 8-9.

ONGOING THE WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS & SANTA’S VILLAGE

The fifth annual Wonderland of Lights event opened Nov. 26 and will offer attendees a non-contact, drive-through experience every week until Dec. 27. The light show is the main attraction from Monday through Wednesday. From Thursday through Sunday, attendees can also hang out at Santa’s Village to see Santa Claus himself.

Also on the schedule are several family-friendly acts like Nerdy Noah’s Comedy Show (Dec. 10-13) and the duo of Dennis Lee and Stephanie Ann (Dec. 24-27).

Tickets are $15 per car Monday through Wednesday and $25 per car Thursday through Sunday.

For more information about the event, visit thewonderlandoflights.com.

THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS

6 to 10 p.m. Join First Baptist Church of Plant City, 3309 James L. Redman Parkway, this Christmas season for something new and unique. The Light of Christmas is a 30-minute drive-in light show featuring Christmas songs old and new, a story of hope, and thousands of programmed Christmas lights. Ongoing through Jan. 6.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS 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.

BATON TWIRLING CLASSES

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 813626-4554.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2

PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

BLUEGRASS JAM

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.

PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

6 to 9:30 p.m. at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Plant City Social Dance will have dances every Saturday night in the month of January at the Strawberry Square Dance Center. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., there will be ballroom music for ballroom dancers. The regular dance goes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.The cost to dance is now $7 per person and attendance is limited to 50 people with reservations. Call DJ Ken Miller at 863-409-7714 to reserve your spot and visit djkenmiller.com to look at sample playlists and get more information.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3 FREE SQUARE DANCING LESSONS

2 to 3:30 p.m. at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. No experience required. Children age 8-18 are welcome if accompanied by a parent. Masks are required. Call 813-752-0491 for more information.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6 FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Federal, state and local opportunities are constantly changing. If you’ve served any time in the military, retired or non-retention, and would like to review your benefits, please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday.

Walk-ins welcomed or call 813704-5800 to set a specific time.

Masks are required and temperatures will be taken at the door.

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.

BATON TWIRLING CLASSES

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 813626-4554.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 THE WRITERS’ LOFT

9 a.m. Visit the loft at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., on the second Saturday of every month for the Writers’ Loft. Poets, writers, artists, musicians and more creative types who work in all genres at all skill and experience levels are welcome. Admission is $5 and a free drink is included.

of January at the Strawberry Square Dance Center. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., there will be ballroom music for ballroom dancers. The regular dance goes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.The cost to dance is now $7 per person and attendance is limited to 50 people with reservations. Call DJ Ken Miller at 863-409-7714 to reserve your spot and visit djkenmiller.com to look at sample playlists and get more information.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13 FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Federal, state and local opportunities are constantly changing. If you’ve served any time in the military, retired or non-retention, and would like to review your benefits, please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday.

Walk-ins welcomed or call 813-704-5800 to set a specific time. Masks are required and temperatures will be taken at the door.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14 PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

BEGINNING RUMBA/CHA CHA BALLROOM LESSONS 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Learn basic steps that you can use at social events. Cost is $7.00 per lesson per person. Social distancing, no changing partners. Call 864-723-6965.

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.

OPEN MIC NIGHT

BATON TWIRLING CLASSES

7 to 8:30 p.m. Open Mic Night is back at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. You get to be the show in this “krazy” fun night. To sign up, visit https://forms.gle/tYPLqRiyYBmNTtCP9.

PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

6 to 9:30 p.m. at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Plant City Social Dance will have dances every Saturday night in the month

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 813626-4554.

NEW MEMBER SPECIAL OFFER:

RENEW RESTART

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

BEST OF I LOVE PLANT CITY 2020 We don’t need to tell you Plant City is an extremely photogenic place — you know that as well as anyone, and you showed us throughout 2020 with your photos of life around this strawberry town.

Send your photo submissions to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.

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ACROSS 1 Rene of “Ransom” (1996) 6 Not as expensive 10 A bit loopy 14 Part of “the works” on a burger 15 Old man, in German 16 Needle case 17 1950 Gloria Swanson film 20 Peanut butter choice 21 Like wax fruit 22 Note from one who’s shy?

24 Laser pointer chaser 25 1979 Jim Henson film 33 Get out of bed

34 Jazz instruments 35 Peruvian singer Sumac 36 Squirrel’s hoard 37 Credited in an endnote 38 Place to tie up a boat 39 24-hr. cash source 40 Equestrian 41 “That’s __!”: “Piece of cake!”

42 1988 Demi Moore film 45 News initials 46 __ bunt: productive MLB out 47 Looks at closely 52 “John Wick” star Keanu 57 2002 Woody Allen film ... or what each of the

last words of 17-, 25- and 42-Across can be 59 “Garfield” dog 60 Baseball family name 61 Dalai Lama’s land 62 Have a craving for 63 Appraise 64 Clairvoyants DOWN 1 PBS painter Bob 2 E pluribus __ 3 Chinese: Pref.

4 Fair-to-middling 5 Previous 6 Chem class 7 Fair-haired Wells race 8 Flabbergast

9 Chose 10 Actor Danny who appears in M&M’s commercials 11 Run __: drink on credit 12 Roll and bind, as a sail 13 Laundry soap brand 18 Commandment pronoun 19 Red-wrapped cheeses 23 Positive aspect 25 “The __ is out there”: “The X-Files” catchphrase 26 Blackjack request 27 Handy Scrabble tile 28 Eucharistic plate 29 Applies, as pressure 30 Competing (for) 31 “Know what __?”

32 Wyatt of the Old West 33 Future MD’s class 37 1860s North-South conflict 38 Letter before omega 40 Settle, as a debt 41 Climbs 43 Rental from a renter 44 Tortoise racer 47 Website with step-bystep instructions 48 “Star Wars” sentence inverter 49 Tiger Woods’ ex 50 1970 Kinks hit 51 Chimney residue 53 Actress Falco 54 Vague feeling 55 The “E” in DOE: Abbr.

56 Some NCOs 58 Deserving

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

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