2.14.19 PLCO by Plant City Observer

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

2XS DEVELOPMENT TAPPED FOR MIDTOWN Two proposals were presented for Midtown. 2XS Development walked away with the vote. SEE PAGE 10

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Justin Kline

George and Cassandra Banning pose with the 2019 Citizen of the Year award plaque. The award was presented by 2018 recipient Don Walden.

George Banning won the 2019 Plant City Citizen of the Year award on Wednesday afternoon. Banning was honored at the 60th anniversary luncheon at the Florida Strawberry Festival’s Expo Hall. SEE PAGE 4

NIGHT TO SHINE’S

GLIMMERING SUCCESS The second annual Night to Shine event was held at First Baptist Church of Plant City on Feb. 8. SEE PAGE 7

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

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NEWS BRIEFS

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL GUIDE COMING FEBRUARY 28 To advertise in the Strawberry Festival Guide, call (813) 704-6850 and ask for Robert.

Hit and run suspect arrested

SCHS football golf tourney

Emmanuel Burgos Mercado, who Plant City Police detectives had been looking for since a fatal hit-and-run on January 17, was found in Connecticut and arrested Feb. 12. Police said Mercado, 36, killed Arturo Martinez Ramirez and fled the scene in a 2006 Hyundai Tucson GLS that was later found at a mobile home park in Lakeland. Detectives found Mercado hiding in Connecticut and interviewed and arrested him after he returned to Florida. Mercado has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash without rendering aid/involving death, driving with a suspended license/causing death and tampering with evidence.

Strawberry Crest football’s second annual fundraiser golf tournament tees off April 6 and the team is currently seeking sponsors and teams. The four-person scramble tournament will be held at Pebble Creek Country Club with a 9 a.m. shotgun start and features longest drive and closest to pin contests, a basket raffle, a 50-50 cash raffle, a live auction and awards ceremony. Tax-deductible donations will benefit the football team directly. The registration fee is $85 per person or $340 per group for players and four tiers of business sponsorship, ranging from $200 to $1,000 packages, are available. For registration forms and more information, visit crestfootball.com.

SEND US YOUR RECIPES The 2019 Florida Strawberry Festival will be here before you know it, and we’re already hungry. The Plant City Observer’s 2019 Festival Guide will feature a strawberrythemed recipe section and we’re looking for some of the tastiest recipes in the community. Whether it’s strawberry pie, cookies, salads or anything you’ve got that makes for a “berry” sweet treat, we’d love to feature it in the upcoming guide and give you a shout-out. Your recipe will be seen by thousands of people and just might be the next big hit in kitchens inside and outside of Plant City. If interested, please send your recipes and a photo of the dish (if possible) to Staff Writer Breanne Williams at bwilliams@plantcityobserver.com by Feb. 11.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

GIVE PEAS A CHANCE The Funky Spork teaches amateur chefs how to slay in the kitchen with healthy, unconventional recipes.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Breanne Williams

Mara Latorre with one of her unique and delicious culinary creations.

If groove had a flavor, it would be the ambrosial concoctions Mara Latorre cooks up for her healthy, predominately plant-based food blog, “The Funky Spork.” Latorre has been transitioning to a plant-based diet for approximately a year. Though she said she is vegetarian the majority of the meals on her blog are also vegan. She knows the general public has a sort of aversion to a vegan lifestyle and she hopes sharing her quirky and affordable recipes will help break down many of the stereotypes surrounding the diet. “There’s this misconception that you have to go to a gourmet market to be plant-based,” Latorre said. “Here in Plant City that’s not an option. We go to local produce stands, we go to the same supermarkets as everyone else. And we’re saving money. We don’t eat out as often as we used to and that really can be so expensive. You just have to take the time to look at your recipe and do some research. There are really affordable ways to eat healthy.” She recommends eating seasonally and not being afraid to experiment. Why buy an expensive vegan cheese sauce when you can make your own for a fraction of the cost? She also committed to making cooking a priority. That means she goes multiple times a week to the grocery store and buys much fewer quantities. Everything is fresher, she’s heavily reduced her food waste and she knows exactly what she’s aiming for when she walks through the aisles. Once she began seeking out plant-based recipes she posted some of her culinary creations on her social media platforms. Every single time someone — if not sev-

eral people — reached out asking for the recipe. Over and over again the questions came pouring in and she realized there was an interest she hadn’t originally seen in the nearby community. “I feel like the U.S. in general cannot consider a meal a meal without meat,” Latorre said. “Vegetables are a side item, not the main course. I’m hoping to show that’s not the case.” Soon The Funky Spork was born. Latorre has a Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Pinterest and an in-depth website — thefunkyspork.com — that chronicles her extensive experiments in the kitchen. One of the hardest parts was getting into the habit of being conscious of everything and exactly how much she was putting into her dishes. It’s a habit she developed watching her mother cook in the kitchen when she was a small child and even now she finds herself going back after finishing a dish and writing down all the things she changed or added to the original recipe along the way. “I remember when I was in elementary school I was always fascinated with cooking,” Latorre said. “I pulled a chair up to the kitchen and would watch my mom as she cooked. She noticed and created this cooking show for me. As I got older she began to slowly incorporate me into her cooking. By the time I was in middle school I was starting to cook full meals and by high school cooking dinner was my household chore.” While other youth would go home from school to watch Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel, Latorre flipped right to the cooking channel to watch chefs like

Rachael Ray create their masterpieces. One of the savory, yet all natural meals she whipped up last week was comprised of grilled asparagus, a vegan, nut-free mac and cheese and Sriracha and citrus marinated jackfruit. The asparagus was grilled with a salt, pepper, garlic and olive oil marinade. The mac and cheese had glutenfree chickpea pasta with a homemade cheese sauce made from sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, soy milk and garlic. The jackfruit had a marinade of fresh oranges, maple syrup, Sriracha, soy sauce, sesame seeds, liquid smoke, smoked paprika and garlic. Her blog also highlights local businesses that offer plantbased meals. Supporting local establishments is a big passion of Latorre’s and while she goes all over Tampa Bay with some of her posts she has a special Plant City Youtube series for restaurants in her home turf that offer plantbased cuisine. Her fiancee, Jeremy Rivera, said while he still occasionally eats meat he’s been along for the ride as she transitions their meals into plant-based masterpieces. They’re not all wins, but he said he gladly acts as a taste-testing guinea pig for all of her experiments. Both Latorre and Rivera are artists and their creative personalities are on display not only in the artwork hanging on their walls, but also in the mind boggling, but succulent meals they are able to cook up. If you explore her website one thing becomes abundantly clear: Latorre is creating the food she likes to her unique taste in a creative way. Luckily, her visions are always scrumptious.

Latorre decided to make the switch after her doctor told her she was pre-diabetic. She said she was shocked and it forever changed the way she looked at food. She dove into research and for her the answer was in the ground. Finding unprocessed, natural meals that tasted as good as all the meals she loves became her new priority. “It is frustrating because so often I have to go to Tampa to find a restaurant that has things I would enjoy eating,” Latorre said. “Because of the fact that you have to drive out and because a lot of the time I don’t want to do that to just fill a craving, I’ve learned how to make so much of what I want myself. And to be entirely honest there have been many places recently I’ve gone to that I’ve had to drive far to and the quality was down. I sat there thinking, ‘I can do this cheaper and better.’” She said often people think vegans or vegetarians are elitist, that only those with money can afford to live a healthy lifestyle. She’s proving that wrong and is gaining a loyal following because of it. The trick is to not be afraid of failure. Follow your curiosity, try out something that may seem scary or intimidating and discovery what you love. “I have more energy now and I’ve noticed the pounds are going down, though I’m a body-positive person so that wasn’t the point of this, and I’ve noticed I’m more motivated in general to cook my own food,” Latorre said. “I’ve got better digestion, clearer skin, it’s really making a difference. I just want people to know you don’t have to overcomplicate this. If my meals can inspire someone to

come up with their next meatless Monday meal than that makes me happy.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION The Funky Spork Social: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube @TheFunkySpork Webiste: thefunkyspork.com Email: thefunkyspork@gmail

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

GEORGE BANNING

PLANT CITY

Observer

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George Banning may not be a native of else he’s lived. Banning has been a local Plant City, but he’s certainly made the club president, district governor and most of his 25 years in town. received the Service Above Self, MeriBanning’s tireless work inside and out torious and Club Building awards. After of Plant City was recognized Wednes- Banning got to Plant City, he was instruday afternoon when he was surprised mental in the organization of the Daywith the 2019 Citizen of the Year award break Rotary Club. He hosts the annual Edited by David Steinberg 15, 2019 at the annual luncheon in the Florida Cracker Country February Feast fundraiser with Strawberry Festival Expo Hall. the Daybreak club at his home to benefit “It’s a terrific honor,” Banning42 said. 11Bank Objectives 47 ACROSS Greek theXUnited Food of Plant City and “I’ve experienced a lotswim of things around 12 Red He has raised 48 1 Quick 45 Seeother local organizations. the world. And I mean that sincerely… $200,000 over time to purchase satelvegetable 4 Director 25-Across but the one thing I like the most,49 I like lite phones to18 distribute throughout Personal Anderson Checking working here in Plant City and helping the Caribbean islands. Banning is also49 a info 7 See condition, people.” full-time adoption recruiter and works 20 Distance 21-Across briefly After getting a degree in agriculture with foster care children in the United between 50 10 Taxi 52 “Sully” actor from Michigan State University, Ban- States and Canada. lines 13 Broody rock Tom ning served in the United States Air Banning may be best known as the 23 Pigslocations ___ in cen51 genre 54 Producer Force from 1963 to 1967. His specialty owner of two Wendy’s blanket 14 Shiba ___ Gotti was aircraft maintenance and once tral Florida. He has previously managed 26 major Sea nymphs 53 15 500 Howe’er “___restaurants in the helped train airmen in just55 eight fast food chain, 27 No chal16 Enjoy a dog welcome” months. Banning retired as a captain at one time overseeing 13 stores while after active and reserve service. 57 Reebok living in the Orlando area.at all lenge bed He is a longtime Rotarian, first getting He is chairman of the United Food 28 ChapStick 17 *Exposure 56 competitor involved with therapy the group in Columbus, Bank of Plant City’s board of directors spot 58 Sunflower Ohio in 1976 and continuing everywhere and a former member of the 29 “I get it!” Plant City targets 58 snacks

Universal Crossword

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To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@PlantCityObserver. com. Mail: The Plant City Observer, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103, Plant City, FL 33563

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Family YMCA’s board. Banning received the Plant City Y’s Strong Leader Award in 2014. He helped bring a train viewing tower and the Veterans’ Park to Plant City. He is an ardent supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the Plant City Garden Club with his wife, Cassandra Banning. Banning told the audience at the lunRage cheon he is just about ready to retire from his work with Wendy’s. Certain “I’m looking forward to retiring and optical spending more time doing what I’ve storage disc always wanted Didn’t get to do, and that’s traveling,” he said. caught by

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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STRAWBERRY DISTANCE CHALLENGE 2019 The annual event returned to Walden Lake on Feb. 9.

PC HONORS LOCAL AFRICANAMERICAN HEROES St. Mary’s Community Church is once again offering a unique Black History Month celebration with a variety of sketches honoring African-American trailblazers that reshaped Plant City.

Runners take off from the starting line following the Jarrett-Scott Ford pace car. BREANNE WILLIAMS

Courtesy of Breanne Williams

Sarah Governor puts on the play each year.

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Black History Month is celebrated Look at Sayde Gibbs, look at Jim McDaniel, throughout town with a variety of galas, they jumped in there when they saw a need festivals and special sermons. St. Mary’s and we are still seeing their impact.” Community Church throws its own unique Hearing the skits, which this year have tradition into the mix with an education- been written by the actors themselves al, yet heartwarming tribute to African rather than Governor since she said they all American heroes. know the true impact of either their lives Last year the community came together or the lives of their friends, will hopefully at St. Mary’s to learn that everyone can cause viewers to redirect their lives and make a difference in their own way. A uni- spark a resurgence of community activism. fying play featuring characters like Justice Governor said a monumental partnerThurgood Marshall, Nina Simone, Maya ship to pull off the touching tribute next Angelou, Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Martin week is all in thanks to the assistance of Luther King Jr. shared how everyone has a the Bing Rooming House Museum. The talent and can change society by following museum has collected a vast array of photheir gifts. tographs and items pertaining to legendary This year the play is back, but now it community heroes. William Thomas Jr., will be entirely comprised of local legends. president of the Improvement League of Titled, “Heavy is the Head that Wears the Plant City, has worked around the clock to Crown,” the play will bring the stories of gather photos of all of the featured people Plant City’s heroes to life. for the play. Sadye Gibbs Martin, played by ComSt. Mary’s is opening its doors to the missioner Mary Mathis, James McDaniel, community for the tribute on Feb. 24 startplayed by himself, Liesta Sykes, played by ing at 3 p.m. Church attire is recommendherself, E.L. Bing, played by Henry Davis, ed, but all are welcome to attend. and Sam Cooper, played by Tony Mathis “They can go worship at their church will be this year’s local heroes. then go out to eat a nice dinner and come “We sat down and we tried to come up here and enjoy a wonderful tribute,” Govwith people we knew either made a mas- ernor said. “This is something we hope to sive impact and were still alive or came up do every single year.” with people we knew had a relationship with the person that is now gone, but was such a trailblazer,” Sarah Governor, director of Education at St. Mary’s, said. “We’re also adding maybe two skits to this year’s performance. One is a skit from a woman in Lakeland. The other is one I wrote. It’s going to be quiet a show.” Those being honored were well loved in the community and still have many faithful friends and loving family around. Governor said she hopes they will come out and see how much their loved one’s lives meant to Plant City, how much they still Courtesy of the Improvement League of Plant City Liesta Sykes, left, giving out the Sayde make an impact. “I know the adults will get something Gibbs Martin Community Service award. out of this, even if it’s nothing but bringing back memories,” Governor said. “But what IF YOU GO I’m hoping is the children, the young peo- “Heavy is the Head that Wears the ple that attend, I want them to know they Crown” don't have to go away to do something. When: Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. Look at your community right here. There Where: St. Mary’s Community Church, is a need in Plant City. Look at that need, 904 E Renfro St. identify that need. Don’t be a part of the Cost: Free problem, be a part of solving that problem.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

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Hundreds of runners took Walden Lake by storm on Feb. 9 for the annual Strawberry Distance Challenge 5K, held every year at the same time as the Strawberry Picking Challenge. This year’s Strawberry Distance Challenge featured the one-mile, 5K and 10K runs, plus a 5K ruck. All of the runs follow paths inside the Walden Lake community.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

2XS DEVELOPMENT TAPPED FOR MIDTOWN

Two proposals were brought to city commissioners Monday evening. 2XS Development, LLC walked away with the vote.

courtesy of City of Plant City

2XS Development had a unanimous vote from commissioners to start negotiations on Midtown. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Only two bids were placed with the city for the project. One company, Green Mills Group, had been before the city before. It wanted to develop essentially one block, creating an approximately 75 unit structure that was rent restricted. The company batted around the idea of it potentially being a senior only or a family unit. The company said once a beautiful building is up with tenants it becomes a catalyst and development will come. The second bidder, 2XS Development, LLC, in partnership with Lillian Venture Group, LLC, said they wanted to develop the entire nearly

16-acre district in four phases. Lillian Venture Group intends to be a major financial participant in the redevelopment. It entered into an agreement with 2XS to provide as much as $1,500,000 for the funding with a contingency expansion to $2,500,000 if needed, according to the bid. Sam Bauer and Steven Katz, owners of 2XS, along with their entire team were in attendance for the presentation lead by Elliot Cohen, with neighborhood relations. Each team member was introduced to the commission and shared their experience, showing the city they were committed to the entirety of the project.

Input from the community is a major focus for 2XS, according to Cohen, and they plan to build a bridge between community opinion and their finished product. The total development could have approximately 500 residential units, which would bring more than 1,000 people living downtown. Bauer also stated they would want the city to give them the property to start development. Commissioner Bill Dodson pressed Bauer on the assurances the city would not be left hanging if they handed the valuable land over and then nothing came to pass. He asked what would happen if the market stalled and the plans suddenly halted. Bauer assured in negotiations they would come to an agreement that would work for both. Commissioner Mike Sparkman added that the details of the negotiation were not what was currently being discussed and that they needed to let the city manager deal with that end of the agreement. “I have confidence in our city manager (Bill) McDaniel... and our legal council to work out those details to the point where the city would have a safeguard if necessary,” Sparkman said. “I think we’re getting off on something that’s really not relevant to what our charge is tonight. I’m not a lawyer and you’re not either that’s why we have lawyers and we give it to staff for them to protect the city and go forward and get back to us.” McDaniel said once negotiations were entered he would ensure the city was protected and reminded the commissioners they would be a part of this approving every step. The commissioners then ranked the two bids and unanimously voted to approve 2XS as the developer. Lott said the city was willing to wait as long as it took to find the right partner, but that he was looking forward to seeing how negotiations played out and potentially entering into a partnership with the group. “Thank you all very much,” Bauer said. “Again we really appreciate your time and vote of confidence. We firmly believe you are done with this process.”

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So it begins. The wait for development in the long-promised Midtown District appears to be drawing to a close. City Hall was nearly filled as the public gathered with bated breaths to hear who had officially put in a bid to develop the nearly 16 acres of Midtown. They say third time’s the charm and this time around the city had the RFB constructed so those who placed bids could be ranked rather than having one outright winner. That way if the highest ranking bidder began the process with the city, but then backed out the city could go to the second ranking bid without having to start over.

The plan is to incorporate mixed use and residential and create a blossoming Midtown via four distinct phases. Phase one would tackle 5.1 acres, creating a mixed-use area with mid to fine dining, micro restaurants, communal dining, a microbrewery or bar component, boutique retail and office on the first floor. It would also have three to six floors of one, two and three bedroom rental units. As long as permitting goes smoothly, construction would be completed by 2021. Phase two involves another 5.8 acres and is planned as a for-sale townhouse product, which would be a three story house with a garage and den or bedroom on the first floor, a main living area and kitchen on the second floor and bedrooms and laundry on the third floor. At the presentation, Bauer said they hope to start phase two merely a few months after the start of phase one with the potential to completed as early as 2020. Phase three would develop three acres of products similar to phase one with planned improvement of possibly a grocery store with a whole foods type vendor. As long as the market is on track, the development would begin in 2021 and should be completed by 2023. Phase four is the final 1.4 acres located on the east side of Collins Avenue. Currently the plan is mixed use and would have similar aspects to phase one and three. Depending on market demand there could be condos for sale, office or more rental product on the upper floors. “The success of Midtown cannot be at the expense of downtown,” Cohen said. “We want to focus on small businesses, which will be the lifeblood of the development… 2XS didn’t simply find this RFP online. We’ve been here, we will be here.” The company also promised to hire locally for the project. Citing its combined extensive experience, Bauer said the team would be able to help make Plant City a destination. “The theme we are going for is a very vibrant go-to place,” Bauer said. “We hope to have people coming here that are currently living in Tampa. We want to make this the place to live.”

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

PLANT CITY BOOGIES AT NIGHT TO SHINE This is the second year Night to Shine has been held in Plant City, however, it is the first year it has been at FBC of Plant City.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

A red carpet welcomed more than 120 guests to the annual Night to Shine event at First Baptist Church of Plant City on Feb. 8. Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, the night acts as a free, unforgettable prom for those with special needs ages 14 and up. The parents often join their children and watch from the balcony above as they dance with their buddies, karaoke in two designated party rooms, enjoy dinner, take part in a photo booth and enjoy a limousine ride. Kayla Clenney is on the committee for the Plant City Night to Shine and ran the karaoke rooms the night of the big event. She said watching the attendees flood the room last year to karaoke all night was an experience unlike any other and she was looking forward to expanding the offering to two rooms this year. It was one of the hottest parties in town as everyone from the Strawberry Queen and Court to Mr. and Ms. Berry themselves showed up to dance the night away at the prom. “We do this because we love the people in our community, we love absolutely everyone in our community,” Lauren McNair, chair of the event, said. “We have an exceptional community here, we have an exceptional community with special needs and we want them to know how much we

Breanne Williams

Guests enjoyed dancing and karaoke.

value them, we want their smiles to know how much we value them. We hope when they walk away from tonight they know they are fearfully and wonderfully made. We hope they know they are loved.” On top of the more than 120 guests were approximately 100 parents and 250 volunteers. Last year there were a little more than 400 total attendees so McNair said the event is slowly growing. It takes months of preparation, but as the smiles throughout the room show it was worth every second of planning. Everyone was decked to the nines in their prom apparel and were laughing up a storm when they gathered their friends to do a weaving conga line and grabbed a mic to belt out a moving rendition of Bon Jovi’s “Dead or Alive” in the karaoke room. “Our favorite parts for our volunteers is the red carpet,” McNair said. “It’s so much fun to see them walk in and see them treated like celebrities. For our guests I’ve been told it’s a tie between the dance floor and the karaoke room. Those stay packed all night.”

Breanne Williams

A conga line wrapped throughout the building at the 2019 Night to Shine.

Breanne Williams

The 2019 Strawberry Queen and Court with a guest at FBC of Plant City.

Breanne Williams

Volunteers were buddies for the guests of the 2019 Night to Shine.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

NCFCA competition seeks judges

Plant City will soon be the hub of the National Christian Forensics and Communication Association Qualifier and the organization is hoping community members will step up to judge. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

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Competitors are flocking to Plant City for the upcoming National Christian Forensics and Communication Association Qualifier. Approximately 150 students from all over Florida, Georgia and South Carolina will be showing off their debate and speech skills in the three-day competition that will essentially run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to ensure every student has an opportunity to showcase their talents. “These competitions are a way for students to really grow,” Laurie Curtis, NCFCA regional director for Region VIII, said. “This is my tenth year doing it. I’m a mom of five and when my oldest was 12 — he’s about to turn 23 now — we went and watched a competition. I was a community judge for the first time and I didn’t know what to expect. Let’s just say I was blown away. The level of talent, of passion that comes from these students, it’s such a blessing to be a part of.” NCFCA is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing communications-based competitive activities to high schoolers. The upcoming Plant City competition is one of approximately 50 tournaments throughout the country, only two of which are in Florida. The majority of the competitors are homeschooled and they hope to incorporate a variety of local judges into the tournament. It will literally take hundreds of judges who volunteer to pick up one or two small shifts to ensure the competitors can quickly move through the variety of shifts. The good news is the abundance of shifts mean there is always a time slot that can fit someone’s schedule. Curtis said its important the community get involved so the children can have a diverse set of judges to communicate with throughout the process. “We really value community judges because we want to train students to be able to talk to anybody about any topic,” Curtis said. “Even if the judge isn’t familiar with the debate topic they should be able to tailer their topic to a conversation that will keep the judge informed and captivated with what their saying.” The Plant City competition will be held at City Pointe Church and the other Florida contest is held in Sarasota. The students will compete with speeches and debates. The debates will be on: Should the United States reform its policy toward international terrorism and Fair Trade vs. Free Trade. The students will not know prior to the event which side they will argue. It’s as much an educational experience as it is a fun competition as the students have to heavily research each topic to be able to argue both sides with fervor. The speeches have a variety of topics including two religious focused speeches as well as many where the students pick their own passion to discuss. “The very first speech I ever saw was history on the Twinkie,” Curtis said. “My daughter’s speech this year is the eight great smarts… Goodness, sometimes they’re biographies on people they admire, a history paper, or perhaps something persuasive. It can vary and be nearly anything, which is why we want judges from every background so there is a broad spectrum of topics and judges.” One of the more unique aspects of the competition is the Duo Interpretation Speech where two speakers create a unique, original performance based on a piece of literature. You may see renditions of Charlotte’s Web, Shakespeare or

Dr. Seuss acted out in a pseudo theater of the mind. The two orators cannot touch or even make eye contact, but together they bring the written word to life for their judges in a 10-minute presentation. Curtis said from these debates have sprung many communication and lawyer majors as the youth become comfortable verbalizing their beliefs and talents. “The point that my husband makes is it doesn’t really matter what career you decide to pursue, the only profession you can pursue where you don’t have to be comfortable talking to people is to be a professional hermit,” Curtis said. “The old adage is the only thing more feared than death is standing up in front of people to talk, but you get over that by talking. These students are walking out of the competition with a skill set many their age simply don’t have. It’s a wonderful opportunity.” Part of the allure of the NCFCA tournaments is the encouraging and hospitable environment fostered within each competition. The very first competition Curtis ever attended she saw to teenagers — one approximately 17 years old and the other around 12 years old — debating each other over a topic. Age isn’t really a factor in the competition as the teens all tend to develop their skills at such a fast rate. This time the older boy won by a quite a stretch and after the competition ended the judges left the room. Curtis excited as well and then stopped when she heard movement from inside. Instead of simply shaking hands and heading their separate ways the older competitor sat down with the younger boy and went point by point though each step sharing what the other student could have said to successfully argue back. He took the time to help him grow even though he assumed no one was watching. “As a parent, that was it for me, I was hooked,” Curtis said. “Of course you want everyone to succeed, but it’s a competition so that obviously can’t happen. What matters more is that these students are genuinely pouring into each other, they’re here to support each other, not tear each other down.” Curtis has watched her own children go through the program and said they have all come out on top due to the experience. Her family is not the exception to the rule. Across the board the word has begun to spread about NCFCA. Pockets of the competitions are exploding with interested contenders. “With homeschoolers — well any student, really — anytime you gather a whole group of teenagers together there’s a whole opportunity to socialize,” Curtis said. “There’s this unique benefit from the competition no one really talks about. You make friends from all over the place. It’s made a difference in how we even travel as a family. There’s hardly anywhere we can go where we don’t know someone. Their network just continues to grow the longer they compete.”

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED

in helping judge the competition head to ncfca.org/plant-city-fl to pick a slot on the calendar. If something comes up and you suddenly have an open window feel free to swing by City Pointe Church, 503 N. Palmer St., to see if a shift is available.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

The 16th annual Black Heritage Banquet and Gala was held on Feb. 8 and Keynote Speaker Judge Lisa Campbell gave a speech on a blueprint for all Americans. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Hundreds of guests dressed in their finest apparel sat down for a hearty homecooked meal Feb. 8 at the 16th annual Black Heritage Banquet and Gala at the Trinkle Center. The event is always one of the highlights of the year for the community as everyone gathers to socialize, listen to a keynote speaker, enjoy live entertainment and participate in an awards ceremony. Judge Lisa Campbell focused her speech on the importance of education as she detailed how having the right and the access to education can make all the difference in shaping the future of someone’s life. She shared a touching story of her own great grandmother who never learned to read or write. It was years before she ever realized she signed her name with an x because her grandmother had memorized scripture, quoting word for word what the Bible said to her family. “She never had the opportunity that each of us sitting here are expected to have,” Campbell said.

So many of the issues plaguing America stem from a lack of access to quality education for every resident of the nation. It’s something she is fighting to ensure local youth never have to worry about and it’s something she said she hopes everyone will be able to get behind to build a brighter tomorrow. The ceremony wrapped up with a presentation of awards to a variety of attendees who helped Plant City Black Heritage Celebration, Inc. pour back into the community This year the awards were bestowed upon the following community members: Doretha Adams (Heritage Award), Theophilus Hill (Lifetime Achievement Award), C&S Wholesale Grocers management and employees (Community Service Award), Larry and Cathy Jimenez (Humanitarian Award) and Hope Lutheran Church (Cornerstone Award).

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

16TH ANNUAL BLACK HERITAGE JAZZ FESTIVAL

Violinist Daniel D. put on an energetic performance at 1 p.m.

The 2019 event was held Feb. 9 at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Black History Month celebrations in Plant City continued Feb. 9 with something pleasing to the ears. The 16th annual Black Heritage Jazz Festival was held all day at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, starting with

Vendors like Lucretia Woods of Style 4 Less sold all kinds of goods at the event.

a 9 a.m. youth summit and switching into high gear at noon. Daniel D. and MIXX Group headlined the music festival and played everything from energetic, soulful jazz tunes to Prince covers. Charlie Sampson served as master of ceremony and Donald Dowdrige dressed as Frederick Douglass for the event. There was also an art display of black leaders past and present as created by area students.

The festival brought music lovers of all ages to McCall Park and the train depot.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

COMMISH OVERVIEW

PICKING CHALLENGE A SWEET SUCCESS

CITY EXPANDS PROPERTY AND AMENDS A CONSTRUCTION BUDGET

The sixth annual Strawberry Picking Challenge was held the morning of Feb. 9.

Two public hearings for land amendments were set for the upcoming commission meeting and the city agreed to spend $300,000, plus closing costs, on a property on Mahoney Street.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The sixth annual Strawberry Picking Challenge by Wish Farms and Monte Package Company was held Saturday at Fancy Farms. The public gathered for a day of berry festivities as teams participated in an amateur and pro strawberry picking contest to compete for the title of best picker. Families also participated in a u-pick on the farm where quarts of the freshly picked berries were only $5. The event is held each year to raise funds for the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, a nonprofit that provides childcare and early education for children of migrant farm workers and rural low-income families. Last year the event, in conjunction with the dinner Friday evening, raised approximately $100,000 for the organization. The love of strawberries runs deep in Plant City and the event remained packed all day as folks flocked to pick their own sweet treats.

Courtesy of Breanne Williams The city approved purchasing the Boarding House at 404 W. Mahoney St. for $300,000.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Following an extensive Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Monday evening to discuss Midtown developers, city commissioners had a rather short agenda in the commission meeting. The city now is the proud owner of a property at 404 W. Mahoney St. after commissioners unanimously agreed to pay $300,000, plus closing costs, for the Boarding House. The city will have until Feb. 15 to exercise the option and the funds came from the Capital Improvement Projects Fund. “The plan is to demolish the building,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. The city has been strategically working on acquiring property near city hall and the library so if there is ever a need it wouldn’t find itself boxed into downtown. In November 2018, commissioners authorized a contract to Rex Farlow Construction, Inc. to remodel the Planteen Recreation Center’s kitchen for $82,245. The work is underway and McDaniel said is close to be completed. However, several issues not included in the scope of the contract were discovered. In January, McDaniel approved a change of $6,700 to address some sanitary sewer and storm sewer issues. Monday evening commissioners approved a second change to address potable water supply to the older section of the building, which includes the kitchen area. Due to the cost of $10,800 the commissioners had to approve the change.

“The center was outdated and it had some infrastructure problem,” McDaniel said. “It had three blockages and some of the original construction was not correct. So we’re correcting all that kind of stuff. It should be done here in the next month or so.” Commissioner Mike Sparkman and Vice Mayor Nate Kilton were reappointed as members of the Board of Trustees of the Safety Employees Retirement System for a term of four years as well during the meeting. Two public hearings were set for the commission meeting on Feb. 25. One is regarding a voluntary annexation of 0.28 acres on Via Siena Street and 64.94 acres on South Wiggins Road, west of Rice Road. The purpose of the voluntary annexation is for development of a warehouse/distribution facility. The second public hearing will be on an ordinance to rename the Strawberry Park Community Unit District as the Strawberry Park Planned Development District, located on N. Park and S. Frontage Roads. Essentially the rename will provide for any conceptual modifications for the land. This would amend the use of the parcel in question from hotel to restaurant and it would restrict heavy commercial traffic across the property. In 2007, the plan was for a four-story, 100-unit hotel to go in the spot, but since it was never constructed that is being changed for restaurant use.

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Courtesy of Breanne Williams Gary Wishnatzki, owner of Wish Farms.

Courtesy of Breanne Williams Teams competed in a amateur and pro challenge.

Courtesy of Breanne Williams Carl Grooms, owner of Fancy Farms.

Courtesy of Breanne Williams Families flocked to the u-pick at Fancy Farms.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

This week on Cops Corner, Plant City Police investigated

COPS CORNER

carjacking, bullet holes, nail guns, a

FLORIDA E.N.T. & ALLERGY

“Sharing the Love (and the Allergens)”

stolen license and broken windows.

FEB. 1

POP LOCK AND DROP IT 3300 block of North Lake Drive Criminal mischief: This complainant told officers that overnight someone came up to his 2004 Jeep Wrangler and punched out the driver side door key hole. However, after punching out the key hole the suspect did not enter the vehicle. A criminal mischief report was completed. LICENSE TO COMPLAIN 3400 block of North Lake Drive Vehicle burglary/Wavier: During the night of Jan. 21 someone entered this complainant’s unlocked vehicle and took a bunch of miscellaneous objects. One of the swiped items included the owner’s Florida driver’s license. He requested the report so he could have his license replaced. CARJACKING FOR DUMMIES 400 block of Lisa Ann Court Vehicle theft: This complainant told officers that early that morning someone busted out the rear passenger window of his vehicle. They then proceeded to break the steering column as well in an attempt to steal the vehicle. ROOKIE MISTAKE 2300 block of Thonotosassa Road Vehicle theft attempt: This man told officers that someone entered his Chrysler minivan and ended up breaking the casing around the steering column. They also then attempted to hot wire the vehicle. They failed and fled the scene. BIG SCREEN BANDIT 700 block of East Dr. MLK Boulevard Residential burglary: This victim came home to find the front door of her home had been broken open. The suspect came into her home and left after swiping just her 50-inch television.

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FEB. 2

WINDOW SHOPPING 220 block of West Alexander Street Criminal mischief: Cops arrived at the business and found an unknown object had been used to shatter a large window panel valued at $1,500.

FEB. 3

‘CANE’ YOU SHUT UP? 1100 block of North Johnson Street Battery: A woman told officers she was struck in the back with a cane by her friend’s elderly father. There was a slight redness on her back to back up the claim. The man in question said he struck her because she would not stop yelling. She declined prosecution and signed a waiver. HOLE-Y COW 3300 block of Kilmer Place Information report: This woman called officers after finding a mysterious hole in her garage door. They came out to the home and investigated and eventually determined it was a bullet hole.

FEB. 4

DESIGNER DEVIANT 3900 block of Creek Woods Drive Vehicle burglary: A woman called the police to report someone had broken into her car during the night of Feb. 3. They took a Michael Kors purse, Calvin Klein wallet and miscellaneous cards. HEFT WORK HEIST 1700 block of West Lowry Avenue Vehicle burglary: A man told officers on the night of Feb. 3 someone broke into his vehicle and took a $1,470 Paslode nail gun, a $600 Stihl concrete saw and a $450 Bosch chipper.

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ove is in the air— along with common allergens. With Valentine’s day in the middle, February is the month to celebrate love throughout classrooms, work environments and restaurants. These celebrations are adorned with chocolates, candies, various foods and flowers— all of which contain common allergy triggers. How can you stay two steps ahead of the festivities this month and avoid allergic reactions? Valentine’s Day is regularly celebrated in classrooms of all ages. Elementary students deliver thoughtful cards and candies to the desks of their peers; middle school students bashfully present their crushes with love notes and chocolates; high school students decorate their sweethearts’ desks in balloons and flowers. Undoubtedly, love spreads throughout the halls on February 14, which means allergy-triggers are in abundance. When bringing flowers, candies, chocolates and other gifts to public celebrations, it’s important to consider people who may have allergies. Choose flowers that are least likely to trigger allergies, such as hydrangeas, lilies and geraniums. Take the safe route when sharing treats and candies with classmates by choosing treats that don’t contain common allergens like nuts, milk and eggs. Read the nutrition labels of the foods you buy, and be sure everyone is aware of potential allergy-triggering ingredients. If you know you’re allergic to a common ingredient, be sure to read labels for yourself and talk to your classmates about the ingredients used in their homemade dishes. If you’re the parent or guardian of a younger, elementary-aged child that is celebrating Valentine’s Day in the classroom, be extra cautious when buying candies and treats for your child to disperse. Talk to your child’s teacher and inquire about known allergies among the students. If your homemade treat contains nuts, make sure they’re apparent and easy for someone to detect. If your own child has allergies, speak to the teacher to ensure they are aware of your child’s allergies. Inform your child of which items he or she cannot consume, and explain why it’s important to turn down foods that might cause an allergic reaction. Celebrating Valentine’s Day as an adult may include a romantic dinner at home, or at a restaurant with gifts exchanged. Consider you and your date’s allergies before choosing a restaurant or cooking a meal. Find savory recipes that won’t cause your Valentine to break out in hives at the dinner table. When it comes to gifting flowers and jewelry, consider potential allergens. Nickel is a common component of jewelry,

but is also a common allergy trigger. If your gift may cause them to break out in an itchy rash, you might want to reconsider. “Ear, nose and throat allergies are extremely common— especially near holidays. Allergic reactions should not be ignored, as they can lead to more significant medical problems. We provide allergy testing and treatment services at all of our locations, and offer different treatments based on your unique symptoms and triggers. Patients with moderate to severe allergies should visit us for an allergy evaluation and testing,” says Dr. Scott R. Anderson, a physician at Florida E.N.T. & Allergy. Share the love this month, but save the allergic reactions. Think twice about what you choose to bring to the celebration or what you send your children to school with. Take the safer, non-allergenic route when deciding on gifts, flowers and treats to ensure everyone is able to participate in and enjoy the festivities. The physicians of Florida E.N.T. & Allergy have served the Tampa Bay community for over 40 years. Their board certified physicians have completed extensive education and clinical training as well as specialized training in their area(s) of expertise. From pediatric allergies to fitting hearing aids, their caring and experienced physicians specialize in ear, nose and throat care for the entire family using comprehensive, cutting edge technologies. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call (813) 879-8045 or visit Florida E.N.T. & Allergy online at www.FloridaENTandAllergy.com.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call 813-879-8045 or visit Florida E.N.T. & Allergy online at www.FloridaENTandAllergy.com.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JFEBRUARY 14, 2019

there’s no “check engine” light for your heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Knowing your heart disease risk factors could save your life or the life of someone you love. BayCare is offering free heart-healthy screenings throughout Tampa Bay to help you get to know your heart.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

FOCUS ON FITNESS

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

ANGELA FULGIERI

HEALTHY HEART MONTH Did you know February is Healthy Heart Month?

With Valentine’s Day mid-month, we are surrounded by images of hearts, candy hearts, chocolate hearts and messages of love. There’s no better time to bring awareness to our own heart and how to keep it healthy so we can be with our loved ones for years to come. According to the CDC, About 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year. That makes heart disease the leading cause of death for both men and women. Some risk factors for heart disease include genetics, sex (men are at higher risk than women), diet, smoking and stress. We can’t do anything about genetics, but lifestyle changes that reduce

the risk of heart disease are within our control. Here are some ways we can improve our heart health through diet and exercise. Stick to a healthy diet. Obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure put us at a higher risk for heart disease. The foods we eat, and how much, affects these risk factors. Choose fresh, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables over processed foods. A healthy diet should also include whole grains, lean meats, fish, poultry and low-fat dairy products. Foods high in saturated fats can clog your arteries. Also, limit your intake of sweets and sugary drinks. Exercise daily. Moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes per day will

help you burn calories and maintain a healthy weight. Regular physical activity, even just a few minutes at a time, can lower blood pressure. Exercise also helps to reduce stress levels which can directly affect a person’s risk factor for heart disease. Stop smoking and limit alcohol. After just one year smoke-free, you can reduce your risk of heart disease by 50 percent. As an added bonus, your fitness level may also improve due to increased lung capacity. The American Heart Association cautions people to not start drinking alcohol, if they don’t already. Drinking more than one to two alcoholic drinks per day can raise the levels of triglycerides, can increase calorie intake (which can

lead to obesity) and may lead to high blood pressure. If you drink, drink in moderation. Love your heart. It is never too late to make a change to your diet and/or exercise program. If you are not sure where to begin, seek guidance from your physician or a nutrition/fitness professional. Your healthy heart will thank you.

Angela Fulgieri is the Wellness Experience Director at the Plant City YMCA. Contact her at observerfitness@gmail.com.

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

This four-pound fluff of joy named Winston — though he goes by Winnie or Pooh — is finally living a happy life with his new family in Plant City. He’s blind, missing all of his teeth and is estimated to be around 14 years old. His new family adopted him from a Yorkie Rescue three months ago after he was picked up wandering around. He now visits all his neighbors as well as residents at a nursing home. His owner Meg said they’re so glad to spoil him as an “old man.”

ONLINE

FEBRUARY 14, 2019

SPORTS Quick Hits Winter Park ends Raiders’ regional run

Charles Crews scored 32 points in two games last week. See Page 17

FIVE YEARS, FIVE RINGS The Strawberry Crest Chargers won their fifth consecutive state championship and placed fourth in the UCA national championships in the 2018-19 season. The effort cements Crest’s place as one of the greatest athletic programs in Hillsborough County, despite the school’s short history.

The 2017-18 5A state soccer champions are no longer defending their title after the Feb. 9 game at 1 Raider Place. Using an aggressive style not unlike Plant City’s, Winter Park scored twice in the second half to leave town with a 2-0 win and a spot in the regional championship round. Both teams got plenty of scoring chances throughout the game, but couldn’t capitalize until the 54th minute, when the Wildcats were able to convert on a rebound after a free kick. Winter Park got on the board again in the 66th minute, finding the back of an open net after slipping the ball just out of Plant City goalkeeper Gerardo Cruz’s reach in his attempt to get the stop ahead of time. Paulino Ramirez did put a shot of his own past Winter Park’s goalkeeper, but it came just after the signal for the end of regulation and the goal did not count toward the final score.

Football rule changes The National Federation of State High School Associations voted Feb. 11 to make a few changes on the gridiron. Starting this season, the football play clock will start at 40 seconds instead of 25 as a means to “establish a more consistent time period between downs in high school football.” The official rule is stated as follows: “The play clock will continue to start at 25 seconds (a) prior to a try following a score, (b) to start a period or overtime series, (c) following administration of an inadvertent whistle, (d) following a charged time-out, (e) following an official’s time-out, with a few exceptions, and (f) following the stoppage of the play clock by the referee for any other reason. In all other cases, 40 seconds will be placed on the play clock and start when the ball is declared dead by a game official.” State associations, such as the FHSAA, have also been allowed to create instant replay procedures for playoff games. On the field, there are four new rule revisions that take effect in the 2019 season. Defenders are no longer allowed to obstruct runners below the knees using their feet or lower legs to trip them. Horse-collar fouls will now be called on players who pull ball-carriers down by their jersey nameplates or the area just below the back collar if there is no nameplate. Five offensive players, rather than the previous seven, are required for a legal scrimmage formation with no more than four backs. Lastly, the penalty for illegally kicking or batting a ball is now only a 10-yard deduction, down from 15.

Courtesy photo

Strawberry Crest’s small co-ed cheerleading team mounted a monstrous comeback effort at UCA Nationals.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

f you only ever watched Strawberry Crest warm up before the second round of last weekend’s UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships, you might have wondered how the heck the Chargers got there in the first place. Then they went out and competed for real and showed everyone exactly why they were there — and why they now have five state championships to claim.

Crest’s flawless performance when it mattered most was enough to catapult the team up to fourth in the nation in the small co-ed division, the highest finish of any team hailing from Florida. Coach Loveny Rivas calls the top-five finish as “magical” an ending as anyone could have asked for. “It was awesome,” Rivas said. “Truly a comeback story for the underdog. I couldn’t have written a story better myself.”

This team’s story starts with 15 boys and girls turning out to join the most successful program in Crest history. It was supposed to be a “rebuilding year,” which is often the case when less than half of a team has prior varsity experience, but that went out the window. Rivas said this team came together to learn unlike any other before it and, even though many of the girls and all of the boys were new, the effort they

put in to learn their jobs was stellar. The Chargers once again performed well at districts and got to advance to regionals. At regionals, Then Crest turned heads at regionals with an 89.50, the highest raw score in the state — that is, of any team in any division in the state. Western Conference didn’t go so well, as there was a fall that hurt the team, but Rivas told the Chargers not to worry about it.

SEE CHEER, PAGE 16

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

JUSTIN KLINE

This year’s sports ‘bucket list’ Several things on and off the clock look appealing for 2019. SPORTS

t just hit me that my 10-year high school reunion is going to be in 2019. Ten whole years have gone by since then and it’s the weirdest feeling. It doesn’t feel like being in 12th grade was that long ago but, at the same time, I think 18-year-old me would look at 28-year-old me and wonder what happened in my life that made me so washed. Anyway, I promise I’m not trying to go long about how much I’ve changed since then. My whole thing about high school reunions is that they

seem like they’re tailor-made for people who are not me. I don’t ever want to be the guy who struts into the building just itching to tell dozens of people I haven’t talked to in a decade about how my life is so awesome and everyone was wrong for not voting me “Most Likely to Succeed.” If I brag to anyone about anything this year, I want it to be because I could check some goals off of a list of things I’d like to accomplish. There’s so much

SEE KLINE, PAGE 16

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

JUSTIN KLINE

This year’s sports ‘bucket list’

Courtesy photo

Strawberry Crest’s cheer program is historically good. FROM CREST, PAGE 15

That was going to be a teachable moment, a mistake to learn and rebound from. “I feel like as a coach, your team sometimes needs to go through adversity so they learn how to troubleshoot, to work hard to overcome those battles,” Rivas said. “I’m glad that happened to us at Western because states was our chance to prove we could make a comeback.” The team did just that on Feb. 1 in Gainesville, pulling off its routine with no deductions or mistakes at all to secure the fivepeat with an 88.30, just over nine more points than runner-up East Bay, and head into UCA nationals on a high note. Last season was the first in program history that the team went to the UCA event and didn’t even make it out of the preliminary round. Rivas and the Chargers were determined to not have that happen again, but the odds were working against them from the start. First, the team had to learn a completely new routine from scratch in five days. Crest was allowed to mat two more cheerleaders for UCA competition than for FHSAA’s, so things had to change. Second, the team had such a bad showing on the first day that, if not for a successful coaching challenge by Rivas, it may not have made it to the second round at all. The Chargers faced a large points deduction for two falls and a safety infraction, so Rivas appealed the ruling. Within 45 tense minutes, the judges decided to deduct only six of the points. That was just enough to keep Crest alive at 14th place, basically the bottom of the barrel. That was when that warm-up — “probably one of the worst in history,” Rivas said — happened. “It was so bad that one of the UCA staffers actually started to spot our warm-up time because we were falling so badly,” she said. Rivas doesn’t even remember everything she told the cheerleaders to motivate them during and after that warm-up. She basically “blacked out” and went on a roll, but the gist of what she does remember was that it wasn’t the first time the team faced such adversity. Western Conference wasn’t so long ago then, and the Chargers bounced back from that with a great showing at states. The comeback kids did it again, looking like an entirely different squad than what

people saw at the infamous warm-up. The first Crest team to ever get to the final round set a high bar for any that has to follow in its footsteps with its fourth-place finish. “They went out there and hit everything so perfectly,” Rivas said. “They executed so well, so synchronized. As soon as everything was over, it was nothing but tears. Everybody was so emotional, It was amazing.” This team’s motto is “champions can adapt to anything,” but the theme of its 2018-19 season was like another wellknown motto: “it’s not how you start, but how you finish.”

ROSTER Chloe Morter Cassidy Coburn Cassidy Meyer Alexia Butler Matthew Del Castillo Tyson Rosania Conner Murphy Trinity Perry Diamond Burgos Aloanys Gil-Ramos Mikenzie Shiflett Heather Hienze Madison DeShong Samya Paris Emili Alfieri Karis Dell Julia Affronti Caitlyn Daniels Dakota Grigson Temperance Paris

FROM KLINE, PAGE 15

more value in that, at least to me, than in telling people I’ve made it because I make a lot of money selling Cutco knives and you can, too, if you give me five minutes of your time. That would also mean I have to make that list. So I’ve thought about it a bit and, surprise, many things on my wishlist revolve around sports in some way. Here’s what I’m looking to get done by Dec. 31. I know this is pretty situational, but I’m hoping to be able to go cover one of our teams in a state championship game or series again. Going to Stetson for Plant City’s soccer title this time last year and making the trip to Fort Myers to watch Strawberry Crest play in their first Final Four were very cool experiences, albeit with different end results and story tones. The energy you get from just being there, even if you’re acting as a neutral observer like I do, is unlike anything else out there. So I wish you all good luck this year — and not just for my own selfish reasons. Be the best you can be and do it for the glory. Another thing I really want to do is a deep dive into another Plant City-area sports team or sports-related item of interest. Those of you who have been reading my stuff for the last five-plus years know I love me some sports history and you’re not even the ones stuck in the Observer newsroom with me when someone’s got a binder full of baseball cards and I’m reciting weird facts about half of the players I see in there. In fact, I think most of my historical features for this paper have been related to baseball. I’m looking for something old to make new again, whether it’s baseball or not, and am open to any and all suggestions. If you’ve got something I’d be interested in, please send an email my way sometime. Unrelated to work, I’m interested in learning to play ultimate frisbee. Well,

I guess it’s just called ultimate these days, but whatever. I spent years in willful ignorance of it because it seemed like such a dorky thing to do when I was younger and I confess I had never even tried to watch anyone play. I thought it was another name for disc golf. I covered a tournament out here last month and actually got to see it live for the first time and I have to admit I was so wrong about it. It looks like a lot of fun to play and I totally understand why it’s such a hit with the college crowd. It might be something I look into this summer. My last thing is that I want to go to more sports games just for fun. It’s not that I don’t enjoy myself at a high school game, but watching sports when you’re working as I do is much different than getting to be somewhere as a fan and not having to worry about copy or deadlines or whether the photos you took turned out as well as they appeared to on the camera. I’m of the opinion that few things in life are as relaxing as catching a Minor League Baseball game in the evening. I don’t get to do that enough, or maybe I tell myself I can’t do that enough, and that should change.

Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Observer. Email: jkline@ plantcityobserver. com.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Feb. 22

Feb. 19

Feb. 12

Trinity Christian at Plant City, 7 p.m.

Durant vs. King, 3 p.m. Plant City vs. Armwood, 3 p.m. Strawberry Crest at Steinbrenner, 3 p.m.

Durant 67, Lennard 65 East Bay 62, Strawberry Crest 61 Plant City 46, Bloomingdale 19 Feb. 13 Durant vs. Tampa Bay Tech Plant City vs. East Bay

SOFTBALL Feb. 19 Plant at Durant, 7 p.m. Brandon at Plant City, 7 p.m. Strawberry Crest at Spoto, 7 p.m. Feb. 21

Feb. 15 District title game, 7 p.m.

Durant at Gaither, 7 p.m Spoto at Plant City, 7 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Feb. 22

Feb. 7

Strawberry Crest at Chamberlain, 7 p.m.

Feb. 21 Durant vs. Lennard, 3 p.m. Plant City vs. Riverview, 3 p.m. Strawberry Crest at Steinbrenner, 3 p.m. TRACK AND FIELD Feb. 15

Tampa Bay Tech 62, Strawberry Crest 16

LACROSSE

Feb. 14

Feb. 21

Strawberry Crest at East Lake, 7 p.m.

Durant at Jefferson, 5/7 p.m.

Feb. 16

BOYS SOCCER

Feb. 22

Feb. 6

Plant at Durant, 5/7 p.m.

Plant City 3, Timber Creek 1 TENNIS

BASEBALL Feb. 21 Seffner Christian at Plant City, 7 p.m.

Plant City: at George Jenkins Invitational, 8 a.m. Feb. 19 Durant: Dual meet at Brandon, 6 p.m. Plant City: Quad meet at Newsome, 5 p.m. Feb. 20

Feb. 9 Winter Park 2, Plant City 0

Durant: Tri meet at Lennard, 6 p.m.

Feb. 14 Durant vs. Riverview, 3 p.m. Plant City vs. East Bay, 3 p.m. Strawberry Crest vs. Bloomingdale, 3 p.m.

SCHS: Quad meet at Spoto, 6 p.m.

Charles Crews

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

On Feb. 5, Charles Crews led the Strawberry Crest Chargers in a 63-56 win over Armwood with 17 points and four steals and also added five rebounds and three assists. Crews scored 15 and made three three-pointers in the Chargers’ 54-53 win over Blake on Feb. 7. His average of 15 points per game on the season leads all Chargers and he ranks second in assists (2.8) and steals (2.0) per game.

When did you start playing basketball?

How do you feel about the way you’ve been playing this season?

Do you play any other sports?

I feel real good. I feel like I’ve improved on my defense and I’m able to see the court better. Communication with my teammates, knowing what they’re good at and what they’re not good at. I feel like I can play off of that energy with everybody. Getting energy from them makes me play better. What’s the best thing about being on a team with this group of guys and these coaches? We’ve just all got a good bond with each other. We don’t get mad at each other, we just keep playing and get over it. What’s an example of a time when things could have gone really bad and you all could have lost your cool, but you didn’t and things worked out like that?

When I was 4. I started playing AAU in fourth grade. What made you stay with it? My parents, they believed in me when I was little.

Just basketball. I played football when I was little. That was fun. What sport have you never tried before but would if you could?

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

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THURSDAY, JFEBRUARY 14, 2019

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Soccer. I’ve never played soccer before. It’s kind of fun watching it but I don’t know why. What’s been the highlight of the season for you? Seeing my friend (Jaydan Harley), he finally got a chance to play varsity. That was the most exciting moment.

There were a lot of games like that. (East Bay), the first time we played them, we were struggling the whole game, but we just didn’t give up. We won by a couple of points, I think (Ed. note: Crest won that game, 54-50, on Dec. 14). We just keep fighting.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

PCHS baseballers pass down knowledge

PCHS hosts boys basketball districts Tuesday’s quarterfinal round saw Durant and Plant City advance.

Plant City High School’s baseball team hosted its annual Plant City Little League camp on Feb. 9.

SPORTS

Strawberry Crest’s Jalen Brown plays tight defense on East Bay’s Jalen Romero. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Jarod Wingo teaches a group of campers how to catch at home plate

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Plant City High School’s baseball players got to experience a day in the life of a coach on Feb. 9 when the team hosted its annual Plant City Little League camp. The skills camp, held at Mike Sansone Park, brought roughly 90 boys and girls to Field 3 in the morning for several hours of learning skills and drills for all positions on the field. Raiders head coach Mike Fryrear and the team staff also held a clinic for PCLL coaches and spoke to parents about what to expect. “It’s a great opportunity to be out here and give back to our Little League and our community,” Fryrear said. “The three things we preach are family, academics and baseball. This is our family, this community, and it’s been awesome.” The PCHS players taught the boys and girls of PCLL — which Fryrear called one of the youngest groups he’s had at Sansone Park over the years — proper fielding techniques, covering the “triangle” stance and “pop-and-hop” defensive work and setflex-throw arm mechanics. They covered outfield routes and handeye coordination when catching the long balls and how to be an effective backstop at the plate. Several hitting stations were set up with PCHS players and Little Leaguers hitting in soft-toss drills and the younger ones got to hit curveballs thrown by a machine. Fryrear believes the curveball shouldn’t be taught to kids until they’re at least age 13 for arm health reasons, but also that it doesn’t

Campers hit smaller balls to work on their hand-eye coordination.

hurt to learn how to hit the breaking balls ahead of time. “When you teach them at a young age, it’s going to be a lot easier to hit a baseball or a softball (later),” Fryrear said. The Raiders will continue to host the annual camp going forward and are hoping to be able to take it to their home field at 1 Raider Place in 2020.

The Raiders give out fist bumps to campers for a job well done.

Boys and girls came out to Mike Sansone Park to learn from the Raiders.

A three-peat of boys basketball games put the Plant City High School basketball court to good use Tuesday evening. Plant City is hosting the 2019 Class 8A-District 9 tournament this week and all three area teams got in on the action in the quarterfinal round. All entered with high hopes, but only two — Durant and Plant City — made it to the upcoming semifinal round. Durant kicked things off with a thriller against Lennard, a 67-65 win that saw both teams essentially go basket for basket. The Cougars took a 31-30 lead into the locker room at halftime and finished the third with a 49-47 lead, but a 7-0 run by the Longhorns to start the fourth quarter clearly meant the Cougars needed to find some kind of spark to get and stay ahead. Jeff White and Yamil Flores came through in the clutch, scoring 16 of Durant’s 18 points in the final quarter and playing hard enough to be the spark the team needed to get fired up. Lennard did get the ball back with 6.5 seconds to go, down by two, but a buzzer beater attempt missed the mark and the Cougars survived one of their toughest grinds of the season. Strawberry Crest took on an East Bay team that came to play hard. The Indians started with an 11-0 run and remained in control for all of the first half, taking 16-11 and 31-25 leads into the quarters’ ends and looking totally unlike a team that had only won five games all season. The Chargers were able to battle back and take a 38-37 lead with 3:27 left in the third quarter, with Charles Crews scoring the team’s first go-ahead points on a layup, and Crest ended the third quarter with a 46-41 lead with Coneliss Giovenco’s buzzer beater tip-in. The fourth quarter was full of lead changes and heroic efforts from both teams, but a 57-57 tie went unbroken at the quarter’s end when Jalen Brown’s last-second layup attempt was batted away. Overtime had all of the efforts of the fourth quarter with almost none Justyn King wins the opening tip-off for of the finesse, but the Chargers were Plant City against Bloomingdale. nearly able to come back. Down 62-59 with 2:17 to go, Brown was able to swipe the ball out of East Bay’s possession and float a smooth pass to Crews for an easy transition bucket and a 62-61

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score. The Chargers were able to hold the ball for the last 17 seconds after a timeout, but Crews’ last-second shot attempt was in vain and the Indians lived to fight another day. Plant City did manage to break the day’s streak of visiting teams winning, blowing out the Bloomingdale Bulls with a 46-19 score. The Raiders shut the Bulls out in the first half, with Justyn King and Jordyn Manning each scoring six points for the 12-0 lead. A more balanced attack led by Mykel Oyola in the second quarter helped them go to the locker room with a 22-7 lead at the half. The hosting team kept pouring on the offense for the next two quarters and, with the starters resting in the fourth, held Bloomingdale to two points in the fourth.

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REAL ESTATE

January 2019

real estate transactions

January 2019 sales information was obtained from the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser. Permit information was obtained from the City of Plant City.

THURSDAY, JFEBRUARY 14 2019

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued in Plant City for the month of January 2019, in order of dollar amounts.

FOUR SEASONS

The home at 2210 N. Johnson St. sold Jan. 4 for $175,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,244 square feet of living area.

HILLSBOROUGH

The home at 1103 N. Maryland Ave. sold Jan. 10 for $159,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,194 square feet of living area. The home at 603 W. Reynolds St. sold Jan. 8 for $315,000. Built in 1921, it has four bedrooms, three and a half baths and 2,378 square feet of living area.

All sales information was obtained from the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser. Permit information was obtained from the City of Plant City.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

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We asked: What’s the best gift to get for Valentine’s Day?

“Dinner. We’re going to the Melting Pot.” — Aalyhia Watson, 20

“Tickets to a sports game.” — Frank Godinez, 27

“A handwritten letter. My husband and I started doing that instead of cards and gifts... it will last forever.” — Lisa Harrell, 49

“World peace. That’s a terrible answer, but it’s the right answer. This world needs to come together.” — Carolyn Peace, 68

“Coffee is good.” — Keith Smith, 50

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

James Dale Drumheller Sr.

Salvador Zamarripa, 80, of Dover, born on April 17, 1938 in Mexico, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 6, 2019. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

James Dale Drumheller, Sr., 86, of Plant City, born on May 12, 1932 in Berwick, Pennsylvania, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 6, 2019. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Dawn Michael Dawn Michael, 47, of Plant City, born in Leitchfield, Kentucky on Aug. 23, 1971, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 6, 2019. She was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. Dawn had a great sense of humor, she was free spirited, fun loving and kind. She was selfless, putting the needs and wants of her family and friends before her own. She really enjoyed her job as a hairdresser and was very artistic. Dawn was a huge blessing, with a big heart and left her footprint on everyone she met. She is survived by her husband, Jeff Michael; children, Taylor Michael and Brady Michael; parents, Bill and Carol Russell; brother Brent Russell (Melinda); and many loving extended family and friends. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 4:00 p.m. at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 S. County Rd., Plant City. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Eli’s Heart at elisheart.org. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Larry E. Stone

Ida May Padgett Ida May Padgett, 81, of Plant City, born in Tulare, California on April 19, 1937, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 6, 2019. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

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Jewel Emanuel Graves, 85, of Plant City, born in Plant City on Dec. 8, 1933, died of a broken heart Feb. 4, 2019. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

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William B. Hutchins

Memorial Service for William B. Hutchins. On Feb. 22, 2019, 11 a.m. at Allen Chapel AME Church, 1109 E. Laura Street, Plant City FL 33563. Sunrise Feb. 23, 1928, Sunset Sept. 3, 2018. He is survived by two daughters, one son and a host of family and friends.

Jason Robert Stuart

Ronald Edward Miley Ronald Edward Miley, 73 of Plant City passed away Feb. 6, 2019. Ronald was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Services were held Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Plant City.

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Shobia Angela Godwin

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Jewel Emanuel Graves

Larry E. Stone, 75, of Seffner, born on Nov. 26, 1943 in Baltimore, Maryland, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 7, 2019. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

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Taking care of each other is what

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YOUR CALENDAR

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

Walter “Bubba” Christian Busk, Jr., 91, of Plant City, passed away on Feb. 8, 2019. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

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THURSDAY, FEB. 14 PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

7:30 to 9 a.m. Plant City Toastmasters is held every Thursday. This week’s theme is love. Who will be your Valentine? Guest are always welcome to come join the free meeting at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St.

WALTZ DANCE LESSONS

12 to 2 p.m. Waltz dance lessons will be held Jan. 17 through March 28 every Thursday. Lessons are $6.00 each at Strawberry Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Contact www. strawberrysquaredancing.com or phone 864-723-6965 for more information.

VITA FEDERAL INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

1 to 5 p.m. The VITA volunteer Federal Income Tax assistance program will have free tax preparation at the Bruton Memorial Library every Thursday through April 11. Taxpayers can come to the library each Thursday

morning at 8:00 a.m. to sign up with a VITA volunteer and obtain the taxpayer interview form to be completed. Taxpayers will come back to the library with necessary tax forms and identification for use in completing and filing the income tax returns. This program is intended for any taxpayer with incomes less than $66,000 annual income.

BEST BET WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20 RISE UP: JOHN DICKS AT NORMA’S

7:30 to 9 a.m. Come join RISE Plant City for a new monthly networking event where young professionals of Plant City have an opportunity to hear from experienced community leaders. This month’s guest speaker is John Dicks, former Plant City Mayor and city commissioner, at Norma’s Plant City Cuban Sandwich Shop, 120 N. Collins St.

IMPROV NIGHT

7:13 to 8:13 p.m. Come on out to Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., to enjoy a special Valentines Day night on the town. Swan City Improv is hosting a free improv night at the Krazy Kup music loft. Every night is a world premiere.

FRIDAY, FEB. 15 OPEN YOUR HEART

7 p.m. The Koa Yoga Studio, 2806 James L. Redman Pkwy., is hosting an evening of self love and care just in time for Valentine’s Day. This class will focus on opening your heart as you relax and restore by candlelight. There will be many yoga props as we move through a heart, chest and shoulder opening sequence. A discussion about the heart chakra and how it links mind, body and spirt will seal off the practice. Register now at thekoayoga.com to reserve a space. Tickets are $20 and there is wine and cheese to follow.

DATE NIGHT SWING DANCE CLASS

7:30 to 9 p.m. Rapid Ballroom is hosting date night swing dance classes. Come learn West Coast Swing, Hustle, Single Swing and

Jive. Classes run through March and are $15 per lesson. Contact them today at 218-256-1873 for more information.

PCE PRESENTS: RAGTIME THE MUSICAL

8 p.m. Plant City Entertainment presents the hit musical Ragtime. Based on the novel of the same name Ragtime tracks three diverse families at the turn of the 20th century as they attempt to pursue the American Dream. Opening night special is two tickets for $25. Other nights are $18 for adults, $14 for seniors and students and $12 at the door for members. To purchase tickets online and for more information go to pceshows.com. Ragtime will run Feb. 15-17, Feb 23-14. Feb. 17 and Feb. 24 also have a 2 p.m. Matinee.

SATURDAY, FEB. 16 TWO STEP DANCE LESSONS

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Two Step dance lessons are Jan. 12 to March 30 on Saturdays and are $6.00 each per lesson at Strawberry Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Contact

www.strawberrysquaredancing. com or phone 864-723-6965 for more information.

STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN

3 to 8 p.m. The monthly Plant City Strawberry Classic CruiseIn is held in downtown Plant City, 102 N. Palmer St., the third Saturday of every month. The free car registration begins at 3 p.m. There will be a live DJ, vendors, classic cars and local businesses will be open for shopping.

NIGHTBREAKERS WITH THE FORUM

8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Krazy Kup is hosting a night of great music in the Krazy Kup loft, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. The Nightbreakers with special guest The Forum will be performing for one night only. Tickets are $10 at the door.

TUESDAY, FEB. 19 PIT COUNT VOLUNTEER TRAINING

6:30 p.m. The 2019 Point in Time Count is here and it’s time to sign up for training. Training sessions are held at On

Point Co Work Solutions, 1805 James Redman Pkwy. Trainings are free and you must register and train to participate in the PIT County. Come be a part of something that will change your life forever. Sign up today at thhi.org/volunteer.

THURSDAY, FEB. 21 BRUTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY BOARD MEETING 9 a.m. The public is invited to attend the Bruton Memorial Library Board Meetings, which are held each month.

CLEARING THE JUNK

6:30 to 8 p.m. Aromatic Harmony, 110 E. Reynolds St. Suite 300, is hosting a small group wellness circle that explores the human tendency to hold onto physical and emotional things. Discover strategies to help you make changes and let go of what is no longer serving you. There are meetings every other week for seven meetings and individual sessions are available if needed after the seven sessions. The full seven sessions are $199 and payment plans are available.

E U L A WE V YOUR A! C M Y y l i m a F City at the Plant 1507 YMCA Place, Plant City | 813 757 6677 | tampaymca.org

PlantCityObserver.com

Universal Crossword

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

Edited by David Steinberg February 14, 2019

FORECAST THURSDAY, FEB. 14 High: 76 Low: 52 Chance of rain: 0%

FRIDAY, FEB. 15 High: 79 Low: 56 Chance of rain: 10%

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 2019

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Feb. 14

7:07a

6:19p

Friday, Feb. 15

7:06a

6:19p

Saturday, Feb. 16

7:05a

6:20p

Sunday, Feb. 17

7:04a

6:21p

Monday, Feb. 18

7:03a

6:21p

Tuesday, Feb. 19

7:02a

6:22p

Wednesday, Feb. 20

7:02a

6:23p

WEATHER

I LOVE PLANT CITY

19 Rose ACROSS 53 “Aida” and 41 Rescue support 1 Skewered “Otello” 44 Very different 21 Tree on Thai dish 54 Military raid (from) Lebanon’s 6 Yank until submissions 57 Stimpy’s palEditor Justin 46 Heart on a Send your photo to Associate Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com flag to feature. 2016 #iloveplantcity 59onName that bicep, say or hashtag Instagram for @igersplantcity 24 Auction 10 “Waterloo” anagrams 47 Cleveland’s actions band to “Ira” lake 25 Tech review 14 Patsy 60 *Pen pal’s 48 Adidas site profiled exhortation subsidiary 27 Feeling sore 49 Bluffer’s in “Sweet 62 Former Dreams” sporty Ford, 29 Like some bold words patches 15 Seized car, briefly 50 Paved 30 Animated informally 64 On the the way? shopkeeper 16 Russia’s ___ subject of 51 San ___ 31 Hanoi’s Mountains 65 Shrek, (town north country, 17 Aluminum for one of Tijuana) familiarly giant 66 Surgeon’s 54 Q-tip, e.g. 32 Add color to 55 -ish 18 *Result of beam 35 ___ drop oversleep67 Classic 56 Cracker (stage ing (read clown brand flourish) each starred 68 Ctrl and Alt 58 Barely 36 Gorilla or answer as 69 Belief makes (out) gibbon a clue for system 61 Always37 Geological a single DOWN increasing stretch letter!) 1 Inhales, number 20 Dull routine with “down” 39 Moses’ 62 Dr. Mom’s brother 21 Minor 2 Appeal specialty employee 3 Ice Breakers 40 Crackle 63 Chocolate “This (Franklin Street and Mahoney Street) is the prettiest intersection in Plant City every spring,” companion 22 Drunk as alternative purchase Mark Poppell said. “If this doesn’t epitomize Plant City, I don’t know what does.” Poppell wins a skunk 4 “I’ll take this week’s I Love Plant City photo contest. Mark Poppell wins this week’s I Love Plant City photo 23 2018 World that as ___” contest. PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER Cup winner 5 Nay’s Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instgram, 26 Simplifies opposite ON L I N E @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer 28 *Vice 6 Guthrie on Facebook. president, of folk e.g. 7 Chem lab 33 Shortage substance 34 Pony up 8 Check a 35 One waving box, say a baton 9 Childish s ear 38 “My guess rebuttal 32 y s s is ...” 10 “Rain Man”Busine 42 NYSE debut conditionIn 43 “Hey Jude” 11 Muffin syllables type 45 *Balancing 12 Boxer’s point comeback? 2/13 © 2019 Andrews McMeel Universal 52 Oakland’s 13 Cher, www.upuzzles.com Oracle ___ voice-wise

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, FEB. 16 High: 79 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 10%

SUNDAY, FEB. 17 High: 75 Low: 67 Chance of rain: 10%

STRAWBERRIES Shipping point: Central Florida $14.90-$16.90

Mar. 6 New

Mar. 11 First

Feb. 19 Full

Mar. 2 Last

RAINFALL Monday, Feb. 4

0.00

Tuesday, Feb. 5 0.00 Wednesday, Feb. 6

0.00

Thursday, Feb. 7 0.00 0.00

Friday, Feb. 8

Saturday, Feb. 9 0.00 0.07

Sunday, Feb. 10 YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2019 3.00 in.

2019 0.44 in.

2018

3.74 in.

1.14 in.

GOLD & SILVER

Diamonds & Precious Gems,

2/14

“L-O-V-E Spell” by Debbie Ellerin

ACROSS 1 Skewered Thai dish 6 Yank until 2016 10 “Waterloo” band 14 Patsy profiled in “Sweet Dreams” 15 Seized car, informally 16 Russia’s ___ Mountains 17 Aluminum giant 18 *Result of oversleeping (read each starred answer as a clue for a single letter!) 20 Dull routine 21 Minor employee 22 Drunk as a skunk

23 2018 World Cup winner 26 Simplifies 28 *Vice president, e.g. 33 Shortage 34 Pony up 35 One waving a baton 38 “My guess is ...” 42 NYSE debut 43 “Hey Jude” syllables 45 *Balancing point 52 Oakland’s Oracle ___ 53 “Aida” and “Otello” 54 Military raid 57 Stimpy’s pal 59 Name that anagrams to “Ira”

60 *Pen pal’s exhortation 62 Former sporty Ford, briefly 64 On the subject of 65 Shrek, for one 66 Surgeon’s beam 67 Classic clown 68 Ctrl and Alt 69 Belief system DOWN 1 Inhales, with “down” 2 Appeal 3 Ice Breakers alternative 4 “I’ll take that as ___” 5 Nay’s opposite 6 Guthrie of folk

7 Chem lab substance 8 Check a box, say 9 Childish rebuttal 10 “Rain Man” condition 11 Muffin type 12 Boxer’s comeback? 13 Cher, voice-wise 19 Rose support 21 Tree on Lebanon’s flag 24 Auction actions 25 Tech review site 27 Feeling sore 29 Like some patches 30 Animated shopkeeper 31 Hanoi’s country, familiarly 32 Add color to 35 ___ drop (stage flourish) 36 Gorilla or gibbon 37 Geological stretch 39 Moses’ brother 40 Crackle companion 41 Rescue 44 Very different (from) 46 Heart on a bicep, say 47 Cleveland’s lake 48 Adidas subsidiary 49 Bluffer’s bold words 50 Paved the way? 51 San ___ (town north of Tijuana) 54 Q-tip, e.g. 55 -ish 56 Cracker brand 58 Barely makes (out) 61 Always-increasing number 62 Dr. Mom’s specialty 63 Chocolate purchase

285826 287516-1

813.754.2360 | 1705 Jim Redman Pkwy. Plant City, 33563

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

PlantCityObserver.com