2.28.19 PLCO

Plant City Observer YO UR HOMETO WN. YO UR NEWSPAP ER .

YOUR HOMETOWN. YOUR NEWSPAPER FREE

VOLUME 6, NO. 35

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

CITY ENTERS NEGOTIATIONS FOR SPORTS VILLAGE

City Manager Bill McDaniel is officially approved to enter negotiations with Gary Sheffield Sports Village, LLC to develop the long anticipated Sports Village. SEE PAGE 7

WHEELS, WINGS AND WAY CARS

Courtesy of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce

The “Batcopter” from the original Batman television series made an appearance at Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Plant City Airport hosted Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Feb. 23.

SEE MORE IMAGES ONLINE

The ninth annual Planes, Trains and Automobiles event was more than just a showcase for land, sea and air vehicles.

It offered free flights for kids, merit badge opportunities for local Scouts, demonstrations by local police and fire departments and more.

Attendees could also get into the “cockpit” with computer flight simu-

BING HOUSE PRESERVED

lators and kids could have a blast in the play area.

“That was a wonderful event,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “It was the ninth year and I’m really glad the Chamber works on making that a reality. You never know what’s going to turn into something big and this has turned into a very large event.”

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Bing Rooming House will be forever virtually preserved thanks to the efforts of the Institute for Digital Exploration at the University of South Florida. SEE PAGE 12

An estimated 6,000 people turned up for last weekend’s event, which would make for the biggest turnout in the show’s history.

“It was incredible how many people were there,” Lott said. “There was literally a line of traffic trying to get into the place. If you got in you weren’t leaving, so you got to stay for the day.”

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

NEWS BRIEFS

2

Courtesy photo

Amy Garcia received a scholarship from Krystal on Feb. 13.

Krystal gives scholarship to local employee

Strawberry Picking Challenge rakes in dough

Amy Garcia’s quest for a degree in public health got a little easier with help from Krystal.

The burger chain awarded $2,500 to Garcia, a shift leader at the Plant City store, on Feb. 13. Garcia is also a student at the University of Tampa.

The Square Up Scholarship Program was created in 2018 and has seen 15 employees receive $37,500 in scholarship funds. The program is open to Krystal employees of at least six months who are enrolled in at least one class per semester.

Wish Farms announced Feb. 21 that the 2019 Strawberry Picking Challenge was a “berry” sweet success.

The event raised more than $90,000 for children of the Redlands Christian Migrant Association. The Strawberry Picking Challenge has donated a total of over $513,000 in its five years of existence.

According to Wish Farms, 2,500 people attended the event to watch 20 teams compete to see who the prime pickers of Plant City were. Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association was named 2019’s “Best Harvest Crew.”

Justin Kline

City Cuts opened its second barber shop last week.

“The turnout was our best yet with an estimated 2,500 attendees,” Gary Wishnatzki, owner of Wish Farms, said.

“This event brings the community together to celebrate the Florida strawberry season and show our appreciation for the dedicated farmers and field workers. We are grateful to support RCMA and the important work they do for our industry.”

and served up hamburgers for members of the community who came to visit or get a fresh cut.

PC resident wins national dental assistant scholarship

City Cuts opens second shop City Cuts Barber Shop is now able to serve customers in the Dover area with the opening of its second location.

The new shop, located at 5306 U.S. Highway 92, held a grand opening on Feb. 23

instructor at Erwin Technical College.

“As I reflect on my career as a dental assistant and now as a dental assistant instructor, I have found my career in dental assisting to be very rewarding and I am thankful for my career choices,” she said.

Betty Leh, CDA, was recently named one of four winners of the 2018 American Dental Assistants Association/Dental Assisting National Board Scholarship.

Leh has been a dental assistant since 1991 and said she will use her scholarship to help cover the costs of exams and earning a degree in technical education from the University of Central Florida.

She is also a part-time lab

FAMILY MEDICAL SPECIALISTS OF FLORIDA Michael Paul Gimness, MD Kelli Woody, MD Katherine Newman, ARNP Jennifer Zeljkovic, ARNP 1703 Thonotosassa Road, Suite A, Plant City, Florida 33563

P: 813.567.5679 | F: 813.567.5686 www.fmsflorida.com 292382-1

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

3

SIX DECADES AS A

BERRY VOLUNTEER

Bettye Jean Manee has spent more than 60 years working at the Florida Strawberry Festival, making her one of the longest serving volunteers in festival history.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Bettye Jean Manee remembers being four or five years old and rushing through the Florida Strawberry Festival to get to the merry go-round with her parents.

The Strawberry Festival was the first fair Manee remembers ever going to and her earliest memories are of when it was held in a parking lot where the court house used to be in town. As she grew, so did the beloved festival. It moved to an open lot near Jackson Elementary, which later became home to the Sullivan’s Filling Station and eventually ended up at its current location on North Lemon Street.

“My earliest memories of the festival are when it was in a lot probably the size of where Buddy Freddy’s is now,” Manee said.

“They had a merry-go-round, cotton candy, ponies and few vendors where you could buy things like donuts. It was nothing like it is now.”

Of course, there have always been fresh strawberries for sale.

Growing up, she recalls going out with her friends for Strawberry Queen in the old Plant City High School, now the 1914 building. She wore a dress her mother made by hand and while she didn’t receive the crown many of her friends did, a fact she said some of their husbands would gently poke fun at for decades to come.

While attending the University of Florida as a cheerleader Manee fell in love with a young football star named Harry. When they married, his military career took them to South Carolina where Manee used her college degree to teach at a local school.

It wasn’t until they returned to Plant City and she began teaching at Bryan Elementary School in 1955 that their volunteer days truly began at the festival.

At first, she parked cars at Bryan while working there as a teacher to help raise money for the school. Then she and her

husband began fitting in shifts at the trams to their already busy schedule. They would work the trams every nights and then on Sundays after church would pile into an information booth and help the incoming guests.

After he died Manee shifted to work the incoming tour buses and eventually gravitated toward the information booth inside the main hall. No request was too small and if someone still seemed confused after getting directions from Manee she’d simply climb out of the booth and take them there herself.

“I am real proud of our festival and what it stands for,” Manee said. “People are there because they want to be, they work because they like showing others how great it is. Now we have the ambassadors, which is such a nice thing. I would always advise to go ask someone in a red vest if you need help. They are there for a reason and would absolutely love to help you out.”

She’s 87 years old now and up until last year, when health concerns got in the way, she had never missed volunteering at the festival, accumulating more than 60 years of experience at the berry festive event.

Her health is once again having her sit on the bench this year, but Manee said if it weren’t for “these pesky little health problems” she would still be picking up as many shifts as she could to help newcomers fall in love with her cherished festival.

After all, she watched her own family grow up at the festival and some of her fondest memories involve her and Harry trailing behind their children as they raced from ride to ride and food stand to food stand.

“There have been so many memories over the years,” Manee said. “As a family we would always get some good food, like the elephant ears, and I remember one of our favorite things was taking our kids on the Midway. When they got old enough to drive their own bumper cars we would gang up on their dad. We all loved that.”

File photo

The festival has more than 2,000 volunteers who help guests as they enjoy their day of fun.

They bought tickets to every show and if they weren’t working were more than likely somewhere on the grounds taking in the festivities. Of the hundreds of shows she’s seen over the years she said one of her all-time favorites will always be country legend Neal McCoy. Growing up with the festival Manee said she always knew it was something special, but even so she never expected it to become the massive undertaking it is now.

Guests come from all over the country with many using their vacation time to spend a few days in Plant City. It’s an honor she believes the city has earned and it’s crucial incoming volunteers remember what they’re representing when they put on that red vest.

“If you volunteer, you are representing the festival and everything it stands for,” Manee said.

“People don’t come here for the food or the rides, they come because of the way we make them feel. When they’re here, it’s almost like they’re family. That’s so important to me.”

It’s a formula others have attempted to replicate, but have always fallen short. She remembers when nearby fairs began attempting to offer the same kind of entertainment the Strawberry Festival had become known for.

She believes it’s a testament to the ingenuity of the festival’s leaders over the years that so many have begun to mimic its qualities.

Through it all, simply meeting the diverse group of people that flooded through the gates every year was always the part she cherished most of all. The majority of the encounters were always pleasant, though she said occasionally when someone would ask where to buy a beer and she would have to tell them how to leave the park, cross the street and head to a convenience store they would sometimes get annoyed.

She loved watching families excitedly take in the sights and is proud of the reputable nature they’ve been able to successfully maintain for the festival. It’s an experience unlike any other and she said she wouldn’t be surprised to find the following gen-

erations are just as enamored with it as she is.

“The atmosphere is clean, friendly, it’s so well taken care of,” Manee said. “It’s clean and the police are looking after it.

People feel safe here and it’s still kept that country atmosphere.

When people in Plant City show how much they love it I think the visitors can’t help but love it, too.”

4

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

‘THE BOYS

PLANT CITY

Observer

ARE BACK IN TOWN’

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com

Mayor Rick Lott and Vice Mayor Nate Kilton were unanimously reappointed to their spots on commission after facing no challengers for their chairs.

Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver. com Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver. com

TO ADVERTISE

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Call (813) 704-6850

Vicky Saunders

Mayor Rick Lott frequently speaks about the future of the city at events throughout town as shown above at one of this year’s MAKE Plant City events.

Residents of Plant City expressed ing with Kilton over his inaugural deep appreciation for having the their confidence with the current term and were looking forward to opportunity to continue to help city leadership Monday night seeing how he and Lott — who is support Plant City. when zero applicants ran to chal- entering his sixth term — continMathis has served seven conlenge Mayor Rick Lott and Vice ue to work together with the rest secutive terms from 2000 until Mayor Nate Kilton for their spots of the commission over the next present, making her one of the at the dais. With no competition few years. longest consecutive sitting comboth were reelected to another The deadline passed for quali- missioners in Plant City history. term starting in June. fying for City Commission Group “I’m so glad we’re able to serve Following in the footsteps of so 1 and Group 2 on Feb. 15 at 12 p.m. together for three more years,” many commission races in Plant The only submissions were from Lott said. “I have to say I agree City history, no one was interest- Kilton and Lott. With no opposi- with our fellow commissioners ed in submitting to qualify for the tion they were reelected to serve here. I think that was a vote of position other than those already another three years. confidence for the entire comin the role. The commissioners “To our mayor and our vice mission, not just for the two of attributed the lack of opposition mayor, congratulations,” Com- us, that they must be happy with to the appreciation from residents missioner Mary Mathis said. the direction the city is going in. for the direction current city “That lets you know the citizens I don’t think that was just a vote leadership is steering Plant City. of Plant City really appreciate of confidence on us, but for this Edited byyou David Steinberg March 2019 board, leadership, staff and “It just goes to show that time what are doing for Plant City. 1, entire flies when you’re having fun,” So congratulations.” so forth. So anyhow, I’m looking ACROSS Commissioner Mike Sparkman50 ... about 12term “Sure thing, tearing Each commissioner’s limit forward43 to Start another three more said. “That1you’re already termcrash total can be found on the years, but term doesn’t start “Green Eggshere and plane Joaquin!”

45our Paintball that many terms unbelievable. city’s website. is Plant cries until June somark we’ve sill got to comandis ___” survivors inSparkman 13 Derisive Congratulations to both of you.

City’s longest serving commisplete the one we’re in. I’m very 4 Black heaven?

19 Like some 47 “Das Kapital” I’m proud ofcurrant this commission55sioner.

He has served nine terms very very excited.”

Respects coins and author and I think that we’re doing an58and held the seat from stamps 1989 to liqueur Pound 48 Constructs outstanding job for our commu- 1991,1992 to 2005 and 2008 to 10 Any entree inhabitant 21 Not just 51 Wan nity and for that we all need to be present. He resigned in 1991 to 14 Cold and 59 ... about air-kiss 52 SeaWorld proud.” run for State Representative and slippery drinking 24 ___ avail stopped This is Vice Mayor Nate Kilton’s was appointed as interim city 15 Nobody in with friends 25 Warms breeding first term as a commissioner as manager in 1992 after Sadye particular in an NYC 26 Enlightened them he was elected in 2016. With this Gibbs Martin resigned.

16enter La his Scala borough?

29Kilton Batted 53 Alfredo or vote he will second term While both Lott and arehair, in June. Commissioner from the longest-serving on highlightBill Dod-63far Trophy informally marinara $ son said they board, they both30 expressed a 17 have Sanenjoyed Fran- work- the shape To exist, 54 Go-getter

Advertising / Robert Verner Robert@PlantCityObserver.com

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Vice Mayor Nate Kiliton faced no opposition and is reelected for his second term as commissioner.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

5

SEEKING SIGNAL Each year when hundreds of thousands of guests flood into the Florida Strawberry Festival phone signal becomes spotty within the grounds. AT&T is hoping to combat the issue with a ‘Cell on Wheels.’

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Hundreds of thousands of guests coming to one event in town — even if stretched out over an 11-day period — puts a strain on cell signal.

Any massive gathering, whether it be Gasparilla, a music festival or even a popular theme park — causes in-and-out cell service regardless of what network you have.

It’s an annoyance at best and dangerous at worst when you’re trying to locate lost children or get in touch with a friend that has wandered off.

AT&T, which is also sponsoring two days of the festival, is trucking in a “Cell on Wheels” machine to boost internet connectivity for its customers attending the event.

“Events like the Florida Strawberry Festival are full of moments customers want to share through texts, pictures, status updates and phone calls,” Joe York, president of AT&T Florida and the Caribbean, said in a news release.

“We’re working to boost capacity for customers during the festival so they can connect and share as much as they like.”

If 500,000 people attend over the 11 days — which is a generous estimate, as 526,025 showed up last year — it averages out to be approximately 45,455 people a day coming to the event. Obviously that’s not a perfect estimation as more people come on weekends and days with major musical acts.

However, even with a fluctuating number, the point remains

that a massive quantity of people are co-inhabiting in a tiny space.

The majority of those people lug around smart phones and will be attempting to post selfies and videos all day long. Even getting a simple phone call to go through to a member of your party that you’ve lost in the mad dash to the shortcake stand can be a gamble if it’s a packed day.

Even local law enforcement is spreading the word to help minimize the number of times they’re asked to help assist tracking people down throughout the festival.

“We know that during those busy days signal can be a tough thing,” Plant City Police Spokesman Al Van Duyne said. “Some phone companies come in with their big semis to help boost signal in the area, but if there’s thousands and thousands of people all trying to use their phones at the same time it can be a hit or miss. I think it may have to do with how the festival schedules acts. If there’s two really big names playing on the same day the place gets flooded.”

Van Duyne said he remembers multiple instances when famous singers like Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift and Reba have been scheduled to play and suddenly all the phones had difficulty even sending texts or placing basic calls.

Everyone prepares to sit in traffic, struggle with parking and wait in long lines, but few are prepared to handle experiencing a festival with a group when they can’t easily get in touch with each other.

While the COW booster will inarguably help circumvent the problem, guests are encouraged to have designated meeting locations and times so if people do wonder off they can easily relocate their loved ones without having to trek all over the festival grounds or find an officer.

Representatives from AT&T said the company continues to see increased data usage across its mobile network, especially when its customers flock to large events. Since 2007, data traffic on its mobile network has increased more than 470,000 percent with video making up approximately half of its mobile data traffic, according to the company.

On top of bringing in an internet connectivity booster, AT&T is offering discounts today and Courtesy March 7. The $3 discount on MidThe Cell on Wheels machine will boost connectivity at the festival. way wristbands can be obtained by bringing in a voucher from the s company, which en ay! Save $2.00 on Adult & $1.00 on Youth General Admission Tickets at Publix p can be picked up O od T at any AT&T corp o ra te - ow n e d store from Lakeland to Naples.

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

February 28 - March 10, 2019 • Plant City, FL Artists Appearing on the

It’s A Hit!

Soundstage:

Florida Blue SENIOR CITIZENS DAY

Today & Mar. 7

Seniors 60+ get $2 Off At Gate Free Concert 10:30am

Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra

Willie Nelson & Family

Alabama

The Oak Ridge Boys

Thu. Feb. 28, 7:30 $45

Thu. Feb. 28, 3:30 $20

Thu. Feb. 28, 10:30 FREE

Fri. Mar. 1, 3:30 $45

AT&T Ride-A-Thon Days Today & Mar. 7 Ride All Day $17 with $3 voucher from participating stores

Food & Fun Friday

Brothers Osborne

Home Free

Fri. Mar. 1, 7:30 $40

Mar. 1 $5 Off Midway Wristband OR get a Best Fest Bag w/any 3 Publix brand non-perishable items

Kool & the Gang

Sat. Mar. 2, 3:30 $20

Sat. Mar. 2, 7:30 $30

Coming Soon To Be Announced Sun. Mar. 3, 7:30

Chicks with Hits featuring Terri Clark, Pam Tillis and Suzy Bogguss Sun. Mar. 3, 3:30

$25

Pat Boone

Martina McBride Mon. Mar. 4, 7:30 $35

Mon. Mar. 4, 3:30 $20

MIDFLORIDA CU Free Kids Day Mar. 2

Kids thru High School Free Admission

Circle K Super Saturday Wristband Days Mar. 2 & Mar. 9 Ride All Day $30

NEEDTOBREATHE

Drifters, Platters & Cornell Gunter’s Coasters

Gene Watson

Wed. Mar. 6, 3:30 $20

Tue. Mar. 5, 7:30 $35

Tue. Mar. 5, 3:30 $20

Coca-Cola Family Sundays Mar. 3 & 10

$5 Off Wristband with any Coke brand can or plastic bottle product

Ride All Day $20

Grand Parade Day Mar. 4 Starts at 1pm Sponsored by SunPass

STYX

The Kingston Trio Thu. Mar. 7, 10:30 FREE

Wed. Mar. 6, 7:30 $35

The Lettermen Thu. Mar. 7, 3:30 $20

Get FREE with each Midway wristband purchase!

Also, don’t miss:

for King & Country Thu. Mar. 7, 7:30 $30

Tanya Tucker Fri. Mar. 8, 3:30 $30

Chris Janson

Fri. Mar. 8, 7:30 $30

Battle of the Bands Finale Sat. Mar. 9, 3:30 FREE

Keith Sweat

Sat. Mar. 9, 7:30 $30

Home of OUR

Concert dates and times are subject to change

Bill Anderson & Bobby Bare Sun. Mar. 10, 3:30 $20

Old Dominion Make It Sweet Tour Sun. Mar. 10, 7:30 $45

#berryfest19

• Battle Of The Bands Publix Tent, Battles, 6pm Today & 3/5, 3/7

• Ride-A-Thons, Mar. 4,5,6 & 7 •Breyers TWOSDAY, Mar. 5 • American Heroes Day, Mar. 6 •Florida Blue Senior Citizens Day, Mar. 7 •Tampa Bay Times Day on the Midway, Mar, 8 •Farm Workers Appreciation Day, Mar. 9 •HOLA Plant City!, Mar. 10

(See website for discounts & details) Visit FLstrawberryfestival.com or call 813-754-1996 and get your tickets today!

While online, check out the Free Entertainment, Special Days and Discounts and our full Schedule of Events.

SOUTH AMERICA: The Siebenthal family recently visited South America. The Plant City Observer made another appearance in South America thanks to Debbie, Bradley, Grace and Michael Siebenthal. “Our awesome vacation to visit ‘mi hermano, Raul Rencoret’ and his wonderful family in Central Chile, South America,” Bradley Siebenthal wrote. “This was on location in front of the Volcan Villarica, one of Chile’s most active volcanoes and one of the highest peaks in the Southern volcanic zone of the Andes, and Lago Panguipulli.”

• Images Everywhere! • Local Ford Dealers • Verizon Wireless • Alessi Bakery • DIRECTV • AMSCOT • Stingray Chevrolet • Dakin Dairy Farms • Uncommon USA • Circle K • Astin Farms • Grove Equipment Service • Candyland Warehouse • Netterfield’s • Smithfield • Global Frequency Technologies • Master Spas • Good Health Saunas • Metro by T-Mobile • Choo Choo Lawn Equipment • Vision Auto Glass • Wyndham Vacation Resorts • Florida Dairy Farmers • General RV Center • O’Reilly Auto Parts • Kellogg’s •AT&T • Carolina Carports • Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association/VISIT FLORIDA

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

INCREASING

COMPUTER LITERACY

St. Mary’s is offering free computer classes for the community with a new program held every Monday night.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

In this day and age, being computer literate is crucial to being able to successfully and easily navigate through life. St. Mary’s Community Church is hoping to offer that freedom with its new free computer classes.

For years the church has used donations of old computers from the Hillsborough County School system to help those in need. Augustus “Sonny” Traylor, president of the trustee board and media specialist, used his skills to refurbish the systems and then give them out to people in need.

Now the program is being revamped and a computer lab has been created at the church in order to help as many as possible get the access and skills needed to operate the machinery. Pastor Timothy Knighten Sr. and Traylor bounced the idea around for several years and are finally at a place where they can pull off the endeavor.

“We’re gonna start off with basic computer skills, everything from logging on to setting up

email accounts, just the basics,” Traylor said. “There are a lot of people in the community who don’t know how to set up email or go on social media. We just thought it would be a big help to the community to help bridge that gap.”

The program kicks off at 5 p.m.

March 11 at St. Mary’s, 907 E. Laura St. While it will begin with extremely simple pieces of advice it will continue to develop into more advanced classes.

Traylor, who will lead the class, said he is basing much of the courses on the skill level of those in attendance, whatever the need is is what they’ll focus on.

There are currently eight computers set up in the lab and as more computers come in the course will continue to grow.

Everything is going to be based off of demand.

If there is an influx of attendees all hoping to learn they will offer the computer classes more frequently to help meet the need.

Eventually the new computer lab will be open on Saturdays as well, so those who need to use the computers for anything from research, a school project or to apply for jobs will have access to the technology. Traylor said there are many in the community that have laptops, but may not have wifi at home. The lab is also open for them if they wish to log onto the church’s wireless internet to finish their projects.

“In this day and age if you don’t know how to properly use a computer, if you don’t have access to a computer, you are living in the 19th century,” Traylor said.

“Everything now is social media, it’s all computerized. You can go online and pay your bills, get your registrations for cars or licenses.

It’s so convenient.”

Since announcing the start of the new course Traylor said they’ve already begun to receive positive feedback.

One woman at the church told him she has a computer, but all she knows how to do is turn

it on. He’s excited they’ll now have some way to help those in the community learn some basic skills.

At first he said he assumes most of the attendees will be senior citizens who didn’t grow up with the technology since the courses will start at a very basic level. However, as the classes progress they will get into continuously more intricate issues and the classes may begin to reach a wide spectrum of backgrounds and skill levels. If the community voices its desire they may later add resume building to one of the programs offered. The fact that employment offices have virtual application systems makes having a digital polished resume a must for those in the job market.

St. Mary’s has already partnered with the Improvement League of Plant City to help assimilate the information and the hope is the classes will soon fill to capacity. The classes will be approximately an hour and a half, again based on the need. If people

request to stay longer Traylor said he will be happy to help.

Each week will feature a different topic and Traylor said to stay in touch with the church for updates on upcoming courses.

Those wishing to get work done in the lab are encouraged to bring their flash drive to save their work.

“Right now we are just opening the door and we are trying to get it out to the community,” Traylor said. “We are a community church and we want to help the community grow and expand.

This is our way of contributing to the community. We have a small congregation, but basically everybody gets out and works tirelessly in the community. We are here to give back in any way we can.”

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

7

GARY SHEFFIELD BACK AT THE PLATE FOR SPORTS VILLAGE NEGOTIATIONS

Commissioners unanimously approved to authorize the city manager to officially enter negotiations with Gary Sheffield Sports Village, LLC to redevelop the property near the stadium.

City of Plant City

Concept of the proposed development for Sports Village, which includes approximately 133 acres of property near the stadium.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The teams are back on the diamond after commissioners unanimously voted to authorize the city manager to enter negotiations with Gary Sheffield Sports Village, LLC to redevelop the long-anticipated Sports Village.

Gary Sheffield Sports Village, LLC was the only applicant to go after the bid to redevelop the city owned property of the Plant City Stadium, the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex and two adjacent parcels of land. After the evaluation committee reviewed the submission they unanimously agreed to recommend the city move forward with negotiations.

“Negotiations took a long time the first time, but now I think we have a lot of work done,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. “The speed at which we go forward depends on if their team wants to work off the existing plan or start over.”

This is not Sheffield’s first time at the plate as he was a part of GCJ Sports, LLC, which originally had an agreement with the city to develop the property. The original

plan was to have at least $50 million worth of development in five years and the group told the city the plan was to exceed that and aim for $100 million to $120 million in the first phase. However, after a split between the partners the agreement eventually dissolved.

Now Sheffield is back with his own concept and is ready to bring Sports Village to fruition.

Nothing is set in stone until negotiations are complete, however, the hope is the project will develop a world-class amateur baseball complex that would have the amenities in place to host massive baseball tournaments filled with players from across the country.

The city is open to development on approximately 133 acres and the proposed complex includes nine baseball fields, a championship stadium, an amenity building, a meeting space, 1,500 bed “player village” housing, a players cafeteria, weight rooms, a community park and a town center featuring items like a medical center, restaurants and entertainment.

The town center aspect of the development is designed to help retain any economic impact induced by the baseball

complex operations. If the proposed concept is close to the final plan the complex will be able to host both multi-day and week long tournaments and include lodging, dining and everything traveling families would need for a relaxing stay.

The proposal states there will be three stages with phase one creating the nine baseball fields, the dorm-style housing for players, the cafeteria for players and a hotel with approximately 100 rooms.

“Our goal is to create a sports tourism destination in Plant City that will capture long-term economic impact through hosting tournaments that include multiple days spent at the village by out of town visitors,” the proposal read. “The revenue will come from tournament fees, lodging for tournament guest and families, dining, entertainment, retail and tournament sponsorships.”

On-site parking at the perimeter of the site as well as some picnic areas and playgrounds are also slotted to be included in the facilities.

The proposal said Sheffield, along with his investor partners, will be contributing the initial capital required for the project and “Cushman & Wakefield’s Project

Development Services and Debt & Equity desk will be responsible for the capital contributions to complete the project. At this time, we are assuming that the project will be funded 35 percent with equity and 65 percent with debt.”

A letter of interest from Raymond James and Associates Inc. was also included in the proposal where the company said it was prepared to assist in raising $50 million for the project.

Now that negotiations will officially be underway there is a chance, if all goes smoothly, Plant City could see construction in Nov. 2020.

Courtesy photo

Sports Village could see initial construction as early as Nov. 2020 if negotiations go smoothly.

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

2019 WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL FINE ART SHOW The winners for the 2019 Florida Strawberry Festival Fine Art Show have officially been announced. You can find the award winning artwork in the Hull building at the festival.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Florida Strawberry Festival is filled with exciting fair rides and mouth-watering food. As the sun blazes down many of the thousands of attendees grab iced strawberry lemonade and head toward any covering they can find.

One of the hidden treasures of the festival has long been the Fine Art Show, presented by the East Hillsborough Art Guild. Some of the greatest local artists come together to present mesmerizing art work. The icing on the cake?

The exhibit is located inside an airconditioned building.

Nestled between the Kellogg’s Strawberry Tent and the Publix Showcase Tent, the iconic stone

Art Show Award Winners 2019 ADULT DIVISIONS

building is filled to the brim with art and photos that showcase the immense talent located around Plant City.

Instead of fighting the crowds to file into an entertainment tent or filing your stomach with heavy, but refreshing ice cream, consider taking a moment to stroll through the framed art exhibition. Members of EHAG are always onsite and you may even bump into some of the honored artists.

The conversations you’ll have inside the Hull building may very well become some of your favorite memories from the trip. Few things summarize Plant City more than the hospitality and passion presented by the area’s art fanatics.

2nd Douglas Steinbarger 3rd Rick Edgemon 4th Callie Johnson Best in Show: Alan Metzger Strawberry Theme: Karen Olszewski Suncoast Credit Union Purchase Award: Lurline Tanner People’s Choice Award: (votes will be finalized 3-10-19) Division A – Professional Oils 1st Alan Metzger 2nd James Villa 3rd Christopher Klein 4th Jose Eliu Vazquez Division B – Professional Acrylics 1st Wayne Chaunat 2nd Dora Nolan 3rd John Brennan 4th Suzanne Desnelex Division C – Professional Watercolor 1st Sandra Lallemand 2nd Deborah Biasetti 3rd Krystal White-Blanton 4th Irene Foxx Division D – Prof. Graphic/Mixed Media 1st Jame Lemieux

ADULT DIVISIONS Division E – Amateur Oils 1st Katie Maddox 2nd Diane Lindsay 3rd Ron Horn 4th Dorothy Banker Division F – Amateur Acrylics 1st William Hood 2nd Shelly Bankov 3rd Jo Ellen Falany 4th Marie Schadt Division G – Amateur Watercolors 1st Barbara Moore-Canning 2nd Brenda Michaels 3rd Julia Gibson 4th Deborah Haver

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Division X – Youth Sculpture ages 6-9 1st Gavin Stuart 2nd Dylan Brewington 3rd Braeden Emery Division Y – Youth Sculpture ages 10-13 1st Grace Gifford 2nd Corey Austin Neal 3rd Corey Austin Neal

Division H – Amateur Graphic/Mixed Media 1st Zach Glaros 2nd Vicky Luffman 3rd Julia Gibson 4th Betty Hagen Division I – Adult Miniature Art 1st Carlene Earl 2nd Peggy Little 3rd Gunni Nilsson-Price 4th Angela Santos

Division Z – Youth Sculpture ages 14-17 1st Hailey Wessinger 2nd Katelin Crumley 3rd Akshita Kumar 4th Sasnui Prasad Division M – Youth ages 9-11 1st Radhika Rangwala 2nd Stella Grimes 3rd Gagyatri Borra 4th Chavi Lakhotia

Division J – Adult Sculpture 1st Julia Gibson 2nd Joshua McCarty 3rd Loretta Burns 4th Ruth Bolles

Art Show Award Winners 2019 YOUTH DIVISIONS Division K – Youth ages 15-17 1st Penelope Donetti 2nd Mia Rocamora 3rd O’Hanna Duncan 4th Kadey Carrington Division L – Youth ages 12-14 1st Rashi Lakhotia 2nd Malyssa Ollar

Division N – Youth ages 6-8 1st Mason Toole 2nd Delancy White 3rd Hansi Gunda 4th Grant Cerdan

ART SHOW AWARD WINNERS 2019 BUSINESS LEADER’S CHOICE AWARDS – Sponsor / Winner: Tony Lee State Farm Insurance: Braeden Emery Walden Lake Car Wash: Katelin Crumley Arts Council of Plant City: Regina Espitia Unity in the Community: Jose Eliu Vazquez Plant City Entertainment: Mamie Robinson O’Brien’s Irish Pub: Christopher Klein St. Clement Catholic Church: Bhoomi Shah Osprey Observer: Sharon Hester Winthrop Arts Inc.: Peggy Hart Family Estate Advisors: Barbara Moore-Canning Your Attorney Gretchen Elizabeth: Cathy Smead Trombley & Hanes: Virginia Butler Williams Consulting: Loretta Burns CentralComp: Suzanne Desneux Cruise Planners: Kathleen Beale America’s Oil Express: Corey Austin Neal America’s Oil Express: Mary Hummel Roney Auto Sales: Ron Horn GMS Landscape Services: Sharon Hester Brewington’s Towing & Recovery: Kshama Darji Bob Fields: Janae Landcaster-Charles

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

FOCUS ON FITNESS

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

JENNY BEADLE

FAD OR FOR REAL? Fad diets differ greatly from balanced diets.

Fads come and go and the same is true of many popular diets. The Plant City Observer spoke with Tampa Metropolitan YMCA Wellness Experience Executive Jenny Beadle about some of the diet crazes sweeping the nation and how they work.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON FAD DIETS? What we normally tell members is, if it promises quick results and sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If it completely eliminates any particular food group, it is a fad diet. If you must buy specific products or supplements, it is considered a fad diet.

That’s how you know whether it’s a fad diet or if it’s sound, good advice. The paleo diet eliminates all grains and dairy, so that would be considered a fad diet even though it’s plant-based. It’s very hard to follow.

Things that are super restrictive tend to be things where people will fail. They’ll see short-term results out of the gate, then they fail and all the weight comes back.

SO, CAN THEY WORK OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME?

HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH A FAD DIET?

HOW CAN YOU EAT A HEALTHY, BALANCED DIET ON A BUDGET?

I would say in terms of actual fad diets, none are a long-term fix. All of them will work in the first 30 to 90 days. You will experience some weight loss. What works, what’s number one, is calories going in versus calories going out. That’s what works.

If you take in less calories than you’re burning, you’re going to lose weight. We recommend you follow a balanced diet — one where you’re not excluding anything.

If you do have some ice cream, hopefully it’s preceded by a healthy dinner with lean proteins and vegetables… I generally like to tell people it’s an 80/20 rule. If you’re good 80 percent of the day and indulge 20 percent of the day, chances are you’re going to be OK. It’s a really good rule to follow. A 200 to 500-calorie deficit at the end of the day will help you lose weight. At the end of the week or the month, you will have lost some weight

In order to do it safely, don’t mix the diets. A lot of times, people will do fad diets but blend pieces of each one. It’s terrifying to me. Take no dairy from this diet, no red meat from that diet, mix them together.

What could happen is a massive deficit of particular nutrients like iron, vitamin D and things like that. If you mix them up on your own you’ll probably be deficient in a nutrient your body needs. Another danger people don’t think about is trying it without consulting a doctor when you’re on blood pressure or cholesterol medications. With pre-boxed foods, keto drinks and things like that, people start trying them and there could be chemicals in them that interfere with your medication. Talk to your doctor before you try anything.

Try to balance your diet as much as possible. If you must buy pre-packaged foods, the fewer ingredients in them, the better. From a budget standpoint, go to local farmers’ markets. The general consensus in people’s minds is that it’s too expensive to eat healthy.

Buy what’s in season. It’s always cheaper if fruits and vegetables are in season. We also tell people to buy in bulk when it comes to beans, brown rice and things like that. You can make it last a lot longer and it’s cheaper.

Farmers’ markets have better pricing than many big grocery stores. There’s plenty of places you can go to get local, fresh foods. If it’s in season, plentiful and local, you’ve cut out all the costs of importing, exporting, transporting and such.

Jenny Beadle is a Wellness Experience Executive with the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

CUTEST CRITTER

This week on Cops Corner:

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.

money laun-

COPS CORNER

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dering, fooling the bank and a meth-y ordeal.

FEB. 15

ROUGH BREAK 3400 block of N. Lake Dr. Criminal mischief: This complainant told officers that during the night of Feb. 14 an unknown suspect threw a rock at her vehicle and caused a chip in the front driver side glass window.

FOREGONE PROBATION 100 block of S. Collins St. Felony arrest: A man was charged with a felon carrying a concealed weapon and delivery of synthetic cannabis within 1,000 feet of a park and paraphernalia. He was found to be on a felony probation and was charged with three counts of felony VOP. SHOOT AND TELL 1000 block of Washington St. Shooting with injuries: Officers conducted a check of the area near Washington Street after multiple gunshots were heard. They located a victim, however, the victim didn’t want to prosecute.

FEB. 16

FOOLING THE BANK 2700 block of Wilder Preserve Dr. Identity theft: This victim told officers that on Feb. 15 someone contacted his bank via telephone and used his identity to authorize the transfer of $4,750 from his account into another unknown account.

FEB. 17

SUSPICIOUS DELIVERY 1100 clock of E. Renfro St. Found drugs: Officers came out to this person’s home after receiving a report that a package had been delivered by U.S. mail and the home owner didn’t know the person indicated on the package label as the intended recipient. When the package was opened they discovered a bunch of methamphetamine inside.

FEB. 20

MONEY LAUNDERING 1700 block of James L. Redman Pkwy.

Theft: This complainant told officers while doing a load of laundry he left his wallet on a dryer and carried a load of freshly dried clothes out to his vehicle. When he returned inside the laundry mat the wallet was nowhere in sight.

METH-Y ORDEAL 2600 block of James L. Redman Pkwy.

Felony Theft: A man passed all points of sale at Walmart without paying for any of the merchandise. He also had removed all of their anti-theft devices. When he was arrested they found he had more on him than just some stolen goods. He was charged with felony theft, felony possession of anti-shoplifing device counter measure, felony possession of 10 counts of Xanax, felony possession of 2.9 grams of meth and felony possession of four counts of hydromorphone/ hydrochloride.

FEB. 21

SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED 1300 block of E. Baker St. Loitering/prowling: Officers responded to the above location after getting reports of a suspicious person in the area. A white man was arrested for loitering or prowling and while being arrested was found to also be in possession of meth and drug paraphernalia. He was transported to Orient Road Jail.

CONCRETE EVIDENCE 500 block of Waller St. Theft: This complainant told officers someone had broken into a construction site the night of Feb. 20 and stolen 12 bags of cement.

MOOSE: Jake Persinger send us a picture of his “dog” whom he has named Moose. He said he loves him very much and Moose certainly appears to be quite accustomed to receiving such acclaim. It’s only fitting Moose be honored as a local pet legend.

ONLINE

Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instgram, @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer on Facebook.

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

VIRTUALLY PRESERVING HISTORY

The Institute for Digital Exploration at the University of South Florida came out to the Bing Rooming House Museum to digitally document in 3D the historic site.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

T

hroughout history archeologists and historians have had to use context clues and scraps of evidence to recreate the past. Now, researchers are using virtual technology to preserve and reconstruct historic locations all over the world.

The Institute for Digital Exploration at the University of South Florida selected the Bing Rooming House Museum as one of the sites it wished to preserve via its state-of-the-art technology. On Feb. 18 a team from USF drove over to Plant City to get to work scanning every square inch of the beloved landmark.

“The process is pretty much we take 360-degree scans, the laser collects the geometry of the room so we have an exact digital replica of the space we are capturing, so that it’s spatially accurate,” Rebekah McLaughlin, graduate research assistant for the USF department of history, said.

“Then we have a series of pho-

tos the scanner takes all in color so the color is overlaid with the geometry in order to have a complete visual representation of how the room is when we’re there.”

IDEx learned about Bing because Dr. Michael Decker, a professor for the department of history at USF, lives here in Plant City. Having trekked all across the state to document Florida’s immense history, he knew the museum was a perfect candidate for the visit.

While there the team did run into a minor issue with their scanner so they’ll be back in a few weeks to finish the scan. A complete digital walkthrough of the entire building will be available in three or four days after they finish at the site thanks the assistance of some high-powered computers.

“The importance of that for just the general population who are not using it for research purposes or restoration purposes is it provides a way for people

to see sites they may not be able to access, that may be outside of Florida or if even another Hurricane happens or anything like that it can protect them digitally,” McLaughlin said.

It’s a concept that is taking education by storm. Even students at Knights Elementary here in Plant City find themselves going on virtual field trips in their class-

rooms thanks to the school’s new technology.

Students are led on “trips” to a variety of historical and international locations via the guidance of their teachers who navigate on a tablet. They’ve even floated up to the International Space Station on one trip and the students turn all 360 degrees to explore space.

While places like Bing are easy for local students to access, having a virtual tour means anyone in the world will soon be able to “walk” through its doors.

“We’re really hoping we can both promote the Bing House itself and help them however they need for marketing or anything like that in addition to preserving a site that is really important for the history of Florida,” McLaughlin.

IDEx works all over the globe doing a variety of projects based on different needs. In Sicily they are actively scanning sites few have ever even heard of.

Some are seventh, eighth

and ninth-century while others are Medieval. The sites are small, but their importance to history is immense. McLaughlin said the teams often bounce back and forth between doing more archeological projects to fighting against the clock with preservation scans.

In Sarasota the team worked at a site at the Ringling Museum.

The damage from Hurricane Irma impacted the sprawling campus and the group documented some of the location in depth. If they ever need to do future restoration projects the museum will now be able to pull up a detailed canvas of how it originally looked.

Last week was the program’s first step into Plant City, but after having talked with William Thomas Jr., president of the Improvement League of Plant City, while at the Bing House McLaughlin said there is a chance many more local historic locations may soon be chosen by the program for its virtual documentation.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

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BERRY BUSINESS JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

St. Clement Catholic Church’s annual Florida Strawberry Festival preparations began Wednesday morning.

In Plant City, you’ll know it’s about time for the Florida Strawberry Festival when St. Clement Catholic Church fires up the conveyor belts.

The church turns into a de facto factory for 12 days and has done so for the last 46 years, recruiting more than 120 volunteers a day to help prepare its legendary strawberry shortcake mix, stack its cakes (and biscuits) early for efficiency and make sure every strawberry that makes it into a shortcake — especially the signature “topper berries” are perfect.

Volunteers started cutting berries for the mix and separating the topper-quality berries bright and early Wednesday morning, and the first batch of shortcake mix made its way through the assembly line shortly after 9 a.m.

This year’s proceeds from shortcake sales will benefit the Good Samaritan Water Project, a mission for youths and young adults to build wells providing sustainable water and sanitation projects in developing countries.

Photos by Justin Kline

Suzanne Joaquin and Jim Lauraine are two of more than 120 regular volunteers with the church.

BY THE NUMBERS The first batch of berries makes its way through the conveyor belt.

92,897: strawberry shortcakes served at the 2018 Florida Strawberry Festival. The church has now served more than 4 million.

6,000: amount of flats typically processed over 11 days. The berries are brought to the church from a parishioner family’s farm and this yields around 1,400 five-gallon buckets.

18,000: total pounds of whipped topping prepared at the festival.

The whipped topping is generally the only part of the St. Clement strawberry shortcake that is not put together at the church.

8,000: total pounds of sugar used in the shortcake mix each year.

Topper berries are kept separate from the shortcake mix berries. These are generally the best-looking berries of the bunch.

Right: Every bucket is wiped down before a lid is put on and it’s placed into a truck for delivery to the festival.

3/1: The ratio of shortcakes to biscuits available at the St. Clement booth on any given day at the festival. The church uses a rough estimate of 80,000 cakes to 24,000 biscuits. St. Clement used to only offer biscuits at the festival but later added the cakes due to popular demand.

120: volunteers putting the shortcake mix together per day at the church. They come in after morning mass and are fed lunch.

50: youth volunteers who wash the berry buckets after each festival day, preparing them for the next day’s use.

3: amount of times berries are washed on the conveyor belt before going into the mix.

35: average amount of volunteers working in St. Clement’s festival booth on any given day. Volunteers come and go in a series of two shifts per day.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

LINCOLN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS KNOW THEIR HISTORY The school’s annual Black History Month performance was held Tuesday morning.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Lincoln Elementary Magnet School students spend every February making sure they get an important message across.

“I am somebody.”

The school’s Black History Month celebration, called “Know Your History,” has students donning costumes to portray influential black and Hispanic Americans. They tell the audience seated in the school’s cafeteria something about themselves, all while in character. Astronauts, athletes, activists, actors and more took to the stage to talk about their accomplishments. Between waves of speeches, the kids performed songs and the adults even got in on the action by singing “Lift Every Voice” near the end of the program.

Dozens of students dressed as historical figures for the program.

Rita Moreno won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1962 for her role in West Side Story.

Jack Johnson was the first black world heavyweight boxing champion.

The Lincoln students sang songs at several points in the program.

Program attendees sing “Lift Every Voice.”

Dr. Mae Jemison was the first black woman to travel to space in 1992.

PlantCityObserver.com

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

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FEBRUARY 28, 2019

SPORTS Quick Hits Crest wrestling three-peats districts

Parker Messick Plant City’s ace led the way to a 1-0 win on Feb. 22.

See Page 17

RAIDERS CONQUER THE TCA CONQUERORS Plant City picked up its first-ever win over Trinity Christian on Feb. 22.

Strawberry Crest’s wrestling team won its third consecutive district championship on Feb. 22.

The Chargers’ team score of 157.0, almost 10 points higher than runner-up Newsome, got the job done that day at George Jenkins High School. Four Chargers also won first place in their weight classes.

Aaron Ortiz beat Newsome’s Brayden Johnson by 15-11 decision to win the 106-pound division. Jarrett Affronti beat George Jenkins’ Lorenzo Brown with a fall at 1:59 to win at 126 pounds. Triston Davidson beat Newsome’s Parker Drake by fall at 0:38 to win at 160 pounds.

Amneous Chambers beat Newsome’s Kohl Drake by 3-2 decision at 182 pounds to win that division.

Durant placed sixth overall with 90.5 points and Plant City finished seventh with 52.0 points.

Strawberry Festival Showdown Next Tuesday, the battle for all the Plant City-area track and field glory will begin at Strawberry Crest High School.

The Chargers are dubbing the trimeet featuring themselves, Durant and Plant City the “Strawberry Festival Showdown.” The overall team winner will get to take a traveling trophy back to their school after the meet. The goal is for this showdown to be similar to the Battle for the Redman Cup between Durant and Plant City: a friendly rivalry with a little more than just bragging rights on the line.

The meet is set to begin at 5 p.m.

Fall sports classifications The FHSAA has released the new classifications for golf, cross country and swimming and diving for the next two fall sports seasons.

BOYS AND GIRLS GOLF Durant: Class 3A, Region 3, District 11 Plant City: Class 3A, Region 3, District 10 Strawberry Crest: Class 3A, Region 3, District 10 BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Durant: Class 4A, Region 2, District 4 Plant City: Class 4A, Region 2, District 3 Strawberry Crest: Class 4A, Region 2, District 3 BOYS AND GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING Durant: Class 4A, Region 2, District 4 Plant City: Class 4A, Region 2, District 4 Strawberry Crest: Class 4A, Region 2, District 4

Courtesy photo

The Raiders celebrate after their 1-0 win over Trinity Christian.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

M

ike Fryrear and Gil Morales have been friends for years, but when it comes to the friendly rivalry between their current prep baseball programs, things have been onesided over the last three years.

That is until the Raiders were able to get over the hump on Feb. 22 and pick up their firstever win over Trinity Christian Academy.

Ace pitcher Parker Messick proved to be the X-factor in last week’s 1-0 win, arguably the highlight of the preseason classic tournament hosted at 1 Raider Place at the end of the week.

Messick pitched six of the game’s eight innings and put up a monster stat line: 13 strikeouts, one hit and no walks allowed.

He handily won the duel against future Florida State

teammate Dyland Simmons, who gave up three hits over five innings, but didn’t give up the winning run.

The game’s first seven innings brought plenty of bad luck for both the Raiders and the Conquerors. Trinity Christian’s offense couldn’t find a way to rattle Messick and the home team’s defense. Plant City’s offense didn’t have much trouble reaching base, thanks largely to a series of errors by the visiting team’s defense, but couldn’t get any runners to cross home plate — even with the bases loaded in the fifth and seventh innings.

Jarod Wingo picked up right where Messick left off, entering the game in the top of the seventh inning and getting all three batters he faced to strike out looking. Wingo got PCHS through the top of the eighth, too. After walking the first batter he faced, Wingo induced a pop

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

fly to short, caught a man stealing and induced a groundout to end the inning.

Plant City’s luck finally turned around in the bottom of the eighth. After Cole Cothren grounded out to lead off the inning, Hunter Emerine reached base with a single. Wingo hit a single of his own, but Emerine was called out by fielder’s choice.

Casey Mawhinney got on base with an infield single and Tyler Dowdy loaded the bases on a throwing error. Chris Rodriguez wrapped up the game with an RBI single to score Wingo from third base.

The win was especially sweet for Plant City because both teams are ranked in Florida’s top 20 by PrepBaseballReport.com.

Plant City’s regular season started Wednesday when the Raiders hosted Jefferson High School. Results from that game were not available at press time.

The Raiders will travel to Wharton tonight for a 7 p.m. game.

Mario Williams gets ready to step up to the plate.

JUSTIN KLINE

Traveling trophies never a bad idea

I

s there a cooler sight in any sports championship game than an NHL player hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head? I don’t think so.

So, when I’m told that Strawberry Crest’s track and field team is trying to kickstart a crosstown rivalry series with a traveling trophy “like the Stanley Cup,” in coach Ben Henderson’s words, of course I’m all for it. Big traveling trophies are the best, especially when they’re unique. The Redman Cup is much easier on the eyes than the FHSAA’s cookie-

cutter trophies, even though those are generally more important on a state-wide level. If you’re going to introduce a traveling trophy, shoot for the moon.

The Stanley Cup is what all other trophies want to be when they grow up. It’s been partied with, used as an actual cup and a cereal bowl, lost and found in the bottom of a pool and has traveled around the world. It’s going to get so many more names added to it that, one day, it might not be holdable by anyone but the Mountain. It’s still going to be

the coolest when it has to be transported by forklift.

Nothing is cooler. But what else is cool? I’ve got some favorites.

Let me start with what might be an unpopular opinion: the Vince Lombardi trophy stinks.

Nothing is cool about a onedimensional hunk of metal that gets completely smudged by Tom Brady’s fingerprints in five seconds. The Grey Cup is professional football’s answer to the Stanley Cup (and not just because it’s also big in Canada).

That’s what a real pro football championship trophy looks like.

As an added bonus, the actual cup part of the Grey Cup has handles for easier lifting above your head on the field.

The College Football Playoff championship trophy is a little better than the Lombardi, but still could use a redesign. The old BCS crystal balls were cool to look at but far too fragile. The rivalry trophies, on the other hand, are equal parts weird and

SEE KLINE, PAGE 17

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SPONSORED BY SPORT CLIPS

Parker Messick

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

Parker Messick got into a classic pitchers’ duel with Dyland Simmons of Trinity Christian Academy on Feb. 22 and came out ahead. In six innings of work, Messick struck out 13 batters while giving up just one hit and no walks. He will play for Florida State University — along with Simmons — this fall.

What are your expectations for the team this year?

How were you feeling, going out there on Friday night?

What are your personal goals for 2019, before you head up to FSU?

It was great. I really wanted to get the win for our coach (Mike Fryrear) because him and coach Gil (Morales) are so close and it’s just always a challenge trying to beat that team. We came together as a team and finally got the win. It was the first time, I think, we’ve ever beaten them.

Win every game I can, no matter what.

Throw as many strikeouts as I can. Hit as many bombs as I can. Win every game.

What did it take to get the team to come together in the eighth inning and get the job done?

When you’re coming off the mound in a game like that, you just rally your team together and say everybody gets together… it starts with the seniors. It gets everybody together to rally the team, “pick Parker up, let’s go, we’ve got to score for him.”

I’ve heard that when you’re getting ready for a game, you put your headphones on and won’t talk to anyone. Not even your family. How true is that?

17

FIRE FIST BOXING heating up in 2019 The Plant City-based stable had success in St. Pete on Feb. 16 and has big plans for 2019.

What’s the best thing about playing with this group of guys?

There’s no one else I’d rather play for.

I’ll win or die for this team. I love these guys, I’ve played with them all my life and there’s no other guys I’d rather win the district championship, regional championship or state championship with. No other guys.

What sets this team apart from others you’ve played with?

Team camaraderie. We’re best friends.

We hang out with each other all the time. We’re always with each other, on or off the field, and we just push each other in the classroom and on the field to be our best. That’s what’s gonna carry us, I think.

So if, like, your grandmother comes to visit and she brought you your favorite pie to eat, she’s getting the cold shoulder when the Beats are on?

I’d give her a slight wave. I blew my mom a kiss (Feb. 22), but that’s pretty much all she gets.

JUSTIN KLINE

Strawberry Crest’s new traveling trophy idea is in great taste FROM KLINE, PAGE 16

cool. Minnesota and Wisconsin have been playing for a giant axe for the last 71 years.

Indiana and Purdue fight over a bucket.

Cincinnati and Louisville used to compete for the Nail Keg. OK, maybe they’re more weird than they are cool, but the novelty is part of what makes college football so much fun.

I’m a huge fan of the NBA’s Larry O’Brien trophy. But I have to admit that what really sold me on it was a 2011 commercial featuring Magic Johnson, Lamar Odom and James Worthy where Odom learns that the trophy has two secret compartments: the upper half of the basketball lifts to reveal a guacamole bowl, and the base of the trophy is actually a heated tray for nacho cheese. I’ve been hungry ever since then.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Coming off that win, it’s pretty exciting.

That’s what we wanted from the preseason, going straight into the season.

Just coming in hot, I want to carry that into the season.

That’s 100 percent true. I feel bad sometimes, but I don’t even talk to my coaches before the game. I mostly listen to Phil Collins, “In the Air Tonight,” pretty much the whole time and I go to work. I stretch, I do my routine, I get in the zone.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

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The “Big Gold Belt” from the NWA, WCW and WWE was awesome. If you’re pretty familiar with any of those wrestling promotions, you’ve seen it. Ric Flair won it at various points in all three promotions over 30-something years. Every sports team ever likes to have wrestling belts on deck these days because of that belt. If you don’t believe me, go to a Plant City Dolphins Midgets football game — theirs is even customized.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Plant City Boxing Gym is putting the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World on the map in 2019.

It’s the training home of both Fire Fist Boxing Promotions’ fighters and Golden Boy Promotions’ rising star Yamaguchi Falcao, the World Boxing Council’s eighth-ranked middleweight in the world. All parties involved are thus far having a great 2019.

Three of Fire Fist’s top fighters — Willian “Baby Face” Silva, Connor Coyle and Mark Reyes Jr. — are coming off wins in their Feb. 16 fights at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg.

Silva continued to make up for his July 14, 2018 TKO loss to Teofimo Lopez by cruising to a unanimous decision over Juan Ramon Solis that was broadcast on the UFC’s Fight Pass streaming service.

The fight was Silva’s first of 2019 and built on his previous fight, held Oct. 6, 2018 at the Coliseum, which ended with a TKO win over Jose Forero in the ninth round.

“We want to get him back to the big stage,” Fire Fist coach Jose Rodriguez said. “That kid is good. That kid is very good.”

Reyes Jr.’s fight with Rodrigo Tatijewski didn’t leave much to talk about, as the Fire Fist fighter knocked Tatijewski out cold with a right cross just 19 seconds into the match. Reyes Jr. now has a 9-0 record with seven knockouts.

Coyle also saw his record improve to 9-0 with a unanimous decision over Travis Scott. Coyle sent Scott to the canvas twice in the third round and never took his foot off the gas pedal to win by 10 points on two of three judges’ cards.

All in all, it made for a solid start to the year for Fire Fist.

“We’re looking forward to good things,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez is also excited to see what amateur fighter Evander “Lionheart” Lamourt can do.

Lamourt, a super featherweight who won all three of his fights in 2018 by decision, has been training at Plant City Boxing Gym and has a 5-1-0 (1 KO) record. He will face Joey Saenz at the March 2 Saturday Night Brawl event at the Yuengling Center in Tampa.

“Evander’s a kid that used to fight here,” Rodriguez said. “He’s good. Good kid.”

Falcao is scheduled to fight on March 9 in Verona, New York, where he will face Paul Mendez (20-3-2, 1 KO) in a bout that will be streamed on the DAZN app. He only fought twice in 2018 but made the most of both bouts, winning both by unanimous decision. A natural righty who happens to fight southpaw (left-handed stance), Falcao last fought on July 21, 2018 and beat Elias Espadas in 10 rounds at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas.

Judges scored the fight 96-92, 96-92, 95-93 in his favor. Mendez returned to the ring in Tijuana, Mexico on Jan. 26 after two and a half years out of it and felled Israel Ornelas with a third-round knockout.

“It’s gonna be a nice little war,” Rodriguez said. “It’s gonna be good.”

Rodriguez hopes to see more fighters agree to take on Falcao in 2019, as the coach’s ultimate goal is to bring a toptier world championship belt back to Plant City and he has complete faith in Falcao’s ability to deliver in WBC action.

“The kid is real good,” Rodriguez said.

“So now they’re saying he’s the face of the future, this and that, and he is.

We’ve got a blessing that we’ve got this kid here.”

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

Email: jkline@ plantcityobserver. com.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PLAY BALL!

SPORTS

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

PCLL CELEBRATES OPENING DAY Plant City Little League hosted its annual season-starting ceremony Feb. 23.

SCORES AND MORE BASEBALL

Mar. 26

Feb. 23

Durant at Bloomingdale, 7 p.m.

Plant City at Riverview, 7 p.m.

Plant at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Venice 7, Strawberry Crest 0 Feb. 27

Feb. 21

Mar. 5

Durant 12, Gaither 1 Plant City 15, Spoto 0

Newsome at Durant, 5/7 p.m.

Feb. 22

Mar. 7

Chamberlain 12, Strawberry Crest 0

Durant at Bloomingdale, 5/7 p.m.

Mar. 5

Feb. 26

Mar. 8

Plant City at Newsome, 7 p.m.

Durant at Newsome, 7 p.m.

Jefferson at Plant City, 7 p.m.

Steinbrenner at Durant, 5/7 p.m.

Durant at Brandon, 7 p.m.

Plant City at Wharton, 7 p.m.

Mar. 6 Raymond throws a strike to Logan Teeden.

Bloomingdale at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

JUSTIN KLINE

Mar. 7

SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

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

Email: jkline@ plantcityobserver. com.

Durant at Plant City, 7 p.m.

Mar. 8 Freedom at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Q&A WITH RYAN RABURN Harper Mueller: “Who is the toughest pitcher you’ve ever faced?”

Ryan Raburn: “Chris Sale, from the Boston Red Sox. He’s pretty good.”

Jake Carbaugh: “Who are some of your best teammates?”

Raburn: “The Cleveland Indians.”

Rylan Rollyson: “Who’s the greatest player you played with and the greatest player you played against?”

Raburn: “Miguel Cabrera … and Mike Trout.”

Colt Connell: “What’s the best advice you’ve gotten?”

Raburn: “Give it everything you’ve got, enjoy the game and remember life’s too short to take it too seriously.”

Cooper Cowen: “What’s your best baseball memory?”

Raburn: “Pitching in a game (a perfect inning against the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 8, 2013)… I had never done it professionally before.”

Mar. 9 Chamberlain at Durant, 10 a.m.

Plant City at Sickles, 10 a.m.

King at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Mar. 12 Strawberry Crest at Wiregrass Ranch, 7 p.m.

Mar. 13 Riverview at Durant, 7 p.m.

Mar. 14 Strawberry Crest at Plant City, 7 p.m.

Mar. 16

TENNIS Feb. 27 Tampa Bay Tech at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Durant at Brandon, 7 p.m.

Plant City at Wharton, 7 p.m.

Plant City vs.

Wharton, 3 p.m.

Feb. 28 Strawberry Crest vs.

Riverview, 2:30 p.m.

Mar. 1

Mar. 5

Plant City vs.

The First Academy, 2 p.m.

Strawberry Crest vs.

Lake Weir, 4 p.m.

Durant vs. Middleton, 3 p.m.

Plant City vs.

Riverview, 3 p.m.

TRACK AND FIELD

Mar. 5 Plant City at Newsome, 7 p.m.

Mar. 2 Durant, Plant City, Crest: at Nash Higgins Relays, 8 a.m.

Mar. 6 Bloomingdale at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Mar. 5 Durant, Plant City, Crest: at Festival Showdown, 5 p.m.

Mar. 7 Durant at Plant City, 7 p.m.

Mar. 8 Freedom at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Mar. 12

Mar. 18

Mar. 13

Armwood vs. Durant, 4 p.m.

Plant City vs. Blake, 7 p.m.

Riverview at Durant, 7 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Wiregrass Ranch, 7 p.m.

Mar. 14 Jefferson vs. Durant, 7 p.m.

Plant City vs.

Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate, 4 p.m.

Brandon vs.

Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Feb. 27

Feb. 28

Sickles vs. Durant, 4 p.m.

Plant City vs. Plant, 7 p.m.

Chamberlain vs.

Strawberry Crest, 4 p.m.

Mar. 19

Mayor Rick Lott speaks to the crowd.

Feb. 27 Durant at Freedom, 5/7 p.m.

Feb. 28

Ryan Raburn talks about his experiences in Major League Baseball.

LACROSSE

SOFTBALL

Durant at Newsome, 7 p.m.

Jefferson at Plant City, 7 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Tampa Bay Tech, 7 p.m.

If anyone knows how to start a sports season with a bang, it’s Plant City Little League.

The league’s annual spring Opening Day ceremony took place the morning of Feb. 23 at Mike Sansone Park and pulled out all the stops as usual.

“This has to be one of the finest traditions we have in our city because it represents building strong families in our community,” Mayor Rick Lott said.

Major League Baseball veteran Ryan Raburn, who played high school ball at Durant in the late 1990s, was the featured speaker at this year’s event.

Unlike the typical speeches delivered by past guests, such as MLB umpires Mark Wegner and “Cowboy” Joe West in recent years,” Raburn gave some advice and also fielded questions about his career from PCLL baseball and softball players.

“I think the best thing for all the guys here is to pull for each other and want everybody to be better,” Raburn told the players.

Dennis Lee, a longtime fixture at the Florida Strawberry Festival, sang the national anthem and later performed “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” with Raymond, the mascot of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Vice President and master of ceremonies Rhett Rollyson gave a special shout-out to Parker Messick and Cade Shissler, a pair of PCLL alumni who now play for Plant City High School. In November 2018, Messick signed with Florida State University and Shissler signed with Stetson University.

As always, the newly-crowned Florida Strawberry Festival queen got to throw a ceremonial first pitch.

This year it was Queen Kendall Gaudens throwing a strike to Mallory Ness.

Three other first pitches followed: Raymond threw to Logan Teeden, Maddux Ray threw to his brother Brody Ray and Raburn threw to Reed Goodson.

Riverview, 7 p.m.

Plant at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Plant City, 7 p.m.

Mar. 26 Durant at Bloomingdale, 7 p.m.

Plant City at

Mar. 9 Durant, Plant City, Crest: at Manuel-Griffin Relays, 8 a.m.

Mar. 12 Durant: at Newsome quad meet, 6 p.m.

Mar. 15 Plant City, Crest: at Jack Rice Invite, 4 p.m.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

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“I like the rides. Like the ferris wheel.”

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— Ryleigh Preti, 10

“The strawberries.”

— Payton Preti, 12

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— Pat Lynch, 50

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OBITUARIES

20

PlantCityObserver.com

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Georgia Lucille Brock

John Allen Killebrew

Mary Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Young

Fred Russell Wheeler

Georgia Lucille Brock, 90, of Plant City, born in Hickory, North Carolina on March 14, 1928, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 19, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

John Allen Killebrew, 78, a longtime resident of Ft. Lonesome, born in Plant City on March 23, 1940, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 18, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Mary Elizabeth “Libby” Young, 82, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019.

Online condolences maybe left for the family at www. haught.care.

Fred Russell Wheeler, 82, of Plant City, passed away on Feb. 15, 2019.

Online condolences maybe left for the family at www. haught.care.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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Iris Arline Caldwell

Dolores Krasulski

Bobby Lee Stufflebeem, 66, of Plant City, born in Ottumwa, Iowa on Aug. 15, 1952, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 16, 2019 Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Iris Arline Caldwell, 75, of Plant City, passed away on Feb. 19,2019.

The family will receive friends 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, March 2, 2019, Haught Funeral Home, 708 W Dr MLK Jr Blvd, Plant City, with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m.

Dolores Krasulski, 92, of Plant City, passed away on Feb. 17, 2019.

Services will be held at a later date in Pennsylvania.

Online condolences maybe left for the family at www. haught.care.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

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Bobby Lee Stufflebeem

Taking care of each other is what

community Bertha Ree Jordan

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Jessie Donald ‘Willie’ Williams

Bertha Ree Jordan Raburn, 91, of Plant City, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. we’re dedicated helping W E ’ RE P RO UD TO S E RV E our community She was born on April to 28, 1927families cr Jessie Donald “Willie” Williams, unique and meaningful memorial th with personal, compassionate care since 1896. in Opp, Alabama, the daughter 85, ofAsBardstown, Kentucky, celebrates the life it represents. your Dignity Memorial professionals, of Margaret Elizabeth (Kidd) and and Plant City, born in EvansGuarantee > National Plan Transferability John Stanley. ville, Indiana >on100% Feb.Service 15, 1934, > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement Travel Assistance Funeral services were held on entered into eternal rest on Feb. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at Plant 18, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at City Church of God. Burial was Memorial Park Cemetery. www.HopewellFuneral.com.

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Nada F. Gandy - June 30, 1930 Feb. 13, 2019 - Joy and strength, beautiful and cool, sassy and full of humor, forever 29!

Nada lived a life full of amazing memories and lessons learned, one of unconditional love and we will all be forever grateful to have been a part of who she was.

She was born in St Petersburg, raised in Palatka, then settled with her husband, R.L. Gandy, in Plant City where they opened Gandy Glass. They loved the community where they lived and worked.

If you walked into her life, you became family. She could be brutally honest with sincere concern for your well being. She would say “We weren’t put here to judge, we were put here to love” and she lived that every day of her life. Every day was a deliberate choice for her. In hard times she would say “You have a choice to make the most out of

Vee Joyce Vee Joyce, 92, of Valrico, born in Clifton, New Jersey on Oct. 8, 1926, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 22, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Benjamin Hardy Smith Benjamin Hardy Smith, 87, of Plant City, born on Oct. 16, 1931 in Broxton, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 23, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Robert L. “Bobby” Davis Sr., 81, of Plant City, born on Feb. 1, 1938 in Richlands, Virginia, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 24, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Dathon O. ‘Fuzzy’ Howell Dathon O. “Fuzzy” Howell, 91 of Plant City, passed away Feb. 22, 2019.

Dathon was a veteran of the US Navy.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb.28, 2019, Haught Funeral Home, 708 W Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Plant City, with service to follow at 11 a.m.

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

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Robert L. ‘Bobby’ Davis Sr.

TO PLACE AN OBITUARY, CALL (813) 704-6850 AND SPEAK WITH LINDA LANCASTER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

21

OBITUARIES

Nada F. Gandy

even the worst of circumstances or choose to be miserable, which will make things worse and make you and others around your, miserable. It’s not the end of the world - the sun will still come up tomorrow!”

She gave her all for her family and if you asked each one who was her favorite, they’d answer “ME.” Loved by five children, nine grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, we will continue to let her love and goodness flow through those left behind to help make this world a nicer place. Our Nanie was so loving, accepting and always kind but seriously sassy! Another angel got her wings!

A private service has already been held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lifepath Hospice in honor of Nada F. Gandy.

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YOUR CALENDAR

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

BEST BET MONDAY, MARCH 4 GRAND PARADE

1 p.m. The 2019 Grand Parade will be making its way through the Plant City Strawberry Festival and you don’t want to miss out. The parade will form at the Plant City Plaza on Prosser Street, Evers Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. It will then move north on Evers and west on Reynolds before eventually passing the festival grounds.

It takes a final turn south on Sammonds Road.

THURSDAY, FEB. 28 PIT COUNT PLANT CITY

7 a.m. The 2019 Point in Time Count is here. Trained volunteers will hit the streets all day to participate in Hillsborough County’s count.

PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

7:30 to 9 a.m. Plant City Toastmasters is held every Thursday.

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

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

10 a.m. The Florida Strawberry Festival, 303 Lemon St., officially kicks off on Feb. 28 and runs until March 10. There will be 11 days of fun fair rides, agriculture shows, live entertainment, parades and more. Visit the flstrawberryfestival.com for more information.

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 annually.

RETRO MOVIE NIGHT

6:33 to 8:33 p.m. Krazy Kup, 101 E. J Arden Mays Blvd., is hosting its monthly Retro Movie Night.

This month head over to enjoy “The Iron Giant.” The fourth Thursday of every month Krazy Kup hosts a classic film ranging from silent pioneers to Brat Pack essentials.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1 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

PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City 813.757.6677

and are $15 per lesson. Contact them today at 218-256-1873 for more information.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2 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 YOUTH PARADE

11 a.m. The Strawberry Youth parade starts at the State Farmers Market on the corner of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Alexander Street. Once it’s in full swing it continues north on Alexander Street and west on Reynolds Street. The parade will pass the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds on Reynolds Street and disburse near the Sammonds Road area.

BLUEGRASS JAM

7:33 to 10:33 p.m. Krazy Kup, 101 E. J Arden Mays Blvd., is hosting its monthly Bluegrass JAM event. This is an open invitation for local Bluegrass musicians and fans to come to the Krazy Kup Loft and JAM, clap hands, stomp your feet and enjoy the free show.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5 PLANT CITY LIONS CLUB

12 to 1 p.m. The Plant City Lions Club holds a meeting every Tuesday at Buddy Freddy’s, 1101 Goldfinch Dr. For more information on membership call 813-924-3829.

THE WRITER’S LOFT

6 p.m. Come on out to Krazy Kup, 101 E. J Arden Mays Blvd., for the monthly Writer’s Loft meeting. All writers are welcome. Join them for a meet and greet, to share work, receive writing guidance, creative time, fellowship and more.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7 PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

7:30 to 9 a.m. Plant City Toastmasters is held every Thursday.

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

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 annually.

CRAFT NIGHT OUT

6 p.m. Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., is hosting its monthly Craft Night Out for adults. It will have Mar back for another painting class and guests will paint on a canvas with a strawberry theme. All supplies provided. Registration necessary, $5 fee per person, due prior to class. Call 813-7579215 to register or stop by the front desk.

tampaymca.org/LetsCamp

PlantCityObserver.com

Universal Crossword

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

Edited by David Steinberg February 28, 2019

FORECAST THURSDAY, FEB. 28 High: 82 Low: 64 Chance of rain: 10%

FRIDAY, MARCH 1 High: 84 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 20%

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

23

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Feb. 28

6:54a

6:28p

Friday, March 1

6:53a

6:29p

Saturday, March 2

6:52a

6:29p

Sunday, March 3

6:51a

6:30p

Monday, March 4

6:50a

6:31p

Tuesday, March 5

6:49a

6:31p

Wednesday, March 6

6:48a

6:32p

WEATHER

I LOVE PLANT CITY

ACROSS 50 Chicago 10 Mexican 40 Pale 1 Bubble tea Christmas wrestling 44 Beauty root (1) hrs.

11 Still needing superstore 5 Fuzzy fruit (1) 52 Obvious (5) Editor Justin comforting 46 Little Send your photo submissions to Associate Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com 10 A deadly sin 53 Posthumous 12 Strict songbird or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.

14 Eras Jim Croce 13 Hot, spiced 48 Wrote in C 15 Uber hit (5) drink or Java alternative?

59 She loved 21 Echoic 49 Spanish 16 “Do ___ Aeneas female “L” warning others ...”

60 Garlicky name word 17 Full of mayonnaise 22 Dernier ___ 50 Infant’s woe greenery 61 BBQ 24 Secret stash 51 Michael of 18 Lose it cabbage 25 Sch. basics ’90s tennis 19 Included on dish 26 Free 53 Clock’s four, an email rarely 62 This, in Pancake 20 Silas Marner 54 Poli sci subj.

Toledo Day chain ailment (2) 55 Minute part 63 Word before 27 Becomes 22 Group of of a minute: “duty” or familiar with notes (2) Abbr. “pride” 28 Physical 23 Salt Lake 56 Furthermore 64 Canadian puzzle site City student gas brand 29 Sudden rush 57 Not fem.

24 Nook’s or neut.

65 Tragic fate 30 Grafton’s partner 58 “Return of 66 Nickname of “___ for 25 Orion star the Jedi” the director Noose” 29 Gourmet’s furball whose 32 Crimson gastropods 60 German films get Tide coach 31 Monkey in complaint “interrupted” Nick Instagram some labs (3) in each set 35 Indie singer(@mrjonfon) 33 Insta of numbered Case The view from the grandstands of the Wish Farms Soundstage can be a great one, and it will soon upload (3) entries 38 Stir-fry pan come with all the sights and sounds of the Florida Strawberry Festival. Jon Fon snapped a photo 34 Charged 67 ___-aup there for his Instagram and used the #iloveplantcity hashtag. Jon Fon wins this week’s I Love particle (3) doodle-doo Plant City photo contest.

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER 36 Campus DOWN Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instgram, cadets’ org.

1 Soothing O N L I N E @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer 37 Teeming powder (with) Water, in on2Facebook.

39 Huffed and Juarez puffed 3 Musical 41 “Don’t drink intermission? and drive” 4 Workplace spot, e.g. (4) safety agcy. s 42 Twitter 5 Seattle’s ear 32 y s spammer (4) s Sound e usin 43 “Aha!” (4) 6 Marry In B 45 Slow on secretly the ___ 7 Fast cash 47 Faked sources, romantic briefly interest in 8 Early super2/27 © 2019 Andrews McMeel Universal 48 Cheese computer www.upuzzles.com protein 9 Once owned

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MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MARCH 2 High: 85 Low: 64 Chance of rain: 10%

SUNDAY, MARCH 3 High: 85 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 20%

STRAWBERRIES Shipping point: Central Florida $5.90-$8.90

Mar. 6 New

Mar. 11 First

Mar. 19 Full

Mar. 2 Last

RAINFALL Monday, Feb.18

0.00

Tuesday, Feb. 19 0.00 Wednesday, Feb. 20

0.00

Thursday, Feb. 21 0.00 0.00

Friday, Feb. 22

Saturday, Feb. 23 0.00 0.00

Sunday, Feb. 24 YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2019 3.00 in.

2019 0.44 in.

2018

2018

3.74 in.

1.14 in.

GOLD & SILVER

Diamonds & Precious Gems,

2/28

285826 287516-1

813.754.2360 | 1705 Jim Redman Pkwy. Plant City, 33563

“Hanging in Suspense” by Christopher Adams and Robert Mark

ACROSS 1 Bubble tea root (1) 5 Fuzzy fruit (1) 10 A deadly sin 14 Eras 15 Uber alternative?

16 “Do ___ others ...”

17 Full of greenery 18 Lose it 19 Included on an email 20 Silas Marner ailment (2) 22 Group of notes (2) 23 Salt Lake City student 24 Nook’s partner 25 Orion star 29 Gourmet’s gastropods

31 Monkey in some labs (3) 33 Insta upload (3) 34 Charged particle (3) 36 Campus cadets’ org.

37 Teeming (with) 39 Huffed and puffed 41 “Don’t drink and drive” spot, e.g. (4) 42 Twitter spammer (4) 43 “Aha!” (4) 45 Slow on the ___ 47 Faked romantic interest in 48 Cheese protein 50 Chicago Christmas hrs.

52 Obvious (5)

53 Posthumous Jim Croce hit (5) 59 She loved Aeneas 60 Garlicky mayonnaise 61 BBQ cabbage dish 62 This, in Toledo 63 Word before “duty” or “pride” 64 Canadian gas brand 65 Tragic fate 66 Nickname of the director whose films get “interrupted” in each set of numbered entries 67 ___-a-doodle-doo DOWN

1 Soothing powder 2 Water, in Juarez 3 Musical intermission?

4 Workplace safety agcy.

5 Seattle’s Sound 6 Marry secretly 7 Fast cash sources, briefly 8 Early supercomputer 9 Once owned 10 Mexican wrestling 11 Still needing comforting 12 Strict 13 Hot, spiced drink 21 Echoic female “L” name 22 Dernier ___ 24 Secret stash 25 Sch. basics 26 Free Pancake Day chain 27 Becomes familiar with 28 Physical puzzle site 29 Sudden rush 30 Grafton’s “___ for Noose” 32 Crimson Tide coach Nick 35 Indie singer Case 38 Stir-fry pan 40 Pale 44 Beauty superstore 46 Little songbird 48 Wrote in C or Java 49 Spanish warning word 50 Infant’s woe 51 Michael of ’90s tennis 53 Clock’s four, rarely 54 Poli sci subj.

55 Minute part of a minute: Abbr.

56 Furthermore 57 Not fem. or neut.

58 “Return of the Jedi” furball 60 German complaint

24

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

PlantCityObserver.com