4.5.18 PLCO by Plant City Observer

PLANT CITY

Observer

Personal training at PCHS. PAGE 8

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 5, NO. 40

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THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

Teeing off against cancer The Country Wood Golfers had a record-breaking year at their annual golf tournament fundraisers and donated $10,000 to Moffitt Cancer Center. SEE PAGE 4.

YOUR TOWN

HOPPIN’ AROUND

Courtsey Photo

Recreating memories Nora McClendon experienced a strong sense of deja vu when she attended the Englebert Humperdinck concert at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Nearly 40 years to the day, McClendon had seen Humperdinck in Lakeland, where he signed her program and posed with her for a photo. Her experience was recreated once again as he stopped to take a picture with his lifelong fan.

More than 10,000 eggs were hidden at the Recreation and Parks Department’s Easter egg hunt. Visit PlantCityObserver.com

Breanne Williams

The bright eggs were filled with candy and strewn among a variety of age designated fields.

‘A Whole New World’ of theatre ‘Ring bells! Bang the drums! Are you gonna love this ‘show!’’PCHS’s production of a dual language Aladdin is sure to take viewers ‘wonder by wonder’ with its unique twist on the classic tale. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The community is invited to join students at Plant City High School on a magic carpet ride through Agrabah during its dual language production of Aladdin. The production will feature Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, Iago,

Genie, Jafar and more in a musical rendition of the classic tale. The students will be presenting a dual-language version of the show, which recently helped land the group the $10,000 NBC R.I.S.E. America grant early last month. SEE ALADDIN PAGE 4

Breanne Williams

Taryn Storter plays Princess Jasmine and Chris Dulje plays Aladdin in PCHS’s production of Aladdin.

Courtesy of Vicky Saunders

Coloring night thrives in Plant City The Craft Beer & Coloring night held by Instagramers of Plant City and The Corner Store continues to blossom. Each month, the event grows in size as attendees gather for a night of relaxation, coloring and games. This month’s event was held during the food truck rally and packed out the house. The Birthday Saps featuring Charlie played live music at the event and The Corner Store offered fresh food and craft beer.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

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March and held its first service on March 18.

Kerry Inc. adopts Brewer Park as environmental project

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Kerry, Inc. has started an environmental community project to help keep the community environmentally friendly. The company chose to adopt the Dr. Hal & Lynn Brewer Park for this journey. The 10.5-acre Brewer Park is heavily used by area walkers and bird watchers. “The Kerry volunteers did a fantastic job at the park and we really appreciate their effort,” Recreation and Parks Director Jack Holland said in a news release. “Kerry is setting a worthy example for our community and helping keep our city a great place to work, live and play. We look forward to Kerry’s future involvement with our park system.” On March 26, employees made their very first trip to the park

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and collected 54 pounds of trash in an hour and a half. The team will do their next clean-up on May 21. “It feels great to give back to our little town as we’ve been a part of the Plant City manufacturing community for 63 years”, Susie Brown, Plant Manager of the facility, said.

Contest for elementary schools to win up to $2,500 WoodmenLife is sponsoring the “America is…” video contest, which aims to help elementary school students become excited about their nation and show pride in their school and their local community. The students will make a 30-second to one minutelong video on the topic “What America means to me.” The videos will be showed on WoodmenLife’s Facebook page and the public will vote for their favorite. The three videos with the most votes will win prizes. Visit facebook.com/WoodmenLife for information on other prizes awarded. All elementary school classroom teachers, band directors, coaches, principals and schoolaffiliated organizations are eligible to participate in the contest. “WoodmenLife is thrilled to offer this opportunity for schools to earn money for classroom activities, sports equipment, field trips or other items,” the company said in a news release. The contest began April 2 and videos can be uploaded until noon on April 26. Then the public will have from April 30 through 12 p.m. May 11 to make a choice. Winners will be announced on May 14.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

Library hosts dental program for community Bruton Memorial Library has partnered with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County to offer free dental services for pregnant and postpartum mothers and their children. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Bruton Memorial Library’s public service doesn’t end when a member checks out a book or logs off a computer. For years, it has offered a variety of programs to help its members live better lives, whether that includes offering help with taxes, connecting them to like-minded civic organizations or even improving their health. When the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County needed a base to provide its healthcare services to the community, Bruton stepped up to the plate. “We’re here to help people find what they are looking for and having these partnerships at the library helps us connect important services with families,” youth services librarian John Russell said. “There are families who may not know that free dental care is available until they read about it at the library.” The Florida Department of Health, in conjunction with Suncoast Community Health Centers and Tampa Family Health Centers, offers free dental care for children and teens, 6 months old to 20 years old and pregnant

and postpartum moms, up to 6 months, in the county who don’t have Medicaid. Carol Scheff, health education program consultant for the Department of Health in Hillsborough County, said they want to ensure mothers have every opportunity to have a healthy birth. “When a mother is pregnant she can cause the unborn child harm because what happens is the bacteria in her mouth, whether it’s from periodontal disease or a cavity, that bacteria can travel in her bloodstream and go to her uterus and cause her to go into premature contractions,” Scheff said. “She can also develop preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure and protein in the urine and the only way to fix that is to abort the baby.” If the baby is born too soon or at a low birth weight, its immune system could be compromised throughout the child’s life. Scheff said it is her job to stress the simple fact that the head and mouth are connected to the rest of the body and it is crucial to take care of oneself from head to toe. The library is also home to routine blood drives via a partnership with OneBlood. Angel House,

Courtesy of John Russell

The Suncoast Community Health Center bus will be coming to the library on April 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

adult services associate at Bruton, said having programs to improve the health of the community is something the library loves to do. “If you knew you could save a life, wouldn’t you?” House said. “It’s simple, really. This is an opportunity for us to give back to our community outside of the normal library operations. We help our patrons help others. What if that one blood drive helped save a life right here in Plant City? That in itself makes it absolutely worth it.” The Suncoast Community Health Center bus will at the library on April 17 from 8 a.m. to 4

p.m. Those interested should call Scheff at 813-373-8665 or reach out to their WIC department to set up an appointment. Their OBGYN will need to approve the mom for the visit by giving them a pregnancy clearance form. The bus does not do x-rays or restorative work, but it does offer preventive services like cleanings and fluoride treatments. The patient will then get a smile bag and a referral letter that lets them know what was done and if the operator saw something that needed to be taken care of. The referral will include a list of facilities so they will know where to go

for aid. This program acts as a way to get mothers and children out of their emergency, put them on a treatment plan and connect them with a future dental home. “We’re here to find them a dental home and to reach those rural areas of the community that otherwise would not have any kind of exposure to dentistry… and to really understand that oral health is really the component of overall health,” Scheff said. “It’s so important to have a healthy mouth so your whole body is in good shape.”

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“‘Mulan.’ I like that movie, the music, how they train and I also like the action. I want to be a ninja warrior.” — Aiden Milcher, 8

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

PLANT CITY

Aladdin

Observer

FROM PAGE 1

“Our school is over 40% Hispanic population and we wanted to do a program to highlight talent in the school and represent the community,” said Carla Plummer, guest director of the show and an English teacher at PCHS. “This is just a very exciting opportunity and I’m thrilled for the students. They’ve all been working so hard to make this a great production.” Chris Dulje, Aladdin, and Taryn Storter, Princess Jasmine, both agreed learning the Spanish lines for the show was a challenge they were eager to take. The songs were “easy to learn” and, for the rest, they said they relied on Spanish teacher Mareda Westerman, who aided the group, to help coach them to success. The structure of the show is not the only unique aspect of the production. Plummer said everyone from groups at the school to members of the community have banded together to help bring Agrabah to life. The “spectacular coterie” has included the carpentry club, who helped make part of the sets including the flying magic carpet and cosmetology students who are assisting with the magical makeup and hair. The “shining, shimmering, splendid” costumes have all been supplied by Stage Manager Ashley Bhagwandeen’s family. “It’s been really interesting because it has included the entire school,” Plummer said. “You

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek

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Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com Breanne Williams

The cast of the dual language production of Aladdin at Plant City High School.

don’t normally see the carpentry kids hanging out with theatre kids, but this has bridged that gap and given them something to bond over. It’s just been a group effort.” With such a well-loved story comes added pressure to perform perfectly, Dulje said. The expectations for their characters have set a high bar, but he said as long as the cast continues to have fun with their performance he is sure the audience will fall in love with the final product. There may not be “75 golden camels,” but Storter said the dedication and commitment from the entire cast helped create a worldclass experience for viewers. She said the show will include inter-

active scenes like having performances throughout the rows to help the audience feel they have truly stepped into a whole new world. Tickets can be purchased at the door with cash or a check and are $10 for adults, $7 for students and $5 for children 13 years old and under. The proceeds will go toward next year’s production of Little Shop of Horrors and help send students to competitions. “It’s going to be a good show and we’ve worked hard on it,” Duljie said. “It’s been fun. Our school’s not known for theatre so putting on a production that’s so well-known, we have to live up to the expectations and I think we will. I think people will enjoy it.”

Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com Editorial Designer / C.J. Major CMajor@yourobserver.com

IF YOU GO Where: Plant City High School Auditorium When: April 5-7 at 7 p.m and April 7 at 2 p.m. Adults $10, Students $7, Children 13 & under $5 Run Time: 1.5 hours Tickets purchased at the door beginning one hour before curtain. House opens 30 minutes before curtain.

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The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

Victory on and off the course

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The Country Wood Golfers partnered with their community to combat cancer.

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

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

For more than 25 years the Country Wood Golfers have strived to unite their community in the fight against cancer. This was their record-breaking year, with $10,000 raised and donated to Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. The group raises funds by hosting a variety of events including a golf tournament, poker run, dinners and more. They dedicate countless hours to the work and the committee sends every penny to aid in patient care and cancer research. “All of us know so many people that have had cancer, that have died from cancer and survived from cancer,” AnnaMae Faragon said. “It’s just a great cause.” Approximately 39.6% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes, according to the National Cancer Institute. The disease has impacted the lives of so many across the country and here in the Plant City community, including several on the committee. Betty Conner has been a survivor for 18 years and Pat Matsko for less than a year. The woman who ran the committee prior to Rose Kramer died from cancer three years ago. The events begin in October and run through the spring. However, the women work year-round

Plant City Observer

to ensure the upcoming year is a record best. They often swap out events to keep the lineup fresh and draw in their community. The group said the community has continued to step up to the plate and join them in the fight. Everyone from local businesses to next door neighbors contribute to the events and raise money for the cause. “When people come to events, say they stop in at the yard sale, they ask ‘And when’s the next one?” Rosanne Malagrino said. This year, Kramer said she secretly had hoped they would be able to reach $10,000. Toward the end of the events, the group was $342 short of their goal. Then, the community stepped up. A man called after the last event inquiring as to how close to the final goal they had gotten. When she told them what they were lacking, he brought over a check of the difference and requested to remain anonymous. Joan Macisco, a member of the Country Wood Golfers, said seeing the check presentation on the day they toured Moffitt brought

tears to her eyes because they were able to see all of their hard work come to fruition. “I think people in the community respond so well to this fundraiser because they’re all familiar with Moffitt because it’s close and many of our people have been there and they know where their money is going,” Macisco said. As the years go by the committee grows as residents continue to want to get more involved in the cause. Though new members are added, few ever leave. The group meets at least once a month and many members golf together every Thursday, though several on the committee are not involved in the sport whatsoever. Those interested in contributing or who are seeking more information can call Kramer at 813-7529693. “We have a great community full of loving and generous people,” Kramer said. “They’ve always supported us, but the more events we’re having the more they’re giving. We couldn’t do this without their help.”

Breanne Williams

The Country Wood Golfers donated $10,000 to Moffitt Cancer Center.

is locally owned by Ed Verner, Karen Berry, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes The Plant City Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRUSTRATED WITH THE RISING COST OF INSURANCE RATES…

FELIX HAYNES

A local economic feel-good story As the longest recession since the 1930’s Depression fades in our collective rear view mirrors, our local Plant City economy and Saputo Industries have given us another perfect feelgood story to reassure us that the eight-year recession is truly gone. Plant Manager Jim Byam unveiled Saputo’s feel-good story at the recent monthly meeting of the Plant City Economic Development Corporation. In the midst of an agenda packed with presentations by several new business organizations that have bought in to Plant City’s economic resurgence and with the announcement of four well-known new investors in the PCEDC, Byam told the Saputo story. Two branches of the same company had been operating in Plant City in the same facility. The milk co-op, Sunshine State Dairy Farms, processed and sold fresh milk to supply local retailers. Southeast Milk also processed milk, but they produced milk products with an extended shelf life and sold them to grocery stores and the fast food industry. In 2017, Saputo bought Southeast Milk and closed Sunshine

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State Dairy Farms. When it closed, 52 jobs disappeared. But that wasn’t the end of the Saputo story, and now instead of eliminating jobs, Saputo will be expanding the job market. Saputo is expanding its local operation and updating its entire facility as it expands the extended shelf life products into the now-vacant former Sunshine State space. Saputo remodeled the entire building and the space grew from a 1,200-pallet capacity to a 6,000-pallet capacity. After leading off with the Saputo story, PCEDC Executive Director Jake Austin followed up with introductions of the Hollenkamp brothers, Steve and Jay, who have decided to bring their business development firm home. Austin then introduced the four newest investors in the PCEDC: Felton’s Market, AllFlorida Mechanical Services, A Stepping Stone and the Bank of Tampa. The wrap-up agenda item, a panel of four new Plant City technology firms, followed. Plant City expects further economic success as the PCEDC, with its 58 members, begins work in May on its second threeyear operating plan.

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OWNER’S REPORT

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

Meals on Wheels seeks volunteers PRAISE IN THE PARK

The organization provides meals to approximately 50 people in Plant City and is in need of volunteer drivers to help deliver the food. BREANNE WILLIAMS

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STAFF WRITER

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Meals on Wheels is now in need of drivers to ensure the service can continue for years to come. Currently, the organization provides meals for approximately 50 individuals who cannot shop or cook for themselves. The meals are purchased from Winn-Dixie and driven to seven zones in the Plant City area five days a week. Sharon McKendrick, office manager for Meals on Wheels, said the drivers pick up the lunches at 10:30 a.m. and are normally completed within an hour. “Everything here is volunteerrun, from the officers to the office workers to the drivers,” McKendrick said. “They get nothing but an appreciation dinner. People just want to give back, to help the community they live in.” Meals on Wheels is searching for anyone over the age of 18 years old that has a drivers license and insurance. Ideally, the driver would be available the same day every week or every other week to have a routine schedule. McKendrick said the Plant City community has been essential in allowing the organization to prosper. Much of the funds used come from groups like Unity in the Community, Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce members and more.

The meals are purchased from Winn Dixie for $6 each. Recipients pay a portion of the cost based on their income. Some pay nothing, others pay $1 to $5 a meal. The funds raised by the community allow the organization to provide the food, which is given directly to local residents. Most of the clients are unable to leave their home to get sustenance for themselves, whether because of old age or a disability. The group does its best to keep its clients prepared for all emergencies. If there is an event, like a storm brewing, Meals on Wheels will use the funds to buy supplies to give their clients in case their service is delayed. “Last year, when Hurricane Irma was headed to Florida, we sent out hurricane packs,” McKendrick said. “We delivered sacks of nonperishable food so if we couldn’t deliver because of the storm they would still have meals.” Those interested in driving for the organization can call the office on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 813754-9932. The volunteers will be trained with another driver until they are comfortable tackling their own routes. “We’re really just looking for people that want to do something for the community,” McKendrick said.

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Highland Packaging Solutions to be acquired by Sonoco

CONTRIBUTOR

Plant City-based Highland Packaging Solutions, a privately-held global manufacturer of agricultural and dairy packaging, has agreed to be purchased by Sonoco, one of the largest diversified packaging companies in the world. The approximately $150 million cash transaction includes Highland’s Plant City manufacturing plant and five warehouse facilities located throughout the U.S. and is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2018. Owned by Chief Executive Officer Steve Maxwell and John Durham along with key members of the Highland management team, the company has grown dramatically since it was acquired by Maxwell and Durham in 2005. Once a regional supplier of agricultural packaging, Highland has grown to serve domestic and international customer bases. The company, which has some 425 employees, posted sales in excess of $100 million in 2017. Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a worldwide provider of a variety

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of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging and displays and packaging supply chain services. The company has 21,000 employees and operations in 33 countries, and posts annual sales in excess of $6 billion. Highland’s ability to develop packaging that successfully addressed environmental concerns of one of its rapidly growing customers created a need for manufacturing expansion at a very substantial cost. Maxwell reached out to Sonoco, one of a number of entities that had expressed prior interest in Highland. Maxwell said the sale was a seven-month process that included personal meetings and countless communications with Sonoco CEO Rob Tiede and others within the organization. “For Highland, this agreement will enable us to further enhance our speed to service and our ability to offer customers the most diverse consumer packaging formats and solutions in the industry” Maxwell said. The Highland brand will live on and be introduced to its sister companies within Sonoco, “significantly strengthening our Perimeter of the Store strategy,” Tiede said, “serving the consumers’ growing demand for fresh and natural foods.”

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APRIL 5, 2018

HIGH

SPORTS

Plant City Little Leaguer D.J. Howard is a threesport athlete. SEE PAGE 10

BUILDING A BETTER YOU PCHS teacher starts personal training business from classroom Wayne Ward wants to help make Plant City a healthier place physically, mentally and spiritually. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Justin Kline

The NCAA Division II South Atlantic Conference announced Monday it named Newberry College shortstop Colin Allman the AstroTurf Player of the Week for the week of March 6. Allman, a sophomore who played at Plant City High School, went 10-for-17 with 11 RBI, nine runs scored, four home runs, three doubles and a triple during that week, helping the team go 3-1 at that time.

The Plant City High boys soccer team was presented with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy, associated with the MaxPreps Tour of Champions, at the school’s gymnasium on March 29. Plant City finished the 201718 season as the 10th-ranked team in the country and first in Florida on MaxPreps.com. The award was presented during the school’s spring pep rally.

On Tuesday night, Plant City’s softball team picked up a 6-0 win at Strawberry Crest in which Raiders pitcher Ashley Blessin threw a one-hitter. The Durant Cougars collected seven hits against Riverview but took a 3-0 loss at home to the Sharks.

Tuesday night’s baseball action saw Strawberry Crest hold off a late Plant City rally to win, 5-4, at home. In Durant’s 2-0 win against Riverview, starter Matthew Byars struck out 13 batters and walked just one, while Luke Cadwallader and Frankie Martinez drove in the Cougars’ two runs.

Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest’s track and field teams sent competitors and teams to the Vernon Kohrn Western Conference championship meet on Tuesday afternoon. In the team standings, Plant City’s boys and Strawberry Crest’s girls placed 17th overall in their respective divisions.

Some Plant City High School students stick around after school for study hall, working on reading, writing and arithmetic. Some of their teachers are sticking around after the final bell for physical education. They’re not playing sports in the gym, though. They’re gathered together in Wayne Ward’s classroom in the social studies department for “30 minutes of insanity” in the form of HIIT workouts. Ward himself will be right there with them, leading by example, until the session is over and everyone is drenched in sweat, tired out and pleased with their progress. “They’re sweating,” Ward said. “Some of them are crying, it’s like, ‘There’s no time for crying! Suck it up, one more rep!’ But those ladies and those gentlemen, it’s simply amazing, the results that they’re getting.” It’s a big part of Ward’s latest venture, a personal training business he calls Team Fit 2.0. Ward, a PCHS alumnus who also coached the football team from 2010 to 2014, created Team Fit 2.0 last year with help and encouragement from fellow Raider Danny McIntyre and officially launched on September 17, 2017. He’s trying to model Team Fit 2.0 after Virginia Tech teammate Lorenzo Ferguson Jr.’s Orlandobased service, HIIT Next Level, and his goal is to one day move out of the classroom and open a similar studio in Plant City. His client base is mainly comprised of PCHS teachers, students

Justin Kline

Wayne Ward started Team Fit 2.0 in his classroom and hopes to expand his services.

SEE TRAINER PAGE 9

City works around MLK rec center closure for summer programs The Recreation and Parks Department has plans to accommodate kids affected by the Hurricane Irma-related closure. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

As Plant City eagerly awaits the construction of the city’s new community center, the Recreation and Parks Department has had to work around one problem: how to accommodate kids from the MLK Recreation Center into the Planteen center.

Though the ball fields at the MLK rec center are still usable, the building itself is on the brink of being demolished to make room for the new center. Luckily for those who participate in the city’s youth programs at the MLK center, the Recreation and Parks Department is making sure they’ll have somewhere to go in the summer. Both rec centers have been used for the city’s annual Summer Youth Program, a nine-week program that gives kids age 6-15 a place to play sports, make arts and crafts, go on field trips and more. With the MLK center out of comSEE SUMMER PAGE 9

File photo

Kids in the city's Summer Youth Program play "gaga ball" at the Planteen Recreation Center.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

JUSTIN KLINE

Next March, learn from my ‘Madness’ mistakes

he guy who won the 2018 March Madness bracket pool I entered had no idea what he was doing. I’m serious. When it came time to hand in our finished brackets, he turned in a sheet that only had first-round picks filled out. “I didn’t know we were supposed to do the whole thing,” he said before going back to finish it quickly. Next thing we know, he correctly predicted three of the Final Four teams and got a chunk of money to buy some nice golf balls. I, meanwhile, got all analytical with it and talked myself into trusting Arizona to win it all. My bracket got smoked in the first round by maybe the secondmost popular college team from my hometown. Chandler Work-

Trainer FROM PAGE 8

and alumni, for now. Ward’s HIIT classes with teachers are held in his classroom, but he’s been known to train at Power Shop Fitness (where he works out on his own time) and will work with clients at any gym. When college athletes come home and want to train, Ward will do weight training and cardio at the gyms and footwork and speed training at local parks. No matter what anyone’s doing, they can count on two things: the workouts will be tough, and Ward will go rep-for-rep with them. “I think what makes me different from most coaches is that I get my hands dirty,” Ward said. “When they see ‘Coach’ right along with them, struggling and working out with them, sweating, I may not get a rep but what they won’t see is me quitting. Those are some of the things I want them to understand. It’s bigger than the workout itself. It’s mental discipline.” That mentality was developed during Ward’s own football playing days. He said a lot of it stems from his time working with strength coach Mike Gentry while at Virginia Tech from 1997 through 2000. With Gentry’s

Summer FROM PAGE 8

mission, the initial plan is for kids in that area to go to the Planteen rec center on Dort Street. Program Manager Deborah Haldane said the department is expecting an increase in enrollment for 2018, despite the loss of one rec center. The department expects roughly 200 kids to participate in the program, which Haldane said is similar to what the Planteen rec center was able to fit before the 2008 economic recession. “We are pretty much planning to use it the same way we always have. Before 2008 the crash, we had a lot of kids at Planteen,” she said. Haldane said there is a possibility of another venue being added to make up for the loss of the MLK rec center. She said the department is trying to work with

man, our advertising executive and one of several Plant City Observer staffers who joined the pool, thought it was funny until his pick, top overall seed Virginia, became the first 1 seed to lose to a 16 seed in tournament history. We both thought we outsmarted everyone else because we follow college hoops closely. Readers, I’m telling you right now that is a terrible idea. There’s a reason March Madness bracket pools carry a stereotype. You’ll often hear “I just picked which uniforms I like best,” or “My girlfriend picked teams based on their mascots,” or “I have no idea what I’m doing, but everyone else is doing it.” People who actually play like this tend to do well because col-

guidance, Ward became known for his gym sessions and earned Iron Hokie honors in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Even after his coaching days at PCHS, Ward could often be found in the Raiders’ weight room lifting with players. Ward raves about the progress his group of teachers has made since September, and says many of them are actively encouraging each other, posting workouts and sharing healthy recipes on a school Edsby message board online. He hopes word of his classes will spread and more PCHS teachers will come to his classroom to work out. He wants to make a positive impact on the Plant City community in any way he can, and he believes mentoring the youth is one of the best ways to approach that. Ward wants kids to know that, no matter what, someone out there believes in them and wants to see them succeed. A man of faith, Ward also loves hearing that people he’s worked with have taken their experiences with him to heart and found Christ. Ward calls it a “mind, body and soul” approach that helps kids be the best they can be. “One thing that we have to remember is that our young people are looking at us…we’ve got to be very careful with some of the things that we say about and to our youth,” Ward said. “What

the Hillsborough County School Board to host program events at Marshall Middle School, which would help families nearer to the MLK rec center — Marshall is located right across the street. In addition to the usual slate of indoor and outdoor activities, this year’s program will have additional offerings for teens, field trips to Aquatica and the Orlando Science Center and a continuation of last year’s STEM-focused Discovery activities. This year’s program will begin June 4 and continue through August 3. Haldane said 30 kids were registered at the Summer Youth Program registration kickoff on March 24 and there has been a steady influx of enrollments since then. The cost to enroll in the program is $375 per child and the fee covers the cost for shirts, field trips and transportation and other program costs. For more information, call the Planteen rec center at 813-659-4256.

lege basketball’s biggest tournament is not governed by reason, at least not until you get to the Final Four. I would know — I’ve lost money and bragging rights to these people. If you want to do well, you have to embrace your inner George Costanza and, in many games, do the opposite of whatever you would normally do. Do the opposite of what people like myself, who stay glued to sports media and follow college hoops, would do. Of course, the Final Four is a bit different. You’re generally going to get two to three teams seeded 1 or 2 in there most years, and there are always a few 3 and lowers that get hot at the right time and run through their regions. Loyola-Chicago was an

unusually low seed for this Final Four, but anyone who watched the Ramblers play during the tournament could see it wasn’t a fluke — those guys may have been underrated going into the tourney. A 1 seed has won the title in five of the last six seasons. The exception was 2014, when UConn became the first 7 seed to get to (and win) the championship game. Villanova won Monday night and in 2016, and my opinion is Jay Wright’s on the cusp of forming a dynasty out in Philadelphia. That school is a rare safe pick for the time being. If you have to go by any statistic for the tournament, look at the teams that can knock down three-point shots. “Defense wins championships” is an

enduring sports cliché that, at least in college basketball, is starting to go by the wayside. Villanova’s defense can be tough, sure, but they smacked around their opponents throughout the tournament because they take and make a ton of threes. This is the meta that basketball as a whole is transitioning to. I tell myself every year that I’m finally going to pick against logic, but I can never do it. I could tell you right now that next year will be different, but I know full well it won’t. You don’t have to make these mistakes — you can go make totally random picks, get clowned on by the “nerds” like me for a few days and go on to win your pool in early April.

GET CONNECTED Wayne Ward will determine training costs with clients on an individual basis, though student-athletes will be able to train with him at a discount. Ward’s training sessions last for 45 minutes and he will work with clients at any location. Clients can pay for one-time sessions, batches of 10 or 20 or a monthly “unlimited” program where clients can train any day, any time. Contact Ward at teamfit2point0@gmail.com to set up appointments or get more information. A website is coming soon, though it was not yet finished at press time.

we speak will come to light. If we continue to say how bad they are, how ‘you’re no good,’ that’s the very thing they’re gonna actually do. So, speak life into them. Let them know they will be a powerful man or woman.” Whether someone wants to work with him or any of the other personal trainers in town, whom Ward said have helped him tremendously as a first-time personal trainer and business owner, he’d like to see Plant City commit to health and wellness on all levels.

OTHER SUMMER OFFERINGS The city is also promoting events at the Plant City High School gymnasium, 1 Raider Place. The 2018 Summer Basketball Clinic lets kids age 6-14 learn fundamentals of the game. The cost is $115 per child per camp. The first camp will take place from June 4-7 and the second will be held from July 9-12. Both run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call Billy Teeden at 813-967-7551. The 2018 Summer Cheerleading Clinic is for kids age 4-13. The camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 17 and 18 and costs $75 per child. For more information, call Karen Snapp at 813-757-9370 or email karen.snapp@sdhc.k12.fl.us. The Recreation and Parks Department is also hosting open gym sessions at PCHS for all ages from June 11 through July 19. For more information, call 813-659-4255.

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “‘Blade Runner’ is such a unique film. How do you describe a diamond? I don’t think you should ever touch it again.” – Rutger Hauer Puzzle Two Solution: “A movie camera is like having someone you have a crush on watching you from afar – you pretend it’s not there.” – Daryl Hannah

This week’s Sudoku answers

This week’s Crossword answers

2018

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

FOCUS ON FITNESS

ANGELA FULGIERI

SPONSORED BY SPORT CLIPS

Get fit faster These tips can help you get a head start on your fitness goals. We live in an age where everyone wants instant gratification. If you’ve spent any amount of time in the gym, you know it takes time to see results, but what can you do to change things up and see results quicker? What matters even more than what you do in the gym is what you do outside of it. Severe calorie restriction, fad diets and eliminating food groups can be stressful and may actually hinder your ability to lose fat. Begin with small changes that you can incorporate into your lifestyle. Stick to whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains. And if you drink soda, fruit juices and energy drinks, switch to water. Water is vital to digestion and metabolism, so aim to drink at least 64 ounces of water per day. Lift weights. Cardio is great for burning calories, but the calorie burning stops the minute you do. Building muscle keeps your body burning fat all day long. Not everyone has hours to spend in the gym, so increasing the intensity of your workout is a great way to change your body quicker without increasing time spent in the gym. To do this, add more weight and

less rest between sets. Hitting the gym two times per week is not enough. Find time to squeeze in a workout at home or check your gym schedule for 30-minute express classes. Experienced instructors like the ones we have at the YMCA will guide you through an intense, short workout that will make the best use of that time. Classes like LesMills Sprint, LesMills CXWorx and HIIT training are ideal. Isolation exercises like biceps curls are great for toning muscle, but they are not going to get you the fastest results. Choosing exercises that involve more than one muscle group like squats, bench presses and pull-ups will save you time in the gym by working several muscle groups at once. Finally, don’t waste time! I feel it’s necessary to include this because I see so many people wasting time at the gym and then complaining they aren’t getting results they want. If the equipment you need is being used, keep your heart rate up by working in exercises between sets. It’s OK to change your plan or grab a jump rope while you wait!

D.J. Howard Whether it’s the baseball diamond, the basketball court or the football field, you can find D.J. Howard having fun and playing well. The Cork Elementary fourth-grader is currently playing baseball in Plant City Little League and enjoying his role as a shortstop. Last season, he made the 9-10 A Baseball All-Stars team. You play baseball, football and basketball. Which is your favorite? I like all three. What’s your favorite baseball position to play? Shortstop. You basically are a captain and it’s just fun fielding ground balls. How do you balance all your sports with school and do well? Get good grades and work hard. What’s your favorite subject in school? P.E. and math. What do you want to be when you grow up? A person that plays basketball, football or baseball.

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

Who’s your favorite athlete? In baseball, Jackie Robinson. In basketball, Russell Westbrook.

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In football, Cam Newton. Jackie Robinson was a little bit before your time. How did he become your favorite player? I heard that he was fast and he was very athletic, and he could hit. What’s the coolest thing you’ve done in a game, in any sport? I hit a game-winning buzzer beater last year. We went in double overtime. What sport have you never tried before, but would right now if you could? I guess lacrosse or something. If you could hang out with a famous person for a day, who would it be and what would you do? Russell Westbrook. I want to play basketball and hang out. What’s the best advice a coach has given you? Work hard and play hard and get good grades. How do you get hyped up before a game? I listen to music. One of them would be NBA YoungBoy. I like his songs a little bit. If you were to get a new teammate, what advice would you give them? Do your hardest and never give up.

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

Adryana’s brings Latin American, Italian fusion to Plant City Julio Pagan and Reina Flores’ restaurant opened downtown on March 5. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Many chefs dream of opening a restaurant in their own name, generally after years of hard work in the kitchen. Julio Pagan’s daughter, Adryana, now has one at age 12. Adryana’s Latin American & Italian Fusion is the newest restaurant owned and operated by Pagan, a veteran chef and restaurateur, who has cooked in and run restaurants in Tampa and Brandon. Though this isn’t Pagan’s first venture with his signature fusion cooking on the menu, he’s running this restaurant with a brand-new energy. Before opening Adryana’s, Pagan took an eight-month hiatus from the business. His motivation was nearly shot. “I wasn’t gonna come back to the restaurant (business),” Pagan said. “I was done. I was just tired.” His fiancée of one year, Reina Flores, helped him rekindle his passion for cooking. Around that time, Bella Mare owner Franco Dragonetti — also a friend of Pagan’s — was looking to sell his downtown Plant City restaurant. Pagan’s biggest inspiration this time around is his daughter, whom he said caught the cook-

ing bug at an early age and never lost her passion for it. Naming the restaurant after her just seemed right for him, and he said she will soon be in there regularly to “help” Pagan out and learn more about the restaurant business. “She’s been in the kitchen with me since she was a little girl,” Pagan said. “She loves the kitchen, she loves the food. She’s a big critic. She always wanted her own restaurant and I told her I was gonna give it to her, and that’s what we did…we’re gonna have some fun and make some good plates.” The menu, Pagan said, was designed to offer “something for everyone” in Plant City. They’ve got devil crabs, a local favorite, available for lunch and a strip steak with garlic shrimp, spinach and fried green tomatoes for dinner. They’ve got empanadas, Italian pasta, classic kids menu fare and tea for southerners and northerners alike. The fusion elements of Pagan’s cooking aren’t always obvious at a glance, but that’s because they’ll present themselves at taste. The fried green tomatoes, for example, are coated with a blend of parmesan cheese, panko and Italian bread crumbs. Pagan’s yellow rice contains elements borrowed from rice pilaf, classic Latin rice and paella, which gives it a unique flavor. “The way I cook, I like to put every culture in one,” Pagan said. “I put a little bit of South Ameri-

COCO RICO CHICKEN One of the signature dishes at Adryana’s is the Coco Rico Chicken, a recipe Julio Pagan created on the fly in a cooking competition and has since implemented in every restaurant he’s owned. The dish centers around braised chicken that comes out so juicy and tender it practically melts in the mouth. It’s typically served on a plate with Pagan’s style of yellow rice and black beans, pico de gallo and a fried plantain. The chicken dish is one of the top-selling menu items at Adryana’s and, Pagan added, has been a hit at his other restaurants. All of the ingredients are purchased fresh on the same day they’re prepared. Adryana’s will also put the chicken into an empanada at the customer’s request.

Photos by Justin Kline

Julio Pagan and Reina Flores recently opened Adryana’s together in downtown Plant City. Pagan is a veteran of the restaurant business.

can, Italian, Spanish, all-American cuisine, put it all in fusion. You can tell when you try the food. All the flavors, they’re different — they’re exploding.” The restaurant offers a $9.99 lunch special, in which one can order the yellow rice and black beans with pulled pork, fried pork or Pagan’s signature Coco Rico Chicken, and a $39.99 Thursday “date night” special with a dash of teamwork — the restaurant

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partnered with its next-door neighbor, Brick City Bricks, to give parents a fun place to drop their kids off while they enjoy a meal for two together. Though the storefront at 115 E. Reynolds St. has seen its fair share of turnover in recent years, Pagan and Flores are hoping Adryana’s will stick around for the long haul and bring more people to downtown Plant City.

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PlantCityObserver.com

Plant City, born July 21, 1943, entered into eternal rest on March 25. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

John W. Anderson, Jr., 90, of Lakeland, born in New Beaver, Pennsylvania on Sept. 13, 1927 entered into eternal rest on March 30.

Jenny Marie Reed

Jenny Marie Reed, 47, of Duette, born on Oct. 14, 1970 in Ionia, Michigan, entered into eternal rest on March 29. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Raymond Durrell ‘Pecos’ Mercer Raymond Durrell “Pecos” Mercer, 82, of Plant City, entered into eternal rest on Easter Sunday, April 1. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

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Margery Miller, 71, of Plant City, born in Pennsylvania on Feb. 9, 1947, entered into eternal rest on March 26. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Richard Lamar Rice Sr. Richard Lamar Rice, Sr., 88, of Plant City, born on Nov. 23, 1929, entered into eternal rest on March 30, 2018. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

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ADRYANAS 181203