5.27.20 PLCO

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DOWNTOWN PLANT CITY RESIDENTIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT BOUNDARY SHIFTED AWAY FROM EMPTY LOTS

Three vacant parcels were removed from the Downtown Plant City Residential historic district boundary Monday evening after commissioners unanimously agreed to shift the border.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The City of Plant City agreed to redefine the Downtown Plant City Residential historic district boundary by removing three vacant parcels during Monday evening’s commission meeting.

If you’ve ever driven by the old post office on Reynolds Street or gone to a show at Plant City

Entertainment you’ve more than likely noticed the empty lots adjacent to the two properties.

They have long been deemed a part of the Downtown Plant City Residential historic district boundary despite the fact that the lots the respective buildings are on are not a part of that historic residential district CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

COMMUNITY TURNS OUT IN FORCE TO SUPPORT

Courtesy of Karen Elizabeth

KENZIE WHEELER

Hundreds flooded Evers Street in downtown Plant City to support Dover native Kenzie Wheeler as he competed during the finale of The Voice.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

NEWS BRIEFS

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Sign up for Camp Invention Camp Invention, which runs from June 7-11 in Plant City, is a national program that teaches campers persistence, creativity, problem solving and confidence through the magic of invention.

They’ll design and build their own robots, vehicles, microphones and duck launchers throughout the week and will get to keep the items they build when camp ends.

The program is designed for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade. Current seventh and eighth graders can register as Leadership Interns (LITs). High schoolers and college students can apply to be staff volunteers for service hours and experience.

New to this year’s program is the “Peace of Mind Promise,” which allows families to adjust their children’s learning experience for hybrid or at-home options.

“For its in-person option, Camp Invention will continue to adjust its programs to comply with best practice

safety measures to ensure the health of our campers, teachers, families and communities,” the camp said in a press release. “These precautions may include daily health screenings for all children and Program Team Members; the use of masks; social distancing within classrooms; providing individualized materials to limit sharing; increased sanitation practices and scheduled hygiene checks within the building; and smaller student groups with staggered lunch schedules. Programs will follow all state and regional COVID-19 guidelines.

A hybrid program featuring both offline activities and optional online sessions, Camp Invention at home enables hands-on exploration by delivering an Innovator’s Toolkit, packed full of fun materials, directly to each participant. With four themed activities, step-by-step guides and an Innovator Workshop, the program brings imagination, creative problem solving and fun to children’s living rooms.

During the at-home format, local certified instructors take the campers through the day’s activities, with the children choosing

to attend the four daily online collaborative sessions or move at their own pace.”

This year’s in-person camp will be held at the Arthur Boring Civic Center at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds, 2406 W. Reynolds St. Each day runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and extended day hours are available for an extra fee. The cost is $255 per camper.

Register online at invent.org/camp. Call 800-968-4332 for more information about Camp Invention or contact Camp director Paul Coletti at pacman1988@hotmail. com for more information about the Plant City-area program. High schoolers and college students who wish to volunteer should email Coletti.

Last chance to enter CartTo-Curb Naming Contest Adults and children alike are encouraged to submit their name ideas for the CartTo-Curb Naming Contest on PlantCityGov. com by May 28, 2021 for a chance to win.

And those winners who have their name selected will be awarded a family price

package at an upcoming City Commission meeting, with prizes that include dinner for four and more.

The trucks will feature a mechanical arm that lifts specially designed carts (trash cans) and dumps them into the truck without the driver having to leave the cab. The new carts will be provided to community members in one of three sizes, with each size carrying a different monthly fee for collection and additional carts available to purchase separately.

The 95-gallon cart will carry a fee of $27.50 while the 65-gallon and 35-gallon carts will carry fees of $25.50 and $23.00, respectively.

The plan to begin transitioning to automated trash trucks was approved in 2020, followed by the purchase of four new trucks that will be hitting the road this year.

On PlantCityGov.com, navigate to the Solid Waste Department under the “Departments & Services” tab to enter your submission for the Cart-To-Curb Naming Contest.

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

EMANCIPATION DAY HONORED AT GLOVER SCHOOL

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Members of the community gathered Thursday evening to honor one of the most historic days in Florida’s history: Emancipation Day.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

There has long been a push in Plant City to preserve its deep and unique history by spreading accurate knowledge and heartfelt memories with future generations.

An event last week aimed to do just that as members of the community gathered to honor Florida’s Emancipation Day. On May 20, 1865 Gen. Edward McCook arrived to Tallahassee, Florida and loudly read President Abraham Lincoln’s words to all who were near. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863, but the South — which was in the middle of the Civil War — refused to enforce the proclamation and free the slaves there. So McCook’s statement was a day of history for Florida, coming 11 days after the end of the Civil War. Plant City decided to highlight the monumental day in an Emancipation Day celebration May 20. Sponsored by Bealsville,Inc. and the Improvement League of Plant City the event drew a steady crowd as the community gathered to take part in honoring the significant moment in history. William Thomas Jr., president of the Improvement League, read the entire proclamation to the group.

“That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom,” the proclamation read. Thomas Jr. continued reciting Lincoln’s words for several minutes, much like McCook had done on that same day all those years ago.

The event was held at the Glover School, 5104 Horton Rd., one of the community’s most iconic historic landmarks. The significance of the location was lost on no one. Bealsville was named after Alfred Beal, who was born a slave on Nov. 25, 1859 to Mary Reddick.

When the Federal Southern Homestead Act of 1866 allowed residents the chance to buy land many in the community did. Beal worked on his mother’s farm until 1884 and then in 1879 he was married and began his own family. He and his wife Esther had a homestead near his mother’s home.

Beal was a farmer of unmeasurable talent. When hard times hit the community and forced many of his neighbors into foreclosure he was able to stay afloat. The little money he saved he used to buy forfeited property and sold them back to the former owner.

He also donated land for a school, a church and a cemetery. In 1923 the area was officially named Bealsville in his honor. He died on Nov. 25, 1948.

Bealsville was settled by free slaves in 1865 and 12 original families, upon gaining their freedom, remained on their former slave owners’ plantations to build a future for their families and neighbors.

The community’s first public school was called Jamison School and was established around 1873. Right after the civil war a two-room structure was built on property adjacent to the cemetery donated by Beal and students from the first to fifth grades were taught. In no time the community’s school was at a capacity and there was a desperate need for something new.

During the 1930s the community fought hard for a new school for their children, but were told there simply wasn’t enough money to buy the land needed to make it happen. Bealsville residents raised more than $1,000 and donated more than 10 acres of land for the school. The structure was then named the Glover School after resident William A. Glover whose family had donated the land the Hillsborough County School Board had the school built on. Students from Keysville, Hopewell, Coronet and Trapnell were transported to the Glover Center.

Many of the students traveled from miles away and passed several schools restricted to only white students. The students at Glover were using textbooks that were years — and in many cases over a decade — old that had missing pages and writing strewn throughout the text. Over the years it grew and by 1954 grades first through ninth were all taught on the location.

A history of the school and the community was shared Thursday evening during

the Emancipation Proclamation event to highlight the significance of gathering at the school to remember the words that impacted so many who called Florida home. Keith Clark, a descendant from the original founding families, was in attendance as were long-time Bealsville residents who have been an active part of the community.

“One of the things that was difficult for me to accept is we would get books that were 10 years old from the white schools and be expected to learn from it,” Doreatha Brown, a former student and then teacher at Glover School as well as a director of Bealsville Inc., said to the crowd. “I feel like as a child I was cheated, so I decided I wanted to become a teacher. I told the boys and girls it doesn’t matter what color they were, when they entered the door they entered the world of learning.”

The William Glover School was a “strawberry school” and the school year revolved around strawberry season rather than traditional summer months. When the fruit was ready to be farmed the students were often in the fields with their families. The school did transition eventually to a traditional schedule.

Then came the desegregation of schools in Hillsborough County. In 1971 a court ordered county schools to adhere to the federal judge’s recommendation of a “Black-White ratio of 20 to 80” in each school, so black students were bused to formerly all-White schools for nearly all of their schooling. The Glover School was converted to a sixth-grade center.

According to the school’s history, in 1980 the school was permanently closed and “after much deliberation, the Bealsville Incorporation was organized and the Hillsborough County School Board returned the ten acres of land and the building to the Corporation. The Historic Glover School Campus is now listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.”

After the official ceremony was over attendees lingered on the historic site and spent time checking out the museum at the school and getting to know the Bealsville directors and officers including Brown, President Henry Davis, Executive Director Gwendolyn Thomas and Treasurer William M. Thomas Sr.

Photos by Breanne Williams. The history of the Emancipation Proclamation in Florida was shared in a special ceremony last week.

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COPS CORNER

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

PLANT CITY

Observer

This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigated a stolen fanny pack, a long lost gun, multiple attacks on a mail box and

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

more.

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com

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Sports Editor / Taylor Jenkins tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com

MAY 14

YOU’VE SHOT MAIL

MAY 20

NOBODY’S HOME

400 block of N. Wiggins Rd. Criminal mischief: Officers responded to a complaint that over a two-night span, the victim’s mailbox had been shot with what appeared to be a shotgun.

NOT SO HOME ALONE

1700 block of Johnson Point Dr. Residential burglary: Officers were informed by the representative of a home construction company that an unknown suspect had burglarized a home that remains under construction during the night. The suspect stole two vanities and a 33-inch cabinet from the home.

MAY 15 OPEN FOR BUSINESS 200 block of S. Wheeler St. Vehicle burglary: Officers responded to a report that claimed an unknown suspect stole $9,000 from the inside of an unlocked vehicle overnight.

MAY 16 THAT’S NOT FANNY 200 block of Park Springs Cr. Vehicle burglary: A victim reported to officers that his vehicle had been burglarized, resulting in the loss of his fanny pack, $850 in cash and the spare key to his vehicle.

Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

500 block of S. Waters St. Warrant Arrest: Officers responded to a suspicious persons call where they found an individual inside of a vacant home at the location. The individual was found to have an outstanding warrant out for a violation of parole after failing to appear in court. The individual was arrested and transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850

Advertising / Richard Brame richard@plantcityobserver.com Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@plantcityobserver.com

PRECIOUS CAR-GO

LONG LOST GUN 2800 block of Clubhouse Dr. Firearm Recovery: An individual alerted officers that he found a firearm that he had previously reported as stolen nearly a decade ago in Nov. of 2011.

CONTACT US

The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B.

2400 block of S. County Line Rd. Stolen vehicle: Officers responded to a call in which the victim reported that his vehicle — a red 1994 Mazda B2300 — had been stolen.

If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements.

To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@ PlantCityObserver.com.

Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B, Plant City, FL 33563

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

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LOTS BY PLANT CITY ENTERTAINMENT AND FORMER POST OFFICE REMOVED FROM HISTORIC RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT The empty lots have long been a part of the community’s Downtown Plant City Historic Residential District Boundary. Now that line has shifted.

Above are images of the Downtown PC Historic Residential District Boundary before and after the lots were removed. Photos courtesy of the City of Plant City.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The parcels in question are located east of North Walker Street, south of West Reynolds Street, and north of Northwest Drane Street.

The three parcels are owned by the City of Plant City and Plant City Entertainment Inc., respectively, and both parties were in favor of the removal of the boundary from the parcels, according to the City of Plant City. Essentially if commissioners agreed to remove the parcels from the historic district boundary it would “allow the commercial parcels to be seamlessly planned by the same set of standards and encourage an environment conducive for development.”

“What they are doing with this decision is that they’re saying there is a commercial operation and its sitting next to parcel that the same organization owns that was labeled residential historic,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. “So you’re taking out those parcels and making them congruent

with the adjacent commercial operations.”

While the Historic Resources Board was torn over whether or not the decision was the right one to make for Plant City — hence a 3-2 vote from the Board on April 20 — the commissioners seemed to have no qualms about unifying the parcels under one cohesive boundary.

In fact, the Historic Resources Board voted 3-2 to recommend that the city commission designate 301 W. Reynolds St., aka the former post office, as a local landmark.

During the presentation however, it was said that staff considered that recommendation to be “inconsistent with the action to redefine the historic district boundaries and recommends not to designate 301 W. Reynolds Street as a local landmark.”

Commissioners unanimously approved the amendment to the boundaries of the Downtown Plant City Residential historic district and did not act on making the former post office a local landmark.

It should be noted that the post office has had a complicated journey with the city.

Back in 2018 the city commission voted to approve the purchase of the former post office building, its parking lot and outlying parking lots for $315,000. The unique building was built in 1935 and renovated in 1961. There were grand plans of renovations that would lead to a future use as an annex of City Hall. Initial assessments of the building were optimistic.

They knew when purchasing that there were asbestos and mold in the building, but the early reports said it was “entirely manageable.”

The preliminary assessments showed that it was going to take approximately $2.5 million to $3 million to renovate the facility.

In comparison, the assessments said if the city wanted to rebuild a similar building it would cost them between $6 million and $7 million.

Then they dug deeper and a plethora of issues rose to the surface. The initial assessment was wrong and McDaniel told the Observer in August 2020 that it would take up to $2 million just to get the former

post office ready to begin renovations.

Then the city would have to add renovation costs. McDaniel said he “really wanted to find a way to make it work,” but added that the decision to fight to keep the building “just doesn’t make financial sense.”

So the city decided it would demolish the building, assess the space, get a design and cost estimate and begin construction on a new facility.

What precisely would fill the space was and still is up in the air. The lot is right in the heart of downtown Plant City and vacant lots are in high demand right now as developers eye the evolving and growing downtown core for future businesses and residential housing.

McDaniel said the decision Monday doesn’t change the city’s designs for the property as the vote to remove the Downtown Plant City Residential historic district boundary simply, “enables any decision that (the city) wants to make.”

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

THE VOICE WATCH PARTY FILLS STREETS FOR

KENZIE WHEELER

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Dover native Kenzie Wheeler united a community Tuesday evening as hundreds poured into downtown Plant City in support of the young contestant during the finale of The Voice.

Cam Anthony of Team Blake Shelton ended up being crowned the winner of The Voice Tuesday night, but Wheeler received uproarious support from his home town when the Dover native, who has been on Team Kelly Clarkson, took home second place.

Chairs were set up bright and early Tuesday morning — a move most in the community recognize as a tried and true parade day tactic — and by 6:30 p.m., when the official Kenzie Wheeler Watch Party kicked off, the block was full of attendees. It was a community effort as the City of Plant City partnered with a

variety of groups to quickly pull off the massive event.

Plant City Main Street, The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Plant City Right. Now., East Hillsborough Historical Society, Keel & Curley Winery at Keel Farms, Improvement League of Plant City, Plant City Parks & Recreation, Fryed Egg Productions, the Plant City EDC, Five 5 Entertainment and The Florida Opry all came together with the City to host the special occasion.

Plant City Police blocked off the several streets in downtown so attendees could safely camp out and walk around.

Main Street estimates anywhere from 600 to 750 people were on site for the event. Most were on the street but several of the businesses on the block also streamed the show inside and drew Evers Street was filled from sidewalk to sidewalk throughout the Kenzie Wheeler Watch Party. Photos

by Breanne Williams and Jerilyn Rumbarger. packed houses of their own.

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

PLANT CITY TEEN WINS THE 2021 CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION FOR FL-15 Representative Scott Franklin came to Durant High School to honor Leah Baker, sophomore, for winning the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for FL-15.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

A local high school student received a high honor when her painting was picked as the winning piece for the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for FL-15.

Leah Baker, a sophomore at Durant High School, said she was shocked when she discovered her piece had won. Titled “Rocket Pup,” the painting was an homage to her dog Rocky who passed away in April.

Baker said Rocky was beloved by her family and while they were grieving she wanted to find a way to help ease the pain because the loss “hit them really hard.”

While sketching she decided to add a patriotic aspect to the work in honor of her grandfather who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and her father who works for the Sheriff’s Office.

“It was all such a surprise,” Baker said. “I didn’t really expect to win at all. I honestly just submitted it for my art teacher, because we kind of found out about it last minute and I knew it would mean a lot to him if some of us could submit something we were proud of. So I sketched it at school and then went home and worked on it at night. I also, while I made the piece for my family I really wanted to make this for my dad. When they told me I won it wasn’t really real for me. I was so shocked.”

Baker said she always found herself doing little pieces of art growing up and then when she was in middle school she began to channel the outlet into more serious work. Inspired by a close friend, she said she began to delve into the intricacies of perspective and learned to not compare herself to others. In art she found an outlet for her creativity and has happily honed her skill ever since.

When the announcement came that she had won and that Congressman Scott Franklin would be com-

ing to Durant for a ceremony in her honor she said it finally started to sink in that Rocket Pup had actually been selected as the winner. Dr. Alex Rich, executive director of Polk Museum of Art, lead the selection and Franklin reviewed the entries as well. Rich is also the Chair of the Department of Art History and Museum Studies at Florida Southern College and is also Associate Professor of Art History. He holds the George and Dorothy Forsythe Endowed Chair in Art History and Museum Studies.

“The Artistic Discovery contest began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents,” the news release read. “Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition. The firstplace winner from the 15th Congressional District will have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for an entire year. The winning artwork is also featured on the House.gov Congressional Art Competition page.”

Winning is an honor Baker said she won’t soon forget. She encouraged students who have thought about entering in the past to trust their gut and submit a piece. She joked that she never had any expectations to win, but had the surprise of her life nonetheless.

“I’m grateful to each of the 19 talented students who submitted artwork for this year’s Congressional Art Competition,” Rep. Franklin said. “I want to thank all the participants for their submissions.

Their talent and hard work will enrich our community. I would also like to thank Dr. Alexander Rich, executive director of the Polk Museum of Art, for serving as judge of the competition. Congratulations to Leah and best of luck to all of our contestants in their future endeavors.”

Photos courtesy of Congressman Scott Franklin’s office.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

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CORRECTION: SUDDENLY, SIGNS ARE POINTING UP IN PLANT CITY

FELIX HAYNES

CUTEST CRITTER

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

PRINCESS MURDERFACE and her pup siblings Baloo and Hamilton love their unique and happy family. Whether the princess is basking in her tower or the pups are cuddled up together for a quick nap they always make the most of their days together.

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Last week a column titled, “Suddenly, signs are pointing up in Plant City” written by Felix Haynes said that “New community organizations like ASPIRE, created by the Chamber of Commerce to provide growth opportunities for young women, recently conducted a fun fundraiser with a Kentucky Derby-themed hat contest.”

This was incorrect as Aspire Plant City was not created by the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. The original col-

umn was edited online to reflect this edit.

Aspire Plant City did join the Chamber as a member, but there are no other connections to the organization.

Additionally, Aspire is not an organization that focuses on “growth opportunities for young women.” The group is designed to bring women of all ages and walks of life together. Members range from early twenties to retirees and any woman is welcome to join.

MAY 27, 2021

SPORTS

DURANT BASEBALL FALLS IN 7A STATE SEMIFINAL The Cougars lost to Spruce Creek, 1-0, in eight innings on Friday morning.

Quick Hits PLANT CITY COLTS FOOTBALL, CHEER REGISTRATION OPEN

Area youths looking to enjoy the thrill of football season on the field or cheering on the sidelines can now make that happen with the Plant City Colts.

Registration for any of the football teams is $200 per player ($100 of which is due at the time of registration) and $130 for cheerleading.

Practices will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the fields next to the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, 1903 E. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. The Colts are also looking for coaches for football and cheerleading.

Anyone interested in signing their children up or coaching one of the teams can call 813-7077144.

The tense game went an extra inning as the Cougars fell to Spruce Creek. Photos courtesy of Justin Kline.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Durant Cougars’ third-ever baseball Final Four appearance started and ended with Friday morning’s 1-0 loss to the Spruce Creek Hawks.

Playing in front of an audience largely in their favor, the Cougars found themselves locked in a defensive battle with the Hawks that needed extra innings for a resolution. It was Spruce Creek that finally cracked the code in the eighth inning with a Dalton Hurst RBI double.

“We performed very well today,” Aidan Welsh said. “It’s just like Coach (Butch Valdes) says, he who makes the fewest mistakes is going to win. We tried to back (Sean) Hermann up with defense. We just didn’t have the bats today.”

Durant starter Sean Hermann and the Cougars defense escaped a jam in the fifth inning with one out and Spruce Creek runners at first and second. After Luke Bentley was hit by a pitch and Sebastian Iguaran reached base on a single, Hermann got his groove back by striking out Hurst looking and inducing from Evan Mastromauro pop flyout.

Though Durant put a fearsome trio of Austin Sewell (three walk-off scores in 2021), Javy Quintana and Dylan LaPointe (game-winning home run in the regional

championship game) in the batter’s box in the bottom of the seventh, Spruce Creek’s Brandon Neely sent the game to extras getting Sewell to fly out to right field and striking out Quintana and LaPointe.

Hermann, who struck out nine batters through 7.1 innings, reached his pitch count after striking Trent Godawa out in the top of the eighth inning. He finished a stellar senior season with 135 strikeouts.

“It’s baseball,” Hermann said. “You can’t win every game. It sucks, it’s tough.

When I watched my brother play here… kids have dreams of playing in MLB, I have dreams… it’s tough. You’ve just got to battle for the team. It’s a team game.

I feel like when I’m on the mound, the whole team’s on the mound and it’s up to me. I’ve just got to grind for my team.”

“He wants to win for the team — it’s never been about him,” head coach Butch Valdes said. “It’s always been about the team. I wish we could have produced the runs… it hurts me more than anything that we couldn’t grab the runs for him.”

Alex Canney entered the game in relief and got Mastromauro out, but the Hawks then found a way to string together some offense. Corey Robinson singled and then stole second base to set up Hurst’s big extra-base hit and take the 1-0 lead.

Preston Wetherell and Neely loaded the bases with an intentional walk and an HBP, respectively, but Canney got out of

the jam with Chase Dunlap’s flyout to end the half-inning.

With the game on the line, Oscar Fernandez created a spark when he hit a double to center field with one out and Devin Suero came in as a pinch runner.

But Neely got both Brett Martin and Thomas Allen to strike out swinging to seal the win and send the Cougars back home.

“We knew that Neely was going to deal,” Valdes said. “We knew he was going to be tough. We knew we were going to have to play small ball… we didn’t execute. We had a couple of opportunities and just did not perform well. We’ve said it all year: ‘he who makes the fewest mistakes is going to win this game.’

With the loss, Durant finished the 2021 season with a 22-6 record. Though the Cougars weren’t able to send their 14 seniors off with a state championship win, they still put together a season anyone could be proud of and got almost as far as any team can go.

“This whole group, it was a complete team effort,” Valdes said. “Losing Alex Canney, somebody’s got to step up. You saw our lineup today. Our first hit of the game was a freshman (Carlos Morales) in the lineup. That tells you, right there, that this was a special group all the way around from seniors to freshmen. They took care of each other and that was huge.”

2021 SPRING FOOTBALL JAMBOREE AT PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOL The Raiders hosted the Durant Cougars, Strawberry Crest Chargers and Armwood Hawks on May 20.

Area football fans got a taste of what’s to come in the 2021 high school football season as the Plant City Raiders hosted a four-team jamboree on May 20.

In the first two quarters of action, the Raiders took on the Armwood Hawks and looked to be in full control for most of them.

Though the scoreboard only read 6-0 Plant City (thanks to an early touch-

down pass from Clinton Danzey to Jae Sawyer), the Raiders defense kept coming up with answers for the Hawks’ offense. With 40 seconds left in the first half, Armwood drove as far as the Plant City eight-yard line when a huge sack by defensive back Cole Highsmith set the Hawks back 22 yards.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

11

DURANT, ARMWOOD WIN AT 2021 SPRING FOOTBALL JAMBOREE

FORMER PCHS PITCHER RECEIVES MULTIPLE CONFERENCE AWARDS

FROM PAGE 10

Parker Messick named ACC Pitcher of the Year, Freshman of the Year.

Plant City played host to three other local football teams last Thursday.

Photo courtesy of @messick_parker JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

But Armwood followed that up with a touchdown pass and converted the pointafter attempt with 21 seconds remaining, then sent the next Plant City drive backward to lock up the 7-6 win.

In the second half of this doubleheader, Durant and Strawberry Crest butted heads in Claybo Varnum’s head coaching debut for the Cougars.

The Cougars got on the scoreboard first with a big opening drive capped by Alex Daley’s first rushing touchdown of the day, though the point-after attempt was no good and Durant had to settle for a 6-0 lead. Crest then seemed to find its footing defensively in the third quarter, snagging a pair of interceptions (first Quincy Hart, then Marcus Springfield) in the end zone on the Cougars’ next two drives. Hart got the Chargers on the scoreboard catching a touchdown pass from Dylan Peeples early in the fourth quarter and a missed PAT took the game to a 6-6 tie.

With just under five minutes left to play, Daley again came through in the clutch for the Cougars by punching in a

score from the Crest goal line and this PAT sailed between the uprights for a 14-6 Durant lead. The Chargers fought to keep the game alive but Jeremiah Gines’ interception with 12 seconds left sealed the win for the Cougars.

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

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TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

Florida State pitcher and Plant City native Parker Messick was named the recipient of multiple Atlantic Coast Conference awards on Monday, including ACC Pitcher of the Year and ACC Freshman of the year.

The first-year starter was also named to the All-ACC first team and the ACC AllFreshman team.

Messick finished his redshirt freshman season with a 6-2 record, an earned run average of 3.30 and 114 strikeouts over 14 appearances totaling 79 innings pitched.

Those ERA and strikeout totals led Florida State for the 2021 season and finished as the sixth- and second-best marks in the ACC, respectively.

Additionally, he allowed just 69 hits, 29 earned runs and an opposing batting average of .229.

In rare company, Messick became the second player in conference history to be named both the ACC’s Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year in the same season, joining current Chicago White Sox’ pitcher Carlos Rodon in 2012 while attending N.C. State. Messick is also just

the second Seminole to be named ACC Pitcher of the Year and the third to be named ACC Freshman of the Year.

Florida State began their ACC tournament play on Wednesday against Duke and will face off against the University of Miami on Friday at 3 p.m.

As a senior at Plant City High School in 2019, Messick led the Raiders’ rotation with an 11-1 record and a 1.06 ERA. His final high school start came in the state semifinals against Broward County’s McArthur High School where Messick allowed just three hits and no earned runs in a complete game shutout and 8-0 victory.

The following day Plant City bested their crosstown rival Strawberry Crest 3-1 in the Class 8A State Championship, earning the Raiders their first baseball state championship in school history.

Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: tjenkins@ plantcityobserver.com.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

PlantCityObserver.com

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

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We asked Plant City:

Last night hundreds gathered on Evers Street to watch Dover native Kenzie Wheeler compete at the finale of The Voice. What other watch parties would you like to see offered in the heart of downtown Plant City?

“Last night was amazing being together with our hometown family. It would be awesome to have concerts, movie nights, sports watch parties, themed dances under the stars, Saturday markets…”

- Crystal Gayle Brown “Lightning watch parties!”

-Deanna Hurley “BOLTS NATION in Plant City!”

- Cliff Brown “Stanley Cup games. World Series games.

Themed movie nights. Just monthly block parties.”

- Lisa Westmiller Johnson

“Sports games on the big screen and some local bands!!!”

- Amanda Polk “Movie nights, live bands/dance parties, and weekend markets!!!”

- Margie Kaercher “Something for KIDS…” - Tina Carman “Outdoor theatre nights for kids.”

- Gayle Brown

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

William Lee, 49, of Lakeland, Florida, born Feb. 3, 1972 in Placerville, California, entered into eternal rest May 15, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Roy Bethune Roy Bethune, 87, of Plant City, Florida, born June 1, 1933 in Sand Mountain, Georgia, entered into eternal rest May 19, 2021.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

Shelly Crouse Judah

Michael ‘Bubba’ Wayne Cardwell

Lisa Diane Phillips

Shelly Crouse Judah, 60, of Plant City, Florida, born January 19, 1961, entered into eternal rest May 19, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Michael “Bubba” Wayne Cardwell, 56, of Zephyrhills, Florida, born December 3, 1964 in Huntington, West Virginia, entered into eternal rest May 23, 2021.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Lisa Diane Phillips went home to be with the Lord on May 18, 2021. Services will be held privately. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Edgar Garduza Alamilla

Patsy Hall Rogers

Betty Jo Chancey Brosky

Edgar Garduza Alamilla, 23, of Dover, Florida, born July 1, 1997 in Huimanguillo, Tabasco, Mexico, entered into eternal rest May 18, 2021.

Expressions of condolence at Hopewellfuneral.com.

Patsy Hall Rogers, 68, of Plant City, Florida, born May 18, 1953 in Lakeland, Florida, entered into eternal rest May 19, 2021.

Expressions of condolence at Hopewellfuneral.com.

Betty Jo Chancey Brosky, 80, of Lithia, Florida, born March 5, 1941 in Bradenton, entered into eternal rest May 22, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Eric Escamilla, 36, of Plant City, born February 20, 1985, entered into eternal rest on May 23, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Susan Diann Chancey

Yesenia M. Nuñez

Susan Diann Chancey, 71, of Lakeland, Florida, born on March 6, 1950 in Blountstown, entered into eternal rest on May 22, 2021.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Yesenia M. Nuñez, 39, of Plant City, Florida, born June 30, 1981 in Hialeah, entered into eternal rest May 23, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Eric Escamilla

Sara June Pope Staggs Sara June Pope Staggs, 86, of Plant City, FL passed away on May 24, 2021.

The family will receive friends Thursday, May 27, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Centerpoint Church, 1720 S St. Cloud Ave, Valrico, FL 33594.

Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m.

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

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

FAMILY. COMMUNITY. COMPASSION. VALUE. FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971 HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

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OBITUARIES

William Lee

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

Rally

BEST BET FRIDAY, MAY 28 LAST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN

5 to 9 p.m. at McCall Park, 100 N. Collins St. The Last Friday In Downtown Food Truck Rally with a new theme each month. There will be live music, market vendors and food trucks. The event is family and petfriendly. All are recommended to bring chairs and blankets. This month’s theme is “School’s Out For The Summer.”

THURSDAY, MAY 27

TUESDAY, JUNE 1

PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

TEENS TEACH TECH FOR 21ST-CENTURY SENIORS

7:30 to 9 a.m. Join the Plant City Toastmasters for breakfast, laughs, and fun; there’s no better way to start your Thursday mornings. Bring a chair and a mask. The Toastmasters also offer Zoom meetings for those who can’t make it in person. Visit the Facebook page, facebook. com/PlantCityToastmasters/, for meeting locations and information.

4 to 5 p.m. Who knows the latest technology better than teenagers? All seniors looking to learn how to navigate the internet and keep up with an ever-changing digital world can learn from the best every Tuesday afternoon at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. Call 813-659-4256 for more information.

BATON TWIRLING CLASSES

Plant City Recreation presents Baton Twirling Classes at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. Classes are held every Thursday. Beginner classes are from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Intermediate classes are from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Your first class will be free. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Barbara Patrick at 813-626-4554.

FRIDAY, MAY 28 BLUEGRASS NIGHT WITH SAWGRASS

7 to 8:30 p.m. Head up to the loft at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., and enjoy the sweet sounds of bluegrass as Sawgrass makes its Krazy Kup debut. Tickets are $15 and available in-store now and at the door on event night.

SATURDAY, MAY 29 PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

6 to 9:30 p.m. at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Plant City Social Dance will have dances every Saturday night in the month of May. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., there will be ballroom music for ballroom dancers. The regular dance goes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The cost to dance is $7 per person and attendance is no longer limited. Visit djkenmiller.com to look at sample playlists and get more information.

mask. The Toastmasters also offer Zoom meetings for those who can’t make it in person. Visit the Facebook page, facebook. com/PlantCityToastmasters/, for meeting locations and information.

home summer activity kits for families to enjoy together. This week’s theme will be “Savannah Safari” and will include puzzles, literacy activities, crafts and more. Kits will be available while supplies last.

BATON TWIRLING CLASSES

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9

Plant City Recreation presents Baton Twirling Classes at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. Classes are held every Thursday. Beginner classes are from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Intermediate classes are from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Your first class will be free. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Barbara Patrick at 813-626-4554.

FRIDAY, JUNE 4 FAMILY SUMMER READING: TAILS AND TALES: ‘PREHISTORIC JOURNEY’

Bruton Memorial Library will offer takehome summer activity kits for families to enjoy together. This week’s theme will be “Prehistoric Journey” and will include puzzles, literacy activities, crafts and more.

Kits will be available while supplies last.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2 Free assistance for military veterans 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Federal, state and local opportunities are constantly changing.

If you’ve served any time in the military, retired or non-retention, and would like to review your benefits, please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday. Walk-ins welcomed or call 813-704-5800 to set a specific time.

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

ESSEWNTIALS: CAT-A-TONIC

Learn to make a simple plaything for your feline friend. Class offered at Bruton Memorial Library.

SATURDAY, JUNE 5 BLUEGRASS JAM

6:30 at 8:30 p.m. This is an open invitation for local Bluegrass musicians and fans to come to the Krazy Kup loft, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., and jam, clap hands, stomp feet and enjoy. They have their Bluegrass Jam the first Saturday of every month.

PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

THURSDAY, JUNE 3

6 to 9:30 p.m. at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Plant City Social Dance will have dances every Saturday night in the month of June. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., there will be ballroom music for ballroom dancers. The regular dance goes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The cost to dance is $7 per person and attendance is no longer limited. Visit djkenmiller.com to look at sample playlists and get more information.

PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

TUESDAY, JUNE 8

7:30 to 9 a.m. Join the Plant City Toastmasters for breakfast, laughs, and fun; there’s no better way to start your Thursday mornings. Bring a chair and a

FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Federal, state and local opportunities are constantly changing.

If you’ve served any time in the military, retired or non-retention, and would like to review your benefits, please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday. Walk-ins welcomed or call 813-704-5800 to set a specific time.

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 10 BIG HANDS, LITTLE HANDS: AIR-DRY CLAY ANIMAL MAGNETS A pair of big hands (adult) and a pair of little hands (child age 4+) will create Air-Dry Clay Animal Magnets. Bruton Memorial Library will provide take-home kits for this craft while supplies last.

SATURDAY, JUNE 12 PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

6 to 9:30 p.m. at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Plant City Social Dance will have dances every Saturday night in the month of June at the Strawberry Square Dance Center. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., there will be ballroom music for ballroom dancers. The regular dance goes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The cost to dance is $7 per person and attendance is no longer limited. Visit djkenmiller.com to look at sample playlists and get more information.

FAMILY SUMMER READING: TAILS AND TALES: ‘SAVANNAH SAFARI’

Bruton Memorial Library will offer take-

POPPELL INSURANCE 503 West M.L.King Blvd.

Over 50 Years Serving the Plant City Area

0003578756-01

813-752-4155

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YOUR CALENDAR

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Send your photo submissions to staff writer Taylor Jenkins at @PlantCityObserver.com or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.

FORECAST THURSDAY, MAY 27 High: 95 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 7%

FRIDAY, MAY 28 High: 94 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 22%

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, May 27

6:33a

8:18p

Friday, May 28

6:33a

8:18p

Saturday, May 29

6:32a

8:19p

Sunday, May 30

6:32a

8:19p

Monday, May 31

6:32a

8:20p

Tuesday, June 1

6:32a

8:20p

Wednesday, June 2

6:31a

8:21p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MAY 29 High: 91 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 15%

SUNDAY, MAY 30 High: 90 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 37%

MONDAY, MAY 31 Barbara Tetro recently saw these two eagles hanging out in a tree at Windmill Pointe.

ONLINE

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

High: 90 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 47%

(C) 2021 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

Across 1 __ d’art 6 It’s sold in bars 10 Axlike tool 14 Move furtively 15 “In memoriam” bio 16 Cow conversation 17 Rite of Christian ordination 19 Hip ‘60s Brits 20 Rodeo ropes 21 Honeybunch 23 Montreal mate 25 Fights (for) 27 “Cold Mountain” hero played by Jude Law 28 Bolster 31 Enhance, as an expense

report 33 Whiz 34 Sticking points 35 Carries out 37 ER personnel 38 Fabric ponytail holder 41 Chinese menu surname 43 Foldable beds 44 Pet store enclosures 48 Dismissive syllable 49 Hasty escape 50 Computer key 51 Bounded 53 Quite 56 Leaves in the afternoon?

57 Irritate by rubbing 59 Supermarket walkways

62 Mall directories 63 1850s Eurasian conflict 67 “Ick!” 68 Spanish cat 69 Salty expanse 70 Director Kazan 71 With the circled word in the grid’s center, what each circled word is?

72 Celestial red giant Down 1 __Kosh B’gosh 2 Rain-__ bubble gum 3 Word whose meaning wouldn’t change if it began with “z” 4 One-named singer

5 Boxing decisions 6 “Me too” 7 Corpulent 8 Ultrathin MacBook 9 War affliction, for short 10 Jordan’s capital 11 Entry-level job?

12 Astrology diagrams 13 Ancient ascetic 18 Invite letters 22 __ al-Fitr: end-of-Ramadan feast 23 Fitting 24 Hosp. scan 26 MS format details 29 Mexican money 30 L.A. school 32 Tray filler 35 Milano cathedral 36 Prov. bordering four Great Lakes 37 Authentic 39 Early TV maker 40 Freezer cubes 41 Game for little hitters 42 Wrinkly dog 45 Jumps in the lake 46 Summer in la ville 47 Vast quantity 48 Served like cherries jubilee 49 British co. letters 50 A teaspoon, say 52 Ottoman title 54 French-speaking Caribbean country 55 Colorful memory game 58 Heart tests, briefly 60 Golden Triangle country 61 SASEs, e.g.

64 Missy Elliott music genre 65 Battery for small electronics 66 GI’s furlough

15

June 10 New

June 24 Full

June 17 First

June 2 Last

RAINFALL LAST WEEK:

MONTH TO DATE:

0.00 in.

0.01 in.

YEAR TO DATE:

MAY AVERAGE:

06.41 in.

3.38 in.

TOMATOES Shipping point: Central Florida $9.95-$13.95

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

WEATHER

I LOVE PLANT CITY

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

Great health care is closer than you think.

South Florida Baptist Hospital is more than just a small community hospital. We’ve got a wide array of specialty care and surgical services that you don’t have to travel far to get. Our surgeons are experts in minimally invasive robotic surgical procedures that provide lots of benefits, including shorter hospital stays, decreased blood loss and smaller incisions that reduce the risk of infection. Plus, faster recovery times that mean you can get back to your normal activities sooner. You’ll find comprehensive orthopedic care—whether you’re an athlete who needs sports medicine services or you’re someone who needs a total joint replacement. Our all-inclusive gynecology program offers high-quality care to the women and mothers in our community with a variety of women’s care services. We’ve even been designated as a Center of Excellence for our weight loss surgery program, meeting nationally recognized standards and providing outstanding care to our patients. And all of this extraordinary care exists right here in Plant City. Learn more: SouthFloridaBaptistSurgery.org

21-1493769-0521

PlantCityObserver.com