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THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

FACILITY ON ITS WAY Commissioners agreed to welcome the Ace Hardware Corporation to Plant City Monday evening. The company will build a distribution facility on County Line Road that is set to begin operations November 2021. SEE PAGE 5

CONGRESSMAN ROSS SPANO SWINGS INTO TOWN

Congressman Ross Spano went on a veteran owned business tour Tuesday morning and started his journey at Fred’s Market Restaurant.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

NEWS BRIEFS

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Hope Lutheran to break ground on new sanctuary This Saturday, Hope Lutheran Church will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its new sanctuary at 9 a.m.

It will kick off the first phase of Hope’s three-phase building program to better serve its congregation.

“Hope's current sanctuary has served the congregation and community for 55 years and has been so expanded, tugged and pulled that there is no additional room for growth or flexibility,” Rev. Dean Pfeffer said in a press release.

Hope’s new sanctuary will seat 300, a 110-seat increase from the old building, and the construction will also add a new parking lot right next to the current strip of parking spots just off of Park Road. The building is expected to be completed in March or April 2021.

The event is open to the public. The church is located at 2001 N. Park Road.

Bing House to celebrate Ginger Forte Day Plant City will celebrate Ginger Forte Day on June 1, but the Bing Rooming House Museum has something special planned a few days later.

Renderings courtesy of Hope Lutheran Church

The museum, 205 S. Allen St., will celebrate the day and honor the life of the late Plant City native on 12 p.m. June 6. Some of her personal items, including pictures and her basketball jersey, will be donated to the Bing House’s collection in an event open to the public. Forte was Plant City High School’s first-ever black homecoming queen and the first player from its girls basketball team to have her jersey number retired. She went on to play college hoops at the University of South Florida and later went back to PCHS as an educator.

Refreshments will be served at the event and the Bing House asks guests to abide by social distancing guidelines.

Jimmie Sykes, St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church Shaunda Williams, Kainos International Church of Florida Willie M. Williams, St. Mary’s Community Church Margaret Shaw, Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries Bernice McClain, Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Jessie Cooper, Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Geri Marshall, New City Church of Plant City Daisy Thomas, Mt. Olive Baptist Church

Local group gives gifts to church mothers

Tax collector’s offices, Elections Service Center reopen

Rise and Explore the Dream made sure the “mothers” of several Plant City-area churches got the recognition they deserve on Mother’s Day. President and founder Rudyne Lee delivered gift baskets containing poetry, cards, candles, flowers and other personal items to the following church mothers: Louise Shepard, Allen Chapel AME Church Teresa Ruth-Nunley, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Pearl Nesbitt, New Grace Chapel CME

A few more government offices are now open to the public in some capacity.

Hillsborough County Tax Collector Doug Belden announced Tuesday the reopening of almost all county Tax Collector offices — including Plant City’s office at 1834 James L. Redman Parkway. The branches will be open every week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. At this time, walk-ins are not accepted and anyone coming to an office must have an appointment for the following services:

Driver's licenses and ID cards services, except for road testing Commercial driver's licenses Written driving tests Vehicle, vessel and mobile home tag and title Property tax payments Disabled parking placards Hunting and fishing licenses Birth Certificates Concealed Weapon Permits (only at the North Tampa office) Road testing will resume in June with “new remote driving test procedures.”

All customers will be screened before entry and are encouraged to wear face masks. Visit hillstax.org to set an appointment.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer also announced Tuesday the reopening of the Robert L. Gilder Elections Service Center, 2514 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa, to customers with appointments starting June 1.

The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and those who wish to make an appointment can call 813-7445900 or email voter@hcsoe.org.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

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VIRTUAL BINGERS In the second part of the Observer’s streaming guide, viewers can delve into Amazon, HBO Now and Disney+.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Nothing beats a night in with popcorn, a glass of wine and a new TV show.

As much of the public continues to stay home as much as possible, the demand for more entertainment content continues to rise. Netflix and Hulu have both announced some of their recent releases are setting some of the highest streaming records in the platforms’ respective histories.

But the other networks ­— the platforms that are gaining notoriety and bringing home awards of their own — are what this final edition of our two-week series will analyze. Whether you’re looking for a new favorite show, want to revisit an old classic you were unaware was hiding in a site’s massive catalogue or are searching for an indie film you struggle to find anywhere else, we’ve done the work to point you in the right direction.

Oh, and if you’re looking specifically for a child-friendly show or film, skip to Disney+. If you’re 18 years or older then pick your poison and let the streaming begin.

The Boys: This show is not for children.

I need to stress that out the gate. Amazon decided to take the overdone concept of superheroes and turn it on its head. What if superheroes were real, but they were run like a corporation? What would that society look like? And what happens when a random citizen begins to take that corporation down?

Modern Love: Each tiny episode examines a different love story. The very first episode had me in tears within minutes and I never looked back. Some stories are stronger than others, but every single one

MOVIES:

The Farewell: This film quickly became one of the highlights of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Based on a story featured on the 2016 This American Life episode “In Defense of Ignorance,” it is dramatic, heartfelt and overall a lovely watch. It has a 98 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a massive cult following.

The Birdcage: What more can you say other than this film features a Miami drag club and stars Nathan Lane, Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, Christine Baranski and a young Calista Flockhart?

TV SHOWS:

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: This show sweeps every single year at award shows due to its witty charm and deceptively heartfelt plot lines. A housewife in the 1950s with a knack for comedy chooses to step outside the stereotypical life laid out before her to become a stand-up comic.

Wars? They’ve got it. Marvel? Every film is there. Pixar? Cry your heart out with the click of a button. That obscure film your mom watched once as a kid that she still talks about to this day? It’s probably there.

The platform even has National Geographic and some of the most interesting documentaries around.

TV SHOWS:

AMAZON

Amazon is hands-down the best streaming platform for classics and cult favorites.

You can find everything from shows your grandparents grew up with to indie hits that are just rolling off of the latest film festival lineup. Amazon has recently carved out a place in the competitive streaming bracket with its original creations and has nabbed many Golden Globes and Emmys.

If you have the time, I recommend spending an afternoon combing through all of your niche interests and building a watchlist. It’ll save you hours later on and you’ll be shocked at how diverse your options are.

Alien (+): “In Space No One Can Hear You Scream” is so iconic that’s really the only description you need. The quadrilogy package is on HBO and ready for your weekend of fun.

Moulin Rouge!: If you like musicals but wish they had more absurdism, look no further than Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 production starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.

Bohemian Rhapsody: Freddie Mercury and Queen changed music forever. This biographical drama was one of the best things to come out of the 2018 film lineup.

Contagion: The first time I saw this movie was in a blacked out basement of a church in Alaska in 2012 — it’s a long story — and I never quite wiped those images from my mind. In a shock to literally no one, the world has brought it back to the limelight as we all quarantine at home. It’s probably not the best thing to watch for your mental health right now, but it is a pretty good movie. If you’re a masochist, go for it.

is memorable.

Good Omens: Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman wrote a book in 1990 that developed such a strong following that it is still a bestseller to this day. Amazon took some of the greatest actors of our time and threw them into this chaotic and hilarious fantasy. An angel and a demon team up to prevent the apocalypse coming from the hands of the 11-year-old Antichrist.

Believe it or not, it’s a comedy and a very good one at that.

Fleabag: Phoebe Waller-Bridge is probably one of the most brilliant writers of this generation. Her one-woman show was picked up by Amazon and turned into a two-season comedy-drama. You laugh and laugh and laugh and then, out of nowhere, you’re sobbing. I’ve watched it five or six

times and it only continues to get better.

The Addams Family: The only nonAmazon original on the list, the 1964 and 1965 production “The Addams Family” sparked generations of fans. Though many remakes have come and gone, none cast the same captivating spell John Astin and Carolyn Jones did. There are only two seasons, but it is hands down some of the best television ever made.

HBO NOW MOVIES:

Tolkien: If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, you need to see this biopic that sheds some insight on the brilliance and heart of J.R.R. Tolkien. FYI, you will definitely cry.

The Righteous Gemstones: This show is sacrilegious and crude, but unexpectedly hilarious. It follows the story of a wild night gone wrong for one of three adult siblings. The trio are the second generation of a mega-televangelist empire, so they do everything in their power to cover up the mistake. Needless to say, it spirals out of control very quickly.

The Sopranos: The Sopranos are HBO. This show aired in 1999 and is still considered one of the greatest series of all time.

It’s dark and heavy, but features writing and dialogue you rarely ever get to see brought to life.

Gentleman Jack: History nerds probably know all about the interesting and eyebrow-raising legacy of West Yorkshire’s Anne Lister. Set in 1832, the show picks up right in the thick of her legendary life.

Westworld: If you made a list of the most intricate, creative and well-executed plot lines in the history of television, this would be in the top 10 without question. Each season pushes it further up that ranking.

Essentially Westworld asks, “At what point does artificial intelligence become human?

And at what point does a human lose its humanity?” In Westworld, humans created AI hosts and placed them in a theme park where there were no rules. Then the hosts started to gain consciousness and everything changed. Season three just wrapped, so it’s the perfect time to dive in.

Veep: Veep is a political satire show that is so exceptionally written you can’t 100 percent tell which party they’re making fun of throughout the seven seasons.

In fact, they poke holes in both and Julia Louis-Dreyfus earned every single award she was showered with during its reign.

DISNEY+

If you’ve ever loved Disney films or wanted to rewatch some of your childhood favorites, Disney+ is hands down the best way to return to Neverland. Because Disney is buying every media company it can get its hands on, the platform also has access to items you now can’t find anywhere else. It opened its vault and classics are now available in a way they never were before. Star

MOVIES:

If there’s a Disney movie you love, it’s more than likely there. If it isn’t, it probably will be soon as the company is dumping new films and shows onto the platform every time you turn around. Disney has also bought out an obscene amount of other entertainment companies so you will be shocked when scrolling to find old favorites like Splash and The Princess Bride on the lineup.

TV SHOWS:

The Mandalorian: I’m not going to say the Mandalorian and the Clone Wars series are carrying the entire Star Wars Universe on their backs, but I’m not not saying that.

The Mandalorian is everything you loved about Star Wars morphed into a television show. Only the first season is out right now, but season two is set to release in October.

The Disney Family Singalong: Quarantine led Disney to round up a bunch of celebrities and Disney legends to create a singalong event that is as fun as it is sappy.

Encore!: Kristen Bell leads casts of high school productions through a reunion years later where they have to perform the same show from their youth again. Now they have experts at their side to tutor them to greatness. It’s adorable and you’ll smile along with every single episode.

The Imagineering Story: This documentary gives an in-depth look at the history, the drama and the genius behind the creation of the Walt Disney theme parks around the world. I’m fully aware that I am a Disney addict, so I realize in this instance I am biased. But as I sat on my couch knowing the world was in lockdown, this show helped heal a wound I didn't even know I had. If you love Disney, this is a must-watch and should be streamed immediately.

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COPS CORNER

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

PLANT CITY

Observer

This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigated pocket pickers, a fraudulent rental, DUI, a stolen bench

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

and more.

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com

MAY 15 POCKET PICKERS 600 block of West Renfro Street Robbery by snatching: This victim reported to officers that money was snatched from his shirt pocket.

RUMOR HAS IT 800 block of West Dr. King Boulevard Battery x2 (waiver): A man reported to police that his vehicle was burglarized the night before.

He suspected two men were involved and believed he knew who the suspects were. After making his assumption known, a woman who was friends with one of the suspects confronted him and he told officers she spit on him, which caused him to push her. She told the police she was struck by the man. Both ultimately signed waivers of prosecution for the alleged offenses.

ported an unknown party entered his vehicle during the night of May 14 and attempted to pry out his radio.

THAT’S WHAT THEY CALL KARMA 500 block of South Morgan Street Stolen/recovered vehicle: This victim arrived at the scene of a crash and reported her vehicle was stolen by unknown subjects after she left it running in front of her residence just prior to the crash.

MAY 17 IN SEARCH OF A PSYCHO 900 block of Loganderry Lane Residential burglary: This victim reported to police that 30 pairs of her underwear were stolen from within her residence.

linens from the woman and, in doing, so pulled her thumb as well.

The woman told police she did not wish to pursue charges against the manager and signed a waiver of prosecution.

RED RUNNER East Alabama Street/ South Lake Street DUI: Officers made contact with a man who ran a stop sign and then ran a steady red light. He was stopped and charged with DUI and NVDL. He was later released into the custody of the detention deputies.

MAY 18 WISH YOU HADN’T DONE THAT 2200 block of Pixie Way Theft: This victim advised police that someone cut a chain off of the northeast gate of Wish Farms and took a grey Lincoln Dual Maverick diesel engine welder, which was valued at $15,000.

PULL MY FINGER 1700 block of James L. Redman Parkway NO HOME FOR YOU Battery/waiver: Officers met with 400 block of Merit Oak Drive a woman who advised she had a FOAM PARTY Fraud: This victim sent $1,000 via verbal argument with the manager 4300 block of West Highway 574 a cash app for a down payment on of Oasis Laundromat. During the Theft: This victim discovered the a rental home, which was located argument, the woman had linens interior of his 2010 red Hino truck on Renfro Street. It turned out to in her hands and showed the was sprayed with a fire extinEdited

by David Steinberg May 28, 2020 be fraudulent. manager she did not believe them guisher. to have been washed. The man10 and, Former ACROSS 47ager “Bridge of the linens 38 Abbr. within ALL ABOUT THAT BASS grabbed whilecoin in Cannes Comedy Spies” “boulevards” 900 block of1West Warren Street doing so, grabbed the woman’s Vehicle burglary: This victim rethumb.

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CREDIT GAUGERS 500 block of South Collins Street Fraud: This complainant reported that between the years of 2017 and 2020, an unknown suspect opened credit accounts under the complainant’s business name. The complainant has been receiving bills for the credit accounts.

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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.

THEY WON’T GET VERY FAR 2700 block of Turkey Creek Road Vehicle theft: This complainant reported that he drove to the gas station at the above listed location to get gas at approximately 9 p.m.

His vehicle was stolen while he was inside the store.

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

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TAKE A SEAT 2000 block of Thonotosassa Road Theft: An employee at Clayton Dermatology reported the theft of a black outdoor bench valued at $300 from their property.

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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This week’s Crossword PREVIOUS PUZZLEanswers ANSWER

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Puzzle Solution:

“Reality is never as bad as a nightmare, as the mental tortures we inflict on ourselves.” ~ Sammy Davis Jr.

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Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com

BAD BOYS BAD BOYS, WHAT YA GONNA DO 1200 block of West Grant Street Business burglary: Between May 17 and May 18, a Bad Boy zero turn lawnmower was taken off the property of Simmons Career Center.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

FACILITY ON ITS WAY

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Ace Hardware Corporation will start construction on a distribution facility on County Line Road that is set to begin operations November 2021. City commissioners welcomed Ace Hardware to the community in Monday’s meeting.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Plant City landed another major win Monday evening when commissioners opened their arms to welcome the Ace Hardware Corporation to the community.

The commissioners unanimously agreed to grant Ace Hardware an Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption. In return, the company will transition from its Tampa distribution warehouse to a larger facility here in Plant City on County Line Road. The company has vowed to employ at least 162 new full-time equivalent employees in Plant City.

Of those, approximately 119 are currently at the Tampa location and they will move over with the new facility. It also told the city “the business’s sales factor is less than 50 percent and that it will make a capital investment of at least $200,000 per full-time equivalent employee prior to the commencement of any exemption granted under the Program.”

If Ace meets the requirements of the ordinance and agreement, they can qualify for the Tier Two benefits, which are 50 percent of assessed value of added improvements and tangible personal property for seven years.

“We looked at Plant City as, really, a community that shared our missions and our values,” Chuck Ungaro, global real estate manager for Ace Hardware Corporation, said. “Your motto is ‘preserving the past and embracing the future,’ and that goes hand-in-glove with what we do as a company. We want to embrace the future and preserve our past as well. We wouldn’t be who we are today without our community and that’s something that is very impor-

tant to us. We felt a really strong sense of community in Plant City, as well.”

Ungaro also mentioned the location could not be more ideal as Ace Hardware can now easily distribute its goods along the I-4 corridor. Ace has retail stores all over the state and, with a larger facility, the company can now distribute its goods even faster to all of its locations.

The project had secretly been underway for months as discussion of whether Plant City would be a good fit for Ace Hardware grew. It was titled “Project Lightning” and the Plant City Economic Development Corporation and the City of Plant City worked hand-in-hand to prove they were the perfect match.

Ungaro said he believed the new facility would be the most state-of-the-art center in the company’s network. Chip Giacoboni, director of retail support at Ace Hardware Corporation, also spoke to commissioners.

Giacoboni has been with the company for 22 years. He runs the distribution centers in the southeast and started his career with Ace in Tampa. While he said the Tampa facility has served the company well over the years, Ace has outgrown the facility and looks forward to using this opportunity to build a larger warehouse in Plant City.

“We have a long track record of staying in locations for a long time and we look forward to a lengthy stay,” Giacoboni said. “If this opportunity comes true, I’ll be moving back down to Florida.”

Mayor Rick Lott joked after the vote that Giacoboni was more than welcome to start his search for a home right here in Plant City.

Of all the statements said, the comment on Plant City’s motto and community drive

Letter to the Editor: COMMENTS TO PLANT CITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

Plant City has experienced plenty of residential growth lately, much of it starter or one-step-above starter home development on small lots scattered around the outskirts of the city. Further, it is well known the city has an interest in midtown revitalization to maintain and improve the character of that area. Within the midst of all this is the Walden Lake Development, the one-time golf course community with many large lot homes that should be the shining star of the city. While that star has begun to lose its luster, sprinkling starter and one step above starter homes throughout the Walden Lake community will do nothing to bring it back – and likely make it worse.

The concept of interest to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is a midtown town center shopping area with walkable residential units to support it. This is the same concept that the Walden Lake infill developer is trying to shoe-horn into Walden Lake. This concept makes little sense embedded in Walden Lake and this proposed high density apartment/retail project should be built in a more compatible location. This would reduce but not preclude all in-fill within Walden Lake. Development infill in Walden Lake should favor larger lot homes, and compatible townhomes/ villas rather than four-story megaliths on the highest point in Walden Lake that impact everyone’s viewscape. For that concept to do well within the community it will also have to draw retail customers from outside the development, adding to traffic and reducing the tranquility that the community has been known for.

Nonetheless, re-vitalization within the Walden Lake footprint could be a positive for the community-at-large and even provide support for a mid-town retail area.

This comment is to request that the City/CRA seriously consider such a proposal that could lead to a win-win-win for all parties (the city/CRA, the developer, and the Walden Lake community).

Please consider opening discussions with Walden Lake LLC in an effort to properly locate the town center in an actual “town” and allow Walden Lake to experience some re-development and re-vitalization, while continuing to be an asset for the city. Let’s try to develop Plant City with a holistic vision and not piece meal. I believe that’s your job and we’re counting on you.

Dee Allen

seemed to resonate deepest with commissioners. Several mentioned how the deep history of the company and its dedication toward giving back and improving communities it was in played a large part in welcoming them home.

Lott and City Manager Bill McDaniel also attributed this win to the vision that was put in place a little more than five years ago when the commission began to create the industrial corridor on County Line Road.

They were told at first it would be 10 years before it built out, but they’ve essentially reached their goal in five years. Ace Hardware will fill a massive hole in the middle of the corridor.

In a way, it’s come full circle for Lott, who shared a story of how when he worked downtown at the Ace Hardware store owned by the Redman family he was a teenager. Now the corporation is here to stay.

“This is another great example of the system that has been built over the years with the tax exemption,” McDaniel said.

“The location of the facilities we are offering, with its proximity to the interstate and everything else that we have in place to draw these high-profile companies such as Ace Hardware and Home Depot, has proven what we are doing is working.

These businesses create job opportunities, they spur local economic growth and they improve our community.”

After the approval, the helpful hardware folks are gearing up to come to town. But the timeline is still lengthy: the company is working with developers now and will break ground in August or September.

Then it will take approximately 12 months to complete the construction and another

12 to 16 weeks to get the product in the center. However, that timeline puts the opening smack in the middle of hurricane season. The Ace facility in Tampa acts as a massive hurricane center, so the company doesn’t want to disrupt its operation when demand is so high. Instead it will wait and actual occupation will begin in November of 2021.

Courtesy photo

The distribution facility on County Line Road will replace the current Ace Hardware center in Tampa.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

CONGRESSMAN SPANO SPENDS TIME WITH VETERAN BUSINESS OWNERS Fred’s Marketplace Restaurant had a special visitor Tuesday morning. Congressman Ross Spano began his tour of local veteran-owned businesses in Plant City and then headed to Lakeland and Valrico.

erans who serve to choose another route if they don’t want to take advantage of the prepaid tuition for college. If a veteran has a business plan and wants to start a company of his own, Spano hopes the bill will help make that happen by having those funds available if the business model is approved.

Talk of the future quickly filled the room and the question of change seemed inevitable for most gathered. Managers, in many instances, are discovering their employees are far more productive at home without the stress of commutes and distractions in an office. Large meetings are now capable of being held virtually — a reality Spano joked he never dreamed he would be a part of.

However, he lauded the glory of the free market and its ability to respond and adapt to a changing climate. The “seemingly draconic” measures the government put in place based on the advice of medical experts to keep people safe at the start of the pandemic successfully flattened the curve, Spano said, and now the question is “where do we go from here?”

A few at the table floated ideas and Spano listened while sharing his dedication to helping any way he could.

After breakfast, Spano and several of those who attended the first gathering headed to Xcellent Xteriors in Lakeland before heading to Headley Law in Lakeland and then Ring Roofing and WillPower Fit-

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Veteran business owners throughout Plant City, Valrico and Lakeland received special visits from Congressman Ross Spano Tuesday during a tour Spano hoped would help him hear what elected officials could do for their constituents.

The tour began in Plant City at Fred’s Market Restaurant. Several veteran business owners joined Spano at the legendary buffet to share their thoughts with him and discuss how COVID-19 has impacted their companies.

COVID-19 was the foundation all other conversations built upon, though not everyone at the table agreed that the virus was a deadly pandemic everyone should fear. However, the focus of the meeting was to gauge how the pandemic caused local businesses to shift their business models to adapt and what the largest obstacles were going forward.

“Veteran issues and small business issues are two of the things I’m most interested in and most passionate about,” Spano said. “We have so many small businesses and because we have such a large number of veterans in the district this idea seemed to go hand in hand. Especially with the impact COVID had on small businesses. I wanted to show that I hear them, I support them and I wanted to hear more from them on

what more we could do in addition to what we have done to support them and get them back on their feet.”

Spano was even presented with a gift during breakfast. One of the businesses at the table was HEAVENDROPT, a company that makes materials out of retired military parachutes. The idea was born out of a visit to MacDill Air Force Base and the company’s Largo warehouse has more than 70,000 pounds of military parachutes from WWII to current productions. Spano was gifted a face mask made from the recycled parachute material.

While morning breakfast meetings at Fred’s are a staple for business leaders in the community, Tuesday’s event showed how much has changed. Each patron washed their hands at a sink near the buffet and then got their own set of gloves before they could walk down the line to scoop up their favorite goodies. Each time they went back, the process repeated.

Once their plates were full, the men discussed their concerns going forward.

Access to capital was the major concern as many small businesses and entrepreneurs have little to offer the bank to receive loans.

When Spano inquired as to how they were surviving, the answer was simple: they’re buckling their bootstraps and pushing through.

Spano alluded to an upcoming bill he wants to push soon that would allow vet-

Park Rd.

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BREANNE WILLIAMS

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

PLANT CITY NATIVE PUBLISHES BOOK ABOUT CHILDHOOD MEMORIES Jim Helms spent several years researching for and writing his first book, “Juvenile Impressions of Plant City — A Collection of Playful Stories.”

The book is a collection of 35 tales from Helms’ formative years and will soon be available for purchase.

Growing up in Plant City made an indelible impression on Jim Helms. Soon, anyone will be able to read all about it.

Helms wrote “Juvenile Impressions of Plant City — A Collection of Playful Stories” over the last few years and finally finished and published it this year. He spent several years researching the book, working closely with both the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center and the East Hillsborough Historical Society, and mixed in anecdotes from his own life with contributions from roughly 30 people he grew up with.

“I retired, I got bored and I decided to write,” Helms said.

“One of the strange things about this writing was that about 30 years ago, I was between jobs and made some notes, sketched out phrases of stories. I found that as I was beginning to do research on the book and I forgot I’d done it. They were just on little slips of scrap paper. Twenty-five of the 30 notes appear in the book.

I’ve been working on this book in my head for 30 years.”

It’s a collection of 35 stories that take readers through Helms’ early childhood, when

he attended elementary schools like Burney, Jackson and Wilson, through his years at Plant City High School and college, through a stint in the United States Coast Guard and ends with his marriage at age 21. Tales of love, rejection, friendship and other activities are in the book — some tall, some true.

Helms has since spent much time away from Plant City, climbing the corporate ladder around the country and moving to Fort Myers in his retirement, but the memories have always lived on.

“I think it means more to a read from Plant City, perhaps, but I think the book is basically about growing up in a small town,” Helms said.

Helms wrote the book with the goal of making people laugh, but there’s more to it than that.

He calls it an examination of the psychological aspect of smalltown life rather than a “sociological” one.

“I write as a scamp as opposed to a chronicler,” he said. “Some of the chapters include lying, cheating and sneaking. Those are three separate chapters. I did all of that.”

One thing Helms is most proud of, which appears in the book, is how his life has been

impacted by the “strong-willed women” who raised and helped raise him. Longtime Plant City residents likely remember his paternal grandmother, Zula Helms, who owned and operated the Helms Dress Shop on Palmer Street for decades.

“She opened up in the early 1930s, which was a real gutsy thing to do,” Helms said. “She raised a family based on her being a shop owner.”

His maternal grandmother was, much later in his life, the one who inspired him to move beyond writing unpublished poetry for fun and try his hand at a book. Several years ago, Helms found 30 short stories his grandmother wrote about her time living in Kansas.

“Juvenile Impressions of Plant City — A Collection of Playful Stories” will soon be available on lulu.com, in the gift shop of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, and Helms said the book should make its way to Amazon sometime this summer.

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

HELPING PLANT CITY GET BACK TO BUSINESS

Last week, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce announced it has been meeting with the Plant City Partnership to create a Back to Business initiative.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

When communities work together, the limit on what they are able to accomplish rises to greater heights.

The Plant City Partnership, which is comprised of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, the City of Plant City, Plant City Main Street and the Plant City Economic Development Corporation, have spent several weeks meeting and discussing how to aid the recovery effort for the community.

From those frequent meetings, an intuitive was born. Simply titled “Back to Business,” the plan will allow the Plant City Partnership to work with business owners and community leaders in town to “ensure a safe and swift recovery for Plant City.”

“Plant City in talking about how we are special one of the things I love is that we are unique in the sense that many of our agencies work together in great harmony,” Christine Miller, president of the Chamber, said. “I’m referring specifically to what’s known as the Plant City partnership which includes, of course, the Chamber of Commerce, the EDC, Main Street and the city. We work so well together that we have decided to have a

Back to Business plan as part of the Plant City Partnership so that our community is getting a unified message. It may look different. So, for example, Jake (Austin) with the EDC tends to work with larger businesses, so he may put out a little bit different information than, say, I would or Main Street. But the information that we are putting out is unified to our area and we are working in great harmony.”

To pull off this task, the group has created three task forces in the respective Reopen, Recover and Reimagine campaigns.

The Reopen campaign will focus on a Business Restart Task Force that will be led by the City of Plant City and the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. The task force will work toward “communicating safety recommendations from trusted sources, supporting recommendations from the national and state level and building consumer confidence.”

“This is where we would lean on any medical professionals if we needed some guidance there, but our biggest key would be communicating the safety recommendations from trusted sources,” Miller said.

“We don’t need to create them — that’s not our area of expertise — but there’s

great information out there on the CDC website and other sources, so we will be pulling that information together and pushing it out through all of our agencies to make sure our businesses in the community are getting their safety guidelines from trusted sources.”

The Recover campaign will feature a Business Support Task Force and will be led by the Plant City EDC and the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. This team will focus on “capital opportunities, entrepreneur support, advocating for the needs of the business and workforce retraining.”

“That’s where we will make sure we are focused on capital opportunities, any entrepreneur support as new businesses begin to come online, advocating for the needs for the businesses,” Miller said.

“This is where the chamber has really been in the forefront, and of course working with our local resources for workforce training and retraining as employees begin to come back to work.”

The final campaign, Reimagine, will have a Connection Task Force at its fingertips and will be led by Plant City Main Street and the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. This final group will create a “Buy Local campaign, con-

nect the consumers to the businesses in a streamlined manner and focus on community engagement.”

Miller said it’s time to reimagine what businesses are going to look like as we move forward. She said it isn’t a “normal” or “abnormal,” but rather a desire to be able to do successful business moving forward. That is the primary goal of this task force. It specifically will have a Buy Local campaign led by Jerilyn Rumbarger of Plant City Main Street, will focus on connecting consumers to the local businesses in the community and will heavily highlight community engagement.

“Following along some of the state’s recovery plan… we wanted to be in alignment, but we also wanted to make sure we are working for our region,” Miller said.

Those interested in learning more about the task forces or how to get involved should contact the chamber at 813-7543707.

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: VOTE BY MAIL OFFERS SAFE PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS The current status of the national COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the economic impact and the risks to public health. Further, the situation is occurring in the context of the national election season. The good news is that we already have a system that can help alleviate a lot of concerns voters may have about going to the polls: vote-by-mail.

Florida is a “no excuse required” state concerning registering for a vote-by-mail, or absentee, ballot. Currently, around 30 percent of our state’s registered voters are enrolled in the VBM, and that number is growing every election.

Given the uncertainty of the pandemic’s impact this fall, being registered for VBM is the safest way to participate in the 2020 election.

And it is highly effective. It is insurance your vote will be counted. COVID-19’s new and unique pathology and means of transmission are not yet fully understood.

But we do know that shelter-at-home programs, social distancing, personal hygiene and masks are known and effective means of reducing the spread of this virus.

To ensure the safety of our community, our poll workers, and our democracy, I encourage all eligible citizens to sign up for a vote-by-mail today. Contact the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections at 813-744-5900 for more information or, better yet, register for VBM at votehillsborough.org.

C.L. Townsend, Jr. RPh. Candidate for FL HD 58

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A graphic published in print with last week’s story about this Saturday’s parade for Plant City-area seniors incorrectly displayed the route starting on Wheeler Street. The parade will start on Evers Street south of Dr. MLK Boulevard, turn onto East Reynolds Street, then travel down South Collins Street/James L. Redman Parkway and end at Plant City High School’s east parking lot on Maki Road. Cars will exit the parking lot onto Maki Road and be directed to West Alexander Street. The line-up process starts at 8:30 a.m. Visit Plant City Police Department’s Facebook page for more information about the route and staging.

Parade starting point

Parade staging area

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

PlantCityObserver.com

MAY 28, 2020

SPORTS

YOUTH PROGRAMS GET GREEN LIGHT Restrictions on Florida youth sports, summer camps lifted.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced May 22 the state would let local governments bring back these programs as they see fit, effective immediately.

File photo

The Plant City Colts are among the local youth sports organizations that will soon be able to return to their playing fields.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Florida’s movement to reopen the state continued last week as Governor Ron DeSantis gave the green light for youth sports and summer camp activities to come back.

In his May 22 press conference in Jacksonville, DeSantis said he trusts “parents to be able to make decisions” regarding the safety of their children and trusts local governments to roll out plans for these activities to resume “in a way that is safe.”

The changes went into effect immediately and DeSantis said they will give children the socialization opportunities they’ve been missing since shutdowns and closures began in March. A decisive factor in the governor’s decision, he said, was that no one under age 25 has been reported to have died from complications caused by COVID-19 — but any child who feels sick is still going to be asked to stay home.

“It’s time for our kids to get back to their ‘new normal’ and and it’s time to let kids be kids,” pediatrician Bonnie White, whom DeSantis brought to the press conference, said.

The City of Plant City wasted no time working on its own written order and got right to work on May 22 after the governor’s press conference, Parks and Recreation department director Jack Holland said.

“We are ready to go,” he said. “This will allow a larger than planned, yet still restricted, size for summer camp complying with CDC guidelines.”

The Parks and Recreation Department announced an action plan for the return to the use of city facilities in a Tuesday press release, citing the CDC guidelines for youth sports and the processes used in Tampa, Temple Terrace and Hillsborough County at large as influences.

Specifically mentioned in the department’s press release is the CDC’s categorization of athletic activities based on the level of transmission risks associated with them: “The risk of COVID-19 spread increases in youth sports settings as follows:

Lowest Risk: Performing skill-building drills or conditioning at home, alone or with family members.

Increasing Risk: Team-based practice.

More Risk: Within-team competition.

Even More Risk: Full competition between teams from the same local geographic area.

Highest Risk: Full competition between teams from different geographic areas.

If organizations are not able to keep in place safety measures during competition (for example, maintaining social distancing by keeping children six feet apart at all times), they may consider dropping down a level and limiting participation to within-team competition only (for example, scrimmages between members of the same team) or team-based practices only. Similarly, if organizations are unable to put in place safety measures during team-based activities, they may choose individual or at-home activities, especially if any members of the team are at highrisk for severe illness.”

The CDC’s guiding principles for youth sports in the time of COVID-19 can be viewed online at cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/ schools-childcare/youth-sports.html.

All organizations that wish to use city fields and facilities must be able to provide the city with a Return to Play document, which must then be approved by the city.

These documents must include language about “how the organization intends to monitor and enforce CDC, DOH, and local recommendations,” should follow the guidelines set by the organization’s national or state governing body and should include “a waiver form that each participant’s parent/guardian will sign stating their acceptance of the risk associated with the transmission of COVID-19 in an athletic play situation and that neither the organization nor the facility owner makes any guarantee regarding non-transmission of COVID-19 while participating in programs and using the facilities.”

Not all organizations may have a document readily available, so if that’s the case for any Plant City-based organizations, they can make their own and use the Parks and Recreation Department’s Summer

Youth Program COVID-19 Policy and Mitigation Plan (provided by the department) as an example.

No organization will be allowed to use city facilities until their Return to Play document has been received and approved, but the city has released a threepart schedule for the gradual phasing in of athletic activities: “June 1, 2020 - allow local Plant City based youth leagues to begin scheduling organized practices or tryouts only in small groups of 10 or less, no games, no scrimmages, and no tournaments.

June 15, 2020 – allow local Plant City based youth leagues to begin scheduling games among their own players, still no games or scrimmages with non-Plant City based teams from outside our local area, still no tournaments. Plant City and non-Plant City based travel ball teams can begin scheduling organized practices, pending field availability, but no scrimmages or games.

July 6, 2020 – allow scheduled games or scrimmages between local and non-Plant City based teams, allow regional tournaments to schedule resumed weekend play on City fields, all pending field availability.”

Any organized field activity must be scheduled in advance with the Parks and Recreation Department. City-based youth leagues like Plant City Little League, the Plant City Lancers, Dolphins and Colts would have priority before travel ball teams, tournaments and other things of that nature.

“We are committed to the health and safety of our facility users and we will continue to take a cautious and measured approach to reopening athletics,” the department said in Tuesday’s press release.

“The ability to return to play for sports organizations that cannot meet CDC, DOH or local guidelines may be delayed. Future changes to this process may be required, as revised CDC, DOH or local guidelines may additionally influence our process.”

The city is also going ahead with its Summer Youth Program, which will run from June 8 through July 31 at the Planteen Recreation Center. The Parks and Recreation Department announced Wednesday the program will be filled to 50

percent of its normal capacity to allow for social distancing. Campers will be placed into groups of 10 and they will all get their own drawstring bags full of supplies, breakfsat and lunch. No field trips will be taken.

Special interest classes like senior aerobics, yoga, shuffleboard, baton and more have not resumed and likely will not until August.

Another big presence in the youth sports and summer camp scene, the Plant City Family YMCA, was already hoping for summer camp to start June 1 and taking registrations banking on that date being realistic.

“For summer camp, we’ve been planning something robust and fun starting June 1,” executive director Paul Conley said.

“Registration is really picking up right now.

We’ve doubled our registration every day this week. I know we’re going to provide a really safe camp this year, a really fun camp.”

Conley said the Plant City Y’s relief care program for children of essential workers helped the staff learn how to adapt to COVID-19 precautions and procedures, helped children learn better hand washing habits and got everybody on board with social distancing. The Y doesn’t have firm return plans for its own youth sports programs right now, but Conley said he expects them to roll out soon in some limited capacity and, provided the state doesn’t experience a severe spike in its infection rate and reinstate prior shutdowns, expand later on.

“Youth sports is a little interesting because of the nature of basketball, for example,” Conley said. “You’re guarding someone very closely and there’s a shared ball. I think right now, we’re gonna do some different activities and sports this summer with smaller groups. Later in the summer, we’ve planned to have youth leagues back.

We’re learning. But one thing I’m confident in is that kids will always need activity, the ability to learn sportsmanship and teamwork, so whenever we can do it safely I have no doubt youth sports will be as popular and as needed as ever.”

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

TOP GUN GETS TEMPORARY NEW HOME

The Plant City-based wrestling club will operate out of Carlson Gracie Plant City through July.

File photo

Top Gun Wrestling Academy is moving to downtown Plant City for the month of June.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

It’s been close to three months since wrestlers like Andrew Raab last stepped onto a mat to grapple with another person.

So two recent pieces of news — the state lifting restrictions on youth sports and summer camps last week, plus Top Gun Wrestling Academy’s upcoming return this weekend — were great for him and his fellow wrestlers.

“I’ve been working out every other day to keep in shape,” Raab said. “I’ve been missing wrestling and you can’t really do it online. I’m really glad the gym’s gonna open up again next Saturday.”

Top Gun is reopening at noon Saturday, though things are going to be very different for the time being.

The club was kept off the mat by a combination of the state’s COVID-19-related restrictions and the Florida Strawberry Festival’s decision to close its facilities until July. Coaches searched for a temporary new home for the club and found it downtown in Carlson Gracie Plant City, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym at 109 E. Reynolds St. “They’re just gonna come in and do the club in our facility,” gym owner Samuel Kimmel said. “A lot of the guys are really excited to have them here.”

Top Gun will share the space on a schedule that doesn’t interfere with CGPC’s activities, as the new space is considerably smaller than they normally have in their auxiliary building on the festival grounds.

“We’re working with about a third of what we normally have,” coach Will Terry said. “We normally have close to 5,000 square feet of mats and now we’ll have 800. We’ll have to do dual sessions.”

Kimmel said CGPC has been diligent about bleaching, spraying, mopping and disinfecting everything after every activity, and that will continue while Top Gun’s there. The wrestling club is going to operate under the National High School Coaches Association’s COVID-19 guidelines, which means no one’s getting in without first being screened.

“We’re gonna follow NHSCA guidelines for small groups, keep the same kids with each other as much as we can,” coach

Blake Olson said. “No-touch thermometers at the door and when they sign to come in, they have to tell us if they’ve had any symptoms in 14 days.”

Though “The Last Dance” recently brought Michael Jordan’s “Flu Game” performance back into the national spotlight, Top Gun coaches don’t want kids pulling an MJ and trying to wrestle through any illness.

“If you’re sick, don’t come,” Terry said.

“It’s just being smart about it. This isn’t a time for a kid to be tough and power through practice or anything like that. If you’re not comfortable or your family’s not comfortable, we’re not twisting anybody’s arms to come to practice.”

The club has anywhere from 30 to 35 kids who come regularly for sessions, but the club is expecting some extra numbers to come in while it’s open. Not many wrestling clubs are currently up and running, and that’s because many of them are heavily tied to schools — which are currently closed and don’t have any firm date for reopening their facilities. Though Top Gun does have connections to Strawberry Crest High School (it started as Charger Wrestling Club and Crest coaches have always run the program), it doesn’t operate on Crest’s campus and therefore has much more flexibility than most. That puts Top Gun in a position to accommodate other wrestlers from other clubs who want to work and need a place to do so.

“There’s been a ton of teams around the area looking to get in there and work out with us while all this is going on,” Olson said. “Those clubs share spaces with their high schools, but since the schools are closed they can’t access their wrestling rooms.”

Kimmel said having Top Gun come in was a natural fit because wrestling “goes hand-in-hand” with jiu-jitsu. Though the virus threatened CGPC, the gym adapted to the changing times and added a program providing childcare for essential workers to help keep the business afloat.

“We’re making it,” Kimmel said. “Luckily we pushed through everything, haven’t had anybody sick over here. It got scary for a bit, like maybe a month and a half where we didn’t know which direction things were

going. It got freaky, but we made it. Thank God.” The club’s plan is to work out of CGPC until the Florida Strawberry Festival reopens its facilities, which is expected to happen in July shortly after Top Gun’s kids and coaches get back from the 2020 Florida Pride Wrestling Camp in Lake Wales. They’ll move back into their regular space as soon as they’re able to do so.

Before anyone can get back on the mat, parents must complete and turn in a waiver. The cost per wrestler is $5 per

practice or $60 per month. The new sessions are split between kids in elementary school through sixth grade first and those in seventh through 12th grade second. Saturdays start with E-6 kids from 12 to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 3 p.m. for the older kids.

Mondays start with E-6 kids from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m. for the older kids.

Advanced wrestlers can also participate in invite-only Sunday sessions from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Visit facebook.com/topgunwrestling for more information.

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THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

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We asked Facebook: How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with Governor Ron DeSantis’ plan to reopen Florida and the steps taken so far?

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The problem is people who think they are invincible that gather and spread the virus. I’m a senior citizen and I protect myself and wife as much as I can, if you feel afraid stay isolated.”

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“Pretty much... no matter what he says or does.... someone is going to find fault. Even President Trump said, if he had known what he knows now... he would not have closed it down totally. Oh my what perfect vision hindsight is!!! If every human had been washing their hands and using hand sanitizer the way it is made to be used, a lot of this would not have put us where we are now. So maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to point fingers as to who did what and what/how they are doing it.”

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THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

Mavis Cleveland

Guillermina Lugo, 97, of Seffner, born in Las Marias, Puerto Rico on July 28, 1922, entered into eternal rest on May 24, 2020.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Mavis Cleveland, 96, of Plant City, passed away May 21, 2020.

Services were held May 25, 2020 at Haught Funeral Home.

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

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Patricia A. Coram Patricia A. Coram, 88, of Valrico, born in Tampa on Aug. 26, 1931, entered into eternal rest on May 21, 2020.

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Norman ‘Lee’ Boyt Jr. Norman “Lee” Boyt Jr., 60, of Ocala, formerly of Plant City and Oshkosh, Wisconsin, born in Tampa on Dec. 14, 1959, entered into eternal rest on May 23, 2020.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

William D. Capehart

William Charles Holder

community Tawnie B. Binion, 68, of Dover,

entered into rest on Wednesday May 20, 2020. Tawnie was born William D. Capehart, 91, of Plant City, entered into rest on Sept. 28, 1951 in Fairbanks, Alaska.we’re dedicated to helping families create a Friday May 22, W E2020. ’ RE P RO U DHe TO Swas E RV E our community and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896.

Fondunique memories and expresborn Aug. 25,As 1928 in Parkerscelebrates the life it represents. your Dignity Memorial professionals, sions of sympathy may be burg, West Virginia.> 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability Bereavement > The Compassion Helpline® shared at www.WellsMemorial.

William proudly>served in Travel Assistance com for the Binion family. the United States Navy during R WWII. Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

A funeral service will be held Friday, May 29, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Wells Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will follow at WELLSMEMORIAL.COM Florida National Cemetery.

Wells MeMorial & event Center Fond memories and expresPlanT CiTy sions of sympathy may be 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com shared at www.WellsMemorial. we’re dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ R E P R O U D TO S E RV E our community com theandCapehart family.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM unique meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. for

William Charles Holder, 69, of Plant City, passed away on May 22, 2020.

William served in the United States Army. Services will be held privately.

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

is all about.

®

Taking care of each other is what

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Sandra Flake Sandra Flake, 70, of Plant City, passed away on May 22, 2020.

Services were held May 27, 2020 at Haught Funeral Home Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, May 28, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church, 1104 North Alexander Street, Plant City, FL 33563. The mass will be streamed live on the Haught website. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.

community

is all about.

M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

As your Dignity Memorial professionals, ®

10/27/15 10:42 AM

celebrates the life it represents.

> 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline®

Lorene Horn

R Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

Lorene Horn, 93, of Valrico, passed away on May 24, 2020.

Services will be held privately.

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

Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

OBITUARIES

Guillermina Lugo

Taking care of each other is what Tawnie B. Binion

10/27/15 10:42 AM

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

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

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg May 27, 2020 PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

I LOVE PLANT CITY

5/27

FORECAST THURSDAY, MAY 28 High: 90 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 80%

FRIDAY, MAY 29 High: 90 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 80%

platforms?

34 Small pieces of criminal evidence 35 Improved in a barrel 36 Vodka order 37 Word after “loose” or “tight” 38 “... went to town/ Ariding on ___” 39 Period of history 40 Adam’s apple location?

42 Fourth-down play, often 43 Very steep 45 Couple of brawls?

47 Spanish small plates 48 Carole King’s “It’s ___ Late” 49 Farm enclosure

50 Given the cold shoulder 54 Light beer 57 Setting the table, for one 58 Couple of thin coins?

61 Passport endorsements 62 ___ Man (red-and-gold Marvel hero) 63 Singer/activist Simone 64 Refine, as ore 65 Abe Lincoln’s coin 66 Sprout up DOWN 1 Soda, to some 2 SEP and SIMPLE plans 3 Reid of “Sharknado” 4 Lazy worker 5 Dynamite explosion

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

High: 88 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 80%

SUNDAY, MAY 31 High: 90 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 30%

TOMATOES

Shipping point: Central Florida $17.95

6 It’s crude at first 7 Word before “code” or “rug” 8 Obstacle for a new driver?

9 Fighting together 10 Oddballs 11 Counterfeit 12 Not new 13 Was first on a trail 18 They’re usually blue on a clear day 22 Sycophant 25 Woolly animals 26 Cuddly-looking Chinese beast 27 Contract add-on 28 ___ New Guinea 29 Ecstasy’s counterpart 30 Landlords’ fees 31 Hatchling’s call 32 South ___ (2018 Winter Olympics country) 33 Famous performers 38 Garment with strings 41 Makeup-free 43 Lieu 44 On a clothesline, say 46 Black-cake filling?

49 Seed, one day 50 Leveling wedge 51 Sit for a portrait 52 Large-scale film 53 “Double-dog” challenge 55 Middle Eastern ruler 56 Nevada casino city 57 Big pharmacy chain 59 Weasley in “Harry Potter” books 60 Observed

15

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, May 28

6:33a

8:18p

Friday, May 29

6:32a

8:19p

Saturday, May 30

6:32a

8:19p

Sunday, May 31

6:32a

8:20p

Monday, May 32

6:32a

8:20p

Tuesday, May 33

6:31a

8:21p

Wednesday, May 34

6:31a

8:21p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MAY 30

Two Clever by Half by Dean Weiman

ACROSS 1 Olive stones 5 Canoe or kayak 9 Beyond bad 14 Spoken 15 Italian coins before euros 16 Dealership offer 17 Couple of store events?

19 Hit the thumbs-up button 20 Large bags 21 Dressed 23 Frontiersman Carson 24 Ref. with 20 volumes 25 Mall binge 28 Couple of mooring

|

June 20 New

June. 25 First

June 5 Full

June 17 Last

RAINFALL Monday, May 18

0.25

Tuesday, May 19 0.00 Wednesday, May 20

0.00

Thursday, May 21 0.19 Friday, May 22

0.00

Saturday, May 23 0.00 Sunday, May 24

0.08

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2020 09.03 in.

2020 0.52 in.

2019 05.05 in.

2019 0.44 in.

WEATHER

11 Counterfeit 38 Garment ACROSS 48 Carole 12 Not new with strings 1 Olive stones King’s “It’s 13 Was first on 41 Makeup-free 5 Canoe or ___ Late” a trail 43 Lieu kayak 49 Farm 18 They’re 44 On a 9 Beyond bad enclosure Send your photo submissions to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com usually blue clothesline, 14 Spoken 50 Given or hashtag onthe Instagram to feature. on a clear say 15 Italian#iloveplantcity coins cold for @igersplantcity day 46 Black-cake before euros shoulder 22 Sycophant filling?

16 Dealership 54 Light beer 25 Woolly 49 Seed, one offer 57 Setting animals day 17 Couple the table, 26 Cuddly50 Leveling of store for one looking wedge events?

58 Couple of Chinese 51 Sit for a 19 Hit the thin coins? beast portrait thumbs-up 61 Passport 27 Contract 52 Large-scale button endorseadd-on film 20 Large bags ments 28 ___ New 53 “Double-dog” 21 Dressed 62 ___ Man Guinea 23 Frontiersman challenge (red-and29 Ecstasy’s Carson 55 Middle gold Marvel counterpart Eastern ruler 24 Ref. with hero) 30 Landlords’ 56 Nevada 20 volumes 63 Singer/ fees 25 Mall binge casino city activist 31 Hatchling’s 28 Couple of 57 Big Simone call mooring pharmacy 64 Refine, as 32 South ___ platforms? chain ore (2018 Winter 59 Weasley in 34 Small pieces 65 Abe Lincoln’s Olympics “Harry Potter” of criminal coin country) books evidence 66 Sprout up 33 Famous 35 Improved in 60 Observed DOWN performers a barrel 1 Soda, to 36 Vodka order some 37 Word after 2 SEP and PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER Susan Pralle got of a sunset at a small lake in Walden Lake near Timberlane Drive. “loose” or this great photo SIMPLE “A friend of mine told me thatplans her kids call it ‘Turtle Rock Lake’ because there is usually a turtle “tight” that sits on top of a lone rock sticking 38 “... went 3 Reid of out of the water,” she said.

Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instgram, to town/ “Sharknado” ON L I N E @PlantObserver A-riding 4 Lazy worker on Twitter and Plant City Observer on ___” Dynamite on5Facebook.

39 Period of explosion history 6 It’s crude at 40 Adam’s first apple 7 Word before location? “code” or 42 Fourth-down “rug” play, often 8 Obstacle 43 Very steep for a new 45 Couple of driver? brawls?

9 Fighting 47 Spanish together 5/26 © 2020 Andrews McMeel Universal small plates 10 Oddballs www.upuzzles.com

16

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

PlantCityObserver.com