5.31.18 PLCO by Plant City Observer

PLANT CITY

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 5, NO. 48

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Strawberry Crest baseball goes to states. ONLINE

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THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

100 deadliest days For many teens, the freedom of summer months is what they’ve been dreaming of for the entire school year. However, AAA has found that that freedom can often come with a deadly price. SEE PAGE 7.

Plant City fights sexual harassment Business owners flocked to the monthly Chamber of Commerce’s Lunch & Learn series, which featured the topic of “Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: Understand. Prevent. Respond.” BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

With the #MeToo movement reshaping public conversation on sexual harassment many businesses are combing through their policies and familiarizing staff on the plans in place. At the May Lunch & Learn Series hosted by the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, the room was filled to near-capacity with business owners and chamber members who wished to learn how to better understand, prevent and respond to sexual harassment in the workplace. Tina Howard, manager for team relations at the South Florida Baptist Hospital, and Steve Bonnell, human resource manager for James Hardie, delved into the complex issue and offered steps for each business to take to ensure their staff is safe at work. “This is not a new topic, I know most of you have probably heard it many times,” Howard said. “Sexual harassment has never not been a problem. It is at the forefront of conversation lately thanks to social media.” Many companies already have policies in place to prohibit discrimination. One of the major questions any businesses or staff may have is how to report harassment appropriately. It’s crucial to handle the issue with care. Failure to do so can result in not only shattered lives, but also colossal financial repercussions for the company at fault. SEE HARASSMENT PAGE 5

KEEPING AN EYE

YOUR TOWN

ON THE SKY The 2018 hurricane season officially begins tomorrow. Are you prepared? SEE PAGE 3.

File Photo

Gil Gott, executive director of the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center, has announced his intent to retire from his current position.

Gil Gott announces retirement Gil Gott, the executive director of the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center, has announced his intent to retire from his current position to move to a reduced schedule as the director of the History Center. He began work with the Photo Archives at its inception in 2000 and has served the last 18 years as executive director. The move is set to take place on Oct. 1. Gott has published two books and authored more than 100 articles on local history in the greater Plant City area.

Royal Tea Springhead Baptist Church of Plant City kicked off its inaugural tea soiree. The ladies group hosted the first tea party for their church on the day of the royal wedding. Young women were taught dining etiquette and tea manners. Their sponsor was Mary Jane Padgett. Mothers, daughters, grandmothers and friends all joined the event. Sarah Davidson and Louise Studstill provided music and entertainment. Future tea parties are being planned.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

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Springhead Baptist Church of Plant City honored veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice for America’s freedom on a Memorial Weekend event held on Sunday,

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

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May 27. The group also wanted to honor the living veterans and all those in the service were presented with a flag wreath that the ladies group had constructed. One soldier in the congregation, James Money, served in World War II in the Army. He was interviewed and a video detailing his service to the country was aired.

Downtown refresh underway Scheduled maintenance work is set to begin Monday, June 4 in downtown Plant City. This maintenance will help make downtown “sparkle,” according to City Manager Bill McDaniel. The sidewalks will be pressure washed, the asphalt streets and parking spaces will be restriped and greenery will be installed in the planters on Evers Street. Street parking will be temporarily blocked as needed for the work and the entire project should be done within 15 days.

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With Plant City High School’s Unified basketball team set to compete in Seattle in July, Mayor Rick Lott was more than willing to help the team make the trip. Lott visited the school Tuesday morning and presented the team and Special Olympics Florida CEO Sherry Wheelock with a check for $10,000. The donation covers exactly half of the $20,000 fundraising goal the team had set. “We’re one big family,” Lott told the athletes and coaches. The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games begin July 1 and run through July 6.

Memorial Day

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NIGHT AT NORMA’S Friday, June 15th Join Chef Andy Nassar & Staff for a 4-course Dinner at Norma’s! Reservations required. 35 per person due by Wed., June 13th

We asked: What trend or fad would you like to see come back?

“I would like the dresses like they wore in the 30s to come back. I like that time period and I feel it’s really flattering.”

COURSE 1 – STARTER • Grilled Caesar Salad with Crispy Pork Belly and House Made Dressing

“I was thinking rock music, 80s rock, hair metal. Bring back those real instruments.” — Cassidy Fulton, 22

— Bryanna Maxwell, 20

COURSE 2 - APP (PICK ONE) • Korean BBQ Bao Buns with Asian Dressing • Homestyle Curry Chicken Pot Pie COURSE 3 - ENTREE (PICK ONE) • Miso Salmon with Bok Choy Over Noodles and Lemongrass Broth • Oxtail Ossobucco Served Over Grits COURSE 4 - DESSERT • Composed Camp Fire Dessert

“Denim on denim. Not hardcore like Britney and Justin, but the oversized denim jackets with high-waisted denim shorts and a crop top. 90s style in general.”

Reserve your spot for any of these 3 sessions: 35 per person full course & BYOW (Bring-Your-Own-Wine)

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“Basically anything from the 50s. I’m thinking super casual swing dancing. I think it would be great. Now, unfortunately, every time you ask a girl to dance it’s way more than just having fun and dancing.” — Jonathan Wall, 19

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

The 2018 hurricane season officially begins June 1 and it is never too soon to begin preparations for the season’s potential major storms. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Communities across the United States are still recovering from the devastation wrought by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. The 2018 season officially begins June 1 and researchers at Colorado State University and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center estimate it will once again be a near or above normal year. An active season means more storms with heavier impacts. CSU originally predicted 14 named storms, with seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes and will continue to update its forecast throughout the season. When Irma struck Florida, residents faced major power outages, a shortage of gasoline and supplies and, in some cases, damage from the storm. During the 2018 Hurricane Outlook News Conference Rear Admiral (RADM) Michael J. Silah, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Commissioned Officer Corps and NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, said NOAA put more than 500 hours to support better hurricane forecast and emergency response during last season. He led the Aircraft Operations Center from MacDill Air Force Base to its new facility in Lakeland. “Our preparations are well underway to ensure we’re ready for the 2018 hurricane season and yours should be, too,” Silah said. Taking steps to prepare oneself for an active season can help prevent disaster in the case of an unexpected storm. Florida residents can use the sales tax holiday from June 1 through 7 to replenish depleted hurricane supplies. The 2018 holiday is more than twice as long as it was last year. Many essential items will be a part of the exemption including: gas tanks under $25, batteries under $30, flashlights under $20, radios under $50, portable generators under $750 and waterproof sheeting under $50. In the days prior to Irma many local stores were facing a shortage of the in-demand items, causing several families to go without following the storm. Portable phone chargers, batteries, canned goods, batteries, portable lanterns, batteries, coolers and, in case it is understated, batteries are essential for an effective hurricane kit. In 2017 Irma came, caused its damage and abated, leaving the state in recovery mode. In 2004, Floridians weren’t as lucky. Four hurricanes essentially came back-to-back. Hurricane Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne all directly impacted the state in the span of two months.

2017 SEASON BY THE NUMBERS OUTLOOK

2018 SEASON BY THE NUMBERS

14-19

Named Storms

5-9

Hurricanes

2-5

Major Hurricanes

Named Storms

Hurricanes

Major Hurricanes

ACTUAL

10-16 5-9 1-4

Season probability

25%

Named Storms

Hurricanes

Major Hurricanes

35% 40%

KEY Above Average Near Normal Below Normal

Many residents didn’t have time to replenish their hurricane kits before the next one struck. Start prepping early to protect your home and property. Take a video or photos of all of your valuables and have it saved on the cloud or on a drive that you can still access in case your phones or laptops are damaged. This will prove instrumental when you need to make claims for your insurance. Al Van Duyne, spokesman for Plant City Police Department, said it is important for people to take appropriate precautions to safeguard their home and property. “Fortify your home's security with plywood over windows and doors, protect against flooding with sandbags,” Van Duyne said. “Familiarize yourself with the provisions of your insurance with regard to property damage. Use your phone video or a camcorder to document all of the valuables in your home. Narrate it by stating what the items are and zoom in on make, model and serial number.” When a storm is announced, don’t wait until you’re staring down the eye to start boarding up your home. Go to the hardware store early and stock up on supplies. Make minor home repairs now, specifically targeting your gutters, trusses, roof or anything else that is easily damaged by high winds and rain. Any important documents — birth certificate, Medicare cards, passports, car titles, etc — need to have digital copies that you can

reprint if they are destroyed. You can also purchase watertight bags for those invaluable family photos and heirlooms. No two hurricanes are alike. It’s vital to have multiple evacuation plans in place that vary depending on the severity of the storm and the likelihood of home damage. Staying informed is key and updating the plan based on the storm’s forecasted path of travel will help ensure a safe drive. Evacuating in and of itself can be a catch-22. During evacuations, thousands of cars flock toward the major highways, causing interstates to become glorified parking lots. If you don’t live in an evacuation zone, experts recommend you shelter in place to help ease the traffic for those in danger. Van Duyne said those who decide to shelter in place should notify law enforcement and fire rescue personnel and have enough essential supplies to last each person in the household for a minimum five days. This includes everything from baby formula to prescriptions. One of the largest victims of any hurricane inevitably becomes the pets abandoned or not properly cared for through the storm. Following Irma, Animal Care and Control officers in Palm Beach County attempted to file felony prosecutions against those who abandoned their pets to the brunt of the storm.

File Photos

The above photos were taken in the Plant City area shortly after Hurricane Irma cut through town in September 2017.

Even the Florida Department of Health got involved, reminding residents that floodwaters are dangerous to both humans and pets and that they should not be left crated or chained up during the major storm. If you have a pet, keep all of their vaccination records and microchip info in a waterproof bag, have a crate ready to take with you in case of evacuation, set aside at least a week’s worth of food and water and know which hotels welcome pets. Microchips should not be done

at the last minute. They can be purchased for $25 from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and frequent charity events offer the service for an even lower cost. Once a hurricane is approaching the state, stay up to date on its path and official’s recommendations for your area by following local news sites, NOAA, FEMA and local government on social media. NOAA will update the 2018 Atlantic Seasonal Outlook right before the peak of the season in early August.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018 PLANT CITY

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

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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

The sunshade at WPEC will allow students to use the facilities year round.

Students prosper thanks to new sunshade The Lions Club of Plant City partnered with Willis Peters Exceptional Center and other community groups to provide students with a new sunshade for the WPEC playground. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

After nearly two years of fundraising and planning, Willis Peters Exceptional Center finally has a new sunshade for its playground. WPEC provides educational programs and support for students with a wide range of disabilities between the ages of 3 and 22 years old. Many of the students cannot have extended sun exposure due to medical reasons and the shade allows them to have access to the playground and surrounding areas year-round. “It’s up to a 10 to 15-degree difference under the shade cover, it’s amazing,” Rebecca Nance, ESE Specialist at Willis Peters Exceptional Center, said. “We have a lot of medically fragile kids that have cardiac issues or seizure response to overheating or, quite frankly, with the population that we serve often times the intellectual development isn’t there to initiate a response like you or I would have if we stepped on a hot surface or if we went down a hot slide to say, ‘Oh that hurts, I don’t want to do that again.’” Having the shade removes the hazard of having those hot surfaces when working with a population that doesn’t recognize the heat as a danger. WPEC has been partnering with the community for approximately 30 years, when one student began parking cars on his lawn during the Florida Strawberry Festival. His neighbor watched him learn life skills through the interaction and volunteered his lawn as well. Verna McKelvin, past president of the Lions Club and current general manager for Wells Memorial, was an employee at the center at the time. When she stepped into a management role at Wells Memorial she opened up its parking lot to WPEC for the festival. It was through McKelvin’s relationship with WPEC that the Lions Club became connected with the school. She knew the Lions Club had a playground fund started and the group was search-

ing for the best use of the funds. WPEC invited the Lions Club out to the school to see the playground and meet the students. Frank Cummings, current president of the Lions Club of Plant City, asked WPEC what they could do to help. Nance said the group was quickly sold on the plan to construct a shade and for the past two years they have been working together nonstop to raise the funds for the structure. “For our kids we can structure teaching opportunity after teaching opportunity, but the most accepted method for teaching any kid, but especially our students that are more significantly intellectually disabled, is really through play and through fun and through incidental learning,” Nance said. A lot of those learning opportunities arise on the playground, Nance said. When the kids are doing a dance activity or are at the basketball court or are independently exploring the playground, they undergo a “significant increase in growth and independence and understanding of people skills.” Between a $50,000 grant from Lions International Foundation, $52,000 from the Plant City Lions Club, $15,000 from Unity in the Community and $10,000 from local businesses, WPEC raised approximately $127,000 to complete this project, according to McKelvin. The funds went directly toward installing the shade over the playground and the courtyard and Nance said if approved the leftover funds will be used to install a fan. WPEC held a ribbon cutting on May 17 to show off the finished product. There was a cupcake social, a catered luncheon from Johnson’s BBQ and a tour of the covered playground. “We cut the ribbon and because of the construction the kids hadn’t had a chance to climb on the playground yet so they all ran out to play,” Nance said. “Of course as soon as they got out there it started to storm again and we had to get them all back inside. But I don’t think the weather could have dampened our spirits. It was a great day.” A previous version of this article had an incorrect sum of contributions to the project. It was corrected to “a $50,000 grant from Lions International Foundation, $52,000 from the Plant City Lions Club, $15,000 from Unity in the Community and $10,000 from local businesses.”

Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com Editorial Designer / C.J. Major CMajor@yourobserver.com

LaTahyana Hudson | 813-720-4726

MULTI-FAMILY SALE June 1st & 2nd Everything must go!

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TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850

Starting at 8am - Until

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

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

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This week’s Crossword answers

Observer Media Group Inc.

1970 Main St. • Sarasota, Fl 34236 941•366•3468 Publishers of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota Observer, Siesta Key Observer, Palm Coast Observer, Plant City Observer, Ormond Beach Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Windermere Observer, Winter Park Observer Business Observer, Jacksonville Financial News & Daily Record.

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Courtesy of Verna McKelvin

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Observer

2018

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FROM PAGE 1

Michigan State University just reached a $500 million settlement with victims of Lawrence G. Nassar, the MSU physician who sexually abused young women. Penn State paid nearly $60 million to the 26 victims of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. Aaron’s Rents, a leaseto-own retail chain, reportedly paid employee Ashley Alford $6 million after her manager was charged with sexual harassment. “It used to be about women telling their story and it was, ‘Shame on them,’” Howard said. “This is finally the first time that the shame has been put on the perpetrator and this is a real movement in our society. We no longer look at it like it was the woman’s fault for what happened. It was never the woman’s fault, but again the

“It used to be about women telling their story and it was, ‘Shame on them.’ This is finally the first time that the shame has been put on the perpetrator and this is a real movement in our society.” — Tina Howard, South Florida Baptist Hospital team relations manager

way the media portrayed it, it was, ‘Her skirt was too short,’ or ‘She came to the room. What did she think was going to happen?’ All these things came to the forefront and we now look at it in a totally different way.” Businesses cannot turn a blind eye to inappropriate behavior. Howard warned business owners that the perception of appropriate vs. inappropriate can vary from culture to culture and managers and staff need to know their employees beliefs to ensure they don’t step out of line. She explained that inappro-

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tomer is harassing staff. While hopefully a warning would suffice, Bonnell said ultimately you may have to give up the customer to protect your people. Howard said if you are the leader of the business and you do not have an HR department then you have to investigate and decide to either counsel or fire the person. She recommends having extremely strict policies in place that prohibit any and all behavior that could potentially cause employee discomfort. Documentation is key. If you have a complaint, document it. If you talk to an employee about a complaint, document it and have another manager with you. Make sure you follow the proper steps. “It won’t necessarily become a witch hunt, but you have to dot your i’s and cross your t’s,” Howard said. “Do training every year for the entire company to know the procedures and rules in place.”

In accordance with the provisions of State Law there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy and owner and/ or manager’s lien of goods hereinafter described and stored at: Rentlok Self Storage located at 1205 S. Alexander St., Plant City, FL 33563, 813-759-2800. And due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties know to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the above stated locations to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018 @ 9:30 A.M. OR ANY DATE THERE IN AFTER. 272315

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priate behavior doesn’t necessarily mean there was physical harassment. It could be something as simple as a religious man who is made uncomfortable by his coworkers frequent sex jokes in the break room. When they noticed his discomfort they mocked him, so he can go to his supervisor with a complaint. “Silence doesn’t mean acceptance,” Bonnell said. “How do you know the people with you are comfortable with your jokes or behavior? Always know someone may not be as comfortable as they appear.”

Common types of harassment are: unwanted touching, requesting sex for favors or promotions, texting or emailing sex jokes, repeatedly asking for dates, humiliating coworkers, playing explicit music at work, a quid-pro-quo attitude and discrimination against sexual orientation, age or martial status. Howard said the primary reason people don’t report harassment is fear of repercussions for doing so. Employees need to know they will not be punished in any way for speaking out. Audience members shared times that their employer thought the best way to handle their complaint was to switch their shifts or move them to another department. This caused stress on the victim, who now has to work less flattering hours or drive further even though they were not the perpetrator in the event. Part of the conversation also addressed what to do if a cus-

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Harassment

Terrell Alderman–Household

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Back to her roots, Jayme Harris, Plant City native, PCHS graduate c/o 1990 and USAF veteran has officially opened her boutique in Downtown Plant City.

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A PEACE of Plant City offers an array of boutique retail items to include locally made strawberry-themed shirts, hats, jewelry, organic soaps, lip balm, lotions, bath bombs, bath and body scented salts and oils. Spoil yourself or the ones you love with the perfect gift for all occasions. Private event space rental options. Inquire for rates and additional information to secure your booking.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

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Amber Farmer and Kaitlyn Kubecka show off their cheerleading state championship rings.

Strawberry Crest High School graduation S

ADRYANA’S IS NOW SERVING GOURMET PIZZAS

trawberry Crest seniors were the last of the Plant City area to graduate, but finally getting their diplomas was worth the wait. The Chargers' graduation ceremony was held at 8 p.m. May 24 at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall. This year's valedictorians were Kimberly Do (IB) and Kasen Van Fossen, and the salutatorians were Karishma Lukose (IB) and Zane Richardson.

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Above: Ceona James and Samuel Jennings Left: Hanna Garrison and Hudda Malik

— JUSTIN KLINE

YO U A R E I N V I T E D T O K E E L A N D C U R L E Y

SHORT-TERM REHAB PATIENT JACK GILLEN Retired Spokesperson for Local Police Department Adjunct Criminology Professor at Florida Southern College

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

Safe summer drives BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

School’s out for the summer. While for many teens this shepherds in days at the beach and afternoons at the movies, it also officially starts one of the most dangerous times of the year. AAA has coined it “100 deadliest days,” a handful of months where 16 to 17-year-olds are three times more likely than adults to be involved in a deadly crash. After extensive studies, the automotive educational and research group found the period of time from Memorial Day weekend at the end of May through the Labor Day weekend in September is statistically the most dangerous of the year for young drivers. As summer adventures beckon, an average of 260 teens are killed in accidents each month, according to AAA. That's a 26% spike compared to the other months of the year. “During the school year kids are by themselves for the most part to and from school, but during the summer all of the kids like to hang out and go to the mall or the beach and you’ll have three or four kids in a vehicle,” Al Van Duyne, spokesman for Plant City Police Department said. “They’re having fun and goofing around and the driver will turn around

to talk to them or look at something, and next thing they know they’re in what could be a deadly accident.” The risk of a teen driver being killed increases 44% with just one passenger younger than 21 years old, doubles with two passengers under 21 and quadruples with three or more young passengers. Conversely, if a passenger is 35 or more years old, the risk reduces by 62%. AAA found 15% of all summer accidents were caused by having friends in the vehicle. The use of cell phones while driving caused 12% of the accidents. It’s a dangerous time, but the answer is not to simply lock teens up for the summer and prohibit them from making memories they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives. Van Duyne said parents simply have to take a more hands on approach with their children and make sure there is an open line of communication. Van Duyne also warned parents about the increase in drunk driving among teens during summer months. It’s a common problem with frequent summer parties and Van Duyne said parents need to make sure their child feels comfortable calling them if they become inebriated. “Ultimately it’s much more desirable they call their parents and get an earful than us have to call their parents with bad news,” Van Duyne said. See full story at plantcityobserver. com.

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Teens are most at risk for an accident during the “100 deadliest days.”

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SPONSORED BY SPORT CLIPS

JUNE 4-8 6:00-8:30 p.m. Ages 2 Years-6th Grade

In his fourth and final season with the Strawberry Crest Chargers, Damien Torres finally got a district title with his teammates. Torres, a senior, has been an important piece of the Chargers’ puzzle in 2018. In addition to playing third base and pitching, Torres has batted .328 this season with 20 hits, eight RBI, eight runs, five doubles, a triple and a home run. He will play for Florida Southwestern State College in the fall. This has been a great season for you guys. Did you think, at the beginning, that the Chargers would eventually be in this position? Well, we always hope to be in a position like this at the beginning of the season. I’m just happy we’re here.

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You’ve been called on to pitch in some big moments in addition to playing third base. How do you lower your stress level and keep your head in the game under that pressure? I’ve been keeping my anxiety down, just making sure I stay calm in those big situations so we can keep playing. You try not to think about the situation too much. That’s what I usually do. Breathe and keep calm throughout the whole game. Are there any pro players you’ve tried to model your game after? As a pitcher, I always looked up to Jose Fernandez before he passed away. His energy he brought to the field, it was great. I loved it and I always looked up to him.

When did you all first start to think that maybe this season could be special? At the beginning of the season we weren’t playing our best baseball, and after — I believe it was the Plant game — Saladino, we realized we could really do something special. It was such a great game we played against them. Ever since that, we kind of took off.

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Damien Torres

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

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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Tiny Johnson

Shields D. Gay III, 80, of Plant City, born in Tampa on Jan. 3, 1938, entered into eternal rest on May 22, 2018. He graduated from Plant High School in Tampa and the University of Miami, where he played football. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing, and he loved his family more than anything. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sybil Gay; children, Shields D. Gay IV, Jimmy Harwell (Valerie), Billy Harwell (Shelly), Kevin Gay (Sherry), and Patti Harrell (Mike); sister, Sheila Mainwaring (John); 12 grandchildren; and 9 greatgrandchildren. Instead of sending flowers, Shields would have preferred everyone send memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project, support.woundedwarriorproject.org/. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Tiny Johnson, Juan Nolasco, age 40, of Plant 81, of Plant City, City, passed away on May 26, Marvin “Marty” Blanton, 55, of passed away on Lithia, born in Plant City on Oct. 2018. May 20, 2018. The family will receive friends 3, 1962, entered into eternal She was the Friday, June 1, 2018 from 6 p.m. rest on May 18, 2018. daughter of the to 8 p.m. at Haught Funeral Expressions of condolence at late Marshall Home. A funeral Mass will be www.HopewellFuneral.com. and Minnie held on Saturday June 2, 2018 Smith Barlow. at 1:00 PM at St. Clement Survivors include Children; Catholic Church. FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS Larry (Kim) Johnson, Marty Online condolences may www.HopewellFuneraI.com (Yolanda) Johnson, Siblings; be left for the family at www. HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM Betty Thomas, Granddaughter, haught.care. Nicole (Armando) Silva, and Great- grandchildren; Meadow Silva,WReed Sims. we’re dedicated to helping families create a E ’ RE PRO UD TO SERVE our community unique and meaningful memorial that truly withwas personal, compassionate 1896. Tiny preceded in deathcare since Dorothy Smith celebrates the life it represents.HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM As husband your DignityHarold Memorial professionals, by her Johnson and brother >Harold Barlow and Dorothy Smith, age passed 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan91,Transferability Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement sister Christine Elliot. away on May 19, 2018. Online condolences may Visitation was May 30, 2018 be left for the family at www. from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Wells haught.care. A funeral service folProudly supportingMemorial. the Plant City Strawberry Festival. Christine H. lowed at 11 a.m. Simmons

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

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