5.6.21 PLCO by Plant City Observer

Plant City Observer

y Observer

YO UR HOMETOW N. YO UR NEWSPAP ER .

YOUR HOMETOWN. YOUR NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 6, NO. 144

. YO UR NEWS ER . COMMISSIONERS FIGHT TOPAP RETAIN COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR ALONG NORTH PARK ROAD BREANNE WILLIAMS

FREE • THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

A map amendment request led to a lengthy public hearing last week as commissioners discussed whether to allow an increase in a residential land use designation for property along North Park Road. The community got a peek at commissioners’ vision for the future of the North Park Road corridor last week when a map amendment was denied for a section of land at the interchange near I-4. A public hearing was held as the applicant hoped to change the

STAFF WRITER

future land use designation from Commercial and Residential-6 to Residential-20, which would essentially increase the residential entitlements to the 18.2 acres.

This

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 Courtesy of Karen Elizabeth

is the

way BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Force was strong in Plant City as local businesses and Plant City Main Street went all-out celebrating May the 4th, a major Star Wars holiday.

SEE PAGE 11

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 struction began building in the summer of 2020, is expected to be completed in late June or early July 2021. A special dedication service will be held this summer “once all construction is 100 percent complete.” It will mark the end of the first portion of a three-phase plan to improve the church’s facilities over the next few years. After the sanctuary is completed, Hope will then turn its attention to replacing and remodeling the fellowship hall and offices. The third and final phase will be to remodel the classrooms.

NEWS BRIEFS

HCSO announces changes to JAAP program

Courtesy of the City of Plant City

Naming contest for Cart-to-Curb trucks open Do you remember when “Boaty McBoatface” went viral? If that gave you a good laugh and made you want to enter another naming contest someday, you’re in luck: the City of Plant City Solid Waste Department is sponsoring a Name That Truck! contest for its fleet of Cart-to-Curb trucks. “Plant City is getting new garbage trucks in August 2021,” the department said in a press release. “They can pick up your trash cart and dump it all by themselves! These smart, strong trucks need names. What do you want to call them?” In addition to bragging rights, the four lucky winners will receive $50 restaurant gift certificates, a meeting with Mayor Rick Lott and city commissioners and more prizes, and their names will be printed on the trucks. The contest is open to residents of all ages and the deadline for submissions is May 28. Each entrant should send their truck name suggestion, their own name, age, their parent’s name (if entry is for a

child), address, phone number and email address to NameThatTruck@PlantCityGov. com or via USPS to Solid Waste Department Name Contest, 1802 Spooner Drive, Plant City, FL 33563. To learn more about Cart-To-Curb and when it is coming to your neighborhood, visit plantcitygov.com/mycart, call (813) 757-9208 or email solidwaste@plantcitygov.com.

Hope Lutheran Church to raise new steeple Friday Hope Lutheran Church will hit a big milestone in the construction of its new sanctuary this week and the public is invited to see the moment firsthand. The church, located at 2001 N. Park Road, announced Monday its new steeple will be raised onto the sanctuary in a public ceremony scheduled for 8 a.m. Friday. All are invited to attend the dedication event as the church “lifts high the cross,” Senior Pastor Rev. Dean Pfeffer said in a press release. The new sanctuary, which Jenkins Con-

Hillsborough County youths now have greater Juvenile Arrest Avoidance Program (JAAP) access thanks to a series of changes proposed by Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, which all county law enforcement agencies have agreed to adopt. The goal of the JAAP program is to give eligible youths who commit certain crimes a chance “to avoid having an arrest record and… get necessary support services,” though it previously excluded some misdemeanor offenses and not all citations were mandatory. Now, according to HCSO, “enrollment in JAAP will now include all first-time misdemeanor offenses and be mandatory, absent certain extraordinary circumstances.” “The Juvenile Arrest Avoidance Program is designed for first-time misdemeanor juvenile offenders who have not previously been adjudicated delinquents, had an adjudication of delinquency withheld, participated in a pre-arrest or post-arrest juvenile diversion program or otherwise been placed under physical arrest for a criminal offense,” HCSO said in a press release. “When the child is a first-time offender and the offense is a misdemeanor, the law enforcement officer will issue a civil citation. This citation requires the juvenile to complete a structured community diversion program that includes services that

target specific risk factors that will benefit the child and their family. After the juvenile has completed the terms and conditions set forth by the JAAP, their misdemeanor criminal case is closed without any referral for prosecution.” The work to be completed by JAAP participants to ensure success in the program varies based on the individual and may include community service hours, attending classes or counseling, refraining from contact with a victim and more. Those who do not complete their program requirements will have their case referred to the State Attorney’s office for criminal prosecution. “Juvenile justice requires us to balance the needs of a child and our unyielding commitment to public safety,” Chronister said in a press release. “Our kids, our deputies, our police officers, and our community have made this program a success, so we are able to take these next steps. A civil citation instead of an arrest represents a chance. It is our community saying to a child, ‘Stop going down the bad-decisionmaking path, because we believe in you. We want you to make better choices. We will help you and hold you accountable.’”

FDOT Tampa Bay to add bulb-outs on Reynolds Street Florida Department of Transportation Tampa Bay is planning to make a series of improvements to the curbs along a section of Reynolds Street. The area between Evers and Palmer streets will receive curb extensions (bulbouts) in a project slated to start this month and wrap up sometime this summer. FDOT listed the construction cost at $86,342.04. The bulb-outs will be built to enable future landscaping projects in five locations along that stretch of road.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

THE CANOPY AT WALDEN WOODS SET TO OPEN

Apartments in The Canopy at Walden Woods are filling up as the public flocks to the assisted living facility and memory care community.

Photos courtesy of The Canopy at Walden Woods

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Canopy at Walden Woods will soon be open and rooms are already filling up as Plant City embraces its first assisted living community that comes with a memory care facility. There are 64 apartments available in the community, of which 44 are in the assisted living floors and 20 are on the memory care floor. “I think one of the things that really sets us apart is our memory care facility,” Amanda Norman, director of sales, said. “The floor is secured so our residents that have dementia or Alzheimer’s can’t come and go as they please. It helps protect those residents who have the tendency to wander and get confused. From the moment they wake up to the moment they go to bed, we encourage them to come out of their apartments and engage with their community while our staff is there assisting and monitoring them.” The assisted living floors do not require a fob to access as the residents have the cognitive function to know to simply press a button to request assistance from a staff member. Those in assisted living also get the benefit of the social aspect of a living facility while still enjoying their own space and independence. Care for both assisted living and memory care can be customized to build on the individual resident’s strengths and promote autonomy. For many, choosing to transition into an assisted living facility is simply a second chance at a social life. They don’t have to stress about maintaining a home, cooking and cleaning and instead can use their free time diving into hobbies they enjoy and building friendships with other residents. “They’re not alone and watching TV all day, which can actually worsen onset dementia and lead to depression,” Norman said. “We will have a very robust calendar of events and activities available for our residents to take part in while having qualified staff available at all times to make sure our residents receive the highest quality of care.” Some of the activities include music therapy, crafts, fitness classes, yard games, group outings, workshops, live entertainment and health seminars. Norman said The Canopy offers a perfect solution for vastly different needs and added that another unique aspect of the facility is that it allows residents to age in place. She said approximately 25 percent of assisted

living residents end up in memory care, and if they are at The Canopy the family won’t have to worry about relocating their loved ones as they develop dementia or Alzheimer’s. They can stay in their familiar space and still receive the care they need. The facility is smaller than many others and Norman said that adds to its charm as the staff are not providing for hundreds of patients at once. The Canopy also provides Adult Daycare services for families that wish to send their loved ones to a secure facility during the day where they can receive the services they need while their caretaker uses that time to do other things. There are also options available for respite stays, or short-term stays, so if a caretaker needs to leave town they can have their loved one stay for a short period of time without committing to moving them in long-term to a facility. As of press time, there are currently only three apartments left in the memory care facility and several openings in assisted living. The COVID-19 pandemic led to many families struggling to decide whether they should place their loved ones in a home as it meant they wouldn’t see them the entire time they were in assisted care. Now that the country is coming out the other side, Norman said families are able to come and visit their residents as much as they’d like as long as they wear a face mask. Residents can also leave for visits with their family without an issue. In honor of its upcoming Grand Opening, The Canopy is offering several incentives for people who place a deposit before the facility officially opens. They are giving $1,500 toward buying new furniture for the resident’s apartment if the deposit is put down before it opens. Norman said the deposit is refundable if plans change, but this acts as an insurance policy for the family to make sure they have the space and floor plan they want for their loved one. Staff are also available to chat with families and help them understand the VA benefits available, which are applicable both for veterans and the surviving spouse of a veteran. They also will walk families through the process of deciphering long-term care insurance policies. The new facility is set to open toward the end of June and is located behind Publix at 2051 Walden Woods Drive. The building is open for tours and appointments can be scheduled by calling 813-540-9683.

For more information, visit thecanopyatwaldenwoods.com or head to Facebook and check out its page @TheCanopyatWaldenWoods.

COPS CORNER

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

PLANT CITY

Observer

This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigated road rage, several fights, stolen

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

clothing, stolen bikes and more.

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com iStock

APRIL 23 IOU 4300 block of West Highway 574 Fraud: This complainant stated he purchased a set of tires and wheels valued together at $1,359.06 for a customer, but the customer did not pay him back for the items.

APRIL 24 ROAD RAGE 2210 block of James L. Redman Parkway Aggravated assault, multiple charges: An officer made contact with several complainants who stated a subject attempted to run them off the road, crashed into their car and pointed a gun at them.

APRIL 25 TUESDAY NIGHT FIGHTS 900 block of Loganderry Lane Battery: Officers responded to an apartment complex in reference to a report of a physical altercation between two male subjects. They learned the two men knew each other and the affray was mutual. Both men declined police assistance, chose not to press charges and signed waivers of prosecution.

710 block of West Madison Street Battery: Officers made contact with a complainant who stated she was struck and bitten by another woman who was known to her. She said her phone was taken during the incident. Officers made contact with the female subject, who returned the phone to the complainant. The complainant signed a waiver of prosecution.

APRIL 28 PICKING THE MONEY TREE

FIGHT SCENE

2000 block of Spooner Drive Fraud: This complainant told officers an unknown subject accessed his bank account several times and stole a total of $4,107.53 between making three separate transactions and withdrawing money.

220 block of West Alexander Street Fight in progress: Officers responded to several reports of an incident near Plant City High School that turned out to be a fight in progress involving several PCHS students at the movie theater parking lot.

APRIL 26

DRYER DEVIANT

CUT IT OUT

3500 block of West Baker Street Theft: This complainant stated he left a laundromat with his clothes in a dryer, then returned later to find that someone stole them all.

James L. Redman Parkway/West Alexander Street Criminal mischief: This complainant stated a male subject exited a vehicle behind him, approached his truck and hit its door. The complainant stated the male subject was angry with him for having cut him off in traffic. BAD DREAM 3600 block of West Baker Street Warrant: While responding to a report of a suspicious person, a male subject was found sleeping in his vehicle. He was confirmed to have an outstanding warrant out of Hillsborough County for failing to appear for a court case involving a charge of resisting an officer. He was arrested and taken to Orient Road Jail without incident.

APRIL 27 LOST AND FOUND 610 block of North Maryland Avenue Theft: Officers met with two complainants who stated they rode their bicycles to Felton’s, where they work, and that the bicycles were stolen sometime during their shift. Officers checked the area and found both the bicycles and the thieves on Palm Drive. The bicycles were returned and the complainants signed waivers of prosecution.

APRIL 29 GOTCHA 3500 block of West Baker Street Theft: Officers met with a complainant about the theft of his cell phone. The complainant reviewed security camera footage and realized he knew the male subject who took it. He made contact with the subject and decided to sign a waiver of prosecution.

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

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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, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

TENSIONS BOILING OVER 4500 block of Country Hills Boulevard Battery: Two men were driving when they saw a known male subject, then stopped the car to confront him about a past situation. The subject hit one of the two men and the other jumped in for a mutual affray. All parties signed a waiver of prosecution and no injuries were observed.

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THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

NORTH PARK ROAD MAP AMENDMENT DENIED City commissioners solidified their stances on making North Park Road a commercial corridor.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The land in question is located south of East Sam Allen Road and west of North Park Road. It lies near the future site of South Florida Baptist Hospital and the applicant’s representative told commissioners that with the massive workforce expected to soon start commuting toward the hospital, as well as the string of developments planned and anticipated along the road, they wanted to increase the number of homes they could put on the property. The applicant currently has an approved planned development district for 180 dwelling units with access to both Maryland Avenue and North Park Road. It could also be currently considered for “up to 169,230 square feet of commercial/office uses.” If it was approved, the R-20 designation would have up to 364 dwelling units, thus increasing the options for more variety of housing types like townhomes and multi-family. The change hypothetically allowed for “the consideration of up to 19,819 square feet of commercial/office uses or 364 dwelling units (or some combination thereof).” The proposed change didn’t sit easy with commissioners. And the issue was not with the request for more residential, but rather on the fact that more residential would mean the site would turn away from or reduce its commercial opportunities. “This city has made major investments

into the improvements on Sam Allen Road, the improvements on Park Road, we’ve had FDOT support this, we have interstate intersections, we have other businesses, we have the largest employer in our city, the hospital, that is making an almost $250 million investment and that employee growth is going to be higher,” Lott said. “But we worked to have this entire district here to be a commercial district. And we have it, that’s where it was. This was approved, I think in 2006, 2007, somewhere around that time. And I might be off a year or two, and I think more than ever I believe the decision we made back then with the land use that we have mirrors what the goal and the vision is that this city and this commission has had for Park Road.” City Manager Bill McDaniel added that he sees this as a commercial area and the current land use is “more conducive to what is going to be going on in this area.” Referring to the area as a “commercial corridor,” he said he believes its current land use designation will be the best one for the spot. Commissioner Bill Dodson agreed and said that the large increase in residential units that could come with a change in the land use did not represent what the com-

missioners and the City of Plant City had long planned to have in the area. He said he didn’t “see it as compatible.” It was Vice Mayor Nate Kilton who took a moment to reflect on the fact that the request in and of itself did technically align with part of the vision for the city. It is common for R-20 land uses to be placed in areas with very good transportation access like those with collectors or arterials, aka near major thoroughfares like I-4. Kilton said he could appreciate “both sides of the argument” and added that he could support the proposal for a few reasons, including the fact that he believes this was an appropriate corridor for multi-family units, especially with the hospital coming across the

street. He added he was conflicted about it, but could see where the need could be there for a change of this sort. The others at the dais did not appear to agree. “I believe we are already sitting with the best use here and I would hate for us to all of the sudden put right in the middle of what our vision was, and then all of the sudden just turn it R-20,” Lott said. “That doesn’t make any sense to me at all. I just don’t support this. I support the fact that we have the proper land use on it today.” After a lengthy public hearing, commissioners denied the land use change 4-1.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

LOCAL TEEN SELECTED TO COMPETE IN MISS FLORIDA TEEN USA BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Kennedie Clinton will represent the community this summer at the Miss Florida Teen USA pageant.

A local student has been selected to represent Plant City at the Miss Florida Teen USA competition in July. Kennedie Clinton is a freshman at Durant High School and is relatively new to the pageant scene. Her first pageant was this spring in the Plant City Strawberry Festival Junior Royalty Pageant, where she placed first runner-up. The experience sparked a passion in Clinton and she decided to apply for the Miss Florida Teen USA, which is part of the Miss Universe Organization. She said it was a “shot in the dark” and was shocked when she found out she was selected to represent the community in the upcoming competition. “I was just so surprised,” Clinton said. “I’ve been told that there are a lot of girls applying and so to be selected, well, that’s just a big honor. And it really means so much to me that I get to represent Plant City. I know there are a lot of people moving to Plant City and this is the life everyone is wanting. This is the perfect community to live in and grow up in, and I’d like to be able to represent my community and show what we have to offer in this pageant. I really love that small-town feel that we have here. Everyone knows everyone and you always have someone close by that you love that you can call up and meet up with.” Her selection was based on her academic success as well as her professional interests, involvement in the community, “passion for the pursuit of excellence and her interest in empowering other young women to follow in her footsteps.” Clinton is heavily involved in her school’s Varsity Color Guard team and is no stranger to the stage. She has several years of musical theater, voice and dance training from the Patel Conservatory, which is a division of Tampa’s Straz Center, and quickly fell in love with performing. Clinton said she never really thought about getting involved in pageants until she became immersed in the Plant City community and her friends told her about the scholarship opportunities available through the variety of competitions. Her schooling has long been a main focus of hers and she said she hopes to one day work for the FBI or perhaps join a branch of the military. “I want to go to college and double major in art and animation and homeland security or law,” Clinton said. “I want to break that norm where people think that pageant girls are just interCourtesy of Kennedie Clinton

ested in certain types of careers and degrees. We are all so different and I hope that I can help kind of shine a spotlight on the fact that a lot of us want to go into criminal justice or law or the military. I’m very big on women in the workforce and I hope that I will be able to be an influence to others one day by showing that women can do whatever they put their minds to.” She admitted her passions are diverse — she’s as quick to launch into an analysis of the animation industry as she is to delve into detailed accounts of the technology used to make breathable air on Mars — but said she believes that helps her relate to a variety of people. Her interests have been noticed by her educators and Clinton was nominated to attend The National Youth Leadership Forum: National Security, Diplomacy, Intelligence & Defense this summer in Washington, D.C. Clinton will celebrate her 15th birthday while at the pageant in July and she said she couldn’t think of a better way to ring in the big year. She called the experience “a thrill” and said she feels like her experience with Junior Royalty really helped her grow as a person and honed her public speaking skills. She’s planning to focus on bringing more body positivity for all through her platform at the pageant, saying she knows it’s an issue everyone struggles with. Now that she’s been selected, the work is just beginning. Clinton needs sponsorships and donations to help cover all the costs associated with participating. There are several levels of sponsorships available as well as donation opportunities that don’t align with a set sponsorship price. You can choose to sponsor Clinton at missfloridausa.com/sponsor and can select amounts of $50, $100, $395, $500, $1,500 or $1,895 on the website. Sponsors are listed on the Delegate Page in the program book and are tax deductible. You can also donate via a GoFundMe Page. For more information, contact Clinton’s mother, Michelle Engle, at kennedieclinton@gmail.com. “I’m really excited about this opportunity,” Clinton said. “Plant City means a lot to me and I want to be able to help put this community in the spotlight during this pageant. I remember I almost started crying when I received the email that was basically an invitation to compete in the pageant. This is something I don’t take for granted and I’m looking forward to being able to be a part of this experience.”

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

RVR HORSE RESCUE INVITES PLANT CITY OUT FOR GRAND OPENING FESTIVITIES The rescue will open its facility on West State Road 60 to the public on May 15 for its Forever Home fundraising event.

File photos

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

All RVR Horse Rescue has wanted to do since it moved to Plant City in January 2020 was become a “good neighbor” in its new home. But after a year full of unexpected twists and turns brought on by the pandemic, the rescue is just now getting the chance to properly introduce itself. There’s no better way to make good with the neighborhood than by throwing a big party, so that’s exactly what’s on deck for next week. RVR will host the first-ever Plant City edition of its annual Forever Home event, which is typically its biggest fundraiser for any given year, all day on May 15 and everyone is welcome to join them for a day of free, family-friendly fun, food and music. The event will come two days after the rescue hosts its formal ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.

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“The first thing we did was go down to a skeleton crew,” Ford said. “We had as few people on the property at one time as possible. Being outdoors made it easy to social distance. Everyone had a mask in case they had to work inside together. We were very careful about following advised protocols to the best of our ability. The new property made it much easier to function with a much smaller group of volunteers. It was a little tough, but our fantastic volunteers made it through.” Fortunately, however, the move from Riverview to Plant City did help RVR adapt to these new challenges and set the rescue up for good things to come in the future. “It’s working out very well,” Ford said. “It’s decreased our need for manpower tremendously, which helps when it gets real hot in the summer. We have a lot more grazing space and more pasture available to us once we get it fenced. A goal of ours is to get the rest of the property fenced so we can use the remaining 10 acres. The barn is perfect for events. It’s just a magnificent facility and we’re really pleased with it.”

CARPETS

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“This is kind of an unusual circumstance because we’re not usually open to the public,” Kelly Ford, Vice President, said. “There are not enough people to give tours constantly. This is a once-a-year opportunity for the public to see the rescue and see us in action, so to speak.” The public will be able to meet some of RVR’s horses and go for rides, meet the volunteers and get a good look at a facility that rescues horses from all over Florida. You can also listen to Classix play music from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., buy goods from a bake sale catered by 3C’s Catering, enter a 50-50 and win other raffle prizes. There will be plenty of fun games on hand for the kids to play (and there are hobby horses for the little ones to ride, too). The COVID-19 pandemic threw a big, hanging curveball at RVR barely two months after it officially started operating in its Plant City facility. The rescue had to postpone its planned Forever Home event and ribbon-cutting, switch its fundraising efforts to virtual platforms and revamp the way it worked on the property.

813-986-1266

The rescue caught some more good luck at the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021. In December 2020, the rescue received a $20,000 donation from the Karmagawa Foundation. In January, the rescue received a grant from the ASPCA to fund equipment purchases and training for its Large Animal Rescue (LAR) team, which is a group of volunteers that assists local law enforcement when large animals are endangered by way of accidents or natural disasters. This will be the first time the general public can come tour the facility, and Ford said she and the rest of the RVR staff couldn’t be more excited. Forever Home begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. The facility is located at 1710 W. State Road 60. There are no cover or parking fees. Cash and credit cards will be accepted for food and shopping. Visit facebook.com/events/1887253844758776/ or rvrhorserescue.org, or email contact@ rvrhorserescue.org, for more information.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

Graduates, we celebrate this incredible milestone that you have achieved. Hats off to your never-ending strength and resilience during these challenging times. As you step into your new role as an HCC graduate, we look forward to watching you go out and make a difference in our community.

K E E P S O A R I N G . H AW K S T R O N G . # H C C G R A D Online, on-demand and in-person classes. Register now for summer and fall classes at hccfl.edu/registernow.

HCC subscribes to equity, access, diversity and inclusion.

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

This is the way For three days, Plant City was home to Star Wars enthusiasts as local businesses and Plant City Main Street threw a massive party in honor of May the 4th.

Photos courtesy of Jerilyn Rumbarger/Plant City Main Street

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Empire paid a visit to Plant City Friday afternoon in search of rogue Rebels during the Last Friday in Downtown event, which kicked off a three-day Star Wars celebration. Darth Vader, Clone Troopers, Storm Troopers, Imperial Gunners, Tie Pilots, Inquisitors, Rey, Luke, Leia, Yoda and more were spotted marching along the sidewalks of downtown, popping into stores and posing with the community. Some of those in costume were just locals who were excited to celebrate, while others were members of the 501st Legion, “an international fan-based organization dedicated to the construction and wearing of screen-accurate replicas of Imperial Stormtrooper armor, Sith Lords, Clone Troopers, bounty hunters, and other villains from the Star Wars universe.” Businesses created unique Star Warsthemed drinks, snacks, soaps, candy

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and other goodies in honor of the event. Star Wars merchandise was on display throughout the downtown core and many of those businesses continued the celebration Saturday and Tuesday, wrapping the massive event up on May the 4th, aka Star Wars Day. Friday’s event was highly attended and local shops saw no shortage of Star Wars fans throughout the rest of the event.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

LITTLE MISS PLANT CITY 2021

The new Queen and her court were chosen Saturday night at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds. For the first time since 2019, there’s a new Little Miss Plant City Queen and Court in town. Of the 29 contestants who participated in this year’s pageant, which is hosted annually by the GFWC Plant City Junior Woman’s Club, it was Kennedy Duncan who most impressed the panel of judges and took home top honors. Joining her on the court were First Maid Callie Lagunes and fellow members Analyse Garcia, Giselle McDowell and Aubrey Duncan. WINNERS: Queen: Kennedy Duncan, Contestant 22 First Maid: Callie Lagunes, Contestant 30 Court: Analyse Garcia, Contestant 3 Court: Giselle McDowell, Contestant 6 Court: Aubrey Duncan, Contestant 23 ROUNDING OUT THE TOP 10: Rylee Nichole Smith, Contestant 17 Jacqueline Pineda, Contestant 25 Rylie Morris, Contestant 16 Brylee Martinez, Contestant 9 Teagan Brake, Contestant 10

OTHER AWARDS: Miss Congeniality: Analyse Garcia, Contestant 3 Most ad sales: Autumn Brazil, Contestant 26 CONTESTANTS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

Sutton Duncan Molly Terrell Analyse Garcia Presley Ham Astin Hallman Giselle McDowell Makenzie Falter Lily Miller Brylee Martinez Teagan Brake Shelby Southerland Gianna Gonzalez Addisyn Wise no contestant Ella Solomon Rylie Morris Rylee Nichole Smith Paisley Grace Beers Jeweliann Clark Annslea Woody Julia McConnell Kennedy Duncan Aubrey Duncan Brylynn Newsome Jacqueline Pineda Autumn Brazil Malin Davis Kaylei Hardin Olivia Jones Callie Lagunes

Photos by Justin Kline

The 2019 Queen and Court were present to help the new 2021 Queen and Court live in their big moment after the pageant ended.

Contestant names courtesy of GFWC Plant City Junior Woman’s Club Analyse Garcia was named Miss Congeniality and made it onto the court.

Autumn Brazil was honored with an award for getting the most ad sales.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

PlantCityObserver.com

CUTEST CRITTER

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

CHLOE: This adorable 4-year-old long-haired Maine Coon cat, Chloe, is doing what she does best: relaxing in her tower like the queen she is. Mom, Carol, and dad, Darryl, said she’s 16 pounds with a beautiful 16-inch tail.

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

ASPIRE TURNS THREE WITH KENTUCKY DERBY SOIREE Aspire Plant City celebrated its third anniversary in style Saturday by throwing a massive Kentucky Derby Party at the Tipsy Bookworm. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Tipsy Bookworm nearly overflowed Saturday evening as members of Aspire Plant City flocked in their finest apparel to a Kentucky Derby Party. The event was emceed by Mayor Rick Lott and his wife Di Lott. Aspire threw the unique event in honor of its third anniversary and raised money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Plant City. Throughout the event were contests for Best Hat and Most Dapper, a raffle, games and prizes, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and plenty of networking and celebration. Michelle Valdes won Most Dapper and Angel Paat won Best Hat, which he made by hand along with his wife’s hat. Aspire Plant City is a non-profit organization that aims to “create a space for women to come together and strengthen one another.” FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit aspireplantcity.org or check out the group’s Facebook or Instagram pages.

Photos courtesy of Sophia Hyde/Aspire Plant City

MAY 6, 2021

SPORTS Quick Hits TRACK AND FIELD STATE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS Several athletes from Plant City High School will represent their school and their hometown at this weekend’s FHSAA Class 4A State Championships. The meet, which will be hosted in Jacksonville at the University of North Florida, runs from Friday through Saturday and will be live-streamed on both NFHSnetwork.com and MileSplit.com. The following athletes made the cut and will go for gold: Kaylee Hahn: Girls Javelin Throw Montrael Bennett: Boys 100-Meter Dash Aramoni Rhone: Boys Long Jump, Triple Jump Jackson Knotts: Boys Javelin Throw If you wish to attend the meet in person, visit fhsaa.com/index.aspx?path=track for more information.

DURANT, CREST TAKE DISTRICT SOFTBALL, BASEBALL TITLES

The Cougars and Chargers earned hosting privileges for this week’s regional tournament openers with a pair of wins last week.

PLANT CITY MEN PLACE WELL IN CLEARWATER KARATE TOURNAMENT Some of the baddest men around at the Clearwater Open Karate Championships hailed from Plant City and proved their worth on the mat. “Rhino” Mike Thomas and Keyshawn “Spider” MacArthur, both of the Rudy Rogers Nisei Karate Federation (Goju Gung-Fu) Open-Air Dojo, competed in the tournament during the week of April 24 and took home first and second-place honors in their respective divisions. Both competed in the continuous sparring event and MacArthur placed second overall in the brown belt division. Thomas, who was recently inducted into the Bing Rooming House Museum’s Sports Hall of Fame, won the black belt division in his weight class and then became the tournament’s overall Grand Champion after defeating the other top black belts in further sparring matches. The tournament is hosted annually by Shihan School of Survival. File photos

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

DURANT’S WHARTON SIGNS WITH AIR FORCE ACADEMY Durant forward Jaylen Wharton became the second Cougar to sign with an NCAA Division 1 basketball program on April 30, sticking with his commitment to the United States Air Force Academy. Wharton, who signed in front of many friends and family members at Sanctuary of Hope Worship Ministries in Bealsville, spent three years on the varsity team and earned second-team all-Western Conference honors for his play this season. He has a 3.7 GPA, recently received a scholarship from the Improvement League of Plant City and has earned a full ride from Air Force. Wharton joins teammate Matthew Lentz, who was named Western Conference Player of the Year for the 2020-21 season and signed with Jacksonville University (who also came through with a full ride offer). The two Cougars are the first Durant boys basketball teammates to sign with Division 1 programs in the same year.

When all of the dust settled in the infield on April 29, Durant and Strawberry Crest each had something to celebrate. The Cougars won the 6A-District 5 softball championship in a wild game against the Chargers that ended with a 13-9 final score. Durant was in firm control of the game through three innings, taking an 11-0 lead on Crest thanks in no small part to Emily Smith’s grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the second inning. Durant scored its other two runs in the bottom of the fourth to secure all the offense it needed for the rest of the night, but the Chargers didn’t let the home team get the win so easily. The fourth inning was a major turning point for the Chargers’ offense. Though Crest only managed to get one hit off of Durant starter McKenna Thompson (who also struck out 10 batters in five innings of work), the team took a much more

patient approach in the batter’s box to great effect. Crest drew six walks against Thompson and scored four runs before she was relieved by Allie Hughes. The Chargers picked up eight of their nine hits and five more runs against Hughes while reliever Alyssa Grimes helped keep the Cougars from putting any more runs on the board in the fifth and sixth innings. But the Chargers couldn’t overcome Durant’s early offensive outburst and clutch defensive work, and the home team couldn’t have been more overjoyed to hoist the district championship trophy up high after such a hard-fought, wellearned win. It wasn’t the outcome Crest softball fans were hoping for, but they still had something to celebrate. The Chargers did win the 6A-District 8 baseball championship at home while the softball game marched on at Durant. A strong two-way effort from Colby Fanning on the mound and at the plate

led Crest to the 6-0 win over Plant City. Fanning pitched a complete game with six strikeouts, two hits and no walks, and he also led all batters with three hits, two RBI and two runs scored. Best of all for those in Charger country, the win gave Crest its third consecutive district championship trophy to take back to Dover. On April 30, Durant’s baseball team met top-seeded Riverview Sarasota for the 7A-District 8 championship two days after dispatching Lakewood Ranch 11-0 in the semifinal. Though the Cougars went in hot, the Rams were able to cool those hot bats off and pick up a 10-0 win. Softball regionals will see Durant host George Jenkins at 7 p.m. tonight while Crest plays at Bartow at 7:30 p.m. In baseball regionals on Friday, Crest will host Bartow at 7 p.m. while Durant plays at Wharton at 7 p.m. and Plant City visits Winter Haven for a 7:30 p.m. game.

PREPS SCOREBOARD BASEBALL APR. 27 (2) Plant City 5, (3) Leto 0 (1) Strawberry Crest 11, (4) Armwood 1

APR. 30

APR. 29

(1) Riverview Sarasota 10, (2) Durant 0

(1) Durant 13, (2) Strawberry Crest 9

SOFTBALL

UPCOMING GAMES

MAY 6

BASEBALL

George Jenkins at Durant, 7 p.m. Strawberry Crest at Bartow, 7:30 p.m.

APR. 28

APR. 27

(2) Durant 11, (3) Lakewood Ranch 0

(1) Durant 15, (5) Plant City 0 (2) Strawberry Crest 15, (3) Lakeland 0

APR. 29 (1) Strawberry Crest 6, (2) Plant City 0

MAY 7 Durant at Wharton, 7 p.m. Plant City at Winter Haven, 7:30 p.m.

Bartow at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

SOFTBALL

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

2021 TRI-STAR SOCCER SKILLS CONTEST RESULTS

Quick Hits

The latest edition of the Optimist Club of Plant City’s annual competition was held Saturday morning.

Courtesy of Plant City Parks and Recreation

PC DOLPHINS MAKE FSYFL SEMIFINAL The Plant City Dolphins’ U14 D2 team recently finished in third place in the statewide Florida Youth Spring Football League standings. The U14 Dolphins D2 team went 3-1 in the regular season and made a solid run through the postseason with a 15-6 win over North Tampa Pride D2 in the opening round and a 20-0 win over East Lake Eagles D2 in the quarterfinal round. They finally met their match in the Volusia Raiders D2 team in the May 1 semifinal and lost, 21-6. The Dolphins are now ranked third overall statewide in FSYFL U14 play.

PLANT CITY COLTS FOOTBALL, CHEER REGISTRATION OPEN Area youths looking to enjoy the thrill of football season on the field or cheering on the sidelines can now make that happen with the Plant City Colts. Registration for any of the football teams is $200 per player ($100 of which is due at the time of registration) and $130 for cheerleading. Practices will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the fields next to the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, 1903 E. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. The Colts are also looking for coaches for football and cheerleading. Anyone interested in signing their children up or coaching one of the teams can call 813-707-7144.

The Optimist Club of Plant City and Plant City Parks and Recreation Department kicked off May with their annual Tri-Star Soccer Skills Contest, which puts Plant City youth age 6-14 to the test on the pitch. The competition has three parts: a timed dribbling exercise around a set of flags, a passing exercise with targets to hit and a shooting drill where specific zones are targeted. The top three participants in each of the four age groups won a trophy for their efforts.

WINNERS AGE 6-7 GIRLS 1st: Zoey Vazquez, 157.5 points 2nd: Javetzi Sanchez, 77.5 points 3rd: Sailor Showalter, 72.5 points AGE 6-7 BOYS 1st: Duncan Moody, 137.5 points 2nd: Angel Espinosa, 127.5 points 3rd: Liam Wilkerson, 72 points AGE 8-9 GIRLS 1st: Abela Cisneros, 187.5 points 2nd: Rosalyn Salgado, 177.5 points 3rd: Autumn Skipper, 77.5 points

Culver’s of Plant City 2103 N Park Rd Plant City, FL 33563

AGE 8-9 BOYS 1st: Nathan Gonzalez, 222.5 points 2nd: Casey Giddeons, 197.5 points 3rd: Ethan Rios, 177.5 points AGE 10-11 GIRLS 1st: Natalie Medina, 222 points 2nd: Madeline Lopez, 182.5 points 3rd: Saherlyn Martinez, 175 points AGE 10-11 BOYS 1st: Cirkson Martinez, 207.5 points 2nd: Aizen Banda, 192.5 points 3rd: Alan Crispin, 180 points AGE 12-14 GIRLS 1st: Serena Peterkin, 227.5 points 2nd: Evelyn Calderon, 155 points 3rd: Thalia Gonzalez, 112.5 points AGE 12-14 BOYS 1st: Cesar Jaramillo, 257.5 points 2nd: Luis Nava, 222.5 points 3rd: David Ling, 217 points Results and names courtesy of the Plant City Parks and Recreation Department.

Order at:

CULVERS.COM

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

PlantCityObserver.com

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

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We asked Plant City:

Plant City Main Street’s monthly Last Friday in Downtown themes have been popular with the community. After last week’s Star Wars-themed event was a big hit, what new theme would you like to see at the end of this month? “70’s music and dancing and barbecue with ice cream.” — Fritzie Manalo “The 50’s with 50’s attire and music” — Cindy Snyder Bonnett “My daughter said K-pop” — Samantha Cortez “Marvel” — Bentley Rae Roberts “Railroad Days” — Randy Gyulay “Jurassic Park” — Edwin Alexander Mejia

Courtesy of Jerilyn Rumbarger/Plant City Main Street

Countless Kids Benefit from Your Support

South Florida Baptist Hospital’s Community Health Department provides health services to thousands of your friends, neighbors and coworkers. This invaluable community resource wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Children’s Classic and these important donors.

Thank you for your invaluable support of the 2021 Children’s Classic Golf Tournament Gold Sponsor

Dean and Nancy Nourie Trust Stingray Chevrolet

Silver Sponsors

BayCare Health System Johnson Controls Johnson’s Barbeque Wish Farms

Bronze Sponsors

All Florida Mechanical Services, LLC Americare Ambulance Service Florida Urology Partners HKS, Inc. Jarrett Scott Ford Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company McEnany Roofing MDVIP – Steve Smith, MD Morrow Steel 21-1477412-0521

Publix Super Markets Stahl & Associates Insurance, Inc.

Foursome Sponsors

Bartow Regional Medical Center Consolidated Electrical Distributors Dixie Maintenance Energy Vision Hillsborough Community College Plant City Johnson Controls National Firestopping Solutions Pilot Bank Railroad & Industrial Federal Credit Union Rauland-Borg of Florida Remediation Specialists ServPro of N.E. Hillsborough County – Plant City Suncoast Community Health Centers, Inc.

Sunny Florida Dairy The Bank of Tampa Tola Produce Tru-D Smart UVC

Hole Sign Sponsors

Engineering Professionals, Inc. Felton’s Meat & Produce Fryed Egg Productions International Fire Protection, Inc. J.J. Taylor Distributing Kimball Midwest Morrow Steel Pediatric Care – Dr. John Aime Pepin Distributing

Plant City Black Heritage Plant City Photo Archives Prosser Verner Foundation, Inc. Spirit Soul & Body Home Care Walden Lake Car Wash & Service Center

Door Prizes/Donations

The Bank of Tampa BayCare Health System – Marketing The Canopy at Walden Woods Linda Farnsworth The CORE Group Fausto Gomez Cigars Golf Etc.

Hillsborough Title, Inc. International Fire Protection, Inc. Jarrett Scott Ford – Golf Ball Sponsor Kiwanis Club of Plant City Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club Pepin Distributing Company Pepsi Cola Publix Super Markets Tom Romano – Affinity Sales Group South Florida Baptist Hospital Strong Tower Insurance Tola Produce Toufayan Bakeries Beth Webb – ASM Waypoint Your CDB Store

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

Tom was the son of Edwin and Pauline Brown. He was preceded in death by his brother, Kent; and his sister, Plant City, born in San Brenda Brock Binnion, Dorothy Mae Davis, age 94, Erolyn (Rone). Tom is surMiguel Tecotmatlan, Guer68, of Plant City, born on of Lakeland, Florida passed vived by his precious wife of rero, Mexico on June 11, August 20, 1952, entered away on Saturday, April 24, 47 years, Robin (Edwards); 1955, entered into eternal into eternal rest on April 2021. Dorothy was born we’re dedicated to helping families create a son, Curtis; daughter, Kerry W E ’R E P R OU D TO SE RV E our community rest on April 29, 2021. 24, 2021. December 16, 1926. unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, Fondcelebrates (Mullis) and son-in-law, Expressions of condoExpressions of condomemories and ex> 100% Service Guarantee > Nationalof Plan Transferability James Mullis; siblings, Caryl lence at HopewellFuneral. lence at HopewellFuneral. pressions sympathy may > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® (Thompson) and Susan com. com. be shared at www.WellsMeR for the Davis Brown. He leaves behind two morial.com Proudly supportingfamily. the Plant City Strawberry Festival. beautiful granddaughters, Kamryn and Jillian Mullis. He HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM was a long-time member of HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM FBC of Lakeland and more WELLSMEMORIAL.COM recently FBC of Plant City. Myrtle Johnson Bernice ‘Bea’ Tom was an avid golfer, fish& event Center Mawhinney Wells MeMorial erman and member of sevPlanT CiTy Ingram eral church choral groups. Bernice “Bea” Mawhin- 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com Known for his good-natured ney, 95, of Plant City, born Myrtle Johnson Ingram, 81, humor and willingness to in Mount Ephraim, New of Dover, born in Plant City help those in need — he was on October 4, 1939, entered Jersey on July 14, 1925, a very loving father, friend entered into eternal rest on into eternal rest on April and mentor for those who April 27, 2021. 26, 2021. were fortunate enough to Expressions of condoExpressions of condohave him in their lives. A fulence at HopewellFuneral. lence at HopewellFuneral. neral service was held May 5 com. com. at First Baptist Church Plant City, 3309 James L. Redman Thomas Edwin Parkway, Plant City. InterHOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM Brown ment was held at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Thomas Edwin Brown, 68, Harold “Donnie” Evelyn (Wilson) born in Crawfordsville, Indi- Avenue, Tampa. Expressions of condoana, passed away peacefully Donald Budd Morath at home on May 1, 2021. Tom lence at HopewellFuneral. lived the majority of his life as com. Harold “Donnie" Donald Evelyn (Wilson) Morath, a resident of Tampa, Lakeland Budd, 60, of Lakeland, passed away on Friday, and Plant City, Florida. Florida, born in Plant City, April 23, 2021. She was dedicated to helping families create a RE PR O UD TO S E6, RV E our community He was a proud Eagle Scout Florida, onWE’ December born inwe’re November 5, 1948 unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM and graduate of Plant High 1960, entered in Riverview, Florida. celebrates the life it represents. As your into Dignity eternal Memorial professionals, > 100% Service Guarantee Condolences > National Plan Transferability School in 1971. Tom’s father, rest on May 1, 2021. may be > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® Edwin Leon Brown, served Expressions of condooffered at www.wellsmeR for the Morath in the Army Air Force and lence at HopewellFuneral. morial.com Proudly supportingfamily. the Plant City Strawberry Festival. was a POW in WWII. When he com. returned from overseas, Tom took an interest in caretaking as he looked after his HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM WELLSMEMORIAL.COM ill father. This led Tom to a career as a firefighter where Wells MeMorial & event Center he was a driver engineer EMT CiTy ALL OBITUARIES ARE PlanT SUBMITTED AND until retiring after 25 years of 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL service with the Lakeland Fire HOMES Department.

community

is all about.

M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

10/27/15 10:42 AM

Taking care of each other is what

community

Jesus Salgado

Bertie Peeples Dunbar

Taking care of each other is what

community

is all about.

M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

10/27/15 10:42 AM

YOUR COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY. FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971 HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Jesus Salgado, 81, of Lakeland, passed away on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Jesus was born July 16, 1939 in Mexico. A visitation and service was held for Jesus on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at Wells Memorial Funeral Home. Burial was held at Oak Hill Burial Park in Lakeland, we’re dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ RE P RO U D TO S E RV E our community Florida. unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM celebrates the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, Fond memories and ex> 100% Service Guarantee > National of Plansympathy Transferability pressions may > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® Gloria Valdes be shared at www.WellsMeR morial.com for the Salgado Gloria Valdes, 74, of Plant Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. City, passed away on May 3, family. 2021. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 WELLSMEMORIAL.COM PM at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Wells MeMorial & event Center Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant PlanT CiTy 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com City, FL 33563. Funeral services will be held May 7th, 2021 at St. Clement Catholic Church at 11:00 AM. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care. Bertie Peeples Dunbar, 77, of Plant City, passed away on April 29, 2021. Funeral services were held May 4, 2021 at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.

is all about.

M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

OBITUARIES

Taking care ofMae Dorothy Jesus Vargas,each Sr. other Davisis what Jesus Vargas, Sr., 65, of

Brenda Brock Binnion

10/27/15 10:42 AM

James “Jimmy” E. Harrison, 85, of Brandon, born in Savannah, Georgia on July 25, 1935, entered into eternal rest on May 4, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Carolyn R. Mason Carolyn R. Mason, 75, of Lithia, was born in Mountain City, Tennessee on May 17, 1945 and entered into eternal rest on May 1, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

SATURDAY, MAY 8 EXPRESSOSELF ART

4 to 6 p.m. Join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., on the second Saturday of every month for live art lessons. Bring a friend, grab a treat and a drink downstairs and enjoy them upstairs as you “express-o” yourself through art. The cost is $30 per person.

THURSDAY, MAY 6

FRIDAY, MAY 7

PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

BEWELL: SELF-CARE KIT

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

BATON TWIRLING CLASSES

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

For Mental Health Awareness Month, learn to take a moment for yourself. Kits will be available at Bruton Memorial Library while supplies last. WHAT REMAINS: AN EVENING OF WORSHIP 7 to 8:30 p.m. Join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., in the loft for an evening of spirit-filled music and fellowship with What Remains. A love offering will be collected.

SATURDAY, MAY 8 PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

6 to 9:30 p.m. at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Plant City Social Dance will have dances every Saturday night in the month of May at the Strawberry Square Dance Center. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., there will be ballroom music for ballroom dancers. The regular dance goes from 6:30

to 9:30 p.m. The cost to dance is $7 per person and attendance is no longer limited. Visit djkenmiller. com to look at sample playlists and get more information.

OPEN MIC NIGHT

7 to 8:30 p.m. It’s Open Mic Night at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Join them for a “Krazy” fun night where you get to be the show. Come out, strut your stuff and show everyone what you’ve got.

TUESDAY, MAY 11 TEENS TEACH TECH FOR 21ST-CENTURY SENIORS

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

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join Bruton Memorial Library for this live webinar and Q&A teaching ecological awareness and how to nurture your own corner of the natural world. This session’s topic is “Butterfly Gardening” and is held in conjunction with University of Florida/IFAS. Register early via Bruton Memorial Library’s social media.

FAMILY BOREDOM BUSTERS WEEK 2: ‘CIRCUS’

Bruton Memorial library will offer take-home activity kits for families to enjoy together. This week’s theme will be “Circus” and will include puzzles, literacy activities, crafts and more. Kits will be available while supplies last.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 COVID-19 VACCINES AND TESTING

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cork Methodist Church, 4815 W. Sam Allen Road. Cork Methodist Church and Frontline Community Services of Plant City are teaming up to offer free COVID-19 vaccines and testing for the community starting at 10 a.m. The Moderna vaccine will be administered at the church. Anyone who wishes to get vaccinated need only bring some type of photo ID.

FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Federal, state and local opportunities are constantly changing. If you’ve served any time in the military, retired or non-retention, and would like to review your benefits, please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday. Walk-ins welcomed or call 813-7045800 to set a specific time. Masks are required and temperatures will be taken at the door.

THURSDAY, MAY 13 BIG HANDS, LITTLE HANDS: LADYBUG GARDEN POT

A pair of big hands (adult) and a pair of little hands (child age 4+) will design a ladybug garden pot. Bruton Memorial Library will provide take-home kits for this craft while supplies last.

FRIDAY, MAY 14 PLANT CITY BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ANNUAL BBQ

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the train depot, 102 N. Palmer St. It’s that time again for the Boys & Girls Club’s annual BBQ fundraiser. You will receive a half of chicken, baked beans, cole slaw and a roll. All meals must be pre-ordered. Tickets are $12 per person and sponsorship packages are available. Both can be bought in person or online. Visit https://bgctampa. org/2021-plant-city-bbq/ for more information.

FRESHEST MEAT & LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN! VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THIS WEEK’S SAVINGS Mon-Sat 7am - 9pm | Sundays 7am - 8pm At Felton’s we offer a complete line of fresh meat and produce. You’ll ﬁnd only the best quality meats at bargain prices. Whether it be that special occasion dinner, or you are planning a large party, call or stop by today. No matter what your needs, Felton’s is sure to have the ﬁnest, most tender meat and tasty produce anywhere.

Felton’s Market CHOICE MEATS • PRODUCE • GROCERIES

Visit FeltonsMarket.com

WALKER PLAZA 617 N. Maryland Ave., Plant City (813) 752-1548

Sam Allen Rd.

PLANT CITY Baker St. olds

Reyn

St.

4 County Line Rd.

James ‘Jimmy’ E. Harrison

MASTER GARDENER: BUTTERFLY GARDENING

BEST BET

Park Rd.

Galen Cockrell, 49, born in Plant City on September 7, 1971, passed away April 24, 2021. Contact family for Celebration of Life service information.

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

Maryland Ave.

Galen Cockrell

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

YOUR CALENDAR

OBITUARIES

Lakeland

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FORECAST

Send your photo submissions to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.

THURSDAY, MAY 6 High: 91 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 35%

FRIDAY, MAY 7 High: 86 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 7%

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, May 6

6:44a

8:06p

Friday, May 7

6:43a

8:06p

Saturday, May 8

6:42a

8:07p

Sunday, May 9

6:42a

8:07p

Monday, May 10

6:41a

8:08p

Tuesday, May 11

6:40a

8:08p

Wednesday, May 12

6:40a

8:09p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MAY 8 High: 89 Low: 66 Chance of rain: 0%

SUNDAY, MAY 9 High: 93 Low: 70 Chance of rain: 5%

MONDAY, MAY 10 Rose Goodall spotted this owl perched on her back yard fence.

ONLINE

High: 94 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 22%

Across 1 Run __ of the law: get in trouble 6 Seized SUV, say 10 Pumpkin dessert 13 Style 15 Wind instrument in Donovan’s “Jennifer Juniper” 16 “__ ideas?” 17 Studio feature that produces reverb 19 GPS choice 20 AFL partner 21 Pool-filling aid 22 Spa sigh 23 Fifty percent 25 Very popular movie star, e.g.

30 Advanced in age 33 Museum of Natural __ 34 Goat’s cry 35 Pasta sauce brand 36 Poe’s “Annabel __” 37 2017 Day-Lewis film with multiple Oscar nominations 41 True master 42 Days, to Diego 43 Famous Downing Street address 44 Bone-muscle connectors 46 Like moody Romantic heroes, as first described in the works of a British lord 50 Talk Like a Pirate Day

greeting 52 Centers of activity 53 Before, to poets 54 Untidy condition 57 __ Van Winkle 58 Sassy West 59 Last leg of a race ... or a hint to the circled letters 63 SUV’s “U,” briefly 64 “Easy to Be Hard” musical 65 Way out of jail 66 Ed.’s backlog 67 “Don’t move, Rover!” 68 More sensible Down 1 “Cocoon” co-star Don

2 Spa skin-care treatment 3 Waiting for a phone rep, maybe 4 Tres menos dos 5 Solidarity’s Walesa 6 Juliet’s love 7 Tidal reflux 8 “Nevermore” poet 9 Poet’s contraction 10 Geometry curve 11 Losing money, colorfully 12 Organ with a pupil 14 Letter after pi 18 Pallid 22 Check no. 24 National Preparedness Month org. 26 “Is __ legal?” 27 First of two nearly identical words to a tucked-in tot 28 Loan shark 29 Whiskey grain 31 Hit-or-miss 32 Rita Moreno, e.g. 35 Apt. ad count 37 Warms in advance 38 Award recipients 39 Hops kiln 40 Organic compound 41 School support org. 45 Color, as hair 46 Tournament passes 47 McAfee rival 48 Frozen spike 49 Coded writing 51 Nail-filing board 55 Car care brand 56 Mex. ladies 58 “The word” in silence 59 FDA overseer 60 Breakfast grain 61 Hamm of soccer 62 Important period

May 11 New

May 16 First

May 26 Full

May 7 Last

RAINFALL LAST WEEK:

MONTH TO DATE:

0.00 in.

YEAR TO DATE:

MAY AVERAGE:

06.40 in.

SQUASH Shipping point: Central Florida $6.35-$8.85

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

3.38 in.

WEATHER

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

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