The fist Oktoberfest will offer a lot of amenities and activities, including a bratwurstcompetition.cookingThe 16th annual Mud Titan 5K Run made its way to Plant City this past weekend, where competitors from all different ages and skill levels took on the 25-obstacle course. See the complete photo album online.
The public is welcomed to come out and help usher in the fall season with the inaugural Oktoberfest on Sept. 24. Hosted by Plant City Main Street, the event will take place at 100 N. Collins St. in Historic Downtown Plant City from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Live entertainment will amplify the scene as patrons enjoy amenities such as an exhibitor market, food trucks, a costume contest, axe throwing, a bratwurst cooking competi tion, plus more. With a $30 entry fee, contes tants can show off their skills during the cooking competi tion which will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Patrons will sample each dish, score competitors, and cast ballots. The contest will be limited to 10 participants who have a chance to win a $500 1st PlaceThePrize.deadline to enter the bratwurst cooking contest is on Sept. 16 at 5 Registrationp.m.can be done online at PlantCityMainStreet. org.Those of age can take advan tage of the biergarten (beer gar den.)Registration will be $85 for exhibitors; $45 for non-prof its; $55 for informational par ticipants; $200 for food trucks and can be done at https://bit. ly/3vPG74xForadditional information, please contact Dawn Hyatt at Street.org.orStreet.com,Director@PlantCityMaincall(813)358-8898visitwww.PlantCityMain
FREE • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022VOLUME 6, NO. 212 BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 COMMISSION PASSES TRANSFER OF LAND, DAMAGE REPAIRED TO WATER MAINS. ADDITIONAL AGENDA TOPICS APPROVED BY COMMISSION
BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER
While the Aug. 22 Plant City City Commission meeting was an evening of recognizing those in the community and presenting accolades, there were projects on the agenda that were approved. Here are several of those that the city commission gave the green light to. CITYWIDE FUEL SUPPLY The commission granted an agreement between the city and Palmdale Oil Company, Inc., for city wide supply and delivery of fuel and to authorize up to eight single-year contract renewal options. This comes as the city’s current contract for services is set to expire on Oct. 31 of this year.
Courtesy of Plant City Main Street
INAUGURAL OKTOBERFEST COMING TO PLANT CITY
INAUGURAL EVENT TO BRIGHTEN AUTUM
Plant City Optimist Club and Plant City Parks & Recreation Department to hold annual Golf Classic Fundraiser
The Plant City Optimist Club and the Plant City Parks & Recreation Department will host their 28th Annual Golf Classic fundraiser tournament at Diamond Hill Golf & Country Club in Dover on Saturday, Oct.The1. shotgun-start tournament will kick off at 2 .m., followed by a putting contest and driving range access, with the event aimed at raising money for youth programs throughout Plant City. In past years, nearly 100 players have come together for an afternoon of fun and fellowship while supporting a good cause at theThetournament.PlantCity Optimist Club has been involved with local youth programs since they formed in 1962. In addition to an annual contribution to the Plant City based non-profit riends of Recreation & Parks which supports youth programs and facilities for the community, volunteer and financial asistance is also given annually to the Parks & Recreation Department for activities such as their youth flag ootball, basketball, and soccer programs as well as the annual City-Wide Easter Egg Hunt and Trunk Or Treat events and various sports skills competitions. The club also hosts an annual Youth Appreciation dinner to recognize eight outstanding seniors from Plant City High School, along with an Oratorical Contest, a Respect for Law event for at-risk middle school students, and they provide at least $6,000 in scholarships each year for both college-bound graduates and those graduates seeking additional certifiations or training to go directly into the workforce. Other programs such as Plant City High School athletics, the Plant City Family YMCA, and the United Food Bank of Plant City also benefit fom annual club support. The Club’s two fundraisers to support their community programs are the annual golf tournament and the sale of Christmas trees each year in front of Plant City High School.Toobtain a 2022 Golf Classic fler or for more information about the Plant City Optimist Club, please visit their web site at www.plantcityoptimistclub.org or contact Club President Mike Williamson by email at president@plantcityoptimistclub.org or by phone 813-299-6503.
ParksBRIEFSNEWS
& Recreation to host Night Hike at McIntosh Preserve
PlantCityObserver.com2 PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022
THINGS TO BRING: Flash light Closed-toe shoes Water Bug spray All who wish to participate must preregister by Oct. 6. You can register for the Night Hike at com/parksrec.https://www.plantcitygov.
Join Plant City Parks staff or a spooktacular guided Night Hike at McIntosh Preserve on Oct. 8, beginning at 7 p.m. Participants will be led on an easy twomile hike while taking in the views of the night sky. This will be a quiet event as to embrace the sounds of the night and experience the solitude of the dark. Flash lights are recommended for emergency purposes, but walking will be in the dark for most of the trip.
Christyan Chazares was one of 13 high school students chosen from across the U.S. to visit Indonesia and learn about its culture and how to speak the language. He was able to make new friends through his adventures in the Asian country.
“I was debating between the two and (chose Indonesia) because it led me out of the country…and would help me learn a new language,” Chazares said. “I thought it would be the better alternative.”
PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 3PlantCityObserver.com BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER
Christyan Chazares went to Indonesia to study its language
“Their culture revolves around the community,” Chaz ares said. “They’re all friends with their neighbors. They’re all really close with each other.” Since his return back home, he has continued to study the dia lect with the use of a program called Mango Languages which provides services through its website and phone app. Although he’s wrapping up his final classes in September, he is determined to speak fluent Bahasa Indonesia. He has his eyes set on attending Georgetown University in Washington D.C. to receive his degree in international rela tions.His experience in Indonesia is fitting for the career he is seek ing, but he said that there are more experiences to come over there.“Atsome point I’m going to go back, just not sure when, but it’s definitely worth going back to,” Chazares said.
Last month, Christyan Chaz ares came back home to Plant City with a broader view of the world after experiencing the language and culture of a foreign country – Indonesia. He was one of 13 high school students from across the U.S. chosen to venture out to the Southeast Asian country and live there for seven weeks. This was made possible through the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarship program. It’s a part of the U.S. Depart ment of State’s Bureau of Edu cational and Cultural Affairs, administered by the American Councils for International Edu cation, and gives students expo sure to the world around them. This initiative offers various language categories to choose from and the opportunity to visit the country in which each derives.Oneof the categories was the Indonesian language – Baha sa Indonesia, which the high school senior decided to select. “I kind of wanted to just go over there and see the difference between cultures,” he said. What’s more, he was also interested in holding conversa tions with his uncle who speaks fluent Bahasa Indonesia. He also wants to get a degree in international relations and maybe work as a diplomat, try ing to strengthen the relation ships between the U.S. and other countries.Whilesome of his group mem bers - or cohorts, were selected from the same state, Chazares set a precedent, being the only applicant chosen from Florida thisToyear.beeligible for the program, students must be U.S. citizens by the time they apply, have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and be between the ages 15 to 18. “They have to do a giant appli cation process,” Chazares said. “They have to be interviewed as well, chosen as finalists, and from there a finalist committee will eventually end up choosing you.”Itwasn’t his first time going abroad as been to Latin coun tries such as Peru and Bolivia as well as Mexico, where his father is from.Hegrew up in a home where he learned how to speak Span ish from his parents and now he was ready to become trilingual. In March he received an email informing him that he was one of the applicants chosen for the trip. At that time, he was also offered the opportunity to take part in a short-term program at the University of Chicago.
Student Details Experience
Learning
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He and his fellow cohorts were supposed to initially meet up with one another at the JFK Airport in New York and fly to Indonesia from there. However, that took a while as some had their flights cancelled at the last minute. Once they all arrived and had an orientation session, it was awkward and took some time for Chazares to warm up to others in the group, he said. They stayed in the city Yogya karta and each had their own host family, who took them into their homes and accommodated them.Daily they would start school at 8 a.m. and take four-hour courses, learning how to speak the“Itlanguage.wasatop language school, so it was really easy to learn the language,” Chazares said. “The professors were amazing. They used a whole combination of audio, visual, (and) different tools as well. Out of the seven weeks, I learned basic conver sational Indonesian so I could get around the city and order the equivalent of Uber over there,” he said. After consulting with his host parents, Chazares roamed the city, trying to take in as much of the Indonesian culture as he could. The group visited the site of a Volcano as well as hammering and carving shapes to create silver rings. They also took a pottery class and made handkerchief clothes with dye and hot wax to make them with Chazaresdesigns.noticed that Yogya karta had a lot of malls, movie theaters, street-market ven dors, and that the locals were fans of soccer and badminton. He was able to enjoy the ame nities the city had to offer on a tight budget with Indonesian currency.
Overseas
“Gojek is heavily cultural as well since they mainly use motorcycles over cars over there in Indonesia,” he said. That was quite the experience – to be able to get on one as well.”And he raved about the food that he had eaten. Although they like to add spice to a lot of their food, which he isn’t big on, Chazares was still able to enjoy other delicacies to his liking.What Chazarez was also impressed by was the chari table acts of kindness that strangers had among one another. He recalled one instance when he witnessed a motorcycle accident on his way to school, and those who were nearby the scene didn’t hesitate to come to the rider’s aid.
Photos courtesy of Christyan Chazares
NO BUSINESS HERE 600 block of N. Maryland Ave. Trespass arrest: An officer responded to a business at the listed location in reference to a trespassing complaint. One individual, who was previously trespassed on Aug. 6, was subsequently arrested and later transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.
MOW MONEY, MOW PROBLEMS 200 block of E. Laura St.. Business burglary; An officer met with the victim who stated that they had a lawn mower sitting in front of the business at the listed location the day before, only to find it mising the following morning.
This week’s SCOUR RODENT INFLUX
AUGUST 22 KEEP ON ROLLING 600 block of Charlie Taylor Rd. Grand theft: Officers met with an employee at a business at the listed location who advised that a grey 4x4 was rented from the business (valued at $20,000) and last seen at the business on Aug. 21 before being discovered missing on Aug. 22. Later during the day, Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Officer recovered the vehicle.
A LONG LIST Grant St.. / Waller St.. Warrant arrest: An officer conducted a traffictop on a vehicle in reference to an expired license plate. The license plate returned with an expiration date in September of 2021. Contact was made with the driver who was found to have no valid drivers license and fie suspensions for failure to pay traffic fines. A failure to appear warrant out of Hillsborough County for no license also returned. The individual was placed under arrest for operating a motor vehicle with no license and the warrant and transported to Orient Road Jail in reference to both charges.
This week
PlantCityObserver.com4 PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 FOLLOW US Facebook: Plant City Observer Instagram: @plcobserver Twitter: @PlantObserver Plant City Observer is locally owned by Ed Verner, Karen Berry, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes The Plant City Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC. ©Copyright Plant City Media LLC 2018 All Rights Reserved PlantCityObserver.com Publisher / Karen KBerry@PlantCityObserver.comBerry Managing Editor / Sarah SHolt@PlantCityObserver.comHolt Sports Writer / Taylor tjenkins@plantcityobserver.comJenkins StaffWriter / Brian bfernandes@plantcityobserver.comFernandes Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.comLancaster TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850 Advertising / Richard richard@plantcityobserver.comBrame Advertising / Karen kberry@plantcityobserver.comBerry CONTACT US The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850. SEND US YOUR NEWS We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, Mail:PlantCityObserver.com.SHolt@ThePlantCityObserver,110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B, Plant City, FL 33563 Publishers of the Plant City Observer 110 E. PlantSuiteReynolds,100BCity,FL33563(813)704-6850 Observer PLANT CITY O
BAD ENERGY 1400 block of N. Bracewell Dr. Fraud: Officers met with the victim at the listed location who advised that a caller claiming to be a representative of TECO Energy threatened to turn off their electricity if they did not pay an outstanding balance of $1,598.01.
AUGUST 25 YOUNG GUNS 300 block of Park Springs Cir. Aggravated assault on LEO: An offier responded to the apartment complex at the listed location in reference to a found fiearm. A juvenile was subsequently arrested and charged with aggravated assault on LEO.
BLANK CHECKING 1000 block of N. Park Rd. Fraud: An officer met with the owner of a business at the listed location where the victim reported two fraudulent checks that were written from their business’ MidFlorida Bank account totaling $8,413.80.
on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigate a damaged fence, fraudulent checks and a missing lawn mower. istockAUGUSTCORNERCOPS
POWERED DOWN 1000 block of W. Washington St. Theft: An officer met with the victim at the listed location in reference to the theft of a rolling Schumacher battery charger from outside of his residence sometime between Aug. 19 and Aug. 20.
Answer: The golfer’s tee shot ended up in a yard as a result of it being hit -- OFF COURSE
19 FENCED IN 2300 block of Walden Woods Dr. Criminal mischief: An officer met with the complainant who advised that there was damage done to the front fence of the business at the listed location.
Sudoku answers This week’s Crossword answers This week’s answers Jumbles: FLOSS
AUGUST 20 TOO SLOW 2200 block of N. Park Rd. Theft: Officers responded to a business at the listed location in reference to a delayed retail theft.
RENEWAL OF MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT – LAKELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
RECLAIMED WATER MAIN REPAIR
PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 5PlantCityObserver.com
BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER PCPD TO ENFORCEMENTASSISTINGCONTINUEOTHERLAWAGENCIES OFGRANTSCOMMISSIONRESUPPLYNEEDEDFUEL
The city commission will allow a public hearing to take place on Sept. 12 to consid er the conveyance of city property located at Jenkins and Lampkin Street. On June 26, the city published a notice of intent to dispose of a 15-foot strip of residential property located at the northeast corner of Jenkins and Lampkin Street. The property is being conveyed to the only respondent to the city’s notice at no cost, which is below market value as deter mined by the Hillsborough County Prop erty Appraiser’s office. Although market value as determined by the property appraiser is not the sole deciding factor as to fair value, and in an overabundance of caution, a public hear ing is being scheduled with respect to the proposed conveyance of this property. The property at Jenkins and Lampkin Street is being conveyed to Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County. Habitat for Humanity will pay for all the closing costs associated with the convey ance.
The green light was given to put a job order in place with Austin Construc tion Group, Inc., to repair the reclaimed water main for $102,938.93. Earlier this year, the city’s 18-inch reclaimed water main at the intersection of South Frontage Road and Seminole Sand Road was dam aged while a TECO transmission pole was being installed. The reclaimed water main is approximately 15 feet deep and the repair cannot be done by staff. While utilizing the city’s contracts for the Job Order Contracting (JOC) services, the job order has been developed with the Austin Construction Group to repair the reclaimed water main for $102,938.93, which includes a licensing fee of $4,901.85 to the city’s JOC administrator, The Gord ianTheGroup.funds are already available in the water/sewer fund.
Fuel is purchased based on the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) terminal rack price the day each order is made. The yearly usage of fuel citywide is approximately 135,000 gallons of diesel, 10,740 gallons dyed diesel, 156,000 gal lons of gasoline, 2,500 gallons of ethanol free gasoline, and 2,255 gallons of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). A one-year cost for fuel, DEF, and delivery is approximately $1,115,100.Toreplace the contract that is about to end, the Procurement Division published Invitation for Bid (IFB) and citywide fuel supply on July 8. An award is based on the cumulative pergallon transport and the delivery cost for all products. Two responses were received at the IFB submittal deadline on Aug. 4. One was the Palmdale Oil Company, Inc., at $2.5749, and Mansfield Oil Com pany of Gainesville, Inc., at $4.7766. The new contract term will run from Nov. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2024, with eight single-year renewal options.
A Notice of Intent to Award was issued to the Palmdale Oil Company, on Aug. 9.
The city approved the renewal of the current law enforcement mutual aid agree ment between the City of Plant City and the City of Lakeland and their respective law enforcement agencies. Those other agencies include the police departments of Tampa and Temple Terrace as well as the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. This is a continuation of the existing mutual aid agreement that provides for law enforcement assistance between the two cities in investigative matters and emer gencies, crisis, or disasters. The agreement is in accordance with the provisions of the state of law that governs mutual aid agreements for law enforce ment
Theservices.agreement has no direct fiscal impact, and should there be an activation of personnel under the agreement, each city will be responsible for the cost associ ated with the deployment of its personnel and/or resources.
TO SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPERTY AT JENKINS & LAMPKIN STREET
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MOODY PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
It was an evening of gratitude toward Sharon Moody as she was presented with the 2022 Plant City Family YMCA Strong Leader Award on Aug. 25. Many came out for the event, which was also an appreciation dinner, held inside the Trinkle Center at the Plant City Hillsbor ough Community College branch. Moody, a Plant City native, was recog nized by the local YMCA for being a promi nent part in the Plant City community with her efforts to help its growth and prosper ity.For more than four decades she has assisted various organizations, events, and schools. From 1979 to 1981, she worked as a teacher’s aide for Hillsborough County schools and was a cheerleading coordina tor for the Plant City Colts youth football and cheer team. In 1994, she worked for the state of Florida as a revenue specialist and worked at SunTrust Bank. Moody is also the founder and past pres ident of both the Plant City Black Heritage Celebration Inc. and the Plant City Junior League Woman’s Club. She has served as the event coordinator for the Black Heri tage Gala and Jazz Festival, celebrating Black History Month. In 2016, her tireless work earned her the Citizen of the Year award and she was named as the Grand Marshal for the Florida Strawberry Festival Parade in 2021. She has served as a member of the Unity in the Community organization for over 13 years, being its former chairwoman and its currentHowever,treasurer.her personal relationships with people have had much impact as well – especially with friends.
“Our friend Sharon is easy to have fun with because she has learned to love her life and not to take it too seriously. She has learned the true-life lesson, and that is to laugh at yourself,” said her friend Marsha Passmore, who is her fellow board member for the Unity in the Community organiza tion. “Sharon is a name that indicates the gift of gab and the ability to effortlessly persuade others.”
“She’s like a sister to Marsha and me,” said friend Dodie White, sister of Pass more. “We’re so blessed to have each other but we’re also blessed to have people like Sharon.”White and Passmore affectionately refer to Moody as their “sista.” They broke down the word as an acro nym, using each letter to describe Moody: S is for her sweet smile; I is for her infec tious laugh; S is for her service; T is for her tremendous talent; and A is for her admi rableWhiteabilities.and Passmore recounted an instance when they went on a cruise with their mother and Moody. “She treated our mother just like she would’ve treated her own mother,” White said.Moody has also shown her support for the youth, becoming the coordinator for the Junior Miss Plant City pageant and serving as the director of the Plant City Boys & Girls Club from 2004 to 2009. The Plant City Kiwanis Club, of which she was governor, collaborated with Sting ray Chevrolet employees, and the Plant City High School Key Club for the annual Christmas for An Angel event. For over 30 years, this function has provided underprivileged kids with toys for the holidays. This past December, the Kiwanis Club collected over 3,500 toys to distribute to chosen students from 18 schools in Hills boroughHowever,County.thecharitable offerings didn’t stop there. Moody along with the Kiwanis Club and Key Club members handed out heavy bags of toys for kids outside of the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center. She also serves as the vice president and a committee member for the Christmas Parade in Plant City. The Black Heritage Celebration also holds the annual Lots of Hugs Summer Reading Camp to help kids improve their reading skills. As a director for the summer program, Moody has assisted in cooking over 13,000 meals for over 100 kids in the last 12 years. One youth that she has had influence on is her grandson Denzel Singleton. Since he returned to Plant City in 2008 after leaving California, he has spent much time with his grandmother is and develop ing a closer bond with her. “To be able to watch her, has been the most impactful and influential thing I have ever experienced,” Singleton said. “Her love and support surpass anything and everything that we go through.” That support can be seen in her dedica tion to the local Kiwanis Club which she has been a member of for 15 years. As a member, she has held nine districtlevel positions and five club-level posi tions. Moody has also been the recipient of the Kiwanis International President Challenge Award, the Distinguished Lt. Governor Award, and the Distinguished President Award. This year she partnered with the Plant City Police Department, the City of Plant City, and Kiwanis Literacy Clubs of Cali fornia for the Kiwanis ‘N Cops ‘N Kids program. Through a book drive, the local police department collected almost 500 books over the summer, while Kiwanis Lit eracy Clubs donated 100 brand new books. Every first Tuesday of the month, start ing on Sept. 6, kids will be able to read with Kiwanis members and police officers at Bruton Memorial Library, a school, or a park.On Oct. 1, she will take the office as the Florida District Governor – a term that lasts until September of next year. During the ceremony, a slide show was displayed with family, friends, and acquaintances, each taking a moment to express their love and gratitude for Moody. Afterward, she was presented with her award by Shelly Carroll of the Plant City Elks Lodge, and Paul Conley, the center executive director at the Plant City Family YMCA.“I’dlike to thank all of you who believed and joined me in this unforgettable journey tonight,” Moody said. “These accomplish ments are truly a significant milestone in my life.”
SHARON
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Sharon Moody offered words of gratitude after being presented with the 2022 Plant City Family YMCA Strong Leader Award, for her extensive work in the community. Shelly Carroll (left) joined Sharon Moody and Paul Conley in posing with an accolade presented to Moody, on Aug. 25. Conley is the center executive director at the Plant City Family YMCA.
And there are instances when Moody has embraced others in the community.
jimmy.fisher.caos@statefarm.com
PlantCityObserver.com6 PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 YMCA CEREMONY RECOGNIZES MOODY FOR DEDICATION TO PLANT CITY
Sharon Moody was joined by her grandson, Denzel Singleton, as she was honored at the 2022 Plant City Family YMCA Strong Leader Award dinner.
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 7PlantCityObserver.com 211827 FRESHEST MEAT& LOWEST PRICESINTOWN!PricesValidAugust31-Sept.6,2022 Felton©s Market WALKER PLAZA 617 N. Maryland Ave., Plant City (813)752-1548 www.feltonsmarket.comCHOICE MEATS • PRODUCE • GROCERIES 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. FRESHEST MEAT& LOWEST PRICESINTOWN! From Our Call us at 813-752-1548 to place your order today. Smokehouse Mon-Sat 7am - 9pm Sundays 7am - 8pm Follow us on Having a large gathering and need an entire pig roasted to tasty perfection? We can handle any size order you might have. Our smokehouse is the best in Plant City and the surrounding area. etaroproCdooF,spmatS,TBE•CIW•lanoitazinagrO&ChargeAccounts•spmatSegatsoP•esaCtaeMecivreS•ileDecivreSlluF•sdraCtiderCrojaMAccepted•stnemyaPOCETAccepted•noinUnretseW•atulaVidnalrO Cold Deli Hot Deli ALL PURPOSE ONIONS 3 LB BAG $2.69 EA Felton’s offers our customers the very best produce at the best prices. Most of the produce is purchased from local growers. We offer every day the best in produce available plus any seasonal or ethnic produce. We buy daily from the local markets. Come in and compare price and quality against any other store. We guarantee you will enjoy the experience of shopping at Felton’s BAR S FRANKSBUNLENGTH 3LB PKG $7.19 EACH $ LB FRESH WHOLE “USDA INSPECTED” CUT FREE 4.99 UNCLE JOHN’S SAUSAGESMOKED 1LB PKG $4.99EACH GEORGIA REDS RED $SAUSAGEHOTS5.69EACH SAUSAGEITALIAN OR BRATS 3.99 LB “FROZEN”GROUND $3.99 LB HEAVY WESTERN FAMILY PAK $8.49 LB $4.69 LB 3FRESHPACK $ 16/20 CT 2 LB PKG $3.99LB $RIBS DELI HAM ........................................................................................................................ $3.89 LB DEITZ & WATSON - BLACK FOREST HAM..................................................................... $9.49 LB DEITZ & WATSON - BUFFALO STYLE CHICKEN BREAST.............................................. $6.29 LB DEITZ & WATSON - SCRAPPLE.................................1 LB PKG...................................... $4.29 EA SMOKED PORK BUTTS ................................................................................................. $22.99 EA SMOKED SLAB of RIBS ................................................................................................. $22.99 EA POTATO BALLS............................................................................................................... $1.79 EA 8 PIECE DARK FRIED CHICKEN .......................................8 PIECE PKG.......................... $6.99 EA ...................................................................EXCHANGE ...............................................NEW $59.00PROPANE NINJA NOW AVAILABLE WONDER HAMBURGER BUNS $1.99 EA MANWICH SAUCE 15 OZ CAN $1.69 EA DUTCH FARMS CHEDDAR CHEESE MILD, MEDIUM & SHARP .....................1 LB PKG .......................................................................... $5.29 EA TUMAROS - CARB WISE WRAPS 5 FLAVORS 8 CT PKG ......................................................................... $3.99 EA $19.99 MISSISSIPPI SWEET POTATOES .69¢ EA BAGGED COLLARDS ...............................................................................2LB BAG ........................................................................................ $4.99 EA CABBAGE .69¢ LB WHOLE NEW YORK STRIP STEAKS BEEF CHUCKSHORTLOINPATTIES PORK2.39SPARERIBS LB RED SHRIMP 1 PC FELTONS CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS ( 10LB BAG .99c LB ) 27.99 EACH 40LB BOX FRESH BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS FAMILY PAK 2.49LB $$ $ FRESH10LBBAG 12.90 LB $CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS ARGENTINA “WILD CAUGHT” 28 oz PKG WHOLE BRISKETBEEF HEAVY WESTERN 4.79 LB SMITHFIELD BABY BACK FRESH COUNTRY STYLE RIBS ECONOMY PK BUY 1 GET 1 BELLSTOPLIGHTPEPPERS 3 PACK $3.49 EA BANANAS .65¢LB Sam Allen Rd. Baker St. PLANTCITY39 492 Lakeland ReynoldsSt. Rd.Park Rd.LineCountyAve.Maryland
The Plant City Police Department and the Plant City Kiwanis Club are working together with the mission of getting the youth more involved in literature with the Kiwanis ‘N Cops ‘N Kids program.
BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF ON PAGE 9
8 PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 PlantCityObserver.com LOCAL AGENCIES HELP YOUTH ACCESS MORE BOOKS POLICE DEPARTMENT, KIWANIS CLUB AND LIBRARY TO DISTRIBUTE BOOKS.
WRITER CONTINUED
Courtesy of Sharon Moody (From left to right) Plant City Police Department’s DeeDee Gregory and Capt. Al Van Duyne join Sharon Moody of the Plant City Kiwanis Club and Chief James Bradford of the Plant City Police Department. The Kiwanis Club and the local police department collected hundreds of books for kids that they will begin handing out at Bruton Memorial Library beginning on Sept. 6.
It is an initiative that Sharon Moody has on her agenda as she is taking on her new position as the Florida District Governor for the Kiwanis Club. “It’s promoting children literacy and community trust in our law enforcement,” she said. It will also address the kids who are not at their reading level, and she is encouraging parents to bring out their kids as young as 3-years-old. Fifty-four percent of third graders can’t read at their grade level and these kids who live in poverty are three times more likely to drop out of school, according to Angelica Ibarra of the Achieve Plant City school. Moody decided that she wanted to partner with the local police department in her effort to help youth in the community to have a passion for literacy.
“I spoke to the chief of police (James Bradford) and he was aboard,” she said. “He appointed Officer DeeDee Gregory to lead it with collecting all the books.” Other officers at the police department brought in books as well as those in the community during their summer book drive. They also used their Facebook page as a means of getting the word out. Some even bought brand new books from Amazon and Books-A-Million.
Moody also reached out to Paul Shaver, the services director at Bruton Memorial Library and his staff, who were able to donate books to the police department. In total, they were able to collect over 400 books and what’s more, the Kiwanis Literacy Clubs of California donated an additional 100 brand new books. They range from fiction o non-fiction and thee are specific ons that cater to those as old as high school age kids. Moody’s grandson, Denzel Singleton, will also be assisting with the efforts to helping local youth stay on course when learning to read. The Kiwanis ‘N Cops ‘N Kids program will be held every fist Tuesday of the month starting on Sept. 6 at the Bruton Memorial Library. There, Kiwanis Club members and police officers will read to the kids and then distribute one book to each. They also have plans to venture outside the library to schools, the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center and the Boys and Girls Club. The kids might also have furry friends, such as the police dogs, to accompany them during reading time. Officers will take the opportunity to not only teach them to read, but to feel safe around them. “This is the time when we can formulate these relationships,” said Capt. Al Van Duyne of the Plant City Police Department. “That’s what we’re trying to foster with that outreach that we do.”
MOLLY: Kathy and Jim Flemister’s doxidoodle Molly soaking in some rays on their couch.
PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 9PlantCityObserver.com CUTEST CRITTER Do you want Plant City to see how cute your favorite pets are? Send your pictures to Staff Writer Brian Fernandes at bfernandes@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.
Wilson stepped in before the season and earned the starting role as Plant City’s previous starting kicker in 2021, Esteban Navarrete, continues to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered last season. Plant City will face another tough test this week as they host Wharton for their home opener. On the heels of a 9-3 season in 2021, Wharton opened their year with a 24-13 loss against the Jesuit Tigers last Friday. Around town, Strawberry Crest and Durant both moved to 1-0 with the Chargers beating King High School 28-7 and Durant rolling past Chamberlain 39-0. For Durant, starting quarterback Michael Ryan completed eight of his 14 pass attempts for 84 yards and a touchdown to senior receiver Xavier Peavy while adding 24 rushing yards. On the ground, senior Calub Connell led the way with 57 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries, followed by junior Alex Daley who tallied 39 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. Defensively, sophomore Hale Sollmann racked up 12 total tackles and four tackles for loss and Gage Aroz led the defensive front with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble, followed by one sack from Brant Bovee and a half of a sack from Ty Merkle. Sophomore Jayden Cornelius and junior Luther Scarlett each had an interception. For Strawberry Crest, senior quarterback Jordan Lewis completed four of his nine attempts for 101 yard and two touchdowns. Senior Marcus Springfield led the receiv ing unit with three receptions, but seniors Quincy Hart and Ryan Weems both turned their lone receptions into 48- and 15-yard touchdowns, respectively. On the ground, sophomore Gage Reibsome totaled 58 rush ing yards on five carries, followed by junior Devin Blunt with 37 yards and a touchdown on eight carries and Weems with 31 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Defensively, senior Steel Craig paced the unit with 10 total tackles while Blunt added anBothinterception.teamswill return home next week, with Strawberry Crest hosting Spoto and Durant hosting Middleton.
10 PLANT CITY OBSERVER | PlantCityObserver.comPLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022 9PlantCityObserver.comSPORTS
Plant City opened their season on Friday with a tough matchup against the Newsome Wolves, falling by a final of 42-19 in their first game under new head coach Michael Clay ton.To put them behind the eight ball from the start, linebackers Cole Highsmith and Michael Bell were unable to play due to injuries sustained in their preseason game the week before, with Bell recovering from a knee injury and Highsmith patrolling the sidelines in a walking boot due to an ankle injury. Throughout the game, Plant City lost more players due to injuries and cramps that further depleted the roster in all phases. “We played a lot of young guys tonight that were never expected to play this year,” Clayton said. “Honestly they did a great job, even though we got spanked on a lot of plays, they did more than I expected them to. And obviously when you have to go in on special teams and we’ve got bodies drop ping down and you’ve got to play with what you’ve got, bad things are going to hap pen, and that happened today. They’re a tough football team, fundamentally sound all across the board on offense, defense and special teams. We got it handed to us tonight. We’ve got a young football team and we’ve just got to get better.”
Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: plantcityobserver.com.tjenkins@
TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER PLANT CITY FELL TO 0-1 ON THE HEELS OF A 42-19 LOSS TO NEWSOME. PLANT CITY FALLS TO NEWSOME IN OPENING GAME, DURANT AND STRAWBERRY CREST BOTH COME AWAY WITH WINS
Clayton added after the game that very few players played up to his expectations on Friday night, but specifically noted the suc cessful night from Wilson. “The thing that I want to highlight from our team, the one player that I want to highlight is Isaiah Wilson,” Clayton said. “He came in, stepped in and tried out at kicker. As soon as he was trying out, right before we started camp, I knew that we had a secret weapon where if we crossed the 30-yard line we could go get points. If he doesn’t get two field goals blocked he probably goes 5/5 from distance, so I wanted to highlight him.”
After winning the opening toss, Newsome deferred to the second half and the Raiders lined up to receive, but the Wolves would quickly take over as a huge hit on the ensu ing Plant City return forced a fumble, giving them possession at the 17-yard line. Three plays later, senior Tyler Edwards would give Newsome their first lead of the game with a one-yard touchdown run on a sweep to the rightTrae’veonside. Smith would bring the return out to the 35 for the Raiders, but Plant City would run just three plays before quarter back Dereon Coleman rolled out to his left on third-and-9 and had the ball punched out, recovered by Newsome at the 35. But Plant City’s defense would hold up strong, with a sack from defensive back Jordan Futch on first down, a tackle for no gain on the second down carry and allow ing just a short completion following a New some false start on third down after facing third-and-15. Newsome would punt for the first time and pin the Raiders back at their own 8-yard line. Plant City would work their way out of their own red zone on back-to-back com pletions to junior receiver Jaylen Smith and another to TJ Knighten, but the drive would flame out before they could move across midfield. A false start set up first-and-15 and Coleman would find Jaylen Smith again for a short gain, but back-to-back sacks left the Raiders punting again.
Newsome started their next drive from near midfield. Three plays later, facing thirdand-short, starting quarterback Christian Bishop dropped back on play action and fired down the field for a long completion, down to the Plant City 3-yard line to end the first quarter. One play later, linebacker/run ning back Michael Dempsey would punch in the short touchdown run and extend the Newsome lead to 14-0. Late in the half, Plant City finally put points on the board with a touchdown run from Jaden McCants. Starting the drive at the 27, two more completions to Jaylen Smith and a short carry from running back Dominic Jones would have the Raiders down inside Newsome territory for the first time. Another carry from Jones would put Plant City at the Newsome 21-yard line and Cole man would break the pocket and slide down for another at the 11. Coleman then found receiver Judan Bendorf open on the left side for a completion inside the five and running back Jaden McCants took the inside hand off into the end zone to cut the Newsome lead to 21-7. Then things got rolling quickly. After the Plant City touchdown, Newsome responded with a touchdown of their own on the ensuing kickoff return from running back J.C. Roque, giving the Wolves a 28-7 lead, only for Trae’veon Smith to answer with a kickoff return of his own, cutting the lead to 28-13 with 3:10 remaining in the first half.Plant City tried to swing momentum back their way again as defensive end Donta Jen kins came up with an interception on the following Newsome drive, setting up Plant City inside Newsome territory with under two minutes remaining in the half, but the Raiders would settle for a field goal attempt as the half bled out, ultimately blocked by theInWolves.thesecond half Newsome would pull away with another rushing touchdown from Roque on their first drive of the third quarter to extend the lead to 35-13. Plant City answered back with a field goal from Isaiah Wilson to make it 35-16, but Newsome would respond with their second kickoff return touchdown of the night, this time coming from Matthew Connally, to make it 42-16. Plant City would tack on one final field goal and the Wolves would all but run out the clock en route to a 42-19 Week 1 victory.“Wehave to have our best players on the field at all times, being tired is not an excuse,” Clayton said. “We just don’t have the numbers right now to be tired, we’ve got to go and find a way, we’ve got to dig deep and we’ve got to strain our gut. It boils down to that. Every time our star players got hurt they took advantage of it and made a big play. We’ve got to get our guys in go mode, get them ready, get them prepared to play a 48-minute ballgame throughout. I told them today, we only played about three quarters, so once we’re able to turn it up a notch I think we’ll be just fine.”
TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER
Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: plantcityobserver.com.tjenkins@
On Sept. 16, PCHS will host a markingcelebration50yearsat their new campus while dedicating their new turf fied prior to the Raiders’ Redman Cup matchup with Durant.
Despite hearing several suggestions regarding a new name to go along with Plant City’s field dedication ceremony, Sullivan ultimately landed on the name “Raider“We’reField.”going to call it Raider Field,” Sullivan said. “And there were people that suggested some names but in 30 years not everyone is going to know some of the people whose names were suggested, but we can all identify as Raiders. So I felt strongly about it being a sense of unity and a name that people can relate to 45 years down the road.” The celebration will begin at Plant City High School, 1 Raider Place, Plant City FL, at 5:30 p.m., with the field dediation taking place at 6:45 and the football game starting at 7:30. There is no registration necessary to attend the open house and all who wish to attend are invited. Tickets to the football game can only be purchased online at ics.hillsboroughschools.org/athlet-https://www.
Following the celebration, guests will move out to the Raiders’ athletic complex where PCHS will hold a field dediation ceremony at their newly renovated football field eaturing former principals, former football coaches and players, former cheerleaders and band members and any community members that want to take part in the celebration. Adding to the fun, Plant City will have an alumni band performing at the event. This summer, Plant City was a part of the fist wave of schools in Hillsborough County to have an all-new field turf plying surface installed within their football stadium – joining Bloomingdale, Chamberlain, Freedom, Gaither, Middleton and Plant in a project that will eventually provide turf to all 28 public high schools in the county over the next few years – and are currently the only high school in the eastern side of the county to be included in the renovations.Andholding the celebration on the night of the Raiders’ matchup with Durant is no coincidence, capitalizing on the opportunity to include even more Plant City alumni as many Durant High School parents attended Plant City High School themselves.
PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOL TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS, HOST OPEN HOUSE AND FIELD DEDICATION THIS MONTH tuesday with purchase of any adult entrée Limit 3 per adult entrée purchase. 99¢ KIDS MEAL AVAILABLE ALL DAY FREE FAMILYWITHPASTAFRESH-TOSSEDORSALADPURCHASEOFANYFAMILYMEAL Family Meals include 8 Breadsticks. Serves 4. monday WHOLE$8.99PIZZA WITH 8 BREADSTICKS wednesday ADD A SMALL DRINK FOR JUST $1 MEALSENIOR$ 4 thursday DAILY DEALS All Daily Deal specials cannot be combined with any other offer, special or promotion. Sorry, no substitutions for any of the Daily Deals. PLANT CITY: 238 West Alexander 813-441-4260
Plant City High School fist opened its doors in 1914, but in 1972 the school entered a whole new era as they shifted to a new campus and saw the Plant City Planters merge with what was formerly the Marshall Dragons, the Pinecrest Pilots and the Turkey Creek Gobblers to form one comprehensive high school within the community. Along with that, the Plant City Raiders were born.For many years to follow, PCHS was the only high school to serve the Plant City area and in 2022 the school will celebrate 50 years at their current campus. And with PCHS being such a long-standing pillar within Plant City, it has played a major role in unifying generations of residents that have grown within this small town community.“Thatwould be me,” Plant City principal Susan Sullivan said. “My grandparents went to Plant City High School, my mom and dad did, I went here, my husband went here, our children went here, so there is a lot of community in that. Plant City has always been a place where people want to live and raise their family. They may go off o college but many of them return because it is that small community and their family is here, they’re attracted by the fact that they have that support when they come back. I know that was true for me.” The celebration will take place on Sept. 16 at Plant City High School, beginning at 5:30 where alumni and community members are invited to come back and enjoy refreshments while walking the halls prior to the Raiders’ annual Redman Cup matchup against Durant. “This is just an opportunity for our former graduates and former alumni to come back on campus and see the school, because a lot of people probably haven’t been here since they graduated,” Sullivan said. “I’ve seen quite a bit of excitement. We have a committee together that’s been planning it and have people representing the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s on the committee and we’re hearing some really positive feedback.”
PlantCityObserver.com PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 11
“The Waltons. Love the family togetherness and love they have for each other.” - JoAnn Boothe
“Friends! In 2004 I won a sweepstakes: The Ultimate Friends Fan. Five of my friends and I went to Holleywood to dance in the actual Friends fountain in Warner Brothers Studio. It was amazing! Love that show and the nostalgia it brings!”Jeannette Teeden “A tie between ‘Hell on Wheels’ and ‘Peaky Blinders.’” - David Verner “Star Trek is my favorite of all time because of the positive outlook on the world and humanity that it showed.” - Bradley Siebenthal
YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR 289704-1 TOWNAROUND We asked Plant City: What’s your favorite TV show ever and why? 12 PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 PlantCityObserver.com
“It’s a tie - I Love Lucy & The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Silly, clean fun with I Love Lucy. Love everything about MTM - successful, single working woman with gorgeous clothes and great girlfriends.”Lynne Bomar Halleran “The Andy Griffith Sw because it is so down to earth.” - Dianna Gale Browning “GreenAllen Acres. Reminds me of my home back in Mississippi.” - Cliff ance “MASH. Holds up. Never gets old. Classic.” - Jana Kirkland Butler
“It is a tie between The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad! The best TV shows ever!”Pamela Mills “All In The Family. A+ acting and the writing and the cast was perfection. It also made fun of both sides and made you laugh and cry.
Ruth Corbin, 71, of Valrico, Fla., born in Rome, N.Y. on Dec. 15, 1950, entered into eternal rest on Aug. 25, 2022.Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com. HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM full tribute and for information on how to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project in Larry’s memory, please visit chandler.lhome.com/obituary/larry-whiddenmcleanfunerahttps://www. cattleman, horseman, and supporter of local youth in the agricultural community, having served as a volunteer on the Florida Strawberry Festival Steer Committee for over 30 years. He spent many years enjoying his family, riding tractors in the hay fields, checking cows in the pastures, boating and fishing in Englewood, and volunteering to help with local youth agricultural events in his community. He leaves behind his loving wife, Karen; children, Kenny (Michelle), David (Stephani), Jeremy (Erica), Lisa, and Dana (Randy); 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and brother, Tommy (Donna). He was preceded in death by parents, William Henry, Jr. and Jessie Mae Grimmer. A funeral service was held Aug. 27, 2022 at GracePoint Church, 1107 Charlie Griffi Road, Plant City. Memorial contributions may be made to the Florida Strawberry Festival Livestock Scholarship Fund at P.O. Drawer 1869, Plant City, FL 33564. Expressions of condolence at HopewelFuneral.com.
813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1 10/27/15 10:42 AM
PlantCityObserver.com
William Kenneth Grimmer, 83, of Plant City, Fla., born on March 14, 1939, went to be with the Lord on Aug. 23, 2022, while at home surrounded by family and friends. He was a beautiful soul, known as Ken to his friends and affectionally called GDaddy by his family. He was a star football player for the Plant City Planters and played football for the University of Tampa until an injury sidelined him. As a young boy and teenager, he worked odd jobs at his uncle’s car dealership, Sharpton Chevrolet. After college, he returned home and went to work as a car salesman who became well-liked by his customers and was known for his respect and honesty. After his promotion to general manager, he eventually chose to leave his career and make a move to devote his full attention to his cattle and hay operation, a labor of love he continued to perform until he passed. He was a member and pastpresident of the Plant City Lions Club, and a member of the Plant City Elks Club. He was an avid fisherman,
William GrimmerKenneth
RuthHOPEWELLFUNERAL.COMCorbin
ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES
Viola Marie Sloan Holmes, 80, of Zephyrhills, FL , passed away on July 18, 2022. Funeral services were held July 26, 2022 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1104 W. Cason St., Plant City, FL 33563. Online condolences may be left for the family m-s-holmes,home.com\obituaries\viola-https:wwwhodgesfuneralat
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN 3 to 6:30 p.m. at 102 N. Palmer St. The Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In is back on Saturday, Sept. 17, rain or shine. Cars and trucks manufactured in or before 1996 can register for free starting at 3 p.m. Live music by DJ John Paul Gasca.
14 PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 PlantCityObserver.com BEST FRIDAY,BETSEPTEMBER 2
OPEN MIC NIGHT 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Open Mic Night is back at Krazy Kup. Join them for a fun night where you get to be the star of the show. Come out, strut your stuff and shw everyone what you’ve got.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
NEW
Viola SloanMarieHolmes
meetingfacebook.com/PlantCityToastmasters,page,forlocationsandinformation.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 BLUEGRASS JAM! 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. This is an open invitation for local Bluegrass musicians and fans to come to the Krazy Kup loft and jam, clap hands, stomp feet and enjoy! Krazy Kup holds their Bluegrass JAM on the fist Saturday of every month.
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
SEPTEMBER 1 PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
BaldwinPattersonJames James Patterson Baldwin, 84, of Lutheran Haven Retirement Community in Oviedo, Fla., previously of Plant City, Fla., passed away Aug. 21, 2022. He was born and raised in Tampa, Fla.. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Lana Baldwin, and his 5 children: Larry (Karen) Baldwin, Rick (Charlotte) Baldwin, Teresa (Gary) Brockman, Tom (Sherry) Baldwin, and David Baldwin; grandchildren Blake Baldwin, Chase Baldwin, Spencer Tyler Baldwin, Joshua Kiper, Melissa Connell, and Cassidy Baldwin; and a number of great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, James L. Baldwin and Mary Suarez Baldwin and his granddaughter Stephanie BaldwinJamesLeamon.(Jim)was a general\commercial contractor and was proud that his family carried on the contracting tradition into the 4th generation of the Baldwin family. A celebration of his life will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 Park Road, Plant City, Florida on Sept. 10, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flwers, donations may be made to the JEREMY SIMON “UNPLUGGED” 7 to 8:30 at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Krazy Kup invites you to enjoy a wonderful evening of original music with local musician Jeremy Simon. Happily influened by the catchy 90s sound of Goo Goo Dolls, Dave Matthews, Jars of Clay, Tonic and Toad the Wet Sprocket, Jer emy’s energy will entertain guests of all ages and leave them feeling good. Admission is free of charge, however donations are welcome and encouraged.
LAST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN 5 to 9 p.m. at 110 N. Collins St. The Last Friday in Downtown Food Truck Rally is held with a new theme each month. There will be live music, market vendors and food trucks. The event is family and pet friendly and all are recommended to bring chairs and blankets. September’s theme will be Fall Festival!
PLANT CITY GARDEN CLUB MEETING 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 303 N. Evers St. The Plant City Garden Club will host WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
ADVANCED DESIGN FLORAL CLASSES 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 303 N. Evers St. The Plant City Garden Club will be holding Advanced Design Florida Classes at First United Methodist Church over three Wednesdays in September, beginning Sept. 14 and ending Sept. 28. The design classes will be instructed by flwer show judges and are open to the public. You will need to bring your own materials and containers, including scissors/clippers and a bag lunch for each class. Registration is required and the classes will cost $30 per class or $80 for all three. Contact Jan Griffin billjangriffin@gmaicom for registration form. For more information, call Jan Griffin at 3-7166691.
THURSDAY,CALENDARYOUR
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
MEMBER SPECIAL OFFER: JOIN FEE Offer valid thru 9/20/22 $0FIND YOUR Y AT PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City | 813 757 6677 | tampaymca.org FIND YOUR BALANCE. FIND YOUR Y. OBITUARIES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 ADVANCED DESIGN FLORAL CLASSES 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 303 N. Evers St. The Plant City Garden Club will be holding Advanced Design Florida Classes at First United Methodist Church over three Wednesdays in September, beginning Sept. 14 and ending Sept. 28. The design classes will be instructed by flwer show judges and are open to the public. You will need to bring your own materials and containers, including scissors/clippers and a bag lunch for each class. Registration is required and the classes will cost $30 per class or $80 for all three. Contact Jan Griffin billjangriffin@gmaicom for registration form. For more information, call Jan Griffin at 3-7166691.
PlantCityObserver.com PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER `1, 2022 15 Across 1 What a regular often orders, with “the” 6 First of a cereal box trio 10 Box score number 14 See 5-Down 15 Dorothy’s dog 16 Distinctive vibe 17 Sauce with basil 18 Like many cars sold 19online“Jurassic Park” predator 20 Youngster, metaphori 23callyAntlered Yellowstone 24beastLao Tzu’s “way” 25 __City: computer game 28 Stick a stake in, as a 32vampireDry-eyes solution 34 Manual filing arget? 35 Toddler’s monster 39deterrentBrings on board 41 Luau neckwear 42 He played Grant on “Lou 43Grant”Morning awakener 46 Poi source 47 One of four in fie 48 Theater walkways 50 Before, in poems 51 “__ Misérables” 53 Hesitant utterances 54 Behind-the-scenes money source ... and a hint to the start of 20-, 35- and 6143-AcrossEltonor Lennon 63 Boxer’s foursome 64 Garlicky mayo 65 CNN anchor Burnett 66 Great Lake with the shortest name 67 King of rock ‘n’ roll 68 Spinning toys 69 Apt word found in “ac70cident”Tenant’s contract Down 1 Officialsalling strikes 2 Trickle 3 Cold War initials 4 Italian wine region 5 With 14-Across, soccer’s GOAT, to many 6 Experiencing writer’s block, say 7 Light snack 8 Bit the dust 9 Online talk show 10 Fill until full 11 Car’s blinker 12 “Roses __ red ... “ 13 Collectors’ item? 21 Secluded valley 22 Eucalyptus eater 26 Response from the next room 27 Urban transit systems 28 Take a breath 29 “The Naked and the Dead” author Norman 30 Hook’s vessel 31 Wide awake 33 Grocery shoppers’ aids 36 Sick 37 Cable TV’s Nat __ Wild 38 Hyphenated fruit drink 40brandIncense-sensing sense 44 Scared, with “out” 45 Hindu god of desire 49 Tel Aviv’s land 52 Drum type 53 Underdog’s victory 55 Roadside lodgings 56 Mary-Kate, to Ashley 57 Mah-jongg piece 58 PBS science series 59 Yale students 60 Heed a bailiff ’s order 61 Hot tub feature 62 Spanish gold ONLINE Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instagram, @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer on Facebook. I LOVE PLANT CITY Send your photo submissions to staff writer Taylor Jenkins at tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature. Carol Ann Mathis caught this photo of brand new ducklings catching some sun by the lake at Brewer Park. Sunrise Sunset Thursday, Sept 1 7:07a 7:49p Friday, Sept 2 7:07a 7:48p Saturday, Sept 3 7:08a 7:47p Sunday, Sept 4 7:08a 7:46p Monday, Sept 5 7:09a 7:45p Tuesday, Sept 6 7:09a 7:43p Wednesday, Sept 7 7:10a 7:42p FORECAST WEATHERTHURSDAY, SEPT 1 High: 94 FRIDAY, SEPT 2 High: 93 SATURDAY, SEPT 3 SUNDAY, SEPT 4 High: 93 MONDAY, SEPT 5 High: 93 Low: ofChance74rain:33% SUNRISE/SUNSET YEAR TO DATE: 38.80 in. MONTH TO DATE: 6.59 in. AUG. AVERAGE: 8.85 in. LAST WEEK: 4.01 in. MOONRAINFALLPHASES Sept.New25 Sept.First3 Sept.Full10 Sept.Last17 Shipping point: South $18.35-$24.00Florida (C) 2022 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture OKRA
Great health care is closer than you think.
16 PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 PlantCityObserver.com
21-1493769-0521
South Florida Baptist Hospital is more than just a small community hospital. We’ve got a wide array of specialty care and surgical services that you don’t have to travel far to get. Our surgeons are experts in minimally invasive robotic surgical procedures that provide lots of benefits, including shorter hospital stays, decreased blood loss and smaller incisions that reduce the risk of infection. Plus, faster recovery times that mean you can get back to your normal activities sooner. You’ll find comprehensive orthopedic care—whether you’re an athlete who needs sports medicine services or you’re someone who needs a total joint replacement. Our all-inclusive gynecology program offers high-quality care to the women and mothers in our community with a variety of women’s care services. We’ve even been designated as a Center of Excellence for our weight loss surgery program, meeting nationally recognized standards and providing outstanding care to our patients. And all of this extraordinary care exists right here in Plant City. Learn more: SouthFloridaBaptistSurgery.org
