9.19.19 PLCO

Plant City Observer

y Observer

YO UR HOMETOW N. YO UR NEWSPAP ER .

VOLUME 6, NO. 63

YOUR HOMETOWN. YOUR NEWSPAPER FREE

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

. YO UR NEWS PAP . TO REVITALIZED DOWNTOWN FIVEER STEPS A final presentation from Community Design Solutions focused on five key strategies to implement its new Downtown Vision Plan.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Community Design Solutions presented the results of its analysis of downtown Plant City last week and showed the community its recommendations in a strategic Downtown Vision Plan.

The plan is filled with five key strategic ideas rather than a large swathe of options that the group said if implemented “will move you forward in the process of downtown revitalization.”

“This had a lot of input, not just from Main Street and not just from the city, but from all four corners of this community, which

was very important to us to make sure everybody had their input as part of this presentation,” Jamey Moody, vice president of Plant City Main Street, said.

Randy Wilson, of Community Design Solutions, said the overall concept of downtown is one of potential.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

PLANT CITY ACTS44 ASHOSTS HUB FOR AMVETS POST 12TH ANNUAL PATRIOT DAY RIDE SEE PAGE 3

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

NEWS BRIEFS

2

Justin Kline

Plant City Police Department’s SWAT team wraps up after successfully executing a narcotics warrant on Sept. 13.

Two arrested in Sept. 13 drug bust

If you get a call from a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputy about missed jury duty, don’t reach for your wallet — reach for your phone instead.

According to HCSO, someone has been impersonating a deputy and claims they’re calling to tell you about the “jury duty” you missed. They sometimes ask to resolve the issue by bringing money to a district office.

It’s all a scam.

“To be clear, at no time will a member of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office call you to inform you about missed jury duty,” HCSO spokesperson Amanda Granit said.

If you do receive a call from the fake deputy, do not give out any personal information and report the call at 813-2478200.

Plant City Police arrested two men on drug and firearm-related charges during an execution of a search warrant the morning of Sept. 13.

The PCPD SWAT team and other officers descended upon the apartment at 702 W. Dr. MLK Blvd. at approximately 11:22 a.m. and, after securing the scene, placed Jataj A. Johnson and Cordarryl D. Small under arrest.

Johnson had an outstanding warrant out of Polk County for possession of oxycodone, possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams), possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia. Small was charged with child neglect, armed trafficking, possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon, possession of 779 grams of synthetic marijuana (“spice”), possession

of 39 grams of methamphetamine, possession of 14 grams of MDMA (ecstasy), possession of two grams of crack cocaine, possession of eight Diazepam pills and possession of two oxycodone pills.

2019 Christmas Parade Grand Marshals named Plant City Christmas Parade Inc. announced Wednesday its grand marshals for the 2019 Christmas Parade.

David and Diane Brewington received the honor of leading this year’s parade, which cruise through downtown Plant City beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 6.

“The Brewingtons are mainstays in Plant City and they have supported the community and our youth for decades,” the group said in a press release.

The annual parade brings together local businesses, civic groups, churches, schools and more to celebrate.

The major sponsors for this year’s event are Unity in the Community and Stingray Chevrolet. The parade is still offering sponsorships for $250 and up with all proceeds going to help marching bands and schools cover the costs of participating in the parade and getting there, should they need assistance.

Applications for entering a float are still being accepted until the Christmas Parade board approves of 80 entries. Prizes will be awarded for the following categories: Best School Entry, Best Marching Unit, Best Church Entry, Best Business Entry, and Best Overall Entry.

Anyone interested in being a parade sponsor can contact Dodie White at 813927-0595, Marsha Passmore at 813-2452244, Sharon Moody at 813-453-7134, or Bob Fulks at 813-365-0275. To get a parade application, visit pcchristmasparade.homestead.com.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

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FUTCH FAMILY WELCOMES FALL BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

For years, the Fox Squirrel Corn Maze on the edge of Plant City has quietly developed a cult following from all over the state. This year, it was recognized for its unique offerings by being named the sixth-best corn maze in the nation by USA Today.

While it may be the first time a national audience has been introduced to the Plant City fall spectacular, locals know firsthand just how interactive and festive the annual event can be.

“We were shocked when we saw we were not only nominated for the top 20, but then won the sixth spot,” Janet Futch, co-owner of Futch Entertainment, said. “I looked at the list and, last year, none of them were from Florida. And this year, there’s two. How great is that? At first I didn’t believe it. I sent it to our marketing team and asked if it was real and they did some research and said yes. We were just blown away.”

The Futch family opens its farm up to the public every year, showcasing a piece of “old Florida” that is rarely seen today. As guests walk through the corn maze, they’re surrounded by the laughter of nearby walkers and the subtle sounds of nature one can only experience deep in the heart of Florida. Futch said she thinks part of the appeal of driving out to their farm is that you are getting a slice of traditional values wrapped up in traditional fun.

“I think it’s just our family. We’re all involved in this,” Futch said. “Two of my three brothers and myself are partners in the company and this is our eighth year doing it. From the get-go we’ve had a great response. They see us walking around and working, but we stop and talk with people and they like that.

We take their photo, we learn their stories. By the end of it, I think we all feel like we’re really a part of something. It’s so great to watch the hay ride because there’s just all of these strollers parked in a long line from all of the families wanting to take their children on an old-fashioned hay ride. It’s just a lot of fun.”

This year, the event is sponsored in part

by Driscoll’s Only the Finest Berries and the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. The maze reflects the FSGA logo and will surely give attendees a run for their money. There is also a pumpkin patch, which has pumpkins from up north you can purchase and take home, the hay ride, exciting games, mouthwatering food and a variety of unique vendors.

It’s an event most need to schedule three or four hours to truly take in every nook and cranny. Your kids can enjoy horse and pony rides and play with massive slingshots, you can shop homemade jewelry and paint your own pumpkin. There’s a butterfly experience and more sweets and goodies than any one man can eat and live bluegrass music that will keep your foot tapping for hours.

Always looking to keep the experience growing, Futch said they decided to add a few new additions this year, including a mechani-

cal bull for the first three weekends. There’s also massive slides and an abundance of games and activities to keep children active all day long.

One of Futch’s favorite areas on the grounds is the swing set the family built out of telephone poles. She said it’s one of the sturdiest swings in the area and that it always brings a smile to her face to look over and see a 50-year-old swinging without a care in the world, knowing they more than likely haven’t kicked their feet toward the sky in decades.

The corn is already higher than anyone can see over and Futch said it looks to be one of the most fun years they’ve had to date. Anyone interested in attending is recommended to wear close-toed shoes as they will traipse through a field, and due to Florida’s wildlife, bug spray may help keep any mosquitoes in the area away.

People come from Tampa and St. Petersburg, Daytona and Brandenton and Futch said they’ve even had a few attendees mention they came from out of state and had this on their “must-do” list. Many mention that while they may have grown up in corn mazes out west or up north, they haven’t seen one in Florida that ever seemed up to par. That is, of course, until they stepped foot on Fox Squirrel’s property.

“The very first year, it was so scary,” Futch said. “We put forth a lot of hours between the three of us and that’s not including the people that help us. Just the three of us spent more than 450 hours each just to put it together.

We’re now at the stage of the process where we are putting the final pieces together, mowing the parking lot and really getting ready for the crowds. We didn’t know back then if anybody would come and we opened the gates the first year and just stood there and said, “OK, is anybody gong to come?” Then they came flooding in the cattle gate and have shown us the same love every single year.”

This year’s season opens Oct. 5 and will run every weekend through Oct. 27. The maze is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

IF YOU GO Fox Squirrel Corn Maze When: October 5 to October 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: 3002 Charlie Taylor Rd. For more information: Visit futchentertainment.com or go to the Fox Squirrel Corn Maze Facebook page.

Tickets: $11 + tax for 18 and older, $10 + tax 3 to 17, two years old and under are free.

Admission booth accepts Cash, Visa, Master Card and Discover. Vendors are mostly cash only.

Card Carrying heroes--$2 off admission

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

COPS CORNER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

PLANT CITY

Observer

This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigated stolen gadgets and gizmos from Walmart, counterfeit bills at CVS,

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

pallet theft, a felon with a firearm

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com

and more.

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

SEPT. 6 MIND THE RAIL 4000 block of South Frontage Road Criminal mischief: An employee of Lumber Liquidators told PCPD an unknown suspect damaged a handrail at the business.

HELLO OPERATOR 400 block of North Alexander Street Fraud: An employee of CVS reported an unknown female attempted to use six counterfeit bills to purchase prepaid phone cards.

POWERED UP 2800 block of James L. Redman Parkway Theft, grand: Employees reported that a man entered their store on Sept. 5 and stole a generator from the business. The generator was valued at $1,100.

LOCKED AND LOADED Alexander Street/Maki Road Felon in possession of firearm: Officers made contact with a man during a traffic stop. When they discovered he was a felon in possession of a firearm, he was arrested.

TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850

TV TRICKERY 1300 block of West Risk Street Burglary: Officers made contact with this victim who reported someone entered her residence through an unlocked front door and took a 60-inch Sony TV and a 52-inch Polaroid TV between 10 p.m. and 10:25 p.m. Sept. 8.

SURF AND TURF 1500 block of East Baker Street Theft: A Dollar General store clerk said a woman concealed an estimated $155 worth of shrimp and chicken and then fled the store.

SEPT. 9

GADGETS AND GIZMOS APLENTY 2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway Theft: An unknown suspect stole two hoverboards, miscellaneous hoverboard parts and a BB gun from Walmart.

PALLET PINCHERS 130 block of West Dr. MLK Boulevard Theft: This complainant reported to police that, during the night of Sept. 8, someone removed 19 pallets from the business lot. The complainant wanted to document the incident and then signed a waiver.

DINE AND DASH 2200 block of James L. Redman Parkway Theft: Officers came out to Duke’s Brewhouse in reference to a subject not paying for an $80 meal. Two men were later arby David 20, 2019 rested and Steinberg transportedSeptember to Orient Road Jail without incident.

TRAVELING TRAILER ACROSS 43 Bark sound 9 *Inauguration 800 block41 of Bullfighter Streeton SEPT. 7 1 Paste in 8 42 Goes 45SEPT. Celebratory recital East Reynolds mischief: dates with Japanese week-end 10 Cat biterGrand theft/Criminal reported someLUCKY DISCOVERY GROUNDHOG DAY 11 Dressy This complainant 44 Hurricane cuisine cry rear property 500 block of5West Garden Street 47500 block of West Gardendance Street one entered their response Palindromic Sturgeon Stolen vehicleSwedish recovery: This Stolen vehicle: This victim org. chain between delicacy 12 Infuriate by cutting a metal 5 p.m. on46 Sept.

6 and 8 a.m. Sept. victim told officers he located Industry band 48reported Rangehis vehicle had 13disapWitherspoon 9, removed a car traileroften and fled his stolen Jeep Liberty at the peared.

He had reported his veexpert, 9 Hoped-for 50 Prefix of “Big Little the scene.48 Stone of Strawberry Hut. The vehicle was hicle had been stolen in a similar job interview meaning “all” Lies” removed from result NCIC/FCIC as by an unknown “Casino” 51manner ___-Ida 21suspect *Pool shark’s stolen. just one week prior.

49 Provides 14 Billionaire 52 “I solved call UNCOMFORTABLE TURN OF EVENTS 2000 block of South Frontage Road Theft, grand: Maintenance workers at the Comfort Inn made an unsettling discovery. They realEdited ized an unknown suspect stole one of their chainsaws.

Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@plantcityobserver.com

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, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103.

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Mail: The Plant City Observer, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103, Plant City, FL 33563

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AMVETS POST 44 HOSTS 12TH ANNUAL PATRIOT DAY RIDE

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Plant City’s AMVETS Post 44 hosted its 12th annual Patriot Day Observance and Remembrance Ride event on Sept.

14, which drew motorcycle riders from Lakeland, Tampa and all over Central Florida. The event was held to honor military veterans, first responders and those who lost their lives in the Sept.

11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Funds raised at each annual event go to the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Recreational Services, local first responders and veteran programs.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

FINAL BUDGET HEARING AHEAD

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Next week, the city will gather during a commission meeting to vote on the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

If you’ve ever thought about showing up to a commission meeting, you should mark your calendar for next Monday as the city will vote on the final budget for the next fiscal year.

Everything will be on the table and City Manager Bill McDaniel will walk the community through a final presentation, laying out for the final time exactly how every penny of city funds will be used over the next year. Some departments are expected to see growth — PCPD and Code Enforcement among them — and the city is planning on finishing some massive projects.

“In the next meeting, we will have a formal presentation of the budget along with public hearings,” Mayor Rick Lott said.

“It’s a blueprint of what we can accomplish over the next 12 months. I invite everyone to come out and see what we have in store and share their thoughts on the presenta-

tion. This is your last opportunity.”

The total budget alone has nearly $10,000,000 more than last fiscal year and the city is working with massive quantities of funds to distribute among its general fund and special projects. For the 201920 fiscal year, the city is working with $85,833,387, which includes $1,674,883 for the Community Redevelopment Agency.

Part of the funds increase for the city is thanks to the Transportation Referendum revenue, which adds $3.2 million to the budget. McDaniel said a strong economy also played a role in the new budget.

The funds the city allocates to groups like the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Bruton Memorial Library, Plant City Main Street and dozens of other entities, all are finalized in the upcoming meeting. The Plant City Economic Development Corporation also partners with the city to bring business and development to Plant City. In a thorough presentation last week, EDC President Jake Austin detailed

the growth they’ve played a role in bringing to town over the past year.

“Everywhere in the city is developing,” Austin said. “There’s a lot of projects both underway and on the horizon.”

The Fire Department’s proposed budget was $6,508,841, with $500,000 allocated for a fire pumping apparatus and $400,000 allocated to renovate and upgrade Fire Station Two, which hasn’t seen repairs in years. PCPD’s 2019-20 fiscal year budget is $11,227,052, with a specific investment of $411,000 for 12 police vehicles. The budget finally allows for the addition of four police officers to the force, which has been a discussion years in the making.

This is the third and final time the city will discuss the budget: once in a workshop, once in a preliminary budget hearing and now in a final presentation and vote.

The city commission meeting is held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 in the Sadye Gibbs Martin Auditorium at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

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DOWNTOWN STRATEGIES FOR GROWTH Community Design Solutions listened to public input and created strategies to bring downtown Plant City back to life. FROM PAGE 1

STAFF WRITER

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The presentation said nine businesses participated in a survey where they tracked customers’ zip codes for the project. They recorded 504 visitors from nine states and someone even wandered through the door all the way from England. They found 22 percent of customers, a majority, hailed from the 33563 zip code.

Seven percent of customers came from Dover and 11 percent came from Lakeland. They said Plant City has a “local downtown and a regional downtown,” not a “tourism downtown.”

The recommendations came down to five strategies: making it work, parts to a whole, turning the corner, hub of life and maturing the partnerships. Essentially, this means coming up with incentive strategies and communication/ promotion strategies to bring the strengths of downtown to life.

Main Street Plant City is set to receive a 90-page report on the project and the group said it will dive into an analysis of the study during the next Topics on Tap event, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 at The Corner Store, 121 E. Reynolds St. A summary report will be available in four to six weeks and implementation tools will be provided.

One of the key things the company discovered was parking is not as bad as people think it is. People talk as if it is a large issue, but in reality there are far more spots than people realize. The quantity is not the problem, which unfortunately is something a downtown should want because it means more people are downtown than parking can handle.

Management issues, however, were something they noticed. If a business owner parks in front of a store, you remove buying potential from a customer. More should be done to help inform people whether a parking lot or space is free or in a time limit, the group said.

Building facades also came up as an issue in the “making it work” section. Buildings make the first impression on a downtown and right now, the group, said there are several that “don’t look the way they should.” They recommended Main Street have a “downtown design and style guide” to emphasize doing the right thing.

The city currently has facade exterior and interior grants and a culinary grant. Community Design Solutions recommended they add micro grants to the list for facade components, as well as vibrancy grants.

Ordinances in the city should also be reviewed and possibly

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revisited. While discussing how having a Wikipedia page about your city’s mural ordinance draws unnecessary attention to the city, a wave of chuckles sprung from the audience. Presenters also recommended examining the city’s encroachment policy and said we should continue to explore alcohol regulations and even bundling regulatory changes. If the community wants to be more business-friendly, the city should look to that. However, if the community isn’t throwing their support behind an issue, that puts the city in a “hot spot.”

There were many recommendations for landscaping downtown, including discussions around returning streets downtown back to their original brick surfacing, adding planters and possibly sprucing up McCall Park.

A large portion of what the group said needs to happen for economic success is to focus on branding the community. They mentioned that all of the major players in downtown — the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, the City of Plant City, the EDC and Main Street — have wildly different logos and fonts. Why not bring it together? With a unified script you can brand downtown items, whether it’s shopping bags, hats, water bottles, banners, signs or anything else in the area, to let

people easily see and identify they are in a section of the city that has a unique identity.

They recommended a logo using the top of a historic light pole with the slogan, “Downtown Plant City. Home Grown. Fresh Vibe.”

They also want a way-finding system of signs throughout the city and banners to guide people not only toward downtown, but also to unique destinations in the area.

Branding also comes with accurately reading the pulse of the community and fighting to continue its aesthetic. Whether that’s partnering with the EDC to recruit more businesses downtown or using a communication strategy and hub-of-life strategy to bring more events downtown, they want all businesses and local organizations to join together to evolve into large gatherings.

First Fridays were mentioned as something the community should bring back downtown to drive large groups of people to open businesses. They recommended Plant City Entertainment possibly do occasional outdoor shows at McCall Park and listed a variety of other simple changes that could draw people toward downtown.

They also discussed planting large shade trees and strategies to slow down traffic on the roads acting as thoroughfares from one side of town to the other.

For an in-depth look at the presentation, you can watch the slideshow and listen to the audio presentation on Youtube under the title Plant City Final Presentation at https://youtu.be/J6tspCSIAsE.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

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.

PLAY FOR A CURE ON ITS WAY

The annual Jensen’s Heart of Gold Play for a Cure event is back. The plethora of games, live music and food will be held at the train depot Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

KITTY: Kitty was found in an Alabama ditch alongside a country road as a newborn kitten in 2007. While her family doesn’t know how she got there, they are convinced she wouldn’t have made it long without their rescue. Now 12 years old, Kitty has proven she is a fighter and survived that trying ordeal as a newborn. She was raised alongside a golden Lab named Max and she thinks she is a dog. She loves the outdoors, but also loves laying in the AC during the summer days.

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

For the past several years, Plant City has come together for a day of relaxation and jovial release. Families take a moment to press pause on the stresses that weave through their lives and enjoy a morning of fun in the sun.

Jensen’s Heart of Gold’s Play For a Cure event offers children a chance to enjoy their youth with more than a dozen activities at the train depot in downtown Plant City. Everything from the games to the food is free, in hopes of creating a stress-free environment for local families to enjoy. Donation jars are set up around the event and some Jensen’s merchandise is available for sale to raise money for the charity, which provides assistance for families of children fighting cancer in central Florida.

“September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we want kids to just have that chance to do what kids do best, which is play,” Emily Pierce, the executive vice president of the Florida Chapter of Jensen’s Heart of Gold, said.

“We want families to come out and have a good time with their loved ones. This is open for everyone to attend and the hope is it will kind of break down those stigmas and barriers that keep people from talking about kids with cancer. It’s a tough topic, but here is a chance to just get back to the root of our purpose: to just give families the chance to make memories that all kids should get to make. We’re not really focusing on the sad stuff, we’re focusing on the happy memories that we can make right here, right now.”

This year, Pierce said, they’re going to utilize the new sound system the city installed downtown to have live performances from musicians at Dark Horse.

Booths will fill the depot and there will be an abundance of games and activities for children of all ages. Plant City Fire Rescue will also be on site with a fire truck and OneBlood will be there to collect life-saving blood donations from anyone interested.

Families often come and stay for hours, enjoying free food and spending time laughing as their children float from booth to booth.

It’s a great way to spread awareness of Jensen’s as well as to highlight the fact that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Every year, an estimated 15,780 children up to age 19 are diagnosed with cancer. Approximately one in 285 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday.

Jensen’s works with local families walking through the diagnosis by offering a helping hand. Pierce said there is no stipulation on how families can use the money they provide. Typically they are given a standard amount per family and since they know their own needs best, they are able to use it however they see fit.

Some have used the funds to help with their expenses, like buying new tires for the vehicle they use multiple times a week to go to treatment, while others use the funds to bring one of their children’s dreams to life. Some have thrown large birthday parties for all of their children’s friends to come and have a day of fun, which up until then had been impossible because of the cost of treatment. Others use it to help make lasting memories by taking their family on a cruise at the end of treatment.

“All people need to do to help families just like that is, one, come to Play For a Cure and let their kids play. And two is just to donate,” Pierce said. “People have bake sales and donate. Some purchase some of our merchandise, like our water bottles and yard signs, and others just go online and donate. It’s a simple way to help families right here in our community.”

IF YOU GO: Play For a Cure When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 21 Where: Union Station Depot, 102 N. Palmer St. Cost: Free To donate or for more information: jensensheartofgold.com/play

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

A TASTE OF LAURA STREET

PROMISES MOUTH-WATERING MEMORIES

The second annual A Taste of Laura Street is set to arrive this weekend. The event focuses on bringing local culinary creations to life in a festive setting.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Local chefs will showcase their secret family recipes with dishes ranging from ribs to sweet potato pie at the second annual A Taste of Laura Street event.

The event was created to highlight the deep history of the street, which acted as a cultural icon from the early 1900s to the 1980s. Families from the area whip up dishes that have been passed down over several generations while live music from Tony Smith and his band fill the air with hits from multiple decades.

“There was a lot of good feedback from the community after last year,” William Thomas Jr., president of the Improvement League of Plant City, said. “We want a revival event in that section in the community, we’re right there by downtown and, with the focus of the city toward growth and connectivity, it’s important we take a proactive step to bringing about that unity. We have a venue right there, it’s walkable from downtown and now we’re hosting this event

every year that welcomes the community and lets them see a piece of Plant City they may not have seen before.”

This event will have everything from live music to an art gallery filled to the brim with works from local artists and, of course, all the southern food you can eat.

The event is free to attend and the museum, gallery and music on the lawn are open for everyone.

If the mouth-watering aromas wafting from the booths around the property tempt you to join the tasting experience, wristbands are $10.

This year, Thomas said, there are more food vendors than ever and a greater variety of foods as well. The art gallery has also slightly shifted its focus and will have new, unique pieces for all to enjoy. The music will feature hits from the 60s and 70s as well as some classic rock, all brought to life on a large professional stage.

While there’s plenty of hearty food to tempt even the most picky of eaters, Thomas said the real gems this year are the desserts. Everything from pies to bread pudding to banana pud-

ding are going to be on display.

Wish Farms is donating strawberries to the organization and Thomas said they decided to give the berries to one family to come up with a unique Plant Citythemed creation.

This year part of the intrigue is the addition of celebrity judges.

Aubrey Jackson, an anchor with CBS News, and Jasmine Styles, a reporter with ABC News, will be on site to taste everything the community has to offer and pick their favorite dishes.

Thomas said the event runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the judges will announce their top picks at 6:30 p.m.

“Last year, I’ll tell you what, we really had to shut it down because people were having such a good time they didn’t want to go home,” Thomas said. “There’s not really anything else like this here in Plant City, so we’re anticipating everybody coming out again, despite the heat, and just having a great time.”

IF YOU GO

A Taste of Laura Street When: 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 Where: Bing Rooming House Museum, 205 S. Allen St. Cost: Free to attend; $10 for tasting event wristbands For more information: Visit A Taste of Laura Street on Facebook or plantcitybinghouse.com.

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The American Cancer Society CAN’s Leadership Summit and Lobby Day was held last week in Washington D.C. Dalton Vanderford joined the fight for legislative change.

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The group had four asks, Vanderford said: increase funding for cancer research at the National Institutes of Health (including the National Cancer Institute), to ask members to cosponsor and advocate for the passage of the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, to fix the colorectal cancer loophole to ensure seniors with Medicare have access to lifesaving cancer prescreening and to support tobacco control initiatives to prevent and reduce tobacco use.

When Vanderford first was asked to represent Plant City at the summit, he said he wasn’t sure what he was getting into but Good things happen when you combine knew he wanted to be a part of it. His free your home and auto insurance with time has always been nonexistent as he threw himself into countless projects on State Farm®. Like saving an average of top of his workload and schooling. But he $894.* Plus, you’ll have a good neighbor

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said when it comes to issues he’s passionate about, he “makes it work.” A full-time student, Vanderford also currently works four jobs and has been on the Relay For Life of Plant City’s committee for years. He’s also juggling involvement in theater troupes and other groups across the county.

At first, he thought going to D.C. would mean he would simply observe what was going on. During check-in, however, he learned he was signed up in a much more active role. He had the opportunity to sit down with legislators and discuss the issue one-on-one.

“It was definitely very intimidating at first, but once you sit down with them you realize they’re real people, you connect with them,” Vanderford said. “Politicians are not these crazy monsters people make them out to be. They’re human beings and we all care about a lot of the same things.

You just have to find that common ground and go from there.”

The experience sparked a new flame of passion in Vanderford and he said an opportunity arose for him to get more involved with ACS, which he gladly took on. Running on approximately two to four hours of sleep a night —with an occasional day to “crash” — he said he’s learning firsthand how to prioritize what matters to you and to give everything you have to the commitments you make. It’s something he said he hopes others really take the time to evaluate. If people start to pinpoint where their passions lie and take an active role in those causes, he said, there is a chance to start seeing meaningful change.

Despite his youth, Vanderford said he felt he was able to both learn a lot about the legislative process and make meaningful impacts on those he spoke with. Looking ahead, he’s excited to see what changes the community will be able to bring to life with their perseverance and dedication toward finding a cure.

“Cancer is something that affects everyone,” Vanderford said. “If you haven’t personally faced the diagnosis, you more than likely know someone who has. It doesn’t discriminate against age, race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status. Everyone deals with this so its so important that everyone gets involved. You can simply go to the ACS website and become a member for $10 or show up to your local Relay For Life. Start small if you need to, but definitely get involved.”

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SPORTS

Cecilia Castillo set a new personal record at the 2019 Seffner Christian Invite. See Page 14

GAME OF THE WEEK:

RIVERVIEW AT STRAWBERRY CREST

The Chargers are hoping to bounce back from last week’s loss this Friday night.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Strawberry Crest is looking to recapture its early-season mojo after being held to just six points in last week’s home loss to Kathleen.

The Red Devils picked up their first win of 2019 at Crest in a 51-6 rout of the Chargers. Kathleen held a 17-0 lead over Crest at halftime and the Chargers did open up second-half scoring with a fumble recovery for a touchdown, but the visitors seized control immediately after the missed PAT and scored 34 unanswered points to put the game away.

The Chargers came into last week’s contest averaging 20.5 points per game — exactly one passing touchdown and two rushing touchdowns in each of their previous games — but last week was the first time in 2019 that a team was able to shut down Crest’s offense.

Neither Crest nor Kathleen recorded stats for MaxPreps. com as of press time, though.

Riverview is coming into Friday’s game with a perfect 4-0 record and a scoring output of 32 or more points

in three of four games played.

The Sharks remained perfect with last week’s 32-6 blowout at Haines City, for which stats weren’t posted. The week before, hosing Brandon, Riverview picked up a 38-14 win maximizing the talents of dual-threat quarterback Stazion Gage (11for-17 with 198 yards and one touchdown passing; nine carries for 116 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground).

The win-loss column typically doesn’t tell the whole story, though, and that’s very much the case for this Sharks team. While a 4-0 start is always a good look, Riverview’s opponents are a combined 2-13 overall in 2019. And only one of those four opponents — the Durant Cougars — have won a game this season (in fact, they’ve won two). Durant was also the one team that kept the Sharks’ scoring output lower than usual in their 13-12 game. In virtually all regards, recorded or otherwise, Crest has been markedly better in 2019 than almost all of Riverview’s competition.

It wouldn’t hurt the Chargers to take a few pages from Durant’s book for this one.

Offensively, though Riverview held Sean Williams to 3-for-11 passing and 72 yards, Durant put up 254 rushing yards on the Sharks defense and scored both touchdowns on the ground.

Though the Chargers and Cougars run entirely different offenses, it still appears that committing to the run and getting a rhythm is the best way to move the chains against this team.

Defensively, having a spy on Gage looks like a requirement. Durant was very successful there, holding the quarterback to 20 yards rushing on three attempts and holding the team at large to 50 yards on 11 touches.

Gage did put up 192 passing yards on the Cougars, per MaxPreps, though that’s including that game’s controversial 99-yard lateral.

For what it’s worth, Gage did put up identical passing numbers the following week against Brandon without the help of a coast-to-coast play.

If last week’s game against Kathleen was an outlier, Crest might be in position to hand Riverview its first loss of 2019.

OTHER AREA FOOTBALL ACTION DURANT AT NEWSOME, 7:30 P.M.

PLANT CITY AT EAST BAY, 7:30 P.M.

The Cougars hosted Bloomingdale in their 2019 district opener and were shut out for the first time this season.

The Bulls, who lost by shutout the week prior, picked up a 35-0 win at Durant in which 27 of their 35 points were scored in the first half. Stats for the game were not available at press time.

Newsome extended its win streak to three with last week’s 33-21 home win over Lennard. The Wolves ran the ball 42 times for 362 yards and four touchdowns, but the key to success was sophomore Jason Albritton’s 228 yards and two scores on 21 touches.

If you appreciate a strong rushing attack, this upcoming chapter of the Alafia River Rivalry is for you. Both teams are calling run plays roughly 80% of the time in 2019 and have proven capable of putting up big numbers on the ground.

The Raiders are coming off of a 5519 loss to Lakeland at home that was closer than the score suggests. A slew of turnovers (five interceptions, two returned for touchdowns) ultimately doomed Plant City’s chances of making a comeback, however.

East Bay, meanwhile, went back on the road and took a 39-15 loss to a red-hot Gaither team. Though the Cowboys and Indians played a close second half (East Bay actually outscored Gaither, 15-13), Gaither’s offense produced 26 points in the first half (three touchdowns passing, one rushing).

The Indians have gone 8-3 when playing at home since 2017, and are currently undefeated in Gibsonton in 2019 (they beat Jefferson, 35-34, on Sept. 7). But East Bay also hasn’t been able to defeat Plant City since Oct. 4, 2013. During Plant City’s fivegame win streak, the Raiders have averaged 25 points per game and only once (Sept. 23, 2016’s 31-24 win) did they allow the Indians to score more than seven points in a contest. Plant City definitely wants to keep that streak alive but must keep turnovers at a minimum.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? FRIDAY NIGHT NOTES

Thoughts on the Lakeland-Plant City game, as seen from the sideline. SEE PAGE 13

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

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LAKELAND RUNS OVER FRIDAY NIGHT NOTES: RAIDERS, 55-19 Thoughts on the Lakeland-Plant City game, as seen WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

JUSTIN KLINE

from the sideline.

The Dreadnaughts used a late-game scoring outburst to put away a determined Plant City team on Sept. 13.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

It didn’t hit me until after the game ended and I had filed my story, but thinking about last week’s Lakeland-Plant City game reminded me of Super Bowl LIII. The two games almost couldn’t have been more different. What we saw last week was much more exciting for everyone involved than the snooze fest the nation got in February. The losing team actually did stuff on offense. The winning team could never be mistaken for having as much discipline as the Patriots. Maroon 5 didn’t show up at halftime. So it’s really just one thing that nailed it for me: the playcalling.

You could chalk it up to the same thing. A young head coach with the chops to make up for a lack of experience in that role clashes with a legend who’s been around long enough to have seen it all and knows how to plan for it. New school concepts tested against old school ones. These two games at two very different levels of the sport just go to show you that, no matter how the game evolves over the years, sometimes you still can’t beat the tried-andtrue methods of the past.

But, like I said earlier, this high school game was much better for Plant City than the Super Bowl was for the Rams.

One week after being held to 10 yards on eight carries, Zamir’ Knighten broke the 100-yard mark and scored a touchdown.

True, most of his 118 yards came on one big run, but Raider fans had to be pleased to see the senior look more like his usual self again out on the field and make big plays for the offense.

Lakeland’s defense was so focused on Mario Williams and Reagan Ealy that it let newcomer Melek Ford get a decent workload. Ford still hasn’t scored a touchdown since the Jesuit game, but both his five receptions and 55 receiving yards were season-high marks. If Ford takes this game and

gets on a roll, everyone gets more opportunities to eat.

Williams finished with just three catches for 67 yards and a score, but his scoring play was one any recruit would love to have on their mixtape. It’s one thing to beat your man on a stop-and-go but another entirely to reach behind his back at full speed to make the grab and fight for about 10 more yards to score with him right on top of you.

Following that up with an interception on Lakeland’s next drive had the home bleachers rocking.

Plant City’s defense looked motivated for much of the game. That definitely helped the Raiders hang within two possessions of the Dreadnaughts for as long as they did.

It really wasn’t until the last six minutes of the game when things felt like they were getting totally out of reach and that kind of spread all over 1 Raider Place. But, as the kids say these days, it be like that sometimes. That’s Lakeland for you. I would have loved to see last year’s Raiders team take on Lakeland during that hot streak.

You could say things are starting to get easier for Plant City now that it’s not about to face either a traditional powerhouse or a current one. East Bay is 1-3 on the season and just felt the sting of the Gaither Cowboys, 39-15, on the road. But Gibsonton is always a tough place to play (just ask Jefferson, who took a 35-34 loss there two weeks ago) and the Indians have yet to lose at home in 2019. I would say the hardest stretch of Plant City’s schedule is over, but there’s still a ways to go before the Raiders get into a matchup where most folks would guarantee a win.

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

Email: jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

Though the final score says “blowout,” the rest of Plant City’s district opener against Lakeland didn’t look too much like one.

It was three Lakeland touchdowns in the final six minutes of the game that took the Sept. 13 contest into blowout territory and gave the Dreadnaughts a 55-19 win over the Raiders, who stayed within two scores for a good chunk of the second half.

Plant City started the game with the ball, but the first play of the game — a pass attempt by Makenzie Kennedy — was picked off by Fenley Graham and returned 26 yards for a touchdown. It was the first of five interceptions for Lakeland. Plant City did manage to block the point-after attempt, giving Lakeland a 6-0 lead.

When Lakeland did have the ball in the first quarter, Plant City’s defense was game. The Raiders forced punts on both Dreadnaught drives that started and ended in the quarter, pumping up the offense and the packed bleachers. Zamir’ Knighten took the Raiders from their own 10-yard line to Lakeland’s 25 with one clean sweep run, which led to Chris Rodriguez cutting the deficit to 6-3 with a 37-yard field goal and just over a minute left in the first quarter.

But Lakeland’s next drive bled into the second quarter and was a showcase for star running back Demarckus Bowman. After Chayil Garnett picked up 11 yards on a quarterback keeper, Bowman scampered all the way from Lakeland’s 33-yard line to Plant CIty’s 17 and, two plays later, scored on a three-yard punch up the middle of the defense. A successful PAT gave Lakeland a 13-3 lead.

After forcing Plant City to punt, Lakeland drove from its own 15 to Plant City’s 13 and set up Jha’kari Martin for a 13-yard rushing touchdown with 6:16 left in the half. That gave Lakeland a 20-3 lead, but the momentum was about to shift.

The Raiders were forced to punt on their next drive, but a roughing the punter penalty was enough to give them the ball right back with a fresh set of downs at their own 34. Kennedy led the Raiders to Lakeland’s 26 and found Mario Williams along the home sideline. Williams wasn’t exactly open, but he made it work by going behind the defender’s back and fighting his way into the end zone for the first PCHS touchdown of the night. Williams followed up that highlight-reel catch by intercepting a deep pass by Garnett 25 game seconds later.

Plant City did have a chance to score before the end of the half, but a pass intended for Marquies Gines was picked off in the end zone by Lakeland’s Kendall Dennis with 12 seconds left.

Once again, the Dreadnaughts opened a half with an immediate touchdown.

This time, after returning a short kick to their own 40-yard line, Lakeland called a reverse sweep and Bowman dashed 60 yards for a touchdown. Lakeland’s first two-point conversion attempt of the evening was successful, giving the Dreadnaughts a 28-10 lead.

The ensuing Plant City drive ended with another interception and a dead ball foul on the Raiders, giving Lakeland the ball at Plant CIty’s 35. Lakeland chipped away at Plant City’s defense and fed Martin until the running back once again hit paydirt, this time scoring on a two-yard plunge with 7:05 left in the quarter. Lakeland opted for a PAT and took a 35-10 lead.

Kennedy and Knighten used their legs to keep the chains moving on the next PCHS drive. A completed pass to Melek Ford, coupled with a roughing the passer penalty, helped Plant City get to Lakeland’s 36. Williams snagged a 30-yard pass from Kennedy to get the Raiders inside the Lakeland 10, and an illegal Dreadnaughts substitution had PCHS knocking on the Dreadnaughts’ door. Knighten slipped through the middle for a one-yard touchdown with 1:32 left in the quarter, bringing the score to 35-16 and keeping PCHS within two possessions.

The Raiders were the first to score in the fourth quarter, thanks to Rodriguez’s leg giving the team a field goal from 30 yards out with 6:01 left. The score now stood at 35-19 and Plant City quickly recovering its own onside kick made the atmosphere at 1 Raider Place electric. Unfortunately for Plant City, Quadir Hall gave Lakeland its fourth interception of the night and its second pick-six from 58 yards out with 4:25 left in the game.

That interception was followed by another interception on Plant City’s next drive, though this one came on a tipped pass attempt that ended up in Quadir Hall’s hands. Hall got inside the Plant City 10 before he was taken down, and Arian Smith ran in a score from 10 yards out on the next play.

Plant City’s last drive of the game ended with a lost fumble in its own territory, but Lakeland wasn’t content to simply let the clock run out with a 49-19 lead.

The Dreadnaughts drove to Plant City’s 32-yard line and Garnett threw a fade in the end zone to Tayler Gant with 37 seconds left. The Dreadnaughts did not try for a PAT or two-point conversion, but instead let the running clock strike 0:00.

In other area action, Bloomingdale picked up a 35-0 shutout win at Durant and Kathleen got a 51-6 win at Strawberry Crest.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

Quick Hits

Cecilia Castillo

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

Plant City High School’s girls picked up a top-10 finish at the Seffner Christian Invite on Sept. 14. Leading the Raiders was senior Cecilia Castillo, who took on a tough Holloway Park course and finished with a personal-best time of 22:33.34. Castillo, a three-sport athlete, has been running cross country for the school for three seasons and is considering running at the collegiate level after graduation.

How were you feeling going into the race?

I was feeling very confident. I was hoping to hit a PR. I wasn’t really going in there thinking I would hit that much of a PR. During my workouts and stuff, my coach had been telling me he believed I could hit at least 22:50. I thought he was kind of crazy when he told me that. But I just went out and tackled those hills.

Plant City High School Cross Country | Twitter

The Raiders performed well at the 2019 Seffner Christian Invite.

AREA PARKS HOSTING EVENTS Florida USSSA Baseball will host its September Classic tournament in Plant City this weekend. The tourney runs from Saturday through Sunday with games starting between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on both days.

Games will be played on multiple fields at Plant City Stadium, the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex, Mike Sansone Park, Ellis-Methvin Park and the MLK fields.

DURANT, PCHS XC RUNNERS TAKE ON SEFFNER CHRISTIAN INVITE Cross country runners from Durant and Plant City high schools competed in the Sept. 14 Seffner Christian Invitational at Holloway Park in Lakeland and came through with some strong finishes.

Plant City’s boys and girls teams each recorded top-10 overall finishes.

The boys placed third overall with a score of 144 points and were led by Danny

Ramirez’s eighth-place finish in 18:07.27.

Anthony Killick was the next-fastest Raider with a time of 19:05.40 that scored him a 21st-place finish. Gage Rasmussen and Isaiah Wilcox placed 29th and 30th with respective times of 19:16.14 and 19:18.67.

The girls placed eighth overall with 214 points and Cecilia Castillo’s new personal record time of 22:33.34 was good for a 15th-place finish and led all Raiders. Lidia Leon was the next-fastest Raider, finishing in 24:51.58 to lock up 38th place, and she was followed by Emerson Nedurian’s 49thplace finish in 25:07.69.

Durant’s boys also did quite well at the event, locking up sixth place overall with a team score of 195. Haydon Patrick’s 15thplace finish in 18:53.28 led the Cougars and he was closely followed by Jacob Malinchak’s 19th-place finish in 19:03.40.

Raven Skousen also finished in the top 50, coming in 43rd place in 19:51.41.

Two Durant girls finished in the top 50 of 9/5/2019 & 9/19/2019 their race: Keiser Kinsley Trlak’s time of 24:49.08 231-1831-PCO-ImpactMA-5x6 Plant City Observerfinish, and Jayda got her a 37th-place 5x6 Reece finished in 24:59.90 to take 45th SB 8/22/19 place.

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country are just so supportive of each other. It’s a sport where everyone supports each other, even if you don’t know each other. You always have that support system there.

What’s your favorite event you’ve run in?

This past weekend.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SPONSORED BY SPORT CLIPS

Do you play any other sports?

I play soccer and I run track.

How did you get started in cross country?

What was your previous PR?

To condition for soccer. The coaches had seen me out and they knew my sister ran, so they wanted to see what I had. I gave it a shot. I knew it would benefit me in soccer.

24:38.

What kept you at it for this long?

So you beat it by a full two minutes and then some. When in the race did you think that maybe your coach wasn’t so crazy after all?

It’s when you finish. That feeling that you just did it, I can’t really describe it unless you do it. It’s an amazing sport and I love every part of it.

Well, going out in the first mile, I went out faster than he anticipated me to go out.

Going through the second mile, which is always a harder mile, I was feeling very good. I thought there was still so much more left in the meet, but it turned out there was only one mile left and that’s when I knew I could do it.

What’s the hardest thing about running at Holloway?

I would definitely say the hills. A good thing about this time around was that the course was dry. It usually is wet and slippery. The hills are definitely the worst part.

What’s been your favorite moment running cross country for the school?

I think my favorite part is meeting the people who run. The people who run cross

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

FOOTBALL

OCT. 25

OCT. 1

SEPT. 28

TCYFCC

SEPT. 13

Durant at Plant City, 7:25 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Bloomingdale, 7:30 p.m.

Plant City at Kathleen, 7:30 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Don Bishop Invite

SEPT. 21

NOV. 1

Durant at Lennard, 7:30 p.m.

Brandon at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.

OCT. 3

OCT. 2

GOLF

SEPT. 17

OCT. 7

SEPT. 19

Lakeland 3, Plant City 0 Strawberry Crest 3, Armwood 0

Durant at Tampa Bay Tech, 7 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Freedom, 7:30 p.m.

Durant vs.

Plant

VOLLEYBALL

Durant at Newsome, 7:30 p.m.

Plant City at East Bay, 7:30 p.m.

Riverview at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.

SEPT. 27

SEPT. 19

Durant at Kathleen, 7:30 p.m.

Plant City at Bloomingdale, 7:30 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Lakeland, 7:30 p.m.

Durant at Plant City, 7:30 p.m.

Bloomingdale at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.

SEPT. 23

SEPT. 23

OCT. 4

Plant City at Bartow, 7:30 p.m.

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

Western Conference: diving, 3 p.m.

OCT. 11 Lakeland at Durant, 7:30 p.m.

Plant City at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.

OCT. 18 Kathleen at Plant City, 7:30 p.m.

Durant at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Gator “Keppel” Invite

Plant City at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.

SEPT. 20

Lennard at Durant, 7:30 p.m.

Armwood at Plant City, 7:30 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Wharton, 7:30 p.m.

OCT. 5

SEPT. 24 Durant at Newsome, 7:30 p.m.

Plant at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.

SEPT. 26 Middleton at Durant, 6:25 p.m.

Plant City at Armwood, 7:30 p.m.

East Bay at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.

SWIMMING SEPT. 19 Bloomingdale vs. Tampa Bay Heat vs. Plant City, 6 p.m.

SEPT. 24 RIverview vs. East Bay vs. Plant City, 5:30 p.m.

SEPT. 25-27 Western Conference: divisional meets

CROSS COUNTRY SEPT. 19

SEPT. 23 Durant vs.

Lennard SEPT. 24 Plant City vs.

Newsome SEPT. 25 Strawberry Crest vs.

Bloomingdale SEPT. 26 Plant City vs.

Strawberry Crest

Dover Patriots at Lakeland Eagles Plant City Dolphins at East Bay Bucs Turkey Creek Trojans at Seffner Seahawks SEPT. 28 Pinecrest Pilots at Dover Patriots Brandon Cowboys at Plant City Dolphins Turkey Creek Trojans at Lakeland Eagles OCT. 5 East Bay Bucs at Dover Patriots Plant City Dolphins at Lakeland Gators Turkey Creek Trojans at North Lakeland Legends OCT. 12 Dover Patriots at Seffner Seahawks New Tampa Wildcats at Plant City Dolphins Pinecrest Pilots at Turkey Creek Trojans

OCT. 3 Durant vs.

Plant City Strawberry Crest vs. Newsome

Durant vs. Strawberry Crest vs. Brandon vs. Spoto, 6 p.m.

287682-1

Bloomingdale 35, Durant 0 Lakeland 55, Plant City 19 Kathleen 51, Strawberry Crest 6

SPORTS SCORES

SPORTS SCORES AND MORE

15

16

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

289704-1

We asked: What’s the most important thing that needs to come to downtown Plant City?

“I like everything that’s downtown. Sundays and Mondays are the only time I’m not here, but I would be if more things were open.”

— Chris Glorioso, 20

“They need some nice restau- “Decent sit-down restaurants rants. There’s an Outback and downtown. And some shops Carrabba’s by the interstate, that aren’t antique shops.” but downtown at night there’s — Teresa Boully, 59 no restaurants that are nice.”

— Mike Boully, 63

“They need community support. Someone brought up the idea of a general mercantile store and I want to know, are you gonna frequent it or go to Publix? Whatever happens, the community needs to support it.”

— Joe Williams, 48

“Something for teens. Our town’s full of shops for food and entertainment and special events.

But we need like a dance club, a teen hangout. Something for children, too.” — Leonard Case, 18

OMG IT’S WEDNESDAY!

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9:00 - 6:00 Fri.

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8:00 - 6:00 Fri LOBBY: 9:00 - 4:00 Mon. - Thurs.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Charles R. “Chuck” Sullivan, 62, of Plant City, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 10, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Margaret Ayers

Louie Lowry

Margaret Ayers, 84, of Plant City, born in Harford County, Maryland on Feb. 19, 1935, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 15, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com

Louie Lowry, 83, of Mulberry, passed away on Sept. 9, 2019.

Services were held Sept.14, 2019 at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

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

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Larry W. Granger Larry W. Granger, 75, of Plant City, entered into eternal rest on Sep. 12, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Caige Nielson Swain PO2 Caige Nielson Swain, USN, 21, of Lithia, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 8, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

John Doscher

John Doscher, 73, of Plant City, entered into eternal rest on Sept.16, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Victor Hugo Rodriguez Jimenez

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Samantha ‘Sam’ Anderson Samantha “Sam” Anderson, 41, of Plant City, passed away on Sept.10, 2019.

Funeral Services were held Sept. 16 at Sydney First Church of God, 1432 Sydney Dover Road, at 11:00 a.m.

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

Victor Hugo Rodriguez Jimenez, 46, of Gibsonton, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 16, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Minnie ‘Belle’ Brobtst

Minnie “Belle” Brobst, 80, left this earth to be with her heavenly father on Sept. 4, 2019.

She entered into eternal rest and joined the love of her life, Ray Eugene Brobst, and her parents Eval Aquilla and Rosa Lee Scott.

Belle was born on Sept. 24, 1938 In Rayville, Louisiana.

She is survived by Cynthia Johnson (Nick), Susie Kimbel (Mark), Alicia Wilkerson (Billy) and two siblings Ethel Moreland and Albert “Buddy” Scott, grandkids Chris Salter, Nicholas Salter, Stacey Pascarella, Angie Roberts, Matthew, Joshua, and Jacob Kimbel, Preston and Blake Sparkman, William, Blane, and Preston Wilkerson, 23 great-grandkids and two great-great grandkids.

17

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

She was a dedicated mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. She loved spending time with her family. She was a member of Grace Point Presbyterian Church and Eastern Star.

Her celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 at 4 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service.

First Presbyterian Church 404 W. Reynolds St. Plant City.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 3470 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33803. Call (863)2971880.

Condolences can be shared online at www.haught.care.

OBITUARIES

Charles R. ‘Chuck’ Sullivan

|

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Mary Lee Candis Mary Lee Candis, born Sept. 24, 1928, passed on Sept. 11, 2019 at Heritage Oaks Assistance Living.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 at 11 a.m.

SDA Church, 705 S. Maryland Ave. Winslow Honors Funeral Chapel, 1110 E. Laura St.

Florist HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

116 North Collins Street Plant City, FL 33563 ph: (813) 567-5735 allabloomtampa.com

Historic Downtown 287464-1

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

OBITUARIES

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

Charles Dee Phillips Charles Dee Phillips, 79, of Plant City, passed away on Sept. 15, 2019.

The family will receive friends Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church, 905 West Terrace Drive, Plant City, FL 33563. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m.

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

YOUR CALENDAR

18

BEST BET SATURDAY, SEPT. 21 CFA CAT SHOW

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Head over to the TECO Expo Hall, 2301 W. Oak Ave., to experience a purr-fect weekend event. The CFA Cat Show is held Saturday at the prior listed time and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 for seniors and kids and $7 for adults. From each admission $1 will go to support Forgotten Tails Rescue. Please bring food and litter to support the rescue as well. The CFA All Breed Cat Show features Feline Agility. Come meet the amazing cats and their owners. Pet product vendors and professional cat photography will be on site.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 19 HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

7:30 to 9 a.m. Plant City Toastmasters is held every Thursday.

Guests are always welcome to come join the free meeting at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St.

SCHMOOZAPALOOZA 2019

Gerald LaRue Keene Gerald LaRue Keene, 80, of Lakeland, passed away on Sept. 16, 2019.

A native of Plant City, he was the son of the late Luther and Mildred Keene.

Survivors include his wife; Karen “Dale” Keene, children; Teresa Keene, Marlin (Sally) Keene, Sherlene (Ronnie) Elliott, Felita Keene, siblings; Freida Poole, Hollis (Linda) Keene, Yolanda (Richard) Joyner, Darlene Welch, LaRoyce (Debby) Keene, Cheryl (Allen) Ham, Travis (Julie) Keene, three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Gerald was a member of Sharon Purity Baptist Church where he was a Deacon. Gerald was an owner of Keene Plumbing for 40 years and was a Plumbing Inspector for the City of Lakeland for 14 years.

The family will receive friends Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Sharon Purity Baptist Church, 3506 Young Rd, Plant City. The family will also receive friends Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 at Salem Baptist Purity Church, 16525 S U.S. Highway 98, Salem, with a graveside service to follow.

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

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

3 to 7 p.m. Schmoozapalooza, HCC Trinkle Center, 1204 N. Park Rd., is a high-energy networking event hosted by the Plant City Chamber of Commerce for the entire community — members and non-members alike.

The best way to describe this new event is to think a football tailgate party meets a business trade show. Schmoozapalooza will feature exhibitor booths, complimentary food & beer samples from Plant City’s favorite restaurants, swag bags for all attendees, a live DJ, giveaways, interactive games and more.

Tickets are $10 and are on sale now online at the Chamber’s website. plantcity.org.

MIGRATING BIRDS OF TAMPA BAY

5:30 p.m. Come on out to Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., for a special presentation on Tampa’s bird migrations.

Did you know Tampa Bay is a crossroads for migrating birds?

It’s one of the best places in the state to see the real Snowbirds, the birds that nest in the Arctic and winter in Brazil. Join Tampa Audubon Society president Mary Keith for a presentation on the wildlife. She will even share where you can spot these beautiful creatures.

BREASTFEEDING AND NEWBORN CARE CLASS

6 to 8 p.m. South Florida Baptist Hospital is hosting a Breastfeeding and Newborn Care Class that covers several aspects of newborn care, such as breastfeeding, bathing, diapering and safety risks. This class is held the fourth Thursday of every month.

Participants may bring one

guest to classes. Please bring a notepad to take notes. Snacks will be provided. The class is in the ICU Conference Room, 2-South. Registration is required and free. Call 1-855-269-4777.

BLUEGRASS NIGHT WITH BLUEGRASS ALIVE

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bluegrass Night at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., with “Bluegrass Alive” and guest Cody Nieves. Bluegrass Alive hails from Central Florida and brings some creative instrumentation, warm harmonies and pizzazz.

Blending Bill Monroe’s distinct bluegrass genre with vintage country, gospel and Americana in a show that a family or a group of friends can enjoy together.

Tickets are $10 on Eventbrite and in-house and limited seating will be available.

PLANT CITY TASTE OF LAURA STREET

4 to 7:30 p.m. at Bing Rooming House, 205 S. Allen St. The event is a foodie and culinary experience celebrating the historic cuisine of the former Laura Street Business District in Plant City.

Come experience perishable art at its peak perfection. There will be food tasting, music, an art gallery and family fun. Entry and parking is free and armbands are $10 to taste foods. For more information visit A Taste of Laura Street on Facebook or head to plantcitybinghouse.com.

JOE’S GARAGE BAND

FRIDAY, SEPT. 20

8:33 to 10:33 p.m. Joe’s Garage Band will be gracing the stage in the Krazy Kup loft, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Veterans who joyously blend covers of classic rock, blues, country and a smattering of original tunes. There is a $5 suggested donation.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE

MONDAY, SEPT. 23

1 p.m. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 302 Carey St., is now hosting a weekly Duplicate Bridge game, the most widely used variation of contract bridge in club and tournament play.

Contact Walt Arnold at 813-7521602 for more information.

PLANT CITY DAYBREAK ROTARY CLUB

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21 STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN

READ WITH TANNER THE THERAPY DOG

STRONGER

THAN EVER

TOPICS ON TAP

5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Corner Store, 121 E. Reynolds St. Join Main Street Plant City for an in-depth summary presentation of the Downtown Vision Plan. In partnership with the City of Plant City Government, Main Street recently undertook an intensive three-day planning session with Community Design Solutions to define the planning and design initiatives needed to strategically develop and revitalize downtown Plant City over the next two to 10 years. The event is free and open to the community. Drinks are available for purchase and light appetizers will be provided

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25 AARP DRIVING COURSE

7 to 8 a.m. The Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club holds a meeting every Monday morning in the Community Meeting Room of the Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place. Guests are welcome to join them.

3 to 8 p.m. The Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In is held the third Saturday in downtown Plant City, 102 N. Palmer St., rain or shine. Free car registration begins at 3 p.m. Join the classic cars and trucks and take a stroll through local shops and vendors. For more information and vendor space contact the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce at 813-754-3707 or at info@plantcity.org.

program that highlights early literacy skills and encourages reading readiness and social interaction. For children age 2 to 3 and their caregivers.

5:30 p.m. Tanner the Therapy Dog comes to Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., every Monday to listen to children read to him on the couch. Tanner is an Australian Shepherd Reading Therapy Dog certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. For children of all ages.

10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drive safe.

Drive smart. Refresh your driving skills and know the new rules of the road. Learn research-based driving strategies to help you stay safe behind the wheel in this course held at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Please bring a lunch. Call 813-757-9215 to register.

KIWANIS CLUB OF PLANT CITY

12 to 1 p.m. The Kiwanis Club of Plant City meets Wednesdays at Buddy Freddy’s Restaurant, 1101 Goldfinch Drive (off Thonotosassa Road). For club information call 813-417-7559.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 24 STORY TIME (TODDLER TIME)

10:30 a.m. Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., is hosting its weekly Story Time (Toddler Time) event. Stories and interactive activities make up this engaging 45-minute

JOIN

TODAY! SEPTEMBER SPECIAL OFFER*

CELEBRATING 175 YEARS

PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA

1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City | 813 757 6677 | tampaymca.org

*Offer valid thru 9/30/19.

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg September 19, 2019 PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

I LOVE PLANT CITY

9/19

FORECAST THURSDAY, SEPT. 19

29 “Bad ___” (2016 Mila Kunis film) 30 Spotify’s 2018 debut: Abbr.

32 Be silent, in music 33 Pro’s opposite 34 Like some pitchers 37 Mass book (last 3 + ...)

40 Scented bag (... first 2) 43 Ladybugs, e.g.

45 Greek P 47 Pacific island country 50 Bit of horse food 51 “Young Frankenstein” character 52 Nonsense (last 4 + ...)

55 Final song at a concert, often (... first 4)

57 ___-de-France 58 Like a good flan 59 Fish eggs 60 Flavorful lemon part 62 Do a headspin, say, or what four of this puzzle’s black squares do?

67 Failures bruise them 68 Lather, ___, repeat 69 Pick up 70 Northern Nevada city 71 In a strange manner 72 “Holy smokes!”

DOWN 1 “Wonderful” juice brand 2 Tuna type 3 “___ some, lose some” 4 “Haven’t heard anything

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Sept. 19

7:15a

7:29p

Friday, Sept. 20

7:16a

7:27p

Saturday, Sept. 21

7:16a

7:26p

Sunday, Sept. 22

7:17a

7:25p

FRIDAY, SEPT. 20

Monday, Sept. 23

7:17a

7:24p

Tuesday, Sept. 24

7:18a

7:23p

Wednesday, Sept. 25

7:18a

7:22p

High: 89 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 20%

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21 High: 89 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 20%

SUNDAY, SEPT. 22 High: 91 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 10%

AVOCADOS

Shipping point: Central Florida $8.50-$10

yet” 5 St. Peter’s and others 6 A long time ___ 7 Palindromic cuff type 8 2000s fashion dolls 9 December 25 visitor 10 Game with a “freeze” variety 11 Delightfully unusual 12 Admonish 13 “That’s cool” 18 Clean air org.

22 Story you may need a ladderto get to 24 Regal competitor 25 Va-va-___ (exciting quality) 26 Swanky hotel chain 28 “Scrubs” actor Braff 31 One-named soccer legend 35 The Thin Man’s best friend?

36 It lets you into any room 38 “The King and I” setting 39 Put out, as a candle 41 Therefore 42 An Avenger 44 Applaud 46 It may contain iron 47 Big name in big pharma 48 Claim 49 Rests atop 51 Manny the Mammoth’s movie franchise 53 Book, in Spanish 54 Deodorant choice 56 Silent agreement 61 General on a menu 63 It’s seen but not heard: Abbr.

64 Pester 65 Top-secret org.

66 Finale

19

SUNRISE/SUNSET

High: 88 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 10%

Bust a Move by Sophia Maymudes

ACROSS 1 One of 16 in chess 5 Pointed remarks 10 Actress Hatcher 14 Easternmost four-letter state 15 Ancient public space 16 Sent packing 17 Amy Klobuchar, for one (last 3 letters + ...)

19 Asian desert (... first 2) 20 “Pen” lead-in 21 “___ girl!”

23 ___-of-war 24 Open declaration (last 3 + ...)

27 Sauce on a gyro (... first 2)

|

Sept. 29 New

Oct. 13 Full

Oct. 3 First

Sept. 24 Last

RAINFALL Monday, Sept. 9

0.10

Tuesday, Sept. 10 0.00 Wednesday, Sept. 11

0.02

Thursday, Sept. 12 0.04 Friday, Sept. 13

0.04

Saturday, Sept. 14 0.04 Sunday, Sept. 15

0.24

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2019 35.66 in.

2019 0.75 in.

2018 22.46 in.

2018 1.09 in.

WEATHER

52 Nonsense ACROSS 11 Delightfully 42 An Avenger (last 4 + ...)

1 One of 16 unusual 44 Applaud 55 Final song in chess 12 Admonish 46 It may at a concert, 5 Pointed 13 “That’s cool” contain iron often remarks 18 Clean air org.

47 Big name in 4) Editor22 10 Story you big pharma SendActress your photo submissions(... to first Associate Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com 57 ___-deHatcher may need 48 Claim or hashtag #iloveplantcity onFrance Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature. 49 Rests atop 14 Easternmost a ladder 58 Like a four-letter to get to 51 Manny the good flan state 24 Regal Mammoth’s 59 Fish eggs 15 Ancient competitor movie 60 Flavorful public space 25 Va-va-___ franchise lemon part 16 Sent packing (exciting 53 Book, in 62 Do a 17 Amy quality) Spanish headspin, Klobuchar, 26 Swanky 54 Deodorant say, or what for one (last hotel chain choice four of this 3 letters + ...)

28 “Scrubs” 56 Silent puzzle’s 19 Asian desert actor Braff agreement black (... first 2) 31 One-named 61 General on squares do?

20 “Pen” lead-in soccer a menu 67 Failures 21 “___ girl!” legend 63 It’s seen but bruise them 23 ___-of-war 35 The Thin not heard: 68 Lather, ___, 24 Open Man’s best Abbr. repeat declaration friend?

64 Pester 69 Pick up (last 3 + ...)

36 It lets you 65 Top-secret 70 Northern 27 Sauce on a into any org.

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30 Spotify’s candle DOWN 2018 debut: 41 Therefore 1 “Wonderful” Abbr. juice brand 32 Be silent, PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER 2 Tuna type in music Kimberly furry friend 3 “___ some,when this raccoon stopped by her garden for a visit.

33 Pro’sHatley found a new lose some” opposite Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instgram, 4 “Haven’t 34 LikeLsome ON I N E @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer heard pitchers on Facebook. anything yet” 37 Mass book 5 St. Peter’s (last 3 + ...) and others 40 Scented bag 6 A long (... first 2) time ___ 43 Ladybugs, 7 Palindromic e.g. cuff type 45 Greek P 8 2000s 47 Pacific island fashion dolls country 9 December 50 Bit of 25 visitor horse food 51 “Young 10 Game with 9/18 © 2019 Andrews McMeel Universal Frankenstein” a “freeze” www.upuzzles.com character variety

20

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

PlantCityObserver.com