9.22.22 PLCO

IMPACT FEE STUDIES

Commissioners have approved a nearly $100,000 contract with Alfred Benesch and Com pany to conduct an impact fee study.

During the commission meeting on Sept. 12 City Manager Bill McDaniel was told to proceed with the agreement — which also entails $6,200 in optional services for city staff and commission presentations. Typically, impact fees are reviewed to determine if the structure of the rates are com

petitive and are legally defensible. The current rate structures are enforced for the following ser enforcement – adopted on April 9, 2007

• Fire protection – adopted on January 22, 2007

• Library – adopted on August 22, 2005

• Recreation – adopted on February 23, 2004

• Transportation Mobility – adopted on Febru ary 22, 2010

On April 29 the city published an RFP for the service. Bids were due May 26. Four responses were received, three of which were considered valid.

DURANT WINS REDMAN CUP OVER PLANT CITY

BRIEFSNEWSPlant

City to experience road closures for Oktoberfest

Plant City has announced that there will be multiple road closures on Sept. 24 as the city celebrates their fist annual Oktoberfest. Road closures will run from Palmer St. to Evers St. and MLK to Reynolds St., lasting from 12 p.m. to midnight. 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 competition, plus more.

With a $30 entry fee, contestants can show off their skills during the ooking competition 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 Place Prize.

Those of age can take advantage of the biergarten (beer garden.) Registration will be $85 for exhibitors; $45 for non-profis; $55 for informational participants; $200 for food trucks. For additional information, please contact Dawn Hyatt at Director@PlantCityMainStreet.com, call (813)358-8898 or visit www.PlantCityMainStreet.org.

Plant City Optimist Club and Plant City Parks & Recreation Department to hold annual Golf Tournament

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. 1.

The 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 the tournament.

The Plant City 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 Friends 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 certifi cations 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.

To obtain 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 orgpresident@plantcityoptimistclub.orbyphone813-299-6503.

Historic Downtown Thoughts Past And Future

ED VERNER

Sometimes I hear a comment along the lines of, ‘Boy Plant City sure is changing fast and before you know it you won’t even rec ognize it anymore.’ I understand where they are coming from when I drive on North Park Road, or have the misfortune to catch the traf fic light at Grant St. when trying to cross Alexander St. But one of the nice things about our Historic Downtown Core is how it was mostly built out two and a half generations ago. And while there are small pockets of infill result ing from minor alterations in the area, for the most part our His toric Downtown doesn’t change much due to growth so much as it changes due to the types of activ ity.My family has more than a little “skin in the game” when it comes to Plant City’s Historic Downtown; and without boring a reader with a history lesson, I would simply state how our fam ily’s business offices began with a single room in downtown in 1919 and we’ve never had our admin istrative offices elsewhere. I have been working from our downtown since the mid-1980s and enjoyed renovating more than a few old structures when their time to be restored or repurposed fell across my desk. Perhaps, therefore, my perspective might be of passing interest, so here goes.

PARKING: When I’m asked for a program about our historic downtown to civic groups like the Chamber Leadership, etc., I question the attendees what they think is wrong or needs fix ing with Plant City’s downtown. Usually, the first knee-jerk reac tion is to complain that parking is a problem. While this answer is utterly and completely false, the perception of a parking prob lem sometimes creates one in the mind of pundits and mavens. But in all of my years working in our downtown, I’ve never had to park more than two blocks from any where I wanted to go. For per spective, that is about half of the distance of the usual walk from my automobile to the entrance of Publix. But the two big differenc es in the mind of a customer are A) if one is shopping or visiting a professional at a giant retail plaza with a football field sized parking lot they can most always see from their car to the entrance of their destination. A clear line of sight is comforting to the paranoid, and B) a first timer downtown may not know where to look to park.

RESIDENCES: A few of us who don’t spit out the nonsense that our downtown is ‘dead’ remember all too well when indeed it was, in fact, truly dead. And by dead I mean that it was 80% vacant with rental rates dis counted to below real estate tax levels. And more importantly, all five offices in downtown back

then closed at 5 o’clock and the only people here on weekends were a street walker working the U.S. 92 trade to Lakeland, and/ or perhaps a stray dog. But by the late 1990s much renovation and revitalization had occurred such that the trend was once again upward. There were a few restau rants and broken windows were blessedly few. And one thing that began around then and helped a lot was people residing in down town. Second floor apartments began to appear and were imme diately occupied. People who live in downtown need things, and they vote.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES:

The City Police station left down town, despite excellent arguments for keeping and rebuilding it here (can’t win ‘em all), but City Hall stayed the course of ‘In The Heart of Plant City, With Plant City At Heart’ with an anchoring enlarge ment where she now stands. The Tax Collector’s, Social Security (the oxymoron of our times), and the U.S. Postal Offices all left downtown and/or the City, but the Library has hung in there so far. The County Courthouse was enlarged and is proximal to our historic areas as well.

ENTERTAINMENT ACTIV

ITIES: The old train depot was saved and repurposed (an effort spearheaded by Gil Gott and the Plant City Chamber of Com merce), and shortly afterward the City made a bold step with tax dol

lars in tearing down an old build ing that allowed for McCall Park to extend east/west from Palmer to Wheeler Streets and beyond. These two things in combination allowed an area for entertainment and planned activities to occur like never before. The trend here is upward and positive.

Special mention here goes to Brandon Snyder with the Roots efforts in 2019 and 2021 (with more looming from him I hear). The entertainment value of his boutique craft beer and win ery concepts, and his success in getting the City to allow them, paved the way for those resi dences I spoke of to have some thing to do besides drive out of town after 5PM or weekends. It has also helped a few town opin ion makers no longer to fear such turning our evening streets into a Ybor-esq nightclub buffet of 20 years past or ruining the Norman Rockwell painted image they had of our downtown. Roots helped prove the concept and allowed further encouragements to things like we have seen on the Evers St. facades. Not to be self-serving, but I kind of like Bruton’s Cigar Shop as well. All of these places can be profitable businesses that offer an upscale entertaining, social, and pedestrian compo nent, yet avoid being some pit stop for 30-year-old children to leave their momma’s basement to squat like some freeloading toad writing their great unfinished

novel while drinking free water and bad-mouthing our country.

PRIORITIES: One of my family’s renovations was the Lee Building, and she celebrates her 100th year this year. Our family’s offices here were enjoying our 20th anniversary four years ago, and before the Covid-19 hys teria I was working to celebrate both and perhaps throw a party like the one we had in 1998 in our courtyard. In planning for a pos sible program to accompany the party, I put together a short list of my opinions as to priorities for our beloved downtown. It doesn’t surprise me to read back on it now and find my hopes then were the same as they are now. I think our historic downtown needs more residences, to keep our govern ment offices, and to continue encouraging things like the Plant City Chamber of Commerce, the EDC, and the Mainstreet offices to reside in our historic downtown. There are intangible benefits to these that no other area of Plant City’s past or future should enjoy ahead of Historic Downtown. The fact that downtown space is still less expensive should make that a no brainer, but even if the costs were higher, I would argue that the intangible benefits associated with Government presence and activity should ONLY be given to our historic downtown.

Any chance of a Police Depart ment Substation?

PLANT CITY KIWANIS INSTALLS NEW OFFICERS FOR UPCOMING YEAR

The Kiwanis Club held their annual Installation Dinner at the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center last week.

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

The Kiwanis Club of Plant City held their annual Installation Dinner at the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center last week, presenting awards to several club members while also installing all new club officers for the upcoming year.

Sharon Moody was named Kiwanian of the Year and also received a Perfect Atten dance award along with James McDaniel, Joe Borrell and Gil Gott.

Following member Marilyn Williams’ term as club president, Borrell will serve the position for the 2022-2023 term.

“I hope you will join me as we swim upstream, build a club in our leadership and our membership and do so because in the end, the thing that matters is our slogan, ‘Kids Need Kiwanis,’” Borrell said. “That’s what makes this work so impor tant. Thank you for this honor.”

In his address to the club, Borrell thanked his fellow members and many of the mem bers that came before him and named a few key platforms that he wants to focus on in his year as president. These focuses include re-building connections with local schools, noting how hard COVID was on the community, schools and subsequently the club’s Student Leadership Programs, reconnecting with club members and a renewed call to service.

Moody was installed as president-elect and will serve as president for the 20232024 year, then marking her second stint as

president after previously serving in 20102011. Latesa Faison will retain her role as treasurer and the team of Keri Kozicki and Gil Gott will serve as co-secretaries fol lowing Townsend. In addition to being installed as president-elect at the club level in Plant City, Moody will additionally serve as governor for the Kiwanis Club’s Florida District — a district that includes 270 clubs with nearly 6,500 members.

“Kiwanis is a service organization that serves children and we have all different types of programs,” Moody said. “The Key Club at the high school level, we have the Builders Club at the middle school level, we have Terrific Kids which is a characterbuilding and skill development program forPlantkids.”City Kiwanis Club currently has a Key Club at Plant City High School and Strawberry Crest High School, Build ers Club at Marshall Middle School, Ter rific Kid programs at Burney Elementary School, Wilson Elementary School, Jack son Elementary School, Dover Elementary School and Faith Christian Academy.

At the state level, Moody has already started a youth literacy program right here in Plant City that she plans to build upon throughout the state of Florida through local Kiwanis Clubs.

“My project for the whole state is called Cops N’ Kids Reading Together and I opened that here in Plant City,” Moody said. “That’s one of my projects, a litera cy program where we entrust in local law enforcement to allow them and the kids to connect.”

SEPTEMBERCORNERCOPS

CROSSING THE LINE

Lake St. / US Hwy. 574

DUI: Officers observed a white van driving past barricades at the scene of a crash at the listed location. One individual was subsequently placed under arrest for DUI and transported to Orient Road Jail.

SEPTEMBER 10

KEEP ON TRUCKIN’

1100 block of W. Spencer St.

Theft, motor vehicle: An officer met with the victim at the listed location who stated that their Dodge Ram truck was stolen.

YOU GOTTA GO

200 block of W. Alexander St. Trespass after arrest: While patrolling the plaza at the listed location, an officer observed an individual that had previously been trespassed from the location for one year on Dec. 26. The individual was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

CAUGHT RED HANDED

800 block of W. Drane St. Burglary/resist without violence: An officer responded to a residence at the listed location in reference to a suspicious person call. One individual was subsequently arrested and charged with burglary of an occupied conveyance, battery, resist officer without violence, depriving an officer of means of communica-

tion and trespass in an occupied structure. The individual was then transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

SEPTEMBER 12

TRAILER TRASHED

600 block of Charlie Taylor Rd. Vehicle burglary: An officer met with the complainant at the listed location, a supervisor for a business, who reports that a trailer was broken into.

SEPTEMBER 13

CRASHED LANDING

N. Woodrow Wilson St.

Drug investigation: An officer responded to a traffic ash at Airport Rd. and Sydney Rd. One individual was subsequently

charged with possession of methamphetamine, tampering with evidence and resisting arrest without violence. They were also charged by another officer for leaving the scene of a traffi crash, driving with a suspended license and driving an unregistered motor vehicle.

SEPTEMBER 14

ROCK AND ROLLING

600 block of W. Dixie st. Criminal mischief: Officers met with the victim at the listed location who stated that a rock was thrown through the rear window of their vehicle.

WINDOW PAINS

400 block of N. Dort St.

Criminal mischief: An officer met with the victim at the listed location who stated that the rear window of his vehicle was shattered, causing approximately $300 worth of damage.

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CONTACT US Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The City Observer can be in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B.

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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

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CITY COMMISSION PUSHES PROJECT FORWARD

COMMISSION SETS DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS.

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

South Frontage Road Commercial Center

The proposed Plant City South Frontage Road Commercial Center subdivision is nearing final approval as the commission set a public hearing for the project on Sept. 26.The applicant, Ron Roberts, proposes the commercial center create a two-lot industrial subdivision within the North east Commercial Center Planned Devel opment District. The subdivision would be located on the south side of South Frontage Road, between North Park Road and East of North Wilder Road.

On Aug. 24, the planning board found the subdivision plat to be consistent with the

Plant City Zoning Ordinance, Subdivisions Regulations, Florida Statutes Chapter 177 and the Imagine 2040 Comprehensive Plan and sent it to the city commission with a recommendation to approve.

Gateway District

A public hearing will be held on Sept. 26 on the Gateway District, which com missioners could use to bring mixed-use development to James L. Redman Pkwy.

In 2005, the Mixed-Use Gateway Dis trict – Future Land Use Plan Category was developed as part of the Imagine 2040: Plant City Comprehensive Plan.

The land use category was applied to those lands along both sides of James L. Redman Parkway from Charlie Griffin Road to Kilgore Road.

The overarching development criteria for the district will remain the same as the maximum density will stay at 16 units per gross acre and the floor area ratio will con tinue to 0.35.

Its uses for commercial, office, civic, and residential purposes will also remain unchanged and a strip of commercial development pattern is prohibited.

One major concept that is proposed to change is how the municipality promotes a mixed-use environment in the Gateway District.Currently all parcels must have a mix of uses, which has proven difficult to put in place due to a variety of factors, including the varied parcel sizes and ownership pat terns along James L. Redman Parkway.

The proposed method would provide incentives for a mix of uses within the corridor and requiring vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian cross connections between developments. This in turn would create a cohesive sense of identity within the dis trict and improving safety and reducing transportation impacts on James L. Red man Parkway.

Plant City

100Turns

Etta Wetherington details lifewhile preparing for birthday party

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

Only a few individuals live long enough to celebrate their centen nial birthday and reflect on their many years of memories.

Etta Wetherington happens to be one of those people as she will be celebrating her 100th birthday on Nov. 11.

A party will take place on Nov. 5 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at First Bap tist Church, 3309 James L. Red man Pkwy. in Plant City.

The occasion will be in her hon or and a time to reflect on her life.

She was born to Lula Alice and Frank Wetherford in Corbin, Ky. Not long after, the family moved to Newport, Kentucky where she was“Myraised.brother rode a mule 13 miles to get to the doctors to deliver me,” Etta said.

Growing up, coal was a com modity that was a priority at home and her family had to save money just to stock up at the turn of each year.

An aunt invited the family to come down to Florida for a visit, when Etta was 9 years old.

While traveling cross coun try, their car broke down and the vacation money had to be used for repairs. Once they reached Flor ida, her parents decided to make the Sunshine State their new home, settling down in Plant City.

During the summer months, she would stay on her aunt’s farm back in Corbin.

At a young age, Etta spent many

days picking strawberries and vegetables on the family farm as a means of getting by during the Great Depression – the period of economic hardship around the world that started with the Stock Market crash in the U.S. in 1929 and lasting until 1939.

In Florida, she attended what was once called Turkey Creek School which was deemed as a strawberry school – where stu dents academic year ran from March to December so they could spend the strawberry season growing, harvesting, and pack aging the red fruit.

While she was growing up, it was typical for high school girls to get married, she said, but she didn’t want to form that union while in Whenadolescence.shefinally made that life-long commitment, it was to Joseph Long Wetherington – a Navy officer who served during World War II. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Yorkshire, which was attacked and sunk during the Battle of WetheringtonMidway.received numer ous accolades after rescuing his fellow comrades who were left in theAlthoughwater. he was praised for his heroism, Joseph came home suf fering from post-traumatic stress disorder.Thecouple eventually moved to San Diego where he was studying during his service. The military

sent him to college in Chicago and graduated with a degree in aero nautical engineering.

“My husband advanced rapidly because he really was a brilliant man,” she said.

They lived in Cincinnati for a while and settled in Plant City, where Joseph worked as a mechanic at a local gas station. The couple resided next door, where they had their first of two daughters, Joetta.

At age 32, Joseph developed polio, which prevented him from serving during the Korean War.

While he was being cared for in the hospital, Etta went back to working in the fields to support the family. However, Joseph did not allow the disease to deter him from staying productive and pro viding for his loved ones.

He became a dispatcher for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in 1953 and also worked as one for the Plant City Police Department.Thatsame year, Etta began to work as a clerk for the City of Plant City and went on to serve for over 30 years.

With that position, she became close with former Plant City Manager Nettie Draughon.

Etta also made friends with several of her other colleagues.

“We were a team,” she said. “We only made $12 a week. Every week we put a quarter away and when we got a certain amount, the four

of us would go out for dinner.”

She also credits her faith in God as a major factor in the decisions she has made over the years.

“I was fortunate to have a Christian family,” Etta said, and advising others to “stay with your church. Follow Christ. You do that, and you’ll come out alright.”

Etta and Joseph were married for 65 years before his passing at ageShe89.also outlived all of her five siblings as well as several nieces and“Inephews.sawthem born into this world and I saw every one of them out,” she said. “In my bible, it tells me that my days are numbered. I don’t have to sit around and worry about it, because when it’s time, I’m going whether I want to go…” Up until she was 99, she lived independently but was diag nosed with congestive heart fail ure in November and stayed in the hospital for a week before being transferred to Solaris HealthCare PlantTheCity.rehabilitation center also serves as a nursing facility and its warm staff and fellow residents made her want to stay there, she said.Her daughters along with her son-in-law visitor her consis tently to provide her with addi tional care and company.

During their stay, she will take the opportunity to tell Richard mother-in-law jokes.

She also dispels the notion that residents are just placed in a home and never see their loved ones, because she constantly sees other residents having visitors as well.

Aside from her daughters, she has eight grandchildren and mul tipleWhengreat-grandchildren.askedabouther strong connection to the Plant CityDover area, she said, “You couldn’t drive me away.”

In regards to the outlook she has about reaching triple digits, she quoted her mother saying, “You only get old on the outside. Inside I’m 16. You never get old on theShe’sinside.”lived as a teenager for many decades, a blessing not many experience.

Courtesy of BettyEttaDentonAge16

Etta Family

Etta Wetherington, who will turn 100 in November is accompanied by (left) daughter Betty Denton, son-in-law Richard, and daughter Joetta Green.

“If you live in the state of Florida you need to find the first three digits of your zip code listed in today’s newspaper announcement and call immediately,” said Laura A. Lynne, Director of Coin and Currency for National Mint and Treasury.That’s because Florida residents can really cash in for the next 48 hours. Here’s why. Nonstate residents and those who miss the 48-hour deadline must pay $8 per coin, but Florida residents who take the Vault Bricks cover just the $4 per coin state minimum. That means Florida residents get all 125 coins with rare 24 Karat Gold Layering for just $500 which is a real steal since non-state residents must pay over $1,000 for each Vault Brick. And it gets even better for those claiming the Jumbo Gold Vault

ThisBricks.isall happening because thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to claim the gold. Now any resident who finds their zip code listed in today’s publication and calls to verify it gets to claim the Gold Vault Bricks for themselves and keep all the valuable gold found inside.

And here’s the best part. Florida residents who find the first three digits of their zip code listed in today’s publication are getting Sealed Vault Bricks containing the only Florida State Gold Bank Rolls known to exist with the exclusive State Restricted Design and each loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Buffalo Nickels layered in valuable 24 Karat Gold by National Mint and Treasury.

“As Director of Coin and Currency for National Mint and Treasury, one of my jobs is to deliver breaking news. And today’s announcement confirming the release of Sealed Gold Vault Bricks to residents of the state of Florida is as big as it gets,” Lynne said.

issued by the U.S. Gov’t nearly 100 years ago with rare 24 Karat Gold layering from the National Mint and Treasury better jump at the chance while they still can,” Lynne“Thesesaid.Gold Vault Bricks make the most impressive gifts for Christmas, birthdays, graduations, weddings, and any other occasion, especially for that hardto-buy-for person,” Lynne said.

According to Ms. Lynne, since thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to claim the gold, today and tomorrow are intended as a “special 48 hour release” for the benefit of Florida residents. This gives them a fair chance to claim the Sealed Gold Vault Bricks and all the valuable gold loaded inside for themselves.

But, Ms. Lynne added, “The Sealed Gold Vault Bricks are only available as inventory permits during the special 48 hour release so please do not miss the deadline.” The director added, “We have no power to stop coin dealers, resellers or collectors buying up all the Gold Vault Bricks they can get their hands on,” Lynne said.”We already know the phones will be ringing off the hook. That’s why hundreds of agents are standing by to answer the phones beginning at 8:30am this morning. We’re going to do our best, but with just 48 hours to answer all the calls it won’t be easy. So make sure to tell everyone to keep calling if all lines are busy. We’ll do our best to answer them all,” Lynne

“That’ssaid.why National Mint and Treasury set up the State Distribution Hotlines in order to make sure residents of Florida can get them now,” Lynne said.

The only thing readers of today’s newspaper publication need to do is make sure they live in one of the zip codes listed and call the State Distribution Hotlines before the special 48 hour deadline ends midnight tomorrow. ■

“So my advice is this, anyone who gets an opportunity to get their hands on one of these Gold Vault Bricks full of coins ringing off the hook beginning at precisely 8:30 am this morning. That’s because Florida residents can really cash in for the next 48 hours. Here’s why. Non-state residents and those who miss the 48-hour deadline must pay $8 per coin, but Florida residents who take the Gold Vault Bricks pictured above cover just the $4 per coin state minimum. That means Florida residents get all 125 coins with rare 24 Karat Gold Layering for just $500 which is a real steal since non-state residents must pay over $1,000 for each Gold Vault Brick. And it gets even better for those claiming the Jumbo Gold Vault Bricks.

Answering Your Questions

Q: How much are the Gold Vault Bricks worth?

A: It’s impossible to say, but these Buffalos date clear back to the early 1900’s and are not ordinary U.S. coins. That’s because only an extremely low percentage of Buffalos were then commissioned by National Mint and Treasury to be covered with rarely seen 24 Karat Gold Layering, then sealed and protected in brilliant collector condition inside special 25 count Florida Bank Rolls. That’s why you better hurry if you want to get your hands on them. Collector values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees. But we do know they are the only Florida State Bank Rolls known to exist. So anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these sealed Vault Bricks should hold onto them because there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

Q: Why are so many Florida residents calling to get them?

A: Because they are the only Florida State Bank Rolls known to exist we’re bracing for the flood of calls. These are not ordinary Bank Rolls. These are full Bank Rolls containing 25 Buffalos dating clear back to the early 1900’s. Best of all each Buffalo is layered in 24 Karat Gold and the state minimum set by National Mint and Treasury is restricted to Florida residents who find the first three digits of their zip code listed in today’s publication and beat the deadline only. That means Florida residents cover only $4 per Buffalo when they claim the Gold Vault Bricks, which is just $500 for the next 2 days.

Q: How do I get the Gold Vault Bricks?

A: The only thing Florida residents need to do is find the first three digits of their zip code in today’s publication and call the State Toll-Free Hotline at 1-800-997-8036 Ext. BNA1477 before the deadline ends. Everyone who does is getting the Bank Rolls for just the state minimum. That’s a sealed Gold Vault Brick containing the only Florida State Bank Rolls known to exist each loaded with the rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Buffalo Nickels layered in valuable 24 Karat Gold for just the $4 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury, which totals just $500 for the full sealed Gold Vault Brick. That’s a real steal because state residents and non-state residents who miss the deadline must pay $1,000 for each sealed Gold Vault Brick if any remain.

Before Friday’s Redman Cup matchup between Plant City and Durant kicked off, Plant City High School celebrated the 50th anniversary since moving to their current campus as one unified community high school with an open house.

The school was filled with alumni as doz ens of former students walked the halls at PCHS, enjoying refreshments and memories before heading out to the athletic facility as Plant City officially christened their brand new turf football field as “Raider Field.”

“We can all identify as Raiders,” principal Susan Sullivan said. “So I felt strongly about the new name being a sense of unity and a name that people can relate to 45 years down the road.”

And despite weather delaying the game’s start time, the annual rivalry matchup car ried on as Durant battled back from a half time deficit to take a 21-13 win over Plant City and a Redman Cup for the second con secutiveDurantyear.won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half, kicking off to Plant City as the Raiders jumped on the short kick to take over at their own 48-yard line. Defense would dominate the first quar ter as neither team could find their rhythm on offense early, with both sides turning the ball over on downs in enemy territory as they failed to convert fourth down chances on each of their first drives.

On Plant City’s second drive they ran just three plays before a third down fumble turned the ball back over to Durant, recov ered by outside linebacker Luther Scarlett, and the Cougars started their drive at the Plant City 37-yard line. But despite the great starting field position, Durant was once again forced to punt just three plays later.

Durant opened the scoring in the sec ond quarter. After taking over at their own 39-yard line, carries from running backs Calub Connell and Alex Daley set up a thirdand-four at their own 45-yard line when quarterback Mike Ryan dropped back and found receiver Elian Gonzalez over the mid

dle of the field for a big completion down to the Plant City 16-yard line. The Cougars would eventually work their way down inside the five and on a third-and-goal carry from the one, Daley took a carry up the middle, through traffic and into the end zone to give Durant a 6-0 lead.

The lead would be short-lived however as Plant City finally got their offense mov ing as well, answering back on the ensu ing drive. Taking over near midfield, Jaylen Smith hauled in a pass and took it down to the Durant 35. Three plays later, following a pair of carries from running back Jaden McCants and a short completion to Smith, the Raiders were facing a fourth-and-two at the 27 when Donta Jenkins took a reverse to the right side for a first down at the 18. As quickly as Plant City moved up the field however, they were moved back. A holding penalty set up first-and-21 and a short gain left them with second-and-19 when receiv er Trae’veon Smith went up and snagged a jump ball from quarterback D.J. Howard before finding some open field and streak ing down the left sideline for a touchdown to give Plant City a 7-6 lead with just 33 sec onds left in the first half, a lead they would carry into the locker room.

Durant received the kickoff to start the second half and both teams once again exchanged punts and on the Cougars’ sec ond drive of the half they worked their way down the field. After defensive back/receiv er Jayden Forte fielded the Plant City punt deep in his own territory and worked his way up to the 24, 15 yards were tacked on due to a personal foul at the end of the play, starting Durant out at the 39. Daley immedi ately took a first down carry up near midfield and on third-and-six Ryan connected with receiver/defensive back Jeremiah Gines on a vertical route down the right sideline to the Plant City five-yard line. A pair of tackles for loss from Plant City, a holding penalty on Durant and a sack on third down set up a massive fourth-and-goal from the 32-yard line. Despite the distance, Durant lined up to go for it. Ryan’s pass to the end zone intended for Gines fell incomplete but the Cougars ultimately were granted a first down at the 20-yard line and given new life

following a roughing the passer penalty. After making their way inside the 10-yard line for yet another first-and-goal, Daley eventually found the end zone as he battled through tackles for a 10-yard touchdown run on second-and-goal, his second score of the night. On the two-point conversion, Durant lined up in the swinging gate forma tion, the offensive line lined up on the left side of the field, Ryan lined up out wide to the right and Connell at quarterback in the gun. Defensive back/receiver Jayden Cor nelius went into motion prior to the snap, taking the handoff from Connell on a sweep to the right side before flipping the ball to a wide open Ryan in the end zone, converting on the two-point attempt and giving Durant a 14-7 lead.

As quickly as the Cougars took their lead back, they gained possession once again as Ryan (also a kicker for Durant) recovered his own onside kick on the ensuing kickoff to give Durant the ball right back at the Plant City 49. And on third-and-five from the 45, Ryan came up big again as he connected with receiver Treon Williams for a huge gain all the way down to the Plant City one-yard line.While Durant had largely utilized a wild cat formation the previous week against Bloomingdale, with Connell handling 22 of the team’s 33 carries and dominating the snap count at quarterback, Ryan stepped right back in under center and came up with a number of big throws for the Cougars when they needed them on Friday. Ryan fin ished the contest with nine completions on 12 attempts for a season-high 160 passing yards.“Mike is kind of maturing right before our eyes,” Varnum said. “It’s really nice to see him in some pressure situations and not panic. He’s really good with the ball, he doesn’t turn it over, and he’s a sophomore, he’s only 15 years old, so he’s got a bright future with us here.”

One play later, Daley dove forward for his third score of the night to give the Cougars a 21-7 lead with 7:27 remaining.

“Alex Daley is a gamer,” Varnum said. “Last week against Bloomingdale he blocked on every play, he only had about seven carries,

and I talked to him Saturday morning and said be patient, trust what we’re doing, trust us and it’s going to pay off. It did, it really did.”While Connell still led the Durant backfield with 22 carries for 40 yards against Plant City, Daley shined bright with 36 rushing yards and three touchdowns over his 11 carries.Butdespite suddenly finding themselves trailing by two scores in what seemed like the blink of an eye, Plant City wouldn’t roll over as they marched right down the field late in the quarter, finding the end zone on a carry to the left from Jenkins to cut the Durant lead to 21-13 with 2:37 left.

Durant recovered the Raiders’ onside kick attempt and looked to burn down the clock, but ultimately found themselves facing a fourth-and-two at the Plant City 38. Lining up for a punt, Durant attempted to convert a first down on a direct snap to Gonzalez as he lined up in punt protection, but the Plant City defense stood strong to thwart the attempt and give themselves one more comeback chance as they took over at their own 37 with 54 seconds and no timeouts remaining. But despite moving the ball up across midfield, Gines sealed the Durant victory with a diving interception on a pass over the middle of the field with 30 seconds left, allowing the Cougars to roll out in vic tory formation, take one final knee and run out the clock on their second consecutive Redman Cup victory.

“I’ll tell you what, we’re a second half foot ball team,” Varnum said. “These guys just refuse to go down without swinging in the second half. Last week we came up a little short but tonight it was a pure effort thing. We had our backs against the wall and got a little defeated. Plant City’s been down a little bit, people wanted to say this week that we were going to kill them, but we knew that we would have a fight. You don’t ever just show up here at Plant City and walk out with something, so we knew we had a battle but the resiliency from our guys is unmatched. Week in and week out we show up in the sec ond half and play well.”

The win not only moves Durant to 3-1 on the season as Plant City falls to 0-4, but Varnum is now 2-0 in Redman Cup games since taking over as head coach. Next week the Cougars will play host to Lennard as the Raiders head to Hillsborough High School.

While Plant City and Durant were ulti mately able to play their game despite Fri day’s weather delay, Strawberry Crest was forced to push their Week 4 matchup with Leto back to Monday. Despite the inconve nience, the Chargers were able to continue their winning streak with a 43-0 victory over the Falcons this week.

Strawberry Crest successfully clinched their best start to a season in school history last week as they moved to 3-0 with a 42-8 victory over Robinson – a game in which six different players scored a rushing touch down for the Chargers as they racked up their highest single-game point total since JENKINS

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

2012, only to top it in Week 4 – and kept the ball

“We’rerolling.doing a good job on offense and we believe that we can attack multiple defenses and that we can be very multiple on offense,” head coach Phillip Prior said. “You’re going to see something that’s maybe a little bit different from us every week. The forma tions that we got into last week, we didn’t even touch tonight. We can be very multiple because we can have so many guys touch the ball, that’s what’s going to make us so impactful.”Cresttook the opening kickoff and start ed their drive all the way back at their own six-yard line after a rolling kick pinned them back. They would move the ball up past their own 40-yard line but ultimately turn the ball over on downs to Leto.

After both teams exchanged punts, Leto took over at the 24-yard line for their third drive of the night. On first down, receiver/ defensive back Marcus Springfield swal lowed up an attempted screen pass for a tackle in the Leto backfield, forcing the Falcons’ back to the 19. Senior linebacker

Daniel Cruz then got to the quarterback for a sack at the 10-yard line on second down and a tackle for loss on third left Leto punt ing from their own end zone, down at the five-yard line. A low snap on the ensuing punt attempt rolled out of the back of the end zone and Crest took their first lead of the evening at 2-0.

The Chargers’ hauled in the safety kick at their own 42 and moved down to the Leto 25-yard line as the first quarter came to an end and quarterback Jordan Lewis found Springfield over the middle of the field to start the second quarter one play later, bat tling through two defensive backs to find the end zone and give Crest a 9-0 lead.

Leto was once again punting from deep inside their own territory following their next short drive and Crest was able to gain pos session in Falcons’ territory at the 37-yard line. Three plays later, after moving into the red zone and down to the 11-yard line, Lewis took a quarterback keeper to the right side for another Crest touchdown, extending the Chargers’ lead to 16-0.

The Chargers’ defense would remain steady, smothering any attempt from Leto to get their offense moving, and Crest tacked on one more first half touchdown as Lewis found sophomore receiver/defensive back Thomothee Woods open on a crosser

over the middle of the field, dashing to the edge and up the right sideline for a 30-yard score and Lewis’ second passing touch down of the night as the Chargers took a 22-0 lead into halftime.

The second half picked up right where the first left off. On the Chargers’ first drive of the third, quarter, Ryan Weems punched in a two-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 29-0. In the fourth, with senior Coby Burger in at quarterback, senior fullback Radek Shah hauled in a screen pass to the right side and plowed through a would-be tackler as he made his way into the end zone on a 39-yard touchdown. With a 36-0 lead, the game then moved to a running clock with 9:00Crestleft.tacked on one last touchdown by way of a pick-six from senior Jaden Baker and sealed a 43-0 victory for their fourth straight win to start the season.

“It feels great,” Prior said. “Hats off to Leto, those guys played really hard, they gave a lot of effort and made us earn that fourth win for sure. But I’ll tell you, it means a lot to these guys. These guys have been working, they’ve worked hard, they’ve stuck together, we believe that we’ve built a great culture over here and being 4-0 has put us in position to try and achieve some of the goals that we’ve set for the season. A district

championship, a playoff birth, all of those things are still on the table because we’re 4-0.”While 4-0 is a massive accomplishment in and of itself, Crest has gotten there in impressive fashion. Outscoring their oppo nents 85-8 over the past two weeks, with one defensive touchdown and one on spe cial teams over that span, the Chargers have averaged 33 points per game this season while allowing just 15 total points allowed and two shutouts.

“Our defense is playing at a very elite level and we play complimentary football,” Prior said. “We pride ourselves on playing great defense, we want to win on special teams and commit to running the football. That’s what we’ve built our program on, that’s what we’re going to stick to and we’ve done a great job of it.”

Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: plantcityobserver.com.tjenkins@

“Seafood because of all the different ways you can make it.” - Andrea Marie

“GritsMendezand eggs with bacon and biscuits.” - Sally Knight Raburn

“Salads, loaded with fresh fruits and veggies, feta cheese, beets, endless selections of tasty salad.” - Rebeka Attaway steak with gravy, fried okra and corn on the cob.” - Cathy Sink Nicolette asked Plant City: If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

“My mom’s chicken with white rice.”Cori rib and salad.” - Diana Webb

“Pasta or tacos.” - Lisa Westmiller Johnson

Bonnie Louise Balliet Wilson

April 7, 1957 – Sept. 12, 2022

Bonnie Louise Balliet Wilson, 65, passed away on Sept. 12, 2022. She was born on April 7, 1957 in Plant City, Fla. to the late Claude and Louise (Alderman) Balliet and was a lifelong resident of the area. She married William Arthur (Art) Wilson, Sept. 15, 1979. Bonnie was a member of the First Baptist Church Dover. Survivors include her husband, Art Wilson; son, Nicholas Wilson; grandchil dren, Halley Wilson, Landon Wilson, Everly Wilson; siblings, Judith Thomas, Marilyn Duclos-Balliet (Michael), Sherril Blanton (Noman), Wanda McClelland (Reese), Lucinda English (Rodney); nine nieces and six nephews; 17 great-nieces and 15 greatnephews.Bonnieenjoyed shopping and fishing She greatly cherished her grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Mrs. PembertonAnnBetty

Mrs. Betty Ann Pemberton, 86, of Lake City, Fla. passed away at her home following a lengthy illness. She was born in Plant City, Fla. and resided in Lake City, Fla. and for many years was employed in the banking industry at the Hillsborough Bank of Plant City, Fla. and most recently as head teller with the Columbia County Bank, Lake City, Fla. for 15 years until her retirement. She was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church, Columbia County, Fla. and enjoyed her church, family and traveling on trips to Alaska.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney E. and Ruby Lucille McAllister Shearin, Sr. She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Ragan of Lake City, Fla.; her son, Terry J. (Tina) Pemberton of Lake City, Fla.; one brother, Milo Shearing of Miami, Fla.; fie grandchildren, Terry Pem berton, II, Jessica Stazenski, Cassandra Ragan, Larry Ragan, Jr. and Jennifer Wilby; great-grandchildren, Emily and Adam Gonzales, Logan and Skyler Stazenski, Brooklyn and Zachery Howard, Parker Gage Pemberton, Jason Denmark, Autumn Padron, Corbin Marlin, Tre’ Ragan, Zachery Ragan and Jada Wilby; tonRaelynngreat-great-grandchildren,twoReedandReming-Rainalsosurvive.

A funeral service to honor the life of Mrs. Pemberton was held Sept. 19, 2022 at the Oak Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Lewis Daniels, Pastor, officiatin Interment was held at Oak Grove Cemetery, Columbia County, Fla. GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 2659 S.W. Main Blvd., Lake City, Fla. is in charge of arrangements.

Willie Ray Brooks

Willie Ray Brooks, 89, of Lakeland, Fla., born on June 26, 1933 in Opp, Ala., entered into eternal rest on Sept. 14, Expressions2022.of condolence at comwww.HopewellFuneral.

Jorge BerriosLuis

Jorge Luis Berrios, 33, of Clermont, Fla., born in Tampa, on March 17, 1989, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 7, Expressions2022. of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

Peggy Allen Carter

Peggy Allen Carter, 89, of Lithia, Fla., born in Pierce on Aug. 29, 1933, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 15,Expressions2022. of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

Bill WardWayne

Bill Wayne Ward, age 81, of Valrico, FL passed away on September 16, 2022.Services will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be left for the family at comhaughtfuneralhome.www.

OBITUARIES

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‘Mania’EstefaniaGarcia

Estefania “Mania” Garcia, 83, of Dover, Fla., born in Michoacan, Mexico, on July 24, 1939, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 12, 2022. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

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Mary KolodziejL.

Mary L. Kolodziej, 94, of Plant City, Fla., born in New Britain, Conn. on Feb. 7th, 1928, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 18th, 2022. Expressions of condolence at neral.com.www.HopewellFu-

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ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

6 to 11 p.m. at 100 N. Collins St. Head down to Historic Downtown Plant City to celebrate the city’s inaugural Oktoberfest, presented by Plant City Main Street. Live entertainment will amplify the scene as patrons enjoy amenities that include an exhibitor market, food trucks, a costume contest, axe throwing, a bratwurst cooking competition, a biergarten and more. For additional information, please contact Dawn Hyatt at Director@PlantCityMainStreet.com, call (813)358-8898 or visit www.PlantCityMain-

Patricia ‘Pat’ Ann Newsome

Patricia “Pat” Ann Newsome, 83, of Plant City, Fla., born in Portland, Maine on May 10th, 1939 entered into eternal rest on Sept. 18, 2022. She was a member of Bethany Baptist Church. She enjoyed spending time with family, going to the beach, and living in Japan while her father was stationed there in the Army. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Harry J. Newsome; children, James E. Newsome (MeiMei) of Washington, D.C., Guy Newsome of Roxboro, North Carolina, Clay Newsome (Christy) of Bradenton, and Andy Newsome (Kim) of Turkey Creek; 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and sister, Launa Johnson of Dover. Pat was preceded in death by a brother Donald LaBroad, a sister Mary Mathe, and her parents Lt. Colonel Ralph LaBroad and Margaret LaBroad. A funeral service will be held Sept. 23, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Bethany Baptist Church, 3409 Cork Rd, Plant City, where the family will receive friends beginning at 10 Expressionsa.m. of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

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 Lord of the Rings - September in the Shire!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1

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.

PARKS & REC GOLF CLASSIC

2 to 7 p.m. at 13115 Sydney Rd..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 on Oct. 1. The shotgun-start tournament will kick off at 2 p.m., followed by a putting contest and driving range access, with the event aimed at raising money for youth programs throughout Plant City. To obtain 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 813299-6503.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

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.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

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, Oct. 15, 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.

Thursday, Sept 22 7:17a 7:25p

Friday, Sept 23 7:17a 7:23p

Saturday, Sept 24 7:18a 7:22p

Sunday, Sept 25 7:18a 7:21p

Monday, Sept 26 7:19a 7:20p

Tuesday, Sept 27 7:19a 7:19p

Wednesday, Sept 28 7:20a 7:18p