Plant City Observer
y Observer
YO UR HOMETOW N. YO UR NEWSPAP ER .
VOLUME 6, NO. 61
YOUR HOMETOWN. YOUR NEWSPAPER
. YO UR NEWS PAP ER . GAUGING DOWNTOWN’S VISION
FREE
•
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
Residents are invited to attend a Town Hall to voice their vision for Plant City’s downtown. The meeting will be held on Sept. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Main Street Plant City and the City of Plant City have partnered together to host a community town hall meeting next Tuesday night for Downtown Vision Planning. The collaborative process will help create a vision plan that will help with the planning and designing
services needed to guide downtown’s development initiatives for the next three to five years. Any resident, property owner or business owner is invited to attend and share their thoughts on what the future of downtown Plant City should be. “The time is prime for our community to undergo this process as we look to the future of Plant City and how to best serve the economic, business, recreation, and residential needs of our city,” Plant City Main Street Chair Nick Thurston said. “Thank you
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
RELIEF
PLANT CITY ACTS AS HUB FOR
to the City of Plant City for its strong partnership on this important initiative. We are extremely confident in the skills and track record of Community Design Solutions, and are eager to develop this plan for revitalizing and growing downtown Plant City.”
Tampa Bay may have been fortunate enough to miss the heavy blow of Hurricane Dorian, but the storm has left the Bahamas in utter ruin. A staging area at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds is preparing equipment to send as aid for storm relief. SEE PAGE 3
NEWS BRIEFS
2
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
|
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 for its string of strong performances. Per the group’s Facebook page, it won the following awards:
2019 Christmas Parade applications open
Son of a nutcracker, Christmas will be here before you know it. That means it’s time to start thinking about Plant City’s annual Christmas Parade, especially if you’re trying to be in it. Plant City Christmas Parade Inc. just opened up the registration period for 2019 and those interested in having a float or walkers need to apply by Nov. 25. The first 80 entries to be approved by the Christmas Parade board will make the cut and be featured in the Dec. 6 parade, which starts at 7 p.m. The parade application comes with a mandatory $25 entry fee and all who are approved to join the parade must attend a safety meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Plant City High School auditorium. Rules and regulations for every participant are listed on the parade application form, which can be printed from pcchristmasparade. homestead.com. For more information, contact Dodie White at 813-927-0595, Bob Fulks at 813365-0275, Sharon Moody at 813-453-7134 or Marsha Passmore at 813-245-2244, visit the Plant City Christmas Parade Facebook page or visit pcchristmasparade. homestead.com.
PC native earns educational grant With a shortage of primary care physicians affecting the nation, the Diverse Scholars Intiative aims to help medical students like Plant City native Aerial Petty get the education they need to change that. Petty, who is in her third year at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, hopes to make a positive impact within the community she serves after graduation by helping patients maintain healthy lifestyles and prioritize wellness. The DSI program announced Tuesday that Petty is one of its 2019 grant recipients. Petty, who will graduate in 2021, holds a BA in Spanish with a minor in anthropology from the University of Florida and an MS in Medical Sciences from the University of South Florida. She is involved with numerous student organizations at ACOM. The DSI has awarded more than 2,600 aspiring primary care physicians upwards of $20 million in scholarship grant money since 2007. Petty was one of nearly 100 recipients who attended the three-day Diverse Scholars Initiative Forum in Washington, D.C. this summer.
Clogging Connection cleans up at USA nationals Plant City’s own Clogging Connection team participated in the 2019 USA National Clogging Championships last weekend and took home a ton of awards
• 1st Young Adult Masters Show: Shoeless Joe • 1st Tiny Tot Amateur Traditional Line: 5,6,7,8 • 1st Tiny Tot Amateur Show Team: Cruella/Dogs • Tiny Tot Amateur Team of the Day: Cruella/Dogs • 1st Young Adult Amateur Small Team: I Lived • 2nd place Division II Amateur Small Team National Champion: I Lived • 2nd Young Adult Amateur Line Team: Dem Beats • 1st Junior Amateur Exhibition Team: Call Me Mother • Division I Amateur Exhibition Team National Champion: Call Me Mother • Highest Scoring Junior Team of the Day: Call Me Mother • Division I Amateur Contemporary National Champions: Call Me Mother • 1st Senior Amateur 4 or More Couple Hoedown • 2nd Young Adult Amateur 4 or More Couple Hoedown • 1st Elementary Amateur Traditional Line: Sunday Drive • 2nd Junior Amateur Traditional Line: Stop on a Dime • 4th Young Adult Amateur Traditional Line: Dixie Flyer • 2nd Adult Amateur Traditional Line: Sin Wagon • 2nd Junior Amateur Traditional Formations Line: Freight Train • 3rd Junior Amateur 4 or More Couple Precision: Cotton-Eyed Joe • 2nd Elementary Amateur Show Team: Juicy Wiggle • 2nd Senior Amateur Show Team: Thugs • 2nd Young Adult Amateur Show Team: Tower of Terror • 2nd Young Adult Masters 4 or More Couple Hoedown • 1st Amateur Female Contemporary Solos 5-6 • 2nd Amateur Female Contemporary
Solos 15-18 • 2nd Amateur Female Contemporary Solos 19-29 • 1st Amateur Male Contemporary Solos 5-6 • 1st Amateur Male Contemporary Solos 7-9 • 1st Amateur Male Contemporary Solos 12-14 • 1st Amateur Traditional Solos 5-6 • 3rd Amateur Traditional Solos 5-6 • 3rd Amateur Traditional Solos 19-29 • 1st Amateur Traditional Solos 30+ • 3rd Amateur Traditional Solos 30+ • 1st Amateur Acapella Solos 10-11 • 3rd Amateur Acapella Solos 12-14 • 1st Masters Female Contemporary Solos 19-29 • 1st Masters Traditional Solos 41+ • 2nd Amateur Pee Wee Short Duo • 3rd Amateur Elementary Short Duo • 2nd Amateur Senior Short Duo • 3rd Amateur Junior Acapella Duets • 3rd Amateur Elementary Contemporary Duo/Duet • 1st Amateur Junior Contemporary Duo/Duet • 1st Amateur Senior Contemporary Duo/Duet • 1st Amateur Pee Wee Traditional Duo/Duet • 2nd Amateur Elementary Traditional Duo/Duet • 1st Amateur Tiny Tot Show Duo/Duet • 1st Amateur Pee Wee Show Duo/Duet • 1st Masters Adult Show Duo/Duet • 1st Amateur Tiny Tot Choreographed Solo • 3rd Amateur Elementary Choreographed Solo • 1st Amateur Elementary Choreographed Solo • 3rd Amateur Junior Choreographed Solo • 3rd Amateur Junior Choreographed Solo • 2nd Amateur Senior Choreographed Solo • 1st Amateur Young Adult Choreographed Solo • 1st Masters Young Adult Choreographed Solo
CARING FOR YOU IS IN OUR DNA. Team members who work at BayCare Laboratories aren’t only made up of expertise and commitment, they also have compassion and caring built right in. They’re proud to deliver the highest quality lab services in Tampa Bay. BayCare Labs provides general to specialized testing at inpatient and outpatient locations, and we use state-of-the-art equipment and technologies to give you fast, accurate test results. And all our locations offer convenient walk-in service, so you don’t need to make an appointment. You can also use our online Save Your Spot tool and avoid waiting. What’s important to you matters to us. Learn more: BayCareLabs.org
19-750834-0419
PlantCityObserver.com
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
|
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
3
PLANT CITY ACTS AS HUB FOR
RELIEF
After Hurricane Dorian demolished the Bahamas TECO converted a base camp at the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds into staging area for an upcoming effort by the company to send aid to the affected islands.
BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Plant City barely received more than a light dose of rain Tuesday evening as Hurricane Dorian continued along its path up the coastline toward Georgia and the Carolinas. However, the recordbreaking storm wreaked havoc across the Bahamas during its treacherously slow journey over the islands. Initial forecasts of the thenCategory 5 storm coming across the state led many Plant City residents to buckle down for a major blow. Gas stations ran out of gas, lines at Publix and WalMart wrapped down the aisles and Lowes was flooded with lastminute storm-preppers. While Tampa Bay may have been lucky this time, the City of Plant City is still asking residents to be alert and keep their eyes peeled for word of more tropical disturbances. Residents of the Bahamas, however, were struck by a storm the likes of which hadn’t been seen in years. The hurricane battered the islands for 48 hours, causing
thousands of homes to be damaged and destroyed and leaving tens of thousands of residents without drinking water. As of press time, seven people were confirmed dead on the Bahamas’ Abaco Island and experts expect the death toll to rise as rescue crews are able to finally get to the islands. Though TECO initially set up a base camp at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds in preparation for the storm heading toward Tampa Bay, they now are focusing their effort on getting teams primed and ready to head toward the coast and over on barges to the destroyed islands. “Initially we did request help from out-of-state utilities, and earlier this week we released them to go to areas that were more in the path of the storm than we would be,” Cherie Jacobs, a spokesperson for TECO, said. However, driving by the festival grounds now still shows quite a few trucks on site. Jacobs said the equipment currently there are sleeping trailers being prepared for a trek to Ft. Lauderdale, where they will convene and then prepare for the trip across the ocean.
TECO will send some folks to the Bahamas to help them rebuild after this storm. Jacobs said they have a sister company there, the Grand Bahama Power Company, which is owned by the same company as TECO. The plan is to use their resources to help first get employees whose homes were destroyed a place to sleep safely and distribute supplies to begin aiding in the restoration of the community. The timeline now is entirely dependent on the safety of travel. As soon as crews can ship the barges of materials to the damaged islands safely, they will set sail and the base camp in Plant City will be on its way. Jacobs said while they do have a sister company in the Bahamas, providing mutual assistance is at the core of their company’s philosophy. “Power companies help each other in times of need,” Jacobs said. “We have a lot of experience restoring power after a storm. Whether its a storm in TECO territory or a storm in another utility’s territory. One of the things we participate in is the South Eastern Electric Exchange, which is a group of
utilities who pledge mutual assistance in times of severe weather or other crisis. There have been many opportunities for us to go help other utilities after bad weather has come through and there have been also a number of opportunities for those folks to return the favor to us and come help us.” While they were able to let the help they had initially requested for Dorian head on to areas of greater need, Jacobs said TECO was joined by thousands of outside workers during Hurricane Irma in 2017 to quickly restore power to those affected.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned that 2019 is set to be an above-average hurricane season. With the potential of several other storms arising before the end of the season it is crucial residents keep their supplies stocked, their homes prepared and their eyes on the radar. Dorian will still continue to cause damage to parts of Florida and, as of press time, was moving north-northwest up the coast at 9mph. Photos courtesy of TECO and Karen Berry
TECO is preparing to send a team and equipment to the Bahamas.
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
|
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
PLANT CITY
This week on Cops Corner:
COPS CORNER
4
Observer
Plant City Police investigated pallet pirates, missing doorbells, “free” lunch, juveniles using a
Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com
vape pen and more.
Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com 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
AUG. 23
from a private property within the PLEASE PRESCRIBE county on the previous night. The 400 block of victim told officers someone had North Alexander Street VAPE RESPONSIBLY stolen the vehicle. A report was Fraud: The pharmacy at the 1200 block of West Grant Street Drug investigation: Two juveniles generated to document the theft above listed location told PCPD and recovery. that a prescription was frauduat Simmons Career Center were lently ordered via telephone. found to be smoking marijuana concentrate from a “vape pen” AUG. 24 THE CASE OF within the school. Both met the THE MISSING DOORBELL JAAP criteria and were permitted IS ANYBODY HOME? 1600 block of to enter the program without ad- 800 block of West Hamlin Street ditional LEO intervention. DUI/Crash: A man was operating West Washington Street Theft: This complainant woke a vehicle while intoxicated and up to a strange discovery. During RIFLING THROUGH proceeded to crash into a home the night of Aug. 25, someone 300 block of East Calhoun Street at the above listed location. He had snuck up to their home and Vehicle burglary (multiple): An was arrested and booked for the removed a Ring doorbell from the unknown suspect entered Brewoffenses. front of the residence. ington’s Towing and trespassed within multiple vehicles that were AUG. 26 held at the location. AUG. 27 A HEAVY LOAD WHERE STEALING ISN’T A 2100 block of North Park Road FLOATING AWAY PLEASURE Burglary/Criminal mischief: 1200 block of 2200 block of This complainant reported to South Alexander Street James L. Redman Parkway offers that, between Aug. 24 and Grand theft: This complainant Theft: Officers made contact and 26, someone attempted to make told officers that during the night Editedentry by David Steinberg September 2019 were advised a suspect walked into two construction trailof5, Aug. 26 someone snuck onto out of Publix without paying for ers at the property. They were his property, cut a chain link ACROSS Tries tohorsepower get a Is successful shown onin getting 11 Tiny chicken wings, mac and cheese 49only into egg fence and39 stole a 150 and a Coca Cola, which totaled one, Yamaha boat tan motor. might 1 They TVbut then took miscellaneous 12 Cereal box $15.97. from the trailer. However, get punched 41 Joan of punk 50tools Reverse meas. allone’s of the forstolen tools were found in an election 13 Half of AUG. 2842 Runs the set ROUGH NIGHT strewn throughout the property. 6 Two-band 43 Powertunes, or a scissors? 2800 block of radio Sydneytype Road They returned to22 thePentagon comCONSTRUCTION CUTS seizing groups hintwere to what’s Vehicle theft and recovery: plainant and a burglary report 1600 block of 10 Ready to 44 Shows confihidden in org. PCPD officers made criminal mischief23 report were East Dr. MLK Boulevard servecontact with and dence at the 21-, 26- and The skinny this victim,14 whose vehicle had completed. The complainant Fabled fable pokerburglary: table An 43-Across 24 Eight bitsVehicle/business been impounded by Brewington’s signed a waiver for the incident. employee of the construction writer 45 Word after 53 Carrier to 26 Buds
Universal Crossword
AUG. 29 PICK A LANE 900 block of South Waller Street Drug investigation: Officers stopped a vehicle for driving down the middle of the roadway. The driver was arrested and provided with a court date. PALLET PIRATES 1300 block of West Dr. MLK Boulevard Commercial burglary: An employee of Diamond T. Farms reported the theft of more than 200 pallets from the rear of the business. The heist was valued at more than $2,000 worth of items.
468318-1 468318-1
287477-1
287727-1
468318-1
813-982-0218 813-982-0218 813-982-0218
Advertising / Richard Brame richard@plantcityobserver.com 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. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.
SEND US YOUR NEWS
We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@ PlantCityObserver.com.
Instagram: @plcobserver Twitter: @PlantObserver
GARAGE DOOR REPAIR & SERVICE
Chris 813.417.6849
Call (813) 704-6850
Facebook: Plant City Observer
BUDDY’S ROOFING ROOFING
RESRIEDSEINDTENIATLIA&L & OMM ERECRICAIALL COCM
TO ADVERTISE
Mail: The Plant City Observer, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103, Plant City, FL 33563
BUDDY’S ROOFING BUDDY’S
15 “Born to Fly” “financial” or Amsterdam 27 Beach party “first” singer Evans 56 Not much of a sort 16 Nights of 46 Rome’s home 57 Broken-up 28 Poker hand 47 Site of an couple $100 anticipation cost 17 Like Galway early Nile 58 Summer 29 Land where OFF On any job 1000 civilization camp Lhasa apsos or more when you gals We’re On Top of It mention this ad. 18 Stew recipe 48 Make transport originated directive grooming 60 Peruvian 30 “Do the NEW ROOFS • RE-ROOFS 19 Words of adjustments home of the Right Thing” We’re On Top TILE • TILE REPAIRS We’re OnPan Top of of It It reservation 51 Convention 2019 pizzeria HOT TAR/FLAT DECKS 20 Spreadsheet SHINGLES center event American owner NEW ROOFS • RE-ROOFS • VENTILATION NEW ROOFS • RE-ROOFS TILE TILE TILE• •REPAIRED TILEREPAIRS REPAIRS LEAKS fillers: Abbr. 52 Golfer’s Games 33 Alexa anaHOT HOTTAR/FLAT TAR/FLATDECKS DECKS 21 Columnist’s pocketful 61 Not the logue SHINGLES • •VENTILATION VENTILATION e 25SHINGLES Years of Experienc REPAIRED L A RLEAKS pronoun I 53 Dummy’s sharpest ESLEAKS 34 Alda or C R IDENTIAL & CREPAIRED E OMM 2blade? 52Y5eYaerasrsofofEExxppeerrieiennccee 24 Buds perch Shepard 25 Maps of 54 Garden store 62 Trick 35 Snoop of & Re-Roofing Specialists – WEand FIX LEAKS NO ONE ELSE CAN! hip-hop stock Alaska alternative & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKSNO NOONE ONE ELSE ELSE CAN! CAN! LeakLeak & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE LEAKS Free Estimates • Financing 55 Queens Hawaii, oftenFIXAvailable 63 Puppy plaints 37 Ghost cosour Emergency 26 Took no squad 64 Horseshoes tume 24-HourService Emergency Service 24-Hour Emergency Service chances 59 Work on a play 38 “___ Ran the Buddy &Owners Crystal Cheaves, Owners dy & Crystal Cheaves, Buddy Crystal Cheaves, Owners www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic & # CCC1325993 • Bonded & Insured CC1325993 Bonded &•Insured 31 Cousins’ wall 65 Apple Zoo” www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic #•CCC1325993 Bonded & Insured www.BuddysRoofing.com parents throwaways 32 Othello DOWN This week’s Sudoku answers This week’s Crossword PREVIOUS PUZZLEanswers ANSWER nemesis 1 Raise ___ 33 Bummed out (make trouble) 36 Past the 2 Any Avenger deadline 3 Yard sale 37 Sermon disclaimer source 4 ___ and 39 Grain tower don’ts 40 Apt name for 5 Areas of an attorney expertise 41 Chief, in 6 Home of Chihuahua Saint Francis 42 Garment that 7 “The Martian” preserves star Damon waves 8 Opposite of 43 “Star Wars” caliente apprentice9 It might be ship arranged 9/4 46 Enters, as 10 Bring down © 2019 Andrews McMeel Universal www.upuzzles.com data in status $
company that was working on the new MLK rec center reported that an unknown suspect cut the fence to the perimeter, broke into a trailer and stole approximately $5,000 worth of miscellaneous tools.
Ask s abouu ta % Dis1c0 ount
Tony 813.404.7819 This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers
Puzzle Solution:
“When you can do anything you want, you’re really responsible to do something great. And that’s scary.” ~ Ashton Kutcher
O Plant City Observer
is locally owned by Ed Verner, Karen Berry, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes The Plant City Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC.
1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103 Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 704-6850
Publishers of the
Plant City Observer
PlantCityObserver.com ©Copyright Plant City Media LLC 2018 All Rights Reserved
PlantCityObserver.com
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
|
5
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS GEAR UP FOR
YEAR BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Local youth who wish to join a faith-based, scout-style program are in luck. American Heritage Girls is celebrating five years in Plant City and the group is just kicking off its new season. The organization, founded in 1995 by a group of parents who wanted a faith-based character development program for their daughters to attend, has 43,000 members in all 50 states and 12 other countries where American students live. The AHG Program is “dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. AHG girls across the nation and the globe participate in badge programs, service proj-
ects, leadership opportunities, and outdoor experiences, all with an emphasis on Christian values and family involvement,” according to its motto. In Plant City, Janelle Simmons has officially taken the reins of Troop FL0014 from former troop coordinator Cindy BentleyRoberts, who is still acting as an advancement chair for the group. The troop has grown by leaps and bounds over the past five years and girls age 5 to 18 are learning about love of country, moral integrity and the value of giving back. One of the troop’s largest fundraisers, the Wreaths Across America program, is now officially underway. The program provides Remembrance Wreaths for the graves of veterans across the nation during the holidays and the local Plant
The Plant City branch of American Heritage Girls is kicking off its new year and is ready to start spreading the word about its involvement with Wreaths Across America. City troop always participates in the event at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. Waking up before dawn, the girls pile into the car and make the hour-long drive to ensure wreaths are placed with honor on graves across the cemetery. You have the options of buying one for any grave or getting a special Remembrance Wreath for someone you love that is buried at the cemetery. Bentley-Roberts said her dad is now buried in Bushnell and it adds an entirely new level of meaning to the experience. There are approximately 131,000 veterans and their dependents buried there and Bentley-Roberts said the goal is to one day have one wreath on every grave. By the time the sun is up, the girls — along with other volunteers like members of local
Scouting groups — have honored thousands of graves throughout the cemetery and move on to the public ceremony at 11 a.m. “It’s such an emotional experience,” Bentley-Roberts said. “I started doing this nine years ago and we just fell in love with it. It’s one of those things I’ve never wanted to miss. And the girls, well, they all seem to agree because they really look forward to it every year. We have almost 100 percent troop participation.” Service is a massive part of the organization’s foundation and Bentley-Roberts said it was one of the main things that drove her to first get her daughter, Bentley, involved in the group in Brandon. The programs are non-territorial, so you can enroll wherever is most convenient for you. From there, they checked out several other locations over the years
and Bentley continued to grow in leadership. By the time they decided to carve out a space for the program in Plant City, Bentley-Roberts said her daughter had fully stepped into a leadership role with the group. “There are lots and lots of opportunities for girls to learn valuable life skills that they really may not find somewhere else,” Bentley-Roberts said. “These girls are taught six Program Emphases: faith, leadership, citizenship, life skills, emotional and social, and they really are so wellrounded once they complete the program.” In fact, many of the girls love the program so much they decide to remain active in it after they age out, taking on mentorship rolls and helping set up service projects for the younger generations behind them.
For more information regarding AHG, visit americanheritagegirls.org or follow the local group on social media. You can find more information about local troops online at americanheritagegirls.org/find-a-troop/. To purchase a wreath in person: Sat. Sept. 28 - G5 Feed & Outdoor 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sat. Oct 19 - G5 Feed & Outdoor 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sat. Nov 2 - Antioch Day 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sat. Nov 9 - G5 Feed & Outdoor 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. To purchase a wreath online: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/fl0458P
Time for New Glasses? Emergency TILE & GROUT Emergency
Water 24-HR. 24-HR. Water Extractions Extractions 50c per sq.ft. Storm, Storm, Broken Pipes, Broken Pipes, etc. etc.
d
Steam Cleaned
ed free
3 Rooms $85
www.drgaffney.com 50c per sq.ft.
includes Hallway cleaned free
The only bug you should have in your home or business is the one in our logo! • German Roaches HOME PROTECTION • Ground Hornets PEST CONTROL
503 West M.L.King Blvd. 0003578756-01
Over 50 Years Serving the Plant City Area
813-986-1266
Plant City, FL 33563
The struggle between fashion and function is officially declared a tie! Never before have eyeglass frames been offered in so many stylish choices. Yet, you’ll be amazed at how many options are at your fingertips to help you see well and protect your vision!
GOT PESTS?
POPPELL INSURANCE 287922-1
813.754.3593
Water Extraction 24-Hr Service | Carpet Dyeing & Repairs2002 S. Alexander St.
813-752-4155
Dr. Jeremy H. Gaffney O.D. Dr. Barry M. Gaffney, O.D. PA Dr. Daniel G. Gaffney O.D.
Steam Cleaned
www.AllSaintscc.com 813-986-1266 813-986-1266 www.AllSaintscc.com 813-986-1266 www.AllSaintscc.com
e | Carpet Dyeing & Repairs
ntscc.com
TILE & GROUT
Steam Cleaned
287396-1
$85
CARPETS
• Roach & Ant Control • Bees • Fleas & Ticks • Quarterly & Semi-Annual Service
• Rodent Control • Spiders • Silverfish
Steve Paul, Owner Lic. # JB 138531
homeprotectionpc.com | 813.757.6752 | Cell: 813.716.0623 | Hours: 8am-5pm M-F • Sat by appt. 287865-1
Family Owned & Operated Since 2006 • 19 Years Experience
287857-1
S
y e n s Di
6
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
|
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
PlantCityObserver.com
ADDICTS FLOCK TO KRAZY KUP
Krazy Kup was nearly filled to capacity Saturday night as the community poured through the doors to take part in a Disney themed trivia night.
BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
agic was in the air at Krazy Kup Coffee House on Aug.31 as the loft was filled to near capacity with onlookers hoping to take part in the Disney themed trivia night. Many came decked out in Mouse apparel, donned in Mickey hula shirts, Jungle Cruise baseball tees and even full princess dresses. Crowded around tables and eyeing the lucky contestants who were selected as the main teams fighting for the coveted Disney prizes, the enthusiastic attendees clapped and groaned when they saw the intensifying difficulty of the revolving questions. “What is the name of the crocodiles in ‘The Rescuers?’” Kameron Athey, host of the event, asked the crowd. Immediately whispers arose around the room as both the official competitors and the onlookers racked their brains to recall details from the 1977 animated classic. As the countdown ticked to zero, Athey had each team hold up their answers on small dry erase boards. Though many got creative with their guesses, none successfully remembered the crocs were named Brutus and Nero. The slide changed and the crowd moved on to the next question. Frank Trunzo, owner of Krazy Kup, said none of them were anticipating the attendance size. This was the second time the coffee house hosted a trivia night and the first time around, while still successful, didn’t draw even half as many attendees as Disney Trivia Night. It appears the word has spread: Krazy Kup is the ideal place for family-friendly fun. “Trivia night was absolutely not trivial,” Trunzo said. “We had an overwhelmingly tremendous response, so we plan on putting it on more frequently.”
Trunzo said, thanks to the continued interest from the community, they will now host a trivia night every month on the third Saturday. It’s been a learning experience for the business and last weekend proved the community was itching for a unique competitive outlet. The plan is to host a kids’ trivia for youth age 15 and younger from 7 to 8 p.m. Then the adults are welcome to the table to compete against other trivia junkies age 16 and up. If they continue to have a massive attendance, Trunzo said, Krazy Kup will have a plan in place to ensure everyone gets a chance to play. The goal is to have a main panel of competitors vying for the chance to take home unique prizes. Those will more than likely be selected via a random drawing, but the details have yet to be stamped out. Everyone else in the room will still be invited to compete, however. “We want to make it more engaging for the entire audience,” Trunzo said. “We will make sure we have really great prizes and a fun time all around.” The topics may differ between the kids’ and the adults’ trivia games to ensure each group has the best opportunity to test their cultural knowledge. Follow Krazy Kup on Facebook or Instagram for up-to-date information on upcoming events.
Photos by Breanne Williams
Teams competed for magical themed items at the Disney trivia night. The experience was so successful, Krazy Kup plans to make it a monthly event with both a kids’ and an adults’ round to even out the competition. Themes will change every month, so follow Krazy Kup on Facebook for more information.
PlantCityObserver.com
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
|
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
7
COMMISH ROUNDUP
A speedy, but thorough, city commission meeting last week led to some necessary routine management throughout the city.
BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Commissioners needed less than 20 minutes to make an impactful move last week, approving a consent agenda that essentially acted as “housekeeping” for the city. Mayor Rick Lott took a moment at the start of the meeting to present members of the Daughters of the American Revolution with a proclamation declaring Sept. 17 through 23 would be known in Plant City as Constitution Week. Lott asked local citizens to join the DAR in “reaffirming the ideals the Framers of the Constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties.” Each year, the city receives funding from Hillsborough County for its support of the 9-11 Public Safety Answering Point,
which is operated by Plant City Police Department. This year, the city received $106,100 after the annual Interlocal Agreement was executed on Feb. 20, 2019. Hillsborough County has agreed to amend the existing Interlocal Agreement and add another $30,000 in reimbursable funds to the pot. Those funds are going to be used by the city to repair or replace Plant City’s Uninterrupted Power Source that provided temporary power to the city’s 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point. The answering point essentially is a call center and ensuring the temporary power source is at its peak condition is essential for a functioning operation, especially with Florida entering peak hurricane season. Another budget adjustment came in the form of the agreement between the City of Plant City and Hillsborough County for its Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Commissioners approved a second modification to the agreement for the administration of the annual funds that came in the 2017-18 fiscal year. The city received $329,800 in CDBG funding specifically for the use of engineering and constructing sidewalk improvements near Madison Park and Wilson Elementary School. This second modification to the agreement extends the arrangement until March 31, 2020, so the city has additional time to complete the construction of the sidewalk improvement project. The city also authorized an easement agreement with Redrock Pavers, Inc. for the installation of an ingress, egress and utilities access easement to an industrial parcel west of the Turkey Creek Road Improvements storm water pond and mitigation site. The access road
near Reece Road alongside this area in question was part of the purchase agreement for the storm water and mitigation site, and it was designed as part of the road improvement project. The agreement essentially allows the paved access road to be extended to connect to Turkey Creek Road near the Reece Road intersection, as its initial design allows storm water aquatics crews to maintain the proposed storm water pond that manages drainage in the area. Commissioners were also approached with an interesting issue regarding a past arrangement the city entered into. On June 27, 2016, commissioners approved the purchase of property 4504 Sydney Road and thereafter received a Warranty Deed that conveyed the property to the city. However, the current owner, Redrock Pavers, Inc., requested a quit claim deed for their property
Photos by Breanne Williams
An access easement is being extended along Turkey Creek Road.
after finding the legal description in the Warranty Deed, which was dated Aug. 29, 2016, had unintentionally deeded that the City of Plant City owned the entire tract of land at the location instead of just the section the city had initially intended to purchase. In order to quickly remedy the mistake, the city will receive an endorsement to the original title policy from Old Republic Title Insurance Company, a Quit Claim Deed from Redrock Pavers, Inc. and a Corrective Deed from Alliant Sydney, LLC, the previous owner. Alliant Sydney, LLC will also provide Redrock Pavers, Inc. with a Corrective Deed to finalize 9/5/2019 & 9/19/2019 Keiser which section of the land the city 231-1831-PCO-ImpactMA-5x6 actually owns. Plant City Observer 5x6 SB 8/22/19
MAKE AN IMPACT AS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT Additional health care degree programs include: Nursing • Physical Therapist Assistant • Health Science Radiologic Technology • Health Services Administration Radiation Therapy Degree programs and delivery format vary by campus
KEISER
UNIVERSITY Associate I Bachelor’s I Master’s I Doctoral
866.588.7604 KeiserUniversity.edu
Keiser University is a private, not-for-profit university
8
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
|
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
LIBRARY HOSTING KAREN HALL EXHIBIT
The Plant City resident’s nature-inspired paintings and other work is on display at Bruton Memorial Library throughout September. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Bruton Memorial Library’s art wall is covered with idyllic scenes of nature this month, thanks to the paint brush of Karen Hall. Hall, a New Jersey native who has lived in Plant City since 2013, first took up painting in 2016 as a hobby to “relax and enjoy learning a new skill” after retirement. She grew to enjoy it enough to get more serious, eventually joining the East Hillsborough Art Guild, showing her work in exhibitions around the county and selling her art. Though she considers herself a “novice” who has had some training, Hall prefers to go with the flow when she’s working on a canvas and lets her mood dictate what flows from the bristles of her brush. “I get inspiration out of the blue and I try and paint it,” Hall said. Her work, largely done in acrylics, mainly covers flora and fauna. Hall has several landscape scenes in a variety of climates and locations on display. Serene babbling brooks, a desert scene, a northern winter and more transport the viewer out of Florida and into another place.
“When we lived in Jersey, we lived in the woods and I had a lot of nature around me,” Hall said. “I loved it. Down here we’re sitting on water. We have sunsets that absolutely amaze me.” She has several types of flowers on display and, as this is Plant City, one strawberry painting. Hall also enjoys painting birds, which appear in many of the works on the art wall. If you can think of a surface, Hall said, she’s probably painted on it. She’s worked with tile, marble, crystals and mirrors and has a “whole cabinet full of mosaic tile” at her workspace. She’s also done sculpture work, including a seahorse on display at the library made from a wood base and adorned with crystals and other reflective surfaces to mimic the way the seahorse would shimmer in the water when the sunlight hits. Hall’s artwork was put up in the library in late August, shortly before Hurricane Dorian came through Florida, and will remain on the wall through the end of September. More of her work can be seen on her Facebook page, Art by Karen Hall, and potential buyers can message her on Facebook if interested in making a purchase.
Anyone interested in having their work featured on Bruton’s art wall can apply for a spot by contacting Library Services Associate Angel House at ahouse@plantcitygov.com.
JOIN US AT OUR NEW
PLANT CITY CAMPUS
1 0:30 A M | S E P T E M B E R 1 5 | M A D ZO N E J U M P H O U S E You’re invited to The Crossing Church on Sunday, September 15th for the launch of the new Plant City campus! We hope to see you there! MA D ZO N E J U M P H O U S E B U I L D I N G 507 S W H E E L E R S T R E E T | P L A N T C I T Y, F L 335 63
For more information and updates, text:
PLANTCITY
to
844.584.7155
81 3.6 2 6.0783 | W E A R E C R O S S I N G .CO M / P L A N TC I T Y @W E A R E C R O S S I N G
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
|
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
9
FACEBOOK FEEDBACK IT’S READ EVERYWHERE Some stories the Observer has published over the past few weeks have created quite a conversation online. Here are your thoughts on what’s happening in the city. Preliminary results are in for Walden Lake resident survey — The Walden Lake Resident Advisory Council sought input from local Walden Lake residents regarding hopes for upcoming development. The results from that initial survey are now in. Comments: James Ellis Gunter: That’s because spoiled people in Walden Lakes think they have a say so as to how someone uses their property. It doesn’t matter if you bought your house with a golf course on it, if I own the golf course and decide to turn it into the cemetery that should be my right. I hope they never reopen the courses. Then I hope someone goes and builds a great course somewhere else in Plant city. That will teach them to try to control other people’s property. Should have let the previous owners develop what they wanted and rebuilt the one course. No one is making a profit running two golf courses much less one and most residence wanting the golf course will never buy a membership. They have already proved that. Evelio Garcia: No golf course...we’ll be in the same situation in a few years!!! Palm Harbor shuts out Crest, 37-0 — Strawberry Crest was shut out at home in (the Aug. 16) preseason kick-off classic game against Palm Harbor University. Comments: John Kelly: No matter what level of football, college, NFL, or HS, constant coaching turnover is devastating to a program. Men lured to Plant City home and tortured — Plant City Police have arrested four of the five suspects they say lured victims to a home in Plant City before robbing, torturing and kidnapping them. The victims were then forced to go to ATMs across town and give them all of their money. Comments:
Pam McGregor: Unreal, what has Plant City become Around Town 8.22.19 — We asked: What was your favorite pet? Comments: Stephanie Tulloh Heath: I had GS when I was young His name was Blackie he was the most faithful loyal dog ever. My heart still breaks not having him near me Meg Scott: Abbyrose, my little Maltese who died last year. She was my 15th dog over many years and the one people called my mini-me. I have another dog now, but there’ll never be another like her. Gary Graham takes the helm at Durant — After the retirement of Pam Bowden last year, Durant turned to one of its original Cougars to take the reins. Meet Gary Graham, the new principal of Durant High School. Comments: Franci Dupre: This promotion is a homecoming. Gary opened Durant as part of the inaugural faculty. He was hand picked by Ron Frost which makes him special. Mr Frost chose only the most special people and required them to treat all children as they would want theirs treated. Gary does that. He has already made positive changes at the school and will become an even more amazing Principal. He was placed here to carry on the spirit of Cougar caring, compassion and family. We are so very fortunate to have him back home where he belongs. Nonstop rain costs city pretty penny — Rising water levels have led to several emergency repairs throughout the city this month. Comments: John Parker: They keep blaming water for the issues on Grant Street instead of the heavy trucks using it beating up the thin pave job they did last year. Jason Crosby: Run to fail
Nikki Glover: I think the road name said it all!
Combine & Save. Good things happen when you combine your home and auto insurance with State Farm . Like saving an average of $894.* Plus, you’ll have a good neighbor like me to help life go right. CALL ME TODAY. ®
*Average annual household savings based on 2016 national survey of new policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm.
Jimmy Fisher, Agent 6920 E Fowler Ave On Fowler Ave near I-75 Tampa, FL 33617 Bus: 813-989-2037 jimmy.fisher.caos@statefarm.com
1606205
Did you take the Observer with you on vacation? Send your pictures to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas, Dallas, TX State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm Florida Insurance Company, Winter Haven, FL State Farm Lloyds, Richardson, TX
STONEHENGE: Mike and Diane Griffin went across the pond to visit family in Great Britain
and brought the Observer along for the journey. They visited England and Scotland while there and took in the sights, including the iconic Stonehenge formation.
10
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
|
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN A Town Hall will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 to gauge the public’s opinion on the future of downtown Plant City. tions will have a real understanding of the pulse of the community and can thus identify the key market and design needs of downtown Plant City. Everything will be examined: retail, design vignettes, public amenities and more. What does a successful downtown look like? What needs to change to ensure there is economic growth downtown? Despite the quick timeline and the more than likely lengthy discussions that will
come during next Tuesday’s meetings, residents are expected to see the results rather soon. By the end of the company’s trip to Plant City in September, there will be a plan in the hands of the city and Main Street, according to estimations during the initial release of the project in June. The Town Hall meeting will be held at First United Methodist Church, 303 N. Evers St., from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 10.
FRESHEST MEAT & LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN! VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THIS WEEK’S SAVINGS Mon-Sat 7am - 9pm | Sundays 7am - 8pm At Felton’s we offer a complete line of fresh meat and produce. You’ll find only the best quality meats at bargain prices. Whether it be that special occasion dinner, or you are planning a large party, call or stop by today. No matter what your needs, Felton’s is sure to have the finest, most tender meat and tasty produce anywhere.
CHOICE MEATS • PRODUCE • GROCERIES
Visit FeltonsMarket.com
WALKER PLAZA 617 N. Maryland Ave., Plant City (813) 752-1548
Sam Allen Rd.
39
PLANT CITY Baker St. olds
Reyn
St.
4 Park Rd.
Felton’s Market
County Line Rd.
Back in June, the City of Plant City agreed to partner with Main Street to hire Community Design Solutions to create a strategic Downtown Vision Plan. Community Design Solutions has worked in more than 500 Main Street communities across the United States, including several communities City Manager Bill McDaniel said reflect what we see here in Plant City. The firm was hired for $38,000, of which $19,000 came from the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency fund. The rest was funded by Main Street. “I’m excited to see what this whole thing brings back for our hometown,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said in June. “They come in and they look at downtown, and they see things we may not see. How to use open space. Where do you have opportunities that maybe we didn’t see? They can look at buildings like, there’s some buildings at MLK, at Palmer, the old appliance store for example. They can look at that and say, ‘Here’s what this could be.’” The Downtown Vision Plan will “assess the local retail market to establish retention and recruitment strategies to support further important economic growth, and also create design vignettes for a down-
town site project that will serve as a strategic redevelopment initiative. The resulting Downtown Vision Plan will integrate relevant recommendations from the City’s Midtown Plan (a neighboring district) and provide an implementation framework that will guide Plant City Main Street’s downtown revitalization initiatives for the next three to five years.” The hope is, with enough diverse community input, Community Design Solu-
Maryland Ave.
STAFF WRITER
289695-1
BREANNE WILLIAMS
92
Lakeland
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
|
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
11
FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH: STACK SOME STONES A stone might appear to be a simple thing, but it can also serve as a powerful reminder to keep us grounded in faith.
Have you ever had a pet rock? Launched by Gary Dahl in 1975, Pet Rocks were smooth stones from Mexico’s Rosarito Beach that were marketed like live pets with a cardboard box, straw, and air holes (nice touch). Although the fad ended six months after it began, Dahl sold 1.5 million Pet Rocks at $4 each, became a millionaire and bought a new house. I wonder if he had a rock garden? Why do I have rocks on the brain? As we move into September, there are a few rocky moments in history that I would like to remind us of — not as a Pet Rock project, but as a powerful presentation of a promise. The first set of rocks can be found thousands of years ago in a place called Gilgal. If you know your Bible history, this was the camping place of the children of Israel, right after they came into the promised land of God’s provision. In Joshua 3-4, we read how God parted the flooded Jordan River and prepared a mass of wilderness wanderers to become Canaan conquerors. The first set of rocks were not found on the land they stood, on but in the riverbed they walked through. God directed Joshua to have twelve men, one from each tribe, unearth a stone from the riverbed and carry it with them to the place they would lodge that night. I can imagine these were not small stones. The guys that were selected were the best of each tribe and probably
287682-1
DR. DANIEL MIDDLEBROOKS
the strongest. I’m sure that each one was not satisfied to pick up a smooth stone, but rather as big a boulder as he could carry. Maybe the talk during the walk to the camp site was, “Yes, you got a good one, but look at my rock!” Why the parade of poundage? To remember what God did for them. In Joshua 4:1924, the leader of Israel tells them, “When your kids ask, ‘Pop, why the rocks?’ you will be able to tell them of God’s mighty hand of help” (my southern paraphrase). For us today, these rocks remind us of God’s promised power when facing incredible obstacles. The second set of rocks are found amid smoke, chaos, fire, fear, and tragedy. It is the day of September 11, 2001. One World Trade Center tower falls to the earth, and a second falls later. The news reports a third plane hitting the Pentagon and another plane, turned off course by the heroic passengers, crashes into a field. It is a different scene than the previous paragraph. Where the children of Israel took a walk of triumph, here the rocks tell a story of tragedy for the American people and a multitude of other nations that lost loved ones. Yet, these very stones, though forged in fire and smoke, tell a greater story. It is a story that came from tragedy and began to move a people into a triumph, to shift from pain into peace, and to move from scattered and distant to gathered and united. These stacks of stones represent the unstoppable human spirit that will not lay down in the dust in defeat, but will stand back up, bloodied and bruised, ready
to remove the rubble, confront the evil and allow the beacon of light and life to burn even brighter than before. These rocks remind us of God’s shining light of hope in the darkest night of our pain. The last set of rocks are found near a field in Dover. These stones are not rugged, but made ready to stack neatly to build not just an altar, but a beautiful building. This church, upgraded through the years, still stands today. It represents a rich heritage and faithful history of a pastor and people that felt’s God’s call to come together to worship. What makes this “stack of stones” differ from the previous two is the key stone that is put into place. It is called the cornerstone. It is the crucial component of the construction that keeps a building standing strong during the winds of adversity, the sudden storms of anxiety and the unexpected attacks of the enemy. Although the church’s name has changed to First Call, the foundation of Sydney Baptist Church — which celebrates 110 years this Sunday — is a symbol of thousands of churches that have endured the trials, tests and tragedies of life to stand triumphant as a stack of unmovable stones (Matthew 16:18). Yet, these last stones are not just the ones that make up the building, but also the believer. As Jesus Christ becomes the Chief Cornerstone in the house of the heart of Christians, we come together with a holy purpose to pray, to praise and to prepare to build a stack of stones to the Savior. The same Savior that took these rough-edged, odd shaped, multi-colored rocks and uses us as “Living
Stones” (1 Peter 2:4-6) to create a stairway that leads all the way to the throne of Grace. As you go into September, do you need to stack some stones of God’s power, of God’s hope, or of God’s purpose? If you do, let me encourage you with this last thought. Instead of trying to find some stones, be one to someone, and you will find you had the stones all the time. That was God’s promise when He gave us His “Rock of Ages.” IF YOU GO What: First Call 9/11 Day of Remembrance Service — A special night of honor and hope When: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Where: First Call - First Responder Church, 1510 Cre Road, Dover More info: call Chaplain Dan Middlebrooks, 813-767-2082
Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks is the Senior Chaplain of First Call Church and the CEO/President of Chaplaincy Care, Inc.
SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
SPORTS
GAME OF THE WEEK: GAITHER AT PLANT CITY
The Raiders are looking to get back above .500 on Friday night. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Plant City’s brutal 2019 schedule doesn’t get any easier this Friday night. The Raiders are set to host Gaither, which is riding high after scoring a 35-28 win over Plant at home last week. Plant City, meanwhile, traveled to Tampa Bay Tech and took a 25-14 loss the team is looking to rebound from. Plant City’s offense wasn’t nearly as successful against Tech as it was against Jesuit in Week 1, as it generated 215 total yards of offense and one touchdown on that side of the ball. Plant City’s most successful drive of the night came in the second quarter and ended with a one-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Makenzie Kennedy that, coupled with Austin Smith’s point-after, gave the Raiders their first and only lead of the game. But that 7-6 score wouldn’t last through the end of the quarter as Tech put two more touchdowns on the board before going into the locker room. The Titans added another
touchdown in the third quarter for good measure, and the only other thing the Raiders could get going in their favor was a blocked punt that got returned for a touchdown with about 11 minutes left in the game. Though the Titans did many things well defensively — they picked off Kennedy twice, held him to 28 passing yards and forced him to try and beat them with his legs — their most impressive feat of defensive strength was erasing Mario Williams from the game. Williams was held without a reception, though not for lack of effort, as Tech’s defense keyed in on him all night. Zamir’ Knighten did gain 101 rushing yards for Plant City and at one point broke off a 54-yard run, but the entire offensive performance at large was one the Raiders probably want to move on from as soon as possible. History is very much on the Raiders’ side in this series. Plant City is 5-1 in its last six meetings with Gaither and only scored fewer than 20 points once in that time. However, the team’s last meeting resulted in a 38-11 loss
at Gaither in 2014. Five years have brought a ton of changes to both programs, complete overhauls from the roster to the coaching staffs, so no one here is about to rest on the laurels of history going into this game. If the Raiders can shake off last week’s performance, the fans at 1 Raider Place could be in for a shootout. This team is not at all far removed from its 37-point outing at Jesuit and the offense in particular has proven time and again to be difficult to stop once a rhythm is established. Plant City’s got weapons and knows how to use them. Getting something more going on offense, especially if it involves finding ways to help Williams get open, is crucial if the Raiders are to beat Gaither this week. The Cowboys now have a pair of wins over Jefferson and Plant and can say they’ve done what no one in the county’s been able to do in six seasons: beat the Panthers. Gaither hung in there with Plant throughout the game and finally pulled ahead for good in the fourth quarter, taking a twoscore lead with two minutes left
WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? FRIDAY NIGHT NOTES
Thoughts on the Durant Cougars’ game against Riverview, as seen from the sideline.
SEE PAGE 13
and denying the Panthers the time they would have needed for a comeback win. Senior quarterback Tony Bartalo leads a Gaither offense that’s been wildly successful when it takes to the skies. Bartalo has eight touchdown passes through two games (an even 4-4 split), and the Cowboys finished with five total touchdown passes last week thanks to a trick play that saw wideout Jordan Oladokun
hit Davion Knighton for a 76-yard score. If there’s a weakness in a team’s secondary, the Cowboys have both the athletes and the arm talent to expose it in 2019. Plant City’s defense has given up 29 and 25 points, respectively, in two games in 2019. Unless something drastic happens, that unit will have its hands full this week.
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?
|
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
13
JUSTIN KLINE
FRIDAY NIGHT NOTES: DURANT AT RIVERVIEW
Thoughts on the Durant Cougars’ Week 2 game against Riverview, as seen from the sideline.
Courtesy of Casey Lane
A 99-yard touchdown off of a lateral sharply shifted the momentum of the Durant-Riverview game, despite not being the Sharks’ go-ahead score.
JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
That Riverview-Durant game sure was something. I know 13-12 isn’t the most enticing final score ever. Trust me, though, this was not some random Sunday afternoon Oakland Raiders-Arizona Cardinals game. If you went to Durant hoping for drama, reader, you definitely got it. It didn’t look like it would be that way at first. Other than the missed opportunities on extra-point conversion attempts (which would have at least taken this game to overtime and at most given Durant the win), Durant’s offense and defense did pretty much exactly what it was designed to do. The offense feasted on the game clock, converted on third and fourth downs and put points on the board. The defense swarmed to the ball and took away just about every opportunity Riverview had for a big play. With the way the teams were playing, Durant had every right to be satisfied with their 12-0 halftime lead. On that note, this game was also a prime example of the effect one or two big plays on offense can have on most games. Two of those big plays, the outliers among a heap of short gains throughout four quarters, got Riverview the lead for good. I don’t want to sound like I’m accusing
the Sharks of playing bad football the whole time, especially since the offense started to click in the second half and you could see why this athletic group had just hung 37 points on Blake the week before. That trick play that gave the Sharks the lead was beautifully executed, too. The other big play, which came first, was that 99-yard mad dash to the end zone on a lateral that came after a completed pass. That run was pretty awesome. Great effort by Riverview to play to the whistle and not give up early. There’s just one thing. I saw that play as it happened and wondered if the lateral was legal, but the lack of flags on the field led me to think it got out in time. Casey Lane, who takes photos for the Durant football team during its games, snapped a photo of the lateral exchange as it happened. I saw it on his camera while I was on the sideline and I saw it again when it was emailed to me later. I’ve included it with this column because this is as close as we’re gonna get to having NFL-style instant replay in high school in 2019. We can’t all sit together at 1916 and act like Cris Collinsworth with a telestrator, but we do have this. In my opinion (and in my best Collinsworth voice), here’s a guy who at least had a knee down before the ball came out. This is far from the first time I’ve checked my camera or someone else’s and saw something referees missed. I’ve seen it in just about every sport at every level.
These things happen and I still do stand by my take from 2018 that people tend to be way too hard on referees for making human errors on bang-bang plays. That’ll happen until the robots take over more than just baseball. Don’t accuse Riverview of cheating, either — that play happened so quickly, it’s possible the quarterback didn’t even know he was down all the way like that when he fired off that lateral. That was an improvisation. You always want to take that kind of touchdown when you get it, especially when it’s a 99-yarder. If that happened for me in Madden, I’d probably yell louder than a strength coach on his sixth Red Bull and Superman off of my couch. It’s just that this particular touchdown happened to be the difference-maker in the game, not some garbage-time touchdown that didn’t really affect a win or a loss either way. That hurts when it’s against you. It’s also something at least one referee should probably have seen. This is why we need instant replay! I know that’s asking a lot right now but, if nothing else, we’ll always have our dreams. Anyway, I digress. The ending of the game, with all of those blocked field goal attempts, was pretty nuts. I haven’t seen much like it in my years covering high school football. I can’t blame anyone for being confused watching it all unfold in the moment. Losses like that one are some of the hardest to swallow. At least in a blowout, you
have time to prepare yourself for the “L” about to be taken. When I talked to Durant players for the 2019 Football Guide (which I hope you’ve read by now), they all told me about a team-wide effort to stay positive all season long because negativity allegedly consumed them in 2018. This was one of those losses that’s easier than most to get angry about. But the Cougars would do well to look at the positives from Aug. 30 and go from there. The time of possession skewed heavily in their favor. They converted on a lot of important third and fourth-down situations and flashed several times the ability to make big plays. The defense plays with a chip on its shoulder you can see from a mile away and that kind of mean streak always comes in handy. There are real signs that this young team is finally figuring things out. If I were the one trying to lead a “power of positivity” movement in the locker room, I’d be bringing all that up on repeat.
Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Observer. Email: jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
CAMERON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
michael@cameronfm.com | CAMERONFM.COM Securities Offered Through LPL Financial
Members FINRA/SIPC
Michael S.Cameron Financial Advisor
813.759.8485
DRIVE SAFE & SAVE. I help safe drivers save up to 14%.
When you don’t have car accidents, you cost less to insure. I can help you save up to 14% off your premium. And that’s just for starters. Call me first to get the discounts you deserve.
Feola Insurance Agency 813-752-2556 287497-1
1003 S. Collins St. a026519@allstate.com
Discounts are subject to terms, conditions and availability. Actual savings will vary. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co.
Northbrook, IL. © 2013 Allstate Insurance Co.
DIVORCE | WILLS | EVICTIONS Starting at $65 • 1-Signature Divorce • Missing Spouse Divorce “We Come To You” SERVING ALL FLORIDA
1-888-847-1997
(SINCE 1992)
291121-1
287687-1
110 W. Reynolds Street | Suite 109, Plant City, FL 33563
14
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
|
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
OTHER AREA FOOTBALL ACTION
Quick Hits In the IDBF championship series, Hobkirk was a member of the USA Senior C team and helped the group win its firstever gold medal in the competition — plus seven more, for good measure.
USTA SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
AREA PARKS HOSTING EVENTS
DURANT AT BLAKE, 7:30 P.M.
STRAWBERRY CREST: BYE
The Durant Cougars hung tough in last week’s game against Riverview, but the Sharks turned their fortunes around in the second half and got out of Durant with a 13-12 win. The Cougars were in near-complete control of the game clock, but couldn’t always capitalize on their chances in Riverview territory. This was especially true of the second half, when Durant was held scoreless and had several fourth-down conversion attempts shut down one way or another. Elian Gonzalez and Collin Cole scored Durant’s touchdowns, but none of the Cougars’ extra point conversion attempts were successful. Next up for Durant is a trip to Blake High School to take on a Yellow Jackets team coming off of its bye week. In Week 1, Blake went to Riverview and got into a high-scoring duel with the Sharks. Blake scored 26 points in the effort but were outgunned by Riverview, who scored 37. The Yellow Jackets did not post stats from the game to MaxPreps.com. Durant will need to work on its posttouchdown point attempts and special teams (back-to-back field goal blocks doomed the Cougars in the end of last week’s game) before district play starts up with Bloomingdale at home on Sept. 13.
Strawberry Crest had a similar Week 2 situation as Durant, having also held a lead at halftime only for its opponent to come back in the second half. This was a much more offense-friendly game, however, with a 37-21 final in King’s favor. The Chargers held a 14-6 lead over King going into halftime. The Lions’ offense woke up and kept things close for a while, with both teams trading scores during the third quarter. Crest’s 21-19 lead in the third quarter was its last of the game, as the Lions ended up outscoring them 19-7 in that quarter and added 12 more points in the fourth. A bye week gives the Chargers some much-needed time to reflect on what’s working and how best to keep that going. And no one can accuse the Chargers of doing nothing right in 2019: Crest has scored 41 points through its two games. The team scored 43 points in 10 games in 2018. Things are definitely getting better out there in Dover. Kathleen is up next at the Crest, and the teams’ Sept. 13 meeting will kick off district play for both schools. The Red Devils are currently 0-2 and have been blown out in both games: first a 57-7 loss on the road to a Lake Wales team that’s spent 2019 terrorizing Polk County opponents, then a 37-17 home loss to Lake Gibson last week. Ridge Community, which just took a 62-0 loss to Lake Wales, will host Kathleen this Friday.
Global Sports Alliance Baseball’s Florida Gulf Coast League action is back in Plant City after last weekend’s Labor Day Classic was thrown off by the weather forecast. Florida Gulf Coast League play heats up at Mike Sansone Park and the Larson FourPlex. Games start between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sept. 7 and 8. Also coming back to Plant City, weather permitting, is the city’s Youth Flag Football league. The Parks and Recreation Department/Optimist Club Youth Flag Football League is back for its 53rd season, which kicks off at 8:30 and 9:45 a.m. Sept. 14 on multiple fields at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex. The league has 164 players on 20 co-ed teams throughout five age groups, which cover ages 4 through 15. The season begins Sept. 14 and runs every Saturday through Nov. 2.
HOBKIRK MAKES USA TRIATHLON TEAM Plant City native Bob Hobkirk, fresh off of competing in the IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships, is joining another USA national team. Hobkirk qualified in late August for the USA National Triathlon team and will join the team in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada next year for the 2020 ITU World Championships.
The United States Tennis Association’s Florida chapter is recruiting volunteers for a new developmental program that grows professional skills and leadership qualities for “potential future leaders” in the organization. Thirty Florida residents age 18 and older will join the USTA Florida Leadership Academy’s 2020 class. Prior tennis experience or knowledge is not required, but passion for the industry is. There will be two inperson workshops in Orlando scheduled for Nov. 22-23, 2019 and May 29-30, 2020. Online classes will be available between workshops starting Sept. 30. Visit USTAFlorida.com/LeadershipAcademyAPP for details and to apply.
TAMPA YMCA LOOKING FOR TURKEY GOBBLE RUNNERS The fifth annual Goody Goody Turkey Gobble is all planned out and the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA invites you to join in on the Thanksgiving Morning fun. The 5K, 8K and one-mile run/walk events kick off at 7 a.m. Nov. 28 in front of Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. The 5K and 8K runs are chip-timed and prizes will be awarded to top finishers in all age groups. Runners must be at least 10 years old to race. All proceeds benefit the YMCA’s LiveStrong program for cancer survivors and their families. The cost is $30 for the 5K ($35 after Oct. 31), $35 for the 8K ($40 after Oct. 31) and $15 for the one-mile run/walk. Register online at runsignup.com.
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
|
Strawberry Crest at Wharton, 7:30 p.m.
AUG. 30
VOLLEYBALL
Riverview 13, Durant 12 Tampa Bay Tech 26, Plant City 14 King 37, Strawberry Crest 21
AUG. 27
SEPT. 6
Lakeland 3, Plant City 0
Brandon 3, Durant 0 Plant City 3, Kathleen 0 Wharton 3, Strawberry Crest 0 SEPT. 4
SEPT. 20
Gaither at Durant, 7:30 p.m. Strawberry Crest at George Jenkins, 7 p.m.
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. 7
SEPT. 10
Strawberry Crest at Pasco Steven Villareal Memorial Invite, 8 a.m.
Durant at Freedom, 7:30 p.m. Plant City at George Jenkins, 7 p.m. Strawberry Crest at Newsome, 7:30 p.m.
AUG. 29
Bloomingdale at Durant, 7:30 p.m. Lakeland at Plant City, 7:30 p.m. Kathleen at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.
Newsome at Durant, 7:30 p.m.
SEPT. 12
AUG. 28
SEPT. 13
CROSS COUNTRY
Plant City at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.
Strawberry Crest 3, Armwood 0
Durant at Blake, 7:30 p.m. Gaither at Plant City, 7:30 p.m.
SEPT. 9
SEPT. 5 Durant at Osceola, 6 p.m. Armwood at Plant City, 7:30 p.m.
SEPT. 7
All three schools at Seffner Christian Invite, 7 a.m.
Brandon Cowboys at Dover Patriots Plant City Dolphins at Southwest Junior Saints Turkey Creek Trojans at Brandon Broncos
SEPT. 19
SEPT. 14
Durant vs. Strawberry Crest vs. Brandon vs. Spoto, 6 p.m.
Dover Patriots at Turkey Creek Trojans Wesley Chapel Coyotes at Plant City Dolphins
SEPT. 14
SEPT. 16
GOLF
Celebration at Durant, 6 p.m.
SEPT. 5
SEPT. 21
SEPT. 17
Plant City vs. Brandon, 2:30 p.m. Strawberry Crest vs. Freedom, 2 p.m.
Dover Patriots at Lakeland Eagles Plant City Dolphins at East Bay Bucs Turkey Creek Trojans at Seffner Seahawks
Plant City at Lakeland, 7 p.m. Strawberry Crest at Armwood, 7:30 p.m.
SEPT. 9
SEPT. 19
Durant vs. East Bay, 2:30 p.m.
Durant at Plant City, 7:30 p.m. Bloomingdale at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.
SEPT. 11
SWIMMING
SEPT. 27
SEPT. 6
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 Osceola, 6 p.m. Strawberry Crest at Calvary Christian Warrior Invitational SEPT. 7
SEPT. 10
OCT. 4
Strawberry Crest at Calvary Christian Warrior Invitational
Durant vs. Plant City vs. Lennard, 6:30 p.m.
Lennard at Durant, 7:30 p.m. Armwood at Plant City, 7:30 p.m.
TCYFCC
Strawberry Crest vs. Brandon, 2 p.m. SEPT. 12
SEPT. 5 Plant City vs. Strawberry Crest vs. Spoto, 7 p.m.
Durant vs. Lennard, 3:15 p.m. Plant City vs. Riverview, 2 p.m.
SPORTS SCORES
SPORTS SCORES AND MORE FOOTBALL
15
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
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
YOUR HOME COMMUNITY
BANK
Your livelihood has been built through hard work and integrity.
Hillsboro BANK
Trust your insurance to a company built on these same values.
Your livelihood has been built through hard work and integrity.
Personal Banking Business Banking
Trust your insurance to a company built on these same values.
Online Banking
Smart Banking at its BEST! 509 W. Alexander Street Plant City, FL 33563 (Main Office) (813) 707- 6506 DRIVE THRU: 8:00 - 5:30 Mon.-Thurs. 8:00 - 6:00 Fri. LOBBY: 9:00 - 4:00 Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 - 6:00 Fri.
1016 Bloomingdale Ave. Valrico, FL 33596 (Brandon Office) (813) 657-8989 DRIVE THRU: 8:00 - 5:30 Mon.-Thurs. 8:00 - 6:00 Fri LOBBY: 9:00 - 4:00 Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 - 6:00 Fri.
13844 7th Street Dade City, FL (352) 470-0990 DRIVE THRU: 8:00 - 5:00 Mon. - Thurs 8:00 - 6:00 Fri LOBBY 8:30 - 4:00 Mon - Thurs 8:30 - 6:00 - Fri.
Friendly • Fast • Quality Service
THE BEST LOCAL THE BEST LOCAL AGENCY INSURANCE INSURANCE AGENCY • 000-000-0000 CITY •CITY 000-000-0000 www.bestinsuranceagency.com www.bestinsuranceagency.com
284972
BANK
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
hillsborobank.com
280492
Hillsboro
Plant City | 813.752.4155 www.poppellinsurance.com
16
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
|
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR We asked: What is your hurricane plan?
“I have to plan for myself and our church, so that creates a bigger issue. Personally, “We’re staying in our shop to “We just got our food and make sure it doesn’t flood and water. We’re getting sandbags we have a generator, water, our inventory’s safe.” and have a backup generator.” chips... and we open up our church (Relevant Church, Ybor — Jordan Williams, 27 — Melanie Hagerty, 21 City) for people who live in an area that may be unsafe.” — Paul Wirth, 50
“Just made a Publix run today. Gonna hook up the well to a generator so we don’t have to worry about water. Bought a bunch of beer and got a hurricane playlist on Spotify. Wi-Fi is hooked up to the generator.” — Scott McDonough, 23
“Finding shelter. Finding family members that can assist you. I’m gonna be downtown, get groceries ahead of time and have food and water where I’m at.” — Alex Johnson, 26
OMG IT’S WEDNESDAY! PLANT CITY FARM AND FLEA MARKET Highway 39 North at Sam Allen Road—1 mi. N. of I-4 Exit 21
WEDNESDAY FLEA MARKET OVER 40 ACRES . . . MORE THAN 500 VENDORS
OP EN
PM 7A M T O 1 708 W. SAM ALLEN RD. 1 MILE NORTH OF I-4 EXIT 21
LIKE KMART WITHOUT A ROOF!
287696-1
AROUND TOWN
289704-1
PLENTY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
WWW.PLANTCITYMARKET.COM
each other is what
community
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
John Harold Turner, 74, of Plant City, born in Moultrie, Georgia on Nov. 16, 1944, entered into eternal rest on Aug. 28, 2019. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He retired as a Patrol Officer from the Tampa Police Department, and for many years he was a manager for B.M. Smith Motors. He enjoyed boating, fishing, and he loved antique trucks: he had his own special 1950 Ford F1 who he called “Little Red”. He loved spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathryn Turner; children, Deborah Fletcher (Jeff), John Hill Turner, and Kathryn “Kathy” Rivera (Angelo); grandchildren, Michael Roe (Nicole), Jonathan Morales (Jasmin), Jarrod Morales (Yuri), Brittney Tillman (Duane), Jeffrey Fletcher, Courtney Turner, Carlee Turner, Caitlyn Turner, Angelina Rivera, Kasey Rivera, and Christine Owen; great grandchildren, Kaitlynn Roe, Andrew Roe, Torie Orosco, Brianna Morales, Desiree Morales, Charles Morales, Christina Till-
17
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
is all about.
in Plant City. She was an office Bruce E. Phillips manager for Dr. John Thompson in St. Petersburg for 35 years. Bruce E. Phillips, 62, of AuburnShe also served for Hospice at dale, passed away on Monday Bay Pines Petersburg Aug. 26, 2019. was we’reBruce dedicated to born helping families create a WE’Rin E PSt. RO UD TO S E RV Efor our10 community years.with Shepersonal, was greatly loved and May 28, 1957 in Plant City. unique and meaningful memorial that truly compassionate care since 1896. celebrates were the lifeheld it represents. your Dignity professionals, will beAsmissed by allMemorial her family Funeral services and friends. > 100% Service Guarantee Aug. 30, 2019 at Wells Memorial > National Plan Transferability A funeral will be held Sat-Travel Assistance Funeral Home. > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement urday, September 7 at 11:00 Fond memories and expresA.M. at Hopewell Baptist Historic sions of sympathy may be Chapel, 6001 S County Road shared at www.WellsMemorial. supportingcom the Plant City Strawberry Festival. 39, Plant City, whereProudly the family for the Phillips family. will receive friends beginning at 10:00 A.M. Interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Expressions of condolence WELLSMEMORIAL.COM at HopewellFuneral.com. ®
R
OBITUARIES
John Harold Turner
man, Brianna Tillman, Ashlynn Tillman, Joshua Tillman, and Clara JoAnn Tillman; sister, Iris McNabb (Al); and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Roe; parents, Rev. H.D. and Eunice Turner; and brothers, William Daniel Turner, and Randy D. Turner. Services were held Aug. 31 at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 S. County Road 39, Plant City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Florida Sheriff Boys Ranch, youthranches.org. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
|
Taking care of each other is what
community
Frieda McDonald Story
Frieda McDonald Story, 96, of St. Petersburg, went on to be with her Lord in Plant City on September 3, 2019. She is survived by her two sisters, MaryAnn Middlebrooks and HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM Carol Jensen of Plant City. Also, numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Mary ‘PeeWee’ She was preceded in death by Shores her loving husband of 54 years, Albert Story, her parents, and Mary “PeeWee” Shores, 89, of Ruskin, entered into eternal rest three brothers. She was an active member of Fifth Avenue on Aug. 28, 2019. Expressions of condolence at Baptist Church in St. Petersburg for 50 years and then a memHopewellFuneral.com. ber of Hopewell Baptist Church
is Clifford all about. Kisela
Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy
Clifford Kisela, 67, of Plant City, 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM passed away on Tuesday Aug. 13, 2019. Clifford was born May 1, we’re dedicated to helping families create a WE’R E P RO UD TO S E RV E our community M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1 10/27/15 Rev. John L. Walker 1952. He was a veteran. unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. Fond memories expresRev. John L. Walker, 82, of Sun celebratesand the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, sions of sympathy may be City Center, entered into Heaven > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability shared at www.WellsMemorial. on September 1, 2019. Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement com for the Kisela family. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
10:42 A
®
R
Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.
HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM
Florist
WELLSMEMORIAL.COM
Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy
HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM
813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1
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
10/27/15 10:42
18
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
YOUR CALENDAR
BEST BET
|
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
TUESDAY, SEPT. 10 DOWNTOWN VISION PLANNING: TOWN HALL MEETING
6 p.m. In partnership with the City of Plant City government, this community town hall meeting is an important part of the Downtown Vision Plan — a collaborative process that will provide the planning and design services needed to guide downtown’s development initiatives for the next three to five years. Come on out to First United Methodist Church of Plant City, 303 N. Evers St., for more information. All residents and property/business owners from throughout our community are encouraged to attend to share their thoughts on the city’s downtown. Learn more about the Downtown Vision Planning initiative at http://bit.ly/2YQzPmx.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 5 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.
SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB
10:30 a.m. Come on out to the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St., each Thursday to find out more about a new Shuffleboard Club. Topics being discussed are days of the week, times, skill levels and anything else you may want to know. The club is hosted by Anita Balch and she can be contacted at 808-7225821 for more information.
BATON TWIRLING CLASSES
3:30, 4:30 and 4:45 p.m. Come on out to Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St., for the new Baton twirling Classes held every Thursday. Beginners meet from 3:30 to 4:40 p.m., intermediates from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and middle school from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. Twirlers have the opportunity to participate in local parades, civic events and competitions. For more information contact Barbara Patrick at 813-626-4554.
CRAFT NIGHT OUT
5:30 p.m. Adults are welcome to join Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., in its monthly Craft Night Out. This month, they will get a jump start on fall with 3D paper pumpkins. All supplies are provided. Registration is necessary. Please register online at plantcitygov.com/library. This class is open to all adults 18 and older.
GAME NIGHT
5:30 to 8 p.m. Join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for an evening of board and card games with your favorite coffee or tea and sweet treat. Little ones are welcome if they can join the game quietly next to parents.
This free event is open to the public. Bring your favorite game or borrow one from the coffee house.
LEADERSHIP PLANT CITY CLASS OF 2020 MEET & GREET
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join the Chamber for the annual New Class Meet and Greet at Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 1205 Townsgate Court. This is your opportunity to meet the 2020 class, the Leadership Committee and the fellow alumni from prior years. It’s a fun and casual way to start the year. This event is open to Leadership alumni and 2020 class members only.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6 DUPLICATE BRIDGE
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.
2019 FALL SEEDLING WORKSHOP
6 p.m. Join the PCC Community Garden and learn how to successfully start your own seedlings. There will be more than 70 seed varieties to choose from, including 95 percent heirloom varieties you won’t find in any big box or local garden source. RSVP - reserve your materials by contacting Karen at 813-4358111 or 12circle8@gmail.com. Included in the workshop: 50 to 70-cell seed tray, organic soil and amendments, and a selection of flower and vegetable seeds (over 70 beloved and unique varieties), hands-on instruction from Merlin Graber and an instruction packet. There is a $15 suggested donation.
COMEDIANS UNCORKED AT KEEL FARMS
7 p.m. Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road, is hosting
Comedians Uncorked. Grab your friends and family for a night of fun. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets are $13 per person. Buy yours at https://keelfarms.com/ events/comedians-uncorked/. The show will feature host and creator Pat Largo and comedians Chris Machado, Jander Gray and Katie McCoy.
MONDAY, SEPT. 9 PLANT CITY DAYBREAK ROTARY CLUB
7 to 8 a.m. The Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club holds a meeting every Monday morning. Now the group will be meeting in the Community Meeting Room of the Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place. Guests are welcome to come and join them.
PLANT CITY GARDEN CLUB LUNCH-N-LEARN
9:30 a.m. Kick off the 2019-2020 year with fellow Garden Club members and enjoy a delicious pot-luck lunch at the 1914 High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St. Find out what exciting plans and speakers are in the works for the upcoming year. Catch up with fellow and new Garden Club friends. Non-members who are interested in the Plant City Garden Club are welcome to attend. Coffee is at 9:30 a.m. and the general meeting and lunch begins at 10 a.m. For more information, visit plantcitygardenclub.org or call Sally Murphy at 813-758-5154.
MASTER GARDENER: FLOWERING VINES
6 p.m. at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Learn about the benefits and challenges of having flowering vines. They will discuss versatile uses and how to train vines to behave, with examples of easy-to-grow vines that are the right size for your yard. Presented by the Master Gardeners of the Hillsborough County Extension Services. Participants are invited to bring a
STRONGER
THAN EVER
plant for the plant exchange after the program.
READ WITH TANNER THE THERAPY DOG
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.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 10 STORY TIME (TODDLER TIME)
Buddy Freddy’s Restaurant, 1101 Goldfinch Drive (off Thonotosassa Road). For club information call 813-417-7559.
READ WITH BONNIE THE THERAPY DOG
4 to 5 p.m. Bonnie the Therapy Dog comes to Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., every week for children to have the opportunity to share a book and some soft pats on the head. Join Bonnie on the couch in the children’s section and read to her some of your favorite stories.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 12
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 program that highlights early literacy skills and encourages reading readiness and social interaction. For children ages 2 to 3 years and their caregivers.
PLANT CITY LIONS CLUB
12 to 1 p.m. The Plant City Lions Club holds a meeting every Tuesday at Buddy Freddy’s, 1101 Goldfinch Drive. For more information on membership call 813-924-3829.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11 PLANT CITY COMMUNITY LADIES BIBLE STUDY
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This Plant City Community Ladies Bible Study runs the first Wednesday of every month from September until May at the Planteen Recreation Center, 201 N. Dort St. There will be salad, desserts and a covered dish lunch at the study and attendees are invited to bring an item to share. All ladies are the community are welcome. Donations are $1.
UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE
5 p.m. Have questions about Medicare benefits and how to get them? Many people do, so come on out to Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., and join professional Charlotte Kocian as she delves in the basics of Medicare and the process involved in receiving your benefits. Questions are welcome. No registration necessary.
IMPROV NIGHT
7 to 8 p.m. Join some of the area’s finest improv artists as they use audience suggestions to create scenes and play improv games at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Every night is a world premier. Featuring Gopher Joke Improv, the event is held the second Thursday of every month.
KIWANIS CLUB OF PLANT CITY
12 to 1 p.m. The Kiwanis Club of Plant City meets Wednesdays at
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 4, 2019 PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
I LOVE PLANT CITY
9/4
FORECAST THURSDAY, SEPT. 5 High: 93 Low: 80 Chance of rain: 10%
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6 High: 91 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 20%
28 Vigoda of “The Godfather” 29 ___ for the course 30 Most wily 32 Beverage in marketing wars 34 Girl, in Glasgow 37 Soothes 38 Sea predator that can’t snort 41 Witches’ group 44 Comfy 45 Hunk of bacon 49 Tattletale 51 Drop an egg 53 Frazier foe 54 Boy, in Glasgow 55 Amphibian that can’t
roar 59 Unit in history class 60 Magazine that reads the same both ways 61 No-thing connector 62 Arachnid that can’t howl 66 Notary’s stamp 68 “Would ___ to you?” 69 Skirt 70 Eve’s grandson 71 Cold cabbage dish 72 River mouth deposit 73 Like Easter eggs DOWN 1 Sponge (up) 2 Treatment that shouldn’t have an effect 3 Scientific parody prize
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
High: 93 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 10%
SUNDAY, SEPT. 8 High: 94 Low: 74 Chance of rain: 10%
AVOCADOS
Shipping point: Central Florida $7-$8
4 Certain Mongolian 5 Tourist’s aid 6 “Selma” setting: Abbr. 7 Crossword constructors, perhaps 8 Spiritual guides 9 Does penance 10 No. 1 bud 4 life 11 Noms de plume 12 Abhor 13 Urges on 19 Penn partner 21 It disappears when you stand 24 “High School Musical” actor Efron 25 Retail therapy site 26 Eurasian range 31 Jabbers 33 Assist with 46-Down 35 Payroll ID 36 Hall of Fame football coach Don 39 Ben, Sam and Fester 40 Food thickener obtained from seaweed 41 “The Chronicles of Narnia” author 42 Having great luck 43 Onion grown in Georgia 46 “Petty” or “grand” theft 47 Song written by Queen Liliuokalani 48 ___ Dipper 50 Gave a boost 52 QB’s measures 56 Martini garnish 57 Get a bike going 58 Merged 63 ___ and far between 64 Baltimore summer hrs. 65 Irish actor Stephen 67 “Acid” drug
19
SUNRISE/SUNSET
Sunrise Sunset
Thursday, Sept. 5
7:09a
7:45p
Friday, Sept. 6
7:09a
7:44p
Saturday, Sept. 7
7:10a
7:43p
Sunday, Sept. 8
7:10a
7:42p
Monday, Sept. 9
7:11a
7:40p
Tuesday, Sept. 10
7:11a
7:39p
Wednesday, Sept. 11
7:12a
7:38p
MOON PHASES
SATURDAY, SEPT. 7
You Don’t Say! by Larry Nargi
ACROSS 1 Rotisserie chicken holder 5 Japanese comic books 10 Offered, as a farewell 14 Legendary gymnast Korbut 15 Certain Alaskan 16 Make like Mr. Universe 17 Show exhaustion 18 Sea creature that can’t talk 20 Unwelcome stocking stuffer 22 Sci-fi classic set on a desert planet 23 G.I. address 24 Mollusk that can’t bray 27 Arthur Conan Doyle title
|
Sept. 29 New
Sept. 13 Full
Oct. 3 First
Sept. 24 Last
RAINFALL Monday, Aug. 26
0.41
Tuesday, Aug. 27 0.12 Wednesday, Aug. 28
0.03
Thursday, Aug. 29 0.00 Friday, Aug. 30
0.29
Saturday, Aug. 31 0.12 Sunday, Sept. 1
0.10
YEAR TO DATE:
MONTH TO DATE:
2019 35.01 in.
2019 0.27 in.
2018 21.50 in.
2018 0.13 in.
WEATHER
10 No. 1 bud 4 41 “The ACROSS 45 Hunk of life Chronicles 1 Rotisserie bacon 11 Noms de of Narnia” chicken 49 Tattletale plume author holder 51 Drop an egg 12 Abhor 42 Having great 5 Japanese 53 Frazier foe Urges luck books 54 Boy, in Sendcomic your photo submissions to Associate Editor13 Justin Klineon at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com 19 Penn partner 43 Onion grown 10 Offered, as a Glasgow or hashtag #iloveplantcity Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature. 21 It disappears farewell in Georgia 55onAmphibian when you 14 Legendary 46 “Petty” or that can’t roar stand gymnast “grand” theft 59 Unit in histo24 “High 47 Song written Korbut ry class School Mu15 Certain Alas- 60 Magazine by Queen sical” actor kan Liliuokalani that reads Efron 16 Make like 48 ___ Dipper the same 25 Retail Mr. Universe 50 Gave a both ways therapy site 17 Show exboost 61 No-thing 26 Eurasian haustion 52 QB’s connector range measures 18 Sea creature 62 Arachnid that 31 Jabbers 56 Martini that can’t can’t howl 33 Assist with garnish talk 66 Notary’s 46-Down 20 Unwelcome 57 Get a bike stamp 35 Payroll ID stocking going 68 “Would ___ 36 Hall of Fame stuffer 58 Merged to you?” football 22 Sci-fi classic 63 ___ and far 69 Skirt coach Don set on a between 70 Eve’s 39 Ben, Sam desert 64 Baltimore grandson and Fester planet summer hrs. 71 Cold cab40 Food thick23 G.I. address 65 Irish actor bage dish ener ob24 Mollusk that Stephen 72 River mouth tained from can’t bray 67 “Acid” drug deposit seaweed 27 Arthur 73 Like Easter Conan Doyle eggs title DOWN PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER When this blue it took some time to chill in Kimberly Hatley’s garden. 28 Vigoda ofjay needed1a break, Sponge (up) “The 2 Treatment Godfather” that shouldn’t Follow us on 29 ___Lfor theE have ansocial effectmedia: @PCObserver on Instgram, ON IN @PlantObserver course 3 Scientific on Twitter and Plant City Observer on Facebook. 30 Most wily parody prize 32 Beverage in 4 Certain marketing Mongolian wars 5 Tourist’s aid 34 Girl, in 6 “Selma” setGlasgow ting: Abbr. 37 Soothes 7 Crossword 38 Sea predaconstructors, tor that can’t perhaps snort 8 Spiritual 41 Witches’ guides group 9 Does 9/3 © 2019 Andrews McMeel Universal 44 Comfy penance www.upuzzles.com
20
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
|
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
PlantCityObserver.com