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FREE • thursday, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
in THIS ISSUE
sports
EXCLUSIVE
Durant Cougars’ Al Higginbotham historic season brings circus comes to an end. to commission.
Tomlin Middle School celebrates garden completion.
PAGE 15
PAGE 9
OUR TOWN
TRAGEDY
PAGE 3 by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
No charges filed in shooting
Hillsborough detectives say Plant City resident Channing Thorpe, 17, shot his father, Christopher, when he found him choking his mother, Jill, two days after Thanksgiving.
+ Raulerson a man of his word
A bonfire burns in the backyard of the home at 7427 Burnt Barn Ave. It crackles and flickers — much like the bonfire the Thorpe family started on Nov. 24. That was the night Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received a call from 17-year-old Channing Thor-
pe, who reported he had just shot his father, Christopher Thorpe, to stop him from beating his mother, Jill Thorpe. According to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports, Channing Thorpe called 911 at about 10:15 p.m.
When officers arrived, they discovered Christopher Thorpe, 36, dead in the master bedroom of the home. Family members, including Channing Thorpe and Christopher Thorpe, mother Jill Thorpe and grandmother Dorothy Wil-
liamson, along with two friends, were outside enjoying a bonfire earlier in the evening. Jill Thorpe went into the home, and then Christopher Thorpe followed her. Once inside, the two began ar-
SEE SHOOTING / PAGE 6
For newly elected Florida state Rep. Dan Raulerson, a bet is a bet. The former mayor and city commissioner — a diehard Florida State University fan — appeared at Monday’s commission meeting sporting a Gator blue-and-orange tie. He and City Attorney Kenneth Buchman had made a friendly wager on last weekend’s Florida-Florida State game. After the Gators trounced the Seminoles 37-26, Raulerson made good on his bet — much to the delight of Buchman and Gator fans in City Hall this week. “I am a broken individual,” Raulerson said, obviously uncomfortable sporting his rival’s colors.
+ Plant City choir kicks off Christmas The Plant City Community Choir will usher in the Christmas season with its Christmas by Candlelight concert at 6 and 8 p.m. Dec. 8, at Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1107 Charlie Griffin Road. Christmas by Candlelight is an hour-long concert, with 15 standard holiday songs such as “Joy to the World” and “Come All Ye Faithful.” Evangelical Presbyterian Church Pastor Scott Lingle and Commissioner Bill Dodson will be the celebrity narrators. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. The $20 VIP package includes prime parking, seating and a meet-andgreet reception For more information, call (813) 444-8863.
FUN AND GAMES Michael Eng
Inomi Ortiz, 7, was a fierce tic-tac-toe competitor during Springhead Elementary School’s annual Harvest Festival. For more photos, see page 14 or visit PlantCityObserver.com.
BROTHER IN BLUE
by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Former inmate inspires incarcerated Glenn Long uses his story of addition and prison to share his faith. “I became an addict in an instant,” Plant City native Glenn Long says without blinking. The matter-of-fact delivery echoes in the room. He is used to sharing his story. Today, Long, whose past includes a crack cocaine addiction and convictions for a bank and
store robberies, runs Shiloh Baptist Church’s Kairos Club. Through the club, Long uses his stories to share the Christian faith with prison inmates. And because he’s been there, because he’s lived it, his message is one that can reach beyond the bars.
DOWNWARD SPIRAL
Long’s story starts on a night in his past. He was 24 years old. Like many young professionals, Long was a social drinker who spent weekends in bars with his friends.
SEE LONG / PAGE 6
INDEX Cops.....................7
Amber Jurgensen
Glenn Long runs Shiloh Baptist Church’s Kairos Club.
Vol. 1, No. 21 | One section
Crossword.......... 19
Obituaries.......... 12
Sports................ 15
PlantCityObserver.com
2 PlantCityObserver.com
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Plant city observer
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
3
community
by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Hope Lutheran serves up hurricane relief One turkey supper grew into a $5,500 check that Hope Lutheran sent to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
under the big top by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
CIRCUS SPECTACLE
Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham invited circus performers from Cirque Italia Act XII to a recent County Commission luncheon.
It was the Sunday before “Since I focus so much on elections, and like many other international relations and IF YOU GO political candidates, Hillsboreconomic development, Cirque Italia Act XII ough County Commissioner I wanted to connect with SHOWTIMES: 7:30 p.m. Al Higginbotham was feeling them,” Higginbotham said. Wednesdays to Fridays; stressed. “It really is a gem right here 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. So his wife, Devon, suggestin our backyard.” Saturdays; 1 and 5 p.m. ed the couple go see Cirque He invited circus memSundays Italia Act XII at the Museum bers to his election party WHERE: MOSI, 4801 E. of Science and Industry, in and a commission luncheon Fowler Ave., Tampa Tampa. later in November. There “She brought me kicking several performers gave the TICKETS: $10 to $40 and screaming,” Higginbocommission a personal preWEBSITE: cirqueitalia.com tham said. “But I was at the view of the show. edge of my seat the whole “The commissioners are time.” still talking about it,” Andy Not your traditional circus, Cirque Italia Taylor, Higginbotham’s former aide, said. combines modern production values with an The show began as a prior arrangement array of unique performers that include con- between the Venice Arts Foundation and the tortionists, acrobatic aerialists and even a Cirque Italia company. Cirque Italia put toquirky clown named Coco. gether Cirque Aquatic in Venice, Fla., to save After seeing the show, Higginbotham called an old Ringling facility. to arrange a meeting with the owner, Manuel Cirque Aquatic earned its name from a Rebecchi. Higginbotham wanted to promote unique water feature Rebecchi invented. Unthe show to his district, which covers the east- der the circular stage is a 35,000-gallon tank ern half of Hillsborough County, including of water. The stage lifts up to create a founPlant City. tain and rain effect. This feature is also part of Cirque Italia Act XII. “There is magic to a human being performing around water,” Milan-born Rebecchi said. “It’s similar to the Trevi fountain in
Italy. People come from all over to see it.” “The acts are dangerous, but it makes it more dangerous with water,” Producer and COO Chante Demoustes said. Rebecchi and his friend, who was a plumber in Italy, put together the design for the fountain, which has its own filter, water system and pumps. It takes four days to set up. “It’s not you’re typical circus,” Demoustes said. “It’s not a Cirque du Soleil. Not a Ringling. What they’re about to see has never been done before.” Rebecchi grew up around the circus. His aunt, Moira Orfei, owned the third largest circus in Europe. Today, he hopes to continue that tradition with Cirque Italia. “I want to take the Peter Pan out of everyone,” Rebecchi said. “I enjoy watching people of all ages watch the show. I want to set their Peter Pans free.” Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@ plantcityobserver.com.
Moscow born Elena Lev used more than 10 hoops in her performance.
Nicolette Fornasari has performed for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.
Facundo Arturo Kramer is a sixth-generation circus performer.
Known as Duo AA, these strongmen amazed audiences with their acrobatic performance. Top: The Fornasari Family entertained audiences with a comedic matador sketch that featured their dog.
When Hope Lutheran Fellowship team leader Cathie Walker learned that Hurricane Sandy had left millions of people without electricity, water and even homes, it touched her heart and reminded her of her mission trips to faraway lands. Walker has ventured out of the country four times for mission trips to Romania, Nicaragua and Guatemala. She’s seen the plight of the poor and of those who were missing basic necessities such as food, water and shelter. Walker decided to help people living on her own turf. Proceeds from the 18th annual Turkey Supper at Hope Lutheran Church on North Park Road went to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod’s disaster response fund designated for Hurricane Sandy relief. After subtracting expenses, Hope Lutheran donated a check of $5,500. “What better way to be missionaries in our homeland?” Walker said. “Hardship was just so close to home. It was here in the states, and we could do something about it.” After Walker had been watching TV reports and reading news stories on the computer, she proposed the idea to the board of directors at the church. “People were so excited to be doing this,” the Rev. Dean Pfeffer said. “As a pastor, it was great to see a leader step up and the congregation rally behind this idea with such enthusiasm.” The hurricane also hit home for Pfeffer and his family. He and his wife are from Long Island. But he is thankful that the only damage his family up north received was the loss of power at one sister’s house. The Turkey Supper was served on Sunday, Nov. 4, but the church had been preparing side dishes since the Oct. 30. There were 37 turkeys that volunteers took home to roast on Friday. “It was very labor-intensive,” Pfeffer said. “It involves our entire congregation without question.” On the day of the supper, Walker worked in the kitchen, preparing the chicken broth, dressing and washing dishes from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. She has helped with the supper for 11 years. “The whole time I was in the kitchen, I kept thinking about all the money we would raise for the victims and how this would really help those families,” Walker said. About 800 people attended the feast, and leftovers were donated to the food bank. Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.
4 PlantCityObserver.com
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head-on crash in Plant City. According to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports, Eula Dorman Seeds, 81, was driving a 2011 Ford Fusion at about 7 p.m. Nov. 20, north on State Road 39, south of Swilley Loop. Seeds crossed the center line and struck a southbound 1995 Ford Explorer, driven by Heriberto Ruiz, 27, of Plant City. Seeds died at the scene, Ruiz suffered non-incapacitating injuries.
The murder trial of Dorice “DeeDee” Moore began this week in Tampa. Moore is accused of killing Florida lottery winner Abraham Shakespeare in 2009. Shakespeare, of Lakeland, won $17 million in 2006. Three years later, his family reported him missing. Shakespeare’s body was found in 2010 under a concrete slab at a Plant City home owned by Shar Krasniqi, Moore’s boyfriend. Moore had launched a business with Shakespeare, Abraham Shakespeare LLC, and gave herself control of the firm’s funds. Moore withdrew $1 million from the funds. The trial is expected to last about two weeks.
+ Police: Woman killed 5-week-old son A Plant City woman faces firstdegree murder and aggravated child abuse charges in the death of her 5-week-old son. According to Plant City Police Department reports, officers responded to a call regarding a suspicious person Nov. 15, near West Grant and South Alexander streets. When police officers arrived, they discovered Talae Akei Thomas, 30, lying in the median. Thomas said she needed to go to the hospital for treatment because she had lost her baby. She was taken to South Florida Baptist Hospital for treatment. Officers then responded to Thomas’ home, 305 W. Grant St., to contact her family and advise them of her transport to the hospital. The responding officers found the front door of the residence ajar. After receiving no response at the door, officers entered the home and conducted a welfare check. Officers discovered Thomas’ 5-week-old child, Chase James Urijah Harrison, deceased. Evidence found at the scene and statements made by Thomas indicate the child died as a result of criminal activity. The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy Nov. 16; the results are pending.
St. Clement Catholic Church last week celebrated a century of faith in Plant City. The church held its first Mass in 1912, inside a home on East Baker Street. On Nov. 23, the parish celebrated its centennial with a procession from its current location, 1104 N. Alexander St., to two of its old homes. The church also is selling commemorative bricks that will be placed on the church grounds in January. Money raised from brick sales will be placed into the Centennial Fund, which will be used to preserve the church and its history. For more information, call (813) 752-8251 or email info@stclementpc.org.
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+St. Clement church celebrates 100 years
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
5
governance by Michael Eng | Managing Editor
Commission earmarks $2.3M for road repairs Plant City leaders authorized Monday a contract with Ajax Paving Industries Inc. to repair roads in 2013. IN OTHER NEWS • Commissioners approved a resolution designating the Lincoln Park Brownfield area for rehabilitation and economic redevelopment. • The commission hosted the first of two public hearings establishing a temporary moratorium on Internet cafés. Commissioners also amended the moratorium to stipulate that the three existing Plant City cafés cannot expand operations. • Commissioners approved a resolution to discourage the marketing and sale of tobacco products to minors. • Mayor Mike Sparkman asked commissioners to consider changing an ordinance regarding solicitations. Sparkman said a magazine salesperson came to his door after sunset recently. Currently, the ordinance allows solicitors until 9 p.m. “It’s midnight dark at 9 p.m.,” he said. “I don’t like the idea of some of our vulnerable people going to the door.” Sparkman suggested ending solicitations 30 minutes before sunset.
City commissioners approved Monday a contract worth up to $2.3 million to repair roads throughout Plant City in 2013. The city will contract with Odessa-based Ajax Paving Industries Inc., which likely will begin work in January, City Manager Greg Horwedel said. Work will continue through February and stop during the Florida Strawberry Festival. If more work is required, it will resume following the festival but should be complete before the rainy summer season. “You’ll see a dramatic difference once the work is done,” he said. During City Engineer Brett Gocka’s presentation at the Nov. 26 commission meeting, he outlined what his team identified as the roads in most need of repair. Of those roads, about 6.49 miles were deemed top priorities and will be repaired first. An additional 1.71 miles will be repaired if funding allows, and .56 miles on Gordon Food Service Drive will be repaired using a State Economic Development Transportation Fund Grant. Gocka said every road in Plant City’s 156-mile network was evaluated based on a number of criteria, including observable condition, customer
complaints, crash data and more. Many of the roads garnering top-priority are located within Walden Lake East. Some roads in Walden Lake Golf and Country Club — including Bridle Drive, Horseshoe Drive, Hitching Post Place, Hammock Drive, Laurel Oak Drive and Wedgewood Drive — as well as several roads in Pinedale also will be repaired. Maki Road, along Plant City High School’s eastern side, is one of the most utilized roads receiving repairs this year. Gocka likened the road work to opening a wall of a historic home, because problems on the surface may only be a small portion of the actual deficiencies. The top-priority roads all exhibit significant and widespread cracking; however, that cracking may be caused by larger drainage and stormwater problems atpgrac7768.a11 that also need repair. The cost of a road repair is about $130,000 per mile, but that number can jump to as much as $400,000 per mile if a road needs to be rebuilt completely. If Ajax is able to complete all of the city’s top-priority projects under budget, it then will move onto additional roads identified through Gocka’s reatpgrac7768.a11 search. Those include more in
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TOP PRIORITIES STREET FROM TO MILES Bridle Drive Stirrup Court Horseshoe Drive .37 North Burton Street West Garden Street West Spencer Street .09 Cypress Court Cul de sac with Isle Hammock Drive .04 Elmwood Court Cul de sac Sandalwood Drive .07 Eunice Avenue West Reynolds Street Cul de sac .17 Hammock Drive West Timberlane Drive Hammock Drive .98 Hitching Post Place Bridle Drive Horseshoe Drive .08 Horseshoe Drive Bridle Drive Cul de sac .38 Hunter Street Mendonsa Road Cul de sac .23 Juniper Circle Juniper Drive Juniper Drive .13 South Lake Street East Reynolds Street E. Dr. MLK Blvd. .18 Laurel Court Sandalwood Drive Cul de sac .06 Laurel Oak Drive Hammock Drive Hammock Drive .22 Live Oak Court Sandalwood Drive Cul de sac .03 West Madison Street West Ball Street South Franklin Street .46 Maki Road West Alexander Street Avon Street .4 No Name Cul de sac Laurel Oak Drive .03 Oak Hammock Place West Timberlane Drive Hammock Drive .05 Oakwood Lane Sandalwood Drive Oakwood Lane .26 Pinedale Drive Dead end Hunter Street .48 Poplar Court Cul de sac Cul de sac .08 Russell Drive Hunter Street Hunter Street .49 Stirrup Court Bridle Drive Cul de sac .02 Sycamore Lane Sandalwood Drive Sandalwood Drive .21 Teakwood Drive Sandalwood Drive Sandalwood Drive .57 Teakwood Place Teakwood Drive Sandalwood Drive .1 Willow Court Sandalwood Drive Cul de sac .03 Woodside Drive Mendonsa Road Pinedale Drive .09 TOTAL MILES: 6.49
Monday, November 26,
Walden Lake East, including Redbud Circle, West Redbud Street, Sprucewood Lane and more. The approved contract satisfies a 2008 directive from the city commission that requires city planners to budget at least $1 million each year for road repairs.
Overall, city commissioners said they were satisfied with Gocka’s report and the plan for 2013. “This was heck of a hard job, and I think we’re headed in the right direction,” Mayor Mike Sparkman said. Contact Michael Eng at Monday, November 26, 2012 10:55:54 AM meng@plantcityobserver.com.
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6 PlantCityObserver.com
Plant city observer
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
SHOOTING/PAGE 1
LONG/PAGE 1 But one night, he took it too far. A friend offered him crack cocaine. “You get such a euphoria,” Long says. “But it’s so fleeting.” It was just as fleeting as his freedom. Hooked on the drug, Long began to make up lies to get money for his habit. He held more than 50 jobs — and he quit each one after earning just enough money to finance his addiction. “I soon started borrowing from family and friends until I had used them all up,” Long says. “If I couldn’t get any money from them, then I had no use for them. Isn’t that sad? That I chose a drug over family and friends.” His mother, Kathryn Wetherington, owner of T and K Produce, a well known food stand off James L. Redman Parkway, always covered for him out of love. “I saw my mother cry on many occasions because of the things I was doing and the shame I was bringing to her,” he says. “I was blessed with a mother who loved me, so much she never gave up on me — even when she saw the monster I became.” Long knew he needed help, and one morning in 1991, he went to
Neighbors say it wasn’t uncommon to hear gunshots coming from the Thorpes’ property.
Amber Jurgensen
said. “It shocked me, but I wasn’t surprised as fixated with guns as he (Christopher) was.” “I just keep thinking about poor Channing and how this will affect the rest of his life,” Linda Dunlap said. The Dunlaps said they could hear gunshots coming from the back of the Thorpes’ property on a regular basis. Christopher Thorpe was an avid hunter and had many guns in the house. He often would shoot target practice with friends, and he always carried a pistol. Christopher and Jill Thorpe had
just returned from a hunting trip in Kentucky the Sunday before Thanksgiving, according to the Dunlaps. Jill Thorpe recently had started sharing the hobby more often with her husband. She even butchered the deer they brought back from Kentucky. Bonfires were a common activity at the residence, and the Dunlaps said Christopher Thorpe cut down on drinking beer after being diagnosed recently with diabetes. There were never any signs of domestic abuse that the Dunlaps saw or heard in the seven years
they lived across the street from the Thorpes. But the Dunlaps did describe Christopher Thorpe as a “Jekyll and Hyde character.” Christopher Thorpe could be helpful. He would bring meat from his hunting outings to sick co-workers at Sensenich Wood Propeller Company, off Wood Court in Plant City, where he worked as a quality control inspector for 15 years. Anytime the Dunlaps needed help in their yard or home, Christopher Thorpe would make himself available. But Christopher Thorpe, who
the police station after a five-day crack binge, looking for a way out by finding a way behind bars. He wanted to be arrested, but the police told him they couldn’t do anything unless he committed a crime. So, Long robbed a bank.
planned, Long spent the money on drugs. Then, finally, Long returned to the police station to turn himself in. Long was sentenced to 56 months in federal prison. He tried several drug-rehabilitation programs in prison, but nothing helped. “I still was an addict,” Long says. “I still felt it wrapped around my soul.” Long was released just eight months later — right back into the life he had tried so hard to escape. After several more years of crack binges, he robbed two grocery stores — and then turned himself in. Again. He received an 84-month sentence for those crimes. And ultimately, prison saved his life.
“God knew he had a plan,” Long says. The group was Kairos, a prison ministry with more than 30,000 volunteers worldwide. As Long saw one speaker talk he felt a light coming over him. “I wanted what he had,” Long says. “I had been through six different rehab programs, and nothing helped me the way I was helped when I finally asked God to come into my life.” A man from Kairos gave Long the address of a pen pal in Indonesia, so Long could share his newfound faith. The pen pal, Yetti Sumardin, and Long became close friends. She came to visit him, and after his sentence was reduced by three-and-one-half years, Yetti came again to see him get out of prison in December 2000. In February 2001, they were married. “She came around the world and faced prison to see me, a crack addict, serving 12 years in prison,” Long says. “No, she came to see the Christian I had become. “God gave someone to love me — for me,” he says.
THE CRIME
After leaving the police station, Long noticed a bank opening for the day. He wrote a quick note asking for money. “As I walked into the bank, I knew I must have looked like a monster, because I had not bathed, eaten or even slept in five days,” Long says. “My lips were burnt from the crack stems, and I had brillo smut on my lips.” Sliding the note to the teller, she gave him the money, and he left. “As I walked out, I was expecting — and maybe even hoped — I would be shot in the back,” Long says. But he got away, even passing a law-enforcement agent as he left the parking lot. After a few miles, he pulled over and counted the loot. “I laughed out loud,” Long says. “The teller had given me five $50 bills. I had risked my life for $250.” The money tempted him. Instead of going to the police as
FINDING SALVATION
Every day was the same in prison. Long felt like Bill Murray in “Groundhog Day.” But that changed when he heard of a group that came into the Zephyrhills State Prison and gave the inmates cookies. Long signed up for the group’s meeting just to do something different. He didn’t expect to make it. He was No. 11 on the alternative list. On the day of the meeting, Long was called in.
SHARING HIS MESSAGE
For Long, life has turned around. Yetti and Long have a 7-year-old daughter. Long has
96706
guing in the living room. Christopher Thorpe began beating his wife, and the violence continued into the master bedroom. He was strangling her when Channing Thorpe came into the bedroom with a handgun. He fired several shots, killing his father. One of the bullets hit Jill Thorpe in the right thigh. She was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Christopher Thorpe died at the scene. So far, no charges have been filed against Channing Thorpe. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Debbie Carter said the family did not have a recorded history of domestic violence. Carter said detectives still are investigating details regarding the shooting, including factors such as alcohol. Neighbors Linda and Bill Dunlap awoke to the sound of sirens that night. “I didn’t want to know what was going on,” said Bill Dunlap, who had worked with Christopher Thorpe for five years. The Dunlaps said police knocked on their door about 1:30 a.m. to ask questions about the incident. When they learned of what had happened, they were saddened — but not surprised. “I thought, ‘Wow,’” Bill Dunlap
was a husky build, was also confrontational, according to the Dunlaps. He talked down to women and had a conceited attitude. “I didn’t want to be around him at all, because of his attitude,” Linda Dunlap said. Linda Dunlap knew Channing Thorpe the best out of all the Thorpe family members, “He’s a good kid,” Linda Dunlap said. “He’s very industrious,” Bill Dunlap said. Channing Thorpe, a Plant City High School student, works at Sensenich Wood Propeller Company after school about five days a week. He also works on Saturdays with his mother, a manager at Strawberry Hut. Representatives from both Sensenich Wood Propeller Company and Strawberry Hut declined to comment. Except for two workers cutting carpet in the back of the home, the Thorpe house was quiet Nov. 26. Several cars were parked outside. American and Confederate flags waved atop a pole in the front yard. “It’s sad ... it really is,” Linda Dunlap said. “But like Bill said, a surprise ... No.” Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.
been active in Shiloh. He and his wife are Sunday school teachers, and he leads his own Kairos Club. The church makes cookies for Long’s Kairos Club to take to the prisons they visit. “It’s been great for me and my family,” Long says. “When I go and talk to the prisoners, every eye is focused on me.” Long also collects letters from children to take to the inmates. “These men are hardened, but a simple letter from a child will break them down,” Long says. His club has 120 people involved in the meetings. About 36 to 40 volunteers go on the weekends to visit the prisons. Twice a year, the group goes on a threeday trip. “I wrote a story called ‘Tarnished,’” Long says. “Tarnish is decay. And that’s what I did to my family name — I tarnished it. It hurt, because I love my family. “The shame I brought to my family back then has been replaced by pride,” he says. “I speak at churches, men’s breakfast meetings and visit people in jail by request. But my story touches the men in prison the most. They are my brothers in blue.” Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.
Plant city observer
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
PLANT CITY
Corner
The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Plant City Police Department.
NOV. 3
WELL, THAT’S JUST WEIRD
Intersection of Waller and West Warren streets. Abandoned Vehicle. Officers were patrolling the area when they observed a vehicle driving erratically. Officers issued an alert but did not attempt a stop. Moments later, the vehicle was seen idling in a ditch with no occupants inside. The vehicle had no damage but was blocking the roadway. The vehicle was entered into NCIC/FCIC as abandoned and towed.
NOV. 4
MUST HAVE BEEN HOT THAT DAY
10 block of North Ritter Street. Theft. Unknown suspect(s) stole a window airconditioning unit, valued at $171.19, and a ceiling fan, valued at $100.
NOV. 21
PRY, PRY AGAIN
1400 block of North Wheeler Street. Attempted Burglary. Unknown suspect(s) attempted to break into the hair salon. The owner found pry marks on the front
SING-A-LONG
and back door. No entry made, but the suspect caused about $200 in damage.
TRAGEDY
700 East Baker Street. Death Investigation. Officers arrived at the location after business owner/neighbor called and stated he was suspicious something was wrong because the business was left unlocked with the lights on. While clearing the building, officers located an individual, deceased, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot to the head.
ROAD RAGE
FOOD FIGHT
NOV. 23
4700 block of Westwind Drive. Vehicle Burglaries. Unknown suspect(s) entered two unlocked vehicles and stole about $400 in cash, some IDs and a cell phone bluetooth device.
TAKEN IDENTITY
1600 block of East Alabama Street. Vehicle Burglary. The victim parked his car in the parking lot at about 5 a.m. Nov. 23. When he returned to the car later, he noticed someone had stolen his passport. The car was left unlocked with the windows down.
NOV. 22
NOV. 24
1400 block of Plantation Circle. Vehicle Burglary. Unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s vehicle and stole $5 in cash.
300 block of Morse Street. Narcotics/ Warrant Arrest. Officers made contact with the suspect after receiving a complaint of a male walking behind homes and looking in cars. It was discovered the suspect had a warrant for violation of probation for retail theft. While searching the suspect, a small amount or marijuana
WINDOW SHOPPING
2700 block of Paul Buchman Highway. Battery. The victim said the suspects came to her residence and urged her to come
by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Durant choirs to perform with music stars Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel from ‘The Little Mermaid,’ and Jars of Clay, are the celebrity talents who will perform with Durant’s choir at several amusement parks.
Students in three choirs at Durant High School will maintain a rock-star scheduled as they celebrate the Christmas season with performances at three different theme parks. This month, the Plant PERFORMANCES City singers will bring Chamber Choir their talents to Universal WHEN: Dec. 7 Studios, Epcot and Busch Gardens. WHERE: Universal “I think going to perforStudios, 6000 Universal mances such as these alBlvd., Orlando lows the students attendClass Act ing to get a well-rounded WHEN: 5 p.m. Dec. 10 choir experience,” fouryear choir student Macie WHERE: Epcot, 200 Jones says. Epcot Center Drive, Lake Buena Vista Class Act, an auditionbased mixed show choir, Una Voce will be performing in the WHEN: Dec. 14 Candlelight Processional WHERE: Busch Gardens, at 5 p.m. Dec. 10, at Ep10001 North McKinley cot. The choir will perDrive, Tampa form with other choirs from around the state and CLOSER TO HOME: For will be accompanied by a those who cannot make it 50-piece orchestra at the to one of the three amuseAmerican Gardens Thement park performances, atre, an outdoor waterthe choirs will perform front venue at EPCOT. their annual Christmas The nightly event tells Concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 18, the story of Christmas at Durant High School, along with a special celeb4748 Cougar Path. rity narrator. On Dec. 10, the narrator will be Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel, from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” Una Voce, an all-female advanced choir that performs college-level music, will be performing at Christmas Town on Dec. 14, at Busch Gardens. Una Voce will join Christian rockers Jars of Clay in a finale. The Chamber Choir, a group of 38 singers, will perform Dec. 7, at Universal Studios. The choir will be singing in a competition and be judged on their performance. For a complete choir schedule visit dhschorusdepartment.wix.com/music#!home/mainPage. Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
and two Xanax pills were found in his pockets.
CRIME SPREE
HIT THE DECK
2000 block of Sammonds Road. Shooting into Occupied Dwelling. The victim stated she was inside her home when she heard four to six gunshots. The officer located three bullet holes in the front of the home and one in the victim’s vehicle.
WELL, THEY DID WARN HER
2100 block of North Park Road. Battery. The victim said an unknown black male punched him in the face while he was inside of the fast-food burger restaurant. He did not know why the suspect punched him. The suspect then fled in a gold Taurus.
BIG HAUL
2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Battery. The victim stated the suspect exited her vehicle and struck her in the face after she yelled at her to “slow down” in the parking lot. Two witnesses confirmed the incident occurred as stated. The suspect was released with a court date.
LUNCH MONEY
NOV. 21
700 block of North Wilder Road. Vehicle Burglaries. Unknown suspect(s) burglarized six vehicles.
NOV. 25
STOLEN SYSTEM
1500 block of Plantation Grove Court. Vehicle Burglary. Unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked vehicle and stole about $1,000 worth of stereo equipment.
SHOCKING SCENARIO
700 block of East Cherry Street. Police Standby. Officers responded to the area in reference to a broken power line. The power lines were live and started a small fire. T.E.C.O. responded to make repairs.
TICKETS GO ON SALE MONDAY DEC. 3, 8:00 am • www.flstrawberryfestival.com FEB. 28 - MAR. 10, 2013 • PLANT CITY, FLORIDA
FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL ®
SCOTTY McCREERY
BLAKE SHELTON
TRACE ADKINS
MARTINA McBRIDE
DWIGHT YOAKAM
BRET MICHAELS
Artists Appearing on the Soundstage: Order: www.flstrawberryfestival.com or 813-754-1996
Thu. Feb. 28 10:30 Thu. Feb. 28 3:30 Thu. Feb. 28 7:30
Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra FREE Chubby Checker $15 & $20 FOREIGNER $25
Fri. Fri.
Mar. 1 Mar. 1
3:30 7:30
Gene Watson Casting Crowns
Sat. Mar. 2 Sat. Mar. 2 Sat. Mar. 2
1:00 3:30 7:30
Caroline Kole FREE COMING SOON Justin Moore $15 & $20
Sun. Mar. 3 Sun. Mar. 3
3:30 7:30
Randy Houser $15 & $20 COMING SOON
Mon. Mar. 4
3:30
Mon. Mar. 4
7:30
Grits & Glamour Tour with Lorrie Morgan/Pam Tillis Dwight Yoakam
$15 & $20 $20 & $25
Tues. Mar. 5 Tues. Mar. 5
3:30 7:30
Bobby Vinton Martina McBride
$15 & $20 $30
Wed. Mar. 6 Wed. Mar. 6
3:30 7:30
Neal McCoy Trace Adkins
$15 & $20 $30 FREE $15 & $20 $35
Thu. Mar. 7 10:30
$15 & $20 $20 & $25
Thu. Mar. 7 Thu. Mar. 7
3:30 7:30
Steve Hall & the Shotgun Red Show Mel Tillis Brantley Gilbert
Fri. Fri.
Mar. 8 Mar. 8
3:30 7:30
T.G. Sheppard/Janie Fricke Scotty McCreery
$15 & $20 $25 & $30
Sat. Mar. 9 Sat. Mar. 9
3:30 7:30
Gaither Vocal Band Bret Michaels
$20 & $25 $25 & $30
Sun. Mar. 10 3:30 Sun. Mar. 10 7:30
COMING SOON Blake Shelton
FOREIGNER
JUSTIN MOORE
LORRIE MORGAN
BRANTLEY GILBERT
PAM TILLIS
CASTING CROWNS
Grits and Glamour Tour
Grits and Glamour Tour
GENE WATSON
T.G. SHEPPARD
JANIE FRICKE
NEAL McCOY
MEL TILLIS
CHUBBY CHECKER
BOBBY VINTON
$55
Concert dates and times are subject to change
Limited Free Grandstand Seating Times are 3:30 & 7:30 pm. and are on a first come, first seated basis.
96788
Cops
out to fight. Upon leaving the residence, she was battered by both suspects.
7
8 PlantCityObserver.com
Observer
PLANT CITY
“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944
Founding Publisher / Felix Haynes, fhaynes@PlantCityObserver.com Managing Editor / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.com Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editors / (Community) Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@PlantCityObserver. com; (Sports) Matt Mauney, mmauney@ PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Executives / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@PlantCityObserver.com; Ronda Kyler, rkyler@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Coordinator / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com Accounting Manager / Petra Kirkland, pkirkland@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising-Production Operations Manager / Kathy Payne, kpayne@ yourobserver.com Advertising-Production Coordinator / Brooke Schultheis, bschultheis@ yourobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Monica DiMattei, mdimattei@yourobserver. com; Marjorie Holloway, mholloway@ yourobserver.com; Luis Trujillo, ltrujillo@ yourobserver.com; Chris Stolz, cstolz@ yourobserver.com
CONTACT US
The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.
TO ADVERTISE Call Veronica Prostko or Ronda Kyler at 704-6850.
SEND US YOUR NEWS
We want to hear from you. Let us know about your community events, celebrations and family member achievements. To contact us, send your information via: Email: Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100A, Plant City, FL 33563
The Plant City Observer LLC Locally Owned
Publisher of the Plant City Observer and PlantCityObserver.com
President / Felix Haynes Directors / Nate Kilton, Ed Verner, Matt Walsh
110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100A Plant City, Fla. 813-704-6850 www.PlantCityObserver.com ©Copyright Plant City Observer LLC 2012 All Rights Reserved
Plant city observer
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
owner’s note
Watch those signs, know your fines What’s the biggest safety risk speaking with him first. Knowyou take when you drive a moing Futch to be a serious man, I tor vehicle? sought him out after the meetTexting or talking on your cell ing adjourned. phone while driving? Could be, He asked me the same especially if you’re like me. Bequestion. I answered, “Talking fore I bought a car with on a cell phone at 75 a hands-free calling mph.” Then, I waited pafeature, I used to dial and tiently for him to give me talk on my cell phone his answer. He told me while driving down about two friends of his Interstate 4 at 75 miles who had each received per hour. Not smart, and traffic tickets in Plant I’m very lucky I didn’t put City in the past week myself and my car in a for speeding in a school ditch, or worse. zone. I was reminded of a He talked about how FELIX better answer last week at easy it is to drive blithely HAYNES our Rotary Club meetthrough a school zone, ing by a longtime Plant thinking about a probCity Rotarian, businessman and lem, daydreaming or not thinkfarmer Alvin Futch. As he has ing at all. Maybe we’re talking done with so many of us over on our cell phone, paying no the years, Futch greeted me attention to the traffic signage earnestly at the beginning of always displayed around a the meeting and asked me not school zone. to leave the meeting before We all know the impor-
tance of not speeding through a school zone. We know the safety risk of hitting a student as we speed through, ignoring the warning signs. We have all shuttered as we have imagined the awful consequences of not paying attention at this crucial time. Maybe becoming a parent ourselves has been the factor that has given all of us a clearer understanding of the importance of obeying those school zone signs. After Futch told me about his friends, he punctuated it all with a final question, “Do you know what the fine is for speeding through a school zone?” I was unable to answer, so he told me. His friends’ fines were $400 and $450, respectively. Obviously, Futch said, the Legislature was trying to reinforce the importance of not speeding in a school zone by setting the fines that high.
The average fine paid in the United States last year for speeding anywhere was $150. Take a guess at the highest fine you can get for speeding in a school zone, where the speed limit is normally 20 mph. If you get caught driving more than 30 mph over the posted limit in a school zone, your fine in the state of Florida is $555.50. One reason it is that high is because the prescribed fine is doubled in school and construction zones. Given the importance of being safety-conscious while driving in a school zone, maybe just the good warning posted in a school zone is not enough. Maybe even columns like this one in the Plant City Observer are not enough. Maybe we all need to look up the prescribed fines. Felix Haynes is a co-owner and founding publisher of the Plant City Observer.
LETTER ... On lessons learned TO THE EDITOR outside Starbucks JOSHING AROUND
I sit a bit miffed by the fact I just to buy him a different drink. Nope, paid $4 for a single bottle of orange he didn’t want that either. Then, he juice. It is not like there is anything started murmuring in an angry tone special about it. Maybe I am paying about the people coming for him, for their marketing. That must be it. and I watched him drink some milky Here is what I paid for: “We use liquid from a cup he found outside. only the freshest, purest stuff in the So, here I sit inside Starbucks, starworld and leave out everything else. ing at an orange juice that was not No added sugar — no preservatives, meant for me. I wonder if he had any non-GMO (no idea what that means), idea how good this stuff really is and gluten free, vegan.” how much he needs the vitamin C. Really?! At the end of the I wonder if he knew I would day, it is just orange juice. have bought him anything he It comes from an orange. I wanted? But, he wanted the would expect to pay more if trash. they had added sugar, loaded There is much more to this it up on gluten, infused it with story. God had a larger agenso many preservatives that da and intended to show me the expiration date would say something. I have never seen “never,” and it be chock full of it this way until now. GMO. But, they cut all of “that This past week, I was conJOSH stuff” out and gave me simfronted with a part of me I did ply … orange juice. LOUDERMILK not want to confront. I have And they charged me dearbeen harboring bitterness toly. ward certain folks in my life for Love makes you do crazy things. I several years. There is not a week that had bought this overpriced orange has gone by that I have not thought juice for a man who was in desper- about these folks, thought about how ate need. He was skinny, ragged, they wronged me, thought about how his clothes barely clung to his bro- I felt abandoned by them and thought ken frame, and his eyes were tired of how much they owe me. God but keenly focused. He was digging showed me through this man at Starthrough the trash can, quickly eating bucks that I was no different than the whatever he could find and finishing old man I was trying to help. off the contents of old drinks. He was Like eating old trash, I was feedtalking to himself and seemed agitat- ing off my resentment about someed. The people sitting outside chuck- thing that happened seven years ago. led, murmured, and some even went I thought I had moved on, but I had inside to avoid his appearance. So, I not. decided to help this guy out by buyGod has been trying to give me the ing him the best Starbucks could of- very best — His daily bread — and I fer. have consistently said, “No thanks,” I went inside and came outside and have feasted upon what will kill with $8 worth of orange juice and me. So, I have spent the last several one crumbled blueberry scone. I days contacting each of these people don’t like scones, but the very name I had hurt and who had hurt me, and “scone” sounds high-class and up- I asked their forgiveness. Words canpity. So, outside I went to give this not express the peace I feel in my guy something far better than he was heart and the freedom I have. God eating. Looking at his face, I noticed has replaced the bitterness with love, a star of David tattoo between his and now I am hungry — hungry for eyes. He looked so tired and hungry what is good and beneficial. … I thought for sure that he would Josh Loudermilk is an inspirational appreciate my gesture. speaker/comic and available to speak He did not. He took the scone at your church, group or event. He, and put it in his duffle bag. He then his wife, Melissa, and daughter, Chloe, handed the orange juice back to me live in Walden Lake. You can reach and said he didn’t want it. I offered Josh at louderthoughts@yahoo.com.
+ Moriarty family still seeks answers in daughter’s murder case
Dear Editor: Our entire family can’t thank you enough for the beautiful work you did writing the story in regards to our daughter, Kelly. This article was by far the best piece of work that has been done on this case in the past 10 months that we’ve had to live with this horrible homicide. We just hope and pray that someone out there knows something so that this case will be solved. We just know that there is a butcher out walking the area, and we all pray that the person or people who did this are arrested and convicted. Bud Moriarty Bradenton Editor’s note: If you have any information that could help lead to an arrest in this case, please contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office, (813) 247-8200. The Moriarty family is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the capture and conviction of Kelly Moriarty’s killer.
THEN&NOW
Courtesy of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center
Plant City Mall, circa 1967. This shopping plaza off James L. Redman Parkway was home to Grants, Sears, Eckerd Drugs and more. Today, Big Lots anchors the plaza.
Plant city observer
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
EDUCATION
by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
9
green thumbs by Michael Eng | Managing Editor
Twelve Plant City students receive Jan Henrick Award Established in 2002, the Jan Henrick Award is given to students who have overcome challenges in life. Between science fair geniuses, all-star athletes and drama queens, it can be easy for a high-schooler to feel lost in the mix — especially if a student has to overcome unusual odds and hard life situations. But for 12 students at Plant City High School, it was a proud day when they were recognized with the Jan Henrick Achievement Award Nov. 10, at the Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City. The Jan Henrick Achievement Award was established in 2002. Henrick had worked with students all her life. She was a guidance counselor and swim coach in the Plant City area before continuing her career in Tampa. Henrick died after a battle with cancer in 2004. Her husband, Kevin Bohne, and his company, Florida Gas and Electric Corporation, have started fundraising events, such as an annual golf tournament, to keep the award alive. Four golfers from the Plant City High School girls golf team were invited to participate this year. Students from Plant City RECIPIENTS High School, Wharton High Joshua Benthal School and Pasco High School Francisco Cruz are eligible to win the award. Kateri Emery Students are nominated by Jordan Ferrer teachers who notice their good Markese Hargrove behavior, grades and potential. Kassandra Martinez Twelve students are chosen Gilberto Montana from each school and given a William Ramsey $150 Walmart gift card and a Megan Rogers dinner with two guests at the Merissa Schearer awards ceremony. Brenda Solis “I was really, really surprised, Kindle Vandyne because I don’t win a lot of awards, and I don’t really pay attention to that kind of stuff,” freshman Kindle Vandyne said. When Vandyne told her grandmother, Ella, of her win, she was so proud and told her mother, as well. When Vandyn was about 7 years old, her mother took her and her two sisters from her father after fearing she would lose custody of her children. Vandyn’s mother moved them to Florida with a new boyfriend, who wasn’t nice to the sisters, according to Vandyn. Now, Vandyn lives with her grandparents. “Whenever I lived with my mom and her boyfriend, I didn’t really try,” Vandyn said. “But when I got this award, I wanted to be all I could be.” Vandyn has interest in the arts and sciences. She has been painting with her mother since she was younger, and she learned to play bass guitar from her uncle. Vandyn also plays piano. One day, she would like to be an astrophysicist, because of her love of space. Vandyn also watches out for her 12-year-old sister. She straighteners her hair in the morning and finishes it off with a hair bow. She also serves as her tutor for science and math. Vandyn wants to buy Christmas for her family with the $150 gift card that accompanied the award. In her thankyou note to Bohne, she wrote: “[My mother] is living with her father-in-law, and I don’t see her often,” she wrote. “I thought, for once in my mom’s life, she should be able to wake up and have gifts under the tree to open on Christmas morning. I am trying my hardest to be the best I can.” Plant City High School College and Career Counselor Sherrie Mueller was present, along with Della Warner, a social studies teacher, during the award presentation. “I’m hoping it will motivate them and have them continue on a successful path,” Mueller said of the award. “It is rather touching.” Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
Tomlin Middle School hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new landscaping Nov. 15.
Michael Eng
Tomlin celebrates new landscaping Tomlin Middle School students, faculty and parents celebrated the completion of a garden renovation project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 15, on the school campus. The Campus Beautification Project, a partnership between Tomlin and the Plant City Garden Club, features hundreds of new plants at the front entrance of the school and around the sides. The Garden Club,
14th AnnuAl
along with several Tomlin groups — the Green Team, National Junior Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, S.T.E.M. and the Parent Teacher Student Association — got down in the dirt for a planting day Oct. 6, to remove the old plants and install the new. Plant City Garden Club member Darcy Stottlemyer said she was pleased with the end result — and es-
pecially with working with the Tomlin community. “This was a great project, and it was a joint effort,” she said. “It took a lot of people. The kids are very involved here, and it gives them great ownership of the school. They made it happen.” For more photos of the garden and renovation process, visit our website, PlantCityObserver.com.
Lights of Love
thursdAy, december 6th mcCall Park • Downtown Plant City
Music presented by First Baptist Church .....................6:45 p.m. Church’s Praise Team & Children’s Chorus
Lighting Ceremony begins ...............................................7:05 p.m. Honorary Chairs - Faye & Ronald Wetherington
Join us this Holiday Season for a very special Community Tree Lighting Ceremony. Bring your lawn chairs and join your friends and neighbors Professional photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus available at the Depot (Nominal fee $5) ...............................................................................5:30 to 7:30 p.m. NRG - Next Radical Generation performing at the Depot ........6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Presented by
Lights of Love Major Sponsors: Publix Super Markets Charities Thompson-Hartford Foundation Photos with Santa Sponsor: Advanced Care Hospitalists Tree Sponsors: City of Plant City First Baptist Church, Plant City Top Star Sponsors: Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club John and Sally Verner The Rooms To Go Children’s Fund
Patron Sponsors: Gregory & Carol Coleman Ruby Jean Redman Brenda J. Futch Supporting Sponsors: Dart Foundation Edwards Platt Meyer, PA Florida Gastroenterology Associates, PA Jarrett-Scott Ford Juli Jeffrey Margie Menefee MidFlorida Credit Union Bill and Diane Morrow
Morrow Steel Dean and Nancy Nourie Patterson Companies Paul’s Hand Lettering Service Presto Food Stores, Inc. Mike and Diane Sparkman Al and Norma Whitaker
94446
Courtesy photo
Twelve Plant City High School students received the Jan Henrick Award at an awards dinner Nov. 10, at the Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City.
Neighborhood B U S I N E S S | P L A N T C I T Y L I F E | O B I T U A R I E S | G A M E S | R E L I G I O N | S P O RT S
plantcityObserver.com
THURSDAY, november 29, 2012
focal point
by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor
Murphy Elliott even sketched himself.
Photo by Matt Mauney
Murphy Elliott is known best for his science-fiction work.
Plant City artist Murphy Elliott has more than 500 sketches of celebrities. His work has been featured in Forbes Magazine, the Hubble Telescope website and the National Space Society’s calendar.
OUT OF THIS
training to this day. Instead, he joined the U.S. Navy and spent two-and-one-half years serving on submarines. “I was and still am a small guy, so when I got there, I didn’t really have much say in the matter,” he says smiling.
WORLD As a child, Murphy Elliott was fascinated with both art and mathematics. Today, the Plant City resident dazzles with his painting talent both on houses and canvases.
Labeling Murphy Elliott simply as an artist or a painter would be cutting him short. Elliott’s talents showcase something much deeper. “I work at the speed of imagination,” he says. Around Plant City, many people know Elliott as an excellent house painter, but it doesn’t take long after stepping foot in his own house to see his talent with a brush extends far beyond a perfect cut along a baseboard. Elliott, 60, specializes in cosmic or science-fiction art, with depictions of futuristic scenes of galaxies, asteroids and far away civilizations. His work has been featured in space magazines, on the Hubble Telescope website and on the National Space Society’s calendar, just to name a few. One painting was even published in Forbes Magazine for an April Fools edition. “It was a fake contest where they were offering a holiday vacation to a colony on an asteroid in space,” he remembers, laughing. One of his most famous oil paintings,
titled “Space Pirates,” gives life to a series in the “Sci-Fi Almanac,” including a character based on Murphy himself. “Some people call it fiction, but I like to think that it just hasn’t happened yet,” he says.
UNCONVENTIONAL CHILDHOOD
Elliott’s childhood was anything but ordinary. “Labeling it as a Huck Finn-like childhood would be putting it mildly,” he says. Like Elliott, his father was a house painter, but during the heightened popularity of evangelist Billy Graham, he became a Pentecostal minister, who traveled the country preaching to big-tent revivals. Elliott’s parents placed him in foster care at an early age, and he was put to work on a chicken farm in rural Delaware, where he says he was often beaten with sticks during his time there. Through Elliott’s unconventional childhood, he always enjoyed drawing and art and also grew fond of math early in school. “I excelled in math, and that was the direction they were pushing me in school,”
TRUE PROFESSIONAL
One of Murphy Elliott’s more famous drawings, “The Praying Soldier.” he says. “It was something that always excited me, but then again, there’s a correlation between that and the art.” Elliott realized his artistic talents in grade school, when he drew a photolike picture of a rotary telephone. In the fourth grade, he drew a chalk drawing of the Bible scene of the three wise men traveling to Bethlehem on camels on a classroom chalkboard. “They brought the entire school, class by class, to tour my classroom to see the drawing,” he says. Elliott’s love for mathematics led to his infatuation with science fiction and, subsequently, science fiction art. Elliott graduated with his high school diploma at age 14 and went on to get a degree in architectural engineering from technical school by 17. From there, he began working at Delaware-based ILC Industries, mostly on gasket systems of life-support systems used by NASA astronauts. Elliott had a partial scholarship to the Philadelphia School of Art but never pursued that route and has no formal art
After earning a degree in interior design/decorating, Elliott became an expert in helping people choose décor, accents and colors that work for his customers. He started his painting business in 1972 and has completed more than 14,000 jobs in the last 40 years. “I like to think that I use my experience to save people time and money,” he says. Some of the memorable jobs he’s done include lassoing a church steeple and painting the cross on top and doing all of the decorating for the Ramsey Pavilion at the Expo in 1986 at the World’s Fair in Vancouver. Elliott continues to express himself through his art when he isn’t at his day job. In addition to oil paintings of outerspace colonies, Elliott also specializes in sketches of celebrities, iconic figures or even everyday local people. From Jack Nicholson to Tiger Woods to Hunter S. Thompson, name a celebrity and Elliott has probably sketched his likeness. He has more than 500 celebrity drawings. Elliott’s sketches are so realistic that they are almost like looking at a photograph, but Elliott strives to make sure not to cross that barrier. “If you want to have a photo of someone, you can just get a picture,” he says. The realistic elements of the sketches lies in the shading. “Shading is all about dimension,” he said. Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@ plantcityobserver.com. For more on Elliott and to view his artwork, visit murphyelliott. wetpaint.com.
Plant city observer
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
11
THOUGHT FOR FOOD
New seafood restaurant offers flavorful fare
Sod
96947
t Plan
C a l l
Cardona began telling us about the fresh seafood available, with menu items touting a fusion of Louisiana, the Gulf, the Keys and the Caribbean. The menu offers a variety of grilled or blackened seafood entrées, including gulf shrimp, crawfish,
oysters, scallops, white fish and catfish, with sides of herb red potatoes, French fries, sweet potatoes, spicy shrimp slaw, garden rice and hush puppies. For appetizers, my husband ordered deviled crab balls, and I ordered crab empanadas. The
St. AuguStine $115 BAhiA grASS $95
City
t h e
Susan Kazenas
Shrimp & Co. Express features a clean, inviting dining room with bright décor.
TO DAY
Smoked
TurkEy nECkS
1.89 lb.
$
Alabama
Whole Boneless
pork LoinS
2.09 lb.
Cut-Free $
We Have riBS Available
Fresh Lean
$1.59 lb.
Fresh Lean Whole
SirLoin TipS
3.69 lb.
Cut-Free $
Whole Lean Meaty
Aunt Bessie Cleaned
BoSTon BuTT roaST ChiTTErLingS
1.48 lb.
Cut-Free $
8.29
5 lb. Bag $
Oscar Meyer Beef
Smoked
Smoked
Four Star
Whole
Fresh Skinless Boneless
CoTTo SaLaMi pork nECk BonES TurkEy WingS $ $1.99 lb. 16 oz. Pkg $3.99 1.49 lb. Box Weight $1.99 lb. iBp
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Standing Rib Roasts Crown Pork Roasts Fresh or Frozen Turkeys Smoked Turkeys 12-14 lb. Pre-Cooked Wt.
2.99 lb.
Life | Annuity | Home | Farm | Auto
( 81 3 ) 4 31 - 9 6 3 6
For The Holidays We Have Available:
dona’s wife, Wilma, to share what the spice in the coleslaw was, and she just laughed. There was no way she was going to reveal any family recipe secrets, but she did say everything was made with love. I’m still looking for that in the spice aisle. Bottom line? You simply have to check this great little place out. Plant City resident Susan Kazenas is a local foodie and member of the Second Saturday Dinner Group. If you would like to be featured in her monthly column, email her at skaz0046@gmail.com.
1302 S. Collins St., Ste. A, Plant City, FL 33563
FOR THE BEST QUAliTy WiTH THE BEST PRiCES! View Our Weekly Ad On Our Website
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crab balls came lightly breaded and had a zesty Cajun bite. My empanada dish consisted of two large light and fluffy empanadas stuffed with a delicious mild and perfectly seasoned fresh crab mix. Because it was our first visit, we opted for the classic fish basket, which included a white fish from the mahi mahi family. When the baskets came, there were four large pieces of fish. The seasoned breading was light, and the fish was exceptionally tender, fresh and flaky, just as Cardona had promised. The herb red potatoes were a nice alternative to French fries. I’m not a fan of coleslaw, but I thought the coleslaw was the best I had ever tasted. It featured baby shrimp and crunchy carrots mixed in fresh cabbage, and another slightly spicy ingredient I couldn’t quite put my finger on. It was that little something that made it different and delicious. My husband and I were quite satisfied with our dining experience. Before leaving, I asked Car-
96733
There’s something fishy going on in Plant City, and in this case, it’s a good thing. When my friend told me about Shrimp & Co. Express, a new seafood restaurant near Parkesdale Farm Market, I placed it the top of my list, because my husband and I are always looking for a great Friday night fish. SUSAN When we first KAZENAS walked in to Shrimp & Co. Express, we were greeted immediately by owner Eric Cardona’s infectious smile — a welcome that made us feel like we had just been invited into his home for dinner. The restaurant is small, clean and features humorous fishing signs and bright décor you would expect to see in your favorite seaside restaurant. I felt like I should be able to look out the windows and see water instead of land-locked buildings and streets.
Honeycomb
BEEF TripE
17.99
$
10 lb. box
Bar-S Frozen
Corn dogS $ 3lb. box 4.99 Fresh Chicken
SMokEd SauSagE SLiCEd BaCon SMokEd SauSagE roaSTing hEnS ChiCkEn BrEaST gizzardS or $ 1.49 lb. or Thigh $1.89 lb. LiVErS $.89 Hot or Mild -10 lb. box $35.99 Random Weight $3.59 lb. Hot or Mild -3 lb. Pkg $6.99 Fresh Frozen
TiLapia 2 lb. Pkg. $6.99
Panamei
CookEd ShriMp (71/90) 2 lb. Bag $10.99
Fresh Chicken
LEg QuarTErS 40 lb. Box $22.99
.57
$
Fresh
Bar-S
MEaT FrankS 12 oz. Pkg
$
.99
MuLLET
1.49 lb.
(Never Frozen) $
GROCERy
FARM FRESH PRODUCE
Canilla Rice 20 lb. Bag ............................................................... $9.99 each Dixie Lilly Garbanzo Bean Soup 10 oz. Bag ........................... $1.99 each Folgers Coffee 34.5 oz. ............................................................. $7.99 each Pepsi-Mt Dew-Crush 18 Pack.................................................. $3.99 each Family Style-White Bread 20 oz. Loaf .......................................... $.99 each Goya Grandules 15 oz. Can ....................................................... $.99 each
Collard, Mustard & Turnip Greens Bunch .............................$2.99 each Russet Potatoes 5 lb. Bag..........................................................$1.29 each Bananas ......................................................................................... $.49 lb. Baby Carrots 1 lb. Bag ............................................................. $.99 each Spinach 10 oz. Bag .................................................................$1.69 each All Purpose Onions 3 lb. Bag .................................................... $.99 each
COlD DEli
Deli Ham ...................................................................................... $1.59 lb. Deli liver Cheese ........................................................................ $3.89 lb. Deli Roast Beef ......................................................................... $4.19 lb.
SMOKER
Whole Smoked Pork Butts ................................................... $16.99 each Whole Slab Pork Ribs .......................................................... $15.99 each 8 Piece Fried Chicken ........................................................... $5.99 each
WALKER PLAZA • 617 N. Maryland Ave., Plant City • (813) 752-1548 Mon.– Sat. 7am – 9pm Sun. 7am – 8pm • www.FeltonsMarket.com • Prices Valid November 28 - December 4, 2012
96958
We have available for you all year round Paradise Candied Fruit * Dixie Lilly Flour • Meal-Grits * Dry Beans *Hoover Flour * Carvel Ice Cream Cakes
12 PlantCityObserver.com
Plant city observer
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
OBSERVEROBITUARIES Simon Caldwell
Simon Caldwell, 75, of Dover, died Nov. 22, at Brandon Regional Hospital. Born July 27, 1937, he was the son of the late Virgil Caldwell and the late Netchel Meeks Caldwell. He was the husband of Iris Craig Caldwell. Simon had served in the Florida National Guard of Polk County. Survivors include sons, David, Mark, James and Paul Caldwell; daughters, Tammy Caldwell and Janie Harris; brother, Carl Caldwell; sisters, Rudene Allred, Mary Gill and Janie Willis; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family asks that in lieu if flowers that donations be made to AMVETS in Mr. Caldwell’s memory. Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.
Josephine Carvalho
Josephine Carvalho, 92, of Plant City, died Nov. 16, at her home. Born Jan. 1, 1920, in New Bedford, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Manuel Vasconcellos and the late Maria Moniz. Survivors include daughter, Ruth St Pierre (Roger); five grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; two great-greatgranddaughters; and several nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.
Anthony James Hitson
Anthony James Hitson, 26, of Plant City, died Nov. 20, at his home. He was born July 26, 1986, in Plant City. Mr. Hitson was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church, where he was altar server of the year. He was also an Eagle Scout from Troop 14 in Plant City.
He is survived by his maternal grandparents, James and Irene Blakey; mother, Suzanne Blakey-Moore; uncle, Raymond Blakey (Cheryl); cousins, Leah Kaye, Melissa Rae and Lauren Michelle Blakey; his soul-mate Lori Barker and her son, Lucius; and many relatives and friends. Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.
Lori Holgate
Lori Holgate, 53, died Nov. 24, at her home. Born Jan. 8, 1959, in Plant City, she was the daughter of Charles Brunson and Florence Gill Brunson. She was the wife of Reginald Holgate. Survivors include a daughter, Holly Griffith; and brothers, Charles “Chuck” Brunson and Christopher Alan Brunson. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 30, at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Nov. 30, at Haught Funeral Home Chapel. Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.
Christopher Channing Thorpe
Christopher Channing Thorpe, 36, of Plant City, died Nov. 24. Born Saturday, May 29, 1976, in Lakeland, he was the son of Tom Thorpe and Evelynn Martin Thorpe. He was the husband of Jill Thorpe. Mr. Thorpe was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was employed with Sensenich Propellers in Plant City. Survivors include a son, Channing Thorpe; brother, Dale Thorpe; and sisters, Beverly Crummley, Mabel Alford, Audrey Thorpe, Tanya Patrick and Wanda Wygal. He was predeceased by brother, Andrew Thorpe. Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.
Join Haught FuneralJoin Home during the month of during December we remember thoseas we rem Haught Funeral Home the as month of December we have lost. Stop by regular hours and place a personalized weduring have lost. Stopbusiness by during regular business hours and Angel place a person
HAUGHT FUNERAL HOME (813) 717-9300
on our Angel Tree. There is no cost for the angel. This is our way of rememberon our Angel Tree. There is no cost for the angel. This is our way o ing our loved ones during the holiday season. This service is available to everyone ing our loved ones during the holiday season. This service is available
in our community. Also plan on joiningAlso us Tuesday at 7:00pm for in our community. plan onDecember joining us18 Tuesday December 18 at Join Haught during the month of our Service of Remembrance. OurFuneral address Home is 708 W. Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Blvd. our Service of Remembrance. Our address is 708 W. Dr. M.L.K. December asasweweremember Please Join us remember.those we have lost. Please Join us as we remember.
95932
96924
Stop by during regular business hours and place a personalized Angel on our Angel Tree. There is no cost for the angel. This is our way of remembering our loved ones during the holiday season. This service is available to everyone in our community. Also plan on joining us Tuesday December 18 at 7:00pm for our Service of Remembrance. Our address is 708 W. Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Blvd. Please Join us as we remember.
Thank y Plant city observer
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
making a connection
PlantCityObserver.com
13
ve you f or
59 YEARS!
Hello, My name is Clyde Foshee, and I’m proud to say that I’ve been serving our community ing59usyears. owover To ser for allfor
ou Thank y
ve you f or
59 YEARS!
by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Hello, My name is Clyde Foshee, and I’m proud to say that I’ve been serving our community for over 59 years.
WE GIVE YOU lowing r alPRICES foBEST u THE o y k n a Th FOR GOLD, SILVER, AND WE GIVE YOU PLATINUM
A R SJEWELERS 5 9 Y EFoshee !
59 YEARS!
59 YEARS!
Foshee
WATCHES, AND CLOCKS • GIA JEWELRY APPRAISER ON STAFF
Plant City women celebrate fall
YEARS!
POLK COUNTY’S MOST TRUSTED JEWELER SINCE 1953
Hello, My name is Clyde Foshee, THE BEST PRICES and •I’m proud to say that I’ve been serving our GIA JEWELRY APPRAISER FOR GOLD, “Thank you for your “Thank you for your trust community for over 59 years. ON STAFF SILVER, AND JEWELERS 59 years.” for trust over for 59 over years.” PLATINUM • WE SELL AND SERVICE JEWELRY, POLK COUNTY’S MOST TRUSTED JEWELER SINCE 1953
Singers from Steppin’ Stone Farms performed at this year’s festival.
Members of the Plant City Christian Women’s Connection dined and socialized at the annual Freedom in America Fall Festival Nov. 6, at Walden Lake Golf and Country Club. Attendees browsed through silent auction items, a bake sale and a General
us To serve yo u for
Store, which offered household items at a discount. Entertainment included guest speaker Kathy Baarman, a Hungarian who spoke about having true freedom in America. The musical feature included singers from Steppin’ Stone Farm, a girls’ home for at-risk teens.
– Clyde Foshee
“Thank you for your trust for over 59 years.” Lakeland • 686-3479
943 E. Parker St. • WE SELL AND SERVICE JEWELRY, www.FosheeJewelers.com – Clyde Foshee WATCHES, AND CLOCKS
WE GIVE YOU THE BEST PRICES FOR GOLD, SILVER, AND PLATINUM
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943 E. Parker THE BEST PRICES St. Lakeland • 686-3479 www.FosheeJewelers.com FOR GOLD, SILVER, AND PLATINUM
Foshee JEWELERS POLK COUNTY’S MOST TRUSTED JEWELER SINCE 1953
• GIA JEWELRY APPRAISER • GIA JEWELRY APPRAISER ON STAFF “Thank you for your trust ON STAFF • WE SELL AND SERVICE JEWELRY,
Beth Riggsbee and Nancy Christ helped sell items at the General Store.
for over 59 years.”
WATCHES, AND CLOCKS
– Clyde Foshee
943 E. Parker St. Lakeland • 863-686-3479 943 E. Parker St. Lakeland • 686-3479 www.FosheeJewelers.com Connie Townsend and Carolyn Ballinger
www.FosheeJewelers.com
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• WE SELL AND SERVICE JEWELRY, WATCHES, AND CLOCKS
You can’t get any closer to home than Sunshine State. We are Plant City’s oldest and largest hometown financial institution. We’ve been helping our neighbors since 1954. We make all decisions locally and offer all the modern banking services you expect.
“Banking on a First Name Basis”
If you like the idea of doing business close to home, visit us and see how easy and friendly hometown banking can be.
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PLANT CITY – Main Office, 102 W. Baker Street, 752-6193 • WALDEN WOODS – 2400 Jim Redman Parkway, 754-1844 Also offices in: BRANDON, RIVERVIEW and ZEPHYRHILLS
14 PlantCityObserver.com old-fashioned fun
Plant city observer
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
by Michael Eng | Managing Editor
Attendees enjoyed competing in the potato sack race.
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The A.I.M.A. program uses the most effective self-defense system available today. This advanced combat system is based on Israeli martial arts and Israeli military tactics as used by Israeli Special Forces operatives in extremely hostile situations. A.I.M.A. is more than simply a martial art, it is a devastating street combat system, and is the future of hand-to-hand combat methodologies intense, integrated, powerful, and effective.
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The Health Center of
Springhead community cultivates fall festival fun
Plant City presents
“Staying on Your Feet”
Seminar WedneSdaY, TH
dec 5
1:30 pm
You Will Learn How To... • Prevent Falls • Modify Your Home • Exercise to Reduce the Risk of Falls
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813.752.3611 noW!
96260
regiSTer
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Springhead Elementary School students and parents enjoyed some fall fun Nov. 9, at the school’s annual Harvest Festival. The festival featured carnival-style games, potato sack races, karaoke and a variety of fall treats, including apples and caramel, cotton candy and more. Proceeds from the event benefit the school’s Parent-Teacher Jessica Arnold sang karaoke with her daughter, Jasmine, 5. Association.
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Sports
YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | SENIORS | COMMUNITY | TENNIS
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Softball star Kristen Wyckoff commits to USF. 17
PLANTCITYObserver.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
for the courageous by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor
Cougar Invitational celebrates 17th year Since 1996, Durant High has hosted the Cougar Invitational, which has become one of the premier high school wrestling tournaments in the state.
Matt Mauney
Durant comes into the Cougar Invitational after taking first in the Tiger Invitational Nov. 17, in Lake City.
For almost as long as the school has been open, Durant High School’s wrestling program has held its Cougar Invitational tournament. This year, the tournament will celebrate its 17th year by hosting many talented teams Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, at the Evelyn and Batista Madonia Sr. Agricultural Show Center on the Strawberry Festival grounds. The Cougar Invitational regu-
show me the mauney
FOOTBALL
larly features some of the best teams around the state of Florida and the Southeast. This year’s field will feature in-state powers South Dade (Homestead), Osceola (Kissimmee) and Winter Springs. All three schools placed in the top five of the 3A state meet last season. Springstead High, the reigning 2A state tournament champion and Lake Highland
IF YOU GO 17th annual Cougar Invitational
WHEN: Preliminary rounds at 3 p.m. Nov. 30; Day 2 begins at 9 a.m. Dec. 1; Finals at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1 WHERE: Evelyn and Batista Madonia Sr. Agricultural Show Center on the Strawberry Festival grounds, 303 N. Lemon St. TYPE: Bracketed individual tournament PRICE: $4 per session (two sessions each day) PARKING: $5 WEBSITE: cougarinvitational.com
SEE WRESTLING / PAGE 16
By Matt Mauney | Associate Editor
Future is bright for Durant football
Durant head football coach Mike Gottman said it best after the game Friday night. “It’s hard to think about anything else right now,” he said minutes after a last-second drive to tie the game fell short with an incomplete pass in the right corner of the end zone. That led to the Cougars’ MATT first — and MAUNEY only — loss this season and ended the magical run for Durant at 11-1. It had been more than a year since Durant had to deal with the feeling of a loss. On the sideline, you could sense that feeling. It was as if the players and even the coaches were in a state of shock. Not that the Cougars thought they were unbeatable or that they came in overly confident, but they simply weren’t used to the sting of defeat — especially in the way the game played out, with Durant looking to make a 95-yard drive with just a minute left to tie things up. Any fan of football has felt this feeling when your team is in a similar position. You believe your team will win. Everything seems to move in slow motion until the outcome is realized. Then, a state of disbelief kicks in. You
SEE MAUNEY / PAGE 19
Matt Mauney
Newsome defensive lineman Bentley Easley consoled an emotional Zach Hooper from Durant after the Cougars 21-14 loss in the region semifinals.
END OF THE ROAD The Durant football team saw its historic season end last week with a 21-14 loss to Newsome in the Region 2 semifinals.
After eleven straight wins to start the season, the Durant football team’s historic run ended with one loss. It had been more than a year since the Durant players and coaches felt the way they felt last Friday night. On the same field that saw the Cougars lose in the region quarterfinals to Gaither in 2011, Durant was handed its first loss of the season, as district rival Newsome avenged a regular-season loss to the Cougars with a 21-14 victory Nov.
23, in the Region 2 semifinals. The loss ended Durant’s season at 11-1 overall, the best record in the history of the program. Durant went 10-0 in the regular season for the first time since the school opened in 1995. The Cougars found themselves down 14-0 at the half, which was the largest deficit they faced all season. Durant battled back in the third quarter with back-toback scores to tie things up, before Newsome scored the eventual game-winning
touchdown in the fourth quarter. With no timeouts and a minute to play in the game, Durant drove down the field. Quarterback Trey VanDeGrift completed 7-of-9 passes, but a last-second pass intended for Corey Roberts in the corner of the end zone was swatted away by Newsome’s Ricardo Rodriguez, ending the season for the Cougars. “I’m proud of this team with the effort
SEE FOOTBALL / PAGE 18
16 PlantCityObserver.com WRESTLING/PAGE 15 Prep, the reigning 1A state champ, also will be in the competitive field. Out-of-state teams include four teams from Georgia — Collins Hill, Effingham County, Cherokee High and Camden County. With perennially competitive teams comes talented individuals. Last year, the 32-team Cougar Invitational featured 15 individuals that finished the season as national champions, along with 75 state qualifiers and 40 state placers. Durant head coach Drake Millard said as the tournament has grown during its history, it has attracted more talented teams. “We’re always searching for tougher and tougher teams,” he said. “It’s gotten to the point now where mediocre teams seem to avoid the tournament. We like to say that it’s a tournament for the courageous few.” As the annual host of the tournament, Durant is always one of those teams that competes against some of the best wrestlers in the state. The Cougars are a competitive program in their own right, with a host of veterans on a team that placed 13th at the 3A state meet last season. Durant kicked off the season on a high note by winning Tiger Invitational Nov. 17, in Lake City. Eight
Plant city observer
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
Durant wrestlers placed in the nineteam tournament in Lake City, with Reagan Haley and Darrien Kelly taking first-place finishes. “We have a lot of seasoned guys this year,” Millard said. “Those are guys you can depend on.” Strawberry Crest will be the other Plant City team in action this weekend. The Chargers should be a competitive team this year after finishing in the top 50 at the 2A state meet last season. Strawberry Crest will be ushering in a new era this year under first-year head coach Ryan Joyce. Joyce, an alum and former standout at perennial power Brandon High, takes the reigns of the Chargers after serving as an assistant with Steinbrenner High last season. According to Joyce, his team is fairly young, but is working hard and has some guys with quality mat experience. “We look to be pretty strong in the lighter weights, and we should have a positive season,” he said. “I just want to instill some more confidence in them.” The Chargers recently competed in the Ten-way Tournament at Chamberlain High, where they placed ninth after sending only seven wrestlers. According to Joyce, he will have a full roster for the
JUSTTHESTATS
Cougar Invitational this weekend. The 17th annual Cougar Invitational returns to the Strawberry Festival grounds after being held at the Tampa Convention Center last year. The Madonia Center will accommodate eight mats, warm-up areas and seating for 1,200 people. The tournament also has a partnership with Flowrestling, the national leader in media coverage for the sport at the high school, club, college and professional levels. Flowrestling’s presence will offer national attention to the tournament with coverage and videos of the key matches. “This will allow thousands of wrestling fans to watch matches anywhere in the country,” Millard said. The tournament has grown since its 1996 inception as a fledgling eight-team tournament. According to Millard, the tournament’s current structure brings in around $125,000 to the local economy through hotel stays, food and gas sales and entertainment and shopping. “This tournament is a source of pride for us and is also a good barometer for us as a team, as we face some of the toughest competition around,” Millard said. Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.
58
Amount of points scored in a 19-point win by the Strawberry Crest girls’ basketball team Tuesday night at Wharton. The Lady Chargers are 5-0 as of Tuesday.
9.3
Average amount of points allowed by the Durant football team for the span of the Cougars historic 11-1 season.
22
The number of states that will be represented in the United Youth Football League National Championships Dec. 3-9, at Otis M. Andrews Park. The tournament will feature more than 100 youth tackle football teams for a week
HCC’s environmental science technology program prepares students for jobs with organizations such as the Southwest
28
Florida Water Management District and Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission. Examining the relationship between natural and human systems through hands-on training and
science “ Environmental technology students receive cutting-edge training to compete in the global economy.
”
Dr. Pam Vergara, HCC professor of environmental science
4
Number of first half goals scored by the Strawberry Crest boys’ soccer team in a 5-0 shutout win against Armwood Nov. 15.
The number of teams participating in this weekend’s Cougar Invitational wrestling tournament.
11/22/12 Crossword answers
field work, students transfer new skills into careers in natural resource management. With small class sizes, affordable tuition, and guaranteed transferability to state universities, it’s easy to see why more than 47,000 students choose HCC. Hillsborough Community College is an equal access/equal opportunity employer. hccfl.edu/equity
2012
11/22/12 Cryptogram answers 1. This makes a good, practical motto and advice for happy living: if you do what you love and love what you’re doing, you’ll never work another day in your life. 2. Say what you mean and mean what you say. But it’s mean and bad to say it in a mean way!
This week’s Crossword answers
2012
96818
This week’s Cryptogram answers Visit hccfl.edu/registernow. HCC_PlantCity_OBS_6.8x10BW_Vergara.indd 1
11/1/12 2:45 PM
1. A boss commented on one of his employees. “I like her. She has a perfect attendance record. She hasn’t missed a coffee break in ten years.” 2. What did the furry beaver say when his biggest log vanished over a humongous waterfall? ‘Damn!’ CROSS_ANS_112912
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SPRING MUSIC LESSONS
by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor
Kristen Wyckoff
this holiday season
After verbally committing to play for the University of South Florida her junior year, Plant City High School softball standout Kristen Wyckoff made it official last week when she turned in her signed letter of intent to play for the Big East school. The left-handed shortstop/second baseman was a key player for last year’s 17-6 Raiders team.
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What’s something people may not know about you? I’m an extremely picky eater. I inspect all my food, and if it doesn’t look good, I won’t eat it. Also, for a refreshment in a game, instead of Powerade or water, I’d rather have Mountain Dew. That’s going to be another big change in college, because they won’t let me do that.
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What else do you enjoy? I love the beach. That’s my favorite place.
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What do you expect college ball to be like? I’m kind of a scrawny person, so I’m worried a little about the workouts, but I’m excited, because it’s going to be a faster game.
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What do you like about batting leadoff? They say hitting is contagious, so if I get on, that can set the bar for the rest of the team.
When did you first discover you were fast?
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Spring Semester: January 14-May 17, 2013
What are some personal goals for your senior softball season? I’d like to break my batting average and stolen bases from last year.
Other than softball, which is your favorite and why? Flag football, because I feel like I can just use my speed and run.
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A Group Class is available for Preschoolers (ages 3-5 years) Titled “Music to Grow On”
I always used to race my dad and my friends (when I was young), and I would beat everyone.
Do you play any other sports? All through middle school, I played basketball, soccer, track and volleyball, and when I got (to PCHS) my freshman year, I played basketball, volleyball, softball and flag football. Sophomore and junior year, I played only volleyball, softball and flag football. This year, I’m just going to play softball and flag football.
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Plant city observer
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
Durant quarterback Trey VanDeGrift became a leader for the Cougars after transferring from Strawberry Crest High School.
FOOTBALL/PAGE 15
Photos by Matt Mauney
Sophomore running back Crispian Atkins rushed for 825 yards this year, despite fighting off a late-season injury.
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they showed at the end,” Durant head coach Mike Gottman said after the game. “I just wish we could have had a miracle at the end to send it into overtime, but it just wasn’t meant to be.” With the win, Newsome (8-4) will face Osceola (12-0) for the region championship Friday. Newsome’s high-powered offense gave the Durant defense fits, especially in the first half. The Wolves finished with 431 yards of total offense, with 317 of that coming on the ground. Running back Clint Carnell led the Wolves with 109 yards on the ground, while quarterback Will Worth had 101 rushing yards and 114 passing yards, connecting on 7-of-8 attempts. The one pass the standout senior missed was a big one. Durant linebacker Chris Smith intercepted the pass and returned it to the Newsome 2 yard line. Durant fullback Jamarlon Hamilton then tied the game at 14-14 with a short run. Hamilton finished the game with 64 yards and scored both of the Cougars’ touchdowns. The senior finished the season with 1,348 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. VanDeGrift, a junior who transferred to Durant after two seasons at nearby Strawberry Crest, finished the year with 1,150 passing yards for 12 touchdowns with five interceptions. He also had four rushing touchdowns and will return to the Cougars next year after transitioning to Durant’s more run-based attack from the spread passing attack he ran at Strawberry Crest. Sophomore running back Cris Atkins also will return after rushing for 825 yards, despite missing some action because of an injury. Durant will lose the majority of its wide receivers, including Roberts, Reggie Gainer and Zach Hooper, who also doubled as a running back. Junior tight end Paxton Sims will return after leading the team with 352 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Hooper and Gainer also finished the year with three touchdown catches. The Cougars will lose a good portion up front, including starters Zach Whitney, Alex Wood and Dalton Wilkerson. Defensively, Durant will lose leading tackler Randy Baker, along with leaders Smith, Tyler Moody and Zach Hoffman. Defensive end Dontriel Perry will return for his senior season after leading the team in sacks. Sims also will be a key defensive returner after seeing significant playing time at safety. Altogether, Durant will lose 23 seniors listed on their roster. Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver. com.
On Our Celebration Sunday Dec. 2, 2012 Nursery, Pre-School, Discovery Kids & Adult Worship 10 am
John R. Trinkle Center 1206 Park Road Plant City, FL 33563
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Quarterback Trey VanDeGrift passed for 1,150 yards this year and will return to the Cougars for his senior year.
Plant city observer
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
MAUNEY/PAGE 15
Durant High School fullback Jamarlon Hamilton ran for 1,348 yards in his senior season.
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The Durant High School student section was alive and loud throughout the season.
either feel like you’re on top of the world or that a 20-ton building just fell on you. If you know the feeling I’m talking about, try to imagine what that feels like for the players on the field. Those players, and especially the seniors, have a wave of emotions that hit them. Any coach in the country preaches to never give up until the final whistle. Being around the Durant football team all season, I could tell those players believed, so when the clock hit zero and the scoreboard read in favor of Newsome, those emotions came pouring out. There was no time to let the thought of losing sink in. The game was in reach until the final second. Some of the players who were on the field collapsed where they stood after the final play. Tears began to fill the eyes of several of the Durant players on the field and the sideline. Some stood or lay motionless on the field for what seemed like an eternity. You could almost sense that they didn’t want to move
forward, because that meant going to the middle of the field and shaking the hands of the Newsome players and coaches. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to show sportsmanship. It wasn’t that at all. It was simply that getting up and doing the post-game ritual of shaking hands meant the end of their season. No more practices, and for many of the seniors, no more games. Just as coach Gottman put it after the loss, I’m sure none of the players — be it a freshman or a senior — was thinking about what’s ahead in the future. They were thinking about what just happened and the season that was. Now that reality has had a chance to sink in, I can say confidently that at least some perceptions of the players have changed. Sure, they still wish things went differently last Friday, but now, they have a new outlook on just how special this season has been, even if it’s their last time strapping on shoulder pads. The seniors on this Durant team has laid the foundation for the future. Many counted
Edited by Timothy E. Parker
2
CRYPTOGRAMS 1. E W N K K X N L L B Y R B A N Y N Y B N V C P K B L F G N Q B B K . “ P G P O B C B D . K C B C E K E F B D V B X R E R R B YA E Y X B D B X N D A . K C B C E K Y ’ R L P K K BA E X N V V B B W D B E O P Y R B Y Q B E D K .”
2. R F T M G E G M F L J N X X Z V L T W L X P T Z R F L H F E P V E I I L P M D Q I W T H E P F L G Q W L X T F N U Q H I Q N P RT M L X J T D D ? ‘ G T U H ! ’
the Cougars out this year, but they used that as motivation. Let’s call it for what it is. Durant isn’t the most talented team in the state. Even if the Cougars went on to complete the run and win the state championship, that opinion couldn’t be argued. This is a group that has few standout players and an even thinner list of seniors who will go on to play in college. This group was special because they were a blue-collar team that outworked other teams. They often found themselves against bigger and more athletic teams but continually proved they can come out on top in those match-ups. This Cougars team truly defined the meaning of the word “team.” With the best season in the history of the school, the groundwork has been laid for the future. With just a week removed from the heartbreaking end to the season, it may still be hard for some to swallow, but the Cougars proved themselves as a program to be taken seriously for anyone who may have doubted them.
Wine & cheese Reception
hosted by east hillsboRough aRt guild Dec. 6, 2012
5:00 - 8:00 pm
Walden Lake Country Club 2001 Clubhouse Drive Plant City, FL
2311-2 Thonotosassa Road Plant City, Florida 33563 Phone: (813) 754 - 8250
O B S E RV E R C RO S S WO R D
19
Drawing for gifts baskets. Open to the public (813) 757 - 6356
SOUnd THE ALARM by wilbur Fleming
ACROSS 1 Terra ___ 6 Dam builders 13 Inner souls, to Jung 19 Downright 21 Square sins? 22 Go “poof!” 23 “Location, location, location” business 24 McQueen film classic 26 Less fat 27 Nerve fiber 28 Feeling guilt 29 Coupon locales 30 Refusals 32 Showed the way 33 Photo ___ (journalists’ desires) 35 Trade-___ (some used cars) 36 Team follower 38 Ukrainian port, to natives 40 Guy in a horned helmet 44 “... ___ man with seven wives” 46 Liberal arts degs. 47 Actor Mineo 48 Guys’ Broadway counterparts 51 One mysterysolving Charles 52 Mork’s planet 53 Blood line 55 It pours from pores 56 “Where ___ At” (Beck song) 57 Big figure in strike negotiations 59 Murder victim in Genesis 61 Rug rat 62 Trembles with fury 63 Relative of a buttercup
123 Shabby and 66 Roth plan 54 Cries of surprise 57 Ashe Stadium org. scruffy 67 Bottom-line 58 Mighty Ducks’ org. figures 60 Intros 68 Abject fear dOwn 63 Boudoir furniture 71 Label for Elvis 1 Cliff’s “Cheers” pieces 72 Insurance nemesis 64 Offerings from 2 Mountain nymph statistician carolers of Greek myth 74 Courtroom 65 Coastal eagle 3 Where to switch spokespersons 68 Ten below? trains 69 Make a goof 75 Completed 4 Tie up the phone 70 Go back to the 76 Placed 5 Antiquated TV part drawing board horizontally (with 6 Vegas action 73 Recant “down”) 7 Breathes out 74 U.S. crime solvers 77 Hair loss symbol? 8 Climbers’ goals 77 Ignore, as a 9 Fish player on TV 80 Drug maker Lilly nautical order 10 Merit, as 81 1953 AL MVP Al 78 Show penitence compensation 84 Places for pins and 79 Snug bug’s place 11 AAA small needles 82 Barely achieve recommendation (with “out”) 85 Fleur-de-___ 12 Last word of 83 Prefix meaning 86 Candid “America the “new” 87 Limbless reptile Beautiful” 86 Comstock load 88 Yule fuel 13 Birds, to biologists 89 Things best let be, 89 Forbid entry to 14 “A Beautiful Mind” proverbially subject 90 Pitt and Renfro 90 Mile-high city 15 Pre-Columbian 91 Naval petty officer 92 Large water pipe Peruvian 93 Late great golfer 93 Prepare to get 16 Home of juice? Stewart basketball’s Heat 94 Depart’s opposite 95 “___ the ramparts 17 Rockies resort 96 Theater boxes we watched ...” 18 Molts 97 Canine who loved 96 Inc., abroad 20 Beginner’s luck Lady 99 Popeye’s assent beneficiary 98 “Saturday Night 25 Work to be done 100 Partner of sm. and Fever” joint 31 Kind of road test? med. 102 Bun contents 33 Roundish 101 Mu ___ pork 104 Map within a map 34 Seasoned rice dish 103 Soldier material 105 ___-gritty 37 One ___ time 107 “Party” or “beach” 106 Japanese art of 39 State of the North attachment folding paper or South 108 Toward shelter 110 100 cents 41 Checks for age, say 109 It’s as good as a 111 Some college 42 “Then” partner mile contributors 43 Brief flash of light 110 Covetousness 44 Monogram letter 113 Internal 112 Forearm bone 45 Automobiles combustion 114 Hectic hosp. 47 Hindu Mr. device sections 49 Where to find an 117 Most like a couch 115 That’s a moray obstetrician in the 116 The father-andpotato government? son Begleys 118 Show runners 50 Written using an 119 Brought back outline 120 Substance used to 52 ___ the other (either) curdle milk 53 They’re good for 121 Mushroom cells tricks 122 Foxy trait? CROSSWORD_112912
Plant city observer
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
96971
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