03.13.14 Plant City Times & Observer

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

A PARTNERSHIP WITH

NEWS

Fire department welcomes two, promotes three.

PAGE 3

OUR TOWN

INSIDE

SPORTS

The Plant City Times & Observer takes one last look at the 2014 festival.

Plant City remembers Roetzheim.

SEE PAGES 6-7

PAGE 11

onward and upward by Michael Eng | Editor

Hillsborough hires Horwedel Pending County Commission approval, Plant City Manager Greg Horwedel will become deputy county administrator.

+ We hear wedding bells!

Brian and Karen Secor, of Plant City, are happy to announce the engagement of their youngest son, Corey Secor, to Taylor Hensley, of Ocala.

Taylor is the daughter of Christopher and Theresa Hensley, also of Ocala.

Corey and Taylor are planning a Nov. 15 wedding at Coon Hollo Corn Maze, in Micanopy.

FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014

Plant City Manager Greg Horwedel had no plans to vacate the city’s top post.

In fact, there was only one organization that could entice his services away from the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.

It just so happened that that organization — Hillsborough County — came calling. And with one son contemplating

college and another three children nearing college age, Horwedel said the offer to become Hillsborough County’s deputy county administrator — the No. 2 position under County Administrator Mike Merrill — was one he could not refuse.

“I will miss the people (the most),” Horwedel said of leaving his post in Plant City. “You couldn’t ask for better people. I

wouldn’t have even considered (a move) for anyone other than the county. I think that staff and commission is as good as our staff and commission.

“I don’t often say things fall into place, but in this case, I think that’s what has happened,” he said. “Mike (Merrill) and I have a good relationship. He’s a dynamic manager and has done an outstanding

job at the county.”

Horwedel’s hiring is pending Hillsborough County Commission approval, which is scheduled to take place at the commission’s March 19 meeting. It is part of a large-scale reorganization of the county’s leadership to give Merrill more time to focus on major policy issues, such as economic development and transportation. Horwedel will handle most of the day-to-day operations, leading

SEE HORWEDEL / PAGE 4

TRIBUTE

HOMETOWN HERO by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Celebration of Life planned for Pruets

+ Photo archives opens contest The Plant City Photo Archives and History Center’s 2014 Photojournalism Contest is now open.

The contest, now in its fifth year, challenges Plant City High School students to enter the competition and submit a story and its related photo or photos.

Participating students must submit at least one photograph and write a story of 300 to 600 words about the persons, places or things in the photo. Complete details of the competition can be obtained from Sherrie Mueller, college and career counselor at Plant City High, or from the office of the Photo Archives and History Center.

The 2014 contest is sponsored by Haught Funeral Home.

The prizes have included $100 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place. In addition to the cash prizes the entries will be on display in the Exhibit Gallery at the Photo Archives following the announcement of the winners on or about April 15.

Deadline for entry into the competition is Friday, April 4, 2014.

For more information, contact Mueller, at Plant City High, (813) 7579370, or the center (813) 754-1578 or info@plantcityphotoarchives.org.

, 3&

This week’s winner is

Mackenzie Luke See her photo on PAGE 15.

Greg Horwedel

The parents of Plant City Police Capt. Susan Pruet died in a car accident in January.

TAKING FLIGHT Tommy Kun, a graduate of Durant High School, left Plant City to join the U.S. Air Force. He recently completed boot camp and now is learning how to perform aircraft maintenance.

Tommy Kun, who used to work the counter at Hole-in-One Donuts off Alexander Street, just finished boot camp in the U.S. Air Force. Now, he is studying aircraft metals technology.

It is lunchtime, but Hole-in-One Donuts off Alexander Street is still bustling with breakfast customers.

The Kun family operates the business, and it’s members always greet patrons with a smile.

Tommy Kun once worked at the same counter, helping his dad, Sam, early in the mornings to prepare the shop for the breakfast rush. He also donated his time after school. But, he’s gone now.

From donuts to military drills, Tommy left Plant City, in December, to join the U.S. Air Force.

Judy Kun writes a letter so her son every day. She misses him deeply but knows he’s living out his life’s calling.

“The first two weeks, I cried every day,” Judy says.

Tommy didn’t just leave behind his parents and brother, Jerry, to serve his country. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathy, just before he left for boot camp.

“It’s hard to see his family every

SEE HERO / PAGE 4

SEE PRUETS / PAGE 4

crime by Michael Eng | Editor

Sheriff’s Office discovers Plant City grow house The marijuana seized at the home off Knights Griffin Road has a street value of $265,000.

Courtesy photos

Tommy Kun’s family members traveled from Plant City to celebrate his graduation from boot camp.

HOMETOWN HEROES EDITOR’S NOTE: Hometown Heroes is a recurring feature in the Plant City Times & Observer in which we profile veterans from Plant City. If you have a loved one currently serving or who has served in the past, please contact Editor Michael Eng by email at meng@plantcityobserver.com or by phone at (813) 704-6850.

INDEX Calendar.......................2

It was a rare instance when Charles and Alicia Pruet missed a volunteer opportunity at the Meals on Wheels in Plant City. Mondays were “their” days.

They drove a route that covered the eastern side of town.

Looking back on the books, volunteer Rebecca Burns noted the duo had been volunteer- Alicia and Charles ing since 1999.

Pruet “They were just a sweet little couple,” Burns said.

“They were friendly and personable.

The type we like here for clients.”

They still showed up for their route when Mr. Pruet couldn’t drive anymore.

Their daughter, Susan, remembers when her dad was sick in the hospital.

He was itching to make his route at Meals on Wheels to feed the “old people,” even though he might possibly

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office investigators discovered a large marijuana grow house, in Plant City, after responding to a burglary in progress.

According to Sheriff’s Office reports, at about 11:42 a.m. March 7, deputies responded to a burglary in progress at 6608 Knights Griffin Road. A witness reported seeing a van drop two men off at the residence and then drive away.

SEE MARIJUANA / PAGE 5 Vol. 1, No. 33 | One section

Crossword...................15

Obituaries...................10

Sports.........................11

Weather ......................15

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COMMUNITYCALENDAR To publicize your event in our Community Calendar, please send by mail: 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563; or by email: meng@plantcityobserver.com. Photos are welcome. Deadline is noon Thursday.

THURS., MARCH 13 Ribbon Cutting: Specialst Doctors’ Group — takes place from 11:15 a.m. Thursday, March 13, at 210 N. Alexander St., Suite B, Plant City. For more, visit specialistdoctorsgroup.com.

Ribbon Cutting: Urgent Care USA — takes place from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 13, at 413 N. Alexander St., Plant City. For more, visit urgentcareusa.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 14 Friday Night Fun — Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill will offer karaoke, cornhole tournaments, a deejay, darts and more beginning at 7 p.m. Fridays, at the restaurant, 106 E. S.R. 60, Plant City. (813) 737-4444.

Double Barrel Band — performance takes place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, March 14, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 7648818.

Plant City Social Dance Club — takes place from 8 to 11:15 p.m. Fridays, at Stardust Dance Center, 1405 S. Collins St., Plant City. Cost is $5 for members and associate members; $7 for non-members. Band will be Bill Mann. Ken Miller, (863) 409-7714 or pcsocialdanceclub@yahoo.com.

Uncork Your Weekend with Skip Frye — live music from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 W.

BEST BET St. Patrick’s Day Weekend — takes place Saturday, March 15, through Monday, March 17, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill, 1701 S. Alexander St. Saturday will feature two stages of live music, with the Rimfire Band from 3 to 6 p.m. (outside stage); The Peacemakers from 6 to 10 p.m. (outside Thonotosassa Road, Plant City.

(813) 752-9100.

Writing Your Memoir — takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 14, 21 and 28, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. (813) 757-9215.

SAT., MARCH 15 Scrapbooking Class — takes place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 15, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City.

Participants may bring photos to use. Enrollment is limited to 12 participants, so pre-register by calling (813) 757-9215.

Seventh Annual “Spring” Strawberry U-Pick — takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

stage); and Mama’s Kin from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. (inside stage). Festivities continue Sunday with a Family Fun Day from noon to 5 p.m.; the St. Puppy’s Day Dog Show from 1 to 3 p.m.; and Sklyer Clark performing from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. (inside stage). The fun concludes Monday, with Latraia and the All-Stars performing from 3 to 7 p.m. (outside stage); Irish bagpipers at 5:30 p.m.; and Ali Baba and The Mad Scientist from 7 to 10 p.m. (outside stage).

(813) 764-8818.

Saturday, March 15, at Fancy Farms, 3838 Fancy Farms Road, Plant City. Money raised benefitts 4-H youth in the Plant City community. Restrooms are available on the grounds. (813) 744-5519, Ext. 54132.

Strawberry Classic Car Show — takes place from 4 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, March 15, at 102 N. Palmer St. Uncork Your Weekend with Double Barrel Band — live music from 7 to 11 p.m.

Saturday, March 15, at Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City.

(813) 752-9100.

MONDAY, MARCH 17 Bereaved Parents Group — meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday,

March 17, at South Florida Baptist Hospital, Cancer Resource Center, 1708 W. Palmetto Ave., Plant City.

Janice Falcon, (813) 9971709.

Peace By Piece — meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, March 17, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City.

Arlene Bailey, (863) 644-3600.

TUESDAY, MARCH 18 Evening Book Discussion — meets from 7 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 18, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. This month’s book is “The Painted Drum” by Louise Erdrich. (813) 757-9215.

Ribbon Cutting: Sweetgum Environmental — takes place from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St., Plant City.

For more, visit plantcity.org.

Teen Movie — takes place from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. (813) 757-9215.

True Couponing Workshop — takes place from 7 to 9:15 p.m.

Tuesday, March 18, at First Thonotosassa Missionary Baptist Church, 106520 McIntosh Road. Those interested in attending should register at truecouponing.com. (813) 3616715 or aviva.baker@gmail. com.

LIBRARY PENCILS IN FIRST COMIC, MANGA, ANIME CLUB Comic book fans in Plant City can rejoice.

Walter Critzer, of the Bruton Memorial Library, has founded the library’s first Comics, Manga and Anime Club, and its first meeting will take place next week.

“So far, there’s a fairly good amount of people interested in the club,” Critzer says. “It’s open to anyone.”

According to Critzer, CMA will host book discussions, covering comics and manga, and also show anime videos and films.

“We may possibly do special events,” Critzer said.

“We might look into doing our own mini-Comic Con at the library, but that wouldn’t be for at least a few months.

Right now, I’m just trying to get the group started and gauge interest.”

It’s a passion project for Critzer, a comic book enthusiast and former collector.

As Bruton’s teen librarian, he saw his passion as an opportunity to reach out to more teenagers, and the library agreed.

“A couple of high schools in the area have these clubs already, and they tend to be very popular,” Critzer says.

“But, we’ve had interest from both teens and adults.”

Manga, for the uninitiated, are Japanese comic books.

Anime is Japanese animation, cartoons and movies.

Much like American comics, they originated in the World War II era and covered a wide range of subjects,

IF YOU GO

COMICS, MANGA AND ANIME CLUB WHEN: 4 to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, March 19 WHERE: Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City INFORMATION: Walter Critzer, wcritzer@plantcitygov.com including science fiction, romance and mystery.

Anime is often adapted directly from manga, much in the same way as American comics have been adapted to the silver screen in recent years. Some popular anime and manga include “Naruto,” “Attack on Titan” and “DragonBall Z,” and Oscar buffs may recall the film “Spirited Away” winning Best Animated Feature in 2002.

The library has what Critzer calls a “decent-sized” collection of manga, but he’s looking to build upon that and draw more interest to it.

The first meeting will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. March 19, and will be more of an informational session.

“We’ll just try to set a date and time for the meetings, whether we want to hold them monthly or bimonthly,” Critzer says. “And, also find out what people would like to get out of the group.”

— Justin Kline

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governance by Michael Eng | Editor

Sparkman urges strong city response to ailing golf course Plant City Commissioner Mike Sparkman said it is time to ‘get tough’ against Walden Lake Golf and Country Club owner Visions Golf LLC. The voices of Walden Lake residents upset with the condition of their community’s golf course have reached the city’s top leaders.

During the Plant City Commission’s March 10 meeting, Commissioner Mike Sparkman urged City Manager Greg Horwedel and city staff to focus their efforts to ensure golf course owner Visions Golf LLC is maintaining the property in the condition its code-enforcement regulations dictate. Sparkman even suggested amending those regulations.

“It’s time that we, at the city, really take charge,” he said. “And if we don’t have current regulations in place, we need to strengthen them. This management team (Visions Golf) never has been cooperative with the city. We need to now step forward.

“We, the community, and we, the city government, have been patient (for) too long, and it is time to for us to get tough, get it done and get it cleaned up,” Sparkman said. “If we have to fine the organization for not coming up to code, then fine them. Also, if we have to do it ourselves, with our crews, let’s put a lien on the properties, and charge them for it. I’m sick of it.”

Horwedel said Code Enforcement Supervisor Dennis Sweeney has received several calls regarding high weeds and grass along the golf course. Currently, Sweeney patrols the area regularly and

notifies Visions Golf whenever he sees a potential violation. The city, under Code Section 3-62, Public Nuisances, prohibits untended growth of weeds, undergrowth and other plant life on any tract of land within 100 feet of any developed property.

“It is important to note that the city’s code establishes minimum standards, which is not anywhere near the same as golf-course standards,” Horwedel said.

“Unless the commission changes the standards, the golf course owner or any other property owner would be in compliance with the high weeds and grass provision in our code, as long as they kept the vegetation in that 100-foot area cut to a reasonable height.”

The condition of the golf courses has been a sore subject for many Walden Lake residents ever since Visions Golf Managing Partner Steve Mercer closed The Hills course in May 2013. Led by Walden Lake resident Shelly Orrico, the residents have remained vigilant in reporting code violations to the city. They also oppose Visions Golf’s proposed redevelopment of the golf courses and country club.

“There are trees down in people’s back yards that have snakes and … varmints around it,” Sparkman said. “People are really outraged with the condition.

“They have a legitimate complaint,” he said. “I own property, as I know my

fellow commissioners do, in Lakeland and a number of other places, and we cannot get away — even on big, empty lots that we have — with anything of the magnitude of what is going on in Walden Lake.”

Vice Mayor Rick Lott, who led the meeting in Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis’ absence, agreed.

“I definitely feel like we need to enforce the code enforcement we have on the books,” he said. “And if there needs to be tighter ones, then we need to consider that.”

Assistant City Manager Bill McDaniel is compiling a report of code-enforcement activity related to the golf course.

Horwedel said changing the city code would require public hearings and commission approval.

“Our code provisions currently apply equally to all properties,” he said.

“I don’t know if the city attorney would support different standards for different lawful and approved uses (i.e. using golf-course standards for golf courses), but that might be something we look into based upon the commission comments made at the meeting.”

FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR

Plant City Fire Chief Dan Azzariti presented a plaque to Plant City Fire Rescue’s 2013 Firefighter of the Year, Dustin Hill.

IN OTHER NEWS • The City Commission recognized Dr. Dean Christiansen, who is retiring form his post as medical director for Plant City Fire Rescue.

The commission also approved his replacement, Dr. James Bartlett.

• The city rescheduled its public hearing regarding an ordinance to regulate the permitting and placement of donation bins. The hearing now is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Monday, March 24, at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St., Plant City.

• The city accepted a special flag from the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County to declare Plant City on Aug. 7, 2014, as a Purple Heart City. The city will fly the flag outside City Hall on that date, 232 years after Gen. George Washington established the Purple Heart, first known as the Badge of Military Merit.

• The Hillsborough County Planning Commission is updating its Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City and hopes to complete that process in early 2015.

Although grateful for the recognition, Hill was quick to say the accolade was one that should be shared with the rest of the department.

“Every time of year, when it comes around and we start putting names in for Firefighter of the Year, I sit at the breakfast table and talk to the guys and I’m like, ‘This is ridiculous that one person can get an award like this,’” he said.

“When the tones go off, whether it’s for medical or fire — I don’t get on the truck by myself. We respond as a team. … Everybody’s name should be on this plaque for that.”

Contact Michael Eng at meng@ plantcityobserver.com.

HEROIC EFFORT by Michael Eng | Editor

Battalion Chief James Wingo celebrated with his wife, Trish, and son, Colton, 7.

From left: Nicolette Anciulis, Nickolas Cantalupo, Jeffrey Griggs, James Maxwell and James Wingo.

ONE BIG FAMILY New firefighter-paramedic Nicolette Anciulis, right, was pinned by Debbie Brady.

Plant City Fire Rescue promoted three of its existing members and welcome two new ones to its family during a Swearing-In Ceremony March 10, at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Auditorium, at City Hall.

New firefighter-paramedics Nicolette Anciulis and Nickolas Cantalupo were selected from a group of 78 candidates. They will begin a 40-hour orientation March 17 and be assigned on

shift the week of March 24.

Former Capt. James Wingo was promoted to battalion chief, while driver engineers Jeffrey Griggs and James Maxwell both were promoted to captain. Griggs and Maxwell placed first and second on the captains assessment conducted in 2012. Wingo has been with PCFR since 1994, Griggs since 2002, and Maxwell since 2004.

Capt. Jeffrey Griggs began his career with Plant City Fire Rescue in 2002. He celebrated his promotion with his wife, Courtney, and son, Parker.

Capt. James Maxwell accepted his promotion before his family, including wife, Christy, and children, Jackson, 3, and Maybrie, 15 months.

all the right notes by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Krazy Kup to add recording studio The downtown coffee shop will be offering recording services, as well as a cup o’ joe.

Since Krazy Kup opened late last year, it has built quite a reputation as being a cozy neighborhood coffeehouse.

Now, its owners want to expand that image.

Frank and Wenda Trunzo, have been working to add a musical note to their shop.

They already have invited local bands and performers to play in the upstairs loft, but now, they also will offer recording services. The ability to record should be available within the next couple of months.

“We’re all so passionate about this,” said Frank Trunzo.

“Songwriting and recording are really the backbone to what you see done on the front end.”

The family is musically gifted. Trunzo likes to write. His sons, Jacob, 19, and Joshua, 17, play many instruments and

styles, such as bluegrass, jazz, classic rock and pop. But, it’s Jacob who loves the recording side of the industry — just like his father.

When he was a teenager, Trunzo used to hitchhike to the Hilltop Club in Oakmont, Pa., to listen to the shows.

“That’s something that has always been with me, and I never thought I’d be able to provide the same opportunity for other young artists,” Trunzo said. “This has been a labor of love. It’s been painful to be disenfranchised from music for so long. But now, I’m feeling stronger again.”

The upstairs loft has a vintage vibe, with posters of music greats, such as Bob Marley, Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix. Quaint tables are set up around a centered stage that used to be in the corner.

Instruments are set up to be in the spotlight of strobe lights and LEDs. Jacob and a former Disney technician rigged the room themselves. An original 1966 Hammond B3 organ is another focal point of the space.

“We have a lot of fun up here playing, jamming and experimenting,” Trunzo said.

And the acoustics are great for music, too, despite being a brick room with windows, he said. Krazy Kup has attracted different performers, including Shannon Magrane, a Tampabased singer who finished 11th on the 11th season of “American Idol.” The performances have drawn quite a crowd from 15- to 65-year-olds.

Every Saturday, Krazy Kup hosts a Young Adult Night, during which musicians and performers ages 16 to 21 can

come and play and hang out.

Krazy Kup also will be adding a Christian music night of any style of music on Friday nights and “Get Jazzed with Live Jazz” on Saturdays.

In addition to being used as a recording room and private performance venue, the loft also features “Black and White Nite” on Thursdays, during which the coffeehouse shows vintage sitcoms and sci-fi from the 50s and 60s.

“We’re so excited to offer this to the community,” Trunzo said. “We’re giving kids a place to be young adults and they do come here and act like young adults. The objective is to always give young people with talent the opportunity to be creative.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

KRAZY KUP ADDRESS: 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd.

PHONE: (813) 752-1220 HOURS: 8:13 a.m. to 8:13 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10:33 a.m. to 10:33 p.m.

Saturdays BLACK & WHITE NITE WHEN: 6:33 to 8:13 p.m.

Thursdays DETAILS: Vintage sitcoms and sci-fi from the 50s and 60s will be played on a large drop-down screen.

YOUNG ADULT NITE WHEN: 7:33 to 10:33 p.m. Saturdays DETAILS: Live music and movies for 16- to 21-yearolds COMING SOON Get Jazzed with Live Jazz WHEN: 11:33 a.m. to 1:33 p.m. Saturdays Christian Music WHEN: Fridays

REAL ESTATE

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Red Rose Inn back on market The $3.95 million asking price is more than double what Pinellas Park investor Louis Spiro paid for the amenity in January.

The Red Rose Inn & Suites is back on the market, listed in mid-February for $3.95 million, through Florida Executive Commercial Brokers Inc. LBMT Properties LLC, led

by Louis Spiro, of Pinellas Park, purchased the 280room Red Rose for $1.5 million at the beginning of the year.

Because the Red Rose and 7.8-acre property sat vacant for 18 months, Spiro knew the property needed maintenance before he re-listed it.

Since the purchase, he’s been working to polish the grounds by sprucing up the parking lot, painting the exterior and adding some landscaping. Wire that had been stolen from the banquet room was replaced. But the lobby underwent the most dramatic change, a transformation from the nostalgic “Gone with the Wind” motif former owner Evelyn Madonia loved to a more modern look.

“It looks so fresh,” said FECB President Kiran Patel.

“What we have here is a substantial asset. The property has the potential to be a great hotel again.”

Among the assets include the lobby with a full-service restaurant and bar that can seat up to 250 people and a free-standing ballroom that can seat up to 450 people.

The rooms were utilized often by the community in the past before the Red Rose closed. Charity events, such as Dancing with the Locals and the Rainbow Ball, were held at the Red Rose. Since the closing, local organizations have had to use different venues.

Spiro did not attend the Aug. 16 auction last year, in Lakeland, which featured the Red Rose, as well as a plethora of other properties and equipment owned by Evelyn and Batista Madonia.

At the auction, a $2.1 million bid was placed for the Red Rose but not accepted. It was $100,000 less than the Madonias paid in 2002, not to mention the $4 million they spent in renovations.

The Madonias had made their fortune in the tomato business as East Coast Brokers & Packers. When the Madonias’ daughter, Laurie, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, the family took a step back from the business to care for her.

They searched for a cure taking her everywhere — from Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore, to the Vatican. She died two years ago.

Her illness, coupled with bad harvest seasons from freezes, a hurricane and a battle with cheap Mexican tomatoes, led to the family’s financial difficulties.

The real estate and equipment assets of East Coast Brokers & Packers have been sold through several auctions handled by Murray Wise Associates, through Crosby and Associates Inc., Woltz & Associates and Weeks Auction Co. Inc. The sales, including the Red Rose, generated $77.3 million, but creditors are owed at least $100 million.

The Madonias’ fall captivated the Tampa Bay area, including Spiro. He first heard the story of the Red Rose on the news. It piqued his interest in investing in the forgotten hotel.

Patel, who specializes in hotels, said there has been several inquiries about the Red Rose. But, it hasn’t even been on the market for a month. Usually, at about the month mark, more inquiries will come, he said.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

HERO / PAGE 1 day, and he’s not here,” Kathy says.

But, she knows he’s sacrificing for the greater good. He’s also working to build them a better life.

BOOT CAMP AND BEYOND

Tommy had been considering joining the military for about a year. Kathy’s father, a 17-year veteran of the U.S. Army, shared with him the details about the military. That inspired him to enlist.

“I always preferred the Air Force, because from what I’ve heard, it’s a better lifestyle than compared to the other branches,” Tommy says.

Tommy and Kathy finally found the courage to tell his parents. The family was sad to see him go but proud of his dedication and ambition.

“I didn’t want to let him go away,” Judy says. “But I knew it was right for him. I understand.

We understand.”

Before he left for boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas, Kathy and Tommy said good-bye by exchanging vows in a small ceremony at the courthouse. The two had met at Durant High School. Tommy was her brother’s best friend, so she didn’t initially pursue him. But, once she told her brother, also named Tommy, that she had a secret

PRUETS / PAGE 1 have been older than some of his clients.

“My father loved Meals on Wheels,” Susan said. “They felt that if you were part of the community, you needed to give back to the community.

They taught that God has given everyone special abilities, and it’s up to you to use it.

“I look forward to carrying on their legacy,” Susan said.

Charles and Alicia Pruet died Jan. 13, 2013, in a car accident.

Mrs. Pruet, 83, was attempting to make a left turn from Johnson Road onto James L. Redman Parkway with Mr. Pruet, 84, in the passenger seat. Their 2009 Hyundai was struck on the driver side by a southbound semi-truck.

Graduation was a day of triumph. Kun’s family closed the shop down for four days to travel to see him.

“It was very exciting,” his father, Sam, says.

The first time they saw Tommy was during the Airman’s Run. The 2.5-mile run is a victory celebration ending at a reception with family and friends.

Sam was the first one to spot Tommy.

“He’s not supposed to smile, but I saw Tommy smile anyway,” Sam says.

It was a proud moment for his family.

“I’m definitely proud, but I know it’s going to be hard when he deploys,” Kathy says.

Fortunately for Kathy, that

won’t be for a little while longer. Tommy is now stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base, in Texas, studying aircraft metals technology until May. Tommy will perform aircraft maintenance through welding, creating templates, removing poisonous deposits and more.

“Tech school has been a breeze, with all the freedom they give you compared to boot camp,” Tommy says. “My classes are pretty easy, because it deals with more of a hands-on experience, which I prefer.”

After he graduates from technical school, Tommy and Kathy will move to Moody Air Force Base, in Georgia.

Tommy is no stranger to moving. When he was younger, his family moved from Boston to Plant City to start the shop.

“I do miss Plant City,” Tommy says. “It was a big change for me coming from Boston to Plant City, but I met some of the sweetest customers. It was a pleasure to come into work and meet all my Plant City customers every morning.”

And although he no longer will see his customers, Tommy knows he’ll have plenty of visits with his family on holidays.

“We are very, very proud,” Judy says. “It’s hard that he went, but when we see him, what he’s done, we’re so proud.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

“I have so many wonderful, wonderful memories of my parents,” Susan said.

Mrs. Pruet was a nurturer extraordinaire. Born in Lakeland, she had been an only child and spent some time in a boarding school, while her father was deployed to Japan during World War II. Her mother was allowed to accompany him, but Mrs. Pruet had to stay behind. Since then, she always wanted a big family.

She met Mr. Pruet in school, when they were just teenagers.

They married after high school, and Mrs. Pruet’s dreams of having a family came true. She had four children and fell into the homemaking life.

Growing up on her own, Mrs. Pruet had to teach herself how to cook. She couldn’t even

scramble an egg when she got married. But, she grew to make family feasts, and Susan calls her from scratch rolls “legendary.”

Wherever the family moved, Mrs. Pruet was involved in garden clubs, including the Garden Club of Plant City, and was a National Flower Show Judge.

She also taught English and was a tutor at The Bread of Life Mission in Plant City.

Mr. Pruet adored his wife. He started every mealtime prayer thanking God for his beautiful Alicia.

Prayer was a focal point in the couple’s life. They suffered through life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer and heart problems. Mr. Pruet couldn’t pass a hospital without saying a prayer for

crush, the two began dating.

Boot camp is hard for any recruit, but Tommy relied on the work ethic he learned from his family to lead him through it.

“Boot camp was a game, really, between the military training instructors and the trainees,” Tommy says. “It was a great experience. I made what I would consider lifelong friends.”

With family in mind, the biggest obstacle wasn’t tough drills or psychological warfare. Rather, it was just being away from home.

“Being away from my wife and my family was the hardest part,” he says.

PLANT CITY PRIDE

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The goal is to figure out what the priorities of the community are. You do that by getting out and talking to people, making friends. You have find out how to best serve the people.

— Greg Horwedel

HORWEDEL / PAGE 1

four assistant county administrators in the areas of code enforcement; public safety; parks and recreation; public works; economic development; and more. There will be about 1,500 employees under his supervision.

“It’s not a whole lot different (than what I do now),” Horwedel said of the new position.

“You apply the same principles; it’s just a bigger stage.

“It’s a nice fit,” he said. “Mike and I believe a lot of the same things. Our philosophies are closely aligned — customer service and fiscal responsibility. Good government shows the public we give great value for the dollar.

If you’re going to forcibly extract money from people, you have to provide a good product at a great value.”

Merrill agrees with Horwedel’s business-like, customer-first approach to local government.

“I’ve gotten to know him well over the years, working on different issues with him,” Merrill said of Horwedel. “I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with his style. He’s a problem-solver; he’s got good judgement.”

Horwedel first came to Plant City in 2006, serving as assistant city manager under former City Manager David Sollenberger. He took the helm when Sollenberger retired in 2010.

Under Horwedel’s leadership, the city began work on a several large projects that ultimately will direct the city’s future. The Northeast Plant City Area Master Plan outlines antici-

CELEBRATION OF LIFE WHEN: 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15 WHERE: Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1107 Charlie Griffin Road, Plant City INFORMATION: If desired, donations may be made in the Pruets’ names to either the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Fund, 1107 Charlie Griffin Road, Plant City, FL. 33566, or the Bread of Life Christian Mission, 908 E. Reynolds St., Plant City, FL. 33563. everyone inside.

He also couldn’t let a veteran pass without thanking the ser-

pated growth in the next 20 years in the city’s 22-square-mile northeastern quadrant and how to accommodate the potential impacts on Interstate 4. In 2013, Calgary-based Walton International Group purchased the 1,008-acre Cone-Graham property, located generally at the southwest corner of Knights Griffin and Charlie Taylor roads, for $18.1 million. The firm plans to build an upscale, master-planned community with up to 2,500 homes.

Horwedel also led the city’s work on the Midtown Redevelopment Vision Plan, which included purchasing and assembling a variety of individual land parcels, the realignment of Wheeler Street and securing federal grant money to clean contaminated sites on the property. The Plant City Commission approved in February the design concept for the Village Green park, which will become the centerpiece of the redevelopment project. Ultimately, Midtown will become a live, work, play community just south of Historic Downtown Plant City.

“The hallmark of good government is to look ahead, plan and execute,” Horwedel said.

Horwedel also led the city through the Great Recession, which resulted in a 23% decline in general fund revenues, largely because of falling property values. Despite that decline, the city’s millage rate has remained the lowest in the county. He attributes all of the city’s successes to his staff.

vice member for their sacrifice.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Mr. Pruet always loved to volunteer. He was a Little League and football coach and a Boy Scout leader.

And when he wasn’t volunteering, he was scouring garage sales for hidden treasures and playing with dogs and his grandchildren.

Both were active members of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Plant City.

“I could sit and talk about them for hours,” Susan said.

“There’s no doubt in my mind they’re in heaven. I take comfort in that they’re together. ‘Til the day they died, they held hands.”

Survivors include a son, Tom S. Pruet; daughters, Susan D.

SEE HORWEDEL / PAGE 5 Pruet and Maybian P. (Dr. Michael) Gloth; and grandchildren, Thomas Charles, Emily Kathleen and Lauren Deanna Pruet, Alicia Danielly Pruet, Anna Marissa, Mary-Kate, Jane Miriam and Molly Julianne Gloth and Yessica Chavez.

They were predeceased by son, Charles Clinton Pruet Jr. A celebration of their lives will be at 3 p.m. March 15, at Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1107 Charlie Griffin Road.

If desired, donations may be made in the Pruets’ names to either the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Fund, 1107 Charlie Griffin Road, Plant City, FL. 33566, or the Bread of Life Christian Mission, 908 E. Reynolds St., Plant City, FL. 33563.

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HORWEDEL / PAGE 4 “The city’s government isn’t just me,” Horwedel said. “I don’t turn the water on and off. My job at the top is to set the tone.”

As the city moves forward, Horwedel said it is important that his successor continues to oversee the Midtown project. He also advocates for more parks throughout the city and especially for pay increases for the city staff.

“We need to find raises for the employees,” he said. “We need to take a look again and see if we can find a permanent wage increase. Our employees work too hard (not to have one).”

Longtime Plant City Commissioner Mike Sparkman said he will miss Horwedel.

“I’m very disappointed that he’s going to the county; but, the promotion puts him in good standing,” he said. “It just sounds like a terrific opportunity for him.

“He is really aggressive, on top of things,” Sparkman said. “He’s a super-smart individual.

You can’t blame him, and there’s not much more to say than, ‘Thank you.’”

This will be Sparkman’s third time of serving on the commission during a search for a new manager. The first time, he was involved in a national search, which resulted in Phil Waldron serving as city manager. When Waldron retired in

2002, citing health reasons, the commission led a search that yielded Sollenberger, former city manager of Sarasota.

Sparkman said the City Commission will begin a search process following the County Commission’s approval of Horwedel’s hire.

“Once they (county commissioners) give their blessing and approval, he needs to go on to work with the county, and we’ve got to start our process as soon as possible,” he said.

In the interim, Assistant City Manager Bill McDaniel will handle the day-to-day duties, Sparkman said.

Despite the new position at the county, Horwedel said he has no plans to move out of Plant City.

“Plant City is a terrific place,” he said.

Furthermore, he expects there will be no shortage of applicants for the city manager position.

“This is a dynamic city in a dynamic county; there’s an opportunity to do a lot of things right,” Horwedel said. “This job is going to be an attractive one, in a high-profile county. I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t jump at the opportunity.”

Associate Editor Amber Jurgensen contributed to this report.

Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.

MARIJUANA / PAGE 1 When deputies arrived, they discovered fresh pry marks on the rear of a shed. K-9 deputies then tracked and located two suspects, Yunel HernandezCarrera and Leonardo Benito Catala. Both were arrested without incident. Patrol deputies located the van nearby and later arrested driver Yenisleidy Moreno-Morgan in connection with the other two males involved.

During the search of a detached garage, detectives discovered it had been converted for the sole purpose of cultivating marijuana. A total of 66 large marijuana plants growing inside soil-filled pots were seized, along with several pieces of equipment used to manufacture marijuana. TECO responded and located an illegal electricity connection providing unmetered electricity to the garage and estimates the theft of electricity at about $10,000.

COPS

Courtesy photo

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office investigators found 66 large marijuana plants inside the garage.

The marijuana weighed 220 pounds, with an estimated street value of $265,000.

Detectives arrested the tenant, Luis Alvarez-Alonso, of Plant City, and charged him with trafficking marijuana; manufacture of marijuana; own, lease or rent for the pur-

MANATEE

The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Plant City Police Department.

FEB. 27

THE OL’ SWITCHEROO

610 block of North Maryland Avenue. Grand Theft by Employee. Between the early part of January and the week of Feb. 24, the store management had investigated the employee. It was determined she switched prices or did not ring up merchandise correctly. Post-Miranda, the employee confessed to the thefts totaling almost $500. The store did not want to prosecute and signed a waiver. The employee resigned from and was escorted off the property.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

620 block of Coronet Street. Narcotics Arrest. The officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for running a stop sign. During contact, he smelled burnt marijuana smoke. Both suspects, twin siblings, had marijuana on their person. A total of four grams was found on both suspects. They were arrested and released with a court date.

WHAT A GUY

1320 block of East Alsobrook Street. Warrant Arrest. The officer responded in reference to a 911 hangup call. Upon his arrival, he met with the caller and learned she was in a verbal dispute with her boyfriend. Once the officer determined that no physical violence took place, an FCIC/ NCIC check revealed the boyfriend had an outstanding warrant for a lewd and lascivious battery, issued by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect was arrested.

MARCH 1

FLESH WOUND

100 block of North Palmer Street. Aggravated Battery with Permanent Injury. A verbal altercation led to the suspect displaying a concealed firearm, for which he could not produce a li-

pose of trafficking; and thirddegree grand theft (electricity).

Catala, of Pembroke Pines, and Hernandez-Carrera and Moreno-Morgan, both of Miami, were charged with possession of burglary tools and burglary of an unoccupied structure.

CORNER cense, in a threatening manner to a subject inside of a downtown bar during Bike Fest. The victim reacted to the threat by removing a Tazer and using it several times against the suspect. The suspect began to strike the victim in the face with his first and ultimately bit off a large portion of the victim’s nose. It was at this time that a second suspect grabbed the victim from the rear, while the suspect began to leave the scene. Officers detained all parties, and independent testimony led to the arrest of the two suspects. Unfortunately, a search of the area did not locate the nose chunk.

MARCH 2

CIGS STOLEN

1900 block of Bargo Street. Petit Theft. The victim reported that someone stole his E-cigarettes, valued at $100.

SNACK ATTACK

2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Shoplifting/Petit Theft. The suspect selected and concealed $16.10, worth of food products and exited the business without rendering payment.

MARCH 3

TRUCK TROUBLE

1800 block of East Linda Street. Criminal Mischief. Overnight, unknown person(s) took an unknown item and smashed the windshield and front passenger-side window of a white Ford F-150.

FUNNY MONEY

2510 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Counterfeit Bill. The officer responded to the business in reference to a fake $100 bill. The victim said the suspect tried to buy cigarettes and presented the fake bill as payment. The suspect stated he just received it as payment for lawn work. The victim identified it as fake and after having done so, she advised the suspect. He left the store in an unknown direction, and the store was not out any property. There was no video available.

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Cuties compete in Baby Parade More than 100 competitors took center stage for the Florida Strawberry Festival GFWC Plant City Junior Woman’s Club’s 2014 Baby Parade March 8, in front of the Eye Express grandstands.

Bailey Renae Keys was crowned this year’s Baby Parade Queen, while Jayden Zane McDaris won the title of Baby Parade King.

Organized by chairwoman Natasha

4-YEAR-OLDS MOST BEAUTIFUL

Queen: Bailey Keys Second: Amari Jackson Third: Audra Helms

MOST HANDSOME

King: Jayden McDaris Second: Levi Newman Third: Trey O’Brien

PERSONALITY

Davis and co-chair Marissa Brewington, the parade featured some of Plant City’s cutest kids. WQYK morning show host Veronica Young served as this year’s emcee, and trophies were presented by the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court and the Junior Royalty Court.

The contestants for Most Beautiful Girl, Most Handsome Boy, Most Personality, Best Costume and Best Float.

Second: Luke Drawdy Third: Malachi Horn

PERSONALITY

First: Avalynn Mclellan Second: Dylan Brewington Third: Deacon Rosa

COSTUME

First: Annslea Woody Second: Jayden VanCamp Third: Isabella Pippin

First: Maddox Eben Second: Addison Inzerillo Third: Isabella Smith

FLOAT

COSTUME

2-YEAR-OLDS

First: Angel Jarvis Second: Alayna Glisson Third: Jackson Sturgis

FLOAT

First: Carson Hattaway Second: Annie All Third: Gage Knowles

3-YEAR-OLDS MOST BEAUTIFUL

First: Astin Hallman Second: Julia Switch Third: Aubrey Duncan

MOST HANDSOME First: Deacon Rosa

First: Cody McDowell

MOST BEAUTIFUL

First: Abigail Benitez Second: Rylie Morris Third: Alaina Jones

MOST HANDSOME

First: Brexten Warner Second: Easton Goff Third: Caden Roberts

PERSONALITY

First: Jayden Rios Second: Rylie Morris Third: Ryder Ennis

COSTUME

Locally Owned The Plant City Times & Observer is published

by Plant City Media LLC, a joint-venture of the Tampa Bay Times and Plant City Observer LLC.

110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 704-6850 www.PlantCityObserver.com &RS\ULJKW 3ODQW &LW\ 0HGLD //& $OO 5LJKWV 5HVHUYHG

STRONG FINISH

The Florida Strawberry Festival concluded its 2014 run with plenty of music, food and family fun.

From the ever-popular St. Clement Catholic Church Strawberry Shortcake-Eating Contest and the annual GFWC Woman’s Club Baby Parade to the Steer Show and, of course, nightly concerts, this year’s festival lived up to those of years past.

For complete coverage, including exclusive videos and more photos, visit the 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival section of PlantCityObserver.com.

Third: Julee Guerra

FLOAT

First: Jaycee Pawelczik Second: Everett Devalle Third: Maddox Sewell

1-YEAR-OLDS MOST BEAUTIFUL

First: Addisyn Wise Second: Presley Hay Third: Sutton Duncan

MOST HANDSOME

First: Frank D’Amico III Second: Scott Terrell Third: Remington Wright

PERSONALITY

First: Kloee Zulii Hitchner Second: Wilder Sheirling Third: Scott Terrell

COSTUME

First: Eason Beers Second: Ava Bikowski Third: Catalina Villanueva

FLOAT

First: Everett Davenport Second: Cade Brock Third: Remington Wright The 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court, and the Junior Royalty Court, congratulated 2014 Baby Parade 4-year-old winners Maddox Eben (personality), Jayden McDaris (Most Handsome) Bailey Renae Keys (Most Beautiful), Angel Jarvis (Costume) and Carson Hattaway (float).

First: Callie Pelham Second: Tucker Boyd

Plant City Times & Observer

2014 Florida Strawberry Festival by Plant City Times & Observer staff

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To contact us, send your information via: Email: Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.com.

Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563

CONTACT US The Plant City Times & Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City.

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General Manager/Advertising / Tony Del Castillo, tdelcastillo@tampabay.com Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / (Community) Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Justin Kline, jkline@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Executives / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@PlantCityObserver.com; Joanna Verga, jverga@tampabay.com Circulation/Office Manager / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

“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

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LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Matthew Pass jumped through hoops to make sure his proposal to girlfriend, Jennifer Aquino, at the Florida Strawberry Festival was perfect. And, believe it or not, they weren’t the only proposal at this year’s Florida Strawberry Festival.

The Band Perry closed the 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival with an energetic show.

Sophia Resendez competed in the Baby Parade.

Contestants in the Lamb Costume Contest showed off plenty of creativity.

Many Plant City students competed in the Steer Show.

Loren Daudt visited the festival from Crown, Minn.

Jeremy Lloyd received his trophy from Florida Strawberry Festival Queen Jessi Rae Varnum after he won the Strawberry Shortcake-Eating Cotest.

For Plant City native Matthew Pass, the Florida Strawberry Festival always has been a big part of his life.

But this year, he made a memory on the grounds he will never forget. Pass proposed to his girlfriend, Jennifer Aquino, atop a glittering ferris wheel.

And although the evening ending perfectly, it didn’t start out so picturesque.

“I had to jump through a lot of hoops,” Pass said.

Pass was working at his dad’s booth at the festival Wednesday, March 5, when he took a break to scout out a location at which he could propose to Aquino.

Her mother, Sonia, was in town from the Dominican Republic, and he wanted to propose before Sonia left Plant City.

He discovered the Ron Diamond show at the Hershey’s Strawberry Tent.

Diamond, a comedic hypnotist, was thrilled when Pass approached him with the possibility of proposing on stage. Diamond was going to

Jennifer Aquino and Matthew Pass met at church. call the couple up as random volunteers. Then, he was going to hand Aquino a box and have her unwrap it. The box was going to start out big and contain smaller and smaller boxes inside until she got to the last one — a ring box.

But, Aquino couldn’t make it in time for the show. She was working in downtown Tampa. So, Pass had to improvise. He talked

Courtesy photo

to the band scheduled to perform after Diamond.

But, she didn’t make that show, either. So, Pass turned to the biggest thing in the sky — the ferris wheel. He asked the operator to stop the wheel for a few minutes while they were on top.

Although Aquino didn’t know Pass was about to pop the question, her son, Iberson, did. When they loaded into the hanging basket, he

CONGRATS, LAUREN AND ANDREW

Matthew Pass and Jennifer Aquino weren’t the only ones who got engaged at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Florida Strawberry Festival spokeswoman Lauren Der got the surprise of her life, when U.S. Marine Andrew McNair got down on one knee and proposed before The Band Perry concert March 9, on the Wish Farms Soundstage.

Michael Eng

readied his hand on the record button of his phone.

Sonia also knew. But she stayed behind, safe on the ground. She was scared of heights.

Ironically, so was Pass and Aquino.

It took some coaxing for Pass to get Aquino to stop covering her eyes and look at him as they lifted higher into the sky. They stopped at the top as planned. Overlooking the colorful lights and vibrancy of the festival, Pass got down on one knee.

“Why up here?” she said.

Pass asked again. She said yes. As soon as they did, they wheel started moving back towards the solid ground.

“If she didn’t say, ‘Yes,’ that would have been the worst ferris wheel ride down,” Pass said.

The couple met almost two years ago at their church, Victory Outreach Tampa. His first impression of her was that she was outgoing and fun. He used to playfully tease her about her accent. But as he got to know her, he knew she was something special.

“She’s a really good person,” Pass said. “She’s serious about God and just having a good life.”

The couple is planning for a wedding in June or July. Pass, who is studying theology, will be attending a church conference in August and wants to attend it as a married couple.

“For me, I’m just excited and happy,” Pass said.

— Amber Jurgensen

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meet the champs by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Students triumph in livestock arena Each student worked hard to raise their animal and compete at this year’s festival.

Although the rides, food and entertainment may grab the most attention at the Florida Strawberry Festival, the annual event also includes some serious business for Plant City-area ag competitors. This week, we meet some of the champions of the 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival.

GRAND CHAMPION STEER: CLAY JOYNER RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION: SHANNON GILL For Strawberry Crest sophomore Clay Joyner, showing livestock is a family affair. His father, Wesley, had a Grand Champion swine. His sister, Aly, was called up for Grand Champion steer last year. This year, it was Joyner’s turn in the spotlight.

He won Grand Champion steer at this year’s Florida Strawberry Festival.

“Whenever he (the judge) sticks his hand out to you, the year flashes before you,” Joyner said. “All that hard work.”

Although Joyner knew his steer, Henry, looked good this year, he was still nervous when walking into the arena. But after he won his class, he eased up.

“The next time I went in, I was more excited and living in the moment,” Joyner said.

Joyner has been in FFA since attending Tomlin Middle School. His family has lived on its Cork property — complete with a barn and some fields — for five generations.

So, Joyner was able to get coaching at school and at home.

“Showing and agriculture are big in Plant City,” Joyner said. “I didn’t

have a choice. My dad got me a hog, and I just got attached to it.”

Going from a 300-pound pig to a 1,200-pound steer was quite a challenge. But Joyner said Henry was a pretty gentle animal. He got Henry right before the festival last year. As a baby, Henry started out at 300 pounds.

The previous year, he showed

a steer named Sirloin, who was much more aggressive than Henry.

But Joyner already is looking ahead to next year. He purchased his next steer, Domino, named for the white-and-black speckling on his face.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win,” Joyner said. “People go all four years without placing first. Now that I kind of have an idea after two years of raising, I’m excited.”

GOOD DEED REWARDED AT SWINE SHOW There were many other stories of triumphs throughout the shows at the 2014 Strawberry Festival.

One involves a student from Simmons Career Center, Anthony Nadal.

The FFA president placed third in his class while showing his pig, Bailey, raised on the grounds of the school under the guidance of ag teacher Melissa Sampson.

Bailey sold for $7.50 per pound

GRAND CHAMPION SWINE: COLE HANSON RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION: ZACH BOZEMAN Cole Hanson races back and forth between the ruby red rows of strawberries at Turkey Creek Middle School, plucking the fruit for his ag class. Just days ago, those same hands were handling a swine in the competitive arena of the Florida Strawberry Festival.

It had taken Hanson five years for his name to be drawn to enter the competition. And for his first year, he found himself in pretty good standing. He had made it all the way to the judging of the grand champion.

And he won.

“I thought he (the judge) wasn’t coming up to me,” Hanson said. “He walked around another pig. Then, he came out behind the pigs and pointed. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’”

The very next thing he heard was his mom, Julie Hasting, screaming in the stands.

“She should’ve been a breeder; she was so beautiful,” Hasting said.

The pretty pig was named Mercedes. Hanson’s back up pig was named Benz. But Benz wasn’t needed in the spotlight that day.

Mercedes soaked it all up, selling for $13.50 per pound. She weighed 276 pounds.

Hanson’s FFA adviser, Allison Sparkman, was proud of her student’s success. She put his picture up on the school’s internal TV to Westcoast Enterprises, whose owners also own Southside.

During the show, a disabled competitor was having difficulty walking in the sand to and from his pig pen. The committee members asked Nadal to switch, because his pen was closest to

channel that scrolled through all day.

“Seeing that picture with Cole and his prize opened up the eyes of the other students,” Sparkman said. “He’s the most well-rounded kid and does a lot with FFA.” Twelve other students from Turkey Creek also were drawn to compete in the swine competition, in-

OTHER WINNERS SHEEP CHAMPIONS OVERALL GRAND CHAMPION: Aubrey Davis (white face ram) BLACK FACE EWE Grand Champion: Morgan Sistrunk Reserve Grand Champion: Christian Pelfrey BLACK FACE RAM Grand Champion: Samuel Sands Reserve Grand Champion: Christian Pelfrey WHITE FACE EWE Grand Champion: Abby Davis Reserve Grand Champion: Aubrey Davis WHITE FACE RAM Grand Champion: Aubrey Davis Reserve Grand Champion: Darby Hasting

cluding Zach Bozeman, who won Reserve Grand Champion Swine.

“All our projects did really well at the festival this year,” Sparkman said. “The sixth-graders have been so impressed. Now, they want to help and compete and to reinvest by putting their winnings back into the program.”

“That’s probably one of the biggest things to learn,” Hasting said.

“You have to borrow all the money for the pig and the feed, but when they sell it, they get to see how much they make off of it.”

Hanson was given the option of buying a four-wheeler with some of prize money. But, he already has his eyes on his next swine. the arena.

“Anthony did so without hesitation and was very humbled when people thanked him,” Sampson said.

Nadal also showed Claire, a big sheep that was raised on Simmons’ campus, as well.

SPECKLED FACE EWE Grand Champion: David Squituri Reserve Grand Champion: Sarahann Sweeney SPECKLED FACE RAM Grand Champion: Charlie Davis RARE BREED EWE Grand Champion: Brenna Sturgis Reserve Grand Champion: Kelly Cribb RARE BREED RAM Grand Champion: Avery Surrency Reserve Grand Champion: Emily Linton JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP First: Ava Hasting

Second: Emily Linton Third: Isabelle Murphy INTERMEDIATE DIVISION First: Abby Davis Second: Cole Hanson Third: Sarahann Sweeney SENIOR DIVISION First: Cassidy Hasting Second: Samuel Sands Third: Darby Hasting JUMPING SHORT-LEGGED DIVISION First: Jennifer Wayman and Kelly Cribb (tie) Third: Tyson Matthews, Kristen Felberg and Lindsay Short (tie) LONG-LEGGED DIVISION First: Samuel Sands Second: MaCayla Phillips and Cheyenne Sommer (tie) YOUTH POULTRY Grand Champion: Hannah Spivey Reserve Grand Champion: Thomas Stephenson Opposite Sex Exhibition: Tyler Jurgens Opposite Sex Production: Ashlyn Ledbetter YOUTH RABBIT Grand Champion: Triston Wager Reserve Grand Champion: Parker Webster Opposite Sex Exhibition: Benjamin Harris Opposite Sex Production: Triston Wager

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OBSERVEROBITUARIES Terry M. Blanchard

Terry M. Blanchard, 46, of Plant City, died March 3, 2014.

He is survived by his wife, Vicky S. Blanchard; children, Darrell Hall (Sandra Harwell), Miranda Hall, Tiffany Blanchard (Richard Temple), Chelsi Blanchard (Randy Brueckner), Sarah Blanchard, Heather Blanchard and Dillyn Hall; mother, Peggy Smeaton; aunt, Lora Frerichs; siblings, James “Slim” Blanchard, Tina McRae, Clint Blanchard, and Angel Osmond (Rob); sistersin-law, Melissa Bretz (Craig) and Debbie Zaccaro (Buddy); and 12 grandchildren.

Condolences may be made to the family at wecare.io.

Kathy Darlene Brown

Kathy Darlene Brown, 48, of Plant City, died Feb. 28, 2014, at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

Born Feb. 10, 1966, she was the daughter of Noel and Joane Martin Brown.

She was the wife of Jeff Bunkley.

Mrs. Brown had battled cancer with a smile on her face for four years. She was a strong, beautiful, inspirational soul. Everyone she met fell in love with her and her story of struggle, courage, determination and strength.

Survivors include a son, Hunter Bunkley; daughter, Jennalee Bunkley; brother, Ricky Brown; sisters, Diane Connell, Laurie Leighly and Karen Brown Cominski; and many nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones.

A funeral service was held March 8, at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, Plant City.

Condolences may be made to the family at haughtfuneralhome.com.

Joe Tom Compton

Joe Tom Compton, 75, of Dover, died Feb. 25, 2014.

He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and worshipped at Cal-

vary Chapel, in Brandon. He was a personable and likable man of integrity, embraced by all who met him.

Mr. Compton is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carolyn Compton; children, Joe DuRay Compton (Tricia), LaFay Compton Taylor (Tony) and Mark Compton (Cammy); sisters, Martha Wright, Claudia Martin and Edna Kidd; brotherin-law, Lewis Morgan; grandchildren, Colby Compton, Kaci Compton, Rylan Compton, Reagan Compton, Dalton Taylor, Levi Taylor, Candace Compton and Kyle Compton; and many loving nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A Celebration of Life was held March 3, at Hopewell Funeral Home.

Condolences may be made to the family at wecare.io.

Buddy L. Cook Sr.

Buddy L. Cook Sr., 73, of Plant City, died March 1, 2014.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He is survived by his children, Lisa Bass (Mike), David Ray Cook (Susan), Teresa Lynn Shirley (Roy Bailey Jr.) and Buddy L. Cook Jr. (Karen); sister, Dina Burnette; close friend Carl Martin; 14 grandchildren; and 24 greatgrandchilren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois G. Cook.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 C.R. 39 S., Plant City. Family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Hopewell Memorial Gardens, Plant City.

Condolences may be made to the family at wecare.io.

Dorothy Cook Demontmollin

Dorothy Cook Demontmollin, 86, of Plant City, died March 9, 2014.

She was a devout Christian

and loved bargain shopping.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Shirley Zanetti; and granddaughter, Bridget Booth.

Survivors include two sons, Larry Demontmollin (Laura) and Gary Demontmollin; four daughters, Kathy Raburn (Ronnie), Brenda Williams (Larry), Sandra Booth (James) and Patricia Bennett (Ray); one brother, Jerome Cook; one sister, Pauline Enfinger; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. March 13, with a funeral service at 11 a.m., at the Passion Center for Worship, 4626 S. Pipkin Road.

Condolences may be made at wellsmemorial.com.

Dolly Mae Griffin

Dolly Mae Griffin, 70, of Plant City, died March 2, 2014, at South Florida Baptist Hospital, in Plant City.

Born June 10, 1943, in Potosi, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Ervin and Lily Studdard Warden.

She was the wife of Ernest Griffin, who survives.

Mrs. Griffin had the biggest heart and loved her kids and grandkids. She had worked for 26 years and retired from Chesapeake Utilities, in Winter Haven.

Survivors also include her son, Michael Griffin; daughter, Donna (David) Anders; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by a son, Ricky Bradford.

A graveside service was held March 7, at Springhead Cemetery, Lakeland.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome. com.

Kenneth Milford Sorah

Kenneth Milford Sorah, 84 of Plant City, died March 9, 2014, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, Florida.

Born Feb. 1, 1930, in Crackers Neck, Va., he was the son of the late William and Grace Burton Sorah. He was the husband of the late Norma Anderson Sorah.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Survivors include a son, Kenneth (Marilyn) Sorah, of Plant City; daughter, Kenetha (Tom) Heape; brother, Donald (Wanda) Sorah; sisters, Thelma Gilley, Georgia Durham, Nancy (Hayward) Gilliam and Shirley Walborn; grandson, Christopher (Melonie) Sorah; and great-grandchildren Bryce and Cameron Sorah.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 13, at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1104 Cason St. Condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

Neva Katherine (Clark) Windham

Neva Katherine (Clark) Windham, 81, died Feb. 18, 2014.

She was born on June 12, 1932, in Dover, and was a lifelong resident of Hillsborough County.

She is survived by one sister, Marilyn Herring, of Plant City; her daughter, Katherine Anne Jaudon (David), of Dover; three grandchildren, Pam Miller (Chris), Christie Evans (Andrew) and Katie Damron (Kevin); 11 greatgrandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a stepdaughter, Barbara Windham, of Alabama.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Lucy Clark; two brothers, Lawrence Clark and Gail Clark; and a sister, Lucille Stephenson.

Condolences may be made at wellsmemorial.com.

Sports

YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | COMMUNITY

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Garrett Wright integral to Durant’s offensive attack. 12 SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM

SIDELINES BASKETBALL

+ Tigers travel team takes title Plant City travel ball recently added another team to its ranks, the Tigers, and they got started by making an on-court statement.

They won the Spring Fest Shootout last weekend, in Orlando, after entering the tournament as a the lowest seed.

The Tigers lost their first two pool-play games to Tampa’s Team Speights and Kissimmee’s Titans Elite, and began tournament play Sunday. They beat the topseeded Titans Elite in the rematch, 67-62, and followed up with a 49-46 win over Team Speights.

WRESTLING

+ Wynne wins silver at states

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014

hook, line and sinker by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

Anglers to cast lines at annual derby The first competition of the 18th annual Youth Fishing Derby will take place March 22.

It wouldn’t be March without Plant City’s bi-annual Youth Fishing Derby.

On March 22, kids ages 5 to 15 can load up their tackle boxes and bust out their favorite poles for a little friendly competition. As always, the event will be sponsored by Lakeland-based Landshark Charter and held behind the Randy L. Larson Softball FourPlex.

It’s not uncommon to see a few adults out there with poles, but they’re obviously not allowed to compete. This is a kids-only event, and adults who wish to help their children

can only go as far as baiting the hook and casting the line. The kids have to reel in and present the catch for it to count.

There are nine different species of fish to be caught in the pond, but two in particular — bass and catfish — are important enough for their own individual awards.

Participants will be divided into two age groups: 5 through 10 and 11 through 15. Each group is eligible for the following awards: First Bass, First Catfish, Biggest Fish and Most Fish.

Just like in a big tournament, there are official scorecards,

photographers and a weigh-in station to capture and judge the event. And, for adults with younger children, there’s always the opportunity to make this a memorable, first-time fishing experience.

Among the fresh faces will be some veterans of the derby, such as 2013 winner Julia Kripas.

LOOKING FOR A THREE-PEAT

It’s safe to say that Julia, 7, has a knack for catching bass.

She swept the competition for the biggest bass in 2013, winning with a 5-pound, 2-ounce fish in March and a

2-pound, 8-ounce fish in September.

Kripas has been fishing with her family since she was 2 years old, and the family usually goes out in the salt water.

Her favorite spot is the Manatee River, where she catches snook, but there have been other fish that have surprised her.

“My favorite was when I caught a shark,” she says.

“We were on my grandpa’s boat, fishing with my dad, my grandpa and grandma, and my mom. It was a hammer-

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

tribute by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

Strawberry shortcake showdown

Plant City High School’s Kip Wynne came home last week, from Naples, with some new hardware.

The wrestler finished second in the Junior 170 division at the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association State Championships, thanks to a series of pinfalls. He began by pinning Thundercats Wrestling’s Jose Sandoval in 1:56, and then finished off Naples Titans’ Frankie Jaramillo in 2:58.

Maykei Dolorit, of Eagle Empire Wrestling, gave Wynne the most resistance yet, but the Plant City wrestler was able to pin Dolorit in 3:46 to advance to the finals. Wynne squared off against Cypress Lake High School’s Chase Zahaika, and was pinned in 2:31.

BASEBALL

+ Raiders, Chargers cruise at tourney The annual Saladino Tournament at Newsome High School got underway this week, and all three area schools participated. Plant City and Strawberry Crest just happened to face each other Wednesday.

Results from that game weren’t available at press time, but up to then, both teams were impressive.

Plant City got things started with a 4-1 win over Freedom, tying it up in the third and using a three-run fourth to pull ahead. Ryan Boyd and Miguel Martinez combined for seven strikeouts, one hit and one run over four innings, and Boyd picked up the win.

Tuesday, on the other hand, saw a 7-0 blowout of Riverview. Boyd picked up the win once again, this time going for six strikeouts over four no-hit innings, and catcher Trey Matthews had a huge day at the plate — going 3-for-4 with three RBI. The Chargers started tournament play with a 6-0 blowout of Chamberlain.

Brandon Harris went 1-for-1 with a two-RBI single, and Logan Fernandez led the team by going 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored. Jake Ralyea and Ben Welch also finished with an RBI, and Alex Kachler threw five innings of three-hit, fourstrikeout ball to get the win.

The next day, Crest held on late to preserve a 3-1 win over Wharton.

Durant also participated in the tournament but didn’t fare as well. The Cougars dropped both of their games, losing 2-0 to Newsome and 2-1 to Jefferson, in almost the exact same way.

Justin Kline

Julia Kripas is just one of many kids who plan to compete in next SEE FISHING / PAGE 13 Saturday’s Youth Fishing Derby.

Betty Jo Roetzheim says she will remember her husband for the love and friendship they shared.

REMEMBERING

ROETZHEIM William ‘Bill’ Roetzheim died at age 85. He left behind an incredible legacy in the sport of gymnastics.

Walden Lake residents may remember playing tennis with Bill Roetzheim sometime since 1985. Like many people, Mr. Roetzheim chose to retire in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World after a long career in teaching and coaching at the high school and college levels.

Unlike many people, however, there was much more to the “Chief” than meets the eye — he was also one of the greatest American gymnasts of all time.

His home office, left untouched since his Feb. 26 passing, looks like a little museum.

Housed in the biggest frame is

his collection of earned medals — it’s missing a few but still impressive. Plaques and pictures of a young Mr. Roetzheim cover the walls, whether he was showcasing his talent on the bars, rubbing elbows with legends such as Jim Thorpe or carrying the torch in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

The torch itself is hanging on one of the walls, too.

Just about the only things that one can’t find in the Mr. Roetzheim household are the history books — and rule books — that the man almost single-handedly re-wrote.

RISING STAR

Born in 1929, in Chicago, Mr. Roetzheim’s first exposure to the sport was in a movie theater. His father, who worked for the city, took his boy to a showing of a film about the 1936 Summer Olympics, held in Berlin, Germany. It was then that Mr. Roetzheim got hooked on the sport, and he began training shortly afterward.

In 1948, at 18 years old, Mr. Roetzheim’s years of hard work paid off with a selection to the U.S. Olympic Team — just in

SEE ROETZHEIM / PAGE 14

Justin Kline

A CAMPING ENTHUSIAST

One of Bill Roetzheim’s favorite things to do was go camping.

His interest was sparked during a family trip to Colorado, where Bill and Betty Jo saw a lot of families camped out at night — tents pitched, fires blazing, good times being had.

So, he bought a holiday rambler, and the family went back. This started an annual tradition: For the three months that the entire family was on summer vacation (Mr. and Mrs. Roetzheim were both teachers), the clan would go on a camping trip.

They’ve been to national parks all over the United States, traveled up to Canada and even went down to Mexico — where they once set up camp at an airport in the Yucatan Peninsula.

I remember the first time I tried a St. Clement Strawberry Shortcake very well.

It was just a couple of weeks ago, at the Florida Strawberry Festival’s media party. We had just eaten dinner, and I made sure to save some room for one of those bad boys. When I took my first bite, I knew it was the best strawberry shortcake I’d ever had.

Which is exactly what I told our editor.

Without missing a beat, he asked me if I wanted to try my hand in the festival’s strawberry JUSTIN shortcakeKLINE eating contest. I accepted.

“This should be fun,” I thought to myself.

I can put down a lot of food when I want to, but I’d never tried to eat a ton of dessert in one sitting. Leading up to the event, I assumed (without doing any research) that they would just hand us bowl after bowl of shortcake and ask us to eat as many as we can within a given time limit.

Nope! It’s not that simple.

When I got to the Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent, they were showing off these four-pound monstrosities of strawberry goodness. Eating one of these things was going to be like scaling the Aggro Crag in Nickelodeon GUTS, except with a 10-minute time limit.

And, of course, this ended up being the one event that seemingly every media outlet decided to cover. All eyes were really on me.

So, I changed my goal on the fly: Rather than stick with the “finish everything at all costs” plan, I switched to “do not puke in front of the video cameras and Florida Strawberry

SEE KLINE / PAGE 13

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baseball by Justin Kline | Staff Writer

The Ohio State Buckeyes are among many schools participating in the tournament

P.C. hosts college tourney Mike Sansone Park has been extra busy in March, thanks to the National Collegiate Baseball and Softball Associations.

The baseball tourney has been going strong since the start of the month, and the games have been entertaining so far. March 11 featured a defensive effort between the Michigan Tech

Huskies and the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Central Michigan Chippewas took on the Cleveland State Vikings.

The March 13 slate of baseball games feature names such as Virginia Tech, Marquette, Pittsburgh, Ohio State and Illinois State.

Softball play begins March 13, as well.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

GARRETT WRIGHT Durant High School has been focusing more on its hitting in 2014, and one of the seniors at the forefront of the movement is Garrett Wright. The center fielder sports the Cougars’ third-best batting average, at .435, but leads the team with eight RBI and nine runs scored. This past week, he went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run against Lennard (a 6-1 win), and 2-for-3 in a 2-0 loss to Newsome.

What’s been your approach at the plate for this week?

Our team has been hitting the ball hard, putting it in play, so that’s what I’ve been trying to do. Especially the leadoff hitters.

Yesterday’s game was close but didn’t go so well. What went wrong?

Overall, we didn’t do too bad — just one bad inning. We just struggled with hitting with runners in scoring position.

Just didn’t get any timely hits.

And this Jefferson game — how can you bounce back?

We played them in the fall and didn’t have our best game. We had a long tournament at University of Tampa, it was the last game we played, and we were a little tired. But, they’re going to see a different team this time. We have a different pitcher on the mound, he’s doing a lot better, and we have a different approach at the plate.

How’s the new hitting approach working out for you?

I feel like we’ve surprised a lot of people with our hitting.

A lot of pitchers are taking different approaches, trying to throw us a lot

of off-speed pitches, but we’ve adjusted well.

You’re a senior, do you have any college prospects?

Actually, I just committed to College of Central Florida.

It’s a twoyear JuCo school in Ocala.

After that, I plan on going to the best possible place I can go to and get some playing time.

What are your hobbies outside of baseball?

Practicing baseball and hanging out with friends.

Stuff like that. I have a lake house that I like going to, on Crooked Lake, and I go wakeboarding, waterskiing, anything to do on the water. Taking it easy. I’ve been wakeboarding for (about) two years now.

A lot of people I’ve talked to are divided about this: what’s the best baseball movie of all time?

That would be “The Sandlot.�

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Probably to teleport. I could go wherever I wanted to.

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KLINE / PAGE 11 ry Festival Queen and Court.”

After all, a personal victory is still a victory.

The guy to my left was competing with a co-worker, and the guy to my right just said, “I’m hungry.” They both looked worried when the little Aggro Crags were placed in front of them but immediately started planning their moves.

“Mine’s all broken up already,” the guy to my right said, examining his cracked shortcake. “I can go right into the middle now, and it’s easier when they take the spoons away.”

I stopped rooting for myself before the competition began.

An older gentleman two seats to my right, whose name was Sam, told the crowd he entered the contest, because he had never won anything in his life.

He was hoping to change that by killing this plate of Aggro Crag.

Shortly afterward, we got started. Here’s how it went down: 0:00: I hope I don’t break this little plastic spoon. I’m not too confident about its chances right now.

0:20: This thing is way too tasty for an eating contest.

How can I make this not enjoyable?

1:00: A woman from St. Clement approaches me and pats me on the back. “You’re too polite, honey!” No, y’all just made something that’s way more delicious than an

limit, so I’m slowing down.

6:00: I feel like death.

7:00: If I eat this with my hands, it’s like that scene from “Hook” where the kids have an imaginary feast and eat with their hands. Except watching all of us go is probably a lot more gross than that.

7:15: Maybe I should put some whipped cream on my face and get a nice Michael McDonald look for Amber Jurgensen’s camera.

7:23: Wait, someone finished the whole thing already?

THANK GOODNESS.

Amber Jurgensen

This is Justin Kline’s “WhatDid-I-Get-Myself-Into” Look.

eating contest food should ever be.

1:30: Hey, this isn’t so bad. I should just focus on my food and (looking to the right) holy schnikes, that guy’s going hard! I have to match that pace!

2:00: Why did I not eat the shortcake part until just now? This is fantastic. How do people prefer the biscuit to this?

3:00: Did the emcee just say someone was getting close?

That’s preposterous.

4:30: If I eat any of that whipped cream right now, everything will come back out through the “in” door.

5:30: There is no way I will finish this thing in the time

FISHING / PAGE 11 head shark — the first shark I ever caught.”

That was just last year — further proof that 2013 was a good year for her.

Kripas won’t reveal her secrets — other than the fact that she used a culprit lizard as bait in the derbies — and is looking forward to competing next weekend. She’s confident that she’ll keep the streak going.

“I’m looking forward to winning again,” she says.

TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Although Julia may not be willing to share her secrets, we can offer some advice to help young anglers land more than just a bite or two.

The best place to find fish is just off of the shoreline. Fish love to swim together in mossy, plant-filled areas to find food, and most of those spots aren’t far from the edge of the water.

Not all lures are good for catching all fish.

Some like those shiny lures, but they can blind other fish and drive them away.

If you’re using live bait, keep in mind that bass like to bite on worms. It’s up to you, whether you want to use live or plastic bait. Obviously, culprit lizards also work well in that pond.

Don’t reel it in until the line gets really tight.

The co-worker of the guy to my left polished it all off, save for a few streaks of whipped cream. He might have even eaten the strawberry stem.

But, they weighed his plate and declared him the winner. Sam and the rest of us gave it our best effort and, to our credit, nobody had to get up and use the white wastebasket while the clock was running.

Somehow, I didn’t puke at all after we were done. I almost did when I got up from my chair, and when I briefly spoke with Amber and Florida Strawberry Festival court member Macaley Barrow afterward, but a superhuman effort allowed me to keep my dignity. I achieved the second goal I had set for myself, and one out of two ain’t bad.

Unfortunately, though, I can’t even look at a strawberry shortcake for at least another week or two.

IF YOU GO YOUTH FISHING DERBY WHEN: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 22. Award ceremony at noon.

WHERE: Gordon Food Service Drive (formerly Albertson Drive), west of Park Road, just behind the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex.

AGES: 5 to 15 REGISTRATION: Pre-registration can be made until 5 p.m. March 20, at the Recreation Administration offices or by calling (813) 659-4200, Ext. 4302.

Registrations also will be accepted on-site at the derby from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

COST: Free RULES: Anglers must be accompanied by an adult and bring their own poles and bait. This is a catch-and-release event.

Anglers are encouraged to bring their own five-gallon bucket for weighing.

Some fish are just curious enough to nibble and, if you keep that in mind, it’s easy to tell the difference between a nibble and a full-on bite.

Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

ª 3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP ROETZHEIM / PAGE 11 time for the Summer Games in London.

He competed for the U.S. men’s team twice, in 1948 and 1952, and also took home a pair of gold medals in the 1951 Pan-American Games — the first American to win at least

one. But, arguably his biggest accomplishments came in the collegiate circuit.

Mr. Roetzheim first attended the University of Illinois at Navy Pier and had established himself as one of the top collegiate gymnasts in the country. After two years, though, he wanted to transfer to UI-Champaign/

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Urbana. This caused an internal problem.

He was so good that his school, faced with the possibility of losing him, made a pair of new rules on the spot to keep him around. First, UI-Navy Pier ruled it was a separate entity from UI-Champaign/Urbana, despite both schools operating under the UI flagship. Then, it ruled that transferring athletes would have to wait out one year before they would be allowed to compete in intercollegiate athletics.

Does that sound familiar?

If so, it’s because a version of that rule is in place today. But, now, it’s been tweaked to prevent athletes from doing what Mr. Roetzheim did, at least when transferring to Division I schools.

Dr. Hartley Price, then the gymnastics coach at Florida State University, found a loophole in the ruling — UI-Navy Pier was not an NCAA school, like FSU was — and successfully recruited Mr. Roetzheim. In his five years at FSU, he brought the program to national prominence and won the school its first national championship.

That’s right — FSU’s first national championship wasn’t in football. It was the gymnastics team, but it was really Mr. Roetzheim himself: He scored 20 of the team’s 22 points, which was also enough to outscore all of the other teams by himself.

So, one could say he could have won a national championship all by himself, if he had to.

Now, thanks to the NCAA, no one will ever match that accomplishment. After Mr. Roetzheim’s big win, the institution completely revamped the scoring system to prevent a one-man show from happening again, thus evening the playing field.

AFTER COLLEGE

Mr. Roetzheim earned a master’s degree at FSU and went on to a career in teaching. He began at Proviso High School and also served as the school’s gymnastics coach. He held the position for 14 years, from 1955 to 1969. After that, he went back to college — serving as athletic director and gymnastics coach at UI-Chicago from 1969 until retiring in 1985.

His wife, Betty Jo “B.J.” Roetzheim, remembers the student-athletes loved her husband.

“They used to call themselves ‘Roetzy’s Rats,’” she says.

Students also called him the “Chief” and compared him to the drill sergeant in “Hogan’s Heroes.” He did not like to demonstrate anything to his gymnasts, instead preferring to coach them and help them figure it out on their own. Except for one instance, according to one former student.

BACK TO B.J.’S ROOTS

According to Betty Jo, part of the reason the Roetzheims retired to Plant City was to play tennis. But, the other part was because her family was here. Betty Jo was born and raised in Plant City and, until FSU, had never left town.

And, until she met her husband at college, she had never left Florida. It was there that the two met: She first laid eyes on him in one of the school cafeterias and had no idea he was an Olympian.

Mr. William With a little help from her Roetzheim friends, the two began datrewrote both the ing and, four years later, berecord books and gan a 60-year marriage that the rule books. took the couple, their chilCourtesy photo dren and their dog all over the United States, North “There was one guy who America, and the world. wasn’t doing a jam eagle right “I know that people like to on the high bar,” Roetzheim brag about their husbands, but says. “Bill told him over and life with Bill was a blast,” she over again, how to do it, and says. then he just got up on the bars Many will remember Mr. and did it himself. The students Roetzheim for being a stellar couldn’t believe it — it was the athlete, but Betty Jo remembest jam eagle any of them had bers him most for being a great seen, and Bill did it in his street husband — even in the last few clothes. He was 40 years old.” years of his life, when he was He was inducted in 1975, into plagued by memory problems. the Gymnastics Hall of Fame, “No matter what, he would then two years later into the wake up every morning and FSU Hall of Fame. In 1985, the say, ‘Betty Jo, I love you,’” she 14-time NAAU/NCAA national says. “What more could you champion, two-time Olympian ask for?” and gold medal winner called it Contact Justin Kline at a career. jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

THIS WEEK’S CROSSWORD ANSWERS

2013

THIS WEEK’S CRYPTOGRAM ANSWERS 1. The green movement has led to savings on lawn mowers that get good grass mileage.

2. Farmers like corny jokes, professors like wisecracks and jesters relish all types of wacky fun and fanciful humor.

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PLANT CITY

RAIN

(INCHES)

WEATHER

WED.

March 5

0.00

THURS.

TEMPERATURES

March 6

0.38

FRI.

Thurs., March 13 Fri., March 14 Sat., March 15 Sun., March 16 Mon., March 17 Tues., March 18 Wed., March 19

March 7

0.05

SAT.

March 8

0.05

SUN.

March 9

0.00

MON.

March 10

0.00

TUES.

March 11

0.00

MARCH

TO DATE

0.48 (2013: 0.46)

YEAR

TO DATE 2.54 (2013: 181)

3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHU FRP

HIGH 67 78 80 82 76 77 77

SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES SUNRISE Thurs., March 13 7:41 a.m.

Fri., March 14 7:40 a.m.

Sat., March 15 7:39 a.m.

Sun., March 16 7:37 a.m.

Mon., March 17 7:36 a.m.

Tues., March 18 7:35 a.m.

Wed., March 19 7:34 a.m.

SUNSET 6:35 p.m.

6:36 p.m.

6:37 p.m.

7:37 p.m.

7:38 p.m.

7:38 p.m.

7:39 p.m.

LOW 42 53 59 66 56 57 57

MOON PHASES

March 16

March 23

STRAWBERRY PRICES CENTRAL FLORIDA PRODUCT LOW 8 1-pound containers $6.90

HIGH $8.90

Statistics courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture

March 1

March 8

, 3&

Plant City High School student Mackenzie Luke submitted this shot of the Florida Strawberry Festival ferris wheel.

The Plant City Times & Observer, State Farm Insurance agent Tony Lee and The Corner Store have partnered to host the I Love Plant City Photo Contest.

Winners will have their photo featured and receive a $10 gift certificate to The Corner Store! To enter, email your photo, along with a caption, to Editor Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com; subject line: I Love Plant City.

Winners can pick up their prize at The Corner Store.

PUZZLE TO SOLVE?

By Gary Cooper | Edited by Timothy E. Parker ACROSS 1 Trig. function 6 Slushy fruit drink 12 “CSI” evidence 15 A case of pins and needles?

19 Earthy paint pigment 20 Riverside insurance 21 Dust cloth, often 22 Disagreement 23 Sincere talk 25 Flight deck guess 26 Book after Joel 27 Paddle kin 28 What a band might go around 29 Hard to understand 32 More sharp-tongued 35 Practice piece for one instrument 36 Dogs and cats, e.g.

38 Tool in an office desk 41 Working stiff, for short 43 Furnish food for a party 46 It’s fit to be tied 47 Actress Campbell 49 Hawaii’s Mauna ___ 50 Clamor or to-do 52 Authoritative proclamations 55 Sullies or besmirches 57 History-book chapter 58 Unexpected sports result 60 “That’s tasty!”

62 Emulate Rodin 63 The state of being under a guardian 66 Iron get-up 68 In a skillful manner 69 Happy serving 73 All set for a nightly slumber 75 “A Fistful of Dollars” director Sergio 76 Dreadfully dull 80 Young hen

82 83 85 86 88 90 93 94 96 97 98 100 106 107 108 112 114 116 117 119 120 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131

Where one can make a splash Cara on the “Flashdance” soundtrack Hudson or Chesapeake Several historic theaters Declared as fact On the beach Postgraduate field TV screen-measuring unit “Smoking or ___?”

Word on a three-sided sign Mountain climber’s tool Attending to again, as a problem America’s national flower “Sesame Street” regular Strong inclination Some write-offs Copy of a movie “Mamma ___!”

Victorian sort Santa ___, Calif.

How some dance Put into the pot Communications abbr.

Forceful removal Small weight Backtalk Pitches between innings?

Poorly made Some survey responses

DOWN 1 Some Pacific salmon 2 Indian, for one 3 Actress Belafonte 4 Always, poetically 5 Old-style computer screen

SUDOKU PACIFIC Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 24 30 31 33 34 35 37 39 40 42 43 44 45 48 51 52 53 54 56 59 61 64 65 66 67

Bit of broccoli Bring back to work Old Roman welcomes Bog fuel The “p” in rpm Mansion and grounds Zwinger museum site Gabbed Food thickener No. 2 end What bored people have Area 51 craft, supposedly “For what ___ worth ...”

Buffoon Leia’s do Capital, as a letter Mere commoner, briefly Alpaca land Film with a cast of thousands Unable to keep one’s eyes open Was a passenger Passing announcement ___ Orange, N.J. Enjoy taffy Emanating glow Ski lift contraption Word on either side of “-a-” (face-to-face) Inlaid furniture decoration Catches sight of Newbie ___ pump (drainage aid) Toothpaste containers Aspirin unit Shed feathers Live (in) Not on the football field Did dinner Horse controller

© 2013 Universal Uclick

70 71 72 73 74 77 78 79 80 81 83 84

Negative votes Buzzing annoyance Kind of code used daily Domestic from overseas Use dynamite on Slender woodwind instrument Crumbly earth Green-___ (jealous) Insect feeler 32,000 ounces “Believe ___ not!”

“Lethal Weapon 4” actress Russo

87 89 91 92 95 99 101 102 103 104

Like a CEO’s incoming calls Shorthand for a burglary: B ___ Lip-___ (mouth the words) Temperature extreme Tealike drinks Certain Native Americans Industrious insect Dance halls of the ‘70s Like some footballs or punch Gate guard

105 “... and ___ the fire” 109 Words shouted in church 110 Female in the family 111 Seizes 113 Spreadsheet contents 114 Cash in Cancun 115 Finally out of the rat race (Abbr.)

117 Mas’ counterparts 118 Cell “messenger” 121 “Come again?”

122 Flirtatiously shy 123 Color property

C RY P T O G R A M S 1 . F L Z K G Z Z C B W O Z B Z C F LV T I Z U F W T V O Q C K T W C I V D C B W D Z G T F LV F K Z F K W W U K G V T T B Q I Z V K Z .

2 . K H Q V D Q X E N C D TAQ F S G A C D X , B Q A K D X X AQ X E N C D DNXDTQHTCX HFZ GDXPDQX QDENXO HEE PSBDX DHTCS KLF HFZ K H F T N K L E O LVAQ .

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