Plant City Times &
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
A PARTNERSHIP WITH
ON CAMPUS
Jack Falter goes to his first day of school virtually.
Junior Corey King to prove himself as PCHS’ quarterback.
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TRIBUTE by Patty Ryan | Tampa Bay Times
TIMES SQUARE STAR by Emily Topper | Staff Writer
Community remembers John Germany
Mr. Germany, who grew up in Plant City, was a driving force behind Tampa’s downtown library.
+ Family presented proclamation
His diagnosis came last month. Incurable cancer. At 92, John F. Germany began to say his goodbyes. Young lawyers and old friends dropped by to see him, and his family gathered around. But there were final instructions from the man who founded downtown Tampa’s public library and remembered it in his waning hours, as he shared the beginnings of a plan to expose more children to books. “He wants people to love
Courtesy photo
John Germany moved to Plant City from Alabama when he SEE GERMANY / PAGE 4 was in infant, in 1923.
WHODUNNIT by Abby Baker | Staff Intern
Tickets on sale for mystery dinner Plant City caps off the summer with its 16th mystery dinner theater showing. Emily Topper
Easton Chandler, 4, will be featured in a video in Times Square Saturday, Sept. 19, to bring awareness to Down syndrome and support acceptance.
A Little Extra
LOVE
+ ALDI to host hiring events Plant City and Brandon residents looking for a new job opportunity in the retail industry can head to one of two hiring events in September for the grocery chain ALDI. The chain is looking for store associates, shift managers and manager trainees. Plant City’s hiring event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Plant City ALDI, 3201 James L. Redman Parkway. Brandon’s hiring event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at the Brandon ALDI, 620 E. Brandon Blvd.
Four-year-old Easton Chandler’s picture will be shown in the bright lights of Times Square Saturday, Sept. 19, along with 450 people who have the chromosomal condition Down syndrome. Jen Chandler’s favorite thing about her 4-year-old son Easton Chandler is his jubilant smile — a smile that will be seen by thousands in a video in Times Square Saturday, Sept. 19, one week after Easton turns 5. Easton has Down syndrome, a chromosomal condition that is found in more than four million people across the globe. His picture was one of 450 selected out of 2,000 submissions for the annual video event, which is sponsored by the National Down Syndrome Society. “I found a favorite picture of him and decided to submit,” Jen Chandler said. She first came across the
Interested applicants must be at least 18 years
I PC
This week’s winner is
Danielle Vinciguerra See her photo on PAGE 15.
RISING STAR
ORIENTATION
Joshua Blair is PCHS’ new band director.
OUR TOWN
Charlie and Ruth Bell, along with their daughter, Francis Bell Monticello, were presented with a proclamation by Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham at the County Commission meeting Wednesday, Aug. 19. The Bells started the first volunteer fire station in Springhead in the 1960s. They owned an air-conditioning company when they witnessed a fire near their business in the early 1960s. At that time, the closest fire rescue team was located in Valrico. It took too long for rescue teams from the Valrico and Brandon areas to arrive at the scene, and the building burned down. That incident gave the Bells the motivation to create a volunteer fire department. They kept the fire truck in their backyard, and many of the Bell’s employees worked as volunteer firefighters. This summer, a new fire station replaced the 41-year-old building near Coronet Road that housed the volunteers at one point. Station 25 now belongs to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. It is located at 2606 E. Trapnell Road, and is about 9,000 square feet.
FREE • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
SEE EASTON / PAGE 4
Some theater rehearsals are formal occasions, with the actors concentrating on the seriousness of their craft. The rehearsals for this annual mystery dinner theater are nothing like that. At St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Monday, Aug. 24, cast and crew sat around a table laughing and exchanging interpretations of each other’s characters. “We don’t take anything too seriously,” Dodie White, play director, said. On Sept. 12, the group will star in a performance that also includes dinner and audience participation at Hill-
WHEN: Doors open at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 WHERE: John R. Trinkle Center on Hillsborough Community College Plant City campus, 1206 Park Road. TICKETS: $45; Dodie White, (813) 927-0595 sborough Community College’s John R. Trinkle Center, on the Plant City campus. The show is “A Fatal Night at the County Fair,” and the
SEE MYSTERY / PAGE 5
GLITZ & GLAMOUR by Emily Topper | Staff Writer
Strawberry Ball event date changes One of the most upscale events of the season now will be held after the annual Florida Strawberry Festival.
Courtesy photo
Easton and his dad, Scott Chandler, go to T-ball games.
For as long as Plant City residents can remember, the Florida Strawberry Festival kicks off with one of the most glamorous events of the season: the Strawberry Ball. But this year will be different. The Strawberry Ball will be held in April, after the 11-day festival has ended, instead of its usual January date. The change in date will serve as a trial run in 2016, Festival Manager Paul Davis said. If successful, the board
INDEX Calendar........................2
IF YOU GO
of directors may choose to permanently hold the Strawberry Ball after the festival is over. In the past, the committee for the ball has worked around the clock to ensure a successful event. Days lasting until 11 p.m. leading up to the ball were not uncommon. The individuals who build the backdrops to the ball, such as a full-size riverboat stage, also serve on
SEE BALL / PAGE 4 Vol. 3, No. 5 | One section
Crossword....................15
Obituaries....................10
Opinion.........................6
Sports..........................11
PlantCityObserver.com
PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
COMMUNITYCALENDAR TUESDAY, SEPT. 8
Acoustic Happy Hour — music takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.
ALDI Hiring Event — takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Plant City ALDI, 3021 James L. Redman Parkway. ALDI, the nation’s lowest-price grocery leader, will host the hiring event for store associates, shift managers and manager trainees. Store associates are paid $11.25 per hour; shift managers are paid $15.25 per hour; manager trainees are paid $21 per hour with the opportunity to earn $75,000 to $85,000 as a store manager.
Chris Poindexter — live music takes place from 8 to 12 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at Duke’s Brewhouse, 2212 James L. Redman Parkway. (813) 7522700. Christian Contemporary Music — takes place from 6:33 to 8:13 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220. Shane Meade Live! — takes place beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-9100.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 Skip Frye Live! — takes place beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-9100. Young Adult Nite — takes place from 7:33 to 10:33 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Enjoy live music from local artists. (813) 752-1220.
GriefShare — takes place beginning at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Hope Lutheran Baptist Church, 2001 N. Park Road. Each GriefShare session includes a video seminar and group discussion to help cope with the death of a loved one. (813) 752-4622. The Recovery for Life — takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Lorena Jaeb Rainbow House, 504 N. Palm Drive. It is a 12-step Bible-based program to help free individuals from all forms of addiction. Debbie Ray, (813) 763-1562. Woman’s Club of Plant City Fall Kickoff Meeting — takes place beginning at 10:30 a.m.
at Plant City Woman’s Club, 1110 N. Wheeler St. A salad luncheon will be provided by officers and committee chairs.
Pastor Patrick C. Elmore on his cell at (786) 543-3261 or email pelmore@claridge. us. The church’s phone number is (813) 752-5751.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12
Community Ladies Bible Study — takes place beginning at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort. St. For more information call (813) 752-7630. Open Mic Night — takes place beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. (813) 7648818.
BEST BET Labor Day Benefit BBQ — takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, at Liberty Baptist Church, 20505 W. Granfield Ave. You may dine in or take out, and if you purchase 10 or more meals, you may have them delivered (within city limits) at no extra charge. The price for one meal is $8; dessert is $1. Contact Bob Westlake at (813) 752-7197 or J. Myrle Henry at (813) 752-4094.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 10 Film Showing — takes place beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Bruton Memorial Library. The film show will encourage clean and healthy eating. Plant City Community Gardens is hosting the showing to lead up to Food Day on Oct. 24. For more information call Karen Elizabeth at (813) 435-8111.
Brewhouse, 2212 James L. Redman Parkway. (813) 7522700. Prayer for World Peace — takes place from 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Springhead United Methodist Church, 2301 Sparkman Road. Join in a 24-hour prayer event. Potluck and
FRIDAY, SEPT. 11 Chris Coto — live music takes place from 8 to 12 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Duke’s
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Patriot Day Event & Remembrance Ride — takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Hillsborough Veteran’s Memorial Park, 3602 Highway 301, Tampa. Plant City AMVETS Post 44 is hosting the event, which will include the presentation of the POW/MIA table, live music, raffles, food and beverages. Proceeds will benefit the James A. Haley VA Hospital Recreational Services and more. Call Mike at (813) 2406996 for tickets.
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+24 Months Special Financing NEW, USED AND ABUSED!
A Fatal Night at the County Fair — mystery dinner theater show takes place beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road. Proceeds will benefit charity. Tickets are $45 and available at Platinum Bank, 1804 James L. Redman Parkway, Regions Bank, 2303 Thonotosassa Road and the Holiday Inn Express, 2102 N. Park Road, or by calling Dodie White at (813) 927-0595 or Gail Lyons at (813) 967-6366.
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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: ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com. Photos are welcome. Deadline is noon Thursday.
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PLANT CITY TIME & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
UPDATE
MAKING SOUND WAVES by Emily Topper | Staff Writer
Meet the Music Man Joshua Blair, the new Plant City High School Raider Regiment director, is looking forward to getting back to basics this school year. IF YOU GO Upcoming concert dates: Winter Concert: Dec. 10, 7 p.m. Jazz Concert: May 3, 7 p.m. Spring Concert: May 19, 7 p.m.
RAIDER REGIMENT Website: RaiderRegiment. com Email: Joshua. Blair@sdhc.k12. fl.us
“
If you have a good foundation, you have a better chance to succeed. Learn the fundamentals and go off of that.
At age 3, Blair’s mother began teaching him piano, which he played until he was 10. In fourth grade, he picked up what would become his primary instrument: the alto saxophone. Blair attended Stetson University, where he earned degrees in political science and humanities, in addition to taking music classes. He had plans to go to law school but decided that music was much more interesting and teaching was much more rewarding. He stayed at Stetson for one extra year to earn a bachelor’s degree in music and later earned his master’s degree in saxophone performance and instrumental conducting from the University of South Florida. He has performed as a conductor at Carnegie Hall twice, once with Cypress Lake and once with Sickles High School. Blair also was a conductor for Southwest Florida Youth Orchestra from 2007 to 2009. Currently, he is working toward his doctoral degree in music education and often performs with the Florida Wind Band. “I just love performing music,” Blair said. His musical tastes are diverse, as well. His wife, Amber,
Emily Topper
Joshua Blair conducted the Plant City High School Marching Band during an ensemble practice for summer camp. is an opera singer and a former PCHS choir director. In addition to opera music, Blair enjoys classical music and 1980s classic rock. As the new band director at PCHS, Blair is looking forward to getting back to basics.
PLANS FOR PLANT CITY
Currently, Blair has about 70 students under his direction, including winds, percussion and color guard. Blair hopes the band will grow in the future, eventually encompassing 10% of Plant City’s 2,400 students. “It will take six to eight years,” he said. The first step is to work with the feeder middle schools. Support of the administration and directors at these schools will encourage students to pursue band as they enter high school. Blair has plans to work with the directors at both Marshall and Tomlin middle schools. “I’m excited to work with them … to grow their programs so we can increase our numbers here at Plant City High School as well,” Blair said. Blair already has talked with
Jay DeDon, the Marshall band director, about having PCHS students tutor the middle school’s band members. Blair said he is working to have this done at Tomlin as well. Besides injecting students with a love of music across the board, Blair plans to go back to basics with his students this year. “Music is enjoyable,” he said. “But, playing an instrument, you don’t get instant gratification.” Blair plans on working with students on their music fundamentals, no matter what ability level they have. He encourages all students to practice for at least 30 minutes each day. “If you have a good foundation, you have a better chance to succeed,” he said. “Learn the fundamentals and go off of that.” Blair’s classes this year include one band class, as well as one class each for color guard, percussion, jazz band and orchestra. He will also be teaching Advanced Placement music theory. Although some schools determine band classes based on ability, Blair believes that
having all band students together in one setting is a positive thing. “I think it’s more practical, especially for our size,” he said, noting that beginner students will have more time to be around those more experienced. “You never want to give up anything you try the first time around.” Blair plans to continue working on fundamentals with the marching band too. “We’re focusing on fundamentals and techniques so we can sound good and march well,” Blair said. The marching band will be performing four pieces in the halftime show during football games. Although band camp was only for two weeks, Blair made sure that students worked on marching basics, drills, sectionals and ensembles. He plans on all ensembles doing well at their Musical Performance Assessments as the school year progresses, along with the school concerts. “I’m so laid back and flexible,” Blair said. “We’re going to do what we do.” Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
“
A MATTER OF MASONRY by Emily Topper | Staff Writer
Masonic Lodge No. 206 celebrates 95th year The non-profit fraternal organization is dedicated to helping the community. Ninety-five years ago, the first masonic lodge was built in Plant City. Although a passerby may find Masonic Lodge No. 206 on South Maryland Avenue to be a small, unassuming building, the lodge has a rich history that dates back to the inception of freemasonry in the 1700s. Just before the American Revolution, 15 black men were made freemasons by a British unit, including the prominent abolitionist Prince Hall. Since then, the Prince Hall-affiliated Masonic Fraternity has grown across the globe. Plant City’s lodge is Prince Hall affiliated. Robert J. Godfrey Sr., was the Worshipful Master of Plant City’s lodge in 1994 and 1995. Godfrey has been a freemason since 1985. The mission of the nonprofit organization, he said, is to take good men and make them better men. “It’s an organization that does not go out recruiting,” Godfrey said. “The general public usually does not know that much about masonry. You have to be a member to understand the principles of the organization.” Although some people may confuse the lodge with a secret society because of its secret grips and passwords, Godfrey said that the lodge is more similar to a college fraternity
by Emily Topper | Staff Writer
WLCA files new suit against Visions Golf The Walden Lake Community Association is the primary plaintiff in the recent lawsuit. In the previous lawsuit, Walden Lake Community Preservation Inc. was the primary plantiff.
In the heat of the summer, most students want to spend their days indoors with the air conditioning on full blast. But the dedicated students of Plant City High School’s marching band aren’t afraid to take a little heat. In the weeks leading up to the start of the school year, students have been preparing for the new marching season under their new band director, Joshua Blair. Blair, who grew up in Pinellas County, comes to PCHS from Sickles High School, where he was the band director from 2009 to 2013. Prior to that, he taught at Sarasota High School and Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts. Although he grew up with a mother who was a pianist, Blair didn’t decide to pursue a music-related career until he was done with his undergraduate studies.
BLAIR’S BACKSTORY
3
In 2001, along with the other members of his lodge, he helped expand masonry in Plant City. Today, he has multiple buildings in the city with his name, including the Robert J. Godfrey York Rite Masonry. As is standard with the organization, the Plant City lodge is well known throughout the community for its service. Masons mentor kids and give out school supplies. In November, the lodge also gives out food boxes with turkey for Thanksgiving. Members of the organization meet socially for bowling nights, dinners and picnics. Although members of the fraternity must have some kind of religious affiliation, the lodge does not identify with a particular deity. “We’re not a church, and we make that very plain,” Godfrey said. Masonry is also not associated with a political party, although members are encouraged to be registered voters and participate in elections. In honor of the lodge’s 95 years in Plant City, the City of Plant City Commission presented the lodge with a proclamation at an August Commission meeting. The lodge’s official anniversary is Aug. 11, 2015.
with a focus on community service. “Masonry is just a fraternal organization that does things similar to any other fraternity or organizations,” he said. “We are not a secret organization. However, we are an organization with secrets.” They don’t dissuade new members from joining either. If a member of the public decides that he wants to become a freemason, he is invited to go through the extensive application and interview process. “We try to get someone that is an outstanding young man,” Emily Topper Godfrey said. “We don’t accept Robert J. Godfrey Sr., was the Worshipful Master of Plant City’s everyone who submits an ap- lodge in 1994 and 1995. Godfrey has been a freemason since plication.” 1985. After approaching a memthrough the Rites of Freemaber of the lodge, a potential a mason. The rules of the organiza- sonry, including the Scottish member must fill out an application, complete a back- tion have not changed since and York Rite. The York Rite also has its ground check and have some its humble start in the 1700s. “[They] have been car- own houses. After a member type of religious affiliation. Then he is interviewed by a ried on over the years,” God- in the York Rite serves as the committee that is composed frey said. “It’s not our duty to head of all four houses, he is of three or four members of question, ‘Why.’ As you join, eligible to become a member you find out what masonry is of Priory, whose members the lodge. become Knights of the York Based on the interview, the about.” Masonry has a series of Cross of Honour. committee will let the lodge It’s no easy achievement, know if it recommends the houses with various degrees, individual to become a can- the first being the lodge. The and a title that Godfrey prouddidate for membership. The lodge, often known as “The ly holds, as well as the 33rd deother members of the lodge Blue House,” accounts for the gree in the Scottish Rite, which first through third degrees. is honorary and awarded for then take a vote. If the vote is found favor- Just as students enter higher years of dedicated service. able, the applicant must go grades in school, freemasons through a process to become can enter higher degrees WEBSITE: LODGE NO. 206:
PLANTCITYPHA.COM
Walden Lake Community Association filed a new lawsuit against Visions Golf LLC. Wednesday, Aug. 26. This was done after Visions Golf made a motion of dismissal on the original lawsuit in June. Alice Huneycutt, the lawyer representing Visions Golf, said that the plaintiffs didn’t have a basis for a claim. In response, Harley Herman, the lawyer who is representing the WLCA, voluntarily dismissed the original lawsuit against Visions Golf. On that same day, Herman filed a new lawsuit that includes the Walden Lake Community Association, as well as homeowners Bruce Garceau, and George and Joanna Clifford, as plaintiffs. Walden Lake Community Preservation Inc. was a plaintiff on the original lawsuit. It is not a plaintiff on the current lawsuit. Filing another lawsuit is the least expensive option for the Walden Lake community, Herman said. “It just wasn’t worth arguing over the little stuff,” Herman said. Huneycutt has not officially responded to the new lawsuit, but she said that the plaintiffs in the new lawsuit still don’t have a claim to stop Visions Golf from rezoning one of the golf courses to be developed into homes. “Visions Golf will likely file a motion to dismiss since the plaintiffs in the new lawsuit still fail to state a claim,” Huneycutt said in a statement. Herman said that Visions Golf has about 20 days to respond to the new lawsuit. If they do make a motion to dismiss, which he is expecting, the lawsuit would most likely need a hearing. “We’ve tried the best we can to avoid hearings,” he said. Herman hopes for an injunction, which would call for a meeting between the two parties. “The whole point of a planned community is that it’s part of a plan,” Herman said. “If we’re able to get an injunction … which are always difficult to get … then there’s at least a reason for Visions to sit down with the community. I never shut down the possibility of sitting down.”
LAWSUIT AND REZONING SUMMER RECAP Since the summer began, a lawsuit against Visions Golf has gone through amended complaints, only to be dismissed. A new lawsuit was filed with different plaintiffs. Below is a timeline of key dates in summer 2015 related to the rezoning and lawsuits. June 15: Visions Golf filed a motion for dismissal of an amended complaint July 1: Hillsborough County Planning Commission found proposed plans for development to be inconsistent with City of Plant City’s comprehensive plan. Aug. 15: Walden Lake Golf & Country Club Grill hosted soft opening under leadership of new manager Lynn Archibald. Aug. 26: Harley Herman filed a dismissal of original lawsuit Aug. 26: Harley Herman filed a new lawsuit with the WLCA as the primary plaintiff. Aug. 28: Visions Golf filed a motion for attorneys’ fees
4
PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
GERMANY / PAGE 1 to read,” daughter Jan Gruetzmacher said. Mr. Germany died peacefully at his South Tampa home early Wednesday morning (Aug. 26, 2015.) He was a founding partner of the Holland & Knight law firm, one of a handful of men who pushed aside obstacles to build the University of South Florida, and the driving force behind construction of the public library that bears his name. In a journal written at age 77, he described the first book he ever owned, given to him by his eldest brother’s wife. The siblings were 18 years apart. “Roy’s wife, Mamie, gave me my first book, which was of the Tom Swift series,” he wrote, “and reading it would set me to dreaming. “My mother, even though we were poor, made us believe we were the best, and she never had any doubt that one day I would become President.” His last book read was the third volume of a Winston Churchill biography, “The Last Lion,” left open on his night stand to Page 682.
Courtesy photo
The family will be heading to the Big Apple to see Easton on the big screen and will later participate in the 21st annual Flagship Buddy Walk. This is the family’s first trip to New York City.
EASTON’S FAVORITES
Favorite Food: Spaghetti
Favorite Song: “Watch Me” (Whip/Nae Nae) by Silento
Favorite Toy: Trucks and cars
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate ice cream
EASTON / PAGE 1 contest on the National Down Syndrome Society’s website. Jen Chandler and her husband, Scott, learned Easton’s picture had been chosen a couple weeks ago. They, along with their two eldest sons, Jordan, 11, and Drew, 9, are overjoyed for Easton and for the upcoming trip to New York, a first for the family of five. “The fact that we get to go as a family … we’re so blessed and so thankful for the opportunity,” Jen Chandler said. “We’re a family. Everyone in
my family deserves to be a part of this.” Directly after Easton’s picture is shown on the big screen, the family will participate in the 21st annual Flagship Buddy Walk, which will have more than 300,000 people participating throughout the world. They also will visit landmarks, including the Statute of Liberty and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Because the trip is not funded, the family set up a GoFundMe account, which received more than $3,000 of the $3,500 goal in 10 days. “I can’t believe how the community has come together for Easton,” Jen Chandler said. “[They’ve] helped us and blessed us so much for this opportunity.” The National Down Syndrome Society’s events are created to promote acceptance and inclusion of those with Down syndrome. For Jen Chandler, it’s also about reminding the world that people with Down syndrome are no different than anyone else — they just have an extra chromosome and a little extra love.
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
Easton loves chocolate milk, eating ice cream with his dad and watching Mickey Mouse. He is adventurous and likes to get into things. He loves to dance, watch his brothers play baseball and spend time with his friends at preschool. “He gets mad,” Jen Chandler said, disproving the myth that people with Down syndrome are perpetually happy. “He’s very forgiving, extremely loving. His smile will brighten up the world.” Easton currently is attending preschool, to which he will go for one more year before start-
Stop giving away your hard-earned money!
He was born in Alabama but arrived in Plant City as an infant in 1923, the youngest of six children. His father’s aspirations of real estate development and banking were drained by the Great Depression. As a boy, Mr. Germany delivered newspapers to pay his family’s light bill, pedaling on dirt roads before 4 a.m., and then collecting payment on Saturdays. “It was a lesson in economics,” he told the Tampa Bay Times in 2012. “Just because a person had a Cadillac in the driveway did not mean they paid the paperboy.” As a teen, he set his sights on Harvard, Yale and Princeton, but later recalled the teacher who tore up his list of prospective universities and called his ambitions “impossible.” “I’ve always been a dreamer,” he said. He made it to Harvard Law School after first attending the University of Florida and serving in World War II. He and his contemporaries came home to a Tampa that would be driven by their ideas.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
LEGAL NOTICE
In accordance with the provisions of the Florida Self Storage Act (sections 83.801 - 83.809), there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy an owner and/or manager’s lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at the Uncle Bob’s Self Storage location(s) listed below. And, due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties known to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the below stated location(s) to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 9:00 AM at 1005 South Alexander Street, Plant City, FL 33563, 813-759-9526.
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Jen Chandler has learned from Easton, too. She no longer sweats the small stuff. “Sometimes, people tell me I have the patience of Job,” she said. Yet her biggest struggle does not come from rais-
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ing Easton but from finding available resources. “You have to be an advocate,” Jen Chandler said. Each year, Chandler brings Easton to Pinecrest Elementary for Great American Teach-In, during which she gives a 20-minute talk on Down syndrome to students. She explains Easton has trisomy 21, the most common type of Down syndrome, with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the standard two. She explains some of the possible characteristics that people with Down syndrome may or may not have, such as the upward slant of the eyes or a single crease across the palm of a hand. “I just educate them,” she said. “Some of the kids don’t know, and you can see them sitting there and taking it all in.” Jen Chandler also explains to the students that Down syndrome is not a disease or contagious but rather a condition. If you teach them young, they learn to be more accepting, she said. “I’ll always be his biggest advocate,” Jen Chandler said. “My biggest hope is for people in general to continue to accept any child with special needs. They have feelings, they have a heart, they have a brain. They are nothing to be afraid of.” Jen Chandler hopes Easton continues to learn and deepen his bond with his family. “He has truly changed our lives for the better, totally,” she said. “My biggest thing is that he’s no different than anyone else. He just doesn’t see negativity. If the world looked through his eyes … the world would be a much better place.”
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ing kindergarten at Pinecrest Elementary School. Although he doesn’t fully speak yet, he has no trouble communicating. He signs with his hands when he wants something, such as a snack, and knows what he is and isn’t supposed to do. Jen Chandler tells people to discipline him the same way they would anyone else. “He’s extremely smart,” she said. “I’m still waiting to see the difference in a typical child and him. He’s nothing different than my other two.” Easton is close to his older brothers. He watches their baseball games and plans to play T-ball this September. “The sky’s the limit,” Jen Chandler said. “He can do anything he puts his mind to. It might take him a little bit longer … but you can be sure he will master it.” Easton is raised the same as his older brothers, except for a couple of extra measures Jen and Scott Chandler take with him, such as reminding him about the dangers of going near the pool by himself or going outside alone. He helps fold the laundry, and he sets the table for dinner every night. “I’m not worried about him more than I was about the other boys,” Jen Chandler said. “Right now, I just enjoy every moment. I’m not looking to win an award with him, I’m just hoping to get out of life everything it has to offer.”
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“My father’s friends were the publisher of the newspaper, the head of TECO,” he said. “They were the men who shaped Tampa. They had strong friendships and cared about each other and the community.” In 1956, Mr. Germany and his good friend Sam Gibbons, the future congressman, hatched plans with Gov. LeRoy Collins to launch USF. The library effort grew out of the 1960s. Mr. Germany was chairman of the Friends of the Library Organization while a sitting Hillsborough County circuit judge. Tampa’s original library, built under a Carnegie Corp. grant, had outgrown its Seventh Avenue quarters. He combed through the city budget and found unused money from cigarette taxes, convincing then-Mayor Nick Nuccio to pay for the plan.
BALL / PAGE 1 other committees, leaving volunteers with little downtime. “It’s just a full, nonstop, fiveweek period,” Davis said. “We have so many events leading up to the festival. After one event, we would have to start cleaning up that night and redecorate. It was a burden.” Davis said by holding the Strawberry Ball later, volunteers and guests can view the event as a way to commemorate a successful year and a successful festival. “It’s a celebration,” Davis said. “I think it will be a big success.” There are other minor changes, as well. Meals were formerly served at tables but now will be available buffetstyle through serving stations. Even though the Strawberry Ball will be held at a later date, the committee already is meeting to plan the event. The theme for the Strawberry Ball
Mr. Germany once called the downtown library on Ashley Street his most significant accomplishment. But there were others, some less obvious. Architect Harry Wolf said Mr. Germany built community and government support for NCNB Plaza on the Hillsborough River at Kennedy Boulevard — now known as Rivergate Tower, affectionately dubbed “the beer can building.” Mr. Germany’s love for literature was immediately evident, said Wolf, who designed the tower. “On entering his office for the first time, as we shook hands a title in his bookcase to the right caught my eye,” Wolf said. “Our first words were not a discussion of the project but of Thucydides’ “History of the Peloponnesian War.” With this an immediate friendship was forged.” The young man from Plant City had long since married a South Tampa Gasparilla queen, the late Mary Ellen Germany. She taught school before giving birth to the first of their four children. She died seven years ago at the age of 82. They had lived for decades in one home then another near the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club before retiring to a condominium at Howell Park on Bayshore Boulevard.
LATER YEARS
Time had stolen others from Mr. Germany, including one of his law partners, John Arthur Jones, and Gibbons, the congressman, whom Mr. Germany loved like a brother. To some it is the curse of a long life: burying friends and loved ones. But Mr. Germany reached out to those younger for comfort, and in so doing, provided it. “I want to hold your hand and talk about Sam,” he once told another lawyer at the news of Gibbons’ passing. As a widower, he held court at the Howell Park swimming pool with visitors and neighbors. He gathered fledgling lawyers for excursions to iconic Mel’s Hot Dogs in the summer. He worked until age 90 and read his daily newspapers until last Friday, daughter Lindsey Robbins said. He met friends for breakfast at the Palma Ceia club. His absence this month was noted. A server called home to check up on him. Mr. Germany’s cancer was confirmed after the discovery of a tumor on his pancreas, the family said. He wasted no time. He saw friends and loved ones. He talked to people on the phone. He died as he so often had lived: amid the excitement of a big idea and the hope of making his community better. With a signature on paper, he left the financial means to jump start one final civic project — the John Germany Youth Reading Initiative — through the Hillsborough County Friends of the Library organization. He wanted to encourage children to dream, Robbins said. He knew that books were the way. News researcher John Martin contributed to this report. most likely will be announced in the next 30 days, and the Strawberry Ball committee is working to put door prizes and VIP packages together for the event. This year, the Strawberry Ball will hold a fundraiser for United Food Bank of Plant City through auctions, in addition to raising money for either the Wounded Warrior Project or the Haley House Fund in Tampa. Ticket money will be used to offset the cost of the ball. “It keeps us local,” Davis said. “We don’t make money on the ball, and we’re not looking to make money. Every nickel raised in that will go to those two charities.” The Strawberry Ball will be held April 30, 2016, at the Expo Hall on the Florida Strawberry Festival fairgrounds. The event will start at 7 p.m., with dinner beginning at 8 p.m. Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver. com.
PLANT CITY TIME & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
NEWS BRIEFS + Festival to donate to economic council
The performers couldn’t be more excited with the theme of the September show.
MYSTERY / PAGE 1 plot follows what its names suggests. An unknown murderer stalks a local fair and picks off the characters oneby-one. The performers play their characters without knowing the murderer’s identity, and the audience has the chance to guess the culprit at the end of the event. “The play sets it up so that (the murderer) could be anyone,” cast member Lauren McNair said. The performance is hosted to raise money for the Friends of the Library organization, a group that supports the advancement of community libraries, including Plant City’s Bruton Memorial Library. The performers are all volunteers, and all proceeds benefit the organization. “It’s a hoot,” State Rep. Dan Raulerson, who is also a cast member, said. “We all laugh and screw up, but it’s all for a great cause.” Raulerson is just one of the community figures in the theater. Karen Kerr, president of South Florida Baptist Hospital, will be acting in the play, and McNair is a former
CAST
Marlene Carvel Fred Zuffle Lily Hilow Carl Hawker Petunia Swinton Joleen Jewell Silas Martin Shelly Sheen Bo Brummer Jenny Brown Joe Jones Donnell Stump Detective Barbie Fife
Karen Kerr Paul Davis Judy Barta David Davenport Susan Baggett Terrie Cameron Dan Raulerson Kim McElveen Jeremy Davis Lauren McNair Brian West Tom Thoeni Maggie Carlisle
Florida Strawberry Festival queen. Paul Hetrick, a local artist best known for his artwork at the Florida Strawberry Festival, is painting the fairthemed backdrops. “We sit down and name everyone we can think of that would be great in the show,” White said. “We can read the character and decided who fits best.” Some of the people in the cast attribute the success of the dinner theater to the community. “It’s Plant City at its best — most of us know the people in the audience,” cast member Tom Thoeni said. “These
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The show’s fair theme goes well with the main dish that will be served that night — barbecue.
people know our inside jokes and have seen what we’ve done before.” The show took a break for a few yxears, and White and Gail Lyons credit the late Dr. Hal Brewer for starting the theater back up. “When Hal passed away, we took a break for a while,” Lyons said. “I wanted to bring it back for him because he always loved it.” Since its inception 16 years ago, the theater has grown in popularity. This year, White expects to sell at least 500 tickets. “We used to perform cramped in the Bruton Memorial Library,” White said.
The Florida Strawberry Festival has pledged to donate $5,000 every year for three years to Plant City’s economic development council following its inception. The pledge was made at the festival’s board meeting Tuesday, Aug. 11. Currently, the economic development council is in the process of becoming a corporation. It will focus on growing Plant City as an entity separate from the City of Plant City. As soon as the process is complete, the council will receive the festival’s first donation. “We’d like to be part of the building process,” Paul Davis, Florida Strawberry Festival general manager, said. “The city and this group are going to be pushing midtown expansion.”
+ P.C. motorcyclist dies in crash A 33-year-old Plant City man died in a motorcycle accident Tuesday, Aug. 18, in Brandon on U.S. 301, just north of State Road 60, according to Florida Highway Patrol. At about 3:15 a.m. Aaron Isaac Heath was driving a 2004 Yamaha west on State Road 60 with passenger Marissa Anne Hale, 18, of Riverview. When he turned north onto U.S. 301, he lost control and collided with the raised center median. The motorcycle overturned and came to rest in the inside lane of U.S. 301, where a 2007 Toyota Camry driven by Ejgu Chanie Marye, 46, of Riverview, collided with the motorcycle. Heath was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he died. Hale was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital. Marye was not taken to a hospital.
+ Man arrested for DUI/manslaughter A 22-year-old Plant City man was arrested Thursday, Aug. 20, for DUI/manslaughter in connection to a February crash, in which his passenger died, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Hector Estrella Jr. was arrested without incident at about 8:15 p.m. A toxicology test revealed Estrella had a blood-alcohol level of 0.128 after the Feb. 22 crash. At about 6:15 a.m., Estrella Jr. was driving a 2001 Toyota southbound on County Road 39, south of Old Welcome Road, at about 55 mph when he drove off the roadway, struck a culvert and overturned the vehicle. Passenger Sonia E. Roldan, 22, of Plant City, was asleep in the back seat of the vehicle. She was not wearing her seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. Roldan died at the scene.
+ Two Walden Lake residents found dead Two people were found dead in their Walden Lake home Sunday, Aug. 23, in an apparent murder-suicide, according to Plant City Police Department. At about 8:17 p.m. PCPD received a 911 call in reference to a woman dead inside of the home at 1904 N. Golfview Drive. When police arrived, they also discovered the body of a man. Both had sustained gunshot wounds. The woman has been identified as Jessie C. Smith, 91, and the man has been identified as Bobby Smith, 82. They were siblings and lived together
+ One dead after car collides with train An Amtrak train struck a vehicle Monday, Aug. 24, killing its driver, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Toriano Dempsey, 42, of Mulberry, died when Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived around 4:34 p.m.,
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spokeswoman Jessica Coy said. The train, heading from Miami to Tampa, was crossing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at Jordan Road when it collided with a four-door Buick. Although no details were released about the crash itself, FHP spokesman Steve Gaskins said the Buick was leaving a nearby auction. None of the 147 train passengers were injured, Gaskins said. The train consisted of two engines and eight passenger cars. It did not derail.
+ Brothers dead in Thonotosassa shooting The men involved in a shooting Tuesday, Aug. 25, at a Thonotosassa mansion were brothers Scott and Todd Tomlinson, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office officials said. Todd Tomlinson, 53, of Plant City, was killed by deputies after he waved a gun at them, authorities said. As the deputies then went to investigate inside the house, his younger brother, Scott Tomlinson, 51, was found dead near the kitchen with multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies had responded to the home at 11008 Smoken Gun Lane at 3:17 p.m. after someone called about a domestic dispute. When deputies arrived, Todd Tomlinson, holding a handgun, met them in the driveway. Deputies told him to drop the weapon, but he did not comply. Authorities said he raised his gun at deputies, and they shot at him. Todd Tomlinson was hit several times and pronounced dead on the scene. Authorities did not disclose what had transpired between the brothers. Todd Tomlinson is considered a suspect in his brother’s death. The men co-owned the nearby business Tomlinson Brothers Plastering Inc., according to records. Neither deputy involved in the shooting was injured. They are Deputy Mark Barnwell, 52, on the force for 29 years, and Deputy Izzy Roquemore, 45, on the force for 15 years.
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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
EDITOR
+ Little league, big heart Dear Editor, On Aug. 1, 2015, during the second inning at the National Baseball Conference, in Kansas, a 9-year-old batboy for the Liberal Bee Jays was fatally injured by an on-deck player taking a practice swing. Neither one saw it coming. Kaiser Carlile succumbed to his injuries the following day. It quickly became worldwide news, especially within the baseball community. Being so heartbroken and
yet so moved by what Kaiser’s beautiful heart meant to everyone, I felt that even though he was not from our area, his life should be honored. This sweet boy was taken from us far too soon, just doing what he loved. Many little leaguers and others have been placing “KC” on their baseball helmets or wearing armbands to remember him. I’m hoping this will get out to our little leaguers as well so they can do the same. I started contacting papers and our MLB team to have a memorial from the “big boys”
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in baseball. I received a reply email from Brian Auld, president of the Tampa Bay Rays, which said: “We have been in touch with MLB about this. We are considering other ways to respectfully memorialize the situation.” I just want the Carlile family to know that although we may not have met Kaiser, they are always in our hearts and our prayers. “Have Fun! Play Hard!” — Kristen Newman
+ The need for transparency Dear Editor, Recent articles regarding the funding of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce point out that funding provided to the chamber was not used for what it was originally planned and apparently only became public knowledge when the chamber was asked directly by Commissioner Mike Sparkman how it was spent. It irritates me to no end when organizations don’t use donated funds as originally stated. Even more irritating to me is when there is no transparency as to how the funds ended up being used. Our state and federal governments are notorious for shifting taxpayer money from line item to line item. There is no accountability for wasted funds, and basically no consequences for just plain negligence, if not outright criminal behavior, within the government. Just look at how our Social Security system has been pilfered at the federal level. No wonder they get away with this type of behavior when we can’t even keep local funding under control. If the city commissioners do decide to, once again, fund the chamber, I hope that it is contingent upon the chamber providing line item budgeting of city funds provided, with verified reporting as to how the funds were expended. Also, before any funds can be shifted to another line item they must first notify the city commissioners and obtain their approval for doing so. If the chamber can’t agree to this, then they don’t need the funds very much, and the city should not provide them. — Lynn Buehler
+ Let the chamber have its funding
2015
Thanks to all the 2015 New Teacher Coffee sponsors!!
Dear Editor, Recently there has been an attempt to cut all City of Plant City funding for the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce using the argument that there is no tangible evidence
All A Bloom Florist Anytime Fitness Bailey Elementary BB&T Black’s Insurance & Financial Services Bright House Networks Wendy Brown Brown’s Jewelers Brown’s Trophies Bruton Memorial Library Caring Concepts, Inc. Carrabba’s Italian Grill CenterState Bank Charter School Associates Children’s Board of Hillsborough County Chris Welbon Karate Clubs Renee Corzine - Keller Williams Realty Creative Flower Designs by Glenn Cruise Planners Dart Container Dental Associates at Walden Woods Desco Printing Dinosaur World, Inc. Dukes Chiropractic Health Clinic, P.A. Dunkin Donuts Epsilon Beta Zeta Chapter Eye Express Family Bowl Family Heritage Finest Nails Florida State Fair Florida Strawberry Festival® FOCUS Magazine CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATES Fred’s Southern Kitchen GFS Marketplace GFWC Junior Women’s Club of Plant City LARRY & DIANE State Representative Jake Raburn Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce MARTIN H & R Block Hardee’s Hay Bath Exchange FOCUS Magazine t Oasis Auto State Farm Insurance - Tony Lee Oasis Auto Bath Harrell’s Nursery O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill PlantInc. City sh Pub & Grill of Plant City Fred’s Southern Kitchen Stone Ledge Manor Haught Funeralof Home, Marketplace Octopus Car WashCollege - Plant City yctopus Car Wash Sun n Fun SpecialGFS thanks to our volunteers! Hillsborough Community
that the chamber is doing anything for the money it is receiving. The funding is provided for the chamber to use in its economic development activity. Economic development is one of those things that you don’t see unless you look. It pertains to the quality of life in its many facets – transportation, schools, medical facilities, safety, zoning, business regulation, planning, construction and more. But these things are there. Just look. It was the chamber that worked to end long distance calling to Tampa. That affected economic development directly. It was the chamber that worked for years to have S.R. 39 realigned so as to keep truck traffic from going through downtown. And it was the chamber that pressed to have an onramp added for westbound traffic from Alexander Street onto Interstate 4. It was the chamber that also worked with the Aviation Authority to have the new terminal constructed at the airport, extend the runway, and have hangars built. And the chamber demonstrates its concern for education by always welcoming new teachers to the area and working with the schools. The chamber worked with the Community Redevelopment Agency to improve, beautify and revitalize the beautiful historic downtown, and the chamber partnered with the city and the Photo Archives to bring the internationally acclaimed sculptures for exhibit in McCall Park – the Park which was rebuilt, extended and improved after chamber promotion. It was the chamber that took over the shuttered Union Station and, with a partnership with the City, renovated and managed it over the years as it became the most important hub of activities in the City of Plant City. Add to that the Car Shows and Bike Fests, and the many other activities in town produced by chamber member organizations with chamber support. I could go on for some time on this because I have been involved in economic development for over 24 years, in Seminole, Clearwater and Plant City. And the effectiveness of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce is unquestionably the best I have seen in Pinellas or Hillsborough counties. Fund the chamber, give them direction and watch the results. It’ll be impressive. – Gil Gott, Plant City Photo Archives & History Center executive director
Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Hillsborough Title, Inc. Hope Lutheran Church Hopewell Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens In The Field - Hillsborough’s Agriculture Mag. J & G Jewelers Kaleidoscope Educational Services Kiwanis Club of Plant City Knowledgepoint LearnTampaBay Mango Family Cleaners Mario Camacho Foods Larry & Diane Martin Melissa Polo for Circuit Court Judge Michaels Arts & Crafts MidFlorida Credit Union Minuteman Press Mosaic Plant City Facility Myers & Wright, P.A. Museum of Science & Industry Neumeister’s Candy Shoppe Oasis Auto Bath O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill of Plant City Octopus Car Wash OfficeDepot Olde Town Pizza PAR Interiors Planet Fitness Plant City Animal Hospital Plant City Courier / Tampa Tribune Plant City Family YMCA. Plant City Photo Archives & History Center Plant City Times & Observer Plant City Tire & Auto Service, Inc. Plantation at Walden Lake State RepresentativePlatinum Bank Jake Raburn Poppell Insurance, Inc. Product Consultants Unlimited Publix Super Markets StateFarm Representative Raburn State Insurance Jake - Tony Lee Racetrac Stone Ledge Manor Railroad & Industrial Federal Credit Union n Fun MaxSun F. Rattis MD, PA
OWNER’S REPORT
We need real communication
Until around 2008, Plant in this area over the past few City enjoyed a strong econyears with the loss of employomy. In the early 2000’s, our ers like Smithfield. economy was so strong the With his demonstration of community was able to constrong competence in ecoduct fundraising campaigns nomic development in severfor several Plant City nonprof- al public leadership positions it organizations, which raised in the Tampa Bay area, Mike $2 million to $3 million each. Herr has been hired as our When the national economy city manager, and we have weakened into recession, charged him with strengthenPlant City followed suit. ing economic development With area-wide support and its all-important core: from the Tampa Hillsborough business recruitment and Economic Development retention. Council, local leadership for Business recruitment and economic development in retention is not easy or we our changing ecowould not be where nomic environment we are today as a city. has come from two But using his expertise, primary sources, the Herr has moved to City of Plant City and recruit new economic the Greater Plant development leaders City Chamber of for us, such as Randy Commerce. Larson and David SulThe city has livan for an economic funded economic development council. FELIX development Larson is a former city HAYNES support from the commissioner, mayor, chamber at about and state and national $65,000 per year for many business executive, while Sulyears. Using those funds, the livan is an area bank execuchamber has excelled in some tive. areas of economic developWe have already achieved ment, including the developsome successes, with new ment of city-wide events such private housing, business as the Pig Jam, Planes, Trains and industrial development and Automobiles, Bike Fest, projects, and progress on the Strawberry Classic Car Show, city’s Midtown and Northand the New Teacher Coffee. east Development Plans The chamber has also announced. Herr has Plant worked with member organi- City on track for even more zations like the YMCA, Boys successes in the future. & Girls Club, Hillsborough But Plant City is a small city, Community College Plant and we are not big enough City, and Hillsborough Coun- for any individual organizaty Schools. And it has worked tion to go it alone. Our past with city departments, such successes have been built on as Bruton Memorial Library businesses and organizations and the Recreation & Parks working together for the good Department. of the city, with many people Training business leaders working in multiple roles in through the annual Plant different organizations. AcCity Leadership program has cepting and using the interidentified and developed locking structure of Plant City future leaders for Plant City. has been the basis of many of The chamber has strengthour accomplishments. ened the important economic This is especially true in an development support funcarea with business recruittion: our quality of life. ment and retention chalIn the past year, the City lenges and competition from Commission has reviewed other cities. Building on the the critical core of Plant City’s strengths of many organizaeconomic development – tions, Plant City can build our new business recruitment economy back to the point and existing business retenwhere we are once again tion – and concluded that we strong in all areas. can and must do better. The As it has in the past, it bottom line of business rewill take effective and open cruitment and retention is job communication among creation, and Plant City has many different people and taken some significant hits organizations. We are fortunate to have people such as current chamber leaders Nate Raulerson & Co. PA Kilton and Marion Smith, Santa Sweets, Inc. Scentsy and current city leaders Rick Select Physical Therapy - Plant City Lott, Billy Keel, Mary Thomas Smokin Aces BBQ Mathis, Mike Sparkman, Bill Jeannie Soos Dodson, Mike Herr, Randy South Florida Baptist Hospital South Florida Baptist Hospital Wound Care Larson and David Sullivan to Southwest Florida Water Management lead the dialogue and build a District plan that takes advantage of State Farm Insurance - Courtney Paat the strengths of many organiState Farm Insurance - Tony Lee Stone Ledge Manor zations for the benefit of all of Sun n Fun us who call Plant City home. Suncoast Community Health Centers Felix Haynes is a co-owner Suncoast Credit Union of the Plant City Times &ObSunshine State Federal Savings Natalie Sweet - Keller Williams server.
Tampa Bay Rays The Cottage The East Hillsborough Historical Society Timberlane Pet Hospital Toufayan Bakery of Plant City, Inc. Walden Lake Art & Frame Walden Lake Car Wash & Service Center Walmart Vision Center Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse Wells Memorial & Event Center Wendy’s Winn Dixie Woodbridge Apartment Homes PRESENTATION OF COLORS BY: Strawberry Crest High School Army JROTC NEW TEACHER COFFEE COMMITTEE: Clark Smith (chairman), Barbara Cadiz, Sharlotte Henderson, Rev. Dean Pfeffer, Maribel Lorenzo, Joyce Nestor, Amy Nizamoff, Marsha Passmore, Don Phillips, Dorinda Rountree, Marion Smith, Darcy Stottlemyer, Peggy Wilson & Derek Yates.
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LETTERS TO THE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
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Plant City is a small city, and we are not big enough for any individual organization to go it alone. Our past successes have been built on businesses and organizations working together for the good of the city …
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GFWC Junior Women’s Club of Plant City OfficeDepot Suncoast Community Health Centers OfficeDepot Suncoast Community Health Centers al Services Olde Town Pizza of Commerce Suncoast Credit Union Olde Town Pizza Greater Plant City Chamber Suncoast Credit Union H & R Block Sunshine State Federal Savings rks Interiors PAR Interiors Sunshine State Federal Savings PAR Hardee’s Planet Fitness Natalie Sweet - Keller Williams Planet Fitness Natalie Sweet - Keller Williams TO ADVERTISE CONTACT US Hay Exchange Tampa Bay Rays PlantCall City Animal Hospital Tampa Bay Rays City Animal Hospital Nikki McAlpine, TheCottage Plant City Times & Harrell’s Nursery The Cottage Plant City Courier / Tampa Tribune The Courier / Tampa Tribune (813) 545-5505. Observer is published rary Haught Funeral Home, Inc. The East Hillsborough Historical Society City Family YMCA. The East Hillsborough Historical SocietyPlant City Family YMCA. oncePet weekly, on Fridays. Locally owned byCommunity Ed Verner,College Karen Berry, c. Archives & History Hillsborough - Plant Timberlane Hospital to Center Timberlane PetCity HospitalPlant City Photo Archives & History Center It Toufayan provides free home delivery rill Hillsborough County FarmBakery Bureauof Plant City, Inc. PlantSEND City TimesUS & Observer Bakery of Plant City,toInc. Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes ity Times & Observer Toufayan severalWalden neighborhoods in Frame Plant City. YOUR NEWS The Plant City Times & Observer is published by Plant Hillsborough Title, Inc.Lake Art & Frame Plant City Tire & Auto Service, Inc. Lake Art & kTire & Auto Service, Inc. Walden Publisher / Karen Berry, kdberry@inthefieldmagazine.com The Plant also We want to hear Lake from you. Let Media LLC, a Hope joint-venture of the Tampa BayWash Times & Service Center Lutheran Church Plantation at Walden Walden LakeCity CarTimes Wash&&Observer Service Center iates at Walden City ation Lake Walden Lake Car General Manager/Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.com Plant City Funeral Observer LLC. can be found in Vision many commercial usPlatinum know about Walmart Center ough County Bankyour events, Hopewell Home & Memorial Gardens Walmart Vision Center Platinum Bank and locations throughout City and at celebrations andInc. achievements. General Manager/Advertising / Stacey Hudson, shudson@tampabay.com Wasabi Japanese Plant Steakhouse Clubs Agriculture Poppell Insurance, Wasabi JapaneseMag. Steakhouse pell Insurance, Inc.In The Field - Hillsborough’s 110 E. Reynolds JSt., Suite 100-A our Wells office,Memorial 110 E. 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PLANT CITY TIME & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
7
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL by Abby Baker | Staff Intern
Kindergartner FaceTimes class from hospital Jack Falter, 5, couldn’t attend his first day of kindergarten, but Lincoln Elementary faculty and students didn’t want to leave him out. Five-year-old Jack Falter greets anyone who enters his room at Tampa General Hospital with sticky darts from an orange plastic gun. After target practice, he muffles a greeting and lifts his t-shirt to show off an IV tube with the face of a “Despicable Me” character patched onto it. Jack has lost most of his ability to speak and walk in just 10 weeks. On June 16, a tumor was discovered in a critical portion of Jack’s brain. Since the fateful day, the tumor has been removed, but the trauma has left him with several medical issues that did not allow him to attend his first day of kindergarten at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School Tuesday, Aug. 25. Principal Jennifer West believed that, while Jack’s name was on the roster and his lunch number was in the system, he should be included in the school more than by electronic means. He needed to meet his teacher and classmates. Faculty members decided that the best way of doing this would be FaceTime. West and Jack’s teacher, Amanda Holland, FaceTimed
him from West’s phone Monday, August 24, for a special orientation. Holland showed him his future desk, along with the decorated walls of the classroom, so he’d know what to expect. “He was very friendly and had so much to tell me,” Holland says. The following day, he met his classmates through FaceTime, as well, making it a successful first day of school for this little fighter.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
THE DIAGNOSIS
While Jack’s mother, Bethany Falter, rattles off the surgeries and procedures he has undergone, he wrestles her hand open to give her one of the toys he clenches in his tiny fist. “A few weeks ago, this fight would not be happening,” Bethany Falter says. This summer did not start out as the Falters had hoped. Jack began to experience headaches, which lasted for about a month. It was then that Bethany Falter took him to a neurologist. “I did it as a formality,” Bethany Falter says. It was much more serious than any of them could have
P R O U D L Y
Children’s Hospital, Jack headed to Tampa General Hospital, a facility known for its rehabilitation programs. Jack’s success may be because of the intensive speech, physical and occupational therapy he receives for a few hours everyday. He is expected to make a full recovery with extensive care and treatment. He was release from the hospital this month, but it will be a few more before he takes his first steps into his classroom. Of course, he’s already familiar with his teacher and classmates.
Courtesy photo
Jack Falter FaceTimed with his kindergarten class at Lincoln Elementary from his hospital room at Tampa General Hospital Tuesday, Aug. 25. To donate visit YouCaring.com/jack-falter-395009. imagined. Jack had a brain tumor. “When I got the call, I started crying because I knew something was wrong, and when (Jack) saw me cry, he started to cry,” Bethany Falter says. The type of tumor that Jack had is called pilocytic astrocytoma. Thankfully, his was benign, or not cancerous. Twelve hours after he was diagnosed June 16, Jack went into emergency surgery to have a temporary shunt placed. Then,
S E R V I N G
T H E
two days after the original procedure, the tumor was removed from his body. Jack still suffers from speech and coordination complications because of the portion of the brain that the tumor resided in. He is bound to a wheelchair but insists on moving as much as he can. His speech is incoherent at times, but when someone asks his age he will say, “5,” with determination behind his eyes.
G R E A T E R
“I remember within a few days after the surgery, he was getting a CT scan and was just waving at strangers in the hallway,” Bethany Falter says. After the removal of the tumor, Jack’s airway collapsed, and he had to get a tracheostomy. The procedure made it even more difficult for him to speak. “It was hard for him because he is such a chatterbox,” Bethany Falter said. After 36 days at St. Josephs
P L A N T
C I T Y
“He knew a few of the kids in his class from Pre-K,” Bethany Falter said. “They were really excited to see him again.” The support system that the Falter family has established extends far from just the school system. Bethany Falter has received countless gift cards, meals are dropped off at her house and a wheelchair ramp was built outside her house, for free. Her sister, a professional photographer, is also donating in her own way. She is taking family Christmas pictures with the phrase “Pray for Jack” and donating the funds to support the family’s hospital bills. “Our church family has surrounded us with love,” Bethany Falter said. “I’ve seen it happen for other people, but I’ve never been on the receiving end of that kind of love.”
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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
HEALTH CLUB by Abby Baker | Staff Intern
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Three Plant City High School students competed at a national competition event in Anaheim, California this summer for Health Occupations Students of America. HOSA is a group that prepares students going into the medical field. It holds an annual competition focusing on the different mediums of health services. The club teaches students basic health guidelines and promotes science and medical career opportunities. Shannon Yagins, Sarah Roberts and Yessica Chavez attended the event among the 8,000 students who flew in from around the country. Their HOSA teacher and leader, Bobbi Fortner, came along
for support and guidance. “Mrs. Fortner is amazing,� Yessica said. “She always encourages you.� Yessica participated in the medical assisting sector. She answered phones, carried out a vision and urine test and performed several other procedures that a nurse or medical practitioner may have to do regularly. “You have to do exactly like the guidelines say to,� Yessica said. Shannon and Sarah took part in the speech competition. They prepared for months on the assigned topic “hope to lead.� “We were in front of three judges, and we had to enunciate and talk very clearly,�
Sarah said. Sarah placed fourth at nationals. She said she was overwhelmed she was able to accomplish being in the top ten after the life hurdles she’s had to overcome. “I grew up without a great childhood,� Sarah said. Her father dismissed her complaints about headaches until Sarah’s biological mother took her to the hospital. At 7 years old, the doctors diagnosed her with brain cancer. Since then she’s battled brain cancer two more times and was adopted three and one half years ago. “These last few years I didn’t get the best grades,� Sarah said. “My parents have made me want to do better.�
Now she is a junior who strives to eventually become a pediatric neurologist to help children like herself. “I just want to give back,� Roberts said. Shannon, vice president of the club, did not always feel so strongly about joining the health profession, but now she is a 17-year-old senior ready to become a nurse after she graduates. As a freshman, Shannon wanted to join a culinary class. When she realizated Plant City High School didn’t offer a culinary arts class, the administration automatically put her in an open spot, a nursing class. “I remember we were reading this one medical book about the human body,� Shanon said. “And I was like, ‘I think this is what I want to do.’� The group previously attended regionals, along with other club members University of Florida, and the three girls continued onto the state competition at a Disney World hotel in Orlando. “At regionals, I was so nervous I was shivering, except I wasn’t cold,� Sarah said. “But at states I knew what to do, and I did it even better.� After placing at regionals, all three students packed their bags for the national California competition. When they were not competing in front of judges, the group traveled to Hollywood to sightsee and tour the city. “I liked all the crazy adventures trying to find restaurants and the different foods,� Yessica said. 178196-1
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PLANT CITY TIME & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
9
CREATIVE SOULS by Emily Topper | Staff Writer
Art Guild installs officers AroundTOWN
Reporters from the Plant City Times & Observer hit the street of Plant City to ask residents a little about themselves. Will we spot you around town next?
The East Hillsborough Art Guild held its first show of the year Monday, Aug. 31, at the Plant City Woman’s Club. New officers were installed, and members enjoyed drinks and treats. The new officers inducted are: PaulaAndra Aigner, president; Deborah Lulei, vice president; Pam West, secretary; and Eleanor McDade, treasurer. McDade was the founding president of the East Hillsborough Art Guild. The next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at the Women’s Club, 1110 N. Wheeler St. in Plant City.
What is your biggest passion?
Brianna Koke, 19 “Taking care of my bills and my little niece.”
Janet Stuart, 73 “Traveling, and my kids. I’ve been all around the United States.”
Kelly Drake, 19 “Hip Hop — I love to dance and get crazy.”
Laura Guarino, 23 “Nursing and helping others.”
Sean Beasley, 29 “Food — I’m the kitchen manager here at City Pizza.”
Sylvia Alchediak, 70 “Antiques — I’m just a collector at heart.”
Right: Michaela Messer and Louise Anders
Betty Jones did the installation of new officers.
Pam West is the new secretary. PaulaAndra Aigner was elected president.
PlantCityObserver.com
Gaynell Lewis and Gunni Nilsson Price
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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
Observer
Obituaries Sarah Webster Dance
Sarah Dance, 88, of Valrico, died Aug. 26, 2015. Mrs. Dance was a lifetime member of Bell Shoals Church of Christ. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother to her family. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school, quilting and making stuffed bears for children at hospitals. Her compassionate love touched everyone in her life. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Kenneth R. Dance; children, Tim Dance, of Tampa, and Paula Dance, of Tampa; sister, Dorothy Henry, of Tennessee; and grandchildren, Britni Bates, Kenneth Bates and Timothy R. Dance Jr. A celebration of life was held Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Bell Shoals Church of Christ. A committal followed at Hopewell Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.
Betty Jean Hall
Betty Jean Hall, 82, of Plant City, died Aug. 26, 2015. Mrs. Hall attended Church on the Rock in Plant City and loved her independence. One of her favorite hobbies was woodworking. She will be dearly missed by all. She is survived by two sons, James A. Hall (Felicia) and Terry Wayne Hall (Lisa); daughters, Beth K. Dorman (Jim), Cindy Lynn Woodring (Steve), Patti Ann Hall and Sandra Diane Wood (Steve); best friend, Arthur Brannam; and many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Mae Morrow; and husband, Albert Hall Jr. A celebration of life was held Saturday, Aug. 29, at Wells Memorial and Event Center in
Plant City. Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.
Steven “Scott” Holdren
Steven “Scott” Holdren, 50, of Lithia, died Aug. 22, 2015. Mr. Holdren was a veteran of the United States Navy. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He is survived by his fiancee, Candace Howard, and her children, Amber and Joseph; mother, Mary Jo Holdren, of Lithia; brothers, Wayne Holdren, of Colorado, Scott Pagani (Sherry), of Ohio and Russell Holdren (Cheryl), of Lithia; grandmother, Winnie Reeves, of Lithia; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Steven “Scotty” Holdren Jr.; and father, George Holdren. A celebration of life was held Saturday, Aug. 29, at Hopewell Funeral Home. A committal followed at Hopewell Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.
Jimmy Inman
Jimmy Inman, 78, of Plant City, died Aug. 22, 2015. Mr. Inman loved his family, and he enjoyed fishing. He is survived by his daughters, Terri L. Lee (Rip), of Plant City, and Lori A. Ireton (Jeff), of Lithia; grandchildren, Kenny, Kayla, Brittany, Rebecca, Eddy Jr., Jennifer and Jasmin; and great-grandchildren, Riley, Oli, Lillian, Jaden, Ellie, Aleigh and Bryson. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at Hopewell Funeral Home in Plant City, with interment to follow at Hopewell Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.
Christine Ringley
Christine Ringley, 64, of Plant City, died Aug. 26, 2015. Ms. Ringley is survived by her children, Raymond Earl Martin, of Plant City, Cecil Adam Martin, of Dover, and Melissa Christine Jones (Kenny), of Apollo Beach; siblings, Nancy Dailey (Willard), of Georgia, Tracy Johns, of Plant City, and Chris Ringley, of Lakeland; 13 grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ned and Arlene Martin, and Adam Ringley; and siblings, Jimmy Ringley and Alexis Ringley. A celebration of life was held Monday, Aug. 31, at Hopewell Funeral Home in Plant City. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral. com.
Bob Smith
Bob Smith, 82, of Plant City, died Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015. A native of Alamo, Georgia, Mr. Smith was the son of Claude and Dollie Mercer Smith. He retired as a store manager from Publix after 40 years of service. He enjoyed fishing, camping and travel. He is survived by his children, Robert Smith (Brenda), Patricia Milam and Carrie Nedlon (Hank); brother, Harlen Smith (Evelyn); many nieces and nephews; and his longtime companion, Betty Mobley. He was preceded in death by his son, Ralph Edward Smith; siblings, Jessie C. Smith, Mary Lee Smith, Martha Watkins and Billy, Hilton and Earl Smith. A funeral service was held Saturday, Aug. 29, at Haught Funeral Home in Plant City. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome. com.
FAITH
Jessie Smith
Jessie Smith, 91, of Plant City, died Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015, at her home. A native of Alamo, Georgia, Ms. Smith was the daughter of Claude and Dollie Mercer Smith. She was the owner of several companies, including Minute Maid Meats in Miami. She also owned an apartment complex, and worked for Bigby Electrical and Pan Am Chemical. She was an avid and successful stock trader, and very proud of her family. She is survived by her brother, Harlen Smith (Evelyn); and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Mary Lee Smith, Martha Watkins, Billy, Bob, Hilton and Earl Smith; and her longtime companion, Howard Drummond. A funeral service was held Saturday, Aug. 29, at Haught Funeral Home in Plant City. Online condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome. com.
David Leon Summerall
David Leon Summerall, 82, of Brandon, died Aug. 28, 2015. Mr. Summerall was born in Tampa and raised in Durant. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Assembly of God. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was retired from U.S. Agri-Chemicals Corporation. He loved his family and his church, and enjoyed fishing and woodworking. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Willa Faye Summerall; children, Greg Summerall, of Brandon, and Tricia Neal (Clay), of Houston, Texas; siblings, Carl Porter (Ann), Carol Mays and Dorothy Rudd, of Durant, and Carrie Summerall, of Bloomingdale; and many other family and friends. A celebration of life was held Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Pleasant Grove Assembly of God in Plant City. A committal followed at Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.
Bells are ringing School is back in session. put up with a lot on a daily Are you ready Plant City? basis and they need our As I write this, I think support. back to the days when my Did you know that our children began school. As Plant City Chamber of Comany parent can understand, merce hosts a breakfast for they are days of mixed emo- the nearly 200 new teachers tions. I was glad to see them in our community every headed off to school after a year? What an awesome way long summer, but I also real- to welcome these new eduized I was getting a bit older cators in our community. as they advanced to each But our community grade level. support for our teachers, Now, I watch as two of my those with 20 or 30 years children, who are educators and those just starting their in Hillsborough County, go teaching careers, must through the same continue throughout rituals of stocking the school year. Just up on school supas students need plies. This time it is encouragement every for their classrooms. now and then, so do There is so much our teachers. Don’t excitement as school hesitate to say, “thank begins. So much you,” during the anticipation! school year and give Often I hear some words of enDEAN people talking about couragement to your PFEFFER teachers, and how child’s teacher. Don’t “simple” they have just tell your child’s things today from when we teacher that you are praying were kids. But watching my for them this school year, kids and the teachers who pray for them right then and are a part of my congregathere. Go ahead, make their tion, I don’t think they have day! it so easy today. In fact, I’d As so many seek to keep say it is harder with all the Christ out of the classtechnologies and gadgets to room, we who know what be a teacher today than it a great and powerful God was 30 or 40 years ago. we have, know He is presGranted, these devices ent everywhere, and that aid in our kids’ educational there is no way in the world formations and provide anyone can keep Him out immeasurable assistance in of any classroom. So let us research, but they also have not lose hope, but press on a way of detracting from all the more. Let us not be education. Sadly, many kids ashamed of the Gospel but today have failed to spell gladly live it out at home correctly because all they and at school. have to do is hit spell check As we start this new or grammar check, and school year, let us do it in instantly their mistakes are the name and power of our corrected. Lord who joins us together Don’t know the answer to and will bless this school the problem? Google it. year — parents, students, So many kids spend hours teachers, administrators and and hours on their phones staff included — with abunand tablets that they can dant blessings that know no forget how to communicate bounds. and be social with their The Rev. Dean R. Pfeffer peers and those in authority is the senior pastor at Hope whom God has placed over Lutheran Church, Plant City. them. For more, email him at hoLet’s face it, our teachers pepcpastor@gmail.com.
Celebrating each life LIKE NO OTHER.
NO TWO OF US ARE ALIKE. That’s why the Dignity Memorial® professionals at Wells Memorial believe that no two memorial services should be the same. We honor every individual with a highly personalized tribute, and we take care of all the details. It’s what we’re known for. As members of North America’s largest network of funeral, cemetery and cremation service providers, Wells Memorial & Event Center is proud to offer these exclusive benefits to you and your family: > > > > > > > > >
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Sports
YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | COMMUNITY
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Derek McBride stood out during the Dolphins’ game. 14 SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM
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SIDELINES Do you have a good Sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver. com, or Tweet us at @ PCTOSports.
REC & PARKS
+ Tourney taking registrations The 21st annual Plant City Optimist Club/ Recreation & Parks Department Golf Classic is set for Saturday, Oct. 10, and the time to register is right now. This year’s tournament will be held at Walden Lake Golf & Country Club. A four-person scramble with a shotgun start will begin at 1 p.m. Cash prizes will be given out, and there will also be a putting contest, two long drive and closest-to-pin holes, and a door prize raffle. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Plant City-area youth programs. The cost to register is $75 per player, for teams of four, and sponsorship rates vary, starting at $100 per hole. For more information call Walt Arnold at (813) 752-1602 or Jeb Hicks at (813) 659-1052.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
VOLLEYBALL by Justin Kline | Staff Writer
Volleyball scene heats up The beginning of the school year means the beginning of volleyball. Three area high schools are usually in the playoff conversation. The Plant City-area volleyball scene has been full of action over the last few years, and things could look similar in the 2015 season. The move to a bigger district won’t make things any easier for Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest, but that doesn’t mean the potential for success isn’t there. With the season starting, here’s what local volleyball fans should keep an eye out for over the next few months.
DURANT
The Lady Cougars, taking a handful of early losses while getting swept in the Academy of Holy Names tournament, got off to an uncharacteristic start in 2014. Perhaps then, it was uncertain whether the shoes of Victoria Fanning and Lexi Thompson could be filled. But the senior class got into a rhythm, losing only four times before the district finals and making a run to the regional semi-finals.
Now, many of the key players from last season’s squad are gone. Lindsey Robinson, Rachael Rice, Annie Quinn and Madison Adkins have graduated, and their presence will be missed both on and off the court. Junior outside hitter Emma Rustenberghe, who stepped into a large role in 2014, will likely play an even greater leadership role for this team. She’s
VOLLEYBALL / PAGE 12 Durant won the distirct title in 2014.
WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?
GAME OF THE WEEK by Justin Kline | Staff Writer
Friday night notes
TENNIS
+ Maggie Pate performing well Local tennis player Maggie Pate is on fire this summer. Pate, 14, won four consecutive tournaments in 16-and-under play. In July, she was chosen to play No. 1 on the USTA 14-and-under’s Florida team, during the Zonal Team Championships in Arlington, Texas. It was the last 14U tournament Pate plans to compete in, having moved up an age group for the competition. Corey King, who split snaps with Austin Carswell last season, is confident in himself and his teammates.
VOLLEYBALL
AREA RECAP DURANT The Lady Cougars kicked off the 2015 season with a 3-1 loss against Robinson Thursday, Aug. 27. Results for the Thursday, Sept. 3, game at Plant High were not available at press time. The next match is Thursday, Sept. 10, at Lennard High, 2002 E. Shell Point Road, Ruskin. PLANT CITY On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Plant City picked up its first regular-season win with a 3-1 victory at Armwood. Results from the Thursday, Sept. 3, game at Spoto were not available at press time. The Lady Raiders will host Riverview Tuesday, Sept. 8. STRAWBERRY CREST Like Plant City, Crest did get a preseason win — 2-0 against Riverview Monday, Aug. 17. Before beginning district play, a match is set against Armwood Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Armwood High, 12000 E. U.S. Highway 92, Seffner. Crest and Plant City will kick of district play two days later at 1 Raider Place.
JEFFERSON AT PLANT CITY:
Watch the
THRONE
Junior Corey King now sits alone at the top of the Plant City Raiders’ quarterback depth chart. Can he lead Plant City back to the playoffs? Few, if any, are concerned with the Plant City Raiders’ talent level on the offensive side of the ball this season. There’s no shortage of ideal receiving options to work with, and the running back situation is one many teams would love to have. But the position that probably drew the most curiosity is the most important: quarterback. What does QB Corey King bring to this team? In his own words, he has the skill and the will to win games. “I feel like I can throw the ball to any spot on the field,” King says. “I’ve got the confidence.” After splitting work with then-senior Austin Carswell last season, the junior is now in full control of the offense. In 2014, King played in seven games to Carswell’s 10, but
Justin Kline
the two appeared to complement each other: Carswell’s athleticism netted him seven rushing touchdowns, but King was the one with a good completion percentage (65%) and all of the passing touchdowns (three). King threw for 516 total yards. It was evident then that King had the talent to develop into a solid starter. Former head coach Wayne Ward had pegged him as one before the 2014 season began, and current head coach Greg Meyer has had praise for some of the plays King made last year. He was just a player that needed a lot of fine-tuning, as many sophomores do, so King did everything he could to get better in the offseason. “Hitting the weight room every day,” he says. “Waking up
SEE GAME / PAGE 12
Justin Kline
IN OTHER AREA ACTION: DURANT The Cougars are coming off of a 16-7 win over Hillsborough, which dropped the Terriers from fourth overall to 18th in the HomeTeam power rankings. The nowranked Cougars, sitting one spot above Plant City at No. 23, proved that they can still hang with the big dogs in spite of its key positional losses in the offseason. This week, they’ll travel to Spoto to try and put the Spartans on a losing streak. Last week, Spoto went to Lennard and finished on the receiving end of a 46-13 beatdown. Game: 7 p.m. at 8538 Eagle Palm Drive, Riverview STRAWBERRY CREST Brandon got revenge on the Chargers for ruining last season’s run for the playoffs with a 31-3 win last Friday. It looked fairly close early on before the Eagles picked things up and ran away. It certainly wasn’t the kind of start Crest had hoped for, and this week’s matchup doesn’t get any easier. The Newsome Wolves are, much like Durant, coming off of a win against a quality team. Newsome went to Bloomingdale last week and escaped with a 10-7 win, rushing for almost 200 yards as a team and succeeding even with quarterback Cole Schaller’s 36% completion rate. Game: 7:30 p.m. at 16550 FishHawk Blvd., Lithia
The first Friday of the regular season was a good one, as long as you like Durant. And, in my case, as long as you chose to go to Durant for Game of the Week action. Hillsborough High came in with a top-5 ranking, according to our Tampa Bay Times partners, and all the hype that comes with such a thing. Durant came in with home-field advantage and a chip on its shoulder. Next thing you know, the JUSTIN Cougars’ deKLINE fense is doing to the Terriers what it did to Sickles a year ago, and the home team came up with the 16-7 upset win. One of the questions I had about the Cougars pertained to the defense, and how it would hold up after losing some key pieces. I think the final score of this game works well enough for me, and especially so considering that the Cougars started the game by forcing three turnovers and executing a goal-line stand — all in the first half. You can add blocking a field goal attempt and a quarterback sack for a safety to the list of things it did throughout the game, in addition to keeping one of the county’s better offenses in check. This stop unit can still play well when it wants to. Offensively, things weren’t quite as stellar. The second and third quarters didn’t have much of anything to offer, and it’s worth noting that the Cougars could only get seven points from three turnovers (and good field positioning) in the first quarter. It could be something that will work itself out over the course of the season. It’s tough to pin that on the quarterback play, because sophomore Carlton Potter looked impressive out there. I’m not going to call him a world-beater right now, or anything close to that, but I think he proved himself to be quite capable on the field. He doesn’t have the strength or size to really chuck that ball downfield — at least, not yet — but made good, quick reads and usually put the ball exactly where it needed to go. And, on his first-ever regularseason drive, he quickly led Durant to the end zone and threw a nice TD pass to Bran-
SEE KLINE / PAGE 14
PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
one of seven juniors listed on the roster, compared to three seniors and three sophomores. There’s no doubt that head coach Brittany Wade’s system works — check her trophy case for proof — and this young team’s success will largely depend on its ability to adapt to it.
As usual, playing for Durant comes with higher expectations than most other squads in the Tampa Bay area. Can these girls win another district championship?
PLANT CITY
The Lady Raiders posted a winning record in the regular season. Unlike Strawberry
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early, studying, getting ready for the season. I feel like the USF camp that I went to on June 6, it had me feeling like I had a chance to do this, like I had a chance to be somebody. I was putting the ball on the money. Coaches were congratulating me, saying to keep it up.” It was at that camp, King says, that something clicked. That was the one camp, the one offseason event, where he says it felt like he was finally able to tap into that talent regularly and see the game slowing down for himself. “I felt like I got a chance this year,” he says. “Like I’m the man.” Meyer has said that the Corey King of 2015 is a different one than what Raider fans saw in 2014, and for the better. The most obvious example, at least this early in the season, is how King carries himself: Meyer says he has the maturity of a senior, and King goes through practice with the stoic confidence of someone who’s been starting for a longer time. He makes his motives clear; his goals are already set in stone and, in his opinion, tangible. “I’m trying to be the leading passer in Hillsborough County,” King says. “My main goal is to throw for 1,500 yards this year. I feel like my chances are real good — I may even go to 2,000, or 2,500.” With guys like T.J. Chase, Markese Hargrove and Antoine Thompson around to make life easier, King believes that the sky is his limit. On top of that, he believes that the entire team has the same ceiling, as far as making a postseason run goes. “I feel like this is the team,” King says. “We can make it to districts. We can make it to states. We’ve got to have that mindset.”
Terra Brooks Jessica Thornton and the Lady Raiders turn it around and make something happen in the district tournament?
STRAWBERRY CREST
Last season’s district runnerup, the Lady Chargers started strong and looked about as good as any team in the Tampa Bay area throughout the rest of the season. The one knock against the team was that it could rarely seem to find an answer for Durant: the Lady Chargers lost 2-0 Sept. 20, the first loss of the season, and 3-0 in the district championship game. While Crest did beat the Lady Cougars in three sets in early October, it couldn’t recapture any of that success when it mattered most. The good news is that the team is dealing with only a fraction of the losses that Durant and Plant City have faced. Jailene Caraballo (who led the team with 38 aces and 317 digs) and Marviana Mackey were fine players, but the Lady Chargers appear equipped to deal with those losses. All-Star senior Terra Brooks, whose 227 kills and 87 total blocks led the team, is back to shore up the middle for Crest. Senior assist leader Danielle Oberle (520) is back, as is key contributor Alex Calescibetta (117 kills, 248 digs, 25 aces). Head coach Morgan Miltner and these Lady Chargers could be poised for good things this year — perhaps that will even include a district title.
VS. JEFFERSON
The Jefferson Dragons are coming off of a down year in 2014, in which the team went 6-4. This year, things haven’t
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VOLLEYBALL / PAGE 11
been looking up. Jefferson opened their season by getting shut out, 18-0, against the Tampa Bay Tech Titans. Tech dismantled the Dragons by rushing for 194 yards as a team, which the Plant City Raiders have undoubtedly paid attention to. To make matters worse, the Dragons lost quarterback Cade Weldon to injury and, this week, learned that Weldon has been lost for the season. The junior quarterback was diagnosed with a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, and will likely be replaced by some combination of sophomores Matthew Gaffney and Tyrese Spain. Plant City is also coming off of a rough loss of its own, falling 42-7 at Armwood last Friday and seeing its usuallystrong ground attack contained into nearly nothing. “I took it as a wake-up call,” King says. “It was Armwood. We weren’t as prepared as we thought we were throughout the week. We didn’t do as good.” Chalk it up to a number of things: tough road environment, even tougher opponent, early-season rust or whatever else comes to mind. But Meyer also believes that schematic mistakes and confusion were probably the Raiders’ biggest downfall, so he and the team have been keeping things as simple as possible in practice. King and the offensive line have been working feverishly on their fundamentals too. But things are looking up this week. Plant City will get to play at home, and Jefferson’s reeling from last week’s loss is something the Raiders can prey on. Although Spain’s sample size from last week is perhaps too small to speculate on, as he threw just one pass, here’s Gaffney’s stat line: 7-for-18 passing, 73 yards and three interceptions. To Peyton Collins and the rest of the Plant City secondary, that probably sounds like the makings of a feast. Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver. com.
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Photos by Justin Kline
Plant City’s bench reacted to a point scored during a match with Durant.
GAME / PAGE 11
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Crest, it managed to steal a set from Durant in the district tournament. Plant City benefitted from a strong senior core, getting solid play from names like Kellie Pernula and Emily Fry. But Pernula, Fry, Michelle Daubach, Kasi Maguire and others have graduated. Plant City took a lot of hits with its senior class leaving and will now count on its four new seniors to lead the way. That includes senior Lindsey Moore, who led all underclassmen in 2014 with 70 kills in 64 sets played and led all players with 109 total blocks (78 solo). She’ll be joined by juniors Jacey Hooker, who led all Lady Raiders with 254 digs (13.4 per game), and Taylor Harrell, whose 433 assists were good for the highest total on the team. Plant City has already played, and dropped, its first two matches — 3-2 against Newsome, 3-0 at Wharton — and is looking to rebound before district play begins Thursday, Sept. 10. Can head coach
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PLANT CITY TIME & OBSERVER
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PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
GAME DAY by Justin Kline | Staff Writer
Durant tops Hillsborough Xavier Walden and Jaden Garrett celebrated after Garrett picked off a pass.
Photos by Justin Kline
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and swung the momentum back to Durant. Four minutes later, with just under three and a half minutes to play, Jalen Forté broke off a 21-yard run for a score to put the home team ahead, 14-7. Durant was then able to back Hillsborough well into its own territory, ending with Dylan Novo sacking Dawsey in the end zone for a safety with just under 30 seconds to play. In other area news, Plant City lost at Armwood, 49-7, and Strawberry Crest lost to Brandon, 31-3.
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Another year, another earlyseason upset win at Durant. The Cougars kicked off the 2015 regular season with a statement win over the fourthranked Hillsborough Terriers, a 16-7 grinder that was sealed with less than 30 seconds left to play. Durant fans can also celebrate the fact that their team was the only Plant City-area team to win, let alone come close to winning. Durant’s defense set the tone early by causing three turnovers in the first quarter – including interceptions by Jaden Garrett and Justin Bauman on Hillsborough’s first two passes – and new starting quarterback Carlton Potter led a drive that ended with a short touchdown pass to Brandon Myers. Hillsborough wasn’t able to answer until the second quarter, a few minutes after getting stuffed at the goal line by a bevy of Cougars. With 5:41 left in the half, Lawrence Dawsey Jr. threw a touchdown pass to tie. In the fourth quarter, when it looked like the Terriers were on the verge of taking over, Garrett blocked a field goal
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FOCUS ON FITNESS
KLINE / PAGE 11
How to train smarter
One of the biggest fitness myths is that you need to work out for hours a day to make progress. But you can get the most out of your time in the wellness center by training smarter. In just 30 minutes, you can get a great workout in if you use your time wisely. For example: if you choose a heavy leg day for the week, try to shorten your recovery time between sets. Supersets are also a great option to maximize HEATHER your time. DYKSTRA A superset is when you train the same muscle group using two different exercises, done back-to-back. This introduces the muscle group to a longer set and incorporates change as well. The idea is to burn out the muscle group and increase your heart rate to a fat-burning zone. Another way to maximize your time is by completing a circuit of exercises. Typically, circuit training is a full-body workout that includes both strength training and cardio mixed together. It not only increases endurance, but tones your body at the same
TRY THESE SUPERSETS Example: one set of squats followed by one set of lunges, then take a short rest and repeat the set. CIRCUIT TRAINING Example: bicep curls with dumbbells for one minute, bench presses for one minute, squats for one minute, pull-ups for one minute and jumping jacks for three minutes, followed by rest. Repeat. HIIT Example: forty seconds of jump squats, followed by a 20-second rest. From there, you can repeat the set a few times or move on to the next exercise. MULTI-JOINT Example: squat/press. Hold a dumbbell or plate in front of your chest and squat down. As you rise back up into standing position, push the weight overhead. As you squat into the second rep, lower the weight back to the chest again. time. Again, there is very little rest time between exercises. It can be any type of weighted exercises (as many as you can do) in around one minute,
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followed by any type of cardio for around three minutes. If you’re new to working out, using very light weights and doing cardio for a shorter time would be a great place to start. HIIT (high intensity interval training) is one of the most effective methods of training. It doesn’t take much time to get done, but you’ll have to get ready to work hard. HIIT is performed in short, timed intervals, followed by a short rest. This type of training can get you into great shape very quickly. Tabata training is an example of H.I.I.T., as the timing is done in 20-to-10 intervals. Eight rounds of 20-to-10 equals four minutes, which equals one Tabata. Try it at home or the gym with the jump squats and see how many Tabatas you can do. Multi-joint exercises will also make the heart rate soar in a short amount of time. Using several joints at once means using several muscle groups all at one time. Not only do these exercises burn tons of calories by increasing the heart rate, but they also increase strength and muscle size. If you’re looking to save some time and get an effective workout, one of these types of training just might surprise you. Just adding in 30 minutes one day a week can give your body a change-up from its regular routine. Or, you can add on a quick, 10-minute version of any of these exercises at the end of your regular workouts. We also offer group classes at the Plant City Family YMCA with this training (Circuit training, GRIT and more). Learn to effectively manage your time by training harder and smarter, because small changes yield great results. Heather Dykstra is an AFAA-certified personal trainer and has been a group fitness instructor for over 13 years. She is currently involved with the Plant City Family YMCA.
don Myers. Potter can play. The inexperience of the offensive line was visible, as it had trouble containing the Terriers’ defense for much of the night. This, in turn, led to Hillsborough containing the Durant running backs with little trouble. Jalen Forté did end up scoring the final touchdown of the game, breaking off a nice, 21-yard run later on, but was often swarmed upon taking the handoff. As Hill-
DEREK MCBRIDE The Plant City Dolphins Mighty Mite team beat Turkey Creek, 31-6, August 25, and much of that came from Derek McBride’s three quarters at running back. McBride gained nearly 270 yards and scored all of the Dolphins’ touchdowns, helping them get to a 3-0 record. How long have you been playing football? Three years. You had a really good game against Turkey Creek. What was it like playing that day? It was good.
How do you feel about the rest of the season? Do you think the Dolphins will be good? Yes, sir.
What’s your NFL team? The Seahawks, because they have Marshawn Lynch.
What’s your favorite thing about football? Running and hitting. My favorite thing to do is running, so that’s why I picked it. If it wasn’t running, then I’d probably like basketball, or even baseball. Do you play other sports? I’m going to play basketball next season, but that’s it. Do you play any other positions on the field? I play quarterback, but that’s it.
MANAGEMENT
COMPANY
Sounds like running back is your favorite, though. Nope. Wide receiver, but I can’t (play it) because no one throws as good as me.
RENTALS
What’s your favorite subject in school? Math. What’s your favorite football movie? “Remember the Titans.”
Do you have any personal goals this year? I want to accomplish scoring every touchdown in the whole game, every game.
PROPERTY
What do you like to do for fun when you’re not playing football? I like to play football at home.
How did you get so many yards that day? Just running hard.
What do you think your record will be at the end of the year? 10-0.
HOMETOWN SALES
Is there any sport you’ve always wanted to play that you haven’t tried yet? Soccer. What position would you play? I would be a guarder.
If you could meet any famous person, who would it be? Tavon Austin. I haven’t met him. I’ve watched videos of him, but I have not met him. What would you do if you could hang out with him for a day? I’d want to race him. Think you could beat him? No. He’s fast.
You’ve met him at an All-Star camp? I have. And I want to be like Tavon Austin. Was Marshawn Lynch nice to you? Nope. He made me do 10 pushups for knocking down a cone. Let’s say you go to the NFL and get a whole bunch of money with your first contract. What’s the first thing you buy? A Lamborghini. If you met a kid younger than you who just started playing football, and he asks you how to be a good football player, what would you tell him? Running and hitting, and do your drills. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? (To be) invisible. What would you use it for? To be invisible and scare people.
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Jaden Garrett had a really nice game, and you have to give credit to Dylan Novo for coming up huge with the safety that officially killed Hillsborough’s chances of winning. After thinking about it, I’d give it to Garrett. The junior DB picked off the very first Hillsborough pass of the game, handled his defensive assignments well and was the one who blocked that Hillsborough field goal attempt in the fourth quarter. Can’t knock that hustle.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM
YOUR
MANAGEMENT
sborough is still a very good team, this is an indicator of exactly what the Cougars will need to work on throughout the season in order to survive a tough district. After the game, as I was editing photos and putting together the online photo gallery, a friend who recently moved to the area asked who I’d give the game ball to. That was tough, and I didn’t have a clear-cut answer for him right then. Potter certainly had his moments, as did Forté and Myers.
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168400-1
PLANT CITY TIME & OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
PLANT CITY
WEATHER
THURS. Aug. 27
0.03
FRI.
0.00
Friday, Sept. 4 Saturday, Sept. 5 Sunday, Sept. 6 Monday, Sept. 7 Tuesday, Sept. 8 Wednesday, Sept. 9 Thursday, Sept. 10
SAT.
Aug. 29
0.00
SUN.
Aug. 30
0.25
MON.
Aug. 31
0.24
TUES.
Sept. 1
0.05
WED.
Sept. 2
0.00
MONTH
TO DATE
0.05 (2014: 0.00)
YEAR
I PC
TEMPERATURES
Aug. 28
HIGH 89 91 90 89 90 90 91
SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES Friday, Sept. 4 Saturday, Sept. 5 Sunday, Sept. 6 Monday, Sept. 7 Tuesday, Sept. 8 Wednesday, Sept. 9 Thursday, Sept. 10
SUNRISE 7:08 a.m. 7:09 a.m. 7:09 a.m. 7:09 a.m. 7:10 a.m. 7:10 a.m. 7:11 a.m.
LOW 74 72 72 73 73 73 74
Quack, quack. Danielle Vinciguerra took this picture in Walden Lake.
Danielle wins a Grimes Hardware Strawberry Town Cafe gift card. She can claim the card with an ID at Strawberry Town Cafe, 3161 Paul Buchman Highway.
MOON
SUNSET 7:46 p.m. 7:46 p.m. 7:45 p.m. 7:44 p.m. 7:43 p.m. 7:42 p.m. 7:41 p.m.
PHASES
Do you have a picture that sums up the personality of Plant City? To enter the I Love Plant City photo contest, email your photo and a caption to Managing Editor Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@ plantcityobserver.com. Winners will have their picture featured and will receive a special gift.
Sept. 5
Sept. 12
OKRA
SHIPPING POINT: Orlando Sept. 21
$14 to 14.85
TO DATE 35.34 (2014: 34.19)
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Sept. 27
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Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a popular fashion designer. Using the hints A=E and G=L, decipher the clues to name the designer.
ACROSS 1 Clean, as a pipe 5 What heated ice does 10 Feedbag contents 14 Cologne scent 18 “... calm, ___ bright” 20 Prefix meaning “sun” 21 Do a burger joint job 22 “Fifteen Miles on the ___ Canal” 23 Suffice, to a pelican? 25 Removing bones from meat 27 Brother of Dewey 28 According to law 30 Consumed 31 Oppressive rulers 34 Type of car 35 N. Oregon volcano 38 Under a false I.D. 39 The U.S., metaphorically 42 Canadian law enforcers (Abbr.) 44 Cherry center 45 ___ Gatos, Calif. 46 Caesar’s worst day 48 Bit of business attire 49 Ostrich or owl 50 Layer of the Earth’s crust 52 One place for spectators 55 Santa ___ winds 56 Club for one? 57 Get stuffed? 59 Stately estate 61 Fortification 63 ___ Carta 64 More fitting 65 Big name in cash machines 66 It might be run up at a bar 68 “And I Love ___” (Beatles tune) 69 Big Apple mass transit inits. 70 Country house 72 Bananalike plant 74 Kind of engraving 78 One with a large shopping bag 79 Thing to do at a doctor visit 82 “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” boy 83 Lennon’s bride 84 Leotard and Silhouette, for two 86 Finished 87 Singer with wings 88 Family member 89 Small religious group 90 Tear 91 Metropolitan 92 Google co-founder Sergey 94 Alabama college town 99 Nursery rhyme “Mother” 100 They may be picked up by dogs 102 Out of whack 103 Went over completely 105 Flowery chain 106 Calgary hockey player 107 Bobby of Southfork 108 Package stuffing 112 Vacillate 117 Popular cookie 118 Dairy case tubful 119 Operating room substance of old
1. K I G I 2. K E Y K G A G Q S A G 3. Y T J F A G Q F X A Y 4. Q F F J A T Q G G 5. Q E U I W
This designer started off their career designing neckties:
SUDOKU
Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 through Sept difficulty ratingcolumn 0.32) 9 3in(Easy, each row, and box.
8
5
3 1
5 9
4
6
3 6
9
3
5
1
8
7 2
4
1
8
168234-1
CROSSWORD ITEMIZED by Rob Lee
CRYPTOQUIZ
6
180138
RAIN
(INCHES)
15
4
2
8
6
7
2
1
3 7
Sept 3 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.32)
6
1
4
8
5
7
2
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9
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©2015 Universal Uclick
120 Sound man’s concern 121 Capital of Switzerland 122 Secluded valley 123 A type of faith 124 Like some causes
31 Expel, as an attorney 32 Be seductive 33 Made a touchdown 34 “McSorley’s Bar” painter 35 Photographer’s poser 36 87 or 89, at the pump DOWN 37 Key of Bach’s “The Art of 1 British WWII fliers Fugue” 2 Inventor Whitney 40 Ticklish Muppet 3 Each and every 41 Column supporting a building 4 Waterwheel water source, per43 Brandy flavor haps 47 Sneezing can be one 5 Another type of faith 50 Tel Aviv native 6 Wife of Hercules 51 “Addams Family” member 7 Muhammad of boxing 52 Fed. procurement agency 8 Large North American shorebirds 53 Crocheted blanket 9 Gold coins of ancient Rome 54 Checkout counter annoyance 10 In the ___ (likely to happen) 57 Swindles 11 Deplaned 58 Preserve 12 “Shop ___ you drop” 60 Just ___ (not much) 13 Paint mess 62 Less than twice 14 Space streaker 64 Love, in Italia 15 Scene of the William Tell legend 66 Tarnishes 16 Break a Commandment 67 Skillfully 17 It may be tapped 70 Organ givers 19 Larry, Moe or Curly 71 Kind of bomb 24 Small, crude dwelling 73 USSR’s successor 26 Numerical suffix, sometimes 74 Was victorious 29 Place for tuna 75 Element used in dating
76 Discomfort 77 Like British sardines 78 Burial place, for some 79 Adjust a telescope lens 80 “___, amigos!” 81 Fancy dressers 85 Bicker over trifles 87 Type of regrettable death 90 Optimistic and then some 91 Lake George locale 93 “On the Road Again” singer Willie 95 Pay a visit to 96 Where docs pay dues 97 Long-___ (leggy) 98 Teeming, as a beehive 101 Alumna bio word 104 Grenade part 106 Run away 107 ___ out a living (scrapes by) 108 Arced toss 109 Rich rock in a vein 110 “___ the ramparts ...” 111 Down with the flu 113 “The Sweetheart of Sigma ___” 114 Wedding declaration 115 Fleur-de-___ 116 Parking place
PlantCityObserver.com
PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
Your To Joint Pain Relief
Community Education Seminar Shoulder Injuries and Treatments Learn about common shoulder injuries, such as dislocation, rotator cuff tears and arthritis, as well as advanced treatment options.
Tuesday, September 29 6–7:30pm R. Bryan Butler, MD Orthopedic Surgeon
Reserve your space: (813) 644-4302 or
BayCareEvents.org Free Seminar Free Parking Refreshments Provided
South Florida Baptist Hospital, Community Conference Room 301 N. Alexander St. | Plant City
180420
16
BC1505730-0815