1.16.20 PLCO

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

PCPD OFFICER STRUCK BY FLEEING SUSPECTS’ VEHICLE

One officer was taken to the hospital with “serious” injuries when wanted suspects hit him and two police vehicles on Wednesday morning.

JUSTIN KLINE

SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

An attempt to serve a warrant Wednesday morning resulted in one Plant City Police Department detective getting seriously injured.

Two undercover detectives conducted vehicle surveillance to apprehend a

female suspect with several felony warrants, which include kidnapping, and located the suspect’s silver Toyota truck at approximately 11:01 a.m. They followed the truck to the United Food Store at 1506 Sammonds Road and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver proceeded to ram both vehicles and charged directly at one of the detectives. Both

opened fire on the truck in an attempt to stop it, but Sgt. Al Van Duyne said the suspect, who had a male passenger, still drove over the officer and caused serious injury in the getaway.

SEE PAGE 4

2020 JUNIOR ROYALTY PAGEANT

The 2019 Junior Royalty Queen and court passed their crowns to the next generation on Saturday night.

SEE PAGE 11

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Gracie Ashlyn Garner, Madelyn Marie Hardwick, Sutton Kaye Duncan and Olivia Pilar McDowell were crowned 2020 Queen, Princess, Duchess and Baron-

ess, respectively, in front of a packed house at the Charlie Grimes Family Agricultural Center. The top 10 contestants in each age group shared their “perfect vision” of a day at the Florida Strawberry Festival, keeping with the theme of the 2020 event.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

NEWS BRIEFS

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UFBPC seeking volunteers Surgeon general urges flu vaccinations The United Food Bank of Plant City has an urgent need for consistent volunteers.

The UFB is looking for anyone who can help with sorting and stocking items, distribution and assisting in the office, located at 702 E. Alsobrook St. #H. Anyone interested or seeking more information is asked to email Gayle Tindle at gtindle@ufbpc.org.

Flu season is entering its peak and the Florida Department of Health encourages all residents to take preventative measures now.

The department recommends anyone older than six months who is unvaccinated to get the flu shot as soon as possible.

While getting the shot doesn’t completely guarantee avoiding the flu altogether, it can reduce the risk of someone adding to the 2019-20 total of 6.4 million reported cases of the flu — which includes 55,000 hospitalizations and 2,900 related deaths, per the FDH. “Influenza is a contagious virus that can spread rapidly in our communities and cause severe illness resulting in hospital-

ization or death,” Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees said. “Getting vaccinated is the best way to avoid the flu: it reduces the spread of the virus and can also help make illnesses less severe for those who do still get sick.”

The department said the vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women.

Individuals that are at most risk for getting severely ill from the flu are young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, and people aged 65 years and older. Your body will develop protection against the flu up to two weeks after the shot. To further help prevent the spread of the flu, all are encourages to wash or sanitize their hands regularly, cover the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, dis-

infect surfaces at home, work and school and, if you do get sick, stay home as much as possible.

For more information about the flu and where you can get your flu shot, visit flufreeflorida.org or call the Hillsborough County department at 813-307-8000.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

3

FRANKLIN GRAHAM

ASKS AMERICA TO “DECIDE” ON TOUR STOP IN PLANT CITY

Nearly 10,000 attendees flooded the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds to hear Franklin Graham talk about the nation, the need for prayer and God’s love.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

When Franklin Graham stepped up to the podium in Plant City on Sunday afternoon he was met with raucous cheers and chants arising from generations of uninhibited support.

Approximately 9,680 attendees flooded into the grandstands at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds on Jan. 12, according to the Billy Graham Evangelist Association, to listen to Graham on his Decision America Tour.

It was the second stop on his six city Sunshine State tour and the highest attendance his team had “seen in a while,” according to a spokesman.

Despite the continuing controversy — or “distracting tension” as one attendee succinctly summarized — surrounding Graham following his rebuttal to an editorial in Christianity Today after the publication, which was founded by his father, called for President Donald Trump’s removal from office, the grandstands were practically filled to capacity with Graham’s supporters. They came from all over, Riverview, Lakeland, Bartow and Tampa, and some even camped out to ensure they got as close to the stage as possible.

Graham said he hoped those who attended the tour walked away with the “same message we’ve been preaching for 70 years.” He said he wants attendees to know God loves them, that He created them, that sin separates people from God, that they can be saved and that their souls are safe and secure in the hands of God. Once he walked onto the stage, however, the majority of his speech was focused on the moral state of the country. Toward the start of his speech he had everyone in the audience take a long moment to pray for the nation’s elected leaders. President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Nancy Pelosi — though he added that he wasn’t sure when the last time someone prayed for her had been — and even for local leaders like the Mayor of Plant City and school board members. There was a long moment of silence as all nearly 10,000 attendees hung their heads and quietly prayed.

You could hear a pin drop. Then Graham softly began a verbal prayer of his own. Loud “amens” signified the end of the moment as Graham then launched into the next chapter of his speech.

“Our country is in trouble,” Graham said in an interview with the Plant City Observer. “We’re politically — we’re broken. The direction of our country is at a

crossroads and people are going to have to decide what they want for the future and understand what’s at stake in the future. Once we lose our nation, it’ll take 100 years to get it back and it may have to take another revolution to get it back. So I want people to pray.

This is an election year, I want people to vote.”

Graham said that despite the fact that much of his speech is focused on the upcoming election, praying for elected officials and voting as God would lead you, it was not a political rally.

It was said almost like a mantra: he doesn’t tell people who to vote for, he simply tells them to pray and listen to God’s voice. He said the only hope for the nation is God — not Republicans or Democrats — and that voters need to go to the polls with his guidance behind their pencils.

Mere minutes before the rally, while conducting an interview with the gathered media, Graham reiterated a claim he has said multiple times since 2016: Trump won the election due to God’s favor.

“I think in this last election, that was God,” Graham said. “God was behind that. People said, ‘How could President Trump win? He offended everybody, he wasn’t a politician.’ And he did, but yet at the same time people voted for him and he won the election and I think God did it, God was behind it.”

Yet Graham stuck to his belief that it was not a tour centered on politics, but rather a tour focused on bringing people back to God and back to the action of prayer.

The response from the Christian community has been split.

The thousands in attendance showed their support for not only Graham, but his message for the future of the country.

Terry Jacobs and Ella Jefferson came over to the rally from Lakeland. Jefferson uses a cane and the long line wrapping to the entrance was more than she felt she could handle, so the duo sat in Jacobs’s truck just behind the grandstand with the windows down, soaking in every word.

“The main reason we are here, the reason everyone is here, is to support the body of Christ,” Jacobs said. “We are here to unite churches, to unite souls, to encourage pastors. The main thing is, we have such an awesome moment of praise and worship here and that will draw not only the saved, but the nonbelievers. Even if they don’t come to the Lord tonight their lives will be touched… And who doesn’t love the Grahams?”

Jacobs attends Ignited Church in Lakeland and said her pastor

had encouraged the entire congregation to attend. Congregations were strewn throughout the grandstands, many of whom wore their church shirts while they worshiped along with Jeremy Camp prior to Graham’s speech.

Jacobs also agreed with Graham’s push to pray for elected leaders. Quoting 1 Timothy 2:12, she said believers were called to pray for all men, including those in positions in authority.

She said you start with the head, or the President, and then work your way down to local officials, to leaders of your businesses and hospitals and organizations. She said you pray for your family and friends, for strangers on the sidewalk, for the homeless. Prayer is meant to be used as an intercession, Jacobs said, and it was used in full force Sunday. She prayed with someone who walked by on the sidewalk, talked to a handful of people who stopped for a chat on their way into the rally. It was the perfect example of how “believers should have the faith to believe God can move and work in the nation.”

Not everyone echoes that sentiment. On Tuesday, Faithful America, a nonprofit Christian social justice organization, began a protest against Graham’s trek around Florida. The petition has more than 11,000 signatures as of press time and states that Graham’s tour does not represent their faith.

It heavily cites many years’ worth of quotes from Graham ranging from the way he vehemently opposes LGBTQ issues to his frequent vocal support of Trump, including a quote from Graham during a podcast in November 2019 where he said the impeachment was guided by an “almost demonic power.”

Three of the locations Graham is speaking at during the tour in Florida are at publicly owned venues and the petition is asking city governments to rethink allowing him in their venues due to his divisive views. If the governments do not cancel his rallies, the petition asks them to instead donate his rental fees to pro-LGBTQ causes.

The petition doesn’t seem to have phased Graham as he prepares to head his fourth stop of the Tour at today’s rally in Key West.

“I don’t know about the 11,000 who have signed an online petition, but we’ve had some 25,000 attend in person, and we’re only halfway through,” Graham said.

Photos by Breanne Williams

Above: All 9,680 people in attendance at the tour linked hands for a moment of prayer and worship.

Below: Jeremy Camp worshipped with attendees, celebrated his birthday with a surprise cake brought out by his family and chatted about an upcoming movie based on his life.

Bottom: Franklin Graham received a standing ovation during his entrance to Sunday’s rally.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

OFFICER HOSPITALIZED IN WEDNESDAY HIT-AND-RUN INCIDENT

Two suspects, who hit a PCPD officer with a vehicle evading a warrant arrest and then stole a truck to get away, were found in Polk County Wednesday afternoon.

PLANT CITY

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Deputies investigated a shooting incident on Bailey Road in Mulberry believed to be conThe other detective at the scene stayed with nected to the Plant City incident. the injured officer and called for help, while Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office conthe suspect ditched the truck near the 4000 firmed Wednesday afternoon the suspects block of Cooper Road and stole a blue 1990 were last seen fleeing northbound on Cooper Toyota Tacoma with Florida tag 702 5TP. Road.

The incident happened during the funeral According to an HCSO news release, the for fallen Lakeland officer Paul Dunn. owner of the stolen blue Toyota reported the “It’s really sad that we have to leave a funeral two suspects knocked at his door, pointed a for a fallen officer for foolishness such as this,” gun at him and demanded he hand over the Van Duyne said in an afternoon press confer- keys to his truck. The resident was not harmed.

David Steinberg January 16,were 2020 ence. “But, be clear: we willEdited get theby parties HCSO said the suspects located in Polk responsible for this.”

County and shot by PCSO deputies.

22 Frenzied 44 Network ACROSS 60 Furniture a County The names of the detectives involved were forPolk Sheriff Grady Judd said the for not released1atFlock press time. detec- male suspect, Aaron Phillips, was film shotbuffs and 24 Stereotypical calls The injuredspiky-haired tive, a five-year veteran force killed by Polk County deputies. female coder 46The Like early 5 Very small,of the police singer? was transported to Lakeland Regional Hospi-spot suspect,25 April Thompson, was hit by gunfire Millennium’s movies informally 64 Idyllic tal. Plant City Police said Wednesday evening in Plant City and47 once in Polkas thousand: Risked, 10 First-rate 65 Talk showtwice — once that the injured officer’s condition had been County — and she was transported toathe hosAbbr. wager 14 Part of AKA host upgraded 15 to stable and that he suffered “sevpital.

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SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Universal Crossword

venues 50 Sidestep has two expense Courtesy of Polk County Sheriff’s Office 28 Yield, as 51 Become less accents 68 Apple April Thompson, 36, and Aaron Phillips, 31, property 17 Furniture for sour, say discontinued were the suspects involved in Wednesday 29 Skating a reporter?

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

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ONLINE PERMITTING BRIEFLY DELAYED

The City of Plant City’s online permitting project was supposed to go live at the end of 2019. Due to a handful of vendor-related complications the project is now eyeing March as its official launch date.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The City of Plant City is seeking to revolutionize many of its public interfaces in an effort to help make interacting with the local government a seamless affair.

One of its major projects over the course of the past year has been to create an online permitting portal for local residents to seek permits and check on their status from the comfort of their own homes. In Oct. 2018 city commissioners unanimously agreed to bring that reality to life. The project began its implementation in January, but in October and November of 2019 an unforeseen problem arose.

“It’s real simple: we had a financial management payment software, MUNIS and Paymentus, MUNIS did an update and I think Paymentus did an update and those updates didn’t — you know how in the programs they have to connect? — well, when they updated, they no longer connected,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. “Now they have to rewrite everything to connect it again.”

Once complete, the new system will allow online permit tracking and application, electronic plans submissions and reviews, status updates and obtaining permits and paying from any device. It’s a three-fold measure and two of the three branches are still in need of tweaking.

Code Enforcement’s site went live internally on Nov. 18, 2019 and is currently live for the public as well.

The Code Enforcement site was created so residents can submit complaints and check the status of a case. This will create

a virtual map where all of the reports and violations will be housed in one place.

In a techno-win for the city, code enforcement inspectors will be able to take photos, write comments and have them safely homed in the website.

The Business Tax site and the Community Development site, however, are the two that still are facing issues. Because they deal with large sums of money, the software is larger and more complex. Its connection is vital and once the interface is complete Finance will have to come in and review the process to ensure all payments are being posted to the correct accounts and that fees are being applied correctly.

McDaniel said the project’s expected general release to the public will be March 2. Mayor Rick Lott said he was still pleased with the quick turn around and that anyone who has ever had to rely on software knows it frequently comes with major delays. The commissioners echoed his comment Monday evening during the city commission meeting and said they were all looking forward to finally seeing the new system in action.

To fix the compatibility issues the staff will need an additional 115 hours of project management assistance hours, which will cost the city up to $14,950. The funds are amiable in the current project budgeted amount and commissioners agreed it was a simple request to get the project live.

Courtesy photos

The permitting portal is set to go live in March, which will help residents efficiently meet their permitting needs without having to physically go to City Hall.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

MASTER PILOT RECEIVES RECOGNITION Norman St Peter has been flying for 50 years and will be awarded with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot award this weekend.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

When it comes to aircraft, there are few Norman St Peter can’t fly.

The pilot, who splits his time between northern Maine and Florida, has been weaving among the clouds for approximately 50 years. This weekend, he’s being awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot award, making him just the third pilot in Plant City history to be given the honor.

“I’ve wanted to fly ever since I was a little kid,” St Peter said. “I made old World War II airplanes out of cedar and had them hanging in the attic of our farmhouse.”

St Peter joined the military in 1962 and served two tours in Vietnam as an Army helicopter pilot.

Over the course of his career he has saved with the Pentagon, built his own helicopter and even built an RV-10, which was recognized as the Outstanding Home Built aircraft at Sun N Fun in 2010.

He learned to fly basically every craft the Army had at its disposal.

His skill level soared but, when he faced a third tour, the U.S. pulled out. He joked he had so much time in a helicopter the only logical next step would be to learn how to build his own.

As time passed, he and his wife Donna began to spend half of the year in Florida and half in Maine.

He retired out of MacDill Air Force Base, so he was familiar with the area. When Mike Windom, Plant City’s EAA Chapter 1178 member and Tampa FAASTeam Rep., told them about the award, Donna encouraged her husband to apply

for the recognition. The award is only for pilots who have valued safety and professionalism above all else and is considered to be the “most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 6.”

“My husband’s personality is such that he has to be the best at everything so that translated into flying where he constantly kept himself up to speed and practiced what needed to be practiced so he would be the best,” Donna St Peter said.

His resume backs up that claim.

An Army aviator from 1962 to 1989, he has flown everything from an H23D (Hiller), H13 (Bell), Piasecki, Huey (Models A, B, C, D, H), CH-47 (Chinook) and a Cobra (Gunship). In 1972, he received the instrument ticket for a Cessna 172, Piper PA-28 and a Cessna 150.

In 1976, he commanded an Air Cav Troop in Germany and flew a Huey, OH-58. In 1982 he commanded the 4th and 7th Cavalry Squadrons in Korea while flying a Huey and Cobra. In 1985, he commanded the Army Aviation Support Element and flew a C-12 (Beech King Air) and Huey.

He is also a Purple Heart recipient. St Peter joked that he was simply “at the wrong place at the wrong time.” While in Vietnam, he was flying a helicopter and a man popped up out of a “spider hole” with an AK-47 and put 21 holes in the helicopter “all the way down the line.”

“I have a piece of plexiglass at the house where the round came through the bubble and hit the

console and exploded the console, and all those little wires in the console exploded,” St Peter said. “We had our visors down so it protected our eyes.”

St Peter has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, 10 Air Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, two Oversea Service Ribbons, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Republic Gallantry Cross with Palm.

Despite his many accomplishments, he admits he never would have applied for the Wright Brothers award had Donna and Windom not encouraged him to do so.

“The recognition is welldeserved,” Windom said. “He’s very not bravado about his career.”

Always reaching back toward his roots, St Peter has had a life-long love of amphibian aircraft. He can frequently be found attaching the floats to his helicopter and going fishing or for leisurely flights with Donna over the jaw-dropping landscape.

Courtesy photos

Norman St Peter will receive the award this weekend at the airport.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

7

CULVER’S FINALLY OPENS IN PLANT CITY The Wisconsin-based chain’s newest store opened its doors Monday and had a soft launch party on Jan. 11.

Photos by Justin Kline

Culver’s of Plant City is officially open for business as of Monday morning. The restaurant also hosted a special pre-opening event on Jan. 11 from 1 to 2:30 p.m..

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Plant Citians now only have to go as far as North Park Road to get their fix of cheese curds, frozen custard and butterburgers.

Culver’s of Plant City officially opened Monday, nearly a year and three months after the Plant City EDC’s initial announcement that the chain’s franchising system was exploring the idea of opening a restaurant in town.

Residents have responded in kind, flooding the drive-thru lane

at lunchtime and packing all 86 parking spots.

Monday’s opening was especially sweet for the first 200 customers, who each received a voucher for one free frozen custard for each of the next 12 months.

Many people with a sweet tooth even camped out in front of the store to make sure they wouldn’t miss out on that opportunity.

Just two days before the doors opened to the public, the store held an exclusive event from 1 to 2:30 p.m. to give some residents a taste of what was to come. Hun-

dreds of people came out to meet the staff and owners T.J. and Scott Schwebke, get a look at the finished 5,500 square-foot restaurant and eat whatever they wanted. Whether someone wanted a buttery cheeseburger with patties piled high or a slightly healthier salad with some chicken tenders, Culver’s was ready despite every seat in the house being taken and a line that spilled out of the door.

“I thought it was amazing,” Scott McIntosh said. “I wasn’t real familiar with Culver’s. It was my second time in one. The ser-

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vice was good, the people were good, the food was good. The frozen custard, that stuff was amazing. I can’t wait to go back and I’m really glad they’ve come to town.”

Local students involved with FFA programs were also invited out to the event to highlight their work. The Culver’s organization is a strong supporter of the FFA and agricultural education programs. Its national Thank You Farmers Project has contributed more than $2 million to ag education programs in the last six years and its annual FFA Essay Contest

has given $55,000 in scholarship money to finalists. Culver’s also has a “Blue Jacket Program” that provides the iconic blue corduroy jackets to students who otherwise can’t afford them. Culver’s restaurants offer options for guests to donate to their local FFA programs and also offer it online at ffa.givingfuel.com/culvers.

IF YOU GO Culver’s of Plant City is located near Interstate 4 at 2013 N. Park Road and is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

New year,

CUTEST CRITTER

New Queen

Do you want Plant City to see how cute your favorite pets are? Send your pictures to Staff Writer Breanne Williams at bwilliams@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

BENJAMIN: Benjamin keeps begging mom and dad — Kathy and Jim Flemister — to let the Christmas tree stay up just one more week. Eventually, though, his paws were tied and he had to gave to the end of the holiday season.

ONLINE

The crown of the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and the four positions on her court will be up for grabs this Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Grimes Family Agricultural Center at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds.

Twenty-four girls will compete in the 85th annual Florida Strawberry Festival Queens Scholarship Pageant, which starts at 6:30 p.m. This is the highlight of Plant City’s annual pageant circuit, which includes the Junior Royalty Pageant and Little Miss Plant City. The current Queen is Kendall Gaudens and her court includes First Maid Madilyn Conrad and members Olivia Frazier, Jada Brown and Kennedy Cullins.

The Plant City Lions Club sponsors the pageant each year and works tirelessly from August through January to put together the crown jewel of Plant City pageants. Gail Lyons, chairman of the pageant committee, has helped organize the pageant for 17 years and said watching each contestant grow during that time is the most rewarding thing.

“My favorite thing is to watch the girls progress and mature into beautiful young

ladies,” Lyons said. “They transform from the time they come to orientation to the night of the pageant. Then they’re different after the pageant, whether they win or lose.”

Lyons encourages all contestants to have fun out there and to “be yourself on that stage in front of all your friends and family.”

The new Queen and her court will represent Plant City all year. You can catch them at the 2020 Florida Strawberry Festival from Feb. 27 through March 8.

MORGAN NOLAN Junior at Armwood High School Dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College

DAUGHTER OF

Jennifer Alderman and Michael Nolan

Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instagram, @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer on Facebook.

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Senior at Durant High School

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Dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College

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DENIM HUGHES Senior at Durant High School Dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College

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ELIZABETH EAKINS Junior at Durant High School

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IT’S READ EVERYWHERE Did you take the Observer with you on vacation? Send your pictures to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

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NEW YORK CITY: Dean and Liz Pfeffer, Nick and Nora Trivunovich and Jim and Kathy Drapp recently visited New York City and took a photo with the Observer at the Avenue of the Americas.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

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2020 JUNIOR ROYALTY PAGEANT

The 2019 Junior Royalty Queen and court passed their crowns to the next generation on Saturday night.

FROM PAGE 1

BARONESS

PRINCESS

QUEEN

Top Five: Olivia Pilar McDowell (winner), Caroline Brooke Newman (runner-up), Sadie Marie Wonser, Georgia SueAnn Hunter, Carrigan Beau Brake Rounding out the top 10: Paisley Grace Glass, Calleigh Jo Welch, Madisyn Rose Meindersma, Lyla Lavelle Jimenez, Linley Burris Other contestants: Alyssa Paige Fletcher, Bella Mea Brown, Ainslee Elizabeth Creel, Khloe Dross, Shelby Rose Banda, Lillian Grace Jones, Tiftyn Raelynn Gill, Abigail Sue Smith, Madison Rae White, Adelyn Makina Jenson, Skylar Faith Schill, Katlin Rose Edge, Isabelle Elizabeth Diehl, Allie Faye McDowell, Angelie Garcia, Brooke Raelynn Thompson, Riley Shaylee Geiger, Kendall Mae Gillespie-Gee

Top Five: Madelyn Marie Hardwick (winner), Amari Saniya Jackson (runner-up), Makyla Sunset Brown, Kendall Fallon Spencer, McKenna Brielle Davis Rounding out the top 10: Jenna Elizabeth Sheppard, Brielee Marie Bedenbaugh, Kacie Lynn Culbreth, Georgia Peyton Pippin, Brooke Sidnei Browning Other contestants: Serenity Lynn Pellens, Bailey Renae Keys, Autumn Paige Brazil, Maya Leanne Howard, Aleah Alexandra Pittman, Emily Mae Guess, Emerie Claire McKinnen, Kendall Belle Wright, Taylor Marie Myers, Brightyn Madison Willis, Avery Joy Palmer, Grace Marie Burris, Brooklyn Taylor Stiles, Nevaeh Lynn Dalton, Caitlyn Celeste Corcino, Brooke Nicole Wright, Tatum Leigh Tucker, Summer Rain Schill, Chesney Charlotte Stackhouse, Kylie Marie Coleman

Top Five: Gracie Ashlyn Garner (winner), Kiah Jade Swiller (runner-up), Kate Daigle, Morgan Kayliana Brake, Giselle Gutierrez Rounding out the top 10: Fe Jacquelyn Ramirez, Peyton Hobbs, Bridget Mae McLaughlin, Hannah Elizabeth Simmons, Emma Grace Jones Other contestants: Madison Grace Schill, Lillie Anna Riner, Jazlyn Marie Torres, Hanna Marie Watson, Makayla Makeroff, Jayla McKaden Baker, Amya Beasley, Abigail Louise Spivey, Grace Elizabeth Pagliaro, Mackenzie Marie Lemus, Emma Claire Carbaugh, Layesha McDonald, Milee Gale Hasting, Raylynn Nicole Thompson, Vanessa Grace Varnum, Megan Arlene Burk, Makayla Renee Mahoney, Aubrey Lynn Abella, Ryleigh Danielle Hawkins

DUCHESS

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Top Five: Sutton Kaye Duncan (winner), Gisella Elena McDowell (runner-up), Shyla Ann Stanaland, Brylee Nicole Martinez, Addisyn Danielle Wise Rounding out the top 10: Caitlin Abigail Coleman, Rylee Nicole Smith, Presley Reese Hay, Bristol Anne Bedenbaugh, Jade Aubrie Beveard Other contestants: Alayna Rae Mizer, Tayli Bristol O’Neal, Zoyie Nichole Knott, Brylynn Paige Newsome, Cayleigh Anne Stafford, Avery Rose Richey, Jeweliann Marie Clark, Emma Jayne Silverstein, Paisley Faith Blossom, Danica Faith Gill, Kendall Dross, Payton Grace Gibson, Teagan Ella-Rose Brake, Jade Aubrey Knott, Lily Miller, Kailynn Grace Knight, Khloe Grace Stiles, Emery Brielle Martinez, Kaylei Ann Hardin, Chloe Lynn Smith

JANUARY 16, 2020

SPORTS Quick Hits

AREA PARKS HOSTING TOURNAMENTS

This weekend, the Tampa Bay Ultimate Frisbee Janus XXVII tournament will use fields at Ellis-Methvin Park and the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex for two days of ultimate frisbee action. Games start between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Next week, the ninth annual ISSA/WBSC World Tournament of Champions comes back to Plant City. The senior softball tournament, which takes place at sites around the Tampa Bay area, will have games played at the Randy L. Larson Four-Plex from Jan. 24-26. Visit seniorsoftball.org/2020-issaisf-world-tournament-of-champions.html for a complete schedule.

GSA Baseball’s spring league play also heats up next weekend at Mike Sansone and Ellis-Methvin parks. Games start between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Jan. 25-26.

WHAT’S NEW AT Led by aquatic additions, the Plant City Family YMCA is diving in to 2020 with its members in mind.

SIGN UP FOR YOUTH SOCCER Registration has begun for the 44th annual Plant City Recreation and Parks Department/ Optimist Club Youth Soccer Program.

The league is open to all area youths age 4-18 as of June 1, 2020 (birth certificate required) and the players will be divided into 11 age groups. The season starts in late March and runs through the end of May, with games mostly played Saturdays for players age 4-11 and on Tuesday nights for players age 12-18.

More than 1,300 kids participated last year in 100 total teams.

Registration costs $35 per player and includes the costs for jerseys and supplemental accident insurance. Sign up by 4:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at the PCRPD office, 1904 S. Park Road, or by mail. For more information and to get a registration form, visit plantcitygov. com/parksrec/page/youth-soccer-leagueages-4-18, email recinfo@plantcitygov.com or call 813-659-4255.

TRI-STAR BASKETBALL COMP COMING SOON Area hoopers age 8-13 are invited to the Tomlin Middle School gymnasium on Feb. 1 to put their skills to the test.

The 47th annual Plant City Optimist Club Tri-Star Basketball Competition tips off at 9 a.m. and will showcase competitors’ shooting, passing and dribbling abilities. You do not have to be in the city’s rec basketball program to participate, but the city team with the most players in attendance and in uniform will get a free pizza party.

The event is free and you can get a registration form by emailing recinfo@plantcitygov. com or calling 813-659-4255.

COLTS TO HOST FREE FOOTBALL CAMP The Plant City Colts are starting a new tradition with their first annual football camp for boys age 4-15.

The camp, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 1, will be held at the MLK complex at 1903 E. Dr. MLK Blvd. and will cover all the football skills and drills athletes need to know to get better with help from the Colts coaching staff. Food will be available at the camp.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Plant City Family YMCA has long wanted to make its aquatics branch as strong as possible. That’s still a goal for 2020 under new executive director Paul Conley, and members of the Plant City Y are already seeing changes in action.

To achieve one of Conley’s goals — year-round member engagement with the heated outdoor pool — aquatics will need a new look. It’s getting that in almost all areas.

“We’re really trying to make it a whole atmosphere around the family experience and senior experience,” Conley said.

Cosmetically, the pool area is getting a makeover. The Y started installing new slides this month, is replacing all of the patio area furniture and has upgraded the pool steps for easier access for seniors, children and users with disabilities.

As far as programming goes, Conley has two big plans for the pool. First, there’s the Lap League installed in Plant City and at all other YMCAs in the Tampa Metropolitan network in December 2019. Members who sign up are challenged to log 100 miles in the 25-meter short course pool. One mile in the pool is covered by a little more than 60 laps, so it’s a long-haul challenge with legitimate fitness benefits.

“We’re all kind of in it together,” Conley said. “I think with being the only outdoor pool in Plant City, we have an awesome opportunity to get people active through non-contact activity. It’s a heck of a workout.”

Conley said the Y is looking to refine its youth programs from the ground up, hoping to build a strong feeder system to eventually build up the competitive team.

“We want to develop those kids into part of our competitive swim team,” he said. “That’s lost a bit of its luster the past few years and we’re looking to really improve that through quality coaching and getting kids active through swimming at an early age. That’s how you build their confidence up.”

The Y is also planning to expand its water exercise classes and try for more afternoon offerings.

These tasks will be made easier when the Y fills its open position for a fulltime aquatics director. Conley plans to have the position filled no later than March.

Beyond the pool, there aren’t many big plans for new upcoming events or programs in 2020 at this time.

“We’re always adding group exercise classes,” Conley said. “We’re always adding youth sports. But we’re really focused on doing the things we do well.

We’ve added a lot in the past, so this year it’s important that we focus on delivering the highest quality.”

The Plant City Y did, however, finish upgrading all of its strength and cardio equipment and is going to renovate the men’s and women’s locker rooms for a more “modern” look.

TO JOIN

Anyone interested in becoming a member at the Plant City Family YMCA should consider joining in January, as one-time join fees have been waived for the entire month. Prices range from $37 per month for teenagers to $85 per month for families. Visit tampaymca.org/joininjan/membership-2018/ to view all membership plans and get more information.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? TAKE CARE OF THAT ‘CHICKEN’ Money management is something all athletes with pro dreams need to learn sooner than later.

When Marshawn Lynch speaks these days, everyone listens. His press conference after Sunday’s NFC divisional round was no exception.

As always, Lynch gave a memorable soundbite in his short time facing the media. The realest person in the NFL had some advice for the next generation:

“I had a couple players that I played with that they’re no longer here no more — they’re no longer — so you feel me? Take care of y’all mentals, y’all bodies, y’all chicken, so when y’all ready to walk away, y’all walk away and you’ll be able to do what y’all want to do.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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SPORTS SCORES AND MORE BOYS BASKETBALL JAN. 8 Bloomingdale 53, Durant 49 Plant City 66, Strawberry Crest 31

Riverview Sarasota 76, Durant 45 Riverview 72, Plant City 40 Lakeland 89, Strawberry Crest 59

JAN. 14 Riverview 58, Durant 46 Kathleen 62, Plant City 49

Jefferson at Durant, 8 p.m.

Plant City at Armwood, 8 p.m.

JAN. 21 Durant at Lennard, 8 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Plant City, 8 p.m.

JAN. 22 Plant City at Lennard, 8 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Kathleen, 7 p.m.

JAN. 21

Western Conference at Durant, 6:30 p.m.

Plant City at Freedom, 8 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Brandon, 8 p.m.

Plant City at Freedom, 7 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Brandon, 6 p.m.

JAN. 23

JAN. 23

Plant at Plant City, 8 p.m.

Plant at Plant City, 6 p.m.

JAN. 31

JAN. 24

JAN. 24

FHSAA state championships at Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville through Feb. 1

Durant at Alonso, 8 p.m.

Durant at Alonso, 6 p.m.

Wharton at Strawberry Crest, 6 p.m.

FHSAA regionals at Plant City, 10 a.m.

JAN. 13

BOYS SOCCER

East Bay 46, Durant, 34 Strawberry Crest 60, Newsome 37

JAN. 8 Newsome 1, Plant City 0 Strawberry Crest 4, Tampa Bay Tech 0

Riverview 50, Durant 33 Strawberry Crest 59, Kathleen 15

JAN. 9

JAN. 17

JAN. 10

Jefferson at Durant, 6:30 p.m.

Plant City at Armwood, 6:30 p.m.

George Jenkins at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

King 1, Durant 1

Plant City 3, Wharton 1

JAN. 18 Strawberry Crest at MLK Tournament at Chamberlain HS JAN. 21

Durant at Victory Christian, 8 p.m.

Durant at Lennard, 6:30 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Plant CIty, 6:30 p.m.

Newsome at Durant, 8 p.m.

George Jenkins at Plant City, 7 p.m.

JAN. 21

JAN. 24

JAN. 23

JAN. 24

JAN. 16

JAN. 8

JAN. 14

JAN. 17

Newsome at Strawberry Crest, 6 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Riverview Sarasota 66, Durant 30 Riverview 55, Plant City 32

Newsome 60, Strawberry Crest 39

Newsome at Strawberry Crest, 8 p.m.

CHEERLEADING

JAN. 10

JAN. 13

JAN. 17

Robinson at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Bloomingdale 47, Durant 24 Strawberry Crest 58, Plant City 18

JAN. 10

JAN. 17

Strawberry Crest at Armwood, 8 p.m.

JAN. 22 Plant City at Lennard, 6:30 p.m.

JAN. 14

JAN. 16

JAN. 9

JAN. 17

Plant City 6, Wharton 0

Durant at Jerry Mita Invite through Jan. 18

Strawberry Crest at Ed Kilpatrick tournament

JAN. 16

Durant at Wharton, 8 p.m.

Steinbrenner at Plant City, 8 p.m.

Robinson at Strawberry Crest, 8 p.m.

Plant City at Newsome, 7 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at regional duals

JAN. 18

Durant 8, Brandon 0 Plant City 4, Armwood 0 Strawberry Crest 5, Riverview 1

JAN. 16

JAN. 23 Durant at East Bay, 7 p.m.

JAN. 24 Durant, Plant City, Strawberry Crest at Bloomingdale 10-way through Jan. 25

Durant at Wharton, 6 p.m.

Steinbrenner at Plant City, 6 p.m.

Robinson at Strawberry Crest, 6 p.m.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

PCHS Special Olympics basketball makes cut for two state championship games

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

JUSTIN KLINE

TAKE CARE OF THAT ‘CHICKEN’

Marshawn Lynch’s recent playoff postgame press conference highlighted a real problem many career athletes will have to face.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Seattle Seahawks | YouTube

Marshawn Lynch gave solid advice for young NFL players at a recent press conference.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Plant City High School’s Special Olympics Unified basketball team is making waves again.

This year’s team has high hopes for February after placing first in last weekend’s Special Olympics Area 8 competition at the University of Central Florida, which punched the athletes’ tickets for two upcoming state championships.

Head coach Lisa Goad said that while most of the team has played together for several years, a pair of newcomers — Parker Hancock and Taylor Teeden — have helped Plant City step its game up and post an 8-2 record in the 2020 season.

“They have just clicked this year,” Goad said. “They do things together outside of basketball and it’s a really neat group of kids. They just mesh together. They play really great together.”

The team will start the month with a trip to the Special Olympics Florida State Basketball Championship and end it at the 2020 Unified Champion Schools FHSAA Basketball Championships. The team is excited to get to the State Basketball

Championship, which will be held Feb. 8 at The Big House, 1544 Lane Park Cutoff Road, Tavares. But the upcoming FHSAA championship at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland is especially important to the boys: they got to the consolation game in last year’s event and have since wanted nothing more than to play for gold. Now they’ll get their chance against St. Cloud High School’s team at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 28 in the Division 2 championship.

After the FHSAA championships close out the month, the only thing the team knows for certain is that it’s participating in an exhibition game at Plant High School on April 2. But if they win these state championships, there’s a chance they’ll stay busy afterward.

Plant City hopes to make it back to the national stage, which it last did with a fourth-place finish at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle. The PCHS team also competed in the national tournament in the summer of 2014, winning gold in New Jersey. That’s all dependent on the next two events, of course, so Plant City is taking things one game at a time and hoping for the best.

Leading up to that, Lynch noted how many younger NFL players aren’t great at taking care of their money — that’s the “chicken” — and that taking the time to learn money management can make life after the game much easier. It’s great advice even beyond the limited scope of NFL players, in my opinion.

Everyone should learn how to balance a checkbook (even if you mostly use online banking) and how to create a budget. Everyone should get at least a basic understanding of the credit system and learn to tell the difference between traditional lending and truly predatory loans. You may not remember a lick of trigonometry when you graduate — I certainly don’t and I’ll never need to — but you’ll 100 percent need to know this stuff. It should be mandatory practice in every high school with classes completely devoted to basic personal finance. I did learn how to balance a checkbook in one of my high school classes, but it was part of another elective and I had to figure everything else out later.

Pro athletes are just more likely than most people to get in financial trouble. There are always people who crawl out of the woodwork looking for handouts and crawl back in when you’re in trouble. There are shady agents and accountants and wealth management people out there who will take advantage of someone’s lack of personal finance skills and skim from the pot.

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Allen Iverson earned hundreds of millions of dollars during his NBA career and filed for bankruptcy in 2012, stating his monthly income was $62,500 against expenses of $360,000. He’s luckier than most in that Reebok set up a trust fund for him that he’ll collect on in 10 years. NHL defenseman Jack Johnson’s parents controlled his finances since his career began, but racked up eight figures of debt enriching their own lives and using his earnings to pay off predatory lenders while keeping him in the dark for years. Countless others have fallen for ponzi schemes, made bad business or real estate investments or couldn’t kick a gambling addiction before it was too late.

There’s plenty of information available online to help you learn how to balance a checkbook and even mobile apps out there that will help you put together a budget for yourself and save money. Take advantage of what you can if you know you need help.

Like Lynch said, the sooner y’all learn to take care of your chicken, the better.

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The team will compete in the Special Olympics Florida State Basketball Championship from Feb. 7-8 and in the FHSAA Division 2 title game on Feb. 28.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

15

FOCUS ON FITNESS:

HIIT THE GYM IN 2020

HIIT training, or high intensity interval training has become increasingly popular the last few years and there is no sign of its popularity slowing down in 2020.

One of the biggest excuses for not exercising regularly is a lack of time. HIIT training is so time-efficient that, when done right, it could give you the same health benefits in 30 minutes as you can get from 60-90 minutes of steady-state training.

HIIT training is any exercise that alternates periods of high-intensity work followed by periods of rest. For a HIIT workout to be effective, exercise should be performed to the point of breathlessness or at least an eight on a scale of one to 10, and rest should be long enough to recover control of your breathing.

There are many different kinds of HIIT training such as Tabata, Fartlek (running) and AMRAP (as many reps/rounds as possible).

Tabata timing is very specific in that it is eight rounds of an exercise done all-out for very short periods: only 20 seconds with 10 seconds of rest between each exercise. A complete Tabata is equal to

four minutes. After four minutes, rest for at least one minute before doing a second round of Tabata. When doing a Tabata workout, you can choose the same exercise and repeat it eight times, or choose two to eight different exercises to vary the workout. For example, alternating between two high intensity exercises like burpees and mountain climbers for four minutes in 20/10 intervals should leave you breathless and your body should need the minute (or longer) to recover.

Fartlek means to play with different speeds. This type of interval training is typically on longer runs and simply means mixing in periods of faster speeds mixed with slower running. For a beginner, this might mean alternating between a jog and a walk. For others, it might mean alternating periods of sprinting with jogging. Fartlek is non-specific, meaning the length of the intervals are up to the runner. For example, you may choose

to sprint to the next corner or jog to the lamppost. Although this type of training is common amongst runners, it can apply to any kind of exercise. You can turn up the speed on a Stairmaster or the resistance on a stationary bike for just as long as you decide before going back down to a lower intensity, turning any workout in to a HIIT workout.

In an AMRAP workout, the goal is to get in as many rounds or reps as possible of a specific exercise in a given time. It is easy to track progress. If you start out with doing 10 push-ups in one minute, you may find yourself able to do 30 push-ups in that same one-minute time period after a few weeks. Another example might be a series of four exercises done in succession for a specified number of repetitions.

As you get stronger and fitter, you will be able to complete more rounds in the same amount of time. It is important to note that you should not sacrifice form

for speed. You will get much better results doing the exercises properly rather than rushing through them.

HIIT training, like any other form of training, requires a warm up of five to seven minutes. Warm-up exercises should include moves that mimic how your body will move in the actual workout, should build in intensity, and get your heart rate up. Always follow your workout with a cool-down and a stretch of the muscles you worked.

Angela Fulgieri is a Program Director for the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA. Write her at observerfitness@ gmail.com.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

289704-1

We asked: Now that we have Yoga in the Park, what’s another event you would like to have downtown?

“A scavenger hunt once a month that gets the community involved.” — Ana Guerra

“Nothing. I like it because I’ve lived in the city my entire life... in the two weeks I’ve been here, I’ve never been more peaceful.” — Jesse Higbee

“I’d like to see more stuff in the evenings. Myself and my best “I grew up here, so seeing “Some cities have a book festi- friend love supporting local Plant City evolve is really cool... val... maybe it would be cool to businesses, we’d just love to but I like it as it is.” have a book festival featuring see more evening events so we — Megan Higbee any authors we have here. can go after work.”

— Shane Scott

— Julie Bremer

community

PlantCityObserver.com

H. Coleman Tew, 80, of Plant City, born on Feb. 4, 1939, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 8, 2020.

Expressions of condolence at hopewellfuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Monica Vega Hernandez Monica Vega Hernandez, 44, of Plant City, born in Tecozautla, Hidalgo, Mexico on June 20, 1975, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 9, 2020.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Troy Sanford Troy Sanford, 51, of Dover, born in Tampa on March 14, 1968, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 8, 2020.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

is all about.

Vicente Droz

Vicente Droz, 99, of Brandon, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on July 19, 2020, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 9, 2020.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Tammy Kimball Tammy Kimball, 50, of Plant City, born on Dec. 14, 1969 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 10, 2020.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

17

Maurice Wayne

Ronnie was well loved, lived a Tony, in 1955. Soon thereafter Blakeman wonderful and willSbe they moved to central Florida we’re dedicated to helping families create a WE’R Elife, P RO UD TO E RVmissed E our community greatly. where Ronnie worked for a short Maurice Blakeman, 77, ofmemorial that truly unique and meaningful with personal, compassionate care since 1896. Wayne celebratesinto the life it on represents.

As yourCelebration Dignity Memorial professionals, A casual of Life time in construction with his Plant City, entered rest gathering will>be held outdoors at father. In 1956 their second child, Jan. 10, 2020.

He was born on 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability the family home, 3012 N. MaryDoe, was born. And nine years Sept. 29, 1942 in Martinsville, Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement land Ave, Plant City, at 1 p.m. on Illinois. later, daughter Lynne was born.

Jan. 25. Friends and family are Ronnie and Kay were partners Fond memories and expreswelcome. in life’s adventures until Kay’s sions of sympathy may be supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

In lieu of flowers,Proudly the family passing in June 1992. shared at www.WellsMemorial. requests that donations be made com for the Blakeman family.

Survivors include children; Doe Stidham, Lynne (Michael) Warren, to the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be left brother; Larry Rice Sr., long-time friend and former wife; Jean Rice, for the family at www.haught.care.

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM seven grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren.

Ronnie is preceded in death by Barry W. Colgain his wife of 37 years; Kathleen May Wells MeMorial & event Center we’re dedicated to helping families create a WE’R E P RO UD TO S E RV E our community (Vorpe) Rice, and son; Tony Allen HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM Barry W. Colgain, 57, of ZephPlanT CiTy unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896.

Rice. yrhills, passed away on Monday, celebrates the life it represents.

As your Dignity Memorial 813-752-1111 professionals, WellsMemorial.com He loved tinkering in his shop, Jan. 6, 2020.

Kathleen Hagan > 100% Service GuaranteeBarry > National Transferability drag racing, and old tractors. He was bornPlan Sept.

18, 1962 > The Compassion Helpline® 10/27/15 > Bereavement1 Travel Assistance M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd spent most of his career at Plant in Wilmington, Delaware.

Kathleen Hagan, 95, of Plant City Steel Co., many of those Fond memories and expresCity, passed away on Jan. 13, years as Plant Superintendent. sions of sympathy may be 2020.

After ‘retiring’, Ronnie loved helpat www.WellsMemorial.

A graveside service was held Proudly supportingshared the Plant City Strawberry Festival. ing his son, Tony on his farm. Then Jan. 15, 2020 at Memorial Park com for the Colgain family. in 2003 he went to work with his Cemetery, 2501 Paul Buchman daughter and son-in-law, Lynne Hwy, Plant City, FL 33563. and Mike Warren in their tree Online condolences may farm and landscaping business. be left for the family at www.

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM He worked with Mike and Lynne haught.care.. in various capacities until his passing. Nearly every morning he Wells MeMorial & event Center could be found at the counter at PlanT CiTy Denny’s Restaurant, reading the 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com paper and joking with friends and staff.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM ®

Taking care of R each other is what

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OBITUARIES

H. Coleman Tew

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

is all about.

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1

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HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Hugh Rice Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Hugh Rice, 83, of Plant City, passed away on Jan. 4, 2020.

Born Aug. 29, 1936 in Miami, he was the son of the late Raymond and Eileen South Rice.

As a young child, Ronnie’s family moved to Ohio where he spent his youth, and in high school met his wife, Kathleen ‘Kay’ Vorpe. They married in 1954 and had their first child,

M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

YOUR COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY. FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971 HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

10/27/15 1

community each other is what is all about. community OBITUARIES

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

|

Euthlee D. Wycuff

is Judith all about.

C. Pope

YOUR CALENDAR

18

BEST BET

we’re dedicated to helping families createC.a Pope, 67, of Plant City, our community Euthlee D. Wycuff, 87, went Judith unique and meaningful memorial that truly assionate care sincehome 1896. to be with the Lord on passed away on Monday, Dec. SATURDAY, JAN. 18 the life it represents. orial professionals, WE ’REcelebrates P ROUD TO Friday, Dec. 27, 2019.S E RVE our community 30, 2019. we’re dedicated to helping families create a unique and meaningful memorial that truly personal,Plan compassionate care since 1896. rvice Guarantee She >with National Transferability wasDignity born on May 24, Judith was born the June MLK PARADE celebrates life 20, it represents.

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1952 in Hamilton, Ohio. > 100% and Service GuaranteeServices > National Fond memories expreswerePlan held Transferability Jan. 7, > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement Travel Assistance sions of sympathy may be 2020. shared www.WellsMemorial.

Fond memories and expresudly supporting the PlantatCity Strawberry Festival. com for the Wycuff family. sions of sympathy may be www.WellsMemorial.

Proudly supportingshared the PlantatCity Strawberry Festival. com for the Pope family.

R Taking care of R each other is whatTaking care of community each other is what is all about. community Marilou T. Sebrell is all about.

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

1 to 2:30 p.m. The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade will run through historic downtown Plant City along Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and will travel 1.5 miles up to the MLK Recreation Complex.

THURSDAY, JAN. 16 PLANT CITY

Wells MeMorial & event Center REPUBLICAN PlanT CiTy dedicated toBranhelping families create a E RV E our community Marilou T.we’re Sebrell, 77, of WOMEN’S CLUB Wellsmemorial MeMorial & event Center unique andon meaningful that truly assionate care sincedon, 1896. passed away Sunday, 6:30 p.m. Plant City 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com ® celebrates the life it represents. PlanT CiTy orial professionals, Dec. 29, 2019.

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Dignity Memorial® professionals,

Clifton ‘Clip’ Brown

Fond memories and expresShack in 10/27/15 their 10:42 private Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020.

AM > 100% Service National Plan Transferability sions of sympathy may be Guarantee He> was room. The speaker will born in Plant City.

Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® > www.WellsMemoFond memories and expres- be Terry Kemple. Likeudly supporting shared the PlantatCity Strawberry Festival. rial.com for the Sebrell family. minded conservatives sions of sympathy may be are welcome to attend. shared at www.WellsMemoBrown family.

Proudly supporting rial.com the Plant for Citythe Strawberry Festival. For more information call President Sherry Scheitler at 214-529WELLSMEMORIAL.COM 8372.

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M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

Taking care of R each other is whatTaking care of community each other is what is all about. community Louise Allen is all about.

Sheffield

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

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we’re dedicated86, to helping families create aClayton our community Louise Allen Sheffield, of Lena 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com

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FRIDAY, JAN. 17 MLK OPENING CEREMONY

uniqueinto and meaningful that truly assionate care since 1896. entered Wells MeMorial & event Center Tampa, rest on memorial 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. celebrates the life it represents. PlanT CiTy orial professionals, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019.

Join the Improvement Lena Clayton, 71, of Dover, we’re dedicated to helping families create a WE ’RE P ROUD TO S E RVE our community indd 1 10/27/15 10:42 AM rvice GuaranteeShe>with National Plan Transferability 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com unique meaningful that of truly personal, compassionate care since 1896. was born on May 12th, League Plant City passed away on and Friday Jan. 3,memorial ment Travel Assistance The Compassion Helpline® celebrates the life it represents.

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Fond memories and expres- opening ceremony at udly supportingshared the Plant City Strawberry Festival. com for the Sheffield family.

Marshall Middle School, sions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial. 18 S. Maryland Ave. Proudly supportingcom the Plant City Strawberry Festival. for the Clayton family.

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M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

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WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

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PlanT CiTy 56, of Plant City, Lilian C. Falck,

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com Diana&K. Neumann passed away on Monday, Dec. MeMorial Wells event Center

DUPLICATE BRIDGE

1 p.m. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 302 Carey St., is now hosting a weekly Duplicate Bridge game. Contact Walt Arnold at 813-752-1602 for more information.

30, 2019, at home surrounded Diana K. Neumann, 77, passed PlanT we’re dedicated to helping families create aCiTy E RV E our community unique and meaningful memorial that truly assionate care since 1896. by her loving sister and two away on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019 families AMVETS we’re dedicated to helping create aPOST W E ’RE P ROUD TO S E RVE our community 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com indd 1 10/27/15 10:42 AM celebrates the life it represents. orial professionals, brothers. surrounded by family at her memorial 44 FRIDAY unique and meaningful that truly NIGHT with personal, compassionate care since 1896. celebrates As your born DignityPlan Memorial was on July 4, professionals, home in Plant City. the life it represents.

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10/27/15 10:42 AM M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

7:33 to 9:33 p.m. Come on out to the Krazy Kup loft, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for an evening of Komedy, Koffee and lots of laughs. Tickets are $5 at the door.

SATURDAY, JAN. 18 BEGINNER COUNTRY PARTNER DANCE LESSONS 10 to 11 a.m. Beginner Country Partner Dance Lessons at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd.

No experience necessary. Cost is $7 per couple per lesson. Call Cindy at 864-723-6965 to register.

BEGINNER FOXTROT DANCE LESSONS

AFTER SCHOOL ARCADE

MLK BATTLE OF THE BANDS

10/27/15 10:42 AM

ment Travel Assistance > >The Compassion Helpline® 1963, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

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KOMEDY SHOW NIGHT

Dinner each week. This week will include pork chops & sides for $8.

Head to amvetspost44. org for more information.

®

sions of sympathy may be at www.WellsMemorial. udly supportingshared the Plant City Strawberry Festival. com for the Falck family.

7 to 8:30 p.m. Harmony Baptist Church, 6008 Knights Griffin Road, is hosting The Rainey Trio in a night of Southern Gospel Music. Admission will be free on a first-come basis, no reservations required.

A Love Offering will be received during the program.

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Beginner Foxtrot dance lessons at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd.

No experience necessary. Cost is $7 per couple per lesson. Call Cindy at 864-723-6965 to register.

®

M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC CONCERT

4:30 p.m. Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., is hosting an after school arcade for local youth. Swing by the library for afternoon gaming. For adolescents 10/27/15 10:42 AM age 10-16.

3 to 4 p.m. The annual MLK Battle of the Bands event is held at the MLK Recreation Complex immediately following the MLK Parade.

2020 STRAWBERRY QUEEN PAGEANT

6 to 9 p.m. The annual pageant, which is hosted by the Plant City Lions Club, is held at the Charlie Grimes Ag Center, 2508 W. Oak Ave. Tickets are $15.

PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Plant City Social Dance will have dance at Strawberry Square Dance Center.

Singles and younger generation people are welcome. Complementary dance lessons are held from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

Beginners to advanced.

The dance and ballroom dance lessons, both for the $6.

TRIVIA NIGHT- 90S MOVIES

8:33 to 10:33 p.m. To celebrate the start of a new decade, join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., in testing your movie trivia knowledge from one of our favorite decades the 1990’s. Dress in your favorite 90s attire and show off your love and knowledge of all things 90’s movies. And the best part: it’s free to play.

MONDAY, JAN. 20 PLANT CITY DAYBREAK ROTARY CLUB

7 to 8 a.m. The Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club holds a meeting every Monday morning. Now the group will be meeting in the Community Meeting Room of the Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place. Guests are welcome.

DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The annual MLK Day of Community Service is held at the Bing Rooming House Museum, 205 Allen St. Anyone interested is welcome to come and volunteer doing cleanup at the Rooming House and Glover School.

“HIS DREAM, OUR DESTINY”

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City invites you to our second annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration at the Club, 1110 N. Wheeler St. There will be a special performance

by Gentlemen’s Quest.

BEGINNING MODERN WESTERN SQUARE DANCE LESSONS 6:30 to 8 p.m. Come on out to Strawberry Square Dance Center for a Beginning Modern Western Square dance lesson. No experience necessary. Exercise and meet new friends. Cost is free for first three lessons, $6 per person per lesson thereafter.

Children age 8 and up are free with parents.

Call 770-825-6513 for more information.

TUESDAY, JAN. 21 SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB

9 a.m. Come on out to the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St., each Tuesday to play Shuffleboard. You’ll be an expert in no time. The club is hosted by Anita Balch and she can be contacted at 808-7225821 for more information.

MONDAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SAVE BIG!

PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City | 813 757 6677 | tampaymca.org

Valid through 1/20/20.

Universal Crossword Edited PlantCityObserver.com

by David Steinberg January 15, 2020

I LOVE PLANT CITY

1/15

FORECAST THURSDAY, JAN. 16 High: 84 Low: 66 Chance of rain: 10%

FRIDAY, JAN. 17 High: 78 Low: 61 Chance of rain: 0%

ernment?

30 Rage 31 Stuff in Bubble Wrap 32 Trash, like a plan 34 Discontinues 38 Bamboozle 40 Large bags 42 Whiffenpoofs’ college 43 Eco-friendly energy type 45 Old-fashioned showdowns 47 Solo on the big screen 48 Jr.’s son 50 For an imperial weight unit?

52 For actress Shelley or Nia?

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71 Usually nocturnal insect 72 Some are named for queens

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

High: 80 Low: 62 Chance of rain: 10%

SUNDAY, JAN. 19 High: 76 Low: 51 Chance of rain: 50%

STRAWBERRIES Shipping point: Central Florida $14.90-$16.90

DOWN 1 Band aids?

2 Unadorned 3 Plumbing problem 4 Ab strengtheners 5 Santa ___ 6 PC alternatives 7 Start to freeze?

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53 Like the numerals on a sundial 54 Starts the bidding 55 Hebrew folklore figure 59 In addition 60 Lean to one side 62 Done (with) 63 Civil rights icon Parks 64 Creative endeavors 67 “Not happenin’!”

19

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Jan. 16

7:20a

5:55p

Friday, Jan. 17

7:20a

5:56p

Saturday, Jan. 18

7:20a

5:57p

Sunday, Jan. 19

7:20a

5:57p

Monday, Jan. 20

7:20a

5:58p

Tuesday, Jan. 21

7:19a

5:59p

Wednesday, Jan. 22

7:19a

6:00p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JAN. 18

Support Group by Peter Silzer

ACROSS 1 Early educational lesson 5 You love, in Latin 9 DJ’s supply 12 Evil-natured 14 Yard parts 15 For a farm machine?

17 Not in use 18 “Moving right along ...,” e.g.

19 ___ Valley (city near Los Angeles) 20 Facts and figures 21 Teacher’s favorite 23 For a metric weight unit?

25 For the sovereign gov-

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Jan. 25 New

Jan. 29 First

Feb. 8 Full

Jan. 20 Last

RAINFALL Monday, Jan. 6

0.00

Tuesday, Jan. 7 0.00 Wednesday, Jan. 8

0.00

Thursday, Jan. 9 0.00 Friday, Jan. 10

0.00

Saturday, Jan. 11 0.00 Sunday, Jan. 12

0.00

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2020 00.65 in.

2020 0.65 in.

2019 00.37 in.

2019 0.37 in.

WEATHER

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

20

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

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