9.26.19 PLCO

Plant City Observer

y Observer

YO UR HOMETOW N. YO UR NEWSPAP ER .

YOUR HOMETOWN. YOUR NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 6, NO. 64

. YO UR NEWS PAP ER .

FREE

•

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

2019 WONDER

WOMEN SEE PAGE 3

CITY’S NEW BUDGET APPROVED

The 2019-20 fiscal year budget was unanimously approved Monday evening, setting the stage for some big changes for the city.

PLAY FOR A CURE OFFERS NONSTOP FUN The annual Jensen’s Heart of Gold’s Play For a Cure event saw waves of attendees Saturday as the community flocked to participate in the day of fun. PAGE 10

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The city is officially ready to dive headfirst into a new fiscal year following the approval of the 2019-20 fiscal year budget.

Thanks to a successful revenue year and the addition of $3.2 million from the Transportation Referendum, the city had an extra $10 million to add to its budget this year, totaling $86,138,387. Of this, $1,674,883 will go toward the Community Redevelopment Agency

and the General Fund will receive $36,951,837. It was a night of numbers, which City Manger Bill McDaniel succinctly summarized for the gathered crowd.

One of the highlights of the evening included the city adding 10.5 employees to its workforce to total 450.5 employees.

SEE PAGE 11

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

NEWS BRIEFS

2

Operation Rail Safety Week Plant City Police Department and CSX teamed up Tuesday afternoon to promote Rail Safety Week.

CSX personnel and members of the PCPD traffic unit set up shop at the downtown train depot from 1:30 to 3 p.m. to teach motorists how to be safe around railroad crossings. They handed out flyers to passersby with safety information for both motorists and pedestrians in the area.

“We try to remind folks to be safer on the railroad tracks, obviously,” Peggy Smith, an Operation Lifesaver Florida board member, said. “Each day is a different theme. Today, Sept. 24, is ‘Operation Clear Track.’”

The flyers were made available in the train depot after the event and will continue to be there for anyone to pick up and learn from. The two groups hope kids, especially, will take the information and help spread the word to keep their friends and family safe.

Rail Safety Week runs from Sept. 22-28

in the United States and from Sept. 23-29 in Canada. The annual movement is an initiative of Operation Lifesaver, a rail safety education group. OLI’s website lists a specific schedule for 2019 under the unifying theme of “Stop Track Tragedies.”

For more information, visit oli.org.

Public invited to give feedback on PCPD The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation is coming to Plant City in December to review Plant City Police Department for accreditation.

Assessors from the CFA will determine whether PCPD is compliant with 260 standards required for accredited status. Just as important as reviewing PCPD’s policies, procedures, management, operations and support services, though, is hearing from the public.

The CFA assessors want to hear what Plant City residents think of the local police department and have opened up several channels of communication to do so. Visit flacreditation.org/standards.htm

to see all of the standards that PCPD will be expected to meet. To give a comment, either email info@flaccreditation.org or write to CFA, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302.

After the assessment is complete, the commission will decide whether PCPD will retain its accredited status for three more years

I-4 Fear Park reopening soon Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail and Ominous Descent are teaming up once again to bring the I-4 Fear Park back to Plant City this October.

Starting Oct. 4, the park at 2837 S. Frontage Road will host five different experiences for horror fans and scaredy cats looking for Halloween thrills. Three are haunted trails — “The Harvester” and Reaper’s Haunting, hosted by Sir Henry’s, and Ominous Descent’s “The Breed.” The other two events are an Ominous Descent escape room called “Hyde and Seek” where attendees must solve a puzzle to

escape a killer, and Sir Henry’s “Sabotage” laser tag experience with a clown-centric twist.

The fear park will be open for 11 nights between Oct. 4 and Oct. 27. Visit sirhenryshauntedtrail.com or ominousdescent. com to buy tickets and get more information.

Customer appreciation day at G FIVE Feed G FIVE Feed and Outdoor is getting ready to host its Customer Appreciation and Second Anniversary Celebration this Saturday.

The party runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the store, 4960 U.S. Highway 92 W., and will feature free activities for the whole family. It will feature food trucks and samples, live music and a host of outdoor experts on hand to answer questions and give out free samples. Door prizes will be awarded every 30 minutes and there will be a raffle for a 12-foot Lowe Boats Jon Boat.

WE HAVE AN IMAGE TO UPHOLD. YOURS. When it comes to your health, mistakes or oversights aren’t an option. Our highly trained technologists and board-certified radiologists provide the most accurate diagnosis possible, giving you confidence and peace of mind in the care you receive. BayCare Imaging uses the most advanced technologies to produce high-quality CT, MRI, PET/CT, mammography, ultrasound or X-ray diagnostic images. And our radiology team reads and reports your results to your referring doctor, so they can help you get better and stay healthy. Patients and doctors recommend BayCare Imaging because not all imaging centers are created equal. It’s your health. Make us your choice.

More than 30 convenient locations near you.

To schedule an appointment: BayCareImaging.org | (855) 269-4333 19-796232-0619

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

JOINING THE RANKS OF PLANT CITY’S

WONDER

WOMEN

Tina Barber | Susan Pruet | Tonda Morris | Mercedes Perez | Sharon Spires

Photos by Deanna Hurley Photography • Location: Downtown Plant City

3

4

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

Tina

Barber

Tina Barber keeps the city in line as a Code Enforcement Officer and loves getting to share her love of history and her community with everyone she meets.

BREANNE WILLIAMS

W

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

|

STAFF WRITER

hen you first meet Tina Barber, her passion for her job practically radiates from her pores.

This isn’t a woman who dreads going to work in the morning. Every day, she strives to ensure the city is the best it can be and that those that call it home add to the character that sets Plant City apart.

As a code enforcement officer, she said there’s definitely misconceptions that they just drive around looking for things to fine people for.

Luckily, thanks to the leadership of Trey Towles and the transparent hearts of his team, that misconception seems to be changing.

Barber was born and raised in Plant City and, while she spent 19 years in Kansas following her graduation, she returned to her roots and said she’s proud to play an active role in helping keep the cogs turning in the city she holds so dear.

“I didn’t expect to take my job and the things people say so personally sometimes,” Barber said. “I’ve been told I’m passionate about my work and that’s true, but that means sometimes this job can hurt. You’re dealing with people in the community sometimes that don’t want help, but they have to have it. You have to be strong and that’s a hard line to walk. Then you find a family that needs help and you’re able to help them get it, and

two years later they come back and are telling you, ‘Thank you.’ That means the whole world.”

Barber’s journey to city employee almost didn’t happen. She was working for a company at a desk doing administrative duties. She wasn’t happy with her life and ended up working with Mike Gartz from I Hate My Trainer and getting involved with Dietetic Consulting Services, Inc. She lost 165 pounds and the thought of sitting still for hours on end every day drove her mad. A friend recommended she apply for an open code enforcement position with the city.

It was the very last day, but she walked in and applied. When interviewed, she was asked why she wanted to be a code enforcement officer. Without a second thought she replied, “Preserving our history, while also moving forward” was something that meant the world to her. She got the job.

Every day is something new and she said you never know what you’ll find or what new obstacle will pop up.

You’re always learning and changing.

It’s a challenge, but Barber has never been one to shy away from something just because it’s hard.

“My parents, they really taught us all about work ethic,” Barber said. “(My father) worked for the same company from the time he was 18 until he retired. He never missed a day of work, no matter how sick he was.

My mother was a nurse and worked nights and dad worked days and both were just so dedicated to their jobs.”

Sometimes her mother would take Barber with her to the hospital during her shift. Barber remembers the

many veterans she came to adore and is proud to say she now spends a majority of her free time giving back.

One of the iconic bomber girls that welcomes veterans home from their Honor Flights, Barber and her friends dress up in the traditional 1940s and 1950s style and travel around to car shows and events raising money to send even more veterans on the trip of a lifetime. She said nothing compares to seeing the looks on their faces when they step off a plane and see massive throngs of people cheering and welcoming them home.

Her fitness journey also led to her leading her own weight loss group in Plant City. Using the knowledge of her friend, who runs Dietetic Consulting Services, Inc., the group meets at Bruton Memorial Library or Krazy Kup and Skypes in with the nutritionist. Then they discuss their stories, share healthy recipes and build each other up as they prepare to enter the next month. They meet the third Saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m. and have more information on Bruton’s website.

“You just need to do what you love and then you’ll love what you do,” Barber said. “I tell my daughter all the time that I don’t care what she does in life as long as she is happy. Never lose yourself chasing something you think you’re supposed to want. Do what you truly love. And take a moment to focus on organization. You can juggle so many things, your job, your projects, your organizations, if you’re properly organized. You can’t mix things. You need to give whatever you’re at 100 percent.”

GET TO KNOW TINA What’s the best advice you’ve gotten?

Just to be kind to everyone. It’s simple, but it’s the most important.

What’s your favorite book?

I’m not sure about my favorite, but I’m actually reading the “Magical Connections” by L.F. Macklemore right now. It’s a series, but they’re really good. They’re great for so many reasons, but I was drawn to them because they’re Scottish and that’s my husband’s heritage. I’m Irish and that is a big part of our lives. Plus it’s a love story and who doesn’t love that?

Who is a woman that’s inspired you?

My mother. She has always been a caretaker. She’s a nurse and retired from the VA hospital. She’s always taken care of everyone, like my grandma until she passed away. She’s also really big into her church. She’s just such a caring and loving person.

What do you hope to see change in Plant City in the next 10 years?

I’m really big into the historical part of Plant City, so I think I would like to see that history showcased more. There’s so much history downtown from the houses to the buildings. There’s history everywhere you turn.

Which three words would you use to describe yourself?

Caring, goal-minded and respectful.

What’s the hardest life lesson you’ve learned?

I guess the hardest lesson I learned would have to be that not everybody is as honest and truthful as they seem.

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

Tonda

What’s the best advice you’ve gotten?

My dad, he always told me ‘If you fall down or get knocked down, you pick yourself back up and keep on moving.’

You can apply that to many situaitons.

What’s your favorite book?

I’ve always got a new favorite. My current favorite is a nonfiction book called Make Your Bed, by William H. McRaven.

We all need to be reminded that what we think is impossible is actually possible many times. It’s about our determination.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ruton Memorial Library was a big part of Tonda Morris’s life growing up. It was more than just a refuge from the Florida sun that happened to be a close walk from her grandmother’s house: it was where she’d go to escape into the world of books, research for high school projects and, yes, take advantage of a pretty good air conditioning system in the summer.

It wasn’t a place Morris initially thought she’d end up in her career as a librarian. But once she found out Bruton is a city-run library, she immediately wanted to move back from Georgia and get back to her roots.

“I think I assumed it was part of a big system or something,” Morris said. “I never thought about it until I was here visiting my cousin… and I started thinking, ‘I wonder if that’s a city library?’ I looked it up online and it was. I called my cousin and said, ‘Hey, if the library director ever leaves, let me know.’ Several months later, she said, ‘Guess what?’”

Morris has been Bruton’s Director of Library Services for more than four years now and is leading the charge to help Plant City’s library keep moving forward while never losing sight of its customers.

Though Bruton is one of 29 members in the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative, a partnership that allows the county’s libraries to share resources and materials, being directly involved with the City of Plant City gives Bruton the ability to get more involved with the community than a library run by a larger

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

B

|

Who is a woman that’s inspired you?

My mother always told me that I could do anything I wanted to. I was talented enough that I could accomplish anything I wanted to, and she told me that from an early age. So I always believed it.

Plant City’s Director of Library Services helps keep Bruton Memorial Library moving forward.

entity like a state. Morris previously worked in a city-run library in the Atlanta area for 10 years and said, in her experience, the city-run libraries have a strong focus on community involvement.

Plant City has seen plenty of that at Bruton over the years, whether it’s been small events, like last year’s family mini golf night that turned the entire library into a 12-hole course, or bigger fundraisers like the longrunning Mystery Dinner Theater that bring people together to support a cause and have a blast.

One of Morris’s goals is to make sure residents know Bruton isn’t just an old school, silent library full of dusty old books and a complex reference system — it’s a place with both the latest technology and a wealth of offerings for people of all ages to learn from and enjoy. It can be a “third space” for people, considering the

5

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

GET TO KNOW TONDA

Morris JUSTIN KLINE

|

home as the first space and the office as the second. Bruton is a place you can go to get work or research done, quickly pull up anything you need digitally, access free wi-fi and computers and do what you need to do in a productive environment.

“Our goal here is to make sure we cover all the current basics for library services that keep us current in terms of the whole country,” Morris said.

“The library world changes as fast as technology does. Libraries, for many years, used to just be the same old thing with new books. Kind of calm, kind of quiet. It’s not that way anymore at all. We just want to meet our customers’ needs.”

Morris said that in her time at Bruton, a continued push to embrace the latest tech has changed customers’ wants and needs. There’s been a greater demand for e-books, for example, and she said it’s now at a

point where 51 percent of Hillsborough County’s circulation is digital. But the advent of e-books and the Kindle doesn’t mean the library’s been emptied by people who get everything at home: roughly 14,000 visitors come through Bruton’s doors each month and, no matter what each individual’s needs are, Morris helps make sure Bruton can meet them.

The fact that she gets to work at her hometown library has not been lost on Morris. She hopes Bruton can still be for young people in 2019 what it was for her when she was growing up, and that it can always meet the needs of adults, too.

“I used to go to this library as a child,” she said, “so it’s very important to me.”

What do you hope to see change in Plant City in the next 10 years?

I just can’t wait to see downtown development continue. We have some of the most beautiful buildings. I think we have all this wonderful potential and I can’t wait to see it all blossom.

Which three words would you use to describe yourself?

Determined, optimistic and joyful.

What’s the hardest life lesson you’ve learned?

Going back to my dad’s advice, anytime anything’s ever gone wrong or been difficult, I just kept moving forward. Nothing really keeps me down for long. To me it’s, ‘OK, now there’s another opportunity. If that door shuts, what are the opportunities on this side of the door?’

FRESHEST MEAT & LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN!

CHOICE MEATS • PRODUCE • GROCERIES

Visit FeltonsMarket.com

WALKER PLAZA 617 N. Maryland Ave., Plant City (813) 752-1548

Sam Allen Rd.

39

PLANT CITY Baker St. olds

Reyn

St.

4 County Line Rd.

Tony 813.404.7819

Felton’s Market

Park Rd.

Chris 813.417.6849

Ask s abouu ta % Dis1c0 ount

Maryland Ave.

GARAGE DOOR REPAIR & SERVICE

Mon-Sat 7am - 9pm | Sundays 7am - 8pm At Felton’s we offer a complete line of fresh meat and produce. You’ll find only the best quality meats at bargain prices. Whether it be that special occasion dinner, or you are planning a large party, call or stop by today. No matter what your needs, Felton’s is sure to have the finest, most tender meat and tasty produce anywhere.

289695-1

287727-1

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THIS WEEK’S SAVINGS

92

Lakeland

6

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019

Mercedes

JUSTIN KLINE

W

|

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

hen Mercedes Perez s t a r te d working for the City of Plant City four years ago, something that helped sell her on the strawberry town was its history with prominent women in local government. Women like former city manager Nettie Berry Draughon and former mayor Sadye Gibbs Martin proved years ago that it’s not just a man’s world in City Hall.

Now, like Draughon and Martin before her, Perez herself is making city history.

The assistant city manager, formerly the city’s Human Resources and Risk Management Director, was appointed to the position in July.

Perez became the first woman to hold the role in Plant City’s history.

She wasn’t told that part until after she got the job.

“It was a really cool feeling,” Perez said. “You don’t realize it when you’re going through it because that’s just daily work, but then you hit that sort of accomplishment you’re like, ‘Wow.’ You’re almost humbled being near those types of figures Plant City has had. I’m very blessed.”

It’s been the most challenging time of her four years with the city. In addition to carrying out her duties as assistant city manager, Perez also continued to work double duty in the HR department while the city searched for someone to fill her previous role full-time. But the experience of learning so much about how the city works and getting to try something new in her 22-year career in government has been worth it.

Right now, Perez is focused on doing the best job she can in her new position. She doesn’t have much free time these days — she’s a self-described “workaholic” — but wants to help growth in another area when she finally gets some.

Perez doesn’t believe knowledge and wisdom should be kept under lock and key. She thinks it should be passed down to the next generations because, in her opinion, it’s good to leave something better than it was when you found it. She’s volunteered with children in the foster care system as a mentor in the past and would love to do that again for young people. If a young person is just a good role model away from being the next shining star in local government, or in whatever field their dreams are in, she’d love to do for them what her role models did for her growing up.

“I’ve been very lucky to have good leaders, good bosses and good supervisors that have been willing to share knowledge and offer support,” Perez said. “That’s how I got to where I am. You work hard and you try and learn as much as you can from the people that can give you that knowledge to keep growing as a person.”

What’s the best advice you’ve gotten?

Always be true to yourself. No matter what position you have or what choices you have to make professionally, you always have to stay true to yourself. You have to account to yourself at the end of the day.

What’s your favorite book?

Oh, the Places You’ll Go. I started college later in life because I had my children young. I started college when my youngest started high school. I said ‘We’re all gonna do this together.’ It’s funny because somebody gave me the book and I was like, ‘What is this?’

I think it has such an amazing message behind it. To this day, when my kids graduated high school, I gave them the book. When they graduate college, I give them the card that goes with it.

Who is a woman that’s inspired you?

My mother. She taught me to be strong, but she taught me to be caring, kind and respectful. She was a safety net, but she would always push to make sure I’d always keep pushing myself.

What do you hope to see change in Plant City in the next 10 years?

This might sound very corny, but I think more open communication on all sides. I am a firm believer that sometimes everybody has the best intentions to tackle a project in anything, but everybody comes at it from a different angle and they fail to take that step back to say, ‘Why don’t we tackle this as a team?’ One of the things that I’m seeing that I would love to see continue and improve upon is that open communication with different groups in the area… when you have that, you go in the right direction.

Which three words would you use to describe yourself?

Driven, compassionate and self-reflective.

What’s the hardest life lesson you’ve learned?

That you’re never gonna be perfect. That’s the hardest one I’ve had to learn. I’m very stubborn when it comes to that because it’s almost like you try and do the best you can, but it sometimes doesn’t work out because life just works that way. I’ve learned that it’s OK. I think that as you mature, you realize that’s just the way life is.

OMG IT’S WEDNESDAY! PLANT CITY FARM AND FLEA MARKET Highway 39 North at Sam Allen Road—1 mi. N. of I-4 Exit 21

WEDNESDAY FLEA MARKET OVER 40 ACRES . . . MORE THAN 500 VENDORS

OP EN

PM 7A M T O 1 708 W. SAM ALLEN RD. 1 MILE NORTH OF I-4 EXIT 21

LIKE KMART WITHOUT A ROOF!

287696-1

Perez is the first female assistant city manager in Plant City’s history.

“This is what I was hoping for, so it’s exciting,” Perez said. “Life throws things at you. Sometimes opportunities present themselves. You have to take a shot and go forward.”

Perez is particularly excited to see how Plant City will develop over the next few years.

Though she’s not a Plant City native (she grew up in the Florida Keys), Perez called her first visit to the strawberry town a “beautiful surprise” and said the small-town feel drew her right in. That’s something she doesn’t want to lose. But now that the wheels of change are turning, Perez feels that the right people are in place within the City of Plant City to push things forward without losing that sense of place.

“Even though it’s a little scary to say, ‘Oh my God, are we going to lose that downtown home feel,’ since getting this role I feel a lot better about it,” she said. “I’m quite excited about it. In my view, it depends on the people at the helm and how they’re controlling that growth. I am super confident.

We have such an amazing commission that really does care and is invested in our city. We have a city manager who grew up here… this is a really exciting moment and that’s why I took the chance of trying to get this role. I knew that was coming.”

287682-1

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

Perez

GET TO KNOW MERCEDES

PLENTY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

WWW.PLANTCITYMARKET.COM

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

Susan |

What’s your favorite book?

I’m an avid reader, most of the library staff know me by now...It’s hard to pick a favorite, though. The last book I read was “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens.

W

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

PCPD’s Captain Susan Pruet has lived a life many would only see reflected in the pages of an adventure novel. Never settling, Pruet has carved her place in this world and left a lasting impact.

lark and shocked even herself when she passed and became an agent.

“Talk about totally unprepared,” Pruet said. “The only good thing was I had brothers, so when it came to the physical training, I didn’t struggle to prove my own in the boxing ring.”

No one told her the training academy was essentially a boot camp.

When she returned from Quantico she was ready to prove she could handle anything the FBI threw at her.

“There were things that hadn’t been addressed simply because it hadn’t popped up before,” Pruet said.

“It might have been easier for me than some of the other women because my parents raised my siblings and I to all be equally self-sufficient. It was awkward at first because several men told me I didn’t belong there, but every single one ended up being friends once I had proven myself.”

When it came to picking specialties, she gravitated toward violent crimes. Records drove her nuts, but

7

What’s the best advice you’ve gotten?

“To the best of your ability follow your path. God will get you there, it’s up to you to just follow along your path as best you can.”

STAFF WRITER

hen Diana Prince first left Themyscira to act as the champion of Earth, her bravery and devotion to truth made her a superhero in the eyes of the mortals she was sworn to protect. Captain Susan Pruet is an exemplary guardian in her own right, wielding her badge as her lasso of truth and refusing to back down from danger if it means helping someone in need.

Like Prince, Pruet’s family shaped her into a human being who values hard work and taught her from a young age she could do anything she put her mind to, regardless of what others thought of her. That attitude carried her through her career.

Pruet was part of one of the first waves of women to be hired by the FBI. She worked daunting cases and proved time and again she was not only equal to her peers, but often above par.

“I’ve been very blessed,” Pruet said.

“The Lord has blessed me with a career where I get to do something different every hour.”

It was a fascination with J. Edgar Hoover and a draw to the mysterious nature — and impressive hat collection — of a relative who was in the FBI that turned her toward the force. Originally, though, she went to college to become a teacher. She majored in early childhood education and spent nearly seven years in a classroom. When it was announced women were going to be seriously considered for the Bureau, she applied on a

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

GET TO KNOW SUSAN

Pruet BREANNE WILLIAMS

|

she would be fully invested with the mystery of a kidnapping or bank robbery.

If they were tracking down members of the mob, she’d be the first to the door, merely raising an eyebrow when the man who answered said he’d never seen “one of her kind before.”

She had someone attempt to hire a hitman to take her out, found herself working some of the country’s most intricate cases of all time and soaked in every second of it.

She adopted her daughter from Colombia. The country was in the middle of its infamous drug war and the FBI heavily advised she not go and retrieve her child. Pruet boarded a flight, pushed her way to her daughter and brought her home anyway.

Everything changed after 9/11.

Pruet began to look at the horizon and soon ended up working for the FDLE. Following her expertise, she continued to work violent crimes and was tasked with determining if cen-

tral Florida had a gang problem.

She spent countless hours in and out of police departments, poring over cases and getting to know the officers. She’d been in Plant City many times working on a case of a gang comprised mainly of juveniles with lengthy criminal records. Then Chief Bill McDaniel joked that since Pruet had been in Plant City so much she might as well work here. So she did.

“It’s kind of like the dream job,” Pruet said. “I’ve learned so much and there’s just a fantastic group of people here...I’m the oldest one in the entire department so I know how hard it will be to leave. I’ve been in law enforcement 39 years and counting. There’s something else on the horizon, I just don’t know what it is yet.”

See full story online at plantcityobserver.com.

Who is a woman that’s inspired you?

My mother was a true Wonder Woman before it became popular to be called one. She was an only child and spent the majority of her childhood away from her parents. Her father was a colonel in the Army during WWII. He and my grandmother were one of the first people to go into Japan after the bomb. They would not allow children so my mother stayed at a boarding school… She was the epitome of southern grace. My parents advocated that you count your blessings... If we are blessed, it is kind of up to you to serve others.

What do you hope to see change in Plant City in the next 10 years?

As we continue to grow — and I’ve been here since 1995 when it was still a very, very small town — leaps and bounds I hope in 10 years that small-town feeling is still here.

Which three words would you use to describe yourself?

Honest, frank and I am very opinionated.

What’s the hardest life lesson you’ve learned?

Balance. Balance is difficult, yet you have to learn if you’re a woman or a man in a career field, that there has to be a balance between your personal and your professional life.

8

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Sharon

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

Spires

Sharon Spires is the Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator for the City of Plant City’s Water Resource Management Division.

BREANNE WILLIAMS

T

|

STAFF WRITER

here’s nothing that’s impossible to learn, according to Sharon Spires.

Spires is the Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator for the City of Plant City’s Water Resource Management Division and has spent her life as a student of the world.

“My dad would always tell me that I had to learn to do things for myself,” Spires said. “If you see it and you can fix it, why pay someone else to do it?

I learned how be self sufficient. I figured out how to fix things, whether it’s my car or pumps. That’s something I think everyone should do.

They should learn to be able to not have to rely on someone else.”

Spires said growing up she always was more of a “tomboy” and enjoyed fishing and hunting with her father.

That curiosity for life and love of the outdoors and nature led her to a career she said she never expected.

She learned how to do maintenance on water pumps and developed a niche skillset with the items. Eventually, she got a full-time job at Smithfield Packing as a wastewater operator.

During that time, she came in contact with the city via her lead operator position. Eventually she was asked to come and work for the city as a technician. She took the opportunity, but approximately two years later, Smithfield asked for her to return. A year later, they won Plant of the Year within their company.

Then the economy crashed.

Soon the entire plant closed.

Tearing up, Shires recounted the 600 to 800 people that lost their jobs overnight.

“Some of those people had been there 30, 40 years,” Spires said. “They grew up there, their kids grew up there, their grand-

kids grew up there. It was just, it was hard to see.”

Spires was the last person out the door. The keys to the plant still sit in the console of her truck.

She opened a consulting company and traveled the country. When a friend at the city called and said she was the only one they knew that had knowledge of the program there was an opening for, she agreed to return. She’s been with the city since April 2014.

It’s a job filled with joy, Spires said. She gets to see what the city has planned for its future, working as the liaison between companies and regulators.

She said she’s learned that assigning violations isn’t the way to progress. In all her time with the city, she only remembers writing two because “We’re all trying to get to the same place, we might as well work together.”

At her office, while she’s known as a powerhouse, she also has a nurturing side. Her “guys,” as she calls the men that fill her office, are constantly spoiled with food and she decorates their space to add a cozy feel to the workplace.

In her nonexistent free time, she also throws herself into environmental education. Education is her passion and she’s constantly looking for new ways to spread the word on the realties of our environment. You’ll find her at every food truck rally with a table where she has crafts and experiments for local children to enjoy. You’ll also often see her at Earth Day celebrations and the Great American Teach-In helping youth learn all about the world they live in.

When she became aware of the hazards and damage dumping oil down

the drain does for the waterways, she was able to help kickstart a used cooking oil recycling program. Tanks are set up around the city and anyone can come and dump their used cooking oil in, helping save their pipes while also benefitting the environment.

Spires also spends her free time volunteering with the Plant City Commons Community Garden. Thanks to the hours she spent clearing an area at the garden to reveal a stream, the city discovered the trickle was actually one of the many headwaters that contribute to the Tampa Bay Watershed.

She remembers when the Gardens first moved to its new home across from HCC. Her passion for the project led to a meeting with other city employees and a team gave up their coffee money for a week and presented the group with $100 to purchase their first bed for the garden.

She also acts as the city’s official FWC-permitted rescuer. If city crews are working and stumble across an animal that is hurt or needs to be relocated, Spires is the only one on staff they can call. Dropping everything, she’ll rush to the scene, scooping up a fallen baby squirrel or helping trap an aggressive raccoon.

When reflecting on why Plant City means so much to her, she merely shrugged and said it’s her home and everyone should get involved and work to better their community.

“I think you just need to care, you know?” Spires said. “Always make that connection, show people you care.

It doesn’t matter how busy you are, you can always find 15 minutes to care about someone else. When people do that, there’s real change. It’s the simplest thing, but it can do so much.”

GET TO KNOW SHARON What’s the best advice you’ve gotten?

“Know who you are.” If you know who you are, you can be yourself.

Once you’re good with that, once you accept that, others are going to accept it, too.

What’s your favorite book?

I don’t think I can pick a favorite.

The one I’m reading now is Vermiculture, which is a total sustainable living situation.

Who is a woman that’s inspired you?

My grandmother. She’s very strong and has a presence about her when she walks in the room. But she’s so loving and gentle.

What do you hope to see change in Plant City in the next 10 years?

I’d like to see a better avenue of communication. There’s so many areas of the city that relate to each other, but that are disconnected for one reason or another. Communication could do so much, could really change so much. I just think that’s an area there’s room to grow.

Which three words would you use to describe yourself?

If I’m honest, I’d have to say sometimes I’m naïve, but I’m also caring and bold. Those may not sound like they go together, but that’s me.

What’s the hardest life lesson you’ve learned?

It took me 40 years to learn that things that we have can go away in a moment. Houses, cars, things don’t really mean anything. They come and go so quickly. Your selfrespect and the way you respect others is what matters, what lasts.

COPS CORNER

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

9

PLANT CITY

This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police

Observer

Department investigated a missing ATV, a swiped wallet, stolen sunglasses, identity theft, a stolen lock box with apartment keys and more.

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

SEPT. 13

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE 2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway Drug investigation: Officers made contact with a man who was arrested for both panhandling and possession of synthetic cannabinoids (spice).

He was transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

SEPT. 14 ROAMING RAPTOR 1100 block of North Johnson Road Theft: This complainant told police that during an unknown time within the past few weeks, someone entered his backyard and stole a black Yamaha Raptor 660R limited edition ATV with faded red flames on the side.

SEPT. 15 AIM THE ASPHALT 1200 block of Nosleda Street Criminal mischief: This complaint reported that during the night of Sept. 14, an unknown

suspect busted the windshield of her vehicle with a large piece of asphalt. The complaint requested an incident be documented and signed a waiver. A criminal mischief report was completed.

SEPT. 16

TWO FOR ONE 2700 block of Walden Woods Drive Vehicle burglary: Two victims reported that during the night of Sept. 16, someone entered their vehicles. A Bersa .380 handgun was stolen from one vehicle and a wallet was stolen from another.

SHADES FOR DAYS 2800 block of Holly Bluff Court Vehicle burglary: This victim was shocked to find two of his sunglasses, Oakley Jupiter Squared and Ray-Ban Wayfarers, were swiped from his vehicle during a burglary on the night of Sept. 16.

ROAD RAGE 1000 block of North Park Road Criminal mischief: This victim reported someone poured paint on her car and slit a rear tire.

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com

SEPT. 17 SLIGHTLY OFF-KEY 100 block of North Pearl Street Theft: This victim reported that after placing a lock box with three keys for apartments upon a door, she returned on Sept. 17 and found the box and keys were stolen.

ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER Baker Street/Michigan Avenue Found property/marijuana: Officers conducted a traffic stop on a black Nissan Sentra that was driving the wrong way on a one-way street. A small amount of marijuana was found in the car and removed.

SEPT. 18 ARGUMENT GONE WRONG 300 block of Park Spring Circle Criminal mischief: This victim said she and her boyfriend got into a verbal argument. He jumped on the hood of her vehicle, causing damage, and put his

100

$

OFF On any job 1000 $

Universal Crossword

or more when you mention this ad.

Edited by David Steinberg September 26, 2019

Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez

SEPT. 19

Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

LATE FOR WORK 1 Police Place Identity theft: This complainant reported he discovered his Social Security number and identity had been used for employment at places he had never been employed by.

TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850

Advertising / Richard Brame richard@plantcityobserver.com

FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT 2400 block of Roberts Ranch Road Employee theft: This complainant reported that the termination of an ex-employee of their business did not stop them from continuing to use a work-provided gas card.

Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@plantcityobserver.com

CONTACT US

The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103.

If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

BUDDY’S ROOFING BUDDY’S

SEND US YOUR NEWS

BUDDY’S We’re On Top of It ROOFING ROOFING We’re On Top of It

We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements.

To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@ PlantCityObserver.com.

NEW ROOFS • RE-ROOFS TILE • TILE We’re On REPAIRS Top of It HOT TAR/FLAT DECKS NEW ROOFS • • RE-ROOFS SHINGLES • VENTILATION NEW ROOFS RE-ROOFS TILE TILE TILE• •REPAIRED TILEREPAIRS REPAIRS LEAKS

23 Poet’s 45 Had some “prior to” beers, say HOT HOTTAR/FLAT TAR/FLATDECKS DECKS 24 TV go-with, 49 Kindle SHINGLES • VENTILATION 25SHINGLES Years of E•xVENTILATION rience e p LEAKS REPAIRED RESLEAKS IDENTIAL & CREPAIRED once 50 Pyromaniac’s OMMERCIAL 252Y5eYaerasrsofofEExxppeerrieiennccee 25 Christmas crime lights site 51 Trousers Specialists – WE FIX LEAKS NO ONE ELSE CAN! 26 Eyebrow Leak & Re-Roofing fabric Leak & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKSNO NOONE ONE ELSE ELSE CAN! CAN! & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKS Free Estimates • Financing Available shapes 52Leak Actress 24-Hour Emergency 27 “... ___ Marisa 24-HourService Emergency Service 24-Hour Emergency Service perfect Cheap Buddy &Owners Crystal Cheaves, Owners Buddy &53 Crystal Cheaves, Buddy Crystal Cheaves, Owners www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic & #brand CCC1325993 • Bonded & Insured Union ...” Lic # CCC1325993 wine Bonded &•Insured www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic #•CCC1325993 Bonded & Insured www.BuddysRoofing.com 28 Grizzly, for (GLOBE one anagram) 29 Capital west 54 Bird with a of Stockholm bald variety 32 Convection 56 Stern, for ___ a ship 33 Disfigure 57 Anteing 34 Silo weapon, words for short 58 Beach trip 35 “Pet” with souvenir? seeds 59 Work units 36 Long, long 61 Western times treaty grp.

38 NBA VIPs 62 Cincinnati42 U.N. workers’ to-Detroit dir. agency 63 Adobe file 43 Pantry extension item 44 Focusing problem: Abbr.

468318-1 468318-1

RESRIEDSEINDTENIATLIA&L & OMM ERECRICAIALL COCM

287477-1

813-982-0218 813-982-0218 813-982-0218

This week’s Crossword PREVIOUS PUZZLEanswers ANSWER

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle Solution:

“It takes more than going down to the video store and renting ‘Easy Rider’ to be a rebel.” ~ Dennis Hopper

Mail: The Plant City Observer, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103, Plant City, FL 33563

468318-1

ACROSS 56 *Honking 1 Implied and such 6 *First 60 He played Amendment Shaun in concern “Shaun of (note the the Dead” starred 64 Harold’s answers’ cinematic pal “Freudian” 65 Everybody word chain!)

66 Taking 15 Spanish advantage of friend 67 *Totally quiet 16 Empathizes 68 Is unresolved with DOWN 17 Yemen’s 1 Express capital disbelief 18 Game with a 2 Minnesotan body board in “The 19 *White House Squad” conference 3 Point on site Forky’s head 21 Palindromic 4 Tennis joke champion 22 Undoes a Andre change 5 Appliance 23 Rallies and that often debates, for has a bagel politicians setting 26 Sleep aid 6 ___ Loops brand 7 Taken-back 29 Black-andautos white whale 8 Early sch.

30 Sushi eggs type This week’s Sudoku answers9 Word aptly 31 *Fancy hotel convenience contained in 37 Study at the “hearing” last minute 10 Back-to39 Kilmer of school night “Tombstone” org.

40 ___ chamber 11 No longer 41 *Frontage working: route Abbr.

46 Place for 12 Endorse, as rubbish an online 47 Strategize form 48 Telenovelas, 13 Ermine in e.g. summer 50 Does 14 “Trap Queen” something and “Dancing about Queen” 53 Joy on 20 Nevada city “The View” with mountain 55 P, to Plato views

foot through the front windshield.

He then kicked the rear driver’s side door in. However, she decided she did not want to press charges.

Facebook: Plant City Observer Instagram: @plcobserver Twitter: @PlantObserver

O Plant City Observer

is locally owned by Ed Verner, Karen Berry, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes The Plant City Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC.

1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103 Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 704-6850

Publishers of the

Plant City Observer

PlantCityObserver.com 9/25

© 2019 Andrews McMeel Universal www.upuzzles.com

©Copyright Plant City Media LLC 2018 All Rights Reserved

10

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

PLAY FOR A CURE OFFERS NONSTOP FUN The annual Jensen’s Heart of Gold’s Play For a Cure event saw waves of attendees Saturday as the community flocked to participate in the day of fun.

FORKS, FUN

A Taste of Laura Street drew more than 100 attendees to the Bing Rooming House Museum as the community gathered to sample southern food, enjoy live music and stroll through an art gallery.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Once again, the community came out in full force for the annual Play for a Cure event hosted by Jensen’s Heart of Gold in downtown Plant City.

The event offers local children a chance to enjoy a variety of activities ranging from face painting to a bean bag toss. For several hours, the train depot was transformed into a children’s paradise and all of the activities, games and food included, were free for all who attended. Local businesses

and organizations joined in the event to throw a block party families aren’t soon to forget.

Donation jars and a Jensen’s merchandise booth were at the event to raise money for the charity, which provides assistance for families of children fighting cancer in central Florida.

Jensen’s gifts local families with funds to help them with their needs. The families can spend the funds however they’d like, whether that be a trip to Disney World or to buy new tires for their vehicle. Whatever their need, Jensen’s is there to help.

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE EVENT VISIT

www.jensensheartofgold.com/play

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The music coming from the lawn of the Bing Rooming House Museum could be heard all the way downtown as the community checked out the second annual A Taste of Laura Street event.

Promising food, forks and fun, the event combined live music with mouth-watering cuisine and an art gallery filled with pieces from local artists. A band played all night long and folks sampled special treats like ribs, collard green egg rolls and puddings on the Rooming House’s lawn.

Armbands for the tasting experience were $10 and 150 residents purchased the bands in support of the event. The museum was open to the public and the upstairs was filled with a variety of art ranging from acrylic canvas pieces to 3D artworks.

Improvement League President William Thomas Jr. offered a special thanks to the City of Plant City and Beasley Media Group for helping acquire a stage for the event.

A Taste of Laura Street was sponsored by the Walmart Foundation, Felton’s, Steph’s Southern Soul Restaurant, Attor-

ney Theodore Taylor, the Plant City Photo Archives, Charlow Funeral Home, Impact, the City of Plant City, Wish Farms, Mosaic, Arts Council of Plant City, Ace Reality Advisors, LLC., Unity in the Community, DART, Hillsborough County, TECO, Fryed Egg Productions, Visit Florida, Visit Tampa Bay, ABC Action News, Beasley Media Group, Wild 94.1 and Tampa Bay’s Q105.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

11

CITY’S NEW BUDGET APPROVED The 2019-2020 fiscal year budget was unanimously approved Monday evening, setting the stage for some big changes for the city.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Last year, the city introduced a gamut of new projects and many of those are still underway.

Because “the very same people that are juggling all the spinning plates of current projects would be the same people that would take on new projects,” McDaniel said, the city is taking a step back from adding too many more to the mix.

“We already have an extensive amount of projects underway,” McDaniel said. “We’re adding a few, but we are conscious of how many we bring to the table at once. The same people have to essentially handle everything the city is doing. If we try to do too much, the quality of the job will lessen because we’re stretching our people too thin.”

The Fire Department is receiving $6,508,841, with $500,000 being allocated toward purchasing a fire pumping apparatus and $400,000 going toward renovating Fire Station 2. Three firefighters are coming onboard to complete staffing for Fire Station 3.

The Plant City Police Department will receive $11,277,052 with an additional investment of $411,000 for 12 police vehicles.

Four police officers are finally being added to the department’s staff to provide additional protection throughout the city after years of a near-stagnant staffing pool.

The Recreation and Parks Department will receive $5,839,829 with an additional

investment of $157,487 for equipment to “improve efficiency in daily operations of the Parks Maintenance division.” Several exciting park projects, including the addition of a pedestrian bridge at the Rowena Mays Park to connect the two halves of the park, were approved Monday night. The city announced it would also dedicate $100,000 for playground improvements throughout the city and $120,000 to revamp the Washington Baseball Fields behind the soon-to-be completed Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center.

Continuing its focus on roads, the city is investing $4.7 million to resurface arterial roads and neighborhood streets. Of that, $2.2 million comes from the 1.0 mil property tax and another $2.2 million will be funded with transportation surtax dollars generated.

Of the total budget, approximately $3 million will go toward water and sewer infrastructure improvements to replace waterlines, repair lift stations and fix a variety of generators, pumps, water storage tanks and other items. The city also committed $500,000 toward the Roseland Park stormwater drainage improvement project to reduce flooding throughout that area.

McDaniel said, like every other city he knows of, Plant City is dealing with utilities that are in some cases 100 years old. And utility repairs are not cheap. If something goes wrong, the city could suddenly find itself out hundreds of thousands of dollars. So McDaniel said they plan as strategically as possible on where

utility replacements go next, which roads are safe to pave and where their “problem areas” are.

“I’d say we take a holistic view, especially when you add sewer and water to your assessment of the city’s needs as well,” McDaniel said. “We don’t always get it right. The Timberlane collapse was because of paving… but we have a plan and we try our best to stick to it and get as much done as possible.”

Following the unanimous approval from commissioners of the proposed budget, each official took a moment to comment on the city’s “well-balanced budget.” Echoing each other’s praises of McDaniel and the staff’s presentation, they said they were looking forward to seeing what the future holds for the city. They praised themselves on not being in debt and for still having “a strong general fund and a healthy rainy day fund.”

“Plant City has always been ultra conservative,” Commissioner Mike Sparkman said. “We have attempted to run this city like a business. We don’t have the luxury of the federal government of printing more dollars, so we have to watch our dollars conservatively. We even came through the 2007 and 2008 year when our economy crashed and it was pretty tough, and we had some pretty bad and pretty horrible decisions to keep our government afloat and keeping our government, the City of Plant City, effectively serving our people during those times.

Now we can do other things to better our community in a business manner, so I’m very proud of that.”

FURTHER BREAKDOWN OF THE NUMBERS Plant City Economic Development Corporation — $125,000 Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation via PCEDC — $25,000 Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce — $65,000 Boys and Girls Club of Plant City — $20,000 Railroad Museum Society — $25,000 1914 Building — $50,000 Plant City Main Street — $50,000 Economic Incentive QTI Program — $19,980 Partnership with Arts Council of Plant City — $6,000 Black Heritage Celebration — $2,000 Improvement League of Plant City — $2,000 Christmas Parade — $2,000 The Southern Group Lobbyists — $60,000

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

CAT SHOW

12

FOCUS ON FITNESS: GIVE PICKLEBALL A SHOT

No pickles were harmed in the making of this sport.

New Vision Cat Club returned to the TECO Expo Hall at the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds with another cat show on Sept. 21 and 22.

Hundreds of cat enthusiasts from around the country came to Plant City with their purr-fect pets for the two-day event, which featured an enclosed agility course for the fleetest of felines to tackle as well as the traditional rounds of judging and plenty of vendor booths with hand-crafted toys, custom made cat-themed clothing and accessories, food and more.

Pickleball may sound like a funny name for a sport, but it is no joke. In fact, pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.

It was created out of boredom as a family sport, something everyone at any age could participate in. The story goes, according to the USA Pickleball Association, that Congressman Joel Pritchard and a friend came up with the game in 1965 on an old Badminton court at Pritchard’s property on Bainbridge Island, Washington. They came home from playing golf and found their families with nothing to do. Since they couldn’t find a full set of badminton rackets, they improvised with ping-pong paddles and a wiffle ball. Over the next few weekends, the friends began to create rules Photos by Breanne Williams and Justin Kline and adjusted the height of the net to 36 inches, all the while keeping in mind that the purpose of the game was for everyone in the family to be able to play together.

Today, pickleball is played all over the country in recreation centers, gyms and YMCAs, indoors and outdoors. It has become increasingly popular among the active older adult population. Some play for fun and fellowship, some for their health and others for the thrill of competing in tournaments.

Emergency Emergency I spoke with Eileen Kaminski, who Steam Cleaned Water 24-HR. 24-HR. Water Steam Cleaned leads the group at the Campo Family YMCA, and Bruce Curtis, who runs the Extractions Extractions 50c per sq.ft. pickleball league at the Plant City Family Storm, Broken Pipes, includes Hallway cleaned free Storm, Broken Pipes, etc. etc.

YMCA. Both are so passionate about their Water Extraction 24-Hr Service | Carpet Dyeing & Repairs sport and were eager to tell me all about it. www.AllSaintscc.com Kaminski tells me that the pickleball club at the Campo YMCA began in 2011 with a group of nine women. That group has grown to as many as 66 men and women, if you include the “snowbirds.”

TILE & GROUT

CARPETS

$85

50c per sq.ft.

3 Rooms $85

ed free

Steam Cleaned

www.AllSaintscc.com 813-986-1266 813-986-1266 www.AllSaintscc.com 813-986-1266

| Carpet Dyeing & Repairs

ntscc.com

STATE FARM® AGENT

Tony Lee CLU, CHFC 813.752.7202

Auto | Annuities | Home | Life | Small Businesses | Retirement

288231-1

d

TILE & GROUT

287396-1

S

1702 S. Alexander, Plant City, FL 33563 CBC1260170 / MRSR1611

" In the Time Of Disaster, We React Faster" Water Damage Restoration Fire and Smoke Damage Mold Remediation

813 531-8443

Storm Damage 24/7 Emergency Services

www.advantage-rc.com

813-986-1266

She described the group as “a family who cares about each other and enjoys each other’s company.” They attend charity events together, attend church together, visit each other’s houses, visit each other in the hospital and support each other in tournaments. Every Wednesday, they go to lunch together. Sometimes it is five or six people and sometimes as many as 20. Over the past four years, the group has sent 60 teams to the Hillsborough County Senior Games, where they have won many medals.

Bruce Curtis and his wife, Laura, joined the Plant City YMCA more than 15 years ago, looking for something to do. They wanted to stay active and meet people.

Bruce said one of the things he loves most about Pickleball is being able to connect with other people and really getting to know them. Besides that, he says, it is great exercise. They play daily from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and the amount of playing time varies depending on how many people show up that day. Typically, there are 12 to 16 people of different ages and fitness levels. The youngest player is 50, the oldest is 85 and there are a variety of skill sets from very experienced to new players. The group welcomes newcomers and will work with them, teaching them hitting, positioning, rules and how to keep score. Some compete in tournaments. Though Curtis is very competitive by nature, he chooses not to. He plays, he said, “because I enjoy it.”

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

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

13

STRAWBERRY CREST

BIDS PRINCIPAL BROWN FAREWELL BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Dave

Brown

Dave Brown has stood at the helm of the Dover school for 10 years, crafting its legacy and ensuring his students would rise to greatness.

Now he’s preparing to reprise the role of principal at a new school in Riverview.

It was an emotional afternoon at Strawberry Crest High School last Friday, when beloved principal David “Dave” Brown was treated to a goodbye party unlike any other as he prepared to close this chapter of his life and begin leading at a new school.

The entire school — every student, teacher and staff member — headed to the inner courtyard on the Chargers’ campus to say goodbye to Brown, who literally brought Strawberry Crest into existence 10 years ago. Lining the sidewalks and hanging over the railings of the second floor bannisters, they waited in hushed silence as Brown stepped behind a student in a strawberry suit and the Charger mascot, then followed a police car slowly through the courtyard in a mini parade.

Flocked by color guard members and the SCHS band, Brown slowly walked down the hall one last time, waving to cheering students and teachers and saluting ROTC members as a roar of applause and shouts of affection rang out around him.

When the parade circled back to the starting point, Brown positioned himself by one of the school’s exits in the courtyard and soon was surrounded by students wanting a hug, a selfie or a final handshake before they darted off to their buses and cars. Several wiped away tears as they gave him one final squeeze and others took a brief moment to thank him for all he’s done for the school.

Upstairs, the party was just beginning. Faculty members rushed to the media center as Brown wrapped up his goodbyes, slipping through

GOT PESTS?

The only bug you should have in your home or business is the one in our logo!

• Roach & Ant Control • German Roaches HOME PROTECTION • Bees • Ground Hornets PEST CONTROL • Fleas & Ticks • Quarterly & Semi-Annual Service

• Rodent Control • Spiders • Silverfish

Steve Paul, Owner Lic. # JB 138531

homeprotectionpc.com | 813.757.6752 | Cell: 813.716.0623 | Hours: 8am-5pm M-F • Sat by appt.

287865-1

Family Owned & Operated Since 2006 • 19 Years Experience

DRIVE SAFE & SAVE. I help safe drivers save up to 14%.

When you don’t have car accidents, you cost less to insure. I can help you save up to 14% off your premium. And that’s just for starters. Call me first to get the discounts you deserve.

Feola Insurance Agency 813-752-2556

Discounts are subject to terms, conditions and availability. Actual savings will vary. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co.

Northbrook, IL. © 2013 Allstate Insurance Co.

DIVORCE | WILLS | EVICTIONS Starting at $65 • 1-Signature Divorce • Missing Spouse Divorce “We Come To You” SERVING ALL FLORIDA

1-888-847-1997

(SINCE 1992)

291121-1

287497-1

1003 S. Collins St. a026519@allstate.com

the doors and laughing with their coworkers as they put the final touches on his last surprise.

After the exodus of students had passed, Brown headed upstairs and opened the doors to a large human tunnel of his staff, who lined a “red carpet” that had been taped to the floor in his honor. Shaking his head and smiling, he attempted to wave them off but their cheers eventually pulled him down the “carpet” where he clapped and waved before being shepherded to a homemade throne in the center of the room.

Goodbye posters lined windows and walls of the center and two cakes with a fondant strawberry and a large “SC” were waiting for onlookers to cut in and take a slice. Black and red balloons hovered over a few of the assembled tables and the teachers and faculty soon piled around Brown’s throne for a final goodbye.

A few of those gathered shared words of affection and gratitude, handed him gifts ranging from a “Mr. Brown car line preparedness kit” from PTSA to help him temper traffic control in any weather at his new school, to a framed poster that captured some of the highlights of his decade-long career from teachers in Building 1. He even received a framed picture of himself in a strawberry costume that was signed by teachers on staff.

Brown will open a new high school in Riverview in August 2020, and because he knew how stressful starting a new school year was, he elected to stay at SCHS until everything was up and running for the current year.

For 10 years he stood at the helm, guiding the Chargers into not only crafting an identity that is recogniz-

able throughout the county, but also into achieving accolades and recognitions that forever put Strawberry Crest on the map.

Christie Raburn, assistant principal for curriculum at SCHS, joked that Brown enjoys writing poems, even occasionally practicing them on campus. So she wrote one of her own, admitting she may have made up a word or two of her own to help the lines rhyme.

“Here’s something fun for those that don’t know, I met Mr. Brown 20 years ago,” Raburn said. “I was a brand new teacher, him a brand new AP. He got a bit irritated when I lost my portable key. True story. From Freedom to Leto he thought it over and made the decision to open a new school in Dover. So nine years later he made me an offer, one I couldn’t refuse, to become ‘The Grasshopper.’

The lessons I’ve learned are many, not few, so I’d like to share some of them with you.”

Quoting many of Brown’s “words of wisdom,” Raburn highlighted his affinity for lock-outs, his love of graduation rehearsal and advice for dealing with frustrated parents.

Drawing laughs from the crowd, the speech acted as a transition into a long video of goodbyes from all of the faculty as Brown and his family soaked in their last moments in the Charger setting.

One sentiment was echoed all afternoon, both by students and staff. Brown may be leaving to help shape a new legacy, but he’ll always be family in their book.

After all, “Once a Charger, always a Charger.”

SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

SPORTS

Eva Oyola’s leadership and volleyball skills give the Plant City Raiders a boost.

See Page 14

GAME OF THE WEEK: PLANT CITY AT BLOOMINGDALE

The Raiders hope to stay hot on the road against a strong Bulls team.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Plant City Raiders probably won’t change their nickname to the Road Warriors anytime soon, but it looks like they get a rush from playing in other stadiums this year.

With last week’s 42-6 win over East Bay in Gibsonton, the Raiders moved to 2-1 on the road (0-2 at home) in 2019. This Friday’s matchup with Bloomingdale (3-1; 1-0 district) will be crucial for Plant City’s playoff hopes and, luckily for the Raiders, it’s happening at BHS. How different are things for the Raiders on the road? For starters, the team has been more productive. The team averages exactly 10 more points scored (31 ppg) and 34.7 total yards (332.7) per game away than at home (21 ppg, 298 ypg). The Raiders do average more passing yards at home (206.5) than on the road (126), but the gulf between rushing yard averages is massive (91.5 yards at home, 206.7 away). You could chalk that up to differences in how the games flow: Plant City has not attempted more than 19 passes or fewer than 13 in any of its road games, but the Raiders logged 26 and 32 pass attempts at home against Gaither and Lakeland, respectively. Six of the Raiders’

nine interceptions were thrown in those two home games, while six of the Raiders’ eight touchdown passes were caught on the road.

The first conclusion one might get from all that is that maybe Plant City’s offense is more productive this year when it’s favoring the run over the pass. Last week’s game at East Bay was an example of what can happen when that’s working. Three different PCHS running backs and quarterback Makenzie Kennedy averaged 12.2 yards per carry on 23 total runs. Zamir’ Knighten, who is just about always good for at least 100 yards and a touchdown on the ground alone, gave PCHS 118 yards and a score on just 10 carries. Kennedy ran seven times for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Romello Jones led everybody with 63 yards on four touches, good for a team-high 15.8 yards per carry. Reginald Bush, who might have been born to play running back, ran twice for 23 yards. It didn’t matter that the Raiders finished with 91 passing yards between Kennedy and Clinton Danzey, though they did get two touchdowns through the air and into the hands of Reagan Ealy and Brent Coton.

That offensive explosion went hand-inhand with a great performance from the Raider defense. Emmanuel Baez, Tanner Gibbs and Antron Robinson each finished with 10 or more tackles. Latarus Wanser

OTHER AREA FOOTBALL ACTION DURANT AT KATHLEEN, 7:30 P.M. Last week, Durant went to Newsome for the Alafia River Rivalry and played the Wolves pretty well for much of the game.

But their 7-7 halftime tie turned into Newsome’s 26-14 win, thanks largely to a 13-point fourth quarter by the Wolves.

Sean Williams threw 11 passes for a season-high 94 yards and the Cougars’ 6.8 yards per carry was the better total between the two teams, but the Cougars’ touchdowns came by way of a Lonel

Gappy rushing touchdown and a Jaiden Gappy pick six. Durant also racked up 99 total tackles with Bradley Guasto’s 13 leading the way, and Josh Cannon (12), Lane Robbins (11) and Ethan Webb (11) each hit double digits. Newsome, however, dominated the possession battle (53 plays to Durant’s 35) and had a pair of 100-plus yard rushers in Jason Albritton (107) and Landon White (103).

The Cougars now travel to Kathleen, which just gave Manatee its first win of the season with their 28-12 loss last

blocked an early field goal attempt. Robinson, John Lewis and Jeren Bendorf each recovered a fumble (with Bendorf recording a scoop-and-score) and Gibbs forced one himself. The unit kept East Bay out of the end zone until early in the fourth quarter, when Armone Bostick scored on a short rush, but the PAT attempt was no good and the Raiders’ 35-6 lead would only get bigger from there.

Plant City couldn’t have picked a better time to get back on its feet, as district play resumes this week at Bloomingdale.

A head coaching change hasn’t seemed to slow the Bulls down at all in 2019. Last week, the Bulls went to Plant and sent a reeling Panthers team further into the loss column with a 22-10 win. Bloomingdale’s defense, one week removed from going to Durant and holding the Cougars’ offense to 79 total yards in a 35-0 shutout, hounded quarterback Tucker Gleason and prevented the Plant offense from scoring any points (the Panthers scored on a fumble recovery with a two-point conversion and a safety).

The Raiders defense should be able to slow down Bloomingdale’s offense: turn-

Friday. The Red Devils (1-4; 1-0 district) did not submit stats from the game to MaxPreps.com but gave up two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown to quarterback Jayce Berzowski and threw a pick six to the Hurricanes shortly before halftime. If Durant’s looking to bounce back as Plant City just did, the opportunity is there.

STRAWBERRY CREST AT LAKELAND, 7 P.M. Last week, Strawberry Crest hosted Riverview and took a 49-6 loss to an undefeated Sharks team. Caleb Goodson scored on a quarterback sneak in the waning seconds of the game, which

overs were a recurring problem for the Bulls last week, and Plant City can generate them. Keeping Kennedy calm and upright against one of the most potent pass rushes in Tampa Bay looks like the key to success for Plant City. Maybe that means giving him time to find his weapons through the air like Armwood did in the Hawks’ 28-0 win over BHS, or maybe that means giving him more space to run through so PCHS can keep the run-heavy away game trend going. Either way, as every offensive and defensive line coach in America would say, this one’s going to be won or lost in the trenches.

started with a 35-point first quarter from Riverview.

The Sharks defense held Goodson to 0-for-6 passing with two interceptions and held the Crest running back committee to 64 yards on 20 carries.

The Chargers are headed to Lakeland to take on a Dreadnaughts team that just scored a 37-6 win over Hialeah at home last week. Lakeland held a 22-0 lead at halftime, thanks in large part to a barrage of rushing touchdowns from Demarckus Bowman, and didn’t let the Thoroughbreds score until there were about six minutes left in the game.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Quick Hits AREA PARKS HOSTING EVENTS Global Sports Alliance Florida will hold its Gulf Coast League play tournament in Plant City this weekend. The tourney runs from Saturday through Sunday with games starting between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on both days. Games will be played on multiple fields at the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex and Mike Sansone Park.

Next weekend, GSA will host its Backyard Brawl VI tournament on multiple fields at the Randy L. Larson Softball FourPlex, Mike Sansone Park, Ellis-Methvin Park, Snowden Park and the MLK fields.

Games start at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5 and 6.

CREST HOSTS XC QUAD MEET

HALLBACK TRIUMPHS IN COMEBACK FIGHT Plant City’s own Chevelle Hallback may have been out of action for five years, but she hasn’t forgotten how to win in the boxing ring.

Hallback’s Sept. 21 fight against Szilvia Szabados ended with Hallback winning by unanimous decision in six rounds at the St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater. Taking down a ranked opponent gave Hallback more than just a confidence boost in the ring: with the win, she’s now ranked first in the USA and sixth in the world among qualified super welterweights on BoxRec. com. The goal, Hallback told the Plant City Observer in August, is to move up to middleweight and fight Claressa Shields.

Durant, Brandon and Spoto visited Strawberry Crest on Sept. 19 for a cross country quad meet.

On the boys side, the Durant and Crest teams finished in first and second place, respectively. The Cougars recorded a total team time of 1:36:16 and the Chargers finished together in 1:14:16.

Three of that race’s first five finishers represented Durant, including winner Haydon Patrick (18:08), second-place Jacob Malinchak (18:34) and fourth-place Raven Skousen (19:06). Riley Walker (seventh place, 20:03) and Aiden Maroney (ninth place, 20:25) also finished in the top 10 for Durant. Colin Rockway led all Chargers with a third-place time of 18:43, and Crest’s other top-10 finishers included Gabriel Rosales (sixth place, 19:47) and Tyron Mathews (10th place, 20:33).

On the girls side, Crest placed second overall with a team time of 1:03:34 and Durant placed third with a time of 2:27:44.

The race was won by Brandon’s Marielas Claudio, but Crest’s Paige Reagan finished second with a time of 22:17.

Kristina Chavez (seventh place, 24:45), Elizabeth West (ninth place, 25:23) and Angeles Irigoyen (10th place, 25:25) were also among the top 10 finishers. Durant only had one top 10 finisher, Jayda Reece (eighth place, 25:06), but Jordan McClellan was not far behind her with a 12thplace time of 26:40.

Eva Oyola

Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at JKline@ plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.

Plant City High School’s volleyball team is rather young — only two seniors are on the roster — but it’s not lacking in leadership. One such leader is setter and right side hitter Eva Oyola, a sophomore whom coach Sara Tooman said has stepped up to set a good example for her teammates. Oyola’s also pretty good on the court: on Monday, for example, she helped Plant City beat Bartow, 3-2, with 20 assists, 18 digs and three serving aces.

How long have you been playing?

Around five to six years.

What got you into it?

I’ve played basically every sport but really found volleyball interesting. I started at the YMCA. What’s your favorite position to play?

I’ve been setting for a long time, but I really like playing back row and defense and passing the ball.

How’s the season going for Plant City, in your opinion?

It’s going pretty well. We have a lot of things to work on, but we have a lot of talent. When we come together, we play really well.

What’s a goal you’re trying to achieve this year, on or off the court?

Thursday, we also went to five sets.

It was a lot of endurance and a lot of hustle on every single play, no matter how tired we were. That was something I was proud of myself and my teammates for.

To be a good leader, how do you handle yourself?

It’s all about positive attitudes before and after the game, no matter if you win the point or lose the point. I like to remind me and my teammates that we have to keep pushing no matter the score, and no matter what’s happening.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SPONSORED BY SPORT CLIPS

15

What’s some of the best advice you’ve gotten for volleyball, maybe something you think anyone who wants to play the sport well should know?

That nothing can stop you. I’m very short, but my goal is to play in college. The best advice I got was from watching inspirational videos for volleyball players on YouTube and to keep working. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from. As long as you put in the hard work, you can play. You can be where you want to be in the future.

What’s your dream school, then?

My dream school is Stanford, but I also like UCF. I want to major in forensics. I really love Criminal Minds.

My personal goal would have to be to get better with my vertical and work on my technique.

How do you think this season’s going to turn out?

I think we’re going to end the season with a pretty good record because, in every single game, we show a new side of us. We just keep playing harder and harder.

What new side of this team came out in Monday’s win?

This past game, it was definitely endurance. We did a five-setter Monday and on

September is Pain Awareness Month Did you know that Chronic Pain affects more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined?

If you are one of the more than 100 million Americans suffering from chronic pain, please allow us to help you get back to the activities that you love and cherish.

Come and see Dr. Ayala, a bilingual, double-certified Interventional Pain Physician who specializes in the treatment of: Extremity Pain • Joint Pain Neck and Back Pain • Neuropathic Pain And Many More

"My aim is to reduce pain so that patients may reclaim their lives and return to the activities they previously enjoyed."

Orvil L. Ayala, M.D., D.ABA Interventional Pain Medicine

813.938.6627 • www.NewDayPainandWellness.com 110 Southern Oaks Dr. • Plant City, FL 33563

16

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

289704-1

We asked: What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this year?

“In the world of sports, our “When we went to Cape Cod “Pelican’s SnoBalls. I like players are so good I can be and the beach. On the last day, Shark Attack.”

— Grymes Morgan, 3 home in Plant City and be with I saw a shark.”

— Ava Bikowski, 7 my family, hang with my girls.”

“I made new friends going to my new high school, Strawberry Crest.”

“Graduating middle school.”

— Malak Albustami, 14

— Aarav Dagar, 14

— Scott Bikowski, 42

Time for New Glasses?

CAMERON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

The struggle between fashion and function is officially declared a tie!

Never before have eyeglass frames been offered in so many stylish choices. Yet, you’ll be amazed at how many options are at your fingertips to help you see well and protect your vision!

287687-1

813.754.3593 2002 S. Alexander St. Plant City, FL 33563

287857-1

www.drgaffney.com

Dr. Jeremy H. Gaffney O.D. Dr. Barry M. Gaffney, O.D. PA Dr. Daniel G. Gaffney O.D.

110 W. Reynolds Street | Suite 109, Plant City, FL 33563 michael@cameronfm.com | CAMERONFM.COM Securities Offered Through LPL Financial

Members FINRA/SIPC

Michael S.Cameron Financial Advisor

813.759.8485

community

Taking care of is all about. each other is what

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

community Ralph ‘Pat’

|

Anne Frances Dempsey

Maria Guadalupe John we’re dedicated to helping families create aGeorge unique and meaningful memorial that truly Hernandez Norman Andres celebrates the life it represents.

William “Bill” David Settle passed peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, surrounded by his loved ones.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Anne Frances Dempsey, 94, Ralph “Pat” Patterson, 87, of Maria Guadalupe Hernandez, 86, John George Norman Andres, of Plant City, entered into Plant City, passed away on Sept. passed away on Sept. 23, 2019.

79, of Plant City, passed away eternal rest on Sept. 17, 2019.

20, 2019.

She was born on Sept. 15, on Sept. 18, 2019.

Expressions of condolence He was the co-owner ofhelping families 1933,create in Mexico.

Services were held Sept. 23, we’re dedicated to a W E ’ RE PRO UD TO SERVE at our community HopewellFuneral.com.

Wilson’s and Condolences may be offered 2019 at Haught Funeral Home, unique andNursery meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. Wholesale celebrates theStates life itsupporting represents.

As your Dignity Memorial professionals, Proudly Plant City Strawberry Festival. 708 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Plant served in the United Air atthe www.wellsmemorial.com.

Force.> He was born in Wellsburg, City, FL 33563. > 100% Service Guarantee National Plan Transferability West Virginia.

Online condolences may > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement Travel Assistance Condolences may be offered be left for the family at www. at www.wellsmemorial.com. haught.care.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM WELLSMEMORIAL.COM we’re dedicated to helping families create a WE’R E PR OU D TO SERVE our community Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

our community with personal, compassionate care since 1896.

As your Dignity Memorial professionals,

is Patterson all about. Taking care of > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability Travel Assistance The Compassion > Bereavement each other> is what Helpline® ®

R community

®

is all about.

R

Taking care of each other >is100%what Terry Dalton Futch Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability Lance Michael

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

with personal, compassionate care since 1896.

As your Dignity Memorial professionals, ®

James ‘Jim’ Gerald Putnal

community

unique and meaningful memorial that truly celebrates the life it represents.

Wells MeMorial & event Center

Terry Dalton> Futch, 70, passedHelpline® The Compassion > Bereavement Travel Assistance PlanT CiTy

Strickland

James “Jim” Gerald Putnal, 57, of Plant City, born in Plant City on April 24, 1962, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 21, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

away on Sept. 23, 2019.

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com WELLSMEMORIAL.COM He was born on Jan. 9, 1949, in Lance Michael Strickland, 22, of Plant City.

Plant City, born in Brandon on Proudly1 supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

Condolences may be offered Dec. 9, 1996, entered into eternal M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd Joseph T. Wright at www.wellsmemorial.com. rest on Sept. 17, 2019. Wells MeMorial & event Center Expressions of condolence at Joseph T.CiTy Wright, 96, passed PlanT HopewellFuneral.com. away WellsMemorial.com on Sept.

2019. to helping families create a we’re21, dedicated W E ’ RE PRO UD TO SERVE813-752-1111 our community unique meaningful that truly with personal, compassionate care sinceHe 1896. was born onand May 7, 1923 memorial in celebrates the life it represents. WELLSMEMORIAL.COM As your Dignity Memorial professionals, St. Louis, Missouri.

M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1 10/27/15 10:42 AM in the United States > 100% Service GuaranteeHe >served National Plan Transferability > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement Travel Assistance Armed Forces.

Condolences may beWells offered MeMorial & event Center at www.wellsmemorial.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM PlanT CiTy

Taking care of each other is what

community

R

is all about.

®

is all about.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

R

our community with personal, compassionate care since 1896.

As your Dignity Memorial professionals, WE ’RE P ROUD TO S E RVE

Darren Colding

®

OBITUARIES

William ‘Bill’ David Settle

WE’R E PR OU D TO SERVE

17

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com Proudly supporting the create Plant aCity Strawberry Festival. we’re dedicated to helping families unique and meaningful memorial that truly

celebrates the life it represents.

Deryl C. Sturgis

M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

> 100% Service Guarantee Planpassed Transferability Darren Colding, 50, of Tampa, Deryl>C.National Sturgis, 106, > The Helpline® > Bereavement born in Tampa, on June 12, Travel 1969, Assistance away on Sept.

22,Compassion 2019.

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM entered into eternal rest on She was born on Aug.3, 1913, Sept. 12, 2019. in Bulloch County, Georgia.

Expressions of condolence at Condolences may be offered Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. lorist HopewellFuneral.com. at www.wellsmemorial.com.

Wells MeMorial & event Center

R

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM 10/27/15 10:42 AM

Manuel Ruiz Hernandez

Manuel Ruiz Hernandez, 52, of Plant City, passed away on Sept. 15, 2019.

Services were held Sept. 23, 2019 at St. Clement Catholic Church, 1104 North Alexander Street, Plant City FL 33563.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.

10/27/15 10:42 AM haught.care.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

F

PlanT CiTy

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

10/27/15 10:42 AM

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

116 North Collins Street Plant City, FL 33563 ph: (813) 567-5735 allabloomtampa.com

Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

Historic Downtown 287464-1

10/27/15 10:42 AM

FAMILY. COMMUNITY. COMPASSION. VALUE. FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971 HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

18

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

YOUR CALENDAR

Ruby Lee Lindsey Ruby Lee Lindsey, 91, of Plant City, passed away Sept. 22, 2019.

Born in Berrien County, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late A.C. and Lillie Mae Richardson. She was the wife of the late Benjamin Lindsey for over 50 years.

Her survivors include sons, Stephen Lindsey (Suzanne), Michael Lindsey (Joni), Timothy Lacy Austin Lindsey (Gina); 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 10 Ginn Jr. great-great grandchildren.

Ruby was retired from the Lacy Austin Ginn Jr., 74, of Plant Hillsborough County school City, passed away on Sept. 19, system.

2019.

The family will receive friends A native of Plant City, he was from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, the son of the late Lacy and Sept. 27, 2019, First Freewill Mary Ginn.

Baptist Church, 11605 E. US Survivors include his wife; Hwy 92, Seffner, 33584, with Sharon Ginn, children; Kathy service to follow at 5 p.m.

(Joseph) Ginn Shinn, Kristy Online condolences may be Ginn Wilkes, Lance (Karena) left for the family at haught.

Ginn, siblings; Marvin (Loucare ise) Ginn, Elizabeth (Charles) Chancey, and six grandchildren; Zachary and Nicholas Shinn, Brooklyn and Ashlyn Wilkes, Henry and Elliot Ginn.

Lacy was a member of MidHAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM way Baptist Church. Lacy was a supervisor with D.C.F. He loved fishing, hunting, gardening, and cows. He enjoyed traveling and THURSDAY, SEPT. 26 loved the great outdoors. He was an avid Gators football fan.

YOUR HOSPITAL STAY AND A Memorial Gathering will be POSTPARTUM ISSUES held Monday, Sept. 30, 2019 at CLASS Eastside Baptist Church, 1318 6 to 8 p.m. South Florida Baptist E. Calhoun St. Plant City Florida Hospital is offering a class on Your 33563, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 Hospital Stay and Postpartum p.m.

Issues. This class covers hospiIn lieu of flowers donatal policies regarding hospital tions can be made to Lifepath stay, emotional changes and Hospice or the National Park adjusting to the new parent role.

Service, 1849 C St., Room 2320 Participants may bring one guest Washington D.C. 20240. to classes. Please bring a notepad Online condolences may to take notes. Snacks will be probe left for the family at www. vided. This class is held the third haught.care.

Thursday of every month in the ICU Conference Room, 2 South.

Registration is required and free.

Call 1-855-269-4777.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Janice Miller Warren Janice Miller Warren, 75, of Plant City, passed away on Sept. 17, 2019.

Services will be held privately.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www. haught.care.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

RETRO MOVIE NIGHT: RETURN OF THE JEDI

6:33 to 8:33 p.m Come on out to Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for its monthly Retro Movie Night. This month features Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Kick back, relax and head back in time to your favorite classic movies. Make it a date night, family night, a night out with friends or even a night away from the rest of the world. Watch for fun themes, sweet movie treats and can’t-miss showings every fourth Thursday.

BEST BET SATURDAY, SEPT. 28 PLANT CITY GARDEN CLUB GARDEN FEST

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The annual Plant City Garden Club Garden Fest is held in downtown Plant City, 102 N. Palmer St. There will be butterfly plants, native plants, herbs, garden art and so much more including antiques, crafts, bargains and food. The event is free to attend and vendors will be all throughout the depot.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 27 DUPLICATE BRIDGE

1 p.m. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 302 Carey St., is now hosting a weekly Duplicate Bridge game, the most widely used variation of contract bridge in club and tournament play. Contact Walt Arnold at 813-752-1602 for more information.

FOOD TRUCK RALLY

5 to 9 p.m. The monthly Plant City Main Street Food Truck Rally is held in downtown Plant City at the corner of Drane Street and North Palmer Street. Come downtown for a night of good food, music and shopping.

MINIFIG TRADING NIGHT

6 to 8 p.m. While the monthly Plant City Food Truck Rally is taking place, swing by Brick City Bricks, 107 E. Reynolds St., for the monthly Minifig Trade Night. Have a duplicate? Stop by, trade and take home new minifigs.

WORSHIP NIGHT WITH “UNCHAINED”

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for an evening of worship led by the group “Unchained.” A love offering will be collected.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 28 MINI CRANE BUILD

10 a.m. Brick City Bricks, 107 E. Reynolds St., is hosting a LEGO mini crane build. For $10, you can take home a LEGO crane. Doughnuts and drinks will be provided.

MONDAY, SEPT. 30 PLANT CITY DAYBREAK ROTARY CLUB

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

YMCA Place. Guests are welcome to join them.

READ WITH TANNER THE THERAPY DOG

5:30 p.m. Tanner the Therapy Dog comes to Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., every Monday to listen to children read to him on the couch. Tanner is an Australian Shepherd Reading Therapy Dog certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. For children of all ages.

TUESDAY, OCT. 1 STORY TIME (TODDLER TIME)

10:30 a.m. Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., is hosting its weekly Story Time (Toddler Time) event. Stories and interactive activities make up this engaging 45-minute program that highlights early literacy skills and encourages reading readiness and social interaction. For children ages 2 to 3 years and their caregivers.

PLANT CITY LIONS CLUB

12 to 1 p.m. The Plant City Lions Club holds a meeting every Tuesday at Buddy Freddy’s, 1101 Goldfinch Drive. For more information on membership, call 813924-3829.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 2 PLANT CITY COMMUNITY LADIES BIBLE STUDY

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This Plant City Community Ladies Bible Study runs the first Wednesday of every month from September until May at the Planteen Recreation Center, 201 N. Dort St. There will be salad, desserts and a covered dish lunch at the study and attendees are invited to bring an item to share. All ladies in the community are welcome. Donations are $1.

STRONGER

JOIN

TODAY! PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA

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

12 to 1 p.m. The Kiwanis Club of Plant City meets Wednesdays at Buddy Freddy’s Restaurant, 1101 Goldfinch Drive (off Thonotosassa Road). For club information call 813-417-7559.

READ WITH BONNIE THE THERAPY DOG

4 to 5 p.m. Bonnie the Therapy Dog comes to Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., every week for children to have the opportunity to share a book and some soft pats on the head.

Join Bonnie on the couch in the children’s section and read to her some of your favorite stories.

THURSDAY, OCT. 3 PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

7:30 to 9 a.m. Plant City Toastmasters is held every Thursday.

Guests are always welcome to come join the free meeting at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St.

SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB

10:30 a.m. Come on out to the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St., each Thursday to find out more about a new Shuffleboard Club. Topics being discussed are days of the week, times, skill levels and anything else you may want to know. The club is hosted by Anita Balch and she can be contacted at 808-7225821 for more information.

CRAFT NIGHT OUT

5:30 p.m. Adults are invited to come on out to Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., for a Craft Night Out. At this month’s event they will be making string art. All supplies provided.

Registration necessary. Please bring your own hammer. Register online. Funded by the Friends of the Bruton Memorial Library. For adults 18+ only.

5

LIMITED TIME* SPECIAL OFFER

THAN EVER CELEBRATING 175 YEARS

KIWANIS CLUB OF PLANT CITY

$

SIGN UP FEE!

*Offer valid thru 9/30/19.

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg September 25, 2019 PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

I LOVE PLANT CITY

9/25

ACROSS 1 Jackson 5 hairdo 5 Cap edge 9 Catch on a nail, say 13 Use a Kindle 14 Many a Hawkeyes fan 16 Mayor ___(2020 candidate, informally) 17 Repair 18 Tourist’s leader 19 Exclamation after using a scratch-off, maybe 20 Like some families 23 Note down 26 Roald who wrote “Matilda” 27 Without principles 28 Covered in flowers

FORECAST THURSDAY, SEPT 26 High: 94 Low: 70 Chance of rain: 10%

FRIDAY, SEPT 27 High: 92 Low: 70 Chance of rain: 10%

57 Toon who loves Lard Lad Donuts 60 “This round’s ___!”

61 Overplay a part 62 “Quickly!”

66 Clarinet, e.g.

67 ^ 68 Worshipper with a turban 69 Blunders 70 Prescriptions, for short 71 Trendy bowl type DOWN 1 White piece of Mr. Potato Head 2 ATM charge 3 Tried to get elected 4 4:1, e.g.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

High: 94 Low: 70 Chance of rain: 10%

SUNDAY, SEPT 29 High: 91 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 20%

AVOCADOS

Shipping point: Central Florida $11-$12

5 Major star 6 Like many drafts 7 Volunteer’s words 8 Cooked up 9 Richard’s veep 10 Post-revolution period 11 Lacking a musical key 12 How to rock a baby 15 Kathmandu resident 21 Worldwide singing franchise, to fans 22 Prayer ending 23 “___ Bird” (2017 Saoirse Ronan film) 24 Slender instrument 25 Surplus 29 “In memoriam” bio 30 Nebraska native 33 Agriculture or Energy: Abbr.

34 Knee part that Lindsey Vonn tore, briefly 35 Indiana industrial center 39 Like a crossing guard’s vest 40 Challenge 41 Editor’s “Never mind” 43 Motorola cellphone 44 “Be there soon!”

45 Service groups?

46 Sandwich also known as a hoagie 47 On land 48 Pothead 49 Thor’s weapon 53 Has to have 54 Fireside treat 55 Elected (to) 58 Sunni prayer leader 59 Apollo 11 org.

63 (As originally written) 64 Wanted poster letters 65 ___ Beta Kappa

19

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Sept. 26

7:19a

7:20p

Friday, Sept. 27

7:19a

7:19p

Saturday, Sept. 28

7:20a

7:18p

Sunday, Sept. 29

7:20a

7:17p

Monday, Sept. 30

7:21a

7:16p

Tuesday, Oct. 1

7:21a

7:14p

Wednesday, Oct. 2

7:22a

7:13p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, SEPT 28

Hit Parade by Saul Pink

30 Futbol cry 31 Olympic gymnast Raisman 32 Activity for a couple of couples 36 Mysterious Himalayan creature 37 Green prefix 38 & & & 42 Multiskilled talent 47 ___ Wednesday 50 Grasshopper’s counterpart, in an Aesop fable 51 Pooh’s sad pal 52 Poem portion 54 Fly high 56 Basketball rim attachment

|

Sept. 29 New

Oct. 13 Full

Oct. 3 First

Oct. 27 Last

RAINFALL Monday, Sept. 16

0.00

Tuesday, Sept. 17 0.00 Wednesday, Sept. 18

0.09

Thursday, Sept. 19 0.00 Friday, Sept. 20

0.00

Saturday, Sept. 21 0.00 Sunday, Sept. 22

0.00

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2019 35.75 in.

2019 0.84 in.

2018 22.81 in.

2018 1.44 in.

WEATHER

41 Editor’s ACROSS 51 Pooh’s 21 Worldwide “Never 1 Jackson 5 sad pal singing mind” hairdo 52 Poem franchise, 43 Motorola 5 Cap edge portion to fans cellphone 9 Catch on 54 Fly high 22 Prayer 44 “Be there nail,photo say submissions 56 Basketball ending Sendayour to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com soon!”

13 Use a Kindle rim 23 “___ Bird” or hashtag onattachment Instagram for @igersplantcity 14 Many #iloveplantcity a (2017 to feature. 45 Service groups?

Hawkeyes 57 Toon who Saoirse 46 Sandwich fan loves Lard Ronan film) also known 16 Mayor ___ Lad Donuts 24 Slender as a hoagie (2020 60 “This round’s instrument 47 On land candidate, ___!”

25 Surplus 48 Pothead informally) 61 Overplay 29 “In memori49 Thor’s 17 Repair a part am” bio weapon 18 Tourist’s 62 “Quickly!”

30 Nebraska 53 Has to have leader 66 Clarinet, e.g. native 54 Fireside treat 19 Exclamation 67 ^ 33 Agriculture 55 Elected (to) after using a 68 Worshipper or Energy: 58 Sunni prayer scratch-off, with a Abbr. maybe leader turban 34 Knee part 20 Like some 59 Apollo 11 org.

69 Blunders that Lindsey families 63 (As originally 70 Prescriptions, Vonn tore, 23 Note down written) for short briefly 26 Roald who 64 Wanted 71 Trendy 35 Indiana wrote poster letters bowl type industrial “Matilda” 65 ___ Beta DOWN center 27 Without Kappa 1 White piece 39 Like a principles of Mr. Potato crossing 28 Covered in Head guard’s vest flowers 2 ATM 40 Challenge 30 Futbol cry charge 31 Olympic 3 Tried to get PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER gymnast Maybe there isn’t really a potelected of gold at the end of a rainbow. But a double rainbow leading to both Raisman 4 Cynthia 4:1, e.g.

Publix and its bakery, which Holt saw, is just as good.

32 Activity for 5 Major star a couple 6 Like many us on social media: @PCObserver on Instgram, ON L I N E Follow of couples drafts @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer 36 Mysterious Volunteer’s on7Facebook.

Himalayan words creature 8 Cooked up 37 Green prefix 9 Richard’s 38 & & & veep 42 Multiskilled 10 Posttalent revolution 47 ___ Wednesperiod day 11 Lacking a 50 Grassmusical key hopper’s 12 How to rock counterpart, a baby 9/24 © 2019 Andrews McMeel Universal in an Aesop 15 Kathmandu www.upuzzles.com fable resident

20

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Why go to an emergency center that’s connected to a hospital?

What if you need the rest of the hospital?

When it comes to your health, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Which is why during an emergency such as a stroke or heart attack, every second counts. We don’t want to risk our patients’ lives by transferring them to a different hospital for emergency surgery. Here, if you need to be rushed to surgery, it’s down the hall, not down the road. We also have access to cutting-edge equipment and some of the best doctors, nurses and specialists in the region are only a few feet away. If you need a pint of blood, no problem, we’re connected to a blood bank. Not to mention that our rehabilitation, orthopedic, oncology and maternity departments are only a wheelchair ride away. The best place to go during your emergency is a facility designed to handle any emergency. And that’s right here at BayCare’s South Florida Baptist Hospital.

OUR NETWORK:

BayCare Behavioral Health • BayCare HomeCare • BayCare Laboratories • BayCare Medical Group BayCare Outpatient Imaging • BayCare Surgery Centers • BayCare Urgent Care OUR HOSPITALS:

Bartow Regional Medical Center • BayCare Alliant Hospital • Mease Countryside Hospital • Mease Dunedin Hospital • Morton Plant Hospital Morton Plant North Bay Hospital • St. Anthony’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital St. Joseph’s Hospital-North • St. Joseph’s Hospital-South • South Florida Baptist Hospital • Winter Haven Hospital • Winter Haven Women’s Hospital BAYCARE.ORG 18-339297-0218